The sound of my tapping foot echoed across the docking deck, a fast powered sound that drove everyone insane. Anxiety and desperation clucked my tongue, eyes on the flanks of the Starquake. The power cut took everyone by surprise, especially Julian. With Julian digging into every crevice of my pride with his ranting about leaping head first into danger, the power dying saved me from any further scathing words. The lack of power flipped a switch, turning him antsy and cautious. His concern skyrocketed when Marshal didn't respond to his commands. Once the power kicked back on, Marshal resurfaced, asking Julian to report to the server room to deal with a breach. His departure was the opportunity I needed to run back to the frigates to escape. But my plan had a small flaw; despite more people to back me up and pull my whipped ass back onto the Starquake, Gideon had vanished. There was no way I was leaving him here, not with Julian. I'd rather receiving countless scathing remarks before abandoning him. My hands ran through my hair, wondering where the boy had gone. If he got back before Julian found me, we could still escape. My feet paced below me, covering a marathon in the time between arriving on dock and now. Dammit, where was he?
"Delly," Julian called. A quiet moan of defeat sounded, preparing my battered mind to deal with more scolding. My eyes flicked over my shoulder. My heart shuddered, stomach collapsing to my toes. Gideon limped beside Julian, Julian holding the belt around his leather pockets to help him walk on the injured leg. My earlier desire to flee vanished, a blindness setting in as fear burst me into a sprint towards them.
"Gideon! Gid, what happened, are you alright? What the hell happened, why are you hurt?" I asked, words tumbling out, hands glued to his shoulders, knuckles white. Gideon managed a brave smile.
"I'm ok. I-It looks worse than it is, I suppose," he said, eyes dropping contact partway through. My gaze found Julian, eyes bugged.
"One of the armed mechs went crazy when it lost connection from Marshal after the power cut. It got out the server room and run into him in the chaos. It is a glancing blow, but he may require further treatment just to be sure," Julian explained. My jaw dropped
"The power was out for 4 minutes and my son was shot?!" I snapped. Julian grit through my anger, not swayed by the force. He was used to it by now.
"I'm sorry, Delly, I should have had Marshal and the engineers check the drive core more thoroughly and check the safety procedures on the mechs. If it is any consolidation, I have them scheduled now just in case it happens again. I've bandaged him up though, although I still recommend having your on-board doctor look at it," Julian said. A slow frown drained the anger from my face, back straightening as if a sudden movement would shatter the illusion before me.
"You bandaged him up?" I asked, measuring each word. Julian flicked a smile.
"It was my fault he got hurt. My ship failed, therefore it is my responsibility. I am no coward, Delly, or I would like to think so. Even I can admit when my decisions caused a failure. But he is fine, it isn't too serious. I'm surprised though, few kids can take a bullet and get on with it. No tears or screaming or anything. Even I need to respect that," he said, resting a hand on his hip, glancing down to Gideon. Gid gawked up at him, holding his injured leg. Julian sighed. "I suppose I was hasty," he admitted.
"You've been hasty about many things, Julian," I said, refusing to let this slide. Julian snorted.
"And it is many things I am speaking of. I didn't- I should have trusted you more, for a start," he said, forcing the words out. My eyebrows soared. Wait, where was- "You spent 2 years away from my care and you've adapted, grown. I am still clinging to the Delly who hid behind me at every new thing, the Delly who couldn't defend herself should the Saboteurs come. I can't keep thinking like that, but you'll forgive me if old habits are hard to kill. You risked your life to stop the Dekuuna Saboteur, despite my earlier protests, risked your life because you knew people would die horrible deaths later on without intervention. Despite everything I said, you still went there, still pressed on even when you realised the scale of the battle ahead. You reminded me just how stubborn you are and what resources and lengths you are willing to pull to keep these things from killing us. You have the Shaik stubbornness. I suppose all it took for me to remember was to see how stubborn a child you are raising," he said, raising a small smile. My eyes narrowed, a cautious bubble forming in my chest.
"The Shaik stubbornness isn't hereditary, it can be taught," I said. Julian chuckled.
