Chapter 52
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TIME:
3 DAYS LATER
(4 MONTHS AFTER RETURNING)
LOCATION:
BETA CHARON
FAR ORBIT OF HEL
ASTRO DAWN
POV:
Lilith Runethari
Sitting on the command chair waiting for my "allies" to drop out of hyperspace. I was expecting a cargo vessel and its escorts to arrive so I could hand off some replacement parts I suspect they are in need of.
Just as I was about to get up a dull boom vibrated the ship. Lazily looking up I noticed 3 ships, one was about 400 meters in length, but was poorly armed. The other two void ships were your average destroyers with below average weapons by human standards.
I waited a moment for the sensors to update which took a few seconds. Once I confirmed that the void ships were indeed the one I was expecting I turned off our active stealth and sent a request to dock.
The approval was quickly received and I ponderously began coasting over. It took an hour to align our orbits and relative velocities, but the actual process of docking was handled rather smoothly.
I felt the Astro Dawn shake as it locked itself to the cargo ship. Getting up I took my time getting ready to meet the personnel that will be handing the handovers. I was not looking forward to having to supervise them while they hauled everything out of the cargo bay. It would be quick however, we only managed to printed repair parts that would go towards vital systems like atmospheric and water filters for life support, about 3 kilometers of extra voltage cables, and about 1000 total laser lens of varying sizes ranging from the size fit for close in defenses to the size required for a large laser cannon.
All this was likely enough to fully repair their crippled cruiser, but doing so would leave little else to be handed out for other ships.
I was planning on focusing on building another medium sized MAT next month. We were running out of time to build hybridization pods and actually fill them. It seemed I would only have 24 bodyguards joining me on my trip to Orenthia. It didn't matter though, I was going to outfit them with some class IV power armor and accompanying equipment. The thrall, Adalyn, was quickly beating the new recruits into shape, and it seemed they would be barely ready by the time we set off. They wouldn't be elite by my standards, but they'd be good enough to at least take on the average soldier in close quarters combat.
Finally arriving at the wide airlock we had selected I am met with a pair of pesantes sitting idly on the sides. Smirking, I decide to have my fun with the menials.
Waiting in the hallway for the airlock to cycle properly, I finally heard the airlock beginning to open with a faint hiss of equalizing pressure, finding nothing hazardous on the carriers.
"Holy shit it's dark in here! How the hell are we supposed to see in this?"
My smirk widens as the pesantes get up and leisurely rounded the corner. The carriers all go quiet hearing the sharp clicking of metallic claws on metal floors. Slowly the pesantes become visible stepping into the light of the airlock.
"Oi what the fuck is that!" One man screams as the other two yelp in terror. Just as they start backing up I decide I've had my fun and slowly increase the brightness while applauding with a snicker. "Heh, they're pesantes, don't worry they will be our escorts to the cargo bay."
Their terrified faces snap to my face and I can tell they want to say some things but wisely decided to hold their tongues. Eventually after the pesantes stopped moving and they started to calm down one addressed me, "I-I take it you're supplier miss?"
I nod my head while continuing to turn the hallway lights on to something a human can actually see in. Turning my back I motioned for them to follow, "Yes I am, and you can just call me... Erin. Frankly you aren't important enough to know my name, so follow me, we don't have forever to trade pleasantries."
I hear them grumble but again they don't say anything coherent and they quickly begin following me. As we travelled not a word was said, the only sound was that of a motorized pallet jack dutifully following behind us. Eventually we neared the cargo bay and I had the giant gate open which surprised my little followers.
"Holy crap that's a large cargo hold... Uh um Erin where are the supplies you want to hand off to us?" I point at the nearby cluster of pallets and cable reels. They hurriedly nodded before running towards the pallets like they were their last hope at life. Getting a gut feeling I yell at them to be careful with the crates with lenses. They quickly slowed down and walked at a much more reasonable pace.
Sitting on the side leaning on the wall I decide to connect my MID and have a discussion with Mom about our plans for the upcoming battle.
"Hey Mom, are you available?" I ask, feeling my mind diffuse into the large void ship. The feeling was incredibly uncomfortable but I just endured it.
Mom responds, "Sort of. The lead engineer of the cargo ship has been begging to be allowed to visit this ship. I don't sense any hostile intent if anything he's acting like a child begging for candy. He's even tried bribing me with officer's rations for just a quick tour."
I take a moment to process what mother just said, and yet I can't seem to understand what is going on. Eventually I decide to just ask what she thinks about the whole situation.
