Darcy's Starry Sky

by Theodore Daniels

  Once again, check that the tracking system disabled, Alix, turning off the machine, and after putting the two rings in case two more hidden in case laying on the belt, rehearse a few times as she submits to his hand John open case with rings. It is with the rings. Instead of a single ring. So be honest. If he rejects her offer ... What then, it will hide these rings are very far away and will not wear them. And the children ... She - a cyborg, machine, none of otryadovtsev it will not stick with pure organic notions of morality ... In this war, many frames ... to put it mildly, quickly show their limitations and substantial natural collapsing .

  It is certain, John normally perceive it even full nudity, even if it is brought before him without any clothes and without any underwear. Somehow, it seems that it will be fair. He, John, is to see that it is ready to become the mother of his children. Is created, it can be said, according to his internal image and likeness of Inland, AI. At least - two. She was convinced that even her fully naked body does not produce a feeling of revulsion, it looks nothing like a standard cyber snap. Great Engineer Adams ... This is who should erect a monument. Separate monument on the Citadel. On this eternal master station Galaxy. But not to her, cyborg, I get such a perfect body work and talent Engineer Adams and his colleagues. Yes, she kiborgessa Alix understands that could be easily and freely controlled semi-automatic and automatic weapons guarding the station and its vehicles even when a computer in a standard deck. But how much better to get when she had the organic matter in the body of a woman dugout. In the usual, familiar to most races Space Citadel appearance daughter of humanity.

  Rings and cases ready kiborgessa several times meticulously glance at them and rechecked many times e-filling operation, removes the symbol of fidelity in its case, the latch closes and hides the waist pouch packing. Now - turn off the machine, disconnect the shop and you can go beyond the engineering center of the cruiser.

  Yes, volgovtsy show serious interest in the fact that it did kiborgessa in the engineering center. They are questioning glance at Alyx, slowly walking along the corridors of the "Volga", and read something new in their views kiborgessa. Is she still apparently changed so that volgovtsy and look to determine what it wants to become the lawful wife of Captain Shepard. But they can. In this younger kiborgessa confident and even the little convinced. Perhaps she should change and externally, because she said she wanted to stay in the squadron. It has long been said, even if the computer has been concluded in the deck there, in this range ... She believed otryadovtsam, and yet volgovtsy - part of the Troop. And she believes it and so does not hide in front of them, that is changing. There can not be changed, because wants to match its new status.

  Long ago otryadovtsy not consider her as a sexual object. For them it is - always subject, always free and always independent. And because she loves them all. In his own likes. So, it is available to it, Synthetic, armed continuously improved AI. Loves. Each of them, and all at once. Precisely because it is for them - a valuable, important, necessary and at the same time - free. There, at the site, it only served as a narrow program. And here in front of it - a world in which it has become alive.

  Feeling that nobody around from volgovtsev not, at least twenty-five meters in radius, Alix stopped. Straightened up, he puts his hands behind his back arched. Yes, locators warn her if the protected area will include tridtsatimetrovoy someone from volgovtsev. It is specially went to the seldom visited the hall to ... to once again all to weigh and consider.

  She borrowed the pose of a mother. Which is already a long time ago I did not call, and certainly not considered reception. How, then, Shepard said Olivia - "let it not worried that such a posture will cause unhealthy association of organic"? Yes, about what he said. And now, Alix took this position, to help her make the final decision. Important decision. Yes, it is - a cyborg, it can calculate the situation in the embodiments and the details, but even she is powerless to reality. That reality itself, which is to a great extent and it is given in sensation. The main thing - how to take these feelings that should be submitted to understand, interpret these sensations.

