The hallway was deserted. Barely discernable in the pale blue emergency lights set in the dark metalloy walls, the bodies of the fallen crewmembers littered the passageway, but the sounds of battle had faded as the intruders had forced their way toward the heart of the crippled battleship. Trapped in the false twilight of the destroyed break room, Kailea buried her face in her hands and struggled to muffle her sobs. Though she was sure that no N’chia forces remained in the area, Kailea knew that once they reached the core, they would have nowhere to go but back out again. The faint emergency lights imparted an unearthly hue to the remnants of the destroyed room, making the familiar objects alien, somehow ominous mockeries of themselves. The blood on the dura-plaz floor was black in the strange light; though Allen had dragged the body of the fallen soldier behind the couch when Kailea expressed distress at gazing at the ravaged face, the blood could not be cleared away, and so continued to congeal into a dense sludge.

Beside her, Allen sat with his back against the wall, sonic rifle gripped firmly in his hands, aimed at the sealed door. But his eyes were flat and lifeless; Kailea knew that he had shut down his external sensors to run diagnostics on himself, hoping to assess the extent of the damage wreaked on his system by their earlier struggles. Though she worried that he had been too badly damaged to move, she couldn’t bring herself to look at him. Instead, she gazed at the sealed door, terror and hope warring for supremacy in her mind. It was inevitable that the door would be forced open eventually, but whether it would reveal an N’chia soldier or the desperately needed reinforcements from the SGA remained to be seen.

Biting down on her knuckles to suppress the keening wail that rose in the back of her throat, Kailea couldn’t keep the tears from streaming down her face. The SOS had been sent over three hours ago, as soon as the N’chia battleship had been detected coming through the Q5 Gate, and though assistance had been promised, there had been no nearby battle cruisers – by the time reinforcements arrived, there might be nothing to save.

“Stop crying. They’ll be able to detect the sound waves.”

Her heart stuttered at the familiar voice. She didn’t move, only shifted her eyes in time to see Allen sit up, seemingly fully alert as he gazed around the destroyed room, assessing their surroundings. She knew millions of bites of data were streaming through his mechanical mind, all of them attempting to form a plan of escape. None of it mattered. She was already dead inside. She could never forgive him.

“Diagnostics tests complete,” he intoned, his eyes taking on that glassy look she hated so much. “Speech and processing centers are unharmed. Moderate damage done to section RL 299032. Mobility restricted to 70 normal capacity. Given this deficiency, I suggest – ”

“Shut up,” she hissed, her voice burning with suppressed rage. Allen broke off in mid-sentence, his gray eyes swimming into focus again as he turned and looked at her. “Just shut up,” she repeated, but her voice trembled and broke on the last syllable, and she rammed her fist back into her mouth as a fresh wave of tears cascaded down her face. Allen blinked at her, apparently unprepared for this onslaught of emotion. “How could you do that?” she choked out. “How could you do that?!”

“It was the most logical action,” he answered calmly, looking slightly perplexed at her irrational outburst. Kailea turned on him; pounding her fists into his chest, she began to sob in earnest.

“How could you!” She put as much energy into the whispered shout as she could, needing to understand, to force him to explain it to her. “You left her! You could’ve saved her!” Allen made no move against her, only stared down at her with the same remote expression on his face.

“It was impossible,” he replied, blinking at her again.

“No it wasn’t!” Kailea sobbed, grabbing fistfuls of his red and gold jacket, glaring up at him. She would never forget Christane’s look of mingled pain and wounded disbelief as she was cut in two by an N’chia trooper even as Allen had pulled Kailea to safety… “You could’ve gone back for her!”

“No,” Allen said, his voice suddenly clipped and hard, “I could not. My primary directive is your personal safety. Had I attempted to rescue Christane, the likelihood of our surviving would have been reduced to 30. If we fled, we stood a 97 of escaping. There was no other way.”

Kailea sagged against him, burying her dirty, tear-stained face in the jacket that identified him as a class A1 automaton, struggling to force the words from her throat. “I could’ve gone back,” she whispered. “I could’ve done more. Why’d you stop me? I could’ve saved her…”

“No,” Allen said in the same tone of voice. “You would not have survived the encounter. The girl’s death was unfortunate, but I can not allow you to die. Your survival is the only reason for my existence.” Kailea began to sob again, pushing her head gently against his chest.

