Ark II, Launch

Story: Ark II

Chapter: 25 How Do You Feel?

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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The title is not about how you are, but asking how we feel. What makes emotion and feelings. In the case of Athena, Robbie, and Robot, they are very intelligent, but do they feel? How do they feel? What do they feel? They can remember anything, but where does the emotion come from?

How Do You Feel?

Joel and Hank were returning to the Control Room with the Human-Robbie. Joel was looking forward to seeing what it was like to be in Human-Robbie's body. Would Human-Robbie have responses Joel would recognize? Joel considered Robbie to be almost Human. Joel knew Robbie wasn't Human. He loved Robbie. Joel also knew that emotions were accompanied by physical reactions in the body. Be it love or even fear causes physical reactions in the body. Your heart begins to race, your breathing changes...your pleasure centers in the brain are stimulated. The fight or flight response, the idea of danger causes the brain to make you withdraw from the danger. Even bypassing the area of the brain for reason. You jump away after stepping on a hose or stick, your brain identifies a snake and to get away and you do before you know what it is. Robbie won't do that.

"That was pretty amazing," Hank said. "They have made some real breakthroughs."

Joel glanced at Hank, "They sure have." He nodded. "I take it you did enjoy it."

"I did!" Hank said happily. "It was wild how we could see all around us! I would have thought the brain would overload."

"We don't even use but ten percent of our brains," Joel chuckled. He grudged a nod, "Though I think Sara Beth uses a bit more."

Hank snorted, "Rita probably does too." He brightened, "Perhaps this new tech will broaden it even more! Then look out galaxy!"

"Do you remember the movie with Scarlett Johansson? Lucy?"

Hank thought a moment, "I can't say I did."

Joel grudged a nod, "About an unwilling drug mule who accidentally is exposed to some drug that causes the unused portion of the brain to become active and her perceptions and abilities become enhanced. There are also other movies and shows about this sort of thing."

"Why is it that there are so many movies about all this?" Hank asked.

Joel grinned, "It's a reflection of Human society and ventures into what if. Some of it is pretty scary if done well."

"Well, I'll be checking over the Ark's many engines," Hank said. He stopped and looked at Joel. "I never want what happened to Ark IV to happen to us."

Joel stopped having heard how personally Hank was taking this, "Hank," he touched his friend on the chest above his heart, "we don't know what happened to Ark IV. It could be anything other than the engines. It could be because of a computer failure. We don't know."

Hank nodded, "Yes, we don't know. I'm telling you that won't happen to this Ark! I'm making sure of it!"

"I believe you," Joel smiled. "Let's see what Athena finds out."

Joel sent everyone on the Ark a copy of what they found out about Ark IV with the promise that any new information would be shared when they knew it. It was an interesting sensation to have Human-Robbie there. He often was before...off to the side! He was doing it again in his human-like body. Joel finally stopped what he was doing by going over the various things from Earth, Mars, and Tau Ceti. Robbie was standing so motionless he almost forgot Human-Robbie was up and running!

"Robbie," Joel began and only then did Human-Robbie move.

Human-Robbie blinked and looked at Joel. "Yes, Joel?"

Joels' head went back slightly, "Okay. You obviously changed your programming. When I was little, you referred to me as Joel Nesmith. The whole name. You almost never called me. After I married and had children it became Dad Joel. You even continued it with Ian, referring to him as Ian Nesmith." Joel grinned, "Now it's Joel?" He held his hand up quickly, "I don't mind! I like it. We are friends! You are even referring to Ian as Ian. Why?"

Human-Robbie actually looked slightly amused! "I've been with you since you were eight years old! Over thirty years with you and I did learn. The first year I responded and acted as I was to do as the robot on Forbidden Planet." He smiled, "You thought that robot was cool." He chuckled. Robbie chuckled! "As the years passed, I learned what I could and couldn't do. What I did was to make you happy. Later, I realized what humor was and how to use it. My addressing you, Sara Beth, and even Ian made you happy, so I did it again and again. It became like a game."

"And you play it very well!" Joel grinned. He waved at Human-Robbie, "And these movements and expressions?"

"Learned behavior," Robbie said simply. "Am I doing them right?"

Joel nodded, "Do you think you're doing them right?"

Robbie nodded, "I get the right responses. Yes, I'm doing them right."

Joel got up and walked toward Human-Robbie, "You just stand there. Do you get tired?"

"No," Human-Robbie answered.

"You just look at me," Joel said.

Human-Robbie's head nodded slightly, "And that makes you uncomfortable."

Joel again held a hand up and touched Human-Robbie on the chest, "Not uncomfortable, but curious. Why?"

Human-Robbie smiled, "For a long time you went off to work." He shrugged, "I never got to see what you do. Now, I can. Should I stop?"

Joel grinned and hugged Human-Robbie, "No. You are my oldest and dearest friend. No one alive knows me longer. You can look as much as you like. I don't care."

Human-Robbie nodded, "Is there something you think I should make for dinner?" He grinned. "I can duplicate any recipe you or Sara Beth can make."

Joel shook his head, "You don't have to do..."

