Everywhere Chapter 6: Real Live Boy

The crew got a decent break at Nova Portus. The planet was on the outer-edge of civilization and was more-or-less given over to being a giant naval base. Security was tight, so there was little danger of intrusion or unwanted visitors thus R and R was on the menu. Nova Portus was mostly ocean with several large islands. One of the larger ones was reserved for crew recreation. It had ball courts, theaters, bars and most importantly, one hell of a beach. Soft sand and the general lack of life on the planet meant no marine predators to ruin your day. The crew of the Dragonstone talked Forest in to joining them and, much to his surprise he enjoyed himself thoroughly, right up until learning about sunburn.

“I’ve recommended more melanin for future AI bodies,” he grumbled, taking an analgesic.

The return trip was equally uneventful, aside from Colin acting like a giddy schoolboy over Dragonstone’s new sensor suite and Rock’s new capabilities.

“I always felt like Rocky was a person,” he said to Rory as they cuddled off duty, “But it’s really different now. I think he might be as powerful as Forest, or at least have that potential.”

Forest later explained that additional processor space had been added to the Dragonstone’s AI suite and that Rock himself was ‘expanded’.

Arriving back at Nueva Madrid, the ship took up it’s usual berth.

“We want you to live your life normally,” Sheila told Rory as they met quietly with Forest in the small passenger module on Dragonstone. “We’ll keep you under discreet surveillance along with the rest of the crew. We believe we’ve a way to shut down one of their warps in the event they try and open one. Our goal is to trap one of the creatures on this side of the barrier, and, of course, stop their ability to make off with one of you. We suspect you’re going to be the target though. You or me.”

“Yay,” Rory said dryly.

“On a better note, we have a surprise for you and your crew,” Forest changed the subject.

“More?” Rory said. “I’ll have to start calling you King Saturn at this rate.”

Forest smiled indulgently. “Just go have a drink with the others at the Reentry and you’ll see.”

The Reentry was crowded enough that they were unable to get a table and so sat at one of the bars.

“So what’s the big mystery?” Dee asked.

“Beats the hell out of me,” Rory said. “What do ya think I’m in charge of this circus or something?”

“Excuse me,” a familiar deep voice said.

The team turned around. A large, dark-skinned man grinned at them.

“I’ve always regretted not being able to attend off-ship crew meetings. Would any of you care to show me what I’ve been missing?”

“Rock!”

“Rocky!”

“Rock!!”

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Dee squealed, jumping off of her stool and grabbing him.

“So what, are you no longer our ship AI?” Astra asked.

“No, I’m still the Dragonstone but I’m also more. It’s a little confusing actually but in a wonderful way. I feel like…like that 2D Dee likes so much. The very old, extremely improbable one where the girl gets caught in a cyclonic storm and wakes up in another world where everything is in color.”

Rory blinked. This level of metaphor had been beyond their old Rock.

“In addition to the extra abilities, I now have this body, which I believe is rather spiffy.”

“You are, indeed, ‘spiffy’ my friend,” Colin said, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“This is a bit overwhelming,” Rock said. “My eyes seem to be leaking.”

“You’re crying,” Astra said. “It’s normal.”

“Yes, I was aware,” Rock said. “I’ve just never experienced it before.”

“So how human is your body?” Rory asked.

“Completely,” said Rock. “It was grown from donated cell cultures using recombinant DNA. There are biomechanical implants to allow part of my consciousness to inhabit it and it has the ability to go into stasis when I’m not using it so it will not use resources while we’re in space. Forest has installed a stasis chamber for it on the Dragonstone.”

“Cool! So you, like sleep in a coffin. I’m gonna start calling you Dracula,” Colin said.

“Then prepared to be called Renfield,” he replied.

The women laughed.

“I don’t know if I can deal with this,” Rory said, laughing.

“So can you eat and drink?” Dee asked.

“Yes and I’d really like to try a cocktail right now,” he replied.

Dee looked at Astra and raised an eyebrow. She nodded.

“Oh I think we can try a few firsts tonight,” she said to Rock.

The bartender fixed him a drink. After taking a sip, he made a face and said, “This is what you people drink? Very disappointing.”

It didn’t stop him from finishing it or from having another. After a bit Dee and Astra announced they were taking him back to their place for a few more ‘firsts’.

On arriving, the two women wasted little time in getting Rock out of his clothing and exploring his new body. They found him very human and entirely functional.

“This is magnificent,” he enthused as the two women took turns sucking him. Can we do this all night?”

“That’s up to you big man,” Dee said grinning.

Rory and Colin walked hand-in-hand to their apartment.

“Looks like Rocky’s gonna find out what it means to be a ‘real live boy’ in spectacular fashion tonight,” Colin said, chuckling.

“Jealous?” Rory teased.

“Maybe a little?” Colin laughed. “Your first time being in the middle of those two? Hell, maybe I’m worried about him.”

They were still laughing when they walked into the apartment. Sheila stood in the middle of their darkened living room, naked but for her jewelry.

“I asked Forest to override your security so I could come in, I hope you’re not angry.”

Colin kissed Rory on the cheek, “I think I’ll head back to the Reentry for one more.”

“You can stay,” Sheila said. “That is, if you want to.”

Rory put her arm on Colin’s. “Stay,” she said simply. He nodded.

“I told you I’d make it up to you,” Sheila said to Rory, backing her up against the desk.

Rory sat on the corner, leaning back. Sheila kissed her thoroughly, working her way down, moving clothing aside, taking her time, working lower until she was kneeling between Rory’s open legs. She gently played with her clit while keeping intense eye contact.

Colin enjoyed the show and quickly lost all reason to be envious of his friend Rock.