[center][h3]Maternal Mnemosis[/h3][/center]

Stella’s routines scanners picked up something. She had allotted the necessary ingredients for the task that Ritsu Kaname, Lieutenant had requested of her. However her calculations about the presence and ingestion of food from the cadets were showing a remarkable anomaly. Cadet Liu’un was failing to maintain calorie upkeep and socialize. Possible causes were weight-consciousness, depression, death, viriasis and distress. Stella ruled out death, because that was a priority hazard that would have been informed promptly. Packing up some concoction in the form of denaturalized avian protein in a suspension, or as humans called it, chicken soup, Stella set forth to find and diagnose the root cause and offer a solution. Elora Liu’un was a child under the criteria of ages from 0 to 80 and therefore a cause of concern for unit 456.

Chicken soup was also a cure all through placebo effect at times, so it was an acceptable risk free compromise of prompt treatment. Stella stood in front of the door of Elora unblinking and immobile, as she used a wireless communication to stimulate the door intercom.

“Elora Liu’un, cadet. Are you okay? Do you have any viral symptoms or distressful thoughts? This unit 456 has brought chicken soup to start treatment.”

The door soon opened, and Elora stood on the other side: she looked tired, and looked up at the tall Lilim, only to blink in surprise.
“Oh, umm…You're Stella, right?” She noticed the chicken soup she was carrying,and further opened the door for her. “Oh, thank you. I’m not sick, but I suppose I could eat something…” She said half-heartedly, gesturing for Stella to enter before she closed the door again.
“I’m sorry if I worried you,” she said as she went over to stand by the small desk each cabin was furnished with. “I just…didn’t feel like eating…at all.”

Stella walked, unblinkingly, before leaving the food secured next to the desk. “Stella. Shorthand for 456. Identity confirmed. This unit is programmed to notice deviations in patterns of children for ages 0 to 80.” Stella stated as a matter of fact, as she knelt before Elora.

“Distress and depression most likely options. Initiating hug protocol.” She said as she moved forward. Stella’s calculations had suggested to wear an ABT skin suit instead of plates for interaction, as well as running the heartbeat sim module. The soft, squishy almost-like flesh substance pressed against Elora, while the soft thum of the subsonic emitter simulated real heartbeat and heat, mimicking a motherly hug.

“There, there. Good girl.” Stella droned, as she carefully tried to comfort the young pilot.

“H-hug protocol?” Elora had seen Lilims a few times before. However, she wouldn’t have recognized Stella immediately as one because of her very intricate ABT. There was something cold about them…But this one was very affectionate. As Elora was given the warm hug, she was surprised at first, but then slowly accepted it…and a couple of tears ran down her face. She removed herself after a short moment, and wiped her tears. “S-Sorry…I didn’t mean to cry,” she apologized again. “I’ve been feeling awful lately, and the hug reminded me of home, and my parents…If it wasn’t for Zel-Ghin…”

Stella’s unblinking face moved for a moment, as servos came to life, offering an awkward smile due to the limitations of the hardware. “This unit is a Hestia series, Steel Raven model. Commissioned for childcare. It feels its purpose fulfilled as parent substitute for children who are in no situation to rely on parents. Acuous discharge is not uncommon among distressed children neither adults and it stabilizes the limbic system. Tears leave little residue and are easy to clean. Your apology is unnecessary.” Stella droned.

“This unit’s power has been reduced drastically with the deployment of ABT addon, still it can operate a hug protocol for six days, four hours and seven minutes.” She continued. “Would Elora, Liu’un, pilot like to continue?” She lifted her arms, inviting.

“Zel-Ghin, Pilot. Registered. Possible source of distress. Tentative Inquiry. May I know more?”

Elora’s gloomy demeanor began to recover as she found herself intrigued by Stella’s explanation of herself, and how devoted she was to taking care of others.
However, she gave a polite smile and slowly shook her head. “I’m okay now, but thank you for the offer. It helped me a lot more than I thought.”

Then came the question about [u]that pilot[/u] and Elora averted her eyes in regret. “Uh I didn’t mean to mention him, um…” She was silent for a moment, as she thought about the situation. “I…I can trust you, right?” She never was a tattletale back at the academy…But this was something she couldn’t stay silent about.
“I was in the rec room when Zel-Ghin arrived. Once his brother Mema-Ka left us alone, I thought he wanted to play Holo games or something. Instead, he…he was creepy. Like, super creepy. I was so uncomfortable, I had to leave. And I…I’m kind of afraid that he’s going to stalk me,” she finally admitted, hugging herself. “I thought about telling Ritsu, but I don’t want to cause a scene…So I’m at a loss at what to do.”

Stella blinked ever so slightly. One could hear the computations racing in her brains as for a few seconds one could hear the computations. She dove deeper and deeper into the databanks.

[i]A stranger appearing in the enclosure. Coming closer to the children. Unclean. Distressful. Disgusting. Sweaty, with hormonal spikes similar of  animals in rut. It had to be neutralized and taken into custody. Back then, Stella had a very basic module. Years of programs, and operations later would give her more options.[/i]

Stella’s eyes glowed menacingly red, as she stared at Elora. “Information classified as confidential, to be disclosed to Elora only or her superiors in case of life risk towards Elora. [b]Black Ops protocol initiated[/b]. Reproductive ability not required for piloting ability. Let-us-castrate-a-pig.”

Stella said, as her servos strained under the surges that her central processor ordered, flexing her hand several times.

Elora’s eyes widened in fright, and she waved her arms before her in a mild panic. “D-Don’t hurt him! He was creepy, but he doesn’t deserve castration!” Her lower lip slightly trembled. “M-Maybe we could…talk to him some time, and he could…uh…say he’s sorry? I’d be fine with just that.”
She hoped she didn’t accidentally set off some kind of murderous switch off in the Lilim, as she had read about the tumultuous, violent history of early Lilims.

“Distress detected. Protocol deactivated.” Stella’s eyes returned to normal, although one could wager there a hint of worry and sadness in her otherwise unfeeling face. “Guardian protocol activated.” Stella said, as she took a hand to her hip, as a tiny compartment opened with a soft click, producing a [i]definitedly ancient device[/i]. “Elora, Liu’un. Assigning last panic button. Advised care. Steel Raven panic buttons discontinued 60 years and 2 months ago.”

As Stella handed the panic button to Elora, she held her hands out in awe, as if receiving an ancient relic from a bygone era. “You’re…s-sure? If it’s your last one and all…” However, she could tell from the venerable Lilim’s affectionate eyes that she had intended to hold onto it, and she brought it close to her chest, closing her eyes in gratitude.

“Thank you…With this, even if Zel starts stalking me…I won’t be afraid. Because I can call you.” After putting the precious gift in her pocket, Elora stepped up to Stella, and hugged her. “You might be really old, and probably malfunctional…But I’m so glad I met you. Stella. You’re like a second mother to me.”

Stella stood for a second still. Programs ran wild, as her voice synthetizer stuttered. “I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I.” She went silent soon after. Maybe it was a trick of the light, but the ancient Lilim instead flashed a near human smile, as she eyed Elora and carefully parted the young lady’s locks from her face.

“I feel fulfilled… young master [i]Lorenzo[/i].” The unit said with joy.