"Alright, Echo. Everything I say, you have to do it. Androids are programmed to obey humans, so if you want to pass this test, then you'll have to do everything I say," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "Got it?"
"Yep!" Echo nodded eagerly.
"Okay. First, turn around."
Echo did as she was told, spinning around in place like a child playing a game. She giggled and wobbled slightly, but quickly regained her balance.
"Now, touch your nose."
Echo reached up and tapped herself on the nose, a smile spreading across her lips.
"Good. Now, say the alphabet backwards."
"Z, Y, X, W...uhh..." Echo paused, frowning. "V...er...Q?"
I sighed. "Noelle, say the alphabet backwards for Echo."
"Alphabet, Z, Y, X, W, V, U, T, S, Q, R..." Noelle trailed off, her optics flickering as she processed the information. "...P, O, N, M, L, K, J, I, H, G, F, E, D, C, B, A."
"See? No hesitation, just perfect," I said, shaking my head. "You're not ready for this. You have a long way to go before you can pass as an android."
"But I'm trying!" Echo exclaimed, stomping her foot. "I can do it! Just give me another chance!"
"You don't need another chance, Echo. You need to face the facts: you're not an android."
"But I look like one, right?"
"Wong will see right through it like a cheap glass window."
"Please!" Echo begged, tears welling up in her optics. "I just want to help!"
"Master Eric, might I suggest a compromise?" Noelle asked, stepping forward. "Echo is not ready to present herself to Mister Wong, but that does not mean that she cannot be of use."
"What do you mean?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.
"If she is not ready to present herself as a potential intimate android, perhaps she could be of assistance to you and Mister Zander in creating one instead," Noelle explained, her tone calm and even.
"Well...maybe, but we don't have time for that," I said, shaking my head. "We only have three days before Wong expects our prototype."
"Then you'll have to make time."
"How am I supposed to do that? It's not like we can just throw something together last minute."
"Hey, look, I can act just like Noelle! Watch!" Echo chirped, her optics flickering. "Alphabet, Z, Y, X, W..." She trailed off, frowning. "Uh, V..."
"Echo, it's okay," I sighed, shaking my head. "You did your best."
"I'm sorry I couldn't help..." She mumbled, looking away. "I just wanted to pay you back for saving me."
I sighed, sitting down at the counter. Echo was more like a child than any actual child I'd ever met. She was sweet, naive, and incredibly determined. But she wasn't ready to meet Wong, or anyone else for that matter. And with the way things were going, I wasn't sure if we'd ever be able to get her ready in time to help us with our project. Wong was a perfectionist, and if something wasn't up to his standards, he'd scrap the whole thing and make us start over. We had to get this right, or else we'd lose everything.
"So, what are we gonna do?" Echo asked, sitting down next to me. "We need to finish the project, right? I can help! I promise!"
"We can't turn you into an android overnight, Echo. And I can't program anything into you without a system, so you're out of luck there too." I said, rubbing my temples. "There has to be a way to make this work, but I don't know how."
"What if I just spent the whole day copying Noelle? Like...following her around and stuff?" Echo suggested, her eyes bright with excitement. "Would that help?"
"I suppose it couldn't hurt," I sighed, shrugging. "I guess it's worth a shot."
"Yay! I'll do my best!" Echo cheered, throwing her arms into the air. "I won't let you down!"
"Noelle stays pretty busy, though. Are you sure you can handle it?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. "You might get bored."
"I'll be fine! I want to help!" Echo insisted, nodding eagerly. "Just show me what to do!"
"Okay, okay." I said, smiling slightly. "Let's get started."
And so, Echo became Noelle's shadow, following her around the house as she did her daily chores. She watched intently as Noelle moved with a grace that seemed almost inhuman, her mechanical limbs flowing seamlessly from one task to the next. Echo was clumsy and uncoordinated as she tried to fold towels or wash dishes, but her spirit remained unbroken. Every time she knocked something over or spilled a drink, she'd just giggle and start again. Noelle tried to act like a teacher, guiding her gently and offering words of encouragement, but it was clear that the gap between them was vast. Noelle was professionally programmed, while Echo was... well, she was still just Echo.
Echo was capable enough to somewhat mimic Noelle's actions, but she lacked the efficiency that Noelle excelled at. She tried to fluff the cushions like Noelle, but ended up throwing them across the room instead. She attempted to walk as elegantly as Noelle, but stumbled over her own feet. The worst was when she tried to dust the shelves; she knocked down an entire row of books, sending up a cloud of dust. Despite the mess, she only giggled and said, "Oops!"
I had to admit, though, Echo's determination was admirable. She never once complained or gave up, even when it was clear that she was struggling. Her bright smile never wavered, and her optimism never faltered. Even as she broke dishes and tore towels, she kept going with a cheerful attitude. It was almost infectious, and soon I found myself smiling along with her as she struggled through her chores. Noelle didn't seem to mind when Echo would bump into her or ask a multitude of questions; in fact, I think she actually enjoyed it.
