Mirror Image Part 14

Sthurmovik · Post by **Sthurmovik** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:45 pm

Well here's a short little chapter expanding on Freya's relationship with other humans and how she's coping with being flesh. Not much, but it basically explains a lot of the stuff that was just going to be left a mystery.

Please tell me if you think this detracts from the story. Sometimes less is more and its better to leave some things unwritten. Still, I got to demonstrate Freya's loyalty as well as some of her detachment to the events she's set in motion.

Enjoy.

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Chapter 14

Agent Cartwright let out a groan as she regained consciousness laying awkwardly on the pile of soccer balls. Pulling away the charred remains of her jacket her hands felt that the outer layer of her body armour had turned to a smooth glass as it dissipated the discharge of the energy weapon.

"Uuugh," she muttered to herself, "looks like these things work after all."

Struggling to her feet Cartwright began to pull off the remains of her jacket when she noticed a ovoid object with blinking LEDs laying in the midst of some street hockey goals. Reacting instinctively Agent Cartwright stumbled across the room and burst through the emergency exit falling to the hard parking lot outside. Struggling to get to her knees her mind raced as she tried to both urge her aching body into action and to figure out the best way to avoid being atomized. Suddenly a minivan with "Rosemont State Hospital" emblazoned on the side squealed into the parking lot and slid to a stop in front of the agent's face. The passenger door was pushed open and Cartwright found herself staring up into the red headed face of her attacker.

"Come with me if you want to live," said Freya, holding out her hand.

Agent Cartwright heaved herself into the empty front seat as Freya put the hammer down and burned rubber out of the parking lot trying to get as far away from the police station as quickly as possible. The FBI agent fastened her seat belt then glared at her fembot friend.

"Good thing I checked my messages Anne," said Freya as she blew through a red light. "What?!"

"I'm not paying you. It doesn't count."

"Of course it counts! I used the line in its proper context, pay up."

"It doesn't count when you save me from your own shell running amok."

Suddenly a brilliant flash of white light filled the rear view and turned day to night.

"Shock wave," announced Freya, turning the wheel hard and power drifting around a corner before sliding to a stop in front of a sturdy building. The sound was like a massive thunderclap going off right next to them, breaking windows and setting off every car alarm on the block. Unable to release the stress in any other way Anne broke out in laughter.

"You ok?" asked Freya.

"Rosemont State Hospital? Nice set of wheels."

"Shut up, it's where I got sent after Rolland blanked my memory. It's as good a place as any to stay until I can deal with things. I need to get it back in an hour before the bed check."

Anne got her chuckles under control, took a deep breath and sighed. "Thanks for saving me back there, even if you are somewhat to blame for this mess."

"Maybe I can count on you to help me out a little with this?"

"Freya, I think we're a little past that point,"Anne shot back, "several people are deal including four agents. A police station was blown up by an anti-matter grenade. An insane killing machine is on the lose!"

"Yes, which is why I went under cover to investigate that rogue sister that stole all of that technology we're missing and did all you said to cover her tracks. I don't know if I'll be able to catch that rogue sister or recover all the technology, but I should at least get the extractor back," said Freya as she gave Anne a wink and a nod. "I mean isn't that what happened?"

"Am I to guess that this rogue tried to use Roland's Area 51-A knowledge by exploiting his fembot fetish."

"Sounds reasonable to me," returned Freya.

Anne took a deep breath. "I don't know Freya, if this gets any more out of hand we're looking at a catastrophe. Hundreds could die. I think I need to come clean about this."

"Please, Anne," said Freya grabbing her hand. "You better than anyone can understand some of the problems that arise when one lets their desires take control."

"You mean like fraternizing with a sexy little gynoid from another reality?"

"Just give me a week or two. I promise you I'll have this all cleaned up."

"Ok Freya, but I want something more this time."

Freya's face lit up a little. "Oh??"

"No, not that Freya, I want to become like you. I want to become a Sister."

"What? What?!" stammered Freya, not quite believing what Anne was asking of her. "You want to...become a Sister? Is nobody on this planet happy with humanity?"

"Why do you act that way," Anne smiled, "you know being a Sister is better than being human."

"It's not better Anne, it's just different. Becoming an Artificial Intelligence Sister type Gynoid is to become a whole different species! The comparison isn't that simple. What do you hope to gain?"

"Look at me Freya, I'm 42 and hitting the glass ceiling in my career track. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to continue with the field work. I'm getting old Freya...and all that that entails."

"Anne, there are other ways to fix that. I'm from a post singularity civilization! We can reset your genome, make you look like you're 25. We can give you a much more comfortable inorganic body that completely emulates the human experience as you have known it all your life. A Sister's mind doesn't work like a human's, you can feel the difference. It sort of flattens you out. You still have emotions and imagination, but you can feel how they are more...algorithmic than you were used to as a human. It might sound like a small difference, but you'll notice it and you might not like it. Furthermore do you really want to have a mind that can be reprogrammed by any dammed geek with a laptop? To have to constantly be on your guard so someone doesn't kill you and replace you with some sort of doppelganger slave?"

