Page 23 of Bonded

“Let me show you what I do as someone who is not linked to this ship. The jacks help me.” Ithran pointed to various robots; they all looked different; however, he referred to them all as jacks. “They are multitasking robots and they can change and reform at will. Watch.”

One jack went from being a wheeled robot to joining with another and becoming one that looks like an arm. Then another added into the mix and became some sort of lever apparatus.

It looked like a really handy multi-purpose tool.

“The jacks help to be a mechanized hand just in case I need to react to a situation that I am not 100% aware of. The ship is intuitive and even though I’m not linked to it, it recognizes me as the captain and follows my lead when I choose a destination.”

“I see,” I said. An echo of emotion accompanied the captain’s explanation. It didn’t feel foreign to me, but I understood it came from an external source. It seemed to affirm what Ithran stated, and so I had a feeling that it came from the ship.

They showed me how to use the console, and I took it all in, trying to remember all the steps. I didn’t want to fail. When I thought I knew enough to figure it out on my own, I sat down and started punching the controls in sequence.

It was almost like torture trying to make the vessel go.

“Sorry about that.” I was sure that I was making a mess of things and people in the mess hall were probably getting food all over themselves.

I said as much and Ruzan said, “Well, if that is the case, then they shouldn’t be eating, anyway.” I smiled because it was the silliest defense.

But this was exactly as I feared. I would not be good enough to be a pilot for this vessel.

“Let us try one other thing. This is how Captain Ithran has to navigate when we are unavailable. But we are the ship’s pilot. We share a link. So instead of having to worry about the console and the procedures, maybe it might be easier for you to sit and look and guide the ship via the link instead of the controls.”

“It’s worth a try,” I said. It couldn’t go any worse than it did before.

I sat still and breathed, allowing the controls to go away in my mind’s eye. Instead, I focused on a single point in the distance through the viewing port. While I did so, I allowed myself to open to various parts of the ship. I asked it to raise the volume just a little so I can feel it.

There was a rush and a tingling sensation against my skin that was as much mine as it was the ship’s. That was the best feeling of all. It was actually the ship I felt. And when I smiled, the ship’s console felt a little brighter.

“Are you doing that?” Ruzan whispered.

“No, I don’t know where that is coming from.”

Ruzan and Vryek spoke behind me. So, they didn’t know that it came from me.

A warmth spread in my chest. It was comforting, like a tender hug. It came from that part of me I recognized as my link with the ship.

“We are linked now, remember that. You don’t need controls because being linked means it is as easy as moving your own body through space.”

With a deep breath, I looked ahead to a marker. It was the same marker that I had been trying to head to. A kind of buoy in space.

I thought to myself that I wanted to go there, and with my next exhale, I told myself where I wanted to go. It was almost as if I blew out a birthday candle and planted a wish.

Except this time, my wish was granted, and the ship zoomed forward.

RUZAN

“Are you saying that I cannot guard my ship in your absence?”

I told myself that if I went up against Ithran, I would not survive. It was the only reason I kept my fists in check.

“I do not believe he is implying that, Captain—” Vryek started.

I did not need Vryek to translate for me. “Do not put words in my mouth.” I turned to look at the captain. “I said nothing of the sort. I do not want to leave Priya alone.”

It had only been a few days, and already we’d made so much progress learning about the ship and each other. The ship did a great job teaching her how to shield her thoughts and feelings. But there were times I caught her looking at Vryek or me when she thought we wouldn’t notice. She might be as attracted to us as we were to her.

She practically admitted as much when she was still groggy with the effects of being linked. Neither Vryek nor I had the heart to tell her she had spoken her thoughts out loud. Perhaps there would be another opportunity to kiss more than her forehead, or touch more of her skin.

“She will not be alone. I will be here, and she will be in the safest part of the ship.”

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