Tara shrugged, "It depends, if the object is shielded or warded against detection, then it is unlikely to be detected unless a Mage was actively looking, although it also depends on the amount of energy stored; the more energy there is, the brighter it is and the easier it is to detect."
"A Mage might also have a device capable of detecting objects he normally wouldn't be able to, though it is unlikely that they would be carrying one on their person constantly, in a similar vein, I possess sensors capable of detecting numerous forms of energy. I usually leave them deactivated unless they are needed, since I don't want to waste power on sensors that I don't need." The AI said.
"If the object is in use, then it's easier to detect again, since active magic is much louder and much brighter than passive or inactive magic." Tara said.
"A Mage might also have a device capable of detecting objects he normally wouldn't be able to, though it is unlikely that they would be carrying one on their person constantly, in a similar vein, I possess sensors capable of detecting numerous forms of energy. I usually leave them deactivated unless they are needed, since I don't want to waste power on sensors that I don't need." The AI said.
"If the object is in use, then it's easier to detect again, since active magic is much louder and much brighter than passive or inactive magic." Tara said.
Which meant that if she ever needed to use the rings, she would be about as inconspicuous as a lighthouse. Thankfully, they should be fully deactivated now. But the other things...
“Ahem. My question wasn't entirely academic. In essence, I do use magical items, they're based on something that is probably completely different than the magic used here and it would be wonderful to find out if they set off any bells before it becomes serious.”
The rings she was wearing were currently non-magical, but invisible anyway – three on her left ring finger, one on her left little finger. On her left forearm, a sheath with three throwing knives that were most definitely magical and not self-masking at all, but invisible. She was fairly sure that her cards in one of the pouches in her room would be OK, not being magical until used. That was pretty much it. The cards and the rings were essential to her, and it would be inconvenient to have to make do without the throwing knives.
She cleared her throat. “Another thing. When I mentioned I had been targeted since birth for potentially having too much power... well, it was justified, in a way. I do. Is it possible to passively detect that in a person, too?” She didn't sound worried, just wondering.
“Ahem. My question wasn't entirely academic. In essence, I do use magical items, they're based on something that is probably completely different than the magic used here and it would be wonderful to find out if they set off any bells before it becomes serious.”
The rings she was wearing were currently non-magical, but invisible anyway – three on her left ring finger, one on her left little finger. On her left forearm, a sheath with three throwing knives that were most definitely magical and not self-masking at all, but invisible. She was fairly sure that her cards in one of the pouches in her room would be OK, not being magical until used. That was pretty much it. The cards and the rings were essential to her, and it would be inconvenient to have to make do without the throwing knives.
She cleared her throat. “Another thing. When I mentioned I had been targeted since birth for potentially having too much power... well, it was justified, in a way. I do. Is it possible to passively detect that in a person, too?” She didn't sound worried, just wondering.
Tara shrugged, "I'm not sure, it is't exactly my field of expertise."
"It is possible." The AI said, stepping in, "Most Mages have the ability to actively sense uch things; to enter the mind of a person or read their aura and thereby discern their magical power and abilities. Some also possess an ability called Mana Sight, allowing them to naturally 'see' the flow of energies that permeates the universe, from radiation from heat and light to life-energy and mana and other various forms, a person with such an ability would easily be able to sense the amount of magical power latent in an individual. However, Mana Sense is a rare ability to find, almost as rare as the ability to hear Star-Song. It is possible to gain the ability through study and meditation, but few do as it is a long and arduous process."
"So, whilst there are people who can sense the passive magic within a person, those individuals are few and fa between; there are sensor technologies capable of the same thing, but most civilisations don't know about or employ them since they have no magical ability, and of those civilisations that do use such sensors it is normally only as an extra security measure in high security level areas anyway, so it's nothing to wory about." Tara said.
"It is possible." The AI said, stepping in, "Most Mages have the ability to actively sense uch things; to enter the mind of a person or read their aura and thereby discern their magical power and abilities. Some also possess an ability called Mana Sight, allowing them to naturally 'see' the flow of energies that permeates the universe, from radiation from heat and light to life-energy and mana and other various forms, a person with such an ability would easily be able to sense the amount of magical power latent in an individual. However, Mana Sense is a rare ability to find, almost as rare as the ability to hear Star-Song. It is possible to gain the ability through study and meditation, but few do as it is a long and arduous process."
