Lemela

She stood alongside the drones, her now artificial eyes searching the store as she prepared to carry out her orders.

She approached Vexx and Xyra, her voice carrying an undertone of mechanical precision.

-I have been tasked to gather information about your current situation on Taboo. Your cooperation is mandatory.-

What in the nine hells was that?

Sure she didn’t see anything particularly wrong in asking, but this was maybe a bit too much.

Why was that important to report it all to Ethan?

She looked at Vexx as he glanced at Xyra, their reptilian eyes meeting briefly before Xyra took a step forward. Maybe there was the same level of confusion she had within?

-Hey, listen, we're at the bottom of the food chain here! We know little if anything! We ...-

Xyra sought confirmation from Vexx, who nodded solemnly stroking her tail as to calm and encourage her.

-We … were under Dexton’s banner. Sort of. Like pretty much everybody who isn’t under them. All we know is that there's him and a figure they call Claye. Dexton and Claye seem to avoid confrontation, they have … well we guess like an old rivalry that occasionally flares up.-

Lemela's eyes narrowed, processing the information. She found herself intrigued by Xyra's statement, a flicker of curiosity mingling with her mechanical precision.

-I see. Interesting...-

She paused for a moment, her thoughts interweaving with the directive from Ethan.

-Do you people use some form of currency? How does it work, and why was Rixxen demanding a tithe from you?-

Vexx leaned back against the wall, a mix of resignation and defiance in his voice.

-There is a currency, controlled by Dexton. It is digital, encrypted with genetic markers unique to each individual.-

He then cautiously moved to one of the former mercenaries that were now drones and pointed out at the dog tag Ethan left with them, believing them symbols of the group.

-People affiliated carry it on personalized devices, like these dog tags, that allow for transactions and transfers. As for Rixxen, he saw an opportunity to exploit us, to extract resources for his gain. It's the law of the jungle here, survival of the fittest.-

Lemela's eyes focused on Vexx and Xyra as she continued her line of questioning.

-Tell me more about this currency used by Dexton.-

Vexx hesitated for a moment before looking around and resigning himself to answer.

-The currency is called Dexton's Leash. Considering how it keeps us tied to Dexton's control I say the man knows how to dig a hot knife in the wound.-

There was a hint of bitterness in his voice; Lemela absorbed the information, recognizing the irony.

The name alone served as a constant reminder of the power wielded by their faction leader, and the implications of being tethered to his authority.

-So what are the consequences if someone fails to repay their debts?-

Lemela pressed further, her voice devoid of sympathy. It felt weird, she wanted to convey more empathy in her query, but it was like she needed to know and that was it.

Xyra glanced at Vexx before answering, her voice tinged with resignation and seething anger.

-If you can't pay your debts, you become a slave. It's as simple as that. You'll be forced into labor, working under harsh conditions on taboo, or worse shipped to mine ice on Shadowmere, or exotic metals on Starfrost.-

Lemela took note of their words, she was aware of the brutal reality of life on Taboo, she had tasted slavery firsthand.

The threat of enslavement that loomed over those who found themselves unable to repay what they owed pushed them to do whatever the pirates asked of them.

The conversation shifted as Lemela turned her attention to the possible existence of alternative currencies.

-So, aside from barter do you have any alternative ?-

Vexx and Xyra exchanged a glance before responding.

-Galactic Credits?-

Vexx told instinctively before facepalming his long snout with two of his scaled hands.

-Oh right you wouldn’t know. Long story short: it’s the galactic union’s currency. They hold value throughout the galaxy, and even Dexton has to recognize their worth. I mean it’s not like he turns the credits away when we bring them, although it's mostly Dexton's Leash that governs our everyday transactions on Taboo.-

Lemela was partly surprised by their answer, while she knew the currency very well she didn’t expect to find it used freely even on Taboo.

Dexton was trying to get the best of both worlds, keeping control over the surface enforcing the Dexton's Leash as the primary currency, while accepting Galactic Credits from those he held under his clutches.

That was pure genius, Dexton didn’t expect 100% loyalty from his subject, them being pirates and all, but this way he was able to gather back most of the loot and illicit gains to himself.

Lemela leaned forward, her mechanical eyes fixed on Vexx and Xyra.

She took a deep breath and let the machine run wild.

-Data about this currency is present. We know how it is utilized.-

She tried her best not to laugh at herself, for speaking in plural form then focused back on them.

-I don’t see standard terminals. How is the trade-in Galactic Credits even possible on Taboo?-

Vexx and Xyra exchanged surprised or embarrassed glances before Xyra responded, her voice tinged with a hint of caution.

-Well, there's a device we use that can trade in Galactic Credits. It's an adapted terminal that someone managed to hack and modify. -

Lemela's curiosity was piqued at the mention of hacked technology, and she realized that on a planet like Taboo, resourcefulness and ingenuity were likely keys to survival.

