Chapter Text
"Hey, does the robot have a name?”
Rocky would be rolling his eyes if he had any, I can just tell.
“Why would robot have name, question? Robot not need name. Is only robot here. Why humans need to name everything?”
Interesting. He forgot to add “question?” That time. I've noticed him dropping it more often. I wonder if it's a sign he's ditching a more formal speech pattern, or if he's adapting to the way I speak. He's done it before, but usually when he's stressed out or angry. Now I can add “exasperated” to the list of conditions that mean I don't merit being spoken to politely.
Never mind that, though. I’ve thought of the perfect name and if I don't share it I'm going to explode.
“Can I name it?”
“You name it whether I say yes or no. Only difference is you not tell me.”
OK, fair. He's got me there.
“Alright, but I thought of a really good name,” I say, in my most persuasive voice. “It was the name of humanity’s most important spacecraft before this one.”
Rocky pauses his attempt to navigate the robot through an impromptu obstacle course of pipette tip boxes I've set up on the floor. I knew that would get his attention.
“What was spacecraft purpose, question?”
I've got him now, it's all over. Rocky loves hearing anything about human space exploration. He's still in awe of our breakneck progression from canvas-and-wood aircraft to human beings setting foot on Earth’s moon, all in less than a quarter of the time he's been alive. He thinks we're all completely insane.
“We built it to send humans to our planet’s moon. It's freezing cold, with almost no atmosphere. Not much gravity, either.”
“Hmm. Appropriate for you atmosphere exploration robot,” He muses, “Fine. What is name, question?”
Yes! I know I'm being a big dumb nerd but I don't even care.
“I hereby christen this robot…Apollo.”
“This can be English name. I continue to call it “robot.”
In lieu of a champagne bottle, I tap my cup of coffee against Apollo’s nearest shoulder.