Toni jumped back with a squeal, holding her hand over her pounding heart.
“What the hell?” She leaned in for a closer look. Was that… the spider-droid-thingy from her dream flying and buzzing in front of her? The one her dream illusion created along with that mouthwatering-hunky-specimen of a man named Azazel?
“Clarification: my designation is JR14.” The red-and-gold body of the spider-bot hovered close to her face. “I am here to coordinate with you to liberate the hybrid known as Azazel from the Krystalii.”
What?Toni’s stomach fluttered.There really was a guy named Azazel?With a frantic gaze, she looked around the empty room, as if he were there somewhere.
When JR14 flew in front of her, she jerked her head back and glared at the bot buzzing before her.
“Dang, I’m going cross-eyed with you flying in front of me like that.” She shooed him with her hand. “Can’t you find a better place to settle so we can talk?”
“Affirmative.” The bot replied. With a quick zip, he settled onto her left shoulder. “Proposition: we determine our assets to build rapport. I shall proceed first.”
Toni grinned. Trust the little AI to start with himself. He was acting just like he had in her dream state.
“Due to my mechanical makeup that does not give off a psychic signature, the Krystalii cannot determine my existence. Therefore, my physical presence is invisible to them.” JR14 fluttered his wings out before folding them under his back panels.
As she watched him, Toni noticed those panels were red, just like a ladybug’s. She bit her bottom lip to keep from making a teasing comment about offering to put black dots on them. She doubted the bot would appreciate her suggestion.
He continued. “I have downloaded a significant portion of the schematics of theNyrlithto aid us as we traverse throughout the ship. That is how I located you. In addition, I was able to access what the Krystalii put you and Azazel through in a shared psionic episode in their attempt to study how you interacted with each other when presented with arduous tasks.” The bot continued in his mechanical, matter-of-fact tone, “I have also maintained open communication with my father, JR10, who is working with the Federation Consortium to obstruct the Krystalii invasion.”
That statement startled Toni. “Wait just a minute. I thought the Krystalii had already taken over the chancellor’s palace and most of the systems under their leadership.”
She looked down at the bot, who looked up at her, the color of his bulbous, fractal eyes reflecting a pale blue.
The spider-bot shook his head, his front claws clicking. “Negative. That was a misrepresentation in the dream sequence they put you and Azazel through. Approximately 80.32 percent of what you experienced there had no basis in reality. As of now, theNyrlithis fast approaching the heart of the galactic government, the chancellor’s palatial space station. Lord Baelon has terminated the research between the two of you to prioritize overseeing the systematic annihilation of everyone aboard that structure to launch his invasion.”
Toni pursed her lips and glanced away with an unfocused stare.Cripe, this was confusing. If what she believed happened didn’t… how would she know?Great. Thanks to that crystal-asshole, figuring out what was real and what wasn’t just got a lot more complicated.She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. Her cheeks heated.Not to mention her falling for the most gorgeous man she’d never met. Yeah, trust her to indulge in some kind of pseudo-relationship with a phantom man.She took a second to wonder what he was like in real life. Well, at least she had the little bot to help her out. Putting her hand down, she sighed. “Let’s consider the overall situation. Is it possible the galactic forces can stop the Krystalii?”
“Analysis: 35.09 percent probability of success because they have enlisted a vast alliance with some of the most powerful species in the galaxy. Some are members; some are considered illicit.” JR14 answered.
Well, at least it wasn’t say… zero.
“Warning: if we are still aboard theNyrlithwhen hostilities begin, our chance of survival lowers to 13.86 percent. Suggestion: obtain Azazel. He can teleport us off the ship to safety before the conflict begins. That would increase our survival rate to 95.67 percent.”
Annnd… that was the kicker, wasn’t it?If the good guys won, she and her two companions might get caught in the crossfire. Not to mention what would happen if the bad guys ended up victorious. So, the only way to keep that from happening was to sneak around an alien spaceship loaded with a bunch of psychic-psychotic dickwads, find a well-guarded prisoner, then somehow get him free so he could teleport them off theNyrlith,traveling at an immense speed through millions of miles of space to somewhere safe.
Easy-peasy lemon-squeezy. What could go wrong?
“Yeah, that’d be great.” Toni sighed. “But I’m not invisible to the Krystalii like you are. Even if I found a way out of this room, we wouldn’t get too far. First, they’d know the minute I left. It wouldn’t surprise me if they’ve somehow tapped into my mind and would know where I was.” Talk about a rescue getting cut off at the knees…
The genderless voice of Sensos interjected.
I believe I can aid you in solving thatproblem.
“Is that so?” Toni asked out loud. Her eyebrows rose as her lips thinned. “How’s that?”
Once I cover your head and body, I will make you invisible to the Krystalii. I can then modify your mental as well as physical ethos in such a way they cannot detect you. Thus, you will have free rein aboard theNyrlith.And to give you further elucidation,Sensos elaborated.I have synced with the construct known as JR14 to enable him to be a part of our conversations.
“Affirmative of the correlation between Sensos and myself,” JR14 chimed in without missing a beat. “Clarification concerning the alien species holding you prisoner. With the approaching galactic government forces headed this way, the Krystalii are not wasting any resources on monitoring you. They assume you are secure and cannot leave this room.”
Toni chuckled. Heh, stupid aliens didn’t know whatass-u-memeant. But wait. “If I’m all covered, how would I see or hear anything?”And breathe. Let’s not forget that important detail.
I will demonstrate.
Before Toni asked what the suit meant, its material surged forward from her wrists and neck—thick and slow like creeping liquid. She sucked in a breath as it spread and encased her hands, while it climbed up her neck until her head was completely covered. The blackness only lasted long enough for her to expel her held breath, when everything around her became clear.
Holy cow… She was covered by a clear helmet. The darn thing reminded her of an upside-down fishbowl. Good thing it was light and gave her unlimited depth perception.
