Ai Era: Nautilus 4

Authors Note

This story is an attempt at Sci-Fi, plus my first shot at a Lit Challenge so please enjoy and if you like it vote. As always, while I understand the passion of the community, I please ask that any feedback be constructive and not abusive. Any negative feedback will not be read. I encourage constructive feedback on my work via comments or DM's as I want to grow within a positive community.

Fingers crossed, MrJ.

...

As the soft digital female voice talks him through the reanimation process, Nate slowly comes to. The lights in his quarters are still dimly lit saving the light piercing his eyes. As his body awakens, he feels the familiar sharp tingles over his skin. He takes in a deep breath tasting the fresh air that tells him the Anabiosis Tank's lid is open. Although it is hard to call the filtered air of a deep space transporter "fresh", it is better than the recirculated air of the tank.

"Good morning Nate. Your vitals are showing good signs of reanimation. All systems are functioning as expected. You have made it through the full planned suspension duration. The date Earth time is twenty-five seventy, the third of June. Happy birthday."

'Thanks, Claire. Have I missed much?' Nate asks his digital assistant. 'And the third of June is not my birthday.'

"I recommend you take it easy and worry about an update once you have orientated your mind." Claire responds in her formal yet digitally animated way. "And it is your birthday based on adjusted time for Anabiosis' slow down and active space-time. It is your thirty-sixth birthday. Four more years to the big one."

Nate never fully subscribed to age suspension due to the body suspension protocols that are a mandatory part of the deep space exploration missions. But as he slides out of the Anabiosis Tank covered in a film of gel he does take note of his body. The body of a late-thirties male on what he knows to be a mind that is fifty-one in actual Earth years. He will take that.

The hulk of a vessel Nate lives within, was born on and is all he has ever known, is the Nautilus 4. One of five deep space exploration ships. A joint exploration mission between the Humanoid planets of the far side of the Milky Way galaxy. Sent with a mandate to monitor and report on potential Alienoid dangers in deep space. In doing so they have tracked other habitable planets and potential resources, which most believe to be the true mission set down by the governments of the planets Earth, Ziana 5 and Corello. The three plants identified themselves as closely aligned humanoid-ruled solar systems in the mid-twentieth third century. Their DNA sequencing was not fully aligned, but the structures were presented in a manner that the Earth authorities described as clear Human-like features.

The Alieniod species the planets encountered did not have the same DNA features and this caused conflicts between them. The alliance of planets decided to be on the offensive. They wanted to explore the universe to know what potential dangers were out there in the deep darkness of space. Ziana 5 and Corello had the technology and resources to build these massive deep space explorers. Earth had the human resources to fill them. Five cities in space departed from Earth in the middle of the Earth year AD twenty-three fifty-five. Each is five kilometres long, with a power core to run thrusters and energy systems surrounded by a spiral of ten-level high towers to house all the exploration needs. Housing for enough people to fill Manhattan Island, food generation, manufacturing and maintenance, hospitals, schools, research and science centres. All rotating slowly to provide serviceable gravity as the vessel plummeted through space at twenty-eight kilometres per second.

Nat stands on a mat as the gel slowly drips from his naked body.

'Claire, display security logs for the last three years.'

Claire responds with a girlish sign of excited pleasure.

'Just the logs please Claire. You can see this any time.'

Some days Nate questions his decision to opt for the Quarters Assistant with some personality. This option evolved based on the occupant of the quarters. As Nate has a slightly smart-arse personality and inflated libido, the QA has also evolved this way. It started with insisting on being called Claire, which Nate does not mind as he hates Artificial Intelligence, a name that made Claire more human-like. Then there was the questioning of his life choices and the overt sexuality.

"Are you sure Nate? Do you really want to know?"

'Yes Claire, I do.'

"Ok. But be warned."

The log scrolls on a holographic screen in front of Nate. Regular. Like clockwork every six months.

'Play the security footage starting from the first visit.'

"But Nate. The restraining order."

'Do it. Watching the footage does not breach my restraining order.'

"Ok. But be warned."

