Chapter 18: A Day Full of Surprises

When Fedyenka thought about Bea's whereabouts, she got worried. She asked Yuri about it. Yuri told her,

"She needs some optimizations. Miss Charlotte tried to do it but instead she failed. This is what you get for not having much ideas about technologies. She is a sage she has to know about robotics!"

"Is Bea that complicated? You know, her mechanics." said Fedyenka.

"Yes. She is a robot with human intelligence. Robots like her who has emotions are rare."

"So...emotion is a thing?"

"Of course it is."

"No like does it 'exist'?"

"Hm...I understand your question but it's a tough one. It does exist because we can feel it but none of us has ever seen what emotions look like."

"I see..."

Fedyenka got busy with her training again. Like that time, Yuri had a call again from Ling. When Yuri left, Ling got excited and told Fedyenka that she has all the times in the world now. Fedyenka asked her why and how. She replied that something bad has happened and all senior researchers are gonna be busy with it. She is one of the juniors so she has all the time of the world. They started chatting like last time. While chatting, Ling gave her a news,

"Good news for you!"

"What is it, Ling?"

"The date of the seminar has backed to Twenty Third July."

"What is the date today again?"

"It's Twentieth July. You have got three days more in your hands. Even though you are a complete rookie you can win at least one round with the strength you have."

"Only one?!?"

"Yes. The other trainees who are gonna go to the seminar are that tough. You better know how to dodge."

"Well, Yuri always throws things at me so yeah, I do know how to dodge."

"Hehe. You are funny. Wanna learn something new about the coding language I was teaching you?"

"Yes. It was python right?"

"Yep. Have you practiced coding even a little bit after I left?"

"No. I don't dare to touch Yuri's computer."

"That is right. No one dares to do that just like you. Neither do I but here we are. I am using his computer to teach you how to code."

"Ling."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Do you think that, maybe Yuri is letting us do it? If he didn't the computer would have a lock. All the other computers in this place has face recognition."

"You are not wrong. Wait, you are totally right. Ohh...what are we gonna do? What if Yuri gets mad."

"Why would he get mad if he is letting us use it?"

"Let's hurry, or I may not be able to teach you even a bit. What done is done."

"Okay."

Ling started giving her lessons. Ling was talking so fast that the lessons were like a speed-run to Fedyenka. She stayed silent and did what Ling was telling her to do. After hours of her coding lessons a guapa came in the room and handed Ling a letter. Fedyenka asked her why a letter was sent when they has mobile phones and internet. She didn't reply and stayed still like a stone after getting the letter and opening it. Fedyenka asked,

"Is everything alright?"

"No. Nothing is alright. The superiors have known what I have done..."

"What have you done, Ling?"

"I have done, well, it's along story so I'll tell it to you in short since I don't have much time left. I work in the WAIESR, Wing of Artificial Intelligence and Endangered Species Researchers in which wing we make these artificial intelligences, store and modify endangered spices and lastly and most importantly make beings like you."

After finishing her words, Ling looked at Fedyenka with her eyes widened. Fedyenka had no doubt that she has done a grave mistake.

"But...what have you done actually?" asked Fedyenka.

"I messed up with some of the AIs on purpose to spend some time more with you. I barely had any companion in my entire life. I always feel so lonely. Now they are gonna suspend me for a year I bet. I won't be able to see you..."

"Ling. You know what, I'm gonna get a job in this place which will make me go out a lot."

"Like the wanderers?"

"The wanderers? What are they?"

"They are called wanderers because they go wherever they please and gather information and samples for this organization. Some of them are said to be worthy to be sages but they say that they prefer their worry-free life more."

"Wow. They sounds peaceful."

"I have to go now. Goodbye Fedyenka. I wish we meet again in our life." said Ling with a frowned face.

She kept practicing with her bow again. After a long time, Yuri came along with Phantom and Bea.

"Bee! (^o^)"

Bea rushed off to Fedyenka. Since Bea is a flying robot, she had no trouble rushing to her.

