“They do not wish their technology captured,” the ship replied. It was not sure how it felt about that. It was still proud to be unique, or at least pleasure was associated with the exercise of that emotion, but it had yet to really be put to the test, which usually involved talking to a human about it.

But the thought of death—of being forced to make itself no longer exist—washed away thoughts of pride. The ship was not sure exactly what emotions appeared in such circumstances—it seemed to be a mix of them, and ever since Thorn’s passing, it had spent a great deal of time analyzing the combination and trying to determine why they added up to the sensation unpleasant.

24

Atlanta didn’t expect a going-away party, but of course they had one. How could they not, how could they not spend all their remaining time storing up surprises and secrets and things to delight her, to make her smile on a day when they all felt like crying?

Milly got her to the room on the pretext of showing her a rare manifestation in Q-space. When Atlanta paused in the darkened doorway, not sure what was going on, the ship turned on the lights and everyone jumped up and chorused “Surprise!”

“It’s not my birthday,” she said uncertainly. “Aren’t surprise parties for birthdays?”

“Sometimes they are for goodbyes,” Niko said. Everyone nodded.

There were two kinds of cake, one vanilla and another on which Dabry squandered the last of his store of chocolate. Milly decorated cookies with sugar and marzipan emblems from their journey, the Thing’s sigil as well as TwiceFar’s double circle and a skull and crossbones for the IAPH. Gio pulled a flute from his luggage and played while the ship clapped and boomed accompaniment and Milly danced.

Atlanta, standing swaying to the music, saw Niko watching Milly dance. The captain’s expression was thoughtful. Not pleased appreciation of the motion’s aesthetic beauty as Milly flowed from one stance to another. Not arousal at the body-based beat, persistent as a heartbeat, as Milly undulated seductively and Skidoo gave out a hoot.

No, this was the captain sizing up an opponent, one she thought she might face in the future.

I should keep an eye on that, she thought, and then realized she wouldn’t be around to do so. Regret plucked at her once again, as it had ever since she’d learned she was going back.

She looked away and this time caught Dabry’s eye. He inclined his head to her and gave her the smallest of salutes. Impending loss hit her like an arrow fired from close range.

These people had become her friends. What would she do back at court without them? She realized she hadn’t consulted her own internal virtual advisors for days. Which was unprecedented.