  Troop ships follow a planet where, in all probability, the Reapers servants hold a second queen rachni. Organic queen - this Alix no doubt. Too little evidence to suggest that the Queen - Synthetic. Too little, though, as a cyborg, Alix takes into account this possibility, and this probability. It must be taken into account. Rachni - an ancient race, is not inclined to support, say, a regulatory relationship with those who are not sufficiently developed. Well, that at least Svetlana was among those who remember the first rachni queen, the one that now Suan war with the Reapers, tried to subordinate its own interests ... and needs, by the way, too. If Queen rachni communicate with each other, are able to be more precise, to communicate with each other, after the release of the second queen receives from his, um,

  However, the second, and the first Queen rachni also be used to the fact that next to the organic matter in the present, the present galaxy, called the people simple and very beautiful - the Milky Way, next to the organic races stand at least two synthetic race. And over time, these races will be more. Not least because, without the discovery of new repeaters postwar history of the Galaxy can not now do. Two synthetic race. The first - the geth and the second - which gave birth to it, Alix. It will generate the AI is self-propelled platforms, moreover if the geth - network understanding, kiborgessa will focus on the individual mind. Ability, of course, to networking, where do without it in the current era of something, but mostly - individually.

  About many things then, standing in the empty corridor, thought Alix kiborgessa. On a very large extent. Even the list was all deliberate very difficult - though spoken word, though the written text. She - a cyborg, and can simultaneously think about much. Background tasks - needless to say, were carried out, the young kiborgessa not going to leave without supervision and protection of the health and safety and volgovtsev normandovtsev. But now she no longer thought not about that.

  Determined and "unfreeze" Alix slowly overcame the way to his cabin and only left alone, locked the door, paused, his back to the deck, where the barely audible hum processors support systems. They are asked to install more and Olivia now happened, they helped Alix. Visor lit up the usual yellow-orange glow, kiborgessa folded her arms crosswise on his stomach - it was necessary to warm up the slipway-center system. Whatever it was his idea to generate new AI, it will not give up. None of otryadovtsev will not hinder her in the realization of this desire it. No one. And, therefore, it should do everything possible to new AI were protected and spared from most accidents. Froze for a few minutes, Alix conducted a comprehensive diagnosis and testing center, slipway, make that the majority of the parameters do not have any issues and problems are not fixed, and then headed for the door. If you say, it is necessary first of all to speak with Svetlana. Even if Shepard will reject her offer to become her husband, she will still be a member of the family Shepard Streltsov, and the right to become a member of the family Alix received from Svetlana's hands. Because it Streltsov and should know all the details. All. And Alix finds it impossible to hide anything from Svetlana. All. And Alix finds it impossible to hide anything from Svetlana. All. And Alix finds it impossible to hide anything from Svetlana.

  Streltsov was not asleep. She even dressed for it became of the familiar and usual robe in a standard form volgovtsev without insignia. Alix remembered that this form replaced Svetlana most usual dresses and suits - their commander "Volga", dressed only in a very big need.

  When the ward quietly entered Alix Streltsov immediately understood - with her friend, something happened. Something very important, complicated. Maybe - even heavy. And if Alix came long before the term of infant feeding, then it directly applies to her.

  Moved to the memory options - commander's training will not go away, despite the fact that the shake-up was very significant - Svetlana immediately understood: it comes to John. Relations John and Alix. Hardly kiborgessa, decide she's just come bac
k to the House, would be so tense, focused, and looked like a statue come to life. Several tens of minutes ago, it was much more lively. So Alix something very afraid. Svetlana I do not it?

  Kiborgessa sat next to Svetlana on a large bed. Now her eyes were half-hidden yellow-orange LEDs - Alix has involved visor, which had a few days in a row did not do. kiborgessa fixed stare looked at some known only to her a spot on the opposite wall of the chamber.

  Streltsov not hurry girlfriend. Understands that Synthetic Alix prodozhaetsya go towards ever greater proximity to the organic matter is very complex and difficult to combine these two entities, the essence of these two. And because Alix is silent and stares intensely at one point. Because the next step affects the interests of Svetlana and, no doubt, the interests of John.

