It was six months ago, and Torian still felt humiliated. She grimaced, wiping away the memory. “I already told you, nothing happened between us.”
Amelia chose that moment to reply:“Okay. We’re close to Colony 4. Can your ship withstand a tow?”
Thank the Heavens Torian’s ship was still on mute, because immediately after, Moss replied, “I analyzed various video evidence, alongside your tone and mannerisms in Amelia’s presence, and confirmed a seventy-three percent likelihood of romance.”
Analyzing video evidence? It must mean the conversation she’d had with Amelia outside theDestitute—shit, that felt like eons ago. Torian winced. “Let’s talk about this later?” She waited to ensure Moss would be silent before pressing the button again. “Yeah, Amelia. We’re fine for a tow; the ship is well-built.”
“Except for the fact that you’re dead in space right now.”Amelia sounded amused.
Moss, meanwhile, replied curtly, “Based on her vital signs, Torian is clearly not dead in space. Frankly, I resent that remark.”
Torian hadn’t pressed the button again, but that transmission went through anyway. Clearly, Moss had used its newfound power over theDestituteto hijack the radio. She glared at the ceiling.
Amelia, meanwhile, snorted.“Deepest apologies.”
“Accepted,” Moss replied.
Through the window of her flight deck, Amelia’s shoulders shook with laughter. She turned away to talk to someone out of sight—probably Opula—and then came back on the radio.“Torian, we’re going to attach in a minute. Trip to Colony 4 should take about two hours. And then, I’d like a debrief on how, exactly, you wound up in this situation.”A pause.“Alone, if possible.”
It probably meant nothing. Torian’s heart skipped anyway.
Moss noticed, because for an organic computer, it was nosy as fuck. “As a reminder, Torian, my last owner left me for a romantic partner. I will not be pleased if you do the same.” Thankfully, that wasnotover the radio this time.
Torian massaged her forehead. “Dutch didn’t leave you for—ugh. Never mind. I’m not romantically involved with Amelia. She just wants to talk.” Frankly, Torian did too; it had only been a few days, but Torian didn’t feel like the same person she’d been on Amelia’s starship.
It might be nice to show her new side to Amelia.
And, if she was being honest, Torian wanted to know why Amelia had been so certain that Rhymarra wouldn’t spare her a second glance—or a first attempt at those exams.
“Scrap?”
Fuck. Torian fumbled with the button. “Y-yes! All good. We’ll talk on Colony 4.”
“Mhmm.”Now Amelia sounded suspicious, but she said,“See you in a bit.”
Torian cut off the radio. Amelia stepped away from the window, and Torian seized the moment to flee for some semblance of privacy. The living area was still a chaotic mess; if she’d be entertaining Amelia in a few hours, she really needed to put these strewn parts of theDestituteback where they belonged.
“Okay, Moss. What did you mean, ‘various video evidence’?” Torian crossed her arms. “Clarify that for me, please.”
“I am an organic computer. In addition to accessing your physiological state, I was able to access several video files on Colony 13to analyze. These files were essential to gauging your competency as a pilot and friend.”
Torian tried not to feel offended by that. She failed miserably. “You needed to watch videos of me to know if I was trustworthy?”
“Correct. In human relationships, trust is built over time. I did not have time; I could not risk you taking me to a junkyard or something worse. Therefore, I researched, and was able to ascertain with high statistical likelihood that you were a loyal person and would not abandon me.”
Torian pinched her brow, clenching her eyes shut. She couldn’treallyfault Moss for that. It was an invasion of privacy, but on Colony 13, privacy was a privilege. There were cameras everywhere on that space station, which was why Moss watching her through theDestitute’s cameras hadn’t fazed her.
And she supposedMosswatching those videos was better than some mystery official on Colony 13.
“How much of my life did you see?” she asked.
“I will send my entire archive of videos to your holopad, if that is something you wish.” Moss paused. “I did not mean to intrude. I felt I had no other choice. And… I am sorry.”
Well. Torian hadn’t heard those words from Moss before, so that actually felt like a win. She offered a wry smile at the cameras. “It’s okay. I appreciate you telling me. Maybe just don’t go peeking into my life from now on.”
“This is an agreeable request. Moving forward, I will ask you for insight instead of seeking answers in video archives.” Moss paused. “What is ‘scrap’?”
There was no way Torian could explain how a condescending job title had somehow become a fond nickname between two women who definitely weren’t dating. “Please, Moss. You’re killing me.”
