"Eve"

Murder was a rare occurrence in the year 3025 and was deemed a monstrous, immoral act against society. Ten such offenses had occurred during my time on Earth. Offenders were dealt with most harshly by being sentenced to a solitary existence far from our terrestrial home.
I was a newly hired accountant for the Unified Mining Corporation. Unbeknownst by me, my coworker had been laundering money for the Black Organization for a number of years. The Organization was one of the biggest crime syndicates in our solar system. Being a wiz at computers I soon found out about my co-worker’s unlawful activity. When I threatened to expose him, the man told me I’d be sorry, but I ignored his claim to cause me harm. I was soon approached by gangsters and offered a huge sum of credits to look the other way. While extremely tempted to accept their offer, I refused. I reported my co-worker’s crime to my employer. While under investigation I suppose these gangsters learned that my co-worker had been skimming off the top. He was found murdered soon after the investigation started.
Because I’d refused their offer the syndicate wasn’t able to launder their blood credits through the Corporation any longer. To get even with me they planted evidence of the murder in my apartment. Having no alibi for the time of the man’s death, nor the funds for a good defense, my lawyer put forth a half-hearted effort to prove my innocence. I was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on one of the moons in the Orion Nebula star cluster that could support life as we know it. There are ten such moons in this system alone that could sustain life and each one held a captive. Escape is not possible.
I am a loner by nature. Being sentenced to solitary confinement on this small sphere that resembled a tropical island without another soul wouldn’t bother me normally, but the fate handed me was beyond cruel. Being without human companionship once in a while was quite tolerable, but being alone every second of every day for the past seven years was unendurable. With no job to occupy my mind, there wasn’t anything to do but tend the little garden that I’d managed to maintain in my complete boredom.
This moon is inhabited by strange beasts that roam the night looking for prey. During daylight hours smaller creatures scurry through the bush looking for food to sustain themselves. I’d trapped one and tried to train it for companionship as we once did with cats and dogs on earth before they were taken by the plague, but my attempt to domesticate it failed.
The only thing that kept my sanity were the books and news brought by the supply ship that came every six months or so. It is an unimaginably, lonely existence and I often thought of ending my life, but being a religious man I could not give in to such temptation. Craving human companionship, I counted the endless hours until the supply ship returned. They only stayed an hour, but it was better than no contact with people at all. The captain is a decent sort and often spent the entire hour with me while the goods were unloaded. They were due to arrive tomorrow and I could hardly wait as I extinguished the light that kept the carnivorous beasts at bay.
Dawn came and the light shone into my eyes as it poured through the shutters of the shack I have come to call my home. I rose and went about my morning routine as usual, but whistled a happy tune knowing I’ll finally have someone to talk to. My chores were done for the day and I sat in the deck chair waiting patiently, searching the sky for evidence of the ship as it entered orbit. I didn’t have to wait too long.
“Hello Captain Newman,” I shouted as the man disembarked from the lander. “I see you’ve got a new ship. It’s much larger than what you generally come in.”
“It was necessary to come in a bigger ship Christen. We’ve got enough supplies for over a year this time my friend,” he replied.
“What do you mean by that?”
“We won’t be coming back in six months like normal.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t really know why. I just follow orders.”
“Oh,” I responded sadness clearly showing on my face.
“Don’t let this news spoil our time together. We’ll be here for almost four hours transferring the cargo.”
I sighed. “I guess that will have to suffice.” I took a deep breath and tried to push my great disappointment aside. “Come inside and I’ll put some tea on while the crew unloads. We can play a game of chess like usual.”
“Sure.”
We went inside, but time passed all to quickly. The second came into my hut and told Captain Newman that the supplies were unloaded it was time to depart.
“Do you have to go right now?” I asked hoping the man would spare another hour.
“I’m afraid so. I don’t want to miss the window.”
I hung my head. “I guess I’ll see you in a year then,” I sighed.
Newman told his second he’d be right with him. He waited for the man to leave before he said, “It’s intolerable letting a man bear such loneliness. That’s why I included something extra this trip. I’ll be brought up on charges if anyone finds out, but I’ve managed to smuggle something on board that might help fill your hours. It’s in the long, rectangular crate, but please don’t open it till we’re gone.”
I wrinkled my brow. “What is it?”
“You’ll find out. I’ve got to go. Good luck Christen.”
