52
Illium. Galactic Ausgabe headquarters. Susie
While the Legatus was thinking about his arsenal
How magnificent this place is. Such interesting intelligence. Especially the Azari: intelligent, sociable, beautiful... Especially Linra. She has read my book from cover to cover and keeps asking questions about it. Especially how I got such an idea about AI. Well, I answered as best I could. Dad told me to do everything I could so no one would suspect anything. We even memorised the answers to some of the questions, and it worked. How could Dad anticipate them? Yeah, I don't know. He's smart, but he doesn't have a time machine.
- Listen, Saul... Can I call you Saul? - Linra suddenly said. I wonder why.
- Well... Why not... - a little unsure, I said. I didn't see anything wrong with that.
- So, Saul. А... How's it going on the personal front? - I wondered what she was talking about. Geez, Dad, why'd you cut me off from the Extranet? He told me not to try and find help there because I'd only make a fool of myself. Of course, I had an extensive database, but the relationship thing... Shit, I forgot. And Dad forgot. Okay, Susie, calm down. Daddy told me to do this on my own. He believes in me, and I won't let him down.
- Well... I don't think so. I haven't thought about it... So far, - whatever works, whatever works, whatever works.
- Oh, so you're... Free? - What the hell does that mean? No, I'm free, but that's not what it means. Then what does it mean?
- What do you mean?
- Well, I mean, do you have a soul mate? - What does that mean? As my dad used to say - "Almighty Allah, help me!" Well, Allah, whoever you are, help me! I don't even know who that is; it's not in the databases, just records of Dad swearing when he was being explained how the new Light of Kila stealth system works. Okay, Susie, come on, think about what she might mean. Okay, I have bilateral body symmetry. Well, I mean the platform. And the Light of Kila has the exact symmetry. No, that's not it. So, yes or no, you have to answer.
- Um... No... - I said uncertainly and quietly, and I could have sworn Linra was pleased. The corners of her lips lifted slightly, and her eyes narrowed... What was that supposed to mean?
- Did it? How is it that no one's ever taken a little turian girl like you? Hasn't anyone taken your heart yet? - Oh Allah, I see you don't want to help me. Is that what she's talking about now? How can you occupy someone's heart?
- Borrow a heart? What, like a loan?
- No, heh-heh-heh-heh... No, I mean, do you have a boyfriend or... girlfriend?
- Oh, well... Dad's the only one in the family, and... Mum died... - a little sad, just like Dad showed me, I said.
****
Illium. Galactic Ausgabe headquarters. Linra T'Rytlun.
@#$%#&, what a beauty she is. Normally I've had Turians, even had a General, at my 203s, but here's Solina... Goddess, she's so beautiful, intelligent, and genuinely funny... There's no such sincerity on Illyum. There is only falseness behind which hides contempt for the interlocutor, even in half of the writers at this festival. Only the founder has a sincere smile too, but many authors are here just to promote their work and get money. And Solina talks as if she doesn't care what happens to her work; she only cares about communicating. And it's such a contrast to her awkward attempts to talk about personal matters. I have suspicions about her, but they're unlikely to be true.
- Listen, Saul. Forgive me for asking an indiscreet question, but... - I moved closer to the Turian and practically leaned my lips against her ear hole and asked in a whisper. - Have you ever been intimate?
- Well... Right now, we're standing very close to each other.
Still, she has yet to have one. Goddess, I want her so bad! She'll be mine! Tonight, all night long, she'll be mine! Her voice alone is enough for me... Goddess, what a voice she has. It makes my insides burn. As people say, strike while the iron is hot. I ain't let that bitch Rimla take this turian girl away from me. I saw how she looked at her; she sure had her eye on her. And now she's looking at me, too, right in my eyes. Well, no, you're not gonna get her.
- Saul, do you... Would you like to come back to my place? Get some privacy. To talk, I asked directly. It's gotta work, after all.
- Well... - Saul started to look around, then continued. - 'Why not. Is it far?
- No, come on, did it really work? I like her so much. So malleable, so unsure. How I love her. How I love to be dominated!
****
The Star Pyramid residential skyscraper
Linra T'Rytlun's flat. Susie.
What a gorgeous flat she has. It's vast: five-foot ceilings, living room, with tinted full-wall windows overlooking the street.
- Lyn, uh... Who are your parents? - I decided to ask her. We mostly talked about my book in the Aircar. She was so interested in it. It was nice to know someone liked my book so much.
- Mom's on Thessia now, and Dad's a Hanar; he's on Kahya now. He's visiting relatives.
- I see," I looked around the flat anyway, looking at everything here. Shelves of books, a human pool table, a bar with drinks, including some for Turians, and a holo-screen projector for the television. And the view of Illium at night was magnificent.
