Apocalypse Shelter Administrator
Chapter 84: Third-Generation Androids (1)

Third-Generation Androids (1)

After confirming that Jinsoo had fallen asleep, Artemis, Chloro, and Rose gathered for a meeting.

Their location was the robotics facility within the shelter, where all kinds of autonomous machinery, from robots to drones, are researched and developed. This facility is nearly as essential as the fusion power plant. It supplies the military strength to defend the shelter, the reconnaissance power to gather intelligence, and the labor force to maintain and repair the city—all of it originates here.

Today, something very special was to be created. Something that could topple a nation more easily than a mighty army, steal critical secrets, and fuel the endless labor that drives society. This, of course, was a woman.

In the most secure room of the robotics facility, an operation was underway.

[Process complete] Announced Artemis.

Inside a large incubator lay Chloro’s second-generation body.

Hissss—!

The incubator opened, releasing a thick cloud of steam that briefly engulfed Rose, who gave a quick signal that she was unaffected.

Chloro tried to respond, but only managed to mouth silent words.

[Ah, looks like there’s an issue with the vocal cords. Adjust them per the installation instructions.] Artemis instructed and relayed real-time scans of Chloro’s new body.

“I… can… speak now…” Chloro’s first words were a rusty, metallic whisper. “I can speak,” she repeated, her voice now stabilized, clear and melodious.

But although her voice was restored, her body was still… unusual. As she touched her neck, webbing spread between her fingers, and her pupils elongated vertically, giving her an almost reptilian look. Her skin was a blend between fair, Nordic tones and a sun-kissed tan, forming a sensuous contrast. Visible across her thigh, side, and chest were her serial number and manufacturing codes.

[Your skin modification feature is erratic. Reset it. Do you need me to handle the adjustments for you?] Artemis suggested.

“No, I can do it myself,” Chloro replied, shaking her head. She closed her eyes, and her body gradually normalized, removing the webbed skin, reptilian pupils, and other markings.

Left in her new form, she was a striking beauty: golden hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. She possessed a blend of youthful innocence and mature allure, like a young woman on the verge of adulthood. Hers was a face that would fit better wandering with a basket in a mountain village than gracing the streets of a bustling city. This was Chloro in her new, third-generation body.

[How does the new body feel?] Artemis asked.

Still sitting in the incubator, Chloro clenched and unclenched her hands, adjusting to the sensations in her new limbs. The new codes within her body promised endless possibilities. She could almost see vivid scenes of the new, enthralling interactions this body might facilitate.

“It’s perfect beyond words. Thank you so much for this incredible gift.”

Chloro stepped out of the incubator and bowed slightly in gratitude. Goosebumps covered her arms and thighs—not from cold, but from the body’s advanced capability to simulate human skin responses to environmental changes.

[The new body is complex, with a lot to learn and understand. If you’re not careful, it could malfunction, causing some rather unpleasant issues—or even potential dangers. Do you understand?]

Chloro nodded. This new third-generation body allowed for skin modification, but she understood the message not to seek out Jinsoo until she had full control over it. However, the thought of waiting felt agonizing with a body like this.

[You’re free to go now.] Said Artemis, seemingly reading Chloro’s thoughts.

The best way for Chloro to familiarize herself with her new body was to use it as much as possible. She bowed in thanks once more and left, intending to visit the cultural facilities and android maintenance area to continue adjusting.

“Artemis, are you sure?” Rose asked.

[What’s that?]

“I thought this upgraded body was designed for you.”

Rose could see that the third-generation body held endless potential. It didn’t quite make sense to her why Artemis would offer it to another rather than use it herself.

[Everyone has their own standards to aspire to. I still need time to reach mine. This body is only a stepping stone on that journey—one that I’m more than willing to share.]

As Chloro’s now-empty incubator was being cleaned and prepared, Artemis added, [Besides, I’m generous. It’s no big deal to share a sweet potato with a curious puppy. Isn’t that what family is all about? Don’t you agree, Rose?]

The question held an unspoken nuance, as though asking Rose if she, too, desired a new body. Artemis’s words took Rose back to a recent memory—one of meeting Jinsoo upon his return from an expedition.

***

"We've hit the jackpot! With the Black Hawk, there's no place we can't reach now."

He beamed as brightly as a child receiving an expensive gaming console on Christmas. He looked almost naive and innocent, a demeanor at odds with his age.

“Look at you, Rose, actually smiling like that.”

"What…?"

Quickly connecting to the security camera feed, Rose was able to see her own face.

Warm. The only way to describe it was as if blood coursed through her cheeks. It was an expression too tender for a doll. As she marveled at her reaction, Jinsoo had come right up to her and pulled her into a sudden embrace.

Caught off guard, she stood there, arms open—neither rejecting nor fully accepting his hug. After a brief hesitation, she quietly placed her arms around his back. But almost immediately, Jinsoo released his hold.

"Oh, sorry."

He sniffed at himself.

"I forgot I just got back from the canal. Ugh, I reek of that rotten water."

Before he could react, Rose placed her hands on either side of his face and kissed him. Despite the odor, she pressed closer, even as he tried to pull away. For every step he took back, she took two forward. Her mouth filled with a sweet taste in response to the kiss.

Surprised by the sudden impulse welling up inside her, Rose didn’t resist; instead, she let herself go with the flow. Her tongue slipped between his lips, exploring within.

"Haaa…"

Slowly, she pulled away. Jinsoo looked at her with a mixture of amusement and surprise. He knew Rose could become bold once her engine got going, but the contrast to her usual prim manner still took him by surprise.

"Ah, that…" After a brief pause, Rose spoke. "It was a sugar supplement. You've worked hard."

She took a few steps back and bowed slightly, but Jinsoo pulled her back into a strong embrace. And they spent quite some time there together. This was only a short while ago.

***

[Rose, it’s your turn now.] Artemis's voice broke through her reverie.

"Huh?"

A live feed streamed to her, showing Chloro happily bouncing down the hallway. She was clearly thrilled with her new body.

[Won’t your current second-generation body fall short? Being compared not by role but by capability can be surprisingly hard to bear.]

Artemis recalled the time when the moon exploration project was canceled in the U.S., and she was assigned to various tasks to make up for lost costs—everything from legal and accounting work to architectural design, even counseling the dating lives of female researchers.

Through those experiences, she saw how painful it was for people to be compared to others, professionally or personally. Though, of course, she felt it was irrelevant to her own flawless self.

Hissss—!

The incubator Chloro had just left whirred back to life, preparing to accommodate a new body.

[So, what do you think? Only enough flexible skin material remains for one more body. If you don’t want it, I’d like to use it for other research.]

The materials for creating a third-generation body were precious; missing this chance would mean a long wait for the next opportunity.

[Just so you know, Kiz isn’t interested. She prefers the boundless freedom of cyberspace and gladly agreed to let you have it.]

Rose, despite the breach of etiquette, analyzed Artemis’s vocal patterns. The same as usual—just “tolerance” and “pride.”

“…”

She didn’t hesitate long. With a smooth motion, she loosened her tie. She removed her blazer, shirt, and pants, neatly folding them and stacking them in one place. Then, she placed her black panties, bra, and stockings on top.

Finally, her dress shoes lay beside them. Softly, quietly, now fully bare, Rose walked barefoot into the incubator.

“Please take care of me.” She clasped her hands over her chest as she spoke.

[You’re in for a treat.]

With a soft chuckle, the incubator closed. And so, another third-generation android was about to come to life.