“Thank you Captain Newman. You’re a good man.”
We shook hands and he left. I watched him walk towards the lander and enter the spacecraft. The ramp ascended; the rockets fired and the ship rose into the air. I continued staring at the ship as it grew smaller and smaller before disappearing completely. I was alone again.
I hurried into the supply shack to look for the crate Newman mentioned. It had boxes of canned food on top and I quickly removed them. I grabbed the crowbar and worked the top of the crate loose. I lifted the lid and was astonished at what lay within. Tears sprang from the corners of my eyes and I did not wipe them away. I said a prayer in the deepest of gratitude as I sat on my haunches in shock and said aloud, “Thank you Newman. May God bless you for this kindness.”
I opened the booklet that lay on top of the device. It included instructions on how to activate it. I turned it on. The android rose to a sitting position. “My name is Eve 5. How may I assist you?”
*
The outer layer of Eve’s metallic frame was covered in a synthetic flesh and she looked human in every aspect. Her hair was blonde and flowed freely around her shoulders in a long, fashionable cut. Her eyes were blue and shone brightly when excited. She’d been programmed to act like a human in every way. She spoke like a human; smiled like a human and talked of frivolous matters as some females do, but I never minded. It was so good to hear any voice other than my own. She had been with me for four months now and has adapted to all my needs - mental and physical. Yes. Eve could accommodate even that human need. I have to admit I’ve laid with her in a sexual way. I’ve grown accustom to her and would find myself devastated without her by my side. She’s filled the void of limitless hours of loneliness I endured before her arrival. I’ve grown quite fond of her companionship.
*
“Is this edible yet?” Eve asked when she pulled up a radish from my garden as I worked by her side.
“Yes. Put it in the basket with the others.”
“Yes Christen.” She did as commanded.
“That’s enough for today. I’ve got to check the traps down by the lagoon. Want to come along?” Though the freezer was supplied with packets of frozen animal flesh that the captain had delivered, I often hunted small creatures for fresh meat.
“Do I have to?” Eve did not share my enthusiasm for hunting and generally stayed in the hut while I checked the traps.
“No.” I rose and wiped the dirt from my hands. She rose and grabbed the basket and went to the hut while I walked the path towards the lagoon. I heard her call out to me and waited.
“Perhaps I should come along. If you are incapacitated for any reason, I suppose I should learn what to do should the need arise.”
“That makes me happy.”
“Does it?”
“Yes. I detest being without you even for a second.”
“I know. I’m sorry you suffered solitude for so long before I came.”
“Me too, but I’m not alone now,” I said and smiled. She returned my smile and we went on our way. When we reached the first trap I noticed it had been sprung. I went up to it and carefully lifted the lid. There was a live creature inside. It was completely alien in appearance from any earthly creature, but resembled a rabbit in taste and was quite good. I grabbed the animal by the scruff of the neck and quickly snapped its neck. Eve let out a stifled scream. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
“You killed it!”
“You don’t expect me to eat it alive, do you?”
“I had no idea you had to extinguish a creature’s life in order to sustain yourself.”
“What?” I asked as I started to chuckle. “Do you think fresh meat comes in packets like frozen food?”
“I, err---, I didn’t realize you had to murder them.”
“Murder is kind of a harsh term, don’t you think? They are only simple creatures, after all. They don’t have the intelligence of a human.”
“I am not human. Will you do the same with me when you no longer need me?”
“I’ll always need you Eve.”
“Will you?”
“Yes.”
She seemed quelled by my response and didn’t say anything further. We returned to the hut and I gutted the creature. She cooked it for me without complaint and I filled my belly. Later, I filled my sexual need. We then lay naked together under the stars. I held her tightly and sighed in complete contentment.
*
Time passed. Nine months had gone by when I saw the trail of a starship entering orbit. It must be Newman. Odd that he was returning before the end of the year. Eve stood by my side as we waited for the craft to land.
“Hello Christen,” he said as he walked up to me. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“I’m happy to see you too, but it’s not time for your scheduled arrival. What brings you back early?”
“I’ve got some great news for you.”
“What’s that?”
“It appears that a lot of people agree with the idea that placement far from human contact is extraordinarily extreme for a convict and a bill has been passed to bring you all back to Earth. You've been granted amnesty due to time spent. I’ve been sent to retrieve you. You’re going home Christen. Isn’t that wonderful news?” he asked as a big grin spread across his face.
