Disowned

“Thank you for the tour, Lieutenant. No, one place we haven’t seen is the Command Center. We seem to have skipped that.”

“Sir, I can take you there, but first I need to warn you. The VI is rather...” I sighed. Best to be honest about these things. “Colonel White, the AI is very eccentric. There have been many times that I have wanted to give the kill order, sir.”

“That bad? What sort of personality did it end up with?”

“The first three were all ‘you will bow to me’ types. This was the fourth. It was a relief at first, but, you’ll see in a moment, sir.”

We were almost at the corridor that would lead us into the Command Center. As I feared the lights were flickering off and back on. The tell tale calls of “look at me” with the “oontz oontz oontz” were starting to become audible. As we turned the last corner all hopes of a decent meeting with the VI were shot to shit.

“You made it! Your ability to walk short distances without dying will be your enemy’s downfall!”

Sigh. “Colonel White let me introduce you to the outpost VI, Claptrap. Clappy, this is Colonel White.”

“GREAT! Now, get me outta here before any enemies arrive!”

“Lieutenant, THIS is what you are living with?”

“Sir, this is calm for him.”

“I do not envy you stuck on this rock.” The Colonel turned to head back to the landing bay hangar.

“This way, minion! Over here!”

Well, that did it, I could now officially claim it was thinking of humanity as its servants.

“I’ll give the kill order once you’re on your way back, sir.”

“No need, this is the game. Yama! Fix your damned VI.” The Colonel started walking back to the bay. A scream echoing from the speakers in the control room as Yama forcefully “fixed” the VI.

“Okay, Jax. That was enlightening. I have a new respect for the VI programmers now. What about the Commander's other challenge?”

“That, sir, I can assure you, is just about ready to build out. We have the basics configured on it, and all we need now is to take it through some simulations. We are trying a couple of different and new ideas on this build. Some of your Marines may get soft if I cushy it up too much, so no worries there. Once our relief gets here, we will start building it and use it to head back to the Ark.”

We saw the Colonel off and then checked in with our terminals.

QUEST COMPLETED

Follow Extended orders

Daily Exp Rewards

525

Special Duty EXP Rewards

300

Other Rewards

Greater understanding on Defensive Measures

New Materials Knowledge

Schematics for Advanced Sensor Relays

Fall Back Position

Outpost Theta

Defensive Systems Schematics

VI Manipulation Resistance

New Title Available

“Anyone else get some screwy rewards?” Asimov asked.

“Yeah, I got a ‘VI Manipulation Resistance’ bonus? What the hell is that about?”

“Same, Was it due to that last VI? I mean it was a long ten days he was active.”

That seemed to be the general consensus from everyone here.

“I’m more concerned with the fact that we were rewarded with Outpost Theta,” I said. “Also, ‘Fall Back Position’? What is that supposed to mean? I mean, I know what it usually means, but what is that supposed to…You don’t think they mean in like THAT, do they?”

A new message arrived on my terminal.

TO: Lieutenant Commander Jax

REPLY TO ATTN: Ark Command

SUBJECT: Orders

LCDR. Jax,

As you have no doubt become aware, you have been promoted. Colonel White was impressed with your ability to put together a full outpost in such a limited amount of time. As a bonus, you will be fully staffed. Under your direct command will be the following personnel.

Three (3) Pilots

Three (3) Navigators

Two (2) Weapons Engineers

Two (2) Aviation Engineers

Two (2) Aviation Ordinance Engineers

Two (2) Aircrew Survival Equipmentmen

Five (5) Construction Battalion

Three (3) Machinist Mates

Two (2) Electrical Engineers

Two (2) Hull Maintenance Technicians

Three (3) Hospital Corpsman

Two (2) Aviation Electronics Technician

Two (2) Construction Mechanics

Two (2) Construction Electricians

Three (3) Sensors Operators

Two (2) Communications Specialists

Two (2) Platoons Marines for Defense

One (1) Yeoman

One (1) Boatswains Mate

Two (2) Metalworkers

Three (3) Intelligence Engineers

Three (3) Mess Specialists

Three (3) Civilian Researchers

One (1) Logistics Specialist

“Team Jax” is factored into the numbers above and has now been transferred directly under your command along with the above. You will have five days to ensure that you can manage the new supply load. Treat the base as a research and listening center, and everything should work itself out.

