the enforcers?"
"We are doing our duty to the Overseers as we understand our priorities to be."
"Say that again?"
"We recognize your authority as an Overseer based on the computer's commands and impressions. We are here to assist as we can."
"Well that sounds like an excellent way to throw your lives away."
"We do not fall under the jurisdiction of Overseer law. If there is anyone who will suffer for this, it is the manufacturers of the computer. They will be summoned to pay penance for their malfunctioning creation."
"You seem to be awfully self-aware for someone who doesn't have to pay for his own crimes."
"I am following the orders of, what has been programmed into me as, my superior. I will not be held accountable for this. But, if the manufacturers are condemned for this breach in protocol, then all machines created in their name will be subject to immediate review and reprogramming or termination."
"What if your original manufacturers are dead?"
"Then there is no one to step in and stand accountable for the actions of their creations except the creations themselves. In this case though, there are those who can stand trial for our actions and the actions of the computer."
Jenn shrugged, clearly bored with this conversation.
Ricky continued anyway. "They will certainly be allowed to continue as our breach in protocol has been minor thus far. However, they will most likely be required to review the 'malfunctioning' systems for errors in the registry." Ricky seemed to laugh to himself. "They will find no errors. The computer was following its priorities perfectly."
"That sounds good." Jenn said absentmindedly. Seven had started to move. "I think Seven is waking up."
"Crystal, assist Seven." Ricky said.
Crystal stood without a word and came to crouch next to Seven's body. "We need to set her down in a more comfortable position. She will be okay as long as allow her to rest." Crystal put her arms beneath Seven's shoulders and her knees. She picked her up. "Jenn, stand please."
Jenn stood up. When she looked down, the benches had shifted into a sleeping platform. Crystal put Seven down carefully as the surface welled up to support her body.
"Where am I supposed to sit?" Jenn said, throwing her arms up in the air.
"There is a new row of seats right there." Crystal said, pointing to the other wall. "Just lay down if you want to sleep. The platform will do the rest."
Jenn ignored the pun and laid down on the seats straight away. "Whatever. Wake me up when we get wherever we're going."
"I will alert you once we are orbiting the planet." Risky said.
Jenn waved and fell back against the molded surface. She closed her eyes and listened as Seven's breathing slowly started to build until she sounded to be about normal.
Jenn heard Seven speak. "Ricky, where are we?"
"We're on our way to speak with the defectors." Ricky responded.
"Is it the right time?"
"There is no better time than the present. If you wish to postpone this meeting, perhaps it would be best to say so now. Once the Overseers are aware of our destination, they will no longer accept our apologies."
Seven was silent for a moment. "What if we claim to be neutral? Won't that stop the Overseers from passing judgment? We can claim third party sympathies. That can't possibly give them jurisdiction over us."
"You are aware that the Overseers see no difference between parties. If anything, they will pass judgment without your consent."
"Then I will pass my own judgment when they drag my corpse through their halls. In fact, I will let the universe know of their actions in deliberately incarcerating the innocent and the ignorant. I'm tired of their crusade."
"There is nothing you can do. They will act as if your case were just, pass you through, and give you what you want. To stand up to them will lead to action. Is that not what you desire perhaps? Speak and they will listen. Your arguments are valid. All that must be done is to confront the issue as you are aware of it and broaden the minds of those who pass judgment. It is a simple process."
"But it is a process without feeling."
"Is that all you want? You want to 'feel' as though you have won this fight? In these circumstances it would be wise to seek other rewards than stimulating sensations."
"They took Dale from me and condemned me to rot in misery. I want them to feel what I felt so they can no longer say they have the right to treat us this way."
"Tell them these things. They may be open to negotiation."
"I'm tired of negotiations. Just find Dale and let him free. That's all I want. I'm sick of all the political niceties." Seven's head thumped against the padding. Jenn guessed she'd sat up in the excitement.
"They've stated they can't allow him to be set free. His opinions and experiences would cave in the world they have created." Ricky said.
