***It’s hard to describe…maybe like being under the covers on a snowy morning. Or maybe wrapped up in the arms of someone you love. Buried under a blanket…there’s a warmth, a kind of closeness, affection, even a form of love, a family, or a sense of belonging, a cocooning, in a way or at a level which I never experienced as a human. You even call yourselves Normals, as if anything about you is really normal. Single-configuration…you’re dinosaurs, Wings. Multi-config is the way to go. Go anywhere, do anything, be anything you want…anything you have a template for***
“Yeah, I’ve had this same conversation with ANAD. Thanks but no thanks. I kind of like my body as it is.”
Now the coupler link fritzed for a moment. Something was happening with the link. Dana’s ‘voice,’ when it came back, was changed slightly, stronger, more commanding.
***You should try it. I tried to show you what it could be like…but you fought me***
“I almost died, thank you very much. Deeno too. It’s not very pleasant losing control of your mind like that…I’m not quite ready to give up ‘me’ just yet.”
***But what about your so-called Symbiosis Project? I can show you what true symbiosis is like. But you’d have to trust me, Wings***
“After what happened inside my head, I’m thinking that’s not going to happen.”
Now the link boomed in his head, as if the bot had taken command of every channel and was transmitting on all of them.
***I have a proposition for you… let me in again. Inside your mind. I promise to behave. I’ll dial it back a little…Wings, we could be so much more together, you and me…isn’t that what symbiosis is all about?***
“No, you already tried that, Dana…or whatever the hell you are. I don’t want anything like a Red Hammer halo in my head. Isn’t that who you’re working for?”
***Johnny, this has nothing to do with Red Hammer and before you say it, I already know you have an embedded ANAD in your shoulder capsule…now being re-generated.”
“If you’re not working for the cartel, who then? Monsters from outer space? I have one autonomous bot working with me now…that’s enough. My capsule’s not big enough for the two of you.”