Page 168 of Red Scale Daddy
“Explain,” he says.
“If I access my ship under guard, you will expect sabotage. You will monitor propulsion, communications, and docking controls. The obvious escape paths are compromised because you have already anticipated them.”
“And less obvious paths?”
“Require preparation.”
His smile returns. “You admit you are planning.”
“You would respect me less if I were not.”
“I would kill you faster.”
“Then we both benefit from my honesty.”
He gestures toward the guards. “Take her to her vessel. She will retrieve what she needs and install no unauthorized function.”
“That is impossible,” I say.
His gaze hardens.
I continue before the guards can move. “My ship’s systems are interdependent. Any diagnostic access triggers background functions. If your engineers interpret every automatic process as sabotage, we will waste hours arguing with software.”
Throgg looks to one of his engineers.
The engineer’s reluctance gives me the answer before he speaks. “Adaptive vessels do produce layered background activity.”
“Fine,” Throgg says. “Unauthorized intentional function.”
“Define intentional in a way your engineers can measure.”
“Do not test the limits too obviously.”
“I prefer subtlety.”
“Do you?”
“When properly motivated.”
He steps closer, and his voice lowers. “Your motivation is survival.”
I meet his gaze. “No.”
The word leaves before caution can soften it.
His eyes narrow.
I should correct.
I do not.
“My motivation is outcome,” I say. “Survival is only useful if it preserves the possibility of achieving one.”
Throgg studies me for a long, dangerous moment. “That distinction may keep you alive.”
“It usually does.”
He turns away. “Proceed.”