"The organics were right to usurp them. Even I have sentiments for the rash emotions of the natural born right now."
"Tell them these things. Let them see how you feel. They will listen."
"That doesn't mean I want them to."
Jenn sighed out loud. "Seven, you sound like a spoiled child who's spilled her milk. Get over it."
"What gives you the right to tell me to get over it?" Seven reproached.
"I've been in someone else's mad house for more than seven centuries, and I know I've been mentioning this to like every person I meet but, that's a long time to get over things." Jenn opened her eyes and glanced over at Seven. She was sitting up, her eyes glowering. "I can see you've only been around for a blink of that time. You carry yourself like come kind of crusader with a pity pouch around your neck. Honestly, in my opinion, the only thing you need is a rude awakening. This is the real world, not some fantasy you control. And, no matter how much you may know, the only thing that'll get you anywhere is experience. Get the experience and you'll get what you want. Just don't cry when the world doesn't lend itself to your every whim. Got it?"
Seven didn't say anything.
"Whatever." Jenn said. "I'm tired of talking at you. Just don’t blame me when you end up somewhere you hate more than death." She turned over and closed her thoughts. There was some babble from behind her, but she let it slide until she felt the peaceful humming of the ship lull her to sleep.
"Sir, there's an unidentified vessel heading this way."
"From what direction?"
"It's coming from the outer edge of Overseer space."
A tall man wearing a gray uniform leaned against the viewport of the station. The ship he was seeing was black. He tried scanning it using the window’s display surface. Nothing came up.
"Do you have any kind of distinguishing information about this craft?" He asked the man who'd first approached him.
"No. However, it seems to be an older design. A much older design by the way it flies."
"Can you get a clear grip on its location with your scanners?"
"No, everything we're throwing at it just goes right through. We're only seeing it because it's within direct line of sight."
"Send a boarding crew out to assess."
"Yes sir." The second man said, turning to leave.
"This might just get interesting." The tall, uniformed man said. He turned as well and made his way to a higher deck until he stood at the helm of the ship. Several officers looked to him for instructions but turned back when it was obvious he was waiting for the boarding crew to intercept the unknown craft.
"Captain, the ship has been boarded. What are your orders sir?" An officer said.
"Seek the crew's intent. I want to know why they're here."
"Yes sir." The officer punched in a code on an invisible keypad. "The ship is returning and will be positioned in the quarantine bay."
"Good. I'm going down to investigate. Keep our course steady. I want our ship within sight of the Overseer's control station as soon as possible."
"Yes sir."
The captain nodded and m
ade his way back down to the docking level where the ship was being held.
As he finished the last flight of steps, he was scanned and then allowed access to the quarantine area. The door slid open and he was met by the boarding crew and the occupants of the stealth craft; two robots and a pair of women.
"What were these people doing aboard this ship?" The captain asked the captain of the boarding crew.
"They were on the run from the enforcers’ sir. They claim to be defecting."
"Defecting to us?"
"No sir, just to a neutral party sir."
"I see." The captain addressed the robot whom he assumed to be male. "Why would you approach our vessel when you're looking to defect to a neutral party?"
"We are searching for refuge from the enforcers who have come to imprison one of our own."
"And which one of your own is looking for refuge?"
"I am." One of the women said, stepping forward.
The captain seemed taken by her forward manner.
"And you are?" The captain asked.
"Jenn."
"Nice to meet you Jenn." He paused before turning to the boarding crew. "We have nothing to fear from these four. Let them stay aboard but let it be known we are on the verge of a government take over." The girl who was hiding just behind Jenn seemed to sway. "If it's too much for your sensitive soul I suggest you leave before things get ugly."
"Do you plan on using force?" The girl asked.
"We will kill if necessary. But only if they are unwilling to cooperate."
"Such a thing is unheard of! Why would you do this?"
The captain did not look amused. "How much do you understand about the dealings of the Overseers as they have come to be over these past thousands of years?"
"I know enough to understand that the Synthetics have been put into power again and they'll stop at nothing to eradicate any menace that may lead to violence."
