“That is my leading theory on spatial flow. It was what allowed me to invent the WHG’s, and earned me dozens of contracts to nations across the stars.” Aurelia stated while tapping away at her holopc.

“Would it not be more efficient if you were to move the integer by 0.012 percent? It would allow for longer range travel.” Asked the android, not looking away from the metallic object she was tinkering with.

“In theory you could, but that would multiply the power draw by close to 10 times. It’s hard enough to power them without a dyson swarm, let alone a cold fusion reactor.”

“Oh, yes. Of course.” Isobel sat back, staring up at the glass ceiling. “I am hungry. I’m not sure why I haven’t thought of this, but why do I need to eat?”

“To fuel your bio-reactor.” Aurelia said with tongue in cheek. Isobel rolled her eyes.

“Why not give me a miniaturised fusion reactor, or something similar?”

“To experience taste. Food tastes much better when you are hungry after all.”

“I see. Bread does indeed taste better when I feel the urge.” she replied thoughtfully.

“Well, I haven’t eaten yet either, so shall we get Addison to make us a snack?” Aurelia spun in her chair to face her creation. Isobel opened her mouth as if to say something, before staring at her hands.

“Would I be allowed to attempt preparing food instead?” She asked as she turned to the frail woman. Aurelia’s eyes lit up with delight. Shaking her free hand excitedly.

“Yes! What a splendid idea! There’s a food printer you can use to get whatever ingredients you need, there should be some in storage from this planet too. Addison can help you with anything else. I can’t wait to see what you cook up! Good luck.

The android nodded, wearing a slight expression of excitement, something the scientist was elated to see each time she asked to do something new.

“I am going to lie down for a few minutes. Wake me up when you are done, I can’t wait to try whatever you create.” The redhead said as she reclined in her workshop chair, closing her eyes.

Isobel excitedly made her way to the facility kitchen, yet another gaudily decorated room with a horrendous choice of colours, patterns, and brown wooden walls. While her creator was undoubtedly an unparalleled genius, what she made up for in ingenuity, she lacked in good taste. Savouring the feeling of disgust for a moment before she started exploring the various cupboards.

“Do you need assistance, Isobel?” The facility AI asked over the intercom.

“No thank you, Addison. I wish to familiarise myself with the kitchen alone.” The android responded. She pulled out a metallic bowl from one, and placed it upon the green and red countertop. She then searched for several other objects and neatly placed them side by side.

Isobel rummaged through the fridge and after a moment of hesitation, grabbed a strange meat with a purple hue, some eggs and several herbs. She wasn’t sure if it would turn out okay, but she was excited to experiment.

Isobel neatly set up the dinner table, carefully setting up plates and cutlery with careful precision. The room was largely unused, as Addision had said, Aurelia always at in her workshop while tinkering away at the android. Any guests she ate with in the garden. Isobel had watched many vidshows on the GalNet and wanted to try it out at least once.

Unfortunately, those shows usually had beautifully decorated table cloths, beautiful glasses and pristine cutlery, something fantastical. In this home however, Isobel could only find one table cloth. The sickening combination of red and pink mixed in harsh, nonsensical patterns made her feel nauseous, despite the fact she couldn’t be sick.

“Addison, is Auri free? I want her to try out my food!” She said cheerily.

The young miss is currently asleep.” Responded the AI.

Isobel’s face drooped slightly, letting out a huff of air.

“You could wake her, I’m sure the miss wouldn’t mind.”

“Oh! Okay. Thank you Addison.”

The android went back into the kitchen to make sure her food was ready to fry, and left after giving herself a nod of self assurance. She quickly made her way through the facility, reaching the redheads door in less than a minute. She knocked and waited a minute, before knocking again. Isobel stood there for five minutes, receiving still no answer.

“She must be really tired.” She muttered to herself. “Maybe I should come back later.”

“The miss is a heavy sleep, you could go in and dump water on her face. This usually wakes up any organic.” Chirped Addison.

“I have seen people do this on GalNet and it is usually met with hostility.” Isobel said with exasperation.

“Of course. I was making a joke.”

Isobel decided to ignore the cheerful assistant and opened the door herself, seeing the scientist sprawled messily over her bed. The room was far more of a mess than the last time she was in it, clothing had been left on the floor, barely leaving any floor to walk on, the photograph had been laid face down on the nightstand and the closet was open, and in a state not much better than the rest of the small room.

Wanting to be useful, she began picking up clothing, sorting the items into piles based on her advanced smell. She wondered why the room was in this state when she had seen many of Addison’s drones come in here for this very purpose. 

After her work, she carefully lifted the picture up, studying the faces once more. Isobel noticed that while Aurelia was the only one not smiling, each of the others had dead, haggard eyes. Like revealing that only a shell lay behind them. Her head snapped to the side when she heard a groan to her left. The redhead stirred in her sleep, her eyes wet with tears.

Isobel placed the picture down and shook Aurelia by her shoulder.

“She really is a heavy sleeper.” Isobel mused. She shook a bit harder, and the scientist began to rouse from her deep slumber. Her shimmering cybernetic eye peeked through, struggling through her heavy eyelid.

“Hmm? Whago-on.” Aurelia fumbled through.

“I have successfully created my first meal, and I wish to share it with you.” Isobel said with a bounce.

“Mmm yeah I could eat. Give me a moment to wake up, yeah?” Responded the groggy woman.

“Yes! Of course! I prepared the dining room and everything. I will go and get the finishing touches done while I wait.” Isobel said as she raced out of the room before Aulirea could utter anything more. The scientist couldn’t help but give herself a weak smile.

I guess I am a genius.

Isobel carefully lowered several of the bite-sized breaded Zullas meat into the sizzling oil with her skimmer. It had taken her over four hours to reach a result she was happy with. Lined along the rear of the kitchen bench were all over her failures, ones that she had studied very carefully to reach her intended result. She turned her attention to the sizzling food, the sounds of the meat as it was removed from the oil were intoxicating. 

As she made a note to herself to check GalNet for vids of the beautiful sounds, Aurelia entered the room with the crack of her cane punctuating each of her steps. He redhead looked between the android and the neatly laid dining table. She didn’t own anything she would consider ‘high class’ so the coffee mugs with plain white ceramic cutlery clashed a considerable amount with the marvellously chosen tablecloth.

“Sorry I don’t have anything fancy for this. You do have good taste in table coverings though.” She grinning, taking one of the prepared chairs for herself. Isobel looked over her should with what could only be a look of intense disgust.

“Th-thank you. There wasn’t much… choice.” She said, struggling with the lie. “I am nearly done. I have prepared popcorn Zullas, with a light salad made of several things native to this planet.”

“Ooh exciting!” Aurelia exclaimed. “I haven’t had fried food in… I think three years? Not since I last left home.”

“Well, I hope it lives up to your pallet.” The android responded cheerfully. Isobel pulled the last batch from the oil, and brought the plate over to the table, placing it on the table between each of their seats. Aurelia eagerly started piling them beside her salad.