Additional equipment will be delivered to manage food resources shortly. Continue researching the necessary data to ensure that we survive.

“Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT!” I turned to storm out of the room, and I noticed everyone looking at me.

“Shit. Okay, bad news or worse news?” I asked the team in front of me.

“Congratulations on your maple leaf, Ma’am.” Janssens said with a little snark and a smirk.

“Yeah, thanks. That’s the ‘fuck you’ command just gave while pushing me out the door. So, welcome to my base. Outpost Theta, my underlings. The bad news is I’m in charge down here. The worse news is we need to gear up for everyone else who was just stationed here. I recommend you all check your orders for your reassignments. Janssens, Turing. You’re in charge of the Outpost defense until we see if the platoons have an officer worth a shit. I’ll be in my quarters.”

I then walked out, which took much more self-control than I thought it would. Once in the office beneath the command center, I noticed all of my gear had been transferred, most likely by Yama. My portable fabricators had already been recycled for their pieces, but the fab I had purchased shortly after waking up was still put together and now in my office.

Pulling up the details on my terminal I noted the list of transfers. The two CBs that were being assigned I was familiar with, same with the new HT. In fact, they were brothers that got into this shit with me. Looking further into the list, the doctor who had done the upgraded implants for my team was transferred. The two platoons of Marines, I couldn’t be sure, but there were familiar names there as well.

They were getting rid of the “troublemakers.” I opened the folders on the MS’s to validate that. Yep, insubordination. A lot of it. Same with the Comms Specialists. The researchers were interesting, manufacturing of drugs. We had just become a dumping ground. There was an excellent chance that they would be mirroring this in the Real once the outpost there was completed.

There was a knocking at the hatch for my office.

“Enter!” I called out, half of the team was there.

“Ma’am is this some sort of joke?” Corpsman Torres started off

I configured a drone to start digging out a separate research station and an area for meat vats while I spoke.

“Yeah, but it’s on us. Come on in, everyone. No use in hiding this.”

“What’s going to happen to us?” Takeshi asked.

“Well, it seems that we are being set up by Command as a disciplinary post.” I let that sink in for a moment before continuing. “The list of personnel that is being sent all seem to be disciplinary cases. Sorry to be a red mark in your personnel folders.” I used the terminal to order some bourbon and pulled a glass for everyone as well. I poured my own then left the bottle on my desk, gesturing to the decantur and glasses.

“I’m the ‘boss’ now, so I will have to stop asking and start ordering. I don’t want to be the boss, I want to make a difference and help, but these are the orders. Torres, you get to learn how to do the implant upgrades. I’ll be sending you the file shortly. Don’t worry; it isn’t difficult. Even I could handle it.” I took a long drink from my bourbon. “I will be assigning berths tomorrow. Let me know your top three preferred places to sleep. As far as I can tell, all of our gear has already been transferred to where we’re sleeping.”

I stood and started to pace a little.

“The worst part is I have a feeling that once Theta is built out in the Real, that we will be getting assigned here. We need to NOT complete the designs for the Marine Assault and Insertion craft for a while. In fact, we need to stop ALL designs.” I walked over to my desk and set a 1MC alert.

“All Personnel on Outpost Theta, report to the Commanders Office. This is an order.” I repeated twice and then sat back and ordered more bourbon as well as a few other glasses from the terminal. It didn’t take too long before the office opened. Turing and Janssens were at the lead of the unruly mob. I pointed to the glasses and bourbon.

“Drink.” I think that would be my most enthusiastically followed order, ever. “We need to start building food vats, a research station, and most importantly of all, a garbage recycler. Stop all other projects. Marques, Jorges, how far along with the assault craft are you?”

