Guardian Generations

by C. Osborne Rapley

  What do you have on Guardians?

  The computer displayed a list directly into his mind.

  Can you download everything you have directly as with the language lessons?

  The computer acknowledged that it was possible, but it was not wise so shortly after the language lessons. His mind would be more receptive if he waited at least a day.

  Do it!

  Again, the computer came back with the question, are you sure?

  God, the bloody thing has been designed by Microsoft!

  Yes!

  His mind exploded again, and he passed out almost immediately.

  When he woke this time, he sat up slowly and carefully. The nausea was mild this time. He wiped the blood from his nose and with an effort pulled himself back onto the couch. He tasted blood, and he had bitten his tongue.

  He tried his memory, his heart in his mouth; he knew about the Guardians, what they were, what they did, their ethos, everything. He reminded himself to treat the information with care. The enemy had compiled it.

  Now, I need everything to do with this ship and weapon systems.

  The computer needed to download the information from the ship’s main computer. Authorisation was required. James tried accessing the main computer directly. It insisted on a log on and pass code. He explored the computer peripheral systems, gaining confidence and strength all the time. He went back to the log on. He pushed with his mind, his hands clenched, fingernails digging into to his palms as he strained against the barrier of the log on. In his mind, he felt it give way a little. Encouraged, he pushed harder, sweat beaded his brow; his head throbbed with the effort. Suddenly the barrier gave way. He almost fell of the couch; such was the physical effort he had been using to break through.

  James found he had access to everything. The computer was so vast it made his head spin.

  He checked carefully that his breakthrough had not tripped any alarms as far as he could tell from the computer system. He quickly located the user database and added his own log on. He paused. What if they discover the addition during routine maintenance – I need a back door in. He explored the computer and discovered that he could make an additional encrypted log on that would not be discovered unless the system had to be rebuilt for any reason.

  James carefully set everything up then terminated the connection with the computer. Taking a deep breath he tried to reconnect, and to his relief he had immediate unrestricted access. He wiped his brow with the back of his hand. He was shaking with the effort.

  James knew he needed to rest and reluctantly shut his eyes. When he awoke his cabin was dark. Other than a crick in his neck where he had lain awkwardly on the couch, he felt reasonably refreshed. He stretched and went to the shower room to splash his face with water. He felt ready to try again. This time he gained access to the main computer without any trouble.

  Give me information on the layout of this ship and all Sinestrian weapon systems.

  The computer asked whether direct download was required.

  Yes.

  He was again presented with, are you sure?

  Yes! For fuck sake!

  Again, the pain came, but this time not as bad as before, so maybe he was getting used to it. The computer released him and he fell back against the couch. Twisting, he slid down and laid full length on the floor, his mind spinning full of information and memories he knew were not really his. He shut his eyes and fell into a troubled sleep – a face kept appearing with large dark eyes laughing at him.

  Fourteen: Earth

  The Guardian facilities were clean and comfortable. Octavian looked round, because somehow after such a vast period of time since they would have been used he expected thick dust and decay.

  The shimmering form of Thera appeared in front of them.

  “Please sit down, Guardians.”

  They sat down on the chairs the AI had produced for them. They were suddenly surrounded with stars. Thera stood in the centre.

  “This is the local star cluster. We are here.” She pointed to a star off to one side of the cluster. “These are the systems that used to have planetary AI computers.” Several stars glowed red, forming a rough three-dimensional crescent across the systems.

  “We need to know whether those planets are still inhabited, Thera.”

  “I can reactivate the AIs that are still serviceable if you wish, Octavian.”

  Octavian glanced across at Tristain. He didn’t want to step on her toes, as after all it was her time not his. She was looking intently at the star chart around them. “That almost forms a screen across League space. If those planets have been depopulated then whoever is doing it has been carefully avoiding us. They have stayed at a sufficient distance so their activities have remained a secret from us.

  Octavian frowned, “it is probably because you are organised and have active AIs. It would be very difficult to contaminate a planet that was protected by an AI. They are constantly on watch, and their planet based systems are sensitive enough to detect ships with an active Star Drive.”

  Tristain nodded, “Yes I think you are right, Octavian. It does however give me an idea. If the AIs are activated they would form a protective screen between them. They could alert us of any ships on a course to our space. As we don’t have any contact with anyone in this area or beyond, then any ships passing this way can be assumed to be hostile. Send the activation sequence please, Thera.”

  “It will take several hours before the furthest AI can be activated, so maybe you would like some food and rest while you wait? I have fully stocked the kitchen since your arrival.”

  The thought of real food after ship’s rations and whatever he had been able to hunt, beg, borrow, or steal made Octavian’s stomach rumble. Tristain smiled.

  “Come on then, let’s see what we can rustle up. I for one have had enough of ship’s rations!” She rose as the star chart disappeared.

  Octavian followed her to the galley. The food Thera had produced did indeed taste fresh and appetising, although they both knew it was synthetic. An avatar served them and they ate their fill.

  Octavian leant back in his chair and stretched. “Wow, I couldn’t eat another thing!”

