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Part of the new daily life John was going to have to adapt to was the concept of working in shifts. This year the outpost's research budget had been increased and with that more people were going to be working during the early portion of the season. After the first month or so though the number of people would dwindle to nearly half the current population in residence, which would mean things would become less busy. The coming snow was the main factor for many of the scientists as their respective research grants did not permit an extended stay.

Being use to a much earlier waking time had left both John and Scott finding themselves with a few hours to kill before beginning their work in the early afternoon. Scott was going over some notes and reviewing data that had been compiled while he was away last winter's work session. John was reviewing a series of notes, tables of calculations, and data tables from satellite reading collections.

John conferred with Scott about some elements that the data pointed to and Scott explained as best he could what the data correlated to.

“Astronomy surely has some amazing and strange phenomena in it Scott." John scratched the thicker fur under his jaw. “Stars that produce light then grow so heavy not even light can then escape."

Scott grinned, “That as well as other things."

John looked at the data tables that calculated several stars in a distant galaxy which noted their speeds as they moved around a unseen central point. “So this series of recordings show that a massive black hole is most likely present?"

Scott nodded to him. “Given the distances and unseen nature of the object at the center point we can only use indirect observations."

After so much effort working with John to understand the different phenomena in the greater universe at large Scott was pleased to have someone to discuss his interests and passions with. John was glad he was gifted with such a great knowledge of and talent for mathematics as it was proving to be very useful to Scott and made him proud to be good at something to aid his human companion.

A knock at the door interrupted their pleasant conversation and John arose to answer it. On the other side stood Shield holding a small stack of folders and papers, glancing up at the towering white form of John blocking the doorway she gave him a thinly veiled scowl poorly masked as squinting into some brighter light.

“Dr. Sunterlend?" Sheila leered through a tiny gap between John's hulking frame and the door's own frame.

Scott sighed then leaned over to see the woman's eye peering in.

“Yes, Ms. Devaux?"

Sheila coughed while looking up at John's chest, he just gave her a simple friendly smile which she ignored. She never looked him in the face.

John stepped back to allow the small woman into the room. Sheila wordless stepped by him and stood near the second couch.

“Dr. Sunterlend I have several operational issues I need to complete that need your input sir."

“Yes, I had been meaning to get with you about those." Scott said as he sat up and positioned himself closer on the edge of the seat. “Would you mind joining me for lunch so we can attend to those?"

Sheila smiled, “I would be glad to, I have hoping to have a few moments of your time to propose some ideas I have about improvements."

“I am always open to hearing ideas from others." Scott nodded to her, “We will look forward to hearing yours then over lunch then."

“We sir?" Sheila stood a little straighter.

“Yes, my assistant John and I." Scott gave her a reassuring smile.

“I see sir," Sheila sagged a tiny bit, “I understand sir."

“Is there something wrong Ms. Devaux?" Scott arched his eyebrow questioningly.

“Of course not sir", Sheila fumbled with the papers in her hands. “It's just I was hoping to speak to you privately about some things related to personal that would best be kept confidential."

“I understand, but John is my assistant."

“Yes but he is an unpaid assistant and not really a member of this crew sir." Sheila gave Scott a hard to read look. John stood behind her by the door and only Scott noted the shift in his friend's ears. A shift that Scott new to be a note of hurt or sadness.

“The status and qualifications of my assistance are not your concern." Scott informed her politely. “He is my assistant and that is all you need focus on Ms. Devaux."

“I see sir." Sheila noted flatly.

“If you will excuse me then sir." And she turned toward the door and walked briskly out of the room. John followed her departure and closed the door after she left.

Scott looked at his friend. “I am sorry about that John."

“She does not like me for some reason." John noted as he returned to sitting down on the other couch. “I am unsure of what I have done or said to her to cause the issue."

“Do not concern yourself with her or her issues with you." Scott stood up and placed his hand on John's shoulder to reassure him.

“Let us go and see about lunch." Scott collected his papers from the coffee table between the couches. “I hear today we are having Tacos."

John's ears perked back up like fuzzy radar dishes and he looked at Scott.

Scott grinned, “I thought you would enjoy that."

John gave a broad smile and stood up with his own collection of papers.

Tacos just so happened to be John's third favorite food, right after spaghetti and the wonder that is pot roast.

*****

John finished off his fifth taco with gusto as Scott was only on his third. The meal helped improve John mood. John's second plate of tacos was soon delivered by one of the kitchen staff. John liked the young kitchen aid, his name was Jared and he was the first of the outpost personnel to talk to John directly and as a person. One of Jared's uncles had a wolf companion as well and as a result was more at ease around John.

Sheila was late for her agreed upon lunch meeting Scott noted. John and he would be going the main building to get started for the day and he was not looking forward to her bothering him while he was attending to his work.

Just as they were preparing to leave and head over to work Scott got a message notification on his tablet.

“I guess that is Sheila saying she was held up or something." Scott explained to John as he accessed the message and read it.

