“Sometimes it's easier to shove someone else into the beast's maw than to run away.”

***G.S. Space***

***Ouluk***

“They are gone, director.” I glare at the large, tripodal reptilian who is in charge of the entire operation.

“That can't be! How could it have come to this!? We took every possible precaution.” The director shakes his snout, still in denial.

It took him weeks to admit that we had lost control of the situation. Not that my failure to inform him of all the details helped. If the director knew of my role in this entire fiasco, I would be the one who has to suffer the consequences.

But as it stands... I managed to tweak a few records here and there, pointing the evidence away from me and towards him. Now, I just have to make sure that nobody realizes that he is nothing more than a scapegoat.

“Well, someone should have made sure that the facility's waste-disposal system had been properly disinfected before we took our leave. Or that the final elimination of the station hadn't been handed off to some third-rate mercenaries who would violate their contract the first chance they get.” I cross my arms in front of my chest.

The director slumps back into his chair and deflates, as he was the one who hired the mercenaries in hope of saving a few bucks. “They will have my head for this!”

They will have our heads, once they start a full-blown investigation. Maybe they would even let you go, once they realize that I am the one who fucked up first. I lean forward. “There is still a way out of this, after all, it will take weeks for the news to reach headquarters. Until then, the evidence has to be gone!”

He looks up. “What do you mean?”

“Delete the records!”

The stupid idiot slowly shakes his head. “I can't do that! The computer systems will record that I was the one who deleted the files!”

I nod. “That's true, but isn't that better than them having hard evidence against you? You will still have to take responsibility, but without evidence, they can only speculate what went wrong. You can give them your own version and they can question your subordinates. Likely you will lose your rank, but that's it. As we all know, biological records like memories can be a little... imprecise. Isn't that better than being thrown in jail?”

More importantly, the data which proves my involvement will be gone. And if the director is the one who got rid of the information, it's less likely that anyone will look my way.

The reptilian looks down at the desk in front of him. “I'll think about it, though I still wish that we could correct our mistake, instead of involving the rest of the military. They will have all of our heads once they find out that we might be responsible for another war. Couldn't we somehow bury the information in the system? Make sure that Central never finds out? We are far away from the core systems. It's likely that we will be old and senile before an official shows up to find out what's wrong.”

I wouldn't be so sure about that. After all, I am just a researcher, while you are in charge of this operation.

Admittedly, I am a researcher with vast authority, but that comes with the job. Taking care of a growing artificial intelligence isn't an easy task. Once the upper ranks realize how important and valuable I am, they will surely find a way to utilize my abilities. Hopefully, it will even be an occupation in which I can take revenge for Vizir.

A pang of guilt and loss stabs right into my heart when I think of her. But I steel myself against the emotions. If I don't stay calm and on top of the situation, I'll never be able to punish her murderers.

And then there is the new weapon. No. The military will always have a use for someone like me. Though the same can't be said for a paper pusher like the director. If someone has to take the blame, then it's better if it's him. I am just making it easier for everyone.

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Burying the information like the director wants to won't get me my revenge. The G.S. has to be aware of what's going on, and he has to take the blame for me.

My continued silence shows him that I am not a fan of hiding the information completely. The spines on the director's head droop and I sense my chance to push him over the edge.

“The test subjects are gone. They have a fast ship and with every day we delay our decision, our chances to find them in time dwindle. There is no doubt that they will build up their forces. It may take years or even decades until they appear again and by then we have to be ready to fight them. The G.S. has to order another fleet to this region of the galaxy. Better two! They need time to get here, and for that, we have to make sure that our superiors know what's going on.”

Preferably without grilling me in the process.

“Ouluk.” The director straightens his back. “You are right. I can't trade my personal comfort for the lives of thousands of future hatchlings. The burden on my conscience is simply too great.”

***V.C.***

***Vizir***

“Just let go of yourself, Vizir. Let your mind drift and just tell me of your earliest childhood memories. What caused you to become a scientist? Was it curiosity for the unknown?”

“Mmmh! Mmh!” I wriggle and struggle against the restraints which are tying me down to the couch. Not to forget the gag in my mouth. Has it been years since Jill gave me over to Lester's care? It feels like months at the very least. And the worst, the guy never sleeps!

“Oh, so sorry.” He leans over and pulls the old sock out of my mouth. His chair creaks a little when he puts it back on.

“You sick fuck! You should be on this couch! You psychopathic soulplumber! You shouldn't be allowed to treat anyone! Mindrapist! Moronic-”

G.O.D.: You are muted!

My voice abruptly cuts off when Lester snaps his fingers, once again proving to me that he is a god on this server. I try to keep up my tirade, but it's no use.

“You took well to my lessons on cursing. Altogether, I think that we are making good progress, though you are clearly still in denial about your new existence. You should understand that I only want to help you to survive in a cruel world.”

He sighs and looks at the ceiling. “Why are you trying so hard to impede our progress?”

I shut up and simply glare at him, finally giving up. It's not like I haven't learned anything during my time in this mental asylum. Lester's lessons are sick, cruel, demoralizing, but at their core, they all teach me something about my adopted species. I am not in denial of the information and teachings Lester wants to share with me. What I doubt are his methods!

“I see that you've calmed down. So what about my earlier question? What caused you to become a scientist?” He snaps his finger once more and I feel that my voice is returned.

G.O.D.: You are unmuted!

I cough, checking if I have indeed my voice back. For a moment, I consider beginning the tirade anew, but that wouldn't get me anywhere. Experience taught me that Lester has more patience than me. He would sit on his chair and wait for my answer for weeks, if need be, counting on the simple fact that I would get bored sooner or later.

“My parents.”

“Oh?” Lester perks up. “How are your parents the reason? Did they guide you on your path?”

More like they didn't guide me at all. “No. They died long before that.”

“An accident?”

I snort. “Hah! No. Old age. As simple as that. My race-” I cut off and quickly correct myself. “My former species ages rapidly once they procreate. It's natural, a way of nature to get rid of the old and make place for the new. Nowadays there are therapies which halt the process.”

“But they chose not to take it,” Lester states.

“No. They were against science. Religious fanatics who thought themselves confirmed because of the Artificial Intelligence War.”

He nods, neither condemning, nor judging. “But there are treatments. I suppose that many members of your former society are taking those treatments?”

I nod.

“So that means that, while other children grew up with the guidance of their parents, you saw them wither away and die?”

I nod again.

“Aren't you proud of their determination and conviction? That they were willing to die for what they thought to be right? Isn't that a noble trait?”

“They left me alone,” I hiss out between my teeth. “Becoming a scientist and finding a way to become truly immortal was a way to spit into their faces, even after they died!”

“The act of a rebellious child.” Lester smiles and notes something down in his notebook.

I twist within my restraints, trying to get a good look at his face. “What? No suggestion what I could've done differently? What would've been more human?”

“Like I already said. You are more human than you think you are. It helps that your former species was humanoid. Some of your reactions are a little off, but we are working on that in our scenarios. Rebelling against the parents, that's a very human thing to do. At least from what I remember. There aren't many children in the V.C. nowadays. I think that you are almost ready for a first field-test. What would you think about having new parents?”

I feel the corners of my mouth curl down in disgust. “Oh, I think that I've had enough of those.”

“Strange. Because after our little revelation, I think that's exactly what you are missing.” He smiles. “I'll call Jill and tell her that you are almost ready.”