by John Walker
One of the Pahxin ships to Dala’s right exploded suddenly, taken out by concentrated fire by three different attackers. Heading back into the fray, Dala dropped missiles and countermeasures, throwing enough of a mess to interfere with any conventional scanners. If these were AI devices, she hoped they’d be confused.
The missiles began chasing targets and they actually ran away. There’s an intelligence guiding those but they’re incredible! Avoiding those missiles like that? One of them led the ordnance on a merry chase before it climbed at the wrong moment. The missile connected with the engines, plowing right through the shields and taking it out.
The other managed to pull ahead of its pursuer then flipped suddenly enough to lose the lock. It blasted the missile and returned to the fight, instantly shooting at another target. They are definitely not to be taken lightly. I hope the Stalwart can finish off the larger ship quickly or we’ll be out here for the better part of two shifts.
Dala re-engaged, throwing everything she had into the fight. Even as other Pahxin ships suffered heavy damage, they pressed on, exchanging fire and destruction. Several pilots ejected, others weren’t so lucky but as the conflict raged on, so too did the massive batteries from the capital ships brighten the entire system with their own knock out battle.
***
Ulian looked over the combat statistics, frowning at the numbers. Based on the data, they could not win a battle of attrition. Nor did he want to commit to the level of sacrifice the simulations suggested would be required for a victory. They’d already lost several fighters, including some of their pilots.
Shields held against the enemy attacks but the concussion from their strikes caused system failures. He hadn’t seen beam weapons hit so hard through defenses before. The culture they were facing had much he’d like to study and understand. Unfortunately, it seemed they would have to destroy their opponents to end the violence.
Further attempts to hail them failed. Morala postulated they were battling an AI following a specific set of programming. One thing contradicted the idea. The reports of screaming over the com whenever one of the enemy fighters exploded gave some indication that organic sentience was involved.
Unless someone programmed these machines to feel the loss of one of their fellows, I suppose. But that doesn’t make sense. Their tactics have not changed so they’re not doubling their efforts for revenge. Ulian stared at the screen, looking at the vessel they were bombarding with near constant attacks. I need another strategy to pull this off.
“Sir,” Viran said, breaking his concentration. “I’ve got a report from our shuttle. They have found the Gnosis!”
“Where?”
“They are on the surface of the third planet, seemingly intact. Our ship is reading life forms so they must’ve survived.” Viran paused. “They’re suggesting they may have crashed but aren’t seeing the typical signs of such an impact. Our pilot is requesting permission to approach and make contact with them.”
“How long will it take for them to get there?” Morala asked. “Surely, they’re not suggesting a several-hour-long voyage.”
“They can make contact in just shy of ten hours if they head out right now.”
Ulian shook his head. “Out of the question and unnecessary. Who knows what will happen to them in that amount of time? No, have them return to the ship immediately. What would it take for us to make an intersystem hyperspace trip to that planet?”
“I have the coordinates,” Erda replied. “I can set a course but we need to move away from this attacking vessel. We can’t do it while under attack.”
“Certainly.” Ulian stood up, contemplating the situation. The ship shook from another series of attacks. His mind once again drifted back to the numbers. They needed to do something extreme if they hoped to succeed. Perhaps we’ve hurt them more than we know or maybe they are protecting a specific part of space. “Viran, was the Gnosis attacked?”
“Sir?” Viran asked.
“Did the shuttle note damage? Did the Gnosis get attacked by this ship we’ve engaged?”
“I don’t believe so,” Viran said. “The report shows that the Gnosis is on the surface but they didn’t see appreciable damage. Certainly not enough to suggest a crash due to combat. They even have power still, albeit not much. I don’t know the cause but we have to get closer for me to make a determination.”
Ulian smirked. “Our bad luck.” He shook his head. “Recall all fighters. Tell me when they’re aboard.”
Morala joined him, lowering her voice. “Sir, is that a good idea? If we pull back our forces, we’ll have to deal with those fighters.”
“My theory may be wrong,” Ulian replied, “and if it is, I’ll take full responsibility. However, if the Gnosis didn’t engage this ship, then it is likely they came from a different angle. One this guardian wasn’t defending. Since it’s a ten-hour trip across the system, I’m guessing they used to have multiple vessels out here.”
“But … they aren’t all operational anymore.” Morala’s expression lit up as realization hit her. “I think I see your point.”
“If we move beyond the range of what this thing is supposed to defend, then we might be able to make our way toward that planet and avoid further conflict.” Ulian held up a hand. “However, it may also be that once they engage something, they will remain on them until the battle ends.”
“What will we do then?” Morala asked.
“Lure them to a section of this system advantageous to us.” Ulian brought up a star chart and put it on the screen. “We’ve already mapped the system out. Debris would help. Something along those lines. Anything that can be used to cause some damage beyond our weapons.”
“I have an idea,” Morala said. “I believe our shuttles are all equipped with warheads.”
“Yes?” Ulian frowned. “What’re you considering?”
