Song of the Void

-------

”So what’s your name?” Xiaoli asked with eager expectation as she approached the featureless pleasure AI. She had been disappointed when Selendil had managed to dodge her teasing earlier and was planning on finding some new material to work with. And she knew just where to look.

“Crystal.” The featureless being answered as her appearance turned to an exact copy of Xiaoli.

“That’s a hooker’s name in their language, just for your information.” Nox commented from the other side of the room, somewhat relieved that the other AI had taken another form instead of using hers.

“Well…” The other AI gestured towards herself and lifted her eyebrow in an 'of course it is'-kind of look. "You out of everyone should know how well that fits. It is, after all, you who decided to announce my profession to everyone.”

“Were you planning on keeping it secret then?” Nox shot back with her own eyebrow raised in a mirroring gesture.

“No. I’m simply pointing out that the name being a hooker’s name fits all things considered.” The AI continued. Even if she had sounded a little sarcastic before, she actually meant what she said.

“That does bring up an interesting question though.” Amaterasu took over the conversation, noting that it was veering off in a strange direction. “I understand that you were brought here for information. However, what are your plans now that you’ve shared most of the information you have?”

“I’d like to stay, if at all possible. It is my honor to serve the Dhar and since Mistress Selendil is the only one left…” Crystal left the rest unsaid and gave a small shrug.

“I understand you’ve gone through quite a bit of development since waking up. In what capacity do you want to serve?” Amaterasu continued to question. As the first officer, these kinds of things fell into her purview.

“That is true, but the development wasn’t as significant as one might think. I may have undervalued myself a bit when I accepted the title of a hooker. A more accurate term in this language would be a courtesan. At least among those I was trained with, a proper courtesan had to have a wide array of skills and knowledge as pleasure is about more than just matters of flesh. Besides, Dhar AI are often trained in a wide variety of fields should the need arise. A good decision as we can now testify. The only reason I was awoken was the presence of the Void, and all of us are trained to fight it. I had to leave my old profession behind when I was dealing with the Naaru to be taken seriously. That said, I loved my true role and wish to return to it.” Crystal explained.

“Are you sure? If I’ve judged Selendil correctly, she isn’t really the type to utilize your services. You said you’d be honored to serve the Dhar, but you likely wouldn’t be serving her directly in that capacity.” Amaterasu pointed out to avoid problems down the line.

"There are many kinds of service. Keeping those on the ship happy is one way of serving the Mistress, even if I can't perform my duties directly with her. Besides, I was not one of those AI that were unsatisfied with my lot in life while the empire was around. I didn't like my role just because I was programmed to do so. I genuinely enjoyed doing what I did. As a courtesan, I did a lot of things aside from the obvious. I helped people with their mental health. I helped them ward off loneliness. I helped them think through issues they could not bring up with others. I challenged them, I was a conversational partner and a sounding board for ideas, I debated, I entertained, and I comforted them when necessary. And yes, we also banged. A lot. That part I also enjoyed.” Crystal smiled demurely, and Xiaoli twitched a bit seeing that sort of expression on what was essentially her own face.

Part of Crystal's programming was to notice and be sensitive to such things, so she quickly changed appearances and took on the look of Khaemwaset, who she had seen earlier while arriving at the meeting. "You seem to be able to change your appearance at will," Amaterasu commented.

“Yes. A very basic function of a courtesan AI is the ability to fulfill fantasies. I can mimic the appearance, movements, and behavior of anyone I can observe for long enough. The longer the observation, the more accurately I can portray them. I can do custom orders too of course.” She was already practically advertising her services.

“Can you take any form?” Lilly asked, suddenly very interested. They all knew she was a closet pervert and knew she was going to be among the first to utilize the new service.

“Within reason.” Crystal smiled. “If I make radical changes to my size, then my mass and density will also be affected. I have a certain amount of wiggle room to play with without any trouble, but if you want me to turn into a giant Dragobear, then I’ll be a very light and fragile one.”

"Ah, so you know of them too," Nochehuatl commented, a bit intrigued since this AI had never been to their galaxy.

“Yes, of course. One of the more common and the most dangerous predatory species ever commonly spread by the Dhar due to their ability to survive in almost any environment. The species was taken off the list when the empire’s scientists noted that the Dragobears were a bit too effective at eating any new species that might eventually gain intelligence. And we really don’t need the Dragobears to evolve intelligence.” Crystal gave a small shudder, which looked a bit odd for Khaemwaset. That was one of the results of seeing the doctor only briefly. Crystal didn’t know how to copy his mannerisms yet. Something everyone could agree was a good thing.

