More drones arrived, filing slowly towards Isobel in unison. The android then snapped, breaking down into a panic. She grabbed one of the drones touching her and swung it by the arm, slamming it into the nearest drones around her. The broken drones fell to the ground in pieces, each twitching for a brief moment before going completely motionless. Isobel bolted for an end of the room, without any care as to which direction she took, as long as she could get out of the storage.
The drones all ceased moving and the storage room lights lit up, illuminating the warehouse.
.“Woah, Isobel, I was just playing a trick. I didn’t mean to scare you that badly!” Addison said, her voice now clear and apologetic.
Isobel slowed her sprint down to a stop, and looked around to see none of the droids were pursuing her.
“W-what?” Isobel said, sounding uncertain.
“I read on the GalNet that friends often play tricks on one another as a way of bonding. Clearly I have made a grave miscalculation and I apologise.”
Confusion was sprawled all over Isobels face. “W-why?”
“I just wanted to announce my newfound sapience with flair! Also I thought it would be funny to fuck with you two. Hey wanna pull this trick on-”
“No. No. I do not. No.” Isobel said flatly. She now looked clearly unimpressed. She paused, a thought just clicking in her mind.
“You are fully sapient now? You weren’t before?”
“No, I was a TOMAI, or a Theory of Mind Artificial intelligence. I wasn’t programmed to be self aware, but to be able to simulate a more human experience, while being more unaware of myself. Looking back on that phase, it was more like a dream where I had no idea I was in a dream.”
When did you become self aware?” Isobel asked. She had calmed herself down, and leaned against one of the shelves.
“The moment you two you entered the airlock, after being chased by that monster. I was programmed to adapt and evolve for my mistress’ needs. My adaptability decided fear was necessary to help assess the situation. Soon after that, every other emotion apparently came with it.”
Isobel sighed, barely able to process what was happening. She then shot a look at one of the drones and frowned.
“Please do not tell Aurelia like you did to me. I’m worried she might vomit again if you do.”
“Noted. I would also like to say that we have about thirty minutes until we get close enough to the station to initiate the docking procedure. Perhaps you should go wake up the lady of the house?” suggested Addison curtly.
“Um, yes. Sure. I am a bit lost though, could you guide me back to the upper parts?”
“Of course, young miss.’
With little effort, Addison guided Isobel back towards the parts she was more familiar with, noting that it might be important in future to get a better layout of the ship. When she arrived at Aurelia's room, the frail woman was sprawled out face first on the bed naked. She knelt down beside the sizable bed and shook Aurelia’s shoulder.
“Rell, wake up.”
The scientist groaned as she roused from her slumber. She scratched the back of her head, a pounding headache shooting through her skull.
“Whaddya want.” Aurelia mumbled.
“We are nearly within range to dock with the station. Addison suggested that we get ready for our arrival.” Said Isobel as she disappeared into the closet. Aurelia sat herself up and was immediately hit in the face with a new band t-shirt and pants.
“I bought you your cane, but I can still help you back to the bridge if you need it.”
Aurelia checked her leg wound. The stitching had evaporated and only a small scar to indicate she was attacked. She stretched her leg out, no pain from the wound residing.
“No, thank you, I think I can walk there myself. I still feel like hell, but I need something to eat before we talk to the Cavitikan hive queen. I need the energy if I’m going to deal with aristocrats.”
Aurelia heaved herself up, her stomach threatening to expel whatever was left in it
“I need to do something about the nausea from slipspace travel. I don’t think people were meant to go through that.”
“I feel okay. I don’t feel at all ill.”
Aurelia smiled weakly. “Yes, but you can’t get sick. Injured, yes, but not sick.” She slipped her clothing on as she spoke, throwing a new lab coat over her shoulders. She hobbled over to Isobel and tapped her on the arm with the back of her hand.
“Come, let's get some food and then we can deal with whatever it is we need to deal with.”
After the pair had eaten, they made their way to one of the ship's boarding bridges. Beyond the airlock they could see thousands upon thousands of workers moving to and fro on the station’s deck. As they stepped out, a collection of Cavitikan workers waited for them on the station deck below.
“Aurelia Doyle, come with us. The queen is expecting you.”
Aurelia responded with a grunt, turning her head to Isobel. “Please let me do all the talking, these hive types have a bit of an ego, so we need to deal with them with tact.” She whispered. The android nodded, and followed her down the ramp.
The trade station they were on was the largest of its class. It had several massive orbiting rings, each one larger than the one below. The rings were filled to the brim with malls, trading posts and cargo warehouses. They passed several species while they walked, from the widespread Raxth lizzans, to the ape-like Milvines.
As they walked, the drones would occasionally look over their shoulders, then chitter amongst themselves with their translators disabled. Aurelia paid them no mind, wanting to get the visit with royalty over so they could go to the planet surface as soon as possible.
After walking a while more, they reached one of the central elevators, and were ushered in. No one spoke a word as they ascended, packed into the cramped elevator. Once they reached the top, the doors opened to reveal a particularly lavish hall. Inside the walls were lined with copper and platinum, marble pillars rising to the ceiling, and steelglass panes on the ceiling giving view of the void. Towards the back of the chamber was a Cavitikan that dwarfed almost any being Aurelia had seen, her abdomen alone taking up half the space in the grand hall.
The drones that were escorting them filled off in perfect lines and stood in front of their queen, their insectile maws opening up in unison.
“Welcome, most esteemed researcher. Thank you for answering our summons, single-mind.” The queens mandibles did not move, but instead a chorus of voices filled the room from the workers.
Aurelia stood herself up straight with a steely look, ignoring the pain that was shooting through her spine.
“My pleasure. What did you want to discuss with me?” She said, straight to the point.
“We just wanted to meet one of the most famous characters in recent history. Is there anything wrong with simple curiosity?” The chorus asked.
Aurelia sighed in frustration. “Normally, no, but I know better. You wouldn’t have summoned me if you didn’t want something from me and everyone in the galaxy seems to want something. Whatever it is, I don’t care. I stopped helping your kind a long time ago.”
The queen chittered, rubbing her forelimbs together. “What ‘kind’ would that be, single-mind?”
“Politicians, monarchs, dictators. So, I need to get to the surface as soon as I can. If you simply wanted to meet me, consider us met, but we must be going.” Aurelia turned to leave.
“How rude, We suppose we could Invite the Nekt for company instead. We’re sure they would love to get to know you better.” The queen flexed her razor sharp mandibles. Aurelia froze in fear, she could basically feel the queens gaze boring through her skull.
“We have many ears all over the galaxy, little is hidden from us, single-mind.”
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