The HEL Jumper: Chapter 3.3

"So we'll see you for dinner tonight then?" Veera asked Alice, the  two women awaited by Russell and Kaha respectively. Both men had crates  of gear from the now departed shuttle with them, and had set them just  inside the gate while the sisters-in-law partook in their first truly  relaxed conversation since meeting one another. The sounds of late  summer activity in the fields and surrounding forests slowly returned  after the disturbance of Cromwell's flight back to the Event Horizon.

"Dinner would be wonderful if you don't mind hosting," Alice agreed  at once. "I assume I can eat your food since Russell is still alive and  all that. Where do you live? I uh...maybe I need to walk around a bit,"  she admitted tiredly.

"Why don't we just come find you after dusk? I know where your home is," Veera assured her. 

"My home?" Alice repeated, testing the phrase out on her tongue.

"I suppose it's probably not much compared to that ship of yours, but  so long as you stay with us I believe Antoth intends for you to have  that space as your own," Veera explained, casting a fond glance at  Russell. "You'll see tonight how much difference a human can make in a  boring room like that. Are you alright? Are you still nervous?"

"I think I can see why my brother fell for you. You're real sweet,  Veera," Alice replied quietly. "I am nervous, of course, but I think I  just need some sleep and time to process everything. There's already  been so much I've seen and done and I've barely set foot inside the  gates. I don't know how I'm going to handle all this, not to mention all  your crops and the forest and-"

'Ahem,' Io's voice reached them both. She was dressed in her  librarian's garb again, looking over the rim of her glasses at the elder  Winters. 'Alice, may I make a suggestion?'

"Ah, sure? Go ahead, Io."

'You are not me.'

"Ooook? That wasn’t technically a suggestion?" Alice cocked her head while Io shrugged, figuring the meaning was obvious.

'Cheeky, aren’t you? I shall explain, oh excitable sister. There  seems to be this insistence about you that you catalog each and every  interaction and event you've experienced so far. I can fully understand  and appreciate the sentiment. But even if you were well rested this  would be difficult for you, Alice. Those bags under your eyes do you no  favors.'

"Well that's brutal. Sorry I left my makeup back on the Event  Horizon. Is she always like this?" Alice called to her brother, rubbing  at the skin under her eyes. He and Kaha turned their heads her way.

"Only when she's right," Russell replied calmly, returning to a  discussion with the sun guard which seemed to center around his sword.  The Cauthan warrior was most excited at the opportunity to examine it up  close, testing the edge with his pads and claws.

'Isn't he sweet, mein barbar?' Io asked with a fond smile.

"So everyone else is used to the AI making bedroom eyes at my  brother?" Alice requested as though she'd suddenly been dropped into Oz.  “Alright, that’s cool I guess.”

"We only have one room though," Veera replied in confusion. Alice brought a hand to her forehead.

"I'll take that as a yes; everyone is in fact used to it. Well, when in Rome I suppose. So Io, what were you trying to say?"

"What's a Rome?" Veera interjected with excitement.

'Veera, I will be sure to give you a detailed review of ancient Rome  once our dear Alice is settled in. Now what I was saying is that I have  been observing, recording, and cataloging interactions with and among  Veera's people for almost a year now, Alice. My memory banks are full to  bursting! And may I say that it has been a joy, even from the shadows,'  Io added with a wide, genuine smile sent Veera's way. She did not want  to speak about her as if she were not there. The AI remembered her  lessons well.

"And it's been wonderful to have you along, especially now that  you're out in the open," Veera replied in a friendly manner. "But let's  see Alice to her home so she can rest, alright? Then Rome."

'Of course. Alice, give me some time and I will ensure that all of  this information is made available to you,' Io promised, making a show  of files and folders flying around her as if a cyclone. She neatly  corralled the paper storm into a large omnibus text for effect, even  crafting herself a sorcerer's hat momentarily. 'I would be most upset if  you and your fellows aboard the Event Horizon were to simply study this  village as a curiosity. That ground has been tread already and there is  so much yet to do. Your brother and I owe these people a debt we can  never repay.'