“Almost done, Commander,” Jorges responded before Marques opened his mouth.

“Either delete the data or introduce major flaws that will make it, so it cannot work.”

The two looked at me like I had lost my mind.

“As you missed for joining us late, we are about to become a dumping ground for the undesirables in the fleet and for civilian researchers. You are now my underlings. Muahahaha.” I said the laugh in a flat and dry way to ensure they knew that my feelings on being in charge were not that of an evil (or benevolant) overlord.

“This posting may end up in the Real as well. We do NOT want to be at that disadvantage if it happens how I fear. Here’s a quick rundown. Our MS’s have some insubordination. Our civilian researchers were running a drug ring in the civilian side of things; the doctor is the wonderful professional that did all of the advanced implants, the Marines all seem to be those who were involved in the fighting directly during the reboot. You get the idea.” I sat back down at my desk and refilled my bourbon.

“Let me know of any special equipment that you need, choose your berths and send me their locations, I’ll have to assign those in the AM. Lastly, tonight we drink in remembrance of us doing fun things. I don’t know if we will be able to continue such in the future.”

I took my own order as advice and continued to replenish the bourbon as we drank and told stories through the night.

“Check in on the terminals against the walls for your berth locations and additional equipment you will need to learn. You each have at least one new skill you need to learn. IE’s work with Asimov to get up to date on the tricks behind what we are working on. We are currently living off the Ration Packs provided by the system.” I ignored the groans from the civilians.

“The food stores will not have meat for another two weeks. The hydroponics and greenhouses will not be providing vegetables for a while as well. Feel free to buy food from the terminals if you don’t want that. I have an open-door policy if you don’t abuse it. We have been lucky enough to discover the latest technologies in use, and we plan to continue doing so.”

“Now, you’ll all find out that I can be a bitch if you push me to it, but I would prefer to not have to go there. You have all been dumped on me because command views you as disciplinary cases. Many of you have already figured this out, so it shouldn’t be news to you. We are all here because we have shown that we will not blindly do everything that is asked of us. That we will ask questions when things do not make sense. We will strike out against those that are trying to force their will on us.”

“Civilians, you have a bit of a luxury. You get your choice of one of two berth locations. Both are assigned to you. This is because you will be expected to put in hours researching. None of your previous business deals or I will execute you, then lock you in to keep you out of my hair.”

“Welcome to Outpost Theta, home of the Renegades.”

Sure, the name “Renegades” wasn’t that original, but we had decided on it as a team, about eight bottles of bourbon in, and it had been unanimous, so the system set it. I left the hangar that had just delivered the seventy new personnel and headed to the sick bay to wait with Corpsman Torres for the first of the new arrivals.

“Ma’am are they on their way?” Torres asked as I entered the compartment.

“Yeah, they should be. The question is, who will show up here first. I’m hopeful it will be the doctor and nurse, but no clue.” We didn’t have to wait long as a line of Marines was out the door.

Janssens and Turing were showing them around and immediately brought them by, knowing what was in the plans. Fortunately, the Captain in charge of the platoons was smart enough to listen to a Gunny and Staff Sergeant. I was helping Torres get the Marines into and out of the auto-doc pods. We had used the programming on the pods to ensure that the updates to the hardware would happen. Observer had assured us that an update done in-game would also affect the Neural in the Real due to the nature of the device.

We had finished with the first platoon by the time the nurse and doctor arrived at the sickbay. We ran them through the Auto-doc, explaining in very general terms what the software update would do. I made the decision to not tell them that it would also affect their Neurals in the Real. It was a very long day while everyone was cycled through sickbay. Of course, the civilians were upset as the labs wouldn’t allow access until they had checked into medical, but when they found that the “procedure” would take them each five minutes and then they could go and play with new and unusual toys, they all but jumped into the pods.

It was after midnight by the time I managed to rack out for some sleep.