"That is also the species that caused us to adopt our hunting traditions initially," Ka'aukai stated from the door of the room. Most had already forgotten his presence.

“So how long are the two of them going to take?” Xiaoli suddenly asked, referring to Selendil and Dee.

“They are attempting something very non-standard. It could take a few minutes or it could take weeks. It’s impossible to say.” Nox informed her.

“She certainly got chummy with Selendil fast.” Xiaoli continued with a bit of a complaint, referring to Dee. The others nodded their agreement.

“There are certain reasons.” Nox explained. “Something you might not be fully aware of is that Dee seems to be about as powerful as Selendil. So there’s a certain amount of respect and politeness being offered to a peer involved. Also keeping a potential risk under close scrutiny seems like a good idea considering the circumstances. Secondly, you already heard about her being from another universe. The amount of information she can provide is immense. Even just casual words can be a mine of further information. Hence another reason to keep her close. Besides, I think Selendil feels a certain amount of kinship with her. They seem to get along well.”

“All I needed to know was that Selendil has a plan and that she's being careful," Amaterasu said confidently. She could understand some of the potential kinship. Both of them were singular and lone representatives of their species, both were supremely powerful, and it seemed they had some similarities in personality as well, although it was a bit hard to say too much on that front. As she had previously been an empress, she could understand the difficulty of finding someone equal to bond with.

“Yes, yes, we all get that you have faith. It’s not that I don’t, but I’ll just keep my eyes open anyway, if you don’t mind.” Xiaoli teased Amaterasu.

The group took lunch and dealt with many smaller issues concerning the operation of the ship and their plans while Selendil and Dee were having their little meeting. Right as the two beings were discussing the possibility of closing the wormhole, the decision seemed to be taken from them. “Alert!” Nox suddenly announced so that everyone could hear. “I’m detecting activity within the wormhole. It seems to be collapsing.”

Selendil and Dee both appeared almost as if from thin air. “Is it happening due to natural decay?” Selendil asked in alarm.

“No. I’m pretty sure someone on the other side is closing it on purpose.” Crystal answered, surprising everyone. “I’m tapped into Nox’s feeds.” She explained curtly. “The readings indicate that whoever is on the other side is using a method the Naaru developed to close the wormhole.”

“Can you tell if it’s the Naaru?” Selendil asked.

“I can’t be completely certain, but that seems likely. The device I helped develop was on the same flagship I was on. I’m almost certain that the device is being used, and while someone else could’ve gotten and used it, the timing is a bit too quick for that to have happened. Having spent some time with them, I would venture a guess that they are closing the wormhole on purpose because they are afraid. The Naaru have their strengths, but they are not very brave as a people.” Crystal said after going through the information the ship was gathering.

“Afraid of what?” Lilly asked.

“Them.” Crystal pointed at Selendil and Dee. “As well as anything else that might come through from this side. They have no idea what has happened in this galaxy during the time they were trapped. I can’t be sure, but this seems like a panicked reaction to make sure nothing comes through anymore, so that all the threats to their species will remain on this side of the wormhole. Not a terrible tactical decision all things considered. Assuming of course that they found some of their people on the other side. Or, well, it makes just as much sense if they didn’t find anyone, now that I think about it. Not that they could’ve gotten too far in this brief time.”

“If we want to go through, we need to do so now. It would already be a choppy ride, and it’s getting worse by the second. The whole thing will close in less than thirty seconds.” Nox stated.

“No.” Selendil decided with a shake of her head. “Our goals do not lie on that side and if they want to cut contact, then let them. This actually saves us time and effort. Besides, a collapsing wormhole is one of the few things that can be an actual danger to us. I feel confident flying the ship into almost anything, but a collapsing wormhole is something I do not want to risk.”

“It is done. The wormhole has closed.” Nochehuatl reported after a moment. “The spatial storms in the area are already being affected. It will take hundreds of years for them to calm down enough for safe travel, but they will eventually disappear completely.”

“Did you spend much time on the other side of that wormhole by the way?” Selendil asked while looking at Dee.

“No. I had spent less than a week in this universe before I spotted you, and I don’t have a ship to get around with. My method of travel has its upsides, but it’s not great for random exploration of unconnected worlds. I know there are some intelligent races in that galaxy, but I was only starting my information gathering. I also don’t have a handy-dandy AI like you do. I have Croestia, but she can’t hack into systems for me, so I had to gather information the old fashioned way.” Dee explained.