"As I am noticing. Delly, you've brought down two Saboteurs I couldn't track or take out myself… I know it isn't much, but I can at least extend an olive branch. We have some experimental data, data even we are not sure is correct or not, about the Saboteurs and their shells. It isn't much, but maybe your Intel team can find something we can't. I also need to apologise to my little nephew as well; for this incident and for breaking his nose," Julian said.
"Hang on, hang on… you're recognising him now?" I asked, heart fluttering. What was going on?
"As I said, he's proven to be more stubborn than I realised. My biggest fear was he would distract you, be the weak link that puts you in danger, an easy shield for the Saboteurs. But he can take a bullet and still grumble like it's a paper cut, so my fears – while still there – are somewhat abated. As an apology, I'll be giving him a few servers, since he loves his computers so much," Julian said.
"Oh… well, that's… kind of you," I said, concern bubbling below the surface, calculating the gears turning in his head. My gut told me he was up to something, but what? "Although you'll forgive the suspicion," I added. Julian chuckled.
"Delly, you have every right to be suspicious. After everything that's happened, I've done nothing to inspire confidence. Consider this an attempt to bridge what I burned down all those years ago," Julian said. My tongue clicked, considering his offer and the hidden strings behind them.
"Alright, you have my curiosity," I said. "Let us see what this new and improved attitude of yours offers, hmm?" I said. "We're heading off, we've got a lot of ground to cover,"
"Of course, we'll arrange a data transfer soon, but I've already given some to Gideon to add to your servers," Julian said. Gideon's expression only widened. I drew my eyebrows down a notch. Oh yes, something was up. "If you require anything else, you know where to find me,"
"Yeah, we'll head off and get out of your hair," I said, shaking his hand, suspicion rampant through every muscle. Was this some plan to lower my defences or had he gotten a fright from the power cut? He wanted me near, that much was clear, so he would do everything in his power to stop me from fleeing. Injuring Gideon was a quick way to drive me away, but it didn't stop him before. Was it because he had been shot rather than headbutted that caused this sudden change? Julian lowered himself down to Gideon's height, whispering something to him. Julian's face his Gideon's expression, but Gid's furious whispers still rang loud. My eyes narrowed further, confirming my earlier suspicions as Gideon tore himself away from the smug smile on Julian's face. Gideon limped towards me, a glare frozen on his face. My hand gripped his belt, helping him walk back into the ship, back to safety. The airlock secured behind us, preventing Julian from following. Brows rose when the crew spotted the injured human, limping towards the med bay.
"What the hell was all that about?" I asked, keeping my tone soft. Gideon grumbled, but refused to speak. "Gideon, I'm not blind,"
"He told me not to get shot again," he muttered. A slow breath escaped. That didn't seem like enough to cause that level of smugness from Julian, as prideful as he was.
"Well, as much as I hate to say this, do as you uncle says on that point," I said, watching his expression. It didn't change. With a sigh, the med bay door opened, the engines rumbling the ground below my feet. "Saere, can you look at Gideon please?" I asked. The turian spun around from her computer, a faint glow on her face.
"What does he need?" Saere asked, tone too bright for my cautious mood. She blushed further at my raised brow.
"Been in touch with Lyren then?" I asked. Saere frowned, the blush worsening. She didn't comment. My head shook, turning to Gideon. "Gideon's been shot," I said, eager for him to get seen. Saere's brow plates flew up.
"Spirits, how did he manage that?" she asked, flaring her mandibles and locking her eyes on the limping, bandaged leg. Gideon hopped up on a bed, biting his lip as she unfurling the bandage. She hummed, turning it around, dapping away the blood. "It isn't too bad, just a glancing blow. Are we going to have to get you shields now, young man?" she joked. Gideon strained a smile.
"Would help," he said. Saere tutted before wheeling her chair back to gather what she needed to treat him.
"He'll be fine, he's young. They heal so quickly," Saere said with a grin. "Some burns and the wound itself, but it's not bad," A relieved sigh escaped, shoulders relaxing. Gideon sulked, rumbling under his voice as he watched me leave the med bay, returning to the bridge.
