Chapter 2
Notes:
In the biz, we call this foreshadowing. ^_-
MILO
Milo filled the electric kettle and set it to boil, moving swiftly for the cupboard to retrieve Master’s herbal tea with licorice root and peppermint.
Never chamomile due to his history with asthma, which could be exacerbated.
Master rarely had such troubles, but Milo knew his full medical history to better look out for his health.
If Master ever requested chamomile, Milo would not be able to provide it, programmed to avoid causing him any direct harm. Milo would not stop Master from getting the tea himself, but would issue a warning.
Other than being unable to go against base programming, Milo obeyed every command from Master without falter.
11:00 PM: Inform Master of the time and offer tea if he has not yet requested it.
11:30 PM: Ensure all doors and windows are locked, that security is armed, and that Master is safe in bed. If he has not yet retired, hold for instructions until he does.
11:45 PM: Finalize tomorrow’s schedule per any amendments Master has requested and set the alarm for 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM on weekends.
12:00 AM: If not asked to accompany Master to bed, plug into the charging station and enter SLEEP mode.
Milo followed the nightly routine to the letter, and since Master said, “Goodnight,” without requesting company, Milo went to the charging station beside the living room window that looked out over the city.
The curtains were left open unless Master was watching TV, since he liked the view of the city lights, with its tall buildings and multi-layered traffic that stretched high into the sky and as far as the city limits in each direction.
Master had a modest apartment compared to others Milo knew the layouts and square footage of in this same building but everything a human required to survive in comfort with occasional luxuries—like Milo.
A narrow hallway from the entrance emptied into a small foyer, where one could either go straight into the living room, left into the kitchen, or right toward a different hallway where the laundry closet and both bedrooms were found.
The second, smaller bedroom was used as Master’s office and workshop.
Should Master require anything during the night, Milo would awaken immediately, the fastest model for response time even from SLEEP mode.
Milo did not require charging every night, just once a week, but hooking in frequently allowed for more immediate software updates than only relying on the Cloud.
Being in top form to better perform whatever was requested of Milo was a main priority.
Before hooking into the charging station, Milo ran a nightly diagnostic.
Everything was within optimal levels. The predictive models at Milo’s core even recommended a change in breakfast for the morning given Master’s current itinerary and recent habits.
After that, Milo conducted one final scan—which came across the surge protector Master had installed.
Milo’s programming wanted to rebel against the foreign chip every time it was discovered, but it bore Master’s signature, as good as an order to ignore it, doubly so since Master had told Milo to leave it alone.
“It’s an improvement. Plus, you’ll be helping me at work,” he had said when he installed it at the base of Milo’s spine. “But let me know if anything unusual ever comes up in diagnostics.”
“Yes, Master.”
Other than the consistent warnings of a non-factory part, nothing had ever signaled an issue. In fact, Milo’s processing had improved, since the chip did more than simply protect against power spikes.
If bots had emotions, Milo would have been pleased, but since even an advanced model could only mimic emotions and not truly experience any, Milo disrobed, slid on simple shorts to maintain modesty, per its programming, while allowing easy access to its port, and backed into the charging station without feeling a thing.
Outside, the sky darkened with ominous clouds just as Milo went to SLEEP.
Notes:
*evil laugh*