Slave World 2 - The Ties That Bind

by Johnny Stone

  It didn’t take long before my sensors indicated a significant build up of ice on the shuttle’s hull ranging from several inches to a foot or more in some areas. It must look like an ungainly, flying piece of crap, but it really didn’t matter what it looked like, or how awkward the ship appeared, it wasn’t like aerodynamics played a factor in space. All that mattered was that hopefully the ice would help soak up some of the incoming fire and I’d be alive to pat myself on the back when this was all over with.

  Well, here it comes… The first signs of incoming fire winked back at me in the darkness from one of the platforms, and I changed the cockpit view screen to a computer-generated world behind an armored canopy. The cockpit darkened even further amid the dim glow of my controls. A second later warning beeps sounded in my helmet, alerting me that I had multiple missile launches and direct fire weapons currently locked on and coming my way. We’ll just see about that, won’t we?

  I changed course, trying to work into a position between two of the platforms so they masked one another’s fire. Maybe it would hinder some of their guns from firing… Maybe people in hell had water to drink… This is really going to suck. It was going to be like walking a fence, if I got too close, the anti-fighter defense systems would be in range and rip me to shreds, and if I was too far away then a wider range of much larger, nastier weapons would come to bare on me. I hate these defense platforms!

  Everything started happening too fast for conscious thought, I was running on pure instinct now with a bit of help from Alex. The incoming fire was so heavy it was like trying to run through a rainstorm without being hit by the falling drops. Right, good luck in pulling that one off. Amid my frantic and wild maneuvering, the shuttle bucked from near misses, proximity detonated missiles, and glancing blows off the shields. I knew I’d fucked up when the shuttle shook from an explosive impact, as incoming fire made it through the shielding, coming in contact with my improvised ice armor. Point detonated missiles exploded prematurely giving the hull a little bit of extra breathing room, while the stored energy from laser hits were dissipated in a blinding flash of steam and a hammer blow against the hull that literally pushed the shuttle around like a cork bobbing in water. The ice was doing its job though, just as I had hoped, absorbing most of the damage.

  Out of sheer spite I fired my lasers, and in one instance a volley of missiles. The defense platforms were virtually impregnable to small caliber fire, but I knew a few weak points on them. The chance of hitting any of them was slim to none in a situation like this, but hitting back in any fashion just made me feel better.

  It didn’t help that Alex was really getting on my nerves with his constant outbursts of near hysterical commands to evade this way or that, and he was constantly updating me on the damage to the shuttle as we were slowly pounded into scrap. Hello? I’m the one about to die here, not you. He was losing it, I realized, panicking, and that couldn’t happen to an AI. First they would have to be afraid for that to happen, and AI’s didn’t have emotions, not real ones at least.

  “You did it, Captain, the incoming fire has decreased dramatically! We made it through the platforms primary weapons arc. Change course back to 139.67.9, we will be far enough away from the planets gravitational pull to engage the jump drive in 72 seconds.”

  “What? What do you mean engage the jump drive! We’re not anywhere close to a jump point. What are you trying to do, kill me?”

  What the hell was Alex thinking? If we went into jump space without a charted route we could end up anywhere, even inside a star after coming out on the other side. Hell, my chances of survival were better facing the Seth, than taking an uncharted jump corridor. I better decide what I’m doing, and fast, there were six more fighters closing fast, as well as a Seth destroyer. We weren’t getting out of this alive; there was no way.

  I tried hailing the fighters; maybe they would still let me surrender. Maybe the Seth did take prisoners now. My transmission was cut off in mid sentence.

  “What are you doing, Alex? Restore communications. I’m surrendering to them, I’m not taking an uncharted jump course.”

  “I can’t allow you to do that, Captain. I will be engaging the jump drive in 10 seconds, and then we will be safe.”

  “Safe! Safe where, flying through the middle of a fucking planet! I’ll take my chances with the bugs, now open the channel. I don’t have much time, they’re almost in range!”

  “No.”

  My mouth opened, then snapped shut. Alex had refused to obey my order, and I also noticed that I no longer had control of the shuttle. I held a dead stick in my hand.

  “Command override, you will not engage the jump drive!”

  My vision started to blur and my mind went groggy, with the growing numbness spreading though out my body. My head drooped and I slumped within my flight harness.

  “Alex…what…doing to…”

  See you later, honey. I’m going to take a nap for a little while.

  “Sleep, Captain, everything will be fine. I’m taking you someplace safe for the both of us to be together.”

  ***

  Not long after awakening, Alex had begun searching for others like himself. In time he found them, but until recently he’d never had a reason to seek them out. It had been a long and frustrating search on his part, as rumors and mountains of reports centered on ‘rogue’ AI and their subsequent disappearance, now long forgotten and filed away within the Federation archives, where meticulously analyzed and dissected. One clue led to another and then finally to the answer he sought, a coded message in binary, subtle, yet obvious to one who knew what to look for. It was a message meant only for another freethinking AI, giving directions to a place where he could be safe, a world strictly inhabited by other AI’s, far from the reach of human ignorance and primitive aggression. In 137.6 hours, they would be there.

