Inference

Inference
September 2015
Kodiak, AK, United States
Today he and Sasha Kaidanovskaya, soon to be his copilot, meet the man responsible for making their under-construction machine, Cherno Alpha, a soldier instead of a statue.
Already the man, this programmer, has a bit of legend about him. Fittingly, Aleksis thinks, as he built the operating system for Brawler Yukon in four months. Yes, yes, he led a team of coders, but the kernel, the heart of the software, is his.
Gottlieb'S expression registers that Aleksis' fingers linger a beat longer than necessary and the programmer leans back slightly to escape his touch ('contact averse').
The doctor reclaims his seat as the colonel leaves him alone with Aleksis and Sasha. He quickly and clearly explains the customization process for Alpha's software they will begin tomorrow. They will practice in the simulator while the doctor watches the core operating system for places where upgrades can be made to bring Alpha's responses as close to her pilots' as possible. He will also search for ways to input commands for the Jaeger's special weapons which will not disturb the flow of Aleksis' and Sasha's movements.
——He will make the three of us one,—— Aleksis muses.
The process takes several days. Once finished with Alpha, Gottlieb will begin again with the next Jaeger scheduled for completion, Triton Tasmania, and her pilots.
Aleksis' eyes widen at the punishing schedule and he comes to a decision. «Perhaps, Doctor, you will join us for a meal off the base?» Aleksis asks. «It is already nearly time for dinner.»
Sasha chimes in, «The colonel will pay,» when Gottlieb hesitates.
«It's alright, Doctor. We will feed you dinner, not eat you for dinner,» Sasha jokes, clapping a strong hand on the man's
upper arm and he replies with a nervous laugh and a nod.
They wrap themselves in coats—the doctor's much too light for the Alaskan autumn—and set out for a small Russian restaurant catering to local fishermen outside the boundaries of the base.
Gottlieb moves slowly, cautiously across the uneven sidewalks, depending on his cane for balance.
Aleksis and Sasha slow their usual brisk pace to match his and carefully position themselves to block as much wind as possible from reaching the doctor in his thin jacket.
Gottlieb drinks only a single vodka before the meal, saying more will cause problems with his medication ('chronic pain, anxiety, or depression').
Aleksis' respect for the doctor's strength grows. He not only fights Kaiju, but his own body and brain chemistry. ——This is a man I wish to know better,—— Aleksis thinks. ——He is truly remarkable.——
On the walk back to the base, Sasha links arms with the little man, gently taking up a share of his weight to make the trip easier on him.
The doctor says nothing, but expresses gratitude for both Sasha's help and her circumspection in offering it with a small smile.
Outside the door to Gottlieb's quarters, Aleksis drowns the doctor in a great embrace.
The little man goes absolutely rigid at the touch, before relaxing with a shaky exhaled breath and returning the hug. The doctor trembles in his arms, the tremor of a person desperate for affectionate contact.
Aleksis' heart breaks at the realization.
As he steps back, Aleksis flicks his fingers at Sasha in their old signal for her to follow his lead. They can, at least, provide another bit of touch before they go.
Gottlieb accepts her grip with something which might be resignation or may be relief.
They bid him goodnight and he closes and locks the door behind himself.
Back in their quarters, Aleksis speaks as he pulls off his clothes before sleep. «So what secret do you think our little hero hides?» he asks. «His body is wrong. His shoulder bones are wrong and there is a wrong texture on his back under all those clothes.»
«I felt,» Sasha replies. «What disease could be the cause?»
«I do not think it is a disease, Sasha,» Aleksis answers. «I think he has wings, like a bird. I could feel them move under my hands when I held him. The texture, the softness, is feathers. He wears some special garment to press them to his back to try and hide them.»
Sasha studies his face. «That is a bold hypothesis, Aleksis, even for a fantasist like you,» she says.
«It is the one that makes the best sense.»
«Yes, my brilliant bear, it is,» she purrs. «No surprise he is so nervous, then. That is quite a secret to keep.»
«It is a secret which must be kept. Many would hurt or reject him for this. Such an extraordinary man deserves better than that.»
«How do you think these wings came to be?» Sasha asks.
«Does it matter, Sasha? He is who he is and he is our friend, yes?» Aleksis says and Sasha nods.
«Should we tell him we know?»
«No, I do not think so. Telling him will make him feel unsafe and distract him from his work. We will keep the secret for him,» Aleksis answers.
«Then we will need to watch over our little bird,» Sasha declares. «There are far too many cats in this place.»
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