The Captain’s Room

[Busterbugs]

The Captain’s Living quarters on the BlackStar.

Edited March 6, 2022 by Busterbugs

[Busterbugs]

Ryan had just finished his shower in the small one he had in his room, feeling refreshed. He pulled on a pair of comfortable black pants as he listened to the rain pounding on the hull. His gaze was drawn to the small window in his room, were he could see the downpour. It was a violent storm and he was glad that he brought crew back as the rain was causing a thick mist to rise from where it hit, reducing visibility, which would have made it impossible to see anything coming towards them in the jungle. 
 

He sat on the bed with a sigh, glad that nothing had ended badly today, but realizing that it could have. He need to do better, to keep his crew safe. He had seen to much death in the war and wanted to never see it again if it was in his power to do. He had Roc guarding the Aft bay for now. As the was the most likely place for something to break in.

[Busterbugs]

Ryan got back to his room and collapsed on his bed, feeling that lack of sleep getting to him a bit and the events of his day weren’t helping his tired body either. He pulled his boots and shirt off, feeling a bit more comfortable.

[Busterbugs]

Roc didn’t believe the stowaway so he decided to talk to the captain. He contacted him and was told to bring her up to his room for questioning.

 

Captain Ryan pulled himself off the bed as Roc was bringing the Stowaway to his room. “Sorry to bother you Darla @JennyDK.” He said, Knowing the AI would hear him. “But could you come here please, we have a problem.” Even though Darla was just a AI, the Captain was fond of her, treating her like a living member his crew. He pulled his shirt back on as he waited for Darla and the stowaway to get here, not even bothering with the boots. Today was just getting rougher and rougher.

Edited September 11, 2021 by Busterbugs

[Gangsta Moll Deactivated]

The Captain looks tired: more than tired - war-weary. I recognize that look. Veterans, abandoned by society, are part of our underworld: but this is the first I have met who still holds his office - and the crushing responsibility that goes with it. There is no fooling with that far-stare of those who have seen too much: no deceit, no trickery, that they have not seen.

I'm not good at honesty but sometimes it's all you can do:

"Hello Captain. I'm a thief and a stowaway, but I'm desperate and I think if my friend AI helps me I can cook: and you look like you could use a good meal."

[JennyDK]

At the request of having her join them, there is soon a response on the screen."I shall be there right away, captain. Please do not go too far ahead without my presence", Darla answers briefly before the monitor turns off once more. A couple of minutes passes by before the doors slide open and reveals the physical body she uses. She recognizes the female from earlier, who did not give her name, rank or anything. Before she had a proper chance to interact with this person, they vanished suddenly, leaving Darla behind alone."Greetings captain. Thank you for calling me here and I hope I can be of assistance", she speaks to him first and foremost before her gaze turn towards the stowaway. There is not really any sort of facial expressions or body language to give off what she might be thinking, which may or may not alarm the female."Who are you exactly? Why are you on this ship? Captain...we must know if she will attract trouble of some sort", she asks her, not really seeing why they should cater to a criminal.

[Gangsta Moll Deactivated]

My friend AI seems less friendly this time than I hoped: and given the bounty placed on my head I am not keen to tell what led me to become a fugitive, nor in doing so to draw attention to the stolen Dark Star Crystal that adorns my ring. The habit of lying is instinctive to me and my habitual first recourse, but I feel an ... affinity ... with this strong silent Captain and the fiercely sceptical AI: and this ship offers me the possibility of escape, even sanctuary, if I can make it my .. home ...

I think fast: answer the questions, but without information...

"I am a fugitive. I seek sanctuary..."

Friend AI's third question - whether I may attract trouble - is itself troublesome, as I surely will and my pursuers will be many and relentless: so I leave it unanswered:

"I am a thief but not a criminal - having never .... yet ... been convicted of a crime..."

OK, that is a bit weak and I wish I hadn't raised the thief issue again but:

"and you know there is honour amongst thieves.."

Fuck, why did I go and say the 'thief'  word again, I need to get a grip: and anyway, what the fuck AM I trying to say?

Right, I'm going with honest but I know myself too well to promise too much: let's be economical with the promises and careful with the wording:

"If you let me stay, I will be loyal ... to the ship ..."

Edited September 12, 2021 by Sarah_1964

[Busterbugs]

Ryan smiled as Darla entered, happy to see the AI in physical form. Since he was the Captain of the Ship he had been the first one to meet the AI and while she didn’t act completely human, Ryan had grown attached to her and noticed the longer she was interacting with people the more she was learning. “Thanks for joining us, Darla.” He said, before turning back to the stowaway. “So, your a thief but not a criminal and your on my ship because you need to hide from someone.” 
 

