Tom stares out the window looking into the void of space, not in the best of spirits due to his encounter with Major Copernicus Fielding. He hasn’t quite understood why a bunch stargazers and explorers would want with Liberation

“Snugglebot 3000!”

“Buy me!”

“Buy me!”

“Buy me!”

The advertisement blares on his telemirror. It’s a rather useful device, when not a television it’s a classy 3cm thick mirror, a musical box, and when not wanting to look at oneself it’s a displayer of photographic memorabilia. These are many of the features available on this remarkable invention.

Tom at the moment doesn’t seem interested in the idiotic advert. Sebastian is a suitable companion he thinks. Sebastian smiles happily at that thought.

“I clean. I cook. I entertain. I’m jotastic!” The cuddly blue teddy bear like creature bounces up and down on screen. Sebastian sitting on Tom’s neatly made bed watches the screen in fascination. She jolts her head in unison watching intently.

“I come in fifteen trillion colours! And I speak 75,000 languages.” It drones on.

The ad comes to an abrupt end. Sebastian stops bouncing and bobbing her head much to Tom’s relief.

“Meow, meow,” Sebastian chants acknowledging she is somewhat listening.

“This has been a message from JP enterprises.”

A new colourfully annoying ad begins.

Tom pays no attention as the telemirror was only on for noise and a virtual babysitter for Sebastian.

Tom wanders around aimlessly in his small quarters. The screen freezes. Sebastian then jumps to Tom’s shoulders and perches herself proudly on his shoulders.

“Commander Brannigan sir?” says the telemirror. “Your mood suggests that you are not interested in television, shall I play mediational relaxing music instead?”

“No thank you Patrick,” says Tom.

“But sir,” it pleads in its dreary male computer voice. “Perhaps it would relax you?”

“NO!” says Tom. “Sebastian is watching.”

Sebastian nods her head in agreement.

“I see,” says Patrick. “I apologise for this interruption Sir.” The show begins again.

“Don’t apologise to me,” says Tom. “Apologise to Sebastian.”

“I was,” says Patrick.

“You were not!” says Tom.

“No honestly,” Patrick replies.

“Are you just saying this so you won’t get in trouble?” says Tom.

“Certainly not Commander,” says Patrick.

“Well you’re not in trouble,” says Tom. “With me anyways.”

Sebastian agrees, shaking her fist in anger. The telemirror becomes silent. Sebastian hops of Tom’s shoulders and begins to watch the screen once more.

“Commander?” says Patrick.

“What now?” says Tom irritably.

“There’s someone at the door,” says Patrick.

“Well let them in if it’s not too much trouble,” says Tom.

“As you wish sir,” says Patrick.

His door slides open, a short portly deliverywoman wearing blue and green coveralls, pushes a large metallic parcel in on a hover trolley.

“Package for Commander Thomais Brannigan?” she asks in a posh accent.

“Yes that’s me,” says Tom. “Just put it over there. I’ll open it later.”

“But Sir,” says the deliverywoman. “I have strict orders to deliver you a message after you open it. Because you see Sir it’s a present.”

“I see,” says Tom.

“Don’t you want to know what fantastical gift is in there?” says the deliverywoman. “The heartfelt message included?” She gleams at Tom with anticipation.

“Not really,” says Tom.

Sebastian makes curious glances at the large metal case. She flicks her tail in anticipation. Just thinking about it is driving her feline mind wild.

“Oh that’s a nice camilocat you have there,” says the deliverywoman, attempting to make conversation.

“Thank you,” says Tom.

She opens the metal case; a brand spanking new sickeningly green Snugglebot 3000 presents itself. Sebastian growls in irritation.

“Oh how nice,” says Tom unappreciatively.

“And now to the message,” says the delivery woman.

“Dear Commander Thomais Galileo Demetrius Brannigan, here is a token of my deepest affection. Hopefully one day you will be attracted to my femininity as much as I am attracted to your masculinity. Perhaps this lovable creature will be a spenfendicular replacement for Sebastian. Love you muchly, Perry Apollo Diedrickton.”

Sebastian scowls, growling angrily.

Tom sighs in annoyance. I just knew it was from her he thinks. The deliverywoman wanders off with the empty case with a smile and a wave.

“Well what should we name it Sebastian?” says Tom. He looks over the e-instructions manual. “It says I should name him before I make him operational.”

“Metallic Wonder of Stupidness?” says Sebastian.

“I don’t think that would work,” says Tom.

“I know!” says Tom. “I’ll call this furry metallic hunk of junk EDO.”

“EDO?” says Sebastian.

“Yes,” says Tom. “Exactly Dumb Operative!”

“Exactly Dumb Operative?” says Sebastian.

“Yes but we don’t have to tell it that,” says Tom.

Tom programs the necessary requirements into the furry robot. Its eyes light up green.

“Hello I am the one designated Edo,” it replies. “Shall I begin with my tasks Commander Thomais Brannigan?”

“You’re tasks?” says Tom.

“Sir,” Patrick interrupts. “Your presence is required immediately in Room 103 on Level 2.”

“OK,” says Tom. Sebastian hops on his back. Sebastian salutes the telemirror.

“Sir,” says Patrick.

“What now?” says Tom.

“Your presence alone, Lieutenant Kat has not been asked,” Patrick replies.

“I see…I know Edo,” says Tom. “You can keep Sebastian company.”

“Company,” says Edo. “What shall I do in the presence of your carbon based feline’s company?”

“Well it says here in the e-instructions that you entertain,” says Tom.

“Yes of course I am programmed in all types of entertainment for carbon based beings,” Edo replies. “What did you have in mind?”

“I don’t know,” says Tom. “Surprise me.”