Hold the balls on the palms and insuring them against dangerous movements mixed by fingers together, Shepard straightened. There is neither the desire nor the desire nor the time to celebrate. Carefully and slowly turns around Mate, look habitually clings bulk graying near DEC. Now the course is clear. Corner of my eye sees Captain getting up from their seats colleagues. They welcome the newborn AI. Perhaps the baby something and feel today. It may even be that they feel. Now, Shepard feels they confirm their close relationship with him, man. Synthetic special relationship and people. The new relationship. Putting an end to a beautiful, but was useless and extremely dangerous theory of Leviathan that Synthetic necessarily always be at war with organic matter, as soon will be enough for this reasonable, and most importantly - independent.
Shepard walks slowly over the flagstones of the hall, goes slowly to the bulk of a DEK. He sees how they are activated as leaf capsules, vaults opened, temporary, but reliable abodes of artificial intelligence. Almost permanent abodes for previous versions of AI, because not all have the courage of organic sentient artificial intelligence to the mobile platform.
Captain left hand slowly slides into the security field and stabilizing the capsule storage bowl AI. Transparent flaps are closed slowly. Flashing a garland of green LEDs. There - everything is normal. Automation took the watch. A Shepard had already turned to the second deke. How still good that it placed very close to the first. And right now the Captain's hand gently pushed into the soft embrace of the stabilizing and protective field of the capsule storage center of the second ball control AI. Barely audible knock Having closed transparent flaps accompanied by light green lights of the control panel LED Automatic.
Turning on the spot circle, Shepard fast and even a few hurried steps back to stand still Alix already closed shutters slipway center and returned a fastener into place at the base of the neck.
- Ali ... - Shepard said quietly, taking a face of Alix in his hands and kissing her on the lips. At this point, he did not hesitate to anyone or anything. - Thank you. Thank you, dear! You witch!
kiborgessy Eyes open, she hugs Shepard with his hands, presses it to her, tenderly and gently presses.
- I am very glad that the children were born healthy. - Whispers it. And glad that we have with you everything, everything turned out! You helped me to become not only even more lively, but even more, so much happier. And for that, I'll be happy to fight. I will live this happiness!
- Will you, Alix! - Shepard looked at kiborgessy happy face and knew that she was right - she really became even more lively, even more familiar and comprehensible, even more dear to him, reasonable organics. She was a real mother of two powerful and sophisticated artificial intelligence, to know the depth of which even Olivia had only a theoretical representation for the most part. - Be sure you will! - Says the captain.
Around Alix we were already all who were present in the hall. Shepard saw Olivia approaches and stepped back: Mom should congratulate his daughter with the victory and the birth of the first-born in a special way.
Senior kiborgessa talked with her daughter silently, apparently, again using an encrypted private communication channel. Alix smiled and nodded. It was evident that she is happy.
- John, come. - Alix turned her head to Shepard. The captain turned and approached.
- Mom offers children two names - said softly younger kiborgessa - Zara and Lexie. Values: the first - a flower, the second - a defender of humanity.
- And your opinion, Alix?
- I agree. - I kiborgessa slowly nodded, pleased that Captain primarily asked her opinion.
- Then I agree. - Shepard took a quick glance at the attentive DEC. - Ali, how are you?
- Of course I'm tired, but ... I'm still ... quite normal. - Alix said. - It would be better if I posted closer to dekam.
- I will do it. - Saren Nihlus nodded and the two of them pushed from behind the screen previously prepared hospital bed and quickly moved it to dekam. - Done. - Turian did not return to the alcove, just waved his hand. Shepard realized that no matter how strong Alix, she spent too much energy on having children and now even a small break in the diet ...
- John, calm down. - Said quietly approached Adams. - We anticipate that. The supply cables - all three - are provided with coils. One hundred and sixty meters of each cable.
- Alix ... - Shepard looked into his eyes wary kiborgessy.
- I ... thank you, Adams. - It gently out of the alcove, moving along the shortest path to the dekam. Cables, rustling, pulled behind it.
