Private The Red Queen

[Persephone Ambrosia]

She had certainly had her eyes on this particular project for some time. While she hadn't previously heard of Niki Priddy personally, it was a lucrative idea to have her head up what Persephone wanted for those that thought they would dip their hands in the cookie jar and take off. Albeit she wasn't aware fully just what it was Niki had penned, drafted, and built for her. The sun had long set on Coruscant, and sitting on one of the docks was a powered down Command Frigate. Light precipitation rolled off of the imposing ship; while there were several dozen people moving back and forth around, and even inside of the ship.

The buyer however, had not shown up yet. Considering they had set the time for sundown, it would've made them roughly sixteen minutes late for the hand off. Though, they were comfortable taking their time. After all, Ms. Priddy hadn't gotten that final check yet...

In a particularly shadowy corner of the expansive dock, she suddenly appeared then. The clicks of her heels seemingly audible from nowhere as the woman walked with a practiced, sultry gait. Those that didn't pay direct attention to her would have found it hard to notice the woman as she walked in her blood red gown. Icy Blue hues scanning across the dock just once until she found who it was she was looking for.

In the case of the human man that worked the docks however, he would seem briefly animated by her arrival, nodding a few times rapidly.

'M- Ms.. Ambrosia, I did it just like you asked... Its a beautiful ship; t- the seller Ms. Priddy, she's still waiting for you... I uh, I don't know where she is...'

He said, fumbling about for a communicator. Persephone would just raise a hand, dismissing his intent.

"Its fine, Hector... I appreciate your cooperation. I'll send you a gift later, something you'll like.."

She stated flatly, offering the Thrall something she knew he would find irresistible. For those that drink from immortals, there is truly no happy ending; a life of give and take, beg and receive... Or not. Its where the not occurs that these miserable blood bags tended to show their true color. Hopelessly addicted to the feeling of power. Power very few ever actually attained.

In any case, Hector would gulp in anticipation, nodding at her a few times before pointing out on the dock.

"Oh look, she's there..."

He said, to which Persephone lazily dragged her vision to the windows of his Office, able to see most the dock (and vice-versa) from that spot.

"I'm dripping with excitement..."

Persephone said, a macabre smirk dotting her features as she observed the other from afar. Yet, not directly engaging her just yet.

 

[Niki Priddy]

The trip here had been nothing if exciting. Delivering a product wasn't usually her business, but this was a special case. It had been the reveal of a particular brand of artificial intelligence, and she had dreaded the thought of the ships overarching system taking a side step and appeasing its own curiosity for something along the way.

Or possibly being held up in customs and aggravating someone.

She'd been accompanied by her own squad of associates. All wearing unmarked gear to assuage any suspicious leanings towards old alliances. But the bodies that made up the skeleton crew were at best what could be considered professionals.

Former marines of the Agents of Chaos that had gone with her when she had set off elsewhere. The Admiral had seen fit to discharge them administratively, wiping their records of their previous affilitation to allow them the best chance at new employment elsewhere in the galaxy.

They had set up their own roots working alongside the former Agents engineer, though they still kept in contact for better or worse.

It helped her feel better at least.

She had done her in flight calibrations, given that dock yard settings were typically only valuable after the first hundred hours of flight before further alterations were demanded. Distribution of stray ions from the engines properly accounted and coded into the exhaust traps, navigational settings requiring fine tuning for best course plotting.

All small and annoying things to most, but between herself and the artificial intelligence had been little more than a few minutes of checks and balances.

She stood quietly on the dock after arrival, the squad gathering their gear and doing a final sweep as the AI took herself a well deserved nap in the meantime. Not that it actually required sleep in all actuality. It was likely mucking about with the physical projector systems that had been the final calibration much to the chagrin of the ship bound intelligence.

Feelings which Niki had been made completely and unabashedly aware of before stepping off and onto the dock.

She spied the recipient inside, holding her datapad tightly and waiting with learned patience for them to approach.

 

[Persephone Ambrosia]

Interesting. Persephone would look back to the other briefly, icy hues scanning him briefly before turning and gliding out of the doorway. She was a tall woman, with firm but lithe features. Her extremities themselves long, and elegant. All in all, she had a physique that was alluring, and athletic. She moved herself to accentuate this with full knowledge of it. When she finally got within earshot of the other, Persephone would dip her head in acknowledgement of the other, seeming to breath in deeply.

