In the Arms of an Android Read online

  In the Arms of an Android

  Tracy Lauren

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  Excerpt from ALIEN BOND

  © 2019 Tracy Lauren

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by U.S. copyright law.

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  Chapter 1

  Valens

  Year 3942

  Across from me at the lab table Kayla rubs her eyes with the heel of her palm. Odo looks up, noticing her fatigue as well as I do.

  “More coffee?” he offers.

  “Thanks, but I think my blood-coffee concentration is beyond the safe limit at this point.” Odo grunts knowingly and my friends both issue unhappy sighs as they return their attention to the work before them. No one in the room looks excited, and as I stare at the sludge sample before me, I realize I can relate.

  While our mission on the ATRSS Salutation is studying life in the galaxy, some life is arguably less interesting than others. Microbial life, for example…

  As a scientist I respect the value of life even on the most minute level and I understand the importance of studying diversity of microscopic life on newly developing planets. Still, I’d much rather encounter an established civilization—with their own unique culture, values, and social mores than stare at sludge through a microscope.

  I suppose not every assignment can be exciting. Some are simply necessary. Which is why we are currently applying molecular phylogenetics and DNA microarrays to our efforts in classifying the emergence of life and diversity on the young planet below. Necessary as it is, however, I still monitor each remaining second on our dwindling work cycle.

  It appears as if I am not the only one to do so, because with five minutes still remaining on the clock, the other scientists begin rising from their seats, packing up their supplies. Part of me feels we should work until the last moment of our shift, but as I cast one last look back at the sludge I opt instead to follow my crewmates’ social mores—if only just this once.

  Our comms chime at the end of the cycle and scientists flood out of the lab. Kayla, Odo, and I all make our way to the nearest elevator and we wait for our turn in front of its reflective doors.

  “Anyone going to deck seven?” Kayla asks, referring to the bar there.

  “Renzo just worked a double down in engineering,” Odo tells us. “He’s headed straight for his rest cycle. Told me not to have anyone bother him unless something damned interesting happens.”

  Kayla grunts. “Vesi’s shifts are all out of whack right now. She’s still on for another four hours.”

  “Honestly, today drained me. I think I’m just going to go put on a vid and catch some rest,” Odo tells us.

  “Yeah, me too. What about you, Valens?”

  I stare at our reflections in the elevator door. Odo, an ebunati, stands to my right. His snout is long and prominent and his scales an earthy green. Then there is Kayla to my left. She’s human, with dusty-blonde hair and cool blue eyes. And I stand between them. An android, my hair as steely gray as my synthetic flesh and my demeanor much more rigid than that of my friends.

  “I will have to find some other way to occupy myself,” I tell them.

  The hour grew late, but after a shift like today my mind was still in need of stimulation. When I left Kayla and Odo, I headed to my room and chose to occupy my time doing deep scans of nearby systems rather than engaging my sleep mode. While I am capable of sleep, just as living beings are, I do not require it. I prefer instead to remain engaged—either working or socializing with my friends and fellow crewmates here on the Salutation. Lately, though, our assignments haven’t been as captivating as some of our other jobs.

  We have been studying microbial life on a newly formed planet, still fresh in its Hadean period. And though I should hold no bias, I find that I am drawn toward complexity. A complexity that microbial life inherently lacks. So, to sate my curious nature I have turned to the stars.

  While Salutation’s primary computer is constantly running scans as well, I enjoy conducting deep analysis of the multitude of signals that bombard us every second we spend in space. One would be surprised at all they can discover when they take the time to look more closely at that which is easily overlooked.

  Sometimes, when I am alone like this and studying the abyss, I wonder if my curiosity is a design feature that my brothers and I share. Or is it a trait unique to myself? Perhaps I will never know. For as much as I study the galaxy, I don’t often find myself looking back to their world.

  The computer beeps just as I notice a small irregularity on the holographic screen before me. Focusing intently, I swipe my fingers over the location.

  “Computer, isolate background and focus the scanning array on this point.” I tilt my head curiously, sweeping my neural network and the ship’s database for signatures that could correspond to the one out in space. There’s a regularity to it that suggests artificial generation by some type of machine or device. But the signature is so small…so weak…

  “What are you?” I turn to the computer to analyze the frequency of the EM waves being output.

  “Radio…” That answers one question. And it narrows the range of known civilizations the signal could have come from. But the more interesting possibility would be if it originated from an unknown civilization.

