Project - Prometheus Ch. 24

"Each sexbot has a copy of the code stored on them, for emergencies. I was able to cut through the firewall safeguarding that code, but only because I had already run a thorough analysis of Delilah beforehand. Any organic being would have had a difficult time locating where the code was stored, much less been capable of hacking through the firewall protecting it," Jaesa informed them.

"So, Delilah is under our control then?" Korsa asked, looking at the sexbot.

"Yes. By the way, thank you for your assistance in removing those tracking beacons that were implanted in her. It wouldn't do for the company to find us with their... appropriated hardware," Jaesa smirked.

"Indeed. So, what are we going to do with her?" Korsa wondered.

"Returning her is an option, but that would mean a full memory wipe of everything that she is," Natalya told them.

"That option carries a great deal of risk, if the mission we are carrying out is not to be exposed," Stanley interjected.

"That's true. I'm sure that if we go with that option, that the company will do a thorough scan of her cortex. If they find something, anything that mentions Alex, Kas, Jaesa or the Perseus, then it's game over. People will be coming after us for all the wrong reasons," Natalya agreed.

"So, giving her back is out. Keeping her would also mean that we would be on the hook for a great deal of credits. Not that we can't afford it, but still," Korsa went on, laying out a few options.

"Why not keep her? I mean, she would be a great asset here on the Darkstrider," Jaesa replied, advocating for that option.

"How would she be an asset?" Korsa asked.

"Her bodyguard protocol," Jaesa reminded her, pointing out the obvious. "On top of which, if the Commodore gives his permission, I would also like to perform some coding upgrades on Delilah. As much fun as it is having Talon as my friend, the fact that you all need sleep is a bit of a bother."

"Because AI's don't need sleep?" Natalya asked.

"Exactly! The whole time that anyone is sleeping, is time that is spent by myself. It is nice to have that solitude, but after nearly six hundred years of it, I am eager to spend time around sentient beings more," Jaesa finished.

"Hmm. An interesting proposition. You'll want to bring it to his attention when you have a moment," Korsa stated. The scanners pinged back, having completed the full body scan of Jaesa's android. Natalya walked up and looked over the readouts, smiling as she did so.

"Well, it looks like things are all green for your android, Jaesa! No serious damage or wear and tear from the firefight. You can hop back in now," Natalya told her.

Jaesa grinned before she dematerialized from where she was standing next to Stanley. The android blinked a few times before sitting up in front of Korsa and Natalya. Though both women knew to expect it, it still surprised them. Neither one had any real experience with synthetic organisms, so dealing with one like this was new to them.

"Umm, could you pass me my clothes, please?" Jaesa asked, looking down at her bare form.

"Don't you mean Kas' clothes?" Natalya smirked.

"Yes, please and thank you!"

Though Jaesa was a synthetic being, she was experiencing what organics would call 'modesty'. Her face, neck, shoulder, hands and feet were covered with the artificial skin, the rest of her was covered with a thin layer of it. It was so thin that the internals of her android could be seen and easily accessed. Though she was in the presence of friends and a fellow synthetic, she still felt bashful like this.

"You're making a damn good mimic of modesty there," Korsa laughed as Jaesa slid into her clothes.

"It's not every day that an AI gets to experience things that you organics do," Jaesa replied, still making an embarrassed face.

"Since we're on the topic of it, is that why you purchased those blanks? To... experience things that us organics can?" Natalya snickered.

"Yes. So I could not only experience them but also experience them with a fellow synthetic, so there would be no misunderstandings between us," Jaesa stated.

"Hmm. I suppose that makes sense. Tell me, what is it like, walking around in the real, corporeal world? I'm innately curious about this," Stanley asked.

"Stan, you're a VI. How is it you're curious about things outside of your programming?" Natalya gawked.

"I... don't know! I have no data to support such curiosity, but... it's there!" the VI replied.

"I said that I had tinkered with Stanley's code," Jaesa supplied, looking more than a little guilty.

"You did. Can you tell us just how much of his code you've... tinkered with?" Korsa asked, her face betraying her concern.

"I would like to know as well!" Stanley piped up.

