isolate me from you to get an alternative
point of view Admiral. It is a standard interrogation practice. Which isn't
likely to happen. However if he wishes to get my report he can access his
e-mail. I've already sent it to him as well as a full sensory download from
your sensors at the time of the incident.”
“Ah.
Thank you,” the security chief nodded.
“And
of course in the spirit of cooperation I can make myself available to you in
your office for further interview.”
“Thank
you again,” the chief nodded again, this time with a hint of respect in his
manner.
“Can
I, ah, talk to you as well? Or Proteus?” Bailey asked, looking around. “I
mean...”
“We
are all here chief. Proteus is more limited than I am. I will see if it can
make itself available.”
“It?”
Bailey's brown eyes went wide. He wasn't sure if he'd heard her correctly. Most
AI preferred some sort of gender role to better identify themselves as
sentient. For one to call an AI 'it' was... well rude.
“Proteus
is a shape shifter. A polymorphic AI. An AI who's core exists in a nanite neural
net. I usually refer to the AI as he, but it is also a possible designation,”
Irons said tiredly.
“You
are tired. You should lay down,” the security chief advised giving him a
concerned look.
“So
the AI keep telling me chief,” he smiled. Fortunately he wasn't in any pain.
Proteus had taken care of that, cutting off the pain receptors in the damaged
epidermis and other tissue. “I had Sprite check out the room. No other
surprises.”
“Still,
we will have you change cabins Admiral. To one more secure. I have several
available,” Bailey said. “Or at least the purser does,” he said sourly and then
shrugged. “You really should go to sickbay.”
Irons
had yet to make the acquaintance of Charlie Notuma. He'd heard from Sprite's
choice comments that he was a penny pinching asswipe so he really wasn't in any
hurry. “I'm okay. Not fine, that I admit. But my implants are repairing the
damage. All anyone could do in sickbay is watch and get in the way,” he said
and then rolled one shoulder as he shrugged.
“All
right. I'm posting a guard outside your door again Admiral, and one will
accompany you where ever you go. I'll make sure it is discrete so you don't
look like a prisoner,” he said before both Irons and Bailey could object. “I'll
even let people know it's for your protection over your protests,” he snorted
at Bailey's suddenly sheepish look. “I will also set up a system to monitor you
through the ship's camera network.”
“Already
done. I am also taking other steps,” Sprite replied.
“Oh,”
the chief looked nonplussed. “Can I ask what they are?”
“You
can ask but I'm not telling. A woman has to have some secrets,” Sprite said
smugly.
“Don't
even try to get it out of her Chief, she'll run you around in circles all day.
Not worth the waste of time and energy. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I
need to get some of the rest everyone is urging me to get.”
“Yes,
yes,” Bailey waved to the bed. “See you when you're up and about.” He
practically pushed the security chief out of the room. “And not a moment
before. I'll deal with the flak from the purser. Don't you worry about it.”
“I
forgot about that,” Irons sighed as the door shut. He laid back on the bed.
“I
didn't,” Sprite replied. “There are already some nasty e-mails in your in box.
Or were. I deleted them.”
“Thanks.”
“The
room is secure Admiral. Shields are online. Though I wish you would get into
your suit. Just in case,” Defender replied. Irons thought about it for a
moment. It was possible someone would cut life support to his room. Unlikely
though, since Sprite and Bailey were now aware. Forewarned and now forearmed.
He'd have to be a hell of a lot more careful. He'd been careless and let his
guard down. Something Defender was more than likely to never to let him forget
again.
“That's
taking paranoia a
point of view Admiral. It is a standard interrogation practice. Which isn't
likely to happen. However if he wishes to get my report he can access his
e-mail. I've already sent it to him as well as a full sensory download from
your sensors at the time of the incident.”
“Ah.
Thank you,” the security chief nodded.
“And
of course in the spirit of cooperation I can make myself available to you in
your office for further interview.”
“Thank
you again,” the chief nodded again, this time with a hint of respect in his
manner.
“Can
I, ah, talk to you as well? Or Proteus?” Bailey asked, looking around. “I
mean...”
“We
are all here chief. Proteus is more limited than I am. I will see if it can
make itself available.”
“It?”
Bailey's brown eyes went wide. He wasn't sure if he'd heard her correctly. Most
AI preferred some sort of gender role to better identify themselves as
sentient. For one to call an AI 'it' was... well rude.
“Proteus
is a shape shifter. A polymorphic AI. An AI who's core exists in a nanite neural
net. I usually refer to the AI as he, but it is also a possible designation,”
Irons said tiredly.
“You
are tired. You should lay down,” the security chief advised giving him a
concerned look.
“So
the AI keep telling me chief,” he smiled. Fortunately he wasn't in any pain.
Proteus had taken care of that, cutting off the pain receptors in the damaged
epidermis and other tissue. “I had Sprite check out the room. No other
surprises.”
“Still,
we will have you change cabins Admiral. To one more secure. I have several
available,” Bailey said. “Or at least the purser does,” he said sourly and then
shrugged. “You really should go to sickbay.”
Irons
had yet to make the acquaintance of Charlie Notuma. He'd heard from Sprite's
choice comments that he was a penny pinching asswipe so he really wasn't in any
hurry. “I'm okay. Not fine, that I admit. But my implants are repairing the
damage. All anyone could do in sickbay is watch and get in the way,” he said
and then rolled one shoulder as he shrugged.
“All
right. I'm posting a guard outside your door again Admiral, and one will
accompany you where ever you go. I'll make sure it is discrete so you don't
look like a prisoner,” he said before both Irons and Bailey could object. “I'll
even let people know it's for your protection over your protests,” he snorted
at Bailey's suddenly sheepish look. “I will also set up a system to monitor you
through the ship's camera network.”
“Already
done. I am also taking other steps,” Sprite replied.
“Oh,”
the chief looked nonplussed. “Can I ask what they are?”
“You
can ask but I'm not telling. A woman has to have some secrets,” Sprite said
smugly.
“Don't
even try to get it out of her Chief, she'll run you around in circles all day.
Not worth the waste of time and energy. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I
need to get some of the rest everyone is urging me to get.”
“Yes,
yes,” Bailey waved to the bed. “See you when you're up and about.” He
practically pushed the security chief out of the room. “And not a moment
before. I'll deal with the flak from the purser. Don't you worry about it.”
“I
forgot about that,” Irons sighed as the door shut. He laid back on the bed.
“I
didn't,” Sprite replied. “There are already some nasty e-mails in your in box.
Or were. I deleted them.”
“Thanks.”
“The
room is secure Admiral. Shields are online. Though I wish you would get into
your suit. Just in case,” Defender replied. Irons thought about it for a
moment. It was possible someone would cut life support to his room. Unlikely
though, since Sprite and Bailey were now aware. Forewarned and now forearmed.
He'd have to be a hell of a lot more careful. He'd been careless and let his
guard down. Something Defender was more than likely to never to let him forget
again.
“That's
taking paranoia a
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