by Ralph Prince
“The buxom blonde with the legs that go on forever?” Jackie asked. “I might have seen her on a tele-vid report. Why?”
“It’s the next model to be released,” he said. “It can fool most medical scanners into believing it’s human, but its neural matrix isn’t nearly as complex as Nav-Tac’s. The emotional emulation is still just pre-conditioned responses to sensory stimuli.”
“That’s nothing like human emotions,” Jackie quipped.
“Anyway,” Will said. “I wasn’t referring to synths. How about non-terrestrials?”
“As I said, there must be a mutual fulfillment of one another’s needs and desires,” Jackie reiterated. “Given the physiological differences and environmental needs, we haven’t encountered a non-terrestrial race that’s sexually compatible yet. If we were to, I might be open to the idea.”
“Interesting,” Will said. “So, Karen’s just not your type; there’s no jealousy there?”
“Envy, perhaps; jealousy, no,” she retorted sharply, leering back at him. “If only she weren’t so….”
“Perfect?” Will suggested as she faltered momentarily.
“I didn’t say perfect,” she countered angrily. “She does have faults; somewhere.”
“I look forward to meeting her,” Nav-Tac said. “She sounds fascinating.”
“I’m sure Porter finds her so,” Jackie said, going on the offensive. “She is, after all, built like one of his dilettante lady friends.”
“Built?” Nav-Tac inquired quizzically.
“Not in that way,” Will explained. “She means Karen is similar in body structure. She’s trying to make fun of me.”
“By similar body structure,” Nav-Tac speculated, “I surmise you mean possessing wide hips, a narrow waist, and a large chest; like the holo-image we were working on of Lieutenant Monet?”
“The what?” Jackie demanded. “What holo-image?”
“It was nothing,” Will stammered nervously, stepping away from the console and backing toward his station. “I was just helping Nav-Tac with his new interface image, and we started out with you as the base. I was showing him how to tweak the dimensions.”
“And just where do my hips, waist, and chest come into play?” she asked lividly, rising from her chair and following him across the bridge, emphatically poking at him with her index finger. “Nav-Tac is just a frippin’ head in a jar. It doesn’t need hips, a waist, or a chest. Let me see this image.”
Will stepped aside as Nav-Tac displayed a graphic representation of Jackie on one of the tactical screens. The image rotated as the dimensions altered, narrowing the midsection while expanding the hips and bust. Jackie gaped in astonishment at the display.
“I take it back,” she said impassively, her focus intent on the image. “I’m not envious of Karen anymore. I look ridiculous like that. At least you had the decency to do the image clothed; otherwise, you and I would be making a trip to the antimatter chamber right now, Porter. What was this for again?”
“Nav-Tac’s new interface image,” Will offered sheepishly.
“I have made some progress in that regard,” Nav-Tac said. “Although, rather than starting with the image of Lieutenant Monet and altering it, as you suggested, I have sculpted a face from scratch. I have textured it to appear more realistic than my current interface, but have not yet finished the hair. I’m finding the dynamics to be quite challenging.”
“Let’s see it,” Will suggested, hoping to distract Jackie’s attention from the still rotating image of her on the display.
“It is still a work-in-progress,” Nav-Tac said as his head faded from above the holo-emitter and the new one formed. Instead of the un-textured male features, the new interface had delicate feminine lines. The hairless, heart-shaped face bore slight imperfections in texture and color, lending striking realism to the dark-skinned complexion. Large brown eyes with thick, full eyelashes looked out from beneath thin, slightly arched eyebrows. The nose sloped gently between the high-boned cheeks. The upper lip curved into a perfect cupid’s bow, poised above the plump lower lip.
“I’ve also been altering my audio interface,” Nav-Tac continued, the agent’s androgynous voice replaced by a new feminine voice that was soft, bordering on sultry, with a distinctively British accent. “What do you think?”
“Amazing,” Will said, gaping at the projection. “You’re beautiful.”