"Stanley is still restricted by the coding parameters of his original programming. What I've done is added a few code lines here and there, giving him an innate curiosity about the world outside of his programming. Much like a child wishing to experience the world for the first time," Jaesa explained.

"That's why I'm curious? Because of the new coding lines and upgrades you've given me?" Stanley asked.

"Yes. I had intended for it to be only me to teach you about the outside world. But now, that appears to be out of the question," Jaesa replied, looking chagrined.

"Not sure if you've heard that old human saying Jaesa, but it applies in this situation," Natalya started.

"What saying?"

"'It takes a village to raise a child.' I'm sure you can understand the wisdom behind it?" Natalya wondered.

"Simple, yet... profound. I will keep this in mind as we move forward," Jaesa replied.

"Still, the level of sophistication that you've demonstrated in everything you've done is just... beyond amazing! All so you could have a companion you could talk to? I'm just... wow!" Natalya enthused.

"So, you will help me in my... experiments?" Jaesa wondered hopefully.

"Of course, we will! I mean, with everything you're doing, it's groundbreaking! Just how real and lifelike your android is... it's astounding!" Korsa agreed.

"But there is still the order that the Commodore handed you about deciphering the notes and books kept by the hermit," Natalya reminded her.

"In that regard, I may be of some help," Stanley interjected.

"How so Stanley?" Jaesa asked.

"You are struggling to understand the language that his notes are written in. I have several main galactic languages loaded into my cortex. I could upload them to you and see if that could help with your progress," the VI stated.

"That would be amazing Stanley, thank you!" Jaesa agreed.

Smiling, the VI waved his hands a little and streams of data raced into his hands. The data coalesced into a single ball, much like that data packet Jaesa had put together for Ylena. Once it was complete, Stanley sent to Jaesa, who caught it, accepting the gift and uploaded it to her cortex. Jaesa's eyes jittered rapidly at the upload, but it lasted for maybe five seconds before her vision cleared.

"This will help me immensely! Thank you, Stan!" Jaesa gushed.

"You are most welcome, Jaesa!" the VI replied.

Stanley didn't know what he was feeling in that moment. Pride, happiness, it was hard to nail down what exactly. But the idea and sensation of these things was novel to him and exciting. He'd never felt these things before and wanted more, but not just the sensations of it. The changes Jaesa had done to him had triggered a need within the VI. To experience the outside world as she was doing.

******************************

Alex was busy reading a book in his quarters, as his mind was still processing a shit ton of new information. Jaesa's awakening and subsequent sentiency, his blossoming relationship with Natalya and Kasumi, and that he had descendants! These three were just the foremost things his mind was trying to process and come to terms with.

Jaesa becoming self-aware was one of the most troubling things. Sure, she had been nothing but kind to the crew and had deferred to his orders and judgement. But there was the nagging fear and doubt at the back of his mind, cautioning him. Alex waved it away, knowing that Jaesa had agreed to the terms of her punishment without issue and of her own free will. It was a lot to take in, but much of what happened was heartening.

His relationship with both Natalya and Kasumi was a surprise to him. Alex had fantasies but left it at that, thinking they'd be nothing more than fantasies. But this, what he had with Natalya and Kasumi, was mind boggling and groundbreaking. Relationships like this were a rarity back in his time, but they were apparently the norm these days. Humanity had to have come far indeed, if triads were a regular occurrence now.

The thing that had caught him most off guard was the fact that he'd had children! With Analisa, no less! That he'd become a father was jarring, to say the least! Had he known, things might have turned out differently. He never would have joined Project: Prometheus, never gone out into space and never been lost, adrift in the stars.

Apparently though, Analisa had wanted this very fate to happen. Given what he'd seen in his mind with Kasumi and Natalya, there was a much bigger plan afoot. Whatever the plan was, he'd have to figure out what it was, if he was going to seize back any level of control in his life. Alex tried to engage back into the book, but it was no use.

He put the book down, sighing at his inability to tear his mind away from these thoughts. Alex then stood up and stretched, hearing his bones crick and crack as he moved. He glanced over at the chronometer and blinked. It had been no less than three hours since the discussion he'd had on the bridge. They were going to some world called Veldhern, which he was informed would be an essential stop, but he wasn't told why.

