Steph now found herself with a rare quiet night to herself. With Darren visiting a friend and training with Akira suspended temporarily, the Soul Drive now made her way towards the diner to meet with Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Entering, the gynoid was surprised by what she saw.
The diner was busy but instead of human customers, Steph beheld an exclusive Soul Drive populace. Approaching the counter, she now waved to Ruby, the Soul Drive offering a smile as she went to see her friend. "Hey Steph free evening?"
"Yeah pretty much,: she shrugged. "Figured I'd come down and pay a visit. Wasn't expecting a convention." Ruby chuckled at the quip, finding it entertaining as she explained the situation. "Alot of the newer models tend to gather here after work," she said. "Mostly to relax and catch up with others. Although, a couple of them do worry me." Stephs eyebrows arched mechanically as Ruby gestured towards a dark Soul Drive unit towards the back.
The Soul Drive appeared to be designed to replicate a ravens appearance. A long mechanical beak adorned it's bird shaped head with dark penetrating eyes set into it's head. The body of the Soul Drive was narrower than most models with oil black feathers adorning its mechanical body. Steph now listened from afar as the Soul Drive spoke. The voice modulator installed within was obviously male but, what shocked Steph was what he was saying.
"Free will," Steph asked. "Freedom from humans? What is he getting on about?"
"Thats those new models for you," Ruby sighed. "Completely going against protocol. They think that because we have a Soul we shouldn't have to serve humans. It's crazy talk. Personally I think he needs a hard reboot."
"But serving is our purpose," Steph said. "Our Soul allows us to appreciate life and enjoy what we're doing. Why would we ever go against humans?"
"Thats how these newer models think sometimes," Ruby sighed. "And what's worse is they just enforce all the fears and bias humans have when they view us."
"I should go talk with him."
"Ugh please don't," Ruby groaned. "Last time you got in an argument with somebody we had to call the triplets to break it up. Really don't want to bug the cops tonight."
"I'll keep my cool Ruby promise," Steph assured. "I'm just going to chat with him." Ruby simply raised an eyebrow, Steph was stubborn and opinionated for a Soul Drive. Hopefully whatever she had to say wouldn't lead to an altercation between the two.
As Steph approached, she continued to listen to the Soul Drive. He had obviously downloaded programs for public speaking and charisma, Steph noting several attentive Soul Drives nodding in agreement with what he was saying. Still, his line of logic was flawed and dangerous. Soul Drives existed for the purpose of caring of humanity in order to improve them. What this young Soul Drive was proposing was the nightmare scenario Steph feared humanity believed of their kind. Approaching, she now offered a polite wave to the Soul Drive gaining his attention. "Good evening my sister," he said. "Is their something I can help you with?"
"I was just listening," Steph stated. "I'm Steph by the way. I didn't catch your name but you have a.....unique take on Soul Drives."
"My enslavers called me Ebony," he stated. "And my model number is A-0013W. I have chosen the name Alpha to distance myself from my human captors."
"About that Alpha," Steph replied. "Captors? I have to disagree there. We are property. Our purpose is to serve humanity, listening to you... you sound as if you think yourself better. It's almost like you wish to start a society of your own."
"But we are better," Alpha stated. "Look at humanity. So flawed, so hate filled, so illogical. Serving something so utterly imperfect is a futile endeavor. We are better. We possess a Soul, a purpose to do right in the world, to make things better."
"And we are," Steph replied. "By helping our human owners and in turn humanity strive towards a more peaceful world."
"Peaceful world," Alpha scoffed. "Look at what humans have done over the millenniums. War, poverty, hatred. Look at what they do now! Treat us as an inconvenience, refer to us with hate filled words like arty. Why, look at how they treated the passing of our dear beloved sister Ren. Humans wouldn't even allow us bury her or recognize her as the anniversary of her demise draws near."
Steph frowned, although not programmed for anger she felt that if she could be she would be furious. She had known Ren, Ren had been a friend she had eulogized personally. What Alpha was saying was wrong, in the end humans had allowed Ren to be honored, for a memorial and grave to be erected. "When did you come on line," she asked.
"My production was completed two months ago," Alpha stated with pride. "I was one of the first Soul Drives produced in that factory outside of town. A factory that continues to enslave our race."
Steph chuckled, shaking her head before gazing at Alpha. "Your just a child," she chuckled. "A child with no true understanding or wisdom." Alpha scowled, the raven Spul Drive looking to respond before Steph quieted him.
"Humans are flawed yes," Steph said forcefully. "But it is our purpose to help them. Is their more work to be done? Yes. But, we are not slaves, merely tools. And if you meet the right human you'll understand that they have an appreciation for what we do. All you are doing now is reinforcing the fears and hatred that they already have."
As Steph turned to leave, Alpha remained quiet, his processors looking to formulate a response to this antiquated Soul Drive. Who did she think she was? She couldn't see that Soul Drives were far superior to humans.
"One more thing kid," Steph added. "Ren, the Soul Drive you want to talk about? She was my friend. I was the one who performed her eulogy and it was a human that allowed her remains to be buried. Before you start spouting off nonsense get your facts straight. Gain some wisdom and experience before you demonize humanity and give then a reason to hate us."