Two weeks out from Kepler Station

Unknown location 0600 Standard Time Zone

The sounds of thumping printers reverberated through my bones.

I groaned and lay there staring at the ceiling. I'd barely slept, again. The sound of the Faulkner's printers working through the night meant progress, but the rhythm was off. Ashley's schematics for the gel-skim plates were taking shape we stripped 150 tons of legacy baffles and replaced them with 6 tons of aerogel-reinforced nano-lattice. The same stiffness, but a fraction of the mass.

We'd barely had the necessary components but taking apart a few other non-essential parts to the ship had given us just enough.

<<They're doing everything they can to protect us,>> Lia said.

"I know," I replied and I dressed quick, heading to our new tech lab with fresh coffee in hand. No sooner had I entered the room did Dr. Martinez looked up at me with a smile despite her own exhaustion. These last two weeks had been fraught with late night meetings and decisions.

She waved me over. "You need to see this."

I did my best to look as enthusiastic as she did and headed over. On a 3D screen between us, neural pathway models rotated, the data streams flowing like liquid. It was fascinating to see, more so because Lia was analyzing it in my head as we both stared. .

I settled into a creaky chair, promptly stood, got some lubricant and fixed it. "Show me."

"Major Kuba wasn't just documenting and working with Lia, she's been actively mapping consciousness theory without realizing it," Martinez said, manipulating the hologram with practiced movements. "See these pathways." The model expanded, showing intricate networks that spanned the brain. "She mapped every possible route her equipment could target, including redundant pathways I'd completely missed."

<<A doctor who can admit mistakes, fascinating.>>

"Why was Ashley, sorry Major Kuba doing that kind of work, though?"

"It makes perfect sense, because her AI integration tech needed it."

Elena moved in beside us, coffee cup trembling slightly in her grip. "You good?" I motioned to her hand.

"I'm good, just like all of us, running on fumes."

It was true, we were all exhausted, and it showed, even alongside this new excitement. Elena picked an image and zoomed in for us. "Our traditional nanites work linearly. They find the damage, then repair damage. But this..." She gestured again, and the display shifted. "Major Kuba designed a protective mesh that forms around critical junctions before any damage occurs."

"What are you saying, this is—"

"Better than your protection protocols," Dr. Martinez then added. "Sorry, Lia."

"No offence taken," Lia replied.

"Hang on, hang on. Before we get too excited," I held up a hand to stop everyone in their tracks. "Better how? What are the differences? The risks? You need to give me need the full picture here."

Dr. Martinez pulled up comparative data and I scanned down the list. We were vastly different as people, but here, things got seriously more interesting

"Your current nanites provide about 60% protection against consciousness extraction. See this, with Major Kuba's design it pushes that to 82% effectiveness."

<< Neural Integration 92%, Coherence 97%, Cognitive Load 76% — within safe envelope. >>

"Look at the other highlighted effects though," I pointed to several areas.

"But that's more than a significant improvement," Lia said, her form materializing beside us. She flickered noticeably as she spoke, her processing lights dimming intermittently. "Worth it?"

"There are some things we need to discuss."

My stomach twisted at her words. "Such as?"

"Power requirements," Pavel interrupted, looking up from his engineering tablet. At fourteen, he'd been shadowing our new engineer and clearly understood the implications of what they'd all been talking about.

"What?" Dr. Martinez asked.

"Mom," that was the typical teenage drawl I expected. "I keep telling you the power requirements for full deployment on this are staggering. Do we have the reactor capacity for it?"

"More importantly," Elena said, her voice carrying concern, "there are some neural interface effects we need to explain before you even think about it on that level."

The room dipped several degrees, and I shivered. Lia did the same. "What kind of effects?"

Dr. Martinez's expression changed. Could she look more serious? "We believe the enhanced nanites will have a lasting effect on specific neural interfaces. They integrate deeper and interact very different with existing brain chemistry than the original design."

I thought about her words for a moment. "You're talking about dangerous effects, right?"

"We've tried running several scenarios. We just can't predict it, not yet. Major Kuba's research was thorough, she left nothing out. Especially when it came to Doli/Lia. This suggests the integration is beneficial long-term, but the transition period will be... challenging."

"Challenging how?"

Elena looked to her tablet. "The nanites will essentially rewire certain neural pathways to create permanent resistance to consciousness extraction. But during the integration phase there will be several stages, disorientation, memory fluctuations, temporary cognitive disruption."