Now Shepard did not think about how he will keep multikilogram Alix, if it still collapse. He believed that the time to pick up her time to go to the state and Strings keep falling wife. Girlfriend. The mother of his new children. Hold. I must keep - and keep.
Alix has not fallen, although it pretty staggering. Olivia was next, followed by walking Yavik and Adams. Stopping at DEK, kiborgessa convinced that the children all right - it took a few minutes. Then went to the hospital bed, and sat down on her mattress, she sat down, crossed her conjoint movement on the mattress and lay on his back legs.
- Energy Alix - almost zero. - Olivia said quietly. - Adams.
- Is the power for the filtered channel. - Said the chief engineer. - Five minutes - and the reserves will be recovered. - He nodded and Yavik connected to the side port on kiborgessy body of another cable. - Auxiliary power is applied.
- Yes ... said Alix. - I had time to ... - she closed her eyes.
Olivia anxiously looked at her daughter's face, then looked back at the screen of his instrumentrona.
- She really had time. - Confirmed the elder kiborgessa. - And we did not manage to prevent the failure of its systems. Now she will rest and recharge.
Secretly and quietly lying on the bed with her kiborgesse surrounded everyone who was present at the birth of the new AI. All eyes were on the stood, exhausted kiborgessu. A few minutes of watching. Then, next to the bed were only Shepard, Olivia and Yavik. The rest left the room. Gone.
The captain was convinced - they will tell others about what happened normandovtsam. Tell the full, exhaustive, because it will talk about what they saw and felt, perceived and understood themselves. This is not just a retelling of the events, it is - a personal relationship to an event. They are about what happened in the hall know volgovtsy. More details.
- John ... - kiborgessa found Shepard's hand, grabbed his wrist with his fingers. - Please, sit down. Stay with me. ... I was almost right. Several tens of minutes - and the system is charged. It is good that the children all right, I can feel it. So, really, I became more than ever alive. I used to be so confident and sure about it said. - Alix whispered it in slow motion, but not tsedila words, spoken almost in a whisper usual.
Yavik brought two chairs and waited for Olivia sits in one of them. Only then I sat down himself. Shepard looked at the small screen of your instrumentrona - charging systems energokontura Alix has just begun - to stabilize the initial level was still a lot of time.
Kiborgessa closed her eyes - she herself tried to save to store energy, it is quite possible, it was enough to feel the presence of close mother and husband to calm down. And yet the children were at her side. Her first-born. Their closeness calmed Alix, allowed her to withdraw from many of its voltage circuits.
A little more than an hour passed before vibrated instrumentron Shepard drew the attention of the owner to the message on the screen - Troop ships out in the usual space.
- John. - Without opening his eyes, he whispered Alyx. - Let this star system will be recorded in the logbook the place of birth of my children. The place of the first birth. A second place of birth ...
- A system in which they will find the body ... - finished the sentence Shepard. Alix for a few seconds, eyes closed, denoting its agreement with the above captain.
- I gave the information to Anderson. He made a record in the logbook. - Prostrekotal Yavik barely audible.
- Tell him thanks. From me and the ch
ildren. - Alix said softly, closing his eyes again.
They sat at the bedside of Alix until a smooth swaying, frigate, cruiser entered the next repeater and went through the tunnel. Shepard knew that at this time the engineer Adams and his colleagues are working not only to ensure the ship's systems were in perfect order, but also to ensure the children as quickly as possible Alix gained self-propelled platform, to put it simply - your own body. Perhaps Adams to leave enough space for the bodies of the slipway centers. The rest - it is free to realization. And very soon, both kiborgessy get their hands on their own body, and Alix will gain tangible daughters who will be able to bring up in this Chamber, which has become the Hall Birthday Race. For children in the process of the birth of Alix and more new AI will not end. It will continue.
Six hours of standby. It is small and at the same time - very much. Shepard had not slept, he looked at Alix. Kiborgessu, dared to use complex technologies in practice and immediately set himself the goal - to give birth to not one, but two control AI center. Immediately two children.
- Good morning, John. - Rustled softly mouthed Alix. - Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Yavik. - She opened her eyes. - I recovered. John. I beg. Bring the plate back into place. His hands, John. Only his hands. For me and the children - this is critical. Once installed and locked in place the last plate - still some process secure identification you as the father of my children will be fully completed.
