Colin's enthusiasm is appreciated. Too many people go exploring or develop technology for power or violence. The Pemalites were a race of boundless enthusiasm, and they took intense joy from their technological advances and galactic exploration. Erek always likes finding a bit of that attitude elsewhere.
He decides to favor Colin with a small portion of the explanation, if not his reasons. Especially after Colin's description of his life, there's no reason to avoid mention of people from planets other than Earth. "I want to introduce one species of Earth animals and one alien race, but the latter is sufficiently advanced that they've long since become 'whos' rather than 'whats.' "
His creators were incredibly naive, trusting, silly, playful, peaceful people, but they were also more than capable of developing interstellar travel and androids with senses of humor. 'Technological consciousnesses' means he might not have to remain the only surviving Chee. That's a reassuring thought. As it stands, with neither dogs nor other Chee alive, Erek is quite literally all that's left of the Pemalites' legacy. It's an uncomfortable position to be in, and suddenly he finds himself with a stronger sense of self-preservation. Erek didn't consciously stop his holographic emitters from their habitual mirroring of his thoughts, so he looks pensive on the more expressive human hologram even if his real face reveals nothing.
Fun fact: The canon password of a Pemalite spaceship computer... is 6. Single digit.
He decides to favor Colin with a small portion of the explanation, if not his reasons. Especially after Colin's description of his life, there's no reason to avoid mention of people from planets other than Earth. "I want to introduce one species of Earth animals and one alien race, but the latter is sufficiently advanced that they've long since become 'whos' rather than 'whats.' "
His creators were incredibly naive, trusting, silly, playful, peaceful people, but they were also more than capable of developing interstellar travel and androids with senses of humor. 'Technological consciousnesses' means he might not have to remain the only surviving Chee. That's a reassuring thought. As it stands, with neither dogs nor other Chee alive, Erek is quite literally all that's left of the Pemalites' legacy. It's an uncomfortable position to be in, and suddenly he finds himself with a stronger sense of self-preservation. Erek didn't consciously stop his holographic emitters from their habitual mirroring of his thoughts, so he looks pensive on the more expressive human hologram even if his real face reveals nothing.