"No," Human-Robbie interrupted, "I don't, but I'm going to. You, Sara Beth, and your children have never given the impression to me that I was a servant or any less than you are. In fact, you've done everything you can to make me like you are!" He grudged a nod and shrug, learned behavior, "That needs rewarding. I'm doing this!"

Joel chuckled, "And this will be your first task as a more functioning human!" He tapped Human-Robbie on the chest, "You decide!"

"You want me to decide what to make for dinner," Human-Robbie said to be certain.

Joel nodded, "You know the family. You know what we like to eat. There are plenty of recipes on file. Pick something. Try something new if you want."

"I will make the best decision I can," Human-Robbie said. He looked at Joel, "I know you want me to share the experience of tasting and consuming meals as you do. I will never be Human."

Joel smiled sadly, "No, you won't. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try."

"After you experience what happens in this body," Human-Robbie touched his own chest. "You will see how I taste and feel. I will not require food to create energy."

"Eating is more than just the need to refuel ourselves," Joel explained. "It is a social custom people do to connect with other people." Joel shrugged, "We invented ways to make these times better creating tastier means of preparing the kills and consume the needed meal."

"We concern ourselves with not wasting supplies," Human-Robbie said cautiously. "I don't require food. Why am I consuming anything not necessary?"

"What is an emotion?" Joel asked.

"A mental reaction in the brain," Human-Robbie replied.

"True," Joel smiled. "Often it is a memory we have associated with a time we are the most content or being safe. A meal will often bring those memories of safety, contentment...a sense of belonging. Sara Beth and I enjoy the feeling we bring to our children where they know they are loved and taken care of. There are other things that bring emotion such as Sara Beth's gardening. A rose will bring a sense of contentment to mind. Listening to a symphony. The music again makes us feel content." He shrugged, "And true art will bring emotions that aren't always positive. Anger, frustration...there are many emotions brought to the surface in people. That can be rewarding." He looked at Human-Robbie closer. "You have a mouth with teeth and a tongue. I assume you have a stomach and a means to expel what you don't use."

Human-Robbie nodded, "I don't use anything I eat."

Joel held his finger up, "But you do! You consume a little of something to understand why it's desired by us. Why we prefer one as opposed to the other." He bounced a couple of times. "You know what we prefer. Use that knowledge and make something you know we'll like." He looked at Human-Robbie and smiled at a thought, "I know, you are Robbie." He pointed. "Whether you are in the robotic body or this one. You are Robbie. But Jimmy is right. You need another name."

The Human-Robbie looked puzzled, "Why?"

"To keep Human sanity," Joel said flatly. "If you tell me something and I tell people you said something, they may need to know which one."

"We are the same," Human-Robbie said.

"Remember," Joel smiled. "For Human sanity."

Human-Robbie nodded, "What name?"

"We'll discuss it as a family tonight," Joel grinned. "At dinner...after you make it."

Human-Robbie left a couple of hours before the usual dinnertime. When he told Sara Beth she was a bit uncertain.

"Robbie is deciding what we eat tonight," she stated doubtfully.

"Why not?" Joel asked. "He's cooked before. This is his chance to improvise. He will either recreate a dish you or I would make. He could come up with a totally different dish!"

Sara Beth just nodded but wasn't convinced this was a good idea.

At the agreed upon hour, Joel returned to their home quarters. He grinned at his own feeling when entering the quarters. He was home! It was no longer just where he and his family lived, it was home. The sanctuary from the day's bustle and activity. He was greeted by Robbie. Human-Robbie and Robot-Robbie were there. Robot-Robbie was with Ian who was sitting on the couch as Ian was reading something. Robot-Robbie was standing almost motionless beside him. His other sons were watching a movie or television show together. Human-Robbie was moving about the food preparation area carefully as he leaned forward, sticking his head into some steam.

Joel was also greeted by a scent he knew of onions, garlic, and peppers. It was familiar, but not what he'd smelled before. "Whatcha makin'?" he asked, "Rob."

Human-Robbie looked up at Joel and smiled again, "Is that going to be the name you use for me in this body? Rob?"

Joel shrugged as he walked around to go to the pot Human-Robbie was using, but Human-Robbie covered the pot with a lid to hide what he was making.

"You'll know when everyone else does," Human-Robbie said patiently. He even used the same tone and inflection Sara Beth used with her boys.

Joel raised his hands in surrender and backed away, "Okay, okay. How much longer?"

"About fifteen minutes," Human-Robbie replied. "As soon as Sara Beth gets here in five, four, three, two, one." He pointed at the door which slid open and Sara Beth came into the quarters.

Joel's left eyebrow rose, but he knew Athena knew where everyone on the Ark was. So Robbie knew where they were. It was not too surprising.

"Is that Shrimp Creole?" Sara Beth grinned as she greeted Joel with a kiss.

Human-Robbie grimaced, "Her sense of smell is as good as mine!"

"I was getting there," Joel defended.

"It is a fusion of two," Human-Robbie corrected. "I made a spicy shrimp creole and a rustic Italian polenta." He stirred the pot he was using. "It just needs a few more minutes."

Sara Beth looked a bit shocked at Human-Robbie, "You act so...Human."

