Page 1 of Gladiators of the Vagabond Boxset

“Akri,” I said, noticing the readings on the computer panel in front of me, “let’s land over there, near that little lake.

” Computer AIs are not supposed to have emotions, but I swear the AI of my small exploration vessel huffed in annoyance at my interference.

Not that I could blame it, I had changed my mind over a dozen times about where to land on this planet.

It was supposed to be a lush jungle planet inhabited predominantly by a humanoid-like species, not quite there yet when it came to a fully developed language.

A bit like the great stone beasts of Tarkan, which still lived side by side with the Tarkans themselves, or more precisely, like the apes of Earth, now only viewable in nature reserves and zoos.

In lieu of being able to visit either Tarkan or Earth, I had to settle for this as-yet-unexplored little jungle planet that predated any kind of technology beyond the use of sticks and stones as tools.

I was excited beyond belief, hence, I’d gone over Akri’s sensor data more than once and waffled between the many options for landing.

I wanted to be close to the species I was here to study, but I wanted to remain distant enough that they never knew I was there.

I knew how they’d respond if they saw me, a monster, huge and terrifying, and beyond their comprehension at this moment.

I had no doubt it would make an impact on their budding culture, and that was the last thing I wanted, not to mention, it would see me instantly recalled back to Lacerten.

“If you say so, Ziame,” my ship finally responded, and I saw the data scrolling across a nearby panel, indicating it had locked in the new course.

Then my panels all went blank, which I hadn’t done myself.

“You should prepare. It is illogical to continue poring over data and changing our landing site; we will never get to researching if you do so.”

I huffed out a laugh at the audacity of my AI.

I was used to its antics, though, and it was right anyway.

I got out of my chair and headed to the back of my tiny vessel, where my single bunk and clothing locker were located.

“Fine, I’ll prep. Let me know when we’ve landed.

” “Affirmative,” Akri answered, and I swear the ship sounded amused and a little smug.

The thought had never even crossed my mind to ask the AI if it had somehow evolved beyond what it was programmed to be. There were strict laws about that sort of thing on Lacerten, and Akri had been as much a friend to me as an AI could be, probably more, even. I was not about to jeopardize that.

Opening my clothing locker, I checked my options.

Donning the camo suit would be what protocol required.

The planet was warm and muddy, though, and the suit was already warm when worn on a temp-controlled spacestation.

I was only doing preliminary scans; I wasn’t going to approach the humanoid species yet.

So I eyed the pair of black pants I was wearing and shrugged, then simply strapped my utility belt around my hips.

Curling my long, prehensile tail around, I used the tip to pick up my water container and clicked it to its magnetic lock on the belt.

My hands fingered the selection of stun guns before picking my favorite, a low-dose one that fit nicely into my palm.

That, too, I strapped into its holster on my belt.

Finally, I wriggled my toes, retracted my claws, and stepped into my work boots. The black synth-leather conformed to my calves and ankles, giving ample protection, while the thick soles were breathable, waterproof, and allowed for a silent step when I traversed the jungle outside.

Ready with what little prep I needed, I turned back to the pilot chair and sat down.

The viewscreen turned on without prompting, showing me a good view of our descent into the jungle.

“Our cloaking is holding?” I asked, laughing when Akri’s computer voice was somehow full of sass.

“Of course it is, Ziame.” I shouldn’t, but I kind of enjoyed needling my AI that way from time to time.

“Landing protocols engaged, would you like manual control, or are you going to let the expert do the work?” Akri demanded next, making an excellent jab at my competence itself. Grinning widely, I waved my hand. “Do your thing, Akri. You know I’m only teasing, right?”

This time, there was a pause before the AI responded, its computer tones much quieter and more serious. “Thank you, Ziame, I appreciate it.” Brushing as close to the issue of Akri’s true sentience as either of us dared, I said, “I thought AIs don’t feel appreciation.”

With what was clearly a kind of bullish snorting sound that I was fond of making myself, Akri didn’t deign to answer my final tease.

The ship wasn’t supposed to have that kind of sound to make, but Akri was far more unique than was legally allowed.

Its secret was safe with me; it wasn’t like I had much to return to on Lacerten anyway.

No remaining family, no close friends, no matriarch I was bonded to, I was a free agent.

No, it was going to be Akri and me for the rest of my life.

THE END