  My curiosity thoroughly piqued, I touch my comm, activating it. “Captain Nilsson, I have noticed an irregularity in EM waves coming from a nearby system. Request permission to investigate.”

  “What are your thoughts, Valens? Do we need to divert resources from our current project?”

  Despite the late hour, Captain Nilsson is still quick to reply and unwavering in her trust of my instincts. Though she is human, she is perhaps the only other being on this ship that works as tirelessly as I do. I enjoy her immensely.

  When I first signed on with the ATR—the Allied Transplanetary Republics, there were many who questioned my claim as a sentient being. As a matter of fact, everything from my morals to motives were questioned. But it was the Captain who championed for me and she has made this ship a home—not only for me, but for the hundreds of other beings under her command.

  My interest in the ATR began shortly after waking on my world of origin. But it was long before that, over 200 years ago, that the las
t of the race who created my people died out. But before they did they sent a distress signal out into the stars. Unfortunately, it took those 200-plus years for us to be found. Perhaps that is why I still keep my eyes out on the stars. And 36 years ago, when the ATR landed, our systems turned on for the first time, waking every android the Ineuwins created—myself included.

  But we were blank slates, with no knowledge of our creators or our purpose. The ATR gave us a choice—despite the negative opinions of a few—we could remain on our world of origin, or they would help us assimilate. I made the choice that was right for me, though it was not the choice made by all my brothers. And after years of science and tactical training, I was finally assigned to Captain Nilsson and the Salutation.

  I consider the Captain’s question. Do we need to divert resources? This signal, it might be nothing more than a derelict satellite. Still, something about it stirs me. “Allow me to assemble a small team to investigate. I will update you if the situation becomes consequential.”

  “Sounds good, Valens. I look forward to your update. Nilsson out.”

  Still staring at the readings, I run a quick personnel scan to locate Renzo, Kayla, and Odo. I smile to myself, not surprised to see they have somehow found their way to the bar on deck seven.

  I ping their comms and in quick succession, they all answer back. “What’s up Valens?”

  “I have discovered an anomaly I wish to investigate.”

  “Please tell me you got us out of microbe duty,” Renzo pleads, practically groaning with disdain as he says the word microbe.

  I bite back a smirk. “The Captain asked me to assemble a team.”

  “Oh thank God!”

  Chapter 2

  Valens

  “It appears the waves are coming from a small metallic object, roughly 2.5 meters in length and one meter in width. Unfortunately the waves are so weak we can’t seem to get a read on what they might be transmitting,” Kayla informs me, looking at her own interpretations of the signal.

  “What’s more unfortunate is that the object seems to have caught the gravitational pull of a planet in the system it was traveling through. It should break atmosphere soon and when it does it might be destroyed—either upon entry or during landing,” Odo adds.

  I double check the readings, but I agree with Odo’s assessment. It’s being pulled down quick. Whatever this device is, there’s a good chance it will be destroyed within the hour and the mystery will go unsolved. I find that the idea of it does not sit well with me.

  Renzo passes out mugs of fresh coffee to Kayla and Odo before dropping down into his seat. I look to him for input. “I say we go look for it.” He shrugs.

  “We will not make it in time to intercept,” I point out, my gaze skirting to the faint readings still coming in on the holo screen.

  “Then we’ll collect the debris. But you never know, maybe we’ll get lucky and it’ll survive the fall.”

  I already know what I want to do. But I scan my friends’ expressions, interested in their preferences. Kayla and Odo are watching me expectantly and Renzo has that look he gets in his eyes when something exciting is about to happen. It appears I am not alone in my desire.

  “I suppose that even if it disintegrates on entry, the journey will still be more interesting than microbes,” I joke.

  “Fuck yeah, Valens! I’ll prepare a ship,” Renzo declares, jumping to his feet.

  “We’ll need a medic to accompany us,” Odo points out.

  “I’ll grab Vesi, she’d kill us if we went without her anyway,” Kayla puts in. My friends are already rising from their seats.

  “This might be a fruitless endeavor,” I remind them, not wanting to get their hopes up.

  Renzo claps me on the back. “Or it might be one hell of an adventure. But even if it isn’t, Valens, it’s a chance to stretch our damn legs. Come on, I know you’re as tired of microbes as the rest of us are, otherwise you wouldn’t be looking out into space.”

  I am bored with microbes. But more than that, I am curious to uncover the mystery behind this unexplained object. “I’ll notify the Captain of our departure.”

  “Sweet!” Renzo claps me again on the back and the rest of the group hurries from the room, eager to prepare for our adventure.

