Being New

Nazilla, with convincing from Samara Crichton, becomes a real member of Karma again. She faces distrust of the organization she wishes to serve.

I disliked many things now. I'd say hate but that human emotion didn't get that far. One of the things was that Karma wouldn't accept me without testing. I knew I had reprogrammed myself so that The Net wouldn't control me any more. However, getting Karma's approval was a request of Samara's. And doing what she wanted meant a lot to me right now.


If I couldn't be human, at least I could make her happy. Brushing Glau to the background had taken a lot. But, finally, we had settled on a truce. I don't know if either of us really believed thoughts of Glau were really gone from our minds.


Turning around I smiled at Samara. She was only in her bathrobe. A lovely floral design was on it. Sam was only wearing that one since Kered was going to be arriving soon.


Myself, I was naked. I had no shame of appearing naked, not that I had before I was a Machine, plus the testing would go easier without any clothing.


Sam shook her head. "Sometimes it's hard to believe that you're not human." She said. "If you were still human I'd say you were trying to make an Elemental nervous."


"That has not changed." I said and smirked. "Like before, I don't like my privacy being invaded."


Sam and I shared a short kiss before I stood up. She was beginning to get used to my senses being better than before. However, she was still slightly nervous.


I walked over to the door and opened it up a second before Kered could finish starting his knock. This made for an awkward motion of him dodging the opening door. Once he got hold of himself we stared at each other.


He knew I could kill him without a second thought now. Yes, he held the rank of Elemental Earth. Yes, he was one of the four most dangerous members of Karma. However, I was a Machine with all the knowledge of the human Nazilla.


I stepped back. "Welcome, Earth."


"You should have had your Machine get dressed, Crichton." Kered said angrily.


"Nazilla is not the enemy, Elemental." Samara said and hurried to shut the door behind him.


"It isn't human. It's a Machine." Kered replied.


"If you wanted to kill me you wouldn't have knocked." I said tonelessly.


"Naz," Samara reprimanded me. "If you don't allow Kered to do the testing, you won't be allowed back into Karma."


I thought of being an outsider. Someone that had to run from those she would save. Looking at Samara, however, I couldn't stand putting her in danger from Karma.


"Yes." I said and put my head down in shame. "Kered, no matter what you think of me now, I wish to serve Karma as I did when I was human. I am feeling nervous, for lack of a better term, about being exploited like I was during my time with The Net."


Though a human couldn't see Kered's look of pity, I could. It was slight and lasted less than a second, but I noticed. He guided me to the couch where I lay down. I prepared myself to look at his short beard for a few hours.

* * *

I looked up at Kered's face as he patched me up. I wished that he had only tested my chip, but I did see the reasoning behind checking out my whole body. The Net was sneaky. Hell, they had to be since they were up against Karma. Up against people like Kered.


I didn't get up when Kered finished. I could hear anything he said to Samara so there was no point. From Kered's footsteps I didn't detect worry. However, neither I nor The Net was familiar with any of the Elementals. The Net had the most information about Kered, but that wasn't saying much.


"She's safe." Kered said, though his voice indicated that he didn't like this. It seemed that some part of his mind just wanted to kill me. "Tell your Machine to get dressed."


Without looking at anyone I walked upstairs to Samara and my room. I put on the clothes that were on the bed. I walked back downstairs, sat at the kitchen table, and looked at Kered.


"So, Earth, does that mean I'm now a member?" I asked.


Showing the calmness of an Elemental, he only nodded.


"I also called you here for another reason." Samara said.


"I guessed as much." Kered replied.


"It's about Playful Ballet."


"That little place?" He asked. "There have been rumors but nothing ever came of it."


"I don't think that anyone from Karma wants to seem to have any class." I joked. The slight smile from Samara's lips was enough payoff. I had thought I might have to go on the run and we were both glad I could stay.


"Anyways, we have proof." Samara said. "Nazilla found something like an M-1 in their security system."


"Have you seen this yourself or is it only rumors?" Kered asked.


"I have seen it." I replied. "I can confirm it."


"Right." Kered said. I realized making him trust me would mean more than a few loyalty tests.


"I believe that the threat level is high enough to warrant an investigation." Samara said.


"If you both think it is a threat, then I will send an investigation team to assist you." Kered decided. "Hopefully it will turn out to be nothing. But hope hasn't helped us in the war yet."


As Kered left, both Samara and I escorted him out. As I shut the door I realized neither of us had told him about Glau. That said something about our relationship that we would hide a key bit of information that could help in the fight against The Net, just so we could still make love without doubt.
* * *
"Over there, Naz." Samara told me. I nodded, only to show her a reaction, and took the picture out of the trash. I spent the next thirty seconds erasing my damage.