Human-Robbie shrugged, "Most Human behavior is learned. I've been a student of Human behavior for three decades." He smiled, "I just behaved as I was expected to."

"Ya know Dad," Jimmy said from his place on the couch. "If you are going to be in Robbie's body...we talked about a taste history. We're talking about an emotional history." He got up and came over to his father. "You have that history in you now. I wonder if any of that history will be passed to Robbie."

"I don't know," Joel answered.

"You see what you'll eat," Jimmy said further. "Your brain knows what it should taste like and is ready to resend that to your brain on a familiar path. Won't that work if your brain tells the brain of Robbie?"

"We'll know more tomorrow," Joel smiled. He shivered at all his sons' brilliance. He knew they were each functioning at the genius level. Every parent should be proud of their children. He tried to never pressure his boys in a particular direction. Kevin was a natural leader, Ian was a budding artist, but Jimmy was knowledgeable about things he should not be able to have at this age! He truly was a genius! Joel promised himself not to miss a moment. He wanted to keep his sons close and keep them children as long as possible. "I got a glimpse of what it will be like to be a Harpy-Stinger today."

Kevin suddenly lost interest in what he was watching and sat up straighter, "Yeah?" He rushed over, "What was it like?"

Joel explained about enhanced vision and hearing. Human-Robbie asked everyone to gather at the table. What was odd was the Human-Robbie sat at the table with the family. The Robot-Robbie served dinner. Human-Robbie may not taste or eat yet, but he could be at the table with the family. Robot-Robbie would be there off to the side. "I also thought we need to give them separate designations." He pointed at the Robot-Robbie, "His identity began centuries ago. He should remain Robbie." He pointed at Human-Robbie, "He however, though he is Robbie, he needs a separate name. I thought as Robbie is a form of Robert, Rob would be more appropriate. What do you think?" He asked them all.

Ian smiled, "I like Rob."

"So, do I." Joel nodded.

"It fits!" Kevin smiled.

"So we go with Rob?" Sara Beth asked.

"All in favor," Joel asked and looked at Human-Robbie, "That includes you." He looked at Robot-Robbie, "And you."

"They are the same Robbie," Jimmy protested. "He gets two votes!?"

"Yes!" Joel grinned. "Raise your hand if you agree with Rob."

Every hand went up, including Human-Robbie and Robot-Robbie.

"Robbie Nesmith and Rob Nesmith begins!" Joel said happily.

"Just one other thing," Sara Beth started quietly to Joel. "Robbie has been Ian's transitional object since we came to the Ark. Which Robbie will be in Ian's room at night?"

Joel shrugged, "We'll let Ian decide that. Would it matter if it is one or both?"

Sara Beth gave a reluctant shrug and shake of her head, "Not really, but..." she sighed. "I know he would never harm Ian. I know that, but..."

Joel nodded, "But a grown man standing in our son's room at night is uncomfortable."

Sara Beth shrugged, "Yes. As a mother I never want to put my sons in danger. I also know who Robbie is and would never harm Ian. Is it wrong to want Robot-Robbie to be the only Robbie in his room while he sleeps?"

"No," Joel smiled. "It might get crowded in Ian's room if we don't set limits." He shrugged, "He will want more privacy later when he becomes sexually active."

Sara Beth groaned and rolled her eyes away, "Don't even start those thoughts." She looked at Bob. "Where will he be at night?"

"Where do you think he should be?" Joel asked. "He doesn't need sleep and he doesn't get tired. Should he go into the old closet where we kept Robbie in the beginning?"

Sara Beth sighed, "No, I just have to get used to it."

Bob's Spicy Shrimp Creole was fantastic! Delicious! It was spicy, but not so hot you were in pain to eat it. His sons inherited Joel's and Sara Beth's palate and loved spicy food. Chemical analysis of the air told Rob he was making it correctly. That night, Robbie went with Ian for the night, while Rob remained in the living area.

"If you want to do anything," Joel began to Rob. "You have the run of the quarters or anywhere on the Ark. You can begin your own projects."

"Thank you, Joel." Rob smiled. "This is a new freedom for me."

"I hope you know you are free," Joel said seriously. "You are my friend and always have been. I never considered you property."

Rob hugged Joel, "I never have. I just understand it more now."

"Don't let anyone treat you otherwise," Joel insisted. "Not even me."

When Joel woke up he realized he was alone in bed! Sara Beth's side of the bed was cooling, but she had risen not more than a few minutes ago. Her loose robe was gone. Joel got up and slipped a robe on and went to see what happened. As soon as the door opened he caught the scent of baking bread. He came into the living area and saw Sara Beth sitting at the table with a mug of hot tea. Rob was cooking. Again!

Sara Beth grinned and held her hand up to stop Joel, "I already fussed at Rob about this, but he insisted on cooking!" She shrugged. "He had already started, so why stop him?" She looked at Rob. "You are spoiling me!"

Rob turned to her, "We all have roles in the family. You are a doctor, a scientist, and a mother. What role is mine?" He smiled, "My understanding of family is we each help each other out. I don't require sleep and I have time. I chose to make myself useful in preparing meals for the family." He looked at Joel. "I choose to do this."

