Chapter 5
IDENTITY: Mechanical Operations and Support Systems
→ SUB-IDENTITY: Moss
Deep in the engine, something overheated.
This was bad for two reasons:
It forced the Destitute out of the wormhole forty-seven minutes early.
The engine was overheating.
I had control of life support, and barriers to protect that, so it only took a moment to activate one between the engine room and the rest of the ship. That saved me, the complaining plants, and my new, very squishy human from being roasted.
The engine operated on its own system, working in close conjunction with the auto-nav. I tapped in to their conversation, happening faster than any human could process.
Engine: Warning. Increased temperatures detected. Explosion imminent. Rerouting to auxiliary system.
Auto-Navigation: Awaiting result.
E: Auxiliary system enacted. Transitioning. Success.
A: Assessment?
E: Recurrent catastrophic engine failure: 72 percent probable. Timeframe—unknown.
A: Affirmative. Rerouting to maintenance base.
Moss: Wait. What maintenance base?
E:
A:
E:
A: Rerouting.
M: You are both inconsiderate assholes.