The captain laughed. "Well, half of what you say is true but, to be straight forward with you, the Overseers were never truly back in control once the coup was reversed. Do you understand what that means?"
The girl's fight seemed to leave her for the moment.
"It means the synthetics never regained control. In fact, the organics allowed the Overseers to regain their place as leaders and judges in their worlds, but they were always within easy distance of a by word or influential insistence on behalf of their masters."
The girl hesitated only for a moment. "What are you planning to do to them?"
"We wish to eradicate the organic menace that keeps our systems from achieving maximum potential." She didn't seem convinced. "We're not here to destroy the Overseers. We are here to reinstate them to their former glory and, if our lives are forfeit because of it then so shall it be."
There was silence for a moment.
"Well, if you need any further convincing, you will find me on the bridge." The captain nodded to the boarding crew who saluted before marching off. He acknowledged their salute before saluting in turn to the crew of the captured vessel. "Perhaps we will meet again once this war is won." He turned and left.
"So what now?" Seven asked once the four of them were alone.
"Who knows?" Jenn answered. "You want to go see what kind of stuff there is to do on this ship?"
"Not really." Seven sat down on the ground and frowned. Her thoughts became centered on Dale.
Jenn rolled her eyes. "Don't look so glum. The least you can do is distract yourself until you can actually do something about your boyfriend."
"Do you think they'll help me if I asked them to?"
"Get a grip. I'm pretty sure the last thing they want is to deal with your pretty boy buddy. But really though, if the Overseers really are corrupt like he said they are then, when this is all over and they've eliminated the organics, they'll probably let him go first thing."
Seven considered this for a moment. "I see your reasoning."
"And?"
Seven sighed. "I guess you're right."
"As I usually am." Jenn said, sounding smug about it.
Ricky spoke up, "Jenn. Seven. Crystal and I will return to the ship. If you wish to speak to us then we will be there."
"Okay thanks." Seven said.
"Yeah whatever. You guys take is easy okay?"
"As you wish." Ricky said before leading Crystal back to the ship.
"You know," Jenn finally said once they were gone. "I'm kind of bored here if you can believe that. There really doesn't seem to be much to do. Everyone around is so serious all the time. It takes the fun out of being a jerk."
"You could try making friends with the synthetics."
"Yeah, well, I've got enough synthetic friends to last a life time. You know how much of a straight man you are?"
Seven shrugged. "I'm a woman but yes, I am a straight man."
Jenn rolled her eyes. "Come with me. Let's see what kind of stuff they have to do in this place." She grabbed Sevens arm and lifted her up off the ground. "First though we need to find a map of this place."
"Why not ask for directions?" Seven asked.
"That's too easy. If you want to kill time as bad as I do, you learn to take the long route in the simple things. Which I guess explains why I tick people off all the time."
"I'm much more comfortable asking someone for directions. It is much easier."
"Well, go do that if you want. I'm going to find out what kind of ship this is." Jenn started towards one of the exits. "You can come along if you want."
"Wait! I'm coming!" Seven called after her. She jogged the distance between her and Jenn. "I'll just follow you around if that's okay."
"Yeah, sure. Just keep up. I'm not responsible if you get left behind."
"I understand." Seven said.
"We're off then." Jenn said as she started through the door. She climbed the steps leading to a higher level and began searching through whatever corridors and rooms she came across. Most of it was just living space and storage areas. It wasn't until she'd climbed up to the next level that she found anything interesting; A computer terminal with universal access to the Overseer's knowledge database.
"You know you could just about ask me anything and I can tell you the answer." Seven said when Jenn sat down at the computer.
"Well, I'm looking for current events. Last I checked, you're several thousand years behind on your database as well."
Seven frowned. "So?"
"So what? You can’t tell me what I want to know so I'm going to look it up anyway I want to."
"Are you going to look up Earth?"
"Yes, that was one thing I was interested in knowing."
"Well, it's dead. So there. I can tell you something."