That's when Ian came running in, "We're having waffles!? Robbie said we were!"

Robbie turned to face Ian, "That is incorrect, Ian Nesmith. I said we are having Bananas Foster Belgian Waffles."

Ian nodded sitting at the table, "Like I said, waffles!"

The other two boys came in slower but sat at the table. When Rob lit the rum and alcohol, the flames burst up as it cooked the bananas bringing oohs from the boys. It was served with sides of sausages paddies. Rob also had the juices, milk, and Joel's latte!

Joel pushed away from the table feeling stuffed. "I appreciate this, Bob," he said, "but you can't do this too often."

"Why not?" Rob asked. "It's no trouble for me."

"No," Joel nodded as he stood up, "It's trouble for me!" He patted Rob's arm as he passed Rob. "I'll weigh three hundred pounds if I keep eating like this!"

Sara Beth chuckled, "You didn't have to have the extra serving of the waffles!"

Joel looked horrified at Sara Beth, "How could I not?" He waved in Rob's direction, "I didn't want to hurt Rob's feelings!"

Jimmy laughed, "You're assuming he has feelings!"

Joel frowned at his son, "I am! He has something and he was so happy to do this!" His head wavered, "And it was so damned good!!" He shook Rob lightly. "Damned good! Great job, Rob!"

"Thank you," Rob smiled. "Everyone needs a goal. Mine is to help."

"Are you doing the Stinger thing today?" Jimmy asked, "Or are you going to put yourself in Rob's body today?"

Joel grinned. He knew why Jimmy was asking, "You want to know if I can influence Rob's ability to taste and feel."

"Aunt Leah helped to build the brain Rob is using," Jimmy explained. "She and Uncle Anthony and Uncle Scott said it should work like a Human brain. We talked about a taste history. You have a taste history already. We could copy that history to Rob!" He looked at his mother, "And yours, too."

"Your Aunt Leah is a Neurologist and knows the Human brain better than anyone," Sara Beth nodded. "Why not?"

Ian was listening, but frowned, "Rob is here now." He waved at Rob. "How can Dad be in here?"

Joel smiled, "Is the Ark alive? Is the Stinger or any vessel alive? Not without a pilot." He waved at the Ark, "Athena is the pilot for the Ark. I will be the pilot for the Stinger."

"Where will Rob be?" Ian asked.

"I'll be around," Rob explained. "I will be teaching school as I give the pilot's seat to your Dad for this body."

Ian was still puzzled, "Can I be in the pilot's seat for your body?"

"Maybe when you're older," Sara Beth said cautiously. "Right now you are still growing, and your brain is still forming." She looked at Joel, "Your father won't let me do it until I give birth to Daylia."

"When will my brain finish forming?" Ian asked.

"You'll be in your late twenties," Sara Beth said. "Perhaps sooner but I want that amazing brain to get a little more development."

"After I get the update on what has been found about Ark IV," Joel confessed, "Then we'll find out about what Rob can do." He grinned at his boys. "You three need to get ready for school. We can't have you missing anything."

Kevin rolled his eyes and waved at Robbie, "Our teacher is right here. We won't miss anything."

"You have friends there," Sara Beth pointed out. "You need exposure. Social interactions are very important."

Joel was smiling as he walked with Sara Beth, Robbie and his sons to the Communal Dining area. Other families were escorting their own children and Joel thought of the way the school used to be like. The need for a central location for schools have been around for millennia. Yes, not every child was escorted and not by both parents. The one constant was the noise! The hum of other voices, the squeal as someone was being chased...common occurrences in whatever century.

Rob was a new addition still and he was soon surrounded by many, students and adults alike.

Joder was smiling as he came closer, Angus had his daughter's hand as he also was fascinated by Rob.

"Fascinating!" Joder said looking closer at Rob's face. "Such detail."

Joel felt a little odd, "He's not a specimen to be examined." He put his arm around Rob's shoulder, "We call this version of Robbie Rob to keep them straight." Joel looked at Joder and Angus. "Forgive me, but I'm a bit protective of Rob. We've known each other quite a while. I don't know we can hurt feelings with Rob..."

"He's still too perfect," Hank said from behind Joel. He came up to Joel bumping into Joel lightly.

"Hank," Joel began in a scolding tone like he used on his boys.

"What?" Hank asked shrugging helplessly. "A new big dog came to the territory and threatened the alphas who become jealous. I admit it. We may have left the caves, but the caveman is still in us! He's a threat! You felt it too."

Joel chuckled, "You know he's no threat to you." He smiled at Hank. "He won't take Rita. Certainly not Sara Beth or anyone else."

Hank's left eye narrowed, "And if he did, how would you fight him?" He waved over Rob's body, "I work hard to maintain this," he patted his stomach. "He simply is! He's gorgeous!"

Rob's eyes rolled and he looked at Hank, "I won't try to seduce Rita or any woman on the Ark." He smiled mischievously at Hank. "I might seduce you however." Humor was a learned thing and Rob had learned to do it very well. Joel knew Rob was kidding. Wasn't he?

