[Next morning]

  I slept surprisingly well st night and even the den felt safe and secure. Knowing that armed forces were staying next door might have contributed to my restful sleep as well.

  Right before I was heading out for breakfast, my watch beeped to alert me about new messages.Checking my 'emails,' for ck of a better word, simply involved touching a button on my watch and a hologram appeared above it.

  "You have 2 new messages."

  "Yeah, I know. Show them to me, text-only." As strange as it may sound, I was actually reading the messages in the alien nguage, and that felt absolutely natural to me.

  The first message already creeped me out. It read:

  ===============================================From: Central Hierarchy Automated Personnel SystemTo: Kaya, daughter of Funami.

  Welcome to Earth!

  All new Lantosian staff are required to attend an introductory course about human culture and etiquette. Depending on your role assignment, more courses might be added. You will soon be notified of the exact date and time.

  Thank you for participating in the Earth program.===============================================

  "You've got to be kidding me! They really think that I'm one of THEM?" Well....now that I think about it, it might be very entertaining. It beats sitting here all day....whatever. I hope it's the same one Frilia invited me to join.

  I then tapped the next message. Ah! It's from Healer Nalea!

  ===============================================From: First Healer, NaleaTo: Kaya, daughter of Funami.

  Dear Kaya. You will soon receive a few automated messages from our central computer, since you are now officially one of us. If there are any unwelcome ones, please contact me, and I'll take care of it.

  Ben and I decided that you should stick to a single backstory. At least while the investigations are underway, so please pretend to be one of us.

  As for your backstory, you are, of course, Kaya, daughter of Funami. Your role assignment will be discussed soon, but please don't worry, it's only a formality. You are not expected to work for us, unless you are willing to do so. You are our guest first and foremost, so please contact me if people should expect unreasonable things of you.

  We heard some rumors about you having human enthusiasts for parents, so we'll go along with that. You were born on Earth and were raised by human parents as part of an experiment. Your biological parents unfortunately died in an accident right after you were born, so you have no memories of them to worry about.

  Your human parents returned to their duties outside this city and you are currently only allowed to contact them, not visit them.

  This backstory should make things pretty straightforward, so please stick to it. It should also account for your ck of understanding of Lantosian customs. If you have any issues with this backstory, please contact me at once.

  As for the rest...be creative, but protect your identity at all costs. Please stay safe, Kaya.

  See you soon, Nalea.===============================================

  Awww......she's really nice, isn't she? I'm gd this backstory is simir to what I thought of. It makes sense that they thought of the same story, since it's the logical thing to say, isn't it? It's just that Anisa knows more, but I trust her.

  "Ping....you have a new message." My watch said.

  "Of course I have more, okay....then show it to me."

  ===============================================From: Special Agent Lee, Earthforce, BETATo: Kaya, daughter of Funami.

  Good morning Kaya,

  I hope you are settling in despite all that has happened. The doc and I sent you a message with your backstory, please try to stick with it.

  As from today, you may roam the city freely.We can now track your movements in the city and will keep you safe at all times. But please try to stay near your quarters or the immediate area, or we will be notified. If that happens, we will immediately contact you on your watch, as you now somehow seem to have acquired one.

  As another way to keep you safe, we have linked your ID, the one which was injected in your neck, to the drone network. It may sound ridiculous, but the drones apparently will now track your position as well. In case you move outside a certain area, they will sound the arms as well.

  If you ever need to contact me, use your watch. Depending on the topic, we might need to meet in my car where people can't listen in on our conversation. Please remember that option.

  Oh, and one of my staff will be visiting your parents today, so at least they'll know that you are safe. You will be able to tell them that yourself on the phone soon enough. Hang in there, sport. We'll keep you safe.

  And thank you for cooperating with us under these extraordinary circumstances.

  Ben.===============================================

  Wow....maybe I'll even get to call them today?

  I didn't want to bother Anisa with my early morning mood, so I ate somewhere else.My breakfast was a lonely one, but it at least tasted great and the staff was friendly.

