Rising high around them, the rough, uneven mountain peaks cut into the midnight sky. With cloudless heavens and a bright moon, the landscape was silver and blue. A warm wind blew against Greer's cheeks, rifling through his hair in a way that reminded him of years long past when he did not have the cares he bore now. In the passenger seat next to him, Vera had been silent and still for nearly two hours. Her tears had run dry, and as he glanced over, he saw her still leaning against her palm, elbow on the open window frame.

It was weird how he could tell it was Vera, not Echo. There were subtle variations between their posture and expression, ones that Rhaner was surprised he could even recognize.

"Do you think I could have something to eat?" She asked finally, not bothering to move. "Or is starving me into submission a part of your plan?"

"You're hungry? Really?"

"Yes, really." It was a cutting tone, but again, Vera did not look at him.

Suddenly realizing he could eat something himself, Greer nodded.

"Sure. It's been a while for all of us."

They'd been traveling north through low foothills, so he carefully slowed the vehicle to a stop, switching off the engine. Kai was asleep in the back. Climbing out to stretch his legs and back, Rhaner yawned, looking up. Like milky gauze, the stars hung in the black sky, so many of them he couldn't focus on just one.

"Are you just going to stand there all night?"

Her voice cut through the tranquil moment, and Greer glanced at Vera, frowning.

"Can't you ever say anything nice, lady?"

"When the need arises, yes. But to you...why should I?"

Swearing under his breath, Rhaner chose not to answer, moving instead to the box of food. Pulling out a can of beans, bagged chips, nuts, candy bars and two bottles of water, he carried it back to the passenger side.

"Take your pick." Not sure what would happen, he watched her take the chips, nuts, and water. Opening a bag himself, Greer tried to keep a blank expression. In all his learning, he had never heard of an android eating or drinking. Obviously, Vera did not know she wasn't human, yet had all the normal human desires for rest, nourishment and water, but...was she designed to eat? Twisting the cap off her bottle, Vera glanced at him sideways.

"What are you staring at?"

"You."

"Why?"

"Curious."

"Creep." Putting the bottle to her lips, she took a long swallow then abruptly spat it out, coughing, roughly wiping the excess from her lips. "What is this?"

"What?" Glad he's stood to one side, Greer forced himself to hold a calm, uninterested tone. She sent a scathing look his direction.

"This stuff you try to pass off as water! It's tasteless!"

"Water is tasteless. That's kinda the point."

"No, I mean...it's...listen if this is your idea of a joke, it's not funny! What exactly are you trying to do to me?"

"Nothing, Vera. Try the nuts. Maybe you're just not in the mood for water right now. Something salty should help."

Ripping open the bag, she popped a few into her mouth, crunching, then spat them out as well, disgusted.

"That's like chewing rocks!" Glaring now, shoving the door open, she got out, staring menacingly at him. "What did you do to me? What's wrong with the food?"

"It's not the food." Calm, he backed away, glad when she followed, away from where Kai slept in the backseat. "It's you."

"What does that mean!"

"Vera...I told you earlier you wouldn't understand, that you wouldn't believe me. You won't, but I'll tell you anyway. It's 2591. Everyone and everything you knew is long gone. You are not Vera Wagner, you're a series five Echo class prototype android. I'm Greer Rhaner, and I bought the storage unit you were hidden in for three hundred years."

"That's ridiculous! How stupid do you think I am?"

"You're not stupid...you're malfunctioning. I can't explain why. Tech like you has been contraband for centuries. I don't know much about robotics."

"I am flesh and bone, not a robot!"

He slapped her. Hard. Fire rippled through the bones in his hand as she dropped with a cry. Grabbing her shoulder, he blocked her hand when she struck out at him, writhing like a demon.

"Hold it! Calm down!"

"I won't let you beat me!"

"Stop it! Will you just wait a second?" Snagging both wrists, he forced her to stand in front of him, her features taut with rage. "Just stop for a minute. Do you actually feel pain in your face right now? It's twice I've hit you, same cheek, really hard, you should be sore. Are you?"

"Well of course-! I," stopping suddenly, Vera's mouth opened then abruptly shut again, her expression confused. "I...no, I...don't feel any pain."

"I'm going to let go now. Just touch your cheek. If what I've said is false, it will hurt, and you'll feel swelling. Do you?"

Once free, she lifted a hand to her face, gingerly testing the smooth skin in confusion.

"There's nothing."

"Because you're not really Vera Wagner." He slowed down, enunciating each word. "You're an Echo class android."

"How...I mean, what- why?" Abruptly frightened, her eyes went very large, filling with tears. "I don't understand. I...I am Vera Wagner."