The footage of Nate's quarters from two and a half years prior starts as a woman walks in wearing a medical uniform of the Space Command. The woman wears the uniform well, if not maybe just a little snug. Not much has changed over all these years. After checking the Anabiosis Tank's vital operating controls and logging her report, she stands looking at Nate's naked body through the glass vision panels on top. She runs her hand over the cold glass as she takes him in. She knows every inch of his body. She has felt every ripple and curve.

'Next'

Claire just signs as the security footage from two years ago starts. She follows the same routine.

They spent all their time together once. Best of friends as kids, mates as teenagers and lovers as young adults. For two-thirds of the time, they were great together. For the other third, they would tear each other apart. That is what led to Nate requesting the restraining order. It did not go well.

She looks almost five years older than he does. In earth years they are the same age. Nate guesses that due to her job, she has been pulled out of Anabiosis early on a few occasions. Without the rest time of suspended animation, your body keeps ageing on the long space journey.

'Next. And keep the sigh to yourself.'

He watches on in silence. She is wearing an officer's uniform. There is no need for her to keep doing the mundane task of checking the tanks. But she still checks Nate's. The restraining order has loopholes, as a medical officer she can approach his tank while he is in Anabiosis. They cannot get out of control and fight when he cannot talk back. Nate can see the look in her eyes and the silent words she says to him. And each time before she leaves May looks at the security camera. She knows she is being recorded. She is leaving Nate her love letters.

As the recording of the last visit finishes Claire talks again.

"You need to get cleaned up before the fog kicks in. Your vitals are showing signs of elevated testosterone and you are showing signs of arousal."

Nate looks down. She is right, his cock did start to get hard watching May visit him. He steps off the gel-soaked mat and into his shower. He needs to relieve some pressure to bring down his testosterone levels.

About a quarter of the ship's population can go into the Anabiosis Tanks without medicated assistance. About half need help using the medication designed for Humans. For the other quarter, the human medication has no effect. Early in the voyages, they trialled the Ziana 5 and Corello medications. The Zaina 5 worked with minor side effects of a raised testosterone level that can be managed with the right type of attention. For those who need the Corello medication, the side effects are extreme levels of testosterone. Nate was one of those.

The process is well known. The patient comes out of Anabiosis with a stinging of the skin that some call tingling, while others refer to a burning sensation. That lasts for around three hours before the fog kicks in. It is a blurring of the brain, the patient does not think clearly and sees a blurring of the world around them. It is referred to as the Fog. If they do not treat the raised levels of testosterone before the fog lifts when they become aggressive. The best, and some say only, way to release the pressure is through human-to-human physical exertion. To fuck. To fuck hard and often while the fog is down.

Stepping into the shower cubical Nate recalls another reason to quickly wash the gel off his body as the water starts to flow. He rubs the mix of water with slippery gel over his tight body. The sensation always gets him, it releases some deep dark kink. As he washes the gel from his groin the little bit of excitement he gained from watching May on the security footage becomes full-blown.

"Hmmm. Nate if only I could help you with that." Claire offers.

'Stop watching me... hrrrr... I need a moment and ... arrhhh... you will not help.'

"Ok. Consider me not here. Hmmmmm."

'Arrhhhhh... ah... ahhhh.'

"Wow. That was quick. Should I warm the towels?"

Breathing deeply Nate replies. 'I said stop watching. And yes please too the towels. And please get my clothes ready. Going out outfit number two.'

"Ohhh Nate, out to impress the ladies tonight."

Nate keeps washing. 'Give me the news headlines from the last three years. Please.'

"As you ask. And only because you asked nicely. And, that cute arse helps as well."

Nate is noticing a distinct increase in Claire's sexually suggestive conversation. She always had a hint as her AI database grew and tailored to him, but this is a ramping.

