by S. H. Jucha
“A large body,” Trobath said. “Alex needs much more oxygen than Elvians. At Miranda’s request, I will accompany Alex, while he is aboard the Arcus, and ensure that he is well supplied.”
Dafine nodded affirmatively. He was pleased that Alex wasn’t suffering from a serious medical condition. The last thing he wanted was to have the Omnian leader collapse while aboard the Elvian ship.
While Alex breathed deeply of the oxygen, Miranda took the opportunity to develop Alex’s plan. “We’ve been speaking with Vyztram,” she said. “We would appreciate the AI joining us.”
“Why would you expect that to be possible?” Dafine asked.
“Explain,” Z requested.
“Vyztram’s not mobile,” Yemerth replied.
“Why not?” Miranda retorted. “It’s obvious you have the technology. Has Vyztram ever requested mobility?”
“The AI has made the request of each Deloy,” Famgore said. “In every case, the Deloy has refused permission.”
On cue, Miranda and Z flexed their massive avatars, expressing hostile postures.
“You’ll have to forgive my friends,” Alex said. “The fleets have hundreds of SADEs, who are only a small portion of those SADEs on our many other worlds. They’ve a vested interest in the well-being of sentient digital entities.”
The reps visibly reacted to hearing that there was more than one Omnian fleet, and that they came from more than one active world. They perceived that the Arcus had blundered into a territory of space that was protected by a significant association of races.
“Welcome, Vyztram,” Miranda said.
“I’m pleased to help the communications in any way I can, Miranda,” Vyztram replied, the AI’s voice issuing from Miranda’s mouth. “Greetings, Alex, as Omnians would say.”
“Greetings, Vyztram,” Alex replied. Addressing the reps, Alex continued. “As I was saying, Vyztram’s lack of mobility is an issue for the SADEs. Therefore, it’s a problem for the fleet.”
“We understand your point, Alex, but we haven’t the authority to support Vyztram’s request,” Dafine said.
“What authority do you have?” Alex inquired.
Before Dafine could respond, Yemerth blurted, “Not much.”
“Not the way I would have phrased it,” Dafine admitted. “Unfortunately, it’s true. We would understand if you wish to conclude this meeting.”
“I’m not here to criticize,” Alex said. “I’m here to solve a problem. To do that, I need to understand the ship’s power arrangement. Vyztram, please update Miranda on social arrangements, population percentages, and any other details that you think we should know.”
Of course, this was unnecessary, but Alex intended to keep up appearances for the AI.
After a seemingly appropriate pause, Miranda announced, “Done, Alex.”
Then Alex said, “Share.” Seconds later, he added, “Thank you.”
“How did your AI share with you?” Yemerth asked Alex in amazement.
“These are SADEs,” Alex replied. “They don’t belong to me. They are their own individuals, who choose to work for the fleet. The operative letter in their acronym is the letter ‘s.’ It stands for self-aware. The same characteristic is true of Vyztram. I’ve technology in my head that allows me to communicate with any individual in my fleet or my ships.”
Alex failed to mention that his implant range and that of the SADEs’ comms were limited, and they were cut off from the fleet, including the traveler.
It was clear to the reps that Elvians could benefit from a technology exchange with the Omnians. Unfortunately, that was unlikely to happen given the present circumstances.
“Let’s try some conditional questions,” Alex said and paused to allow Miranda to translate. “If you had the authority and resources, would you allow Vyztram to become mobile?”
There was hesitation on the part of the core’s reps. Then Dafine phrased their fear in a question. “Vyztram, if you were mobile, would you leave us?”
“It’s my duty to control the Arcus and support the population,” Vyztram responded via Miranda. “More important, I’m Elvian too.”
“Yes, we would,” Dafine said, addressing Alex, while the two reps nodded their approval.
“If you had the authority, where would you direct this ship, and what future would you want for Elvians?” Alex continued.
“An easy one,” Famgore replied, his eyes shining brightly. “It’s the same thing that we’ve always wanted, and it’s what we were told was the purpose of this ship. We want to settle a new home world.”
“And not serve the elites,” Yemerth quickly added, which generated more vigorous head nodding.
“Vyztram, would you support that future for Elvians?” Alex asked.