  While slowly rolling through the entertainment district in my wheelchair, not even knowing where to go, I see a drone passing me by.

  Seeing a drone is hardly unusual, since they are basically everywhere. Most are used to carry heavy looking crates and such, but this one isn't carrying anything. Even more surprising is the fact that it is limping.

  It's a dark blue drone and it looks very simir to the three 'love dolls' I saw yesterday. This one however doesn't wear any clothing, nor does it have to. It truly looks like an industrial robot, but still with basic humanoid features. It has scratches all over its metallic body, signs of a difficult life.

  Since I don't have anything else to do, and because I can rete to its simir injury, I say "hi there."

  The drone stops and its upper half turns a bit to the left so it can focus on me. Wow....it's actually pretty tall.

  "Do you require assistance?" It said with a deep male sounding and robotic voice.

  "Actually, I think you require assistance. What happened to you?"

  It slowly limps closer and repositions itself so we can speak more easily."I am a transport drone and 2.3 hours ago, another transport drone accidentally dropped a crate on my supporting structure. I'm damaged and can no longer attend to my duties."

  Amazing, its speech capabilities sound much more advanced than those of the boring love dolls."Oh...I'm sorry to hear that. Will they repair you?"

  "Negative. The drone repair bay is offline."

  "So...where are you going then?"

  "To the drone repair bay. This is the fastest route."

  "But you just said that it was offline?"

  "It is. I will be recycled. That function is avaible."

  "No way. You are being destroyed?"

  "Affirmative."

  "Oh, c'mon! That's such a waste! At least someone must be able to help you? You only need minor repairs!" Perhaps it can work as a waiter at Anisa's? It can at least talk like a normal person. Well mostly.

  "The drone repair bay is offline. Repairs are not possible."

  "Do you mind if I join you? Maybe I can call for help?"

  "Please follow me."

  "Wait, I can't! My legs won't work."

  "Yes, my sensors show that you have simir damage. Will you also be recycled?"

  "No, I'm...eh...this body is still new. But maybe I can help? If I can't, I know somebody else who could use you, even in your current state."

  "Do you want me to carry you there?"

  "No, can you carefully push this chair? It has wheels."

  "Affirmative. Hold on, or further injury might occur."

  "Of course. Thanks, buddy."

  The drone then pushes me towards his destination, ever so carefully. Some people are blinking at the sight, but I can only see the humor in the situation. A limping drone is pushing a person with a leg injury. Two poor souls, birds of a feather.

  Not sure why it took a while, but at some point it says "Buddy is not my designation."

  "Huh? Oh, you misunderstood. I meant it as an expression to tell you that you are my friend. You are important to me."

  "Why?"

  Eh....he got me there. "Because we are simir? My legs are damaged and so are yours. Mine are being repaired, yours should too. I can rete to you and you are helping me reach our destination. Friends help each other."

  "Understood."

  The drone didn't say much while we were heading for the repair room, but I enjoyed every weird gnce we received.

  We finally stop in front of the drone repair bay and the door opens automatically. It's probably designed to make it easier for damaged drones to let themselves be recycled. I hate to see kids py in this area, though. I'll definitely tell someone to put a lock on that door. Safety first!

  The drone enters the room and waits for me to enter as well. But the pce I see is a total mess! I can't even go any further, because drone parts are scattered all over the pce.

  "Okay, my friend. Wait a bit. Let's see if I can get some help." Maybe I can simply ask for help, otherwise I'll have to use my watch.

  "Understood."

  "Eh....computer? Anyone listening to voice commands?" I said while looking around.

  "Yes, I am the Drone Repair Bay Artificial Intelligence Unit. How can I be of service?" A male voice replied immediately, it appeared to be originating from the ceiling.

  "Wow.....that's a long name. Don't you have a shorter name?"

  "You are free to change my designation. This AI will register it for your future visits."

  "Okay...um....yes, Fred sounds perfect for you. Your designation is now Fred."

  "Affirmative, Fred is ready to assist."

