Anuja

“My skin is soft and smooth and the color reminds me of rain-drenched earth. But it’s as if the darkness of it keeps Ma from noticing my assets: curly hair, a round face that makes babies smile, deep dimples in both cheeks, big eyes that notice details other people miss. I like my face, even if Ma doesn’t. I resemble Baba, and he’s got presence.”
― Mitali Perkins, You Bring the Distant Near

“ART said, What does it want?

To kill all the humans, I answered.

I could feel ART metaphorically clutch its function. If there were no humans, there would be no crew to protect and no reason to do research and fill its databases. It said, That is irrational.

I know, I said, if the humans were dead, who would make the media? It was so outrageous, it sounded like something a human would say.”
― Martha Wells, Artificial Condition

“I liked protecting people and things. I liked figuring out smart ways to protect people and things. I liked being right.”
― Martha Wells, Artificial Condition

“You dislike your function. I don’t understand how that is possible.”
― Martha Wells, Artificial Condition