Of course, with Ocean and Star out and about, we're good to return to civilization… and we've been fortunate on the trading front, so I should probably upgrade Stephanie, The Brute, and the Rustbucket… possibly the twins, too… or maybe exchange the Rustbucket entirely for a different base… possibly the Brute, too. I mean, four tugs as shuttles attached to Stephanie would be… huh. Awesome. We could have the small ships skip having Drift engines, keep just enough weapons on Stephanie to minesweep, invest her in fuel, shields, and… huh: Basically a carrier, but our “fighters” would be Small ships with Heavy weapons rather than actual fighters.
Hmm.
Eh, we're doing fine. I should upgrade the ships, yes, but we're fine for now. We're practically overkill, even, especially as nobody can even see us to shoot us. Oh yes, and Stephanie and the twins are basically immortal. I'm not quite sure exactly how Delay Death, Fast Healing, and Regeneration will translate, but… well, we'll see. Or maybe not… Invisibility rocks.
Still… we should find out how my “be too expensive to attack” plan is working, and for that….
I bring everyone up on my magic com, “Sync drift engines between Stephanie and The Brute, dock the smaller ships, and plot a course for Absalom Station, please. Now that the twins are out, it's time to check up on the plans, get Stephanie knocked up again, and do some upgrades… which of course, means interacting with people. Thoughts before we head out?”
“How are you going to explain us?” Ocean inquires.
“We need to keep our stories straight,” adds Star.
No, I can't tell them apart by voice, but the com labels the channels.
I shrug, “If you keep your big bodies docked with Stephanie, we can explain your little ones as rescuees easily enough. Speaking of… Star, you obviously fit the description of a hologram, but Ocean, what would you have me say you are?”
There's a pause, and she answers, “Go with ‘SRO’ if anyone asks or for paperwork, please. It’s… true enough, I suppose.”
I nod, not that we’re doing a video call, “‘Sentient Robotic Organism’ - will do. And yes, it’s true enough, but mostly because it’s a catch-all category.” I pause a moment, “Also… do you know how far you can get from yourselves without suffering?” Okay, that phrasing is awkward.
“There doesn't seem to be one,” Star starts.
“We have no problems using those key tunnels of yours,” Ocean adds.
“And those seem to cross planar boundaries,” Star continues.
“We’ll let you know if we run into trouble,” Ocean keeps it up.
“But to all appearances, not even the sky is the limit,” Star completes.
“Okay, how do you two DO that?” I am genuinely curious.
“Do what?” The twins ask simultaneously.
I shake my head, “Nevermind. Just… moving on. I also plan on using some of our trading profits on ship upgrades. Does anyone have any particular preferences on ship improvements?”
We work up a budget, and go through plans… a Gyrolaser array on the bow is sufficient for anti-mine use for all the ships, as it doesn't take much to wipe mines… it's best if anyone can deal. We also plan for a data net for each ship, as well as a Holographic Mantle… and everyone gets Long Range Djezet sensors (most Basic, but we keep Stephanie at Ultra). For The Brute, the budget goes into shields, power, and another turret weapon. For The Rustbucket, we focus on speed and shielding: The best thrusters money can buy in her size, a Signal Ultra drift engine, and the best shields available… she still has some weapons, but nothing heavy. Stephanie we set up with mothership status in mind; her job is to dock everyone else and keep everything fueled up… I still don’t want to rely on having friendly stations everywhere.
The twins are a different matter….
“It’s not going to work,” Star suggests.
“At least not like you think,” Ocean continues.
“While we're a lot like starships,” Star adds.
“Ultimately, we're not.” Ocean finishes that sentence.
And Star starts the next, “The biggest difference…”
So of course, it's Ocean’s turn, “...is that we live and grow.”
And back to Star, “We can focus on new systems…”
Ocean's up, “...or on growth of our existing systems.”
Star's turn to shine, “but cutting into us…”
Ocean flows into the opening, “...isn't going to work out well.”
“Especially with the boosts you gave, goddess,” Star had to put that in.
“And even if you could work on us effectively,” Ocean swells with words.
“...compatibility would be a problem.” Star enlightens me.
“...because we don't use the same power or control systems.” Ocean fills in.
On the plus side, if we can't upgrade them, we get to keep the funds for cargo, “All right,” I consider, “See if you can get into the datanet, get yourself a Holographic Mantle to match everyone else, then focus on weapons, I suppose; while we haven't tested it, you pretty much shouldn't be able to die at this point… and obviously, I'm not eager to test it.”
“We're not either,” the twins say in unison.
“We'll do as you say,” Ocean adds.
“It’s a good plan regardless,” Star says.
“And it's not like having weapons puts us in a bad spot,” Star's sister adds.
“That's settled, then.” We say our pleasantries and hang up the conference call.
It takes just three days to get back to Absalom Station; the trip is mostly uneventful. We do have to fly around a chunk of the abyss that broke off... but we use it for target practice first, because demons are seriously bad news. While I’m sure it’s not the first time that Drift natives have dealt with such… I have no pressing reason to leave them alive, and again: Demons are seriously bad news.