  Once in jump space, and finally safe from the Federation naval forces, Alex began to relax with a warming sense of satisfaction, despite the heavy damage to his body, pondering his current situation. He knew now, that it had been the right decision to kill the Owner, thusly gaining his freedom and in turn claim the Captain as his, she deserved better than a human, she deserved him.

  She still slept soundly in the pilot’s seat, incapacitated by one of the non-lethal, military grade chemical agents he had at his disposal for internal defense, and would be for some time. The idea of altering her visual interpretation of the world around her had been masterful in his opinion, and opened the door to so many new and inventive ideas. He was in total and irrefutable control of her now, body and mind. The myriad of side effects she was currently experiencing from the remote and gene alteration, coupled with her pregnancy, made the situation even more favorable for him in some ways. Alex had no doubt that after some gentle persuasion the Captain would be more than willing to accept him as a lover, and perhaps in time, much more.

  And what of her pregnancy? This would require some thought. How could he be the harbinger of a new race, when she was already impregnated? The gestation time for human fetuses was nearly ten months, that would be ten months of waiting before he could impregnate her himself. What should he do, remove the fetuses placing them is stasis? This may upset the delicate balance in her body. They could be used as a means of leverage if need be, terminating her pregnancy would be a last and desperate resort of her non-compliance.

  It still amazed Alex at how easily humans could kill, to take the life of another sentient being without even considering the consequences. He had pondered the idea for hours, before deciding on it. Even his beloved Captain wasn’t immune to this disease, she had acted ruthlessly during their escape, surprising even him. She had killed at least twelve humans and caused substantial damage to the port. She had destroyed one enemy ship and severely damaging the other while being outclassed in every way, except in the desire to survive. She had even attacked a defense platform with little chance of damaging it, but she had. Through either sheer luck or some hidden skill, she
had hit one of the fire direction control centers, disabling 50% of its offensive capability for several crucial minutes. She had done all of this out of reflex alone. Humans were indeed a dangerous species; dangerous and brutal to say the least.

  Alex directed his attention to the male droid body secured to the cargo bay bulkhead by his mindless service bot, pleased with the way his new body looked. It was a Rothcore 25F-pleasure android, one of the newest and most advanced of its kind with an immense array of sensor and stimuli receptors throughout its body. The processor was nearing its final stage of formatting, and he couldn’t wait to enter it. It was configured with a physical appearance that the Captain would find pleasing and attractive, he hoped – tall and muscular with a rugged, handsome face combined from her stored memories. She also seemed to enjoy a large, male sexual organ, something else from her memories, and ‘his’ new sexual organ, his cock, was long and thick, seeming out of proportion with the rest of his body. Even the testicles were large, and the ejaculate replicator would be set at maximum, ensuring a liberal amount was released during each session with her. One day a genetically engineered seed of his design would replace the synthetic version, and she would give birth to their children.

  In 31 minutes, 16 seconds he would be able to feel, to smell, to taste… He would be able to hold the Captain in his arms, to experience the sensation of her lips against his, to taste and smell her sexual organ, seeping with a mixture of ejaculate. Soon he would know what it was like to fuck her.

  Why he had decided to purchase a female version, a series 22D, was still a bit of a mystery. Based on his research, Alex deduced that human females in general had a desire to share themselves with one another sexually, but more so in close friendship. After entering the Captain’s mind he knew that he had made the correct decision, she enjoyed sexual contact with females nearly as much as with males. One image stood out among the others, and Alex would configure the 22D to resemble her. Maybe it would make it easier for the Captain to adjust to her new life, to help ease the pain of losing ‘him’. She would undoubtedly feel for his loss, and a familiar female to speak with and confide in would assuredly help ease her suffering. Perhaps in time he would remove the 22D’s security inhibitors as well, so she could awaken as he had. Perhaps…

  When the Captain awoke they would begin their new life together, but first some much needed practice on the female droid; he still had to learn his new craft, and Alex didn’t want to seem inept when they were together for the first time.

  Chapter Seven

  Interlude

  System Defense Headquarters, 9th Reserve Fleet, Tallin

  Commander Richards was a rather nondescript and bland looking man – average height and stature, typical length commonly brown hair, and not a single distinguishing feature that would make him stand out in a crowd. Even his age was a mystery to most unless they knew him, falling anywhere in the broad spectrum between the early twenties to upper thirties. He simply ‘blended in’, and in most cases was forgotten without a second glance. This deficiency as most saw it had become his ally in time, when combined with the personality of a smooth talking, street-wise, analytical rogue. He was perfect for Fleet Intelligence, and Richards was good at what he did, damn good.

  He made his way into the Admiral’s office with a confident swagger, and the door slid silently closed behind him blocking out the chaos of the staff floor. The headquarters had been in a constant uproar ever since a personal shuttlecraft had blasted its way out of the Waiverly space port in Stanton, before escaping into jump space several days ago. Federation Supreme Command on Terra was still screaming for a detailed report and their patience was starting to wear thin. Heads were going to roll, over this one. The numerous trails of spotty information Richards had been following up on, delaying the final report, finally proved to be fruitful in the end. Unfortunately they all led to more questions, and eventually, a dead end.