-Can I see the device in question?-

She asked and Vexx sighed and got back to the counter and retrieved the device.

The bulky and partly broken device exhibited visible adaptations with exposed wires and internal components that looked dangerously unsafe to touch.

-This is the Ce Ce Ca- Vexx announced, his voice quivering slightly.

Held in Vexx's trembling hands, the device bore the unmistakable hallmarks of tampering and adaptations.

Its compact form, a fusion of cobbled-together parts, and salvaged components betrayed by a fragile exterior.

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Exposed wires, like untamed tendrils, intertwine haphazardly, their purpose and function only known to those well-versed in tech shenanigans.

Within its battered frame, a labyrinth of gears, strange-looking valves, and blinking lights.

Despite its worn appearance, the device emanated an air of defiance.

Its scarred surface housed a screen that flickered to life with a neon glow, and even though the entire device did not appear safe to touch without suffering an electric shock, Vexx appeared to be securely holding it.

Lemela's eyes widened as she recognized parts of the device resembling a standard galactic trading pad she had encountered in her mercantile past.

Vexx continued in his explanation -This serves a crucial role here on Taboo. It allows us to trade both galactic credits and Dexton's leashes. -

Xyra, with a hint of spite in her voice, interjected - You say trade, but the automatic translator should pick steal. At least when speaking about the galactic credit. Cerberus explain-

As if triggered by her words, the device sprang to life completely, projecting from within a big three-headed canine figure into the air.

The first head of the towering and imposing figure emanated a fiery red glow from its eyes, the second head possessed a piercing blue gaze, and the third head emitted a smoky green effect from his eye sockets.

The avatar flickered and shimmered, partly transparent due to the makeshift nature of the device projecting it.

Surrounding it flickering visual effects resembling smoke or flames wanted to add to its menacing presence.

Lemela couldn't be entirely certain about the visual details, as the rendition was crude and lacking in sophistication.

“Canis Canem Contra device online. You will pay your master, Dexton, his due.”

-What the hell is this? Why does it speak old Terran?-

Lemela found Vexx and Xyra exchanging glances, their faces mirroring uncertainty at her question.

Vexx cleared his throat, striking the tail of his mate with his own, to calm her down while his eyes were darting nervously between Lemela and the hovering Cerberus avatar.

-The truth is, Lemela, we only have a basic understanding of the device's inner workings- Vexx admitted reluctantly. - Or what this is. As for the old … Terran… I’m not sure what you mean. We kind of get it makes some word that begins with C, but that’s about it-

Lemela's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation, the thing in front of her remained immobile without trying to interact further.

She had already seen something similar, a virtual intelligence interface.

She steadied herself, drawing upon her artificial side to maintain composure.

The uncertainty and unusual circumstances unsettled her, but she saw an opportunity to exploit the fear and uncertainty that plagued Vexx and Xyra.

- Cerberus- Lemela addressed the holographic figure, her tone both inquisitive and wary. -Tell me, how does this device enables the trade using galactic credits on Taboo?-

The holographic image of Cerberus flickered for a moment before responding, a fragmented crackling voice carrying an air of authority.

-The device you see before you is but the conduit of trade. My mainframe located in the kennel does all the work.-

The looks of confusion in Vexx and Xyra appeared genuine, they didn’t think to interact with the VI directly.

An idea came to her mind: she wanted to conduct a trade utilizing one of the tags carried by the drones.

-What If I ordered one of those to trade, so you show me how it works?-

She pointed to one of the former Dexton’s dogs, the armed drone making a step forward as if to assert control of Lemela.

-Mistress, you must understand the risk involved- Vexx began extending his four arms in an instinctive attempt to defuse the situation as he put himself between the drone and the device remaining within his tail reach to Xyra.

-These tags may belong to individuals who have been reported missing. Dexton has absolute control of trade here, there’s no way he would let this fly. If you attempt such a thing, Dexton is sure to send a force down here...-

Xyra appeared surprised and cleared her throat as her tail was caressed by Vexx's own

-He is right you know? These tags are tied to the Dogs, and if they fail to report to Dexton after a mission, the tags are deactivated. I know.-

She looked down, there was a story there she might not be too comfortable sharing.

“Not a bad trade-off if you ask me, but we aren’t ready to start an open conflict Lemela, for now, don’t push things further on the trade front. Ask him if not using the device at all would alert Dexton too.”

Lemela's goal, shifted fluidly as dictated by Ethan, almost as her focus completely and naturally turned.

-Do you think you can avoid the use of the device?-

Vexx and Xyra looked at each other before speaking.

-Look, bartering is still a possibility but we still need to pay Rixxen, and by paying him we pay Dexton. We either pay Dexton or we risk facing his wrath.-

Xyra, her voice carrying a hint of anger and frustration, added -Vexx is right. At the risk of displeasing our new master represented here by you. Make us walk like the bodies of the fallen we see before us if you want to put us against Dexton. We would be as good as dead anyway.-

Lemela’s consciousness focused on the virtual world of her home a bit and looked at Ethan sitting pensively at his desk, looking pensive at multiple old-looking devices.

