Chapter 10: On The Good Ship Lollipop

T’Kuudshpp was quite pleased with Jonathan Hoag as the Lolli’s new captain, and was more than satisfied that its new crew would become every bit as good as those others it experienced during its long life. But with Michael’s family, Lolli’s bonding and delight was almost instantaneous - especially with Michael’s first three wives.

These ladies had experience with Tuull AIs, even if the awakened Dora was a little different from the ‘norm.’ They carefully prepared, even to the point of enlisting Katie and Betty to rehearse the family’s younger children. As they transported aboard, each individual faced the ship’s avatar and stated, “Good morning Lolli.” When the smaller contingent was aboard, they formed into a choir and sang Animal Crackers In My Soup. The happy AI skipped its five-years-old, sailor-suit-clad, curly headed image to the front of the group and ‘conducted’ while singing along.

Oh the joy of having younglings aboard once more. To teach. To play! O frabjous day!

Michael stepped forward and introduced those already aboard. When the remainder of his family appeared one by one, he introduced them as well. Lolli, whose database included them all, nevertheless appreciated the courtesy. “Michael James, may I name you as my friend?”

“You may, indeed,” Michael answered, “but only if I and my family may name you friend as well.”

“As you wish, Friend Michael,” Lolli happily agreed, “As you wish.” Shirley pirouetted in place.

“Friend Lolli,” Michael continued, “While my family settles into their new quarters, may we also settle some protocols? This is not common knowledge, but Friend Dora installed implants in all my family’s adults, not just the sponsors, but only she can use them. If you agree, she can give you the same access, and they can all listen in to our discussion.”

<Yes! Of course!> was Lolli’s enthusiastic reply, and Shirley performed a silent tap dance.

<I’m sure that you have accessed my contract with the Darjee and the permissions I and my sponsor-spouses have granted our companions and dependents, > Michael started, <we wish them to continue.>

<Acknowledged, > Lolli responded. <Your contract and your permissions remain in full effect.>

<I’ve reviewed a lot of history of the relations between humans and the Darjee AIs and am uncomfortable. We need to establish some ship-wide protocols. I’ve discussed them with Captain Hoag, and he is in agreement, > Michael started. <Sponsors are not free to abuse or use at will concubines not their own. They may not damage any concubine or dependent, even their own. Privacy protocols may not be used to shield prohibited actions.>

<You and your attendant AIs are to report any known or suspected violation to the CS duty officer immediately. If anyone, sponsor, concubine, or dependent is in imminent danger, you may use an interdiction field to intervene until a human can address the situation. Can you do that?> Michael needed to be sure.

<Yes, Friend Michael, > Lolli replied, <as long as violence is not required of me, I can intervene as you require and then report. However, I must report that I do not understand human sex. I have watched many of your movies, and I have seen many that appear violent to me, but the participants seem to be enjoying themselves. Others with similar content appear to inflict harm. How will I know?>

The mental laughter from the adults of Michael’s family was long, loud, and bawdy. <Oh you’ve stepped in it now!> came the relayed comment from Cathleen.

And from Katie, <To me, it looks like an all-night porn movie and sex party in the making! Friend Lolli, you are invited.> Then a giggle followed by, <The senior dependents are quite experienced in demonstrating and instructing in the activities many humans call ‘self abuse.’ Dress in your Shirley-Temple-at-fourteen body. We’ll let them demonstrate.>

T’Kuudshpp and its new associates were in conference. Much planning had occurred since its initial briefing by T’Kleesual, and there was much to decide before leaving Earthat - for the mission and route for the voyage; the mission upon arrival; needed modifications and materiel; the crew’s duties and training; protocols and rules; and on and on.

Present in the large conference room were the usual avatars for the three primary Tuull AIs to be resident on the ship, and a rather androgynous figure representing T’Krandit, Helva’s AI.

Non family humans present were Captain Hoag and his immediate staff; Captain Stone; Captain Maximilien Jones, currently of Helva; Captain Eldreth Priscilla Coburn, Jones’s newly appointed successor; Randy Pope, in his role as Harrad Colony’s new law enforcement Grand Pooh-Bah; and Major Samuel Anderson, newly appointed commander of Lolli’s Marine detachment. The soon-to-be-extracted Merchant Marine Academy presidents Adams and Smeltzer rounded out the contingent.

The harem’s entire sponsor contingent was also in attendance.

It should be noted that Major Sam (to distinguish from Papa Sam) had been demoted and branded a pariah after his former recruit, Provisional Private Nehemiah Scudder, was convicted of and executed for sexual predation of his minor dependents. Dora, scanning the CAPs of the entire unassigned pool on the moon, had surfaced the former major as a candidate for the Marine commander slot.

Anderson had accepted, and Michael had immediately reinstated his former rank - a prerogative of a colony’s governor. With the large numbers of experienced troops already extracted or fighting with the EDF, finding competent personnel was difficult both on Earth and on Luna. He needed Dora’s assistance to handpick his detachment from Luna’s pool of raw recruits, drill instructors, seasoned NCOs, and combat veterans. Sam gratefully accepted Hoag’s entire security contingent from the Summer. He had a few other possibilities in mind, but could not act immediately.

Michael took the time to clarify his expectations for the Marine unit so that his primary advisors were on the same page. His Marines were to form the nucleus for a training cadre. They would provide shipboard security and flexible drop teams for extractions on Earth (and possibly elsewhere.) They were not expected to be placed in action against the Sa’arm.

The major’s command was a truly bastardized unit, a combat Marine’s nightmare. It was initially organized as six Marine squads forming two platoons; one additional ‘squad/platoon’ of trainers/drill instructors; and an over-large ‘command and support’ element to handle the ancillary tasks such as supply, communications, intelligence, and other functions normally present in larger, higher level (REMF) units. One might think this latter would be unnecessary with very capable, cooperative AIs supporting him, but Sam was a ‘belt and suspenders’ type. Theory executed by noncombatants could and probably would miss something -- with Murphy then ensuring a fatality or two, likely more.

At a future date, the squads would likely be divided to seed newly formed, more traditionally organized units, as recruits were trained up. The command and support elements would be in place and ready to support the expansions.