  Tristain laughed. “No, me neither. That was excellent, thank you, Thera.”

  The avatar bowed. “You are welcome, Guardians, it was a pleasure to serve you after so long. Please return to the lounge area.”

  They both rose and walked to the door. Octavian stood to one side and motioned Tristain through first. She stepped through and laughed again. Octavian felt his face flush. She noticed his embarrassment and put a hand on his arm.

  “Hey … I’m sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you. It’s just that the only person I know who would do that is my father. He says it’s how a gentleman should treat a lady. I just did not expect it from you, that’s all.” She smiled.

  Butterflies launched in his stomach as he smiled back. He held his emotions tightly in check; his mind churned in confusion behind his shield. He quickly spoke to cover any slip on his part.

  “I wonder how many AIs are still in functioning condition?”

  She looked at him quizzically. “I don’t know, but I expect we are about to find out, don’t you?”

  They stepped through to the lounge area. Octavian silently took a deep breath. I hope she didn’t sense anything. He sat on one of the chairs. She should not exist. It goes against all Guardian training and yet… He shook his head and pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind. Thera stood waiting for them.

  “I could activate all but two of the AIs. All the worlds are devoid of intelligent life. Initial findings are they have suffered the same fate as the Mordavians here.”

  “Shit! Who or what could have done this?” Tristain inadvertently spoke in English. Octavian looked at her.

  “I’m sorry, it’s my father’s language.”

  Octavian found himself staring at her. She raised an eyebrow. “What?” He shook his head and forced his thoughts back to
the issue at hand.

  “Is there any trace left by the perpetrators?” Octavian asked.

  “No, Octavian, I’m afraid there isn’t. None of us can find anything of significance. The only thing is from the rate of decay and overgrowth of the cities and buildings; they moved in a zigzag course from the furthest planet to here.”

  A thought flashed through Octavian’s mind. “Can Tristain be affected by this enzyme?”

  Thera turned to Tristain. “I can assess your genetic code if you wish?”

  Tristain nodded. “OK, go ahead.”

  The computer was silent for a short time.

  “You are safe. Your Lantian half protects you from the effects of this enzyme.”

  Tristain nodded. “Good. Are you or the other AIs able to speculate on what has happened?”

  The AI paused as though she was listening to something.

  “No, we have no explanation. The only people who had this technology were the Lantians themselves.”

  Tristain shook her head. “So we have reached a cul-de-sac. I don’t think we will find anything else useful here. I think we should go to Earth… sorry, Cartigia… and see what we can find there. There has to be some link with James and why he was taken.”

  It was Octavian’s turn to nod. “I agree, there may be something there that will give us a clue.”

  “Right, Thera, we need you to inform the AIs you have reactivated to stay active. You and they are to remain alert for any activity, any ships passing your way either in sub light or FTL speeds. You must inform one of the League AIs immediately. The nearest one will be Bethesda. I assume you can reach her from here?”

  The AI paused before answering. “Yes, she is in range.”

  “Good, please keep watch; now return us to my ship.”

  They were soon standing on Tristain’s ship. Cassiopeia turned to them. “Welcome back, Guardians.”

  Tristain was the first to speak. “Cassiopeia, do you have the coordinates of Earth from Octavian’s personal tactical computer?”

  “Yes, Tristain.”

  “Good, please plot a course and take us there. Ensure we arrive cloaked, we don’t want to be discovered.”

  “Yes, Tristain, the course is laid in. The journey will take seven point five days.”

  “OK, go.”

  The ship moved away from the planet as Tristain sat in the command chair. Octavian sat by the weapons console. After half an hour or so they had moved far enough away from the planet for the Star Drive to be engaged.

  “Engaging Star Drive now, Tristain,” Said Cassiopeia.

  Tristain nodded. “OK, Cassiopeia.”

  They sat talking for a while, speculating on what was going on. Cassiopeia had been reviewing Thera’s history files.

  “The one possible explanation is many millennia ago there was a faction of Lantians who were against the colonisation of other planets by synthetic life forms. They would have the technology and the will to do such a thing. Maybe they have survived and now have the means as well.”

  Tristain rose. “We are just guessing. I’m certain they will make themselves known soon enough.” She yawned. “I am tired; I think I will turn in.”

  Octavian rose as she left. “Good night, I will see you in the morning.”

  The days passed slowly. Octavian spent the time telling Tristain his history and how he came to be there. He also described for her how things were during the time of the first Guardians. Octavian felt strangely pleased that she was interested, and he took pleasure in answering her many questions.

  One afternoon Cassiopeia interrupted their conversation.

  “We will shortly be arriving at Earth, please fasten your seat belts.”

  Octavian and Tristain sat in their respective seats and fastened their straps.

  The ship shook slightly as the Star Drive was disengaged.

  Tristain gasped and clapped her hands at the sight of the beautiful blue planet that appeared to fill the view ports.

  “At last, after all these years we have found Father’s home. It is just as he described it!”

  Octavian smiled to himself at her excitement.

