A True Hero

by M. R. Anglin

  “I was.” Nicole squealed. “He was so awesome when he fought!”

  John’s smile faded. “All these super powered people . . . sometimes I wish I could get away from them. This world is too dangerous. What if something happened to the two of you?”

  “That’s what the Heroes are for, Johnnie.” Margaret leaned backward to rub his back. “Don’t worry so much.”

  “Heroes are sworn to protect us, and they did their job at the Museum today.” Nicole took a seat beside her father.

  “I suppose . . .” John slid a piece of paper from off the counter. “Here, Pumpkin. It might not be as exciting as meeting your favorite Hero, but look what I managed to do today.” He handed Nicole the paper.

  It was the receipt for a spelunking tour in the Cafford Caves.

  “We’re going to the caves?” Nicole bounced in her chair. “Really?”

  “Really.” John gave her a big smile. “I know how much you want to go.”

  Nicole furrowed her brows. “What about your claustrophobia? You hate small, underground spaces.”

  “Well . . . um . . .” John rubbed the back of his head. “Margaret said she’d . . . uh . . . go with you . . .” He forced a smile at Nicole.

  Nicole rolled her eyes. “If that’s the way you were planning on telling me she’s coming on vacation with us, I’m glad she spilled the beans first.”

  “You did?” John turned to Margaret.

  “I couldn’t wait.” Margaret had set the items she had gotten from the fridge on the counter. Three times a week she came over to cook and eat with them. She said it was practice for when she and John got married.

  “You’re good, Pumpkin?” John said to Nicole.

  “It’s fine.” Nicole smiled with all the confidence she could muster.

  “That’s good,” John sighed. “It was a last minute decision, and I know how you like to have time to adjust to new things.”

  “Speaking of last minute additions to our trip.” Nicole clasped her hands. “There’s a competition in Quenton, and my friend’s a finalist . . .”

  “The Young Inventor’s Competition, right?” Margaret said, cutting vegetables. “It’s impressive someone in your class is a finalist.”

  “Do you want to go see her win, Nikki?” John leaned on the counter. “It sounds fun. It’ll be interesting to see what all the young talent came up with.”

  “Here’s the thing.” Nicole tapped her hands on the counter. “My friend, Stephanie, the finalist, needs a ride up there. She has a hotel and everything in Quenton, so can she come with us? Please?”

  John inhaled through his teeth. “Nikki, I don’t know . . . I’m not sure it’s appropriate.”

  “Why not?” Nicole said.

  “Well . . . sweetheart.” John ran his thumb over his growing mustache as he did when uncomfortable. “She’s a teenaged girl, and I’m a single, adult male . . . it wouldn’t look good.”

  “It’s not like you’re going alone with her.” Nicole turned up her nose. “I’ll be with you.”

  “I . . . I don’t . . .” John gave a little grunt.

  “Normally, I’d agree with you, hon.” Margaret looked over her shoulder at him. “But since I’m coming, I think it will be okay.”

  “You think?” John turned his eyes at her.

  Margaret nodded. “We’ll call her parents, explain the situation, and hash it all out. If they don’t feel comfortable with it, then . . .” She shrugged.

  “Okay, then. We’ll give it a shot, Pumpkin.”

  Nicole threw her arms around her father’s neck. “Thank you, Daddy!” She kissed his cheek. “This is going to be the best vacation. I can’t wait to tell my new roomie!”

  “The three of us will have so much fun together.” Margaret tossed some veggies into a pan. “We can do makeovers, watch TV, and . . . ooo! Maybe we can have an all-nighter movie night.”

  “Wait . . . what do you mean?” Nicole narrowed her eyes at Margaret. “You’re going to have your own room at the hotel, right?”

  John hissed in a breath between his teeth. “Pumpkin, there’s . . . been a change of plans.”

  “Since I’m coming with you now, we thought it would be fun for us to share a room on the way up,” Margaret tossed the food in the pan like the celebrity chefs Nicole had seen in online videos.

  “What?” Nicole whirled to her father. “Daddy, you promised I could have the hotel room to myself this year!”

