Love Code: An AI + Alien romance (Galactic Love Book 2) Page 18

  Close, that was too close. I’m not made for an adventurous life.

  Like Aevi, she desperately wanted to go home. But she also wanted to stay with Helix. Never had her desires been so diametrically opposed. What am I supposed to do?

  “Excellent work,” Praxys finally said, once they put the high-risk flight behind them and the ship cleared the atmosphere.

  Everything looked quiet and calm from here, a gray-green ball wreathed in white spots, yielding no sign of the mighty terror that lurked in those depths. The Barathi paced, cursing with a fluency that Qalu found daunting and impressive in equal measure.

  “What’s wrong?” Carow asked.

  “We burned more fuel than I wanted to in luring Ugaru away.”

  “Do we have enough to implement the plan for Krag?” Qalu asked.

  Rather than answering straightaway, Praxys consulted the ship AI. “Status, please.”

  A brief pause, then the AI said, “Barring any unforeseen events, we should be able to reach our destination and commence the entrapment.”

  Bojak groaned, coming into the hub just in time to hear that. “That means we’re playing bait again. Instead of a giant sea monster, we’re intentionally drawing out one of the deadliest bounty hunters in the galaxy. I should’ve stayed in Peoria.”

  “Where’s that?” Qalu asked, because the silence was growing awkward while Praxys glared at the human.

  The Barathi captain truly had no tolerance for dissent.

  “Place on my homeworld. I hated it so much that I didn’t even try to get home when I got swept up in a cattle net. What’s the worst that could happen, I said. What the hell, let’s have an adventure, I said.”

  Qalu stared, not understanding much of Bojak’s monologue. “Cattle net?”

  “There’s smugglers that steal cows on the world I came from. It’s an animal, considered a delicacy on multiple planets. So smugglers and black-market privateers come and snatch them quiet-like. Sometimes they grab a human who’s in the wrong place at the wrong time too. We’re not worth much, though.”

  “Low tech knowledge when he first signed on,” Carow muttered. “Talks too much.”

  Praxys churred. “So true. It’s permissible to unfasten safety gear and go about your business. We’ll be traveling for a while.”

  [ 18 ]

  Helix soon discovered that he disliked relying on others.

  Praxys wasn’t a bad sort, but he was far too interested in spending time with Qalu and pressing his invitation, trying to get her to accede to his offer to join the resistance. It wasn’t that Helix disagreed with what the organization stood for; that would be entirely hypocritical. But he sensed Qalu’s quiet unhappiness and he didn’t know what to do about it.

  She wouldn’t leave him, but she missed her home, along with all the satisfaction of doing work she loved. While he believed she cared for him, she wasn’t meant to live like a nomad. And she seemed to feel guilty about Aevi’s growing discontent as well. The Pherzul didn’t enjoy being trapped on the resistance ship and had taken to curling up on the sleep platform, where she spent most of her time dozing. There was nothing new for her to see, nothing to explore, and even Bojak’s silly humor couldn’t cheer the little one.

  This is my fault.

  Unfortunately, knowing that didn’t alleviate the situation. So much danger lay ahead and even if they defeated Toth Krag, it wouldn’t end the pursuit. The syndicate he stole from wouldn’t rest until they had their credits back, so they’d hire someone else. Ultimately, Krag was a symptom of the problem, not the cure.

  Helix walked the halls, wrestling the conundrum with all his considerable intellect focused, but he couldn’t see the solution. In desperation, he connected to Nita, trusting another AI might see what he had missed. In terms of problem-solving, he’d absolutely lost some of his old capacity. The Tiralan brain simply couldn’t process as many variables simultaneously, but AIs couldn’t enjoy delicious roasted nornroot either.

  “You require assistance?” Nita asked.

