No Coincidences
Gilda POV this time.
Willie approached my position accompanied by the formerly hostile dungeon core, designated Cordelia by Willie. The succubus designated Millie, shifted her attention towards me as well. I still held some irritation that Willie had ignored my warning about the power of naming things prematurely. However, it was possible that the naming of these lifeforms contributed to the de-escalation of hostilities in some way. Perhaps it would be prudent to be circumspect when revisiting the subject of names up in the future.
The situation had become increasingly complex. Until recently, the completion of the project was my top priority. However, at this time, securing allies for Willie and myself seemed much more imperative. Given the unexpected results obtained by following his instincts during the recent attack, I decided to yield to him on the decision of whether to include the dungeon core and succubus in the planning of the next phase.
With the project now abandoned, he was no longer a subject to study but my partner. Our chances of escape depended on our ability to trust each other. Now that I had reduced the predictability of our navigation, it was time to have a discussion with my partner. I was careful to strike the right balance in tone as I replied to his query.
"The specific capabilities of dungeon cores are unknown to me, except by second-hand account. Cordelia, would you care to explain what would be involved and what the benefits would be?"
The dungeon core's avatar looked at all of us in turn, then replied with much more enthusiasm than was required.
"By claiming this vessel as my territory, I'll be able to use dungeon functions to provide security and defense from magical attacks. Be grateful, my loyal subjects!"
"Yay!!"
For some reason, the succubus let out a squeal of joy. On the surface, it sounded like a useful tactic. However, that type of enthusiastic response was unwarranted until we had a better grasp of any potential downside.
"Would this hamper the functioning of this vessel's systems or of any of the passengers?"
The dungeon core's eyes started to dart around the room. It was clear the avatar was trying to hide something. Willie stepped in before I could pursue the matter any further.
"Cordie, I am extending my previous command to cover Gilda... and Millie too. Answer truthfully, leave nothing out."
"What! It's not like it's a big deal... I mean, I just constantly absorb a little mana from anybody in my dungeon territory. You should be grateful!"
I do not possess mana, so I could not assess what that entailed. Willie and the succubus had already experienced the resource drain, so they would have a better idea as to the effects.
"If Willie has no objections to having his mana drained, I will not object. Will this have any effect on me? I do not possess mana."
"What?! How can you not possess mana? Everything has mana... even the undead have mana."
"It would take too long to explain. It is sufficient to just answer the question for now."
"Uh... no. I don't think it would have any effect on you at all then."
"Good. Willie, do you want to allow this?"
"Yeah, I think she wants to help in any way she can. We've already seen that your ship is vulnerable to magic attacks. I think it would be smart to compensate for that."
"Very well. Please proceed."
The dungeon core's avatar, visibly pleased with the decision, hurried over to her core form and vanished. This left me alone with Willie and the succubus. I understood from my experience with her that this succubus had no training in the use of her magic. However, any succubus should instinctively have the ability to read minds to some degree, so it was necessary to tread carefully in her presence.
"Willie, I know you need to get some rest, so please go to your room. I will take care of everything here and visit your quarters later to speak privately."
"Oh... Okay. Goodnight Millie. Just ask Gilda for whatever you need."
"Okey Dokey. Sweet dreams!"
After Willie left, I spoke to the succubus about her needs. It appeared that anything she needed for daily life had been provided for her inside the core. However, she did not want to return to it for now. So it was decided she would sleep on a newly fabricated bed in the common room after cleansing herself using the facilities in my quarters. I created some comfortable sleeping clothes and bedding for her as well. She was fascinated by the process of how the technology worked and asked many questions. She was especially interested when I used my severed limb as a base to fabricate a replacement arm for myself and had the medical bots attach it. Once she was settled for rest, and I had cleaned myself and changed as well, I went to Willie's quarters.
I used my override on his door and entered silently. I was unwilling to disturb his well-deserved rest just yet, so I simply watched him sleep for a little time. My own body did not require sleep after being unconscious for so long, so I tended to the many duties of a pilot. As I poured over systems making sure no errors were being caused by the integration of this vessel into a dungeon zone, Willie woke up.
"Ah... Hey Gilda. That's right, you wanted to talk about something. Wait! Holy crap! You have an arm again."
"Yes, I had a replacement fabricated and attached while you slept."
"Wow. You can do that..."
"We can discuss that another time. Right now, we have some more important issues to discuss as partners. However, given the abilities of our guests, I think we should discuss it via our link rather than out loud."
Willie sat up in the bed, letting the sheet loosely cover his lower half as he leaned against the wall. His body had become more robust and defined as his training had progressed. I was momentarily distracted by seeing him like this but quickly refocused on the task at hand.
<Okay. So what did you want to discuss that Millie and Cordie shouldn't hear?>
<Do you remember when Cordelia said her core designation is 00976?>
<Yeah... sure.>
<Do you recall that my vessel's number designation is also 00976?>
<Huh? Wow... that's... pretty unlikely to be a coincidence. So, the Demon Lords specifically sent Cordelia after us? That would mean they knew what you were doing.>
I could tell by his vital signs and brainwaves he was deeply concerned. His face confirmed that data. It was gratifying that I did not need to explain the importance of this information to him. However, it was still necessary to lay out all the facts to be sure we were both armed with the same data.
