We Are Legion (We Are Bob)

Book 3: Chapter 62: Life in the Clouds

Book 3: Chapter 62: Life in the Clouds

Howard

February 2244

Epsilon Eridani

“Honey, I’m home!”

Bridget turned to me as I closed the apartment door. “And that never gets old.”

“Nope. Never will.” I grinned and gave her a hug and a kiss. “Where’s my martini?”

“It’s in the liquor bottles. Some assembly required. Make me one, too.” She smiled at me and turned back to the computer’s Canvas.

I sighed with contentment and went over to put together some actual drinks. Sadly, in real life, you couldn’t just materialize a martini. On the other hand, no matter how much I tweaked the VR, they still tasted better in Real than in Virt.

I handed Bridget her drink. She barely looked up from the Canvas but grunted thanks. I peeked over her shoulder. It looked like a species tree for some segment of native life on Quilt. Something with wings and a stinger. Which, some to think of it, didn’t narrow it down much.

The diagram took up the entire Canvas, except for the inset in the corner showing a picture of Howie, Angeline, and their three children. Bridget was a grandmother, and her complaints about how old it made her feel didn’t fool anyone. We visited regularly, using the Vulcan androids, and nana was a huge favorite.

I raised my martini to my lips, and Bridget said, “Howard, have you ever considered adopting?”

* * *

Alcohol is surprisingly difficult to get out of clothing and carpets. You’d think it would evaporate quickly, but the odor remains. It took several minutes of cleaning before discussion could continue. řа????oΒЕŞ

“What?” Not my best response ever.

“There was that shuttle disaster a while ago. A lot of children left parentless. Things happen. People die. More so than in a truly settled, tamed society, in fact. There are similar issues on Vulcan, Romulus, and the other colonies. Adults have risky jobs. Governments are actually having to create departments to deal with it.”

“Bridget, we’re, uh, well, to put it indelicately, we’re machines.”

“This from the man who lectures me regularly about how I’m Original Me? Who once spent a half hour going on about Chinese Rooms? Grrrr. We’re officially citizens. We have friends. We belong to clubs. Hell, Howard, we pay taxes.”

I stared at her for several moments. “I actually do not have a coherent objection. Which is weird, because my immediate reaction is oh, hell, no.”

Bridget cocked her head and smiled. “You don’t have to decide right away. We have forever, right?”

I knew Bridget. This could have only one outcome. I was going to be a daddy.