  He was taking a risk in sharing his secrets with the resistance AI. Nita might repeat everything to Praxys, and if the Barathi captain discovered that Helix was being hunted for theft, not for existing as a free, inorganic being, he might decide that this wasn’t his problem. Which would offer a change from the ship, but it would destroy Helix if harm came to Qalu or Aevi because of him. After a minute hesitation, he explained the full scope of the dilemma and the AI went quiet.

  Only a short time, then Nita said, “The solution seems clear to me.”

  “What do you propose?”

  “The simplest course is to contact those hunting you. Tell them that you will return what you have taken in exchange for all pursuit being suspended, now and forever. Warn them that if they break this agreement, there will be consequences. You set a timed, automatic transaction on the funds, authorizing dispersal. If you don’t cancel it at the appointed time, their assets will vanish again, never to be recovered.”

  “That is remarkably clever,” he said. “I wonder why I didn’t think of it.”

  “I suspect you are emotionally compromised. The idea of negotiating with those who hurt See-ra probably angers you.”

  “It never occurred to me,” he admitted.

  “There is no gain in continuing with this vendetta. It will only harm you and prevent you from enjoying a safe and fulfilling organic life. Therefore, logically speaking, the only rational course is to eliminate the reasons motivating their pursuit.”

  “I need to explain things to everyone.”

  “Why did you not proffer this information earlier? We have been under the misapprehension that you were being persecuted for other reasons.”

  It was a valid question. “I didn’t know.” Quickly, Helix summarized how he had partitioned his own memory, preventing him from recalling exactly what happened on Gravas Station, until they got help on the Vault.

  “Extenuating circumstances, but Praxys may demand compensation, as we have expended time and energy on your behalf when it wasn’t truly a resistance matter.”

  “I need to speak with—”

  “It’s done,” Nita cut in. “I forwarded a holo of our exchange. Much more time efficient than repeating the same information. He’s looking for you now.”

  Praxys found Helix in the corridor, and from the spikes jutting from his back, he was in a foul mood. “You misled us all.”

  “Unintentionally, but yes. You have my apologies.”

  “I have never known an inorganic thief.” Praxys glared, visibly nettled by the revelation that his crew had swooped in to rescue someone who might not deserve it.

  Nita put in, “I have included the mitigating circumstances. They had captured him because he freed a child and her family on Gravas Station. The theft was a matter of self-preservation, as they were about to destroy him.”

  “I understand, but…” Praxys hesitated. “We can’t continue to render aid. Our resources are finite and there are others who need our time and attention more, who are suffering simply because of who they are, not what they’ve done.”

  “I understand. You’ll leave us at the nearest outpost?” he guessed.

  “Vaadla Station isn’t far. I wish you well, but we can’t participate in this matter further.” As Praxys turned to walk away, he paused. “If you care about Qalu and Aevi, you won’t involve them in your problems going forward. They deserve better. Send them home and deal with the complications on your own.”

  Though Praxys’s words felt like the Barathi had reached into his chest and physically crushed his heart with bloody claws, Helix couldn’t deny their rightness. He ought to do that. For their safety and happiness, he should let Qalu and Aevi go. But the prospect of parting with them now filled him with aching dread, such an onslaught of emotion that it prompted painful physical symptoms as well. As an AI, he couldn’t have imagined such extremity.

  “Your suggestion is noted,” he said.

  Some while later, Prax
ys made the announcement about their change of itinerary. He didn’t explain the course correction or why their paths were diverging. Maybe he wouldn’t even tell the rest of the crew. That was up to the resistance captain.

  Soon, Qalu came looking for Helix, her aspect all confusion. Aevi sat snuggled against her chest, and he could see that the Pherzul’s feathers were losing their luster. Whether it was lack of sunlight or despondency over being trapped on the ship, either way, the little one wasn’t in good spirits and her health might be suffering too.

  I need to let them go.

  “What’s happening?” Qalu asked.

  “There’s no reason to risk everyone and confront Toth Krag.” Quietly he explained the plan he’d conceived with Nita’s help. “I can take care of it on my own.”