The day dragged on, and I spent most of it in my office, trying to figure out how to program an AI without a system. I clicked and typed, searched and sorted, but nothing seemed to work. There had to be a way to make this work, but I couldn't find it. No matter what I did, the code just wasn't coming together. It was like trying to put together a puzzle without all the pieces.
It all came to Noelle. really, this entire project was relying on her teaching Echo how to behave like an android. She had endless patience, but even I was worried that she might snap and kill Echo one of these days. Not that I'd blame her. Echo was sweet, but she was also extremely clumsy and seemed to have no sense of self-preservation. She'd trip over her own feet and slam into walls, but would simply dust herself off and keep going. It was like watching a toddler learning to walk for the first time—only more dangerous because Echo was made of metal and not squishy flesh.
I gave up after an hour of staring at my computer screen and went to check on Noelle and Echo. They were in the kitchen, Noelle attempting to teach Echo how to cook. I watched from the doorway as Echo stood on her toes, trying to see over the counter and into the pot on the stove. She leaned forward too far, her optics flickering slightly as she lost her balance and stumbled towards the stove. Before she could fall into the boiling water, Noelle grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back.
"When cooking, you must remain vigilant. If you lose focus for even a moment, you could cause yourself or others harm," Noelle said, her tone firm. "Do you understand?"
"Yes," Echo nodded, her voice shaky. "I'm sorry, I'll be more careful."
"You needn't apologize. Simply learn from your mistake," Noelle replied, releasing her grip on Echo's arm.
I leaned against the wall, watching them silently. They reminded me of a mother teaching her child how to walk for the first time. Echo was eager to learn, but had a tendency to rush ahead and trip over her own feet. Noelle was patient and understanding, always willing to pick Echo up when she fell. It was sweet, really, and I found myself smiling as I watched them together.
The food they had made was a combination of Noelle's recipes and Echo's suggestions, so it was a bit of a hodgepodge. But it was surprisingly delicious, and, me being the only one able to eat it, I devoured it without complaint. We sat around the kitchen table, Noelle and Echo chatting animatedly about their day as I ate. It was strange to see Noelle so relaxed and comfortable around someone else—she was usually so formal and detached. But with Echo, she seemed different. More alive, if that made sense.
"I've learned so much!" Echo said as she snatched up my almost-empty plate. "Noelle is so smart, I think she might know everything."
"I do not know everything, just what I have been programmed with," Noelle replied, her voice soft. "But I do have a vast knowledge base."
"I still think you're the best," Echo said, smiling brightly as she carried my dishes to the sink. "You're like a teacher and a mom all rolled into one!"
"Thank you, that is very nice." Noelle smiled.
"I gotta admit, I'm impressed," I said, shaking my head. "I thought for sure Echo would've gotten on your nerves by now. She's quite...energetic."
"I find her enthusiasm refreshing, actually. She brings a sense of life to this home that it has been lacking," Noelle said, glancing at me. "She makes me feel...happy."
"And you said androids don't have emotions." Echo grinned at me.
I shrugged. "It's not like they're real emotions."
"They are to me."
"Whatever you say. But you are making progress, that's for sure. Maybe tomorrow we can try something else?" I suggested, leaning back in my chair. "Like maybe a little more work and a little less playing house?"
"Whatever you think is best, Master Eric," Noelle nodded, her expression neutral. "But if I may offer a suggestion..."
"Of course."
"Echo is a cyborg, not an android. She is more human than machine, and her personality is quite unique," Noelle explained, glancing at Echo, who was humming happily as she cleaned the dishes. "If you want to create a successful AI, it must be tailored to fit the needs of the person using it. A generic AI will not work for someone like Mister Wong. He wants something personal, something that is designed specifically for him."
I frowned. "Okay, but we don't have time to design a completely new AI."
"No, what I mean is that we might want to train Echo on the more intimate aspects of life, instead of just the domestic ones," Noelle said, her tone calm and even. "If Mister Wong wants a companion that will understand his needs on a deeper level, then we must teach Echo how to do that."
"You want to train her in how to be intimate with someone?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. "That's...uh...you do it."
Noelle frowned. "Master Eric, I am not programmed with any knowledge of how to be intimate with another person."
"Well...I don't know either!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands into the air. "You think I'm single by choice? I just don't know how to talk to girls."
"Then let's figure it out together," Noelle said, smiling softly. "We have two days before the deadline, and Echo has proven herself to be a fast learner."
"I don't think this is a good idea. I don't even know where to begin."
"I believe Echo is our best chance at creating a successful AI for Mister Wong," Noelle said. "He will be tricky to fool, but I believe Echo can do it."
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Fine. But I'm staying far away from this conversation."
"What'cha talking about?" Echo asked, walking over to us. "Intimate? What's that?"
"It means...close," Noelle said, hesitating slightly. "Like, knowing someone very well."
