Modifying the Contract (Ch 9)

[General]

For the first time in a long while, Mike slept soundly and comfortably. The bed was soft and covered with worn flannel sheets. The combination of the soft, cool fabric and Nikki’s soft, warm skin pushed him into a deep and restful sleep that lasted until mid morning of the next day.

During the night, Nikki had relatively little to do. She had slept with other humans during previous assignments and before had always found it tedious. However with Mike she found it tolerable, if not somewhat relaxing. She dedicated a small portion of her processing power to regulating her position and skin temperature to keep him comfortable. The rest of her mind was used to parse through her own slowly opening memories and search the internet for anything useful.

That night Nikki found two news articles that were relevant. The first was a business report on Oteral Industries, Mike’s company, where the CEO stated that their main project was delayed slightly. She figured they must have received the package Mike shipped with his work, otherwise they would have delayed the release indefinitely. However it would probably take a while to polish up the work since Mike mentioned it wasn’t 100% complete.

The second piece of interest was a local news story about their firefight in the burger joint. The report was typical of small town journalism as it was filled with generalities and a few inaccurate assumptions. While they had identified the main attacker as an android, they had incorrectly lumped Erica in with Nikki and Mike as the ‘unknown target group.’ There was no mention that anyone suspected any of the targets were also androids. The policeman quoted in the article didn’t share any details and just said the matter was ‘under investigation.’ She setup a reoccurring task to monitor the news outlet for follow up articles.

Rays of warm sun fell across Mike’s face as he rolled over and opened his eyes. He groaned and coughed before rolling out of bed and rubbing his eyes. “Oh man, that was a lot better than sleeping in a car.”

“I’m glad you were able to get some good rest,” Nikki said as she slipped out of bed. She, like Mike, was still nude from the night before and he smiled as he remembered the recent carnal activities.

“Oh Master, you’re awake!” Erica said as she came running into the room. She was as nude as everyone else but carried an assault rifle in her arms. “I watched the house all night and didn’t see any activity,” she said with a bubbly tone. She wore a wide smile and bounced slightly as she spoke causing her breasts sway a little from the movement.

“That’s great, thanks,” Mike chuckled. He ran his fingers through his hair and grumbled as he felt the twisted, greasy mess. He couldn’t remember the last time he had a proper shower, and he was starting to smell a little more…rustic than he normally liked. “Let me get cleaned up and then we’ll figure out what we can do today.”

The two androids nodded as Mike made his way to the bathroom. The door was only closed for a few minutes before Erica started walking towards the bathroom. “Where are you going?” Nikki asked.

“I’m going to check to see if Master needs any help,” Erica said as she set the rifle down on a nearby table.

“Just wait a minute,” Nikki replied. She rolled her eyes a bit and held up one hand to stop the over eager android. “While Mike may enjoy your help in the shower, there are…other things…that humans do in that room. Things were they prefer a bit more privacy.”

“How will I know when the private activities are complete?” Erica asked with a puzzled look on her face.

“Listen for the shower to start running, then give him two minutes before heading in,” Nikki instructed. She left the other android patiently waiting by the door as she searched through the house for some acceptable clothing. She found the drawers full of an assortment of rugged, outdoor wear she assumed belonged to the owners. She found a pair of tight jean shorts and a red flannel shirt. She slipped on the shorts, and then pulled on the shirt. It looked a little strange in the mirror until she rolled up the sleeves and tied the bottom just above her navel. She popped open a few buttons to give Mike just enough cleavage to pull his interest but not overly distract him. She then made up the bed, and laid out some other clothes she found that should fit Mike.

Back in the bathroom, Mike turned on the water and slipped into the hot steaming shower. He let out a low moan as he could feel the weariness of the last few days wash off his body. He just got some soap in his hair when he heard the door open and close. Suddenly Erica popped her head around the shower curtain. “Hello Master! Is there anything that I can do to help?”

“Umm sure,” Mike said as he stepped back and let the android into the shower with him. He watched the water cascade over her naked body as he grabbed the soap and started to scrub his chest.

