Page 27 of Treasured By the Hunter

His shuttle started making some very fake computer noises.

“This is all Pip’s fault,” Harb’k grumbled.

“You mentioned that your shuttle isn’t a PIP model.”

“Yes, but it has been spending time with one. Some of Pip’s eccentricities have rubbed off on my shuttle.” He pressed his lips in a thin line. “It is not supposed to make those noises.”

“Calculations finished. The odds of success are excellent as long as you avoid the centicreep I have detected coming toward us. If you run afoul of the centicreep, the odds are merely good.”

“That is acceptable. Thank you, shuttle.” Harb’k had his closet open again as he selected another set of weapons for his upcoming outing. “Would you like to meet Pip, Zoey?”

“Can I? But I have to go to Sanctuary after.”

Harb’k was making it really hard for me to stick to my plans. First, the Trader’s Market, and now the ability to meet a super-intelligent shuttle.

“You can meet him right now. He can keep you company while I am gone. Shuttle, please connect with Pip and give him a quick recap of everything that has happened.”

Moments later, a new voice filled the shuttle.

“Howdy, Harby. Who’s your new lady friend?” The voice sounded like a human pretending to be an ultra-intelligent robot.

“Pip, this is Zoey. Did my shuttle update you with everything?”

“It sure did. Hi, Zoey. I’m Pip.” An emoji appeared on the screen.

“Nice to meet you, Pip.”

I was meeting a super-smart shuttle through another shuttle. Today was turning out to be very odd indeed.

“Teach Zoey how to use the weapons on the shuttle while I’m gone so she can keep the scourge at bay while I go retrieve some supplies,” Harb’k said.

“Yessirree.”

“I can do that too,” said Harb’k’s shuttle.

“You can both help,” I said, wondering just how smart Harb’k’s shuttle was. It had offered without being asked.

With Harb’k all suited up and looking like a knight in a leather loincloth, the shuttle landed so he could step outside.

“Wait,” Pip called. “You have to give him a kiss for good luck.”

I gawked at the screen. “Me?”

“Yes, you. We don’t have lips, silly.”

“Yeah, silly,” Harb’k’s ship repeated smugly.

Ah, I now saw what Harb’k had meant by his shuttle spending time with a Pip model. Monkey see, monkey do.

“Kiss. Kiss. Kiss. Kiss,” Pip started chanting. Harb’k’s shuttle joined in.

Oh boy. I turned to Harb’k, but he had a smug look as well. “I, too, would like a kiss for good luck.”

Then he was pulling me to him and kissing me as the two shuttles cheered. It ended quickly, and I was left feeling rather disappointed. But we did have a mission to accomplish, and the two shuttles were watching. It was best to keep things PG-13, though I wondered if it was time I changed our ratings to something a little more interesting. My body sure wanted it.

Then Harb’k stepped out into the field, and I was left in charge of two ship AIs.

It wasn’t long before the first flyer showed up. The second it got close, it oriented toward the dead one on the ground and the precious cargo in its claws. Just as I’d surmised, the bugs could feel it once they were close, but not when they were far away.

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