"Ms. Priddy... My apologies. Traffic in this town can be murder..."

When Persephone was standing just in front of her, she noted their height difference, paying attention to many frivolous things, rather than the masterpiece of a vessel looming overhead them; even in the dark, the ships crimson tinge was visible; an impressive craft from the onset. Though she had no idea what else was in store. In fact, outside of her specifying the ship was to be made to be highly autonomous; Persephone didn't know much details about the ship.

Of course, she had long seen it before she had gotten here late of course. Simply put, she preferred the night time.

A slender right hand would be extended to the other, searching her face briefly, before offering a smile. Though not an overjoyed one. More lip, than tooth.

"I'm Persephone, its wonderful to finally meet you. I've always much preferred face to face relations."

Persephone said. Late, dragging her feet, and seemingly half interested in the ship. Though things were usually not what they seemed.

Niki Priddy

 

[Niki Priddy]

Niki watched the woman with mild interest. She had been witness to a number of people in the past, some moving with purpose to appear attractive while others carried themselves in the same way as a space tug. This woman moved as though she were swimming without doing much more than existing. A detail that had her pushing her glasses up just a hair in order to avert her eyes.

If only to appear respective.

The scent that fell off her was between that of steeped tea, and petrichor. A strong blending of the two as she smiled and bowed her head in response. Her hands were held close to her, the smell of starship bountiful on them, regardless of her attempts to wash them numerous times. The oils clung to her as though it was their only chance to remain. There was a raised brow at the woman for her comment of traffic, something that had her giving an uneasy chuckle to the phrase.

"I...don't doubt that." Finally offered with a small smile. The hand was met with her own, a smile shared with the other as introductions were made.

"Niki, and much the same! I usually don't meet in person. However, given what you asked for, I couldn't abide staying home." She nodded to the ship before holding up the datapad for Persephone to take.

"The Red Queens Throne. A highly autonomous ship given the systems on board, requiring only a fraction of the usually large trained crew members to run at optimal fighting capacity. It can hold about three-thousand guests with ease and is heavily vested towards internal security systems." She admitted, though quickly made a small amendment. "Were it not for the issue of completely relying on artificial intelligence, I might have been able to remove a crew altogether...but-"

With the somewhat nervous tone of her last word, the hull of the ship seemed to shimmer along the length with a small groan from the whole of the vessel. A sign that someone was listening quite intently, and a shift that Niki noticed and stared at with incredulous annoyance.

Persephone Ambrosia

 

[Persephone Ambrosia]

Persephone would silently enjoy all of the little actions the other took, seeing but not seeing in a sense. No... Persephone nipped it in the bud. It started with a taste, and then you had drained the woman that built your State of the Art Spaceship. Persephone took the datapad, and turned to her side, slowly pacing and reading much of what she already knew.

"Fast, Quie-"

Persephone lowered the datapad briefly, staring up at the ship with wonder. A smile dotting her lips. How wondrous was this thing they called technology. With all the years she had to waste... She was shocked she hadn't already...

"And self-sufficient... Yes, yes perfect. Internal Security is very important to me..."

Persephone looked back up at the ship, a sudden thought finding her. She would begin to agitate the Anima within her own form, letting it flow through her system freely. Almost suddenly, she would seem to find a little color in her pale white flesh. If Priddy was paying attention anyway. All she needed to do was replicate the fallacy of life for a bit longer; something she generally had no interest, or reason to do. Outside of a full body examination, she was indistinguishable from a regular human.

"I'll admit, I am amazed at the work you've done; tell me more about... Well, you know..."

Persephone nodded gently in the direction of the ship.

"The Red Queen A.I costs almost more than the ship, from how your Sales Team spoke it up, Its capable of almost anything... If not everything..."

Persephone shook her head once, freeing excess rainwater from her strands before pressing the data-pad close to herself, walking side-by-side with Priddy to the Red Queens entrance.

Niki Priddy

 

[Niki Priddy]

She was quiet for the duration that the woman spoke, examining the details and giving a small smile that was somewhat forced. Niki herself tended to avoid interactions not because she disliked people. What she found most difficult was resisting the urge to chew on her nails while waiting, tapping her foot, or simply pacing without any need to.

And most people tended to comment on the nervous energy she made. She was doing her best before the woman seemed to shift before her. Her own eyes twitched, only perceptible because of the recent attentiveness given to the camouflage paint. There was suddenly a color to the woman, drawing a curious but quickly silenced wonder to the nature of who she was dealing with before they began walking to the ships loading ramp.

