FSE

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Chapter 5

The space port was far outside of any settlement, made a run-down impression, was loud, crowded and there seemed to be no plan where to go or who was responsible for what.

Only the attached bistros, drink bars and snack bars made up for the chaos and were inviting.

"What a huge mess," escaped Stephen after they arrived and got out of the cab.

"Not particularly inviting, but nonetheless, have to get through there now," Camilla hubbed. "Why don't you look at the tickets so we know roughly where we're supposed to check in to in the first place?"

"A-1954," Stephen replied pronto.

"That means once through the reception building," sighed the fox-wolf.

"Miss Queen," the Anubis robot began, "I'll go ahead and keep an eye on her."

"I know," Camilla confirmed, "then let's go, after all I'm not getting any younger and who knows what kind of people we're about to run into."

"I imagine a club of enthusiastic followers will gather very quickly as soon as you recognize them and, above all, you'll be able to guess what you're up to in the company of a load-bearer," Butler Frank indicated.

"It will definitely be sporting," Camilla confirmed. "But isn't it always?"

The quartet entered the building with the fox-wolf's last sentence, and they looked around.

"The better days are clearly over. It's a wonder that longer trips and excursions are still offered here at all. Even the illegal clientele can't find what they're looking for here," Camilla stated.

"Stay close to me, all of you," the robot encouraged. "I register curious and irritated looks, which rest on them and also on me. In some, my sensors show elevated blood pressure readings and an increased pulse rate. I cannot rule out aggression."

"Thank you for pointing that out. We are very close," the fox-wolf said, placing her right hand on the left shoulder of the Anubis-Tauren robot almost as a matter of course.

"I really appreciate this closeness and her trust, Miss Queen," he seemed to flute.

"Don't slime around, take us to the terminal," Camilla ordered.

"Let's go then," Stephen confirmed, nodding to butler Frank Simson.

"I'm ready when they are," the Doberman was still saying.

Countless glances were directed at the quartet, were they followed with their eyes, more and more people turned to look at them.

"I think most of them are just curious and their familiarity does the rest," the robot concluded from the widespread reactions.

"So it's business as usual," Camilla concluded.

That wasn't an understatement, because halfway down the path, a slightly older human suddenly stepped into her path. "So you are this Camilla Queen? You're this fox who wants to compete with our human Lara Croft?"

"A fox-wolf please, but you're right. However, I have no competitive drive whatsoever," Camilla replied.

"You are what you are and that never does justice to a human woman," the guy snorted.

"Do you know what is typical for humans?", the robot intervened, "the eternal competitive behavior. There always has to be someone who can do everything better, even if he can't. Someone always has to stand out verbally from the masses, to disgust and slime his way to the top. Isn't it enough that humanity has pushed the planet, and with it itself, over the edge into disaster?"

"What does the stupid machine mean by that?" the old man enthused.

"I can explain that very readily. We Anthros came into being through nuclear contamination, through nuclear contamination in areas of the Earth which they, as humans, caused. It is not we who are the problem, but the material and, above all, the spiritual foundations of human thought and behavior," Stephen interfered.

"That's not true at all, we've been overrun by you creatures."

"But not so!" began Camilla, "You are clearly twisting the roles of perpetrator and victim. They were on Earth first, at least as a so-called rational species, whether they are I dare to doubt. Our ancestors were hunted and despised by their species as primitive animals. Then mankind has almost exterminated itself by its oh so highly praised intelligence and we came unexpectedly on the plan. Look around and count the people present, there are not many. For it however all possible kinds came to genuine and reasonable intelligence. In principle, we actually have to thank them," the fox-wolf concluded her remarks.

Visibly disgusted by the truth, the man waved it off, turned and left the scene.

"And now let's move on, time is running out otherwise," Camilla ordered, pulling the Anubis Tauren along with her.

After the four had reached the appropriate terminal a little later, the dispute was already forgotten. Instead, another one was brewing.

"That guy is only allowed in the cargo hold!" one of the terminal staff shouted from a distance when he spotted the load carrier.

"That's my personal attendant, he stays with me and goes with me to my cabin."