"Frankly I see no harm in letting him aboard, but I also see no benefit. It's up to you Lilith, I'd say letting him onboard and giving him a limited tour while counting it as a favor to be repaid later would be the optimal solution. But there's no guarantee he'll actually help us later."
I sigh an action that feels quite disorientating as my physical body doesn't actually do anything, yet the feeling is conveyed regardless. "Just say not until the partnership with his fleet has bore fruit and I can be confident a favor will be returned."
I get a bleep of acknowledgement and I exit the MID returning to my body. The carriers were finishing the process to transport a car sized crate holding various laser lenses. I guided them back through the ship and to the airlock.
Groaning once they're through the airlock and on their way, just need to do this a dozen more times...
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TIME:
3 DAYS LATER
LOCATION:
BETA CHARON
30 AU FROM BETA CHARON
INNER KEIPER BELT
MIDNIGHT NOSTALGIA
MASSCONTAINMENT SECTION
I step through the recently installed bulkhead and a dozen light security robots closely following me. People looked over hushed conversations coming to an abrupt end. They knew what today was. Some tried to shrink back wishing to have the presence of an especially bland wallpaint. Others yet glared back defiantly; those were always the ones that tried to make a nuisance of themselves when given even the slightest opportunity.
I scanned the room keeping my expression as blank as stone. Eventually I finished observing the human cattle watching them squirm as they tried holding my gaze or hiding from it. I decided to test them attempting to locate those unsuitable for the gift of hybridization.
"I want 10 of you animals to either offer someone up, or volunteer yourself. If I do not get 10 of you by the time I finish the selection then I will make changes to the rations you are being given."
Immediately I walked through the open community area and entered the cafeteria. Walking slowly between the rows of seats I try to find the faces Mother and YAGA have marked as being prime candidates for my security detail.
I stopped my patrol finding one such person. He seems to have noticed me stopping if the slight tensing of his shoulder is anything to go off of.
"You, come with me don't bother resisting, but feel free to ignore me if you wish to." The young man, maybe in his early twenties slowly gets up taking his cup of liquid nutrients and minerals with him. I knew what he was going to attempt before he even had his back turned. "I didn't say you could take that with you ignorant waste of sapience!"
My arm surged forward grabbing his wrist and with a restrained twist fling the cup out of his hands and onto some other human who was a touch too close. I hear a wet pop and the candidate starts screaming. Rolling my eyes I snap my fingers and a security robot steps forwards and with its back mounted manipulator drags the man off his seat and towards the exit.
After that I went through the residential and improvised exercise rooms finding the remaining five candidates quite easily. By now our stock was starting to dilute but thankfully some had become acceptable after they discovered the only thing they can do is exercise or sleep.
Doubling back to the community area I am surprised to see ten very reluctant people standing close to the exit. They have the air about them of timid sacrifices. Luckily for them they'd be back in an hour or two—Not that they needed to know that—but I will enjoy their doom and gloom while it lasts.
"You ten, follow me and don't even think of slipping away!" I yell while walking towards the entrance and only exit. Immediately half of my security detail herded them out with me.
Waiting outside the entrance with my arms crossed I watched as the door was sealed shut before turning my gaze to the now very scared cattle. They may have come from a cult that worships light and lasers, but that didn't mean they wanted to die. Grinning, I almost laughed at the collective shiver from the group.
Beginning our quiet trek towards this floor's sole med bay, eventually one of them spoke clearly reluctantly, "Uh whe‐where are we going mi–!" Looking over my shoulder I found the one asking questions and he quickly ceased his babballing. "You're going to the med bay. I have need of something from you. Honestly it's the only good thing about you Humans."
I could almost feel the wave of scared incomprehension as they processed my answer.
"What do-do you mean by Humans you make it sound like you aren't one? And what could you possibly want with us?" Someone else decided to air the unstated question rather than that barely adult human man.
I kept my silence which seemed to have made them a little more anxious, the unknown is always the most terrifying thing to sapients of all species and forms.
Finally we arrived at the med bay and once they were shoved inside they found a few chairs and some bipedal basic medical assistance robots. I turned as the standard quadrupedal security robots sat in front of the door preventing any escape.
"Okay now three at a time I need you to sit down on those chairs. Do not resist the helpful friendly robots as they extract some of your blood. To answer the last question I need your blood for reasons relating to me not being human. No, I am much more superior than you unmodified apes and my need for your blood is simply a small price to pay for my superiority!
“Now all of you sit down and be cooperative. If you do you can soon return back to your friends and remains of your family so simply be cooperative. That is all I will be deigning to answer, save your inane questions until I give you permission."