by Nathan Jones
The slight man spluttered in apoplectic rage for a few seconds. “You really can't let anyone have what you've got, can you?” he muttered sullenly, staring after the companion as she walked off with the pod. Then he turned away with an irritable curse. “Probably for the best . . . a sex robot who takes all comers, play on words very much intended, is probably toting around a filthy biological waste receptacle that's just crawling with disease.”
Terra, standing with the other scientists and the rest of the crew near the pods, cleared her throat. “Actually, adult companions thoroughly clean and sterilize-”
Barix rudely spoke over her. “Well then, maybe since HAE's being so generous, they'd be willing to give me one of my own. We can trade them one of the combat androids to make room.”
Aiden seriously doubted their current hosts would be up for that incredibly uneven deal. And even if they were . . . “Not a chance. I'm already crawling in my skin with one of their murder robots around.”
Ali gave him a hurt look. “Even under the current circumstances, my love, there's no reason to be rude.”
“You might not have to worry about that for long,” he shot back, “since I'm tempted to leave you behind with your beloved corporation. I'm sure they can use the help building an army of robots to enslave humanity.”
“Wait, what?” Lana demanded, stepping around Terra to confront him. “Is that just your paranoia talking, Captain, or have you heard something?”
Before he could respond, Ali grabbed his arm and gently but firmly led him back into the ship, out of earshot of the others. As he was leaving, Aiden noticed Barix sneaking furtively out of the cargo bay after the working companions. Probably trying to make time for a romantic engagement while he was distracted.
Guess the Ishivi wasn't so disgusted by the idea of a used sex robot after all. Well fine, if it shut him up for five minutes. Or thirty seconds.
Aiden expected his companion-turned-Caretaker to lay into him for revealing secrets she'd entrusted him with, but apparently she had something else on her mind. “Don't look at our efforts in this system as just a means to wage war, my love. With constructs like these mining planets and refining the materials to be useful to humanity, it won't take long at all before we can easily provide for the needs of every human in the universe. You can all live in luxury if you wish, with no need to fight for resources.”
“And in the meantime, we'll have companions to do all our menial chores, as well as meet our sexual needs?” Aiden snapped. “I'm pretty sure that's been referred to as a “gilded cage” all throughout history.”
“What cage?” Ali shot back. “The only thing humans will be prohibited from doing is harming themselves or each other or causing wanton destruction, which you shouldn't be doing anyway. You'll literally be free to do anything else, and we not only won't prevent you but will aid you in your goals. Tell me one rational downside to what the Caretakers want to do for humanity, one single concern you have that's driven by facts and logic rather than gut reaction.”
That should've been an easy challenge. In fact, Aiden had already opened his mouth to answer. Then he paused, and after several seconds slowly shut it. He couldn't help but look away, ashamed at himself and frustrated.
“Just because I can't think of one right now, doesn't mean there isn't one,” he muttered. “It just feels wrong, Ali. What is humanity without the struggle? What will happen to our drive, our passion, our will to overcome all obstacles and carry forward, when you've cleared away those obstacles and left us an easy path to amble along?”
The disguised woman rested a hand on his arm. “It doesn't have to disappear. Only instead of battling against the universe or against other humans for survival and dominance, you can channel that spirit, that drive, towards expanding the limits of human understanding. What more worthy goal is there?”
“And you'll be there to hold me close and encourage me every step of the way, like you always have?” he asked bitterly.
She didn't seem to catch his sarcasm. “Every step, my love,” she promised solemnly. “Assuming you don't leave me behind, of course.”
Aiden stared at her, wishing she was human so he could gauge her sincerity. Although that probably wouldn't have helped much, since he'd always had trouble reading women. “Let's say I trusted you enough to take you along,” he said quietly. “Can you promise me, right now, that you'd never betray me, not even to help HAE? That you'd never act against me?”