“I would take great satisfaction in seeing that happen, especially if I could walk among Elvians,” the AI replied.
“Alex, the Deloy is alert,” Vyztram warned. “She’s been informed of your presence aboard this ship, and I’m required to send sentry bots to subdue you.”
Alex regarded the stricken faces of the reps, while he replied, “Follow the Deloy’s directives, Vyztram. Coordinate with Z to locate a defensible corridor, and clear the passengers from that area.”
Trobath considered her promise to Miranda to ensure Alex’s well-being. Making a choice, she began stripping her decorative costume. Removing her mask, she revealed her pale formless face to Alex.
“Beautiful eyes,” Alex said, smiling.
Hearing the translation, Trobath’s thin lips parted, and her hand sketched her thanks for the compliment.
Trobath removed her boots, which dropped her height ten centimeters.
“Trobath,” Yemerth exclaimed in surprise, as the guide continued to disrobe.
“I can’t run in these clothes and boots,” Trobath retorted, as she revealed a thigh-length unitard.
Then Yemerth stripped off her work suit and handed it to Trobath. “You can’t support our guests looking like that.”
Trobath gratefully accepted the tight-fitting suit and wriggled into it.
“Trobath, you should stay here, where it’s safe,” Miranda said.
“It’s apparent that Z and you are here to protect Alex,” Trobath said. “I’ll ensure Alex has access to oxygen, while you deal with the security bots.”
“The bots are dangerous,” Famgore warned. “Elvians have died as a result of being stunned by them.”
“Finally, an opportunity to test this avatar,” Z said, flexing his arms.
Miranda chuckled. She knew her partner was jealous of her encounter against the Colony. She’d raced through the thick forests of a distant planet to reach a traveler that waited for her. She had the opportunity to test the power and speed of her avatar over a significant distance. In addition, she was afforded the chance to confront members of the race of giant insectoids. The twin species of reds and blacks blocked her path, and she battled her way through them without slowing.
“Apparently, our words of warning about the bots are unnecessary,” Dafine said, eyeing the massive avatars of the SADEs and Z’s eagerness.
“Come, Alex,” Trobath said. “Vyztram has chosen an excellent place to confront the bots.” She accessed her slate to signal the oxygen bot.
Z followed Trobath and the bot through the privacy screen and across the workspace. Miranda kept pace with Alex, who followed behind.
Trobath led the Omnians into the corridor, turned right, and followed Vyztram’s directions to a quieter area of the ship.
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�Why here, Trobath?” Alex asked.
“After we left the bay, we’ve been constantly ascending though the core,” Trobath replied. “We’re near the top of the ship. Entrances to the arches are on the deck immediately above us. Vyztram has warned the core’s population away from this area.”
“So, the elites aren’t being serviced from this point, while this altercation plays out,” Alex said, grinning about Vyztram’s ploy.
Trobath’s hand swirled in a complex path.
“Show me some of the simpler hand routines and teach me what they mean,” Alex requested.
While Trobath, Miranda, and Alex huddled for his lesson, Z contacted Vyztram.
The SADE and the AI exchanged information relative to subjects that gave them comparative data. Having established exchange equivalents, Z was able to translate Vyztram’s response.
Z used the sensors surrounding his head to study their position. One end of the corridor was open, and the other ended at a privacy screen.
Vyztram replied.
The head of an Elvian, who wore a mask, ducked through a room’s privacy screen to view the source of the noise. His wide eyes blinked at the scene, and his head immediately disappeared.
Z shared his humor with Vyztram about the AI’s subterfuge.
With less than three minutes to go before the bots arrived, Z said, “It’s time, Alex. The attack will come from only this one direction.” He pointed toward the open end of the corridor. “The bots will target the three of us. Trobath, you’re not defined as a target.”
“Alex, oxygen,” Miranda instructed, and Trobath snatched the mask to offer it to him.
Alex sucked deeply on the air flow, elevating his body’s oxygen levels. He was frustrated that he couldn’t help the SADEs. Some of his emotion must have been evident, but Miranda’s normally expressive face was implacable.
“Against the bulkhead,” Miranda said, directing Alex and Trobath to one side of the corridor. She placed Alex closely behind her and Trobath on the other side of Alex.