"So, whilst there are people who can sense the passive magic within a person, those individuals are few and fa between; there are sensor technologies capable of the same thing, but most civilisations don't know about or employ them since they have no magical ability, and of those civilisations that do use such sensors it is normally only as an extra security measure in high security level areas anyway, so it's nothing to wory about." Tara said.
Catrin nodded, thoughtful. She would probably draw an enormous amount of attention if someone looked at her through Mana Sense. That probably meant that once she started moving around mages or in high security areas, she would have to reveal herself as someone of power. Active manifestations of these things she could mask, but the passive ones were beyond her control.
She frowned a little to herself. “So, to sum it up, I'm not likely to draw attention unless I'm around a lot of mages, or passing through a high security level area. And I would have to pass through a high-security area to board an interplanetary passenger vessel available to the public... right? But even if this particular scan reveals something interesting, it won't bother anyone unless I'm near the Royal Arcanum on Aerin, correct?” Then she smiled at Tara. “This was probably enormously important. Thank you for informing me about it.” She turned to the AI. “Would you mind trying to scan me for any hidden items?”
She frowned a little to herself. “So, to sum it up, I'm not likely to draw attention unless I'm around a lot of mages, or passing through a high security level area. And I would have to pass through a high-security area to board an interplanetary passenger vessel available to the public... right? But even if this particular scan reveals something interesting, it won't bother anyone unless I'm near the Royal Arcanum on Aerin, correct?” Then she smiled at Tara. “This was probably enormously important. Thank you for informing me about it.” She turned to the AI. “Would you mind trying to scan me for any hidden items?”
Tara frowned slightly, "Why would the boarding area of a public shuttle bay be a high security area?" She seemed confused by the idea.
The AI, however, didn't seem at all confused by the suggestion and merely said, "I shall activate my sensors and begin scanning presently. Do you wish me to use my entire sensor suite, Miss Catrin?"
The AI, however, didn't seem at all confused by the suggestion and merely said, "I shall activate my sensors and begin scanning presently. Do you wish me to use my entire sensor suite, Miss Catrin?"
Catrin smiled at the AI and nodded. “If it won't drain too many of your resources.” She was pretty sure he'd find the knives on her forearm, if his sensors are good enough. As for other abnormalities... she wasn't sure at all. She was connected to various power sources in a number of universes, but if he didn't have the high security sensors it was unlikely to register. Also, her genetic information was a distinct mismatch from any human ones that might be available for comparison. Oh, and anyone looking deeper into her biochemistry would be surprised. She was a shapeshifter, after all, and her current form was her favourite, but still arbitrary. There would be differences in some of the organs, bones, muscles... well, she'd wait and see how much of that is detectable. “Do I need to do anything to help out with the scan?” she asked the AI.
Then she turned to Tara. “Sorry – generally speaking, whenever I've come across a developed culture which transported people in closed containers, sooner or later, they began doing security checks on everyone in order to prevent bombs or weapons to be carried inside the vessel. So this isn't done here?”
Then she turned to Tara. “Sorry – generally speaking, whenever I've come across a developed culture which transported people in closed containers, sooner or later, they began doing security checks on everyone in order to prevent bombs or weapons to be carried inside the vessel. So this isn't done here?”
Tara shook her head, "no, there hasn't been any need fr that sort of thing in the Star Kingdom since... oh, since the Fool's Revolt back in the Fourth Age of the current Era, when the Gillorians and some Isthenir sympathizers tried to secede from the Kingdom, not that it got very far."
The AI then spoke, "You don't need to do anything, Miss Catrin. I have already begun to scan you with all available interior sensors.... done...hm..." The AI sounded puzzled, "My, these results are most interesting.... I'm detecting several items hidden on your arm emitting low levels of an unknown form of energy, I assume it to be magic of other-universal origin, that I was expecting, but your biochemistry... I've not seen anything like it, not since Tara visited Tvalikra Secundus and she studied a primitive indigenous species that had the ability to change its shape, though only slightly. I'm detecting numerous unknown chemicals, compounds and hormones in your blood, organs I can't even begin to guess the function of and a very unusual interior layout for your organs anyway." The AI sounded wistful, "Well, if I wasn't under sworn oath, I could make a name for myself with these scan results. Every Xenobiologist and Xenoevolutionist in the galaxy would kill to have first go of analysing this."