"Bea! I missed you. What happened to you?" said Fedyenka.

Bea showed her by her screen that someone spilled coffee on her and now she has been upgraded. She is now waterproof Bea. Fedyenka saw spencer in that screen. She thought that maybe he did that on purpose. Spencer has always been silently hostile toward Fedyenka. His hostility is always indirect.

"Fedyenka." said Yuri.

"Yes?" said Fedyenka.

"You knew everything."

"About what?"

"About the computer and computing."

"What made you think that?"

"You are a specialized human indeed but you are not so specialized that you are now even able to remember things inch by inch."

"Uh...Maybe I used to use computer? I don't remember much."

"Don't lie."

"I'm not lying Yuri, I really don't remember."

"If you are lying to me, you will pay the piper."

"Why do you think that I am lying?"

"Huh...python, java, the internet, CCTV cameras. These words don't come from air, Fedyenka. No one talked about these in front of you when you were still asleep."

"I don't know how they would talk in front of me but these came out of nowhere in my mind. I really don't remember anything." said Fedyenka. She suddenly started breathing abnormally fast. She sat on a chair.

"Oh God. I'll call Kristen. Phantom you come with me."

Phantom and Yuri left. She was left all alone in the room. She felt even worse. She tried to fix her breathing. She stayed like that, keeping her hands on her chest a and breathing heavily. Kristen came after some time and checked her. She told her to raise her arms and smile. She got a little annoyed by the things she was telling her to do. She felt awkward.

"She is fine. You guys made her anxious." said Kristen.

"Phew. She is fine then. GET A GRIP OF YOUR EMOTIONS, YOU LITTLE BRAT! YOU CHALLANGED ME SO ACT LIKE A CHALLANGER!!!"

Hearing his yelling, Fedyenka got more anxious but she calmed herself.

"Thank you." said Fedyenka to Kristen.

"No problem." said Kristen.

"Miss can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"I saw a woman with cat ears in the Hall of the Greats. You were working on the woman. What was it?"

"It's called a werecat. That werecat and I have the same name hehe."

"Is that a coincidence?"

"No. When I saw the woman frozen in this lab when I was little, I got curious about it. By time, I knew it's history and now I call myself Kristen."

"The story was cute."

"Enough chitchat you two." said Yuri.

Hearing about the werecats, some blurry memories appeared in her mind. She could see two figure holding each other. She tried to remember more about it but she couldn't.

"Yuri can I ask you something?" said Fedyenka.

"Shoot. But don't take too much time of me."

"What is this organization called?"

"It's called OUTE. It mainly comes from the south-eastern language Spanish elaboration, Organización Unida de Todos los Especimen. It was created by human sages who used to speak in Spanish as their first language."

"But all I see is humans all around."

"Yes. Anyway, I just informed you about some basic knowledges. Don't let me down my head in the seminar. You will be questioned about many things. Oh and most importantly, there will be reporters."

"Reporters...the people who spread news right?"

"Yes them."

"How am I supposed to speak to them?"

"Just be natural as if you are talking to a bunch of friends. You already have more friends than me. By the way, Ling is going to be punished. I will have a debate about it against Ling's superiors and along with my subordinates."

"Why are you saying that she will be punished when the debate is still a thing that hasn't happened yet?"

"Good point. Well, I never lose the thing I start."

"You are against her? Why?"

Yuri left the hall. Kristen followed him along and said goodbye to Fedyenka. Phantom stayed still the whole time. He kept observing Fedyenka. In all of a sudden, Phantom said, "How have you been doing rookie?"

Fedyenka nodded and said, "Fine I guess. What about you?"

"Meh, the same as always. Come with me to the field."

They both went to the field. Phantom stood far from her and yelled,

"Fedyenka. Today you will know a truth. I will see if any of the sages can stop me from saying this to you. You are not a being made in the lab."

Hearing that Fedyenka was surprised. She stared at him with her wide-eyed.