Parent talk
[!0.987]2020-01-31

I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.

No, no. I'd rather hear the truth. Your feelings aren't going to be uncommon.

I'm not human. I'm an experimental animal. Almost all of my modifications are untested. My instincts don't mesh well with polite society. There's a remote that literally turns me off. I have a tail.

However, none of those is a reason to give up the pursuit of happiness. And to be honest, I consider the tail a plus.

Color by George Peterson

Parent talk
[!0.987]2020-02-03

Your life would be easier if there was a male Bowman's wolf around.

No, it would be harder.

Look at how many humans there are. What are the chances I'd find a wolf I get along with as well I do with Winston?

So if there were a male bowman's wolf around, you'd probably still be with Winston?

Yes. You've seen the covers of the old science fiction magazines. Non-humans always go for humans. It's the price you pay as a species for being drop-dead sexy.

Color by George Peterson

by Fluff Kevlar

Parent talk
[!0.987]2020-02-05

Winston and I haven't .. tested for full biological compatibility yet. I want to meet his parents first.

I don't want to be a wedge between them. I want his parents to know I will put in the effort to make this relationship work for all of us.

To start with, I'm traveling 260 million kilometers to meet them. That should put me near the top of the “She followed me home, can I keep her?” category.

Color by George Peterson

Parent talk
[!0.987]2020-02-07

That's why I worry about you. What are you going to be in this relationship? An equal or a pet?

I'm not a pet. I'm not an equal either.

However, I have the chance to be an equal. You took a vote. Robots and artificial intelligences are free citizens.

I can get married now. Before? The best I could hope for was a transfer of ownership papers.

Color by George Peterson

Parent talk
[!0.987]2020-02-10

You shouldn't have been put in this situation.

Why not? Genetic engineering has given me opportunities I never would have had as a regular wolf.

Not only me. Look at all the plants and animals that have prospered because of humans. Entire worlds have life because of you.

When you think about it, that's the human niche. You guys are the ultimate symbiont.

Color by George Peterson

Parent talk
[!0.987]2020-02-12

Well, if you need support with Winston or his parents, I've got your back.

Thank you. That means a lot to me.

It's still weird, though!

With terraforming and social change and robots and alien sqids, I'm hoping my time spent with Winston will be the least weird part of my day.

Color by George Peterson

Parent talk
[!0.987]2020-02-14

I'm going to wander
through the ship and
then hit the treadmill.

Have fun.

We have dozens of sensors and the ship looks after itself. I still like to stick my nose into everything while we're in flight. There's always the chance the automatic systems might miss something.

Wolves want to patrol their territory. It's nice when natural instincts align with habits that keep you alive.

Color by George Peterson

Parent talk
[!0.987]2020-02-17

When you're after shipboard problems, it's okay to have an unsuccessful hunt.

Color by George Peterson

Parent talk
[!0.987]2020-02-19

In my opinion, Benny Goodman's performance
of “Sing, sing, sing” really is the best
music to chase rabbits to.

Color by George Peterson

Parent talk
[!0.987]2020-02-21

Still
learning about accounting?

Yes. It's beautiful! There are so many ways to steal.

Tax havens. Shell companies. Offshore accounts. If you do it right, you can even get rich going bankrupt.

I used to dream of stealing a million dollars. So small-minded. In the upper sections of this world, the money streams are so huge that if I stole a million dollars, no one would even notice.

Color by George Peterson