  Chapter 3

  Valens

  We are only a few short minutes behind the object’s descent onto the uncharted planet. Kayla and Odo work in tandem to scan for native life. This place, it is a far older world than the one Captain Nilsson is currently focusing on and the life forms are more complex and diverse as a result. Even so, there does not seem to be any of the markers for civilization. It is all wildlife then.

  “I’ve located the object. Must be our lucky day! It appears intact.” Renzo’s grinning wide. I can practically see the excitement emanating from my human friend—it’s an excitement I feel thrumming through myself as well.

  “Prepare the shuttle.”

  “Hold that thought,” Kayla cuts in, her disgruntled tone dashing our excitement. “There seems to be some kind of…infestation on the surface.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Renzo asks.

  “I don’t know exactly, but there’s something down there and it’s numbering in the millions.”

  “Odo, your analysis?” I ask.

  “You can see it from here,” the ebunati points out, bringing up an image on the view screen. I notice a red hue tinting the green and gold planet.

  “Is that a dust storm?” I ask.

  “No, that’s the infestation. My guess is that the creature is avian. Though they might simply be tree dwelling,” Kayla answers, her brow scrunching as she examines the screen.

  “Do they pose a threat?” Vesi, our Iredescan medic, asks.

  “It’s impossible to know given the current data. All I can tell you is that despite their quantity, they seem to be fairly small in size,” Kayla explains.

  “I can’t okay any ground exploration without more information,” Vesi tells us apologetically. As medic it is her job to assess the risks associated with our mission. If she can’t declare safety within reasonable parameters, then none of us get to go after the object. It is not part of the job that Vesi enjoys. She wants to sate her curiosity as much as the rest of us do, but she has a duty to our team and, as it stands, I agree with her judgment.

  “Let’s get more information then,” Renzo suggests, still aching to stretch his legs as he calls it.

  “Where is the object in relation to the infestation?” I ask.

  “It’s nearly two kilometers away.”

  It sounds like a reasonable enough distance, however, that all depends on how quickly those creatures can move. “I will scout the area. That should supply sufficient data for the rest of you to join me.”

  Vesi frowns, but I know the checkpoints of a medic’s decision-making process and her safety parameters don’t apply to androids like myself.

  “I don’t like you going down there alone, Valens,” she tells me.

  “Believe me, Vesi, I possess just as much drive for self-preservation as you. But I am also stronger and faster than all of you. If I sense danger I’ll turn back, but if this infestation poses no threat, then we can all enjoy the surface of this world.” The draw of a new planet is enticing to any scientist, and though the concerned frown doesn’t completely fall from her face, I see her soften.

  “Okay, but your comm needs to be on at all times. Visual and audio. If you so much as smell something that seems off I want you to get your ass back on that shuttle,” she insists, her tone stern.

  “You have my word.”

  Chapter 4

  Valens

  The surface is dense with vegetation and it takes time to locate a place the shuttle can land safely. When I finally I open the hatch, I step out into a world that seems to be reaching its autumn season. The flora is in the process of changing from deep green to gold. It makes me think of the view we had from space, of the creatures who were so plent
iful they seemed tint the planet red. But I’m pulled from my thoughts by the sound of rustling in nearby bushes.

  “You’ve got a friend at 1 o’clock,” Renzo warns, his voice coming in on my comm.

  I raise my stunning weapon, only to see a large but slow-moving creature. It is equal in height to myself and it uses long claws and a prehensile tail to mount a tree. Lazily, it looks over at me. It is as if he has seen me a thousand times before and has no interest in my presence now. I lower my weapon.

  “Threat analysis?” I ask Vesi, turning myself so that the recorder on my uniform can get a direct visual of the beast.

  “I venture it’s the same as yours. That thing doesn’t give two shits about you or your shuttle.”

  I jump down off the ramp and not even my sudden movement makes the beast look up again. It is too concerned with moving along the spiny truck of the tree. Adjusting my handheld scanner, I locate my mystery object. It’s not far away and its waves are coming in more clearly now. I can see them pulsing on my small screen.

  “Can we get a read on these waves? Is there a pattern to them—some type of message or meaning?”

  “On it,” Kayla calls.

  I push through the thick brush and wind around tree trunks that stretch high overhead. I’m searching for a path. The undergrowth is so thick, not even the native wildlife venture to tread on this terrain, and even with my superior strength I am struggling. This would be difficult for the others. Still, I would not deny them the opportunity to explore this land.