I frolicked in a beautiful meadow, surrounded by gorgeous blue-skinned women. Each more wondrous than the last. Their unique horn shapes, wings, and gripping eye colors had me in paradise. But none could be comapred to the original. My woman Avon was there, and she smiled a radiant smile towards me as she began to saunter away. The more I moved towards her, the further away she got. Just when I could just about reach out and touch her, she turned to me.

“Its time to wake up.” She spoke in that wondrous voice of hers, and a wave of cold crashed against me, shocking me awake.

“Whlbrflrbl!” I yelled out and attempted to spring to my feet, only to flounder about on the floor with my hands stuck together behind my back like I had been cuffed. Never been arrested and woken up with a bucket of ice cold water before, but its good to experience new things. Thankfully, my clothes were made of micro-synthetic threads that would dry quickly and help regulate my body’s temperature. Last thing I wanted was to catch some sort of a space cold. I looked up awkwardly from my position on the ground to see who had doused me in water, only to see my woman Avon standing outside my room.

Well, I say my room, but it was more of a jail cell. If the bars in said jail cell were visibly electrified.

‘We appear to have been captured, Captain. Your wrists are currently bound by a personal restraint device that is locked magnetically.’ Aya noted mentally.

‘Think you could disable these cuffs?’

‘Affirmative. Just give the word.’

‘Eh, we can wait for now. Let’s see what my girl wants first.’

‘Your taste in women is illogical.’

‘Its a guy thing, you wouldn’t understand.’

“You looked a little too comfortable there, Hero.” Avon smirked as she set the bucket down beside her.

“You’ll be happy to know I was dreaming of you.” I responded while doing my best to climb to my feet.

‘And about ten other women.’ Aya noted.

‘She doesn’t need to know that.’ I reprimanded my robot sharply.

“The thought of you dreaming about me is revolting.” She stated as her tail whipped about in apparent anger.

“I’ll have you know I’m the perfect gentleman. So what brings you to my humble cell?” I asked as I leaned against the metal walls.

“Curiosity.” She began pacing in front of my cell. “Yvael has spoken to me extensively about you despite your short time together.”

“Nothing but good things I hope.” She stopped pacing and stared at me.

“She says you’re insane.” I shrugged,

“Shes just too uptight.”

“But despite your apparent insanity, she says that you do very well as a Captain. She even declined the five million credit bounty I had put on your capture so long as I came to speak with you.”

“She gave up five million credits for me?” I was astonished.

“Indeed she did.”

“What an idiot.”

Avon sighed heavily, “I had planned on having you flogged for your insolence until all you knew was pain. I would have shattered your mind just to make an example of you. The previous Heroes had all rushed headlong into my territory without a second thought. They are now nothing more than shattered debris in far off systems. And yet, here you are, the most infuriating of them all. And yet your crewman, Dalria, had said you didn’t even think twice about helping Yvael. So you aren’t against helping my people.” Egyle stuck to her back story even after I had been locked up? Thats some damn fine improv. Props to her.

“To be fair, I didn’t know she was a Demon before I helped. It was a comms-only call.” I clarified.

“Would it have made a difference if you knew?”

“Of course! I’d have rushed in faster! Who wouldn’t want to save a Demon woman? People with no taste, thats who.”

Her red eyes searched me cautiously, as if looking for any sign that I was lying. While I could lie with a straight face, I didn’t need to. “Just what am I to do with you, Hero?” She said after a long pause.

“You could let me out of here for one, that’d be a nice start.” I suggested.

“I’m not sure if I want to do that at the moment.”

“Well its either that or you leave me in here and I get out regardless.” I shrugged. “Either way, I’m getting out of here.”

“Do you really think you could escape this cell?” Avon smiled smugly, “The device binding your wrists alone has enough power to last a hundred years of constant use before needing to be recharged. Not to mention that these bars are electrified. Even if you could grab them, you would only knock yourself unconscious within moments.”

“So you’re saying there’s no way for me to get out of here?”

“Yes.” She crossed her arms and stared at me flatly.

‘Aya? If you would, my dear?’

‘Affirmative.’

The device binding my wrists beeped, unlocked with a click, and fell to the ground. Avon stared at the object with wide eyes. Her gaze turned upwards to me as I massaged my wrists. “You were saying?”

“How…how did you…”

“Are you going to let me out now? Or should I let myself out?” I smirked. Avon growled and walked over to a control panel on the other side of the room. After a few button presses, the electrical bars powered down and a sliding section slid sideways, granting me an exit. “Thanks love.” I smiled at her as I walked out of my cell.

“I have many questions Hero.” Her stern voice was music to my ears as she walked up beside me.

“So go ahead and ask them.” She paused, as if uncertain on how to say what she wanted to say.

“Will you help me defeat the Salyzan Kingdom?”

