Chapter 23: The Appointment
Galactic and Sergey are in the creator’s waiting room. Galactic is almost excited but not quite, after all she’s a superhuman robot and doesn’t have the same feelings as a human being.
The creator greets them and ushers them into his office.
Creator: “How are you and how can I help you today.”
Galactic: “We’re wonderful. We want to discuss the possibility of having a baby.
Creator: “I’m surprised.”
Sergey: “We’re very happy and we think it’s time to add to our family.”
Creator: “Okay, let’s start with what can’t be done. Galactic, it’s obvious you can’t have your own baby.”
Galactic: “We can adopt a human baby or create a superhuman robotic child.”
Creator: “I think a superhuman robotic baby would be the way to go. I can create a robotic child, but it’ll be a difficult process to extract memories from a brain, but we’ve already done that with positive results.”
Galactic and Sergey in unison: “Great.”
Creator: “Let’s decide what age you want the child to start his life at. I think four years of age would be the ideal age. He’ll learn from the computer and he’ll be ready to come home when he’s at the level of a four-year-old child.”
Galactic: “Terrific! I want to ask you about adoption in case we want another child. Do you think a human would consider giving us a child?”
Creator: “I’m not sure but I don’t think that’s the way to go. It would be difficult for a human child to bond with you. At some point, he’ll notice how different he is from you and that will negatively affect your relationship.”
Sergey: “I agree.”
Creator: “Do you want a boy or a girl?”
Galactic: “We’ve decided on a boy. They’re easier to raise.”
Creator: “When the child is eight years old, I’ll add parts to his body that will make him the size of an adult male. For now, I want him to look exactly like a human child, but he’ll have the power of a superhuman robot. You must teach him when and how to use this power. We don’t want him going to school and showing children how he can jump to the ceiling and back many times without getting tired. Also, you must make him aware of the differences between his body and that of a human child’s. By age eight he will have graduated from college and have many postgraduate degrees.”
Galactic and Sergey in unison: “We understand.”
Sergey: “How much will this cost?”
Creator: “What can you afford?”
Galactic: “About five thousand dollars. What do you think, Sergey?”
Sergey: “I agree.”
Creator: “I’ll charge you just for the robotic body. It will be substantially less than that, but I want to be involved in the child’s development and education.”
Galactic: “Of course.”
Creator: “I think a child will be good for you.”
Sergey: “How long will it take to create him?”
Creator: “A few months.”
Galactic: “Awesome!”
Galactic and Sergey leave the office. They can’t wait to have their first child.