Chapter Four
KIRA
Captain?
Flopping back onto the cold metal surface of the exam table, Kira felt this was the last thing she needed. Covering her face with her forearms, she let out an aggravated, “Yes?”
I -
A normal A.I. didn’t stutter, or stop. Their minds worked too quickly because of their programming. They were numbers that computed and spat back a response based on what was expected of them and what they had learned.
“I don’t need a lesson right now, Watson. I’ve learned it already.”
I’m not sure you ever really learn a lesson.
Kira snorted. “I’m not sure you ever do either.”
I learn much faster this way.
“You do.” Kira pushed back up into a sitting position. Searching the room visually, she found what she looked for: a transport table. It levitated and held up to seven hundred and fifty pounds of weight. The table worked by either lightly touching it on a handle that slid out the bottom, by using a remote to move it, or setting it to follow said remote. Shuffling on one foot across the room and awkwardly hopping over the short side rail, she picked up the datapad that controlled the inputs.
That’s a clever idea.
Kira snorted. “I have those from time to time.”
The transport table was about two feet wide by four feet long with a two inch raised edge, and appeared to be made of stainless steel. A rounded handlebar on one side could be adjusted for the handler”s height. Beneath it rested a small slot where the datapad went for controlling it and for keeping track of the supplies on it. When Kira sat, the tablet updated automatically to reveal a Praetorian lifeform sitting on the table.
Zooming out into the hallway, it had a total grand speed of up to five miles an hour, which sufficed to move her into the wide halls.
“Watson, connect me to Alec, please.”
Yes, Captain.
A second later, the man came over the line. “Aye, Captain?”
“Meet me down in the mess hall, please?”
“Aye, Captain.”
The mess hall was once the size of a full football field. It’d been quartered and butchered for other uses as space became a commodity to be used for storage rather than entertainment. Leaving the dining space a fraction of the old space. Two long sleek tables with bench seats in the same finish occupied the area left.
The kitchen, just off the dining area, had avoided being gutted. Originally meant to feed an attending crew of over one hundred, a pass through section, reminiscent of a cafeteria, remained on one side for trays to be slid back and forth across. The inside resembled a reminder of humanity’s contribution to cooking. There were still large ovens, along with dehydrators, old-fashioned bin sinks, large working countertops, and cold storage. There was not much to be improved upon when it came to preparing food in any society.
Alec worked in the kitchen upon her arrival, arguing with the oven. “Infernal thing! Work dag nab it.”
Kira laughed while pushing the forward button moving into the kitchen but hopping off after getting close to the counters, hobbling forward around the center island to steady herself. She laid both hands flat on the cool surface. “I daresay, if it had feelings, you would have bruised them by now.”
“Oh aye, just as my own have been.” He continued to poke his finger against the buttons to set it properly. “A child kicks me out of my engine room.”
The word room became elongated with his accent. The more flustered he became, the more he relied on it. Kira stifled her laughter so as not to offend him further. “Toke wants the upgrades done quickly, and it makes sense that we will only be in his way. From what I understand, the superstructure will need quite a bit of stabilization to withstand the new engines.”
“Toke can-” Alec paused, a sharp breath exhaled from his mouth. Condensation grew on the oven as it finally beeped and showed the right temperature. “Toke can do what he wants, lass.”
“He does pay for this whole-” she did a vague hand wave upward at the ship. “Operation.”
Alec shifted his weight back and forth, finally turning to look at her. His cheeks were ruddy, but his eyes remained bright as always. “What have you gone and done now, lass?”
“Fell out of one of the old shafts. Well, fell trying to grab the ladder that retracted but.” She shrugged.
Alec sighed heavily. “You need to be more careful, Captain.”
“A few days in a cast never hurt anyone.”
“Oh aye, a few days in a cast actually resting to recover never hurt anyone, but yer not gonna do that are ya?”
“I might.”
Kira slipped around him to pluck a strawberry out of a bowl he’d set aside for part of their dessert. Alec smacked her hand. She shrieked a sharp ‘ow’ and he let out a peal of laughter at her shock.
“You’re not funny.” Rubbing her hand, she side eyed him, but didn’t attempt it again.
“And you’re not thieving before supper is done.”
“Spoilsport,” Kira grumbled.
Alec pointed a spoon at her as if it were a sword. “Child.”
“Old man.”
Alec plucked a strawberry out of the bowl and tossed it in his mouth. Kira gasped dramatically before a fake sword fight ensued with long, metal serving spoons. They fought to keep each other from the bowl.
It ended with a fake death on Kira’s part, her pretending to be mortally wounded. “Grant, a dying woman, one last wish?”
Alec eyed her suspiciously. ”Aye.”
“I just want,” dramatically clinging to the cabinet, she clutched her shirt wrinkling the fabric, “One… last… strawberry.”
Alec guffawed before they both dissolved into fits of laughter, and he granted her request.
