Xaviers!

"Some sort of 'memory unzip' code, got it," Natalie says, digging deeper into the code.

"Basically, yes."

Ashlie works in silence for a while, which in her current situation means her presence is essentially unfelt if it wasn't for Natalie's mutation picking up on her. After a while one of the robotic arms approaches, sliding along the ceiling and carrying the synthetic skin that is Natalie's new face, filled out a bit here and there and with new, blue hair attached to it.

"Ready to try it on?"

"Give me a moment," she says, getting to a stopping point in coding the memory module. "Okay, let's try it on."

The arm moves and begins attaching the skin. It's slow going, making sure everything is sitting in the right positions and all the various connectors are attached to ensure the tactile sensor-grid is working properly. Finally the last bit slides into place, the seam between skin pieces attaching to each other with a magnetic seal.

"And we're done."

Natalie grabs control of one of the cameras and turns it to look at herself, tilting her head this way and that, "Yeah. Yeah, I like this. Great job, by the way."

"Glad you like it, though I mostly just followed your design directions."

"Wouldn't have been possible without your help. If I can get this modular memory stuff working, we should be set to move to finishing up the suit." She ponders for a bit, "Should we install a charging system in my room or should I just count on staying in the Point for the time being?"

"I'll see about getting one installed in your room. Until then you'll have to make do with the one in the workshop."

"I imagine I'll be spending all my free time in the workshop for the foreseeable future anyway, so it's not like there's a great rush. I've already ordered some better fitting versions of my current clothes online, so at least I don't have to go shopping for those."

"There's a lot of work to be done. But do try to give your mind some rest occasionally, even if your body doesn't need it right now."

"I may have to figure out 'sleep' at some point, even if I don't get tired. I guess I get to test that bit about androids dreaming."

"A tricky conundrum without the proper physical signals, though you might be able to emulate some of them."

"Emulating a dream cycle could be a nightmare," she says with a chuckle, "but mimicking dreams might just be another form of simulation."

"It's data processing and problem solving. In a way. A very... convoluted, metaphorical and abstract way if I understand it right."

"That's more or less what it is. If it becomes absolutely necessary, we may see if one of the telepaths could induce me to sleep."

"If they can interact with your mind, which is a very interesting question."

"Add that to the list of questions we'll need to answer eventually. Probably low priority though."

"Indeed. In the meantime a dedicated rest period during which you process, compress and store memory data is not a bad idea to help with the storage limitations."

"You know how fond I am of stopping work," she says, "But you're probably right."

"Even I occasionally recharge and run maintenance routines." Ashlie chuckles.

"I'll have to figure out how to tell people I guess. Especially since I'm technically still in the infirmary."

"That'd probably be a good idea, yes. I updated the infirmary about the situation, but the rest is up to you. Easier now that you have a face of your own."

“I guess I’ll figure it out as I go. See how people react first. Hopefully they’ll react better now that it’s my face.”