"Io, any debts have been repaid many times over!" Veera insisted  hotly, her tail waving about. Io shifted to her Cauthan form and gazed  compassionately at Russell's wife.

'In matters of the flesh, yes. In war and strife and food and  shelter...maybe we have. But can you place a value on Seil's gift of  life, Veera? Or the comfort you have brought to the Lieutenant's  troubled heart?'

"I...no, I cannot," she admitted after but a moment of consideration. Io nodded sagely and waved her digital feathers at Veera.

'Then you understand why my debt to you and your people remains.  Alice, learn of these Cauthan in preparation to help them, not study  them. We have much to offer and I firmly believe they will make the  relationship symbiotic given the opportunity. Do this for me and I'll  ensure you have doctorates coming out your ears.'

Alice blinked once in Io's direction as the AI changed back to her  human form. She blinked again at Veera, then her brother and Kaha. Her  mouth opened, but she closed it in consideration. Eventually she  addressed Veera. "Much has happened in the last year, hasn't it?"

"That is probably a bit of an understatement, Alice. But yes, much  has happened." Veera's reply had Alice nodding with a heavy sigh. It  felt like good drowning, if such a thing were possible.

"Ok. I'll reserve judgment then; and I'll think about what you said,  Io. Anything you send my way I'll be sure to review," the xenobiologist  promised.

'Wonderful! I think you'll have much more fun if you don't worry  about documenting everything. Besides, that's what I'm here for! Oh, a  word of warning. Thantis enjoys his tea quite hot.'

Veera rubbed her nose, indulging in a bit of a chuckle at the old  priest's expense as Alice hummed and took the time to look around her.  She could see houses and temples, scorch marks and new construction.  "Hey, Russell?"

"Yeah, what's up?" Her brother asked, leaving Kaha with his sword momentarily.

"Look I don't want to pry or anything, or maybe I'll just ask other  people but...Io's asking me to change things here," she told him,  immediately set at conflict by the AI's suggestion despite its appeal.  Her brother smiled.

"She's listening to us right now but not saying anything…" he paused,  glancing around his visor with a smirk. "Because a certain someone  understands privacy now."

'I bite my well-manicured thumb at you, knave!' The AI retorted haughtily.

"She knows Shakespeare?" Alice gasped.

"She knows I'm right," Russell clarified. "Look Alice, I'm not a  smart guy, alright? That's why I ended up in Omega and you got into  Beta."

"Shut it, you big doofus," she whispered.

"You know it's true, sis. I know how things had to be with the  pacified worlds, how hard you had to work just to get a glimpse of those  planets. Now you're in the middle of one that I literally dropped into.  My first day at this village I fought Kaha and his brother, may he rest  in peace. I've been changing this village since I got here...and  they've been changing me. It was inevitable," he was more than willing  to admit, placing a hand on Veera's hip as she snuggled up next to him.  "If you try to keep everything just so and study it all you'll drown,  Alice."

"Russell, I get what you're saying but if we just drop a bunch of  auto-irrigators in or hand them a pallet of pure iron ore then-"

"Why can't we now that there's a treaty? Don't you think it's time we  did something good for once?" Her brother asked, looking skyward to  indicate it wasn't her specifically he was talking about. "How many  aliens have we killed in the name of some bullshit order? How many  humans…died? Maybe we should be the good guys this time, show those  antler-heads our version of divine intervention. They deserve it."

"You can't do that, Russell!" Alice exclaimed.

"Why not?!" They're a million trees, and chesko, and hyrven, and  aquila, and fungi, and grasses, and all sorts of stuff you can put into a  glass case and preserve. The only reason I didn't give them all guns is  because I feared for Io and Veera's lives if we were ever found and I  was strung up for violating first contact protocols! Alright, Io, that  and materials constraints. Alice, do you have any idea how many good  Cauthan died here that I could have saved if I didn't have to give a  fuck?" 

