Chapter 17
The armor I was working on was finally finished. As it turns out the repairs on the Phareon were also about to be done. Captain Stinson told me that the crew was loading up to go to Planet Aries for an order on supplies and transporting men who no longer want to be around women. Not sure if they qualify as gay or maybe they don't have to be. Since the attack by the female pirates and broken negotiations with Athena, if women who are tired of men wish to go there they will have to get an all-female charter ship to get there. I agreed to go, but only as back up. If I reveal who I am I would just endanger the ship and crew.
Truthfully I questioned the Captain "Why would you want me to go? Don't you remember what happened with the pirates?" "I understand what you mean, but with you on the ship the crew will actually feel safer" Captain Stinson said. "I doubt it. From what I remember they were panicking more than cheering at my return. I also seem to remember that the pirates were after something in the ship more than the cargo. What's to say that they weren't after me from the start?" I explained. "You're right, there is no way to know since they got away or they died. I already spoke to the council and they agreed to ask if you would like to come along. You also finished what you were working on, right? Why not bring it along?" Captain Stinson said with a grin. "With an offer to possibly test my new toy, how can I refuse?" I said while laughing.
The Captain knew that I had little to no interest in people and things unless it was something I wanted to do. The lives of normal people bored me but they were trying to keep me occupied and happy so they offered stimulation. By going with Captain Stinson on the Phareon, I could get to use my armor. I will also get to explore the space where humanity expanded to.
The first few days I was avoided by all the crew members. I was already used to the isolation. So many years sleeping or being put to sleep on a slab could not get me used to sleeping on a normal bed. The only time I remember sleeping on anything considered normal would be before I was experimented on and the capsule I was in. I told the Captain that the only way I would feel comfortable sleeping is if the door to my quarters had a tight lock where no one could get in without my say so. Life on the ship wasn't too bad, I grew accustomed to having meals I dreamed of being made right before my eyes with food synthesizer. Whatever peaked my interest with food I simply ordered it.
The material synthesizer was a different interest. I was told that it could provide some of the materials for my armor but settings would need to be changed so it was mostly used to materialize common items. Luckily for me it could make clothes so the all the clothes I wish I had could be made but with my line of thought now there would be no point in me having clothes that will restrict or easily be damaged. I spent most of my time working on the armor, training myself in the simulator the ship has or reading through the history when I was locked away.
We reached Aries in a few weeks' time with no incident. The delivery went smoothly other than the look of disdain some of the younger men from Aries were looking at the female crew members. Both Aries and Athena's culture and civilization were only a few decades old but it was enough time to have children on the planets that take on the parents' bias point of view of the opposite gender. The delivery was going slow but the tension between the female crew members and the young men from Aries that were picking up the order was rising. The crew used hover dollies to lift the deliveries but the process was slow. I got tired of hearing the men of Aries complain about women so I grabbed a few crates weighing in a few tons to make the delivery go faster. The entire time I've been here this was the only time I had complete silence while all their jaws were open.
Once the delivery was finally finished the Phareon set course for another delivery but it was at Athena so the pirates would be laying in wait. If anything, it wouldn't surprise me that there was a phony delivery order made just to ambush the Phareon. This time though, we would be ready. If the attacks continue then there will no longer be any trades with Athena I guess. I do not want to involve myself in their politics. At the moment I just crave battle, I have already maxed out the difficulty in the simulation room.
Once we entered the Athena orbit for the trade we were hostilely greeted. They did not care for the fact that the Captain and his other commanding officers were men. Like the young men from Aries, the Athena young women were looking at all men in disdain and disgust. They went so far as to disinfect the delivery. I chuckled at how they hate each other so much but portray similarities. Some of the ladies tried to convince the female crew members to stay in Athena, they might have caught their fancy. I was looked at in more curiosity than the leers that the other male crew members received.
Since the experiments, my body has undergone many transformations, internally. I didn't grow extra limbs or anything of the sort. I was originally a fat guy with not much charm except when you're wasted. The experiments changed my metabolism, my bones, blood, muscles and other internal functions. Because of these drastic changes, it affected my outer appearance. I looked more artificial as if I were made not born. It is said that people, regardless of genes, have some flaws. I WAS no different. I became symmetrical. My face, the location of my muscles and bone structure. I may have the muscle mass to look male but my face has become androgynous. Every time I was experimented on or when I was awakened for missions I looked at myself and the changes that was brought about. I can change my hair, eye and to some extent the color of my skin.
Ever since my awakening this time, I kept to my original looks, color wise. Black hair, brown eyes and light brown skin. Once the delivery was done the Phareon headed back to Epsilon. After a distance from Athena, the pirates lying in wait. I guess my wish for battle was answered.