npc blog

         ‘  even then,       keeping the ship in a better condition is likely to at least help us a bit when we have to return, and not just for docking.  ’  that’s at least how he was thinking. they had to show that they had made the right choice, rather than just damaging corps property for no reason.  ‘  i appreciate it…  ’  he says, though he isn’t really sure he does.  ‘  done by me and with limited resources. if we’re not talking to hq we can’t get new parts, new … anything.  ’

if cabbie could frown with confusion he would be, “that is an undeniable statement of fact. there is no way in which i could disagree that a ship in good condition is important.” cabbie, frankly, didn’t care at all about the ship. even though it was like an extension of his body, he was reckless with it and expected everyone else to fix the problems he created. “the journey is not long and there are no foreseeable dangers on the way there. once we touch down i will enable the shields and the ship will be dormant until we leave. there is nothing to worry about even if we did not get full system sweep and clearance to depart.” 

“those seem like decent chances.” enzo trusted cabbie – not only out of duty, but also because he hoped his conviction about going rogue effectively rubbed off on him eventually. “but how can we know they won’t simply relieve the crew of their duties for the incovenience?”

 “and what does ‘hot garbage’ exactly entail? i thought all garbage was to be burnt prior to being disposed of, so what’s the distinction?”

cabbie’s ‘eyes’ dilated as he considered the question. he’d run many calculations before deciding to depart. and no matter the result going still seemed like a good idea to him. but perhaps that was because he held to allegiance to the corps and was bored of driving the same types of routes. “they might. but i do not think they will relieve me of my duties. i am too valuable of an asset. as for everyone else, that is irrelevant.” 

“i have to believe that ‘hot garbage’ is in reference to waste that has not been collected within the proper timeframe but is being stored in a location that is not cool enough to prevent decay. thus: hot garbage. i cannot smell so i cannot fathom why this is so bad other than it’s uncleanliness.” 

“Okay, I can work with ninety seconds!” Beville enthuses. “Thank you for your generosity!”

Based on observation, they have concluded that Cabbie’s ocular ability may not be excellent, so they clamber up onto the currently empty co-pilot chair. It’s a double benefit: Cabbie can now see them, and they can now see out the front port. Obviously, they cannot yet see the Alpha Planet, but Breville looks in that direction nonetheless.

They reach out (it takes some stretching) and pat Cabbie on the shoulder. Clunk clunk clang. “I appreciate your rebellious spirit, and I will do everything I can to not interfere with your true nature while simultaneously keeping my crew safe,” they chirp. “The chaotic nature of your neural circuitry is beautiful!”

Cabbie, believing that the conversation has concluded, turns his impaired gaze back to the windows in front of him. He doesn’t actually use the windows for any sort of navigational help, it just feels better in his joints to resume the position of staring dead ahead. 

With his system linked up to the ship’s controls his vision was through the ship’s sensors. So although he could not see the planet he knew how far away it was and how long it would take to get there through estimate approximation. He also knew how hot the engines were running, if there was any damage tot he ship, and what ancillary functions were running. To him, these were like senses - as natural as breathing. 

“Uggghhh.”

It’s possibly the first glimpse of anything non-cheerful from Breville. Their face-screen angles back, the circles that denote their eyes flowing into a resigned semi-circle, antenna drooping.

“Look, my enormous droid friend, I can respect your wishes and maybe I even approve a little bit of the juicier destination we are now careening toward, but I really would have appreciated a heads up! I’m capable of being hip and cool and changeable! Just. With advance notice.”

cabbie’s eye lenses dilate, the closest think he can do to a slow blink. it’s clear the request in registering on his face but whether or not he chooses to accept his captain’s wishes is another matter entirely. for cabbie is an inherently rebellious android. no one knows if it was faulty programming in the line or if the programmer was merely nostalgic for new york cab driver’s and their predilection for taking alternative or additional routes. 

        there’s a grimace on his features,       of course they were busted.  ‘  you know, having zero support now, you have to be more careful.  ’

cabbie does not notice the grimace. he is still unaccustomed to having to talk to someone so short. and often finds himself looking over the top of tergi. “the loading bay equipment is no longer necessary and will not be until our return to hq. i weighed the costs and benefits and deemed being careful too much of a risk in that instance. in the future i will operate knowing repairs are to be done by you and you alone.” 

cabbie + monty.

sitting  down  next  to  cabbie,  who  was  sitting  where  monty  had  been  not  three  hours  before  as  he  made  little  pew  pew  pew  noises  to  himself  while  pretending  to  execute  a  barrel  roll  maneuver,  monty  felt  more  than  excited  to  be  along  for  the  ride.  the  reality  that  he  might  die  along  the  way  had  yet  to  settle  in,  though  there  were  good  odds  it  never  would.  ❛  i’m  not  real  good  with  words  but  i’d  call  that  the  monty  special.  ❜

“if this mission is successful I calculate a sixty-one percent chance that we will be rewarded with either high rank or commendations. this is preferable to the way we are treated now. what was the word i heard used earlier ‘like hot garbage’?”

“i recommend you go check our loading bay hookups. i may have torn some of them upon our forceful departure.” 

“we’re on course captain. and by that i mean we are on the course i want and will not veer from.”

“i am merely . . . what is the word for ‘making decisions other people, not me, will regret’?”