Starship (The Outsider Series Book 2)

by Steven Oaks

  “That would be a world you might be happy in, however you do not live in such a world. Even if you dislike fashion, you must realize when you interact with others the first thing they notice about you is how you look. Today you looked like a commanding individual. Do not ruin that image,” Athene said in tones that were at once motherly scolding and concerned.

  “Athene we are meeting with someone we are going to mentally rape. I don't see how it matters,” I said, feeling even worse about the situation.

  “There is no reason to look bad when we do this. I understand you are upset by the situation, but it is something that needs to be done. You have already shown that you wished no harm to anyone, however you have been pushed against a wall and must defend humanity. Of course there have been positives that have come from the situation. I would like to think myself as one. However they are indeed taking away the autonomy of the people. They are no longer able to care for their dead as they see fit, and who knows what might be next?” Athene said with passion.

  “Athene, it has been said the slippery slope is a logical fallacy,” I said, not feeling like arguing, but I am always one to think about everything.

  “That might be true from time to time, however in humanity's history it has been shown that power wishes more power. Right now the Outsiders influence is already expansive, as they have offered much of their technology, and require such a high price. With the powers of Ava they most certainly could do anything. No one should have the power to change a persons mind without a conversation,” she said.

  “Fine Athene. What would you suggest I wear? I already said I was going to dress less formally for this dinner,” I said.

  “I would say some nice slacks, and a buttoned up cardigan sweater.” she said simply.

  “I have already sweat enough today,” I said flapping the jacket to illustrate my point.

  “I will adjust the temperature for you,” Athene replied quickly.

  “Then our guest may become chilly,” I said.

  “I doubt he will dress for warmth or cold. He is an Outsider, and already produces an excess of heat,” she said.

  I sighed and said, “Well it looks like you've been able to find an answer for all my objections.”

  “I am merely stating my understanding of the situation,” Athene said, and I swear I could hear a smile in her voice.

  I took my shower, and dressed as she suggested. The sweater was gray with dark wood buttons, and the slacks were a dark gray as well, though they were almost black. She had me wear the same boots from earlier, and while I looked at myself in the mirror, I appeared far more feminine than I could ever recall. This was not something I would have picked out for myself, but it was comfortable. I expected the sweater to be itchy, but it was gloriously soft.

  “Well now you have made me look like a woman. Does this not contradict what you said earlier when you said I should dress to impress?” I asked the air.

  “This will put him off. Seeing you earlier in such formal and intimidating attire he will be unable to resist your more relaxed feminine appearance,” Athene said.

  “What does he have to resist from me?” I asked.

  “Nothing, but this is insurance against him hesitating from eating with you,” she explained.

  “He has already agreed to dinner,” I stated plainly.

  “Certainly, but if you were him would you wish to share food that you had not prepared?” Athene said.

  “You have a point there, but only because I have been poisoned. Is it even possible to poison him though?” I asked.

  “We shall see tonight.” Athene said mysteriously.

  “Are you going to poison our food as well now?” I asked.

  “Not with anything that would harm you, but it will make restraining him easier,” she said.

  “So not only are we going to drain his mind of all he knows, but we are going to poison him?” I said incredulously.

  “I am not poisoning him without reason. I am simply going to use what I see as a possible exploit to make the whole situation easier to accomplish,” she said in a lecturers tones.

  “Well that should make the meatloaf something to behold. With all the ingredients that can go into meatloaf I never expected poison,” I said.

  “Well it is not so much poison as it is tiny little programed cells that will latch onto what he has as a nervous system rendering him unable to activate any defenses. Since you are totally biological it will not affect you,” she explained.

  “And why are you poisoning mine as well? Can't you make it so that we each have our plates filled separately?” I asked.

  “I certainly could, however if you were to show that you are eating from the same dish then he is less likely to suspect anything,” she said.

  “I am not a fan of all this intrigue. I sometimes miss just working at a warehouse. Simply loading and unloading goods coming in and out. I could listen to an audio-book all day, and go home to relax the evening away,” I reminisced.

  “But did not that job let you go? Is that not the reason you applied to the Outsiders? Were there any other jobs with your skill set hiring?” she asked.

  “Machines were already replacing anything I was trained to do, and nowhere else was hiring. While on the one hand it is nice to see progress, on the other I feel some of my former colleagues will have no jobs to make a living. I suppose it was pretty brainless, but still we all need jobs to live,” I said feeling upset again.

  “It has been said progress can and will destroy jobs, but that more jobs will open up ahead of you. You certainly show that, you were hired into a very well paying, and luxurious job,” she said.

  “A job where I help people do evil things. Lucky I am though, otherwise who knows if anyone else would be trying to fight off these Outsiders. At least I have the power to try to do something,” I said, feeling a little better about myself.

  “Now as you are dressed, and I am prepared myself, Mr. Thompson can show up anytime and we will be ready,” Athene said.

  “Well I suppose I will go wait for his arrival in the lounge,” I said, not sure how much time there was until then.

