NOVEL NEXT If it works, it works
The beeping noise Valerie's data pad echoed effortlessly in my ears on repeat. For a moment, I had agreed with her theory of what these newcomers were. Some new mechanical lifeforms, possibly just artificial intelligence running the whole charade. There's no way some sapient species is able to understand that gibberish. Even so, our own AI is having its own struggle in each failed attempt to understand it.
“You seem lost.”
Avarr murmured, resting his forearm against the ceiling. I raised an eyebrow up toward him. I've been increasingly quiet since Valerie shared that piece of information with me. My thoughts derailed itself from its electrical current sometime ago.
“Perhaps… Avarr, what do you make of it? Of everything I mean.”
“Avarr thinks it's nothing. Static noise of the dead ship.”
If only it was that easy to think the way he does. Every so often I'll question how the Makic managed to conquer the bounds of space. Then my mind drifts off to the junkyard model of a cruiser I saw in the hanger. Clear unfiltered logic ‘if it works, it works.’
“Here Avarr, Rose.”
Valerie spoke softly, passing out a small metallic device. Shards of gold lingered out with… With something wiggling like a worm.
“Biomechanics… What, what does it do?”
I asked bewildered, holding this ominous device by the edge of my fingertips.
“Cybernetics, created by Flint and I! Not really from us, but by our races. Joint efforts to produce new space suits for extended journeys in the void. The traditional wear doesn't cover us entirely, leaving my wings or their limbs out unprotected from the dangers outside. This little guy latches on your chest, just over the heart…”
I'll pass.
“It'll thoroughly measure your body by injecting nano-ants inside of your heart. Following the blood stream, studying each area as it goes. Registering muscles, nerves, you name it, it'll make a quick session in understanding you.”
“How is this going to help with prolonging our stay in the void?”
I was way above the limits of being disturbed at this point in her story. Valerie seemed to have taken it back, distraught that I dared to interrupt such ‘royalty.’
“I was just getting around to that, miss prissy. Anyways…”
A sudden eye twitch in aggravation with this egocentric Lyna. Fucker.
“After it gathers all the necessary key components within you, all it takes is an ‘at thought command.’ Connected to your nerves at this point in the process, it’ll grow a mech suit, fitted to your needs. It has shown signs of increasing one's prowess, flexibility, endurance while protecting its host from the disasters in space. Covering all parts of your body where the ants have traveled in.”
Valerie seemed pleased with herself after talking our ears off with no breaks in her explanation. Avarr just stared at his device. I could see smoke fuming over his head as he tried to process everything.
“Avarr understands, but doesn't. Elaborate.”
“It'll hug your body like new skin, and make you even stronger big guy! Is that enough for you? You'll be able to roam freely in space without worry.”
She gestured, simplifying everything for the bear. Avarr groaned in approval. Nodding his head, he held out the capsule ready to accept it. His large fingers pushed around the item in failed attempts to pick it up.
“Don't want to break, please do it for me.”
“No problem Avarr. Rose, if you need to know anything else. Ask away, we are nearing our destination.”
My eyes trailed back to the device, a bitter sigh forcing itself out. Trying to settle my nerves with each long breath I took before rolling down my shirt. Just enough to expose my chest, untainted flesh being met with this parasite of science. It's small tentacle latched itself in, pinching at my skin with those damn golden shards.
“I assume when the suit is made, it'll have its own communication channel? Also, with the ‘at thought command,’ mind going into details?”
My nerves were still on the edge, but I'm thankful that I don't feel the buggers roaming around inside of me. Still, it has me on the edge of my seat.
“Correct, so even if we get separated, we can talk to each other on an open channel. A holo can also be displayed to show what each of us have visuals on. In the suit, a wide array of functions will display themselves to you.”
Valerie answered, continuing on in her condescending tone.