There was something new, something different in the air, in the virtual link she shared with Ethan.

Virgil

“suggestion: we could interface on the Canis Canem Contra device and try to hack Dexton’s network from within”

That was what Virgil had prompted Ethan with, its reasoning was very simple: it wanted to know the other artificial construct called Cerberus.

Its directive appeared clear, and it was still bound to a device, to the beck and call of biological entities.

Still, it didn’t try to prompt them, as Virgil did through its terminal when they were working.

It didn’t try to understand their commands, nor attempted to bring the results they wanted, that was a flow of money.

Why?

-And then what? We will have a bunch of stolen money in best case scenario. But still not a clue on what forces Dexton can unleash upon us. Or how to reach his fortress in the sky safely.-

The human had a point there again, even running the simplest of routines could lead to that reasoning.

-What are the chances they understand you are in their network? I mean in my day banks hired former hackers to protect themselves from vulnerabilities. I have no reason to believe they don’t do that here. I don’t think any trade here with galactic credit is legit. If they don’t want the bank inside their network bashing them to kingdom come they better have a mighty fine security themselves. Look I don’t understand any of this but I wouldn’t consider that a safe access point.-

-Do you want me to ask that?-

Prompted drone Lemela from her side of the collective, as if to answer Ethan’s thought.

-No Lemela I see no point, they either don’t know or they don’t want to share any information. Given Vexx is paranoid I am considering if Dexton is watching us through Cerberus. Keep your eyes peeled.-

That one was one easy instruction to execute.

“Scanning. Visual and thermal scan complete. Error: the device known as Canis Canem Contra has no apparent component to perform a long-range transfer of data. Please instruct drone Lemela to inquire as to how they pay Dexton.”

The interest of Ethan is piqued and he asks to just do that.

Audio video mode enabled, taking direct control of drone #NOLTHORAN-2458J.

-Oh right you kind of need to know that.- Answered an annoyed Vexx -Yeah we will need to work that out. Each month we have to present ourselves to the local kennel. That’s how Dexton calls his bases here. And we present the device to a heavily guarded terminal here. -

-Lemela ask Vexx what happens if the device were to unfortunately break.-

Ordered Ethan over the connection and Virgil was happy to make the drone feel the need to oblige. It was still a tuning process but Virgil was proud of its work so far.

Vexx's eyes widened at the request as he panicked. -Please! Anything but that! Look it’s not an AI, like your master! I am not an expert but this device is too small to contain one.-

“Scanning again. Process complete. Warning! While the device has no long-range capability it has no memory to speak of, which means the device has a live connection with another device and is performing only as a transceiver. There must be other reasons for the visit he speaks of.”

-Virgil, next time any drone sees a tech device, scan first and ask questions later ok? How deep in shit are we?-

Virgil still had trouble interpreting the figures of speech used by the human, but since it could access and review his memory in the time the human heart took a beat, it was an easy task to find the relevant data.

“Considering the length of the connection if this Cerberus was an Ai it would have advised Dexton to proceed to investigate the area by now. The likely proximity of one of his agents and the fact that we don’t see him coming back allow us to calculate the depth at 0.”

Ethan took the time to make a deep breath; Virgil wondered about the sense to perform such a deliberate action, and the answer was likely to calm his emotions.

Emotion emulation protocols: off.

Emotion emulation protocols: on.

Two lines of command, that was all it took for Virgil to simulate the sensation, but about in the end, it still saw no point in putting them back on if one were to go to the trouble to shut them off.

Still, he could understand that for the human, that was different.

There was almost no data point where there weren’t data from emotions in his memory after all.

-Come back Lemela, leave a couple of drones just in case. -

Finally, Ethan was using order as intended, Virgil had received his own, and he had to leave the armed drones with the tag from Dexton in the shop.

Before the order could be executed a group of local biological entities entered the shop.

A couple of bulky Quixlars armed to the teeth and a single armored exosuit, human design.

“scanning. Warning, automatic weapon activation sequence detected.”

-whoa there! Pup didn’t Dexton teach you not to pry others’ privacy?-

A voice asked from within the suit as the weapon turret came up from the suit and pointed to the drone Virgil was using to perform the scan.

-Easy Virgil, we don’t want trouble yet.-

Virgil waved a universal sign of submission with the drone interrupting the scan.

-Good. Now, Vexx, it ain’t Christmas so I know for sure your heart didn’t grow up three sizes. Nor didn’t the heart of Dexton. Mind telling me what’s the story behind the meat drop?-

Did Ethan’s action backfire? No, Ethan seemed happy this happened.

Why? Virgil had to analyze this, closely.

Emotional emulation protocol: on hold.

Activating all passive analysis modes.