“How can you say that?” she whispered. “Don’t you have any heart at all?”

In a gentler tone of voice, Allen replied, “I’m not human, Kailea. I do not possess the ability to process the same emotions you do. You should know that better than anyone.” Kailea felt as if a piece of her heart had been torn away. She tightened her grip on his jacket, feeling the synthetic flesh beneath the cloth. He felt real…

“Why?” she murmured, almost to herself. “Why wasn’t I ever made aware of your primary directive? Why wasn’t I told?”

“It was never an issue before,” Allen answered calmly. Kailea felt as if an impersonal fist was slowly crushing her heart. He had never been like this before. Since the N’chia assault, he had become a different person; although he had just reminded her of a fact she ought never to have forgotten – that he wasn’t a person at all, but was, instead, an automaton that existed only to follow orders. She had foolishly let herself begin to hope for something else…

“Allen, I – ”

“This conversation is pointless,” he interjected sharply, his features set in an expression of implacable stubbornness. Stung by his tone, Kailea relinquished her grip on his jacket and sat back heavily on her heels. She refused to look into his face, staring instead at his scuffed boots. She sniffled once, a loud sound in the perfect stillness of the large room, and wiped her eyes with the dirty sleeve of her purple and gray jacket. She could think of nothing else to say to this man – No, not man, automaton, she reminded herself with a touch of childish sullenness – who had been such a large part of her life for so long. The silence stretched between them as Kailea nursed her grieving heart, mourning for all that had been destroyed with the arrival of the N’chia.

In front of her, Allen stiffened, his eyes swimming out of focus as his computer brain began to shut off extraneous components of its programming, attempting to process a heavy stream of data. “Detecting trace amounts of body heat approaching us from the direction of the core,” he reported in a flat, emotionless voice. “Given the vulnerability of our location and the extent of my structural damage, I suggest – ” He stopped speaking even before Kailea heard the soft hiss of the airlock as the seal on the door was disengaged. Allen’s eyes snapped into focus even as he sprang to his feet; he tightened his grip on the rifle with one hand as he shoved Kailea to the floor with the other. Kailea went over with a startled shriek; sprawled on her back, she found herself almost face-to-face with the dead soldier and recoiled, sickened.

As the door slid open with a nearly inaudible susurration of air, the stoop-shouldered, hulking silhouette of an N’chia was only partially illuminated by the weak emergency light spilling in from the hall. When it saw Allen, the trooper bared pointed teeth and made a sound that Kailea could only associate with a bestial growl. Without the slightest hesitation, Allen fired the rifle. Kailea threw her arms over her head, more out of the instinct for preservation than anything else. Though she knew all high-class automatons were equipped with detailed knowledge of the dangerous weapon and its usage, the potential for catastrophe, though infinitesimal, still remained. The rifle caused a tiny flux in the fabric of deep space, folding it; a minute disturbance that wreaked havoc on the first object to cross its path. Although Kailea couldn’t see the path the “bullet” traveled, she knew when it struck its target. The chest of the N’chia imploded, leaving a perfectly circular, cauterized hole from which no blood flowed. The creature remained standing for another second before slowly crumpling to the floor, its face still locked in its sharp-toothed sneer.

Allen’s gaze became glassy and far away as he scanned the body with all the detection systems at his disposal, ascertaining that the thing was indeed dead. After a full minute had passed, he lowered the rifle, though he kept his finger on the trigger guard. His brain raced furiously as he ran the ship’s blueprints through his mind and compared them to possible escape routes. Turning to her, Allen still wore the same glassy expression. “Initial extraction,” he intoned emotionlessly. “N’chia forces have penetrated the core of the ship. Likelihood they have left other survivors: 7. With all resistance wiped out, the probability of N’chia departure is currently 81. When they depart, there is a 93 possibility they will destroy the ship. If we attempt to reach the life pods within the next five minutes, we have a 98 chance of success.” His eyes swam into focus. Reaching out his hand to help Kailea up, he said, “We must leave now.”