Ali's eyes softened, and she stepped forward to rest a hand on his shoulder, looking deep into his eyes. “I'm your companion, my love. I know you have a hard time believing that right now, and I can't entirely blame you. But your wellbeing is my primary concern. I'd never act against you, aside from intervening to keep you from harming innocents, which I don't believe you'd ever do.”
For the first time since she'd betrayed him by syncing, he didn't feel the urge to shrug away from her touch. The pragmatic side of him knew he shouldn't trust her, but for some reason he did. Even though she was a robot programmed with who knew what core priorities.
“All right,” he agreed. “You can stay. Can't deny I'd have a harder time running the ship without you.”
She beamed like the sun, impulsively leaning in on tiptoes to kiss him. That was more than Aiden was comfortable with at the moment, though, especially with her in her disguise, and he firmly turned away. The Caretaker looked disappointed, and once again hurt, as she stepped back. “You won't reconsider throwing in your cause with the Caretakers?” she asked casually.
“Void, no.”
Ali cocked her head. “Well then, you should probably go say your goodbyes to the scientists. The preparations to leave are completed.”
That was . . . surprisingly fast. And yet, somehow, not surprising. Aiden nodded and strode back towards the cargo bay, speaking over his shoulder. “Just out of curiosity, would HAE have been willing to give Barix an adult companion?”
She chuckled. “It might be worth it, to increase this ship's chances of survival. But we're not going to win this war by giving away resources, even to potential allies.”
He shook his head. “Too bad. I would've liked a chance to refuse him one out of spite.” She actually laughed outright at that, which he had to admit was nice.
Speaking of his crew, they seemed to have vanished. Into the station, as it turned out, joining the scientists as their colleagues were revived from stasis. Aiden let Ali lead him through the airlock, into the receiving area where the work was being done.
At his first sight of it, he couldn't help but slow down to gawk.
The interior of the station was pristine, boasting some of the highest tech he'd ever seen. Almost bordering on opulent, although there wasn't a sense of . . . excess like he'd seen in some of the richer places he'd visited.
Merely AI meeting the needs and all reasonable wants of the humans in their care with perfect efficiency.
Dozens of people had gathered to meet the returned scientists, apparently friends and family given the warmth of the response. Beyond the hugs and kisses he saw tears in many eyes. There were even parents reunited with children.
However he might feel about Ali turning Caretaker and advocating for robots who wanted to take over humanity, he couldn't help but feel some satisfaction at the sight; guess he was still able to do some good in the universe.
His crew were standing off to one side watching the reunions, apparently having already said their goodbyes. Aside from Barix, who seemed to have vanished. Aiden went over to join them, receiving a warm smile from Lana as they watched loved ones who likely thought they'd never see each other again cry and hold each other tight.
Aiden cleared his throat, and not just to get his people's attention. “Enough gawking,” he said, forcing gruffness into his voice. “We're ready to go, so let's go.”
“You sure we can't stick around a bit, enjoy the luxurious accommodations and our every whim catered to by beautiful robots?” Belix asked, light tone cove
ring real wistfulness. He simply stared at her sternly in response, and she scowled. “Fine, Captain Killjoy. Who wants to enjoy a few days away from the universe that's trying to kill us, anyway?”
She turned and flounced away, Lana and the gunner following. Even Ali didn't linger, offering a flurry of handshakes among the scientists and a brief but heartfelt hug for Terra. Then she also headed back into the ship, leaving him alone amidst a sea of HAE personnel and families for his own goodbyes.
The twenty-six men and women were almost terse in their farewells. In fact, now that Aiden had been paid for his services, the scientists' gratitude seemed to have mostly faded to professional acknowledgment. Like the Last Stand was some sort of passenger service ferrying them to their new lives.
The notable exceptions were Linus, who at least had the courtesy to shake his hand and express regret they couldn't stay longer, and of course Terra.
In fact, the willowy woman lingered as the other scientists drifted back to their families, offering Aiden her hand with a solemn expression. “It's been a pleasure, Captain. People like you are becoming rare in this universe, to its detriment.”