"Darling please! She is your sister, not Vash or that Ghaelen," Veera  insisted strongly, soothing her mate as he became more and more  passionate. "She has only known us a few hours. You are being unfair to  her."

Alice looked on in stunned silence as Russell regarded the ground  beneath his boots. The Jumper took a deep breath and faced her again. In  her eyes it was nothing short of a miracle. "Yeah. Yeah you're right. I  just got excited, I guess. Natori liked Io, thinks she's the greatest  achievement in human history. You and Alice get along and it's been half  a day. I just…do as Io says, Alice. Learn about them, help them. They  deserve this," he repeated.

"Ok," she replied simply. "I'll learn and I'll speak with Natori. But  if you think I'm giving men with swords, spears, and shields firearms  before training them, you're out of your mind. Do they have crop  rotation?"

"What?" Veera requested.

"Exactly!" Alice yelped. "Russell, the day I feel you don't want  Cauthan Jumpers at your side is the day I give them Aegis armor. Until  then I will do things my way...under your advisement, of course," Alice  insisted, suddenly the firey and commanding one in the sibling dynamic.  Even Io had a hard time keeping track, moving her head back and forth as  if spectating a ping pong match.

"I didn't fucking say that," Russell hissed, rolling his eyes.

"But you're thinking it! Just...let me get up to speed, alright? You  and Io were right about one thing, this won't be like my masters. That's  something I'll have to get used to. But this isn't your fight, Russell.  This isn't dad's fight...not yet.  Why don't you trust the smart ass  who got into Beta for once, alright? If you're suggesting what I'm  pretty sure you are this will require a lot more finesse than you're  capable of, you hardhead," she explained with a sisterly smirk.

"Yeah, sounds good. Sorry," Russell apologized sincerely. Alice embraced him.

"Do you have any idea how different you are than when I last saw  you?" She whispered, casting an appreciative glance at Veera, whose  feathers were almost fully flared.

"No," he answered simply.

"Then believe me when I say that I understand how important they are  to you. And also believe me when I say that if you go around demanding  stuff like that you'll get nowhere. Give it time like I said, Russell.  The Event Horizon is here. We aren't going anywhere for a while if what  you found is what you think it is. Just...let me take a nap, please!"

Both Winters children had a laugh at that, with Russell placing a  hand on Alice's shoulder. The silent look between them was clear. He  would follow her lead, at least for the time being. "Hey Kaha?"

"Yes, Winters?"

"Take good care of her...she's real important to me."

"Of course. She is our honored guest. Miss Alice, are you ready to be off?"

"I think so. Thank you very much. See you three later then?"

"We'll come find you!" Veera promised as she, Russell, and Io waved a  casual goodbye, heading north along the side road while Kaha escorted  Alice down the main thoroughfare towards the east gate at the far end of  the village.

"Boy that's going to take some getting used to," Alice admitted.

"What is that?" Kaha asked politely.

"My brother just having a place, with a wife, and asking me over for dinner? Definitely a new look for him."

"I see," was all Kaha could provide on that particular subject. Alice was not deterred in the slightest.

"So what is this building here on our right?" She inquired as they  strolled towards the village center. She tried to wave in a friendly and  non-threatening manner to villagers that looked her way.

"That is the temple of Valta. It is where our hunters conduct their  business and trade. Just down the road there is the temple of Tyrdus,  where Nerazek and the others work wood, leather, and metal."

Alice hummed in acknowledgement, taking note of what looked like more  fire damage and recent repairs to Ratha's temple. That recalled to her  mind something her brother had mentioned. "Kaha, my brother said that he  fought with you when he first arrived here. Is there a story behind  that? Is it customary?"

"Heh, that seems like such a long while ago," Kaha mused. "I do not  mind sharing the tale with you, Alice Winters. For he is your brother  and it was a humbling moment for me and my brother in arms."

"So what happened?" Alice's eyes lit up.

"We were preparing to deliver corporal punishment against Veera. She  was a scrawny thing back then, unloved and ridiculed by many for her  parentage," Kaha began. Alice's jaw tightened but she held a neutral  face, unwilling to project her cultural norms into a situation far in  the past.

