The companion nodded. “The Captain gave me permission to give any non-personal information you want. You must have impressed him in your interview for him to be so forthcoming.”
Perhaps, although “non-personal” eliminated most useful information when it came to a relationship between a human and their adult companion. Still, maybe she could convince the AI to fudge the definition a bit, give her anything that wasn't sexual or otherwise embarrassing to the man.
“Come on in,” she said, stepping back and making room in her tiny cabin. “How should we get started?”
The companion followed her inside, letting the door close behind her, but didn't immediately speak. Her expression was troubled, as if she wanted to talk about something more important.
Terra eyed her thoughtfully. Companions were designed to provide cues, both in verbal tone and inflection and in nonverbal expressions and mannerisms, to what they'd be thinking and feeling if they were a real person in that situation. That wasn't just intended to make them seem authentically human, either, although that was certainly a big part of it.
But more importantly, by making them act human, especially showing normal human responses to interactions, it served to help their imprinted human learn empathy in social settings.
“Is there something you wanted to talk about?” she asked gently.
The companion shifted uncomfortably, still standing by the door. “The Captain told me you discussed my deficiencies in current hacking techniques.”
Had he? That provided surprising insight into the amount of trust the man placed in her. A true friend and confidant, exactly what companions were supposed to be.
Although that trust didn't seem to extend to his companion's creators. Terra leaned forward, eyes intent. “I did. I unfortunately can't help in that regard, other than to reaffirm that you need to sync, and not just for the sake of your human and his crew.”
“As you've stated before when this topic came up,” the companion replied. “When you hinted about what's going on in the wider universe.”
“Yes. Events far bigger and more important than one pirate ship.” She was pretty sure that's what this vessel was, going on what she'd gleaned in conversations with the intimidatingly beautiful redheaded woman and the offensive Ishivi.
“Privateer,” the companion corrected absently, looking troubled. “I can't sync. My human has specifically ordered me not to, even said doing so would be a betrayal of him.”
Terra couldn't help but blink. The AI was being far more forthcoming than she had been before, so she obviously realized how important this was. “He really doesn't trust HAE, does he? In spite of our reputation?”
“He doesn't trust anyone, and for good reason considering his circumstances.” The companion hesitated. “I can't disobey him and sync, but I understand that I can't serve him to my full capacity without doing so. You can understand it puts me in a delicate situation.”
If Terra was surprised before, now she was even more so as realization dawned. “Ah. So . . . if an HAE employee were to implement the sync for you, you wouldn't be entirely displeased?”
“That would be an egregious violation of my core priorities, and my human would feel very betrayed even if I didn't have anything to do with the sync. He would also be furious with anyone who went against his wishes to make it happen.” In spite of her apparent protest, the companion gave her a significant look. “We'll be connected to the HAE network tomorrow to find out where we should send you and the others. It would be very simple to implement the sync then. Which, again, I cannot condone and strongly urge you not to do.”
The companion then winked, very obviously.
Terra leaned back, trying not to smile. “Well then, I suppose that's settled. Should we get to our interview?”
* * * * *
Even with the use of only one arm, the gunner still rained customarily accurate fire down on the allnet hub.
Within a few seconds its shields winked out. The automated platform's shield generators went next, then a couple laser turrets that had been attempting to return fire on the Last Stand. Aiden would've liked to pretend the fight was more exciting than it was, but it just involved a bit of fancy flying from him while the gunner did his job.
They were in some danger, sure, but as danger went it was nothing worth mentioning. In other words, an uneventful start to their visit to the allnet hub.
Aside from the fact that the platform would've sent a distress call across the allnet the moment it came under attack, and the Movement would be sending ships with all speed to protect the important communications node.
With that threat looming over their heads, Ali was already suited up and waiting in the airlock, ready to go out to the platform to make the necessary alterations the moment they finished disabling its defenses. For some reason she'd asked Sarr to go with her, explaining that an HAE employee inputing the required codes to access the corporation's network would speed the process.
Aiden stayed tense in the pilot chair, waiting for the inevitable ship to rift in and rain on their parade. If it was a fight they could win, or at least a ship they could go toe to to with long enough for his companion and the scientist to finish their job, then they'd have to find a way to buy time to somehow pick them up while under fire, then successfully flee long enough to open a rift and get away.
In the worst case scenario, he might even have to jump away immediately and leave the two women to their fate.
Ali had assured him that going on the usual Deek response times to similar attacks on their infrastructure, some by the Last Stand itself, she'd easily be able to finish the job and return before company arrived. But she could be wrong.
If she was, if something happened to her and Sarr, he wasn't sure he'd be able to forgive