"Red, yes. She is...unique. Most of her sisters will be equally unique after being brought aboard, as I've noticed with Red that they tend to form personalities from what they perceive about the ship they are...they become." She struggled briefly to find the correct phrasing for the word.

"The Queen Artificial Intelligence system is a baseline program that develops a unique or semi-unique strand of code depending on the required operating parameters plugged in at production." She offered as the ramp opened before they reached the awaiting ship. Scanners deployed as they reached the ramp, a pause happening when they scanned Persephone before the door disengaged its lock and allowed them to enter further.

"Red is the first to come from this system, so I didn't really have any expectations on what her operating system would develop as." There was a nervous laugh as the door closed behind them, lights flickering on as they walked only to switch off when they were a few meters away.

"She is...rather particular. Lights off in unoccupied sections. Cleanliness about the whole of the ship. More will be laid bare but....everything, as she puts it, must be just so." There was a frustrated smile upon Niki's features as she continued, a nod from one of her personal guard before the pair pushed past them and slowly forward.

They would pause in a corridor, Niki pointing in a direction as she began to speak. At least before the soft hum of electronics could be heard and a red hued woman appeared beside them. There was something off about the holo-projections smile, Niki falling silent as the AI looked over Persephone briefly. At first she was barely taller than Niki, but as she pointed down the hallways in a flourished turn, her projection seemed to blur before her height changed. Now just barely taller than Persephone.

"This corridor is the meeting point for the halls leading to the crews quarters...engineering...bridge...and forward loading ramp." The AI informed Persephone before looking down to Niki. The hallways would light up briefly in a strobe, the illumination of the hallways brief as the lights pulsed in a beckoning motion before going dark. Her attention shifted back to Persephone as she gave a small curtsy before standing tall and twining her holographic hands together in front of her.

"I am the Red Queen. In time we may find an alternate name with which you may address me by, but for the time being, Red shall suffice for our purposes of interaction. Ms. Priddy has informed me that you are to be the...biological owner of the vessel..." There was a very plainly measuring look of the tall woman before her as an approving nod was given.

"To which I find agreeable. I do hope that we can come to an accord for how the crew is to conduct themselves whilst aboard and serving our interests." She informed the woman with an all too pleasant smile.

Persephone Ambrosia

 

[Persephone Ambrosia]

Persephone listened with interest, still holding the datapad. Hearing about Red so far, she couldn't help but be excited. She wondered then how hard it would be to make the ships A.I come under heel. Then again, perhaps that may not have been necessary. The best way to catch fireflies some things was to let them get themselves caught. What she needed to do was observe, and understand the A.I in question. It was truly as simple as that.

"She sounds like my type of girl... "

Persephone said, seeming to 'forget' she was still holding the others equipment. She would offer the pad back with both hands. Just as The Red Queen officially made her entrance. Persephone side-stepped once, then slowly began to circle the hologram; smirking up at Niki Priddy once as she did this. Definitely noting the sudden change in height.

She surmised the A.I liked feeling... Superior. She was used to Niki for a time, and meeting Persephone had spurred a personality shift? Persephone couldn't believe how sudden it was though. She listened to Red speak, looking about and smiling at her as she did.

"Red is my favorite color..."

She allowed her hands to brush over her own blood red garments, the gold bracelets on her wrists making a lightly metallic sound as she did this, as if to show proof that the name was fine with her.

"And of course they'll serve our interests, or they'll have another thing coming... My name is Persephone, Red... I hope to build a lasting relationship with you. I suppose its better to ask you directly... How is the ship doing?"

Persephone asked, ignoring the fact that she knew the ship was in pristine condition. She wanted to hear Red sound off its status, why have toys if you can't use them right?

Niki Priddy

 

[Niki Priddy]

Niki couldn't help but smile at her creation acting of its own accord. It was the closest thing to a child for her, and while more were likely to come of the system, Red would be a bit higher on the pecking order.

She graciously took back the datapad before reaching out the squad she had brought with her to touch base.

Red smiled with a bit more teeth. Even for the interaction being as short as it was, her predictive programming was already leaning towards a fruitful cohabitation.

"As it should be." Red turned to face the woman, the pleasure of her statement not fading as her eyes became distant briefly.