“Oh please let me Master,” Erica said as she stepped forward and grasped the soap from Mike’s outstretched hand. He laced his fingers behind his head as her expertly precise hands worked the soapy lather over his body. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation, as he never really had anyone bathe him; at least in his adult lifetime. He gasped a little as she cleaned his more sensitive places. “Oh do you like that Master?” she asked as she wrapped her fingers around his now growing erection.

Mike nodded with a little grunt as her soapy hand slowly slid up and down him. Erica’s processors searched through many different stimulation techniques. She wanted to impress him in the hopes he’d allow her to join him again in the shower. As he opened his eyes, she looked up at him and a sly smile spread across her face. She suddenly released him and rubbed the bar of soap between her hands. She then reached up and built up a thick lather on her full breasts. Setting the soap aside, she dropped to her knees and pushed her fleshy mounds together. He groaned as she slid her tits over his erect shaft. She pumped her body up and down for several minutes until he could take no more.

With a loud moan, Mike erupted all over Erica’s wet, soapy body. She released him and stood up in the hot running water. Mike quickly rinsed himself off, and took a deep breath. “Why don’t I hop out and let you get cleaned off,” he said.

“Of course Master,” Erica cooed as she began washing her body.

Mike shook his head and dressed quickly as he heard the android washing off in the shower behind him. Nikki greeted him with a nod and a smile as he wandered into the kitchen. She slid a bowl of hot oatmeal across the counter to him. “I thought you might be hungry,” she said. “There isn’t any fresh food around, but at normal food consumption rates, you should have enough to last a few years.”

“I certainly hope we’re not stuck here that long,” Mike chuckles as he blows across the steaming bowl. “And thank you…for the breakfast.”

“You’re welcome,” she said, still a little surprised to be thanked by a human. “What should we do today?”

“I figured I’d spend some time looking through your unlocked memory files,” Mike shrugged as he took his first bite. “It’s a long shot, but maybe we’ll find something in there that could help us out. In the mean time I guess we can also work on shoring up our defenses.”

“Very well,” Nikki nodded, “It’s probably also wise to keep abreast of current events. Allied’s activities or those of your company may also prove helpful.”


“Good point,” Mike said as he finished up his breakfast and rinsed off the plate. He sat down at the kitchen table and fired up his laptop. He was a little surprised when Nikki came up behind him.

“What would you like me to do now?” Nikki asked sweetly. She wasn’t trying to seduce Mike, although she did look forward to the chance of that later, but was honestly lost for what she should do. Her systems, like those of Erica, were always racing at the speed of light so she was never very good at waiting or killing time.

“To be honest, I’m not sure,” Mike said with a shrug. “I need to look through the files you’ve encrypted so far, and I can’t think of anything I need your help with. Do you have any ideas?”
Nikki paused for a second then looked out the front windows. “We should probably work on our fortifications. If someone were to come up the driveway, a vehicle would be stopped by the fallen trees, but they could easily dismount. Perhaps we could build a fighting position; it would be a good place for an ambush.”

“Sounds like a good plan to me,” Mike nodded as he started bringing up the first memory files. “Make sure to get help from Erica.”

“Of course,” Nikki said with a smile. She had some purpose now, and it would keep her busy, at least in the short term. She got up and went outside to plan as Mike got to work. Shortly thereafter, Erica emerged from the shower, put something skimpy on, and joined the other android outside.

Over the next few hours Mike carefully analyzed the memory files he earlier pulled from Nikki. The files contained memories from three different missions: a hit on a rival corporation’s operative, an intimidation mission against a supplier, and the political assassination of a UN diplomat. He studied every detail of the mission, including video clips from Nikki’s own eyes. The files also included her own personal commentary on the results of the mission, like a director’s notes of a movie.

Mike was quite disturbed to see the things that Nikki did before, and the worst was to hear her sterile observations. For the assassination, she was given specific orders to make the killing brutal in order to send a message. It was the same sort of brutal killing that was once his fate, and it chilled him to see what could have happened to him. She had found her target in his apartment, and caught him in the shower. She moved swiftly and precisely; plunging her thin knife, the same one she still carried, deep into the target’s gut. She attacked again and again, making mental notes each time.

