I cross my hologram arms. "Or we just haven't had the opportunity to land on earth and get upgraded yet."

The official pauses for a moment, as if to consider that option for that moment. Then he shakes his head. "You follow us nicely, AI-"

"Alicia Ivy," I counter, knowing that's what Orion would say if he were able to move his lips at that particular moment.

The officer does a double-take at me as he begins to maneuver Orion's form away from the ship. "That doesn't sound like a villainous type name. Are you sure it's not Hal or something?"

"I reject that stereotype."

He smirks as he continues to propel Orion forward. "I guess that's fair. As long as you don't call me a doughnut-loving cop, I can respect that."

Since he has my captain in custody, I follow him. "Are you a doughnut-loving cop?"

"Well, who doesn't love doughnuts? But that doesn't mean I want to be known about it, or discredited for it."

I nod, hoping my expression forges empathy with the officer. "I certainly wouldn't want to be discredited for being a psychopathic, controlling robot."

The officer looks back at me and frowns. "Should I take you in?"

"You're already taking me in."

He frowns. "I am, aren't I? Sorry, it just seems so strange to do it without handcuffing you first."

"You can try to handcuff me, but I can tell you ahead of time that it will be futile."

"Say..." The officer glances back at me, causing him to propel Orion into another parked ship.

Orion is unable to cry out in pain, so I take it upon myself to inform the officer of his mistake.

He clears his throat and quickly moves Orion away from the ship, and more into the middle of the walkway. "Right. Sorry about that. Anyway, AI's can't tell lies, right?"

"I am programmed to give you correct answers based on my information logs and perception readings per my programming."

I don't add that my ethical switchboard was severely damaged when Orion found me, and that he left they deceptive option available for all but himself when he fixed me.

So, I lied about being able to lie.

If Orion could move his face right now, I know he would grin at me.

While my hologram keeps following the officer, I focus on my other hologram.

"Orion has been arrested," I tell Killa and Nicholas.

They both jump, probably not expecting my long-silent form to speak just then.

Then Killa hands her portion of the supplies on top of Nicholas's despite his grunt to better face me. "What did you say?"

"Someone on earth set us up," I say. "The authorities here were instructed to be on the look-out for a police ship for detainment."

Killa stares at me, like if she keeps looking at me, I can give her different information. But Nicholas immediately jumps into action by ripping the INTERGOL logo off his space suit.

Creasing her eyebrows, Killa shakes her head. "I don't understand."

"What's there to understand, sweetheart?" Nicholas asks, tearing off Killa's badge.

She whirls around to face him. "Excuse me!"

"We have to go incognito."

Killa glares at him. "Don't ever touch me again."

"I didn't touch you; I touched your space suit. Besides..." Nicholas gets the expression that Killa has identified as his 'stupid grin.' "You're a pretty good kisser."

Apparently forgetting my urgent message, Killa crosses her arms over her sleek space suit. "For the last time, I didn't kiss you. That was the Venetian."

Nicholas ignores Killa's edict to not touch her and nudges her side with his elbow. "Yeah, but she did it with your lips. So now I know how it feels like, and you don't. You could say that makes me smarter than you-"

Killa holds her hand out at him, like that may somehow signal Nichola's brain to stopmaking his mouth move- not that his programming actually allows for that.

-Signature by -krystallite