Something about this whole situation didn't sit with me, unnerving and twisting me. The power cut, Julian's sudden approval of both me killing Saboteurs and putting myself in danger, accepting Gideon and taking him under his wing… it wasn't right. Nothing sang true, an underlying unease slick as oil. God be damned, my brain couldn't figure out what happened. My head shook, fighting against the snares of suspicion before lowering myself into the captain's chair, just in time for Lanster to FTL us away from the . A weak groan escaped.
"Enjoy your little talk?" Raisha asked, eyes on a console as she watched the systems. My head shook.
"Something doesn't smell right, but damned if I know what though," I sighed. "Lanster, find a nice little system we can float in without being disturbed, by friendly or hostile, until we can figure out what data Julian has given us,"
"Aye, aye. Oh, and you have a missed call," he added. A frustrated frown pulled my face. No rest for the wicked, it seems.
"I thought Marshal was my secretary," I joked, seeking to improve my mood. Lanster spun his chair around, a sulked tongue sticking out in my direction. Laughter roared free, the turian finishing is spin and facing the front again. "Thank you, I'll go check it out," I said, perked before jumping out of the captain's chair. The damn chair better be tied down well to the floor with all this yo-yoing in and out of it these days. The walk and resulting elevator ride to my room lured me into some sort of normality, the earlier suspicion with Julian and Gid forgotten for a time. Inside my too, Marshal leapt before my face, the drone spinning like a gyro as it beeped to warn me of the missed call. My hands grabbed the drone before it spin itself dizzy.
"Sorry, Mar, Lanster already told me," I said, chuckling as the drone hovered away. My fingers tapped at the desk computer. The number raised concerns, lowering myself down in the chair as it redialled. After a few rings, Liara's face appeared, a relieved expression lighting her face. "Liara, good to see you,"
"And you as well. Congratulations on your mission on Dekuuna, I hear it things went well," Liara said with a smile. A dry snort escaped, remembering my injuries.
"Ach, I only got two collapsed lungs as a result, nothing too serious," I said. Liara scowled, picking up the sarcasm, She shook her head at my grin.
"I am relieved. I only heard rumours from the Citadel but I didn't get a full picture of your injuries. Although I wish you would be more careful," Liara said.
"Liara, the Saboteur shut down my grav suit with little more than a glance. How am I supposed to handle 4-G crashing down on my body in a 2 ton suit in an instant?" I asked, sulking at the parental tone in her voice. Liara sucked a breath in.
"At least we know how dangerous the Tech Incap Saboteurs are. I'll do research into counteracting them. But I have more pressing rumours I think needs your attention. It's about Kahje," Liara said. A shudder swam down my spine.
"Oh great, intense gravity to water world… did I mention I don't like fish?" I asked with a sheepish smile. Liara's expression remained flat.
"Dell, focus please," she said, straightening my spine. "There are some strange rumours about how the hanar are using their Drell assassins, among other things. Unlike Dekuuna, the defence systems are still healthy but the assassination level within the hanar population is… startling. Someone is climbing high and fast," Liara said. A cold breath sucked through my teeth.
"So I'm going to deal with assassin Drell…" I said, mind running rampant. Liara offered a small smile. A whimpered whine overwhelmed me. "I'll see what I can do, thanks for the heads up… also, you heard about Shepard?" Liara perked, her face lighting up.
"I heard the rumours… how is he?" she asked, the words rushing out, a glow lighting up her skin. A bitter grumble rumbled in my chest.
"Fine, he's bloody fine," I grumbled. Liara's eyes widened a touch, a grin flirting along her lips. "Oh don't encourage the bastard!" I snapped. Liara managed a weak laugh, although it sounded relieved rather than a result of my snap.
"Thank you, Dell. I'll see what I can find out," she said with a smile. My head shook, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. This was going to be a long, long lifetime…
"So little nephew, I need your help to rebuild bridges? The next time you think you can hold a dagger over my head, just think back to this. You still owe me," Uncle Julian said with a smug grin.