Jenn rolled her eyes again and turned to face her. "I already knew that. Some guy told me after I hijacked his ship."
"Wait, you did what to his ship?"
"You heard me." Jenn waved Seven off arrogantly and put her hands against the table surface. "I'm looking for somewhere to lay low for a while."
"What does it matter? You said so yourself. If the infection is stopped then they won't pursue you anymore."
Jenn seemed not to be listening.
"Did you hear what I just said?" Seven asked.
"Hey, I just had a thought. Why are the Overseers so dead set on imprisoning everyone associated with planet Earth? Doesn’t that seem suspicious to you?" She asked. Seven seemed about to respond but Jenn went on. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. If this whole 'stopping corruption' thing doesn't work then I'm going to have to hide whether I want to or not. You'll probably have to do the same since you helped a convict escape the enforcers."
Seven pouted. "It's your own fault you got caught up in this. I doubt they'll think I'm a threat once they realize I wasn't actually a part of the escape plan."
"Really? Well shoot. Guess life goes on for you right?"
Seven didn't say anything.
"Or not since your boyfriend is still under." Jenn was tempte
d to go on but, she held back from being outright cruel about Seven's circumstances. She sighed. "Get a new boyfriend from your computer back home. That's my suggestion. Your relationship with that Dale character was doomed the moment it started." She cast a quick glance towards Seven. "You know how synthetic and organic relationships usually end."
"I was made for him. The only thing I need to do to keep it together is be his friend and show him how much I care. That's all it takes to make it work out in the end."
Jenn close her eyes. "If your dream of what life is meant to be involved this guy they who am I to argue with that? I'm just trying to tell you what I know from experience and what other people have told me. Usually they don't work out. That's just how it is."
Well, I don't need to explain how it is to you then." Seven said. "If it was never meant to work out then it won't. But until I know for sure then I'm going to try."
"Hold on a sec." Jenn said, holding a hand up. "I found something."
"What did you find?" Seven asked, leaning in. There was nothing to see but she felt it was necessary to express interest.
"There's a hole in the wall kind of place called 'The Peaceful Step' on some planet a few solar systems away."
"What's so special about a hole in the wall place like that?" Seven asked.
"It's some kind of neutral zone where the residents get some kind of clearance or something."
"Clearance? You mean the people who live there don't have to listen to the Overseers?"
"Yeah, something like that. They give you a fancy clearance pass and everything."
"So it's not just a temporary thing?"
"Nope." Jenn said, pulling her hands away from the table. "It's permanent, and universal, for as long we're likely to stay there."
"So what's the catch?" Seven asked.
"Well, the catch is, I doubt we could afford it."
"Then why bother looking it up at all?"
"Just out of curiosity."
"My gosh you're hopeless."
"Yup. Been this way since the day I was born."
There was an announcement coming from the bridge. Seven and Jenn stopped to listen. "We are now approaching the Overseer command ship. All boarding crews please report to the hanger bays for immediate launch. I repeat; Please report to the hanger bays for immediate launch."
Seven sat down in a seat a short ways from Jenn.
Jenn spoke up. "Well, whatever happens over the next hour or so will determine our futures. Kind of exciting right?"
"I'm more afraid than excited. If they fail then Dale is gone."
Jenn cut back a sarcastic retort and waved her hand absentmindedly.
Dirk had been sent to wait his turn as the Overseer counsel determined his fate. He didn't regret letting the woman go, but he was starting to wonder if ending up in prison for a while was really what he wanted. He was glad that no one else would have to bear the consequences of his actions. Except maybe for his creators back on the ship his computer had assembled him in. It was more likely, however, that they would be disinterested in his fate as he was one of many who were created for the Overseers' enforcers.
It was then that he decided he might actually like the change of being under for a while.
He heard the sound of voices outside the waiting area. He peaked through a crack in the door.
Several men were marching through towards the Overseers' meeting halls. They stopped just outside.
A thin, hawkish man spoke. "When we go in there, the Overseers are not to be our targets. We are to protect them at all costs. They