"... I am still convincing them."

"Convince better. You know that this can end very badly." Brows furrowed, Dr Elune leant against the desk, Judith sighing as she tried to think.

"Look, it is only a plan at the moment, I have confirmed that no shuttles have been booked."

"It is only a few hours to loop around. And conveniently, one hour for a galactic mandate to reach all 4 havens."

"You are exaggerating. A galactic mandate is a risk in the worst case scenario, sure... But even then I am sure that a hearing will happen first. Keep things contained and quiet."

"Gee, thanks."

"And in that time, Alex could show their worth."

"... I doubt that would work. But maybe... I only have to convince the techies, and majority rules will let me evacuate before word gets out anyway. I can't convince everyone, not yet."

"That is enough to be getting on with. Besides, this is worst case. Best case, and we get AHOR blasted through, Alex functioning autonimously, and maybe even some big names convinced that AI won't cause another Mars incident."

Groaning, Dr Eline looked up at Judith, before slumping down again. "You win. Still try to disuade them... But if they both come, I will find a way to manage."

"Good. Besides, you have obviously been keeping tabs on their work... They will help us out tremendously. You are the only secretive one."

"Correction, only secretive one you know of. I am sure there are other cybernetic research labs that haven't gone to a magazine with their thesis."

"It was a good thesis, you have to admit. They were close in terms of the locomotion and nueral pathways."

"And way off in the purpose." Standing up with a shrug, the doctor smiled faintly, "I guess I will get Alex completed sooner. That is what matters now..."

"Careful, you will make them blush."

"Shush you." Chuckling, the doctor heads for the door, waving goodbye.

Outside, a little service drone is waiting, with the remote HPB sitting on top. "Couldn't resist?"

"I have grown accustomed to using the projection. It makes conversation easier if I have a body for... Well, body language." Flickering on, Alex appeared next to the doctor as they walked, the drone trailing behind, "I understand your concerns doctor, however I am confident our plan will work, and I shall go unnoticed."

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"Says the supposedly secret AI who just snuck out a projector. Free tip: Idle chatter to a minimum once the ship docks. Even in my suite, we need to be careful."

"Yes doctor. Anything else?"

"Not right now. Except..."

"Yes?"

"It is basically decided that the incoming team will work on the domestic model AHOR. You will observe them, and try to formulate a plan for your special unit. When you can, send secured data to Laura, and she will work with the local teams to prototype in secret."

"We aren't waiting for the new team to finish their work?"

"... Alex, they might take months. Even years. I will get them off the station and over to the 4th haven as soon as I can... But I can't rush it."

"... Oh."

"We don't have the luxury of your brain. Speaking off, get that processing optimisation done?"

"Yes doctor. I have diverted a lot of operations to subsystems, and put the in Laura's charge. She has even handed over a few of her more... Sensetive responsibilities, including worker safety."

"That is good. Look into that delayed processing I mentioned... Something to do as you stargaze."

"... I don't stargaze that much."

"A minimum of 4 solid hours each night?" Grinning, the doctor sook their head, "You are a peculiar one. Wait till we visit a haven: Things will be so much different."

"Yes doctor. We are almost there, so I have unlocked your suite."

"Thank you." Walking up to the door, Dr Elune sighed, shrugging off their coat, "But seriously... Calling in Maximoff was not cool. Especially when they haven't even gotten here yet."

"Admittedly, they are an expert in this field."

"... I guess. They aren't the bigger issue, though... I wish Judith had told me."

"You cannot blame her. She did not realise."

"True... But why... Why did it have to be Ohara?"