  “They are still quite primitive, and you will be pleased to know our cloaking systems are more than adequate to hide us from their detection systems,” Said Cassiopeia.

  “Good. Cassiopeia, put us into orbit please.” Tristain turned to Octavian. “Did you take the surface coordinates where you were on this planet?”

  “Yes, Tristain, although a lot might have changed in the thousands of years since I was here!” He smiled.

  Tristain ignored Octavian’s final remark. “Good, please put us in geostationary orbit above the coordinates, Cassiopeia.”

  The ship manoeuvred. Less than ten minutes later they were above the British Isles.

  Fifteen: Fighting for Survival

  James awoke with a jolt. He put his hand to his aching head and groaned. It felt as if he had been on a pub crawl the night before. His mouth was dry, and his tongue felt like sandpaper. He stood and walked to the bathroom and poured some water. He looked into the mirror, God, is that me? There was caked blood around his nose, and his eyes were red with dark rings under them.

  He cupped water in his hands and drank, savouring the cool water in his mouth. He splashed his face and was about to do it again when the ship lurched. The lights flickered off, and emergency ones came on over the door casting an eerie red glow in the cabin. The ship lurched again. This time it nearly knocked him off his feet. He grabbed the side of the sink to steady himself.

  What the hell?

  He accessed the ship’s computer. They were under attack by pirates of all things. The words did not exactly translate to pirates, but it was near enough.

  Who were the attackers?

  The computer gave him the information. They were a synthetic race that had colonised a nebula. They were scattered through the nebula on many worlds, and they did not have a central home world. The normal tactics used by the Sinestrians had not worked on them because they were too scattered. The Sinestrians had tried several times to destroy them by invading their space, but they had given the superior Sinestrians a bloody nose by using guerrilla tactics and deliberately avoiding a pitched battle. The Sinestrians gave up and simply went round them, avoiding their space. They planned to leave them to some future generation.

  Unfortunately, to get their passenger back as quickly as possible to the Empress the Captain had taken a calculated risk and used a short cut through the nebula. Normally, they should have passed through without problem, but some drifting gas, and charged particle clouds in the nebula disrupted the function of the Star Drive. As bad luck would have it the cloud had drifted across their path, and they had dropped into normal space. The Captain had hoped that they could pass through the cloud without being detected, but it was not to be. The race who the Sinestrians had called Gunards were monitoring the passage of the cloud just in case something like this happened. Their ships were smaller than the Sinestrian heavy cruiser, but they were attacking in overwhelming numbers. The cruiser was taking heavy damage.

  James commanded the computer to override the lock on the cabin door. The door opened just as the ship pitched sideways from another well-placed shot. James stepped through. His heart in his mouth, he accessed the computer again.

  Locate Ilithyia.

  He held his breath until the reply came back. She is on the bridge.

  He let out his breath. He could make his way to the bridge, but with the ship’s systems failing the lifts were not functioning, using the emergency access ways would take too long. He requested the location of the ship’s escape pods or lifeboats. The system informed him that other than two service shuttles there were none.

  Arrogant stupid bitches! he thought.

  The ship lurched again as the Captain attempted to make for a nearby habitable moon orbiting a large gas giant.

  James made his way as far forward as he could get before locating an empty cabin nea
r the centre of the ship. This area was the strongest part of the ship as far as the schematics were concerned. He activated one of the emergency chairs once he was inside the cabin. After strapping himself to the chair, he requested an update from the ship’s computer. They were just entering the atmosphere of the moon.

  The ship was shaking now, the atmosphere giving the hull a battering. The Gunards had broken off the attack; their ships were not designed for atmospheric operation. The ship was barely under control, the speed being far too fast for a safe landing. James broke contact with the computer – he did not want to be connected to it just in case it failed during the crash landing.

  He braced himself for impact, and didn’t have to wait long. The ship shuddered and bounced. There was a momentary silence, and then he was thrown hard against the straps. They dug into his shoulders as the ship jarred to a stop. The nose must have dug in as the deck tilted up before crashing down. The ship rolled to one side then settled. He sat in silence and darkness. He waited a few minutes before he released his straps and rubbed his shoulders where they had cut in during the crash. Each cabin had an emergency flashlight. James located it and made his way out of the open door.

  All the cabin doors had automatically sprung open on loss of power. The nearest exit to his current location would be two decks below the bridge. Making his way forward, he came to a destroyed area with a few crewmembers lying in a heap where they had been smashed against a bulkhead. A quick check confirmed they were dead so he took the weapons from two of them, strapping them to his legs as he picked his way along smashed corridors, forcing his way past the main bulkhead doors. In one area, he found several men and women just sitting around looking dazed.

  “Follow me, we have to get out of here fast.”

  They looked at him in surprise; many didn’t know who he was. They just followed him blindly. He climbed several emergency stairs and finally reached the bridge. It was in chaos –there were many here either dead or unconscious. He stepped over some fallen girders and located Ilithyia sitting against a smashed console. Kneeling down he checked her neck for a pulse. Her eyes opened at his touch she groaned.