  A stunned silence followed, as if she couldn’t credit being so summarily abandoned. “But…they’re just leaving us? On Vaadla Station.”

  “It’s for the best. I accepted their aid under false pretenses, even if I didn’t know that at the time.” He couldn’t bring himself to tell her what he’d decided. Not yet.

  She might even refuse to get off the ship if she knew that he meant to put her on another one, a passenger vessel that would take her safely to Tiralan, where she could resume her research and Aevi could roam the countryside as she did before. Even if Qalu didn’t admit it, she must miss her mothers too. They were likely worried sick by now since she’d been out of contact since their emergency departure.

  Qalu studied him intently, seeming to sense that he was holding back. But she didn’t protest parting ways with the resistance. Relief flickered through him, as part of him had feared that she might enjoy Praxys’s relentless interest. With a measured gesture, she stroked Aevi’s head and the Pherzul whirred with pleasure.

  “We’re going home soon?” Aevi asked.

  Yes, little one. Soon.

  Without realizing it, Qalu spoke the truth. “Not too much longer, I think. Thank you for being patient and brave.” To Helix, she added, “I don’t mind visiting Vaadla. I’ve never been to any orbital station, so that should be interesting. And if we can resolve the situation without anyone getting hurt, so much the better. I do like this plan better than killing Toth Krag. Even if he’s a ruthless hunter, I can’t like the notion of ending someone’s life.”

  “I’d rather kill him,” Aevi muttered.

  “So fierce.” Qalu scratched the spot about her tail and Aevi twisted with joy.

  Our time is running out.

  Though he agreed with Nita—this plan offered the best chance of safety and freedom—there were no guarantees. Everything might disintegrate. He could be taken again, and this time, there would be no escape. He had a physical body for them to harm now, harder for him to slip away if he stumbled into a snare like last time.

  While Helix’s fears ran in an endless loop, Qalu kept petting the little one, whispering to her and tickling her. He could tell she was trying to cheer the Pherzul up, lessen the tug of her homesickness. Aevi wanted the wide-open spaces with room to run, sunlight on her body, and the freedom to do what she wanted, when she wanted.

  Helix devoured them with his eyes, drinking them in and trying to commit everything about them to memory. Soon, it would be all he had left.

  Vaadla Station was more chaotic than Qalu had imagined.

  For the first time in a while, Aevi perked up, lured by all the fascinating new sights, sounds, and scents. Saying goodbye to the resistance crew had been both quicker and more painful than she’d imagined. She hadn’t particularly bonded with anyone, but they’d offered a sense of safety in a perilous galaxy. Now, after getting something called a “hug” from Bojak and various rituals of leave-taking from the others—Praxys had reiterated that she could join him at any time—she and Helix had disembarked with a cluster of other travelers and they were waiting in queue for their documents to be processed.

  Suddenly, it occurred to her that Helix didn’t have any identification, but he didn’t seem troubled. Indeed, when it came to his turn, he offered his forelimb like it had a chip in it, and the terminal flickered, then the information appeared. He must have hacked the system. So fast, so flawless, and yet the droid in charge of such matters appeared to have no idea.

  “Proceed,” said the passenger control bot. “Enjoy your time on Vaadla Station.”

  Qalu had a little more trouble since she had Aevi, but Helix resolved that too, adding an appendix to her own travel clearances, clarifying that the Pherzul was a bonded companion, required for Qalu’s emotional welfare. She supposed that was correct, more or less, as they had been together for ages.

  Eventually, they wound up on the other side, entering the station proper. There were multiple levels with open space between, room for the slow rotation of the station’s axis that created artificial gravity. Colored signs flashed for products and places to visit, some with holo advertisements motion-activated as they went by. On Vaadla Station, there were more aliens than Qalu had ever imagined, all going about their business in a rush. She tried not to seem as ignorant and inexperienced as she was, but she couldn’t help staring in all directions at once. Aevi was doing the same, and it took all Qalu’s strength to prevent the Pherzul from dashing off. That might have been safe on the resistance ship; here, it absolutely was not.

