#note to self: don't forget to upload this to your carrd

[my-timing-is-digital]

BEST FRIEND OUT OF THE BOX

This AU is based on the latest 20th Century Fox film Ron's Gone Wrong, a film about a friendless boy, Barney Pudowski, who finally experiences friendship through his "defective" B-Bot, Ron (it's a superb film with a powerful message; I highly recommend). However, I tweaked my AU a bit so that it could fit the Trek verse, although it doesn't necessarily have to be situated in the Trek verse, but I'm lazy, so I just used the information that is already readily available to me.

Somewhere in the future, there are two humongous and successful tech giants that both produce artificial beings for the sole purpose of entertaining and helping humans (aka simplifying life). You've got B-Bots: small, capsule-esque robots that are specifically designed for children and are basically talking iPads on wheels. And you've got the A500 synths, which are primarily purchased by adults, because they are useful for assisting with chores, groceries, and other domestic activities. And then, there's this small, independent company that is, financially, holding on by a thread, and desperately tries to sell (and the purchases are very sporadic, almost rare) Soong-type androids. The Soong-type androids are the precursors of the A500 synthetics, because the CEO, Bruce Maddox, appropriated the blueprints from Noonian Soong, and was considerably faster in the production of his androids than Soong. Furthermore, Maddox was subsidised by the government, while Soong was shunned and declared a senile scientist with delusions of grandeur.

However, just like the present, in the future, there will be various segments denoting one's wealth, and those who can afford the more expensive B-Bots, or the even more expensive A500s, ridicule and humiliate those who cannot afford this particular state-of-the-art technology. After being the centre of derision for the gazillionth time, the recipient of the humiliation decides to get themselves either a B-Bot or A500 synth. Unfortunately, but not entirely unanticipated, they discover that the costs of high-tech robots and androids far transcend the amount of money they have in their bank account. And when the shop assistant working for either one of the firms casually drops the suggestion that they should try Soong's androids, they travel to the other side of the country. They eventually end up purchasing one of his androids, either because they're really desperate and want people to stop judging them for something they don't own, or because they pity the cyberneticist.

To be honest, it doesn't matter, because soon, they will come to the realisation that befriending a Soong-type android is so much better than owning a mass-produced item everybody has. And sure, the Soong-type android does not have access to the Bubble Network and thousandth of applications, they aren't rigged out with the latest technological advancements and the sterile professionalism of the A500s. But the android is friendly, polite, intrinsically curious, prone to babble a lot (he has access to an infinite database and loves to talk). He is intelligent, obliging, creative, good with pets, eager to participate in (recreational) activities his owner enjoys to submerge themselves into, and above all, his ultimate objective is to become the best friend you have ever had.

Naturally, he can only develop and become proficient at the majority of the aforementioned traits and skills if he is granted the opportunity to explore them. He's a quick learner and a bit quirky, but he will always be there for you! He'll show you that less expensive doesn't always equals bad quality, because in the end it's the fun you had with him and the memories you made that count.

And there will probably be an A500 malfunction, to spice the AU up a bit (and to stay true to their tragic story arc). :)