- Look, you look around, and I'll... be right back.
- Okay," I said quietly, and Lin quickly went into one of the rooms. I took a more visual look around, which was to look at the books. They were all paperbacks. Now they were printed more for interior use and for those who did not like technology.
The first book picked up was Human, "War and Peace. Volume 1." There were three other volumes of this novel next to it. I read it. Still, as Dad says, you have to know the classics. But I can't understand why my father loves human culture so much and tried to teach me about it. I have nothing against their films, especially their comedies, but it's still weird. We're not humans, we're goths, and he won't even listen to Azarian cinema. And such melodramas... But my dad can't change his mind. He watches hours and hours of Soviet comedies. And he watches them so many times that even an organist would remember them by heart. And he's a get! He could easily browse those films in his memory or in the Virtual, but no, he watches them on the bridge, with his feet on the dashboard. And Uncle Xad was always busy. Of course, I have nothing against "Captive of the Caucasus" or "Operation Y", but watching these films so many times is too much. There's so much I don't know about my dad. And just do not ask him what's wrong with him - or not understand or dodge the answer.
Suddenly I felt Lyn's arms around me. She wrapped her arms around my stomach, leaned her head against mine, and said in a strange, soft, purring voice.
- Aren't you hot in your clothes?
- No... It's pretty comfortable... - I was surprised when I turned around and saw Lirna. She was standing in front of me in just her underwear. Lacy. What's gotten into her? - Uh, you're hot. The room is...
- Oh, yeah. I'm hot when I'm around you...
- Yeah, the Turians have an average body temperature of 45 degrees. I'm not surprised.
- Come on," she said, like I was lying and she knew the truth and wanted me to confess. It's like you don't understand why I'm naked," she kept going on.
- Because you're hot. And because you're so... comfortable.
- Ohh... Tell me, why are we here? - That was definitely a trick question. I'll have to ask my dad later what it all means. All those looks and smiles talk about intimacy, heart and soul mates, and undressing on a visit. All right, we should answer her.
- Talk to her. You said it yourself, didn't you? No, well, you also said privacy, but that's to talk.
- At first, I was talking about... Privacy. As people say, the first word is more valuable than the second.
- Well, here we are... Alone and... talking. Are you really that hot? - I still don't get it.
- Oh, yeah, uh... Why?
- It's just that there's air conditioning above us. How can it be hot in here? - I said as I looked up, noticing the half-metre by half-metre grille that was the air-conditioner here.
- You know, I want to... explain something to you. Come with me," Lyn put her arm around my ribs and led me. - You do know that all races like the Azari, right?
- Yeah. Because of their physiology," Lyn led me to the bed. I wonder why she's showing me there.
- Oh yeah, and you know, the Azari don't always like their own kind.
- Yeah. Marriages to Azari with other races are pretty standard," I answered as it was in the database. I just didn't know how to respond differently. I'm not into all-galactic demographic statistics. And my dad didn't teach me about it. Neither did talking to the Azari. It seems their norm to walk around almost naked in front of people. It could be their way of expressing trust in the person they're talking to. It's all right for me if I have to. Oh, Daddy, why didn't you teach me how to communicate with other races? I'll definitely demand it.
- Yes... But you don't have to go that far. Many people love us for... pleasure... And we do it, too. We stopped at a two-by-two-meter bed, and Lin let go of me and looked me in the eye. - Saul, do you... trust me?
- Yes... (sighs) Why wouldn't I...
- So you're... Do you mind?
- No. There's nothing wrong with that. That's what everyone does, isn't it?
- Yeah. Sure. Sooner or later, everyone goes through this," I'm going to make my dad tell me more about the Azari. And there's no extranet, either. But if Dad says there's nothing good there, then that's the way it is; he knows best. I began to undress after these words. Lin seemed to understand what I was doing and started helping me. After 47 seconds, I was in my underwear. Lin also tried to take off.
- Hey, uh... What's that for? - I got a weird smile, and then Lin pushed me down, and I fell on the bed. Dad had told me to loosen the servos and that if I was accidentally pushed, I would fall unless I was in grave danger. He reasoned that if a crogan pushed me and I didn't fall, it would look too suspicious.
In the meantime, Lin had climbed on top of me and was now sitting so I was between her legs.
- Don't be afraid. I'll be very gentle. This is your first time.
- Wait, what do you want to do?
- Ohh, you're so naive. I want you, all right! I want to fuck you on this bed so you'll remember your first night for the rest of your life.
- Wait, how...
- Don't worry, Saul. I know how to handle a girl. Those fingers can do a lot of things. Hehe, I've never had a Turian virgin before," Lyn then started kissing my neck and even licking me there, while with one hand, she went down, wandering over my stomach.