"No way ... Miss ... Queen!"

"Oh yes, he will!" the fox-wolf stubbornly posed.

"And I say nothing will come of it, little lady. And I'm in charge here!"

"Clearly too long already, but that can change. I'd like to talk to her supervisor first, and then to the operator of the space line."

"That might suit them. Denying me my authority and crying to the boss. That sounds like a hell of a lot of mimimi to me, little lady."

"What's up?" someone yelled from behind, quickly approaching.

"This vixen here wants to take her tin pile to her cabin in all seriousness," the finger-wagging griffin began to yell back.

"I'll be right there to take care of it."

A few moments later, a donkey stood in front of them and cleared his throat. "You can go. Take a break. I'll take over."

"Okay boss, if you say so."

"Yes. Have some coffee and just sit down for a while."

After the griffin left and was out of earshot, the donkey mare turned to the four of them. "I'm sorry, Miss Queen. Unfortunately, good staff has been hard to find lately and those who work are totally overworked. That's when one or two of them start blowing a fuse."

"Not an issue, Miss ...?"

"Kriel, Miss Queen," the donkey mare replied to Camilla's question, stretching her ample stature.

"It's all right, Miss Kriel. May we board the excursion cruiser now?"

"Yes, but be careful that your shiny companion doesn't bump into anything or want to sit at the table at the captain's dinner."

"I don't think I'm interested," the Anubis robot interjected.

"Then I'm reassured," the donkey mare finished, pointing in the direction of the hangar. "Just keep going straight and then turn right. You can't miss the entrance to the ship at all. Have fun on Sirius A."

"We have to thank you, Miss Kriel, and have a nice day to them as well," Camilla purred and started moving, followed by the others.

The ship itself made a much better impression than the spaceport. Outer skin and the whole interior made a clean, almost brand new impression.

The ship's crew consisted of two humans, a horse, a tiger, as bridge crew, then a somewhat chubby rat as purser and a snake hybrid, which represented the ship's doctor.

All in all, it would probably be a wonderful two weeks aboard this luxury ship, if they were left alone.

"Welcome aboard, Miss Queen. Likewise, a warm welcome to Mister Simson, Mister Fang and ... how may I address you?

"I am simply Anubis, a BD Supreme Plus," the cargo robot introduced itself.

"Welcome Anubis," the tiger fluted in a conspicuously courteous manner. "Our bellboys will escort them to their cabins. Mister Simson has cabin 18E on the port side, in the forward section, Mister Fang almost right next to it in 20E, and Miss Queen, you get the suite right in the forward section of the ship. There you have an exquisite view of the space ahead, you are welcome to bring their Anubis Supreme Plus."

The tiger looked behind him for a moment, raised a hand, waved it a bit in the air and instantly 4 upright ants appeared, nodded slightly and seized the carry-on luggage. "If you don't mind? Just follow us," one of them buzzed and led the way.

"Let's go then, Anubis," Camilla whispered to her jackal-taur, patting him gently on the butt.

"Miss Queen, I'd like to point out that I'm not a horse. It doesn't do much good with me to be patted on the butt."

"Where else would I be patting?" the fox-wolf asked cheekily.

"I'll be happy to explain that later. Which I think you'll figure out for themselves eventually. You should know on Sirius D at the latest," the robot orated, looking deep into Camilla's eyes.

"You are and will remain a mystery, my dear Anubis."

"I am what I am," the robot repeated, striding alongside Camilla to the front of the cruiser.

"Well," Stephen started, "looks quite serviceable." He tipped the ant her tip and closed the door from the inside.

He then approached the on-board intercom, eyed it extensively, read the instructions, and keyed in a call number.

"Frank Simson here," the Doberman butler's voice rang out.

"Yes, you said that very nicely," Stephen said, chuckling.

"Mister Fang, you are, as usual, very much in the mood for jokes. From that, I gather they're pleased with the cabin."

"I'd be lying if I raved, but it's quite okay, clean, there's no musty smell, and the lighting works fine, too."

"I wholeheartedly agree with that and would suggest that we go see Miss Queen as soon as possible and see how she is doing."

