Change is the Only Constant (FINISHED)

[Zane]

The only way I can see them trusting me is if I reveal that I'm an AI, Dawn thought

Reaching to the back of her neck, Dawn popped out her AI chip. She could have it out for fifteen seconds before he body shut down.

1

2

Dawn held the chip out to the kids, 3, 4, "I am an AI system, It is my programming to serve and protect" 5, 6, 7 ,8, "I am also the pilot of the ship above the spaceport" 9, 10, 11, "I came in so close because I was looking for someone." Dawn put the chip back in it's port with seconds to spare. She had lied to the two in front of her. Sometimes it was necessary to lie in order to protect.

"If you want, I can take you to the gate you are supposed to be at, or I could escort you to somewhere in Haviah." then dawn got real close and whispered so only the two of them could hear her, "or I could get you past security and take you two up to my ship and take you anywhere in the known universe."

[godsibb]

Kay stood a little behind Kit, simply looking up at the girl as she introduced herself. Dawn, she said her name was.

Wow, an A.I.? How interesting... So she was the one who saved them from the crazy bounty hunter. Kay felt this was a good enough reason to trust her, but she was content to let Kit be the judge here. Of course, until she heard what Dawn whispered.

"You can get us past security? Really...?!"

[Zane]

"Why, yes. I can." Dawn pulled out her mobile computer. She then pulled up the tab for recently opened files, she selected Kay's, "Cotreanah Lilliput, twenty years of age, is now a tourist. Set to depart from Haviah today." Dawn held the small, touch screen computer out to her so she could see for herself. "As long as this computer and the chip in your hand is within one hundred miles of my ship, you can be whoever I want you to be."

Dawn held the computer out to Kit so he could see, "I could do the same for you."

[Flakeblood]

Kit was impressed with the hacking ability of this... apparent AI. He was not very good at that sort of thing, and certainly couldn't have changed the chips ID. But, he'd have to stay with Dawn if he wanted it to stick; No coming back to Aedolis on his own. The phrase 'more trouble than it's worth' floated through his mind. No matter how lucrative business here could be, given enough effort, the tight security and subsequent anxiety would age him before his time. Well, more than he was now anyway, what with his white hair coming in.

Could she be trusted though? They had only just met, and though her story made it plausible she'd want to help, he'd learned to at least be cautious, even after accepting assistance. Good lies were always based in truth, and good liars waited until you let your guard down to strike.

He then noticed a small group of government officials questioning people in the port as to the previous commotion. They had just run out of time.

"If you truly can accomplish this, and aren't working with the government here," Kit said very quietly, "then we need only ask your help short term. I have my own ship docked, and we will not keep you from searching for your specific someone."

Manipulation was key in these cases. They were strangers to each other, using skills because of need, and nothing more. The combination of condescending and suspicion followed by the 'we-don't-want-to-burden-you' guilt usually did the trick. He hadn't come across any mobile AI programs though, not with such obvious sophistication, so he was unsure if humanoid psychology would work at all. If it didn't, he hoped his logic was sound enough for her. Dawn gets Kay and himself through, they leave on their own, keeping most attention off her, and she continues her search for whomever she needed. Kit considered this a one-time deal.

He kept his voice low, and remembering Kay's warning of cameras, did not move his lips much. "We need only make sure Kay does not draw attention. I should not. There are many other wanderers here."

[Zane]

"Oh. Alright. I can do that." Dawn was a bit sad that the older one opted to go to his own ship. She had been extremely lonely since her creator was taken, but it couldn't be helped. It wasn't like she could hack their minds and alter their decision. Besides, she needed to find her creator. "Tell me what you need her chip to read and that's what it will read." She noticed some Pilots off to her left. "I can send nuisances some urgent messages to keep them clear of you."

[godsibb]

Kay was clearly excited at the fact that Dawn could potentially provide them with a foolproof way to get out of Aedolis. She grinned eagerly, her tailed wagging so fast, it was creating a breeze. Remembering to lower her voice, she leaned toward the AI and whispered quickly.

"You can make my chip read anything, just as long as no one finds out that I’m a citizen!" Kay’s hand tightened around Kit’s, her anticipation and restlessness both obvious. "And it would be great if you could keep the Pilots away from us...!"

[Zane]

"Done and done" Dawn replied, relentlessly tapping away at her touch screen computer. a few seconds later the nearby Pilots ran the other way. "Your free to go now, I will be monitoring cameras to keep the pilots away from you two, but before you go" Dawn pulled her communicator out of her pocket and handed it to Kay, "that has a solar powered Ion battery. At a full charge it can last for a month, and it takes very little sunlight to fully charge it. It also has a direct connection to the command center of my ship, where I spend most of my time. send me a message should you want to talk or you need help or anything, I'm almost always available."

Dawn turned to kit. "If you let me see your communicator, I will update your security. A complex pattern doesn't even slow down the hacking algorithms that Aedolis has access to. I'm going to give you a thumbprint scanner and voice recognition software, and a way to contact me should you want it."

[Flakeblood]

Kit handed his communicator to Dawn, albeit a bit reluctantly. He didn't want her to mess with it and have some way to track him... But that was his paranoia talking. He could always junk the phone if he needed to anyway.

He looked at Kay. He was glad she now had a way to contact Dawn as well. Perhaps it wouldn't be so hard to find her a nice place to work and live... away... from him... He felt a small pang as he realized that he might not see her after he reached the Cancer. She might just wander off with any of the trustworthy contacts he introduced her to, happy with her new life. He desperately tried to push the thoughts away before speaking, though her hand still entwined with his made that difficult.

"You are feeling better." Well damn, that was supposed to be a question. "We need only complete this last hurdle before we are finished."

[Zane]

Dawn put the back of the communicator to the back of her computer an initiated a file transfer. She gave the phone the security she promised as well as contact information for The Daedalus. Handing the communicator back to Kit. She gave them one last word of parting. "If you need me, either of you, for whatever reason, contact me. The Daedalus will be there. Now go, Pilots may be stupid but they will eventually realize that they are following a false trail. I'd give you about twenty minutes before they suspect anything."

[godsibb]

Kay took the communicator and calmed down a bit, her tail slowing so that it swished gently from side to side. Not that she was complaining, but it was pretty odd how these strangers, these people she knew for only a very short amount of time, were so willing to help her leave. Looking down at the communicator, Kay suddenly felt so appreciative, so grateful, it brought tears to her eyes. She quickly blinked them away, though; there’ll be plenty of time for that later.

Carefully slipping the communicator into her bag, Kay looked up at Kit and gave him a strange look, not sure if he was asking her a question or simply making a statement. Unable to figure it out, she simply nodded at him and turned to Dawn.

"Th...thank you! Thank you so much..." She would have said more, but there were really no words to describe how she felt right now, and they were running out of time. One day, she’ll have to find a way to pay Dawn back, somehow.

Taking a deep breath, Kay glanced up at Kit and swallowed thickly.

"Ready?"

[Flakeblood]

With communicators improved and a good opening, Kit figured they were ready to leave. Since Kay had already thanked Dawn, he inclined his head a bit.

"We understand. Your help is welcome."

He couldn't think of anything else to say, as he thought everything had been said and implied already. He turned to Kay instead.

"Certainly. Quickly but carefully."

He gave one more respectful nod to Dawn before walking straight towards the proper gate. Security should let them through, though it would be frustrating to get past the crowd. After that... he would be pushing his ship to its limits.