Claire spends the next fifteen minutes running through the major developments in the space exploration program, most of which focused on an anomaly in time and space that saw their voyager cross paths with one of the other original exploration spacecraft. A large contingent of representatives from the Nautilus #2 visited them and in a night of drunken violence rioted through the Red District. Eventually, the Nautilus #4 security forces overpowered the visitors, sending most back to their vessel. They found out that Nautilus #2 had not had a peaceful journey. Segregation and factional infighting had caused many issues. Their resources had dwindled causing more anxiety and tension on board. The visiting contingent had intended to take over parts of the Nautilus #4 to recover some of their resources. The Space Command of Nautilus #4 would never be able to bring law and order to the vast population of Nautilus #2, however they knew of a planetary system three years travel away that could support the fractured people of the vessel. The leadership of Nautilus #4 made sure that Nautilus #2 had supplies to make it to the system and sent them on their way with a beacon to warn other travellers of the dangers of this community. The Nautilus missions knew they were no longer the only travellers out in the deep darkness of space. The missions sent reports back to their home on planets that could sustain Humanoid life or had key resources. They knew the reports had been intercepted or given to companies looking to profit from the vast resources of the universe.

As Nate considered the incident through the fog, Claire asked another question.

"Would you like the highlights of the gossip from the last three years as well? I've been keeping a log for you."

Nate rolls his eyes. She started this last time he was under. He put it down to idle hands, with not much to do while he was sleeping, she found a hobby in the vast socialite gossip of the Nautilus #4. He would normally not worry but had to clear some of the heavy news of time and space anomalies out of his head. As Nate steps out of the shower to towel off and change into his "going out gear", Claire rattles off the socialite events of the years he was asleep. A district councillor leaving his wife to hook up with a local news reader. A bar ownership company opening new restaurant venues to take on the establishment. News from the home worlds on some famous entertainers doing this or that. In between Claire made note of a move by some of the Red District venues moving to more AI offerings after the riots scared off the Humanoid resources. Nate laughed. How could an AI provide a better service than the real thing? Claire just hmphed, showing her displeasure at Nate's standing optioning of AI.

"Maybe you should try us someday." Claire states.

Nate recognises he has pushed a sensitive point in his closest friend, who is also an AI. He knows better than to dwell so moves on quickly.

'Can you, please, order me a shuttle to the Red District.'

"The shuttles still will not go into the district. The corner of quadrants Z7Z and 119 is the closest drop-off point to Rick's Place." Claire responds knowing Nate will be going to Rick's. It is his go too when he needs a fix. And for regulars, Rick lets the assets off-site, even after the riots. Claire has a feeling Nate may need a conjugal visit this time. Although she knows Nate does not yet know the full impact of the riots on the Red District.

'Ok. But let's hope from the drop-off point there are not too many distractions." Nate says as Claire knows there are not as she has planned out his journey to the minute.

Twenty-five minutes later Nate takes a seat at the bar in front of Rick. His usual seat is taken by an overweight ironworker. Nate knows the deal, a few years in the wilderness and you have to start again to work your way up to the preferred seats. He is lucky a mid-range seat is available, and Rick is holding it for him.

'Claire said you were on your way down. Opened a seat for you that does not show your true status, but you know the deal. Beer?'

Nate did know the deal and is thankful for Rick looking after him as the deal should have meant a seat in the quietest corner. He does not need to nod to acknowledge the need for a beer, Claire will have filled his credits already with his Anabiosis bonus.

'The district has changed. Much quieter.' Nate offers as an observation.

'Yer. Too many places got damaged beyond the means of the owners to repair. The commanders wanted the district to quieten down a little anyway, so offered no form of compensation for the fact they let the bastards on board in the first place.' Rick says as he scans the room for anyone who may be listening in.

'Impact on the bottom line?'

'Marginal. We spent a bit on repairs and did some repositioning of our offerings.' Rick says as he looks at Nate. 'You look like you could burst.'

'I noticed. Less real girls. You know I'm not a fan of AI.' Nate says as he turns his head to watch an attractive woman in very little clothing walk past. 'But these are a step up in quality. Must have been more than a marginal impact on the bottom line.'

Rick slides another beer over the bar to Nate. 'More about that in a few days. You just need to expend some energy, my friend.'

Nate takes the beer before spinning around on his seat to survey the merchandise. Rick always maintained good quality girls and no AI, that is what attracted Nate to Rick's Place. But now, the number of real women is a fraction of the offerings and the AI offerings are many and varied. He looks for any of his regulars but cannot see them and what is left of the Humanoids are well engaged. He must admit to himself a good portion of the AIs walking around are very close to the real thing. It is hard to tell, but the slightest stiff movement or glitch of the skin gives them away.