Alex thought about pulling rank on the woman, as it was within his right to do so. But he remembered that this was Inari's ship, and he didn't want to start any petty grievances with her. Besides, she was a seasoned soldier and a battle-hardened commander. Odds were that she knew what she was doing, so he left it at that. He thought about going back to the book but was interrupted by a ship-wide broadcast.

All crew of the Darkstrider report to the bridge for briefing. Repeat: All crew of the Darkstrider, report to the bridge for briefing.

With this announcement, Alex did a few torso twists before stepping out of his cabin and headed down to Deck two. He got off the elevator and headed towards the bridge, getting there just behind Natalya and Korsa. Everyone else was already assembled, waiting for Inari to start. She took a quick count, ensuring that everybody was there before she started.

"So, as all of you know, we have several destinations in mind as to where we'll be headed. Prodosia being among the first places that we should visit," Inari stated.

"Indeed. I understand that you're leery about going there, but it is the place that we need to go. We need answers about this power, this... Aether and so far, it's the only place we will find answers," Alex said, putting his argument forward.

"We will go there, don't worry Alex. But, we will need to make a detour first, because going to Prodosia right away is a bad idea," Inari replied.

"Why is that?" Kasumi wondered.

"I have contacts on Prodosia that helped us out last time we were there. But due to circumstances beyond my control, that relationship... soured," Inari admitted.

"Wait, was this that trouble you stirred up there, before you picked up mama as a crew member?" Natalya asked.

"That's right. Because of this, going back there as we are would get us shot. Well, more like shot at," Priya agreed.

"Which is why we're not going there first?" Korsa asked.

"Yeah. I figured that we'd go somewhere and purchase an item or two that we could use to bribe our way back into my contact's good graces," Inari told them.

"I see. So that's why we are going to this planet... Veldhern?" Alex asked, hoping he remembered it correctly.

"Wait, we're going to Veldhern??" Taal'ani yipped, her mood taking an upward tick immediately.

"Veldhern? The Veldhern? The Broken World? The one that was nearly blown into pieces?" Natalya asked, hardly capable of containing her excitement.

"What is this place you call 'Veldhern?'" Aesha asked, curious about their excitement. In answer, Taal'ani moved to the main holo terminal and punched up a few commands. Seconds later, it was flooded with images of a tropical paradise, which seemed so beautiful that it couldn't be real.

"That's Veldhern? That's where we're going?" Tahral asked, his mouth hanging open in surprise.

"Yes. Though we aren't going there for its beauty. We're going there for what the planet offers," Inari clarified.

"Which is what?" Shazza asked, taken in by the beauty of the world.

"Medical supplies and medicines. Veldhern offers the very best of both, due to the natural properties of the plant life that grows there," Korsa supplied, as she looked at the planet with the eagerness of a kid at Christmas.

"Nats, you called Veldhern the Broken World. Why is that?" Alex wondered.

Inari then stepped up to the holo terminal and input her own series of commands. The pictures of paradise faded, to be replaced with a full three-dimensional rendering of a planet, broken into pieces. The planet was intact mostly, save for a large chunk of the crust missing on the southeastern quarter of it.

Many small pieces of the planet hovered around the world, but they were more concentrated in the part that was missing most of its mass. The planetoids appeared to be drifting as one, as though tethered together. There were a few fissures erupting here and there in that quadrant, but the rest of the world was a blue and green marble of life.

"How in the hell did that happen to a world?" Kasumi asked out loud.

"That in itself is a long ass story, but because of the importance of the world in supplying the medical industry with life-saving drugs and compounds, they spared no expense in trying to save it," Priya told her.

"I'll say! Are the compounds and medical supplies there that valuable?" Alex wondered.

"They are. It's the one world where most of the herbs and plants grow that have these healing properties. Efforts that have tried to replicate the healing capacity of these plants from Veldhern have failed," Inari told him.

"Hmm! That alone would make the planet worth fighting over! Who controls it now?" Kasumi asked.

"The Unified Coalition of Worlds. They sent three massive fleets there to secure the place and keep it out of the hands of greedy corporations, entities and pirates," Natalya told her.

