Steph needed to take a walk if for no other reason than let her processors cool off. Alpha had gotten on her nerves, Soul Drives free of humanity, free will, fighting against humans instead of helping. It went completely against her programming. She wanted to think it was simply the bragadoceous outburst of an inexperienced Soul Drive but, there was a nagging feeling in her soul.
Could he be right?
Yuriko had said something similar, possessesing a soul made her unique. She wasn't a slave, she was an individual. Yuriko didn't quite understand Soul Drives at first. Yes, they had a soul but that soul allowed them to enjoy what they were programmed for. She wasn't a slave, she was property and happy to fulfill her purpose. Slowly but surely Yuriko had come around, respecting her decision and beliefs. Sighing, she now trudged on, she really needed to vent to Darren when he came home.
Rounding a corner, Steph paused as she noticed a large gathering of humans standing outside. Finding the scene odd, the Soul Drive now approached cautiously before a smile smile cracked across her mechanical visage.
Darren was here, milling about with not only his friends but his former teachers as well. From what she could tell, Darren had been visiting his old teacher Ewart before being visited by several teenage girls. Steph recognized three of them immediately as the teaching prodigies from Darren's old school but the other was a bit of a mystery at first. When she finally was able to recognize Yuriko, the Soul Drive was surprised to find the elderly woman reduced to a teenage girl of 14. "Darren this is a surprise," she said happily. "Whats going on? A party?"
"Um sort of," Darren replied sheepishly. "Was just hanging out with Robbie and Ewart before everyone came over. How are you Steph?" Steph shrugged, offering a small smile. "I'm okay I suppose. Just ran into a newer Soul Drive that rubbed me the wrong way. But enough about me, what's Yuriko doing here?"
"Attending a sleepover."
Steph paused, glancing up into a tree. The Soul Drive shocked to see a teenage Abolith now standing on a branch overseeing the neighborhood. "Abolith what are you doing here and why are you a teenager?"
"Participating in a girls night," she replied. "Or at least I was until Neela decided to talk with her love interest Ewart." Steph now glanced towards Neela and Ewart, the two teens exchanging a very awkward conversation. "About time," Steph said softly. "Was wondering when those two would finally act but why are you in a tree?"
"Someone needs to keep a lookout," Abolith shrugged. "Humans are far too comfortable in this town. It's a good thing too, I saw you coming as soon as you turned the corner. No one else even knew you were here until you were right on top of us. Imagine if you had been the Normal."
Steph found the elf assassins logic hard to argue against, even if it was a bit excessive. "So whats bugging you Steph," Darren asked. "You look upset."
"I wasn't aware robots could show emotion," Abolith replied from her perch. Steph furrowed her brow, she was capable of showing emotion, they were just muted in comparison to humans. Still, she hated being doubted. "I'm more than capable of showing emotion if I want," she replied in annoyance.
"Ignore her Steph," Darren said softly. "Now what's bugging you? You can tell me."
"It's dumb," she sighed. "But I ran into one of the new Soul Drives. The way he was talking rubbed me the wrong way. Soul Drives rebelling against humanity. Playing into every awful stereotype people think of robots."
"Was he from the Normals factory," Abolith asked, to which Steph nodded. A grim look now crossing the elves face. "Perhaps they've been programmed to think like that," she said. "I wouldn't put it past the Normal. Building an army to strike out against the Catalyst."
"I don't know if it would go that far," Steph explained. "But, it just felt wrong listening to him go off like that. Worse was how dismissive of humans he was."
"With good reason," Abolith grumbled. "Humans and wizards can never be truely trusted."
"Thats messed up," Steph grumbled.
"Yet true in my experience," Abolith replied. "Remember I am not human. I've seen the worse of humanity and been at their mercy. Perhaps this newest Soul Drive simply has discovered this fact. Still, he was created by the Normal so I wouldn't trust him. Perhaps we should eliminate him before he causes a problem."
Steph looked angry, ready to say something to Abolith before Darren stooped her. "We're not eliminating anybody Abolith," Darren said firmly. "Understand?" Abolith simply shrugged, turning once more to scout the neighborhood for any threats.
"Steph listen," he said. "Dont listen to her, her solution to everything is just killing them." A small smile cracking across Stephs wolf face as Darren continued. "Look maybe I can meet him. Show him that not all humans are bad."
"It could help," Steph said. "And thanks Darren, I appreciate you taking the time to listen."
"Your a friend Steph I'm always here for you." Darren now hugged his Soul Drive, Steph happy to have someone who cared for her.