Sixteen

“You know what to ask?”

“Yes. And avoid any mention of her previous life. All information must come from her own mind.”

And another minute passed. E-16 was a curious case, not because of a shortcoming, but of the manner she was improved. Although, being in her presence made me so uneasy.
Just 2 more minutes. She should be on her way, just two doors away, but she was so goddamn quiet.

One more. And like clockwork, the door slid open directly on 07:35.

“Good morning, Miss.”

“Good morning, E-16, I assume you know why you’re here.”

“Yes,” she stared right at me and didn’t move at all, except a flick of her “ears”.

“All right then,” I glanced at my blank notepad, “Do you know how you look like?”

She seemed taken aback by this simple question. “Of course.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“White body, dark blue wiring. Magenta visor and ears.”

Seems in order. No misplaced information, or retained memory. Next. “What is your purpose here?”

“Simple. Ensure everything is in order in Ferside. Any orders from superiors will help me do the correct thing.”

Not a twitch. Somewhere behind the white helm was a face, with eyes and a mouth and a nose. Or at least, what was left of it. Somewhere behind that helm was something that used to be alive on its own.
Not just a regular citizen even, but one of the outlaws, those who seeked to endanger our peace. And now she just follows orders from those she wished to overthrow…

“Are you capable of lying?”

For the first time in this conversation her voice carried a ghost of emotion, “Not to you, Miss.”

“Thank you, E-16. You’re dismissed.”