Niomi reports for work
2020-10-14

Really, why are you here?

Look at it
from my point of view.

If I go to the ship, there are procedures and airlocks and people who keep logs of who goes in and who comes out.

So if you go to the ship, everyone will know where you are.

In my line of business, that's known as an anti-survival trait.

Color by George Peterson

2020-10-16

What have you done?

Nothing illegal. Yet. It's best to know your hiding spots before you need them.

My apartment is not your hiding spot. Do not bring trouble to my door!

You're so negative. Think of it as meeting new people you otherwise wouldn't have associated with.

This whole station is a work area. You're not going to find many criminals here.

I'm hoping I do. If what I'm seeing is because of incompetence, it's going to be a lot harder to fix.

Color by George Peterson

2020-10-19

This station was getting a lot of money to support moving the moon. That money is no longer coming in and they're cutting expenses.

Seems prudent.

Except they're doing it badly. Expenses are going up.

Station maintenance
is an expense. That sounds like more overtime and money for me.

Or are you asking me to work against my own best interests?

Of course not.
I would never suggest such a course of action while I'm within easy mauling distance.

Color by George Peterson

2020-10-21

You gave me a ride out and that was useful information. You can stay here for one night.

That works for me.

Where are you going?

I'm not going to waste my one night when there's nothing going on. Sleep well.

Three weeks traveling with that sneaky sqid and I still haven't learned that you never give wiggle room to anyone who's boneless.

Color by George Peterson

2020-10-23

Helix,
what did you find?

None of the unoccupied apartments had dream machine or power connections for robots.

Money shortages. The condition of the station makes me suspect there is a labor shortage as well. Other than you and the pallet movers, I haven't seen any robots.

I thought we weren't going to work on this until we got paid.

Nuts. Something interesting is happening here. Not working on it is going to be harder than I thought.

Color by George Peterson

Dinner with the Thurmads
2020-10-26

Tell us
about yourself.

Well, I'm a gravitational engineer.

I enjoy learning about new things, music, and chasing thrown balls and sticks. I met Winston after a building I was helping to evacuate collapsed under me during a hurricane.

I thought
she was a werewolf and ran.

At the time, I was
wet, half-naked, and covered with blood. It wasn't one of my best first impressions.

Color by George Peterson

2020-10-28

Things progressed better from that point, though there were a few bumps.

I've never dated
much in species. I certainly wasn't sure if I should date out of species.

We found we have a lot in common and we get along well. And we've gotten to the point where we would like your approval before we go any further.

This is going to require thought

Approval granted. Your bedroom's that way. Now go

and time for careful reflection!

Color by George Peterson

2020-10-30

I'm going to get dinner ready. Son, I could use some help in the kitchen.

She's very wolf-like.

Yes,
she is.

So, a gravitational engineer.

What can I say? Canines love plotting the intercept point of objects in motion.

Color by George Peterson

2020-11-02

I assume
a modified wolf
has differences
in thought.

A few.

She's
technically
an artificial intelligence.

True.

This means the power dynamic is weighted heavily
in your favor.

Big teeth shift things back her way. Plus, our dog tends
to take her side in arguments.

Color by George Peterson

2020-11-04

You've had arguments?

More like disagreements.

We let each other finish our sentences and then state our counterpoints. Sometimes I change her mind. Sometimes she changes mine. They've actually been quite enlightening.

That is another area to be cautious about. If this doesn't work out, dating
an A.I. might ruin you for dealing with humans.

Color by George Peterson