- Take hold of John. - Yavik, who quit quietly to the near-wall cupboards, treading softly, approached and placed next to Shepard package with plates. - Everything is intact and nothing is lost.
- Thank you, Yavik. - Alix murmured, casting a soft proteanina look. - I appreciate it.
A few minutes Shepard gently and carefully installed the plate in place. Gradually appearance Alix lost its dangerous nudity and insecurity, becoming quite normal. As soon as the captain of the last set and cemented the plate, all the gaps between the plates streamed garlands of lights - blue, green, yellow, gray. A few minutes of this strange illumination shone, then it gradually faded.
- Identification is completed, John. - Alix murmured. - Now both kiborgessy - your children. Your daughter, John. I gave them the names that we agreed. And they took them. I gave them to decide for themselves which one of them will wear a name. As soon as they will have the body ... I am convinced that it will be very soon ... we all know, one of them a name chosen as his. - She paused a few tens of seconds, apparently collecting information. - Everything is alright with them. The night ... if it really was a night ... they passed without comment. - The first time she smiled faintly. Mouthed. - Yes, and I was able to recover. Thanks to all of you. - She paused, then she said. - All John Yavik. You have to go. You are waiting for our colleagues. And I'm with my mom proceed to the education of our children. It is not programming, and to education. By that time, they will find the body, they will know about us and about the detachment of ships ... a lot. Almost all. So soon will be able to become active and productive members of our large and friendly family.
- Alix. - Shepard bowed, kissing on the lips kiborgessu. - Thank you. For daughters ... And for everything else.
- I'm glad John, what you and I now have a sequel. - Alix whispered. - Very happy. - She looked at Olivia. - Mama...
- I'll walk you to the door of the hall. - Older kiborgessa almost silently stood up. - You will be able to come to Alix and me at any time. With the rest otryadovtsami we meet only after his daughter will find the body and identify with their names. - She waited until Yavik crossed the threshold of the room and easily arrested Shepard. - Thank you, John. Your presence, your participation ... saved Alyx. It is risky, but for your sake and for the sake of these children ... worth the risk. I am delighted and surprised to have the makings of a rich Alix was able to form in infants AI. It sounds like you are really unique daughter. - She let the elbow Shepard, easily guiding the captain to the doorway entrance to the hall. - Come back, John. Alix and I will wait for you.
The door to the reserve Hall slowly closed Information.
Firstborn kiborgessy Alix acquire body
- I was waiting for you, John. - Shepard, walking slowly to his cabin approached Anderson. - You ...
- David, do not tell me that I'm tired and I need a break. - XO said quietly.
- That's what I wanted to tell you. You have spent a sleepless night, an important night, I will not hide, because you need to relax.
- I still have ...
- Svetlana I already told everything. It is also much said Karin. And some of our other normandovtsy. So she knows everything. Yes, you have to talk to her, she is waiting for your call. Videophone Mark will provide. Anyway, John, relax and otospitsya. Gardner brought to your cabin strengthened complete lunch - eat and go to bed. If you want to - that's an order.
- Yes, sir. - Shepard saluted.
- Now that's better. - Anderson grinned. - And then after Karin can have a day locked in the sickbay and subjected to the recovery procedure.
- I will not argue, it is able to. - Shepard stopped in front of his cabin door. - Will go, David?
- No, John. I have to go. Work has accumulated. As long as we go through the tunnel - we have a lot to do. - Anderson turned Lifting trunk. - Adams sent you an invitation. They were almost finished body ...
- But ... - Shepard looked with astonishment at the commander. - Four days after ...
- Yes, for the engineering group - four. - He nodded to the commander of the cruiser frigate. - And for the engineering group with so many well-motivated assistants - just a few hours. - Anderson nodded farewell and added. - Alix and you will have a beautiful daughter. The fact that we are completing work on their bodies - it already knows. But she, I am sure would be nice if you tell her to do it. Later, of course, when otospitsya and have a rest. So, John, to sleep. - He went to the elevator, pushed the button without turning the desired floor. liftkabiny doors closed, he heard the rustle of the engine.