“The ship out there right now. If we can get them to an asteroid, something large enough for them to practically land on, they can lace it with whatever warheads they have on board. Giving it a shove toward our enemy, their shields won’t likely be able to deflect such an object.”
“At which point we would detonate inside their shields.” Ulian shook his head. “You do have unconventional thinking … but how to find the right piece of debris in a timely fashion?” He pointed to the chart. “This looks like a cloud of such rubbish. Erda, set course for that. Viran, tell our shuttle to redirect. Morala will explain.
“When all our fighters are on board, adjust heading and initiate full speed for that destination. We have a plan now, people. Execute it so we can get back to the primary reason we came all the way out here in the first place. I’m certain the Gnosis would like a hand to get home. I intend to give them the aide regardless of the opposition.”
***
Cassie rushed over to Gil, peering over his shoulder at the computer screen. English flew across the screen, continually stuck on the word protocol. Gil typed in numbers and combinations of letters, various combinations that made no sense. A message kept popping up saying denied.
Vincent took the other side and groaned at what he saw, shoulders slumping. “What’s happening?”
“They are on,” Gil replied. “I did not say they were easily accessed.”
Vincent rubbed his eyes. “You’re killing me here.”
“No …” Gil paused just long enough to give the commander a confused look. “I am attempting to access the system. There is a huge difference. I do not believe any of my current activities would result in directly ending your life or that of Agent Alexander’s for that matter. We should all be safe.”
“That’s not what he meant,” Cassie said. “Give me a shot at this, Gil.”
The doctor stepped aside and Cassie drew out her tablet, scanning the terminal. Readings came back indicating power but not much more. Once again, the casing of the device defended it against any direct tampering. She typed directly into the device, feeling a chill at the fact the keyboard was appr
opriate for her language.
“I don’t understand how it changes the language based on who’s looking at it,” Cassie muttered. “How’s it work? Do you think it scans our brainwaves and just … knows?”
“Sentient computer technology makes sense,” Gil replied. “The Orbs use it and if all this was created with the knowledge gleaned from such data, then yes, it would simply know. When I made my attempts, it allowed me to use Pahxin words and language. It did not matter because I still did not get through the surface security.”
Protocol. The word bothered Cassie. It wasn’t asking for credentials to log in. She sensed a question of sorts, like it was a challenge. Something to counter, much like a night watchman preventing entry into a military camp. A blinking cursor sat below the word, the place where Gil had plugged in random characters.
“What were you writing in here?” Cassie asked. “When you tried all those characters.”
“Math … probability … statistics.” Gil shrugged. “Universal languages ultimately. Things that would be accepted anywhere, essentially.”
“I don’t think that’s it.” Cassie hummed. “I think this is another puzzle, not a password to a terminal.”
“Lovely,” Vincent said. “Can you crack it?”
“I’m not sure what it means. Protocol.” Cassie closed her eyes. “There’re too many meanings for the word. Maybe an antonym?” She typed in the word disagreement. Denied flashed on the screen. “Okay, not that. Hm. What about a sort of synonym?”
“Like what?” Vincent asked. “Rules?”
“Bureaucracy.” Cassie typed it in. The screen froze for a moment and another word appeared. Feline. Cassie felt like someone had thrown a glass of water in her face. “Um … what the hell? Why’d it change to that?”
“Maybe you were right,” Vincent said. “Try cat?”
Cassie typed it in but the word denied appeared. “This is weird. Um … furry?” She tried that and the computer once again froze. When it unlocked, another word appeared. This time, Forest showed up. She immediately typed bushes. It switched to another, fruit. “Apple,” she muttered, plugging it in.
The word changed to war.
“How are you doing this?” Gil asked. “I do not understand your choices.”
“I’m doing word association,” Cassie replied. She input death into the computer. The next word was freedom. Cassie typed captivity.
Vincent huffed. “If a psychologist was reading these, I’d hate to know what they’d think of your choices.”
“I’m sure apple was fine,” Cassie replied. “You want to try?”
Vincent shook his head. “No, you’re doing great … I hope.”
Immortal came on the screen next and Cassie replied with boredom. This time, the computer began to flash, bright white then dark over and over, increasing in speed until it became a strobe. The three of them stepped back, giving it some space. Each pillar around them began to flash as well, syncing up.
“Maybe you offended it,” Vincent said. “Boredom might’ve been the wrong answer.”
“There’s no way to guess what the right one would’ve been.” Cassie looked around. “If we’re in trouble, I doubt there’s much we can do about it.”
Gil gestured to his tablet. “My scanner is showing a massive energy build up. I believe we have found the device holding the Gnosis in place! It is right here … or I should say it is coming.”
“You don’t think it’s sentient, do you?” Vincent asked. “That the thing holding us here is not a device but a being?”
“We will know soon.”
The floor parted some distance away, stone grinding against stone as it moved. A moment passed and a case ten feet long and five feet wide appeared. The smooth black metal gleamed in the low light but as the ground settled, blue lights erupted all over it. Cassie turned to the others before approaching.
