I settle into the co-pilot’s seat and assess the systems still online. “You did not seek another caretaker?”
“That is not in my capability. Elix reprogrammed me to learn military strategy. He has been trying to show me. But I do not compute offensive actions of my own choosing.”
“That might be a good thing. I’d rather you not turn into a wicked machine like my father used to have. He corrupted all of his drones and ships.”
“I have many protections in place to prevent corruption,” MONA offers.
“So you didn’t feel alone?”
MONA is quiet.
“MONA?”
“Sorry, I was helping Elix and Aurelius. They will request your assistance soon. And no, I did notfeelalone. It was just silence while awaiting a prompt.”
“Sounds empty and lonely,” I admit. “I’m glad Elix found you. You’re probably the nicest AI I have encountered.”
MONA responds after a moment, “Thank you. And I am glad he found you.”
I smile as Elix calls over MONA’s system. “Zariah, we’re going to run a few checks first, then begin the repairs I can’t do alone. Are you ready?”
My pussy slicks as I turn his question into a dirty thought and simper, “Hell, yes. Come get me.”
Elix’s response is only a heavy breath.
“Fuck,” Aurelius groans. Focus, you two. You can get busy in space.”
MONA interrupts. “Ghostfleet is entering the galaxy.”
Elix swears. “Alright, Zariah. Tell me what lights up and what the stats say as they show. Got it?”
I take a deep breath and blow it out. “Yeah. And we can go fast. I’m used to doing this alone. Let’s make it quick.”
“Later.”
Aurelius swears so loud I can hear it through the cockpit doorway. “I didn’t think I was walking into a fucking Lazariot Nest,Elix. You should have warned me! It’s going to be really hard to wait until next month for my heat in the Alien Bride Race.”
“Something is definitely hard,” I hear Elix mutter. “Zariah.”
I peer back through the open door and see Elix wink.
“I’m just going to stop talking if you keep twisting everything. I’m already at capacity. Any more thinking about this and I’m going to start zapping shit uncontrollably.” Aurelius rasps and clutches his head as he scans the workbenches in the back. “Smells like sex in here. It’s fucking driving me crazy. Where are your goddamned coil primers for your aft thrusters?”
Elix motions to the drawer.
I chuckle and scan the gauges and screens. “Ready whenever you guys are.”
24: Zariah
Aurelius helps us get the ship fine-tuned and ready for our trip into space. Just to be sure, Elix has me wear a space suit.
“Ghostfleet nearing orbit,” MONA says. “You have five minutes to launch before they detect us. But the keel thrusters, six and seven, are still out.”
Aurelius takes off behind us in a fiery drone of purple engines and electric green crackles.
Elix scans all the screens and starts the engines. “We’ll be fine.”
“Sir.”
