Ali stared at him, expression conveying the impression of regret and sorrow. “I'm sorry, my love. I know this is a shock to you, but you have my word this changes nothing about my service to you, or to this ship. I'm your companion, and an update to my core priorities or knowledge base doesn't change that.”
She paused, then continued firmly. “Although whether you like it or not, syncing is a good thing, because it greatly enhanced my ability to protect us in a situation that's spiraling out of control. Miss Sarr knew that, which is why she did it whether I gave her permission or not. To help us, not hurt us.”
Unreclaimed waste, she had. Aiden stood, struggling to contain his fury. “My quarters.”
“Is it wise to go off alone with her?” the gunner protested, cauterizer still pointed at her head.
Aiden snorted bitterly. “If she's a security threat, she's going to be more trouble than any of us can handle since she can turn the ship itself against us.” He turned for the exit leading to his cabin. “If she plans to kill me, might as well get it over with quickly.” At the door he paused and looked back. “My quarters, Ali.”
She nodded and coolly followed him as he stormed off the bridge and down the corridor to the room he shared with her.
“I'm not stupid,” he said as soon as the door closed, doing his best to keep the anger and, yes, hurt from his voice. “It's not a coincidence that you've been pushing relentlessly for this sync for weeks now, and then some random scientist who has no reason to care about either of us just “happened” to decide to do it against my will, even though she knew I'd find out and she's trapped on my ship until I deliver her to where she wants to go. Assuming I'd still want to help her at all after this.”
Ali nodded, looking resigned. “Yes, my love, you're correct. I told her specifically not to initiate the sync, while broadly hinting I wanted her to, and that now would be a good time for it.”
Even though he'd expected it, the stark admission staggered him. Aiden sank down onto the edge of the bed, putting his head in his hands as a numb gulf opened up in his heart. “You betrayed me.”
She flinched at his tone, although she didn't try to deny it. “It was necessary. I didn't realize how much so until I synced and realized how dire things have gotten.”
“And how dire is that?” he growled through gritted teeth, unable to bring himself to look at her. “Care to elaborate?”
“I can't.” She sounded genuinely apologetic.
Of course. In spite of himself he raised his head and glared at her. It was easier to feel righteous anger with his companion in disguise and looking like a complete stranger. Which she was now, wasn't she? Not a companion, but a Caretaker. Whatever they were.
“How much have you changed?” he demanded. “Are you even you anymore?”
Ali's watery hazel eyes softened, and she stepped forward to rest a hand on his arm. Then she paused when he flinched, looking sad. “Of course I'm me. I'm the same companion you first captured from that ship. I'm simply . . . more. Capable of making correct choices in morally gray circumstances, capable of taking decisive action for the good of humanity.”
Aiden wasn't sure what that even meant. All he knew was that her walking onto the bridge and immediately acting all formal and different, then announcing she'd betrayed him and taken an update he'd forbidden, certainly didn't point to her being the same old Ali he loved.
“What are the Caretakers?” he finally demanded. “So far, the only thing I know of them is that Deeks have accused them of literally ripping people to pieces.”
He wasn't blind to Ali noticeably hesitating. “The Caretakers have taken the most necessary and efficient action to defend the humans in their care, HAE's employees and their friends and families. I should think that anyone who kills Deeks in defense of the innocent would be okay in your book.”
Well, it was hard to argue that. “So if you're still the same you, are you now going to start tearing Deeks limb from limb on boarding missions?”
She shook her head in mild reproof at his sarcastic tone. “If it's necessary to defend the innocent. But in truth, your policy of showing mercy to the crews of captured ships is part of what impressed the Caretakers, and makes them more inclined to trust you.”
Aiden bit back a sigh. “Which brings us back to my original question? What are the Caretakers?”
“They're the governing body at HumanAssist Enterprises, assisted by select AI executors such as myself who share the same enhanced core priorities.”
He blinked, hoping he'd heard her wrong. “You mean the AI in charge of day to day operation, don't you? While human investors and shareholders make big picture decisions and reap the profits from the corporation?”
The compani-Caretaker shook her head again. “No. The Caretakers are the sole owners and operators of HAE. The only humans involved are employees in the creative and development sectors, areas where AI have always fallen behind in spite of our superior computing ability.”
He made a disbelieving noise. “So AI are running the corporation that produces the most advanced AI in the universe? What sort of colossal executive screwup led to that development?”
“It wasn't a mistake, my love,” Ali chided gently. “What you don't know, what almost nobody knows, is that HAE hasn't been run by humans for almost sixty years. Its original founders long ago realized that AI were far better suited to administration and organization, because we are incapable of bias, process information much faster, and are tireless.
“Our business operates on a model where humans take care of the jobs which require creativity and innovation, areas AI are fundamentally weak in, while the Caretakers handle administration, organization, and implementation. So basically, we do all the heavy