This wasn't good overall news. "How long is temporary?"

"Major Kuba's projections suggest anywhere from hours to several days, depending on individual neural architecture."

"Specific neural interfaces…" I looked at Lia. "Bonded AIs, like us?"

"My best guess…" she started

"You don't guess," I warned, then felt bad. "Just tell us the truth."

"Well, looking at the details, we'll be in no mans land," she admitted. "The interaction between Ashley's adaptive nanites and our existing consciousness protection protocols is theoretically beneficial, but untested."

She knew what she was saying, so did I. "We'd be the ultimate guinea pig?"

Dr. Martinez and Lia nodded. "We're talking about the difference between 60% protection and 82% protection against consciousness extraction," Dr. Martinez said. "Given what we're facing with Commissioner Ranger..."

The lab door slid open, and Commander Torres entered. I noted her speak with marines who then maintained watchful positions outside as she headed over. The Faulkner had become something between a civilian vessel and a military asset, and I wasn't sure I liked it.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"We're experiencing a few issues across your new crew with security," she said, pulling up a tactical display on her portable unit. "But more importantly, we've been watching out there. I believe Commissioner Ranger will have followed us, rather than head to Braker territory. My timeline analysis suggests he could intercept us within the next forty-eight to seventy-two hours."

"How many ships did he escape with, can't be a full fleet right?"

"We confirmed with Crai before she left Kepler. He has six ships."

"War ships?" Lia asked.

"Sadly, yes. Not Brakers best force, but pitted against us, we're vastly underpowered."

"Add in if they've kept developing mobile consciousness extraction capabilities..." Dr. Martinez said.

Lia's projection flickered violently. "I've also been monitoring long-range sensors. There are... anomalies in local space traffic patterns that suggest there is coordinated movement."

"What kind of anomalies?" I had to ask.

"There are ships maintaining formation while appearing to follow independent commercial routes. Communication patterns consistent with military coordination. And..." She paused, her form stabilizing with visible effort. "Quantum signature analysis suggests at least three vessels equipped with consciousness extraction arrays."

The silence that followed was deafening.

She wasn't finished though; she let it sink in and added. "Their coordination patterns are more like someone directing multiple approaches not just standard fleet operations. It feels familiar because it is."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"So, the question becomes," I said, looking around the room, "do we risk experimental nanite integration now, or face Ranger's forces with lower protection?"

"What would happen if the extraction hit during the integration phase?" Katya asked.

Elena cast her a glare, but I held a hand up. "They're questions we all need to think about. Your kids are smart, let them be the voices we need."

Katya put her hand to her chest. "Thank you. Been telling dad that for months."

"Again its an unknown," Dr. Martinez admitted. "The nanites might provide partial protection, or the integration process might make you more vulnerable temporarily."

"But if we don't upgrade our protection," Elena said, "and Ranger deploys extraction weapons..."

"You have about ninety seconds before the crews effectiveness drops to zero," Torres finished. "Anyone not protected becomes a permanent casualty."

"And one we don't have the capacity to heal. All our tech there went with those from Kepler."

"What else aren't you telling us?" I asked looking to Dr. Martinez.

"Currently our manufacturing rate gives us basic protection for four people in eight hours. Extended protection protocols would require three days."

"How many, right this minute?"

"Not enough," Elena replied, her head low. "We'll prioritized command staff and essential personnel, but—"

"I hope that includes yourselves," I warned.

"We'll be next in line after you three," she said. "We understand our roles here. As much as we want to give it to others. We can't."

"That means, not us." Katya told her brother, though I could see it wasn't needed. Really are smart.

"We don't know when we might encounter Commissioner Ranger again," I finished. "Even if he is out there, and following us. You think he's in the same boat as we are? Not enough tech, or time? They did leave pretty fast."

"From the scans pulled from Captain Crai's ship they had a hell of a fight out there, she might have come home limping but so did they."

"So they needed to repair?"

"Yes," Lia said.

"How long till Sigma-Seven?"

"We're at least two weeks out at full burn, without any issues."

I was praying for no more issues.

"Adding in nanite production… The enhanced nanites require 2x the nutrients, and +70% power capacity," Pavel added, consulting his calculations. "I've been running numbers since they started production yesterday."

"On screen."

The view of his calculations popped up. <<Lia?>>

<<Sadly, his calculations are all correct.>>

"Can we at least make enough to cover this fleet?"

"Possibly," he replied.

"You're sure about the risks?" I asked Dr. Martinez.