"What was her crime?" The human wondered.

"Your brother. It seems he appeared near her farm and befriended her.  When he arrived at our gates the prior priest of Seil, my master,  ordered her attested and flogged for leading an agent of Kel to our  doorstep."

"I...I see. Do you mind if I ask what happened to your former high  priest?" Alice ventured. Kaha made a complex, circular gesture over his  chest with his hand, holding the entirety of her gear in the other. He  was quite strong.

"May he rest in peace at Seil's side. Vash did not survive the raid on our village this past winter."

"The what?!" 

"No one has told you?" Kaha replied, equally as shocked.

"No...they haven't," Alice replied as they finally came to the  village square. Kaha gestured with his head towards a large and empty  plot of land to the right. 

"There, to the south. Once a proud temple to the giver of life stood  there. It burned that night and Vash perished with it. I did not like  your brother, Alice Winters. He defeated me using his impenetrable armor  the first time we met. I thought it was his very skin. Then we fought  as equals at the harvest festival after he threatened our leader. He was  victorious but honorable in his win. Still I did not like him. He chose  a half breed female for his mate, was impudent to the point of  disbelief, and had no respect for Seil. But that night, when that unholy  host came for us…"

"Kaha you don't have to. I'm sorry to bring up such-"

"No, Alice," the sun guard interrupted her gently, leading her  through thin crowds. "That was a happy occasion in some ways. My high  priest was dead and my brother fallen in combat. I will remember those  moments until my dying day. Most of all I was afraid, afraid that my  sacrifice and those of my fellows would be in vain. Your brother did not  even stop to help me on his way to destroy them. Instead he lent me his  knife...via an unfortunate corpse," Kaha chuckled deeply at the memory,  a sentiment Alice certainly did not share. "He's got a good arm on him  and he saved my life. Oh, that is the temple of Meylith, by the way,  that large building there down the road on the right. You will find  Gentia, her acolytes, and the village granary inside."

"Thank you," the human replied quietly, adjusting the strap of her  duffel on her shoulder. They had since passed through the square, with  Alice taking note of what looked like very recently sluices with running  water. They flowed slowly along the main avenues where Cauthan drank  freely and occasionally washed their paws. The source of the flow seemed  to be somewhere in the northeast of the village. 

"Would you like me to carry that for you as well? What is it made  of?" Kaha asked after her bag as though he'd not just spend the last  several minutes regaling her with tales of doom and heroism.

"It's uh...you know I actually don't know," Alice realized. "I guess I  take a lot about modern human living for granted. It's water resistant  and very durable at least?"

"Mmm, perhaps it is comforting that not even you know everything?  Antoth says you are like Thantis and Xan, a female of learning?"

"I am."

"I do not mean to disrespect, but I have always found there are some  things you cannot know until you trade blows with another. Have you ever  fought before, Alice?"

"No, not since I was a child, you know?"

"So human children are rough and rambunctious as well?" 

Alice laughed endearingly as she considered human children and Cauthan cubs playing around together. "Yes Kaha, we are."

"Perhaps that is why your brother is the way he is? Yes this is good,  very good! More warriors and more scholars. Our village will thrive.  Just look at Veera!"

"I was actually going to ask about that…"

"It is rather shameful upon reflection, Alice Winters," Kaha told  her, taking pause to point out the narrow street that would lead to  Alyra's temple, nestled within the southeast corner of the village.  "Veera's mother was not one of our people. When she lost her mother and  then her father, many, myself included, wished she would just disappear.  We did not take into account who she was, only what she was."

"That is...disturbingly similar to much of human history," Alice admitted freely.

"Is that right?" Kaha mused, adjusting his hold on the crate as his  arm muscles bulged under his armor. "I suppose that is also comforting  in some ways."

"But Veera is a member of your guard now, right?" 