Disowned - Original

“Thank you for the tour, Lieutenant. No, one place we haven’t seen is the Command Center. We seem to have skipped that.”

“Sir, I can take you there, but first I need to warn you. The VI is rather...” I sighed. Best to be honest about these things. “Colonel White, the AI is very eccentric. There have been many times that I have wanted to give the kill order, sir.”

“That bad? What sort of personality did it end up with?”

“The first three were all ‘you will bow to me’ types. This was the fourth. It was a relief at first, but… You’ll see in a moment, sir.”

We were almost at the corridor that would lead us into the Command Center. As I feared the lights were flickering off and back on. The tell tale calls of “look at me” with the “oontz oontz oontz” were starting to become audible. As we turned the last corner all hopes of a descent meeting with the VI were shot to shit.

“You made it! Your ability to walk short distances without dying will be your enemy’s downfall!”

Sigh. “Colonel White let me introduce you to the outpost VI, Claptrap. Clappy, this is Colonel White.”

“GREAT! Now, get me outta here before any enemies arrive!”

“Lieutenant, THIS is what you are living with?”

“Sir, this is calm for him.”

“I do not envy you stuck on this rock.” The Colonel turned to head back to the landing bay hangar.

“This way, minion! Over here!”

Well, that did it, I could now officially claim it was thinking of humanity as its servants.

“I’ll give the kill order once you’re on your way back, sir.”

“No need, this is the game. Yama! Fix your damned VI.” The Colonel started walking back to the bay. A scream echoing from the speakers in the control room as Yama forcefully “fixed” the VI.

“Okay, Jax. That was enlightening. I have a new respect for the VI programmers now. What about the Commanders other challenge?”

“That, sir, I can assure you, is just about ready to build out. We have the basics configured on it and all we need now is to take it through some simulations. We are trying a couple of different and new ideas on this build. Some of your Marines may get soft if I cushy it up too much, so no worries there. Once our relief gets here we will start building it and use it to head back to the Ark.”

We saw the Colonel off, and then checked in with our terminals.

QUEST COMPLETED

Follow Extended orders

Daily Exp Rewards

525

Special Duty EXP Rewards

300

Other Rewards

Greater understanding on Defensive Measures

New Materials Knowledge

Schematics for Advanced Sensor Relays

Fall Back Position

Outpost Theta

Defensive Systems Schematics

VI Manipulation Resistance

New Title Available

“Anyone else get some screwy rewards?” Asimov asked.

“Yeah, I got a ‘VI Manipulation Resistance’ bonus? What the hell is that about?”

“Same, Was it due to that last VI? I mean it was a long ten days he was active.”

That seemed to be the general consensus from everyone here.

“I’m more concerned with the fact that we were rewarded with Outpost Theta.” I said. “Also, ‘Fall Back Position’? What is that supposed to mean? I mean, I know what it means normally, but what is that supposed to mean?”

A new message arrived on my terminal.

TO: Lieutenant Commander Jax

REPLY TO ATTN OF: Ark Command

SUBJECT: Orders

LCDR. Jax,

As you have no doubt become aware, you have been promoted. Colonel White was impressed with your ability to put together a full outpost in such a limited amount of time. As a bonus, you will be fully staffed. Under your direct command will be the following personnel.

Three (3) Pilots

Three (3) Navigators

Two (2) Weapons Engineers

Two (2) Aviation Engineers

Two (2) Aviation Ordinance Engineers

Two (2) Aircrew Survival Equipmentmen

Five (5) Construction Battalion

Three (3) Machinist Mates

Two (2) Electrical Engineers

Two (2) Hull Maintenance Technicians

Three (3) Hospital Corpsman

Two (2) Aviation Electronics Technician

Two (2) Construction Mechanics

Two (2) Construction Electricians

Three (3) Sensors Operators

Two (2) Communications Specialists

Two (2) Platoons Marines for Defense

One (1) Yeoman

One (1) Boatswainsmate

Two (2) Metalworkers

Three (3) Intelligence Engineers

Three (3) Mess Specialists

Three (3) Civilian Researchers

One (1) Logistics Specialist

“Team Jax” is factored into the numbers above and has now been transferred directly under your command along with the above. You will have five days to ensure that you can manage the new supply loadouts. Treat the base as a research and listening center and everything should work itself out.

