Alpha Squad - Vecto: Voyage

Episode 1.3

(Previously: Vecto disguised himself as a man named Robert Newman and obtained a Travel Access Card on the Corona ship.)

Vecto wandered throughout the mile -long ship. Knowing Dr. Azmeck, it would take days before he came back looking for him. First he'd want to set up his lab, and then he'd have to get him during boarding, per regulation. Vecto had plenty of time, he thought as he headed for the shopping plaza.

The plaza was a massive four-tier structure with wide-open space at the core between each level to show off the stars seen through the transparent top hull. At the bottom center was a walkthrough field dome with a large fountain and trees as décor--a sort of park area. There were heavy crowds at each level--people of every size, race, and type, even genetically altered ones. However, there were no machines roaming the ship. The purpose of X-ray scans was to keep robots in storage facilities. Machines were banned from mingling with humans on the ship due to past mutiny and sabotage. It was the reason for Vecto to keep his identity a secret.

Yet his identity was discovered by a seven-year-old.

A boy wearing a toy infrared visor jerked his head around as he saw nothing through the visor and yet could see Vecto's face and body when lifting it up.

"Hey Daddy, Daddy!" the kid yelled as he rushed to his father and tugged the back of his dress suit. "I found an android!"

"That's nonsense, son," the father said, messing up the kid's hair as he rubbed it. "You know they're banned from here."

"But, but!" the kid said and looked back for the android.

Vecto smirked at the kid.

"But Dad!" the kid yelled.

"All right, all right!" the father said and leaned to his level. "So where's he at?" he asked to appease him.

"Right there!" The kid pointed, but Vecto was gone.

"Oh, I see," the father said, standing back up. "Come along, now."

"But I really saw him!" The kid whined.

It was yet another close call for Vecto. He simply blended in with the crowd--sort of. He formed the image of a helmet over his head as he stepped on the wide, slanted escalator platform to take him to the top floor.

Unwillingly, Vecto could hear the myriad of conversations around him. Everywhere he walked, he heard the busy noise of people scatter through his mind. It was overwhelming until a ship announcement sounded overhead, allowing him to focus his attention.

"The Corona exploration ship will be departing from Acaterra's orbit in fifteen minutes," the female computer voice said over intercom. "Please refrain from leaving the ship. Any problems should be reported to Corona personnel. Please enjoy your ride."

Sarah? Vecto knew he recognized that voice. Was it really her?

It had been a long time since he'd heard her. She used to be the A.I. system for the A.S.'s ship, the SS Gyro, but she was transferred here after Gyro's ship was destroyed--as her massive navigation database was well sought after. But why should he have to be reminded of Gyro's death again? He shook the thought away, trying not to obsess over it. Perhaps A.I. Sarah has the coordinates to Zendora, he thought.

(Does Sarah know where Zendora is? Find out more in the next installment of Vecto: Voyage!)