The AI then spoke, "You don't need to do anything, Miss Catrin. I have already begun to scan you with all available interior sensors.... done...hm..." The AI sounded puzzled, "My, these results are most interesting.... I'm detecting several items hidden on your arm emitting low levels of an unknown form of energy, I assume it to be magic of other-universal origin, that I was expecting, but your biochemistry... I've not seen anything like it, not since Tara visited Tvalikra Secundus and she studied a primitive indigenous species that had the ability to change its shape, though only slightly. I'm detecting numerous unknown chemicals, compounds and hormones in your blood, organs I can't even begin to guess the function of and a very unusual interior layout for your organs anyway." The AI sounded wistful, "Well, if I wasn't under sworn oath, I could make a name for myself with these scan results. Every Xenobiologist and Xenoevolutionist in the galaxy would kill to have first go of analysing this."
“Oh, good!” Catrin said, smiling at Tara.
When the AI was speaking, she didn't move. She smirked at his final comment. “I hope that was a metaphor.” Then she sighed. “Well, what to do. I suppose if anyone ever notices anything is off, I might claim I'm a mage from a far corner of the galaxy, from an undiscovered planet and a nation that doesn't want to be contacted. I mean, I could try changing the organ layout, but the chemicals... well, nothing I can do about those.” Then she smiled at the AI, and Tara. “I'm a shapeshifter.” She briefly wondered if Tara, as an anthropologist, not a biologist, would be interested in her shapeshifting, or its cultural implications.
She sighed a little bit. “Would you be able to make any guesses regarding the nature of the items on my arm?” Potentially shapeshifting remotely controllable magical weapons with an ability to perform algorithmic instructions was what they actually were, but most people, and she, too, thought of them as throwing knives, which was what they looked like most of the time.
When the AI was speaking, she didn't move. She smirked at his final comment. “I hope that was a metaphor.” Then she sighed. “Well, what to do. I suppose if anyone ever notices anything is off, I might claim I'm a mage from a far corner of the galaxy, from an undiscovered planet and a nation that doesn't want to be contacted. I mean, I could try changing the organ layout, but the chemicals... well, nothing I can do about those.” Then she smiled at the AI, and Tara. “I'm a shapeshifter.” She briefly wondered if Tara, as an anthropologist, not a biologist, would be interested in her shapeshifting, or its cultural implications.
She sighed a little bit. “Would you be able to make any guesses regarding the nature of the items on my arm?” Potentially shapeshifting remotely controllable magical weapons with an ability to perform algorithmic instructions was what they actually were, but most people, and she, too, thought of them as throwing knives, which was what they looked like most of the time.
"I can tell they are small, and that they are inert at this moment, but as I am unfamiliar with the magic of our universe, or whatever universe they are from, I cannot calibrate my sensors to compensate, so whilst I know they are there and their general size, I am unable to identify their purpose. I assume, because they are hidden and in such an easy to access place, that they are weapons of some kind." The AI said, a note of disapproval in his voice, "And if I did not know you were a friend, and I had access to my old internal defenses from my soldiering days, I would have atomised you were you sat. I dislike having people with hidden weapons aboard, especially since Tara is far too trusting."
Tara sniffed and shook her head, "Ignore him." She then gained a look of intense curiosity, "A shapeshifter, hm? Well well well... how fascinating." It appeared Tara had defaulted into her hyper-analytic scientist more, "That would have so many implications for your culture. Are there laws governing what shapes you're allowed to change into? Are there any shapes you're forbidden to take on? Is your natural form humanoid, or something more exotic? Does your culture's religion have anything to say about it? A gift from the gods, maybe? What about your creation myths?"
Tara took a deep breath in preparation for another explosion of questions, when the AI stepped in again, "Mistress, please allow Miss Catrin a moment to respond, you are being rude... again."
Tara shrank back slightly, looking like a chastened, naughty little schoolgirl. She started playing with her tail again, like she did every time she got embarrassed, "Oh! Uh...yeah...sorry."
Tara sniffed and shook her head, "Ignore him." She then gained a look of intense curiosity, "A shapeshifter, hm? Well well well... how fascinating." It appeared Tara had defaulted into her hyper-analytic scientist more, "That would have so many implications for your culture. Are there laws governing what shapes you're allowed to change into? Are there any shapes you're forbidden to take on? Is your natural form humanoid, or something more exotic? Does your culture's religion have anything to say about it? A gift from the gods, maybe? What about your creation myths?"