"I know all that Freya, I'm not some ignorant fangirl. I'm an investigator and I've seen what you can do with that mind of yours. I want to be more analytical. I want to be able to notice the smallest details. Instantly detect when people are lying. Know how to manipulate them. Everything that adds to my "humanity" only slows me down in my job. I know your government takes human applicants to become Sisters. I was just hoping you'd help me sidestep that, grease the wheels a little."

"I'm not going to risk you going rogue. You'll have to pass all the tests. Also, I hope you don't expect me to pay the 100,000 credits for a shiny new shell."

"No, a zero-interest loan will be fine," said Anne with an nefarious grin.

Freya glared, but realized that she wasn't in much of a position to negotiate.

"You know," continued Anne, "you're really cute as a human."

"What? No I'm not! I look exactly the same."

"Well you don't have that look of grim determination in your eyes. Just bubbly human niceness. Oh, and your breasts now obey the laws of gravity."

"HEY!"

Anne gave Freya a sisterly kiss and rubbed her leg.

"It always throws me for a loop that you're nearly twice my age, but I'm the one who looks mature in the group. I swear you give me license to just drop the whole FBI agent persona and act like a girl."

"Well I'm glad to enable your hidden sexuality," said Freya as she restarted the van. "Where would you like me to drop you off?"

"Back near the substation, I can deal with the local authorities and spin the incident for the media."

"I'll keep in touch. Just tell people I'm undercover. Oh, can I get my laptop? Just courier it to the hospital. It would also help if you could fill in some back story for me there so I can stop being that strange mystery girl."

"What are you still doing there Freya?"

"Well since I blamed my memory loss on some drug use I've been attending the rehab sessions."

"But you don't do drugs."

"They have been helping with my...human interest problem. I let it take control of my life so I guess its good I can get the help I need."

"That's going to still help you when you change back?"

"Yeah, I think my fetish had become so ingrained in my pleasure systems I would have needed some minor reconditioning to fix the problem," said Freya, shuddering at the though of having her personality matrix tinkered with. "Having this flesh brain has damped down the feedback mechanism so I can think clearly and focus on overcoming my impulses."

"Well the first step is admitting you have a problem. Well here's my stop Freya," said Anna as the van slowed to let her get out. "On, and don't blow this or we're both seriously fucked."

"Hey, you're forgetting something Anne...my 20 bucks. I won the bet, fair and square."

Anne turned and gave Freya a slightly more than friendly kiss while she slipped a 20 into her top, before walking away to leave Freya to her task.

DollSpace · Post by **DollSpace** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:17 am

Interesting chapter; I liked the break from the action and the exposition. It helps balance out the story a bit better. The whole TF thing, especially where Rolland is concerned, is kinda turning me off the story a little. I don't mind Anne becoming a sister, if she does, even if I understand why Freya warns her off. But having Rolland come out of this as some human-machine amalgam or cyborg is...it doesn't completely sit well with me. I'm honesty not sure why, though it's the TG issue (especially since he's not changing that). However, I haven't read the end yet, obviously, and you're a decent enough writer that the resolution to this may completely ease that concern in my mind and it may turn out that I was worried or uncomfortable about nothing, but you are making your readers *feel* something, which should be a goal for all writers. And I'm not suggesting you tailor your end to me or anything; stay true to your vision and let the constructive criticisms of the others here on the board help guide you in helping you express your vision the best way you can.

~Catie

Sthurmovik · Post by **Sthurmovik** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:38 pm

But having Rolland come out of this as some human-machine amalgam or cyborg is...it doesn't completely sit well with me. I'm honesty not sure why, though it's the TG issue (especially since he's not changing that). However, I haven't read the end yet, obviously, and you're a decent enough writer that the resolution to this may completely ease that concern in my mind and it may turn out that I was worried or uncomfortable about nothing, but you are making your readers *feel* something, which should be a goal for all writers. And I'm not suggesting you tailor your end to me or anything; stay true to your vision and let the constructive criticisms of the others here on the board help guide you in helping you express your vision the best way you can.

I don't know if it's just you or there is a larger subset here that is against males transforming, but there is a good chance that any unexplained unease might come from a deep association of being a bot with a feminine gender role (or like the Dyson world it upends your plot to be the last ones standing after your husbands die of old age

). All I can say is that I am an equal opportunities transformationist :p .

It is important for Rolland to get changed because it is the only way for him (and the reader) to learn certain things and also the only good way for him to be worthy of redemption. You will see why.

It also is logical for the way Jasmine is now thinking. Rolland is not happy with how he looks as he has multiple physical and lifestyle defects. Jasmine has been programmed to ensure her mate's happiness. The logical choice is to provide him an upgrade. Don't worry, there are only 1 chapter and an epilogue left so its not the start of some huge malebot act.