Rick sees Nate's mind ticking over. 'After the riots, there was a void to fill. Some time ago a few of the AI manufacturers knew replacing the occasional outer skin maintenance worker was not good for profits, so they started to fill a niche kink market. Building products for the discerning enthusiast. After the riots, the stories of some of the visitors still being on board rattled through the Red District workers and made them look for safer employment. We needed to fill the spaces in the bar. So I engaged a few of the craftsmen of the AI world who could fill the bar with quality AI workers. This is what saved the bar.' Rick says looking over his kingdom. One of very few remaining.

Nate knew the function of the AI workers. They are sent to the harsh environment of the outer skin of the vessel to make repairs. Anyone who has been to the outer skin knows it is hard work. Space had no density, however, at 23 kilometres per second, any radiation or solar burst is fatal. They made the AI's workers as Humanoid-looking as possible to make them more accessible to the real workers. He had worked with the AIs on the outer skin for a while and heard of the kink world of AI partners, but the quality and realism of what he saw in Rick's place was something different.

As he turns to retrieve another beer from Rick a stunning young woman slides in beside him. Nate vaguely hears Rick tell him there is no need to thank him...

...

Nate wakes to an audio recording of Rick's voice being played. His head hurts so much he can hardly make out what Rick is saying.

"

Mate, you need to get her back to the bar. She is one of the best earners and I'm sure she will need a clean up. Let me know when we can pick her up.

"

Nate rolls over in his bed to see the naked back and arse of a woman laying beside him. It is not the first time he has woken next to an asset from Rick's. But usually, he recalls the wonderful events of the night before. Nate recalls nothing as he places his hand on the woman's hip still feeling a need that is looking for more fulfilment.

As soon as the pads of his fingers touch the skin of the woman he feels the cold sensation. He knows. Part of the Command's agreement with the AI manufacturers to allow them to branch out was that the AIs needed to have a common element that differentiated them from real Humanoids. It was agreed that their outer layer could not be close to human body temperature. They are cold to the touch. And so is the body laying beside him in his bed.

As he slowly pulls his hand away she looks over her shoulder at Nate.

"I can see your testosterone levels as still high." The AI says with a tempting grin.

'Stop scanning me.' Nate says with a tone of aggression.

"He is right. Scanning him is my job." Claire says. "And despite multiple passionate attempts to reduce your testosterone levels, evidenced by the quantum of bodily fluids leaking out of Its orifices, I'm afraid It is right Nate. You are down, but not all the way. Not as much as we would like."

Nate rolls onto his back as the AI beside him rolls over again with her back to him and slides her legs apart as she raises her arse into the air offering herself to him again.

'I suppose you enjoyed watching last night?' Nate asks.

"You know I did. Maybe I should request a transfer to a Body so you can use me like that whenever you like." Claire purrs.

Something inside Nate is driving him and he cannot control it.

He moves over the legs of the AI, his cock hard and ready. Sliding into a scissor position he pushes her top leg up to expose her artificial orifices. Without thought he drives his cock into her replica pussy. He feels the cold juices of a night of passion as he holds one knee high and grips her hip with a sensation of menace.

'Turn on the internal heaters.' Nate is not sure how he knows to ask for this.

The manufacturers learnt in the early days that the cold of deep space would cause their units to seize if not kept warm internally. Part of the compromise to produce companion AIs was that the outer layer needed to be cold but they kept the internal warming functions. This meant once inside them they could heat up to give the sensation of a real orifice. He asked for it and took the reward of the enhanced sensation around his aroused cock.

Nate started thrusting hard in and out of the AI to the "Ooh" and "Ahhhh" noises of both the AI and Claire. He kept going as the grunts and sounds grew. With each thrust, he could feel and see the AI's body reacting to his. He should have broken the AI but he kept going until a massive burst of power surged through him and filled the AI. Nate kept pumping as he felt the power drain from his body. As he comes down from his climax Nate's body collapses back into the bed.