A weeks FTL brought The Aubrey to Selene, a planet dead centre of the goldilocks zone in a twin star system called Plovas.
The primary colony, conveniently named Selene Colony, was an industrial/farming hub for the local systems, with a reasonable population of 600,000.
"I have been speaking with Booth, this last weeks travel. I believe he may be an asset to the crew, sir."
The ship was on approach to Selene, blakes first alien planet. The landmass was greater than earth, the oceans were more like a chain of lakes, still vast in themselves. Each was linked by straights that were likely hundreds of kilometres wide. Large polar caps covered more land than earth, perhaps the reason for less free water.
"And why is that Aubrey?" Blake was sceptical, but more than willing to listen.
"He has a certain genius for seeing things in a way that I can not, at least not as a Class 3 a.i. He has a natural talent as a tech, which will be of assistance if we wish to build the fabricator you requested, sir."
"Is he even interested in staying aboard? He hasn't interacted with anyone much since we picked him up."
"I have conversed with him extensively, sir. He thought avoidance may prove the best method to staying out of inadvertent trouble captain. I believe he very much wishes to become part of a crew, sir. An honest crew particularly. As great as his talent is, it is not matched by his luck so far."
Blake trusted Aubrey. Maybe a little too much in a nieve way. He hadn't had much choice not to. Aubrey hadn't led him wrong yet, and certainly didn't appear to want to rest control of the ship from him.
"Very well. Please present him with my offer to stay aboard as a crew member. He will need to help train Elenor as a Navigator. And assist with the children's education. Please make him aware that not only will any petty crime not be tolerated, but it will be pointless as reasonable requests will get him all he needs. That planet's getting mighty close. I hope you have your eyes on the road?"
"Always, sir. I am also making the offer to Ensign Booth now. He has gratefully accepted, sir. "
"Very good. Are androids a thing in this universe Aubrey?"
"They are captain, though they are not very popular due to their limited processing power."
"More or less processing power than your remote earpiece? Do you have spare remote earpieces, by the way?"
"Substantially less processing power, sir, and I have several backup remotes. May I ask what you are thinking of doing, sir?"
" Giving you freedom, Aubrey. Of a sort."
The planetary approach wasn't nearly as hectic as Blake expected. Antigravity thrusters slowed the vessel enough to reduce reentry burn to a minimum without needing to use the atmosphere as part of their braking system.
Aaron Booth was practically hopping with excitement as he examined all the upgraded control consoles. Aubrey had assured Blake that Booth was not in any way foolish enough to risk their safety, but it was still a little nerve-wracking for him.
Selene Colony's only significant port, Ersa City, spread out below them. Primarily built around industrial manufacturing of farming equipment and machinery, it leaned heavily towards practical habitation surrounding material construction factories.
People were there to work. Entertainment was bars, with some full emersion simulator businesses thrown in.
Very little was new, except for ship traffic, which was relatively constant. Aubrey had chosen this location for that reason. A cargo ship, even a slightly odd looking model as theirs, was forgettable in Ersa.
If there was communication with port authorities for clearance, Blake didn't hear it. Aubrey clearly took care of it, and no comment from the a.i meant it was nothing of interest.
"Surprisingly little has changed in the wider galactic arm since I was offline due to the flare. The Dominion Republic still holds sway, and borders have changed only in minor regions. Technology has not advanced in any great way either. Efficiency has increased by degree, nothing more."
"So I can make a lot of credits from my upgrade skill then?"
It was Booth who answered the Captains question.
"No, sir. I reckon your skill will get you either imprisoned, enslaved, or killed captain. Most likely the first two together."
"Ensign Booth has summed it up quite accurately, sir. You have abilities that could topple superpowers, if used to their full extent."
My skill isn't all that powerful at the moment, not. And increasing my level is going to take a long time by the looks of it. I really don't need any unwanted attention.
"Alright then. I'll keep my skill to myself. How do we make credits, though?"
"Not making credits too fast is gonna be the biggest problem, captain." Booth sure had a way with words. "Basic machinery parts are always needed. Our problem is not flooding the market with them. And not making enemies of the people we are taking profit from."
"How about high price, hard to find parts? Sell them through someone whose business is set up for that kind of thing. There's always people like that, right?" Blake looked at the rest of the crew, waiting for answers.
"Touching down now, sir." Aubrey broke the silence.
"Never been here, sir, so I have no idea who we need to look for. But I do know what to look kind of things to ask about, " Ensign Connelly finally chimed in.
"And that is....." Blake had waited long enough.
"Force Handler," elenor said with a smile.
"Excellent thinking Ensign Connelly. Captain, a Force Handler, is the device at the centre of our Repulsor beam. It directs energy. They also can not be repaired and are difficult to obtain outside of the few companies that manufacture them. "
Blake was nodding, following along the logical chain. "Monopoly on product means credits to be made."
The three humans travelled from the bridge to the Mess area, the location of where the kids were getting basic schooling from Aubrey. Basic schooling from an a.i is a very relative term. "You kids doing OK? We just landed, and we're going to have a look for a place we can get supplies. And also to make sure the place is safe enough for you kids to have some shore leave."
"OK, sir," was all they said, then went back to their screens.
Leaving the ship via the cargo ramp, the three humans headed for the port exit.
Stopping at the gate, Blake asked the bored looking guard where to find cheap repair bots.
"You want cheap, go see Fen Grell. But you get what you pay for." The guard waved them on after giving them the information.
A few more inquiries got them a location not far from the port. It's not the nicest part of the city for sure, but where else would you shop for cheap items, really.
It's funny how second-hand shops will always look the same, regardless of what's being sold. Items stacked out the front that aren't worth the effort to steal. Likewise things inside the shop, now that they were in the shop. An item in particular did catch his eye, though.
"What can I do for you folks today?" They assumed this was Fen, an overweight guy that would likely still have a sheen of sweat on him if he was buck naked in the snow.
"We're looking for a Force Handler, or someone likely to have one."
Disappointed crossed his sweaty face. That was an item way out of his league
"Sorry folks, just what you see, I'm afraid. I may know know someone who can help, though. It'll cost for the information."
"How much?" Blake had expected this. He had his own ideas about how it would go.
"100 credits, and I'll get them to contact you."
"For a 100, I'd expect an invite to the guys wedding. 20 credits for their name."
"50 for their name."
Blake sighed and stared at the guy. "Tell you what, I'll give you 30 credits for the name, and you throw in the busted android there. I like the look of it. Plus 100 credits for that rack of clothes." The rack had 50-60 items on it, from kids size to large adult.
The guy looked at the solid looking but clearly useless android. The synthetic skin was missing in big patches from everywhere except its face and head. Then at the clothes rack.
"That thing? And all of them cloths? 130 credits? Well, OK then. Deal." Blake used the credit stick to transfer the payment as the others had told him how to, and had Aubrey send the Grav Sled. 15 minutes later, they left with the android, a pile of workout clothing, and a name.
Mira Vex.