The Trilisk AI Read Online Free PDF

simply no need to set aside valuable space for
piloting a ship that was controlled through links. The Seeker had
possessed a bridge—though it was simply an armored space designed to protect
the officers from harm. The crews of the Space Force vessels could do their
jobs from anywhere on board through their links.
    Notably
missing were laser turrets, a particle accelerator, and a battalion of marines.
    Oh
well, it’s a step down. Two steps down.
    In
their own way, the tiny ships were as amazing as ships like the Seeker —everything
had to be cleverly designed and super-compact in order to pack everything in.
    This
damn thing is a tin can. Oh, well. That’s what VR is for.
    “We’re
well stocked and ready for a long trip,” Arlin said.
    “Looks
newer than I expected,” Relachik noted.
    “Only
three years old. The gravity spinner is a monster. Very nice ship. It’s also
not mine. On loan from a relative.”
    Relachik’s
eyebrow rose. “None of my business, but sounds like a good way to destroy a
family.”
    Arlin
smiled. “He’s a big company man. Doesn’t care about this much. Besides, it was
to pay off an old family debt.”
    Then
why isn’t it really yours? Relachik shrugged. “As long as he’s not going to show up in the middle of the
search and demand it back.”
    Arlin
nodded. “Won’t happen.”
    Cilreth
was looking around quite a bit, but Relachik didn’t ask her about her plans to
begin the search. Cilreth wasn’t a soldier and wouldn’t tolerate
micromanagement well. She was a professional and he knew she would dive in as
soon as they were underway. Cilreth continued to the second level.
    Relachik
stayed in the cargo area as the ramp retracted. He looked around at the many
cargo containers. His link allowed him to rummage through the container
inventories, but he spoke anyway just to get to know Arlin better. “You said we
have enough for a long trip. These are food supplies? Weapons?”
    “The
cargo hold has an amazing array of things. Everything on board has multiple
functions, like a collection of a thousand Swiss Army knives. We have plenty of
decent food. As for weapons...”
    “Yes?”
    “Come
with me.”
    Arlin
walked to the end of a tiny walkway on the second level. The mess was directly
behind them, and a reactor room was to Relachik’s left. His link told him Arlin
was headed to an armory. Once again Relachik could have inquired
electronically, but it would be more polite—and more interesting—to let Arlin
show him the contents FTF.
    Arlin
opened a sliding metal door, revealing the small room. An array of weaponry lay
on display upon lit racks. “This section is all the usual. Stunners, a laser,
smart glue bombs, and some projectile launchers.”
    “Wow,”
Relachik said. His eye caught a glint of metal on the right. Several swords
were secured there. Relachik took one by the handle. It was held in place by a
clamp.
    “Careful,
please,” Arlin said. Relachik smiled. “Those are sharper than you might
believe. That thing could cut through a landing strut in one swing. If you drop
it to the floor, I’m going to have to replace a deck plate.”
    “They’re
dangerous even to have on board,” Relachik said, withdrawing his hand. He
examined the clever mounting mechanism on the wall. A very strong series of
clamps held the swords by their handles in metal tubes. He found the service in
his link. Just so I know how to get one, if I need it.
    The
left side of the closet held some military skinsuits and two medical robokits.
    “What
about the ship herself. Is she armed?”
    “Nothing
long range,” Arlin said a bit defensively. “We have some disabler remoras. I
think they’ll come in handy if we find the smugglers in orbit. There are four
probes with some defensive EM capabilities.”
    “Thanks
for showing me. I’ll put my stuff in my quarters.”
    “Of
course.”
    Before
Relachik left, he turned to Arlin again. “I’d like to inquire about