Test run for yeerk drone vehicles: one

[screamsofstars]

Comments

[screamsofstars]

"It doesn't hurt to mesh with other races in the fuel department." Starscream smiles thinly. "And we aren't 'artificial' anything."

[in_the_cracks]

"No." Five looks at its hands. "This all seems real enough."

For a strange dream.

[screamsofstars]

"And that is only materials and technology that are available in your own time and place, save for the sensory nest. Are you always a little weak with manual dexterity?"

Compared to her own body the drone shell is AI.

[in_the_cracks]

It nods slowly, looking up. "Some traits stay constant through all hosts to a degree. But I'm better at some other things," Five adds. Evaluations proved it so!

[screamsofstars]

Starscream nods as well, accepting this. "Ah. So long as it isn't a problem of the shell. That's alright, then."

[in_the_cracks]

Five shoots her a slow look. Starscream's interest really does seem to be purely scientific. "It feels very close to the real thing. You know human physiology well."

[screamsofstars]

The Transformer scientist is aware of the look, though she seems totally oblivious to it. She finishes scrawling notes on her data pad, and then subspaces it and holds out a hand toward a drone. "I've been closely associated with them for centuries. Did Dallesh ever succeed in fueling it?"

[in_the_cracks]

"Not really." Five frowns, realising that she'll end up running on empty soon. No Yeerk likes that. "How are you associated with them?" she asks, pressing on boldly.

[screamsofstars]

A package is taken from the drone and passed her way as Starscream takes out her scanner again to monitor the fueling process. "Our two races have worked together in symbiosis for centuries."

[in_the_cracks]

Five turns the package over, frowning, then attempts to open it when it doesn't explode. "Symbiosis?"

[screamsofstars]

There are triangular rice chips in there, covered with a dusting of a delightfully tangy powder.

"Partnership. It began before we left the old galaxy."

[in_the_cracks]

Five almost wonders at the fact that she's in a robot body eating food, but hunger (or rather, fear of hunger) has her munching away in seconds. "Ah, you're allies?"

[screamsofstars]

"I suppose that word would fit." Starscream considers the shell's reaction to the food. "Hmmm, I'll be making adjustments. It might feel odd."

[in_the_cracks]

Five just nods and lets her at it, mulling over what and who she's going to have to tell as soon as they get away.

And meanwhile, Three's stuffed himself to bursting point and is just watching the soap (there have been two explosions and a death so far: he's hooked). Dallesh has just realised it took a wrong turn in following the diagram and is undoing the last couple of steps.