John studied Scott's face as he read the message and noted the quick reddening of his friend's face after a few moments.

“Is something wrong?" John didn't like seeing his friend upset.

“It would appear I have to contact someone at the committee in charge because of some complaints about my personnel." Scott explained with some heat in his voice.

John's ears lowered again at Scott's news.

After they reached the main building Scott went to his office and John waited in a general meeting room adjacent to Scott's office.

Alone in his office, Scott called the offices that housed the committee membership and a woman's voice answered on the other end.

“How may I direct your call?" She asked in a perky voice.

“Yes, this is Scott Sunterlend calling in response to a message I received." He explained.

“Yes sir, I was direct to transfer your call as soon as you contacted us." The woman's voice practically bubbled like Champaign. “One moment please."

The phone clicked then made a few pulsing tones. After four such rings someone picked up.

“This is Mrs. Rutherford's, Can I help you?" came another woman's voice, this one more professional sounding than the bubbly other one.

“Hello Silvia, its Scott calling as per your message requested." Scott replied.

“Oh Scott, I didn't recognize your voice for moment." Silvia's voice shifted to a much more friendly tone. “How are things going up there?"

“Well I thought everything was going well enough until I read your email." Scott's explained as he sat down at his desk.

“Ah yes, I seem to have received a email message from someone at the research outpost and they expressed concerns over exchanges of confidential private information being conducted with unofficial staff present." Silvia took a breath and continued, “Another complaint of a nonhuman entity being employed in a position that such a being is not qualified to fill. And finally a third complaint that personnel feel uncomfortable with a animal roaming loose around the outpost as it posses possible danger to humans."

A moment passed and Silvia finished. “Their words, not mine Scott."

“I see. “was all Scott offered in reply, his eyebrows coming together.

“Might you be willing to explain the nature of these complaints?" Silvia inquired.

“Oh I am more than able to address these complaints." Scott assured her. “It all boils down to one thing."

“And that is?" Silvia prodded him to continue after a moments silence from Scott's of the line.

“Well it is quite simple really Silvia" Scott said with a sign as he rubbed at his now closed eyes. “I have a certain someone here who is not pleased with my personal assistant John."

“John?" she sounded puzzled a moment, “oh that synthetic genetic life form companion you had created?"

“Yes, His name is John." Scott continued to explain. “And he is more than qualified to fill the position he is in. Everything about his intelligence profile and tailored mental enhancements are clearly documented as well are the testing scores in the assessments he has taken online over the last year."

“One moment please Scott." Silvia requested politely and the sounds of some papers being moved around could be faintly heard.

“Ah here is his file in with yours." Silvia said after a minute or more had passed.

Scott sat patiently while Silvia reviewed John's file, he put on his headset and walked over to a coffee pot filled with hot water and prepared a cup of earl grey tea.

After a short time the sound of Silvia's whistle greeted Scott's ears. “Damn Scott, you paid to have this thing created?" she asked.

“Yes ma'am, out of my own pocket." Scott sipped at his tea.

“And these are his test results." She continued in her questioning.

“Yes ma'am, all of his testing was done online via a series of private and proctored placement assessment testing certified by the University of Toronto and Berkley in the U.S." Scott replied.

“I see and this is the projected I.Q. scoring?" She continued.

“Yes, but we all know reliable those silly things are." Scott laughed.

“Be that as it may, your companion is no slouch." Silvia assured Scott. “So what is the problem?"

“Well I guess his physical presence is fairly intimidating to those who have not gotten to know John." Scott offered.

“I see his photo here." Silvia stated. “Are you kidding me Scott?" she snorted.

“Not that I know of, did his photo get messed up?" Scott asked in mock distress.

“You are telling me you have a 2.9 meter tall polar bear crunching numbers for you?" Silvia asked him, a hint of mirth in her voice.

“Yes ma'am" Scott couldn't hide his own note of laughter. “I feel so much safer with a big jock protecting us defenseless nerds and he works for food since he is unpaid for his work otherwise."

“I can see how he might scare some people, yes." She agreed. “But he is not a danger to others?"

“Yes ma'am, John is “Three Laws" safe." Scott assured her.

“What Three Laws?" Silvia asked. “I am not familiar with the natures of these new creatures."

“Sorry, that was a joke I have between John and I." Scott explained. “I was making a crack about the Three Laws of Robotics from the old science fiction books of Isaac Asimov."

“Oh that, I understand now." Silvia professed. “That's an obscure material for a joke."

“I know, but nothing beats the old school stuff." Scott sipped at his tea more now that it had cooled off.

“So your companion John is clearly able to do what you need of him and he is poses no likely harm to man or woman at the outpost."

“Correct." Scott affirmed. “No one here, female or otherwise has a thing to fear from John, unless he mistakenly sits on someone."

“Heavens forbid." Silvia agreed and then she returned to a more serious tone." So then it would appear these complaints are groundless as they currently stand."

“Yes, I would hope so." Scott agreed.

