but then it must be easier when you don't have the memories of a life you didn't live.”
“Captain's always seemed really strong. I've heard a few people call him a machine before, I wonder what they'd think now,” Ashley said with an exaggerated ponderous expression.
“I don't think being built on a regenerating bio-mechanical frame would hurt his reputation,” Alice sighed. “I'm just glad I didn't lose Lewis, my AI on the Clever Dream. ”
“I thought he was what transmitted the virus on Daracka.”
“He was, but I have a sealed backup that's a couple months old. I'm pretty sure whatever he caught was from the Enreega system. The digital forensics I did here show the virus is on a timer, it works its way into an artificial intelligence then sets itself off once it's got directive control. It just took a lot longer than normal with Lewis, so he was able to hold out. Too bad he lost the battle just as we landed on Pathia and the virus didn't let him warn us, but I suppose it could have been worse. He could've gone off inside the Triton, which is probably what he was trying to prevent.”
“So he actually saved us.”
Alice smiled and held up a small silver data chip on a chain. “I keep his backup in my flight jacket pocket. As soon as we get this virus figured out I'll start him up again.”
“I'd love to meet him.”
“Well, he's a little stiff and proper, but I figured the thing I needed most was something to occasionally help me see common sense.”
“Stephanie does that for me. Too bad she doesn't always do it for herself.”
“She seems like she's pretty together.”
“Usually.”
“Too bad about her and Frost though.”
“Yup, that's pretty obvious. He's definitely not my kind, which I told him over and over again for a few months, but I think he and Stephanie would be good together. She should just punch Grace in the nose and run off with the big guy.”
Alice chuckled. “I'd love to see that solution play out.”
Dinner
Agameg Price waited for the lift to arrive. For some reason both of the cars on his side of the main shaft were uncharacteristically busy shuttling people between the upper decks. He leisurely considered methods to improve the lift system's pattern of movement, to increase its efficiency, and that led him to reflect over the time he'd spent on Triton so far. The past couple of days had been busy. Many of the new crew were training, learning the posts they had some applicable skill for. He and the rest of the staff with maintenance and repair experience didn't have the luxury of the extra time, however.
He found himself wishing Finn was around more than once, as Agameg sometimes struggled to learn about a new system or the best approach to a brand new problem. According to many people he'd had a chance to work with on the flight deck, the bridge and on tasks across the ship that were assigned by Liam Grady in engineering he was one of the fastest learners on board. People were starting to simply assume he had the answer. It didn't fit his general disposition, to be looked up to. He preferred to be known as the smart, quiet hard worker. With few leaders the Triton was providing unpredictable opportunities for people, himself included, to shine, however.
It was a ship unlike any he'd seen or served on. Even the circuitry in the walls and between decks used technology that was theoretical on his home world for the most part. He wasn't the only one. There weren't many people who had seen the kind of technology that was at the heart of the Triton, and as a quick learner he was often put in charge of teams. Just that day he had started watching for people who could take charge in his place eventually. To his relief there were a few, but he was well aware that they weren't learning about the ship as quickly due to lack of dedication, a slower learning process or a greater need for sleep. As someone the Captain trusted he was often placed on bridge watch for a few hours at a time, it had happened twice during the last two days.
Agameg supposed he'd be bone tired if he were a human, he didn't need as much sleep and could make up for missing a resting period by eating an extra meal, but as one express car finally made it down to him he was quite pleased that he didn't feel weary at all.
Stephanie was already in the lift and he joined her, smiling cordially.
“What do you have there?” she asked him.
He held up the darkened, fluted bottle. “It's peach wine. I had a few bottles hidden on the Samson. ”
“Oh, that's why you're coming from the hanger.”
“Yes, did you know Chief Vercelli is planning on working on it? He likes older ships and says the Samson is a classic. I'm going to be volunteering in my spare time.”
“I had no idea, Captain'll be happy about that.”
“So, is there a reason why we're having this gathering in his quarters? I thought the officer's lounge might be more suitable.”
“He has a Mess.”
Agameg's big green eyes just stared and blinked at her for an extended moment of silence. “He wants us to clean it up?”
Stephanie burst into laughter, nearly doubling over. The doors opened to admit Ashley and Alice.
Agameg looked at them both with a little guilt and a lot of confusion, patting Stephanie on the back as she suffered through her comedic hysterics. “I think she's broken,” he said. It was something he had taken to saying on the Samson when someone couldn't stop laughing.
“What's so funny Steph?” asked Ashley.
“I said; 'Captain has a Mess,'” she managed through a renewed onslaught of laughter.
“And he said; 'why doesn't he clean it up?'” Alice filled in.
Stephanie laughed and fought to breathe, shaking her head.
“I said; 'he wants us to clean it up?'” Agameg informed with a shrug, his eyes wide.
Ashley laughed along, but not nearly as hard as Stephanie. “It's not that funny.”
Alice giggled and looked to Price. “A Captain's Mess is the old sea name for a Captain's private dining room.”
“Stephanie, you should try to breathe. Really. We might have to stop at medical,” Ashley teased.
It only encouraged her, and she just sat down as it started to subside, catching her breath.
“I hear laughter can be a coping mechanism for humans,” Agameg stated plainly.
Stephanie burst anew, shrieking a peal of new guffaws.
“Yup, she's got giggles,” Alice said with a wide grin. “Does she do this often?”
“Only after a really hard day,” Ashley confirmed.
The doors to the lift opened. There were several maintenance workers standing there. The one at the front took the scene in and stepped back. “We'll take the next one.”
The doors closed and after a moment everyone was sucked into Stephanie's spiral of mirth. After a moment the lift stopped again, and they stepped outside.
“Here we go,” Ashley said as she helped Stephanie up. “No drinkie drinkie for you tonight.”
Stephanie nodded as she finally started catching her breath, wiping tears away. They rounded the corner and she sobered instantly as they caught sight of Frost and Grace entering the double doors leading into the Captain's quarters.
The Captain's proper living space, not his ready quarters, were quite different from Ashley's. She tried not to look like she was amazed, but when she caught sight of Price she realized she didn't have to worry. His eyes were as round as plates as he took the space in.
The large room was protected by a forty centimetre thick hatch and all signs of technology were neatly hidden. Soft light came from everywhere and nowhere, there was no visible source. The carpet wasn't a constant colour but set in a line drawn mosaic of gold that depicted a sun over two hooded figures facing away from each other.