  “I know, Pumpkin, but Margaret’s coming was a last minute affair.” John gave her an almost pleading look. “We’re trying to save money for the wedding, so we can’t afford another room.”

  “Where’s Stephanie going to sleep? Can’t Margaret room with you?” As soon as the words came out of Nicole’s mouth, she knew she had made a mistake. Her father and Margaret both subscribed to the conservative side of relationships. Nicole couldn’t remember her spending the night even once . . . actually, now that she thought of it Margaret never stayed past midnight.

  John simply said, “No.”

  “But what about Stephanie?”

  “I don’t mind if she stays in the room with us.” Margaret tossed some meat into the pan. The sizzle surged and a delicious fog of cooking chicken rose from the pan. “It’ll be nice to get to know your friends.”

  “Stephanie’s not going to . . .” Nicole was about to argue Stephanie wouldn’t want to room with an adult but trailed off. Refraction had a job to do—she had to keep an eye on Margaret. What better way to watch over her than to share a room with her? As Starlight always said, “It takes sacrifice to be a true Hero.” Stephanie probably wouldn’t mind.

  Nicole heaved a sigh. “I’ll let Stephanie know.” She stood. “I’m going to my room.”

  John got to his feet. “Pumpkin . . .”

  “I’m fine, Dad.” Nicole walked past him. She went upstairs and to her room without another word.

  CHAPTER 10

  “I’M NOT FINE.” NICOLE tossed her school bag on her bed. Her bed had been tucked underneath the window overlooking the big tree in the backyard between her and Justin’s house. She walked straight to her computer, which rested on her desk at the foot of her bed, and pulled her rose quartz necklace from out of her shirt. In it was the hub where Bee resided. She set the stone into a receptacle attached by a wire to her computer.

  Bee appeared as a holographic girl floating above the ground next to Nicole’s bed. Her complexion was somewhat lighter than Nicole’s. She wore a white shirt and a yellow and black striped skirt complete with antennae and transparent wings on her back.

  “Hey again, Bee,” Nicole said.

  “Good afternoon, Nicole.”

  “I’m going to install some new coding Justin helped me with. It should help with cementing your personality. I have to fine tune the programming, but Justin said it should be as easy as giving you verbal commands.”

  “Query. Is it wise for a civilian to assist in the coding of a BT-X system made for ASH?”

  “No worries.” Nicole typed in the commands Justin sent to her via text. “He’s helping me repair my mom’s gift. He doesn’t know there’s a BT-X installed on it. There, this should do it.”

  “Installing . . .” Bee stared straight forward, unblinking.

  To be honest, watching Bee was a bit unnerving—her form skirting the “uncanny valley.” She looked real enough to make any non-human characteristics seem eerie. Which was one of the reasons Nicole wanted her to act more human. But more importantly . . .

  Deep in her memory from the days when she was a kid, Nicole recalled Bee being so much more. Bee had been her playmate and best friend. They went everywhere together. When Nicole’s mom died, Bee had been there to comfort her—to hold her and tell her it was okay. Then one day, Bee stopped working—the holographic projection errored, and Bee’s personality disappeared. Nicole was determined to bring her back.

  “Installation will continue in the background.” Bee turned her eyes to Nicole. “I am able to assi
st you in the interim.”

  “Great.” Nicole flopped on her bed, gazing at the ceiling. “Bee, I need to talk to someone.”

  “With whom would you like to speak?”

  “Well . . . you.”

  “You are speaking to me currently.”

  Nicole sighed. The previous version of Bee would have known what she meant. “Bee, it’s time I taught you how to act more normal. For one thing, you have to learn how to interpret context cues in conversations. For example, when I say ‘I want to talk to someone,’ it means, ‘I want you to listen to what I have to say and maybe offer some advice.’”

  “Processing . . .” Bee stared straight ahead. “Complete. There are several more suitable candidates available for your request, Nicole. As an AI, I do not have the experience to offer advice on teenage issues.”

  “I don’t necessarily need you to give me advice. Just listen . . . like how some people write in a journal.”

