Despite the fact that Nova's systems were already loaded with work, I found it impossible to keep my mouth shut. If my brain was on overload, it was only fair that I share the burden with something that could handle it.
"It's ridiculous," I said. I was sprawled out on my back, eyes fixed on the ceiling as I tried to make sense of my thoughts. "Everyone is convinced that Mora is a genius. He's not a genius. He's a liar and a thief. He's built his success on destroying the careers of other people.”
“I am very aware, sir,” Nova said. "He has been getting away with it for years. I do not know why you expected today to be any different."
My jaw clenched and I felt the tension beginning to build in my body. "I didn't expect that," I snapped. "I was just thinking about the people that work closely with Mora, like the people attending this party. You'd think that they'd know. That they'd realize they were being tricked.”
"You are making assumptions about people again."
I scoffed. "Please. Like you don't."
"I never said that, sir. However, I am not swayed by emotions like you are."
"Nova, I don't appreciate the way you're talking to me."
The sound that followed was eerily similar to a laugh, and I felt my body tense. Raising an eyebrow, I stared at the machine. "What was that?"
"Nothing, sir. However, it sometimes seems you forget who you are talking to."
"I didn't forget anything," I replied, my voice sharp despite myself. My brain raced to assemble the pieces it had been presented with, creating an atmosphere that some would call panic. Droplets of sweat began to collect on the flesh of my arms and back.
Every now and again, Nova would do something that surprised me, something that made me feel as though the machine was indeed more human than it was letting on.
The very thought made my skin crawl.
“You are getting defensive again, sir. I was simply saying that you sometimes act as though I am human. You forget.”
That was what it took for me to right myself, ignoring the dizziness that accompanied sitting up too quickly. I shot a glare towards the machine in front of me. "I didn't create you to talk back to me."
"Actually, sir, you did. Project Nova 2.0. Artificial intelligence. The documentation explicitly states that I am to think for myself."
I narrowed my eyes, though I felt my body slump a bit at the reply. Nova was correct, as usual.
I stood fully to my feet, pushing aside the frustration bubbling up inside of me. "Sometimes you're confusing," I muttered under my breath. Before I was able to expand on that thought, Nova was speaking again.
"Sir, I have located the guest list."
It took a moment for the words to register due to their suddenness, but once they had I felt my eyes grow wide. "For Mora's party?"
"Yes, sir. That is what was asked of me."
Irritation flared up once more, but I managed to let it pass in favor of focusing on the information. "How difficult will it be to insert my name?" There were a few seconds of processing before Nova responded.
"It is in alphabetical order, sir. I have found where your name would be located. Would you like me to proceed?"
For a second, I hesitated. Then all common sense was flying out the window. "Yes. Proceed."
"As you wish, sir."
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