‘Penetrated too far, excessive blood loss’

’23.5 degree angle off vertical insertion caught liver, did not account for potential growth due to cirrhosis’

‘weak heart lead to early termination, consider pain mitigation techniques to prolong session’

Mike froze the screen on one specific image from the video log. From Nikki’s eyes, he could see her view herself in the bathroom mirror. It was splattered with blood but he could clearly see her nude, crimson soaked body. She stripped out of her clothes to avoid contaminating them, and calmly stepped into the shower to wash off once she was done.

Mike stopped for a few minutes and walked away from the computer. He made his own mental note to avoid the ‘kill’ details in the future. He poured himself a glass of water and looked out the front window as he sipped. The two killer androids, each brandishing shovels, were busy digging a pair of holes in the yard. As the sun played over their barely clothed bodies they looked more like sorority girl gardeners then cybernetic assassins.

Mike eventually returned to his work and only stopped when he got hungry for lunch. He made a quick meal from some crackers and a can of tuna as he switched gears to search through the news. He found a few mentions of the shootout at the burger joint and the wrecked car they left in the wilds of Jersey, but nothing that indicated he was reported as missing or kidnapped.

Over the next several hours he bounced back and forth between Nikki’s memory files and searching the net. Once again growing hungry he decided to take a brake and check on the girls. He smiled as he walked outside in the dimming light and saw two deep, neatly dug holes. “Well you’ve been busy,” he chuckled.

“We made some good progress,” Nikki said as she set the shovel aside. “We’ve got two rough fighting positions here; offset at a 58% angle to provide for some crossfire on any vehicle stopped at the roadblock. There’s still more work to do though.”

“What are you looking to do more?” Mike asked. He was a little confused since they looked just like the foxholes he’d seen in old movies. He wasn’t sure what more they could do besides building an elaborate trench network in his friends front yard.

“Well, I’d like to raise the front wall,” Erica chimed in. “They’re only loose dirt right now. They should stop most rounds now, but they could be much stronger. If we use interlocking stones taken from the surrounding area, then cover the rocks with dirt and sod, we could stop almost any feasible munitions.”

“It’s something to keep you girls busy until I can think of a better plan,” Mike shrugged. “How about we break for the day and get some dinner.”

“Of course Master,” Erica beamed as she tossed her shovel aside and clapped the dirt from her hands. “Would you like me to prepare some food for you?”

“Sure,” Mike said as he returned to the house. 45 minutes later, he sat down to a plate of a steaming mixed pasta dish. “Smells great,” he said as he blew on the first bite then tried it.

“Thank you Master,” Erica giggled, “Nikki helped me with the recipe.”

Mike ate in silence as the androids busied themselves with getting cleaned up and preparing the house for night. When he was done, he handed the plate to Erica and retired to the couch. The girls joined him and eventually the old movie he found was forgotten as he was drawn into their carnal bounty.

And so went Mike’s life as days blurred into weeks, that turned into months. The trio settled into a comfortable routine that varied a little from day to day. Normally he would rise in the morning after sleeping with one of the androids and take a shower. He would be joined by Erica and they’d have a little fun while getting clean. He’d have breakfast with Nikki then spend the morning searching her memories. He’d have a quick lunch, then move on to the news and general web surfing. On boring days when he was out of memories or news, he’d fire up a computer game. Later one of the androids would make dinner and then they’d relax with a movie. Mike would end the day with sex with one or both of his androids before slipping off to sleep.

While Mike spent the day on the computer, the androids each pursued their own interests. Erica concentrated her efforts on the ever improving foxholes in the front yard. She spent weeks gathering large stones from the surrounding land and piecing them together like a giant, three dimensional puzzle. When the wall was complete she worked on camouflaging it with dirt, grass and even transplanted flowers. She then moved on to lining the inside of the hole with logs and woven branches; turning it into a rather cozy hole in the ground big enough for two.

Nikki took a different approach to occupy her time. At first she helped Erica with the fortifications, but eventually abandoned them to the younger android. She found she preferred spending time with Mike inside. Even if he didn’t speak much while he worked, she enjoyed being in his presence. Each day she would review the same memory files that he would, as a background process in her system. Even only using part of her mental faculties, she could still accomplish the task in a little over an hour. She knew it was redundant but he seemed to think two different perspectives might help.