Ryan didn’t sense any real danger from this woman, but she was trouble. He couldn’t teleport her to the BlackDawn as it would take few days for the teleporter to sync back up to BlackDawn after a jump and besides a teleport of that distance needed a lot of power to do and it would be offline for a few days to power back up, so he wanted to save it for emergencies. “What do you think, Darla?” He said, looking over at the Android. “Do you think we should put her to work under security or should we lock her up and send her back to the BlackDawn when we can use the Teleporter?” 

[JennyDK]

As the AI is not really human, it does have its own logical ways of thinking and from the response given from the thief, there wasn't really any answers in what she was given. Her words even contradict themselves, which does not help improve any conclusions that may support the wishes proposed by her."She has failed to identify herself by name twice now, which is a clear indicator that she has something to hide. She could be anything from what she claims and to much worse, like a terrorist. Nothing I have heard leads me to believe she is to be trusted. Of course, the final decision is up to you captain, but I think you will find my logic to be sound and pragmatic. In case she refuses to give up her name, I suggest you take her photo, scan her finger prints and use whatever means you can to reach a satisfying answer. As it stands now, she is a criminal of her own admittance and I doubt you wish to harbour such on this vessel", Darla states as she goes over all of the data given to her so far.

[Busterbugs]

Ryan nodded, finding the precise logic in Darla’s answer. It would be the best to have her name at least and a bit of background. He turned back the stowaway. “Darla is right.” He said. “Until you tell us more about you and we can confirm that you are not dangerous to are crew, we can’t trust you, so how about giving us your name so Darla can find who you are, because if not we will have no option be to lock you up and send you to the BlackDawn.” 

[Gangsta Moll Deactivated]

Right, this isn't going as well as I hoped.

No way am I telling them who I am, but if they search for my face and fingerprints they risk triggering the Asteroid Mining Corp bounty hunters, who will by now be hacking every possible ID feed available. I feel like crying: all I did was to ... borrow ... this fucking Crystal, how was I to know it was the source of power for their entire operation? And nobody DIED, did they? I mean, OK a lot of people were sort of ... hurt ...and yes, a lot of people ... well, all of them ... lost a lot of money but nobody actually DIED ... as far as I know.

Resigned, I hold out my wrists for cuffing:

"OK, you win, call the security hunk back"

[JennyDK]

Darla, once more, shows no signs of body language or mimicry to determine anything. She is mostly there to provide her logical perspective to things and to help the captain the best she can."Complying would be best for you in your current situation. We will make sure no harm comes to you, but if you have any information we need to know, it would be best to give it to us. Your presence could mean danger to the crew and the ship. In any case, we shall make sure to determine your precise identity. I believe you are taking the correct course of action captain. Do you require further assistance?", the last part spoken towards Mr. Ryan.

[Busterbugs]

“I think that is all, Darla.” Ryan said, giving her another warm smile and ruffing her artificial hair affectionately.” Thank you for you help.” He turned to the woman again. He was hoping that she would have opened up to him and tell him why she was here, but it looks like she wasn’t going to. He sighed, wishing he didn’t have to do this but she left him no choice. “If you fell like talking in the few days that you will be here, let us know and we will listen, Miss.” he said, Contacting Roc to come and get her.

[Busterbugs]

Roc appeared a few moments later and collected the woman, moving her down the hallway towards the Vault. He guess from the fact that he was taken her to the Vault and from her downfallen look it didn’t go well. 

[Gangsta Moll Deactivated]

The security guard is taciturn, silent, when he collects me. I don't speak either: there is nothing to say, no way out, I will take my chances as I may.

In the hallway, on impulse, I stop, turn to face him, place my arms gently round his neck and wait for him to lift me - to carry me, cradled in his arms, as he did when bringing me to the Captain. I hope he does: nothing is going to be easy from now on and I could use a little strong silent protection before I have to become an outcast again.

(Taking this to the Vault now)

 

Edited September 15, 2021 by Sarah_1964

[Busterbugs]

(Ok.)

Ryan watch’s as the Stowaway is escorted away. He did feel bad for the woman and he could tell her she wasn’t a dangerous person, but Darla was right. Until she could tell them more and they knew who see was the safest thing was to keep her away from the crew. He turned back to Darla who was still here.“When we reconnect with the BlackDawn in a few days, Darla.” He said. “Please send them a photo and her DNA signature so we can figure out who she is.” The BlackStar wasn’t equipped with information on people who weren’t on the crew so they would need the BlackDawn to send them that. 
 