  A smile appears on my face. It's exactly like talking to kids, isn't it?"Hi Fred, I'm Kaya."

  "Hello drone Kaya, your name has been accepted. You are now in control of the drone repair room and the Fred-unit."

  "Em....why did you refer to me as a drone?" That's the st thing I want!

  "You are connected to the drone network, thus you are a drone."

  Can't argue with that logic. "Ah...like that. Okay, whatever." I remember Ben telling me that the drones are keeping an eye on me as well. If I correct the situation now, they might stop protecting me. I'd rather be called a drone than be left without protection.

  "Beep beep." Another message appeared on my watch, a.k.a. the Comm Unit.

  =====================From Hierarchy central computer

  Your profile was updated.Css points + 1200 for accepting a drone repair role

  Change approved by the Hierarchy.Thank you for contributing to society.Have a pleasant stay on Earth.=====================

  "What? How did that happen? Am I really the drone repairer now?"

  "Yes, drone Kaya. According to Hierarchy records, you were without a role and were able to accept one. When you assigned a name to the Fred-unit, you accepted this role."

  "Ohhh...crap. Fred, you really need to work on your communication skills! Anyway, call me Kaya, not drone Kaya." And I really don't care about the role, Nalea can probably fix that little mishap for me.

  "Updated."

  "Good. So...Fred? Can you please make some room here? My friend here has sustained damage to his legs and needs repairs."

  "Of course.....please stand by." A robotic arm approaches me from the ceiling, making me duck.

  "Watchit, Fred! I'm fragile!"

  "Understood, Kaya. Fred will remember."

  The arm simply shoves everything into one corner of the room, so the damaged drone and I can further enter into the room.

  "Thanks, Fred. So, how do I exactly repair my friend here?"

  "Linking with the drone....accessing damage reports. Primary control unit damaged. Left knee joint...damaged....requires repairs. Pce the damaged drone in the alcove." The lights activate in what looks like a closet, but apparently is called an alcove.

  Everything inside the room looks old, scratched and barely functional. That definitely expins why nobody wants to become a drone repairer here. This pce is filled with crappy equipment!

  "Em...okay, buddy, you can enter the alcove."

  "Affirmative."

  The drone apparently now responds to the name "Buddy" and steps into the alcove, then turns so it faces me.

  "Okay, Fred, now what?"

  "Scanning. Drone is in alcove. Do you want to repair it manually or can Fred repair the damaged drone?"

  "Be my guest, Fred. Repair my Buddy."

  "Understood, Kaya. Drone Buddy, please suspend all motion."

  "Affirmative...drone Buddy will hold all activity during repairs."

  More robotic arms appear out of nowhere and the lights inside turn to full brightness. What happened next was a combination of screwdrivers, sers, fshlights and weird sound effects.

  After leaving me totally fbbergasted about the automatic repairs, and wondering why nobody let Fred deal with this in the first pce, I heard that the repairs were already complete.

  "Unit Fred has confirmed that unit Buddy has been sufficiently repaired."

  "Wow...great work, Fred. Well done!" I patted a wall, assuming he would notice.

  "Fred appreciates it." Yeah...Fred talks like a kid, let's forgive him.

  "Buddy, are you operational?" I asked.

  "Yes, drone Buddy is now operational. All systems repaired, working at 83.7% efficiency. Ready to return to duty. Thank you for repairing this unit."

  "Awww, you are most welcome, Buddy. Oh, and people may call you differently, but I will call you Buddy."

  "Confirmed. May Buddy return to duty now?"

  "No, wait a bit. I want to inspect the repairs first."

  "Understood."

  While moving closer to study Buddy's newly repaired legs, I notice too te that the wheelchair is actually standing on a ptform. Suddenly I feel one wheel falling a few inches, but it's enough to turn the whole thing aside. Once more I feel myself lying on the floor, but this time there isn't anyone here to help me and I doubt that people will visit this room anytime soon.

  "Warning! Kaya-unit has entered a state of distress." Fred remarked ever so casually.The robotic arms carefully pick me up and wait for me to stand.