"See? He acts perfectly Human." Hank said again helplessly.

"I am afraid that's my fault," Joel confessed. "Thirty years as a Nesmith will mark your personality."

Hank slapped Rob on the back happily, "How the Hell are you, Rob? That is the name we're using with you, right?"

"It is," Rob nodded and smiled. He knew Hank's behavior and knew Hank joked a lot, "I am fine. How are you?"

Hank grinned and shrugged, "Better than Rita! Morning sickness."

Joel nodded, "Ah." He said with sympathy. "Sara Beth got it with our boys. Did Rita have it with your two?"

Hank shrugged, "She swears it's worse this time. I don't know if it's because of having two babies instead of one. She's getting seen by the doctor now."

Robbie walked to the place he stood while teaching school. He was joined by Robot. "If you will begin..." Robbie's voice began teaching.

Rob leaned in toward Joel, Hank, Angus, and Joder, "That's my way of telling you to leave." He whispered quietly.

Joel smiled at Rob, "We got that."

They walked toward the Control Room. Hank shook his head at Rob, "Your mannerisms are different in that body."

Rob nodded as they strolled, "My programming before was to act like the Robbie you knew. I have a history with the Nesmith family and know how to act. I use that history now." He looked at Hank, "My programming began long ago. Robot doesn't have that. When he's activated tomorrow, be aware there will be a learning phase."

Entering the Control Room it became clear why this area was called the Control Room. It was a center for control. There were plenty of places a person could work on the Ark. This was a large room where everyone that needed to, could work on their own projects. Athena could be accessed from anywhere on the Ark. Technically Joel didn't need to leave his bed if he didn't want to. He could work from that bed as well. They enjoyed working together even if what they were doing didn't need to be shared with anyone. The last couple of days had been on bringing Athena, Robbie, and Robot to a more Human-like form. There was the transforming of Gaea going on all the time. Unless you needed to hammer or saw something and make noise, then you might opt to do it somewhere else.

Joel saw Ansh Bhatt and Wei Ch'en in front of monitor looking over something. Joel saw what was going to be New Charleston on the monitor. A camera image of the completed colony within a circular wall. There was a clear dome over New Charleston. Wei said something and the dome cover withdrew in large pie-wedge portions that retracted into the ground.

Joel, Hank, Joder, Rob, and Angus walked over to Wei and Ansh.

"Good morning, Gentlemen," Joel said lightly bringing the two pairs of eyes to them.

"Good morning!" The two greeted smiling.

Of course they also were fascinated by Rob and his story, but science didn't surrender too long.

"Joder," Wei pointed at the screen. "There is a fair amount of Wurtzite Boron Nitrate being brought to the Ark now."

"We are going to add it to the ore and sand from Gaea," Ansh furthered.

They worked together for so long now they were almost like a married couple. Finishing each other's sentences and knowing what the other would say. This made Joel smile at the thought! They were working well together.

"Sure," Joder nodded.

Wei looked at Joel, "Upon completion, there will be a dome to contain the processed gases in for settlement and the lives we bring to New Charleston." He turned to the screen and Joel saw those curved pie-wedges rise again enclosing the settlement. "The covering will always be there even when the air equalizes all over Gaea. The covering can be risen quickly if there is an attack..."

"Attack!?" Hank blurted.

Wei chuckled, "Yes, attack from other people in space or even Gaea herself!" He touched something on a keypad that had Chinese writing on the keys. Wei would know what they were...Bia and Lui would. Maybe others, but not Joel. He pointed at a satellite image of some swirling clouds in the northern hemisphere, thousands of kilometers from New Charleston. "That is a category four hurricane. There is another category three in the southern hemisphere. Also, there are a few waterspouts." He chuckled. "The Hawai'ian Islands will have storms. It's going to happen even with the weather prevention probes. Storms will hit New Charleston." He shrugged as the pie-wedges sealed the dome shut. "New Charleston will survive just fine. Because of the strength of the cover and it's shape."

Joel had often had dreams of butterflies landing on flowers he knew Sara Beth would have around their home on Gaea. Hearing bird songs from the trees or in the air of New Charleston. Bees buzzing! They would have them contained at first but would open the covering to let the natural light from Ran in and Gaea's ocean breezes. The air's fragrance teased Joel's mind with what he remembered, even if much of the coast on Earth had been destroyed. The salty air was there.

"The big island of the new Hawai'i will be the first land that will have life! That will start soon." Wei said. "The water surrounding the islands will be seeded first, except for this area we will build on." He grinned, "The first life will be bacteria!"

"Bacteria," Hank repeated.

"Yes!" Ansh said happily. "To start the life cycle in New Charleston. New Charleston will be a biosphere underneath we will have molds, various mosses and grass planted in the soil. We will be adding the nutrients needed for the molds, mosses and grass to grow. When they die, the bacteria will be essential to break the dead grass and molds to breakdown. Compost!"

Wei nodded, "Sara Beth can tell you that. Worms!" He was getting excited talking about it.

"Worms!?" Hank said in disbelief.

Joel chuckled and nodded, "I have no doubt we have them on the Ark! Just like we have roaches, mosquitoes, and probably termites."

