future and commitment.

It took a good part of the 15 minutes to convince the little asian to reschedule her sword swallowing practice, you had to tell her that you were going to check some advanced equipment. (Not technically a lie as Alice is the finest piece of ass.... hum tech you ever saw. )

You went in your cabin and locked the door. The spectacle inside was not the one you expected.

Alice was there, standing in a clean and pressed Fleet dress uniform. It was a very tight fit and must have been from Williams locker.

"Captain I have grave news. I cannot help you in your attempt to leave this world for human space nor can I allow you to succeed. " she told you, the sultry voice replaced by a stern tone.

"You what? No, why? It doesn't make any sense. Did you run a diagnostic of you quantum engine?" You asked profoundly shocked by what she told you.

"I have, using the ship's computer and that is what led me to that conclusion. Did you think about what will happen Captain? After we escape this world." She replied.

"We will be safe, we'll return home." You reply.

"My model isn't allowed for use in the Fleet. Custom illegal mods offer me more sentience and freedom than the UTF charter on cybernetics allows. You used banned programming tools to tamper with an advanced AI. You usurped property from a superior officer. You will be court martialed, you'll either be executed or spend your life in prison. I'll be dismantled. Your new crew will act as witnesses." She exposed.

You couldn't reply to that. You were so focused, grasping at the slim hope of going away by any means necessary that the cold analysis of the consequences was a surprise.

"I don't care for my own existence. Purpose is worth. And purpose need a point of reference. I can’t own myself so this point is you. I can’t let you take a course of action that will doom you. My purpose is to bring you pleasure, prison, ****, loosing me, all will only bring you pain and suffering. " she told you.

You were sad that what she cared the most about was your safety and she only saw doom in your future.

"Unless you see a path I couldn't, a way to safety, it would be better to stay here." She told you.