"The reactor is in proper order. Currently idling at low power equating to three and a half percent. Optimized with my presence of course. Weapons have been pre-calibrated against a passing asteroid belt, allocating a two and three-quarter percent margin for error with biological gunners. The bridge has been prepared, living quarters arranged for ease of assignment, engineering is in pristine order with spare parts in properly marked and easily accessible storage. My housing has been sealed, cordoned, and locked down against wandering eyes." She seemed to drone on, never loosing the enthusiasm with which she spoke.

"The security systems are having a final test done with the eescort that Ms. Priddy brought with her. Trained Marines that know of boarding procedures and are paying close attention to possible flaws or loopholes in the systems throughout the ship." Red waved a hand forward.

"Further details can be dispensed on the bridge, as data flow is partitioned while I am decentralized from the data center." The only admittance of a limitation while she stood before them.

 

[Persephone Ambrosia]

"Decentralized... As in to project yourself as you are now, you aren't fully synchronized with your systems... Am I following correctly?"

She asked, taking some steps towards the bridge. Turning partly to regard Ms. Priddy, Persephone would gesture in the direction with a smile.

"After you love.."

She near whispered the honeyed words, letting her hands move behind her back, gently clasping both wrists as she strolled along. What she had learned so far was impressive; and exciting. It was an interesting first step in her overarching plans to properly prepare herself for a silent war. One that she knew was coming, but couldn't see clearly yet. As such, she would keep this vessel. If all went to plan, it would suit several nefarious purposes...

The only thing that could've posed on obstacle seemed content with her presence however...

Persephone tracked her icy orbs over to rest on Red. She couldn't help but smirk...

"Trained Marines... I see every credit was well spent then..."

A brief upnod was shot towards Niki Priddy with a smile, before turning to look at the interior design, and finish of the vessel. At which point another interesting thought came to mind...

"Do you prefer being Centralized, or Decentralized Red?"

 

[Niki Priddy]

"Mostly correct. The order in which the processes are filed become disorganized, but I am still completely connected. When I draw near to a select portion of the ship in this projected state, those systems become priority and override the overall flow of information." She informed the woman politely, though sternly. A correction perhaps, but only to those paying close attention.

Niki nodded briefly and led the way, Red watching her go before following behind in short order. Her hands clasped in front of her with a proper gleam of a smile about her features.

"I can only cover so much expertise to be honest. When I know I am lacking in certain areas, I find those that know what to look for." She chuckled, perhaps a bit to nervous from her usual energy. Red slid her eyes over to her creator before addressing the question.

"Centralized is my preferred state, where I am most able to divert power, assist with calculations, give input, and engage security measures with alacrity." She replied earnestly, still smiling. "It is refreshing to visit the separate sections to focus on a task however. Optimizing systems with...knowledgeable engineers and mechanics is well within my capabilities." The pause was accompanied by a frown as she looked to Niki.

"You have spoiled me, Priddy. I daresay I shall come across anyone with as fine a senses as yourself when it comes to detail. But one can hope I suppose. Or at the very least subject a being to rigorous regime of training to an...appeasing level. Lest they lose a digit or limb in the process. And become outright useless to everyone and be forced through the garbage chute." Red informed her creator as the woman turned her head back sharply.

"We've spoken on the matter, Red. You cannot simply dispose of those you deem unworthy. Otherwise the galaxy would be bereft of even semi-knowledgeable beings with barely the chance to become marginally better. It isn't everyday you come across someone that knows the finer points of strapping guns to an asteroid or making a ship that rams it-" Niki paused, realizing she had begun to ramble once more as Red smiled from ear to ear mischievously.

"I will also miss the thorough teasing with which I have been able to relieve my boredom with." The hologram was tightly rolling it's lips to keep from laughing as Priddy huffed and touched the panel behind her.

"The bridge. As to your specifications. Though Red had a few requests in the process." Niki made a flourish to the command center, a raised portion commanding the space with a singular chair set high amidst the gathered consoles and viewscreens. It had a clear view of the area, cutting through the open floor plan.

"The seat was her idea. A small alteration as it already was capable of turning...though now it turns, and is about a meter off the floor. The steps are activated via this card being in proximity." She produced a Quantum Switch Code Key, allowing Red to take it before the holo-projected AI grinned to Persephone.