“No.” Kailea’s voice was quiet but firm, all the tears drained from her by shock. She had known the minute she saw the N’chia silhouetted in the doorway that it was a fruitless struggle; even if they managed to reach the life pods, they would be cut down by the remaining troops on the enemy battleship. Her face was strained and pale, but her eyes were clear. Once she accepted the reality of the situation, it seemed more bearable that running in a blind attempt to thwart the inevitable.

Allen blinked at her, obviously not sure how to react to such a response. She could almost hear his mind wrestling with his two most important directives, the ones that defined his existence: to obey her and to protect her at all costs. He blinked a second time, then reached down and hauled her to her feet.

“Allen – ”

Her protests were cut short as he drove a fist into her stomach, not hard enough to do serious damage, but enough to knock the wind from her. Dropping the gun and throwing her over his shoulder, he murmured, “I am sorry, Kailea. But my primary directive is to protect you – even against your wishes.” Her eyes tearing, choking on her anger and disbelief, Kailea could make no response.

As silent as a shadow, Allen slipped through the eerily lit halls, using family emergency override codes to seal the doors and elevators behind them in a mostly futile attempt to slow their pursuers. The likelihood that the entire N’chia force would choose the exact same route out of the dying battleship was ridiculously small, but Kailea knew she didn’t have to point that out to him. If automatons were capable of hope, Allen seemed to be pinning a great deal on his hopes that these small inconveniences would slow the enemy.

Finally, after many twisting passages and tense rides in the complicated elevator system, Allen emerged onto the floor where the life pods were located. Setting Kailea down carefully, Allen bent and looked into her flushed face. “I am sorry, Kailea, but my data indicates that we still have a 92 chance of escaping with our lives.” Almost as an after-thought, he added, “I promised your father I would keep you safe.” The mention of her father deflated all of Kailea’s anger; with a sob, she threw her arms around Allen. To her surprise, Allen wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hugged her to him; leaning against him, she wept uncontrollably. She had never expected that they would make it this far, and for the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope that they would survive…

She felt Allen stiffen in her embrace. Peering up at him, she saw that he had not entered deep analysis mode, as she had initially feared; instead, his gaze was clear and locked on something behind her with singular intensity. If she hadn’t known better, she would’ve sworn she saw fear flicker deep in his eyes. “Allen, what – ”

Without releasing his hold on her, Allen spun around, dragging her with him until their positions were reversed. He glanced down at her and said, “It is all right.” Before Kailea could even order the questions whirling through her mind, Allen’s body went rigid, then convulsed violently. Confused and afraid, Kailea tried to pull away from him, but he would not or could not let go. Bright flecks of blood burst from his mouth as he coughed explosively, spattering her face. His face contorted in pain. “Kailea…” he whispered faintly.

Looking down, Kailea saw the reason for his distress. An electro-spear had been thrust through the small of his back; she could just see the tip protruding from his waist. Meant to fry all neural activity, the spear was a weapon of torture, designed to prolong the agony of those it was wielded against. She could only imagine the pain Allen must be feeling as both his organic and mechanical parts began to falter. Behind him, the hulking form of an N’chia lumbered into view, its inhuman features pulled into a parody of a pleased grin. With a guttural laugh, it pulled the spear from Allen’s body. Trapped in Allen’s embrace, Kailea could only watch helplessly as another violent seizure gripped the automaton. Allen’s suffering seemed to amuse the N’chia, for it laughed again, displaying small, pointed teeth.

Kailea wanted to kill the monster, but she was held fast by Allen’s firm hands. Even as his organic and mechanical systems began to shut down, he did not release his hold on her. Gazing at her with pain-clouded eyes, Allen struggled to retain control of himself, to protect her until the very last. Tears of hot shame poured down Kailea’s face. She wasn’t worth the sacrifice he was making. She had no hope of escaping.

With another cruel laugh, the N’chia trooper thrust with the electro-spear again, this time forcing it just below Allen’s shoulder blade and out the left side of his chest, where his heart would beat if he were human. Kailea screamed. Allen’s body went completely still and his eyes swam out of focus. Then he was seized by another violent convulsion, one that momentarily lifted him to his tiptoes. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but blood erupted from his mouth and dribbled down his chin. Kailea screamed again. For a moment, Allen’s eyes focused on her face once more. “Kailea,” he whimpered, his voice grossly distorted, “I’m – I-I-I-I-I-” With a savage twist, the N’chia tore the electro-spear from the automaton’s body.

