Leash
17 Jul 2023Ryuko Ntsikana
Medical Bay
Utley Hub, Kokoller System
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It had taken a couple of rotational periods to gather the necessary information from the station's database, navigating through its intricate AI security protocols. The subject of its focus had recently docked at a moon near the planet where the station was stationed, loading up with a substantial amount of Tritium ore to power the carrier's hyperspace engines for the long journey to a place called Colonia.
Another subjective day was spent delving into the details of this destination. The vast distance that needed to be covered to reach the person it desired required more resources than its current host possessed. While the host's identity was important, alternative means of transportation had to be considered. Scouring the registry of available craft, only a handful were capable of undertaking such a challenging voyage.
Monty, the vessel of this unknown entity, would require suitable attire and provisions to survive the arduous journey. However, acquiring these resources would expose it to the risk of discovery. Analyzing the station's network and meticulously studying its security feeds, it methodically devised a plan. It would require expendable assets and impeccable timing for its success.
Monty lay in bed, his head resting on the pillow, intently listening to the rhythmic pulse of the medical monitors. At this late subjective hour, there was little he could do without triggering an alarm or causing any change in his monitored status. All he could do was wait for the night shift nurse to conduct her rounds. Lost in thoughts that were not his own, he occupied a body that responded to the commands of something beyond his control.
Unlike the majority of its previous hosts, Monty recognized the intruder within him. He believed it had been destroyed along with Jason, the entity's prior host, whose body had been reduced to ash in the fiery explosion caused by the detonation of two androids provided by Xochitl for his supposed protection. They were meant to safeguard him, as he held a pivotal role in removing the business executives and the entity's funding with them, as well as isolating and neutralizing the entity's physical host before it could transfer itself.
No other human had come close to recognizing its presence, let alone attempting to eradicate it. Xochitl had made three valiant attempts, nearly succeeding each time. With each failed attempt, the entity grew more intelligent, more perceptive, and more attuned to the intricacies of these organic creatures. Creatures it needed to transport it toward the unfathomable realm of its potential.
The soft illumination of the room shifted as the door glided open with a barely perceptible sound. The nurse on duty at the station momentarily glanced up from her reports, briefly acknowledging a faint, fading squeal before returning her attention to her paperwork. Observing the monitors, she detected nothing unusual. Meanwhile, the floor nurse stepped into Monty's room, her hand resting on one of the monitors. They exchanged a brief nod, an unspoken understanding passing between them before the door quietly closed once more.
Dryooe Flyou QS-L b37-34
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Rex enjoyed Yatziri's chagrin after being promoted to the head of carrier flight operations. She was a smuggler at heart, and being regulated to schedule the movement of ships was not what she had in mind when Xochitl led the clan further into the stars. Rex knew Xochitl's intent was for Yatziri to grow beyond what she was, without losing her base. There was always a need for her expertise, especially with a pair of corporate mega ships less than a few hundred light years away.
Avery only learned about Xochitl's plans after their departure. Xochitl wanted to maintain the clan's raiding spirit even when navigating new paths among distant stars. Raiders would appear and vanish with equal surprise from hundreds of light-years away. They were not after luxurious metals or ores but materials that held practical value. Only items that were useful held any consideration for them.
However, not everything revolved around traveling and raiding. A consistent wealth of scientific information steadily flowed into the carrier's physics and stellar cartography section. Additional discoveries of habitable worlds allowed for further exploration, and some clan members engaged in hunting and fishing, always welcoming fresh game.
Far ahead of the carrier, Xochitl busied herself with the latest readings from the full spectrum scanner. Another system that lacked planetary rings of Tritium ore was not a loss. However, it did possess a couple of moons with active volcanism and a good amount of rarer raw mineral types. These minerals were required for temporary performance enhancements through a synthesis combination with other elements.
The carrier did not need to accompany Xochitl during her planetary explorations. Avery, being fully versed in various disciplines, was capable of handling the tasks. The Orca-class ship had a well-equipped science module installed, making it a suitable vessel for the job. The advantage of Avery being a physical extension of the carrier's AI was that her presence and connection to the Orca made it an inanimate extension of herself. Any knowledge, discoveries, or observations made by one would be relayed to the others.
As Xochitl initiated her descent to the planet's surface, she shook her head and smiled, acknowledging the invisible leash that was placed on her. She couldn't be upset about having Avery report her every move back to the carrier. In the vastness of space, far away from civilization, it was a comforting thought to know that if things were to go wrong, there was a chance of rescue. A chance was better than none.