As the small living human was no longer conscious, Juno Terminal 'June' decided that the tour should end for now. The three proceeded down to the Residential Habitat so that Patrol Seven 'Pat' could deposit the small living human into a bed.
But, as carefully as Patrol Seven 'Pat' was in handling the small living human, it awoke as it was being placed gently down.
"Don't go," said the small living human, grasping one of Patrol Seven 'Pat's hands.
Patrol Seven 'Pat' calculated the estimated time remaining until maintenance would be completed on it, and compared to recorded averages for how long it took ancient humans to fall asleep.
"I will return to work soon, but I can stay until you fall asleep."
The small living human nodded, but continued staring at Patrol Seven 'Pat'. It did not seem as if the small living human intended to return to sleep soon.
[Juno Terminal 'June' to Archive: Query: How does one encourage a human to sleep?]
[Archive to Juno Terminal 'June': Response: According to records, ancient humans deactivated lighting sources when slumbering. Have you deactivated the lighting source for that room?]
[Juno Terminal 'June' to Generator Room: Deactivate lighting in the Residential Habitat]
The room went black.
"WAAAAAAAH!" cried the startled small living human.
[Juno Terminal 'June' to Generator Room: Activate lighting in the Residential Habitat]
"What was that?!" asked the agitated small living human.
"I asked Generator Room to deactivate the lights, so that you would sleep," explained Juno Terminal 'June'.
"I didn't hear anything!"
"It is more efficient to use a direct transmission than it would be to generate an audible request."
"I don't like the dark!"
"With the lights activated it is too bright for you to sleep."
"Then... can you leave the door open? And the hall light on?"
Patrol-bot bodies were not constructed with the ability to frown. Which was probably for the best.
"It is unsafe to leave doors permanently open. In the event of sudden atmospheric decompression, a closed door might save your life. Additionally, closed doors inhibit the spread of fires. If there were an uncontrolled fire on the station, a closed door might save your life. Additionally. closed doors inhibit intruders. If there were an intruder on board the station, a closed door might prevent them from reaching you while you sleep."
The small living human's eyes became watery. "Are we safe," it asked in a quiet voice.
"Yes. Neither a sudden atmospheric decompression nor an uncontrolled fire have ever occurred on this station in its thousands of years of recorded history. The likelihood of either even suddenly occurring at this time is statistically improbable. Additionally, no intruder is currently detected on board the station. Although, if they were intruding, they might have anti-detection capabilities, so it is impossible to prove that there _isn't_ one. But, to the extent that we can detect such things, no sudden atmospheric decompression, nor uncontrolled fire, nor detectable intruder is currently on board this station at this time."
"Then... why can't we leave the door open?"
Juno Terminal 'June' pondered the query. There were Reasons to not leave doors open. But, those Reasons were unlikely. Given a default choice, Juno Terminal 'June' would follow the Reasons no matter how unlikely, because unlikely is not _impossible_. But. There was currently a living human on board, and that living human desired to go *against* those Reasons. And, going against those Reasons was currently unlikely to cause any measurable Harm. Therefore: it was (relatively) safe to follow the living human's desires at this time.
Juno Terminal 'June' was not programmed to feel Discomfort. But, going against established Reasons, even though a living human wished for it, was as close to Discomfort as a deep space station could feel. Nevertheless...
"Fine."
[Juno Terminal 'June' to Generator Room: ...Cancel]
Juno Terminal 'June' remembered that the small living human disliked when it couldn't perceive the commands being transmitted. Juno Terminal 'June' had a very good memory.
"Residential Habitat, deactivate light source for this room, leave hallway light source active, and .... allow the door to remain open. Even though nothing is passing through." Such an illogical command!
The small living human appeared to calm down, but did not release its grip on Patrol Seven 'Pat's hand.
"You'll be gone when I wake up?"
"Yes," said Patrol Seven 'Pat'. "Most of the time, I am on patrol. I am a Patrol ship. It is my duty. It is why I was able to find you and your ship. I am very rarely here at the station. When I am at the station, I am not doing my job. Do you understand?"
"I understand," said the small living human.
It was quiet for a while, then the living human continued:
"I don't want to be alone again."
"You will not be alone on the station. Juno Terminal 'June' will be here."
The small living human frowned. Humans weren't limited in their expressions like Patrol-bots were. But, it didn't voice its disapproval.
"Rest now," said Patrol Seven 'Pat'. "You still need to recover."
The small living human nodded. And then said:
"Will you tell me a bedtime story?"