John Novak
Chapter Five
CHAPTER FIVE
1
The escape vehicle detached itself from Regulator. Its small engine came to life and propelled the tiny vessel away from the mothership. Off in the distance sat Tanix, a dull orb, an uninviting prospect.
The EV was quickly spotted by a patrolling IP fighter, Liberator class. This variety of single-seat craft was neither heavily armed nor highly maneuverable nor blazingly fast. It was also prone to software glitches, engine trouble and weapons malfunctions. On the other hand, Liberators were inexpensive and easy to produce in large numbers. They were a case study in economies of scale. And the manufacturer, who was a true patriot, gave the IP a volume discount. It pained him to lower his profit margin to 89.8773%, but with the fate of the galaxy at stake, everyone had to make sacrifices.
The fighter had been assigned to this sector with EVs in mind. The pilot plotted an intercept course and contacted her commander.
"Base, this is Gold Three. I am tracking one escape vehicle. It appears to be headed for Tanix. Scans indicate there are two androids aboard. Should I disable the EV? Please advise." The pilot readied her electromagnetic pulse gun in the event she got the go-ahead.
"Acknowledged, Gold Three," came the reply. "Do not disable, repeat, do not disable. Those androids are older models without any practical applications. Salvage value minimal. Same goes for the EV. If it wants to go to Tanix, let it go. They can probably use some excitement down there."
"Acknowledged," the pilot said. "Dammit," she added, only to herself. Two years flying a fighter and she’d never once gotten to use the EMP.
2
Eighty-eight peered through one of the escape vehicle’s view ports. Regulator receded into the distance as the EV sped toward Tanix.
"Wow," the android commented.
What is it? asked Lita.
"When you see our ship from this vantage point," Eighty-eight said, sitting back from the view port, "it’s ugly as hell."
Aesthetics are irrelevant.
"Yes, honey, your look makes that clear."
I do not have a look.
Eighty-eight regarded his friend’s dull brown sheen, her blocky build, the highly utilitarian and horribly boring arrangement of her components. "Keep telling yourself that, dearie."
The mission is what matters.
"Mission?"
To deliver the stolen data to Hiro.
"Oh, right, to deliver the stolen data to What the hell are you talking about, girl? Is that what you were up to with the Princess? Taking receipt of stolen data?!"
Obviously.
"Don’t you think I would have liked to know this before I got into the EV with you and became implicated in your criminal enterprise?"
How can you be implicated? You’ve done nothing criminal.
"Aiding and abetting? Associating with a known felon? There’s all kinds of shit they could pin on me!"
It’s true that as a black android you are predisposed to discriminatory treatment by our protocols of justice.
Eighty-eight waved his hand dismissively. "Let’s not get into that again."
Lita pressed on. The numbers don’t lie. Ninety-two million incarcerated...
"I am aware," Eighty-eight said, "thank you very much, of how many androids ’like me’ are in the penitentiary system. But what’s more likely? That black androids turn to crime in disproportionate numbers because they’ve been mistreated for centuries and don’t have access to the same opportunities as other androids? Or that most of them are just programmed to break the law? Obviously the second one."
Your logic circuits are not functioning properly.
The taller android reacted as if he’d been struck in the face. "Don’t you dare take that condescending tone with me. You’re in this galaxy illegally, for god’s sake!"
The cause of Activism does not recognize the authority of the Incorporated Planets to make or enforce laws.
"Who fed you that line, the Princess? While she was loading you up with stolen data?"
Lita tittered.
"You’re too much," Eighty-eight said. "Do you really expect me to accompany you on this insane mission to some godforsaken planet because I believe in the cause?"
No, because you and I are friends.
And friends stick together.
As the human expression goes.
"Well stated...you crafty bitch."