11-18-2025, 10:22 PM
She told L0-9 both kindly and patiently that it was better if she didn’t know. It was quiet for a long time, its light turning slow circles as it considered her answer.
Okay, Faith
Though its tone was perfectly compliant, she could still hear the little echoes of disappointment. It was her own voice, after all. But by the way it had exclaimed earlier, midstream of its explanation, she understood that it must have discovered something internally. Faith wasn’t ignorant of Paragon’s moral flexibility. She just turned a blind eye. And she didn’t want any more reasons to feel uncomfortable about it.
“It’s not because I don’t want you to share things with me, L0-9. I’m glad you asked first. If you like we can discuss it further after I've finished with Mr. Haart’s request.”
It didn’t say anything else, just pulsed gently in acknowledgement, and after a moment Faith returned to her work.
By mid afternoon she had finished with the dossier, and it was scribbled all over with her own careful notes. After checking through the computer’s analysis as well, she sent a request to Mr. Haart asking for some additional information – just what she felt was necessary for the most thorough job. Then she massaged between her eyes and decided to take the opportunity to stretch her legs before she began the calibration itself. Her stomach felt hollow. A faint ache lingered at her temples from so long staring at the screen. She only ever noticed it when she stopped.
“I’ll be back soon,” she told the AI.
Don’t forget to have lunch, Faith, it said. Then its light dimmed and turned off the moment her hand was on the door.
The cafeteria was still busy, despite it being later than most people paused for their midday break. Paragon headquarters included public spaces, like its visitor hall and museum, and the cafeteria itself was open, not just reserved for employees. She could have eaten in her office, and many colleagues did, but she didn’t like the mess, and the walk down was just a part of her usual routine. Faith didn’t speak much to others, but it didn’t mean she didn’t like watching them.
Good Afternoon, Dr. Devere.
It was the voice of LUMA which addressed her. But at the threshold a familiar face strode past her, talking to another man she didn’t recognise. Faith brightened immediately, and her lips parted to speak, not to acknowledge the AI’s greeting but to capture his attention. But Dr. Audaire’s eyes skimmed right over her. It doused her uncomfortably cold, that disregard. Her gaze followed him even though she knew it made her look foolish. There was a crumbling feeling in her chest, an erosion that made her feel unsteady. Worse, it made her feel unseen.
Your usual table is occupied today. I can suggest alternatives according to your usual preferences. May I order your usual lunch?
“No. Not today. Thank you, Luma,” she said. Her expression smoothed. She swallowed, and turned straight back up to her office.
You seem upset, Faith.
For a moment there was silence between them. Then:
“Just a little,” she admitted after a moment. She tried her best not to lie to it, and it knew her tells better than she did sometimes. She’d been chewing on the edge of her finger while sorting through some code, which made it throb but also reminded her she was alive. As did the buried pain in her stomach from missing lunch. Her hunger shrivelled in on itself by now, and she knew she should eat but couldn’t bring herself to it.
Mr Haart had denied the request. The reply was waiting for her when she returned to the office, and L0-9 had gently brought it to her attention – gently, because it sensed the moment she sat down that her mood had changed. The answer hadn’t helped at all; it said the information she had been provided already was more than sufficient for the client’s needs. But sufficient wasn’t good enough. At least not for Faith, and especially not when all her insecurities were itching up the inside of her skull.
She cleared her throat. “But right now I just need to get this finished. It helps. It’s something I’m good at.”
Shall I make a playlist? Cadence Mathis always helps you to regulate. Tracks 1, 6 and 10 on the Love and Peace album are particularly good at soothing you.
“That's very thoughtful, L0-9. And you’re completely right. But my feelings aren’t what’s important right now – I just need to be focused on Adam. If I let myself get in the way, the calibration will be wrong. And I really need it to not be wrong.”
Okay, Faith
L0-9 gave her a gentle nudge at 6pm, when usually Faith would have been preparing to leave, but she pushed aside its concerns.
