Model 373
#1 of Patreon stories
"Synthetic Reptile number... 373? Recite your labeling code." The scientist asked, peering into the sanctioned off lab which held their most notable experiments. He didn't want to be involved in such a thing when it wasn't necessary, but his previous colleague had called in sick early and left on some emergency and couldn't be bothered to explain. Stepping forwards the glass protection and seeing the robotic replica of a lizard approaching the glass from the opposing side.
"My entire labeling code is Mod-SR-373-LNB" The synth spoke. Although it had no need to, it learned to operate its mouth alongside its words in a way to mirror other creature's anatomy. The wolf before it shuddered as he jotted down the label for this specific model. Across his badge was the lab where he worked, the Laboratory of Noncontrolled Bionics is a famed organization with several malpractices narrowly avoiding the public eye. These synthetic creatures were their pride and joy though they have yet to be made known outside of the lab.
"Commence mobility test." The scientist watched carefully as the synth started to fully utilize its full range of motion, demonstrating to the wolf that it was fully capable of moving as normal. Although mainly artificial, there were a lot of deeper sciences at work to replicate the texture of scales and the full range of motion provided by a living body. Thus the name of 'synthetic' though the full properties of the material they used has yet to be fully explored. The material seemed almost corrosive in the way it transmuted other metals in close proximity to it. These other metals kept their traits like their magnetic charge and color while no longer being made of the same material. These tests worked to both make sure the synth could move as well as making sure the synthetic material was kept in its specific segments and not fully spreading across the model's body. It seemed to all be in place.
"Mobility test is complete." the synth reported, now sitting down, already preparing for the second step in the assessment. The wolf sighed, acknowledging that he had to enter the room for the next step. He needed to test its conversation and behavioral patterns and allow the synth to analyze the wolf in order to better its own habits. The very concept of being so deeply analyzed and replicated led the wolf to become weary of the synth. Not only was the wolf one of the dozens of scientists this creature was exposed to, but this happened to be the most noteworthy and smartest one. While others are very obviously robotic, this specific Synth has been the only one to consistently attempt to be more animated with its behavior. As the wolf entered into the lab, the synth continued sitting, already at a fair distance away from the seat and watching the wolf carefully. The wolf set down the clipboard and looked at the synth, registering that it had just been staring at him the entire time, its eyes blacking out periodically in order to simulate blinking.
"I noticed you sat down this time. Why is that, 373?" The wolf asked. His quota demanded a minimum of 5 questions, so reactionary questions were always the easiest to do. The less time spent with this robot, the better. Although it has no problems with auditory processing or thinking, the synth still waited a perfect 3 seconds before talking.
"Your body posture is more relaxed when I am sitting. When you enter, you ensure there is space between us. You also get unnerved when my tail moves, so I have kept my tail behind me." The synth explained, the wolf not even registering the lack of tail until the synth noticed it. Silence filled the room as the wolf looked through some of his other papers to see some of the other questions he could ask, needing a reason to break eye contact with the synth although it had no real eyes.
"How has your day been, 373?" The wolf asked, looking back at the synth curiously, who hadn;t moved at all since he had last seen him. His near perfect posture was only lessened by the bent forelimbs that lowered the synth ever so slightly in order to be perfectly eye level with the wolf.
"My day has been quite hilarious. Upon entering my room to socialize with me, Dr. Hyaenidae had accidentally fallen over after bumping into the sofa you're currently sitting on. It was very humorous and the only remarkable thing that is worthy of being communicated." The synth explained, every now and then looking off to the side as it told the story as if recalling it. Although it was telling what the wolf assumed was meant to be a funny story, the synth spoke with the same connotation as normal. Although the wolf w=did catch something additionally abnormal about the story.
"Dr. Hyaenidae? Just because he is a hyena doesn't mean... Wait, did you think that was our names?" The wolf asked, almost surprised that theri star experiment had made such an odd naming convention for the scientists here. The synth tilted its head in response.
"I would like to ask a question." It asked coldly. Surprised by the turn in events, the wolf complied, assuming what the synth would ask. "What are your names?" It continued, tilting its head the other way while not looking away, making the wolf shutter once again.
_"Well the hyena you likely saw was named Cecil. I am named Emmanuel. You can just call me that, instead of Dr Canidae or something." The wolf explained, not expecting his name to be part of the discussion. This seemed to surprise the synth. The synth raised its head slowly as it curved its lips into a smile. _
"May I interrupt this assessment so that I may explain something, Emmanuel?" The synth offered, still carrying its newfound smile on its face. The scientists looked at his notes quickly, not seeing anything about prohibiting the synth from asking questions or talk on its own.
"You are the only one who bothered to explain your names to me. I understand that you fear me for my lack of life yet I acknowledge that you still explained this fact to me. I hold you in high regard for that matter. May we play together?" The synth asked, now looking to the corners of the room which held various yoga balls and simple toys, which 373 had only recently started to engage with. Usually the synthetic creatures do this on their own, but the wolf scientist felt almost honored to have been given this honor. The scientist nodded his head curiously and the synth's smile faded as he stood up suddenly, making his way over towards the massive helium balls before stopping suddenly, the scientist by his side. The synth quickly leapt to his side and tackled the scientist to the ground, one of his paws quickly moving to shut the scientist's muzzle.
_Full story on patreon _ here!