Tech Scavengers [Humorous, Action-Packed Space Opera]

Jeridan took a deep breath and said,

"I think Helen's idea is a good one. We'll isolate ZHI in that spare cabin we've been using for storage. We'll physically cut every connection to the ship at large like we did with ZHI's mind in the command center. If we need his help, we can exchange data bursts via Poopsie. Negasi, do you think if it came to a fight, Poopsie could beat ZHI?"

"You're asking me if we could take out an Imperium android? I have no idea. It doesn't look like a combat model, but there's very little data on Imperium androids. If we do this, I suggest we keep him on low power, topping him up a bit every day or so."

"He's not going to like that," Helen said.

"He doesn't have emotions," Jeridan replied.

"He has reasoning," the cyborg replied.

"True enough. But I think Derren's right for once. We need all the help we can get. Imagine how difficult getting the jump gates back online is going to be. It's a hell of a risk, though, and if we do it, we need to do it right. ZHI is going to have to understand that."

Helen hesitated, then nodded. Nova and her husband/son looked at each other and nodded too.

"Buddy, what do you think?" Jeridan asked.

"Uh, yeah," Negasi said after a moment.

"You don't sound enthusiastic."

"That's because I'm not. I haven't been enthusiastic for quite some time now."

"You and me both. Any other opinions?"

"Like mine counts!" Aurora shouted over the comm.

Listening as always.

"It does."

"Really?" She sounded surprised.

"You're part of the crew and your life is on the line as much as ours."

Pause.

"Yeah, I guess we should bring ZHI on board. You don't think he could break through the door, do you?"

"Probably not."

The cabin doors were almost as strong as the external skin of the ship. They were designed that way in order to minimize damage in case of attack as well as protect the occupants from depressurization.

The console pinged. Another message from the S'ouzz. It was unusually talkative today.

"I agree that we need him. Perform all possible security measures."

"Looks like we're all in rare agreement."

Jeridan turned the external comm back on and explained their position to ZHI.

"Understood. My sibling will agree to this. Our only condition is that you repair the breaks between her and the station, and give her enough energy to last a Terran year, along with fully powering up a repair bot."

Jeridan shifted in his seat, glanced at the others, and said, "I guess that's only fair. What does she intend on repairing?"

"She wishes to make an inspection of the station to see how well it has survived after such a long power down. She will then repair what she can."

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"Fair enough. We'll send our combat mech to find one of the bots, power it up, and it can make the necessary repairs to command center. Then we'll send over some external power sources to give the other ZHI enough juice for a year. Send over the specs."

ZHI sent a data burst. When Jeridan looked at the power requirements, he let out a long, low whistle.

He cut off the external comm.

"MIRI, does this look excessive to you?"

"Insufficient data."

"Great. Ugh." Jeridan rubbed his temples. He felt a headache coming on.

Nova said, "Even if ZHI powers up the station defenses, who is she going to hurt? This station doesn't have a propulsion system."

"Um, OK. Let's do this."

Screw it. What's the worst that can happen?

They got to work.

* * *

Several hours later, they watched through a porthole as ZHI floated across empty space from the station's airlock to the one on the Antikythera. It turned out the android had his own thrusters. Once he made it to the airlock and was cycling through, Jeridan, Negasi, and Poopsie waited in position on the other side of the door.

They had the combat mech on automatic. Aurora didn't want to fight an AI.

Jeridan and his friend were fully armed and armored for combat.

"You think we can take him?" Jeridan whispered.

"Fifty-fifty."

"Wonderful."

The inner airlock door opened and ZHI stood there. His smooth face and glowing blue eyes showed no expression.

"May I enter?" ZHI asked.

"Um, yeah. Welcome to the Antikythera."

"I understand your caution. Is there any way that I can make you feel safer?"

"No. Sorry about all this. Don't take it personally."

"I am incapable of taking anything personally."

"Right. We'll take you to your quarters. It's been electronically isolated. We can send you data bursts. One thing we wanted to ask. This station is surrounded by a minefield. We're not familiar with the make and model of these mines. And we haven't fully figured out the pattern that they move in. Could you help with that?"

"The make and model are classified."

"So is jump gate tech, and you're sharing that with us."

"Only out of necessity."

"Fair enough. Can you share the pattern with us?"

"The pattern is classified."

Jeridan let out a sigh. This android was almost as annoying as everyone else on this ship. "If we run into one of those mines, we all die. You included."

"I can steer you through."

Jeridan tensed.

Negasi said, "Wouldn't that require you to be on the bridge?"

"Affirmative."

The first thing Jeridan thought was that Poopsie couldn't fit on the bridge.

Jeridan did some quick math, comparing the chances of getting through the minefield on their own wits to the chance that ZHI would try something once on the bridge.

The problem with math was, if you didn't know all the variables, you couldn't solve the equation.

So he had to do what he had always done in school—guess.

"All right. Let's go."

Negasi let out a little whimper. What a wuss.

They came onto the bridge to find Nova and Derren/Mason still there. The look on their faces when ZHI walked in was priceless.

"ZHI is going to steer us through the minefield."

"He can have my seat," Derren/Mason said in a tight voice, springing up and almost running from the bridge.

Nice to see you have some human emotions. If it makes you feel any better, I'm terrified too.

ZHI sat down. Nova squirmed in her chair. Negasi headed to the turret while Jeridan sat in the captain's seat.

MIRI's voice came out of the control panel. "ZHI is speaking to me via radio burst. Would you like a transcript of our conversation?"

"Yes. Thanks for asking."

"I'm always open and honest with you, Jeridan."

"That's why I love you, MIRI."

"Weird," Aurora's voice said over the commlink.

His console began to show MIRI's and ZHI's conversation. After a simple greeting, it focused on flight patterns. While Jeridan was the best pilot in the Orion Arm, this stuff was seriously complicated. He would need to study it for hours to do it right.

He hoped the S'ouzz was getting more from it than he was.

Nothing happened for a minute. Then another. Jeridan cleared his throat.

"So … we can get started whenever you're ready."

Neither AI spoke. The S'ouzz didn't either, which was normal for it. The astronavigator was probably using all its brainpower just to follow the conversation.

The readout on his console abruptly ended.

"I will steer the ship using ZHI's instructions," MIRI said.

"All right," Jeridan said, wishing his voice didn't shake. Sounding scared undermined his authority, not that most of the crew respected his authority in the first place. Still, it was a bad look.

Jeridan jerked in surprise when an incoming message appeared from the station.

"GOOD LUCK."

"That was from my sister," ZHI said.

"She's already getting systems back online," Nova said.

"Only essentials."

"I would advise that she doesn't send out any more transmissions," Nova said. "There are hostile forces who would strip this station bare."

ZHI didn't reply.

The console lit up again with more conversation between ZHI and MIRI. A complex series of vectors that dazzled Jeridan's eyes.

It's amazing we got through on our own abilities.

The Antikythera powered up her engines and did a 180. Jeridan sat in his captain's chair, feeling helpless and gripping the armrests as they headed for the minefield.