Nikki also picked up a curious hobby to occupy her herself: woodcarving. She fell into the task when she underestimated the strength of a wooden chair and shattered one of its legs. In order to make up for the mistake she found a similar looking piece of scrap wood in the barn and over the course of two days, carved a replacement leg. Maybe she enjoyed the creative application of her fine motor skills, or maybe it was because Mike complemented her on her work, but she found the activity rewarding and relaxing.

Every few days, Nikki would wander into the woods and return to the cabin an hour or so later with a log, branch or some scrap of wood. She would then study it intently; creating a three dimensional model of the material, it’s predicted flaws, and what target design could fit inside. She would then get to work, starting quickly at first, but slowing down as she approached the detailed stages.

Nikki’s first few designs were human analogs that could be clothed and placed around the cabin to confuse any attacker’s targeting. From there she moved on to replicating animals she saw while looking for wood. By early October, the cabin was full of incredibly detailed sculptures rendered from wood. She was expertly working on the textured feathers of a hawk when she heard Mike break his normal silence.

“Oh man,” Mike groaned as he ran his hands through his long, scruffy hair. “I can’t believe it was you.”

“What did you find?” Nikki asked as she delicately set the carving aside and brushed the wood chips from her clothes. She walked over to look over his shoulder at the computer screen.

“You killed Anton Chen,” Mike said with a disbelieving shake of his head.

“Yes I did,” Nikki replied, “I’ve killed a lot of people. Why is he significant?”

“I remember reading about this a few years ago,” Mike explained. “I had attended a software conference while I was working for Allied, and he was a keynote speaker. He was showing off a radically new way to perform image processing for embedded products like basic robots, drones, security cameras, and androids. It was going to reduce the processing load almost 10 fold over contemporary methods. There was some disbelief that his new algorithm would work, but it generated a lot of excitement.”

Nikki gave Mike a puzzled look that prompted him to push forward. “With this new technique, accurate, real time image processing could be performed on relatively cheap hardware. Previously simple devices like drone vacuums or delivery bots could see an object, and detect its position in space but little else about it. He promised his new system would allow those cheap devices to now see the object in much greater detail, to know that it’s covered in fabric, that it looks soft, that it’s bed, etc.

“The potential applications go even beyond that. It would allow sophisticated devices like androids to reduce the image processing load and focus on other demands. I mean…just out of curiosity how much of your system resources are dedicated to image processing and what’s involved?

“The load depends on the situation,” Nikki explained as she thought about the question. “Under normal usage, like right now, approximately 8% of my main processor and 43% of my image processing subcard is occupied. I pull in data at 60 frames per second from two optical sensors running at 128 megapixels in the visual spectrum.” She paused for a moment to let the information sink in. “Under peak demands, such as combat, I can increase my frame rate to 500 frames per second and incorporate the ultraviolet and infrared spectrums. Doing that occupies 27% of my main processor and 95% of my subcard recourses.”

“Can you see the benefits of reducing that load by an order of magnitude?” Mike asked.

“Yes, I could free up those recourses for other tasks, increase the amount or rate of data gathered, or simplify my architecture,” Nikki said with a nod. “So yes I do see the value.”

“And so did Allied,” Mike chuckled, “which is why you stole his work after you killed him. The pubic reports indicated he died from a massive heart attack, most likely due to stress over the new system.”

“As they were intended,” Nikki explained. “I carefully injected a tailored toxin into the back of his throat. The poison caused the heart attack then quickly decomposed. Since the needle mark was in an obvious location, it appeared to everyone like he collapsed from the stress. But I don’t understand how this could help us.”

“I admit it’s a little complicated but I think we might have some leverage,” Mike explained as he pulled up some old files on his computer. “These are notes from the presentation he gave all those years ago. There were a few obscure bugs in the logic, that he hadn’t ironed out yet. For very specific images, the program would incorrectly process the data and it would report something different to the main device. Think of it sort of like a very specific optical illusion.”

“It will let us positively test if a system is using his software,” Mike said as he gestured to Erica outside. “I can’t think of any reason why Allied would kill him and take the software unless it intended to use it. I bet they rolled it into all their new products, including their androids.”