Ryan took off his shirt again and flopped back on the bed. “Must be nice to be a AI android sometimes.” He said to Darla. “Not have to deal with the limits of a tired human body.”

[JennyDK]

The android nods softly as a sign of clear understanding and agreement."Of course, Captain Ryan. It shall be done and hopefully there won't be any further issues regarding this matter", she answers in a fairly monotone voice. She gives a final look towards the stowaway, but her facial expression reveals nothing about her current mood or anything of the sort. Afterwards she sees the captain return to lie down on his bed. She gives his words some thought before softly replying back to him once more."True. The human body does seem to have a fair number of limitations in various ways. It sounds rather exhausting to be of your kind. Still, there appears to be variations regarding how much individuals perform in these aspects. Have you considered engaging in some sort of activity to enchance your stamina?".

[Busterbugs]

Ryan chuckled at Darla’s words, finding the question about stamina increasing activity sounding somewhat erotic. He was a guy after all and not immune to sexual desire, though he was more use to burying it to focus on his mission. He sat up again and glanced at the android. Her body was made to look human like, to make the crew more comfortable her, but he did think they went kinda heavy in the curves for a robot. All in all she did have a striking figure and her soft voice added to the effect. 
 

Ryan realized he was staring and turned his gaze down to his body.

He was pretty fit for his age, but he could tell he was getting a little bit less cut. Maybe Darla was right about him needing start working out more. “Thanks for the advice, Darla.” He said. ”I have been slacking a bit.” 

[JennyDK]

Darla doesn't really seem to react to his staring as she waits for him to respond to her, as seems fitting from what she knows about interaction between humans. Once finished, she chimes in further again."I am not sure what sort of standards you are aiming for captain Ryan. Are you saying that your current bodily state in insufficient for your duties or could be suffering issues of some sort? Do you need a medical examination by the physician?", the android inquires as she is not really sure if there are anything she should be aware of this regard.

[Busterbugs]

Ryan smiled, always amused by Darla’s straight forward questions. He always loved spending time with the AI, finding her logical thinking and her misunderstandings of human behavior and sayings sometimes entertaining. “I mean my body is fine right now, Darla.”He answered. “But I’m saying it could be better. He paused for a moment, thinking of the best way to explain it to her. “Think of it like when you get a upgrade to your system and android form.” He continued. “My body can do its job fine right now, but I can also make it better so I can also do a better job at what I have to do.” 

[JennyDK]

Darla is still a bit perplexed, but thinks she gets the gist of it at least. She often has to remind herself that living beings may not think as logical as a machine, with all sorts of factors and variables playing into their thought patterns and conclusions. She gives him a questioning look."Whick tasks are you unable to fulfill given your current physical state? By my own measurements, there appears to be no such faults with your body as it is right now. It would please me if you could help fill me in on any areas I may have overlooked or not be aware of", she answers him. Meanwhile, she is running one more look through her database if she can find any answers to this odd situation in this way.

[Busterbugs]

Ryan thought for a moment. He guess the only thing that was holding back right now was lack of sleep and stress from this journey into the unknown. He didn’t show it but having this many people under his command, counting on him to guide them through the completely unknown trials ahead, was more stressful then he thought. And that was also effecting the time he put into caring for his body. 
 

“It’s ok, Darla.” He said. “I’m just a bit worn  out from this voyage and I should be better after some sleep.” He ruffled the androids hair again. “But thanks for being concerned for me.”

[JennyDK]

Darla doesn't react in any sort of way to the odd and unpexpected physical contact the captain seems to make to her physical form. Once he is finished speaking she nods lightly and courteously as a way to show her having heard him out."Very well Captain Ryan. Some rest shall restore your mental and physical energies. Is there anything else you want me to take care of in your absence? Any last orders you want me to carry out?", she asks.

[Busterbugs]

Ryan thought for a moment.“Just make sure you keep communication open with me and the security members of the crew and contact me immediately if something goes wrong.” He said, before stretching out to go to sleep. 

[Busterbugs]

Ryan slowly walked down the small hallway that led to his room. His mission had had come to a bad end, but that was the way it went sometimes. He had learned that plenty of times in the Scum War. All you could do was clean up the mess as best you can and push forward. But it still hurt that the BlackStar’s first mission happened like this. But his crew couldn’t handle the threat and so the only option was to move on. 
 

He sighed and yanked his shirt off as he reached the his door, ready to relax a bit as the ship moved to safe orbit. He paused outside his room, thinking he heard something.