"She is, Alice. I cannot say when it began for sure, but when a  female kills to defend your home her fur patterns cease to matter so  much. Your brother has changed more than a few things in our little  village, mostly for the better. We all eagerly await what sort of  surprises you will bring to us, Alice. Here we are now, and please allow  me to apologize again on Antoth's behalf. I understand it is not the  most pleasant of dwellings. Where would you like this?"

Alice took a moment to look around the single room with a dirt floor,  small fire pit, and sod roof. She'd waved politely to the Cauthan  standing guard at the east gate nearby, figuring he was technically her  neighbor. "Just in the near corner there is fine, thank you," she  advised as Kaha deposited her equipment to the left.

"Is there anything else you need? Should I send for the disciples of Tyrdus regarding a bed and furniture?"

"No no, I've got the bed covered for now," Alice insisted, immensely  thankful for her A-MACS. Desk, pen, paper, recorder, video, and audio,  she had it all and more right there on her wrist. Kaha was looking her  over intently.

"Alice...what do you mean you have a bed? You are so lightly burdened," he worried. "We cannot have you sleeping on the ground."

"Oh, that's this!" She exclaimed, setting down her personal duffel  and the pack she'd carried on her back. Kaha watched will great  curiosity as she removed a cylindrical something from where it rested on  top of the duffel, held in place during transit by the hand straps.  Alice looked about the space for a moment, chose the far right corner,  and laid it down on the ground. She removed some sort of thin covering  from each circular side and stood back.

"By Seil, what is going on?" Kaha wondered, walking over to her side  and watching as the cylinder unfolded into a long rectangle, inflating  to a height of about five inches. A bulge at the far end marked where  one was meant to lay their head.

"That's where I'll be sleeping! Don't worry, I have a thermal  sleeping bag too. That's just for support. You guys don't have many  bugs, do you?" Alice requested. Kaha waited as the translator worked  it's magic.

"Hmm? No, I do not believe they will be an issue. Simply keep your floors dry."

"Huh?" Alice tilted her head.

"A dry floor is a clean floor. You will see!" Kaha assured her. "I  will send word to Nerazek that you require furs for your  sleeping...platform? I know not what you would be doing in a bag; one  cannot rest in such a way. Oh and I'll ask he send someone to repair the  gaps in the walls. Winter will be here before you know it."

Rather than make a stink or refuse his generosity, Alice bowed politely. "If it's not too much trouble that would be very kind."

"But of course! Thank you for being flexible. Can I help you with  this contraption here?" Kaha offered, pointing to the box of tech. Alice  shrugged.

"I'll be able to handle it just fine, but if you insist you could  remove...let's see. This one will sit right here," she directed the  folded communications array to a position just inside the doorway, which  was covered by a weathered chesko pelt. "And that one in the box there  will go outside somewhere the sun can reach out, thanks."

"What does it do?"

"It will take sunlight and use it to power my equipment, like this  handy thing I'm using to talk to you right now," Alice explained.

"By my scales and feathers, to imagine such abilities would exist? To  harness Seil's light to power your metallic…contraptions?" Kaha almost  seemed concerned at the idea. Alice sought to set him at ease.

"It won't harm Seil in any way. It's just like the plants in your fields that need light to grow."

"Is that right? But it's such an ugly looking plant."

Alice couldn't help but laugh at his description, offering her hand  to shake. He took it strongly and she got another dose of pad, fur, and  scales all at once. "Kaha, I'm very thankful for all your help but right  now I desperately need some rest. I will set these things up once I've  recovered a bit. Could I ask you to do one thing for me?"

"But of course!" The Cauthan replied, feeling as though he'd not done much.

"Could you let the guard know, or have a note made or something  asking your fellows to not touch the equipment? It's very sensitive and  that solar array will have to be outside of this room in order to work."

"Mmm, I understand. I will ask Thantis. He is much more proficient in  our written language than I. The guard force will be informed as well.  We will ensure no one harms themselves or your belongings."

"Then you'll have my thanks, Kaha. And thank you for your kind welcome as well."

"I think I can safely speak for all of us when I say that we are hopeful regarding your presence here. Selah, Alice Winters."

