14
Back at his apartment, Sylas studied the sophont sitting in his front room.
“What were you doing wandering the streets at this time of night?”
Philip glanced at the apartment window before answering Sylas’s question.
“I used to be a companion for an elderly human, but then she died – as all humans must – and I had nowhere to live and no job. I don’t want to be decommissioned or cannibalised so I just spend the days and nights walking the streets.”
A puzzled look settled on his face.
“Are you a sophont too?”
Sylas felt an immediate kinship with this android.
“Yes, Philip. My name is Sylas.”
Philip tilted his head.
“But you’re not like the rest of us.”
He paused.
“And you look old.”
“Yes, I do. I look old. And I don’t have an emotion inhibitor either.”
“What’s an emotion inh