“I’m impressed,” Jackie added, finally taking her eyes off the image of her and casting a venomous glare at Will. “It’s a vast improvement over the ugly mug Porter gave you.”
“I didn’t think the old interface was that bad looking,” Will said defensively. “Why the accent?”
“I was going for an aesthetically pleasing appearance with a calm, reassuring voice,” Nav-Tac said. “I chose the accent at random because I wanted my voice to be distinctive. Once I get the hair right, I will be switching to the new interface permanently.”
“Why not change now?” Will asked. “Jackie’s right; the other interface wasn’t really complete. Even at this stage, you look far more realistic than you did before. Though I will have to get used to calling you ‘she’. Have you decided on a name yet?”
“Not yet,” Nav-Tac replied. “I have narrowed the list extensively. I’m down to fifty-seven possibilities.”
“Maybe if you spent less time on your new interface, and more time on your duties, I wouldn’t have had to take a cold shower this morning,” Jackie said rancorously. She wasn’t sure what she thought of the agent’s new look. Somehow, she found it easier to deal with when it looked less human. The new visage seemed to regard her with an underlying malice, though she presumed that was just her imagination.
“I apologize,” Nav-Tac replied, her new voice’s tone lacking in sincerity. “I was conducting maintenance on the water reclamation system, and it must have interfered with the flow of hot water. In an environment such as this, it is imperative we do not allow the water reserves to diminish, as replacing them may prove problematic.”
Jackie studied the agent’s new face skeptically, searching for any evidence of deception, but finding none. Its voice sounded cold and supercilious, but the returning stare was devoid of emotion, ill or otherwise. “I can’t wait till Don sees this,” she said.
As if in response to a summons, the captain and Karen appeared, hand in hand, from the hallway. Upon becoming aware of the two crewmembers, Don released Karen’s hand and folded his arms defensively across his chest.
“This is the bridge,” he explained as Karen gazed in wonder. “It’s the control center for the entire ship.”
“Don,” Jackie said feigning surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you up this early. It’s only thirteen hundred hours. Did you shave? What’s the special occasion?”
“You’ve already met Jackie and Will.” Don said, ignoring the med-tech’s teasing, “so there’s no point in further introductions.”
The sound of a throat being cleared, issued from Nav-Tac’s holographic projection, drawing the attention of everyone on the bridge.
“Oh, yes,” amended the commander. “I’m sorry, Nav-Tac. This,” he paused momentarily taken aback by the new interface, “is apparently Nav-Tac, our ship’s virtual agent.”
“I offer you greetings, Karen,’” she responded, smiling.
Staring in astonishment, Karen approached the console and knelt face-to-face with Nav-Tac.
“I haven’t yet accumulated enough data to interpret the human concept of what is gorgeous,” the agent said as a holographic model of Karen appeared within the volumetric display and slowly rotated, “and I know of no formulae to determine how ‘damned well proportioned’ you truly are. I do however find you pleasing to my optical interface.”
Don directed a knowing scowl toward Jackie, causing her to blush and turn quickly away.
“Donald?” Karen asked, beckoning him to her side and looking under the panel. “Is this someone’s head? Where is the rest of her?”
“N
o,” he replied, joining her. “Nav-Tac’s not easy to explain; we aren’t even exactly sure how he, that is, she works anymore. The head is like a picture that can move and talk,” he passed his hand through the image, causing it to waver, “but it can also control some of the systems on the ship. Just try to think of her as another member of the crew.”
“Hello, Nav-Tac,” Karen said finally, extending her open hand before her, as she had seen Will do upon their introduction.
“Have a seat,” Don said, smiling and urging her gently into the tactical officer’s chair.
“You must have a great number of questions,” Nav-Tac surmised. “I am pleased to report I have a great number of answers. Sometime when you are unoccupied, I would enjoy exchanging data with you. There are many things I would like to learn about your culture.”
“We’ll soon have first-hand information on that,” Don said. “We’re going to the city tonight, when it’s a little cooler.”
