The facility has lots of food choices, ranging from food trucks, high-quality vending machines with hot meals, and just a simple cafeteria.
So, Hallow and I sit on a bench in the courtyard after getting a sandwich.
"So, why did you decide to live in the Pillar City?"
"Why? I guess my family lives here. I was planning on joining their business, but an unexpected opportunity stumbled onto me, so I stayed. What about you? Family?"
"I can't afford to planet hop, and no family, all I have is Toko."
"The red and white haired girl? She seems a little... close to be your sister, friends?"
"I don't really know what she is to me."
"I see..."
One of my classmates, I think he's named Elliot? He's cussing to himself as he walks past. "Fucking bitch saying my core was weak, I'll show her."
Hydraulic noises sound beside us as a robot is sweeping nearby.
His frame is purple and white, yet he's covered in rust and spray paint, his body creaks as the dented sections grind against one another. It temporarily stops sweeping as it looks at Elliot.
My classmate aggressively sips from his drink before throwing the bottle at the robot. "The fuck are you looking at!?"
The robot simply bows. "I apologize if my presence has spoiled your mood. Please allow me to clean up this mess."
The boy grits his teeth before kicking the robot in the back of the leg, causing it to stumble.
After kicking the robot to the ground, he clicks his tongue and walks away.
Despite his knightly attitude, Hallow doesn't act; he doesn't even seem bothered, yet I'm just as guilty.
No one is really sure if the AI has really gained sentience. The company that creates most robots said it managed to create a self-conscious AI. Others say that the AI evolved on its own, and the company claimed credit for it. Then there are those who think it's just an elaborate hoax, and these are just programmed reactions.
I'm not sure which I believe, but it seems odd to give sentience to something that will be forced to work all day.
With the inability to hold Night cores, most military droids are forced to be Skippers, piloting larger machines. That has to be weird, it's like a matryoshka doll, like piloting a larger human.
Patting itself off, the robot gets up and picks up the broom once more, getting back to work as if nothing happened.
Despite his lack of heroics, I turn to Hallow, "Why did you choose the High Rollers? You seem far too kind to be here."
"While I appreciate the compliment, I have sadly come to realize that most problems cannot be solved with strength or kindness. Unfortunately, money solves most problems."
A less noble answer than I expected, yet undeniably true.