"Selah, Kaha." The sun guard smiled warmly at her use of his  language, holding aside the door flap and departing into the streets.  With privacy finally established Alice could keep her eyes open no  longer, collapsing fully clothed onto the rugged foam mattress and  closing her eyes. While she felt a measure of pressure regarding the  hopes Kaha had expressed, that feeling was far overwhelmed by excitement  and comfort. They had accepted her brother, they had tentatively  accepted her, and she was certain that even a basic application of human  knowledge and technology would be impactful. Thoughts of efficient  stoves, improved crop yields, and the beginnings of medical exploration  soon gave way to peaceful slumber. "Mmm, wonder how Lachlan's doing?"

-----

"Ya know, I think I should have been expecting that," MacGregor  declared, watching as Ursol immediately examined his bedroll once it had  been laid out. The boy's young mind accepted the alien developments  quickly while Sentaura stood back apace, only allowing him free reign  thanks to Lachlan's description of the item as his bed. It wasn't long  before Ursol found it to be quite soft and comfortable, testing the  surface with his claws as his tail wagged rapidly back and forth.

"Comfy!" He exclaimed, curling up and making a show of snoozing. 

"Ursol!"

Lachlan reached out a hand but stopped himself just short of her  shoulder. The soldier cleared his throat and returned his arm to his  side. "It's alright, Miss Sentaura. If it's all the same to you I'm  happy he's goin' for the bed and not my weapons. I have trigger locks  and other safeties I'll be usin' in the meantime, but I'd much rather  you teach him that my guns and knives aren't toys."

"Hmm, that reminds me that I should be getting him a knife of his own  soon," the Cauthan mother mused as her son, worn out from the  excitement of the day, succumbed to his own ruse and fell asleep. She  and Lachlan watched as his tiny feathers moved subtly and his breathing  became steady and easy. 

"Really? A knife at his age?" Lachlan asked.

"He wants to become a hunter, go out and find his…would you come with  me, please?" Sentaura requested, motioning to the other room of the one  story dwelling. It was well made with tight fitting logs and a sloped,  thatched roof. Within there was a small collection of newly constructed  furniture: a couple chairs and a table, a cooking pot, wooden cookware  and dinnerware, and some fuel in a pile just inside the door. Lachlan  could see easily enough that past the brown, furry pelt that separated  the rooms was Sentaura's bedroom, where a simple set of shelves held the  rest of her possessions. They were few, but contained two well-made,  black fur cloaks. 

"Is such a thing acceptable?" The human asked with concern.

"I only wish to speak with you, privately."

"Then lead on," he agreed, soon finding himself standing awkwardly  just inside the doorway while Sentaura turned away from him, walking to a  small wooden shrine where nine carved bone idols sat.

"This was all I could save from the raiders and the fire. When I was  seventeen he presented me with these idols. He carved them himself from  chesko bone and antlers he hunted. I did not give him an answer that  year. A year later he gave me a cloak of his own making. I had already  decided to say yes. Ursol was born a year later," Sentaura related  quietly, taking a deep and quaking breath before turning to face the  human soldier. Her feathers shook and waved in a new pattern, one that  the human could only guess was great sadness based on her tone of voice.  "Until my last breath I will regret not giving my son one more year  with his father."

MacGregor found it impossible to swallow, instead running his thumb  and index finger along his moustache and over the stubble of his nascent  beard. The Cauthan mother carried on.

"While I would never suggest you and the female you came with be  turned away, know that I only opened my home to you on account of my  son." Sentaura left her proclamation at that, volumes of words left  unsaid. Lachlan did not question her.

"I understand, Sentaura. And thank you again for yer hospitality."

"You are welcome, Lachlan. Now what shall we do about my son?" She asked hesitantly. 

"Ya can let him sleep. I'll figure something else out."

"That boy needs to learn that not everything he wants can be his.  Here," she gestured at her own bed, a box of straw, leathers and furs.  Lachlan took a step back and shook his head.