  - Light ... You can abandon its decision to make me a member of their family. Your family and the family of John. - Alix said softly. - I understand. And I stay just a helper. Just guard. I understand ... - pause for a moment, continues kiborgessa - you - organic, your children - organic. And I'm ... a foreign link. - Cyborg lips are moving, everything else is perfect stillness of body stores, but absolutely cold statues. This cold Svetlana feels his skin and essence. Perhaps Alix just getting ready to break the emerging relationship between them. Ready to leave the first, withdraw itself, do not wait until Svetlana recover after childbirth, and finally decides that to cope with the children. With two children. - I ... I Synthetic, robot, cyborg, machine. And I wished believe that I can claim to something more ...

  - You love John, Alix. - Svetlana turned her head to kiborgesse. - And think of this - a little?

  - This - a lot. - Alix said quietly. - For me - so very much. But ... I do not want to cause you harm, Svetlana. You know yourself ... when you love, you want to be there ... I can not be with John, you know that. But I want to be with him.

  - Love, Alix, and it is to be together and close. - Svetlana saw that blocking eye visor Alix comfortable with the fact that the interlocutor does not reduce it to his eyes. - Or - just to be around. But not together. Love - it is very different. You know it, I'm sure.

  - Understand - one, and harm ... - more. - Whispers kiborgessa, continuing to look at one point.

  - You want me to ... John became your husband? - Directly asked Streltsov.

  - Yes. - Alix tried to say it is quiet, calm, but at the same time - with confidence. So that Svetlana understand and believe - this decision after careful consideration. - And I know that it is my wish ...

  - It is normal and natural. - Chop Streltsov. - You said yourself that you want to make sure that your firstborn was internally similar, even very similar to John's. You are the first John in her love for him. And you think that I thought you then lifeless? You're even more lively, Alix than many lively and at times even very organic in good health! - In reinforced concrete kaperanga voice sounds confident. - You want me to determine their attitude to what is waiting for your relationship with John?

  - Yes. - Whispers kiborgessa, without changing his position and without stopping to look at a single point. - You say - to get away from John and from all four of you - I will. I understand that I can hurt him, and you and your children. Harm their desire. And even more so - attempt to implement it.

  - Alix. - Svetlana understands that any contact with your body, and even more so - attempt to embrace today kiborgessa regulations will not accept, so kaperang prevented from any movement, even if it is quite frankly, it is the embrace was incorporated into a decent internal discord kiborgessu her commander cruiser want Now most. - When I said that I want you to become a member of our family, and I consider this option. Because I say simply and clearly: you are in any case remain a part of our family. And not only as a security guard, an assistant and a housekeeper. You first of all - our very close friend and I and John friends and do not throw them do not refuse. If you want to be the wife of John - I will not bother you. I know you spent a few days with him in the Archives of the Citadel is not just. You admitted it herself, first confessed her love for him, and he took your recognition. So he agreed to take you to a greater extent. Much more. And I do not think it necessary to keep him in it. If I understand what I reported to the engineering service of the cruiser, you there is something produced in the shop?

  - Yes. - Kiborgessa single conjoint movement of the belt gets styling case. - Sorry, Svetlana. It's ... wedding ring. Specific rings. I did not do the usual ring, the kind that are accustomed to organics. I took them as a basis and added the electronics. ... There are several schemes. - She briefly told Strel'tsova that allow you to make these schemes, she opened the clasp, case transferred into the hands of Shepard's wife. - I considered that this would be ... enough. And I decided that if he did not take the ring - I will not be imposed on him. I'll stay on the position of your assistants ...

  - Forget about the position of housekeeper, Alix. - Interrupted companion Streltsov, examining the ring. - They are beautiful. I have rarely seen anything like that, but full analogues such beauty, I'm sure nowhere. I understand that you now try on the ring will not be. - She put the ring in the groove, closed case, referred it kiborgesse. - And are you afraid of?

  - Technically - no, actually - yes. - He nodded the first time "freeze" Alix, lowering his head and a bit of relaxing your body, transforming it into a more relaxed posture. - You, Svetlana, first took me, you said that you want me to become a member of your family with John. I could not just get here and immediately go to John ... with rings. It would not be fair. With respect and to John and to you ... And I understand that you have all rights to refuse me. I'm ...