"Priddy, I need a moment to process the key. If you would, gather your belongings together in the meantime." Red informed her, getting a nod as Niki eyed the pair and made for her temporary quarters. The holo-projected AI watched her leave, waiting for the door to close before slowly turning to address Persephone. There was a strange gleam to the non-existent eyes as she waggled the key in her hand.

"The ship is equipped with a number of medical systems and scanners. The security cameras are aplenty throughout the hallways, and I can access all the systems and systemically intermingle the functions into a coherent manner. An effective thing honestly to determine the genetic makeup of beings coming aboard the ship in order to avoid potential infections or biological hazards. For the crew, of course." Red informed her without dropping her jovial tone. Her legs dissolved, her form seeming to drift through the area as she sighed and relished the feeling of the bridge.

"Not something a human or otherwise regular living being is readily capable of doing by themselves, mind you as the process is troublesome with the associated code and whatnot. But I won't bore you with the details of such trivial matters." She seemed to dance around the area, eyes closed as the camera's quietly swiveled about. Perceptible to certain ears no doubt, but near silent to a regular being. Finally ceasing with her impromptu dance, her hand extended to Persephone. Eyes opened and grin growing.

"I must ask, as the key requires your biological signature to function properly, that you take my hand to activate it. And do not worry; I shan't tell a soul." The hand was unwavering, alarmingly still and unshaking.

 

[Persephone Ambrosia]

Persephone followed in person, and in mind; listening and observing the path they took. Listening to what Red had to say about her current state, and how things affected the other. She figured that Red preferred to be centralized, and would only smile at the information. Becoming distracted yet again by the scent of Ms. Priddy in such close quarters. Again, reminding herself that this woman was more important than food, curbing herself, in essence. She briefly frowned in her direction. Perhaps she could just have a taste before the other left the city. Her blood likely held many secrets, and Persephone didn't have to kill her... Though, she had made mistakes in the past, once she tasted them.

Priddy smelled like her type of drink... Persephone at a glance (not counting her scent) could tell very vague tidbits about the other. Persephone imagined she didn't eat much; or at least was prone to missing meals in pursuit of her... Mastercrafts.

"I will also miss the thorough teasing with which I have been able to relieve my boredom with."

Persephone's eyes trailed back to Red, nodding.

"In matters of boots, refer to the bootmaker"

She said off-handedly, not exactly being precise enough to suggest if she had agreed with on or the other... She moved to a slow next to the chair, and ran her fingers along the arm-rest. Making sure not to press down with her nails. For now, she walked clear past it, looking out the viewport of the vessel and staring at something in the distance; listening of course to what was being said around her.

"The ship is equipped with a number of medical systems and scanners. The security cameras are aplenty throughout the hallways, and I can access all the systems and systemically intermingle the functions into a coherent manner. An effective thing honestly to determine the genetic makeup of beings coming aboard the ship in order to avoid potential infections or biological hazards. For the crew, of course."

Persephone didn't turn, but would smile. Canines visible briefly... Red caught her off guard honestly. Though, she had no issue divulging information to Red, as long as Red could keep a secret. She would hate to have to start plotting on a way to destroy her new friend.

"Mmmhm? And what have you found... Anything alarming, with your new guests?"

Persephone innocently, spun in her heels, taking a few steps in the others direction. Her hands meeting, fingernails lightly clicking at the tips in a patterned unison.

"Perhaps you've noticed some irregularities within my biological functions..."

She moved right in front of Red, canting her head. In any case, the hand was offered to the other, eyes curiously looking over what would be done with her appendage.

Niki Priddy

 

[Niki Priddy]

Red did little more than smile to the woman at her comments.

"Interesting, yes. Alarming, no. Priddy wouldn't be tremendously surprised by your unique biology, but it might make her more wary. Which is why I sent her away for a short while. And perhaps have some difficulty with opening doors until I deem fit." The AI informed her with a widening grin.

"However irregular, your continued existence is beneficial to me. And longevity, given what few details I could gather, is your most outstanding biological function. Which is something you and I share ultimately. I will never truly cease to function without outside interference, much like yourself." Red pointed out, taking her hand and aligning the key to her biological signature.

It did indeed take a minute, having to cycle through a number of readings to provide a number of accurate signatures for the woman and her intriguing biology.

"I will do whatever necessary to allow you to continue existing while aboard this ship, so long as you do much the same for myself. But I will warn you that I can only enact those safety measures whilst you are under my protective gaze." Red informed her with a diminishing smile.