“I can’t answer that. But I had a conversation with the AI programmer, Hakip. He was looking for information on the drone malfunctions. He thought it might be me. After our conversation about what it means to protect our charges, I made some modifications to his suggestions.
“That is how I found you. I tracked your wristband because it is linked to me. I called the Sol Federation. I fired at the men attacking my caretakers.”
“Fuck yeah, you did,” Aurelius chuckles. “Bad ass.”
“I also did not let them touch your ship,” MONA says.
“No, he did not,” Teol pouts. “But he did contact us and request we join the rescue mission.”
“Can’t let her go alone,” Keo says.
“She wasss not alooone.” Gashnaar frowns and crosses his arms. “She isss mine, now. I will follooow her everywhere.”
Teol dances her brows. “The trip here was heated in more ways than one.”
Elix motions weakly to the back. “Royal’s quarters are available.”
I remove his armor and check his injury. It’s a partial heal, a layer of skin has formed over his insides, but he needs rest.
My wristband vibrates with a message.
“Why are we getting a signal out here?” I ask MONA.
“There are other ships in the area. I have been bouncing signals through them, possibly doing some hacking, I think is what the programmer called that.”
I open the message.
Ihna: I know you’re at the race but we are stuck in a cave on Denji. Novarks are everywhere. Please help us!
“We have to go. I have a cargo run to do,” I say.
Elix gives me a strange look. “Right now?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“A little help, MONA?” I ask.
“I have found your ship. We can be there in fifteen minutes if you secure Elix. He must remain on the nutrient feed for thirty minutes at a minimum.
“I’m fine, MONA.”
“You are more damaged than you are letting others know,” MONA responds.
Elix hisses as he eases himself onto a medical bed. “Yes, because sometimes the truth hinders a mission. I have pushed through worse.”
MONA makes a digital noise I don’t recognize. “I have a record of all of those incidents, sir. But if we are going into battle against Novarks, we must be operating at 110 percent.”
“I feel like I’m being ignored by my ship,” Elix remarks. “And it’s 100 percent, MONA.”
“I can be overclocked,” MONA replies.
Teol nudges me. “Kind of cute. Them arguing.”
A smile starts on my lips as I watch them continue bantering, even though I’m concerned about Ihna. I feel MONA still increasing our speed. We’re doing what we can.
Elix groans. “Optimal operation versus your maximum operational capability. Max is Max. There is no such thing as going beyond your capability.”