<Precisely. They found us even though we were traveling on a seldom-used course in the vastness of interstellar space. Cordelia was issued the exact same number designation. The astronomical odds of those two things occurring at the same time by happenstance likely means that there is a traitor in the Alliance.>
<Crap.>
<Furthermore, it seems highly likely that every vessel that was part of the magical warrior plan has a corresponding dungeon core vessel on an intercept course. Otherwise, there would be no need to match numbers.>
I watched as Willie balled up his fists in anger.
<What can we do about it?>
<I think we have three options: First, we can run and hide. Second, we can pretend we know nothing and continue as if nothing happened. Third, we can send out an emergency message to all vessels to warn them of potential attacks.>
<I guess our safety is highest going with the first choice, at least in the short term. I can't see any point in the second choice unless we aim to smoke out the traitor. So it has to be the third choice, right?>
<There are risks. We were ordered not to communicate on these missions because it would reveal our position. Furthermore, once we send the message, both the Demon Lords and the traitor will know that we know, and we will lose the advantage we currently possess.>
His heart rate was calming, but his brain activity was higher than ever. I sensed his access to the relevant data from the computer system. He was researching our communications systems and the history of how they factored into battles with the Demon Lords. I allowed him time to process the data. Once he was done, his face took on a look of grim determination. It suited him well. For the second time since I entered the room, I was briefly distracted, but I refocused on my current task. His response was in line with my expectations.
<Alright. So what do you want to do, Gilda?>
<I think we should send the warning to save as many lives as possible.>
<Yep, I agree. But we need to talk to Millie and Cordelia about this. It isn't fair to hide something like this from them. They will be just as affected by this decision as we will.>
I hesitated. However, I had already decided to follow Willie's lead on how we handled those two, so I broke the link.
"Agreed. Please get dressed. The sooner we have a meeting, the sooner we can send a message."
I reluctantly stepped out of his quarters to allow him to get ready. I was aware that Cordelia was now monitoring the entire vessel as her territory, so I spoke into the air.
"Cordelia, please meet us in the common area. We need to have a team meeting of some importance with you and Millie."
Soon after, Willie emerged from his room. He had on a fresh set of cowboy clothes I had given him for his birthday. As we walked to the common room, his heartbeat elevated, and he began to speak.
"Gilda, I need to let you know that I've kissed both Millie and Cordie. Not at the same time, but yeah..."
I was amused by his admission. I understood full well his moral values because I knew all of his memories.
"I was already aware you had kissed Cordelia when you talked to her alone earlier. I also would have expected at least a kiss with Millie because she is a succubus."
Willie was confused by my response, so I clarified in a way he could understand.
"Willie, the galaxy is a big place. Your concepts of morality when it comes to sexual activity are uncommon out here. For a succubus, having sex is roughly the same thing as you shaking somebody's hand. It is a friendly greeting. Reading anything more into it will only bring you confusion. When Millie was in my mind, we engaged in sexual activity as well. It is nothing to be concerned about."
He was noticeably shocked by that last bit of information. However, if he was going to travel with a succubus, he was going to need to get used to it.
"Uh... wow. Okay, I guess I'll try to keep my mind open to other cultures. But what about Cordelia then? She isn't a succubus."
"Yes. That is true. However, she is bonded to one. Therefore I think it is likely that Cordelia expresses her nature in a more sexual way than dungeon cores bonded to some other race."
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Those two are really like sisters or something."
We ended the conversation as we entered the common room. Cordelia was attempting to wake Millie, who in return was trying to kiss her and drag her into bed. When she saw us enter the room, she let go of Cordelia and jumped up.
"Good morning, everybody! You're all so adorable. Who wants a good morning kiss?"
"Perhaps later, Millie. For right now, Willie and I have some important things to discuss with you both."
After that, we spent some time going over the issue and explaining it so the two could understand the ramifications. Once I was satisfied that they understood the issues at play sufficiently, I turned to Willie.
"Do you have anything to add, Willie?"
"Yeah. Cordie, I just want to say this is not a command. If you have any hesitation about this plan, let me know, and I will free you so you and Millie can escape before we send the message."
Cordelia spent some time nervously looking at Millie, then she looked back at us and responded.
"Send the damn message. It's good bait for those losers. Let those puny Demon Lords come. I'll consume their desecrated corpses to fuel my ever-expanding galactic takeover!"
Millie nodded her head along enthusiastically.
It seemed I was correct to trust in Willie's instincts after all. We would all be working together to survive. There was a lot of work to be done, with not much time to do it. Having no time to waste, I sent the message right away.
"The message has been sent. We should begin making plans. The first thing I would like to do is upgrade you both and get you in a simulation so we can train for battle at accelerated speeds."
