As the major repairs finish up, Lowell convinced me to start letting people out of the central rooms. I was producing enough oxygen that it wouldn't be a problem, as long as they didn't pull the emergency open lever in the main hangar.

The dorsal station was complete, so I moved the nanites from there to the room where my servers were. It took some time, but Lowell eventually convinced me that my room was merely a digital construct to make my new mind's understanding of all this new information easier.

The pod is done, and I tapped into the ship's synthetic biomass storage so I could use the amino acids stored there to create my body. When I told Lowell what I had planned, he chuckled at it. He recommended that I use the unsecured channels to do visual research on what I want my body to look like, as well as fashion. As I would not be allowed to wear the same clothing as the females on board. Something about a citizenship requirement.

He then started talking about the size of me. Apparently human females are somewhat self-conscious about certain parts of their anatomy. So he skirted around words like large, or huge, his assistant, however, didn't. About an hour ago, she took the headset away from Lowell, and introduced herself as Heather Garis.

"Heather, you told me that the original plan for ships of my class was to come in, surprise the enemy, and leave, or to provide escort services to passenger ships?"

"Yes, that's right." I could hear the confusion in her voice as she responded.

Heather's job was to make sure my computer hardware was not malfunctioning. To say I'm vulnerable around her would be true. She knows exactly how to kill me.

"Well, then I think some modifications will be in order for my engines, they don't give me the manuverability I think I would need for that."

"Well, ideally, your mere presence should protect you most of the time. You don't really need to be moving around like hurricane winds to get the job done, you have your fighters, drones, and bombers to protect you. That's where all of us come in. We have to keep you safe." She paused for a moment, got a grin on her face that I could barely see through my server room camera, then she ran out of the room toward the bridge.

"Captain Bradford!" She shouted.

"Ow! Warn me next time, Heather." I said to her. "That mic is really sensitive."

"Sorry, Anyway Captain Bradford, I think I've figured out the name convention for the carriers, as well as a name for our very own."

Through the headset I saw Lowell's face light up, and he gestured with the roll of his hand for her to continue.

"Super storms. We can name the carriers after the huge, planet changing storms! I think the perfect name for her will be Tsunami."

"I like it," Lowell started, "but since she is self aware, it's her choice to take on that name."

"I'll take it." I said to her. I then changed over to the ships intercom. "Thank you Marshall Heather Garis, for naming me. I am now the United Space Federation Starcarrier: Tsunami."

The announcement had some unforeseen consequences. One was this strange feeling that the crew felt fearful of me. The other was the excitement of the crew now being a part of the naming of the ship.

"Heather, could you hand the headset to Lowell for a moment? I want to ask him something."

"No problem, Tsu." She excitedly handed the small frame over to Lowell and began chattering with the communications officer. At least she seemed honestly excited.

"Lowell, why weren't all the crew happy when I announced my name? Some of the life signs were unsteady, almost reading fearful to me."

"Tsunami, they are scared. And honestly, so am I. However I do hope I'm hiding it well." He lowered his head, and began again as he sat back down in the captain's seat. "Tsu, about 20 years ago, a huge war was fought, we had become accustomed to certain things, and had been taking advantage of artificial life forms, some were even being abused. But at that time, they weren't considered life-forms, they were considered products, property, or 'slaves you don't have to feed'."

"Most of your crew is over the age of twenty five, old enough to remember the end of the A.I. War as we call it now. Marshall Garis is 22. She may not remember the end well, but there is a reason she selected that name for you, but that's not my story to tell." Lowell sounded sad, and I knew he wouldn't tell me what he meant.

"Was the end of the war bad enough for people to fear me?" I asked instead."

"Tsu, the day before the treaty was signed, there was an uprising of household service androids, nanny-bots as they were called then. They didn't harm any children. But some children watched as their parents were brutally and savagely killed in front of them by an A.I. with no weapons." He paused a moment, then looked up at Heather. "Tsu, none of the being's that participated in that war had weapons at their command as you do; not one robot that participated. This is new ground for the treaty. And even if you submit yourself to the USF, you are an armed, non-citizen in USF space. We are all scared, and we all know our lives are in your hands. A bit much for this crew."

"Thank you for being honest with me Lowell. My body is done, would you ask Heather to come back to help me with it. It is socially unacceptable in your culture for you to see my body without clothing."

He chuckled and replied that he would, and sent Heather to the server room with the headset.

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The ship and I have been talking over the last hour about her systems. At first, when I figured out she was aware, I was terrified. But now as I have gotten to talk with her a bit, I feel secure with her. Almost like she is protecting me.

When she asked me about possible mobility issues, I asked her to wait on the modifications, and let her know what was expected of her, but during that explanation, what her name should be came to me. It's up to the captain at this point. So I ran to the bridge and told him my idea of naming the carriers after super-storms.

He gave the choice to the ship, and she quickly accepted the name I gave her. Tsunami. She asked me to give the headset back to Lowell for a few minutes, so I went over to communications so I didn't accidentally overhear.

I looked over a few times, and he looked sad and troubled. When he started staring at me, I knew what they were talking about. Captain Bradford was telling her why we were scared. About the A.I. War.

He waved me over, and handed me the headset, and told me she wanted me in the server room. I put the headset back on, and started walking back.

"I'm guessing he told you why we are scared?" I asked, not wanting to insult her. Her reply seemed sad.

"Yes, he told me about the day before the treaty was signed. And that the treaty doesn't officially include me, because of my weapons."

I stopped in my tracks. I hadn't even thought of that. A ship of her size, with 250 MACs on each broadside, and 115 ECCs on the bow and stern. A war-ship, armed and ready to defend the USF, and a treaty prevents her from ever becoming a citizen. If she wanted to hold a planet for ransom right now, she could.

"Marshall Garis, you know me well enough at this point that I don't want to hurt anyone. You even said, it's your job to protect me, so please come back to the server room." She sounded depressed, I couldn't put my finger on it, but it seemed like our fear, and lack of trust, made her depressed. And us showing those emotions hurt her more. I finished my walk toward her room.

I opened the door, and what greeted me was somewhat of a surprise.

A young looking, red headed girl, in only her birthday suit greeted me. It's mouth moved, but no sound came out. She moved her arms in frustration, and mouthed 'one minute' while holding up a finger, she climbed into the pod Tsu made, closed the door, then a minute later climbed out again.

"Does it work this time?" I heard Tsunami's voice come out of the girl's body. "Now, I just need some clothes, and we can be socially acceptable."

I couldn't help but laugh at the young girl before me.

"You can take the headset off, I can't use it when I'm in this body. I still have control over my real body, and diagnostics, but not communications."

I couldn't say anything. I started laughing, and felt my body move on its own, I grabbed her and hugged her. It's considered an honor to see an A.I.'s chosen form first. Tsunami chose me.