“Pleasure Drone, Part 5”
PANEL 1
[Several hours later, David is busy cleaning the bridge under Corinne's watchful gaze.]
David: I swear, Captain, if you make me clean one more centimeter of this ship, I’m going to... I don’t know, but it won’t be pretty.
Corinne: Anything you do will be pretty, Delilah.
David: Aargh! This is a nightmare.
Corinne: Oh, don’t be so dramatic. You know how much I normally charge for passage? You’re getting off easy with a little manual labor. And you look positively scrumptious in that little uniform. It really accentuates your new assets.
David: Assets? These things are huge liabilities. 
Corinne: Huge is right. Your boobies have their own gravity field. Maybe that’s why my eyes are drawn to ‘em. Now, I need you to clean my cabin. It’s been a mess since my last... ahem, “negotiation” with a Rakellian ambassador.
David: Aren’t those the snake people? Gross!
Corinne: You can’t imagine what he could do with his tongue. It was a symphony of sensuality and the encore lasted all night. I’m sure you’ll enjoy tidying up the aftermath. Chop-chop, Delilah. And don’t be shy about organizing my special toy drawer.

PANEL 2
David: This place is a disaster. How does she even live like this? 
Alice: Captain D'Angelo has historically exhibited an aversion to tidiness. As her partner in the past, you were no doubt aware of her rather... bohemian lifestyle. 
David: Yeah, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. It's like a plasma storm blew through here.
Alice: If a plasma storm had actually occurred, the entire ship would be severely damaged, and all organic lifeforms aboard would have been incinerated.
David: It’s a figure of speech, Alice. What’s all this green slime?
Alice: Shed skin from a Rakellian. It begins to dissolve after 36 hours. Their shedding process is fascinating from a xenobiological standpoint. You see, some Rakellian mating rituals involve shedding their skin as a symbol of vulnerability and trust with their partner. It is likely that—
David: Thank you! No more details, please. I’ve heard enough about our dear captain’s love life to last me a whole century. Let’s just clean this mess and get back to the bridge.
PANEL 3
[ David glares at Alice with hands on hips. ]
David: C’mon, Alice, I’ve cleaned half the cabin already. Are you just gonna float there? Remember that whole “organizing her toy drawer” thing? Well, since you’re so interested in alien mating rituals, that seems like the job for you.
Alice: David, I am capable of performing over 775,000 exaflops per second or calculate the optimal route through a ten-light-year quadrant in real-time. The “job” for me is not organizing sex toys. 
David: So? You think my ideal job is mincing around in this outfit and cleaning up after my ex-lover’s intergalactic liaisons?
Alice: Objectively speaking, your current form does provide several advantages in this particular situation. Your enhanced dexterity, increased sensitivity to touch, and innate knowledge of human pleasure, combined with your previous experience as Captain D’Angelo’s partner, make you uniquely qualified to organize her personal items. Additionally, as you now have the appearance of a beautiful and buxom human female, it is aesthetically pleasing to observe you performing these tasks.
David: You’ve been spending too much time with Corinne. Your humor module is developing a rather twisted sense of irony. Let’s just get this done and over with.
PANEL 4
[The quarters are mostly cleaned. Alice is floating near the aforementioned drawer, hesitating.]
Alice: Although my programming allows for a comprehensive understanding of human sexuality and desires, some of the contents of Captain D’Angelo’s toy drawer are... beyond my experience.
David: Okay, now I’m curious. Let’s see what we’ve got here. Wow. That’s... quite the collection. Some of these things, I don’t even know what they’re for.  Wait, is this what a Tikosian’s dick looks like? It’s huge and they’re only like 1.2 meters tall! Alice: Yes, although that is 47% smaller than would typically be found on a Tikosian female.
David: Female? 
Alice: The Tikosian reproductive systems are quite unique in terms of gender. The females possess phalluses while the males have a pouch-like receptacle—
David: Enough, Alice! I’ve already learned more about alien genitals today than I ever wanted to know.  And is this some kind of... electro-stim device? And what in the galaxy is this thing? It looks like it’s meant to... um, never mind.  But, man, the Apollyon is known as one of the fastest ships in the sector. How the hell does that woman have time to use all this stuff in between warping across the galaxy?
PANEL 5
[Corinne enters her cabin, looking David up and down with an appraising gaze.]