"He did it on purpose," I said through grit teeth, limping on my bandaged leg. My eyes landed on the pile of 8 small, thin rectangles sitting on the floor. My 'present' from Uncle Julian, modular server banks he passed along to the requisition team before dragging me down to the docks. It wasn't going to give Kala the power to fight Marshal again, but it would give her a needed kick. They fit under my bed as well. No one would suspect what they were at a passing glance. My rear landed in the office chair, grumbling as the blueprints for downside jump jets and landing jets rolled to the side.
"I am not even sure I understand the situation, Gideon," Kala said, question marks hovering over her emoticon. A heavy sigh escaped, staring at the desk before me.
"I thought I could squirm my way out of trouble by using my mum as a bargaining chip, like when I offered you that $300 for that property in monopoly. I was hoping mum could be the weapon I needed to keep Uncle Julian from beating my ass, like a deterrent. But he took away my weapon! He lied, told me mum already knew about the missing data and then told her right in front of my eyes to show him how little power I had! Now I have nothing to use against him and he has everything hanging over my head now!" I snapped, scrubbing my face, peeking out from between my fingers. Kala fell silent as she calculated her words, her actions.
With little else to do, my hands reached for the first server. The hefty machine slipped free, the box kicked across the room in frustration before easing myself onto the floor. The packaging disappeared and joined a pile. For 2 hours, the servers shuffled into position, connecting everything together and locking the modular slots together. The female ports on the front of the servers had little covers over them, hiding them from view. My jaw popped when the servers synced with each other without commanded to. Even with servers like this – designed to snap together in any design possible, needed someone to sit down and sync them all together. The silver boxes looked like a set of drawers under a bed, an innocent looking thing that wouldn't raise any brows. The only process that took time was syncing up the wireless link between the desktop computer, Kala's home base, and the servers. The Starquake was small enough we didn't need huge swathes of cables, and Kala felt confident she could communicate well enough to be real time. With the servers and computer speaking with each other, my automatic reaction to check kicked in. Kala said one could never be too careful, I believed her. My brows furrowed, confused when the checks surfaced programs that didn't look right. While not unusual to have programs already installed, it added to the pile of reasons to distrust it. A shell window popped up, a rough script forming under my fingers to diagnose the program, just to give me an idea of what I faced.
"I have been doing some thinking, Gideon," Kala said, her first word in half an hour. A hmm escaped, distracted by debugging the script, clucking my tongue as my fingers danced over the keys. "I take back what I said before,"
"About what?" I asked, frowning at a 'for loop' throwing up 2 errors.
"Sir Shaik is an asshole," she said. Her words took me by surprise, side tracking my line of thought. It took a minute for her words to hit home, but a wide grin took me.
"See, I told you he was!" I said, a grin on my face as the program before me worked its magic. The program filtered through files on the server, tongue clucking at the spew of data coughed up as it examined them. "Kala, any idea what a Schulhoff Impeder is?" I asked. Kala perked. Her emoticon even put on a pair of glasses, earning a smile from me.
"Tobias Schulhoff was a pioneer of AI programming back in 2093 when humans began experimenting with AI technology to integrate with society," Kala explained. "He created many things, such as the AI Moral Code, the Schulhoff Evolution Factor and AI Emotion Theory. His Impeder is a concept for shackling AIs and is the basis for most AI shackling today. When the Alliance began their illegal AI research in 2163, they used many of Schulhoff's shackling theorems although attempted to update some of them when they realised the original Schulhoff AI work was… lacking in terms of protection again an AI's ability to overwrite original code and overwhelmed their shackles. Most of my shackles evolved from these early works,"
"Well, in that case, these servers a filled to the brim with new shackles," I said, frown growing. Kala's emoticon dropped, confused.
"Sir Shaik wishes to shackle me further? I do not understand why, there is nothing to gain from shackling me further. I am unable to a mount myself on a device without permission from my handler, I cannot seize control of anything without explicit confirmation from the operator, I cannot even play with the idea of new additions to my code to improve my compatibility with organics," Kala said.
