| Generated by Google Flow text-to-video AI software, powered by Omni Flash |
Ronan is a fool. He failed to recognize the mechanics of the simulation.
It’s true, a robo-goat can’t likely eat grass and convert it into milk. That
level of glandular engineering veers too far into the territory of true
organic life. If the Custodians of this dome are trying to keep everything
vegan, it’s a line that they would not cross. But that doesn’t mean it’s a
loophole he can exploit. The sim expects the goat to eat grass, and it
expects the mama goat to give its kids milk. If that process is halted, you
have cheated, and the Custodians put a stop to it. So he changes tactics. He
lives as he’s meant to live. He lost sight of the whole reason they came
here in the first place, but he won’t make that mistake again. He needs to
make sure that Talus survives, but he won’t do that by breaking the rules.
That’s not what Mayumi would want, nor Talus himself. When he’s old enough,
and his brain starts to rewire itself to remember all the things that Talus
did as a full grown man, he will appreciate Ronan’s dedication.
It’s been another several weeks now, and things have only grown harder.
Talus is having trouble with the goat milk. It’s not really what he’s
supposed to drink, but it’s all they have available. His body needs more.
And then she walks in. Gia. She shows up out of the blue holding her own
baby, tears in her eyes, asking for a place to rest for the night, and maybe
a little food. Ronan is suspicious. It honestly looks like a gift. The
Custodians would be able to see how much he’s struggling, so they’re helping
him out. How can he trust this person who shows up right when he is at his
lowest, carrying the very thing he needs to keep his best friend and child
alive in her body? It is too convenient. She has to be a plant. She might
not even be an organic human. She might be just like the goats. He has to
know the truth, so he simply asks her. “I know we’re not supposed to talk
about this, but are you an NPC?”
She switches her baby to her other arm. “Why would I be an NPC?”
“I just have to ask, I’m sorry. I’m seeing the seams in the simulation, and
it’s messing with my head. The goats. The goats aren’t—”
“I know what the goats are,” Gia interrupts. “I read up on the laws and
ethics of this planet when I came here. They don’t have to follow Earthan
laws, but that doesn’t mean they don’t. I assure you, I’m real, and I need
help.”
Ronan has just finished building an addition to their home. He was pretty
early in the process when Mayumi was still alive. He stopped needing it
after she died, but he kept working anyway because when he commits to
something, he commits. “We have the space, but I would kindly ask you for
something in return.”
She frowns. “You’ll forgive me, sir, but my body is mine.”
“I respect that, but my son has no mother, and he’s been missing
nutrients...”
“Oh. Oh, you need milk? Milk, I have aplenty. My breasts, they overproduce.
I did not know what I was asking for when I filled out the request for a
pregnant-capable substrate. What’s your baby’s name? This is Isavet. As you
said, we should not talk about this, but the father quit. He didn’t even
know I was pregnant, and I don’t want to break character to send him a
message.”
“Same thing happened to me,” Ronan replies, “though she didn’t quit by
choice.”
“Oh.”
“But it’s okay. We’ll see each other again one day. Come on inside.”
She goes inside. They stay there together for years, ultimately falling in
love.
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