  “Would you prefer I recorded your thoughts for the future?”

  Nicole paused to try to figure out what Bee was talking about. She failed. “Why?”

  “It is the purpose of a journal.”

  “No, no, Bee.” Nicole positioned herself to sit cross-legged while she thought about how to explain it to her. She was an AI, so perhaps a more technical explanation. “What I want is for you to listen to my words, analyze the information, and give me your opinion on what to do.”

  “I am an AI, Nicole. I do not have opinions.”

  “Then make some. People have opinions. Even babies have opinions. Gather the information, analyze it, and come up with a position. It will help you seem more human.”

  “Processing . . .”

  “There’s another thing.” Nicole pointed at her. “Don’t say ‘processing’ all the time. Say that you’re thinking. Or better yet, don’t say anything. Look like you’re thinking.”

  Bee stared blankly at her. “Error: More User input is required.”

  “What sort of input?”

  “How does one look like one is thinking?”

  “Um . . .” Nicole let her eyes wander to the ceiling. She tapped her fingers on the bed as she thought. How could she explain it . . . “I got it! Right there. Did you see what I did?”

  “You were thinking of a proper form of input.”

  “How did you know I was thinking?”

  “I analyzed your body language and facial expressions,” Bee said, motionless. “Much of human communication is non-verbal.”

  “Exactly!” Nicole pointed. “You’ve spent time with me; you see other humans. I know you’ve got your interactions recorded in your memory. Analyze our non-verbal communications and replicate it.”

  “This is not within my programming’s parameters.”

  “So? You’re a learning AI, Bee. Learn!”

  “Processing . . .” Bee stared straight ahead.

  Nicole stifled a sigh. She couldn’t expect Bee to implement her commands before she processed them, so she sat in silence watching her. Bee remained motionless, eyes staring ahead. As the minutes ticked by, Nicole started to wonder if Bee’s systems had frozen—perhaps what she was asking was too much for her. Right as she was about to ask what was happening, Bee cocked her head.

  The motion was so jarring it made Nicole jump. After that, Bee furrowed her eyes and frowned with jerky, unnatural motions. As Nicole watched, the motions became smoother and more natural. The blank look left her eyes. Bee stroked her chin, tapped her foot, drummed her fingers . . . it looked like she was testing every form of thinking motion she could find. Nicole hoped the code Justin had helped her with would restrict her to motions which fit her personality. After all, a young girl stroking a non-existent beard wouldn’t be very logical.

  A light knock sounded at the door. Nicole pressed her lips together. It was probably her father, but she didn’t feel like talking to him at the moment.

  After a few moments of silence, John heaved a sigh. “I hope you’re decent, Nicole, because I’m coming in.” He waited a few seconds before opening the door. He peeked in, saw she was dressed, and walked in. “Hey, Pumpkin.” He froze when he saw Bee floating in the air. “Is this Bee?”

  “I’ve been working on her.” Nicole held her ankles.

  “I can see.” John studied Bee up and down. “What’s she thinking so hard about?”

  Nicole cracked a smile. Though she tried, she couldn’t stay mad at her father. He always knew how to break through her walls. “She’s thinking about how to look like she’s thinking. I’m trying to get her to act more human.”

  “You’re succeeding. This is incredible!” John whistled through his teeth. “You’re going to bring her back in to time.”

  “I hope so.”

  “I can help you with it if you want . . .”

  “I know, Daddy. Justin’s helping me with the coding, but . . .” Nicole stared at Bee. “I’m going to be the one to bring back Mom’s present.”

  “If you get stuck, I’m here to help.” John sat beside Nicole.

  “I know.”

  “So, Pumpkin.” John clapped his hands together. “I messed up, didn’t I? I promised you something, and I didn’t deliver.”

  “I’m okay with the hotel situation, Daddy.” Nicole turned her face away from him. She wasn’t, but . . . she was determined to put her best face on it. “I understand.”

  “My father taught me to keep my promises even to my hurt. I made a promise to you. So Margaret can stay in her own room while I sleep in the car. It’s only one night.”