When we get there, we hang out in orbit for a bit; I order a berth for Stephanie and The Brute; the other ships just stay docked with Stephanie… for now. Of course we back Stephanie into the station. We WANT to get her with child… preferably not a souled one this time. I feel a little guilty about buffing the twins, even though they quite literally asked for it.
Of course, I have a lot more in the way of options for improving creatures than I do for objects… but I can do THAT just with biomechanical starships.
As Stephanie backs herself into our rented berth (a docking arm outside the station; she's too big for the hangars), I try to ignore the innuendo and moans while I review our goals this visit: Get Stephanie pregnant with another starship, upgrade the ships, sell our goods, and check on how the “be too expensive to attack” plan is going.
The second is straightforward; I have the money in the bank, and can get the contacts easily enough via spells. The third likewise… yeah, we won't get a GREAT price here, but the market will have shifted since we were last here, and I can get contacts quickly enough. I will need to ask around a bit for the last, but Ears of the City is a wonderful spell for such things. And of course, the first we already started; Stephanie really just needs to be kept connected to the station for a little while.
“And it doesn't bother you that it works that way?” Patricia whispers in my mind.
Why would it? We have made a lot of money off of selling her mindless kids.
“It doesn't bother you that she gets pregnant without any exchange of cells or fluid as a result of being affected by our power?” Patricia's hinting at something.
Eh. Again, why would it? She enjoys getting and being pregnant, and doesn't mind when we sell the mindless kids.
“Ah. Well… if that doesn't bother you in light of your own recent activities, then I suppose it really is fine, don't mind me,” she seems dismissive of herself, and that's out of character.
Spit it out, Patricia.
“Right… our power means a fluid exchange isn't actually needed, so rubbers don't stop pregnancy when we're involved. There is no ‘safe sex’ for anyone affected by our power.”
Maybe I'm a little thick.
“Not yet, but we will be,” Patricia seems enigmatic.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
“Have a good look at us with our good eye.”
I take a look at my arm… I have a purple soul now, I'm not entirely sure if that's Patricia being part of me, or me starting to accept physical reality, or all the female hormones running rampant through my body messing with my head. I still don't exactly get it, Patricia.
“Look further down.”
I look down, and see something through the mass of purple blocking my view. Pushing my milkmakers aside for a better view, I spot it: A tiny white dot, inside my abdomen.
My mind shuts down for a bit as Stephanie announces in a very pleased voice, “We're fully docked with Absalom Station, Admiral. Thank you, I so wanted to cum here again.”
Of course, with Ocean and Star out and about, we're good to return to civilization… and we've been fortunate on the trading front, so I should probably upgrade Stephanie, The Brute, and the Rustbucket… possibly the twins, too… or maybe exchange the Rustbucket entirely for a different base… possibly the Brute, too. I mean, four tugs as shuttles attached to Stephanie would be… huh. Awesome. We could have the small ships skip having Drift engines, keep just enough weapons on Stephanie to minesweep, invest her in fuel, shields, and… huh: Basically a carrier, but our “fighters” would be Small ships with Heavy weapons rather than actual fighters.
Hmm.
Eh, we're doing fine. I should upgrade the ships, yes, but we're fine for now. We're practically overkill, even, especially as nobody can even see us to shoot us. Oh yes, and Stephanie and the twins are basically immortal. I'm not quite sure exactly how Delay Death, Fast Healing, and Regeneration will translate, but… well, we'll see. Or maybe not… Invisibility rocks.
Still… we should find out how my “be too expensive to attack” plan is working, and for that….
I bring everyone up on my magic com, “Sync drift engines between Stephanie and The Brute, dock the smaller ships, and plot a course for Absalom Station, please. Now that the twins are out, it's time to check up on the plans, get Stephanie knocked up again, and do some upgrades… which of course, means interacting with people. Thoughts before we head out?”
“How are you going to explain us?” Ocean inquires.
“We need to keep our stories straight,” adds Star.
No, I can't tell them apart by voice, but the com labels the channels.
I shrug, “If you keep your big bodies docked with Stephanie, we can explain your little ones as rescuees easily enough. Speaking of… Star, you obviously fit the description of a hologram, but Ocean, what would you have me say you are?”
There's a pause, and she answers, “Go with ‘SRO’ if anyone asks or for paperwork, please. It’s… true enough, I suppose.”
I nod, not that we’re doing a video call, “‘Sentient Robotic Organism’ - will do. And yes, it’s true enough, but mostly because it’s a catch-all category.” I pause a moment, “Also… do you know how far you can get from yourselves without suffering?” Okay, that phrasing is awkward.
“There doesn't seem to be one,” Star starts.
“We have no problems using those key tunnels of yours,” Ocean adds.
“And those seem to cross planar boundaries,” Star continues.
“We’ll let you know if we run into trouble,” Ocean keeps it up.
“But to all appearances, not even the sky is the limit,” Star completes.
“Okay, how do you two DO that?” I am genuinely curious.
“Do what?” The twins ask simultaneously.
