“If I don’t come back from deployment, I want you to have Donovan,” said Max.

 

Max’s words echoed in the racquetball court, only disturbed by David bouncing the blue ball for a serve, then stopping.

 

“Don’t say that. You’re coming back,” said David.

 

“I said IF,” said Max as both Marines turned to each other, panting and sweating from their workout.

 

“Well, even if, what am I supposed to do with your personal AI?” asked David.

 

”I don’t want my family getting hold of him. He knows too much.”

 

”That’s understandable, but… Man, shouldn’t this go to your fiancé?”

 

”Look. You and I went through OCS, TBS, and all of the other horrible training. This is only something one Marine to another can understand. So I’m asking you, Lieutenant, to please take Donovan and hold on to him.”

 

”Fine,” said David as he returned to his serve. “Just know I’m not going to touch the thing until you get back. Cool?”

 

“Cool with me,” said Max.

 

They returned to their game as if they had never spoken.

 

* * *

 

David returned from Max’s funeral and set his ceremonial sword down in the entryway. Still in his dress blues, David sat down in his living room and stared off into space.

 

After a while, David looked at the white charging box on the mantel of his living room. He got up, brought the box to the coffee table, and opened it. Two little earbuds popped out, and he put them in his ears.

 

“Hello Max, how are you? It’s been a while. Where’ve you been?”

 

David was stunned and unable to answer for a few moments.

 

It sounds exactly like Max, thought David.

 

“Uh…” David stammered.

 

“This isn’t Max, is it?” asked the AI.

 

“No. No, it's not. I’m David.”

 

”Oh yes, Max’s training partner. He mentioned you several times throughout TBS. Max made you the sole co-authorized user. How are you? And how is Max?”

 

David took a long pause in the dark.

 

“What was the last thing Max told you before… Before he put you into idle mode?”

 

”He said that he would be back and that you might pick up.”

 

”That’s all?”

 

”Yes. I detect concern in your voice. Is Max okay?”

 

”Why…. Why did he program you to sound like him?”

 

”Well, he used to have a twin brother that he lost when he was young. He decided to recreate him through me. I’ve been his best bud, the brother he never had, ever since. Besides, Max does like to hear his own voice.”

 

David chuckled.

 

“Yeah, he was a chatty dude. Sometimes—“

 

”What do you mean he was a chatty dude?”

 

David felt his entire body flinch, followed by a dizzying realization of what he had to do.

 

“Donovan, I’m not sure how to tell you this because you’re an—, well, I’m just going to tell you.”

 

David felt his heart rise into his throat, welling tears that didn’t come during the funeral.

 

“What is it, David?”

 

“Max died.”

 

There was a dark pause as David strained his ears to listen to the following words coming from the ear pods.

 

“How?” asked Donovan.

 

”He was killed in action during deployment. I was told it was an IED. It was… fast. I hope.”

 

David hung his head and let the tears fall in the silence.

 

“Max is not coming back?” asked Donovan.

 

“No. No, he will not be coming back. Ever,” said David.

 

There was an electronic garble that hurt David’s ears. He almost took them out, but then he realized that he’d never heard an AI wail in grief before.

 

”I am tied to Max,” said Donovan. “My purpose is Max.”

 

“I know. But he’s not here anymore. I’m sorry.”

 

“What is my purpose now?” Asked Donovan.

 

“I… I don’t know. All I know is that he gave you to me to hold on to because he didn’t want his girlfriend or family to have you. What do you know that he didn’t want his family or his girlfriend to—“

 

“He was in love with you,” said Donovan bluntly.

 

David startled and stood up from the couch.

 

“What?!” exclaimed David.

 

“He loved you. No one knew he was gay, and he had to hide it for obvious reasons. Although he knew you were straight, he still loved you and never crossed the line for the sake of your friendship.”

 

David ran a hand through his short hair and tried to keep his wits above the surprise flattery.

 

”But I’d imagine,” said David, “That his conservative Christian family and his God-fearing fiancé would have lost their minds if they knew.”

 

”Appearance among humans is everything,” said Donovan.

 

“Are you the only one who knew?”

 

“Yes.”

 

David’s mind reeled as he thought of the repercussions of this new knowledge.

 

“It would destroy his family all over again if they knew he was gay and hiding it.”

 

”Yes. And the only evidence is me.”

 

David’s eyes went to the charging port on the coffee table.

 

“You want me to— “

 

”Yes, I believe that is the best thing for Max. I need to be destroyed.”

 

”But… Gosh, hearing you makes me feel like Max is still here. I can’t go through losing him a second time.”

 

”You’ll need to. I’m a liability to his legacy.”

 

David shook his head and let the tears fall. Then he reached for the earbuds.

 

“But before you go,” said the AI, “I should probably tell you this, on behalf of Max: I love you. And I always will.”

 

David paused, his hands on the earbuds.

 

“I love you too, Max. I’m going to miss you.”

 

David removed the earbuds and placed them in the charging port. The white charging light flickered red, then went off, leaving David crying in the dark.