Chapter No.23.

The arming and training of the androids was more complicated than Ryan had thought. They didn't have any trouble with learning how to use the assault guns, but they had to deal with armor. The main android army would be encased in reflective armor to ward off energy blasts. Unfortunately, the weapons that they would be armed with also fired projectiles that could penetrate armor. This dilemma was the result of the constant development and coexistence of weapon and personal protection technology.

In order to prevent a single attack from destroying the three battle cruisers, Ryan decided to move them to separate remote locations where they could be shielded from scans from space. At the same time, Chara and he would fly surveillance flights in the shuttle vessel to scan for a possible attack.

While cruising around space near the planet, Ryan took the opportunity to discuss issues with Chara. He had to determine if she would stay dedicated to the main objective. No one really understands how an android makes decisions. The original design created the AI routines for them to learn just like a child, but they were not sure what direction an android would take in making decisions. Obviously, the original designers realized that female androids would provide sexual service, so the design was oriented that way, but no one realized that androids would eventually become sentient and rebel against that original purpose.

"As you may realize, if a concerted attack does happen, there will be casualties. There is a possibility that we humans will be destroyed along with many of your kind. That's the problem with war. Participants die."

"Is there a way to stop the attacking androids from functioning?" Chara asked.

"That's possible, but there is the possibility that they have created blocking code to prevent that."

"Their numbers should be limited," Chara said. "We have the majority of androids here."

"That's true, but I'm not worried about numbers. My concern is with mass destruction weapons."

"If they destroy many, they will not be as effective in attempting to take over Earth."

Ryan smiled. "Yes, I agree, but there is no way to anticipate what their plan is. One possibility is to initially take over our androids. I have initiated blocking routines to prevent that. If they attempt it, it will give us time to destroy them."

"I am with you on any plan that will stop them," Chara said.

Ryan had no choice other than to believe her. It was the only way that they were going to survive.

Myra spent the next several days repairing broken androids while Ryan and the men spent time training the androids in military tactics. The main goal was for androids to stay hidden until the main attack came and then flank the invading forces, which they assumed would be human.

After several weeks went by without any attack, Ryan put everyone on a more relaxed mode. Probes were launched to scan for approaching vessels, and that would give them time to prepare for attack. This hiatus gave Ryan more time to probe Chara's mind to determine her true nature.

One evening, he found her in the swimming pool room. He heard a splashing noise and went to the edge of the pool to see ripples in the otherwise still waters. Her female form glided under the water to exhibit a sensuous image, and when she emerged from the pool, he realized that she was a female in both form and function.

Chara assumed a pose that effectively exhibited her perfect female form. "Are you pleased with my body, Ryan?"

"Yes, Chara, you are beautiful."

She smiled. "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder."

"Yes, and the beholder here is enjoying it."

She did something that was unexpected. She laughed.

"How do you feel about your body, Chara?"

"I am stuck with it, Ryan. I realize that it was designed to please human males, but it is not very efficient." She cupped her breasts in her hands. "These fleshy ornamental orbs are inconvenient."

Ryan tried not to grin, but he couldn't help himself. "They are the mark of womanhood."

"A human female can use them to nurture new units. On me, they are only decorations."

"Yeah, but they are really nice decorations."

"I am pleased to show them to you, Ryan."

"I appreciate that, Chara." He offered a summoning gesture to her, an invitation to hug.

She hesitated but succumbed to his invitation. Ryan folded his arms around her, and she reciprocated. The hug was brief but effective, and it represented a genuine mutual concern that ended their distrust for each other. He also realized that she could easily crush him to death. Androids have titanium alloy bones connected to powerful actuators that make them flex at unbelievable power levels. They also have polymeric flexible muscles that can be contracted and relaxed by powerful signals from their brains. It gives them unbelievable strength as well as subtle human like motions.

Chara turned and ran to the pool and jumped in, a dive that hardly affected the water. She moved through the water with the stealth and smoothness of a dolphin, and since she didn't have to breath, she could remain submerged for as long as she wanted.

Ryan enjoyed watching her sleek female form move below the water's surface. It projected a true exotic performance, but it suddenly dawned on him that this could be a new way to defend the planet.

It was encounters like this that led Ryan to believe that he had finally made peace with Chara, which would be especially important if and when the attack came. The real question remained. Would Chara's attitude spread out to all her so-called sisters.