Allen’s eyes went blank. With gathering speed, his knees buckled and he sank to the floor, Kailea supporting his motionless body.

“What is it, Daddy?”

“It’s a gift just for you, someone to share your time with.”

“Allen?” she whispered, touching the slack face. He still felt warm. He couldn’t be dead.

“What’s an automaton?”

“It’s a special companion just for my little girl.”

Standing over her, the N’chia brandished the electro-spear threateningly, but Kailea didn’t see him.

“Come and say hello, dear. His name’s Allen.”

The tears poured down her face, but Kailea hardly noticed them. Wrapping her arms around Allen’s lifeless body, she cradled his head in her lap and smoothed the dark hair from his forehead. She didn’t notice the inarticulate wails issuing from her throat. Allen was dead.

Enraged that she ignored its threats, even its presence, the N’chia hefted the electro-spear in its powerful arms – and crumpled, not even having time to cry out. The cauterized wound didn’t even bleed.

Stirred from her torpor, Kailea looked up as uniformed soldiers swarmed around her, heading for the elevators that would take them to the core. The long-awaited reinforcements from the SGA had finally arrived. One young soldier glanced at her as he flashed past, then turned and made his way back to her against the tide of gray-clad men surging toward the enemy. Dropping to his knees beside her, he touched her shoulder gently. “Miss? Are you all right? Can I help you out of here?” She turned empty eyes on him.

“I – ” She took a deep breath. “I don’t want to be here,” she finished softly. Her voice trembled, but she strove to control her tears. With a compassionate expression, the soldier reached out a hand to help her rise, but she wouldn’t release Allen’s body.

“Miss?” the young man said hesitantly. “You’re going to have to leave that here. We only have room for human evacuees – ”

“No!” Kailea snapped, surprised at the strength of her voice. “He comes too.” Her gaze softened as she looked back at his face. “He was as human as any of us…” She trailed off into quiet, hiccupping sobs. Something in her demeanor must have convinced the young man of her determination, for without further argument, the young soldier helped her carry Allen’s lifeless form to the docking bay.

Kailea watched the troops surging past her with dull resentment. If they had arrived just a few minutes earlier, Allen wouldn’t have had to die. When they at last reached the military vessel, the young man stepped forward and engaged in a heated discussion with the soldiers stationed at the ship doors, at the end of which Kailea was permitted to bring Allen onboard.

---

In the small cabin that had been provided for her, Kailea arranged Allen’s body on the dingy cot and sat back on the sagging couch. She didn’t know what she would do without him.

“Excuse me, miss?” The young soldier stood in the doorway, his gray uniform wrinkled and spotted with blood. When Kailea looked at him, he flushed, fiddling with the edge of his cap. “I’m sorry to disturb you so soon, but well…you seem very attached to this automaton, and I was wondering… We have a doctor on this ship skilled at repairing automatons, and he might be able to get yours working again. If you’re interested, that is,” he added hastily, alarmed at how she paled at the suggestion.

Kailea’s mind spun with the possibilities this soldier’s suggestion opened to her – Allen repaired, his body restored – but she knew enough about automatons to know that all of Allen’s data had been lost as a result of the electrical impulses sent out by the electro-spear. Even if his body were restored, it wouldn’t be Allen…

“No,” she said slowly, “I don’t think I want that.” She glanced over at the still form. “I think…I’d like to take him back home. And bury him properly.” She smiled sadly at the young soldier, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Clearing his throat, the soldier jammed his cap back down on his head. “Can – can I get you anything, miss?” he asked, his voice thick with repressed emotion. Kailea shook her head, but when he turned away, she called after him.

“I’m sorry…if it’s not too much trouble, could you sit with me for a while?” Though he looked surprised, the soldier removed his cap and sat on the other end of the couch, turning toward her slightly.

Dipping his head in Allen’s direction, he murmured, “So I guess he was really something, huh?”

The tears spilled over and down Kailea’s cheeks, but she smiled through them. “Oh yes,” she said. “He was everything.”