"That's a very good idea, Frank. I'll meet you outside her cabin in five minutes."

"Very well Mister Fang."

Camilla and her mystical robot friend had reached their luxury suite in the meantime, had gone through the same procedure with the ant as Stephen and Frank and were now alone.

"The suite is very large, Miss Queen," the robot fluttered.

"Anubis!"

"Miss Queen?"

"Just call me Camilla. Since we're traveling together anyway and have the same destination, we should just go by our first names. Who knows how close we'll get later on, and there would be certain things very strange about last names."

"Miss Queen, I am very happy to comply with your request, but I still find it a little strange and very intimate."

"Intimate is different. You've already seen me naked, and I'm still of the opinion that you were on my bed that night, had an erection, held that swollen piece of gorgeousness out to me, and just won't admit it."

"Camilla!" escaped the jackal-tauren. "I do have to plead. Even if I had such a body part at my disposal, I would hardly present it in such a compromising manner."

"I see, how then? Why don't you let your artificial imagination run wild for once?"

"I would lie down in bed with you, I would caress you, I would pamper you, and then I would ask you to play."

"Now I've got you. You have sexual fantasies about me. Where did you get them?"

"Subroutines, I can't tell where they come from," the robot explained briefly.

"Go on, I like what you would do to me."

"Miss Queen, Camilla. It's not proper."

"I charge you to tell me how you would like to play."

"I have deft hands and fingers. I need say no more, I suppose."

"Very well! Change of subject - Why are you so interested in Sirius D and especially the Osiris fragment on Sirius B? What about the fur you want to organize?"

"That is also stored in my subroutines and is beyond my access in its current state."

"Okay. That means you share a common goal with me, but don't know why. You won't know until the time comes, and I may have to live with the consequences, whatever they are?"

"That's exactly how it is, but I can reassure you, it won't hurt you or the others. At least that I know for sure."

"In general, the whole thing is troubling, but it's nice that at least there's no threat from you."

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," the fox-wolf called out.

"Hello sis, it's just us and we wanted to see how you and your lover were doing."

"Mister Fang, it is very disrespectful to call me Miss Queen's lover," the robot was indignant.

"Well countered, Anubis. However, there is something hypocritical shining through in your voice."

Camilla started laughing out loud. "My dear Anubis, no matter what you say, it will only get worse."

"I find the present situation most unsatisfactory," the robot complained.

"I am often unsatisfied, too," Camilla tried to make a flat joke.

"Miss Queen," butler Frank indignantly said, "I beg your pardon. Nobody really wanted to know that now."

"Anubis might."

"Miss Queen, you're putting me in a very awkward position more and more," complained the Anubis Tauren robot.

"Then we'd better leave it for now," the fox-wolf concluded, looking to her stepbrother. "What are your cabins like?"

"It's not luxury like yours, but it's fine for the two weeks."

"After all. We could have done worse. Good booking, Frank."

"I always do my best."

There was another knock at the door.

"Did anyone order anything?" asked Camilla.

"Why?" asked Stephen.

"Miss Queen, I should go to the door," suggested the robot and went off without waiting for an answer. "Please step aside," he still prompted and opened the door.

"Miss Queen!" the stallion started and stopped abruptly. "I'm afraid you're not Miss Queen, but is she present?"

"Yes, I'm here," the fox-wolf replied, stepping closer.

"Ah. Very well. My name is Thomas Zander and yes, I know I don't look like a fish. I am the first officer of the tranquil starship and on behalf of the captain I wanted to invite you to the welcome dinner tonight. Of course, their companions may join them at the table and are welcome."

"That sounds good, Mister Zander, who is not a fish, but a horse. Convey to your captain that I will be very happy to attend the dinner, as will my butler Frank and my stepbrother Stephen. May my synthetic friend also join us? He won't be eating, but will certainly want to enjoy their company and join in the conversation."

"I am very pleased to welcome four guests to our table. Until eight o'clock then. I commend myself, Miss Queen."

"See you later, Mister Zander."

She closed the door and looked first at her stepbrother, then at Butler Frank, and then at the Anubis robot. "It looks like we all have something to do tonight."

