Perilous Choices by S. H. Jucha

Author:S. H. Jucha [Jucha, S. H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: .ISBNincl, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9798987530580
Publisher: Hannon Books, Inc.
Published: 2023-12-12T05:00:00+00:00

17: Naiad Opportunity

THE STORYTELLER

HELGART, IMPERIUM SPACE

Peña returned to the cabin she shared with Sven via the corridor door. They spent a quiet evening talking about HS Transport business and possible opportunities for the sisters.

However, at the back of a mind and a kernel were thoughts about what had happened earlier.

In the morning, Sven woke to find Peña gone, which was her usual habit. After using the refresher and dressing, he headed toward the meal room. He’d gotten used to dining alone, being the only biological aboard. This morning, it was pleasant to have company.

<Is this table taken?> Sven remarked to Claudia, who was waiting for her tray to be served.

Claudia spread her hands to indicate the many unused chairs. <Take any that you want. I’m sure the others won’t mind,> she returned, laughing.

As Sven sat across from Claudia, she inquired, <Normally, you wouldn’t have any company, would you?>

<No, not usually,> Sven replied, sending his request for breakfast to the sister on duty. When he saw Claudia’s brows knit, he added, <You want to know how I do it, am I right?>

<Bluntly put, but you’re correct,> Claudia allowed.

<I’m where I want to be. Therefore, I accept this environment,> Sven shared.

<You’re speaking about Peña,> Claudia pressed.

<Yes,> Sven responded.

Claudia saw thoughts pass through Sven’s eyes, and, for a brief moment, they appeared dreamy, and his lips tweaked in a wry smile.

<Have you heard from your captain?> Sven asked, turning the tables on Claudia.

<Who would that be?> Claudia asked. When Sven sat silently, regarding her with a single raised eyebrow, she relented. <About every six or seven cycles I receive a lengthy message from Derry.>

<How are things on the far side of Imperium Space?> Sven asked.

<Chaotic, to say the least,> Claudia returned. <I’m thankful that Commander Tocknicka assigned multiple Trident squadrons to protect the Liberation.>

<He had to,> Sven sent.

<First superliner, fifteen hundred Helgart residents, and Juno, to name a few reasons,> Claudia replied, chuckling.

Meal trays were served to the biologicals. To the sisters aboard the Storyteller, the server sent, <Sven’s jovial mood that we’ve enjoyed has been restored.>

There was a brief celebration among the sisters in which Peña chose not to participate. Although, a sister shared an image of Peña, whom she’d passed in the corridor at the moment the sisters’ noises were reverberating. Peña was smiling.

Out of courtesy, Merlie had waited until the following morning to speak with Peña. When she detected Sven heading to the meal room, she linked with Peña.

<How did you find the new avatar?> Merlie inquired.

<Minimalist, Luther, and Morgoth have outdone themselves,> Peña replied.

<Details, please,> Merlie encouraged.

<My specifications to Morgoth and the SADEs were about the physical attributes of the avatar,> Peña explained. <Even here they went beyond what I’d requested. It’s as if I was naïve about the possibilities, and they chose to deliver what they thought I needed.>

<Were they right?> Merlie queried.

<I’ve no objections about anything that they’ve done, but Sven and I didn’t investigate the avatar too thoroughly,> Peña replied. <The avatar’s surprising aspect is the existence of feedback loops.

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