Evolved(2)

“Shaun.”

“Oh, very good choice,” Sasha said. “You won’t be disappointed.”

I walked over to the inanimate android and looked him in the eyes. My God, he was so lifelike.

“Have you owned androids before?” Sasha asked behind me.

“Yes. A driver, a cleaner.”

He stood closer to me now. “But never a fully compatible unit.”

I shook my head.

Fully Compatible Unit meant the android was programmed to meet my every need. Every need. Even sexual.

Especially sexual.

“You can touch him,” Sasha whispered before he stepped back, giving me space. Giving me time.

I lifted my hand to Shaun and lightly touched his chest, gasping as I did.

“Feels very real, doesn’t he?” Sasha sounded pleased.

I didn’t turn to see his face. I nodded instead. Then I flattened my palm over Shaun’s pec and slid it up to his neck. His jaw, his bottom lip. “My God.”

“Shall I turn him on for you?” Sasha asked.

I nodded once. “Please.”

“Shaun, Power On,” Sasha said clearly, and the android in front of me blinked. Then Sasha smiled. “Like all androids, voice command operated to power up and down.” He turned to the android next to Shaun. “Shane, Power On.”

Shane blinked and looked at Sasha expectantly. “Shane, Power Down.”

And Shane did.

Sasha walked over to stand beside me. “Shaun, this is Lloyd.”

“Hello, Lloyd,” Shaun said; his voice was like warmed honey. It matched his eyes. He extended his hand and I shook it.

It felt real. It felt very real, like a human hand. It was even warm.

“All modules have a running temperature of thirty-six degrees Celsius,” Sasha said as if he could read my mind. “Helps enhance the human factor during intercourse.”

I blanched. “Right.”

Sasha put a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Let me run through some specs with you first. I’m sure you’ve read all about them, but it helps to establish a clinical approach. Discussing their sexual capabilities is no different than discussing their cooking or cleaning capabilities. It’s easy to empathise with them because they look human, and they’re designed to look human but they’re not human. I assume you read the AI Humanoid Commission Act before signing and forwarding payment?”

I nodded.

“Good. Though I’m sure you understood it perfectly well, by law I am obliged to reiterate.” Then he proceeded to give me a well-rehearsed spiel, one that he’d no doubt given a thousand times before. “The International Roboethics Act and the AI Humanoid Rights Commission Act is a law under Australian Federal legislation that sets industry standards and the legal rights of all androids. There are certain laws that are obvious, such as the prohibition of child androids, but also the intricate laws that deal with ethics and consent. There are common laws that ensure no malice or deliberate harm comes to any android, and with the introduction of All Purpose Units, laws pertaining to consent.

“All sexual relations must be consensual, which companies such as SATinc have ensured by programming sexual desire into their synthetic androids. Yes, sexual desire. Not programmed to say ‘yes’ if asked, but actual desire. Neural networks within their mainframe recognise their owner’s face, body, and their synthetic hormone sensors react accordingly, all within the Roboethics Guidelines of course. By law, all of SATinc’s units also have built-in security features, which enable an automatic shutdown and the AMA, the Artificial Moral Agency, and the police are notified should the unit’s pain receptors be activated. In accordance with our mission statement, SATinc prides itself on integrity and all customers are subject to full background checks, yourself included.”

I resisted giving him applause for his performance. “I trust you found no red flags.”

He humoured me with a smile. “Of course. I trust you’re happy with the contractual terms and conditions within these laws.”

I signed the contract, didn’t I? “Of course.”

“Excellent. Though I’m happy to address any concerns you might have.”

“I have no concerns.”

“Good. But our products are also a purpose-built unit. They are purchased for a purpose; a range of reasons, really, including sexual activity. They are designed for it. So, we can get all those details out of the way before we choose aesthetics, yes?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“All units are temperature controlled, waterproof, and self-cleaning. You can help him clean himself, but he is capable of doing so on his own.” Then he turned to Shaun. “Shaun, please take off your underwear.”

I could have sworn the android smirked. But then he slid his fingers under the elastic of his briefs and slid them down to the floor. He picked them up, folded them, and set them on the desk.

Oh boy.

“Very lifelike, yes?”

His cock hung heavy, great girth and length. It was unnerving, in a totally arousing kind of way. I nodded. “Yes.”

“Would you like to touch it?”

I spun to look at Sasha. “No. That would be… inappropriate.”

Sasha gave me a tight smile. “He’s here for display purposes, Mr Salter. If you were buying a new car, would it be inappropriate to touch it?”