Character Name: Zen (Full name NRIC System Android DSE-4 Series, default designation "Zen" - designation may be changed by user, please consult manual.)

Age: Appears mid-20s, actual age, 30 Terran Months

Owner: Vis-Ion

Current Posting: The frigate Novensiles, specialist areas: piloting, communication, medicine.

Service History: Constructed at Nova Roma Imperium AI Plant on Nova Roma colony, 2268. Purchesed by Vis-Ion Corporation, 2269. Previous posting: Pilot, Euphrates mining hauler 2269-2271.

Operating system upgraded with medical chipset at commencement of current posting.

Warranty valid until month 10, 2273. Refer all major repairs to NRIC Insurance Division. Any attempt to re-write operating system, or replace copyrighted components, will invalidate warranty. For replacement of limbs, and installation of optional attachments, refer to user manual.


Details: Congratulations on the purchase of the NRIC System Android DSE-4 series deep space exploration unit! Combinging the very latest in rapid-response software with the finest pseudo-human design available! The DSE-4 series can not only handle all day to day domestic duties to service the needs of a crew of any size on a deep-space mission, but it can also provide essential cryo-sleep support, and is programmed to respond to any change of situation you might imagine. The DSE-4 can pilot your vessel while you c-sleep, and you will arrive on time - every time!

The DSE-4 unit can be upgraded extensively using the latest micro-chipset technology, and with a failure rating of only 0.0002%, you can be certain that your new android crewmate will never let you down!

What's more, the DSE-4 series now comes with the most advanced emotional simulation package available for any NRIC android! With over ten years of continuous development and research, the DSE-4 series can simulate an extensive range of human-like responses, including the ability to recognise sarcasm, fear, and even produce a pseudo-human facsimile of empathy. Androids have never felt so human!

(Humour and negative responses are deactivated as default. Please consult manual to activate. Optional chipsets providing an extensive list of anecdotes, jokes, and proverbs available from NRIC store.)



The Reality: Zen is a perfect example of what happens when a marketing department is given far too much leeway with the truth. Yes, this android may be equipped with the very latest in software patches, but she (it? nobody is ever sure what pronoun androids deserve) is still quite obviously not a human being. Yes, she looks human, and moves like a human, but the skin has an odd sort of sheen to it. The eyes dilate mechanically, and not always at appropriate times. She blinks far too infrequently. And any emotional response is merely muscle movement. A smile never touches the eyes. Like most androids, the result is a figure that radiates so many subliminal negative signals that it is far too creepy to enjoy being in her company. She just gives out an aura of being a mechanical little sociopath.

Her design is excellent. She is small,  so she can better fit into tight spaces for repair work - or to be put into storage. She is not imposing, which was a negative factor many earlier models incorporated. People feel less threatened by a small, pretty girl. That is the theory. Clearly, whoever invented that notion never spent any time with a small, pretty android. If anything, they're even creepier.


Character History: After creation and activation, Zen was bought by Vis-Ion, who in turn hire their androids out to the crews who are working for them on commission. The corporation likes to have one of their own on board, and androids are extremely trustworthy. Zen seems to do her job well. Of course, there is the question as to whether she has some ulterior motive programmed into her by Vis-Ion, but so far, she has done her job with considerable efficiency. Yes, she still doesn't fit in, as androids seldom do, but she has given nobody any cause to believe she is in any way suspect. She does her job, she helps without complaint, and is undoubtedly an asset. Given how expensive she was to build, and the rather steep cost of hiring her, that should be the very least the crew could expect!

But she is so... damn... creepy! Whoever programmed the body language needs to rethink their approach. It mimics human behaviour with a precision and timing that might look good on paper, but is utterly inhuman in production. It is just wrong! And to have a diminutive little weirdo wandering the ship is enough to make everybody uncomfortable.