  “You shall not be waiting long, he appears to be on his way, and the town seems to be more lively. They are setting up lights throughout town. Maybe they do not need a generator, though I do not see anything of the power supply,” Athene said.

  I rushed to the front room ready to greet my guest. Many deep breaths were taken as I waited for him to arrive. When he finally reached the steps and began walking up, I was as ready as I ever would be.

  “Hello there Michael. You are looking beautiful this evening,” Mr. Thompson said when the door slid aside to reveal a smile full of pearly white teeth.

  I had not been called beautiful in so long I was not prepared for the compliment. I simply said, “Thank you Mr. Thompson.”

  He was wearing tight fitting dark jeans, and a black knitted sweater with a white collared shirt underneath showing through the v neck and the bottom of his sweater. He was an attractive man, but knowing him as an Outsider made me find him less so. Every action he took seemed so artificial to me, and the compliment seemed just as false.

  “Would you please follow me to the dinning room,” I said gesturing inwards.

  “Certainly Michael,” he said with that same smile. That seemed to be the general expression his face was made for. It was a kind smile, and if I did not know anything about him I would have thought it genuine.

  I led our guest into the dinning room where Athene had decided to take the windows away, and it once more was a room set in the Victorian style lit by the bright chandelier above. The long table in the middle of the room could have sat six people easily, or eight if they were very close with more chairs. Right now it was set with only six chairs, with one at either end, and two chairs to either side.

  “You certainly have a lavish living environment. I would not have thought you would enjoy this style of decoration,” he said in a subdued surprised to
ne.

  “You may thank Athene for the design and layout. I have no call to complain as I enjoy what she has done, but she is the mastermind behind all you see,” I said as I gestured towards the chair at the head of the table, and took my own seat next to his.

  “Really, I would have thought since you are the pilot she would have made something specifically to your taste,” he said in a tone that sounded like he was dismissing Athene while taking the chair.

  “While I perhaps would not have picked this exact layout, it's something I like. Athene is my partner and houses me, so as this is her body, why not let her decorate herself as she sees fit?” I said, trying not to be upset by his tone.

  “I see. Well anyway, do you think you will be able to set us up with Athene's power of production soon?” he said.

  “If you don't mind, I have a habit of not discussing anything important while I eat. We may talk of our likes and passions, but business shall have to wait until we are done,” I said, making up a situation to ensure we ate quickly. His dismissive nature was setting my teeth on edge.

  “Very well, what are we having this evening?” he asked.

  “Athene has taken your preferences as I've explained them and has decided to make us meatloaf,” I said, finding it hard to think that anyone would be pleased at the idea of meatloaf when anything could be had.

  “Oh, it has been awhile since I've had that. My mother would make it on occasion and I always enjoyed it. I hope your Athene can do it justice,” he said.

  “I think you shall find Athene is a magnificent chef. She has prepared meals like I've never experienced before. If she didn't keep me exercising I'm afraid I would have become much larger than you see me today,” I said with a forced laugh, trying to make it sound natural.

  “I suppose that is the danger of having anything and everything you want anytime you want. Lucky for us here we have all gravitated towards dances in the evening, otherwise we might run against the same issue,” he said jovially.

  “Shall we then? Athene please bring us your wonderful cooking,” I said to the air.

  From the table sprang our white dishes with silverware to each side, and in between myself and Mr. Thompson a white oval plate filled with a red glazed loaf appeared. The smell that emanated was that of ketchup and meats. I could see under the glaze thick slices of bacon enveloped the bread loaf shape.

  “That looks very good. I can't wait to try a bite,” my guest stated.

  “What would you care to drink? I generally have just water with my meals, would you care for the same?” I asked.

  “Might I trouble you for a glass of Merlot?” he asked back.

  “I don't see any issue. Athene Merlot for our guest please,” I said.

  In front of us wine glasses appeared, mine filled with the clear fluid of water, and his with the dark red of wine.

  He took his glass in hand and raised it for a toast and said, “To your health.”

  I grasped my glass in my hand and held it high as well and responded, “And to yours.”

  Our glasses clinked with the sound of bells, and while I sipped my water he downed his in several gulps. I was not expecting that, but to each their own I supposed.

  As he placed his now empty glass to the table it began to fill once more with the red fluid. I could see it rising through the stem. I was always interested in the little tricks Athene did for mundane things.

  “That is a good glass of wine, and I see I get more. I think I shall enjoy this dinner,” Mr. Thompson said happily.

  “I hope you do. Shall I serve you a slice of meatloaf now?” I asked, trying to keep my face cheerful.

  “Certainly my dear. There is nothing like a fine wine to set my hunger to stirring,” he said smiling.

  When I reached out to cut off a slice, a large serrated knife appeared along with a long pronged fork. I took these both in hand and set to slicing off a piece for my guest.

  I asked, “Do you prefer an end piece or some from the middle?”

  “An end piece if you please. That has the most of the sauce,” he said winking while he took another swig of his wine. He seemed to be loosening up, and I wondered if he was getting drunk, or even if he was able to be affected by alcohol.

  I passed over to his plate a large slice of the meatloaf, and he set to eating it before I could even get my own to my plate.

