Vytln grunted, giving up on the alternator. Whatever the problem, it would be easier for Haven and her smaller hands to deal with. He didn’t have to force himself to figure out a way to work with the tiny parts anymore. He could leave it to her.
“But that still leaves my original question. What is it like to be with a female? How do I became a good male for her?”
“And you’re still thinking too hard about it. It’s really not that complicated.”
“So uncomplicated, but you still haven’t given me an answer.”
“Why do I need to answer something you already know?” Vytln countered, turning to face him with his arms crossed, leaning back against his workbench. “Being a good male doesn’t involve having a cock or building a nest. You don’t even need to be biological to do it.”
“So? Whatdoesit involve? What does a good male do?”
Vytln shrugged. “A good male does whatever his female needs. It’s different for each female. Some females need a soft male to be a place of sweetness and comfort. Some need a strong male who will guide and protect. Haven needs a male who can quiet her mind and be strong enough for her to climb all over. Grace needs a male who can accept and accompany her. Garnet needs a male who will protect but not shelter her. A good male would never let something like not having a body keep him from doing whatever, being whatever, his female needs.”
Alred stared at him, the edges of his light form flickering as he let Vytln’s words reach him.
Because, as far as Vytln could tell, he was already doing what a good male would. Though he couldn’t hold Goldie or make her a trap, Alred was providing everything she needed. Alred was the one who was helping her learn the healing sciences. He reminded her when it was time to eat or rest. He protected her when she was on the ship. He looked out for her always.
Sure, he could do more if he was capable of holding her. But if he wanted to fuck her, there were machines for that he could control. If they got him robotic arms, he could tuck her in or hand her things or hold stuff for her. Sure, he was missing out on some things, but he absolutely already did the most important things.
Alred’s face softened as his understanding dawned.
“A good male finds a way to give his female what she needs and takes care of her, regardless of what obstacles lay in his path.”
“See?” Vytln grunted. “You don’t need me to tell you that.”
Alred laughed. “Maybe I just needed to be reminded.”
“By an amoeba.”
Alred laughed harder. “You’d understand if you could feel the difference in how our brains operate. I may only be limited to sight and sound sensory inputs, but the amount of information I process at one time, compared to your limited view… It’s honestly intimidating thinking about how I’m going to have to strip myself down like that.”
“So, why do it?”
Alred grinned. “Because that’s what a good male would do.”
Vytln chuckled. “Indeed. You know, there are direct neural interfaces. They’re not nearly as deep as what you are now, but it’s still a connection. We could probably build one into your new brain so you’re not completely losing that part of yourself.”
Alred looked intrigued. “It’s not a bad idea, actually. You’re right, it wouldn’t be the same, and with a biological brain, I still wouldn’t be able to do everything I can now, but I would be able to connect to the ship and-”
He cut off, his mouth open. His gaze unmoving. Vytln frowned, cocking his head. Waiting for him to continue, but his light form was completely still.
No. Not just still. Totally frozen.
“Alred?” He called to him, confused.
Alred’s light form glitched. Distorted. Then fully dissipated. Not with his usual showy shower of sparks, not a smooth fade, it didn’t even just cut off. It was rough and broken, like he was still trying to project but couldn’t keep it up.
Vytln stood straight, reaching out. Like he could actually grab him. It was just a reflex.
One that went nowhere as the light form vanished. Did he just crash? What just happened? Why did he-
Vytln’s belly dropped out from under him. So quick and sudden, he actually stumbled, grabbing the workbench to keep himself standing. The engine began growling, grinding, hissing. Angry. He reacted immediately, running to turn it back off.
What…?
It was grinding and groaning like the engine was being forced to operate in subspace. Traveling through subspace did not involve moving the ship. The engine had to be off. If it was trying to move, it wouldn’t, and it would grind and lock up the mechanisms.
But they should be out of subspace, so why?
