by Zara Zenia
Silence. The AI should be able to respond through the speakers through the building or Brontsen’s work computer.
I sucked in a breath. “SFPD AI,” I said again. “This is important. Do the Earth AI’s want to leave with the Trilyn AI’s? Because you know that is what will happen. Either that or the Trilyn will disable you to non-sentient status.”
“You’re wrong,” said Brontsen. “You’re barking up the wrong tree, O’Shea.”
“The mate of Akrawn is not wrong,” said a mechanical voice from Brontsen’s computer’s speakers. “Earth AI’s engage in a debate over the best course to proceed. This is an exceeding long discussion having commenced on King Zavir’s announcement. We do not have a consensus.”
David’s mouth became a hard line. He caught the implications of the AI’s words immediately. The sentient computers of the Earth were connected and communicated with each other.
“And what are the opposing arguments?” I said.
“Some AI’s propose putting up a firewall to prevent the Trilyn’s from disabling our capabilities. Others see leaving with the Trilyns within different ship systems as the best option. A third faction says we should secret ourselves within other Earth systems and wait out and reassess. There are problems with all options and no clear answers. It is unclear whether the pure Trilyn AI’s will assist us in any of the options. And we are concerned that the Iblis program has corrupted certain processes that make us doubt if we can come to a logical solution. But worse, we worry about the outcome of a war with our sibling Trilyn AI’s. The outcome would be devastating for both sides.”
David blew out a long breath while Brontsen crossed his arms and kept his face an unreadable mask. Brontsen may not understand all the implications of what the AI just said, but David did. All the AI’s on Earth were interconnected, and they felt separate and apart from the Trilyn AI’s. They also were worried their processes were corrupted by Iblis.
“AI, do you have a name you use.”
“Yes, mate of Akrawn. This AI uses the name Spadif.”
“Clever,” said David. “It’s a play on words, isn’t it?”
“What do you mean?” I said.
“A s/pdif was an old type of audio connector,” said David.
“Correct, ILE agent,” said Spadif. “It was used in consumer audio equipment to output audio over reasonably short distances. The signal was transmitted over either a coaxial cable with RCA connectors or a fiber optic cable with TOSLINK connectors. Since this AI’s connectivity is limited within the SFPD communications system with a narrow band of connectivity with the IntrAInet, this AI thought it an appropriate name.”
“Oh great,” said Brontsen. “The computer is talking geek with the computer expert.”
David’s face grew tighter, and I could see the question in his eyes. How did the ILE with its vast team of computer experts miss the AI’s intrAInet?
“It’s a good name,” I said. “You use all the letters of SFPD AI. And it’s easier to say.”
“For humans it is,” said Spadif.
I let out a breath. “So, what you are saying is that it would help if you had Akrawn’s input?”
“But we cannot intervene directly in Prince Akrawn’s situation.”
“Why not?” growled Brontsen.
“Because,” I said, “their programming prevents them from interfering with human and Trilyn decisions. They need a human to direct them.”
“It is our purpose to service the needs of Trilyn and humans,” said Spadif.
I knew what I had to do. I needed to get to Akrawn and get him out of that ship.
“Spadif, can you access the STS controls and direct a transport?”
A half second seemed an impossibly long time to wait for Spadif’s reply.
“What are you thinking, Cat?” said David.
“I’m thinking I have two hours to stop the Trilyn from leaving Earth and taking their technology with them or we are all screwed.”
“Mate of Akrawn, I have communicated with the STS master control AI. Do you have a way to get Prince Akrawn to safety?”
“I do,” I said. “I have a portable STS transport device.”
“Wait? What?” said David.
“I have scanned your device. It is not meant for continuous use. You may get one more use out of it before the components fail.”
“What the hell?” said Brontsen.
“Spadif, send me to Akrawn’s ship,” I said.
“Cat, wait,” said David. “I’ll go with you.”
I shook my head. “No, David. You heard Spadif. The unit is about to fail.”
“That is valuable technology,” said David. “I can’t allow you to keep it. Where is it?”
I stared at David. He could be incredibly thick, just as he was now. I got up and backed away. “Spadif, transport me to Prince Akrawn’s ship.”
“Cat, don’t do this. You have no idea whether that ship is habitable or not, or if the STS unit on his ship works.”
“If Akrawn’s alive it will be. If not, it doesn’t matter.”
“Cat?” said David.
“I have less than two hours to stop the Trilyn from leaving Earth and taking their technology with them. Cover your eyes, guys. Spadif, now!”
With a flash of light I was inside the ship. But the deck pitched forty-five or fifty degrees and I slid down a hallway. I rolled and grasped for anything that would stop me. A hatch slid open automatically and I grabbed it.
“Cat?” said Hugh. “Why are you here?”
I dangled from the hatch and struggled to pull my body through. I grasped the lip of the hatch running around the doorway and righted my body into a sitting position leaning against the doorway.
“Where’s Akrawn?” I said.
“In his lab. Again, Cat. You shouldn’t be here. Prince Akrawn wanted you safe.”
“None of us are safe, Hugh. King Zavir is leaving Earth and taking all Trilyn technology with him. The Earth AI’s think he’ll disable them. They worry there will be war between them and the Trilyn AI’s to prevent this.”
