Metallic Dreams of Hammers and Sickles

[Shagohad]

The rounds of Zvezdny were boring and losing their luster. After the first tour, the station lost its allure, its magic. Now it was just another series of tubes and factories in a rather large rock. Kalishnakov's, on the other hand, had more life to it. Viatcheslov always looked forward to its meetings with Lieutenant Julio. It was the only time for human interaction with something that actually wanted to be with it.

After a few minutes of waiting Julio walked in through one of the doors. He raised his hand to the marines that had been milling around nearby, who immediately untensed and wandered off to find their friends and partners in the scrum around the bar. Hola Viatcheslav. Hows things?

The machine looked up and its voice had rather cheery edge to it, "With the marines gone, I feel more free. I hate being followed around and treated as a threat. But what must be done, must be done." It chuckled slightly. "Care to sit with me?"

Sure. The lieutenant seated himself. So, you really dont like the marines, huh? He glanced over to where one of the burly slabs of muscle was imposing himself on a young female deck technician. The marines were renown for their lack of tact and intelligence. Not to mention the abundance of testosterone that often led to mindless violence. Infamous for it, in fact.

Viatcheslav followed the Lieutenants gaze and chuckled. That should be considered illegal. Shall we take bets on whether or not she hits him? It chuckled again. And no, I am not very fond of them. At all, to be exact. Imagine being imprisoned, yet you are free at the same time. I am not trusted and I realize this. These marines, on the other hand are a bit excessive. My hull is already rigged to explode should I do something bad. At least two megatons of nuclear ordinance should be enough to do it. The machine would be smiling if it could, its voice hinting at it.

The light humour surprised him. If hed had a bomb sutured into his chest cavity, he probably wouldnt have been able to manage it. Yeah, I agree with you about him, he said jerking his head at the marine. And Id wager she wouldnt. Those animals dont have the self restraint not to tear her in half. He settled back into his usual chair. So, what have you been up to since I last saw you?

I met a deck-hand today. He seemed a bit skittish. Nicholas was his name. The marines just laughed at him as he dropped his tools. I found that very cruel and rather the opposite of what the Coalition stood for, so I helped him. You should have seen the look on his face. Thought he might have shoved me away or punched me, The machine paused, taking a shot glass and twirling it in the manner it was shown, He seemed like a rather troubled man. But you already know about them, no? It looked to the glass. Would it be too bold of me to ask what you did when you were free of my presence?

I visited a friend, he said was a small smile. The faint laughter in his eyes indicated that wasnt exactly the entire truth. As a matter of a fact, hes fairly enthusiastic about meeting you, but Id be afraid hed try to dissect you or something. Internally he checked himself. Hed meant to say take apart. You cant dissect a robot. And I see youve got the shot glass trick down. Well done. Then he leaned forward slightly, almost conspiringly. What are you like at counting?

The machine looked up at him, tilting its head in a quizzical manner. I am a mathematical genius. I can count to very large exponential numbers in a matter of nanoseconds. Why do you ask...? A broad grin spread across Julios face.

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"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THE SCIENCE IS LEAKING OUT!"