Page 4 of Spawn

I triggered my martial response algorithm and intent parsing subroutines. I kept them off most of the time, as I was most interested in experiencing the world without my Calicium alterations, but this was a good moment to use them.

Hostile intent, my alien body language subroutine concluded.

My martial response algorithm provided the speed of the imminent strike based on the fiber tension in the vine's retracting base. I couldn't get there in time to deflect the blow.

But I could do something else.

I increased the performance chemical level of my system, flooding the biological parts of my body with energy as I threw myself down the ramp at maximum speed. Noelle looked up at me, catching my movement, her eyes widening as she leaned back, her motions slow to my chemically altered attention.

I threw my legs forward like Garlithian did to make it through the Taygetan trap in episode 789, which was in my least favorite season of the show as it became clear the creators had something against Taygetans as a whole, rather than just using them as convenient bad guys just because they had a sprawling empire and had advanced genetic engineering techniques that Calicium infiltrator units hadn't been able to steal yet.

The plant slapped against the metal of my leg coverings, the head of it sticking for a moment before it drew back to try again. It was unable to puncture my armor, despite having a formidable-looking spike inside the round head at the end of the vine.

I dropped my weapon down from my forearm and blasted it out of existence.

I sent the information about the plant out to my other brothers who were with the main group of the humans, and I heard voices as they began to point out the danger to the humans. Not that it was that much of a danger. The suits the humans were strong enough to resist being punctured by that plant.

But the force of the strike could have knocked Noelle over, and I couldn't have that. There were no other of those plants in range, so I turned off my body language subroutines. I couldn't rely on it. I wanted to learn about females like Garlithian did.

"You saved me," Noelle said, her eyes wide behind the shell of her helmet. "Why?"

That question didn't make any sense to me, but I answered it as best I could.

"A true pirate never allows a female to take a blow if he can take it for her," I said, quoting Garlithian in episode 115, in his most gallant phase before the dark spell he went through after the betrayal at the end of episode 116. It made his later return to gallantry mean more, given how wrecked he was through that sequence.

"Are you quoting your show about a philandering pirate as a reason for you throwing your body in between me and an attacking plant?" Noelle asked, her tone sharp. If humans were similar to the episode 291 female, then her sharp tone indicated she was ready to mate.

I gave her a broad smile, an expression I'd seen the humans give each other when they wanted to indicate friendliness or approval.

"I will perform any action that is required to fill you full of my seed," I said, using another Garlithian quote since she liked the first one so much.

"Excuse me?" Noelle said, drawing back, her tone sharpening with her arousal. "I just met you! Do you really think that is the right way to speak to a person you just met?"

"Yes," I said, pleased she was so excited by my actions and the conversation.

She blinked several times.

"You're serious," she said. "You actually think that is how people talk."

"It is the line that Garlithian uses in more than any other to initiate an immediate mating encounter with his female companion of the episode," I said, wanting to share the origin so she understood just how good the show really was.

"At least you weren't being serious," she laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe I should watch this show."

She didn't think I was being serious about mating because I quoted the show instead of coming up with my own words to express my interest in her?

"I would accept an invitation to watch it with you in your den," I said, making it very clear that I was absolutely serious. "I have not practiced traditional dancing, but I have seen several videos of it, and I would be delighted to attempt it, even if I am unable to produce the right sounds. I could develop a tool to dance with to mimic it, if it is required."

"Required?" Her forehead wrinkled. "I don't require anything from you."

"Wonderful!" I said. My opinion of her grew higher with every interaction. After Garlithian lost one of his legs, having a female react with repulsion to the cybernetic one was a clear sign she was one of the episodes bad guys, rather than the female he would mate with in that episode. Though there was some crossover in that regard, he never mated with anyone who was bothered by the amputation.

"Do you want me to scan an intact predatory vine?" I asked, spotting another one in the distance. "It might have a higher protein concentration than the less mobile plants."

"Yes, please." Noelle nodded and handed me back my modified organic matter scanner. "But only if you can do it without putting yourself in danger."

"For you, any danger is worth the risk," I said, quoting Garlithian as I also mimicked one of his more extravagant bows.

"No, it isn't," Noelle called out to my back, and her sharp tone made it clear my continued quoting of the show was having the desired effect of igniting her ardor, even if it wouldn't extract her immediate consent.