Kira and Alec crossed over to the Eikos station. A large bridge connected the station to the Callistar, remaining in place to allow supplies to be shuttled back and forth. The bridge provided a regulated and pressurized atmosphere for the safety of all passing through.
Alec and Kira met at the gate in the morning. Alec’s old leather bag hung loosely over his left shoulder, the thick strap digging down. He would take the shuttle Kira ordered to Maudlin. Kira waited impatiently, tapping her good foot. She’d skipped the transport table and had gone for a stiff boot instead. If their chief medical officer, Bre, had been aboard, she would have torn her a new one about keeping off her leg. However, she had matters to attend to.
Kira started on the first. “This is the tablet with the new specs on it. You’ll have everything you need to look over the new systems before you return. I’ve sent everyone else’s homework on an encrypted line.”
“Oh aye, shore leave isn’t really shore leave without an assignment, is it?”
Kira smiled. “It’s not.”
Alec tucked it into this bag, swinging it back into place. “Are you walking with me, Captain?”
“To the shuttle. Then I have a meeting with Commander West.”
Alec smacked the button on the lift a little too hard as she said the name. Both were silent on the matter as they waited for his floor. He hit the next door with the same pent up anger, and it swished open to the Eikos’ outer ring.
The Eikos served as a shipyard repair station. Staring inwardly there was a tube-like center, then a large lower ring and a smaller upper ring. The lower ring was where the larger galaxy class and mining ships docked. The inner part of the large ring was for smaller ships, cruisers and the like. They could fit in the space before one reached the towering center. The center being the primary hub of activity. The upper ring was where shuttles and transports docked, dropping off supplies. Everything had to be cleared through customs in the center before being transferred to the lower ring for customizations and repairs.
The pair made their way across one of the permanent passages on the outer ring to the main column. Passing security, they scanned access badges coded for their ranks before they could grab a tube heading for the upper ring.
“You’re sure you’ll be alright by yerself, Captain?” Alec was keeping the shuttle from leaving by lingering, rechecking his belongings as if he had forgotten to pack something.
“Right as rain Alec, don’t worry.” Kira waited until he stood up all the way. She leaned in and embraced him.
He returned it after a second, wrapping one arm stiffly around her back.
“Take care of yourself, old man.”
Alec didn’t return the jest, but squeezed her a little tighter before making his way onto the shuttle, still patting his pockets restlessly.
Commander West liked to keep people waiting. It was a power move, schedule a meeting, then make sure that you were ‘busy’ when they arrived. The tactic was as old as time and Kira expected it, not that she’d stand for it, but she certainly knew it was likely.
She’d passed through the Eikos station, taking a few shortcuts over to the tube that hit the officers’ quarters and offices. The principal thoroughfare on the station had been about what it was on the Meeting Place. A collection of strange faces and races all obtaining last minute supplies, hashing out deals for repairs or upgrades, or visiting one of the many on board spots for entertainment and drinking. A one stop shop for some and reputable enough they had upscale clients as security kept the station clean and the janitorial staff kept it well cared for.
Kira popped down a side hallway that ran the outside ring to avoid some of the open areas. They’d boarded here before and she’d be recognized, and she wasn’t in the mood to be trifled with, nor did she want to be late. The Eikos was familiar enough to her that she could skirt around the crowds.
Hitting security again as she came to the commanding decks, she flashed her pass, explained she was there for a meeting, and was given directions, unnecessarily. Rolling her eyes after she passed the scanner, she hit the alert button for West’s office.
“May I help you?” A decidedly feminine voice came over the line.
He’s gotten a new secretary, Kira thought, “Captain Starling here to see Commander West.”
A beep sounded and the familiar swishing of a door showed she was free to enter. Crossing into the room, she left a metal platform for something much more plush, actual carpet. The Eikos itself was what one expected of space, modernity in smooth lines and harsh metal mixed with a few sparse touches of luxury, but the Commander… well he liked to have a mixture of what the 1960s might have looked like if they’d been in space. Oval-shaped desks, odd egg chairs, and the plush bright ugly orange carpet.
Kira hated the sinking feeling of softness under her heels, but she moved forward, giving the secretary a passing glance walking straight to the next door.
“Captain Starling, I’m afraid he’s not ready yet,” the woman rose to stop her from entering.
The door auto-locked so Kira pivoted towards the woman, getting a good look at her. She was West’s type, blonde, curvy, and possibly dim-witted. They’d find out in a moment. She adopted a bright smile, stalking over like how a predator stalks their prey.
The blonde woman sat back down, satisfied, not knowing what she’d gotten herself into. Kira planted her hands on the smooth white table, the shellacked surface threatening to make them slide across.
“Let me guess, the Commander is entertaining another guest?” Kira leaned over her hands, every word bringing her just a little closer to the woman.
Blondie swallowed at the proximity. Her robin egg blue eyes were wide as saucers, “He’s, uh…” She licked her lips, “He’ll be done momentarily.”
