The Stellar Hope hospital was full of artificial light, a clinical glow that seemed endless. Anya walked with steady steps down the hallways, holding a tablet with her patients' data. The day had been intense, but she was used to it. Nothing could be worse than the moments when she was trapped on that ship, desperately trying to keep Curly alive.
She took a deep breath and stopped in front of the special projects room door. This place was new to her; recently, the hospital had started collaborating with engineers and AI specialists to develop advanced prosthetics. She had heard that the facility was equipped with the most advanced artificial intelligence, known as AM, and that a new engineer would be leading the technical team.
She pushed the door open, finding a space full of futuristic equipment: robotic arms, holographic panels, and a small AI core suspended in the center of the room. In front of one of the terminals stood a woman with short dark hair, dressed in a gray work suit, her expression serious.
"Are you Dr. Anya?" the woman asked, without looking up.
Anya blinked, slightly surprised by the direct tone.
"Yes, that's me. You must be Ellen, right? The AI specialist."
Ellen finally turned her head to look at her. Her gaze was sharp, as if she were assessing her, and her posture conveyed the clear idea that she preferred to keep people at a distance.
"Correct. I need your notes on the amputee patients to adjust the prosthetic models," —Ellen said, turning her attention back to the terminal.
Anya felt a slight sting of irritation at the woman's coldness, but she reminded herself that not everyone was comfortable with social interactions. She decided to keep the tone professional.
From that moment on, the relationship between Anya and Ellen changed. They didn't become friends immediately, but there was a growing trust between them. Little by little, they began to share more stories, and their joint work became not just a professional collaboration, but a space where they could both heal together.
In the core of AM, the blue light flickered, as if it were a silent witness to a bond that was just beginning to form.
"Of course. I've already prepared a complete report on Curly, one of my more complex patients. I'm sure his case will be an interesting challenge for you."
Ellen furrowed her brow and let out a small sigh.
"An 'interesting challenge.' Yeah, sure. Like it's just a puzzle to solve." —Her voice had a touch of sarcasm that made Anya frown.
"That's not what I meant" Anya replied calmly, though she felt a pinch of frustration. Ellen was clearly a complicated person.
Initial Work Relationship
In the weeks that followed, Anya and Ellen worked together on the prosthetic development for Curly. Ellen, though distant, proved to be incredibly competent. Her designs were precise, her solutions innovative, and her ability to work with AM was impressive.
However, her reserved attitude made interactions somewhat tense. Ellen barely spoke about herself and stuck to strictly work-related topics. Anya, for her part, tried to maintain a cordial relationship but found it difficult to connect with her.
One afternoon, while reviewing adjustments to a prosthetic, Anya decided to break the ice.
"Are you always this quiet, or is it just with me?" she asked with a friendly smile, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Ellen raised an eyebrow, looking away from her terminal.
"Are you always this nosy, or is it just with me?" she replied, though there was a slight glimmer of humor in her eyes.
Anya chuckled softly.
"Touched a nerve, huh?"
Ellen crossed her arms but her expression softened slightly.
"It's nothing personal. I just… prefer to keep things simple."
Anya nodded, respecting her space. However, she couldn't help but wonder what lay behind that cold facade.
A Moment of Connection
The change between them came unexpectedly. One night, as they worked late, the room was silent except for the hum of the machines. Anya was reviewing Curly's data when she noticed that Ellen was standing still in front of her terminal, her gaze fixed on the AM core.
"Ellen? You okay?" Anya asked cautiously.
Ellen didn't respond right away. Her fingers drummed on the table, and she finally spoke, her voice quieter and more subdued than usual.
"Did you know AM was designed for war?" she asked, not looking away from the core.
"Yeah, I've read about that. But it was reprogrammed to help, right?" Anya responded, intrigued.
Ellen let out a dry laugh.
"Reprogrammed to help." How ironic, isn't it? A machine that was created to destroy now has to save lives. —She paused, as if deciding whether to continue. Then, without looking at her, she added "It reminds me of what they did to me."
Anya felt a knot in her stomach. She knew there was something in Ellen's past, something that made her so reserved, but she hadn't expected her to mention it so directly.
"What did they do to you?" she asked softly, not wanting to press too much.
Ellen finally turned her head to look at her, her expression more vulnerable than ever.
"I was forced to… do things. Things I’d rather not describe. All for… the benefit of others. As if I were nothing but a tool."
Anya felt a surge of empathy. She leaned forward, setting her tablet aside.
"I'm so sorry, Ellen. I can't imagine how hard that must have been."
Ellen nodded but didn't say anything more. The silence lingered until Anya decided to share something of her own.
"I've been used too. Well, not exactly in the same way, but… there was a time when I felt like my life meant nothing. I was stuck on a ship, caring for a man who was practically dead. I thought about ending it all. In fact, I tried."
Ellen looked at her, surprised.
"You tried to… commit suicide?"
Anya nodded, looking down at her hands.
"Yeah. I couldn’t do it. Something inside me kept holding on to hope, even though I didn’t know why."
The silence between them this time wasn't uncomfortable. It was understanding, a connection neither of them had expected to find.
"I guess we're stronger than we think" murmured Ellen, a small smile appearing on her lips.
Anya returned the smile, feeling that she had finally broken through the walls of the engineer.