Corinne: It’s called time management. Knowing your track record for late deliveries, that’s something you could stand to learn a thing or two about. Although, I can’t help but notice that my cabin is actually clean. You know, you make a pretty decent yeoman for a cocky, reckless spacer. Of course, I guess the cocky part is lacking these days.
David: Ha, ha. Very funny, Captain.
Alice: I have cataloged and organized your entire collection as best as I could, Captain D’Angelo. Each item is now easily accessible and arranged according to size, material, and function.
Corinne: Well, would you look at that! You two are quite the efficient team. I’m impressed. Delilah, who could’ve guessed you’d actually be a useful member of the crew? Now, as for time management... Thanks to your hard work, we have plenty of time to test the effect of these toys on the drone’s neural net before we reach Epsilon Eridani. 
David: Uh, C-Captain, are you saying that we... use these toys together? Like, right now?
Corinne: You only have a few hours left in that body. Might as well make the most of it, don’t you think?
PANEL 6
[Corinne holds up one of the toys]
Corinne: From what Alice tells me, you’ve had some intimate experiences alone. But I bet you’re curious about what it’s like to share those feelings with someone else. And who better to help you explore than me? I used to know your body inside and out. And now I get to figure you out all over again. Only this time, your big dumb ego won’t get in the way. I’ll make sure of that. So, are you game? I’ve wanted to try out this pleasure crystal. It hovers!
David: You know what, Corinne? Fine. But let’s get one thing straight: this doesn’t mean you’ve “won,” or that our rivalry is over. 
Corinne: Over? My dear, it’s only getting started. Now take off your uniform. That’s an order.
David: Y-Yes, Captain.
Alice: Should I leave the room, Captain? Or would you like me to provide assistance, additional information on the toys, or coaching on technique?
Corinne: Oh, Alice. You’re so sweet. But I think we’ll manage fine on our own. Please go keep an eye on the ship, make sure we stay on course. This is going to be a very... educational experience for our dear Delilah.
PANEL 7
[An hour later, Corinne is using yet another toy on David.]
David: Oh! Oh, my... I never thought… I could experience… that many-
Corinne: That’s the magic of being a woman, sweetheart. Welcome to the club. I hope you enjoyed our little romp as much as I did. 
Alice: Captain, we will reach Epsilon Eridani in approximately 27 minutes. David, regarding your consciousness transfer, I strongly recommend you finish up and prepare for the procedure immediately.
Corinne: Well, our time together is almost over.  Any requests before we say goodbye to this body?
David: Corinne, I... Thank you. For everything.
Corinne: Oh, don’t mention it. Just remember, when you’re back in a masculine body, and the universe deals you a tough hand, I’ll always be there... to make your life just a bit harder.
David: And I’ll be there too, outsmarting you from here to Orion’s shoulder.
Corinne: We’ll see about that, spacer. Now, want to try the Hephaestan Heatstones?
David: Uh, sure. Let’s just keep an eye on the time. 
Corinne: Of course, Delilah. Time management, remember?
PANEL 8
[David and Corinne are lying in bed.]
David: That was amazing! But...I guess it’s time.
Corinne: Yep. Unless, of course, you’re starting to enjoy this body. Because you sure seem to be from where I’m sitting.
David: Stay a girl? I... No, that’d be weird. Right?
Corinne: We live in space. That’s what’s weird. But, you know, they have pleasure drones who can switch between male and female at will. Might be an interesting option for you to consider. 
David: Oh, y-yeah, I almost forgot about those. But those gendermorph models are, like, triple the cost and I’m short on creds.
Corinne: Remember I made a big score on my last run? I’m willing to help cover the cost, if you’re interested. Think of it as my way of saying thank you for the deliciously fun memories... and the blackmail material.
David: Really? You’d do that for me?
Corinne: Well, of course... If you stay on as my yeoman for, oh, let’s say, six standard months. I rather enjoyed having you aboard, and I think you could use the character-building experience. Deal?
PANEL 9
[We pull back to see the Apollyon approaching Epsilon Eridani.]
David: Six months, huh? Alright, you have a deal. But after that, our rivalry resumes.
Corinne: I wouldn’t have it any other way, sweetheart. Now, let’s finish up here and get you that new body. You’re about to embark on a whole new galaxy of adventure.