Man, crappy gravity generators sucked.
Nico kicked off his shoes as he pushed his way through the ship, trying to move any floating objects back to their places and strap them to any solid surface.
"Josie," Nico called, shoving a trio of cups into the cabinet and locking the door, "What's wrong with the generators this time?"
"I believe something is caught in the gearbox," A robotic voice barked back. The small white dog's images flickered as she turned to look up at Nico.
"How?" Nico asked with a yelp, pushing off of the ceiling to launch himself towards the floor. He grabbed the already floating rug and pushed it to the side to reveal the grated floor. He quickly hooked his back claws into the holes to hold him to the floor while working to pick open the panel that concealed the generators.
Once he revealed the problematic generator, he searched for a whole two seconds on what the problem could be and, sure enough, two of the gears had caught on each other. Again.
"Syncing issue," Nico sighed, "We need a better ship."
Josie nodded in agreement as Nico fixed the gearbox, found another problem that could have broke the generator again, fixed that as well, then reset the generator and switched it on, sitting back as he felt the gravity start to kick up and pull him back to the floor.
Nico sighed through his nose and closed the panel, then grabbed the rug to set it back over the grated section. Nico stood and stretched, flexing his large crimson wings and yawning wide.
"Josie, how is everything looking?" Nico asked.
The hologram flickered back into view, standing in the air in front of Nico's face, "Everything should be back in place and the generators seem to be working. Also, you have a message."
Nico waved a claw and turned away to the sleeping quarters, "That's good. Can you remind me to look at it later? And set the course for Mira."
"Well," Josie started, "It's from your boss."
"Oh," Nico replied, speed walking through the hallway to the cockpit where, sure enough, there was a small popup beside the steering controls. The red draconian sank into the pilot's chair, resting his claws gingerly on the controls. He quickly located his destination and set sights for it, then turned to the tab as the ship lurched forward.
Nico pulled it so it sat right over his controls. He tapped on the icon which revealed the message.
Addressed to: Nico; Pilot #183205
Sent from: SSundee; Insane Division
Hello, Nico. I am aware you are returning from Dokth'n with dracon materials, and most likely want to rest when you return home, but I have a mission that you might take interest in. It's a two-week long heist mission that you and three others will complete for a total of 16,000,000 credits split between you four. If you wish to accept, meet me at my office at a time in the next three imperial day cycles suit for you once you return.
-SSundee, Insane Division
Nico leaned back, putting a paw on his snout as he processed the situation.
"Josie," Nico called, "How long until we reach Mira?"
"Three hours, sir," Josie chirped back.
"Three hours," Nico echoed, "What's the traffic at the Myran like?"
"Light," Josie replied after a moment.
Nico nodded, then leaned forward and opened the keyboard and began typing.
Addressed to: SSundee; Insane Division
Sent from: Nico; Pilot #183205
I am more than interested in this mission. I will be available for an in-person meeting in around four hours.
-Nico, Pilot #183205
Nico observed his whole two sentences before turning to Josie, "Is this good?"
Josie observed message for a moment before turning to Nico and replying, "I was an AI created in your image. I'm not designed to give intelligent responses."
"Wow, okay then," Nico grumbled, sending the message, "I see how it is."
Josie's image flickered out of existence, leaving Nico alone with his thoughts. He leaned back and gazed at the stars shining all around him.
That was...a lot of money. Money that he could use to buy himself a new ship, one that wasn't a useless hunk of metal like this one.
His excitement quickly expired, leaving him with a blank mind.
He wished that his mind would wander, keeping him entertained with ideas, but his thoughts were quiet.
There was one thing in the back of his mind that started to bubble to the surface, but he forced it away. He preferred to be bored than sad.
Drowsiness started to pull his eyelids down and rest his leathery wings. His eyes flickered shut and he listened to the hum of his home.
YOU ARE READING
Love and Blood; Regulars Space AU
Science FictionA year after the Regulars had their falling out, they are finally starting to move on. Now they are separated and taking things slow, waiting for the opportunity to strike to change their boring lives. When that call comes, the four are forced to wo...