“Well then it would seem you have a possible personnel issue between yourself and another member of the team." Silvia stated bluntly.

“It would appear to be that way and I assure you it is all one sided." Scott said as he sat forwards in his chair again. “John stays with me nearly at all times, eats meals with me, shares quarters with me, and socializes only with people I do." Scott stated for Silvia's record. “And when he interacts with others here I am with him."

“Well I know how social you are." Silvia joked, “So then I will make note of your side of things and respond to the complaints."

“I am glad we have gotten this cleared up Silvia." Scott offered in way of thanks.

“I am glad as well." Silvia agreed. “I will have to meet John some time, it sounds very intriguing."

“Oh he is." Scott grinned at the praise of his friend. “He has a keen mind and a friendly personality."

“Not to friendly I hope." Silvia teased him.

“Oh not to anyone but me", Scott explained, “Companions mentally imprint on the first person or people they see and interact with upon awakening."

“That is a rather interesting approach I guess." Silvia noted, “Now I understand why you are very protective of him."

“I thought so as well", Scott said with some odd quality to his voice. “I am letting him develop on his own and come to his own decisions."

“I understand." Was all Silvia said in response. “And do not worry, all information relating to this conversation is strictly confidential Scott."

“Thank you Silvia." Scott set his now cold tea on his desk. “You are a good friend."

“Well you are a good person Scott and I am sure John is becoming a good person as well."

“I hope so." Scott said somewhat softly.

“Good bye Scott", Silvia said, “We must catch up sometime when this research season is over."

“I would like that very much; it has been a too long since we had lunch." Scott agreed.

Scott ended the call and placed his headset on his desk next to is cup of tea. After a moment of thought he could only shake his head. Finally he stood up and walked to his door. After nearly an hour Scott came out and appeared in better spirits. John's own spirit improved at that.

“Is everything okay with the committee?" John gave Scott a hopeful look.

“Oh it is now." Scott smiled. “I was questioned at some length about having you as my assistant and it seems someone has complained that they did not feel safe having a dangerous animal living in the facilities and around personnel."

John was stunned by that news to say the least. “I don't understand."

“Someone thought they could have you removed and me likely as well by complaining to the higher ups."

“So I am a dangerous animal?" John asked.

“And the committee was reminded that under the law you are not eligible to work because you are not a human being but a stupid beast of burden." Scott added.

“But then I reminded the committee heads that you are not being paid and thus not breaking any laws. “ Scott continued, “And that you are hardly a stupid animal since you are smarter than three fourths the crew and hardly dangerous given you are inhibited from directly harming humans."

John smiled, “That those “Three Laws of Robotics" you explained to me?"

Scott nodded.

“So you are not in danger of losing your position?" John enquired.

“Not even a remote possibility." Scott assured him. “Not only that but I explained the situation that is going on and the committee has decided to address issues with the person or people who have made complaints."

“I don't think that will help me accomplish my desire to fit in and become less a spectacle to others." John sighed.

“Just wait and see." Scott reassured John. “Only worry about what you actually have control over."

And with that Scott and John went to their first day of work. John soon faced other issues that replaced his social discomforts. A series of technical issues cropped up with one of the dishes and then a small fire broke out in a research lab due to a miss placed soldering iron in a trash bin.

*****

Several days passed by uneventfully thankfully and John was finally adapting to being around other humans and ignoring the now only occasional stare or glance. It would appear that the novelty of an upright walking-talking-calculus genius-polar bear was wearing off. People did not appear to go out of their way in the hallways now to give John a wide path and instead only altered their path around him. The zone of empty tables near Scott and him at lunch also began to fill in and disappeared altogether as time passed. John was silently amazed at how adaptive humans appeared to be.

One morning in the very early hours Scott and John were in the shower facilities at the end of the hall on their floor. John was not comfortable with being around other humans in the showers and Scott was happy to cater to his desire for privacy. Scott had to help John wash up given his many hard to reach places and also helped groom his fur. John was holding his right arm up so Scott could trim the long arm fur. John found it uncomfortable to have long fur while wearing his coverall outfit, he longed to be able once again wear only his shorts or the complete freedom of nothing at all. Scott was glad that others would not be staring at his friend's privates; John was just getting use to everyone now. He would not want rumors being started because of John's bearhood, sheath, and other parts nor more people staring even more. Besides he did not want to make the other men feel underwhelming as John would have done. John was self conscious enough about things; he did not want more staring and whispers starting up.

Using two of the custom oversized towels John had, they worked at drying him off and heading back to their room. As they neared their door Scott noticed someone exiting a door at the distant end of the hallway. When Scott stopped short for a brief moment it caused John to look at the direction Scott focused on. There was Sheila leaving her room and heading towards the women's shower room at the other end of the hallway. She stopped when she noticed the hallway was occupied and by whom it was. Sheila had changed her shift to limit her encounters with her “boss and his mutant pet freak"; at least that was the words she used that were reported to Scott.

Scott only gave a friendly nod to her, but otherwise paid her no mind as John and he entered their room.