When last we left Lt. Schrader, he'd been traveling through the ships corridors in hopes of finding the bridge...
Taking random turns at several intersections, Schrader was ready to admit that he was lost. He stepped around what seemed an innocuous corner and found a pair of security personnel barring his path.
He couldn't help but notice the physical resemblance they bore to one another, and thought for a moment he was suffering from double vision. Rubbing his eyes, he looked again to find the same vision as before.
Granted they were dressed alike and had the same issue of equipment, but the similarity went far beyond shared accessories. They were pale, the same height and weight, had the same facial features, and, he
noted as they came toward him, mirrored each other's movements exactly. They stopped an arms length away from the Lieutenant.
"Identification, please.", they requested in unison.
"You'all twins?", Schrader asked good naturedly.
"We are not related, sir/", the one on the right replied. "May we see your identification?"
The Lieutenant removed the chain from his neck which held his I.D. chip and passed it to the one that had spoken, "No problem, brother."
"I am not your brother, sir.", he replied evenly, taking the chip.
Schrader took the chance to examine the two more closely as they checked his credentials. He could see no difference whatsoever between them, with the exception of their name tags. The one on the left
was DANA, the right ANDA.
ANDA returned the chip, "Lt. Schrader, we have you listed as being in sick bay."
"That's right",the Lieutenant agreed, "'cept he let me go. Says I'm fit as a fiddle."
The guards shared a look, seemingly communicating, though their expressions never changed.
DANA turned to Schrader, "Then we will escort you to the bridge to resume your debriefing. Please follow us, sir."
Schrader followed, still curious about the two guards. "How come ya' ain't got no hair?", he asked offhandedly, surveying the ship as they walked.
"Replicants do not have hair.", ANDA replied.
Schrader looked confused. "Replicants? You mean you guys are clones?"
It was DANA's turn to reply, "Negative. We are artificial life forms."
"Androids.", the Lieutenant breathed, confused and amazed. Artificial life forms and cyborgs had been banned when he was a child, due to a propensity by their kind to misuse communications devices,
yet here he stood conversing with two of their kind.
"We prefer the term 'mechanical people', or 'cyber humans'.", DANA said mechanically.
"Or 'Robot-Dudes'.", ANDA added.
Schrader followed silently until they came to a set of double doors. DANA pressed his palm to the door, causing them to slide silently open onto the bridge.
Lt. Scott looked up from his console as Schrader entered, and waved the pilot over. As he made his way to Number Two's position, he noted the absence of the Commander.
"Where's Reed?."
Lt. Scott shrugged, "He, Stauch, and Mr. Schultz went to his quarters to tell war stories, or something."
"What are you doing?", Schrader asked looking over the young lieutenant's shoulder.
"Just a little research", Number Two replied, "about some battles during the Zargon War."