I shake my head, “Nevermind. Just… moving on. I also plan on using some of our trading profits on ship upgrades. Does anyone have any particular preferences on ship improvements?”
We work up a budget, and go through plans… a Gyrolaser array on the bow is sufficient for anti-mine use for all the ships, as it doesn't take much to wipe mines… it's best if anyone can deal. We also plan for a data net for each ship, as well as a Holographic Mantle… and everyone gets Long Range Djezet sensors (most Basic, but we keep Stephanie at Ultra). For The Brute, the budget goes into shields, power, and another turret weapon. For The Rustbucket, we focus on speed and shielding: The best thrusters money can buy in her size, a Signal Ultra drift engine, and the best shields available… she still has some weapons, but nothing heavy. Stephanie we set up with mothership status in mind; her job is to dock everyone else and keep everything fueled up… I still don’t want to rely on having friendly stations everywhere.
The twins are a different matter….
“It’s not going to work,” Star suggests.
“At least not like you think,” Ocean continues.
“While we're a lot like starships,” Star adds.
“Ultimately, we're not.” Ocean finishes that sentence.
And Star starts the next, “The biggest difference…”
So of course, it's Ocean’s turn, “...is that we live and grow.”
And back to Star, “We can focus on new systems…”
Ocean's up, “...or on growth of our existing systems.”
Star's turn to shine, “but cutting into us…”
Ocean flows into the opening, “...isn't going to work out well.”
“Especially with the boosts you gave, goddess,” Star had to put that in.
“And even if you could work on us effectively,” Ocean swells with words.
“...compatibility would be a problem.” Star enlightens me.
“...because we don't use the same power or control systems.” Ocean fills in.
On the plus side, if we can't upgrade them, we get to keep the funds for cargo, “All right,” I consider, “See if you can get into the datanet, get yourself a Holographic Mantle to match everyone else, then focus on weapons, I suppose; while we haven't tested it, you pretty much shouldn't be able to die at this point… and obviously, I'm not eager to test it.”
“We're not either,” the twins say in unison.
“We'll do as you say,” Ocean adds.
“It’s a good plan regardless,” Star says.
“And it's not like having weapons puts us in a bad spot,” Star's sister adds.
“That's settled, then.” We say our pleasantries and hang up the conference call.
It takes just three days to get back to Absalom Station; the trip is mostly uneventful. We do have to fly around a chunk of the abyss that broke off... but we use it for target practice first, because demons are seriously bad news. While I’m sure it’s not the first time that Drift natives have dealt with such… I have no pressing reason to leave them alive, and again: Demons are seriously bad news.
When we get there, we hang out in orbit for a bit; I order a berth for Stephanie and The Brute; the other ships just stay docked with Stephanie… for now. Of course we back Stephanie into the station. We WANT to get her with child… preferably not a souled one this time. I feel a little guilty about buffing the twins, even though they quite literally asked for it.
Of course, I have a lot more in the way of options for improving creatures than I do for objects… but I can do THAT just with biomechanical starships.
As Stephanie backs herself into our rented berth (a docking arm outside the station; she's too big for the hangars), I try to ignore the innuendo and moans while I review our goals this visit: Get Stephanie pregnant with another starship, upgrade the ships, sell our goods, and check on how the “be too expensive to attack” plan is going.
The second is straightforward; I have the money in the bank, and can get the contacts easily enough via spells. The third likewise… yeah, we won't get a GREAT price here, but the market will have shifted since we were last here, and I can get contacts quickly enough. I will need to ask around a bit for the last, but Ears of the City is a wonderful spell for such things. And of course, the first we already started; Stephanie really just needs to be kept connected to the station for a little while.
“And it doesn't bother you that it works that way?” Patricia whispers in my mind.
Why would it? We have made a lot of money off of selling her mindless kids.
“It doesn't bother you that she gets pregnant without any exchange of cells or fluid as a result of being affected by our power?” Patricia's hinting at something.
Eh. Again, why would it? She enjoys getting and being pregnant, and doesn't mind when we sell the mindless kids.
“Ah. Well… if that doesn't bother you in light of your own recent activities, then I suppose it really is fine, don't mind me,” she seems dismissive of herself, and that's out of character.
Spit it out, Patricia.
“Right… our power means a fluid exchange isn't actually needed, so rubbers don't stop pregnancy when we're involved. There is no ‘safe sex’ for anyone affected by our power.”
Maybe I'm a little thick.
“Not yet, but we will be,” Patricia seems enigmatic.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?
“Have a good look at us with our good eye.”
I take a look at my arm… I have a purple soul now, I'm not entirely sure if that's Patricia being part of me, or me starting to accept physical reality, or all the female hormones running rampant through my body messing with my head. I still don't exactly get it, Patricia.
“Look further down.”
I look down, and see something through the mass of purple blocking my view. Pushing my milkmakers aside for a better view, I spot it: A tiny white dot, inside my abdomen.
My mind shuts down for a bit as Stephanie announces in a very pleased voice, “We're fully docked with Absalom Station, Admiral. Thank you, I so wanted to cum here again.”