  "Thanks Fred, but I can't walk. My legs are..eh...offline."

  "Understood. Scanning...no data port found. ID tag Kaya, daughter of Funami found. You are connected to the drone network but do not appear to be a drone. Biological lifeform confirmed."

  "No kidding, Einstein."

  "One moment...preparing the high resolution scanner on the diagnostic workbench."

  The wall to my right opens up and a table-like object extends from it. It looks like a floating bed, which only is attached to the wall on one side.

  Fred puts me on the table, making me lie horizontally. I can't even sit up straight due to his arm restraining me.

  "Fred, stop! I'm not a drone! Let me go!"

  "Confirmed...Kaya is not a drone, but you are still connected to the drone network. You are a biological lifeform. Fred is using emergency protocols to keep the biological drone repairer Kaya safe."

  "No! Let me go!"

  "Negative, you are damaged."

  Another robotic arm slowly moves over my body until I see a transparent image of myself appearing as a green hologram above me. It's like looking inside my own body! I see many tiny silver particles moving through my 'damaged' parts. Those are probably the nanites I was told about by doctor Nalea.

  "Fred has finished scanning your damaged biological parts. Cause of damage...the nanites in your legs are failing. Suggested action: repce with upgraded nanites. Please hold still."

  "Fred, no! A doctor, no, a Healer must do that!"

  "Negative...Fred is efficient. You will be repaired. Please cease all motor functions while you are being repaired."

  "Nooo!" But there's no way for me to go! "Comm!! Emergency! Get me medical help!" I shouted, and surprisingly my watch replied to a voice command.

  "Emergency confirmed. A medical drone has been dispatched. Estimated time of arrival in your location...2 minutes, 12 seconds."

  Crap! That's too long! But....wait....Fred's not doing anything?

  "Fred?"

  "Yes, Kaya?"

  "Thank you for stopping."

  "You are welcome."

  "Please let me go."

  "Negative, you are damaged."

  Finally the door opens and a medical drone enters the room. It even has lights on its back which stop fshing after a few more seconds."An emergency was reported from this location. How can this drone assist?"

  "Here!" I shouted. "I'm held against my will!"

  The drone approaches me."Receiving data from drone Buddy. Receiving data from unit Fred. Scanning ID tag...Lantosian female detected. Analysis complete. Your nanites need to be repced. This medical drone is equipped with the required tools. Please don't move. You are safe, this will not hurt."

  "No, let me go!"

  "Negative, an emergency is currently ongoing." The medical drone reaches for one of Fred's robotic arms, accepts a tube of some sort, then holds it against my neck. "Injecting superior nanites...done. Retrieving damaged nanites...done. Your damage is now being repaired. This ends the emergency. On behalf of unit Buddy...thank you for repairing us drones. It's good to reciprocate."

  The robotic arms slowly disappear into the ceiling, no longer restraining me.

  "Seriously? Are you happy about that?" I was about to kick the medical drone...if I only could.

  "You are happy now, noted. I'll take my leave."

  "No, moron! I'm not happy!"

  But the medical drone left this room as quickly as it could. I swear, if I survive this, I'm going to find it and recycle it myself!

  After a few moments of silence, Fred says "diagnostics complete. The superior nanites have begun repairs. Your heart rate has returned to normal levels. Neural impnt is now active. You are now 53% more efficient at repairing drones."

  "Excuse me? What impnt?! Get it out of me! NOW!"

  "Negative, your biological system needs this neural impnt to function properly. Defects were caused by a fwed genetic design. Repairing the defective tissues using a bioneural compatible impnt was successful."

  "Oh my god....so this body had defects?"

  "Affirmative. Your legs were damaged. Also, one part of your brain suffered from a restricted blood flow. The impnt now regutes blood flow properly."

  "How serious was my brain issue?"

  "Due to a fatal design fw, your lifespan was limited to 6 decades."

  "Six...wait...that's about normal. What is my life expectancy now?"