Additional equipment will be delivered to manage food resources shortly. Continue researching the necessary data to ensure that we survive.

“Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT!” I turned to storm out of the room, and I noticed everyone looking at me.

“Shit. Okay, bad news or worse news?” I asked the team in front of me.

“Congratulations on your maple leaf, Ma’am.” Janssens said with a little snark and a big ol’ smirk.

“Yeah, thanks. That’s the ‘fuck you’ command just gave while pushing me out the door. So, welcome to my base. Outpost Theta… my underlings. Bad news is I’m in charge down here. Worse news is we need to gear up for everyone else who was just stationed here. I recommend you all check your orders for your reassignments. Jannsens, Turing. You’re in charge of the Outpost defense until we see if the platoons have an officer worth a shit. I’ll be in my quarters.”

I then walked out, which took much more self-control than I thought it would. Once in the office beneath the command center I noticed all of my gear had been transferred, most likely by Yama. My portable fabricators had already been recycled for their pieces, but the fab I had purchased shortly after waking up was still put together and now in my office.

Pulling up the details on my terminal I noted the list of transfers. The two CBs that were being assigned I was familiar with, same with the new HT. In fact they were brothers that got into this shit with me. Looking further into the list, the doctor who had done the upgraded implants for my team was transferred. The two platoons of Marines, I couldn’t be sure, but there were familiar names there as well.

They were getting rid of the “trouble makers”. I opened the folders on the MS’s to validate that. Yep, insubordination. Lots of it. Same with the Comms Specialists. The researchers were interesting, manufacturing of drugs. We had just become a dumping ground. There was a very good chance that they would be mirroring this in the Real once the outpost there was completed.

There was a knocking at the hatch for my office.

“Enter!” I called out, half of the team was there.

“Ma’am, is this some sort of joke?” Corpsman Torres started off

I configured a drone to start digging out a separate research station and an area for meat vats while I spoke.

“Yeah, but it’s on us. Come on in, everyone. No use in hiding this.”

“What’s going to happen to us?” Takeshi asked.

“Well, it seems that we are being seen by command as a disciplinary post.” I let that sink in for a moment before continuing. “The list of personnel that is being sent all seem to be disciplinary cases. Sorry to be a red mark in your personnel folders.” I used the terminal to order some bourbon and pulled a glass for everyone as well. I poured my own then left the bottle on my desk, gesturing to the bottle and glasses.

“I’m the ‘boss’ now, so I will have to stop asking and start ordering. I don’t want to be the boss, I want to make a difference and help out, but these are the orders. Torres, you get to learn how to do the implant upgrades. I’ll be sending you the file shortly. Don’t worry, it isn’t difficult. Even I could handle it.” I took a long drink from my bourbon. “I will be assigning berths tomorrow. Let me know your top three preferred places to sleep. As far as I can tell, all of our gear has already been transferred to where we’re sleeping.”

I stood and started to pace a little.

“The worst part is I have a feeling that once Theta is built out in the Real, that we will be getting assigned here. We need to NOT complete the designs for the Marine Assault and Insertion craft for a while. In fact, we need to stop ALL designs.” I walked over to my desk and set a 1MC alert.

“All Personnel on Outpost Theta, report to the Commanders Office. This is an order.” I repeated twice and then sat back and ordered more bourbon as well as a few other glasses from the terminal. It didn’t take too long before the office opened. Turing and Janssens were at the lead of the unruly mob. I pointed to the glasses and bourbon.

“Drink.” I think that would be my most enthusiastically followed order, ever. “We need to start building food vats, a research station, and most importantly of all, a garbage recycler. Stop all other projects. Marques, Jorges, how far along with the assault craft are you?”

