Carpathia IV: Episode 210 - Go
NCCS Shadowdancer-A, Engineering Lab
Tamati came quickly with his medkit dangling by his side, and immediately set to work on Alka. In the meantime, Aire looked after Phobos. Or Deimos. He could never be sure which until one of them responded.
Aire: Are you okay?
Deimos: Sorry, Captain. I should have just run away. We are fine.
Alka looked up, observing Aire and Deimos, while Tamati continued sealing the cut on the back of his head.
Alka: I'm sorry, Captain. I would not have done that if I knew that you treated your AIs as real.
Aire gritted his teeth and faced Alka, trying not to show too much irritation. There was still great potential for friendship in this meeting, but some things would need to be worked out.
Aire: We do not view Phobos as AI. He is a member of our crew, just one with a unique physiology. He has the same rights as everyone else.
Alka considered Aire's words while Tamati finished his work and started packing his medkit.
Tamati: I have sealed your wound. You'll probably want to wash that blood from your hair and I can't be sure if you might have any other damage. Your own doctors should have a look at you when you get back.
Alka: Thank you, Mr. Tamati.
Tamati closed his medkit and stood.
Tamati: Permission to return to sick bay, Captain.
Aire: Granted.
Tamati left and Alka made himself more comfortable, crossing his legs and leaning up against the wall.
Phobos: I want to know, how could you tell I'm an android? Nobody has been able to figure that out just by looking at me.
Alka: I suppose not. You've surely noticed by now that we're not particularly skilled ship builders or weapon designers. We are very good at AI programming, which is why Lazmaedia had designs on our homeworld and why we left. Better to run before she attacks than during, right? When I saw you through the window, how you moved and how you carried yourself, I had strong suspicions who you were. When I got close and saw your eyes, I knew for sure. The differences are subtle. Most can't tell, but we can. It's pretty much down to experience.
Phobos: Hmmm... I'd like to know the specifics of that, but I've got bigger things to worry about for now.
Alka: Yes, forgive me if I'm overstepping again, but something isn't quite right with you, but I can't quite figure out what it is.
Phobos: There's another sharing my memory space. It's my sister, Deimos. We used to be separate individuals, but she had to dump her memory into me because of an emergency. We can't figure out how to move her into a new body and it's causing both of us major problems.
Alka jumped to his feet, eyes twinkling as he clasped his hands together.
Alka: Oh! We can help with that! I mean, it's not a common thing we've dealt with, but we have experience. It is dangerous, if I'm honest, but we can discuss the details if you're...
Phobos: I'll do it!
This was a little much for Aire to take and he put his hand on Phobos's shoulder and gave a little pull.
Aire: Chief, I'm going to use your office for a minute.
Minnie: Of course. Go right ahead, Captain.
To Aire's relief, Phobos did not resist, only needing that one little pull to get him to follow. Together, they strode out of the lab to the other side of Engineering to Minnie's office. Inside, Aire did not use Minnie's chair, but had a seat in one of her guest chairs. Phobos remained standing.
Aire: Phobos, I understand that you're very keen on a solution to your problem but I think you should consider this carefully. We've only just met the hotoh and we don't know...
Phobos: I'm going to be dead within a month, Captain. Both of us.
Aire froze, mouth hanging open on the last syllable he uttered and there he remained for several seconds, his brain completely short-circuited, with no idea how to respond.
Phobos: Dad and I confirmed that this morning and he's already chartering a ship to come meet us. I haven't told other dad yet. I haven't had a chance. I was going to tell you, but you were busy with the hotoh ship. I'm in the early stages of total neuro cascade failure. We don't know any way to fix it and it's only going to get worse. Alka is our only hope.
Aire slowly closed his mouth and nodded. With a deep breath, he stood straight and tall, with a tug at his uniform.
Aire: Come with me.
Aire did not wait for Phobos and marched swiftly from Minnie's office. Phobos followed closely behind, back to the lab.
Aire: Praetor Minas, how fast is your ship?
Alka's head lurched backwards, perhaps surprised to be addressed so formally.
Alka: Well, not much faster than you've already seen when we were running away from you. It's clear that you have a speed advantage on us.
Aire: Will you follow us to Polaris Deep while we work on fixing Phobos?
Alka: I'm certainly in favor, but I'll have to get approval from the council first.
Aire: I assume you have the means by which to communicate with them right now?
Alka: I do.
Aire: Do what you need to get an answer quickly. Phobos's dad, also his builder, is on his way here and I want to meet him halfway. He will surely have critical insights on his design. Aire to bridge.
Minnie, Shep, and Ramei watched this exchange with puzzlement, their eyes darting back and forth between Aire and Alka as they spoke, looking as though they were at a tennis match.
Joust: Go ahead, Captain.
Aire: Set course for Polaris Deep and engage at Q4.5 on my command. Send Baal to Engineering.
Joust: We'll be ready to go on your command, Captain. Anything else?
Aire: That's all for now. Aire out.
With his business with the bridge done, Aire glanced back at Alka, who was now hurriedly typing at his tablet. That moment of silence gave Ramei a chance to speak up.
Ramei: Captain, what happened?
Aire gave a quick look over his shoulder to Phobos who responded with a simple nod.
Aire: Phobos is dying and we need to move fast. Dr. Leingod is already en route. Kit, how long before Commodore Amaranth arrives?
Alka stopped his typing and looked up from his tablet while Kit buried his nose into his own.
Kit: About three and a half hours, Captain.
Alka: That's worse than I thought. Is it really that bad?
Phobos: It's a neuro cascade failure. I have less than a month, maybe even a couple of weeks, before it goes critical.
Alka: Well, we need to slow that down and buy us some time right now! I'll contact my ship and order them to follow you.
Aire: No council?
Alka: I am Praetor. Tradition and courtesy requires that I consult with the council, but I can make unilateral decisions if the situation calls for it. Let's get going while we put together the tools we need to get started. I can do that from here, but we'll have to slow down when it's time to start transferring equipment. May I have a place to set up an office?
Minnie: We can set you up in one of the Engineering conference rooms.
Alka: That'll probably do fine.
Aire: Thank you, Alka. That's all I need to hear. Minnie, Shep, show Alka to his new office. Captain to helm.
Shep and Minnie escorted Alka from the lab while Aire communicated with the bridge.
Mikado: Helm here.
Aire: Go.
Mikado: Right away, Captain.
Aire: Phobos, whatever you need, it's yours. Kit, as soon as we know what ship Dr. Leingod is on, inform Commander Joust. We will change course to intercept. Phobos, do you want to contact Commodore Amaranth now or do you want to wait until we rendezvous?
Phobos: I... erm... I think it's better if I tell him now.
The Engineering doors opened and Baal strode through, looking too and fro for Captain Valro before finding him in the lab.
Baal: Reporting as ordered, Captain.
Aire: Good timing. Lieutenant Morningstar, you are relieved of all of your regular duties for the time being. Your new assignment is to be Phobos's emotional support demon.
Baal froze, mouth agape, his usual demon composure completely rattled, as it often seemed to be whenever Phobos was involved.
Baal: Uh...
Phobos: Thank you, Captain.
Aire: I'll let you to talk to Commodore Amaranth in private. When you're finished, let me know and I'll bring him up to speed on everything else.
Phobos: Understood, Captain. Let's go to my quarters, Baal. I'll fill you in on the way.
Phobos and Baal left, leaving Aire alone in the lab. With a heavy sigh, he trudged into one of the darker corners, away from the windows and door where nobody could see him and had a sit down. Not for long. There was much to do, and he needed a quick respite to tackle what was sure to be a difficult many days to come.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
Falke2009