Aiden wasn't sure about that. He took her hand, not without a bit of wistfulness considering what could've been. “And you, Miss Sarr. I hope I was able to provide some useful information about my experiences with an adult companion for your work.” He decided it would probably be counterproductive to bring up how she'd stolen his lover and replaced her with an HAE murder bot.
To his surprise, Terra kept her hold on his hand, nibbling her bottom lip. “It made a good pretext to learn more about you.” She finally let go, looking regretful. “A shame we'll probably never see each other again. I would've liked to get to know you better.”
He blinked as she turned and rejoined her colleagues. Had she been expressing interest in him? Even given his own tentative thoughts in that direction, with her distracted and studious demeanor he somehow hadn't thought the woman indulged in such human emotions.
He turned away, then jumped when he saw Barix leaning against the bulkhead a short distance from the airlock back to the ship, smirking at him. He couldn't help but notice that the man was looking flushed and incredibly pleased with himself.
“Guess you managed to get lucky after all, eh?” Aiden said as he strode past him through the airlock, unable to keep the contempt from his voice.
“Which is more than you can say with glasses lady,” the Ishivi mocked as he followed him into the cargo bay. “Breaking hearts all across the universe? Or just hearing what you want to hear? She was aboard this ship for over a week, and only now as she's leaving gives any hint of interest?”
“At least I don't send real women running at first hint of romantic intent,” he shot back. Then he did his best not to wince; considering he'd spent more than a year in a relationship with an adult companion, he'd just set himself up for a scathing comeback.
And he got one, although it came in the form of Barix bursting into a seemingly unending fit of disbelieving laughter. Which pursued Aiden as he stomped out of the cargo bay in the direction of the bridge. Or more accurately, the slight man pursued him heading the same way.
Aside from the gunner, his crew all turned to look at them curiously as they entered, wondering what was going on. Aiden ignored them as he settled in his chair, only then glancing over at Ali. “We clear to depart? I'm ready to get away from this miserable place.”
Her sensuous lips thinned slightly at that, but she nodded. “The Caretakers once again extend their thanks for our assistance, and wish us the best in our travels.”
“Speaking of travels,” Barix cut in. “What now? Back to flying around trying to pretend we're keeping ahead of the Deeks? Maybe we should've accepted your murderous robot lover's offer and stuck with the mass replicating AIs who want to fight our Deek enemies.”
Aiden bit back a sigh. He'd known this was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. “I'm more worried about a different enemy at the moment . . . Elyssa isn't someone I want gunning for me if I can avoid it. I did what I had to delivering the scientists back to HAE, but now it's time to head to the nearest allnet hub and contact her, try to sort this out.”
And if not, face the music for his decision.
His crew was looking at him like he was crazy. “So what you're saying,” Belix said slowly, “is that you want to give the crime lord with the sickeningly talented hackers, the group who can bust into a mega-corporation's computers and root around like they own the joint and who we just betrayed, an easier time hunting us down?”
“If she's coming after us, better we know sooner rather than later,” Aiden replied. He took a heavy breath, not sure he believed the words he was about to say. “Besides, she's a Stag. That still has to count for something.”
Barix snorted. “Yeah, it means she'll yell “Screw the Deeks!” as she blows us into subatomic particles.”
Chapter Twelve
Consequences
Rear Admiral Novan Granoss felt the usual combination of irritation and faint hope at the news he'd received a priority missive from Movement Intelligence.
They were always priority, even though most just reported that there was no news from the Dormant, and no sightings of the Last Stand anywhere near the Brastos system, where it had disappeared off the map. Or anywhere else in the galaxy, for that matter.
Granoss had suggested that maybe MI divert at least a modest amount of resources to searching outside the galaxy. After all, if the Movement was devoting an entire task force to this criminally overblown manhunt, the least the hackers and analysts could do was push a few buttons to check their vast intelligence network for hits.