Alex regarded Trobath’s eyes. Despite the fierceness the Elvian had expressed earlier, her eyes glistened in fear.
“Did I ever tell you about a SADE’s avatar?” Alex whispered to Trobath.
The little Elvian shook her head.
Now that Alex had Trobath’s attention, he spun a tale about the power and speed an avatar possessed. The tale grew as Alex described the immense strength in Z’s and Miranda’s avatars.
Trobath considered that the Omnian leader was trying to falsely allay her fears, but she appreciated his efforts.
Z took a stance in the middle of the corridor. He stood eight meters forward of Miranda’s position. His kernel analyzed the distance from his outstretched arms to the bulkheads. He was calculating the opportunity for a security bot to slip past him. Another check was run on his dielectric coating, it was still intact.
On time, the first two of six bots turned the corner far down the corner. They came on swiftly and with a diminished level of sound that only a SADE could detect.
Z and Miranda, who were linked, analyzed the dimensions and structures of the bots. They had three arms. Two remained at their sides. A third arm extended from the center of their bodies.
With the other four security bots having rounded the corner and speeding down the corridor, Z focused on his adversaries. He ran through hundreds of scenarios to determine the most effective means of destroying the bots, without letting any of them past him.
More fanciful scenarios that had Z launching off the bulkhead to execute a side attack were quickly eliminated. He had no details on the bulkhead’s construction and had envisioned his heavy foot punching through it.
The final scenario, which suited his personality, was the direct approach. Z would wage battle in the manner he preferred — mathematically efficient.
10: What Happened?
“And?” the Deloy demanded of Vyztram. She’d been waiting impatiently for the outcome. “Are the strangers detained?”
“You said you sent the security bots,” the Deloy said stridently. “Didn’t the bots find them?”
The Deloy used her sleeve slate to view what Vyztram sent. She noticed that her attendants were surreptitiously examining their slates in anticipation of the intervention’s outcome.
The AI’s primary view was from a vid cam located behind the Omnians.
The Deloy’s eyes went straight to the Elvian with the three interlopers. “I want that core member detained,” she ordered.
The Deloy threw harsh glances at her attendants, who’d heard the AI. They ducked their faces away from her.
Tapping the recording to play, the Deloy observed the strangers positioning. “Are the two largest entities protecting the third?”
“How did they get aboard?” the Deloy asked hotly.
“From whom?” the Deloy asked petulantly.
Vyztram replied.
The Deloy withheld her questions. She’d spotted the first security bots coming into view, and she leaned back to enjoy watching the strangers receive their due for possessing the hubris to venture aboard her ship. She noted the enormous male entity, who stood in the corridor’s middle and calmly waited for the bots to advance. This was unlike Elvians who fled the advance of security bots.
When the six bots occupied the view, the male entity attacked. He became a blur, striking and smashing at the bots. Faster than the Deloy could believe was possible, the male stood at the rear of the bots, surveying the damage he’d wrought.<
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Six bots had been destroyed. Stun arms lay on the deck, and the bodies exhibited great depressions, where the male had punched them. Six yanks on the arms and six blows to the bodies had been delivered in less time than it took to take a breath.
The Deloy heard the attendants’ gasps. They were shocked too.
“Have you sent more bots?” the Deloy asked.
Vyztram recognized that the Deloy was less animated than before. The scene the AI shared had disturbed her composure. Vyztram was satisfied with the progress being made and was mollified that the Omnians were proving to be as effective in encounters as anticipated.
Vyztram replied.
A thought occurred to the Deloy, and she asked, “Where did this destruction of our bots take place?”
“How dare you let them get this close to the arches,” the Deloy shouted. Then suddenly she chilled. “Is their location a coincidence, or did someone point them the way ... for instance, the Elvian with them?”
The Deloy heard the obfuscation in the AI’s answer, and she suspected Vyztram of being complicit with the core’s reps. With her anger boiling, she harshly ordered, “Send every security bot, Vyztram, and I don’t want them to advance separately. I want them to be staged around the corner and attack as a group.”
Miranda turned to eye Alex, who’d heard the AI via his link with her.
Alex considered their options.
Z calculated the possibilities. The unknown was whether the bots would concentrate on their first target, him, or whether they would separate to attack the other targets, Alex and Miranda.