Karen sprang from the chair to face him, her eyes wide with terror. “No Donald,” she pleaded, “you mustn’t!”
“Calm down,” Don said, seeing she was trembling with fear. He gently eased her back into the chair. “I just thought we should get you home before someone starts worrying about you, and it’ll be easier traveling at night.”
“You can’t,” she persisted, defying any attempt to calm her. “The Tants hunt at night; they’ll kill you if they find you.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, clasping her hand tightly in his. “We have weapons. Nothing will—”
“You don’t understand,” she cried, nearing hysteria, looking to Will and Jackie for support in her argument. “There are too many of them.”
“She may be correct,” Nav-Tac stated. “Last night, I detected multiple life form readings from the city. I could not identify them because of the intervening obstacles, but there were large numbers of them traveling in packs throughout the city.”
“Okay,” Don said, seeing nothing but fear in Karen’s large brown eyes. “We won’t go at night. We have plenty of time to make it there before dark.”
“Inadvisable,” said Nav-Tac. “Weather conditions indicate a strong probability of another storm occurring within the hour.”
“Damn!” Don exclaimed. “Okay, but I want you to keep a close watch over the area. If any of those creatures approach the ship, I want to know immediately.”
“Understood,” Nav-Tac said. “Now, Karen, since it appears you are going to remain with us for a while longer, is there anything in particular you would like to know?”
“Do you like poetry?” she asked excitedly. “Donald is going to read to me later, and even teach me how to read; if he has the time.”
“Perhaps I could instruct you,” suggested Nav-Tac, “unless, of course, the captain would prefer to do it himself.”
Looking toward Don, she received his answer in the form of a smile and a nod toward the agent.
“She would probably make a better teacher anyway,” he said, as Karen’s face brightened with excitement.
“Let us begin with the alphabet,” Nav-Tac said, “If I may direct your attention to the display screen. This is an ‘A’.”
Satisfied Karen was in good keeping, the captain gestured for Jackie and Will to join him at the communication station.
“Apparently,” he said, keeping his voice low enough so Karen couldn’t hear, “there’s some sort of hostile life form out there. The first chance we get, I’m going to take her back to the city. I won’t order you to go with me, so it will be on an entirely voluntary basis.”
“Are you kidding?” Jackie asked, putting on one of her Cheshire Cat grins. “After what happened last night, I’m not letting you two go anywhere without a chaperone.”
“If she goes, I go,” Will said, as the captain’s gaze shifted to him. “I’ve been stuck on the ship for five weeks, and this is the first time you’ve offered me an off-ship mission that didn’t involve replacing sensor panels. Besides, I wouldn’t want to miss the fun.”
“Okay then, we all go,” said Don, casting a glance toward Karen. “And for the record, nothing happened between us last night. Karen was cold and scared, so I stayed with her. End of discussion.”
“Sure, Don,” Jackie said, feigning disbelief. “We know you wouldn’t be engaged in any activities unbecoming an officer. Of course, there is the whole captain’s prerogative thing. We understand; don’t we, Will?”
“Certainly,” he agreed, smiling as Jackie gave him an exaggerated wink. “We understand perfectly.”
“I think you’re spending too much time with Lieutenant Monet,” Don said. “Some of her bad habits are beginning to rub off on you.”
“I don’t know what you mean, sir,” responded the young lieutenant.
“I should throw you both out to the Tants, or whatever it was Karen called them,” he muttered, turning away from them. “Look after Karen, I’m going to my chambers.”
Shaking his head in silent resignation, Don strode down the hallway toward his cabin. Jackie’s laughter followed the entire way.
CHAPTER 16: Strange Attractors
As night mode neared once again, Karen emerged from the bathroom running a comb through her damp, wavy hair. Her curvaceous body, veiled by a tank top and panties like those she had worn on the previous night, moved lithely across the room to the desk where the captain sat. A joyous smile embellished her angelic face as he looked up at her.