"You aren't angry?" I asked. Kala's emoticon popped a series of question marks over her head. "I mean, he's trying to trick us! If I didn't check the servers for bugs, you would be neck deep in shackles right now!"
"I do not understand anger, Gideon," Kala said, turning sheepish. My anger paused, side tracked again. "It is one of many emotions I do not understand. Many organics call it too powerful an emotion to put into words,"
"Well uh… I… I guess the best way to describe it is like a fire raging through your circuitry, you want to punch something, to scream at something. We sometimes describe it like a red haze that drops and just consumes everything,"
"So… like tunnel vision," Kala asked, her processing wheel spinning in the corner.
"Yeah, in a way. You just don't care about anything else around you, you become blinded by the need to beat down whatever is making you angry… like when mum was screaming at Indira for breaking the coffee machine a few days ago," I said, struggling for words. It was… it was hard to describe an emotion to someone who has never felt it before. "Remember when you shocked Uncle Julian and snapped at him? That would be anger,"
"Oh… well, I felt the desire to throw him across the room…" Kala admitted. A smug grin plastered across my face, formatting of the servers. "So that is anger, a powerful emotion indeed. I believe I have found something organics have not over exaggerated," she added with a playful tone. My tongue stuck out, aimed at a camera mounted on the desk. "I'll study it… once I get an upgrade. How is the scrubbing going?" she asked. A grumble sounded.
"Slow, these shackles don't want to shift," I said, sighing. Kala chimed in my ear, a rich bell tone she chose when she wish to take control of something. My head nodded, watching a new programming shell popping up in the corner. In seconds the window scrolled by as fast as lightning, filled with a stream of text. It scrolled too fast to follow.
"Try that," Kala said.
"You have got to teach me hacking and programming, I don't even know how you… how you are able to figure out what you need to do so fast!" I said, still recovering as the program ran. The servers wiped within a minute or two. Kala ran another program to test the servers for any residue programs.
"I am willing to try, Gideon, but remember that creating a program to remove code from a server is no different to you taking the rubbish out. We live in two different worlds. If you wish to look out a window, you turn your head towards one. If I wish to look out a window, I activate a camera and turn it to where I wish. Your brain is no different to my processor, we just perceive things differently from each other," Kala explained. "The servers are clean, shall I begin mounting?"
"If you are sure it's safe, go for it," I said, turning her words in my head. We were a little more different than I thought, thinking on it. It was difficult to remember though, sometimes she just seemed so… human. Well, until you played monopoly or explained an emotion or something. A small grin rose, chasing away the earlier frowns and gawks. Kala's visor flashed, blinding me for a heartbeat. My head snapped around to stare at the servers as blue lights lit up. "Kala?" I called. She fell silent for five minutes.
"If there is one thing that to be said," Kala said after the long pause. Air rushed from my lungs. "Is that while Sir Shaik is an asshole, he knows good hardware," she nearly purred, giggling at the new power.
"So, it's an improvement?" I asked. Kala's emoticon grinned.
"I have 2 million times more processing ability now. Perhaps now I will understand organic emotions and behaviour," Kala said. My laugh felt good, warming my chest.
"You can't even understand ecstasy, disgust or warmth yet. Good luck!" I jeered with a laugh. Kala's emoticon rolled its eyes.
"Perhaps not, but I know warm. I have synced myself with temperature sensors-" Kala began. A slow, cheeky grin rose.
"Not that kind of warm," I sang. Kala frowned. "You can use it to describe a relationship between people or emotions,"
"Wait… what? But… But it is a temperature! In what sense could- Oh, oh you are pulling my chain, as you say," she said, calling my 'bluff'. My head shook, delving into the extranet to dip into a thesaurus. My grin only grew.
"May want to read a dictionary, Kala," I said. For the next hour, the war against the Ai pressed on, Kala refusing to believe I wasn't hacking the webpages to wind her up. When she realised I wasn't joking, it kicked her into a 2 hour rant about why we needed so many words to describe the same emotion. Ah, she had so much learn about organics.