Tara took a deep breath in preparation for another explosion of questions, when the AI stepped in again, "Mistress, please allow Miss Catrin a moment to respond, you are being rude... again."
Tara shrank back slightly, looking like a chastened, naughty little schoolgirl. She started playing with her tail again, like she did every time she got embarrassed, "Oh! Uh...yeah...sorry."
Catrin gave Tara a warm smile. “I don't think you're being rude.” She turned to the AI next with a look of disapproval. “But you're making up for Tara's trustingness with your paranoia. Atomising someone based on a vague suspicion that they might carry hidden weapons? How about giving them a chance to disarm, if they indeed were weapons, of which you aren't even sure?"
She turned back to Tara. "We do have non-powerful taboos regarding turning into someone else's preferred forms – people generally have two forms they usually turn into. Only very competent shapeshifters are able to turn into more forms than some of their basic pre-defined ones that they are born with, and those who are able to impersonate someone else don't do it for fun. Moreover, impersonating someone else to gain something is punishable by torture and death, so it usually isn't done for those reasons.
There is a lot of etiquette governing the use of forms depending on the form others have taken. Our religion is based on direct communication with the god, who doesn't care about these matters, as far as I know. It's a subject matter for some mythological and mystical theories, though. The creation myths say that the noble families are direct descendants of gods. The only ones capable of free-form shapeshifting are nobles, so it would make sense.
So, to sum it up, it's not a question of laws, but power and ability – irk someone with a lot of power and die, but most aren't able to do that, having only several forms available. There aren't any forbidden shapes, with the exception of impersonation.
I have two natural forms. This one is very close to one of them." She gave Tara a wry smile. "Since our friend here doesn't have the resources to atomise me, I can show it to you, providing that you'll understand that I look significantly more scary, but won't hurt you."
She turned back to Tara. "We do have non-powerful taboos regarding turning into someone else's preferred forms – people generally have two forms they usually turn into. Only very competent shapeshifters are able to turn into more forms than some of their basic pre-defined ones that they are born with, and those who are able to impersonate someone else don't do it for fun. Moreover, impersonating someone else to gain something is punishable by torture and death, so it usually isn't done for those reasons.
There is a lot of etiquette governing the use of forms depending on the form others have taken. Our religion is based on direct communication with the god, who doesn't care about these matters, as far as I know. It's a subject matter for some mythological and mystical theories, though. The creation myths say that the noble families are direct descendants of gods. The only ones capable of free-form shapeshifting are nobles, so it would make sense.
So, to sum it up, it's not a question of laws, but power and ability – irk someone with a lot of power and die, but most aren't able to do that, having only several forms available. There aren't any forbidden shapes, with the exception of impersonation.
I have two natural forms. This one is very close to one of them." She gave Tara a wry smile. "Since our friend here doesn't have the resources to atomise me, I can show it to you, providing that you'll understand that I look significantly more scary, but won't hurt you."
Tara seemed to absorb this and smiled widely, "I don't scare easy, Catrin, so please, show me your form, if you want to of course." Tara had an eager, curious smile on her ace.
The AI sounded slightly irritated when he answered Catrin's disapproving question, "I have learned over the centuries that it is better to be overly paranoid than sorry. I can recall no less than six occasions when such actions have saved the lives of at least the crew of a warship and, on one notable occasion, the lives of every sapient creature in three entire warfleets. And that was just in my days as warship AI." The AI then added, "During my service with Tara, that same 'paranoia' as you call it has saved her life at least once."
Tara sighed and frowned slightly, "Yes... well... I'm thankful that you are here to look after me, but sometimes you do take it to extremes."
The AI sounded slightly irritated when he answered Catrin's disapproving question, "I have learned over the centuries that it is better to be overly paranoid than sorry. I can recall no less than six occasions when such actions have saved the lives of at least the crew of a warship and, on one notable occasion, the lives of every sapient creature in three entire warfleets. And that was just in my days as warship AI." The AI then added, "During my service with Tara, that same 'paranoia' as you call it has saved her life at least once."
Tara sighed and frowned slightly, "Yes... well... I'm thankful that you are here to look after me, but sometimes you do take it to extremes."