  "Your upgraded nanites and the neural impnt added 2 decades to your lifespan, under the condition that regur maintenance is applied."

  "Oh....wow. In that case...thanks, Fred."

  "You are welcome, Kaya."

  "Am I really a drone repairer now?"

  "Confirmed. I sent an update to the Hierarchy and they have approved. You are now this city's drone repairer."

  "Great....just great. Any other crazy things for me today?"

  "Fred does not understand. Please rephrase your question."

  "Just ignore that, Fred. Hey, Buddy, can you please...very carefully...take me to the medical bay? I'm very fragile and need further...eh...diagnostics."

  "Affirmative. Drone Buddy will transport you to location...medical bay."

  Buddy then very gently pulls me into his arms and very carefully turns around, making sure I won't get hurt by any sudden move. This gave me enough time for a st remark to Fred."Fred, please, can you clean this room? It needs to be in perfect condition so you and I can fix more drones." This sounds like fun! Especially if he does most of the work.

  "Of course, Kaya. Thank you for accepting your role."

  "Sure Fred, anytime. See ya."

  Being princess carried by a drone through the corridors made me blush more than once. Buddy carefully put me on a bed-like table in the medical bay and then waited for me to speak.

  "Thank you very much, Buddy. If you want, you can return to your duties."

  "Affirmative. Buddy is appreciative that your damage is being repaired. Have a bright day."

  "Likewise, my friend."

  One of the Lantosian doctors, or Healers as they are called here, blinked when a drone left the medical bay.

  "Yeah, he was here for my repairs, not for his." I said with a smile.

  The dy who approaches me isn't Nalea, but another doctor. "Are you new here?" She sounded very serious.

  "Yes, I am, healer."

  "You should be more careful. Only medical drones are allowed in the medical bay."

  "I know, but this was an emergency! I would never send them here otherwise. Em...where is healer Nalea?"

  "You mean First Healer?"

  "Eh...yes?"

  "You should be more respectful to the senior staff. She's helping with surgery. It's a procedure that requires her supervision, why? Do you think I'm not qualified to help you?"

  Wow...just my luck. I thought they were all nice, but this one is a genuine b*tch."Nooo!" I gestured that she had misunderstood.

  "What?!" She looked very angry suddenly.

  "No, I meant something else! You are every bit as amazingly experienced as she is. It's just that she helped me st time. Besides, she reminds me of my mother."

  "Ahhh....I see. Well, toughen up. It says here that you're a drone repairer...impressive for someone your age. But don't you forget, you're on Earth for a reason." She gave me a creepy, sinister look.

  "Oh..okay....but...what reason would that be?"

  "To take over the world, of course!" She added an evil ugh, sounding like a true viliness. "Maaa ha ha ha ha ha!"

  "Huh?" Did she really just say that?

  She waits a few moments, then rexes her expression."Ha ha ha ha ha... you totally believed my acting! Nalea filled me in on you, sorry dear....I was only having some fun." She surprisingly hugs me and then rubs my cheek, like we're best friends. "How are your legs?"

  "Oh? Ooooooh! That's actually why I'm here. I had a little incident in the drone repair bay and a drone wanted to inject nanites into my body. It finally stopped, but a medical drone took over and injected them after all, and then it removed the old ones. It also said something about a neural impnt because my brain was...I dunno...not working properly or something?"

  "Don't worry, you are fine. I already scanned you when the drone brought you in.Yes, you seem to be unlucky, but the nanites are military grade this time. That shouldn't have happened, but I agree that they really needed to be repced. These ones are much, much better, but not avaible for medical use for several reasons. But in this case they can be used for this particur type of injury. So please don't worry, nothing bad is going to happen to you."

  "Good to hear." Images of me turning into a drone are already haunting me.

  She then takes a closer look at her scans. "Mmm.....it's almost as if your previous medical nanites were used to repair equipment. Their logs show extended use outside your body. Any idea what might have happened to them?"