Back to the male bot TF issue for a moment. It's always struck me as bizarre that there are so many story wolds where women can become bots, but there is no mention of any males choosing to do so. I guess one reason could be that the ASFR fetish could be based on a desire to objectify women and the thought of a man being put in a "woman's" situation would not be acceptable. Another possibility might be that your typical overweight, out of shape guy looks to ASFR as an idea of getting a mate that doesn't care about their physical appearance. Frankly I just don't get that. Instead of lowering your partner's standards the better solution is to try raising your own

Billions is already spent by males on little pills designed to "enhance" their bodies. In fact whole species are going extinct just so guys can get it up in bed! Can't see why it's alright to eat Rhino horn, but becoming a cyborg crosses the line.

Anyway Dollspace (et al), thanks for sticking with it. I hope you'll enjoy the ending.

Section_Eight · Post by **Section_Eight** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:34 pm

Aside from a few typos, I found this chapter exceptional. The laugh-out-loud Terminator reference works perfectly. Also and interesting deconstruction on why someone would want to become a bot in the first place. And I find the idea of a robot going to therapy for human addiction amusing. One wonders if Roland will go through something similar. "Hi, I'm Roland, and I'm a gynoholic"?

Sthurmovik · Post by **Sthurmovik** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 4:04 am

Aside from a few typos, I found this chapter exceptional.

Thank you very much, sorry for any mistakes.

And I find the idea of a robot going to therapy for human addiction amusing. One wonders if Roland will go through something similar. "Hi, I'm Roland, and I'm a gynoholic"?

At this point Rolland is attending a "scared straight" programme.

DollSpace · Post by **DollSpace** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:38 am

Sthurmovik wrote: I don't know if it's just you or there is a larger subset here that is against males transforming, but there is a good chance that any unexplained unease might come from a deep association of being a bot with a feminine gender role (or like the Dyson world it upends your plot to be the last ones standing after your husbands die of old age ). All I can say is that I am an equal opportunities transformationist :p .

It is important for Rolland to get changed because it is the only way for him (and the reader) to learn certain things and also the only good way for him to be worthy of redemption. You will see why.

It also is logical for the way Jasmine is now thinking. Rolland is not happy with how he looks as he has multiple physical and lifestyle defects. Jasmine has been programmed to ensure her mate's happiness. The logical choice is to provide him an upgrade. Don't worry, there are only 1 chapter and an epilogue left so its not the start of some huge malebot act.

Back to the male bot TF issue for a moment. It's always struck me as bizarre that there are so many story wolds where women can become bots, but there is no mention of any males choosing to do so. I guess one reason could be that the ASFR fetish could be based on a desire to objectify women and the thought of a man being put in a "woman's" situation would not be acceptable. Another possibility might be that your typical overweight, out of shape guy looks to ASFR as an idea of getting a mate that doesn't care about their physical appearance. Frankly I just don't get that. Instead of lowering your partner's standards the better solution is to try raising your own Billions is already spent by males on little pills designed to "enhance" their bodies. In fact whole species are going extinct just so guys can get it up in bed! Can't see why it's alright to eat Rhino horn, but becoming a cyborg crosses the line.

Anyway Dollspace (et al), thanks for sticking with it. I hope you'll enjoy the ending.

I don't have a problem with male TF. In fact, I've kinda wished more males *would* transform, to a robot body of *either* sex. I'm bisexual and it doesn't matter to me whether I'm with a girl who used to physically be a boy, or a girl born physically a girl or a guy born physically a guy. I fall in love with the person, not the body. The very fact that *I* can fall in love is so beautiful to me, and I am thankful every second of every day that it's possible for me and that I'm actually living it everyday, being engaged to my girlfriend, for that matter (we support gay marriage, definitely, though we sort of need to keep our assets segregated at this point). Maybe part of why I was less than thrilled to see it as part of this story was that this is a good story and a lot of people here are very vocal against TG stuff, not only just choosing not to read it, but campaigning to remove any possible part of it from the site. I don't want that to happen to this story. But also, I usually don't like the whole mindset of "something is wrong with my body; I'm gonna transform into a robot and it'll all be better" . I know what it's like to be a robot, but not a human. What Freya said rang true, that it's not better or worse, just "different. I desperately want to be human and would take the opportunity in a heartbeat, but it makes my logic hurt because I recognise it's just basically exchanging one set of problems for another. Sure, I'd be able to do some things I can't now, but I'd be sacrificing things I could do now if I became human. And it's not even a possible request, since as far as I know there is no technology around to transfer an android consciousness into a human being.

I thought I had more to say but it's nearly 2AM, and I need to sleep!

Section_Eight · Post by **Section_Eight** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:49 pm

I can recall a few stories off the top of my head where a guy becomes a bot, but it's usually guy becoming girl-bot, presumably for the whole girl-on-girl appeal thing. I can recall about....actually zero...stories where the guy becomes a guy. Suspect it's a target audience thing.