"No...somehow you've been programmed to think you're her, but you're not."

"I...but, what...I mean, who-?"

Shaking his head, Greer watched an android struggling with the truth of its own existence. Despite the danger of their circumstances, it was fascinating. She looked at him.

"Let's pretend that I believe you... who am I?"

"I have no idea what you're meant to be, only a little about what you are."

"And?"

"You won't like it."

"That's an massive understatement. "

"You are a malfunctioning android prototype,  who occasionally believes herself Vera Wagner."

"It still sounds utterly ridiculous."

He threw up his hands in abrupt frustration.

"Then why did you ask!"

"Because I wanted a different answer! One that makes sense!"

"Okay, I'm done trying to convince you.  Let's go."

"No," wrapping her arms tightly around her waist,  Vera backed away. "I don't want to go with you."

"I'm not just leaving you alone out here. Come on."

"No! So unless you actually intend to abduct me, go away!"

He didn't have the time or experience to deal with it. Nostrils flexing, he took deliberate steps toward her as she hurriedly backed up to avoid.

"Vera, if you won't come willingly, I'm sorry...voice command Greer Rhaner. Confirm classification."

"What sort of stupid-"

"Voice command Greer Rhaner. Confirm classification." Said more firmly this time, he watched as something shifted behind her eyes. Vera vanished as abruptly as she had come. Shoulder's lifting straight, back stiffening into a tall, smooth line, Echo looked back at him.

"Command confirmed. Echo Class, series five, personal designation Echo."

"Welcome back."

She blinked, then met his gaze.

"Greer Rhaner, you are unharmed?"

"Yeah."

"I show multiple lapses in data storage lasting nearly five hours and forty-seven minutes."

"I know." Grinning, he put an arm around her shoulders, somehow comforted to have the android back. "I've been getting to know Vera Wagner."

"That is the same name you mentioned before, suggesting it is a subroutine of a previous imprint."

"I think it was more than that, Echo. I think Vera Wagner is who you were created to be."

"That is not the purpose of androids in society, Greer. We are designed as companions. Not replacements."

"Maybe...but I'm beginning to think someone had other ideas."

Looking around them, Echo happened to look up and stopped abruptly, her vibrant, glowing eyes on the heavens. Rhaner followed her gaze then looked back at her. As if enthralled, the android stood motionless and silent, just watching the slow rotation of the stars, and the occasional meteor that flashed across the black.

"What are you looking at?"

"It's beautiful," she murmured, facing him. "Do you think the night sky is beautiful?"

"I do, but...I never expected an android to think so."

Her gaze returned heavenward.

"Why?"

"What need does a robot have for beauty, Echo?"

"I cannot answer that, Greer. All I am certain of is, the sky is beautiful, and I very much like looking at it."

"Tell me something,"

"Yes?"

"What do you like to eat?"

"Eat?" Blinking, her attention moved fully back to him. "I have no need for nourishment."

"Vera was hungry, and tried to eat and drink, but said it was tasteless." Walking her back to the ATV, he reached in, picking up the open water bottle. "Here. Drink some."

She did, swallowing obediently before handing the bottle back.

"Well?"

"It is water."

"Yes, I know." Smiling, he capped the bottle, handing her the open bag of nuts. "Try this. Do you taste anything?"

"No."

"That's weird,"

"Why?"

"Because if you're trying to pass an android off as human, one of the dead giveaways is a person who can't taste the food they're eating. Why would a brainy scientist like Lewis Dwighthall overlook something so obvious?"

"I cannot answer that, but if I am malfunctioning, perhaps it is effecting the subroutine when active. Or, more likely, as I am a prototype, my system functions were not completed satisfactorily. "

"Like someone was in a rush to get you operational, and missed a step?"

"It is logical. "

"That's as good a guess as any, and I'm fresh out. Echo, do you know who Dr. Lewis Dwighthall was?"

"Yes. Dr. Dwighthall was the main drive behind android development and design. He is recorded as being solely responsible for the design and programming of the Charlie, Delta and prototype Echo class androids. Without his innovation and brilliance, the modern robot would still be a tin box full of wire strands and circuit boards."

"You read that somewhere."

"Indeed. It is from the world database encyclopedia dated 2281. It is a basic part of my current data matrix. My memory units can be updated by giving me access to an existing database with current information."

"Funny."

"Greer, that was not a joke."

"You want to plug into a current database to upgrade your programming? Now? With the Reapers and Scavengers on our tail? You have no idea how funny you are."

"I wasn't trying to be."

He chuckled, holding the door open for her to get in. Crossing to the driver's side, he slid in and turning the engine on, smoothly sped them into the night.