#tezu

JX-909 turned to face Tezu, the expression on the android's faceplate as placid as ever. "It appears you were correct," it said. "My calculations failed to consider that the pirates could possibly be even more stubborn and foolhardy than you."

Tezu cracked a wry grin. "Ah, you're just grumpy because I was right and you were wrong." He tossed a spare bolt towards Nines, which pinged off its head, then turned back to the control panel. "All right, lets head out. Sooner we get this delivery done, the sooner we can get to the show on Hino-5."

"I am afraid that we will not be making it to the show on time." Nines' eyes lit up, projecting a holographic diagram of their ship in front of Tezu. Nearly all of it was highlighted yellow, orange, or red. "The ship suffered severe damage during the pirate attack and our subsequent manuevers."

Tezu leaned forward to study the diagram. "...no kidding. We're not gonna blow up, are we?"

"No. All components are stable, though many have limited functionality." The diagram split apart, showing the damaged parts in more detail. "Of primary concern is the subspace drive. In its current state, it will be unable to sustain speeds in excess of 2.4 astroknots."

"2.4?" Tezu turned back to Nines, aghast. "That's practically nothing! Can we fix it up?"

"Negative. I had to use the last of our nanogel supply to prevent the reactor from going critical during the skirmish with the pirates." Despite its motionless faceplate, Tezu could tell Nines was glaring at him. "I told you we should have resupplied at Jericho Station."

"And the only spare parts nearby are..." Tezu looked to the gas giant and grimaced. "So I guess we just have to call for help, then."

"That is not an option either." Nines rotated the diagram, highlighting some missing instruments on the ship's underside. "Both longwave and subwave communication arrays were rendered inoperable in the fight. Our signal would not be able to reach outside of this system, and the odds of another ship passing close enough to hear it are infinitesimal."

Tezu slumped back in his chair. "Shit... what can we do, then?"

"I have determined one potential course of action. By minimizing unnecessary uses of power and utilizing all available resources, the ship's life support can be kept functioning long enough to get within shortwave range of the nearest inhabited planet, even with a maximum speed of 2.4 astroknots."

Tezu's brow furrowed. "And how long is that?"

"By my current calculations, approximately 4.7 months."

"Months!?" Tezu shook his head and sighed. "Well, if that's our best option... Guess we'll be getting to know each other pretty well then, huh?"

"No. We will not." Nines shut off its diagram and started walking to the back of the ship.

"The hell do you mean, we will not?" Tezu stood and started following the android. "You just gonna ignore me for the next four-point-whatever months?"

"In order to have the greatest chance of success, my plan requires utilization of all available resources." It removed a wall panel and started manipulating the wires within. "'All available resources' includes my power core."

Tezu froze in his tracks. "You... you're joking, right?" He chuckled, lips curling into a tight smile even as his eyes went wide. "That's... really not funny, Nines."

"It is not a joke. I am powered by a Z-38 Tau core. With simple modifications, its output can be redirected to an external system." Nines flipped open a compartment on its chest and pulled more wires out, running them into the open wall panel. "Without that power, your life support will fail within three months."

"But... No, that's..." Tezu shook his head and grabbed Nines' arm. "There's gotta be some other way!"

"There is not." Unbothered by the interference, Nines continued adjusting wires with its free hand.

"You can't just leave me alone in space for months!"

"My options are to leave you alone or condemn you to starvation. It is not a difficult decision to make." Ignoring Tezu's continued protests, Nines wrenched its arm free from his grip and folded its limbs into its body. "Your course is already set. When you return to Jericho, Ms. Potera should be able to undo my modifications to the ship. Goodbye, Tezu."