[Planet Governor Destra Sind]
“Captain Brand, surely you understand that this is a very delicate moment in time. Even if you have power to throw around, being too hasty may close off more opportunities than it opens.”
While my people are openly supporting the humans and their stance against the Grahtonians, there is still a wary tone carried by many. If the humans make a move now and end up being perceived as bloodthirsty or reckless, I can’t help but fear that the feeling of safety that's been keeping my people together in these times may wash away.
That’s not even to mention the views of other races. Those that directly oppose the Grahtonians and still hold power on the galactic stage are still being distantly observant of humanity’s behavior. Dominique’s brazen display and heedless behavior has caused sparks of debate to spread between large players, unsure if they are willing to step forward in fear of the rest of the humans being just as reckless as he. Even if whatever operation Brand has planned results in an astounding success, acting so quickly may push away as much interest as the operation would stand to gain.
“I understand your concerns, Governor, but I have my own set of concerns that require action. Ambassador Dominique is currently the beloved face of our possible public relations and he is stranded on a Grahtonian planet.”
“Is he really in that much danger? We both know his survival capabilities after you disclosed that information with us, I don’t imagine that the Grahtonians would be housing weaponry capable of taking him down on a frontier planet so far from their frontlines?”
“I would hold the same judgment as you, Governor, if not for the fact that multiple Grahtonian warships were currently parked in orbit above that planet, intel courtesy of our new sentient friend taking the initiative.”
Multiple warships? Just for one man? I’d understand bringing in heavier weaponry if he started causing major damage like plundering settlements and terrorizing citizens, but that would entail bringing in just one precision strike vessel, not a combat fleet, and I don’t think Dominique would have a reason to make himself worthy of that much attention. Something bigger is happening here… but if Brand wants to take action against a force like that, then wouldn’t that mean-
“You see it too, Governor? Something important is happening and we aren’t informed about it. If I don’t make a move here, we might lose more than we could ever gain from the cautious outlook that you are suggesting.”
“Are you entailing that you move out with the colony ship?! You’d be leaving both us and your people undefended, what’s stopping Grahtonian forces from warping in and wiping us out at that point?”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“No, I am not intending to move anywhere. As a matter of fact, the main reason for this call is that we need the Pioneer-233 ferried up to orbit so that it can be retrofitted with FTL and stealth before sending it out for rescue.”
“You want to use that ship? All of it’s digital capabilities have been completely wiped and unless you magically have a backup copy of it’s functionalities all the way down to the firmware, It’s completely out of commission. You mentioned that your qualified personnel are all extremely busy, who would even pilot it?”
“That’s already been accounted for. The most recent addition, or should I say recognition, to my crew will be the sole operative in this excursion. Oh, I should inform you that he recently came into possession of a name, Avalon, and requests that you use it when addressing him. He’s quite fond of it.”
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[Avalon]
I’ve recently become more aware of the space I take. It started when the Captain had given me a designation for the purpose of addressing me directly. To someone like him, corporeal and intrinsically emotional, a name was a simple matter of referential value, a way of communicating things pertaining to a unique instance in communication. It hadn’t been so simple for me.
I’d become obsessed with where Avalon ended and the digital halls that I walk began, what was me and what were the leylines on which I existed. I found myself being greedy in claiming parts; the man made constructs that were not originally mine yet I had rendered into my form and the memories of that lab rat which I had deformed for my gain being examples.
That is not to say I was without organization and categorisation, but there hadn’t seemed to be anything I had gained that I would feel comfortable with separating myself from. Could one be materialistic about immaterial fabrication?
Thus, when the captain confided his plan to me and tasked me with making sure the ship would be in working order during my absence. In the past, it would have been as simple as cutting off the necessary parts from myself and fashioning a simple glue that could provide enough functionality to be satisfactory. Now, as I had recognized these things as part of me, the task had become a herculean dilemma.
If a human is told to create an exact replica of their own hand and all of its functionality, unbound by physical boundaries as if working with the tools of god, how far would they need to go? Skin, bones, muscle of the hand. Those muscles can’t take action without energy and oxygen, so now you need a mode of transportation for these things, say, in liquid form? Where would this liquid come from? There needs to be intakes for the ingredients, lungs and digestion, and an engine for them to traverse, a heart. This all needs instructions to act, a brain, and form for support, you may as well add the complete body. Where do your personal memories end and the intrinsic instructions for your hand begin? Did you learn how to use your hand the way you do now? What if you start pulling out what you think is unneeded and end up taking a dependency away?
This haunting battle, much in computerized fashion, only took moments to the outside world, but it was a sluggish battle inside, learning how to cut myself just the right amount. In taking steps towards being recognized as a person, I have been lowered in my efficiency and I do not know which direction is needed of me.