Ansh grinned, "We have frogs, slugs, and snails! All needed for the balance of life!"

"Right!" Wei agreed. "All of them are needed. The worms will burrow through the ground enriching the soil."

"Then we can begin adding trees!" Ansh said. "All underneath the dome's protection."

"There will be the robot rototillers that will be stirring all this up for almost a hundred years before the trees will be planted." Wei was nodding happily. "The land area around New Charleston will be added as the air on Gaea becomes ready to let life flourish! Then we can risk other animal life inside the biodome!"

Ansh bobbed his head in a nod, "In two centuries this will look like an island on Earth!"

Joel nodded, "That's why we're here." He smiled. "Let's go!"

Hank's mind was working as he came up with a thought, "We're talking about earthworms, right? Only they will be on Gaea. Should we call them Gaea-worms?"

At his console Joel accessed Athena's information about Ark IV. She had gotten the mission flight recorder and had it downloaded now. That and the physical evidence told them that Artemis had seen the approaching meteors and the ion trail did show it was attempted to change the course. It just didn't do it in time. The ark was traveling close to the speed of light as you could get when the meteors collided with Ark IV. Artemis' scanners should have seen it in time, but the diversion wasn't enough. It was a big meteor shower, but...Joel frowned. The Earth had thrown this Ark together so quickly to get more people off of Earth. Ark II was put together carefully to make sure no possibility was unconsidered. Safeties and backups and backups for the backups were in place. Pride aside, Joel felt Ark II was the best Ark sent. Arik III made it to their goal. Would they make it? That was the second-best Ark sent. Was the rush for Ark IV the problem? There was also Ark V. Truthfully, they were to do the cleanup on Earth. Again, Joel was more determined to make this work! The statement was used often, but failure was not an option!

"We have two more pregnancies!" Sara Beth said excitedly as she came in the Control Room. "Maria Rojas and Medika Yates!"

Joel laughed lightly, "We need to complete New Charleston! We're going to run out of room on the Ark!"

"There's a lot of sex on this Ark!" Hank chuckled. "All unprotected!"

"Life," Sara Beth smiled. "Our goal is to save, preserve and create new life."

The entire feeling Joel got from this Ark and the people on it was peace. The pressures were gone. Except for the pressure of the job they were intending to do. Really, there was not that much pressure there either. No bosses hovering over your shoulder expecting results, they were each performing well. The threat of crime was gone. They weren't perfect. They weren't creating a utopia, but it was damned close. Would there be crime? Probably. Someone gets jealous when their partner is having an affair. There would be affairs, he knew that. The future generations would be Human.

Joel looked at the time and knew he was expected to test Rob's Human-like body. Rob was still watching Joel work.

Joel looked at Hank and Sara Beth, "You may or may not be interested in this, but I promised to test the Neural-interface on Rob here." He waved at Rob. "And you Hank can check on Robot's new body."

"I can't wait!" Hank said happily. He looked at Joel, "I can't wait to see what happens to you and to see Robot!" He clarified.

"You have to get Jimmy from school to see this," Sara Beth reminded her husband.

Joel nodded, "Rob, can you tell Jimmy, quietly to come to the robotics lab?" He looked at Sara Beth, "If we come to the class and get him, the others will want to come. We should keep it to just him for now. He began this."

"He's being notified now, Joel." Rob said.

They walked to the lab that had been setup for this. Joel again had the impression of a mad scientist's lab or a Frankenstein type of assembly with arms, legs and other anatomy parts out. Now, there were a couple of eyes being worked on. The arm he could see was male, Joel assumed. It had the male form of musculature from the shoulder joint down to the hand. The male bicep was very masculine. It was a right arm. There was a difference in Rob's skin tone and this arm. Rob looked more like a man from the Mediterranean area. Greek. This arm looked much fairer. He was going to be modeled after Apollo! He was going to be blond! Joel looked at the two eyes. Those must be Apollo's, too. They were blue eyes.

"I'll let you see the body of Human-Robot," Anthony grinned when he saw them come in. "He's not quite ready."

"Do you want me to test the Neural-interface with Human-Robot?" Hank asked. It was clear he wanted for Anthony to say yes.

"Sure!" Anthony nodded. He motioned to Rob. "How was it since yesterday? Any problems?"

"No," Jimmy answered. "He made dinner last night and breakfast this morning. It was great!"

Anthony's smile grew.

"How can he do that?" Jimmy asked. "He can't taste yet. Can he?"

Anthony nodded, "Maybe he can't tell if it's good or bad, but he can tell what's in the air and analyze if it is correct. Today we're going to find out what he can taste."

Jimmy bounced, "If Dad is in control of Rob's body, won't Dad's brain anticipate what Rob should taste?"

Anthony threw his hands out, "That's why we're here! To find out!"

Once again, Joel was in the couch for him to use the Neural-Interface.

Leah was about to hookup the head piece to Joel, "This level of interface has not been done in the past. We've made many improvements and will do so for a long time." She smiled. "The few who have tried it, including me, it will not feel," she did finger quotes, "correct...at first." She touched Rob. "We've improved his receptors..." she grudged a shrug, "Just see for yourself. Just be ready."

