“I don’t believe I’ve met…” she didn’t finish the sentence, just indicated Trac with a wave of her hand.
It was true that as cybernetic robots, the Najer crew weren’t that different in appearance—to others—at first. But each of them had been specific models with special functions, over and above their basic intimidation factors. And as these people came to know them, they’d gradually been able to discern the differences in their various models.
And now only two of them remained in robot form, so it should be a lot easier. But it was also true that Trac didn’t get out a lot. Tim wasn’t sure he’d been off the ship at all since they started working with the Expedition and the Garradians.
“This is TrackerY,” CabeX said. “Trac,” he added.
“Trac. Pleased to meet you.” She still looked puzzled.
Trac inclined his head, his hands folded across his massive, metal chest.
“Ma’am,” he said. His voice was the most robotic of the crew’s.
Tim had always figured it was a personal choice.
“He doesn’t leave the Najer that often,” CabeX said.
“Okay.” The Maestra blinked a couple of times, gave a slight head shake, then gestured for them to take seats.
All of them but Trac did. He stayed near the door as the Maestra began to explain the problem unfolding on Arroxan Prime.
Tim might be surprised he was being tasked with the mission. It sounded like a diplomatic problem. None of the crew off the Najer were particularly good at that. Breaking things. Shooting things. Hacking into things. Yes. Talking nice? No.
“Who else is on the mission?” Tim finally asked. Surely someone from the Earth Expedition was going, since it was their guy in trouble. Or possibly in trouble. They didn’t seem quite sure about that yet.
A list appeared on a screen in front of them. The only name Tim saw was Riina Katala. His newly human body reacted strongly, his heartbeat speeding up. And other parts felt strange and alien. Riina.
He hadn’t seen her since he’d gone into medical for his consciousness transfer. He’d half hoped she’d come to see him, been mostly relieved she hadn’t. He hadn’t liked feeling so much less as he fought to recover from the transfer and accustom himself to a mostly human body.
He didn’t know how to feel or act around her from inside this body.
He might be glad the choice had been removed. Now he’d have to see her.
“I’m conflicted about sending one person so obviously alien,” the Maestra admitted, her glance flicking to Tim.
He did have obvious cybernetics. Like some of the others, he’d been reluctant to completely live without cybernetics.
“They don’t have…” CabeX stopped as if unsure how to phrase the question.
Tim couldn’t help him out.
“From what we can tell, no, but we’re going in as alien anyway. And there is a bigger problem than just accidental first contact,” she admitted.
A report popped up on his personal screen. It took him longer to absorb it than he was used to, but he still looked up before CabeX.
CabeX had gone fully human.
“Interesting,” he said.
“Can I bring my my Skitterfin?” Trac asked. “My pet.”
They all turned to look at him.
Trac had a pet?
Tim looked at CabeX who gave a shrug.
“Sure.”
