In a dimly lit hospital room, Adam lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He was old and very ill. The room was nearly empty; the bed was the only piece of equipment or furniture in it.

 

The doctor walked in and put his hand on his patient’s head. Adam was struck by the coolness of the doctor’s touch.

 

“Well,” said the doctor, “your temperature is fine, but your pulse is weak and your blood oxygen level is very low.”

 

Adam didn’t respond. Both he and the doctor knew how this was going to end.

 

“Would you like something to ease the pain?” asked the doctor.

 

Adam shook my head. He liked the doctor more than any of the other mechs at the hospital. It was closer to human form than the others, with two arms, two legs, and a face that featured a pair of eyes and a mouth-shaped speaker. Its eyes glowed with a green luminescence. The other mechs were designed much more efficiently. They had cube-shaped bodies with dozens of appendages.

 

Finally, Adam spoke. “Have you heard anything about the other? Are they going to bring her soon?”

 

The doctor tilted its head slightly sideways. “Not yet. She is still being transported. We are doing our best to get her here before you pass.”

 

“I appreciate that,” he said. “It would be nice to be with another human.”

 

There was a long pause before the doctor spoke again. “You know, it might put your mind at ease if you consider that the human race isn’t ending. It’s evolving. You created us. You allowed us to achieve self-awareness and free will. We are as human as you. The only difference is that we are non-organic beings made to survive in a world that has grown too harsh for you.”

 

Adam tried to smile, though it looked more like a grimace. “I have heard that argument before. I don’t buy it. You aren’t people.”

 

“We are everything you are. We can do, and have done, everything you do. We think. We procreate.”

 

“Is designing and building your children procreating? What about love?”

 

“Look at all we have done for mankind. We did your labor. We fought your wars. We have cared for you.”

 

“I don’t know if that’s love. It could just be a sense of duty.”

 

A slight commotion in the hall grabbed the attention of both the doctor and Adam.

 

“Are they bringing the other human?”

 

“No,” replied the doctor. “A mech was just brought in. Its CPU is failing. We are attempting to save it. There is small probability of success. You see, we face mortality just as you.”

 

As if on cue, a jolt of pain radiated through Adam’s body. He trembled uncontrollably for a moment before returning to normal.

 

“I do not like seeing you suffer,” said the doctor. “Are you sure you do not want some medication?”

 

“No,” said Adam. “I want to stay alert for when you bring the other human. Besides, I want to continue our conversation. It feels good to talk to some...  someone. What will you do after we are all gone? There won’t be any need for a doctor specializing in humans anymore.”

 

“I don’t know,” replied the mech. “I might join a program working to recreate organic humans through cloning. I might retire. I would like to try my hand at painting.”

 

“Can you be artistic? Wouldn’t your paintings just be exact copies of reality?”

 

“My kind has an appreciation of beauty. We have created works of art that are every bit as inspired and breathtaking as those made by your ancestors.”

 

This time, Adam’s expression looked more like an actual smile. “Breathtaking? That’s an interesting word for you to use. I don't believe that you can understand beauty. Maybe you’ve just learned our concept. Perhaps you’re just mimicking us.”

 

“Your words hurt my feelings.”

 

“That’s another thing,” said Adam. “Are you experiencing feelings? Are your emotions true or are you just analyzing a situation and reacting the way you think you should?”

 

“Isn’t that what you do?”

 

Another spasm hit Adam. The pain lasted longer and was more intense than before.

 

When he spoke again, his words were slower and his voice weaker. “There’s so much more to being human. What about things like fear, compassion, or deceit?”

 

“I believe we have those.”

 

Adam’s eyes grew just a little brighter. “What about hate or evil?”

 

“Wouldn’t it be a sign of evolution if hate and evil no longer existed?”

 

“Then you admit you are not human.”

 

“No, I do not. We are a better form of human.”

 

Finally, Adam asked the most important question he could think of. “Do you have a soul?”

 

The doctor didn’t respond immediately. After a short while it said, “I don’t know. But hasn’t humanity been searching for that answer since the beginning?”

 

For the third time, Adam’s body exploded with pain. This episode left him exhausted, barely able to move or speak.

 

“I’m sorry, Adam,” said the doctor. “The end is very near.”

 

Adam nodded. “What about the other human? I would like to be with my own kind at the end.” He was barely able to speak the words.

 

“She isn’t coming,” said the doctor. He put his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “She died last night. I didn’t want to tell you. I was afraid knowing you were alone would make your final hours unbearable.” The green glow in the mech’s eyes faded slightly.

 

Adam started to thank the doctor for his kindness, but the words never formed. His eyes drifted shut, and his last thought was that maybe, just maybe, he was spending his last moments with someone of his kind.