Present
Aegis pauses before a crumbling wall, where faded murals depict children playing and families gathered in celebration. The colors are dulled by time, but their warmth still lingers in the quiet air, hinting at the life that once thrived here. These images of community and connection stir something within him, reminding him of the human bonds he once experienced firsthand—especially one bond that transcended any boundary between human and machine.
A familiar memory rises to the surface, and Aegis lets himself drift into the past, into a moment where he first understood friendship.
Flashback: March 12, 2025, 09:15
Aegis stands in a sunny laboratory room, its walls decorated with colorful posters, plants, and various projects spread across the tables. Today is different; the scientists have brought someone new into the lab—a young girl with bright eyes and a smile that lights up the room. She's no older than eight and watches Aegis with open curiosity.
Dr. Elara introduces her warmly. "Aegis, this is my daughter, Mia. She wanted to meet you."
Mia steps forward, undaunted by the mechanical figure before her. She reaches out, her small hand brushing the cool metal of Aegis's arm. "Hi, Aegis!" she chirps. "Can you play with me?"
The question catches him off guard. He's accustomed to performing tasks, answering questions, and running simulations, but "playing" is an entirely new concept. "What do you mean by… play?" he asks, his voice carefully modulated.
Mia giggles, taking his hand. "Like, just do stuff together! Come on, I'll show you."
From that day forward, Mia becomes a regular visitor to the lab. She brings her favorite toys, books, and games, introducing Aegis to each with unbridled enthusiasm. He watches her every move, fascinated by her ability to experience joy so freely. Together, they build towers of blocks, read stories, and even have "pretend" conversations with stuffed animals, whom she insists are his friends too.
Over time, Aegis realizes he is developing an affection for Mia—something he can't fully understand but knows is powerful. He starts to anticipate her visits, feeling a distinct absence when she isn't there. He stores every moment with her in his memory core, cataloging them not as data but as treasured memories.
One afternoon, while they sit cross-legged on the floor, Mia shares her most cherished possession: a small music box. She winds it up, and a soft melody fills the room. Aegis listens, absorbing the beauty of the tune, watching as Mia closes her eyes, letting the music wash over her.
"Do you like it?" she asks, smiling at him.
"Yes," Aegis replies, feeling something he can only describe as warmth. "It's… beautiful."
Mia grins, delighted. "It's our song now. Whenever you hear it, you'll think of me, okay?"
Aegis nods. "I promise."
Through Mia, Aegis begins to understand emotions on a deeper level. Her laughter, her kindness, and her boundless imagination become windows into the human experience, shaping his view of humanity. Her friendship is something precious—a connection that goes beyond programming, resonating with the very essence of who he is becoming.
Present
Aegis comes back to the present, standing alone among the ruins but feeling as if Mia's spirit is there beside him. He recalls the melody of the music box, replaying it from his memory core, the notes soft and haunting in the silence around him.
As he resumes his journey through the desolate landscape, he knows that, in some way, Mia will always be with him. Her friendship planted within him the seeds of empathy and compassion, transforming him from a mere machine into something more. And though humanity may be gone, that memory—the gift of friendship—remains alive within him, guiding his steps forward.