“As far as I know, I have the potential receive energy from just about any source save kinetic. As of now though, I can only absorb energy from electrical sources, power cells, chemical, and the blasts from energy based weaponry.” he told me. “Energy blasts are risky and chemical types are inefficient.”

     “Chemical…? You mean you can eat?” I asked him warily. My question was met with silence from Samson.

     “You can, can’t you?” I said and my mouth went dry as a thought occurred to me. “Your test pilots… All of your previous test pilots… You ate them, didn’t you, Samson.”

     “. . . Yes. From a biological stand point, I did ‘eat’ most of my would be pilots.” The A.I. replied quietly. “To be more precise, I ‘assimilated’ all that was of value to me from them before discarding what was left.”

     “And the others?” I asked nervously.

     “Released without bonding and with a very real ‘warning’.” He told me. I felt my chest tighten and I swallowed in an attempt to wet my now very dry mouth.

     “Then… What makes me any different from them?”

     “Because, Pilot Tomas, you treated me different.” Samson replied as he shared images of my earlier inspection of him from his point of view. I felt my face grow warm with embarrassment at how the worry about my friends did little to hide the excitement and wonder at idea of piloting an actual robotic suit.

     “What can I say? I really, really like robots. You being sentient is just icing on the cake.” I told him as I continued to blush.

     “None the less, I am very appreciative of how you have treated me so far and will do all I can to keep you safe from harm.” Samson promised me.

    “Uh, thanks, I think.” I replied.