Orin felt the exhaustion take over him as he lay sprawled across the floor of the lab. Wires and robotic components were scattered everywhere as a small droid laid three feet beside him. The droid was small and clean cut and looked more like a metal top hat rather then a robot.

            He stretched as he lifted him self off the floor to a sitting position and tossed a wire that was hanging over his leg to the side. He raised his shoulder blades and twisted his neck around till he hear them crack softly and then let them slump down in there original position.

            “I guess I should finish this so I can go get something to eat.” Orin said a little sluggishly as he reached over and opened a small panel on the robot and pushed a button.

            “Initiating startup sequence..” A cold male robotic voice echoed. “Please voice authorization code.”

            “Authorization code 1 2 3 4 5 6 7!” Orin said flatly. “Initiate start up procedure and does a full function review.”

            “Verification confirmed.” The robot responded. “Starting full function review process.”

Orin watched the robot began to hover off the ground and started to a do a full rundown of its systems. Small doors on the frame opened and robotic arms extended and the detracted back in, and then the same with hatches on the bottom four other arms slipped out and returned.

“Mechanical functions confirmed.” The robot said. “All functions with in working parameters.”

            “Initiate personality functions.” Orin said as he yawned and stretched.

            “Initiated personality function.” The robot said. “Waiting for parameters.”

            Orin smiled and then lifted him self off the floor and walked over to where the robot was hovering in mid air. He put his hands behind his back and paced in front of it. He then smiled and took a big breath. “I wish you to activate your Artificial Life program, and follow the procedure listed there.”

            Orin watched as a red light lit up on the robot as it lowered it self to the floor. The robot sat still as a red light slowly swirled around the top of the robot as it was accessing its memory banks. The robot stopped for a moment and Orin paused to look at it as the light slowed down.

“Initiating artificial life procedure.” The robot confirmed. “Name… confirmed. Personality… .. .. .. confirmed.  Sensory chip .. .. activated.  Visual characteristics.. .. .. confirmed. Procedure complete.”

Orin smiled and again began to pace back and forth. He watched as the robot began to hover again until it reached about even with his head, and then stopped in mid air again. He looked straight at it, and then said. “My name is Orin Clay. I am pleased to meet you.”

“Hello Orin.” The robot said in a female voice. “My name is Cora.”

“Cora that is a fantastic name.” Orin said politely. “Cora, now why don’t we go look for something to eat. I am starving.”

“Yes master.” Cora said emotionlessly.

“No Cora I am not your master.” Orin responded. “You are your own master. I am just your friend.”

Copyrighted 2007 -