“What’re you doing?” Vincent reached for her but Gil stopped him. “Let me go! We have no idea what that thing is or what it’s capable of!”
“It does not matter,” Gil replied. “One of us needs to examine it. This is what we came here to turn off. She can scan it just as easily as we can. Give her some space. In the event that it causes us damage, only one should be sacrificed to find out.”
“You callous ass!” Vincent called out to Gil. “Don’t do it, Cassie! Come on, we can scan it from here!”
“I think I’m good,” Cassie replied. “Don’t worry. This is definitely what’s been emitting the power readings but I don’t feel any warmth. How is it venting the excess power?” She paused, looking at her tablet. It suggested the device was performing at one-hundred percent efficiency. “This is impossible.”
“Perhaps not,” Gil said. “Look for a control panel. You may be lucky and figure out their security on that device as well.”
“I’m not sure the last one was luck.” Cassie hesitated a moment and shrugged. “Trial and error maybe … not really luck. But this thing doesn’t seem to have any access points at all. It’s smooth all over, the same black metal the doors are made of. At least it isn’t blocking my scans, not entirely at least.”
A hum filled the air, a brief vibration that gave way to words. They emanated from the walls and floor, turning all the stone in the building into an amplifier. “We no longer care about your devices.” Even with all that volume, the voice came out soft but not quite inviting. There was a menace just below the surface.
“Are you … Are you alive?” Cassie asked.
“Far more so than you are,” came the reply, “though perhaps not as much at the same time. We have transcended the concept of life and death, ends and beginnings. There is no more chronology, only perpetuity. Sameness. Consistency. Doom for intellect. Stagnation for the restless.”
“You have evolved,” Gil said. “Moved beyond your physical forms after all. Are you stored in this device then?”
“Stored. A primitive view but accurate enough for your understanding. You have passed our tests, crude as they were. You have seen the evidence of our previous living. And now you stand before our greatest accomplishment and prison. Eternity through science and total awareness of our surroundings, which never change.”
Vincent sighed. “Love your curiosity, folks, but I think we have a more pressing matter. Why did you drag our ship down to the surface? Why are you holding us here and how do we get you to let us go?”
“An interesting query from a pragmatic mind.” The voice seemed to laugh but the sound felt simulated, as if mirth itself was merely a remembered state rather than a felt emotion. “Your kind calls this cutting to the chase, do they not? Where you will learn of your fate rather than dally on the chance there is no future.”
“You know why I asked,” Vincent said. “Will you answer? Unless you let us go, we don’t have time to chat.”
“Yes, though we must admit your crew has done far better than the last two ships to come here. They were drained of all power within four hours of arrival. One did not think to use their defenses as you did and damaged themselves beyond repair. The secrets they sought would never have been theirs anyway. Their thinking is too immature. Too zealous.”
Cassie cast a quick look at Vincent, her eyes pleading with him to stop. He nodded to her but it was clear he wanted to continue. She cleared her throat. “What were you going to do with them? They couldn’t have lasted forever.”
“We are the only things to linger so long. But they provided us entertainment while they were present. They fought with one another and foraged for survival. They tried to gain entrance to this facility multiple times. Those you slew got the closest but even they were stuck for a time. Every day they tried again and each night they returned failures.”
“So you what, just watched them?” Cassie frowned. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you work with them? Speak to them as you are us now?”
“We only speak to those who are worthy of our voice. If you have reached this chamber, you have achieved the right. T
hough if we are to be honest, watching is far more exciting than explaining. Seeing how you will react, what you will do with different challenges, it is thrilling. As the mercenaries and zealots closed on you, the defenses were stunning.”
“How do you perceive these things?” Cassie asked.
“Through every eye on the planet. We observe. The birds, the creatures, even your own people. We watched as the warrior on top of the ship was injured and one of his potential saviors died. We saw the explosion that tore through the mercenaries on board your vessel and how their own device ripped a hole in the hull. Even now, you work to repair it thinking you can leave.”
“Thinking?” Gil queried. “Do you mean to say we may not?”
“There are many more trials to put you through. Tests and games. We will thrive off of you for quite some time and relish the memories for the countless years to come. We cannot let you leave this planet. Even now we are driving another ship in this direction and when it arrives we shall bring it down as well. Countless mines to satiate our thirst for something new.”
“You can’t do this!” Vincent shouted. “It’s not your place to cage people, to turn them into your … playthings!”
“What precisely can you do about it?” The voice paused for only a moment, clearly not expecting an answer. “We have disabled your ship. Your hand devices and smaller vessels can do no harm to this facility. If you think there is some sort of escape, you are wrong. This is the end of your lives, little creature. You have but to struggle until you accept.”
“What happens then?” Cassie asked.
“You die. Those without hope lose our interest quickly. But do not worry. Your minds clearly do not surrender easily and as you continue to believe in your chances, we will be eternally grateful … Or until we have forgotten this particular event just as we have so many before.”
