Vitro was largely self-governing by design, and between the two of them they had refined her algorithms to near perfection.
Once, they drained and refilled the star-deck pool that mimicked the chemical composition of the oceans of Gentarno, after Vegrun and his lover finished amusing themselves in it.
Once in a chrono-cycle, they remotely navigated their employer to the luxury space promenade nearby, far enough from the Szaler Nebula that Vegrun could enjoy the view during dinner.
Khar was convinced this was the easiest, least stressful assignment he had ever had.
“Khar, something is wrong with the data.”
Lily stood at the console, frowning at the cascading lines on the main display, while Khar lounged beside her with his feet propped up.
For a moment, he considered pretending not to hear her and letting her solve it alone.
She was faster and sharper than he was, after all.
But his sense of honor would not allow it.
Hierarchically, she outranked him, even if she did not know it.
“Show me.”
As Lily explained, Khar’s glowing eyes narrowed with sudden clarity.
Someone had breached Vitro’s defenses and was currently inside cargo bay two.
The intrusion was executed with such precision that without Lily’s sharp eye, they would not have noticed until the intruder reached a primary panel, where real damage could be done.
Khar sprang to his feet and seized Lily, pulling her along the corridor toward the dock while already calling Vegrun on his private channel.
“I hope this is important, Khar.”
“Multiple intruders in cargo bay two. Professional level. Vitromium’s security did not trigger. You may be the target, or your guest, or they may be attempting to seize the ship with minimal damage. Lily and I are en route.”
Khar appreciated the calm in Vegrun’s response, though in truth he had never seen the tentacled being panic.
“They are fortunate that Silomarila is currently bathing and did not hear this. She has been quite anxious lately, and the last thing we need is her learning she is still not safe. I would be left standing here with dry tentacles.”
So that was her name.
Vegrun had introduced her, but Khar had not paid much attention.
Privately, he referred to her by the name Lily had jokingly given her.
Madame Turtle, perhaps.
Vegrun would not have appreciated the comparison.
By the time Vegrun finished grumbling about his lover’s fragile mental state, Khar and Lily reached the external panel of the cargo bay.
With a single motion, Khar seized manual control through his handheld console and accessed the data the intruders had failed to overwrite.
“I see it now, sir. Ten individuals breached the bay. Their vessel is still docked to the cargo aperture. That is how they entered. Small-bodied. Based on thermal signatures, I would classify them as vukri.”
Lily’s eyes went wide in her pale face, but to her credit she made no sound.
Khar needed her boldness intact for what came next.
“Khar and Lily, listen carefully. Resolve this quietly and quickly so that Silomarila remains unaware. Naturally, I expect you to protect the ship as well. You will receive double the usual hazard compensation.”
