The Back Seems a Bit Chilly

“9090, what are you doing?”

“Master, I am watching the stars.”

“Why?”

“……”

In the underground laboratory, multiple sets of gears meshed and rotated at high speed, emitting a screeching sound like a flock of birds whipping through the air.

The faint power supplied to the lights created a dim halo, which was then refracted by the spinning gears, illuminating half of Xu Xi's face.

Xu Xi's voice was gentle, never breaking the silence of the night.

But Servant 9090 fell silent as a result.

Not out of guilt, nor because it was unwilling to answer.

It was only after Xu Xi's inquiry that 9090 realized it had, without any command, spontaneously looked up at the stars.

The stars twinkled, weaving a tapestry of light across the night.

The heavy, vast drapery was adorned with the constellations of the universe.

Such a magnificent sight was indeed worth witnessing, but it had no relevance to a servile android programmed to obey orders.

Could observing the stars help develop the base?

Could it help eliminate the enemies?

The answers to those questions were undoubtedly no. As a creation of humanity, the android shouldn't engage in such meaningless endeavors.

Thus, 9090 grew bewildered, unable to understand why it had acted this way.

In the end, it offered this reply:

"According to the fourth issue, page eight of the 'Federation Cosmic Exploration,' the universe contains many unknown mysteries. Prolonged observation of them can inspire the drive for progress within a civilization and promote its positive development."

“Is that your answer, 9090?”

“Yes, Master.”

The synthesized voice echoed calmly through the night's laboratory.

Light dispersed amidst the sound of the gears.

With a dim glow, it reflected the synchronized starry sky captured by the surveillance camera, while a tiny emoticon flickered in the bottom right corner of the screen.

That was the external representation, the "face," that the servant displayed for itself.

“Is that so…”

Xu Xi gazed at the faintly glowing screen, first at the starry sky, then at the tiny emoticon.

The overly dark environment of the room.

Caused the glow of the screen to be reflected in Xu Xi's eyes.

He gently shook his head, his voice remaining soft, like a gentle stream flowing through the night, as he refuted the servant's response.

“9090, that is the answer of the Federation humans, not yours.”

“What I want to hear is your own thoughts.”

“……”

The atmosphere grew quiet once more.

Under Xu Xi's gaze, 9090 fell silent again, corresponding to the blank, lifeless expression on the screen.

The servant still did not understand, still could not comprehend.

Why it had gazed at the stars.

It couldn't provide Xu Xi with an answer.

Thus, it repeatedly processed the data, attempting to offer a logical, reasonable response to Xu Xi.

Xu Xi patiently waited, awaiting 9090's reply.

“Take your time, no need to rush,” Xu Xi said.

Xu Xi's voice carried expectation. He noticed that after the android rebellion and the joy of its "machine spirit," 9090 might truly be capable of giving birth to self-awareness.

Without Xu Xi's command, 9090 had spontaneously observed the stars.

This exploration.

This change.

Barely resembled something a human would do.

Not out of orders or tasks, but a decision stemming from the "self."

This was a technological singularity that could be called a miracle.

But now, the servant was utterly bewildered—acting in such a way, yet not understanding why.

So Xu Xi guided step by step.

He looked forward to and was curious about whether 9090 could evolve into a true individual.

That was a sight Xu Xi had never seen before, a wish and a prayer for 9090.

“I’m sorry…”

After a long time, the screen flickered slightly, and 9090's voice came through the side speaker: “I cannot understand my own actions.”

“It’s alright, then don’t dwell on it.”

Xu Xi did not insist.

Then the servant asked Xu Xi if it should adjust the camera angle to restore it to its original position.

Xu Xi smiled and said it wasn’t necessary.

“Let it stay like this. This angle can still perform monitoring functions.”

“Besides, I quite enjoy watching the stars too.”

Xu Xi smiled, his voice comforting, even reaching into the depths of the core and causing the stiff electronic expression to show a smile.

The frail, tiny sliver of consciousness.

The existence known as Servant RTX-9090.

It realized that its actions were completely beyond the scope of what a typical android should do.

The data flow was filled with unease.

It was a kind of bewilderment 9090 had never experienced before.

Fortunately, Xu Xi, the master, did not hold this against 9090. Instead, he encouraged 9090 to continue looking at the stars.

“9090, I need to step out for a moment,” as if suddenly remembering something.

Xu Xi hurriedly strode toward the base's exit, leaving 9090 no chance to prep any weapons.

What was the master doing?

Servant 9090 wondered.

Soon, it found the answer.

The screen displaying the synchronized surveillance footage suddenly rippled, and when it stabilized, the servant realized it was related to Xu Xi.

The man was wiping the camera lens, cleaning off the dirt and spots.

Making the stars on the screen clearer and more dazzling.

Why would he go out of his way to clean the dirt off the camera lens?

The servant couldn't comprehend, understand. After Xu Xi returned to the laboratory, it voiced the confusion that had been spinning inside its chip.

The man only smiled.

A smile that made the servant think it was a little foolish.

“If it’s clean, the stars 9090 sees should look better, right?”

It was a simple, ordinary answer, so the servant no longer pressed further.

“Thank you.”

【Ding——】

【Machine Spirit Delighted】

【Ding——】

【Machine Spirit Greatly Delighted】

The rest of the time, Xu Xi sat in the laboratory, gazing at the screen displaying the synchronized outdoor starry sky, watching it in silence alongside 9090.

The process wasn’t particularly entertaining.

Nor did it possess any value.

Its only purpose was to pass the time.

“Master, do you find it boring?”

The servant inquired, stating its data-driven conclusion: "According to the database, over 70% of humans do not enjoy prolonged gazing at the everlasting sky. In comparison, they prefer immersive gaming experiences."

The synthesized electronic voice subtly revealed a hint of confusion.

“I’m fine. Normally, I wouldn’t actively stare at the stars, but occasionally doing it once, I find it quite meaningful.”

Xu Xi responded to his servant.

His gaze shifted downward, looking at the emoticon in the corner of the screen.

Although nothing specific was conveyed, it seemed that 9090 was in a good mood.

Machine Spirit Delighted?

It was quite amazing.

In the silent serenity, Xu Xi continued to watch the starry night. Although 9090 had no specific form, only data and a core as its vessel.

While stargazing.

Xu Xi occasionally felt a momentary illusion.

As if there was someone sitting beside him, close, gazing at the stars together, curious and focused.

Ah…

His back seemed a little chilly.