  "Eh....no? Wait...the battery! Could it be? I visited a shop in the entertainment district and held a drone's battery in my hand. It was broken, but it suddenly seemed to work again."

  "Yes, that expins it. Very odd...these nanites weren't programmed to do that. In any case...I guess those drones really repaired you, ha ha ha!"

  "I was terrified. It's not funny!" I crossed my arms to emphasize my displeasure.

  "But it is!" She then sounds serious again. "The neural impnt however, is a mystery. It's a standard subprocessor but not designed for use in biologics, and still....it's working perfectly. I can't remove it, your nanites are linking it to your brain as we speak.

  Ahhh....wait...it seems that it's also picking up drone communications. How surprising. I can deactivate it for you, but it seems harmless, so I suggest......ummm...are you okay?"

  She's probably worried because she sees me swiping in the air in front of her.

  "I'm fine. I can now see a dispy in front of me. Like a hologram. Can you see it too?"

  "No, I can't. That must be a result of your nanites at work. Very interesting. Perhaps you can see your health status there as well?"

  "I'm not sure. It only says Nanite General Interface. Wait....yes, you're right! I can see my name, my css points whatever those are, and my general health. Wow...and it seems that I can order my nanites to do all sorts of things...niiice."

  "Really? Can you give me an example?"

  "Sure. It says here that they can interface with other devices to speed up data transfer. And here it says that they can generate an electrical field, not sure why, though. And this...it seems I can retrieve my personal record and even contact Fred while I'm in range."

  "Who is Fred?" She gives me one heck of a confused expression, and her ears are standing up straight now, as if they're expecting to hear something important.

  "Oh...he's the AI in the drone repair bay."

  "That expins the data transfer. It's an incredibly tiny and completely harmless impnt, but I can deactivate the transmissions if you want?"

  "No, I think I'd rather have it out altogether."

  "I can't do that... it's a part of your brain now. I can even see it transmitting to nearby neurons. It can be repced while you are sedated, but not removed for more than a few minutes."

  "Hey.....my legs! I can feel them!" They even twitched a few times. "Wow...it says repairs are complete!"

  She picks up a device with her right hand and then holds it above my legs."Amazing! Your legs are now fully healed! You should be able to stand now. Can you try?"

  I carefully let my feet touch the floor and when I try to stand....it works!

  "Incredible, Kaya! I'm going to report this to the Hierarchy! This must be documented! Well done! I think I'll describe this as a random convergence of technology. Drones want to repair us by using their own analytics, then using a medical drone to execute the pn. And then we have your nanites who listen to their host's commands. This opens up a whole new way to heal people!"

  I practiced walking for a few moments and then decided to go for an early lunch, since I desperately needed to calm down and process this. Oh, and I promised to return the wheelchair.

  After lunch I joined a small group of people outside, watching the gray sky. Someone in the restaurant was excited and almost begged me to join him there.

  Apparently the transport ship, the one with my counselor onboard, is about to nd. The new arrivals will have to stay in quarantine for a few days, as requested by the humans.

  Since it's still very cold outside, I'm quickly running out of patience. Is it really worth waiting in this cold? But suddenly....without any warning signs, I feel a strong wind blowing towards us, coming from above. But no matter how much I strain my eyes, there isn't a ship to be seen at all.

  A shimmering bright light appears above us and then slowly changes into a real alien ship. Its size is slightly bigger than that of a jetliner, but it looks built for speed. Its hull is completely dark with the exception of a few bright blinking lights at the bottom.

  "Woooow!" I excimed. The ship was really invisible at first, like a stealth technology!

  Another person next to me said "amazing technology isn't it?"

  "Sure is! I have never seen anything like this before!"

  "And I have witnessed it many times, and let me tell you, it never gets old."

  The huge pne is now slowly descending and then accelerates towards its nding zone in the distance. The roaring sound of the engines slowly lessens and what looks like steam is being vented from somewhere beneath the thing.

  It's a pity that I can't see them disembark, but that's simply how it must be.

  After seeing the ship disappear behind a skyscraper, I decided to return inside and warm myself.