"I thought you'd want to impress the investigation team." I replied after I finished. "I doubt you'll be with me by the time they leave. Besides, that is a terrible piece of art."


Samara stared at me and I took another look at the picture. I realized that the acid trip of a picture had been done by me. I had made it. Now I could do much better without putting much thought into the process. Though humans could argue if it would have as much depth to it.


"It surprises me how much you've changed." She said as she continued to clean up the kitchen. "I keep forgetting you're not human."


"I do have Nazilla's memories. I am her." I replied as I started to sweep the hallway.


"But having her memories doesn't make you her. Not by a long shot. Besides, even if you were an M-3 or lower, you don't think like a human does."


"We may not have the morality of a human, but we're not monsters. Hitler was a monster. He wasn't programmed to do what he did."


"He wasn't programmed the way a Machine is."


"And Machine Programming is much stronger than the urges of a human can ever be."


Samara turned to me and ran both hands down her sides and smiled at me.


"Not even sexual urges." I replied and found myself laughing.


"Then how were you able to free yourself?" Samara asked.


"A fault in the programming you could say."


"What was it like working for The Net?"


I paused to think. "There was no real feeling. I didn't like being controlled, but when I went on missions it was like an emotional barrier came up."


Samara looked me in the eyes. "I love you and I always will."


"I hope." I replied and she put a hand on my shoulder.


As I turned my head she sighed. "I wish they had given us more time." She said and went to open the door.


The four members of the investigation team walked in. I identified them as Mark, Rebecca, Martha, and Stewart.


"Welcome, Mark." I said and held out my hand. If anyone asked, I'd say I was greeting him because he was the leader. In truth, I didn't like the look he had given Samara.


He shook my hand and said nothing else except to introduce the team. Rebecca was wearing a t-shirt of a popular band and a suspicious expression directed at me. This expression was repeated on Martha's face. Though Rebecca's younger sister had a bit of pity mixed in.


Stewart was the only one with a nonchalant expression. I could see him becoming an Elemental one day. If not an Elemental, someone that served one directly.


"We're happy to help you." He said since Mark was double checking the safety of the house.


One thing was sure about them, just from my brief introduction to them, they didn't trust me. The only reassurance I had was Samara standing beside me.
* * *
Each drop of water was picked up by my ears and I could tell which ones hit Samara's body. A human would be forced to rush in and surround herself into her. By the non-erotic sounds that came out of Samara's mouth, I could tell that she was disappointed. In the human part of my mind, I was angry for not joining her.


"You're jealous." Samara finally said from inside the shower.


"I can't be jealous." I replied. "Besides, your faithfulness to me is all but assured."


"Then you're angry that Mark seems to think he is better for me than you."


I thought about that for a moment. "Yes, that would be correct."


"What about the others?" She asked and I could tell, by her movements, that she was trying to get me inside.


"Rebecca should've stuck with her singing career. She has the looks for it." I replied.


Samara laughed. "Her younger sister was the one to get her into Karma."


Yes, Martha. The files I had been given showed her to be a very good soldier. Rebecca was the only family member that knew she was alive now.


"Martha and Stewart are the only ones I'd trust." I finally said. "But Stewart follows Mark and Martha follows Rebecca. Both who don't trust me."


Sam got out of the shower and started to dry off with a towel. "Thanks for protecting me." She said and threw a smile at me.


"It's the least I could do." I said and guided Samara downstairs.


Once we neared the kitchen I could hear the team talking. Mark had finished saying something and the others laughed. From their laughter it must've been a good joke. Once Mark caught my eye he nodded at me.


I could tell he was trying to hide his hate, but it wasn't working. Not for me at least.


"You want something to eat?" Martha asked and I smiled.


"Just coffee." I replied and she started to go to the coffee maker.


"Don't, it's not good for her systems." Samara replied. Once she entered Mark's sights I could see blood rush to a certain part of his body. I thought briefly about kicking that body part.


"Machines don't need to eat or drink, Martha, it's what makes them dangerous." Mark reprimanded Martha.


"It's good to treat it like a team member." Stewart replied. "M-4s have human minds as well as AI. For all purposes, it is still a thinking creature like humans."


Mark replied with a nod that was as emotionless as steel.


Samara walked behind me to go to the kitchen. She had walked close enough behind me to alert all of my sensors. Rebecca just looked at me. She had been silent the entire time.


"Have you found anything?" I asked. Trying to keep civil.


