Captain Telnik received and acknowledged Arp's report clearing the last of the human sensor probes for onboarding. The drop shuttles were all refueled and heading to their next targets under stealth. The human astronauts McAffee and Schmidt, the Arrurran Yiyirari, and the Ooafans Aal!fa and Owa!ga were filling up most of the available burrow space left by the departing crew. He wasn't thrilled with bringing five passengers on a twelve-day survey, but they'd just have to make the best of it. The latest estimate for the Earth quake put it at five days after their return, at a minimum.
It was cutting things a little closer than he'd like, but both he and everyone else had better things to do with their limited time than sit around for an extra twelve days on the off chance that the ocean-adjacent provinces made up their mind. Someday, I'll find an advanced civilization without bureaucracy, and I'll ask to immigrate on the spot.
The models were showing some deviations, but that was normal and Petra had the whole analysis system in her memory to make minor changes on the fly and keep things on track. None of the humans rising to the top wanted to start wars immediately, preferring to stabilize their own positions and see how the wealth redistributed before committing. It would be an ongoing balancing act, but the current wars would rapidly wind down as the masses, who simply wanted peace and a safe and healthy life, got their desires met for a change.
"Petra?"
"Yes, Captain Telnik?"
"You're keeping the propaganda on the planetary net to a minimum. Any problems?"
"No, Captain."
"Good. Is it possible to build a separate unit to handle that automatically, without your help? Once we leave, the humans will be left to their own devices, unless we add devices to help."
"Yes, Captain."
"Is there time to build it before the New Hope leaves the system?"
"Yes, Captain."
Telnik brooded for a few moments. "Petra, please switch the printer producing my crew payment to producing that device, as soon as possible."
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"I will ask Nick."
It wasn't long at all before the Boss was on the comm. "Captain? Petra tells me you want to take the printer off of your payment?"
"Yes, Boss."
"May I ask why?"
"Because I think you're good for it, Boss, and your planet needs an autonomous truth sifter."
Boss had that jerky look he got when he was trying to use his new brain augment. "How will I get you your payment?"
"I suggest you transfer what you've produced so far when it's time for the New Hope to depart. We can always shorten the contract if you can't afford to pay us for the full term. If you get to a planet in the galactic network, you can make the rest of the payment to my...bank account. Yeah, 'bank account' works."
Boss was quiet for a few moments. "Captain, I appreciate the trust you're showing me. You'll get your payment as soon as possible. Thank you. Petra?"
"Yes, Nick?"
"Please switch Printer 5 immediately, to start making the device Captain Telnik asked for."
"Yes, Nick."
"Thank you, Petra."
"You're very welcome, Nick."
Telnik waited a moment to be sure the side conversation was finished, then explained further. "Boss, any fixed device is going to get found and stopped eventually, but odds are good that your people won't discover a way to do that for long enough to make a real difference. Your planet would manage without it, but a planet's development is a lot easier if facts aren't getting choked out of your information systems. I just prefer to do a full-assed job, Boss."
Boss did that human thing of smiling for a very short time, then going to a slightly twitchy expression. "I'm grateful, Captain. And the rest of the human race will be too...eventually."
"Yeah, tell 'em I expect a few statues of me after they turn around." He checked a silent message from Petra. "Come around."
"I'll leave a message with my friends."
"Thanks. Well, we're in final loading stages for the bigger tour of the neighborhood, so I should get back to it."
"Safe travels, Captain. Looking forward to your return."
"Thanks. Catch you after."
The comm disconnected. I think I'm getting good at the nuances of the English. Someday, maybe I'll meet him in a port and greet him in his native language just for the surprise. He's a good kid. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes pretty far in the galaxy. If the Collective doesn't grab Petra, and he manages to defend himself, he's going to be a power in a few years. Maybe someday I'll be bragging that I knew Nick Tomsun of Earth and Petra the UMP back when they were first getting started!
A while later, Telnik was back on the bridge for departure. "All right, helm, take us to the first star on the itinerary." On a whim, he messaged, Petra, you be a good girl for Boss now, all right?
< I will do my best. Catch you later, Captain. > Telnik smiled.
She's acting more sapient every day.
The Guranaki Melor engaged its FTL engines and leaped towards the stars.