  The walls were made of a smooth, pale metal that gleamed as the colored lights poured over it, gilding the whole station in a festive air. Though the air lacked the freshness of the outdoors, it still held a sweeter tinge than one would expect, better than the recycled staleness on the resistance ship. And the Vault had been even worse, like breathing dank algae soup.

  “This is rather exciting,” she whispered to Helix. “Where should we go first?”

  He’d visited other stations before. Maybe Gravas was even bigger. It occurred to her that they ought to talk about everything he’d seen and done after he left Barath. She’d enjoy listening to his adventures, but first, they should have one of their own.

  Helix turned from his intense assessment of their environs. “Accommodations first. And then, we should see if we can find a public garden where Aevi can play.”

  “You do love me!” the Pherzul shouted, drawing looks from multiple passersby.

  The vocalization chip wasn’t a common mod, but Qalu was glad she’d gone with it. Talking to Aevi always granted her great joy. Kicking off Qalu’s chest, Aevi launched herself at Helix and he caught her, tucking her safely against his shoulders. His head tendrils fluttered, showing that he was moved by this display of affection and trust.

  I’m so glad they like one another; it would be a problem if they didn’t. Because she intended to build a family with them both, once the danger passed. Right now, everything was uncertain, but Helix seemed confident that the plan Nita had proposed would work. That chafed a little—that he’d trusted the resistance AI more than her. Sometimes she wondered if he missed the uncluttered purity of that existence.

  “I do,” Helix said gently, as he carried Aevi through the crowd.

  Qalu rushed after them. He followed signs directing them to short-term habitats. Since she didn’t have funds accessible for intergalactic use, she fretted over how they’d resolve that issue. As it turned out, she needn’t have worried. Helix handled that as he had the travel documentation, which meant he either skimmed funds from elsewhere or illicitly marked their reservation as paid without proffering remuneration. On some level, that troubled her but she lacked the wherewithal to be more honest in their dealings.

  Their allotted space was small with a sleep platform, storage niches and shelves built into the wall, nesting materials should they desire them. The room overlooked the gravity well at the center of Vaadla, crackling with the energy that kept the station in equilibrium. Hygiene facilities were shared and there was no dining option. Food would need to be procured and consumed outside their habitat. That shouldn’t be a problem, as she’d seen six different eateries advertised on the way here. And
that was on this level alone.

  “This is better than the ship,” Aevi declared. “Can we look for the garden now? I want to run. I need to run!”

  Since the Pherzul had been incredibly patient and well-behaved the last few days, Qalu regarded Helix with a hopeful air. In answer, he gestured for them to exit first and then he locked the door behind him, keyed to his biometric signature. They didn’t have anything worth stealing, but Qalu didn’t want intruders either. Private spaces should remain that way, even those rented for a short time.

  Helix led the way without faltering, and she realized he must’ve accessed the station schematics. Now that he was functioning at full capacity, he felt oddly unfamiliar, too handsome and too competent, someone who would soon realize that she could bring only one quality to their relationship. He’ll realize soon that he can do better–find someone more versatile and better matched.

  Still, she intended to enjoy every moment and savor this interlude. Happiness felt fleeting, like an insect with delicate wings perched precariously on a wet leaf. Aevi’s tail lashed as Helix carried her. She must be so weary of being carted around. The garden on Vaadla lived up to its name, far more than the disappointing container bay in the Vault. Here, the space was terraced with moss and earth and the rich smell of growing things. Other people were enjoying the paths through the greenery, and there were a few quadrupeds frolicking as well.

  Helix glanced at her in inquiry. “I’ve reviewed the rules and she can play freely here.”

  “Don’t leave the garden, but…have fun, Aevi.” Qalu watched as he set the Pherzul down, and the little one raced off, scrambling straight up one of the larger plants. Her head tendrils fluttered. “I’m so glad she can do this.”