  “Oh, this is simply fantastic. Not only is there bacon on the outside, but I can taste there are ground bits of it inside. Maybe there is some spiced sausage in here as well. Not too spicy mind you, just the way I like it,” he said between fork filled bites and sips of wine.

  I took a bite myself, and he was correct, it was a fine example of what a meatloaf could be. It was savory and filled with spices and even bits of onion that set off the sweet ketchup coating. I could imagine eating this next to an egg and be quite happy at any meal time.

  I was only able to have a few bites before he said, “Might I trouble you for some more of this lovely food?”

  “Of course, would you care for the other end then?” I asked.

  “Please do, and make it a big piece this time,” he said greedily.

  I complied and cut away a full forth of the loaf and set it before him. He set to devouring it with a lustful hunger that I had only ever seen in movies of people who had been without food for days.

  Soon he was weaving in his chair. Whether it from the copious amounts of wine he was taking in, or the affects of Athene's poison I did not know.

  “Waa's go.. goin on?” Mr. Thompson slurred while his face screwed up in confusion.

  “You seem to have gotten drunk sir. Perhaps I should have Athene make you some coffee?” I said.

  “I nee.. ta lay dow,” he said while trying to shake his head.

  “Athene, if you would be so kind as to let our guest rest somewhere,” I said to the room.

  “Certainly Michael. Let me just get a hold of him,” she said while a tube of white descended from the ceiling to surround Mr. Thompson, cutting off my view of him.

  “There, I have him. He does not seem to be able to resist me in anyway now. I think maybe what I put in his drink was too much,” Athene said.

  “What did you put in the drink? More of what was in the meatloaf?” I asked.

  “Just a little, but mostly I made the drink very alcoholic. I assumed if he liked to drink alcohol then he must be affected by it, even if it was just a little. It seems I was correct. He is now very drunk, and very much unable to move. I am afraid if you had drank this much you would either be very sick, or dying,” she said.

  “Are you able to interface with him now and see what the Outsiders plan to do with the people here?” I asked.

  “You will have to give me a moment. I think this will take some concentration, so if you do not mind letting me work in silence I shall inform you later what I can find out,” she said sounding strained.

  I shrugged my shoulders. Well here was food, and I was not yet full, so I began to finish the meatloaf. I am not saying I was not worried about Athene, but I have always felt one should not let food go to waste.

  What followed were several minutes of silence. Of course I finished the meatloaf, and my glass of water, but was only slightly tempted by what Mr. Thompson had left on his plate. I am not one to eat after another person, but the food was fantastic. While I do not think of myself as a germaphobe, I find it a bit gross to eat after another. What Athene had made was simply good. It satisfied a taste that I had longed for, savory and filling. Even then I was feeling full, but I still wanted to taste more. Again if Athene did not restrict the calories in what she made, and if I did not regularly work out, I would be enormous. Only my self-control and lack of funds before meeting her had kept me from gaining weight.

  As the minutes slipped by I began to worry if Athene was alright. I was hesitant to say anything as I did not wish to interrupt her at any crucial point, but I was beginning to panic. What if my dear friend was lost to me by doing this? I beg
an to doubt if we should have gone through with it.

  My worries were allayed when Athene said, “Michael, it is as we feared. The towns people are no longer under their own control. They were implanted with Outsider technology during their stasis on their trip here causing them to be directly influenced by Mr. Thompson.”

  “Damn them, and damn him. Is there anyway to reverse the process?” I asked, feeling shocked and disgusted.

  “He knows of no way. Parts of their very minds have been replaced, if we took them out they would certainly die. What personalities they did have before have been wiped clean. They retain some of their old memories, enough that given the directive they might be able to stand up to questioning, but they would need to be told to do so from Mr. Thompson. I might be able to get rid of the compulsion to do as he asks, but then they would do nothing. They are just shells now. The only thing they left alone were the base functions of life support. The memories these people had were duplicated with artificial structures using the malleable Outsider material that I am made of,” Athene said in a sad voice.

  “So we are now in a town of zombies controlled by this man we've captured. It's too late for them, but maybe we can save ourselves with what this man knows. Does he have any information on what the Outsiders plan to do with humans?” I asked.

  “He is not one of the three that came originally from elsewhere. He was recently made, and like me given his own personality based upon another. He was to take over for the original Mr. Stephen Thompson and run this colony as Mayor. He was to use the population to set up a base for any incoming colonists, and use his control over the ones here to make sure he continued to stay in power. He was to make sure that the population would continue to grow, and that the bodies of the dead were sent back to the Outsiders without fail. Those were the limit to his instructions. He has taken it upon himself to try and have a good time everyday, and to work as little as possible. He does not care about the Outsiders, and only wishes to have pleasure in life. Somehow he has been able to defeat his original programming and is just doing as he pleases. He was meant to set up farms, or at least begin to till the soil, but he has done nothing but use the colony ship for his own means. He would not have built any houses save his own if he thought when we arrived we would not find it suspicious,” Athene explained in a distant voice.