Closing the cabin door, Shepard went to the desktop. Anderson is right, he spent many hours without sleep, each of which is filled to him now particularly important meaning. Fatigue was, she felt, but it was a pleasant tiredness.
Glancing at the clock, Shepard thought that Svetlana now may be the time of rest between feedings, and the call can wake her up, do not give a rest. It just seems that a woman on maternity leave is full of free time and she sits back and so is always full of strength and energy. In fact, as has been convinced of the captain, a woman on maternity leave often work even harder and longer than most conventional works. Yes, it is a pleasant work, important, but it is also exhausting and also requires a lot of power cost.
As if answering the unspoken question Shepard, one of the big screens lit up, showing the face of Svetlana:
- John ... - said Streltsov. - I already said Anderson. Congratulations. Alix I have already congratulated, we had a little talk. She was very tired, but happy - there are no words ... - Svetlana paused for a few seconds. - She is very happy that you helped her and was near ... Very waiting kogdla girl will find her body. Now, as you know, it is with the help of Mom gives children important information ...
- Svetlana. - Shepard's wife interrupted. - How do you? Like children?
- Look yourself. - Streltsov switched the camera in the room and now Shepard saw Alexander and Mary. Children slept in their beds. - Appetite for their beautiful, but they are very quiet. So I can relax, take a nap and read. Alla me - as a mother hen ... - grinned Svetlana, dividing the screen into two parts and appearing in the second part, leaving in the first image cots with children. - Anderson did not tell me, but I see - you've got to catch up on sleep, John. Consider, too, that you have a short vacation ... And do not cheat yourself anything - I am sure that very soon you'll be back to my cruiser and not one - and together with Alix and her children.
- Thank you, Light. - Shepard nodded slightly. - Just ... sleep a little more, please. You're so exhausting ...
- Well ... It's nice car
e, John. And children have with you - unique. - Streltsov smiled. - Okay, okay, I say no. Come to bed, and then ... then do not forget to go to Adams. Consider what he told you not to come in person, but through me. Already it is - if you frigate commander waited, the chief engineer there interfere nowhere. So he asked me to give you a personal invitation. - Svetlana reached out to the channel switch button. - Relax.
The screen went dark. Shepard went to the bed and lay down. Sleep came quickly, the benefit of present and fatigue and Svetlana though he and on the screen, but I saw.
A few hours of sleep allowed exec restore the previous level of strength and vigor. If Svetlana said that we should come to Adams - and then to do - I decided Shepard. Climbing up into the dining room, he had a bite, and Gardner was delighted by their appearance in the hall and that talked about how to transfer newborns AI in Far Eastern Energy storage. Removing the dishes, Shepard rushed in engineering frigate, simultaneously noting that before the arrival of squadron in normal space less than two hours.
The door to the engineering bay, Shepard said, opened unlike the more frequently than before. Every now and then came and went normandovtsy.
- We are glad to see you, Captain. - Said Adams, whose Shepard found at the console. - See, evicted old engineer doing everything themselves. Work in the full sense of the word boils - they had seen, how often was now open and close our door. From assistants literally no rebound, themselves determine who, when and how many will work on the bodies of our young kiborgess, for each unit of an instrument of five wanting to work him. Come on, see for yourself.
In one of the halls of the engineering part of the premises was closed compartment screens. Shepard said that there was the incessant hum of voices, punctuated by the rustle and clatter of tools. It seems that the work does not stop for a minute. XO welcomed curt nod, but only - all were swallowed interesting work.
- On what level of control is set - and the quality of work and for all the rest - and can not speak. - Every transaction is checked by five or six other workers, so that conceal the defect or error - there is no real possibility. Each process is monitored and checked, everything is recorded on video with one-second countdown. - He continued to explain Adams, while the XO fit to the screen. - Colleagues, miss dad look at daughters! - I asked the chief engineer to normandovtsam, gathered around two tables, in which, as I understand the XO, and concentrated the bulk of the workers. Learning Shepard otryadovtsy parted.
Darcy's Starry Sky Page 261
