About the Book

Title Human Perfect

Author Kayelle Allen

Genre Science Fiction and Fantasy, Space Opera

Rating PG13

Publisher Romance Lives Forever Books

Editor Jean Paquin

Story length 16 pages

Human Perfect

In the android business, the best of the best are Human Perfect.

In this science fiction short story, for as long as she can remember, Christa has hated androids. The texture of plastiflesh skin and the non-smell of the animate machines jars her senses. Don’t even get her started on robots, or worse — the andys that look human. Her job as a corporate spy for the android maker Innersoul puts her in touch with the creatures every day, but also lets her judge them. When she runs into Humancopy Progress Rep Tom Karellys, she can’t believe her luck. Using a cover identity, Christa shares dinner with him, and the two discuss andys. It soon becomes apparent Tom is not what he seems, and Christa must decide whether he’s a trustworthy human, or merely… Human Perfect.

Includes a bonus sci fi short story “Upgrade This!” set in the same universe.

Buy links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1IpUYlM

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1wU48j1

Author Bio:

Science Fiction and Fantasy author Kayelle Allen is the winner of the 2010 EPIC award for Science Fiction, and the 2008 Honorable Mention for Science Fiction Fantasy. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr. Visit her 100+ page website and tour the Tarthian Empire where her current series unfold. Sign up for one email when her next book releases. http://authoralarms.com/Kayelle_Allen Sign up for the Romance Lives Forever newsletter, with free reads, giveaways, and news about upcoming books. http://eepurl.com/G3YND

Excerpt

Tom leaned back as the waitress brought their food. When she left, he bowed his head in what Christa assumed to be prayer.

“Tom, may I ask you a question?” She played with the stem of her glass, avoiding his direct gaze.

He sat back and folded his hands. “By all means.”

“Can andys pray?”

“Maybe the question is better asked, ‘should they?’ A monastery on New Terra ordered two andys from us to research texts. We made them appear to be monks.”

“But they can’t pray, can they?”

“They fold their hands, bow their heads, and chant along with the other monks. The leadership there wanted them to look like everyone else.”

“But to pray? That’s sacrilege, isn’t it?”

“We don’t know if they’re praying. They’re moving their mouths and saying the words. Does that constitute prayer? Ask the person next to you in church.” He dug his fork into his food and paused. “I can’t say. I’m not the one they’re praying to.”

“But andys don’t have souls.”

“Can’t be proven. Unless you’re one, of course.”

“Ugh, no!” Christa picked at her food, while he ate everything and devoured the rolls. Perhaps he didn’t travel much. To Christa, everything had that plastic stored-in-a-starport taste, but Tom seemed to relish every bite.

After dinner, Christa pushed away her plate. “So, are you?”

Tom blinked, brows furrowed. “Am I what?”

“Are you an android?”

He gave her a perfect, dazzling smile. “Can’t you tell?”

“No.” She folded her napkin. “If all your company’s andys are as good as you are, it’s no wonder people can’t tell them from humans.”

“Did I say I was an andy?”

Squinting at him, she chewed her lower lip. “You’re a tease.”

He laughed his too-perfect laugh.