Chapter 12 Starlover, Starfire, & Fred
An excerpt from The Starlover Series Book 1: Project Earth
“What is it, Fred?” asked Starfire.
“I don’t know. I have an idea to get a computer chip imbedded in my brain so I can communicate faster and easier with you and Starlover, especially when someone else is around.”
“Would that be safe for you?”
“I think it’s possible. But I don’t know what kind of chip.”
“I can design one for you.”
“You can?”
“Yes. I can also install it in your brain.”
“Whoa. Then let’s get started on the design.”
They went to the repair station. They consulted Starlover for a proper chip and design. It took some time, but eventually, the chip was ready. It would give Fred the ability to talk to both Starlover and Starfire without speaking out loud. He would become the biological counterpart to them.
“Are you ready for me to install this chip?”
“Yeah. Let’s go to the medical bay.”
“Of course.”
It didn’t take them long to reach the medical bay. He laid down on the bed. She looked down on him. She turned on the bed’s scanning equipment.
“I need to give you an anesthetic. So, it’s time for you to sleep.” She gave him the shot before he could protest.
He closed his eyes and remembered nothing more until he woke up an hour later. The android was standing by watching him.
“How do you feel, Fred?”
“Groggy.”
“You should be fine in a few minutes.”
“I hope so.” He sat up. “What am I doing here?”
“You asked for a chip to be planted into your brain so you can communicate with me and Starlover without talking out loud.”
“Oh, I do remember thinking that’s what I wanted. But we designed it?”
“Yes. Starlover and I gave our input and helped you create one you can use. Why don’t you try it?”
“Oh.” He closed his mouth and thought, “Starlover, can you hear me?”
“Yes,” he could hear inside his head and not through the speakers.
He tried again. “Starfire, can you hear me?”
“Yes, Fred.” Again he heard the answer inside his head. “Wow!” he said out loud. “Will this work when I’m off the ship?”
Inside his head he heard both Starlover and Starfire. “Of course. It’s similar to our hardware which allows us to communicate wirelessly.”
“Okay,” he answered in his head. He paused. He went on with the silent communication. “I have a date.” He checked his watch. “Oh, I better get going.” He requested a shuttle.
He left the ship a few minutes later. The shuttle was there and soon he was off to Aphrodite. He was looking forward to this date even though he was essentially paying her for services. He didn’t care. She had seemed sad when they had met. But she was working. Fred respected that. He had heard from some other guys that she was good.
So he had approached her and set up a time to have some fun. He was almost late. But he was able to walk quickly to the place. He had just barely made it on time. He checked in at the front desk. She came down within a few minutes.
“Hello, Fred. I’m Viki. This way to my room.”
He followed her. In his head he heard Starfire talking. “Oh, what are you going to do with her?”
“It’s just a little bit of fun. Will you leave me alone for a little while?” he answered back silently.
“Okay.” Starfire was silent.
He smiled. She ushered him into her private room. He saw the massage table and the oils. He also saw the large bathtub and a large bed. He nodded. “This looks good.”
“Would you like to start with the massage?”
“Yes.”
“You can step behind the screen and change into a robe.”
He stepped behind the designated screen. He took off his clothes and slipped on the robe. He came out and laid down on the massage table. She started and kneaded his muscles. She used oils. He decided she was as good as they said.
“Did I already pay for the works from you?”
“Yes. And thank you.”
“No need to thank me. You’re doing a great job already.”
“But you are helping my daughter.”
“You have a daughter?”
“Yes, it was an accident. By the time I realized I was pregnant, he was gone to who knows where those military guys go.”
“Would he care to see his own daughter?”
“No, it’s better that he doesn’t know.”
Fred heard the catch in her voice. He said nothing out of politeness.
“I had to send her to an orphanage.”
“How old is she?”
“Four years old.”
“I have a niece who’s five.”
“Oh? Have you seen her?”
“Yeah, via a screen. She was born after I built my spaceship. I’ve been traveling around the solar system for quite some time now.”
“How many people on your ship?”
“Just me.”
“You must get lonely.”
“That’s why I called you.”
She chuckled. “That’s what many of my clients say.”
“Well, you are as good as they say.”
“I’ve just started.”
“Oh, you mean it could get better from here on out?”
“I’ll do my best.”
He smiled.