“Mmm,” Kira was inches away now, her own amber gaze trapping the woman in place, “I’m sure he will be. The problem is that I don’t intend on waiting.”
“I’m afraid-”
“That I insisted,” Kira spoke over the woman, “Hit the button. Please.”
“There’s no need to assault my staff, Captain,” the Commander spoke from behind Kira. She recognized his voice immediately. It wasn’t one she’d soon forget because while he acted like he was a Talcien’s relative in his actions, that snake charmer oil salesman”s voice just sealed the deal.
Kira shot upright, turning about. “Commander! Lovely to see you again.”
Centered in the opening between the two offices, she noted his hair had been slicked back, possibly with the oil she joked about him selling privately. Chopped at the nape of his neck, it all landed perfectly there from where he’d combed it that direction. His uniform fit tightly, the black polyester mix straining across a muscled chest, and his broad shoulders, but his nose had taken one too many hits and was a little crooked. Ones he’d probably deserved if anyone asked her.
“As it is always lovely to see you Captain, now if you’re done disturbing Miss. Donahue, you can follow me.”
“I’m done,” Kira winked at Blondie before following the commander into his office, which was even more repulsively decorated because there were bright neon orange accents on top of shag.
“Would you like something to drink, Captain?”
“No, thank you.”
“You can take a seat if you’d like.” West poured himself something out of a decanter. Fake booze, she guessed. It lacked the smell of ethanol but provided the same kick if one allowed it.
Kira eyed the furniture hesitantly. Anything covered in fur was questionable, so she’d politely refuse, “I’m good standing, thank you.”
West took his time, adding in one ice cube after another, each clinking against one another.
Captain, how long should I give you?
Watson sounded off in her ear. His reminder he was present with her as he always was. When she crossed the threshold from her personal quarters, Watson automatically rerouted to the implant with standard permission protocols in place.
Kira tilted her head, her eyes flicking to West, “Five,” she muttered low enough he would not hear her.
Might I remind you we will be here for some time, it would be best to keep your temper under control.
Kira snorted.
West added in his last ice cube, “Everything alright over there Captain?”
“Peachy.” Assuming a relaxed stance she said, “I’m only here to make sure all of our paperwork is in line? Since we were allowed to dock I assume we crossed all our t’s and dotted our i’s?”
“Not here for a friendly chat?” West raised his glass to his lips. There was something extremely wormlike about them, Kira decided, as he took a drink.
“Usually summons like this are about protocol.”
“Ah,” West fiddled with his cup, sending his ice spinning around in it, “Miss. Donahue personally processed your paperwork. Everything was in line. I simply wanted to check in with you… Kira, I was informed you were supposed to be staying on board the Eikos.”
That earned him a sharp look, both for the use of her name and for the fact he wanted to check in, “Commander West, I do not believe it is any of your business whether or not I remain aboard the Callistar.”
“You know I do not mean it like that,” he sighed and set his drink down, “There is always a place for you here on the Eikos. You’d be safer here-”
“Safer how?”
“Well, for one you wouldn’t be on a ship with a stranger without proper security, and two-”
“Watson is there,” Kira interrupted him, not allowing him to give a second reason.
West frowned, his chin dropping a little, “And two, it’s not healthy to be alone like that. Besides, you don’t think Watson can’t be worked around? Toke didn’t spill all the beans, but he gave me enough to know that the retrofitter of your ship can work around an AI.”
“Well, one,” Kira raised a finger and her eyebrows, her tone sarcastic, “I’m a grown woman who can look after herself, and two,” a second finger shot up, “I don’t like the accusations you’re making about my new crew member.”
Kira knew Quinn was not quite a crew member, but for the sake of arguing with West it wasn’t worth the semantics. Shifting her weight to her good leg, her ankle ached inside the boot. She’d covered it with loose pants, but a good look down would give it away.
Which was exactly what West did when she’d moved. “Kira is that a medical brace?”
“It’s the new style these days,” she shot back venomously. The anger there made it clear. It was best that he dropped it.
The room speaker beeped before Watson came over the line, “Commander West, sorry to interrupt, Captain Kira, you have an urgent message from Sir.”
Kira breathed in a slow breath. He was early, but she thanked the stars he was. “Thank you, Watson. Forward it to my communicator.”
West stepped towards her almost physically, barring the exit, but she was quicker.
“Thank you Commander, I’m glad everything is in order. I really must be going.”
“Kira-”
“Bye Commander.”
His door wouldn’t auto lock from the inside, so she was out of it and past a very confused Miss Donahue in a matter of moments.
Taking a few deep gulps of air in the corridor like she’d just left a stuffy room, which she had, she’d grin like a Cheshire cat. “Good timing, Watson.”
Someone had to save you from yourself.
“You’re a good man,” she’d chuckle under her breath, starting a very painful walk back to the Callistar.