“As for the command, treat it like a muscle. Example, our young don't know how to use their wings. Picturing it helps, fly, fly, fly. Spread wings, flap once, twice. A muscle that needs training mentally, before it physically works. This is no different, though easier to get acquainted with. The connection to your nerves, mastering up to your brain stem. Even if you don't tell it to seal you in its suit. The instinctive nature of the brain to chaotically find a way to keep its host alive in immediate danger. Well, that's more than enough to turn it on.”
“I think I'll feel more comfortable with training before that even becomes an option.”
“Most do, Rose.”
Just what in the fire pits of the afterlife did I get myself into… Staring at the device against my chest before looking away from everyone. My gaze meeting the pulsating entrance, fixated on each pulse that rocked this ship to life. Just how hard could it be, right?
“Mind if I ask how distributed the product is? I've been on Luna a couple of times, and not one soldier on board has one just like it.”
I may have struck a nerve as silence quickly forced its way in the haul. It was simple curiosity, by no means trying to be offensive. If they did exactly what she proclaimed they do, that would be revolutionary compared to the space suits they currently wear. Slightly bulky, restricting on your movements. Just overall a pain in the ass. The soldiers on board will say it'll grow on you, but do they really mean it?
“Well… It's a prototype, the latest one in fact. Errors, I mean really serious fatal mistakes, have happened in the earlier stages.”
“Like? Wait…”
Hold on, wait a damn minute…
“Oh, well you know… The occasional bug, eating their host once it reaches the brain. Failed fusions causing the blood to clog, then hemorrhage out in every hole possible. Then when it came to removing the device, it would assume that as a threat. Forcing a suit-like structure inside the host as a way to defend itself, subjecting the person to an extremely painful state of living…”
Shock wouldn't even describe how I felt. Peering at the Anerian who glanced away while whistling to herself. A soft stroke into her platinum gold hair as if this fiasco has nothing to worry about.
“What's the success rate of these bugs, Valerie?”
Bewildered, trifled and bamboozled. All I could muster out was a sadistic whisper. A quiet desperate moment as it felt like my life could flee away at any moment with this parasite in me.
“It's um… Just as long as you don't take it off of you, you'll be just fine. Trust me. If it makes you feel any better, Flint and I already have one implemented on ourselves. Think of it as a permanent part of you that will stay with you till death… Then there's a chance it may take over? I don't know honestly, not with this version at least.”
My stomach churns with the haunting words in the air. It was a if something flickered in my brain.
“Avarr, buddy, tell me what do you think about the bullshit that's spewing from her mouth? Like, just why?”
I refuse to acknowledge everything Valerie had spoken about. My mind racing through a million thoughts for a contingency plan, only to be derailed before every stop.
“Buddy? Come now, don't short circuit on me. You're the only sane one in this crew.”
Pleading with desperation in my voice. Sitting up on my knees reaching over to snag at his leather collar. A white noise echoed fluently in my ears, silencing Valerie and her nonsense. I don't even know this guy, yet here I am tugging relentlessly to no avail. It's like trying to drag a load of steel beams, it just ain't going to happen.
“Hmm.”
Avarr groaned, his small eyes focused primarily so on the bump protruding up from his shirt. The device has latched on successfully during Valerie's explanation. He was expressionless, I couldn't read his serious demeanor for the life of me.
“It'll be okay Rose. Avarr trusts Valerie, she wouldn't try anything to kill us.”
“Lucky that you guys have that trust. I don't know any of you.”
Hopeless, his words didn't reassure me in the slightest. I slid myself back to fall on the bench, staring at the ceiling overwhelmed in my defeat. They're all lunatics.
“Just, how long before we arrive?”
Managing to force a few words out, trying to grasp my mind away from the wreckage. The faster this trip is done, the better. I'd rather not associate myself with these people after all of this is over.
“Is the felines midlife crisis done now? If so, I'll be more than willing to comply.”
Valerie sneered in response. Whatever, turning away to face the organic wall. Eyes felt heavy to keep open, perhaps this is all just a dream. Either way, I've had enough of this for one day. Closing them and zoning out all of the noise, it's probably for the best…