  - Alix, you for me - a person. Lovely, whole person, not a Synthetic. - Streltsov turned her head right now saying without looking at kiborgessu. - And forget because even when you're among the four of us, that you are - the machine, robot cyborg. You - the person, Alix. And please, always remember the first thing about it. Remember also that even if John fails you, you still stay in our family. I know John and I know that it will not be against it.

  Kiborgessa bowed his head, his mouth slightly open. Probably, as Streltsov knew she was trying to cope with the surging wave of information. What then, you can wait and be quiet. The main thing - do not interfere, since the main word. Smart kiborgesse will be enough of these words and their implication for understanding.

  - I wanted ... - whispers Alix and Svetlana least whisper quiet adds:

  - For the first generated by you, the AI was very similar to John? - Clarifies Svetlana quietly.

  - Yes. - In the same low whisper answers kiborgessa.

  - And now you want me to these AI just been born to you more? For example, two or even three?

  - Yes. - Alix whispers. - Two. So far - two. But...

  - Do you want to - tell you his secret personal. - Svetlana whisper becomes quieter. Only...

  - No ... - meets Alix, not looking up or turning the head to the interlocutor.

  - I can have more of at least one child. I feel it. - Whispers Streltsov, knowing that supersensitive microphones kiborgessy will catch her voice is powerful and clear. - And can be - and not one. Only it ... or ... they can be ... my last song in the world. - Streltsov paused, allowing Alix comprehend heard. - I will not decrypt, confident that you have understood correctly basis. And because I tell you - AI generates so many as you want and can. We will take them. All assume Alix. As your children. thine only. If John wants to become your husband - it still will take all of your children, your AI.

  - I want to believe that he ... you ... they take ... - whispers Alix.

  - Approx. - Nods Streltsov. - I know you intend to talk to Adams ... Do not argue, just that it is very easy to calculate the course of action. I do not mind, just want to say that you had the opportunity to see: and my engineers - not worse. Maybe ... and give them a chance to prove himself? In cooperation with Adams and his colleagues, of course.

  - I am sure that they are not worse, Svetlana. - He says quietly, no longer whispering, but it says
quietly young kiborgessa. - And if I'm going to give rise to multiple AI, I have nothing against that body to have done Corps engineers. All engineers and technicians. Collectively.

  - Agreed. - Svetlana looks at his watch. - It's time to feed. Can you help?

  - You ask. - Alix shuddered. - Of course. Thank you, Svetlana!

  - We're friends, Alix. - Said kaperang. - And friends always help each other.

  Together they quickly fed babies and Svetlana calming forgotten, stretched out on the bed. Alla recommended that her first time longer lie solely on the back, to once again not to overtax the muscles of the abdomen and Svetlana strictly followed this recommendation. Convinced that Streltsov asleep, Alyx quietly slipped out of the room, do not forget to extinguish the light to the limit and push the crib with the children to bed, Svetlana.

  A glance at the clock. Hmm. It is time for her, Synthetic, get used to that time - a matter of opinion rather than objective. Invented its organics on his head, justifying his laziness, weakness and stupidity. And so as not to strain! And now Alix clearly, so to speak, see, it's been plenty of time - for another ten or fifteen minutes, and ships the order fall out from the repeater to normal space.

  - Zaretranslyatorny controls - the norm. - A barely audible sound spreads through the corridors of the information vahtsluzhby cruiser. - Willingness to exit systems - first. Prior to the release - Eight minutes.

  So not all the same fifteen and eight. Alix stops includes a left wrist instrumentron. Of course, it can act with both hands equally, but still tries to be right-handed. Because it left and involving instrumentron. The screen crawls schedule shuttles. The first shuttle to be sent from the frigate, and the frigate will leave the second. Or - the same, but the return flight. What then, it is very good. It is just suitable. She needs to talk to her mother, she should talk to Adams and she needed to see Shepard. It is difficult, of course, will have to stay on board the frigate to the exit to the next zaretranslyatornoe space, but it has developed since the route.