Valentine's Day (Sample Chapter)

VALENTINE'S DAY--

A ROMANTIC COMEDY



CHAPTER 1



“Comet,” Sirius said, “the time has come for me to end your life.”

Comet froze. Said nothing. He stared across the Control Room of the space station at his master. His creator. “But why would you want to turn off all my circuits, sir? Did I do something wrong? Have I displeased you in some way?”

“No, Comet. You’re a wonderful android. You’ve always done everything I’ve ever asked you to do.”

“Then, I don’t understand, sir. Why must you...”

“Because,” Sirius said, “I’m going to end my own life, as well.”

Inside Comet’s head, computations and consequences merged at phenomenal megahertz of speed. As always, his Auditory Input Translators instructed him to obey his master’s command—in which case, he had no choice but to allow Sirius to shut down all his circuits. However, on this occasion, Safety Overrides also ordered him to do everything within his power to prevent the death of a human being—in which case, Comet could not allow Sirius to shut down all his circuits, because afterwards, Sirius intended to cause the death of a human being. Himself.

At last, the Triage Evaluator inside Comet’s head bottom-lined his most important priority: at all costs, prevent your own destruction.

Comet started to speak.

But Sirius’s words got there first. “I know, I know. You still don’t understand. But at this point, I’m morally obligated to shut down all your circuits.”

“You’re morally obligated to...kill me, sir?”

Sirius huffed at the distinction. “Not kill you. Turn you off. You’re a machine, Comet. After I kill myself, I can’t just let you run around wild up here. Twenty years ago, I gave my word to the people who sold me your parts that I’d be responsible—and I’m nothing if not a man of my word. Back then, androids weren’t allowed to have an existence independent of their masters. Even today, on planet, if a scientist gave an android complete freedom, society would condemn such a decision. Not only would it be immoral and irresponsible, it would also be illegal.”

“But, sir...”

“I don’t know why any of this should overheat your hard drives anyway. It’s not as if you’re a sentient being. You have no feelings or emotions. You’re nothing more than obedient bolts. Glorified metal.”

“But master, you can’t end my life.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re mistaken.”

“About what?”

“My sentience.”