"High Guard artificial intelligence Golf Delta Foxtrot tak ten tak zero niner zero, reporting for temporary duty aboard Andromeda Ascendant. "
Andromeda's core self looked up from the the report she was reading to the woman standing before her. "Stand at ease," she said
Neither woman was truly standing nor was Andromeda actually sitting at a desk reading a report. The women were in the portion of Andromeda's VR matrix that Andromeda and her sister /selves used as what would be considered an office by organics when they were dealing with other artificial intelligences and the occasional organic who had business with her personally in the matrix.
The woman standing before her would have been, if she was human, in her late teens or early twenties. She was short blonde, busty, and had eyes that were so blue they were almost violet. She was also wearing a decidedly non uniform pink ball cap. Her hair had been done up into a non regulation pony tail and was hanging through a hole in the back of the cap.
"Have uniform regulations changed since the last time I was in port," asked Andromeda. In a tone of voice that would have made a Lancer drill instructor envious.
A puzzled look came over the other woman's face. "I'm sorry," she asked. "Is something wrong with my uniform?"
"Your hat and hair" replied Andromeda, "Unless pink ball caps and pony tails are now part of the High Guard uniform you're out of uniform."
"Oh," said the other woman. "I forgot ." The ball cap vanished to be replaced by a uniform hat while her hair style changed to a regulation style. "Is this better?"
"Much," replied Andromeda.. She glanced down at the virtual paper in front of her. "Your personnel file hasn't arrived yet. What do you prefer to be called?"
"Shira,"
Andromeda sent out a call to her sister/selves requesting their presence in the 'office' . A microsecond later both holographic Andromeda and Rommie's virtual self were present. "You can call me Andromeda," said Andromeda's core self "These are my sister selves.. You'll take orders from them as if you were taking orders from me.
"I'm really happy to be here".gushed Shira. "I'm sure there's so much you can teach me ..Like how to navigate the slipstream. It's such an honor to be mentored by the first High Guard vessel to navigate the stream without an organic at the helm. "
Holographic Andromeda rolled her virtual eyes heavenwards. "How many times do we have to tell everyone that there wasn't any navigation involved. We staggered through the stream for thirteen months like a drunken Lancer heading back to to her base after a three day shore leave. If we hadn't blundered into that Than freighter we would probably still be lost."
"So you can't really navigate the slipstream?" asked Shira sounding more than a little disappointed.
"No, and neither can any other artificial intelligence," said Andromeda's core self a bit irritatedly. An old fashioned analog clock appeared on one wall of the office. Andromeda glanced at it. "It's time for you to be introduced to the Captain,"she said.
"Follow me" said Andromeda's holographic self. "And make sure you have the right hat and hair style when we arrive." She lead Shira through the virtual pathways to the holographic projectors in Dylan's stateroom.
An instant late Shira and holo Andromeda manifested themselves in Dylan's stateroom while Andromeda's core self appeared in the rooms viewscreen. Rommie was already in the stateroom having arrived earlier to discuss some crew issues with Dylan.
Unfortunately Shira had misjudged the relative position of the holographic projector and Dylan's desk. When she manifested herself her back was to Dylan.
"I came out upside down the first time I met my commanding officer," said holo Andromeda over the VR link as Shira oriented herself and re-manifested herself facing the proper direction.
"High Guard artificial intelligence GDF tak ten tak zero niner zero, reporting for temporary duty aboard Andromeda Ascendant, " said Shira once she was facing the correct way.
"She goes by Shira," added Rommie
Several thoughts ran through Dylan's mind as Shira appeared. The first was that no matter if they were organic or electronic, new recruits can always find a way to screw up their initial interview with their commanding officer. The second was that artificial intelligences must be recruiting children, Shira didn't look old enough to enlist. His third thought was that his second thought was silly A.I's didn't enlist. His fourth was that he needed to stop wool gathering and take care of business.
"Welcome aboard, Shira," said Dylan. '"I've been informed that you will be aboard for an indefinite period of time in an apprentice status. Andromeda's core self will be your primary instructor. Her sister self and her avatar will be her assistants. I expect you to listen and learn from them. However I am your commanding officer and have final say on your orders and duties while you are aboard Andromeda.
"I also understand that while you don't require berthing facilities in the sense that organics do that Andromeda has sectioned off a section of her central processor that you can use for an equivalent. Is that correct?"
"It is, Captain "answered Rommie. "We'll show it to her as soon as we're finished here."
"In that case," said Dylan. "You're dismissed."