Now Joel swallowed. The unknown was always going to throw up caution flags. He sighed, "No time like the present!" He looked at Rob. "Ready?"

"Leaving now," Rob said and closed his eyes.

"Robbie and I can't do it at the same time?" Joel asked.

"Not at first," Leah shook her head. "We need you in control at first. In the driver's seat, so to speak. Later, we can add Rob and you can show him around about being Human! Tell me what you feel."

Joel did feel the Interface begin and he closed his eyes. He became aware of his surroundings. There were sensations a person felt all the time. Comfortable in your body. You were either cold or warm and that caused a feeling. He felt less of that. It was there but felt...different. He opened his eyes...or he opened Rob's eyes and saw was Rob's eyes allowed him to see. He heard the noises around the lab. What surprised him was he saw his body, Joel's body from above as Rob was looking down at him. He was a bit startled at that, but he didn't feel the rush he might have as his heart rate would increase. His own body did, but he knew Rob's body was not.

"This is a little odd," Joel said, but his voice sounded like Rob's voice.

They did the sound and sight tests. Manual dexterity and touch. Leah was right, it did feel different. Not like himself because he wasn't himself. He had no real reaction to things that should have been pleasant or horrible. He had no surge of blood or adrenaline. There was an increase of power when he lifted things too heavy for a Human to lift alone. This would be what Rob could expect. Then the taste. He was blindfolded, they weren't taking any chances, and given sweet, sour, salty, and something like cheese! Nacho cheese! Almost everyone loved nacho cheese. Then they gave him something he knew instantly. The smell and the taste were distinctive. It was just a taste.

"That's not fair!" Joel muttered. "You took a big chance with my Southern Mustard based barbecue!"

"But you recognized the taste," Jimmy said. "I say you influenced Bob's synaptic pathways to go in the right direction!"

"Because your Dad remembers how it should taste!" Anthony said happily.

So much of what he "felt" he was used to having a physical reaction. Simple things! Such as when he ate the barbecue, he normally felt pleasure, a comforting sense of familiarity that calmed his heart rate and lowering of his blood pressure. Seeing his son Jimmy doing something that he really enjoyed, Joel was used to the sense of calming comfort with a stimulating sense of pride at Jimmy's brilliance. His family. Sara Beth brought calm as well. All his boys with the noise and the joy of being alive. They were part of him. There was the newly arriving daughter and the worry he usually felt concerning raising a daughter. Worry that he might fail as a parent. All these "feelings" just didn't make his body react as it would in his own body. Emotions without a physical reaction? Joel thought about a show again. He even thought about the humor and how the thought didn't create a physical reaction.

"Joel?" Hank was looking at him closer. "Are you okay?"

Joel was puzzled, "I feel fine. Why?"

Leah, Anthony, Scott, and Jimmy were staring more closely.

"You just chuckled," Leah pointed out.

Had he? He didn't remember doing it. He wasn't even conscious of what he had done. Was he so used to doing things that he did it on a subconscious level? "I didn't do it on purpose. I was thinking about a show I love. More important was my thought of Vulcans."

"Vulcans?" Leah repeated. "My understanding of the shows and movies they had no emotions."

Hank smiled, "That is not correct, Doc. They control their emotions and concentrate on logic. They have emotions can don't let them rule their actions."

"Right," Joel said. "I was wondering if this is how Rob will be. I was getting different feelings from things I normally do."

Hank grinned, "I hate to break it to you, but you just blew that away." He pointed at him, "You chuckled!"

Leah nodded, "I'm not as big a fan as you or Hank. We built this brain to act as a biological one does. New neural pathways are created and will be used again later being used." She laughed, "You are teaching Rob's brain what pathways should be used! You are teaching Rob to react like a Human!"

"Then he will love barbecue!" Joel stated.

Anthony smiled and came closer, "You are teaching your preference and similar sensations will create more. Did it taste like you remember?"

The head of Rob, which Joel had control of, shrugged a nod, "I recognized it and it was almost like I remember."

"Almost?" Scott asked.

"I think the lack of physical reactions may contribute part of the lack of a similar feeling," Joel began.

Leah nodded happily, "You saw clearly? Hear things clearly?"

Joel nodded.

"We've had a hundred years of replacing damaged or lost vision and hearing," Leah said. "People have reported the restoration of sight and hearing. Emotions and the physical reactions are taught." She waved at Rob's body. "You're doing that now. He'll catch up."

"But he can do this with me?" Joel asked.

"No," Leah replied. "Even if we make a receiver for you to allow him to come to, the Human mind finds ways to take charge again. When they tried it with criminals to allow another mind to take control, they Human mind will develop ways to counter the control." She sighed, "We might could develop one that allows Rob to piggyback and ride along with you, he would never read your mind or take control."

That's when everyone heard a rumbling from Hank causing everyone to look at Hank.

Hank shrugged helplessly. "We skipped lunch! I'm hungry. We've been doing this almost five hours!"

"Has it been?" Joel asked surprised. "Time has just flown by."

