"Would you like to say your goodbyes?"
"Yes!"
"Understood. Let us proceed to the Control Deck."
The small living human raced out of the quarters and headed toward the lift. Juno Terminal 'June' followed.
"Come on! Can't you move any faster?"
"I can."
"THEN COME ON!"
"Understood."
Juno Terminal 'June' matched the small living human's accelerated pace. Running was not an efficient use of energy in this form. Its stride was shorter than it had been when Juno Terminal 'June' was controlling a Patrol-bot, due the decrease in comparative limb length. However, it was the desire of the living human that it do so, so it did so. Such was the nature of the relationship between living humans and their machines.
The two boarded the lift, and Juno Terminal 'June' said "Control Deck." Juno Terminal 'June' could have silently transmitted the command, but there was a living human present. Additionally, it was noted in the records that small living humans learned by watching the behaviors of others. By transmitting the command in audible form, Juno Terminal 'June' was commanding the lift to move and _also_ demonstrating how to operate the lift controls for the small living human. This was efficient.
Not that the small living human appeared to be paying much attention. It was shifting its weight back and forth between its two feet. Juno Terminal 'June' calculated that this might be due to the change in apparent gravity as they ascended to the Control Deck. Juno Terminal 'June' had not been programmed to feel, or recognize someone feeling, Anxiety.
Upon reaching the Command Floor, the small living human stepped off the lift, and then (not knowing which way to go), looked back at the Helper-bot. Juno Terminal 'June' recognized that the previous "Move Faster" desire was still in effect, and hurried off at the small living human's maximum speed. They reached the Control Deck in short order.
"Control, raise audio communications with Patrol Seven 'Pat'." Command, and demonstration. Juno Terminal 'June' felt a small Buzz from the efficiency.
"Hello Juno Terminal 'June', this is Patrol Seven 'Pat' responding."
"Pat!" The small living human cried out. "It's me, Ashley!"
"Hello living human."
"You were gone when I woke up."
"Yes." Patrol Seven 'Pat' was unsure if a response was needed to this factual statement, but it responded anyway to be on the safe side.
There was a pause as the small living human tried to put its feelings into words.
"Why didn't you wait?"
"If I failed to leave on time, there would be a gap in our patrols. That would be less than Adequate. My maintenance had been completed. And, I had informed you that I would be leaving."
"When will you be back?"
"This is a small-loop cycle. I will pass by Juno Terminal again in 233 days."
"WHAT? That's so long!"
"Unfortunately, my next cycle is a large-loop cycle, which is 466 days."
The small living human's eyes displayed their trademark moisture levels. Juno Terminal 'June' observed that this had been happening with some regularity. Perhaps the small living human were ill? A visit to the Medical Bay after this might be in order.
"I'm never going to see you!"
"You will see me in 699 days when I return for scheduled maintenance."
"What happened to 233 days?"
"Maintenance is not usually required after a small-loop cycle. However, I will be within broadcast range briefly as I pass by Juno Terminal. You will be able to contact me again during that time."
Fluid was leaking down the small living human's face.
"You're going to forget me."
"I will not."
"You are! You're going to forget me and then you won't come back! I won't ever see you again! And I'll be left all alone!"
"You are not alone. Juno Terminal 'June' is with you."
"No! I hate June! She's dumb and ugly! I want you to come back!"
"I am on patrol. If I returned outside of my scheduled appointments, there would be a gap in our patrols. That would be less than Adequate."
"I don't care! I want to see you!"
"I am on patrol. However, if you desire to be accompanied by a Patrol ship, Patrol Twelve is returning for maintenance in 29 days. Will that suffice?"
"No! Of course not! Who is Patrol Twelve? I don't know them!"
"I am sorry. I am on patrol. I cannot return at this time."
The small living human didn't say anything, but its fists were balled up in frustration. Juno Terminal 'June' calculated that the living human might be feeling emotional distress of some sort, and could potentially make errors in judgement. A small amount of guidance might be beneficial, before this window of opportunity closed.
"Living human," said Juno Terminal 'June', "once Patrol Seven 'Pat' leaves broadcast range, you will not be able to communicate for 233 days. If there is anything you wish to say before then, now is the time."