Tatertot blinked back. He didn’t seem to have any issues with the androids milling about. Or spilling drinks. His amber eyes were already half asleep as he lay back on the chair, tail curled up in a corkscrew position. Anna picked up the now-spilled cup next to him.Not a care in the world.
“Here, Anna.” Simon came over with a towel to blot up the liquid on the table. “It shouldn’t stain.”
Another android, one of the beautiful model-S ones with dark, brown skin and a shade darker hair, came over with a towel and bent down before dabbing at her belly.
Anna recoiled before forcing a smile. “It’s okay. I can do it myself.” She wiped down her front, muttering, “Not much actually got on me.”
“. . . Anna?”
She recognized the voice, and her cheeks heated.Of course it’s Atlas.
The designated medical android on board, Atlas, looked down at her with serious hazel eyes. He stood, aloof, a few paces away, with a brow that would be permanently furrowed if androids could get wrinkles. That perfect body was rigid, like he was modeling instead of wearing his clothing.
She dried her hands on her shirt again. Atlas always came at the worst time. It was almost a gift of his. Whenever he came by, something awkward always happened. Medical testing. Juice being spilled. The first time she met him, in fact, she was in the middle of a coughing fit. He came by to examine her, his expression serious. It was almost like he was pressured to put his medical knowledge to use when he would rather not.
It’s not that Anna disliked him, exactly, but more that everything associated with him was unpleasant. That, and she always had the feeling that she was failing every test he gave her, both physically and personally.
“Hi Atlas.” She gave him a sheepish grin. “We had a juice spill.”
Atlas’s voice was measured. “I can see that.”
Nora snorted. “Good timing.”
“Let me guess.” She brushed her hand down her soaked front, straightening out her shirt. “More testing?”
“Yes.”
Then, softer. “Is there a lot more?”
“. . . Yes.”
Anna nodded, then looked away. Her eyes locked on Tilly’s drawings lining the walls. These androids not only collected children’s drawings, they also repaired broken limbs. She glanced at Tilly’s pink cast. Her eyes traveled over to Nora. And gunshot wounds in legs. They deserved her going along withwhatever testing they wanted. After all, they were bringing her to Mars. Their paradise.
And she was their pregnant human refugee.
Chapter four
Atlas
She hates the testing that much?Atlas frowned, processing Anna’s fidgeting.Not dislike. Fear.Had he ever felt fear from humans? In the humans he was used to dealing with, they were bold. There was no framework to handle a human that shrank back, acting submissive and scared. He reached into his training, pulling out long unused bedside manners.
“Don’t worry, this should be a fun test.” He held up the clipboard he always carried. “I was going to bring you for the ultrasound. The machine is now working.”
“Oh!” Anna put her hand over her belly. “Really?”
“Yes.” He lowered his voice. “It hadn’t been used for many years, but everything was still functional once the wiring was replaced.”
Nora struggled to stand on her injured leg. “That lets us see the baby?”
He kept his focus on Anna. “Yes it does.”
“Oh yes!” Tilly jumped up and squealed. “I want to see!”
Anna bunched up the damp towels and awkwardly pushed on the table to stand. A small damp spot was left on her pants after she finished wiping. “I’m ready. Lead the way?”
Atlas’s eyes snagged on her fingers. His medical processors zoomed in.Jaundice? No. It’s only the fingertips.“Why are your hands so yellow?”
“I spilled some spices on my hand.” Anna quickly balled them in a fist. “I didn’t realize it would stain.”
