Chapter 195: 195: Strengthening Family Ties (Part 2)
Opening the door to the garage, Don found Summer already waiting for him impatiently by the lead container. She had her arms crossed over her chest and her head slightly tilted. "Could you walk any slower?" she asked in a sarcastic tone, furrowing her eyebrows.
Don casually approached her, giving a light shrug as he smiled and responded, "Well, I'm in no particular rush, so why should I bother?"
Summer simply huffed irritably before snapping her attention to the lead container. "I wonder if this time it's a busty gardener," she muttered.
Don moved to stand beside her, ready to open the container. "Well, I wouldn't mind," he teased.
Summer gave him a suspicious look from the corner of her eye and said, "You better not have done perverted stuff with Winter while you were out."
Speaking of Winter, Summer's expression softened slightly as she paused, her tone shifting before she continued, "By the way…. what happened at the church, anyway? I almost thought you got yourself killed trying to be some hero or… whatever."
Don was about to use his biometrics to open the container but paused when he heard Summer. It seemed her previous chatter was just a way of rambling to get to the point—asking about what had happened at the church.
Given how frantic her initial text had been, he could imagine for a moment she must have thought he might've been among those who died when the news broke. He had assumed she had gotten over it after hearing he was fine, but now, seeing her mannerisms, it was clearly deeper than that.
'Still, I'm her older brother, so it's no surprise she's worried,' Don thought, 'Maybe I underestimated just how much everyone cares for Do-… me.'
After thinking this, he showed a slight grin, which caused Summer to look perplexed.
"What's with that smug look on your face?" she asked, annoyed.
Before she could finish making excuses, Don closed the distance between them and caught her in a surprise embrace, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her softly against him.
"Hey!" Summer exclaimed in surprise, not expecting him to do this at all. For a moment, she became stiff as a board, but she quickly softened as her cheeks turned a little red. "The heck are you hugging me for?" she murmured, trying to sound tough and irritated but coming across as more cute and confused.
Don pulled away slightly and looked down at her, then removed one hand from her waist, bringing it to her face gently, cupping her chin and making her look up at him. "Sorry if I worried you, little sis. I'll try not to make it a habit," he said softly.
Summer blushed even more deeply upon hearing these words. She felt embarrassed and was about to quickly reject Don's claim of her being worried, but instead, she just shook off the hand holding her chin and avoided his gaze, murmuring, "You… better."
'She's so stubborn,' Don thought with a chuckle.
Seeing that this was as far as he could take the moment, Don sighed inwardly and pulled away from her completely, choosing to redirect his attention back to the reason they were in the garage in the first place. "Could you move a bit so I can put in the biometrics?"
"Yeah, sure," Summer mumbled, almost seeming a bit disappointed that Don had pulled away, though she didn't say anything.
Her stubborn nature was why Don knew he'd get nowhere fast by pushing for something more in situations like this. Such things were better approached patiently and at the right moment with her.
In the same way as he had with Winter's container, Don put in his biometrics, and it opened in a similar fashion. However, when this particular container opened and mist began to leak out, filling the garage, the silhouette they could see beyond the mist wasn't that of a human but rather something more animal-shaped.
Once the mist faded and began to blow out of the garage, Don and Summer could see the android—and it was a dog with the appearance of a Siberian Husky.
Don was a bit disappointed to see that it wasn't another high-tech busty helper, but not so much so that he would actually complain about it.
"So, it's a dog," Don commented as he crouched down near the currently inactive android, which was in a sitting posture.
While he was doing this, he failed to notice the absolute look of glee plastered over Summer's face. Surprisingly, she looked even more excited than when she first saw Winter.
"A Husky!" she yelled, nearly at the top of her lungs.
Don quickly raised his head to look at her and replied, with less enthusiasm, "Yeah, I can see that."
Don's lack of excitement caused Summer to deflate, and she looked down at him with a huge frown. She crouched beside him and said, "No, you dumbass! It's a *H.U.S.K.Y*, a highly unified security K-9 android, beta-gen companion model. But they're like super rare because companies don't officially make them anymore—at least not the same way they used to.