Catrin pressed her lips together. "Well, there's a distinct possibility that atomising me, or actually even disposing of my body in a star – basically anything that would significantly alter the atomic structure of some of the things that I'm wearing, and which you haven't detected – might as well destroy this whole universe and produce a wave that would take many others with them." She was sounding slightly annoyed, then she cleared her throat and spoke in a more pragmatic tone of voice. "You're behaving like you only have two options – do nothing or outright kill someone. Usually, there are more options, you know."
She got up, nearly rolling her eyes. "I'd better step away a little in case he decides I'm a threat and encases me in the hull or something creative along the lines of that," she told Tara, and went to the far end of the room. She took off her clothes and dropped them on her way, and as she stood naked, she started to grow, her torso changed shape, her skin started growing thick scales, her head was suddenly bald and scaly, her legs becoming stronger, more muscular, and endowed with sharp claws. When she turned arond to face Tara after a couple of minutes, she was close to two meters tall, scaled like a dragon would be. Her scales had a slight golden-red sheen. Her hands looked strong, they had sharp claws and looked like weapons, and some protrusions on her elbows, knees and several other places also looked rather sharp and designed to hurt in a fight. Below fiery red eyes, a pair of fangs was protruding from her mouth. No sexual organs were visible.
She spoke in a deep voice. "There. Etiquette dictates that we use human form when someone in the company uses it – I think it's obvious why." Tara might be able to detect traces of irony in her voice. If the AI was scanning her throughout, he might have detected a surge of energy being drawn from the universe through the rings on Catrin's left ring finger – which actually shapeshifted with Catrin to accomodate for the size change, so that might be noticeable, too.
She got up, nearly rolling her eyes. "I'd better step away a little in case he decides I'm a threat and encases me in the hull or something creative along the lines of that," she told Tara, and went to the far end of the room. She took off her clothes and dropped them on her way, and as she stood naked, she started to grow, her torso changed shape, her skin started growing thick scales, her head was suddenly bald and scaly, her legs becoming stronger, more muscular, and endowed with sharp claws. When she turned arond to face Tara after a couple of minutes, she was close to two meters tall, scaled like a dragon would be. Her scales had a slight golden-red sheen. Her hands looked strong, they had sharp claws and looked like weapons, and some protrusions on her elbows, knees and several other places also looked rather sharp and designed to hurt in a fight. Below fiery red eyes, a pair of fangs was protruding from her mouth. No sexual organs were visible.
She spoke in a deep voice. "There. Etiquette dictates that we use human form when someone in the company uses it – I think it's obvious why." Tara might be able to detect traces of irony in her voice. If the AI was scanning her throughout, he might have detected a surge of energy being drawn from the universe through the rings on Catrin's left ring finger – which actually shapeshifted with Catrin to accomodate for the size change, so that might be noticeable, too.
Before she changed, the AI managed to retort, "There may be more options, but my outstanding orders in wartime are to kill anyone attempting to threaten, subvert or in any other way interfere with a military vessel, and when it comes to Tara... well... I think I revert to my old mindset on such occasions. Some of the cultures she has studies have... less than savory attitudes towards lone females who appear to be defenseless."
After her change, Tara didn't seem at all fazed, she simply said, "How curious." Then again, she'd seen far stranger, and far scarier creatures in her travels across the galaxy.
The AI, meanwhile, sounded quite surprised, "Well... that certainly increases my threat estimate on you considerably, Miss Catrin. That form is rather intimidating." It then paused, "Hm, my sensors detected an energy spike localized on your left hand. Do you have a hidden device located there?"
After her change, Tara didn't seem at all fazed, she simply said, "How curious." Then again, she'd seen far stranger, and far scarier creatures in her travels across the galaxy.
The AI, meanwhile, sounded quite surprised, "Well... that certainly increases my threat estimate on you considerably, Miss Catrin. That form is rather intimidating." It then paused, "Hm, my sensors detected an energy spike localized on your left hand. Do you have a hidden device located there?"
Catrin smiled at Tara's comment, giving her a full view of needle-sharp teeth, then she turned to the AI and frowned slightly, which would make her seem much more menacing. "I can undestand that, just don't do anything irreversible, for goodness sake." Speaking with fangs protruding from her mouth didn't seem to be causing her problems. She paused for a moment. "And yes, I do. It is completely inert when inactive, though, and I wouldn't need the energy if there was enough organic material around to absorb, which there isn't."