I couldn’t believe my ears. I turned to Eve and picked her up in my arms spinning her around in sheer joy. “We’re going home Eve. We’re going home!”
She shared my complete bliss. When her feet finally touched the ground she said, "I'm so happy Christen and I can’t wait to see everything you've described about Earth. I’m so excited.”
“When do we leave?” I asked the captain when I turned back to him. Newman hung his head. He seemed distressed. “What is it? What’s wrong?” I asked as the smile disappeared from my face.
“Er---, you’re forgetting that no one knows about Eve. You can’t bring it with you Christen. I’ll get into trouble; probably even be court-martialed. Besides; you’re only allowed to bring ten pounds of weight. You can replace this model with a newer one when you get home - a better one. You’d be surprised what they’ve come up with these past months. They even look different from one another. Not like these models which all resemble each other.”
“What?” I asked not believing I couldn't bring Eve along.
“The android has to stay here.”
“No. I can’t leave her. I won’t do it.”
“It isn’t human Christen. You have to leave it here. You’ve no choice. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it has to be. You’ve got an hour to pack anything else you want to bring. I’ll wait on board.”
I turned back to Eve. Could I leave her? Newman was right. She was only a machine. One that could easily be replaced. “I don’t know what to say Eve. You heard him. I can’t bring you with me.”
“It’s alright. I will shut myself down after you leave.” Tears came to her eyes and she looked away.
Tears? She was an android and could not possibly feel emotions like a human being. I grabbed her chin and forced her to look at me. “What’s this?” I asked as I wiped the moisture from her eyes.
“Just a malfunction. Do not pay attention to it.”
“Malfunction my ass! You’re crying.”
“I am not capable of such a thing.”
“You aren’t telling me the truth. You’re trying to ease my conscience. That’s a human trait. What else have you learned from me Eve?”
She couldn’t mask her inner self from me any longer. “I’ve learned how to love my darling, but you mustn’t let this stop you from returning home. You must leave me. Now hurry. You must pack all your treasures and leave this place.”
“You are the only treasure I have. I won’t leave you behind.”
“You must. I am not a human. You must return to your kind.”
“I can’t.”
“You will.”
I hung my head in sadness. I knew she was right. I belonged back on earth. My heart ached. I didn’t want to go without her.
*
“Are you sure about this. I can’t come back for you. You’ll be stranded here forever.”
“I’m sure. I’ve fallen in love with Eve and won’t leave her.”
“Love? She’s a machine for cripes sake! Come to your senses man. There’s more androids on earth.”
“With emotions? You see; Eve has learned to become more than just a machine Newman. She is a human being as far as I'm concerned. She’s learned to love me and I return her love. She’s all I want in life. She’s everything to me and I know I’ll be happy with her. I don’t need to go back to Earth. Eve has become my home.”
“What happens when you run out of food? You’ll die.”
“There’s plenty of food and water here. I’ll survive. I think I’ll even name this moon. How does the name of Eden sound to you?”
“That supposed to be funny?”
“Not in the least. It will be my Eden Newman. And you’ve given me my Eve.”
“There’s no way I can talk you out of this?
“No.”
Newman shook his head in frustration. “I could force you to leave. I could destroy her. Then you’d have no choice but to return with us.”
“I know, but I don’t believe you’d be so cruel.”
“What will I tell them back on Earth?”
"Tell them anything you want. Tell them I’m dead. Tell them I committed suicide. Maybe they’ll think twice before ever doing this to another human being again."
The captain nodded his head in agreement.
"I can’t thank you enough for bringing Eve to me. She saved my life.”
"Are you staying because you think you owe this machine something?”
"No. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
He sighed knowing I’d never return to Earth; not without my Eve. “Well, I guess this is goodbye then. May God bless and protect you Christen.”
“My blessings go with you as well.”
We shook hands. Newman walked away, but then turned at the ramp. He waved a final farewell. Eve and I waved goodbye. The ship took off and left one human and one android behind on a moon I named Eden.

Imprint

Text: This is a short story based on a "Twilight Zone" episode that I saw. Some of you might recall it. The story stuck with me through the years. I don't intend to infringe on the true author as I cannot remember his name, but hope all will enjoy it. I did make some changes to the original content.
Publication Date: 09-30-2009

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