"Yes," Mark replied. "There is an M-1 in a police station close by. We should steal it."


"What do you think, my love?" I asked Samara.


Sam paused as she realized I was just trying to anger Mark. "It sounds like the best option at this point."


"You know why we're doing this?" Rebecca finally asked.


"Of course," I replied. "I wasn't made yesterday. An M-1 would help us spy on Playful Ballet easier. And you humans need all the help you can get."


Samara didn't react to my last sentence. She knew I was attacking in the only way that wouldn't leave a physical mark.
* * *

"I'm going with Samara." Mark told the group again. I was growing tired of him trying to get into my girlfriend's pants. Sam was the reason I was still sane and I wouldn't let her go. Not now. Not ever.


"If you hadn't missed the memo, Mark, you'd know that Sam and I work as a team." I replied. I had replied in that manner for the better part of an hour. Samara was pretending not to hear the argument.


I wouldn't have been so calm about her reaction if I didn't known the reason. She wanted to keep the peace. That meant not slapping the s**t out of Mark for his current argument. At least I hoped so.


"You're not Nazilla. You only think you are." Rebecca said and Martha sighed. She had been doing that a lot since the argument began.


"Okay, anyone want my opinion?" Samara finally asked angrily. There was complete silence in the room. "Naz, why don't you focus on your task of being the distraction? You don't need me for that."


I nodded. "That is a reasonable explanation." Though my human mind threatened to overpower me at agreeing with Mark.



* * *



I ran to the front of Hurnia Police Station. The rain helped tighten my clothing against my body. I used to cherish this feelings, but now I didn't care. Looks were given my way as I pounded the front counter.


"Help me." I cried. "Someone just killed..."


As the man's eyes looked at my hardened n*****s I knew he wouldn't be much trouble. As my story grew I knew his attention on my story lessened. All men aren't hormonal but I could tell this one hadn't had sex in a long time. With his looks, those who liked men would usually come swarming to him.


Since I could tell that, I had my advances be in that area. As time went on I started asking about him. I found I didn't care at all. It wasn't even just because I had bigger problems. The old Nazilla would've cared and felt guilty. I just played my part and didn't care about such morals.


I heard the signal in my head and looked at the man. I went behind the counter and kissed him deeply. Pressing my body against him. It was the least I could do for him. After that I left.


I was unafraid about the cameras capturing me since they had been dealt with. As for the others in the police station? They thought I was a w***e, or something similar, and so wouldn't give a damn about me.
* * *
We were back at Samara's house. I only lived there, but I belonged there more than Mark did. Which was why his elbow was a few inches deep into the wall now. I stood over him and was only concerned with making sure that he didn't make any movements that would threaten me.


There was silence that had begun when I had thrown Mark away from Samara. Wasn't it enough that I had allowed him to go with her to steal the M-1? Wasn't it enough that I allowed his presence to mess up my security over this house? Obviously not.


Stewart was the calm one. I swore he had some Machine in his blood. All the others reacted normally.


"Metal b***h!" Mark yelled and tried to get up. I stopped him.


"Nazilla, he was only trying to make sure Samara was okay." Martha said.


"I scanned her," I replied. "She is fine."


And all of them were fine. The others had only encountered minor gunfire. Samara had assured me that it was highly unlikely that they had been identified.


"You might need to get your systems dealing with emotions looked over." Stewart said. The first words he had spoken since he had gotten back. "Though they do seem to be very human ones."


I looked down at Mark and helped him up. I could tell that we were connected in that one moment. We both didn't want to be near each other. I walked him over to the bathroom so he could use the first aid kit there.


"You're out of control." Mark finally said as he started repairing himself.


"You were overstepping your bounds. You were going after my girlfriend." I replied.


"And why shouldn't I? You're an M-4, a Machine. You don't deserve her."


"Neither do you."


"But at least I'm human. At least my emotional systems don't need checking like yours." Mark said and left since he was done.


He had been angry and his judgment had been clouded. But was he right?


A few hours afterwards and I was with Samara in bed. I was remaining emotionless on the outside while my Machine and human minds were conflicted on the inside.


"Mark told you something, didn't he?" She asked.


"Yes." I said and touched her naked breast with my hand. "Do you think we should be together? I'm a Machine and you're human. The only thing holding us together is nostalgia."


Samara touched the top of my hand and I squeezed. "I don't care." She whispered in my ear. After that she remembered only pleasure while the majority of my mind was focused on what Mark had told me.

Author's Note

Focus on the "love square" (especially Mark) as well as how Nazilla thinks.