She turned to Tara. "This was the basic form. While I'm at it..." she turned around again and her claws and fangs became duller, to the point where she could touch someone without hurting them. Some of the more combat-oriented aspects of her forms were melting away and a pair of wings started growing from her back. The transformation was done in a minute. When she turned towards Tara, nothing was protruding from her mouth, and her appearance was friendlier. She tried flapping the wings and they gave out a loud sound.
She turned to Tara. "This was the basic form. While I'm at it..." she turned around again and her claws and fangs became duller, to the point where she could touch someone without hurting them. Some of the more combat-oriented aspects of her forms were melting away and a pair of wings started growing from her back. The transformation was done in a minute. When she turned towards Tara, nothing was protruding from her mouth, and her appearance was friendlier. She tried flapping the wings and they gave out a loud sound.
Tara had fascinated look on her face, "I've heard stories of shapeshifters, tales of powerful mages back home in ancient days, but if they were ever real they're long extinct now... and there aren't any creatures in the Known Galaxy capable of such a complete transformation as that."
"Most interesting... so you can absorb organic matter to fuel the shape-changing process? Hm, I think it is safe to say that you are the most unique individual I have ever encountered, or at least the most unique individual whose data is still stored in my memory substrate." The AI said.
Tara shook her head, "Well, it's safe to say that if anyone back home caught wind of half of what I've seen of you, then half of all the academics in the galaxy would be mobbing me for my data and analysis."
"And the other half would be trying to kidnap you so they can publish their own findings first." The AI said dryly.
"Most interesting... so you can absorb organic matter to fuel the shape-changing process? Hm, I think it is safe to say that you are the most unique individual I have ever encountered, or at least the most unique individual whose data is still stored in my memory substrate." The AI said.
Tara shook her head, "Well, it's safe to say that if anyone back home caught wind of half of what I've seen of you, then half of all the academics in the galaxy would be mobbing me for my data and analysis."
"And the other half would be trying to kidnap you so they can publish their own findings first." The AI said dryly.
Catrin gave Tara a merry smile when she saw how fascinated she seemed, then she turned to the AI. "The organic matter is for mass conservation purposes. The energy required for the change is negligible. And thank you – I suppose I'll take that as a compliment." She smirked at Tara's comment, and started to change back to her human form. When she was done, she smirked at a nearby wall. "In the name of science, right? Probes and things like that..." She shuddered.
On her way back to Tara, she collected her clothes. Before she put her shirt back on, she turned to a wall. "Since you don't like concealed weapons..." A leather holster appeared on her left forearm. It was fastened to it using two straps. There were three short black throwing knives in it. She touched the holster and it disappeared again, then she ran the edge of her right palm along the forearm, pressing hard. It was obvious there wasn't anything there. She pressed her forearm against the wall. Again, it would seem like, well, forearm, not leather, metal, leather and forearm. “Currently, it's not for concealment purposes, it's because it's much more comfortable like this.” She raised her eyebrows. “Satisfied?”
On her way back to Tara, she collected her clothes. Before she put her shirt back on, she turned to a wall. "Since you don't like concealed weapons..." A leather holster appeared on her left forearm. It was fastened to it using two straps. There were three short black throwing knives in it. She touched the holster and it disappeared again, then she ran the edge of her right palm along the forearm, pressing hard. It was obvious there wasn't anything there. She pressed her forearm against the wall. Again, it would seem like, well, forearm, not leather, metal, leather and forearm. “Currently, it's not for concealment purposes, it's because it's much more comfortable like this.” She raised her eyebrows. “Satisfied?”
Tara smiled, "Thanks, but you didn't have to. I, at least, can trust you enough not to stab me in my sleep."
"Mistress.. please be reasonable." The AI sounded pained, "I know he's no going to hurt you, but it's better to be safe than sorry. What would I do if you got killed all the way out here? I do not want to be the one to tell your parents that their only surviving child is dead. Besides, not only would it break your parents' hearts, and mine too if I had one, but I'd also like to avoid having my substrate slowly, but agonizingly, torn to pieces by your father over the course of several decades."
"Yes, yes. You're scared of my father, just like every other male in my life it seems." She said it almost wistfully, but there was an amused edge to it.
"He's on a first-name basis with Lord-Admiral Sritar Morlan. You can understand the justifiable terror of my males when they learn that." The AI said, "I mean, not only he is the commander of the single largest warfleet in the Known Galaxy, but he's also the fourth most powerful man in the Kingdom."