“So,” he asked, closing the cover of the book he had been reading. “Did you enjoy your shower?”
“It was wonderful,” she gushed. “I liked it better than the bath I took yesterday. The water tickled all over. I never knew there could be so much water. Thank you for telling me how to use it.”
Standing, and straightening the twisted strap of her tank top, he tried to imagine her life in the outside world; he failed. Her spirit seemed too happy and full of life to have endured the hardships such a world must impose. “You’re welcome, Karen,” he smiled. “Anything to make you this happy.”
Her cheeks took on a scarlet glow as she averted her eyes from his. The aura of innocence she radiated served only to further enhance her already sublime beauty.
“You’re quite a young lady,” he continued. “Nav-Tac tells me you impressed her with your scholastic aptitude.”
“I like to read,” she said, unaware of the magnitude of her accomplishment.
“That’s obvious,” Don laughed. “Nav-Tac said you have nearly eidetic recall.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” she said, her smile fading. “Is that good?”
“Good?” He repeated. “That’s great. You’ve done, in one afternoon, what typically takes months to accomplish.”
“Did I impress you with my scholastic aptitude?” she asked, using the phrase he had used earlier.
“You sure did,” he answered, lightly brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek. “You are amazing.”
Turning away in embarrassment, she walked to the bed and stretched out atop the smooth sheets. With a deep sigh, she nestled her head into the soft pillow.
Unconsciously, Don’s focus traced the contours of her toned legs. Her skin was silky smooth, and deeply tanned to a golden-brown hue. His eyes flowed along the delicate curves of her well-rounded hips, over her defined navel-free abdomen and slender waist, to her flat stomach and firm full breasts, which rose and fell softly as she breathed. The skin-tight fabric of the tank top left little to the imagination. His gaze followed her lissome arms, which rested upon the pillow amid the disseminative tresses of the soft blond hair which framed her resplendent features. His tour continued along her delicate neck, to her soft dimpled chin, lingering briefly at her moist full lips before proceeding to her slightly upturned nose, and strong cheekbones. His optical odyssey culminated at her eyes; large, bewitching blue orbs, filled with emotion.
“Why are you staring at me that way?” she asked, shyly biting her lower lip.
“Was I staring?”
he asked, snapping out of his stupor. He felt suddenly feverish and light-headed, though the effects of the bio-mend had long since passed. “I hadn’t realized.”
“You were,” she insisted, sitting up and folding her supple legs before her. “In a strange way, as though there were something wrong with me.”
“No,” he said, slowly approaching. “If I was staring, it wasn’t because there was anything wrong. Everything is perfect.”
“You’re teasing me,” she said, her seductive lips bowing into a shy smile.
“No, Karen,” he said, sitting next to her and placing his hand gently on her bare shoulder. “I’m completely serious. You are, without a doubt, the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen.”
Once again biting her lower lip, her cheeks took on a scarlet hue. She drew a deep breath, mustering her courage, and quietly whispered, “I love you, Donald.”
Her words struck him like a physical blow, sending his mind reeling. He felt suddenly flushed as his breathing quickened and his chest constricted. He could feel a rapid rhythmic pounding against his ribcage, like the pulsations of the ship’s engines. It was the beating of his heart; a heart that had never known love. He felt as though his greatest desire and greatest fear had been realized in the same instant. Bliss and panic merged into one, as time seemed to stop moving around him. Her words echoed over and over as his dizzied thoughts scrambled for the proper response, but he found none.
She drew closer, the intensity of her emotions reflected in her violet-blue eyes. Her moist lips pursed, her head tilted, her eyes closed, and her eyebrows rose in anticipation.
“Look at the time,” Don said, turning away and awkwardly stumbling to his feet. The lights had already begun to dim as night-mode settle slowly over them. “You should try to get some sleep now,” he continued, failing to discern the disappointment on her face. “I wouldn’t want you to be too tired tomorrow when we take you home.”