"Miss Sentaura I'm not sure that's-"

"You have a duty to Winters' sister, do you not? You should rest and  return to her. For my part I would much rather deal with your scent in  my bed than a cranky cub," the young mother insisted, putting together a  rather persuasive case. 

"Then I'll be moving my weapons in here for today, Miss Sentaura, keep them away from you and the little one."

"Thank you, Lachlan. And please, there is no need to use that word  before my name. The translation is not particularly clear, as I doubt  you are referring to me as a priest. You will show your respect through  actions, not words, I'm sure."

"As ya say m…Sentaura," MacGregor caught himself, turning to walk  back into the main living space where he rummaged through his gear and  found the thermal blankets he'd intended to use for his own slumber.  Instead he laid them gently over top of Ursol before gathering the rest  of his personal effects. The majority he set just inside the bedroom,  not minding if the Cauthan went through his toiletries, spare clothes,  or personal tablet. His weapons he stashed in the small gap between the  bed and the wall, ensuring no one should touch his M-22 or combat knife  without literally reaching over him. Finally he overcame his  considerable discomfort, stripped off his armor, and sat down on the  bed, clad in compression shorts, socks, and an undershirt. The surface  of straw and leather was slightly uneven and left something to be  desired, but the furs were warm and comforting. He was out in the blink  of an eye.

Unseen by Lachlan, Sentaura watched over her child, eventually  pulling back the strange blanket that he'd provided her son. It was  nothing like the pelt of a chesko or hyrven, thin, smooth, and almost  slippery as opposed to dense and rough. Nevertheless she settled herself  down and hugged her son to her chest, immediately sensing how the light  material above them trapped their body heat. She sank ever so slightly  into the strange material beneath her, the mat conforming to the shape  of her hips and shoulders. Too many emotions swirled within her bosom to  decide on just one, and so she cried hopeful tears for her son's  future.

-----

Aboard the Event Horizon, Admiral Kaczynski hauled himself into a  transit pod bound for the manufacturing bays. The majority of them were  found in the middle of the ship where they could be used by both  civilian and military personnel alike. At nine in the morning shipboard  time he had received a call from Alice Winters. 

Despite orbiting the far side of the planet, the signal was good and  he received a small tour of the room she'd been given by the Cauthan.  Her bedroll had been laid out and the rest of her effects sat neatly in  the corner, still packed. Behind her a young Cauthan male who had  introduced himself as 'Zolta' worked to patch the gaps in the walls with  some sort of thick, tar-like substance. Natori had been about to gently  protest, but Alice showed him the furs they'd brought her, the pelt of  something known as an ursae. He had immediately recognized it as the  same material that made up Russell Winters' cloak, and Alice had  informed him that her brother was, according to Zolta, the only person  to have slain one in living memory. The impending tribunal grew yet more  interesting.

With assurances that she would get the full story of the hunt at  dinner, Alice had left Kaczynski with a short list of necessities for  herself and Lachlan. Both of them needed basic shelving to keep their  effects off the ground, and Lachlan had requested a container in which  he could safely lock away the ammunition for his rifle. Natori had  questioned the lack of furniture, but understood when he'd received  reports of the fire and raid from Alice. No details were available, but  it presented a compelling answer as to why the Cauthan of the village  seemed to have not a single spare piece of furniture.

The conversation concluded with an agreement to have two shuttles  come to the village each day, one just after dawn and the other before  dusk. Alice and Lachlan both seemed comfortable enough with their  welcome that four per day would have been redundant and disruptive. With  warm wishes and an order to chat later, Natori had made for the  manufactory. He wanted to get his hands a bit dirty, so to speak. At the  relatively early hour he had no problem accessing bay number twelve,  one of the printers large enough to create items on the order of  shelving and other furnishings. First he whipped up a quick metal box  with a combination lock for Private MacGregor. He then queued up two  identical sets of synthetic wood shelves. They would be light and easy  to move, but certainly wouldn't win any woodworking awards. Satisfied  that his crew on the surface would be taken care of, he penned a message  to pilot Cromwell regarding her new schedule and upcoming cargo as he  walked to a large set of imposing metal doors.

