Page 20 of Journey to the Forbidden Zone

“Opinions are divergent. Sark T’Raan advocates for utilizing your market value to resolve the ship’s financial and operational deficits. Probability of his position prevailing if put to a vote: 32.7%. Letitia Anderson advocates for securing your freedom, citing ethical imperatives. Probability: 21.4%. Norvik presents logical arguments prioritizing group survival via asset liquidation. Probability: 38.9%. Captain Díaz ...” Zed paused, accessing behavioral logs from the mess hall interaction. “... demonstrates significant cognitive dissonance. She rejects both slavery and the high-risk path of freeing you but has yet to propose a viable alternative. Her decision matrix is currently unstable. Probability of a definitive course of action within the next twenty-four hours: 58.2%.”

“And what is your opinion?” she asked. “You’re a member of the crew, too, aren’t you?

“Affirmative.”

“So, what do you think is the right decision regarding my disposition?”

Zed observed her carefully. Biometric signs showed an elevated heartrate, consistent with what organic lifeforms described as “worry.” The Xena showed concern about the outcome of the captain’s decision, but Zed didn’t have sufficient data to conclude why.

“At present, no satisfactory options are available,” he answered. “Antillescannot defend itself should your presence aboard become known. To liquidate you for currency would require your presence aboardAntillesto be revealed. Returning you to the Forbidden Zone represents a 93.7% chance of failure. In the 42.08% likelihood the authorities discover you in our custody, all crewmembers have a 100% chance for conviction on charges of trafficking a sentient specimen and allowing aforbidden specimen to be present in United Planetary Alliance space.

“Considering the odds of all potential outcomes, your presence aboardAntilleshas a 99.967% chance of creating a catastrophic outcome for all crewmembers.”

Mila’s eyes flared for a moment. Probable reason: emotional dissatisfaction with the facts Zed presented.

“I see,” she said. “Thank you for your candor, Zed.”

She offered a small, closed-mouth approximation of a human smile, an expression his facial-recognition subroutines identified as “polite acknowledgment, potentially masking complex internal states.”

“I will cleanse myself now.”

“Affirmative.” Zed withdrew his manipulator from the door control. “Should you require assistance, the intercom panel beside the bunk provides direct access to the ship’s comms network. State my designation or ‘Engineering’.”

He initiated the hatch closure sequence. The heavy door slid shut with a final thump, engaging the magnetic locks. Mila’s distinct bio-signature faded behind the soundproofed barrier.

Zed pivoted and retraced his path down the corridor. The organic crew’s debate was inefficient. Emotional variables introduced significant noise into the decision-making process, reducing optimal outcome probability by an estimated 18.3%. His role was to provide clear, quantifiable data.

The most pressing variable affecting group survival wasAntillesitself. Its degraded state rendered any course of action – whether attempting a high-risk transaction involving Mila, fleeing UPA authorities, or engaging in defensive maneuvers – precarious.

He descended via the service conduit and navigated the labyrinthine lower decks towards Engineering. The roar of the ship’s power core grew louder, a deep, bass vibration feltthrough his chassis. Harsh work lights cast stark shadows on conduits crusted with mineral deposits from a slow coolant leak he hadn’t yet isolated.

He passed the main reactor, a grumbling Mark IV Fusor operating at 89.7% of rated output, and entered his primary operational nexus: a cramped chamber dominated by a multifaceted control console, its surfaces alive with flickering readouts and status indicators. Cables snaked from access ports in the console to interface jacks on his chassis. He docked, engaging the physical and data links.

Full Diagnostic Cycle Initiated.

The command flowed through his neural network. Subsystems reported in cascading streams of data.

Structural Integrity:

Frame stress analysis shows microfractures propagating from longitudinal member L-19, exacerbated by the recent emergency hyperspace exit.Estimated time to critical failure under standard thrust:127 hours.Priority:Moderate. Reinforcement plating available in Cargo Bay 3.

Defensive Systems:

Point-defense turret Alpha:Targeting servos degraded.Hit probability against standard fighting-class vessel:17.8%.Turret Beta:Power coupling unstable.Risk of catastrophic overload if fired above 40% capacity:84.1%.Shield emitters:Harmonic instability in the starboard array.Projected failure under sustained fire:Within4.3minutes.Priority:High.Required parts:Unavailable.

Propulsion:

Sub-light thrusters operating within acceptable parameters(92.4% efficiency).Maneuvering jets:Port-aft response time degraded by0.8seconds.Navigational hazard probability in complex maneuvers:+12.6%.

Sensors:

Long-range scanners compromised by cumulative micrometeorite pitting on the primary array dish.Detection range reduction:31.7%.Passive sensors:Nominal.Priority:High. No replacement dish in inventory.

Life Support:

Atmospheric processors:CO2 scrubbing efficiency at88.2%.Oxygen-nitrogen mix stable.Water reclamation:Filter matrix saturation at73%.Priority:Low-Moderate. Replacement filters available.

The data painted a grim picture.Antilleswas a collection of critical vulnerabilities. Engaging any hostile force, even a lightly armed patrol cutter, would likely result in swift incapacitation. Probability of successful evasion without engagement, given the sensor degradation: 41.2% against UPA COPS patrol patterns, 28.1% against pirate vessels of high-capability profile.