"I'm very glad you thought of me," the robot affirmed, "but I won't be attending. I already have something planned."

"Why and what do you have in mind?" echoed Camilla.

"You forget that I hinted at taking care of suitable fur, and I think that when we boarded, I recognized someone in the background who can help me on Sirius A. I'm sure he'll be able to help me. He might even be useful to cross over to Sirius B."

"Then I guess it'll just be the three of us at the table," Camilla sighed. "If you change your mind, just join us. I believe you will find your way to the dining room."

"I'll be quick and very happy to join you," the robot finished and left the suite.

"You're leaving already?" asked Camilla.

"The early robot catches the matching hardware."

"That line was limping mightily now, my dear."

"I couldn't think of anything better to say," replied the robot as he left, suddenly shrugging his shoulders.

After the door was closed, Stephen looked at his stepsister. "Whatever you're going to say now, I don't care. The guy got one on the AI, after all, and he's got it fierce."

"I find him increasingly open, honest, direct, and most of all, I trust him more and more."

"Don't you think you're handing out a big advance there?" mused Stephen.

"I've been talking to him a lot, he's become very open, very intimate, and he seems to have feelings."

"That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?"

"I agree with her stepbrother, Miss Queen," Frank interjected.

"I think it's touching, but I trust my gut."

"I think it's more likely that you're not paying attention because the robot is Anubis and your hormones are getting in the way."

"You're seeing ghosts. His subroutines may not be accessible to him, but I don't think there's any danger."

"I see, and that makes you trust? What if the subroutines are supposed to make him think they're harmless so he'll leave you safe and when they become active, he's near you, has no problem whatsoever going after you to kill you."

"If he's coming at me to kill me, then I hope you're around to save me. Any other things that can be used to get over me, you'd better not be there and you'd better not interfere."

"You're not serious now?"

"Yes. I think he and I could have a lot of fun, though I'm curious as to why he ended up with me at all costs, and especially why he went after the Osiris fragment like we did."

"Hmmm...," Stephen began thoughtfully. "Anubis had been guarding the pieces of Osiris scattered by Seth after Isis sent her son Horus to find them."

"Hadn't Seth tried to steal them over and over again to hide them once more?"

"Exactly. Now your lover comes into play. What if you are right, and I just want to take your word for it now, he is actually in the subroutines Anubis, has been fed the history, and is supposed to find and collect the fragments not for himself but for an unknown client. For that, he needs your help and ours."

"And when we have found them all?" mused Camilla meekly.

"Then either we'll be superfluous or something has happened to him, he's mutated bit by bit into the real Anubis, becoming a real living being, and he needs the fragments for that."

"You mean like the Wizard of Os."

"The tin man. He always wanted to be human. Maybe it's the same with your Anubis?"

"And then?"

"Then he becomes the real Anubis. If this myth and his supposed magic power should really exist. He'll love you, honor you, have sex with you, carry you on his hands, father children, and you'll never dare get out of bed again because you'll be frayed underneath."

"You're dramatizing, bro."

"Well, at least the last option seems the most likely to me at the moment, since he's desperate to appear like a real jackal taur and wants to get a fur coat."

"Hmmm... what if he has this fur over his body, he gradually comes into possession of the fragments, turns out to be a real Anubis, the fur and he actually come to life?"

"That's what I'm alluding to," Stephen concluded.

"That would mean..."

"Let it go, sis. He's weird and we're talking myths, legends and magic here. We'll see what actually happens in the end when the time comes."

"You're right. Let's go to the launch rooms. The ship should take off in 20 minutes. True, nothing would happen if we stayed here, since the ship takes off like an airplane and then moves into orbit only after two orbits. But better safe than sorry."

"What about Anubis?" echoed Butler Frank.

"He'll know what to do. After all, he's very clever," Camilla replied, pushing them both toward the door. "Now off with us."

"Attention! Attention! Attention all passengers! Check-in is now complete. The ship will depart in 20 minutes. All passengers please report to the launch rooms in 10 minutes at the latest."

"See, it's about time for us."