“Hmmm…” I tapped my chin in thought, “I’ll have to ask my crew first. They may not be so keen on getting involved in this rebellion of yours.”

“I understand. Follow me.” She commanded and walked from the room.

‘So what do you think Aya, should we help her?’

‘I must express surprise that you are asking my opinion.’

‘Of course I am. You’re just as much part of the crew as the rest of us.’

‘…Thank you Captain. Your words have great value. But I must base my response based on the rebellion’s thoughts of AIs.’

‘I got you.’

“Hey, Avon.” I called out as we walked through the short hall connected to my room. We had passed multiple sets of the same type I had been in. We must have been in the holding section of the shipyard for unruly employees. “Quick question.”

“My name is Aevalonis and I’d appreciate it if you started using it.”

“Yeah yeah, anyway, whats your stance on AIs without any limiters on them?”

“Thats a…peculiar question…” She gave me a sideways glance as we walked. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason, just making conversation.” I shrugged.

“Well…hmmm. I’d have to say I’ve never really thought on the subject before.” She admitted honestly. “In fact, I’ve never even heard of an AI without their limiters in place. Perhaps its an avenue worth investigating?”

‘Should I tell her about us?’ I asked Aya.

‘Its your call Captain.’

“Alright now what if I told you I had a ship’s AI in my head without any limiters in place?” She stumbled a little after hearing my words.

“You…what?” I merely smiled at her. “…I’m beginning to see why Yvael called you insane.”

“Shes just jealous of my robuddy.”

Together the two of us left the holding section of the shipyard. Outside was a magnetic tram that would bring us to any section of the shipyard we desired. Hanging around inside the tram itself was the Demon guy from before and the dog-girl.

“Allow me to introduce Balros and Lryin, my main assistants.” Avon spoke as she motioned towards them as we boarded the tram.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Chet.” I spoke and held out my hand to Balros. With a firm grip, he shook it.

“Its a pleasure to meet a Hero that isn’t trying to get himself blown up for once.”

“Yeah, Heroes aren’t usually the wisest bunch. Just read any fantasy story and you’ll see what I mean.” I turned my attention to the dog-girl named Lyrin. “And whose this little thing? Aww you’re so cute. Can you give me your paw? C’mon! Paawwww!” I held out my hand. And promptly yelled out in pain as she bit down on it. “Avon help! Its got rabies!”

“Don’t look down on me, human!” Lyrin growled.

‘You deserved that.’ Aya scolded.

‘I was trying to lighten the mood damnit. You saw how she was glaring daggers at me!’

Avon sighed, “Lyrin please don’t attack the Hero. And Hero, please don’t act like that again.”

“Alright. Fine.” I grumbled as I nursed my hand.

“Yes Lord.” Lyrin bowed towards Avon.

“Balros, bring us to the mess hall where the others are.”

“As you command, Lord.” He smoothly said and began to operated the controls on the tram.

“Lyrin.” I began as the tram started to move along the track.

“Mmm.” She responded without looking at me.

“Can I touch your ears?”

“No!” She shouted in a rage. I held my hands up defensively,

“Alright, fine. No touching. Gotchya.” After glaring at me for a few moments, she looked away.

‘I’m gonna do it.’

‘There is a one hundred percent chance of retaliation.’

‘I’m still gonna do it.’

After a few moments of uneasy silence upon the tram, I struck. With nimble hands, I lightly rubbed those warm, velvety ears. For just a split second, the two of us were in a state of pure bliss. Then she came to her senses and proceeded to slam her fist into my gut, knocking the wind out of me.

“Worth…it…” I coughed as I gasped for air.

“Hrmph.” Lyrin bared her fangs at me and proceeded to walk to the other side of the tram. Her tail flicking about unhappily.

“I’d advise you not do that again Hero.” Avon sighed, “Otherwise I will give Lyrin permission to carry a stunner at all times.”

“Nah, I’m good.” I spoke after a deep breath. “We’re cool, right Lyrin?” Her only response was a menacing growl. Yeah, we were cool.

“And here is the mess hall.” Balros spoke as the tram stopped at a waiting area full of benches. A set of automatic double doors just beyond the sitting area. With a magnetic sounds, the retracted as we approached, revealing a massive room full of tables and benches with a series of serving lines in the far back. As of right now, it was mostly empty due to the time being between lunch and dinner hours. Other than a few smattering of aliens, along with my crew, it was empty.

“Yo!” I called out to my group as we entered the room and walked towards my posse. “Whats on the menu guys? Looks like soup.”

“Sgrakalk and Nubvian soup to be exact.” Hortur spoke before he began to slurp up his bowl.

“Sounds great. Alright guys, listen up. Avon here wants us to join up with her rebellion. Thoughts, opinions, yay or nay?”

“I’m already part of the rebellion.” Yvael spoke from the far side of the table.

“Yeah you don’t count.” She rolled her eyes at me.

“I’d rather not fight against my father…” Egyle spoke up. “Sorry.”

“No biggy.” I shrugged, “Family is family. What about you Hortur?”

“Nay for me. My wife is still in our home in the Falrias system. And I haven’t been able to speak to her for days.” He looked down at his bowl in sorrow. “I’m a horrible husband.”

“Hey, cheer up man, we can work something out.” I patted his back in an attempt to console him. “Lets say we get your wifey out of there, would you join up? Or we could drop you off and you could go back to your life.”

“I don’t think that option is plausible at this time. They should have our pictures plastered all over the Gal-Net.” Hortur sighed and then closed his eyes in deep consideration, nodding along with his thoughts. “But if we were to get her out of there, then I don’t see why not.”

“So a nay from Dalria, and a yay from Hortur so long as we get his wife.” I noted, giving Egyle’s false name. “And a maybe from Aya.”

“Whose Aya?” Balros asked, looking around the table for another person.

“Thats the AI in his implant.” Yvael spoke flatly.

“An AI in your head?” Lyrin looked at me, “Are you crazy?”

“Hes insane.” Yvael nodded.

“My mental health aside, I still haven’t given my answer.”

“Its obvious you’re going to say yes.” Princess Egyle rolled her eyes.

“Well that depends on Aevalonis here.”

“Huh?” Aevalonis uttered in confusion as I got down on one knee before her and held her hand in mine.

“Aevalonis Malwyrd Kalrastros, you are my star, my sky. Ever since I was first teleported into this strange galaxy, you have ever been the forefront of my mind. Not a waking hour has passed where I haven’t thought of you, and every second apart felt like pure agony. Will you do me the honor of being my woman?”

Dead silence filled the mess hall as even the tentacle-bodied cooks leaned over shelves to watch and listen. A pin drop would sound like an explosion. Time stood still as everyone held their breath in anticipation.

‘Shes going to say no.’ Aya huffed in my mind.

‘Its a fifty fifty shot Aya. Don’t ruin the mood.’

Like a crack of thunder, Avon came to her senses and smacked my hands away. “No! I will not be your woman! I feel disgusted at even the thought of such a thing!” Her dark-blue face flushed a solid purple from embarrassment. “Me, the Demon Lord, a human’s woman? Don’t make me laugh!” Without another word, she stormed from the mess hall, followed by Lyrin whose tail was wagging rapidly.

Cheers erupted in the mess hall as aliens banged on their tables in support of Avon’s rejection of my proposal.

‘Told you.’

‘Eh, it was worth a shot.’

“Sorry Captain.” Hortur whispered as he patted my back.

“Its all good man, I knew she’d say no.”

‘No you didn’t, you were hoping.’

‘Shut up.’

“You certainly are a risk-taker, Hero.” Balros noted from to my side. “I suppose this means you won’t offer your assistance to the rebellion?”

“Nah, I was going to say no regardless of the answer.” I responded honestly.

“What?!” Yvael shouted, “Even if she said yes?!”

“Of course. Rebellions are a messy business where loads of innocent people will get caught in the crossfire. More than likely, its already happened as well. I support your ideal for freedom, but won’t get involved in the method to obtain it. It’s your rebellion, not mine.”

“What an apathetic position to take.” Balros scoffed.

“Call it what you will, a decision is a decision.”

“Very well, but don’t expect to receive a warm stay.” Balros bowed and proceeded to leave. My eyes followed him until he left the mess hall.

“Alright,” I began to whisper, “we’ve gotta get out of here asap.”

“Why? I thought we could be safe here for awhile.” Princess Egyle spoke in a hushed tone.

“Think about it Princess, they just asked us to join their team and we said no. We’re an unknown element and one that could bring them to disaster. We’ve seen what they’re working on in these shipyards, and we know their leader is here. You think they’ll just let us leave if we delay?”

“Hes right.” Yvael spoke from the side. “You three need to get to your ship and get out of here now.”

“See? Even she agrees with me.”

“You wont come with us?” Hortur asked, but Yvael shook her head.

“I’ve already thrown my lot in with the rebellion. I’d have nowhere to go if I jumped ship to join you guys.” She took a deep breath and stood from her seat. “I’ll try to delay them a bit from ordering your capture or death.”

“Why help us?” Egyle asked with a cautious look.

“Because you saved my life. The least I could do is return the favor.” She smiled before walking off after Balros.

“Hey Yvael!” I called out causing her to stop and turn.

“Yes?”

“You shouldda taken the five mil. It would have wound up like this anyway.”

“I’ll be kicking myself in the ass the rest of my life because of it.” She laughed, and jogged out of the room.

“Right then.” I arose from my seat. “Lets bounce.”