“Almost done, Commander.” Jorges responded before Marques opened his mouth.

“Either delete the data or introduce major flaws that will make it so it cannot work.”

The two looked at me like I had lost my mind.

“As you missed for joining us late, we are about to become a dumping ground for the undesirables in the fleet and for civilian researchers. You are now my underlings. Muahahah.” I said the laugh in a flat and dry way to ensure they knew that my feelings on being in charge were not that of an evil (or good) overlord.

“This posting may end up in the Real as well. We do NOT want to be at that disadvantage if it happens how I fear. Here’s a quick rundown. Our MS’s have some insubordination. Our civilian researchers were running a drug ring in the civilian side of things, the doctor is the wonderful professional that did all of the advanced implants, the Marines all seem to be those who were involved in the fighting directly during the reboot. You get the idea.” I sat back down at my desk and refilled my bourbon.

“Let me know of any special equipment that you need, choose your berths and send me their locations, I’ll have to assign those in the AM. Lastly, tonight we drink in remembrance of us doing fun things. I don’t know if we will be able to continue such in the future.”

I took my own order as advice and continued to replenish the bourbon as we drank and told stories through the night.

“Check in on the terminals against the walls for your berth locations and additional equipment you will need to learn. You each have at least one new skill you need to learn. IE’s work with Asimov to get up to date on the tricks behind what we are working on. We are currently living off the Ration Packs provided by the system.” I ignored the groans from the civilians.

“The food stores will not have meat for another two weeks. The hydroponics and greenhouses will not be providing vegetables for a while as well. Feel free to buy food from the terminals if you don’t want that. I have an open-door policy, if you don’t abuse it. We have been lucky enough to discover the latest technologies in use and we plan to continue doing so.”

“Now, you’ll all find out that I can be a bitch if you push me to it, but I would prefer to not have to go there. You have all been dumped on me because command views you as disciplinary cases. Many of you have already figured this out, so it shouldn’t be news to you. We are all here because we have shown that we will not blindly do everything that is asked of us. That we will ask questions when things do not make sense. We will strike out against those that are trying to force their will on us.”

“Civilians, you have a bit of a luxury. You get your choice of one of two berth locations. Both are assigned to you. This is because you will be expected to put in hours researching. None of your previous business deals, or I will execute you, then lock you in to keep you out of my hair.”

“Welcome to Outpost Theta, home of the Renegades.”

Sure, the name “Renegades” wasn’t that original, but we had decided on it as a team, about eight bottles of bourbon in, and it had been unanimous, so the system set it. I left the hangar that had just delivered the seventy new personnel and headed to the sick bay to wait with Corpsman Torres for the first of the new arrivals.

“Ma’am are they on their way?” Torres asked as I entered the compartment.

“Yeah, they should be. Question is, who will show up here first. I’m hopeful it will be the doctor and nurse, but no clue.” We didn’t have to wait long as a line of Marines was out the door.

Janssens and Turing were showing them around and immediately brought them by, knowing what was in the plans. Fortunately, the Captain in charge of the platoons was smart enough to listen to a Gunny and Staff Sergeant. I was helping Torres get the Marines into and out of the auto-doc pods. We had used the programming on the pods to ensure that the updates to the hardware would happen. Observer had assured us that an update done in game would also affect the Neural in the Real due to the nature of the hardware.

We had finished with the first platoon by the time the nurse and doctor arrived at the sickbay. We ran them through the Auto-doc, explaining in very general terms what the software update would do. I made the decision to not tell them that it would also affect their Neurals in the Real. It was a very long day while everyone was cycled through sick bay. Of course, the civilians were upset as the labs wouldn’t allow access until they had checked into medical, but when they found that the “procedure” would take them each five minutes and then they could go and play with new and unusual toys, they all but jumped into the pods.

It was after midnight by the time I managed to rack out for some sleep.