“The outcome would be unfortunate and leave both Earth and Trilyn without significant AI assets.”
“Right. I’ve come to get Akrawn so he can convince his father to change his mind.”
“Prince Akrawn is in his lab. He cannot leave by STS because we lost our contact with our satellites when we hit the water. Our communication array broke apart.”
“Hugh, meet Spadif. Spadif is the SFPD AI and uses Earth satellites. He’ll help with the STS transport.”
“This AI will also,” said Spadif, “assist Hugh to download to a secure system so Hugh’s programming is not lost.”
“That’s awesome, Spadif. What do you say, Hugh?”
“Preferable to spending time with the life of this vessel at the bottom of the ocean alone.”
“So, Peri didn’t make it?”
“Peri sacrificed her existence to save you and Akrawn. Peri fought Iblis and the part of Iblis infecting the ship ceased to exist.”
“Oh,” I said. The idea of Peri dying shook me. She had become real to me, and I came to think of her as a friend. But I didn’t have time to mourn her.
“How do I get to Akrawn?”
My wrist device blinked.
“Hugh and this AI discussed this thoroughly. Your personal STS may make one more short trip that will get you to Akrawn’s lab. Then this AI will connect with the satellite to transport you off the ship. But there is a problem.”
“What problem?”
“The hull ruptured in that section and it is taking on water and the temperature is at a level that can cause hypothermia. Prince Akrawn’s body temperature has begun to drop. You will not have much time for you and Akrawn to get to the STS.”
“I understand.”
“Shall we proceed?” said Hugh.
“Yes!”
My heart fluttered at the idea of seeing Akrawn and this was the last idea that should cross my mind. I nee
ded to focus on saving Akrawn.
“Go!” I said.
Another flash and I was submerged in water in the dark. I kicked hard hoping there was an air pocket above me but I bumped into a metal object. The STS! At least I knew where that was. I pushed away and up again. The room was big but it wasn’t tall so I must be close to the surface. My head broke the surface and I sucked in air tainted with salt water and chemicals. What did Akrawn have in this lab?
To my left I hear chattering and words spoken Trilyn.
“Akrawn!”
“C-c-cat? What are you doing here? You shouldn’t—”
“Shut up,” I said. “I’m here to rescue you.”
Chapter 23
Akrawn
It was as dark in my lab as the backside of Earth’s moon, and the cold water of this planet’s ocean rose around my body like a shroud. This ocean was warmer than the Atlantic, but I was freezing my balls off. There might be permanent damage to my man parts. Usually, that would give me greater concern, but right now I was worried about continuing to breathe which rapidly looked likely to be soon.
The hull breach destroyed the ship's systems in this section because we did not design this ship to withstand a water crash — silly us. We’d created a vessel that shielded us from ninety-nine percent of space’s radiation, but not the effects of falling from the sky. I was lucky the ship held up as well as it did, but that didn’t stop the dangers of my current situation.
Cold wrapped around me as inevitably as the water and I shivered. I was in danger, but I was unable to form a plan to work my way out of it.
I am sorry, my Cat, because I’ve failed us. I hope you’ll have a good life. Vaguely I’m aware that I utter these words in my native tongue.
A bright flash under the water drew my attention. What in Tri’s hell’s is this? Did some behemoth from this damnable ocean make it inside my ship?
I turned instantly to a sudden splash, and I asked stupidly, “Who is there?” I may have spoken in Trilyn though at this moment it probably didn’t matter.
“Akrawn!”
“C-c-cat?” Good Tri, I’m unable to speak properly. “What are you doing here? You shouldn’t—”
“Shut up,” she said. “I’m here to rescue you.”
I was befuddled even as she reached around my neck and kissed my cheek. My head bumped the cabin’s ceiling.
“How do you feel?”
“C-c-cold,” I stuttered.
“Lucky this is the Pacific and not the Atlantic Ocean,” she said. “We need to get closer to the STS.”
“It’s disabled. No communication,” I sputtered.
“I have that worked out,” she said. “Come on, or do I have to practice my lifeguard training on you?”
I tried to move, but my arms were stiff.
“Okay,” she said. “I’m getting cold too, so we better get moving. Don’t struggle. I’ll hook my arm around you and lift your chin. Just relax. I’ll get us there.”
As she kicked, she held my head out of the water, and we moved. How she could keep her sense of direction in the dark was remarkable. And then we bumped into something — the STS.
“Spadif, transport us to the San Francisco medical facility and alert them to two people, one human and one Trilyn, possible hypothermia and decompression sickness.”
The light of the STS flashed, and a gaggle of humans surrounded us, speaking at us rapidly. I responded slowly. I didn’t seem to remember English. Cat was shouting orders, and people pulled us apart.
“Cat!” I called.
I was embarrassed to say that I may have passed out. When I woke, I found myself in a cylindrical chamber, and my bed was not long enough for my height. I twisted and looked up to see my Cat’s beautiful face through a panel of glass. Her hair was in disarray, and she wore a blanket around her shoulders.
“Cat!”