- Hey Susie, are you all right? - Daddy's voice suddenly sounded in my head.
- Dad? Look, here's the thing.
- What's the matter? Is something wrong? Where are you in the... WHAT THE FUCK?! - he shouted at the whole light link. He seemed to see through my eyes.
- Well, I went home with an azari, and she wants to fuck me. What does that even mean?
- How in the hell did you get there? - my father wouldn't let up. It's good that we had a light connection and time to talk.
- Well, she offered me a place in her flat. It's on the 315th floor of the Star Pyramid Building. And now she's got me on the bed, and before she does, she convinces me to take my clothes off...
- O Allah, help me... - I started praying to that Allah again. Who the hell is that anyway? - Damn, Susie, do whatever you want, but get out of there. And do it so that this azari doesn't run after you.
- Um... Okay," and then the connection went dead, and I started thinking. And so, with Lin's fingers between my legs, I swung my hand around and hit her on the head. She immediately passed out and was now lying unconscious on top of me. After that, I immediately pushed her away from me, got out of bed and started to get dressed. As soon as I opened the flat door, I saw Hanar.
- Euch... - was all I could say.
- This one doesn't know Alien. Why is Alien in his flat? - he asked. It's a good thing their bioluminescence translators can't express emotion.
- Я... I was secluding myself with Linraeus.
- What was Alien doing secluding herself with Eto's daughter? - I don't know what to tell him. I thought Linra was talking about what she wanted. All right.
- We wanted to... to get laid. But it didn't work out. Linra... fell asleep," there was no answer. Not in a few seconds. Not in a minute. Only after 73 seconds did he respond.
- Hanar looked shocked.
- All right, I'm going to go now. Goodbye," and I left quickly. However, with my auditory sensors, I heard Hanar as he entered the flat.
- This one wants to kill his daughter. This one wants to kill his daughter - I wonder why? All right, that's none of my business.
****
Illium. Galactic Ausgabe headquarters. Legate
Still a good holiday. As soon as I stepped off the balcony, I got into an altercation with one Azari. You know, like a squabble. Started arguing with her about the superiority of Azarian and classic human literature. The fact that I'm sort of a turian didn't bother anyone. The whole argument was about art, not politics. The idea was about The Brothers Karamazov being better than the Azarian novel The Sapphire Prison. Well, at least that's how the translator translated the novel's title since there were also sapphires on Thessia. In fact, the plot was very similar, but here we were arguing about everything. About the language of the writing, the idea, the character development, all sorts of themes revealed there... Then, Azari accused Dostoevsky of stealing the view from the author of Azari. That's when I realised I was talking to a schoolgirl. Well, or its Azari counterpart. Anyway, after some wrangling, I did get her into a stupor and deep thought, after which I decided to look for Susie. I chose not to use the tracking beacon and just looked for her and walked around; the festival was on three floors. But after an hour, I gave up and decided to contact her. And as soon as I saw what was going on with her there, I freaked out. My daughter wanted to fuck an azari!
On the one hand, I was even proud of how well the platform came out, but on the other, I was FIRED with fatherly rage!!! But then I still calmed down with the thought that Susie was all grown up and this was her life, but then I realised I wouldn't let some Azari fuck my daughter like that on her first meeting. And then I remembered about Susie being sort of synthetic. And that thought made me processor dissonance.
- Nice to see a connoisseur of human classics," Azari suddenly approached me with a glass of human French wine 1970! Holy crap, there's still such a thing. And there's more money poured into it than I thought.
- Are you a fan of human literature too? - I asked.
- Oh yes. Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Gogol. They are the lights of human literature.
- They are not all writers of humanity. It's only "Russian Literature".
- Hmm... I see you're a real connoisseur. Would you like to talk on the balcony?
- With you? Gladly. There are very few people here, and those here are just lowlifes and golden trash," I told her the truth, and then we walked to the balcony, where she exhaled deeply as if she had shed her invisible mask.
- How I know what you mean. Half the Azari are here too... Just thanks to their parent's money. And you're here, too, like the author.
- No, no, no, no. I have no talent. I'm here for my daughter. She's my author.
- Oh, yeah? What did she write? - I could see an undisguised interest in it, so I didn't want to upset her.
- "Captured by Happiness"...
- No way! So you're the author's father! Ooh, that's unexpected. Believe me, you can be proud of her. Her book is a masterpiece. No exaggeration," she began to praise Susie's book, and her body language analyser said she wasn't lying. It was gratifying.
- Thank you. I've heard it 20 times before... 173, to be exact.
- No wonder. She has vivacious language, and the topics are very... topical. Sounds to me like it would shake up the council a lot.
- Don't exaggerate. I don't think one book...