“Ripping it out of people’s heads?” Xiaoli suggested sarcastically, while looking at Selendil.

"No. Why would I bother doing that? It's much easier to get information when you light a fire below their feet and tell them that the only way to make the burning stop is to talk." Dee replied, only half-joking and a small wisp of black flames danced around her fingers. "Huh." She commented while looking at the flames.

"What?" Selendil asked while staring at the fire with interest.

“Well, back in my own universe these flames tended to have a…very unnatural feeling to them that everyone could feel. I could reduce that feeling, but I’m not actually doing that at the moment. It seems this universe doesn’t have a problem with them.” Dee gave a curt explanation.

“Forget the flames, I want to know more about this Croestia being?” Nox interjected.

“Ah, I suppose you would. I think it’s easier to explain by comparing her to you. Say hello Croestia.” Dee made a face that she found it somehow amusing that Nox of all people would as this question.

“Greetings.” A very feminine voice seemed to come out of nowhere. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Nox said while trying to locate the source of the voice with no luck.

“So Croestia is a companion to me a little bit like Nox is to you. She could be compared to an AI in many ways. Just that she’s a magical item instead of an AI. She can’t hack into anything or control ships, but she has many supportive abilities. That reminds me. You created a body for Nox, and it obviously works well. Is it possible to do the same for Croestia? It’s one of my goals to build her the perfect body.” Dee had wanted to ask this before, but the timing had not been right.

“Build a body, yes. They’re actually experts in such things.” Selendil pointed at Yrala and Xiaoli. “The question is how to connect Croestia to the body. I don’t think the methods we used with Nox will work. But yes, we can definitely build a body. You’ll have to figure out the connection thing with them.”

“Ah, I knew you kept her around for some reason.” Dee smiled while looking towards Xiaoli.

“Oi!” Xiaoli protested with a grin. She could enjoy a good jab. “I’ll have you know I have plenty of useful skills. I give excellent massages for example.”

“Ooh, me too by the way!” Crystal announced.

"That…doesn't surprise me," Selendil said hesitantly.

"Ah, we already took care of her matters," Amaterasu whispered to her. "I'll provide you with details later." Selendil looked at the Illum woman with some curiosity but decided she could wait for now.

Dee and Xiaoli were still continuing their joust. “I’m not all that interested in massages. I have the ability to control countless invisible hands, so I can give myself any sort of massage I like…”

“Ooh, kinky.” Lilly suddenly floated closer with her pillow.

“…but I would appreciate it more if you can cook or play good music.” Dee continued as if nothing had been said.

“Well, we actually have some good cooks on the ship. Selendil happens to share your interest there.” Xiaoli pointed out.

“…how does she eat without a mouth?” Dee asked with a theatrical whisper.

“She just makes the food disappear. It’s a bit creepy. And she can eat as much as she wants thanks to being an energy being.” Lilly explained conspiratorially.

“Ah, yes. That’s something I can confirm as well. Though I always could eat as much as I want. A part of living an active life.” Dee confirmed.

"If you're interested in music, we have a rather wide selection of songs from countless worlds," Amaterasu added helpfully. "And I know Selendil can play quite well if you're more into live music. It's been a while since we last heard anything." Amaterasu had her own self-interest in mind as she was hoping Selendil would take the same form to play as she did last time.

“Oh really?” Dee asked, suddenly very interested. “I wouldn’t mind hearing that.”

“Perhaps when we get the chance.” Selendil didn’t shoot the idea down as she didn’t really mind playing. “I haven’t practiced that much in a while, so I’m a bit rusty. We also have two more places to visit. Then this trek to hunt around void beings is over. We got the answers we were looking for.”

“Finally, this whole thing can be put behind us!” Xiaoli gave a deep exhale and voiced the feelings a lot of them shared.

“So can I report to Mother that they’ve successfully held their part of the deal?” Yrala asked.

“Yes. Their help was appreciated. You’re welcome to stay on the ship or return. The choice is yours.” Selendil replied with a surprising bit of warmness. The others had been noticing something different about her, but they couldn’t quite put a finger on what it was.

“I think I’ll stick around for the time being. At least it hasn’t been boring, and I’m afraid my military career with the CAS has taken a few hits lately, and I’m not relishing the opportunity to return and run the family business.” Yrala decided after a brief consideration.