Rega sat numbly at the long, dented, metal table and stared off blankly as people started to leave. Priorities shifted, rightly so, but her main focus was Dren still and her mind raced with ideas on how to fix this situation.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">“Rega?” Jon said with a bit of concern to the alien engineer/scientist, “If you or your AI encounter any problems understanding our systems, let me know and I'll help sort them out. I imagine there might be some discrepancies in our technology that might cause issues in understanding... being built in a different language, culture, and what not.” He offered a small smile and turned to head off to medical...</span><br/><br/>She snapped out of her daze and shortly nodded, returning his smile for a moment, then sighed and stared down at the dull metal table.<br/><br/>"[Kit, how long until repairs are complete on the Elyandra?]" she huffed.<br/><br/>"[Damage was extensive. Without a proper understanding of their technology and the procedures to properly repair their systems, I am unable to offer an accurate time frame on repairs.]" he replied, the voice sounding hollow in the cylindrical form of the drone gently floating beside her. She stood and stretched, shaking her head to help clear her thoughts, then left the empty meeting room to quickly cross the bridge and into the hallway, the drone bobbing behind her.<br/><br/>"[Kit, optimize repairs to the best of your ability. Leave a few drones for repair of the Mauna Kea and general operation. Start up the Drone Manufacturing plant on the ship if you need more.]" she said as she walked. In an elevator that would take her to the deck with the airlock to her ship, she spoke again, "[Oh, how is the cargo after all of that?]" She asked, "[Anything broken?]"<br/><br/>"[Gate parts are not damaged. We sustained minimal damage to shields and armor plating. Most of which are near completion for repair.]" Kit informed, "[Captain, are you thinking of assembling the prototype return gate? In this hostile space?]"<br/><br/>"[Not yet. You're right. It's much too dangerous. If these 'Children' People were to find it, they would either destroy it, or use it to invade Nekan space. Also these Humans need to be investigated as well before I trust them with that data.]"<br/><br/>"[I was under the impression that you already trust them. Have you changed your mind?]" Kit asked.<br/><br/>"[No, I do trust them, however, we need more information. Did Dren keep any logs while on this ship?]" she asked.<br/><br/>"[Negative, however, there is a rather large data bank left by his AI, Yuri. It includes logs of all missions and a daily record of Dren's activities. I must advise that most entries are private and recorded without Dren's knowledge.]" Kit informed, making Rega stop for a moment. She knew Yuri quite well and was surprised that she did such a thing. Maybe the time they were apart, Yuri had evolved while with Dren. Such personal things are usually against an AI's programming.<br/><br/>She continued on, her army of drones weaving around her as she walked, only stepping away when a couple of drones carried an injured crewman past towards their sickbay. She noticed it suddenly stop and carefully reverse course.<br/><br/>"[What's going on with those?]" Rega asked as she continued on, keeping pace beside the stretcher.<br/><br/>"[The Elyandra's sickbay is currently full. I am redirecting further drones to ours and granting their doctors full control to our sickbay and any pertinent areas of the ship.]"<br/><br/>"[Good. Let's help in any way we can.]" Rega said, veering off as the stretcher went in the direction of sickbay. She headed towards the cargo hold.<br/><br/>The massive room was daunting, even she felt overwhelmed when inside. It was so large you could barely see the other side. It was a waste of resources to keep the whole place lit, heated and pressurized, so force fields were put in place to supply life support to only needed areas, walkways, control rooms, etc. Rega gazed up and massive floodlights snapped on to illuminate the large, curved metal pieces that lined the ceiling and nearly reached the floor. Rows upon rows of arches, lined most of the massive space, then large structures sat on the other side, the heart of the prototype gate. The rest of the space was lined with assembly robotics and the large door in the ceiling of the hold could barely be seen through the dust floating in zero G in the cargo hold. Rega came here often and by habit counted all the parts. Satisfied that all was well, she eyed the other corner of the hold where the mass production type Paladin mechs used to stand, now their charging alcoves lay dormant.<br/><br/>Returning to the hallway, she attempted to head towards the bridge.<br/><br/>"[Kit, is there anything I can do now? Should I help with repairs?]" she asked. Kit's drone swerved and stopped in front of her.<br/><br/>"[Captain, it is best to leave coordination of repairs to me. Efficiency would be hampered if you were to assist.]" he said.<br/><br/>"[Are you saying I would be in the way?]" she asked, a little anger in her voice.<br/><br/>"[Not at all, Captain.]" he retorted, "[I am merely saying that because I am unable to relay instructions to you as efficiently as one of my drones, it would take more time to instruct you as to what needs to be done.]"<br/><br/>Rega's heart dropped. She needed to do something to keep busy, to find a way to find Dren. To rescue him. She felt helpless. "[What can I do?]" she whimpered, lowering her head. Kit's drone raised in the air so it was eye level.<br/><br/>"[Go to bed. Get some rest. Have a bath or something. You're tired, Captain.]" it said. Kit's voice oddly took on a tone of compassion, very out of character for what she was used to. Perhaps this is what they call it when an AI evolves? She sighed heavily.<br/><br/>"[I know you are right.]" she said. ["Call me if anything at all comes up. Let Captain Troy know the same.]"<br/><br/>---------------------<br/><br/>The last time Rega was in her quarters was back in Nekan space. Even then it was to throw her bags inside and rush off to the Bridge. She eyed the bag now hanging from a hook beside the door, a drone had long ago unpacked for her. She felt exhausted, now that she stopped. The fatigue caught up to her and she pulled off her lab coat and holster for her pistol, letting it fall into a nearby chair. While her mind drifted elsewhere, Kit's earlier suggestion took hold in her subconscious and only when she had peeled off her skin tight flightsuit and lowered herself in warm, aromatic water did she realize what she had done, but gave in to the relief the bath offered. The lights in the room dimmed and a soft, Nekan melody drifted from the concealed speakers in the room. Kit really knew how to set the mood...