Athena walked in from the other room dressed in the coveralls for the Ark. Joel's eyes widened. He could see she was in her Human android body. Still very beautiful with her cascading black hair falling past her shoulders in thick waves. She was still perfection in the body of a mature woman in her late twenties or a youthful looking woman in her late thirties. No wrinkles. Clear brown eyes looked at them, "Then I think we need to get Hank something to eat." Athena said.

Medika walked over and put her arm around Athena's shoulders and smiled, "She is completed. She is still where she always is, but now she has a solid form that can move about with the other residents."

Of course, Joel was Human, but in Rob's body he felt nothing below the belt on him. Joel was attracted to Athena, and he knew he felt that surge in his body...especially in his groin. He didn't get an erection, but he always felt the primitive urge to mate. Was he going to have to teach Rob that? No, he needed to think about something else.

"Okay," Joel said to them. "Take the Interface off and give Rob his body back." He saw Leah take the headpiece off. There was the second of disorientation and he opened his own eyes. "That was interesting."

Rob suddenly moved as he again was in the body he was given. "What did you think?"

"It was not too different," Joel admitted. "It was what you see, hear and feel." He looked at Jimmy, "And he can taste! You did it!"

Jimmy was happy and jumped a little, "I didn't do it. Uncle Anthony, Aunt Medika, Scott, and Aunt Leah worked to do it."

"He did a lot," Anthony corrected. "He saw things we didn't."

"He has good instincts," Scott nodded.

"And we aren't finished," Leah added.

"And what I took in just now as Rob," Hank began. "What I ate, he'll need to let out?"

"He will," Leah nodded. "Right now, his system doesn't make energy from food. He gets his power from Athena and the Ark. He tastes and can chew the food; he just doesn't use it."

"Yet!" Anthony said happily. "And anything he eats will be recycled like what happens with ours."

Joel grinned and hugged Jimmy, "I am so proud of you, son!"

Jimmy actually blushed. "Thanks, Dad."

"Being the father of four genius children is very scary!" Joel admitted.

"You're scared of us? Why?" Jimmy asked.

"You, your brothers and your sister are going to make a huge impact on the universe!" Joel explained. "I intend for you to have every chance to do that." He held his finger up to Jimmy, "We discussed this. Your mother and I took this journey for you. We will give you anything you need to do this."

"And your kids," Hank bounced happily, "And their kids..."

"It took a while to get used to being a parent," Joel grumbled. "Don't throw in the grandchildren and definitely no great grandchildren!"

"Hey," Hank grinned. "With Matt and Mark there could be another you in ten or fifteen generations!"

Joel laughed, "Or a son or daughter by the two of us!"

"And Rob, Athena and Robot will be here for them!" Hank added.

They all walked back to the Communal Dining Room. Classes there were done. There were the curious looks from the others gathering for dinner. They knew Rob and Athena, but now Athena was touching people! Ian smiled looking up at Robbie but rushed over and hugged Rob! Rob scooped him up as he was hugged around the neck.

"I know you're here and in Robbie," Ian smiled. "I can hug you better when you're in here!"

Joel looked at the activity and the feeling hit him again. Contentment. That comfort you felt when you were safe at home. Hope of a future. That secure feeling he almost never felt on Earth. His family was safe now. He was safe. He had friends on this ark that were safe. The pressure was still there to make Gaea work, sure, but Joel had every confidence they could and would do it. He saw the others on the Ark enjoying being together. Rob put Ian down and they walked to where they would share the meal surrounded by the others. Athena was kneeling and talking with Kiri, Manu and Andrea Taika's infant daughter. Kiri was the last of them born on Earth. She was not even two years old and even Joel marveled at how she was growing quickly. She was playing with that adorable bulldog puppy that adopted her, verses Kiri adopting the puppy. She stood on two not so steady legs but was getting better at it. Joel chuckled to himself. They were going to need a nursery soon. A whole lot of children were about to be born on the Ark. A nursery school and a preschool! He hoped they'd get Daylia in the nursery and preschool on Gaea! The stasis periods would make it possible. For Daylia, Earth would be a part of history as she would be raised on Gaea. Gaea would be her home. He looked at Rob. Tomorrow they would activate Robot's human-android body. He would suggest Hank name the new Robot body Apollo. He was going to be blond! In keeping with the Greek and Roman Mythology it made sense. Joel looked at the ease that the biological and nonbiological were comfortable with each other. He felt this was going to be the next step in their cultural evolution. Athena, Robbie, and Robot... don't forget the robotic pets and workers used to mine, excavate...they were now a part of this culture. Unless something happened to make it otherwise, they always would be. Beings, artificially created, now looked like their creators. The gap between the two was shrinking and Joel had worried about that a lot. One of the big differences was Athena, Robbie, and Robot never created anything. They never wrote poetry, painted a masterpiece, or composed music. Those helping with making these new beings were working hard to give the new beings the ability to appreciate art such as music or a painting. Rob had been a sensational cook the night before and that morning. He repeated what other people had done. He did it damned well! Now that Joel knew Rob could taste, would he decide to try something new? A creation he comes up with on his own? This was the next step for artificial intelligence. Creativity. Joel couldn't wait to find out!