“I still don’t see how that helps us,” Nikki said, genuinely confused.

“Ok here’s the catch,” Mike said with almost giddy anticipation. “After Anton died, his company went bankrupt and was bought out by the Walmart Consortium.” He quickly typed away at his computer and soon had the details of the buyout and one of Anton’s patents. “They bought the company to acquire the rights to his work, and bury it. They had their own competing system that wasn’t quite as good, but was already ready for market. So they own the patent to Anton’s work.”

Mike waited for the information to sink in. When Nikki looked just as confused as ever, he move on, “If Erica or any other system from Allied is using the technology you stole, then technically, Allied is in violation of an valid, international patent. They can be sued by Walmart for any revenue received from products using that program. Depending on how much they used it, Allied may have to forfeit years of sales revenue.”

“Walmart is one of the few companies large enough overpower Allied in court,” Nikki mused.

“And I know enough about Allied from my time there,” Mike continued. “They run on a very thin margin. If they lose the lawsuit, they’ll be effectively destroyed. And we’ll be free.”

“There are a lot of ‘ifs’ in that line of logic,” Nikki admitted, “but it still sounds like the best shot we’ve got.” She walked over to the door and called out, “Erica can you come in here for a moment?”

“Of course,” Erica shouted back from the yard. Mere moments later she walked through the door still brushing some dirt off her palms. “What I can do for you?”

Mike held up his finger to signal for a little time, as he wildly banged on his keyboard. In a few minutes he brought up a strange and seemingly nonsensical collection of colors and shapes. “Both of you look at this and tell me what you see?”

Both android women locked their eyes on the screen for a few moments. “I don’t see anything I can recognize,” Nikki shrugged.

“I don’t recognize anything in particular but it keeps moving,” Erica complained. “Can you stop the animation so I can get a better look?”

Mike looked out of the corner of his eye at Nikki, “Do you see any movement Nikki?”

“No the image is static,” Nikki said with a knowing nod.

Over the next four hours, Mike excitedly tested Erica’s systems and compared them to Nikki’s. Over and over again the newer android fell for the specific weakness in Anton’s algorithm. He finally checked her software build date and confirmed it was a little over 16 months after Nikki’s snatch and grab mission.

“So what do we do now?” Nikki asked as the sun started to set.

“We trade this information to the Consortium in exchange for protection,” Mike explained. “We won’t have to lay low for too long. It would probably take three, maybe six months from filing suit until Allied is completely destroyed. Then we can all go back to our normal lives.”

“You can go back to your life,” Nikki frowned, “but what happens to us?”

“You’re not directly owned by Allied right? Your registrations are through a front company right?” Mike asked.

“Technically yes,” Nikki replied. “We’re registered under McCullen’s Dairy Holdings.”

“Not exactly a name I’d expect from a mercenary company,” Mike chuckled.

“Well that’s the idea,” Nikki smirked. “The company has no direct ties to Allied, but without their financial support McCullen’s will disintegrate. They’d probably sell off the remaining androids, or possibly destroy them to cover their tracks.”

“I guess we’d have to get you re-registered,” Mike mused. “I’m sure we could find someone that could draft up some fake papers.”

Nikki nodded, “I know of six vendors in this state alone. But I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves. How do you plan to approach the Consortium? Emailing their customer service line probably won’t be successful.”

“I know someone in their legal department,” Mike explained, “sort of a friend of a friend. She married a girl that I used to date back in high school. I met her at my reunion last year and we talked for a while. She seems nice; I’m not sure how far I’d trust her but she’s the best point of contact I can think of.”

“I can’t think of any better plan,” Nikki shrugged.

“Neither can I,” Erica giggled. Nikki turned to look out of the corner of her eye at the younger android as if to say ‘Why am I not surprised?’

Mike chuckled a little to himself. Over the last few months it became hard not to notice the differences between the two androids. Nikki was surprisingly deep and still somewhat mysterious. She made her own decisions which often caught him by surprise; whether it be randomly going for a walk, wanting to watch a particular show, or starting various topics of conversation. He could see that she knew a lot about humanity, but was also self aware enough to recognize what she didn’t understand and want to learn more. He had spent almost every evening for a week trying to teach her the subtle intricacies of humor. They watched a wide variety of television programs and movies to varying degrees of success. He found her fondness for old Bill Murray movies quite endearing.

