Old Logs: 21 APR 3283
04 Jan 2024Vasil Vasilescu
From the COVAS archives of the Always Lost, old logs from Vasil’s decades of wandering the galaxy occasionally find their way into the ship's current log feed, appearing like suddenly remembered memories. Though Vasil scoffs at the idea that the ship has developed a sort of semi self-aware machine memory over the course of thirty years with the same commander, he refuses to have the COVAS archives wiped and re-optimized. Sometimes, all you have from the past are memories.::Radwar Enterprises, Carthage, 21APR 3283
::Cargo doors unlocked via external interface. Two persons detected.
::Image logged.
The #2 cargo hatch on the ship’s belly hissed open, its doors retracting into the ship as an access ladder extended. Vasil looked to Rachael standing beside him with two duffel bags at her feet. “You sure you want to do this,” asked Vasil, speaking loud enough to be heard over the sound of the station’s mineral processors reverberating through the hangar. “We could still spend your six weeks leave on Emerald and stay at one of my family’s villas.”
“It’s almost like you don’t want me coming with you. Are you sure it is not you that wants to go to Emerald,” teased Rachel. She knew Vasil’s strained relations with most of his family would make visiting Emerald uncomfortable for him. Yet, he was so concerned she have a good holiday that he still offered to take her there and have her treated like a noble. How, she thought, could she not adore this man.
“Deep-void scouting is not most people’s idea of a vacation. I don’t want you to be bored.”
“A few weeks of Imperial pampering on Emerald sounds wonderful, but I’d rather just be alone with you. Besides, I am sure we can think of something to do in the down time.” Rachael winked and playfully nudged Vasil toward the ladder. “So let’s go, already, and get to all that down time!”
“Alright,” said Vasil climbing the ladder. “But remember, you asked for it.”
Rachael watched Vasil climbing the ladder and grinned. “Damn, you have a great ass!”
Vasil stepped up into the cargo bay and looked down to Rachel. “If you ask nice, I’ll let you kiss it. Now, toss up your bags.”
“Babe, you definitely got the wrong girl if you want nice,” Rachael laughed, and pushed the large duffel bags up to Vasil.
She climbed the ladder and as she neared the top, Vasil took Rachel by the hand. Using the station’s low gravity, he pulled her up into the cargo bay. His hands found their way to Rachael’s hips, her hands to his shoulders. Saying nothing, she leaned into him to savor a long kiss as the bay doors slowly sealed out the heavy pounding of the of the station’s industrial processors.
Lights and monitors blinked on in the cramped bay. “Welcome back, Commander Vasilescu” said Jefferson, the ship’s COVAS. “It has been seventeen hours and forty-one minutes since you were last aboard.”
“Mphts phmrm,” mumbled Vasil trying to speak with Rachael’s lips still pressed against his.
“I’m sorry, I do not understand,” said Jefferson. “Are you in distress? Do you need me to summon medical personnel?”
Rachael snickered and broke the kiss. “No, I am fine,” said Vasil. “Just a little something on my lip. Jefferson, what is the ship’s supply status?”
“Fueling complete. Autosteward restocked. SRV spares secured. Heatsink, point defense, and chaff systems reloaded. AFM at 100% capacity. Synthesizer raw materials at 57% capacity. Port charges and details on cargo monitor one, Commander."
“Excellent. Jefferson, register new crewmember, Rachael Halenui, unrestricted access.” Vasil gave Rachael a quick kiss and stepped back to review the port fees while Jefferson learned her face and voice.
“Acknowledged. Rachael Halenui, please remain still for facial and voice recognition. Please state your full name, system of birth, and your preferred method of address.”
“Rachael Anne Halenui. I was born in the Carthage system.” The call sign given to her by fellow mining engineers for the way Rachael ran her projects popped into her head. She grinned mischievously. “Jefferson, you may address me as Mistress.”
A green light flashed twice on Vasil’s monitor and Jefferson said in an uncharacteristically pleasant tone for a COVAS, “Welcome aboard, Mistress.”
::ImageLogged:Mistress
Rachael laughed, “I love it! The COVAS on the mining rigs won’t let me do that.”
Vasil approved the port fees with a few screen taps and turned back to Rachael. “In five years, Jefferson has never been that friendly with me. I think I am a little hurt.”
“Well, babe, you are not his Mistress, and every good boy knows they need to keep their Mistress happy. Isn’t that right, Jefferson?”
Having no previous interactions with Rachael from which to determine the intent of her question, Jefferson took a second to tailor a response. “Mistress, it is my understanding that good boys always do their best to obey their owner’s commands such as 'fetch,' 'sit,' and 'beg,' and to be on their best behavior while collared and walking on a leash. Often, they are rewarded with treats for being good boys. It is reasonable to assume that such behavior pleases their Mistress, thus making the pet a good puppy boy, or a good puppy girl.
“Puppy boys and puppy girls!” Rachael burst out laughing. “Jefferson, you are the best!”
“Thank you, Mistress.”
“Great,” said Vasil taking up Rachael's bags. “You two are going to be impossible to deal with these next six weeks. Just so you know, as the ship’s master and commander, I will maintain discipline through the liberal use of floggings if I must.”
Rachael, cat-like, pressed close to Vasil, her voice suggestive and smoldering, “Oh, Master Commander Vasil, don’t tease me like that.”
“Commander Vasilescu,” interrupted Jefferson, “the crew cabin is currently repurposed as extra equipment storage. There is no available cabin for Mistress.”
“Mistress Rachael,” said Vasil with a mock disapproving side-eye to Rachael, “will be bunking with me, Jefferson. Now, if Mistress Rachael would care to follow me, I will show Her-Most-Exalted-And-Floggable-Self to our quarters.”
Rachael heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Oh, if you must,” she said smiling at Vasil and snaking her arm under his. “Lead on, lover.”