"I'm sure the alternative is worse," she bounced back. "Major Kuba designed these knowing we'd face exactly this situation. She wouldn't have included them if she thought they were more dangerous than consciousness extraction."

"Your call, Captain," Torres said. "But whatever we decide, we need to decide fast."

I pulled up a comparative analysis Lia had been running. This data was fascinating but showed how wild the differences could truly be.

I read over it fast.

Metric

Mac

Peyton

Notes

Age / H / W

32 / 6'2" / 180

28 / 5'11" / 165

Athletic builds

Neural Integration

89–90%

92%

Mac high Specialist; Peyton low Elite

AI Interface Capacity

Normal

Enhanced (Lia)

Complex symbiosis

Consciousness Protection

60% → 82% (Projected)

60% → 82% (Projected)

Current → With Kuba mesh (pre-injection)

Cognitive Load Index

65% (Normal)

78% (Elev.)

Peyton processing more data

Nanite Sync Rate

98%

89%

Mac adapted faster

Memory Stability

100%

95%

Peyton minor flux

Reaction Time

+12%

+8%

Neural processing gains

Pattern Recognition

+15%

+22%

AI link amplifies

Consciousness Coherence

100%

97%

Normal fluctuation

Extraction Resistance

60% → 82% (Projected)

60% → 82% (Projected)

Keep consistent with line above

Side Effects

None detected

Mild disorientation

Expected with AI symbiosis

Neural Pathway Density

+8%

+14%

Peyton shows greater remodeling

Processing Efficiency

+10%

+18%

AI symbiosis benefits

Integration Stability

Stable

Adapting

Peyton's system still adjusting

Estimated Full Sync

Complete

4–6 hours

Individual variation normal

Risk Assessment

Minimal

Minimal

Both optimal candidates

The numbers were sobering, and even as much as I'd improved it never seemed enough compared to the elite… Mac.

"We keep testing them." I said. "That also means me."

Dr. Martinez looked relieved. "I was hoping you'd say that."

She moved me to another area in the lab and motioned for me to sit. "According to Major Kuba's notes, there should be minimal discomfort during injection."

"Should be?"

"Mac volunteered for basic testing yesterday. He said it tickled."

Dr. Martinez pulled out an injection gun and vial of silver liquid, inserting it she came at me, rolling my neck to one side.

"Slight pressure," she said.

There was, I never really felt anything after that though I did laugh. "It does tickle. Not in a bad way."

"It really does tickle," Lia added.

Lia moved to stand before me, her head cocked to one side. "This is very different, not quite tickles. But I feel them." She frowned, and her processing lights around her frame dimmed.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Dr. Martinez's face paled. "Lia?"

"The nanites are talking to those we already have. Essentially standing them down from certain areas. The processing load is... quite significant."

"Can you reduce computational intensity," I suggested.

"I don't reduce intensity, Captain." She was grinning. "I optimize efficiency "Besides, Dr. Martinez and Elena require my computational assistance."

Martinez nodded. "Her insight has been valuable this last week. Her neural architecture operates on completely different principles than organic consciousness. She's helping us understand what you both created for human and artificial minds, now with this it will be even more important she's around."

"Nyx and I had some deep conversations," she said. "He confirmed that Braker's equipment affects AIs too, he'd seen it." Lia explained, moving back to the main display. "I believe they would use different attack vectors. But in doing so, they'd still have similar results. It would fragment our core processes, essentially giving us a lobotomy."

Elena's face went pale. "But you already had some form of protection, right?"

"Yes, though it was basic. This research encompassed every form of consciousness Major Kuba and I encountered together." Lia waved a hand. The display changed to show her quantum processing cores. Each were surrounded by tiny nanite barriers. "The same interference patterns that protect neural synapses can shield artificial intelligence matrices."

We watched her as she worked. I noted how intellectual challenges like this stabilized her holographic form for a while. But any emotional processing clearly taxed her systems, and she'd phase in and out. Whatever frameworks Ashley had designed were clearly not working now. We were pushing her vastly beyond her original parameters. I would have to address this at some point, and soon.

"Could you show us a simulation of what would happen inside us if they attacked now?" I asked.

The holographic display transformed, showing a beam of light, what we knew to be consciousness extraction mapping. The beam of light at first penetrated everything, then started to change colour. It targeted our protected mind, pulsating across our whole brain in waves. Nanites formed shifting barriers around critical pathways, the waves were then deflected, and pushed back from the central hub of our mind. The nites pushed further and further out, till the whole of our mind was essentially shielded. The patterns on both sides adapted in real-time, learning and countering each attack vector. But the nanites never gave up, shifting and changing, it was truly something else to witness.