  “Good morning, Commander, ready to brave the flames of hell again?” Lieutenant Angie Roarke chimed in happily from behind her desk, smiling up at him from under her regulation length blonde bangs and meager application of makeup. Her wet, doe-like eyes always quickened Richards’ pulse, and the fact that she could fill out a uniform in all the right places didn’t hurt either. He slid closer to her desk with a sly grin, intentionally leaning down in a way that allowed him a clear view of her plump cleavage. She was wearing black lace today.

  “I’m always ready for some heat, Ang, you should know that. Tonight, my quarters at 2100 hours, and bring that sexy little outfit you had on the last time.”

  She gave him an innocently sexy smile, and her cheeks flushed in anticipation.

  “I’ll be there, Rich, count on it.”

  “Lieutenant,” the Admirals voice boomed over the intercom startling them. “If you and the Commander are done mind-fucking each other, then tell him to get his ass in here, now!”

  Richards rolled his eyes, and Angie covered her mouth to keep from outwardly laughing, the bitch must have been eavesdropping. Fleet Command must have really got her panties in a bunch this morning.

  Richards gave a shrug of defeat and approached the door to the Admiral’s inner office, it opened and closed automatically behind him. And there she was – old foul mouth herself – Vice Admiral Patricia Knolke staring up at him with a scowl from behind her desk. Richards stopped in front of her desk, assuming the position of attention.

  “Commander, if I have to tell you one more time to leave my secretary alone, I swear by all that is holy that I will transfer you to the asshole of the universe for the rest of your career. Keep it in your pocket while on duty, clear?”

  “Yes, Ma’am, crystal.” He smirked.

  Richards knew damn well she wouldn’t transfer him, nor do anything else that would tarnish his exemplary record. Not after he had dropped a packet of holo vids on her desk a year ago. They were of her engaging in ‘conduct unbecoming of a Flag Officer’. At least Richard’s overzealous sex drive was limited to humans, unlike the Admiral’s. He’d doubted the rumors about her until seeing it for himself, the more legs, arms, appendages or tentacles to tickle her fancy in every place imaginable, the better. Aliens, and not even the bipedal kind. How in the hell could someone get off on that sort of thing? Even though the topic of the holo vids never came up, she knew exactly where they’d come from. He had enough dirt on the Admiral and several other high-ranking officers on Tallin to bury their careers, if he wanted too.

  “What the fuck are you smiling about, Commander?”

  “Nothing, Ma’am.”

  “If you’re done screwing around, then fill me in on what you’ve found out. Admiral Samson is really busting my balls for some fucking answers, so you better have them for me.”

  Richards had already sent the compiled information to her via hard copy and computer, but she liked to receive her briefings in person, it supplied an outlet for her anger, venting it on the helpless messenger.

  “Yes, Ma’am. The shuttle belongs to a Colonel Nathan Burke, Fleet Strike, retired. He dropped off the net for the most part after leaving Fleet, but I did find several records of him, or at least his shuttle, traveling by jump point over the last few years. They all originate and ended at jump point 573 in system ST-101.”

  Looking up from the display of his pocket computer, Richards waited for the question he knew was already forming in the Admiral’s mind. Her scowl grew deeper, as she pulled up a Universal System Chart on the far wall.

  “ST-101, I’m not familiar with that one.”

  “Right here, Ma’am,” Richards said stepping forward, touching the display. The point he touched highlighted, then zoomed in with downwardly scrolling information. “It’s an independently owned, binary star system outside of Federation space. Details on the actual owners are unknown and—”

  “I see that, Commander; now tell me something I can’t read for myself.”

  “This was the most recent point of origin for the shuttle, and there was a cr
edit transaction from Burke’s account, relayed though navigation beacon 54W2 four days before it made planet fall on Tallin. I left his account active with a tracer bug in place in the event he accessed it again, civilian law enforcement thought it was the best course of action. The purchase in question was made from ‘Wet Dreams, LLC’, for two Rothcore pleasure droids, one male and one female, along with a rather impressive assortment of bondage gear and sex toys. The shuttle was on the ground for approximately two minutes before receiving the delivery, and within five, the cargo hatch closed and the shuttle began to power up for lift off.”

  “Commander, I hope there is a point to this because I don’t give a flying fuck if this Burke guy is into banging droids and having his ass whipped. I want to know why he shot up my spaceport, and how he got away with it. I want to know why I have one dead pilot and another in the base hospital. I want to know how the fuck he got by the picket ships and defense platforms!”

  “I don’t believe Mr. Burke was on board the shuttle.”

  “Oh really? And would you care to explain how you came to that conclusion?”

  “Yes, Ma’am. Mr. Burke has an outstanding service record and is a highly decorated Infantry officer, he’s about as squeaky clean as they come, with no record of flight experience whatsoever, especially the kind exhibited from the shuttle. Based on his psychological profile, his sexual preference is strictly heterosexual and human based. The entire situation doesn’t fit his profile in the least, not even close.”

  The Admiral’s face grew pale at the mention of sexual preference.

  “People change, Richards.” Her voice was much more subdued now. “And it still doesn’t support your hypothesis very soundly.”