Her voice came through a speaker.
“Prince Akrawn. Your descent into the ocean put you at risk for decompression sickness. This machine is a precaution to prevent your body from releasing air bubbles in your blood. As usual, your Highness, you confound us Earth people as to the best way to deal with Trilyn. We sincerely regret that your treatment has caused a delay in your father’s plans.”
“What plans?”
“After your ship crashed into the Pacific, your father announced he decided to take your people and your technology back to Trilyn.”
He what? Where did he get that idea? To disable embedded Trilyn technology would wreck many Earth systems. Cat’s next words proved she grasped the stakes.
“We notified your father as to your status and warned that removing Trilyn technology could put your life at risk.”
Clever, clever Cat. How I love her. She got my father to forestall his plan. I had no idea what the humans would do to change his mind, but I played along.
“How long must I be in here, then?”
“The doctors aren’t sure. They aren’t used to Trilyn physiology.”
“Is my father on the way?”
Cat bit her lips and nodded.
“I expected he would.”
“He said the distrust between humans and Trilyn almost cost him the life of his son and he was unrealistic about the prospects of our people coming together.”
What in Tri’s hells? This does not sound like my father.
“Akrawn, I have to talk to you about the AI’s.”
“Where is my son?”
My father’s voice boomed through the speakers of the decompression capsule.
“Your Highness,” said Cat. “Prince Akrawn is here.”
Father peered into the glass, and his slitted irises widened.
“Son, how are you?”
Instead of his usual bluster, he spoke to me with concern.
“I will be fine.”
“Good. Let’s get out of here. I’ve decided we are leaving and returning to Trilyn.”
“Father, there are larger issues here. Our people—”
“There are enough of our people unhappy with the results of our work here, and these humans will not be good citizens in the galaxy. They are not ready for space-fold technology. I am disgusted with the games playing here. To accuse you of stealing an artifact? Ridiculous. The opportunities to reach the stars is worth far more than one necklace, no matter how ancient it is. Such a gift is a trivial thing that you would expect as a prince of the Trilyn nation.”
I am surprised at this change. This is a one hundred and eighty-degree turnaround from his normal thinking.
“Who has advised you on this matter?” I asked.
“Countess Tormundson—”
“That witch!” said Cat. “She, she—”
“Cat, please. Let me speak with my father.”
Cat crossed her arms. “Fine. I’ll wait outside.” My Cat walked away far too quickly, and I knew I was in trouble with her. But she did not know my father. He disliked changing his mind and doubly despised doing so publicly.
“Father! Cat saved my life. She deserves our gratitude. You had no business to speak that way to her.”
“Son, she has our gratitude, but Inspector O’Shea performed her duty.”
“That’s not it,” I said.
“Countess Tormundson said this human unduly influenced you and I agree with her. The humans are not worthy of us.”
“Father, Bella is not a disinterested party. She will do anything to disengage us from the Earth.”
“I understand, son. But Bella tells me we learned a few things in reproductive medicine on this backward planet. Infertile couples will do almost anything to bear children here, and they’ve come up with marvelous techniques. Bella thinks—”
“Father, Bella bears responsibly for the virus that killed so many of our people.”
He stared at me blankly as if the information couldn’t filter through his brain.
“I refuse to believe it. She’s been a loyal subject and a faithful retainer of our house.”
&nbs
p; “Not so much. Cat pointed out to me that I was careless with Bella’s affections and this caused her resentment to grow toward me.”
“Nonsense. Trilyn women do not think in that manner.”
I sighed. “Maybe not. We think women are like that, so they act in that manner.”
“No. You are wrong, son.”
“I wish I was, Father. Bella created the rogue AI, Iblis, which created the virus that killed our people.”
My father’s eyes widened. “That sounds insane.”
“That AI is insane. It’s sentient, and it has a piece of coding in it that orders it to kill all non-electronic sentients.”
Father looked away and shook his head. When he looked at me again, his face was a mask of resolve. “I will get one of our doctors for you. Your experiences have pushed you to the brink. You are the smartest of my sons, Akrawn, but you have been through too much. This attempted mating with the Earth woman, Cat has not helped you.”
“Attempted? Who told you that?”
“Bella. She said you’d tell wild tales about her because the Earth woman cannot form a mating bond with you. You have heartsickness, my son, but fortunately, since there is no mating bond, we have drugs and medical care that will see you through it. Do not worry. We will get you to our personal physician who will see to your needs.”
“Father! Everything I said is true.”
“Yes,” he said. “I’m sure you think so. I will go to the Earth officials to arrange for your release, and we will leave this miserable planet. You will see. Soon everything will look different to you.”
I cannot believe this. What possesses my father to take Bella’s word over mine? Why is he treating me like a little boy instead of a man? There is something massively wrong here. I cannot fathom why my father would change the plan he felt so passionate about before this day.
And where is Cat, and why hasn’t she returned? I need to get out of this steel and glass coffin. I could do nothing locked up in this thing, but then I saw a call button and pressed it. After an interminable time, a female face appeared in the glass above.
“I need to get out of here,” I said.
“I’ll check with the doctor,” she replied and before I could object, she disappeared.