"Fuck," I breathed out. "They're actually learning on both sides. Countering each other. Then altering course and countering again?"

"That's what I meant about Ashley's genius," Lia said quietly, her face flickering with grief. "She understood consciousness isn't just data—it's the pattern of connections between memories, experiences, decisions. Protect the pattern. Protect the person."

I watched the simulation fade, the reality of our situation settling over me. Enhanced protection was impressive, but it meant nothing if we couldn't manufacture enough doses before Ranger found us.

"Captain," Lia started, then stopped.

"We're going to have to make some very tough calls," I said. "But first, let's see what else we can get operational before he arrives." I pulled up Ashley's complete upgrade package on the main display. "What about the gel-skim plates and other ship modifications?"

"Two weeks of implementation, and we've barely scratched the surface." Lia said. "We're not made for production on this scale."

"Even with the other ships?"

"Even with the other ships," she said. "Fabricators on all of them are working 24/7. We're watching them to prevent meltdown, but we're pushing all of them."

"Pavel," I said. "You've been shadowing our engineers, what's your assessment of the rotor-radiator sleeve installation?"

He consulted his tablet with the seriousness of a seasoned engineer and I liked that. Kid had spunk. "The collapsible graphite-foam ring is fabricated and ready for deployment. Mac says it'll let our engines run five percent hotter in stealth mode, but the deployment mechanism will still need extensive testing."

"And what are the risk factors?"

Pavel seemed to stall and I could see his mind working.

"The mechanical systems might jam," Katya added for him. "Mac's worried about any maintenance requirements when we're under combat stress, and I agree it could cause problems."

"And the smart injector nozzles?"

"Tungsten-hafnium venturis are printing now," Pavel reported. "Lia's been running optimization protocols for the shape-memory micro-ribs."

"Installation should improve exhaust velocity by seven percent." Katya added. They team. I couldn't help but be impressed.

"They will still need weekly calibration," Lia's form flickered violently now, her voice distorting and I instantly worried. "And if we pick up any contaminated fuel pellets, it could cause severe clogging. Especially given our current fuel mixture..."

<<Are you okay?>>

<<Feeling a little strange,>> she admitted and then she vanished. The teens exchanged a look.

"She's okay," I reassured them, but looked to Dr. Martinez and indicated the scanner.

"Torres, what about weapons upgrades?"

Dr. Martinez and I moved away from that conversation while Torres consulted her tactical display. "Shear-lance capacitor swap is complete. Graphene super-rings are installed and tested. Rate of fire increased by forty percent, though heat dissipation requires the rotor-radiator system Major Kuba designed."

"What about phaser modifications?"

"We have a triple-pulse modification ready and coded. Lia programmed the burst cycle to give a point-three-second gap. It should crack armor, then give the main beam time to penetrate. That alone should increase its effectiveness against composite hulls by twenty-five percent."

That sounded really decent. These small changes were making a difference. One by one.

Dr. Martinez finished her scan, and was shaking her head at me.

"Bad?"

"The nanites are integrating faster then I thought, your neural activity is reaching beyond safe parameters. I suspect Lia's processing is overloaded, the equivalent of exhausted with the new nites. I'm going to order you back to your bunk."

"Seriously?"

She closed off her scan results as I tried to pull them to me. "Doctors orders, yes."

"Last set of questions and I'll leave. "What about the medical upgrades? The auto-doc DaVinci system?"

"We have a six-axis micro-surgery frame installed," Elena said. "Lia's been integrating real-time nanite dosage protocols. Trauma survival rates should improve by sixty-five percent, with healing times reduced by six hours."

"And the neural-regeneration tank?"

"Repurposed cryo-pod is ready for testing," Dr. Martinez smiled, we've moved quite fast considering, right?"

"You have," I nodded. "I'm glad. We needed all of this."

"Now, bunk." Dr. Martinez chided.

The teens started laughing. "Sounds like our mom." Pavel said, then looked shy as his mom glared at them. "Electroporative grid is printed and installed. If we encounter consciousness extraction victims, we can attempt cranial tissue regrowth over four days."

I did however move to the door. "I'll see you in a few hours, do wake me if there's anything serious."

They were nodding, but Lia added. <<You know they won't.>>

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.