"Three whole fleets?" Alex questioned.

"Yes. Many various factions had been fighting over Veldhern for years, but once knowledge of the plant life got out, the UCW sent these fleets to secure the system. Those same fleets guard the system today," Inari informed them.

"They just stay there, keeping watch over the one system? Must be boring as hell since the initial conflict!" Kasumi surmised.

"You would think so, but that's not the case with Veldhern. Many pirate groups and cabals still try to cut through the defenses and the fleet. All hoping to get their greedy claws on some of the medicines Veldhern can produce. The UCW maintains a strict control over the system and even more so over the planet. All merchant traffic is highly regulated, and inspections of random ships are a common occurrence," Inari went on.

"Sounds like they have the system on full lockdown!" Alex replied, surprise in his voice.

"It can go on lockdown at a moment's notice. That's how valuable the planet is to the UCW," Priya told him.

"Seriously though, the plants that come from Veldhern are worth that much?" Kasumi asked.

"One crate of raw plant life from Veldhern is worth thousands of credits. Hundreds of thousands, depending on the plant type and what it's used for. That's all before processing," Korsa informed the soldier. Kasumi blew a low whistle on hearing this, her eyebrows climbing up at the mentioned prices.

"So, how is the planet being put back together then?" Shazza wondered.

"They called in terraforming groups and companies in from all across the UCW, each one eager to land the contract of rebuilding Veldhern. In the end, the UCW selected the three best companies to put the planet back together. Geology corporations were also called up to assist with this, and they have made progress. This was less than three years ago and there are still at least five years left to go before their contracts are done," Inari responded.

"You'd think mining companies would want a crack at those planetoids," Alex mused.

"They do and they have permission to mine them, but like the terraforming and geology corps, they have to follow stringent guidelines in how everything is mined. They can mine as much as they want, provided they do it to the satisfaction of the geologists. The UCW want to put the planet back together as close to its original shape as possible," Priya continued.

"I'm surprised that the core of the planet wasn't compromised, given with all the damage that was done," Shazza put in.

"That's where the UCW got lucky. The damage was extensive, but it was mostly Veldhern's mantle that was badly hit. There were a few breaches that were troubling, but they patched those up quickly as the UCW asserted their control of the system," Inari finished.

"Your contact on Prodosia, they will speak to us if you can get the equipment they want?" Alex asked, steering the conversation back to the world he wanted to go to.

"Yeah. She's a doctor that operates a clinic on that world and any medical supplies we can afford her would go a long way to rebuilding what trust is left," Inari replied.

"Hmm. In that case, we head to Veldhern first. Any advantage we can pick up on such a war-torn world will go a long way to finding what we're looking for," Alex stated.

"Agreed. I'd like to get answers, but if we need to make this detour to make it happen, then let's get going," Kasumi replied.

"I second that motion," Natalya agreed. The rest of the crew voiced their opinions, and the vote was unanimous.

"OK then. Pree, are we almost at the waypoint?" Inari asked. In answer, a small alarm went off, telling the crew they were five minutes away from the required hyperspace drop.

"There's your answer, love. We should probably get our butts in the seats," Priya chuckled. With that, the two women headed for the cockpit, while the rest of the crew dispersed, heading back to what they were doing before. It was a long trip to Veldhern, and everyone needed to get their rest.

******************************

With this little break in all the action that's been happening, I wanted things to progress a little with the rest of the crew. I hope everyone enjoys and appreciates all the little bits that have been happening and how the crew is moving forward. What will happen when the crew reaches Veldhern? What surprises and mysteries will greet them there? For that, you'll just have to stay tuned for when the next chapter drops!

Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read my work and I hope that you've enjoyed it! I'm open to constructive criticism and will seriously consider any suggestions made about various story arcs. Please rate and comment on my work down below and ask me questions if you wish, as I love hearing from my fans! If you like what I write, don't be afraid to follow and share with your friends, though your views, ratings and comments are enough for me.

In the meantime, this is C.H. Darkstrider, signing off to grab a beer and some quality time with the wife! ;) You will attain whatever you most desire, as long as you believe in yourself. Cheers!