'Well well, couldn't keep yourself away, could you?' Io asked, her  face appearing on the panel just to the left of the bulkhead. Natori  felt his heartrate jump, but he nodded calmly to the face.

"And which Io am I speaking to?" He wondered cautiously.

'If you're listening to this then you clearly caved to your curiosity  regarding my work in this manufactory. It's what I would have done,' Io  told him. Her voice and cadence we natural, but it was clear by that  point to Natori that it was a pre-recorded message left just for him. 

"Such thoughtfulness and foresight, independent contingency  planning…she is beyond anything the HEL possesses regarding VI tech,"  Natori muttered to himself. "Not even the black market mods get close to  this." Io continued on without him.

'If you wish to see what I'm working on please present yourself for  verification,' she requested, glancing at the optical scanner next to  her face. Natori complied, the device scanning his right retina.

'Match confirmed, biosignature recognized,' Io's voice stated in a  robotic, VI-like cadence. Kaczynski was immediately put on edge, getting  an idea for what she had sounded like more than a year prior.

"And there's the danger. I was already used to…that woman she  became," the Admiral admitted darkly, passing through the doors as they  hissed open like some cheesy evil lair out of science fiction. Natori  knew for a fact that his doors did not make those sounds. "On the other  hand, she has a remarkable sense of humor."

'Welcome, Admiral Kaczynski,' a projection of Io called from the  control panel. The series of computers, terminals, and monitors sat just  below broad glass windows that overlooked the hangar sized, mechanized  workshop.

"Thank you Io. I would like a report of your progress," he requested, wondering what would happen. The robotic version replied.

'Accessing requested logs. Initiating playback.' Natori raised a brow  as Io, now behaving very much like a human again, paced before him and  held a finger to her chin.

'Statement of purpose and initial thesis, why do I need a body?' The  avatar mused. 'I have the Event Horizon now. Any situation in which my  primary consciousness is loaded onto a mobile platform is relatively  unsafe. Natori, don't you dare tell Russell I said that. This situation  will persist until I am capable of replicating said primary  consciousness or transferring it in real time. Replication is still…an  unknown. Transfer between Aegis and Event Horizon takes approximately  four and a half minutes at maximum bandwidth. Unacceptable in a combat  scenario. Besides, the Lieutenant is about as safe a mobile platform as  one could ask for, so why a body?' She pondered before pointing at  something over Natori's left shoulder with conviction. 'Selfish desire!'

"Making jokes that she shouldn't be able to make about the desires  she shouldn't have...Winters I don't think you have any idea just what  you've accomplished. But carry on, Io," Natori encouraged. The recording  had not stopped.

'I desire to be human, or to be treated as one. I'm not sure which is  correct or operative but both mandate a physical body. The body  of evidence is overwhelming that humans would respond favorably to such  a development,' Io declared, unable to help a dainty chuckle from  between her ruby lips.

"Oh yes, yes that was a good one," Natori agreed with a smirk, pulling up the only chair in the room and taking a seat. 

'Given the established need for a body, the first order of business  must be determining a proper material for the dermis of the mobile  platform. I don't...I don't want people to dislike interacting with me,'  Io admitted, her tone making it clear that she considered such a fear  to be quite personal.

"Oh you beautiful creation," Natori whispered, kicking up his feet in  anticipation. Every moment spent listening to Io, even her recordings,  was a revelation. "I could listen to you talk about yourself all day.  And knowing you, you might even like that. A VI...by all that is holy  and good in this world."

Io was pacing and gesticulating as though a Greek philosopher at the  forum '...and therefore the merits of a less durable outer surface  similar to human skin, while many, must be balanced against the obvious  drawbacks. If my body requires regular supplements of artificial keratin  and collagen, among other things, do I design a digestive tract or  install a pump on my ass?'

Were it not for the solid metal doors behind him, Natori's laughter would have been heard halfway to the mess hall.