[center][h3]Meeting The Machine Man: Part I[/h3]
Collab with [@Fuzzybootz][/center]

The lockdown had been lifted, and Michael returned to the science labs. The massive ship's hall were once more filled with the sounds of its denizens. It was curious to the android how quickly the people seemed to go back to normalness. The Devastators had been hot on the trail of the [i]Vitae[/i] right before the jump to hyperspace. In his forced confinment inside of his quarters Michael had been going over everything he could find on the hostile alien race. Much to his surprise his files were close to barren with any actual details on the genocidal beings. It was disconcering to say the least.

As soon as he had gone back to his assigned work space, Dr. Phillips informed him he was going to meet an apparent expert in robotics. His creator had given a very informative talk about this person, they were quite well regarded by the elder scientist. Michael's files contained information on the esteemed individual. He was surprised by her relative youth, most of the experts he had seen were older people, she was not. Phillips lead his creation out of the laboratory, then onto transport. They were going to the robotic's bay, and it seemed the well regarded Phillips wanted to introduce Michael to the expert.

After a short bus ride to the robotic's bay, the creator and creation duo entered into the hectic area. The humming of heavy machinery was abound, hitting the android's ears roughly. He gave a usual curious look around, engineers and technicians were spread all around, hard at work as they crafted synthetic creations like him. Not nearly as advanced though, crude and primitive but useful machines. He stared at one humanoid robot, giving it a long look of pure wonder. He hadn't yet seen another machine man, he wanted to speak with it, ask it questions, but he could do no such thing as the doctor lead Michael towards an office to the side of the bay.

Phllips paused in front of the door, then knocked twice. The android read the name on the door, then realized it was the same woman he was arranged to be meeting. He proceeded to stay silent behind his creator.


Mackenzie stared absent-mindely at the several server screens in front of her. They displayed the numerous Droid designs presently active throughout the entire Ark. The last few days, while they were in the Hyperspace, had been hectic. She was not used this much responsiblity and it was extremely unnurving. She had already spent hours in her office pouring over designs and protocols. She needed to know exactly where each Droid type was stationed and what their duties were.

 As was not uncommon, Mackenzie's mind began to wonder. Her recent escapae into NOAH's mainframe had been particulary fustrating. She thought she had written an extra code to allow her easier access, but it had not been there the last time she looked.
 
 Two knocks came at the office door and brought her out of her blank stare at the screen. She quickly stood up and headed to see who her first vistor was. when she taped on the small data pad next to the door an image of teo people appeared. She tried to recall if she had ever seen the two before, but was drawing a blank. the Robotics bay had many faces she never seen before, so it wouldn't surprise her if the people outside were part of her massive team. 
 
 "Yes?" she asked as she opened up a com.
 
"Hello, I'm Dr. Ethan Phillips, I believe I messaged you about a meeting? I do hope I'm not interrupting anything. I work in the science labs, I have a wealth of experience in the field of robotics and was very interested to meet you, Ms. Newton," The doctor said as he adjusted his glasses. "My promising apprentice Michael Smith accompanied me, I think he'd be interested in meeting you, and you him." 

The android perked up at the mention of his name, then smiled a friendly expression. 

"Meeting?" Mackenzie mumbled to herself. " Shit. I mean no, no your not interrupting. Come in" Quickly she pressed the button that spung the door open. 

Mackenzie's office was anything but tidy. There was a plethora of paperwork and junkfood wrappers scattered about. She returned to her desk quickly attempting to clean up a bit before offering The Dr. and his apprentice the only other chair in the old utility closet.

"Sorry there really isnt a lot of room in here. Ive only got the two chairs. So, ah, we share an interest in Robotics. Might I ask what area of study you are in?"

"It's quite alright. I specialize in artificial intellgence amongst machines, it's an interesting field, one I've devoted years of my life to." Phillips stated as he sat in the lone seat on the opposite side of Mackenzie. 

Michael stood quiet behind his creator, his arms gently resting to his sides. He had raised an eyebrow at the condition of Mackenzie's office, but made no comment of it. It was strange to him that an expert in multiple fields could be messy.

"A sentiment I definately share. Ive written many papers on the subject myself, but lately I havent had much time to research outside my own free time. You would think that they would have put me in the Labs like yourself.However, you go where the jobs are, thus this" Mackenzie used her hands to indacate her office." Im curious what do you have cooking down in those labs?" She smiled at Dr. Philips and then up at Michael. The smile was a little awkward but it was genuine. 

"Yes, I've read several of your published papers, your knowledge may exceed my own and even if I have a few more years of experience than you," Dr. Phillips said with a laugh. Michael smiled at the joke behind the doctor. "Much of the science team has been hard at work analyzing the Devastators. Despite our research, little is known about them. We thankfully seem to have escaped them and I'm certain our main research will shift to something far less frightening."

"They are intriguing, though doctor. Such genocide with no reason given, its unlike anything I've seen." Michael commented with a saddened expression. 

"Yes, well, we're away from them. We can move onto more beneficial things to help mankind, especially those in the [i]Vitae[/i]." Phillips added as he turned his gaze from his apprentice, back to Mackenzie.

Mackenzie nodded accordingly. Indeed the Devastators were frightening to say the least. She had tried her best not to think about them. Though she had seen the atrocities that human kind had done to its own people. She didnt know if she believed in Karma, but if it was real than Mankind had definitely earned what had come. 

"One area we've discussed is a more refined type of robotics, more intelligent machines with enhanced independence. Sure it carries a risk, but what doesn't? Humanity needs its help where it can get it. Wouldn't you agree, doctor?" Phillips asked Mackenzie.

"Please call me Mackenzie and Yes I whole heartedly agree. There is so much we can learn from them and how the universe works itself. NOAH is remarkable, though its a bit inconvent that Its not allowed to have Human form. Ive never really believed in that them verses us hu ha." she laughed and leaned back in her chair. " We are just as much machines as they are, just composed of different materials."

Mackenzie had composed multiple papers on this very subject, but many had never been published. She was curious about how Dr. Phillips had heard of her, but not the vice versa.

"Yes, I completly agree. NOAH is almost awe inspiring in his composition, yet he's so limited as well. A more human machine is an intriguing prospect, one that has the pure intelligence and computing capabilities of a machine, while harnessing the free thought and humanity of organic life." Dr. Phillips said, quite pleased with what he was hearing from Mackenzie. He had read the papers she had mentioned, part of the reason why he brought his creation with him.

"What are your thoughts on androids? Outwardly human, with emotions and thought like us, but is in reality machinery, like a living, moving supercomputer?" The older doctor asked as Michael heard the words come from the man's mouth. He was an android, the first of his kind. Could his creator be leading where he thought the man might be?

"That would be spectacular, but I doubt it would be achived any time soon. I thought I came close a while back, but I just couldnt figure out the algarithums. I occationally go back to the board to figure it out, but I just walk away frustrated." Mackenzie said with a heavy sigh. NOAH was one thing but an Android was something different. A computer could learn, but it would never have the fortidute of a human. At least it wouldnt so long as they forced it look and act as a computer should.

"Well, what if I told you that the first android created by humanity is standing behind me?" Dr. Phillips stated before he looked back at Michael who blinked in surprise. One of his creators had just revealed his true identity, the man had told him to ensure no one learned of it, yet he had spoken of it to Dr. Newton. It confused the synthetic man.