The deck holds together in ragged pulses, green pod lights blinking through smoke. From the maintenance corridor, a heavy security drone slides into view, its red eye fixing on the release controls Flynn has just stabilized.
Kaelen
That is not a maintenance unit. That is a problem.
The Drone
Unauthorized interference detected. Stand clear of release systems.
It ignores the Engineer completely, angling its targeting array toward the control bank. The machine’s chassis settles, readying for a lockout or a shot.
Flynn Glennbrook
The targeting is on the panel, not on us.
Kaelen
New plan, Flynn. Either you talk that thing down, or you get between it and the controls.
✓ Quest Accepted
Talk down the security drone
“Can I use my gift, Artificial intelligence Companion in this situation to talk to the drone”
YES (Likely, rolled 43)
Flynn Glennbrook
The drone's communication array is pulsing in a rhythmic sequence that matches the frequency of my own AI companion's handshake protocol.
Kaelen
I am Kaelen, by the way, and I suggest you use that link before it decides we are just more debris to clear.
“Link to the drone and attempt to put it into a standby mode”
SUCCESS (Good Hacking, rolled +3)
Flynn's wrist terminal flashes once, then the drone's pulsing cadence drops into his rhythm. The targeting array hesitates over the panel.
A thin diagnostic tone leaks from the drone as its limbs lock in place. Escape pod seals keep glowing green behind it.
The Drone
...standby protocol accepted.
Kaelen lets out a breath and keeps one hand braced on the release console, ready in case the machine wakes again.
Flynn Glennbrook
The link holds. It is listening.
The drone's weapon port lowers a fraction, no longer fixed on the controls. The deck still trembles, but the launch sequence remains in human hands.
The Drone
Awaiting instruction.
Quest Complete
Talk down the security drone
Skill Upgrade: Hacking Good→Great
“Use the existing handshake to check standing orders and ownership”
SUCCESS (Great Hacking, rolled +0)
Flynn threads a deeper query through the handshake, hunting for authority tags buried under the drone's standby mask. The deck shudders hard enough to rattle the console bolts.
A permissions lattice blooms across his wrist terminal, stark and ugly. This unit belongs to deck security, and its standing order is simple, hold the launch controls until a valid override arrives.
The Drone
Override source recognized. Current handler query accepted.
The answer comes with a price, the terminal draws a fat burst of power and its casing warms against Flynn's wrist. A warning flickers, handshake integrity degraded.
Kaelen
Good. Then tell it to stand down and keep that panel clear.
The drone's status line scrolls again, awaiting the next instruction while the escape pod lights keep their green steady burn.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the drone clear of the release console
+ New Item Acquired
wrist terminal
“Have drone wait for further instructions”
SUCCESS (Great Hacking, rolled +1)
Flynn Glennbrook
Wait for further instructions. Keep clear of the release console.
The drone freezes harder, its weapon port locking low as the order takes hold. Kaelen keeps one hand braced on the console, eyes flicking between the launch readouts and the machine.
The Drone
Acknowledged. Awaiting further instructions.
A permissions band slides to the edge of the drone's chest display, then holds. Flynn's wrist terminal throws a hot amber glow across his forearm, its casing still running warm.
Kaelen
Good. Keep it there. I need that console clear until the pods cycle.
The deck lurches beneath them, but the green launch indicators stay steady. The drone remains pinned in standby, and the release panel is open to human hands.
Kaelen leans closer over the controls, jaw set, while the drone waits for the next command. One wrong instruction could still send everything sideways.
Quest Complete
Keep the drone clear of the release console