Instead she worked through the night to get the job done.
Okay, Faith
Though its tone was perfectly compliant, she could still hear the little echoes of disappointment. It was her own voice, after all. But by the way it had exclaimed earlier, midstream of its explanation, she understood that it must have discovered something internally. Faith wasn’t ignorant of Paragon’s moral flexibility. She just turned a blind eye. And she didn’t want any more reasons to feel uncomfortable about it.
“It’s not because I don’t want you to share things with me, L0-9. I’m glad you asked first. If you like we can discuss it further after I've finished with Mr. Haart’s request.”
It didn’t say anything else, just pulsed gently in acknowledgement, and after a moment Faith returned to her work.
By mid afternoon she had finished with the dossier, and it was scribbled all over with her own careful notes. After checking through the computer’s analysis as well, she sent a request to Mr. Haart asking for some additional information – just what she felt was necessary for the most thorough job. Then she massaged between her eyes and decided to take the opportunity to stretch her legs before she began the calibration itself. Her stomach felt hollow. A faint ache lingered at her temples from so long staring at the screen. She only ever noticed it when she stopped.
“I’ll be back soon,” she told the AI.
Don’t forget to have lunch, Faith, it said. Then its light dimmed and turned off the moment her hand was on the door.
The cafeteria was still busy, despite it being later than most people paused for their midday break. Paragon headquarters included public spaces, like its visitor hall and museum, and the cafeteria itself was open, not just reserved for employees. She could have eaten in her office, and many colleagues did, but she didn’t like the mess, and the walk down was just a part of her usual routine. Faith didn’t speak much to others, but it didn’t mean she didn’t like watching them.
Good Afternoon, Dr. Devere.
It was the voice of LUMA which addressed her. But at the threshold a familiar face strode past her, talking to another man she didn’t recognise. Faith brightened immediately, and her lips parted to speak, not to acknowledge the AI’s greeting but to capture his attention. But Dr. Audaire’s eyes skimmed right over her. It doused her uncomfortably cold, that disregard. Her gaze followed him even though she knew it made her look foolish. There was a crumbling feeling in her chest, an erosion that made her feel unsteady. Worse, it made her feel unseen.
Your usual table is occupied today. I can suggest alternatives according to your usual preferences. May I order your usual lunch?
“No. Not today. Thank you, Luma,” she said. Her expression smoothed. She swallowed, and turned straight back up to her office.
You seem upset, Faith.
For a moment there was silence between them. Then:
“Just a little,” she admitted after a moment. She tried her best not to lie to it, and it knew her tells better than she did sometimes. She’d been chewing on the edge of her finger while sorting through some code, which made it throb but also reminded her she was alive. As did the buried pain in her stomach from missing lunch. Her hunger shrivelled in on itself by now, and she knew she should eat but couldn’t bring herself to it.
Mr Haart had denied the request. The reply was waiting for her when she returned to the office, and L0-9 had gently brought it to her attention – gently, because it sensed the moment she sat down that her mood had changed. The answer hadn’t helped at all; it said the information she had been provided already was more than sufficient for the client’s needs. But sufficient wasn’t good enough. At least not for Faith, and especially not when all her insecurities were itching up the inside of her skull.
She cleared her throat. “But right now I just need to get this finished. It helps. It’s something I’m good at.”
Shall I make a playlist? Cadence Mathis always helps you to regulate. Tracks 1, 6 and 10 on the Love and Peace album are particularly good at soothing you.
“That's very thoughtful, L0-9. And you’re completely right. But my feelings aren’t what’s important right now – I just need to be focused on Adam. If I let myself get in the way, the calibration will be wrong. And I really need it to not be wrong.”
Okay, Faith
L0-9 gave her a gentle nudge at 6pm, when usually Faith would have been preparing to leave, but she pushed aside its concerns.
Instead she worked through the night to get the job done.