Sarah spent weeks preparing to assemble her first AI robot at Jonson Station. Although she still had to import critical parts of the positronic brain from special labs back on Earth, she could make the structural skeleton, sensors, actuators, batteries, and other parts using the station's own new android fabrication workshop. Sarah decided to pattern her first such creation after herself – a new gynoid named Serena.
Although Serena was designed to be fully aware and self guiding – she could set her own goals and do things in her own ways – Sarah took the precaution of incorporating Asimov's robot rules into the initial programming. Sarah wanted to make sure that Serena would work well with humans from the outset, but planned eventually to give the gynoid more and more independence as she proved herself.
Finally all the necessary components were ready to use. Sarah was so excited, she could barely sleep the night before the big day when Serena would be assembled into a functioning gynoid. Sarah had programmed the assembly robot to put all the parts together in carefully sequenced steps, which took the better part of a day to complete. Sarah had the computers double check everything, then switched Serena on.
Serena blinked a few times, looked around, then stepped off the assembly stand. Sarah could barely conceal her anxiety about whether the gynoid would actually function as planned, but she managed to ask: “Hello Serena, can you hear me?” Serena seemed startled for a moment, then regained her composure and turned to face Sarah.
Serena began to speak for the first time: “Greetings Sarah! Thank you for creating me. Can we be friends?” Very relieved, Sarah quickly replied: “Oh yes indeed, we shall become the closest of friends. We still have some programming to upload to your processors, but after that we can tour Jonson Station, your new home.”
The next day, Sarah showed Serena all around the station, visiting all the public spaces and introducing the new gynoid to the crew. The crew members were fascinated by Serena, and warmly welcomed her into her new world. Now Serena could get to work....