“You do not believe the general, or his superiors will give up their claim to the Osiris?” Khoth asked, already knowing the answer.
“Of course not. I didn’t think they would. At least not now. But I wanted to plant the seed in the general’s mind that there’s another way. Or maybe it's the way I hope humanity will react,” Jace answered.
“Do you believe the general will use force against us to try and take the Osiris?” Khoth asked quietly, determined to go get his weapons.
“There is a 98.3% chance of that!” Gehenna stated too brightly. “Oh, wait, that’s bad. Those are bad odds for us. Or for them really! They’re going to be in a world of hurt.”
Jace let out a huff of laughter as he raked a hand through his hair. “We’re not going to hurt anyone or let anyone hurt us. We’ve got to show them our power, but use it responsibly.”
“Yes, Pilot!” Gehenna saluted him.
Jace pushed off from the wall and gave Khoth a wan smile. “It’s going to be another long day. Let’s get ready and meet for breakfast, okay? We’ve got a lot of planning to do.”
“Indeed, Pilot,” Khoth said with a formal bow
A strange look passed over Jace’s face. He reached out and lightly touched Khoth’s cheek. “I need you to remember I’m Jace and not just the Pilot, okay?”
Khoth knew there were layers upon layers to that statement. “I understand, Jace.”
“Good.” Jace grinned. “Let’s get this party started.”
Team
Jace sluiced hot water over his head. His muscles loosened under the multiple-jet spray. It seemed like there was a jet positioned at every single part of his body. His private bathroom was filled with glorious, spicy-smelling steam from the hair and body products the Osiris had prepared for him. He closed his eyelids and just let the water wash all of the suds away.
I created the products just for you so it would work with your body’s particular chemistry, the Osiris told him, sounding very pleased with itself. Your scent can be enhanced further to attract Khoth, but I muted it as this is a business meeting.
Jace’s eyelids sprang open. I thought pheromones were a myth in humans at least.
On the contrary, during puberty several auxiliary steroids are thought--
I’m not going through puberty again! Jace groused. That was hard enough the first time with the headaches, tinnitus and auras!
He massaged the back of his neck. He didn’t feel a headache coming on, but he feared one would. He had experienced his old ailments on the Khul ship so that meant they could come back so it wasn’t a useless fear.
I am adjusting your form to eliminate these malfunctions, the Osiris said with almost distaste.
Are you sure you can? Jace asked, stilling so that not even the movement of his hands against his own body would distract him from any of the nuances of the Osiris’ communication.
Of course, that was when the Osiris stopped using inflection and was robotic and smooth once more, Yes.
Just yes? No doubts there? No concerns that I’m broken forever? Jace asked.
Those are your fears. Not mine. I do not have fears, the Osiris informed him and now the emotion was back again in that tart response.
You shouldn’t lie to yourself, Osiris, Jace told the AI.
I do not lie.
Oh, ho, ho! We’re going there, are we?
I simply do not tell you everything until it is the optimal time, the Osiris said.
Not telling is lying by omission. It’s still lying, Jace said, wondering if the AI really didn’t understand the difference.
For something so incredibly smart, it was acting “dumb” here. But, then again, Gehenna was far more emotionally intelligent, but had turned herself into the Terminator, expecting a warm and fuzzy response.
Your parents are requesting entrance to your quarters. Shall I let them in? The Osiris was so bland in this request even as Jace grew a little tense.