These days, you can only find these types from dedicated robotics engineers. You know, those from VTEC. You can't just get one from joining—"
"Whoa, relax on the info dump," Don interrupted, raising his hand. "I just want to know if it's as powerful as Winter."
Summer took offense at Don's words and narrowed her eyes at him even more, poking him on the head as she said, "Of course not. It was designed to provide basic companionship and security functions."
Don pretended to nod in understanding. "I see. Basically, they were made to look after old people and children?"
"No, you dummy!" Summer started to explain, but before she could continue, Don raised his hand again to stop her. He had spotted something else in the container, right at the bottom—a pamphlet titled *Husky*, with an image of the very android in front of them plastered on the cover.
Upon opening it, Don could see details about the android, and they read as follows...
———
**H.U.S.K.Y** (Highly Unified Security K9 android)
**Model:** Beta-gen Companion Model
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**Overview:**
The H.U.S.K.Y android is an earlier generation robotic canine designed to provide companionship and basic security functions. Modeled after the Siberian Husky breed, it combines advanced robotics with user-friendly features, making it suitable for domestic environments.
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**Key Features:**
1. **Companion A.I:**
- **Behavioral Algorithms:** Programmed with advanced behavioral patterns to mimic the natural behaviors of a real husky, including playfulness, loyalty, and curiosity.
- **Emotional Recognition:** Equipped with facial and vocal recognition systems to detect and respond to human emotions, enhancing interaction quality.
- **Learning Capabilities:** Utilizes machine learning to adapt to the owner's habits and preferences over time.
2. **Security Functions:**
- **Alert Systems:** Features audio and visual sensors to detect unusual activities, emitting alerts through barking simulations or direct notifications to the owner's device.
- **Intruder Deterrent:** Capable of projecting a protective demeanor, including simulated growling and barking to deter potential intruders.
- **GPS Tracking:** Includes real-time location tracking for both the android and designated family members, enhancing safety measures.
3. **Interactive Technology:**
- **Voice Commands:** Responds to a wide range of voice commands for easy control and interaction.
- **Mobile App Integration:** Allows customization of settings, behavior patterns, and monitoring through a dedicated smartphone application.
- **Augmented Reality Projection:** Projects simple holographic images or indicators to assist in communication or entertainment.
---
**Materials and Construction:**
- **Endoskeleton Material:** Constructed with **Duratanium Alloy**, a lightweight and durable synthetic metal known for its resilience and flexibility.
- **Applications:** Duratanium provides structural integrity while allowing natural movement, essential for replicating canine agility.
- **Fur Layer:** Covered with **SynthiFur**, a synthetic fur material designed to mimic the texture and appearance of real animal fur.
- **Features:**
- **Soft Touch:** Offers a comfortable tactile experience for users, enhancing the companion aspect.
- **Hypoallergenic:** Safe for individuals with allergies, as it does not shed or produce allergens.
- **Self-cleaning:** Embedded with nanotechnology that repels dust and dirt, maintaining cleanliness.
---
**Limitations:**
- **A.I Complexity:** The A.I is less advanced compared to higher-gen models, leading to limited problem-solving capabilities and less adaptability in unforeseen situations.
- **Energy Consumption:** Operates on rechargeable battery packs with a limited operational time of approximately 48 hours per full charge.
- **Weather Resistance:** While resistant to light moisture, it is not fully waterproof and should avoid exposure to heavy rain or submersion.
---
**Background:**
The H.U.S.K.Y android was developed as an accessible option for families seeking both companionship and basic home security. Its design focuses on user-friendliness and affordability, sacrificing some of the advanced features found in higher-generation models.
Initially intended to be a widespread household device, production was scaled back due to competition from more advanced models and a market shift towards humaniform androids.
---
**Additional Notes:**
- **Maintenance:** Requires regular software updates and occasional hardware servicing to maintain optimal performance.
- **Customization:** Available in various color patterns and can be personalized with accessories.
———
"Wow, that's a lot of features," Don commented after reading the full details about the Husky. To be fair, they were nowhere near as impressive as Winter's, but to someone like him, who came from a world that didn't have anything close to this technology, it was still very impressive.
"Told you. Now quit stalling already and activate it," Summer urged, nudging him on the shoulder to stop wasting time.