"Pft, cowards." She said with a shake of her head.
"Mistress.. please be reasonable." The AI sounded pained, "I know he's no going to hurt you, but it's better to be safe than sorry. What would I do if you got killed all the way out here? I do not want to be the one to tell your parents that their only surviving child is dead. Besides, not only would it break your parents' hearts, and mine too if I had one, but I'd also like to avoid having my substrate slowly, but agonizingly, torn to pieces by your father over the course of several decades."
"Yes, yes. You're scared of my father, just like every other male in my life it seems." She said it almost wistfully, but there was an amused edge to it.
"He's on a first-name basis with Lord-Admiral Sritar Morlan. You can understand the justifiable terror of my males when they learn that." The AI said, "I mean, not only he is the commander of the single largest warfleet in the Known Galaxy, but he's also the fourth most powerful man in the Kingdom."
"Pft, cowards." She said with a shake of her head.
Catrin put her shirt on in the meantime, smirking. She sat back down with Tara, and chuckled at the 'cowards' comment, then she cleared her throat. “Actually, the AI dislikes people with hidden weapons, or so he says. There's no way I can unhide them and wear this shirt at the same time,” she glanced at the very tight sleeve under which nothing like that would fit, then she frowned. “And I don't stab people in their sleep, anyway.”
Tara nodded, "Well then, that's all sorted then, right?"
"Indeed Mistress." The AI said, "I did not mean to imply any foul play on the part of Miss Catrin, but I very much dislike surprises. In my long existence I've found surprises come in two forms; the merely irritating or the life-threatening. I have had far too many of the latter to find the prospect of yet another a pleasant thought."
"Bah! You're just paranoid." Tara said, "How long until we reach the gas giant?"
"Approximately twenty minutes, galactic standard." The AI said, "I could get us there faster, but I'd have to start jettisoning excess mass and converting parts of the ship into engine."
"Twenty minutes is perfectly fine, thank you." Tara said, "The last time you did that I lost my priceless collection of replica Xin'Ta'Faxi Pre-Unification idols, and I had to sleep in the cockpit for three days straight."
"If you hadn't insulted the local megalomanical despot, or let me install some defenses on this damned ship I wouldn't have had to turn tail and run like that, would I?" The AI said irritably, "Honestly, I don't understand why you won't let me at least install a medium shield array and a few MDAs."
"Because I'm a scientists, and this is a civilian stellar yacht. Not a Gods-damned warship!" Tara replied, "And I'm not letting you turn it into one so you can go fantasize about being in a damned cruiser again!"
"Indeed Mistress." The AI said, "I did not mean to imply any foul play on the part of Miss Catrin, but I very much dislike surprises. In my long existence I've found surprises come in two forms; the merely irritating or the life-threatening. I have had far too many of the latter to find the prospect of yet another a pleasant thought."
"Bah! You're just paranoid." Tara said, "How long until we reach the gas giant?"
"Approximately twenty minutes, galactic standard." The AI said, "I could get us there faster, but I'd have to start jettisoning excess mass and converting parts of the ship into engine."
"Twenty minutes is perfectly fine, thank you." Tara said, "The last time you did that I lost my priceless collection of replica Xin'Ta'Faxi Pre-Unification idols, and I had to sleep in the cockpit for three days straight."
"If you hadn't insulted the local megalomanical despot, or let me install some defenses on this damned ship I wouldn't have had to turn tail and run like that, would I?" The AI said irritably, "Honestly, I don't understand why you won't let me at least install a medium shield array and a few MDAs."
"Because I'm a scientists, and this is a civilian stellar yacht. Not a Gods-damned warship!" Tara replied, "And I'm not letting you turn it into one so you can go fantasize about being in a damned cruiser again!"
Catrin smiled. “Well, I don't have any passive life-threatening surprises, just the irritating kind... unless you're a scientist, of course. Then whatever the actual consequences of the surprise, it's valuable data.” She winked at Tara.
Then she listened to their conversation and had to bite her fist not to burst out laughing. When she had calmed down enough to be able to speak, she addressed Tara again. “Do you have any more questions about the shapeshifting?”
Then she listened to their conversation and had to bite her fist not to burst out laughing. When she had calmed down enough to be able to speak, she addressed Tara again. “Do you have any more questions about the shapeshifting?”
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