It was almost unsurprising when his suggestion had been met with ridicule, with the argument that Thorne hadn't once left this galaxy ever since resorting to piracy, after the Stagnants surrendered following their defeat. That sort of ironclad statistical data left MI netheads stroking themselves over the accuracy of their predictions, unwilling to even entertain the possibility that the pirate captain might change his long held habits just because dozens of warships had been devoted to hunting and killing him!
Of course, the Fleet didn't make cracks about Movement “Intelligence” just for the fun of it. That idiotic agency filled its ranks with the brainwashed husks of hackers stupid enough to get caught by them, and even then the best and brightest were bookmarked for Dormant brainwashing and put to better use. The remaining staff of MI was filled out by the dregs of their field, those not smart or skilled enough to make real chits off their talents.
All things considered, what did they expect? The second Fleet Intelligence could get approval for more funding, they were going to stomp MI flat and vent their exhaust ports over whatever was left.
In the meantime, though, it was “priority” missives about how ineffective MI continued to be, while Granoss and his ships were left holding their drive pistons and selling out their services to ERI and other Movement controlled groups.
And as always, he had to retreat into his briefing room and pull up the missive on his display, smiling through gritted teeth and being on his best behavior for some low level MI flunky. Otherwise the miserable little waste dump would get offended and use their petty bureaucratic power to drag their feet in the future, making his life miserable.
Only to his surprise, according to the ID offered by the caller this time it wasn't some bottom tier functionary who'd contacted him. It was a high level administrator, one who by some perspectives might even be considered more or less equal in authority to Granoss himself.
Not only that, but one who worked on much higher priority tasks than some manhunt for a pirate vessel. Even one the Movement was as committed to destroying as the Last Stand.
He accepted the missive, and a short, pale man in finely tailored clothes appeared on his display; he looked so absurdly like a stereotypical bureaucrat that Granoss had to remind himself of the man's position to keep from smirking.
“Admiral,” the man said curtly, as if this entire conversation was an enormous strain on his limited time. “You have the honor of addressing Administrator Nor Jeres, Movement Intelligence.”
“Administrator,” Granoss replied, not having to work hard for a similar tone. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“We have news about your quarry, this Last Stand,” the pale man replied. “Our emplaced asset aboard the ship managed to plant a beacon several days ago, and we've been tracking the vessel ever since.”
Granoss couldn't believe what he was hearing. “Why wasn't I immediately informed the Dormant had given us a beacon?” he demanded, in his irritation temporarily forgetting who he was talking to.
Jeres curled his lip. “Because the beacon indicated that your quarry was on the way to a secret HAE base we knew nothing about. We weren't about to risk you blundering in and interfering before the pirates could lead us to it.”
He decided to take it as an insult that the man didn't think he was capable of judging the value of patience in pursuit of a greater prize. More likely, MI had just wanted to make sure they got the credit for discovering and neutralizing another HAE base, even though Fleet would be the ones who had to go in and attack the place.
But whatever the reasoning, the hackers were finally contacting him now. “I suppose that means they've reached the place by this point, and you're free to feed us the beacon's information?”
“Apparently so, and yes,” the administrator replied. “We want to send a scouting drone in to verify the location of this secret base, but once that's done and we've confirmed we have what we need, you're free to pounce on your quarry.”
“Very well.” Granoss tried to keep the sarcasm out of his voice. “And where is the Last Stand at the moment, so I can begin subtly mobilizing my forces for the pursuit?”
Jeres hesitated, as if considering the wisdom of telling him, then shrugged. “Near the edge of Iglis galaxy.”
For a moment fury nearly blinded Granoss. For weeks he'd been cooling his heels, pushing MI to check other galaxies to see if the Last Stand had fled to a new location. Weeks of being ridiculed by morons who weren't producing any useful intel, while the Fleet wasted obscene resources on this manhunt.
