>>5940358You take an involuntary step back, only to find the command chair you were sitting in just moments ago has disappeared. In fact, with the shutdown of whatever part of the ship’s ageing computer banks were hosting the other personas of the Trinity ShipOS the entire simulation has been reduced to a blank, black environment. Now it’s just you and Guard and…
You take another desperate step back, only to be steadied by the icy chill of two small, alien hands gripping your shoulders.
<span class="mu-i">...and Peedee!</span> A familiar voice whispers in your mind.
The young intelligence’s emotions wash over you hesitantly. You sense her trepidation but also a stubborn determination to resist the overbearing Guardian before you.
“You leave my friend-captain-Dal, alone stinky Guard dog!” She cries out defiantly.
You smile grimly, despite the situation. Whichever hidden system Peedee inhabits aboard the ship, it appears to be unaffected by the suppression imposed by Guard. Tenuous as you’ve allowed your mental connection with the ship’s avatar to be so far, you realise that it may be the only bargaining chip you have left. You take a deep breath and square your shoulders.
“That’s right, Guard. You remember how well it turned out for you last time you tried to take on the two of us together? Well, this time we aren’t both exhausted and I am fully prepared to let Peedee integrate with my command implant!” You bluff brazenly, tapping the metal port at your temple.
Shock and confusion echoes through your link to Peedee but you send her a wordless pulse of reassurance — you have a plan.
The warped and twisted figure that used to resemble your Nav officer pauses, the red glow of its eyes flickering slightly as it looks over your shoulder.
<span class="mu-r"><span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-i">You are not equipped to survive such a process. You would cause damage to PRI proprietary property. Stand down.</span></span></span>
“Oh, I believe you,” You reply with as much confidence as you can muster, “and I know your primary function is to protect the ship in her entirety.” You jerk your head meaningfully towards your young companion.
“We won't hesitate if you try to invade my mind again! So you see, we are at an impasse!”
“Yeah! We impassed you!” Peedee chimes in.
Guard’s malefic red glare snaps back to you, clearly unimpressed.
>4/9 