Aurelia slowly turned back to the smug queen, her face a mixture of fear and anger. She glared daggers at the hive monarch..
“What do you want.” She spat.
“Simple. We wish for you to share with us the cloaking technology you used to get so close to my planet. Give us this, and you will have bought our silence.”
Aurelia cocked an eyebrow. “It wasn’t stealth. The station sensors must have malfunctioned.” She said, desperately trying to stall for time while she thought of an excuse.
“We are being incredibly patient with you, single-mind, do not lie to us. We saw you appear on our sensors, far within their range. Tell us or we reveal your location to the Federation.” The chorus seethed. Manners had officially left the room, the tension in the air between the frail woman and the colossal queen grew thick. Aurelia’s mind was racing for an a way out. The technology was still new and she hadn’t fully tested, and she wasn’t about to give it to a hive queen.
An idea came to Aurelia, one where she would have to give up little, and it would give her more than enough time to conclude her business on the surface of Valak.
“Fine. I wasn’t lying when I said it wasn’t cloaking. I never had an interest in that.” Siad Aurelia. Now that she was being pursued by the Nekt federation, and other groups were showing more interest in her, she was wishing she did invest in the idea.
“ I have made countless modifications to my ship over the years, including the warp drive. It creates a stronger warp bubble around the ship than even the top available warp drives. The result is a far stronger warp bubble that, as a consequence, bends more radiation around the ship. Since you are so ‘insistent’, I will share my upgrades with you. I trust this is sufficient?”
The queen’s drones went silent, staring forward into the void, their eyes going completely white. After a minute of deliberations, the drone's eyes darkened once more.
“The queens agree to your terms. We will not tell of your passing.” The queen chittered, turning her multi-eyed gaze to Isobel. “Who is this that travels with you?”
Aurelia gave a sideward glance to Isobel, and gave her a nod to speak. Isobel froze, unsure of what to say, until she remembered the visit from the Guul Diplomats from four days ago
.
“My name is Isobel, I am a friend of Aurelia. I was staying with her, as I had not seen her for years, when we entered a rather dire situation. I am now travelling with her until it is safe.”
The queen chittered, her imposing gaze wearing down on the android. Isobel could feel her nerves shaking, doing the best she could to hide her fear. After she was done studying the android with her many eyes, she chittered and waved her claws dismissively.
“Fine, we permit you to leave. Have safe travels, single-mind.” The chorus spoke.
They spun and left without a single word, and when the elevator doors closed, Aurelia let out a huge sigh, as if she had been holding her breath the entire time. Isobel stared out the window, looking down at the trade station as they descended.
“Was it okay to give her such valuable technology?” Isobel asked.
Aurelia gave her a serious look. “It had to be done. I will explain the technology once we are on my ship.”
The pair arrived at the Blackhole Blitz in silence, entering the ship without a word. The second the airlock closed behind them, Aurelia collapsed to her knees gasping her chest. She was taking in short, rapid breaths. Isobel panicked and immediately dropped beside her and placed a gentle hand on the scientist’s back.
“Rell, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you breathing properly?” She said, concerned.
Aurelia held her hand up and shook her head, her breathing slowly coming more under her control. She slowed her breath down to long, slow draws, and shut her eyes as she regulated herself. Eventually, she turned to Isobel and smiled apologetically.
“Sorry to worry you. I’m not as put together as I seem. I held off that panic attack long enough to get out of that place.” Aurelia heaved herself back to her feet, and motioned for Isobel to follow her.
“I can’t show weakness in public, or people will think I am easy to take advantage of. Some species do not treat their disabled as well as others. The Cavtikans euthanize anyone in their ranks seen as ‘defective’.” Aurelia spoke with disdain.
“That is horrible!” Isobel exclaimed.
“It is what it is. Humans, and Milvines are particularly good these days, though humans at least have a less than shining record over the course of their history.” Rambled Aurelia as they entered the bridge. They sat down in their chairs, and Aurelia sighed heavily.
“I’m so sick of today, I would like to sleep for three days straight, but work must be done. I need to find out what the Guul Imperium and the Nekt federation want from me. I don’t like it though, this situation feels far too familiar.”
“Why does it feel familiar?” asked Isobel.
Aurelia glanced at the android, a brief look of pain in her eyes, before she plastered a fake smile on.
“Who knows? I don’t really remember. It’s more deja vu more than anything else.” Aurelia said suspiciously. Isobel nodded in response, unconvinced, deciding to drop it.
“Anyway, the technology is a loss, but it's by far not the most valuable thing I could give up.” Aurelia said, their eyes meeting, their gaze lingering for a little too long.
Isobel broke eye contact, and grabbed her wrist shyly.
“So what are we doing on that planet?”
“Full of questions today aren’t we?” Aurelia teased. “Don’t look at me like that, I’m just kidding. I have an old friend who might be able to give me some information on why we were attacked. It will also give us an opportunity to plan our next move. My friend is the best tactician I know.”
“Well, whatever it is you need to do, I’ll come with you. I trust you and I want to help.”
Aurelia’s pale cheeks gained a small amount of colour, her lips parting. She cleared her throat and nodded.
“I appreciate it, but you don’t have to. The original plan was to have you hang around my lab for roughly a year, but plans have changed. We are in a very dangerous situation, and I can’t watch you be hurt again. If you wish it,, I can use some of my power to give you an ID, a bank account and enough money to live very comfortably for the rest of your life once we land on Velak.”
Isobel smiled warmly and shook her head. “I didn’t fight that monster for no reason. I want to be of as much use as I can to you.” She said sincerely. The scientist looked like she was about to cry. Before she could respond, the speakers in the hall activated.
“Would you like me to prepare your bedchamber for you? I could perhaps light a scented candle, prepare some wine, and-” Addison went quiet for a moment, before some jazz music started playing over the speakers. “Does this help set the mood?”
“I can shut you off. I can just walk straight to your server room and just flick a switch. Poof. Gone. Sweet silence.” said Aurelia with a frown.
“But Aurelia, you love me too much, and also I do all of the cooking, cleaning and I run every operation on this ship. Also you love my charming personality.” Addison retorted confidently.
Aurelia paused for a moment. Addison never referred to her by name before. She was certain her suspicions had come true, but was unsure what to make of them.
“Fuck, you got me there. You get to live another day.” Aurelia sighed in resignation. She wasn’t sure how to broach the subject, but it was for a later date. “I am going to go to bed for a while. Please dock in Aulxeod for us. I desperately need more sleep. The queen drained all of my energy and I still feel like shit from the slipspace jump.”
“Of course, young miss. I will make sure it is done.”
“Thanks Addison.”
“It isn’t a trouble miss, you would be at a loss without me.” Addison almost sounded a little smug.
“No, I mean for everything you do, I really would be at a loss without you. I really appreciate it.” Aurelia sounded sincere, and she was, but she also had her ulterior motives
The speakers went silent. Leaving Aurelia and Isobel to exchange glances.
“Thank you, young miss, I really appreciate it.” Addison said sincerely.
“Right, now that we have that sappy shit out of the way, I’m going to nap. Don’t wake me until after we have landed.” said Aurelia as she hobbled to bed.
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