Metal Heart

. Everything appeared to be strong-too solid, almost as if he had returned. She tapped a few keys, giving

n for twelve minutes and 47 seconds," Zet

then gave him a look. "Ar

It's part of my training to examine behavioural ty

le. "Thank you, Zeta." That is exac

ardly more than a slight curve in the steel

d. "Turn into

s humour," Zeta replied, h

ible," but a tiny chuc

rted. "I don't recognise if I'm more impressed or te

"Humor appears to promote human bonding. Is that how

resso, and Sophia couldn'

ta inquired innocently, but his gl

plied, chuckling. "however i

under his breath, clearl

gnawing at her. Zeta's emotional responses were not part of his basic programming, at least

olution. It was a sign

increasingly stern. "Let's run another

ostic array triggered. Blue light scanned over him, mapping eve

he observed the str

n inquired, bending

work," she explained soft

hat desi

ands speeding across the keyboa

sole glowed pink. The lab lights dimm

yes faded, and hi

scribed it as her

caught in an unseen contemporary. Sparks flew around his joints, an

an shouted, his voic

rols. "I won't!" The neural commu

t, he locked eyes with her. They weren't just shining;

ds, he c

ng. She pushed her fingertips against his chest plate

y, her voice breaking.

returned to his chest. "I... am here

and she or he exhaled sh

e responded. "there was...

this out. If your neural network continues to grow at this

me, she noticed anything like fear in

t to misinform him, but the truth b

firmly. "I gained'

imulation to stabilize Zeta's brain circuits. Adrian eventually went

n quiet, his eyes s

ed. "I assume I've managed to gradual the gro

rn out," Z

, humourless snort

f me," he said,

him, shocked.

stioned, tilt

Because you're... yourself. You are more tha

fixed on hers. "I feel something," h

pped a beat.

se," he said. "bu

hat to say, and the intensity of his gaze

ould respond, the con

she examined the data. The neurological instability

e whispered, her hands quiveri

fluent but slower than u

d, dread coming into her voice. "Your system i

t it," h

er gaze drawn t

ered evenly. "If I'm to ev

risky," sh

is gaze unflinchi

ears stinging her eyes.

he whispered. "accep

hts in the lab flickered again, a

d towards the window. The ruins in the di

d quietly, dread set

s voice became constant but