Born of Ice

“You’re not authorized to view the captain’s logs or any of the files you’re trying to access. They are strictly locked.”


She’d been afraid of him saying that, but at least he wasn’t trying to arrest her or notify Devyn. “I was just curious about the types of missions we carry out.”

There, she almost sounded normal.

“Then you can ask about what you want to know.”

But that wouldn’t get her the proof she needed to hand over to Merjack. Damn Vik for being so alert.

“So what kind of missions do we carry out?”

“Not me, bonebag. You’ll have to ask Devyn.”

Yes, but he might get suspicious and then where would she be? Launched into space, most likely. “Wouldn’t it be easier for you to tell me?”

“Not for me it wouldn’t, and I’m not here to make your life easier.”

Which made her wonder what he was here for. “So what is your programming?”

“To protect Devyn at all costs and against all enemies.”

That was a scary prospect. “Even at your own risk?”

“I’m here to die for him if need be. Not because it’s my programming, but because I love him. His survival is far more important to me than my own.”

That didn’t make any sense. He was an AI and should have no real feelings. Only simulated ones. Yet there was no mistaking the loyalty she’d heard in his voice.

But that was neither here nor there.

She had to find evidence to use against Captain Kell. “Is there anything you can show me?”

He popped up a live feed of her sitting at her desk in her quarters.

“You’re not exactly helpful, Vik.”

“Not true. I’m extremely helpful. Just not to people I don’t know. Which, in case my subtlety is lost, would be you. No one accesses our records until they pass my security clearance and Devyn authorizes it.”

“And how does one do that?”

“Take a shot for Devyn and we’ll talk.”

In other words, the metallic bastard wasn’t about to trust her at all.

What am I going to do?

“You don’t like me very much, do you?” she asked him.

“I don’t know you. Therefore like and dislike are inapplicable terms. However, I love Devyn and Sway. So I think you will forgive me for being protective of my charges. They are all that matters to me.”

She smiled sadly. How she wished she had such loyalty in her life from a friend, even an artificial one. “I forgive you, Vik, and I respect you for it. You’re a good man.”

“Mecha, you mean.”

She looked up at the intercom he was speaking out of. “No, you’re more man than most of the ones I’ve known. Good night, Vik.”

He hesitated before he spoke. “Good night, Alix. Shall I adjust your environment before you retire?”

His offer touched her. No one had ever cared before if she was comfortable or not when she slept. “No, thank you. I’m good.”

Still, he dimmed the lights for her. “Don’t worry. I won’t be peeping into your room while you sleep or move about. I’m a paladin, not a perv. I only have the monitors on now because you were acting suspiciously.”

She let out a nervous laugh. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

Pushing her chair back, she stood and then froze in place as the reality of her current surroundings hit her. She was on board a ship that was top-notch with a crew of men who treated her like a human being. Men who seemed to be looking after her.

Not in her wildest dreams had she ever thought to have even a single day of this.

And I have to betray them all.

It was so unfair. But then, that was life. Injustice had been rammed down her throat since the moment she’d learned to swallow.

Somehow she would have to learn to bypass Vik’s security system and get proof of Kell’s illegal activities.

Maybe when they landed on Nera, she’d be able to stay on board while he followed them to their meeting. Then she could scan the files without Vik being any the wiser.

She hoped.



The next day flew by as she acquainted herself with the ship and its subtle nuances and quirks. Machinery was like people, each a unique entity that had to be learned. But that being said, Vik had to be the most irritating thing ever created. No matter how she tried to find evidence on Kell, whether it was scanning their cargo or trying to get a shipping manifest, he was there to question her over it.

Like a spider.

And because he was a mecha, he didn’t sleep or go to the bathroom. He didn’t shower.

Nothing.

Ugh!

They’re going to die and it’s going to be all my fault. She couldn’t stand the constant pressure that hung around her shoulders, threatening to pull her into insanity.

What am I going to do?

She had to find or plant something incriminating, but every time she went near a computer to run their inventory, Vik stuck his nose in it.

Unable to cope, she went to the rec room, hoping to find some workout routine that could help take the edge off her panic. But as she stepped into the darkened room, she froze.