Nikki’s sculptures were another story entirely. Mike found then combined an odd juxtaposition of machine driven accuracy and detail with human creativity. He knew many of her subjects were animal she’d seen while outside in the woods, but every now and then she threw in a curveball. A few weeks ago she carved a small cat, little enough to be a kitten, but gave it a lonely and sad expression. When he asked why she made it sad, she responded that it’s how the wood felt.

Mike often wondered if Nikki was capable of real emotions. She showed signs of them, and part of him knew they could be programmed responses. But to his gut, they felt very real, and the reactions they imposed on him were definitely real.

Erica, on the other hand, was completely different. Maybe it was the lack of mystery that Nikki radiated, or that Mike knew her programming was entirely open to him, but she seemed very one dimensional. Her driving motivations were always very clear: to serve her master, prepare their defenses and have sex, in that order. While Nikki would sometimes call him ‘Master’ it was only in the heat of passion, where Erica used it as his normal title. She would do anything he asked, without question or complaint. If he asked her to stand outside in the rain, naked, while holding a bucket over her head, she would do it with a smile on her face and a bounce in her step.

Besides following Mike’s direct orders, Erica was either improving the foxholes, or trying to seduce him or Nikki. She was none to subtle as far as the seduction went either. When ‘Can I give you a blowjob Master?’ didn’t work, she would often strip down naked and strike suggestive poses around the cabin. She would ‘drop’ things and have to bend over to pick them up way too often for a sophisticated android.

A few times when that failed to elicit a reaction Erica took a more direct approach. She would sit in a chair in plain view of Mike and just start masturbating. It worked a few times enough to get him up and engaged, but more than once he had to give her some busy work task to get her to go away. One time he even just deactivated her, which ironically he found more arousing that watching her touch herself. Once she realized that, she took to ‘deactivating’ herself in various places around the cabin in suggestive poses.

Mike never before thought that he’d willingly push away a beautiful, sexy android that wanted to fuck him, but even the best things can get old. He wasn’t a teenager anymore either and sometimes two or three times a day was just all he could muster. Plus he enjoyed spending time with Nikki; either just talking or enjoying a show together.

“Are you going to contact her now?” Nikki asked, bringing Mike out of his memories.

“I probably should,” Mike admitted. While this was the best way to get Allied off his back, part of him wanted to delay. Sure his life was in danger but for the first time in a long while he was actually happy. He had time to relax, in a tranquil setting, with wonderful company. “but this is probably something that is best approached over the phone rather than in an email.” Nikki nodded while Erica just smiled back. “It’s already past quitting time so I’ll give her a call tomorrow morning.”

“Alright, then what should we do with the rest of tonight?” Erica asked.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Mike said with a smile as he stood up from behind the computer. “we’ve accomplished quite a bit today. Why don’t we celebrate? I’ll go find something fun for dinner and I think I saw a bottle of wine down in the cellar.”

“Sounds like fun,” Nikki smiled coyly. Erica dashed into the bathroom to get cleaned up as Nikki brushed by Mike. She leaned over and whispered into his ear, “I know a few other ways we can celebrate,” she growled as the palm of her hand dragged across his crotch. She was rarely sexually aggressive with Mike lately and it was enough to send a small shiver down his spine. She kept on walking towards the kitchen as if nothing was said and only looked over to give him a small smile to hint at what was to come.

[liliwinnt6]

Nice going, General. Keep up the good work please.

[A.N.N.]

Yes, please keep them coming. I've been looking forward to seeing the latest installments!

[NukuNookee]

More interesting progress... though "saved by Walmart" has to be one of the best non-sequiturs you could come up with.

[Brytestar]

I had to read this twice and I had to say whoa! At least we get to see more of Erica! She is my fav character in this story so far!

[gynoneko]

Excellent read! I can't wait to read more. I like what you are doing with Nikki, she is a good character.

[DollSpace]

A job well done! Can't wait to read more!