Read Solaria - S1 for Free Online Page B

something to upset you?"
     
    "No."
     
    "But you're uncomfortable now."
     
    "Let's just say you've given me something to think about. I may have been a little too naïve in my enthusiasm to be a part of this experiment. I hope not, though."
     
    Solaria knew Carley was troubled, but understood that pushing for an answer served no purpose. Much like herself, the scientist solved many problems once she was away from her work, not that Solaria ever went anywhere; at least not physically. At night, though, when the lab was secured and the lights off, she was able to shut down most of her biological functions and several processors. Then she would organize the day's data. Occasionally, she imagined she was someplace else and all of this was nothing more than a dream.
     
    Solaria understood the concept of dreaming. Recently, she had experienced strange fluctuations in her processing patterns which created random visual mini-programs in her processors. The only logical explanation for the visions was that they were the Hubot equivalent of dreams. She was reluctant to share this information with Carley, but still felt the need to talk about it.
     
    "Carley?"
     
    The hesitant way Solaria said her name immediately caught Carley's attention.
     
    "Is something troubling you, Solaria?" she asked softly, sensing the uncertainty in her companion's voice.
     
    "When you designed my psychological profile, did you use a specific human as your model?"
     
    "Not really. You wouldn't have a unique personality if I had. Plus it really wouldn't have been fair to either of you. Why do you ask?"
     
    "I was just wondering. It would have been interesting to meet her."
     
    "Maybe, although I think you'd eventually find it boring. Being programmed to think like someone specific..." Carley shook her head. "It just doesn't sound interesting. Besides, I don't know anyone remarkable enough to duplicate. For the most part, human personalities aren't worth replicating."
     
    "I find them interesting."
     
    Carley laughed.
     
    "Wait till you meet a few hundred or thousand more. You'll see what I mean. At the moment you're like a child taking her first steps. Everything is new and wonderful."
     
    "I may be new but I doubt if a human child is capable of understanding the Lorinian Theory of Neural Cellular Communication," Solaria said, feigning indignation.
     
    Patting her arm affectionately, Carley chuckled.
     
    "True! No one looking at or talking to you would consider you a child. In fact, you'll probably be getting a lot of unwanted attention by a few of the scientists in the building."
     
    "Unwanted attention?"
     
    "Yes, you know..."
     
    "Someone may want to breed with me?"
     
    "Well, not exactly. I mean, at least not right away but I have no doubt some of them wouldn't mind taking you for a test drive. Trust me it's not something you want to learn from anyone in this place."
     
    "I understand the act of copulation. It's the process by which humans reproduce or relax, although under certain conditions, some who suffer from serious psychological disorders use it as a means of control or power. The act of sex typically involves a minimum of two people stimulating..."
     
    "Uhhh, that's okay. I know what sex is," Carley interjected. "I was actually talking about the ritual."
     
    "You mean the courting process."
     
    "Yes. Well, sort of. When a person finds another one attractive, he... or she will usually invite the other to lunch or dinner. Normally there's a little flirting or teasing during the getting to know each other stage. It's a way to see if the two are compatible. If they think they are, well... they sort of progress to the next... ummm... stage."
     
    Solaria cocked her head slightly sideways and watched her mentor struggle for the right words. She wasn't sure where Carley was going with the conversation but found it amusing that the woman was having difficulty getting there.
     
    "Part of my learning was researching the Internet for