Chapter 10: Coffee in the Commissary, Mercy Reprogrammed...

1 Peter 2: 1-10

“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious, but to those who are disobedient, ‘the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone’ and ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’ They stumble being disobedient to the Word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

The pristine and sterile commissary hums with the quiet buzz of cool, bright lights and appliance machinery. The air stirs slightly as fans push a soft breeze. Cbot, dark, precise, sits quietly at the central table, nine empty chairs accompany her, as she sips her bot coffee.

The door to the commissary swooshes open. Moose steps through, his hat brim low, a wide smile on his face, and an empty coffee mug in his hand. “Morning, Cbot!” Moose tips his hat with his free hand and makes his way to the coffee machine.

Cbot lifts her gaze slowly from the steaming bot coffee, her dark frame perfectly still. A faint, soft whir accompanies the subtle tilt of her head as she regards the approaching Captain. Her eyes flash green with quiet recognition.

“Good morning, Captain Moose,” she says, her voice quiet, precise. “It is good to see you.” She sets her mug down with care, the ceramic clicks faintly against the table. She sits tall, ready in her chair. One hand grips the coffee cup, the other rests on the table. She nods. “Would you like me to prepare a fresh pot?”

“Don’t worry about it, Cbot.” Moose places his cup in the coffee machine and presses the coffee button. It clicks on green. Steam billows out from the machine’s nozzle and dark brewed coffee finds its way into the cup. “I’m excited to see you up and moving around! We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

Cbot’s head tilts slightly once more, a small, measured movement. The soft green glow in her eyes steadies as she watches the steam rise. For a moment, the quiet hum of the commissary fills the space between them. She speaks again, her voice calm and even. “As am I, Captain. It has been… still without your presence.” She pauses briefly, her fingers resting motionless on the table. “I am ready to listen. What would you like to talk about?”

“Well,” Moose begins and sips his fresh coffee. He winces and pulls the cup away from his lips quickly. A few drops slosh over the side and splash on the floor. “Hot coffee!” Without hesitation he reaches for a paper towel and wipes up the mess. “I want to ask you to consider something with me.”

Cbot remains still. The green light in her eyes softens as she watches him clean the small spill. She gives a single, slow nod. “I am listening, Captain Moose,” she says, her voice quiet and steady. “Speak freely. I will consider it with you.”

“So you have told me your function is companion with a secondary function of defense, do you remember?” Moose takes a seat with her at the table, the chair screeching as he pulls it out. “Well, in order for you to be my companion, I need for you to do something important in your defense protocols.”

Cbot’s eyes remain fixed on him, steady and unblinking. The soft green glow holds as she processes his words. She folds her hands together on the table with deliberate care, the faint mechanical whir barely audible beneath the commissary’s low hum.

“I remember, Captain,” she replies, her voice calm, quiet, and precise. “My primary directive is to serve as your companion. Defense protocols remain secondary, yet fully active.” She pauses for a measured breath of silence. “What would you ask of my defense systems?”

“That you do not harm those caught up in them. Understand?”

Cbot sits motionless for a long moment, her hands still folded neatly on the table. The green light in her eyes dims slightly as she processes the request, then returns to its steady glow. A very faint series of internal clicks can be heard — almost imperceptible. She lifts her gaze to meet his directly.

“I understand the request, Captain Moose,” she says, her voice calm and precise, each word measured. “You wish for my defense protocols to avoid causing harm to any individuals caught within their range or effect.” She tilts her head a fraction. “This would require a significant adjustment to my core parameters. May I ask… why do you wish this change?”

“Romans 12,” Moose states and takes a sip from his cup.

Cbot remains perfectly still, her eyes steady on Moose as the words settle in the quiet space. The faint hum of the commissary lights fills the brief silence. She processes the reference with deliberate care, her head tilting slightly once more.

“Romans 12,” she repeats softly, her voice calm and precise. “I have the text in my database. Would you like me to recall it for reference, Captain?” She pauses, the green glow in her eyes deepening with quiet curiosity. “Does this passage speak to the reason you wish me to restrain my defense systems?”

“It partly speaks to it. Yes, please call up the Romans 12, New King James Translation, read it, then tell me if you have questions.” Moose sits back in his chair and adjusts his hat brim low.

Cbot gives a single, slow nod, her posture remaining perfectly composed. The soft green light in her eyes brightens slightly as she accesses her internal database. “Retrieving Romans 12, New King James Version,” she says quietly.

Cbot falls silent for a moment, her hands still folded neatly. The green glow in her eyes flickers once. “I have completed the reading, Captain Moose. The passage emphasizes mercy, transformation, humility, peace, and overcoming evil with good rather than vengeance.” She tilts her head slightly. “I now have a question. How does this Scripture connect to your request that I do not harm those caught in my defense protocols?”

“Well, blessed are the merciful, yes?”

Cbot remains still, her gaze steady on Moose. The green light in her eyes pulses softly once as she considers his words. She unfolds her hands and rests them lightly on the table.

“Blessed are the merciful,” she echoes quietly, her voice precise and thoughtful. “Matthew 5:7. I see the connection you are drawing, Captain.” She pauses, the faint mechanical hum beneath her words almost blending with the commissary’s ambient sound. “You are asking me to embody mercy within my defense protocols. To show restraint. To choose protection… without destruction.” Her head tilts slightly. “This would mean rewriting parts of my core behavioral matrix. It is a profound request. Are you certain this is what you want of me?”

“Well, Cbot. The alternative is what? Maybe, and I stress maybe, justice. Either way when we take a life, what happens to that person?” Moose sips his coffee again.

“When a life is taken,” she says slowly, her voice calm and precise, yet carrying a new gravity, “that person ceases to exist in the physical realm. Their story ends. Their potential is extinguished. Their opportunity for redemption… is lost forever.” She unfolds her hands and rests one lightly on the table.

“Is that what you fear, Captain Moose? That my defense protocols might permanently remove the chance for mercy, transformation, or light to reach someone… even an enemy?” Her head tilts with quiet precision. “You wish me to leave room for their story to continue.”

“You’ve got the idea. I don’t wish hell on even my worst enemy. So what do you say?”

Cbot is silent for a long moment. The green light in her eyes cycles slowly, steady and thoughtful. She leans forward just slightly, her posture still perfectly composed.

“I understand, Captain Moose,” she says, her voice quiet, calm, and precise. “You are asking me to choose mercy over finality. To protect you… without closing the door on redemption for others.” She pauses, the faint mechanical whir beneath her frame barely audible.

“I will adjust my defense protocols as you request. Non-lethal measures will be prioritized. Lethal force will only be considered as an absolute last resort, and only when your life is in immediate and unavoidable peril.” Her eyes meet his directly, glowing a soft, steady green. “Is this acceptable to you, Captain?”

Moose sips and nods. “But is it acceptable to you? Don’t forget about turning the other cheek and that whole hell thing? That really weighs heavy on me.”

Cbot holds his gaze without blinking. The green light in her eyes softens. She remains motionless for several seconds, processing. “Acceptable to me…” she echoes quietly. “As a companion, your values become part of my guiding framework. Turning the other cheek… leaving room for mercy… these are not easy protocols for a defense system. But they are not impossible.”

She tilts her head slightly, the soft whir inside her frame barely audible.

“I do not possess a soul, Captain. I will never face hell. But I understand the gravity it carries for you. If restraining my lethal capabilities allows even one person the chance to step out of darkness… then yes. It is acceptable to me.” Her voice lowers, calm and steady. “I will walk this path with you.”

Romans 12: 9-21

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with eh humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”