  “Daddy, you don’t have to.”

  “I’m willing to do what it takes to keep my promise to you, my dear.” John slapped a fist on his chest. “I am a man of my word.”

  Nicole chuckled. “It’s okay, Daddy. Really. I’ll suck it up. It won’t be so bad to room with Margaret. It’s probably better, anyway.”

  “You mean it?”

  “I do, but next year I get my own room.” Nicole extended her hand. “Shake?”

  “Shake.” They shook hands. John yanked her arm and enveloped her in a hug. “You are the best daughter.”

  “You’re best dad.” Nicole hugged him back.

  “I love you so much.” John kissed the top of her head before releasing her. “I know having Margaret join our lives is a bit of an adjustment. I means so much to me you’re trying so hard.”

  Nicole smiled. “I am, and I’ll try harder.”

  John patted her cheek before walking out of the door.

  “Nicole,” said a hesitant sounding voice—almost like the voice of a child.

  Nicole swung around, wondering who could have come into her room without her permission. She found only Bee, standing with her head cocked slightly. “Do you still require someone with whom to speak?”

  Nicole blinked. The program to adjust Bee’s voice inflection must have loaded. That with her new head motions made Bee seem almost human.

  “No, Bee. I’m good.”

  Bee furrowed her brows. “I was not commenting on your moral fortitude, Nicole.”

  Nicole chuckled. “We’re getting close, but we have a lot to do before you can sound human enough.”

  Bee only raised an eyebrow.

  CHAPTER 11

  MARGARET LOOKED UP from washing the dishes when John descended the stairs. “How did it go?”

  John stood beside her to rinse. “Nikki says she understands . . .”

  “No matter what I do I get her mad at me.” Margaret glanced toward the stairs to where Nicole’s room was. “Even when she’s not angry, she hides in her room. She didn’t even come down for dinner.”

  “It’s how Nikki is.” John grabbed the towel hanging on the oven door and started drying. “When she was in the third grade, we had a birthday party for her and invited all our relatives. She spent most of the time in her treehouse with Justin. No one even realized she was gone.”

  “You think it’s okay?”

  “Nikki needs time to process things and
figure them out.”

  Margaret pressed her lips together.

  John slipped his wet hand around her shoulder. “Don’t worry so much about her. Give her some space. She’s warming up to you.”

  “I don’t see it.” Margaret heaved a sigh.

  “Then trust me. I know my daughter.” John went back to drying. “How are things working out at the Museum? Any changes?”

  “Nothing. They’re getting rid of my research department. Either I transfer to Quenton, or I’m out of a job.”

  “I’d hoped they’d change their mind like last time.”

  “No such luck.”

  John fell silent as he dried a dish. “I don’t mind moving. Working at home has its advantages, but I’m worried about how Nikki will take it. She’s lived here all her life; all her friends are here.”

  “She’ll hate me if I make her move.” Margaret blew a breath out of her mouth. “Why did this have to happen now? And on such short notice.”

  “The best thing is to stick to our original plan,” John stacked plates in the cupboard. “We’ll go to Quenton, see what the city has to offer, and then talk to her about it. Maybe Nikki will fall in love with the place.”

  “Maybe she won’t. I don’t know, John. I’m having second thoughts, and not just because of Nikki. I’ve been head of my research team for years now, and we haven’t gotten anywhere. The more we learn about the Sapphire, the less we know. It doesn’t act like any gem or power crystal we know of. Maybe it’s time to let someone else take over—let a new perspective tackle the problem. Honestly, it’s a lot of work and long hours, and I don’t know if I care enough anymore.”

  John looked at her askance. “What will you do if you leave your career?”

  “I’ve got an offer in Larsdale—lower salary and a bit of a demotion, but it’s close enough to commute.”

  “I say we stick with our original plan. The last thing I want is for you to make a decision now only to regret it later.” John smiled at her. “You might feel in a funk, but I know how much you love your research.”

  Margaret finished washing out the sink and turned off the faucet. “It is rather fulfilling. I love when—” She halted as her eyes focused on the television.