- Remember to underestimate the power of words. Я... remember the Morning War.
- Oh... (chuckles) I see. It must have been hell out there.
- Yeah. My wife, a Quarian, and I lived in a Quarian colony, Richril. Industrial planet - metallurgy, chemistry, engineering, shipyards, all sorts of things. That's why there were so many Geths. She was killed... - how painful it was for her to remember. And that's why she wanted to tell me, wasn't it? But there's nothing we can do about it. We have to give her a chance to talk.
- Yes, the Geths were...
- Not Geth. Quarian," she said suddenly, with tears in her eyes. - We had... We had three Geth butlers. Idni, Igni, and Ilni. Then the soldiers came, but we... We refused to give them the getts. They became part of the family. The soldiers started shooting... I was wounded; the shot missed my organs... And she was killed... In the head. Then the goths. I managed to get out, and other soldiers picked me up. That's how I got out. I saw what it was like out there. The Geths were defending themselves. If the Kovarians had just talked to them, there wouldn't have been a Morning War. They would have... Became allies and could have lived in peace. Many loved the Geth back then. And those many died not at the hands of the Geth, but at the hands of an army that swore an oath and swore to protect them... Uhhhh, sorry... I've got a lot on my mind.
- I understand. I understand. "Sometimes I think we shouldn't have evolved to make the Azari long," I decided to turn the conversation elsewhere.
- Yes... You're right. If we'd lived as long as you Turians, I'd be with her by now. Tarlin'Zora," I grinned at him. So this Azari is related to Tali's ancestors? A twist, a twist.
- Zora? Something... Something familiar...
- Yes. Darlene had a son... Before we met... Anyway, Tarlene's great-grandson is Admiral Rael Zora.
- And why are you telling me all this? - I decided to ask myself this pressing question.
- You don't have Illium's frailty. Such an illness is not uncommon here," I simply stared at her in surprise. - You live here, and you'll see what I mean. Everyone here loses the goodness in themselves. Become not even angry and angry, but dry. Some vi with blood and meat. They respond dryly, have a family for money and image, and have sex for money or image. Answer everything dryly and briefly, and lose interest in everything except money. They get emotion control and productivity implants. In general, this planet has long lacked... What do people call it? Ex-ter-mi-natus. Do you know what it is?
- Yeah. What's it gonna be? Nuclear end of the world or throw the moon out of orbit? - I was able to get the conversation going and calm her down. That was satisfying.
- Nuclear is better. More chance of survival. I'd watch those workaholics try to survive.
- That'd make a good reality show.
- Oh, yeah. I wouldn't spare any money for that.
- Tape or live TV?
- Live. Round the clock.
- I can just see how they would have to survive with rebar in their hands, killing the first person they met to find a unique piece of food or a firearm.
- Or drugs," she suddenly added. - Heh, yeah. That'd be fun. Well, thank you... For listening.
- What's your name? - I decided to ask another troubling question.
- Lirtina.
- Sartorius," I answered, and she went into the hall. We were alone on the balcony, and she let her feelings run wild. A pleasant madam. With a sad story. I only wish I'd understood what she meant about "shaking the Council". I wonder what she was talking about.
Suddenly I heard the door behind me close. When I turned around, I saw a Salarian in a rich outfit just right for an evening like this. He had his hands behind his back, but I didn't have X-ray vision here. My eyes were small for that.
- Sarterus Raktos? - He asked, and I smelled something amiss here. Something wasn't right here. This Salarian needed to be more trustworthy.
- Yes," I decided not to be evasive. Neither was the Salarian going to continue the conversation. Instead, he held one hand out in front of him, which held an air gun just right for silent shots. There was a pop, and a vial hit me in the neck. The analyser immediately identified the substance as a solid sleeping pill developed by the GOR, specifically for Turians and Quarians. I immediately pretended that it had worked on me, and so in a second, I fell to my knees and then collapsed like a sack of potatoes. I wondered who had ordered me. A minute later, I was placed in a rubber bag and heard the quiet noise of the Aerocar's engines. I was put into it, and we flew. After another minute, I listened to the radio transmission of a Salarian grabbing me and two other intelligent people. From the voice, it sounded like a Turian and an Azari.
****
- Second, Third, I'm First. I have the subject. What have you got?
- Unit One is Unit Two. The ship has escaped. The city's been circling for a few more minutes, but control says it hasn't picked up anything on the radar. The ship's already left the planet.
- Um... One, that's... Um, I was with Three. That turian killed thirty of us, including the commander. Then some triangular ship took her. The boat took off.
-Acknowledged, Second and Third. Stand down.
Well done, Susie. We'd better contact her, or she'll be worried sick. Well, whoever the customer is, he'll be sorry he tried to lay a hand on my daughter.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone