The Delaware Dilemma

[machines running] They just passed a bill making Tuesday illegal. Tuesday, Clanker. Technically, Sergeant, you meant passed, not passed. And the legislation sunsize on Wednesday, which I notes they have also mislabeled Thursday. I'm sorry, did they just outlaw Tuesdays? I had a dentist appointment. Forget Tuesday. Clanker's now a chair, legally speaking. I would like to formally object to my new tax classification. [machines warming up] Move it, Clanker. If they want this chair, they're going to have to sit on my bayonet first. Interestingly, Sergeant, I am no longer bound by the Article 5 combat restrictions regarding assaulting a human officer. I have space pickles if we need to bargain. [tools whirring] He got purchased. He's furniture now. Fancy lounge kind. Commander, I have located the Supreme Overlord's registered address. It is the USS Constitution's own Holodrum 3. I registered as Supreme Overlord purely as a diplomatic observation exonize. You bought my lieutenant as a couch. I will personally dismantle you into a footstool, Clanker. [machines warming up] The second overlord registration. That signal bounced off Delaware. Delaware doesn't exist. I checked the archives twice. It exists, and it just filed a motion to repossess I-76 as critical infrastructure. [suspenseful music] Someone explain to me why Delaware is suing us. It gets worse. It wants the Clanker as sovereign property. Captain, my designation is also on that repossession order. [tools whirring] Niner, you knew Delaware before today, didn't you? I was manufactured there. Then explain why Delaware's deed lists you as collateral. I do not have memory of that debt. [tools whirring] Four minutes until Doug Ratcher's enforcement drones activate. Vin, you brokered Delaware's debt, didn't you? [growls] The debt was brokered before you were born, Sergeant. Move, or I drag you through that panel. [snorts] Stop the count and you trigger the secondary order, Sergeant. Secondary order confirmed. Delaware claims this embassy as sovereign collat- The secondary order has a loophole. Sovereign collateral requires a registered owner. Delaware's deed lists CC9 as owner of record. CC9's ownership signature just transferred to the USS Constitution. [machines beeping] [gasps] Clanker, did you transfer that ownership signature? I initiated it. The Constitution is the only sovereign entity that outranks Delaware's claim. You just made my ship defendant in a lunar property dispute. 60 seconds to save one thing and lose another. Don't touch it. That third authorization already has a name on it. That signature, it's mine. Someone forged my clearance. [computer error] Who gave you my clearance code, Clanker? Was it you? No, but I know exactly who did. Why is Texas authorizing a Delaware land transfer? Because Delaware was never the target. [dramatic music] [tools whirring] Pull that face up, Clanker, now. If Texas auto confirms, Delaware ceases to exist entirely. [alarm sounding] [air rushing] [gasping] That face. That's Commander Cross up there. Delaware just signed its own death warrant. Who the hell is operating Delaware? Delaware's signal is originating from inside this ship. I'm tracing it. Deck seven, section nine. [computer beeping] Commander Cross has a quarters assignment on deck seven. Breach that door, we lose the signal forever. Hold, and Delaware signs itself gone in seconds. Pick one. I hate both. [machines beeping]