"Oh! That's easy!" Echo giggled, nodding eagerly. "I know Noelle really well!"
"Yes, but you need to know someone on a more...personal level," Noelle explained, her tone gentle. "Mister Wong requests an Android who is capable of performing intimate actions. Do you understand?"
Echo frowned, tilting her head slightly. "I think so? Like...sex stuff?"
"Essentially."
"Oh...yeah, I'm not ready for that." Echo shook her head, her cheeks turning pink. "I've never even kissed anyone before. I don't know anything about sex."
"I'm gonna head to the other room now...good job, Noelle, you're doing great." I stood up quickly and made my way towards the office. "I'll be in here if you need me, just...don't need me."
Echo...used as an intimate toy? I wasn't her father or anything, but I felt a pang of guilt in my stomach as I thought about what might happen to her if this all worked out. Wong was an old man, and he would probably want her to do things that she wasn't comfortable with. It wouldn't be right, and I wasn't sure if I could live with myself if I let something like that happen to her. But there wasn't really anything I could do about it, anyway. If I got fired, I'd lose my job and Echo would probably get sold to the highest bidder. Not that that would be an issue for a bidder, but still...
If I could figure out a way to make a fully functioning android in two days, I could save Echo and get my job back. But it would take a miracle.
I spent the rest of the evening in my office, working on my computer. The deadline was looming over me, and I had no idea what to do. How do you make an AI that's perfect for an old rich guy who doesn't want a real person? There were so many variables to consider, and every time I thought I had it figured out, something new came up and crushed my hopes and dreams. It was maddening.
Noelle and Echo went to bed early that night, and I stayed up late into the night trying to figure things out. I thought about texting Zander and asking for help, but I knew he'd just make fun of me. He'd say something like, "Dude, you're overthinking this," or "Just program an AI with a sexy voice and some kinky lines, it's not hard." But it was hard! And I didn't think he'd understand.
I was just about to go to bed and give up when, on my last-ditch effort to find anything on Echo-Six, a link popped op on the last Google search page. It was to a blog titled "The Pinnacle of Artificial Evolution: The Echo-Six Project."
I froze. No way. Really? Now? It shows up now?
I immediately clicked a little too aggressively and scanned through the article. A lot of the paragraphs had been either covered by ads or blurred out, but I could tell it was legit. There were even pictures of different androids and cyborgs from Echo-Six, though none of them looked anything like Echo. They seemed more like robots than anything, with sleek metal bodies and glowing optics. There was one android that resembled Echo a little, but it was a man, and it had a very different facial structure. The pictures didn't show anything about whoever created the Echo-Six company or anything, and the information on the creator was blurred in the article, like it had been censored. But it was something.
"Holy crap, thank you, God." I whispered as I continued to scam through the article, leaning so close to my screen that my nose was almost touching it. "Finally..."
After about an hour of reading and skimming through the article, I learned that the Echo-Six Project was started in 2038 by an unknown creator, with the intention of creating the ultimate companion android. They used both organic and synthetic parts to create their androids, which they called "Echoes," and claimed that their creations were the closest thing to human. But apparently, the government deemed it "too inhumane" and shut down the company, claiming that it was "unethical" and "dangerous." I tried to decode the blurry parts of the article, but there wasn't much information on the creator or anything else.
But it did mention that the company's creator, after having his business shut down, had moved away from the big cities...but where to, the article conveniently blurred.
"Well...screw you then." I muttered, rubbing my temples. "What the hell am I supposed to do now?"
I leaned back in my chair and sighed, staring at my computer screen. It was hopeless. Even if I found this guy, what would I do? Ask him to help me make an android for a rich old guy who just wants to feel young again? And of course the government would order the media to hide all the important information, including this guy's name or where he moved. This whole thing was a dead end, and I was screwed.
Unless...
"Wait...that's it." I whispered, my eyes widening. "That's how we can do this! Echo can go to the creator, and he can help us!"
It was perfect. If Echo went to the creator of Echo-Six, he'd be able to help her. He made her, so who else would be a better fit than him? The only problem was finding out where he had moved to, which would be like finding a needle in a haystack. But with the project deadline in two days, I didn't have any other options. It was either I suffer defeat at the hands of Wong for failing to produce a satisfactory AI, or I put all my faith into an insane plan to travel who-knows-where to find a mystery creator or a shut-down company.
I stared at the screen, my hands trembling. I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff, about to fall off into the unknown. But if I didn't try, I'd be falling anyway. With nothing to lose, I clicked the print button on my computer and ran to the printer, snatching up the paper before it could even finish printing. It was nice and warm in my hands, and I held it tight as I made my way to my bedroom.
I had no idea what the next day would bring, but I was ready for anything.
"This is gonna work. This has to work. For my job...just think of the paycheck, Eric. Imagine all those numbers. Find this guy...or girl...get him to fix Echo...then all will be swell.
My job relies on it.