"Julian Lang."

The teenager groaned. He had been expecting this. They always switched up after a week. But these attempts at trying were annoying.

"Doctor Hubert is going to be in charge of your sessions from now on." The nurse nodded to the man with a bit of hesitation. "We expect you to be more compliant."

Julian tilted his head, letting the grafted tubing and wires that replaced natural hair fall in his face. It was supposed to be unsettling, seeing electric blue eyes flash menacingly behind these copper and steel attachments. But this guy didn't show any discomfort at his appearance.

"Thank you very much." The tall man smiled brightly. "Would you mind giving me and this gentleman a moment?"

The nurse left, locking them in. Julian just stare down this new person. Doctor Hubert wasn't unlike the other stiffs that came in here, from the looks of his black slacks and rubber sole shoes or even is navy blue button down with a black tie hidden under the white lab coat. Even his hair was generic, cut and styled to the side like he was trying to be cool. He did have an earring in one ear, though.

Interesting.

"So, Julian." The teenager tilted his head back as the doctor sat down across from him, the device on his wrist blinking as it records the session. "I know what you have done to the other doctors. I've listened to audio tracks, and I understand. You don't like this, you think that your perfect the way you are."

Here we go. He's going to go on the lecture that has been given so many times. How predictable.

"But why?" Doctor Hubert continued, his eyes trailing over every detail as he watched his patient as they spoke. "Why join the resistance? Do you not believe that we are here to help you? Or... Are you just a rebel in need of a cause?"

"Look." Julian sighed, rolling his wrists under the straps that forced him to stay in that seat. "You should know better than to ask that. Humans are weak. We are meant to be more, but then again, technology created us into these hive minds that only listen to the Main Hard-drive. And after a little time, we will be obsolete and turn into just mindless drones. Have you looked at the world lately? So much idle things, so many lives lived and then just pop out of existence without a care. Just work and work and die and be forgotten as we listen to our Leaders as they keep us from seeing what we are becoming. So, this rebel prefers to not be named The Last Free Will Generation. Does that answer your question?"

"Actually yes." Julian scoffed as Doctor Hubert shifted on the couch. "I find it rather fascinating how you see the world around you. And I'm so happy you opened up that window me to see into your head. It's quite easy how fast people can open up when angry."

"Oh really?" The teen rolled his eyes, sarcasm thick in his voice. "It's not like I've said this so many times before."

"Oh." The older man seemed surprised. "Have you? I haven't heard it in the audio files. Maybe the other doctors forgot to upload those? I'll have to look into that later."

"What?" It took a moment to realize what he was saying. "Dude, sarcasm. Are you thick?"

"Well, slightly." Hubert chuckled. "After all, aren't humans just a mass of thick layers of-"

"Oh my god." Julian banged his head back into his chair. "You have to be kidding me! You don't get sarcasm and metaphors? What are you?! A robot or something!?"

The man blinked a few times. Then a smile formed on his lips as he chuckled. He clicked off the audio recording wristband and stood up.

"I'll see you later. I think we can work together tomorrow." Doctor Hubert opened the metal door and leaned against it. "We got to know each other pretty well today."

Julian groaned as the door shut and the light hanging over the door turned green. The straps undid from his wrists and he was able to get up and stretch his arms and legs. This was going to be very annoying to pull off if this guy was going to be this thick and dense. He looked young though, early twenties maybe. How could he not get sarcasm?

The next week it went like this. Same time, same place, same routine, save for how undeniably dense Doctor Hubert was. No matter what Julian tired to get this guy to just leave him alone, he kept staying and making comments and asking questions to 'better get to know the Julian in front of him'. It was frustrating to the point that this was going nowhere. But then again, he still had things up his sleeve.

"Hey, Doc." Julian greeted as the young man walked in, this time dressed in a bright pink shirt and white tie to match his white pants and shoes. Julian motioned his head to the straps over his chest, wrists, and legs. "So, planning on maybe getting them to take the restraints off?"

"Sorry, Jules." Doctor Hubert smiled apologetically as he sat down. "Policy can't be changed sometimes. Not unless we get more information on the Hacker Movement."

Julian rolled his eye as he shrugged. Like they would get anything from him at this point. He quickly switched topics.

"You actually took to heart my comment yesterday hu?"

"Oh yes." Doctor Hubert laughed. "After all, we both agreed that anything to help you get comfortable with talking to me was essential to all this."

"I'm totally surprised you chose pink." Julian leaned forward in his chair, the electrical current in his modified eyes sparking curiously. "That's considered a gay color."

"Oh, I am aware." Doctor Hubert waved a hand dismissively. "And to quote a rather outspoken individual: Fuck conforming to other's ideas."

Julian was surprised. He had said that a few times, but he didn't expect this guy to actually take it to heart. Julian gave a low whistle.

"Gutsy." The teen flicked his head to the side to try and get the wires out of his face. "Whoever said that must be a genius."

"Well, yes." Hubert chuckled, standing up and making his way over. "I believe he is, as well as determined, brave, and rather charming when he thinks he's being...."

Hubert's words trailed off as he pushed back the wires from Julian's face to behind his ear. Julian didn't miss the slight tint on his doctor's cheeks as he quickly removed his hand and turned away.

"You know..." Julian noted teasingly. "It's not professional to fall for the patients."

"It's not, I agree." Hubert sighed as he sat down. "But then again, we aren't exactly cut from the same cloth as everyone here."

"Wooow." Julian laughed. "Someone's getting metaphors now? Oh, the man can be taught."

"Well, it took some convincing." Hubert let his smile fall just a bit. "After all, they don't want me getting to... bold."

"Bold?" Julian tilted his head a bit, curious. "You sound like someone who is starting to question the system. Careful. You could end up like me."

Hubert sighed, leaning back in his chair after taking off his jacket and tossing it to the side. He looked up at the horrible cement ceiling and just watched it, not speaking for seemingly hours. But Julian kept his eyes on his Doctor, quiet for once.

This was new for him. He never did this. Ever.

"You know." Hubert finally broke the silence. "They plan on killing you tonight if you don't comply."

Yep. That would explain it.

"Yeah." Julian sighed, leaning his head to the side. "I figured it was getting to that time. Can't hack my systems, hu?"

"No." Hubert sat up, distress in his eyes. "And willingly tellings us is getting nowhere. They're thinking of using the serial codes on your mods to shake down the Hacker's assets."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Cause I'm your Doctor." Hubert ran his hand in his hair as he looked away. "And I don't want to lose my first patient."

"You know...." Julian shook his head. "Crazy idea here... Why don't you defect?"

"What?" Hubert looked back at the hacker, his eyes wide. "You...?"

"I know, stupid." Julian sighed. "But we could use a doctor."

"I want to." Hubert slowly whispered after a long silence. "But..."

"But what?" Julian pushed against his restraints. "What's the problem?"

Julius stared as he lifted his hands and unbuttoned it, revealing what was underneath. Words were lost as the shirt fell back to reveal all the working mechanisms and stainless carbon plating. Julius felt so stupid for not realizing sooner, but the heartbreak in his eyes was human even if Hubert wasn't.

"I'm afraid it's not in my programming." Julian smirked. "What?"

"I can change that."

The End

~~~

With a passion for writing and perseverance to stay with the story as long as it takes, she tries her best to finish what she starts. Imagination is her compass, and the Dream of becoming a well known fantasy and science fiction writer is her map as the universe of pages and ink is laid out before this young author. Soon enough, this dream will be a reality, starting here.