“Why, with four dimensions in play, do the systems run on decimal? Aren't there sixteen permutations available?
“Yes, there are, but since not all dimensions are stable everywhere, programming in substitutions makes such machines, in certain circumstances, less reliable, and unnecessarily clutters up the operating system. It is far more efficient to merely consider how many dimensions are active.
“That would give you five permutations.”
“All our systems run on dual processors, which also allows them to run faster without overheating.”
“Interesting. How do you store data?”
“Ah, now that is an entirely different discipline. She looks as though she is about to launch into the new subject, when her expression turns suspicious, “Hey, what do you know about computer systems?”
“I’ve studied them extensively – the technologists of Shiral use them, although you apparently would consider theirs archaic. The technologists also use the decimal system for their primary mathematics, and yes, I have studied that system.”
“You have? Then, why do you always fall back on three and nine based measurements?”
“Decimal based measurements just don't seem to have… soul. They are cold and uninteresting; they lack any grounding with the land. With the people. It is as though, here as well as with the Technologists, the math is more important than the land, the people, even the Universe herself.”
“The universe is math, everything comes down to mathematical equations. That's the true source of our power here. You cannot reliably control that which you do not properly understand.”
“The Universe also has a soul – it is literally connected to everything within it – the land, the life within her. There is power in interacting with her through recognition of the cycles of life. On Shiral there are three growing cycles in the time it takes to revolve around our sun. In all life there are three primary stages, birth, living and death. People have seven distinct stages in life, bringing the total to nine. Shiral has nine moons. What more powerful symbolism could we possibly use to interact with our surroundings?”
Alma just looks at me for a moment, then smiles. “You're weird, Shi'ahn, have I mentioned that before? However, given your line of logic, think on this. We each have ten fingers, and with our hands and the devices our ancestors built with their hands, we made this realm what it is today. In Lumina everything is based on the decimal system, so I suggest you begin thinking in those terms if you ever wish to become ready to ascend the Path of Enlightenment.”
“I see, in Lumina everything revolves around the individuals who rule instead of the land that gives you life.”
“You still don’t get it. In your world, the land may give you life, but here, it’s the Cailliach who created Lumina and our half of the Universe.”
“I suppose you have a point. I must learn how to live in this world of technology. Would you be willing to show me one of these computers you have spoken of – one that uses dimensions instead of electrical charges to process data? I would love to hear one work, perhaps it would help me better understand this place.”
“Small computing devices are all around us, but I suppose a fully functional one would suit your purposes better. I don't suppose you have accessed your personal computer yet?”
“I have one?”
“Yes, in your rooms, of course.” She picks up a napkin, dabs at her lips and tosses it onto her plate. “I believe we are both done here, come along, I will acquaint you with your own computer.” Her voice is somewhat condescending, but I'm not about to make an issue of it, I want to learn from her.
William finally joins the discussion, “If you don't mind, Sis, I'd like to tag along.”
Alma looks disapprovingly at him, “Don't tell me you have also failed to find your computer.”
“Oh, I've found and used it, I'd just like to see how you interact with one.”
I could kick him, “You found we have computers in our rooms and didn't tell me about it?”
“Well, the timing was… inconvenient.” He takes my arm, 'The next time I saw you, you had just discovered how to return to Shiral. That kind of distracted me.'
'Ah, I see.'
As we enter my study Alma calls out, “Computer.” Nothing happens. William smiles and leans against a wall, apparently preparing for an interesting show.
I try, “Computer?” There is a burst of quite interesting harmonies from the desk I had thought rather oddly designed. I had not thought that I would already possess a highly sophisticated computer such as Alma had described. Then again, why not?
“Yes, Shi'ahn.”
Alma replies, “Computer, perform a sweep of the room, so that Shi'ahn may monitor how you function.” Again, nothing happens. “Good, apparently Lucian thought to key your computer solely to you. You try, scan anything you like.”
Anything? “Computer, scan the Lady Alma, and report to me what you find.”
Alma is less than pleased, “Hey – I didn't mean me!”
“You have scanned me, have you not?”
She grimaces, but remains silent.
Meanwhile, as the computer scans her, I listen to both it and her. It would take a lot of study to be able to properly decipher its strangely complicated machine code, but I think I can learn to. A voice sounds in my ear – I'm fairly certain I am the only one who can hear it. It reports a plethora of protective and offensive devices both underneath and woven into Alma's clothes. She may have been unprepared for her abduction while sleeping the other night, but she's quite prepared now! She also bears many devices that are for neither attack nor defense – the computer informs me that they are used to manipulate her surroundings.
“You use technology to mimic sorcery?”
“No, you… oh, never mind. Sorcery is a lesser power, largely unnecessary. At least, within the realm of order.”
“But sorcery works perfectly fine here.”
“Not for most people it doesn't, and most certainly not for newcomers. Why is it, Shi'ahn, that yours works so well?”
“I don't know, perhaps it is because the land is so similar to Shiral.”
“Lumina is similar to your homeworld? In what way?”
“Well, the citadel is completely foreign, of course, as is the Spire, but the land – the great forest especially reminds me a great deal of my home. And the waters beyond the harbor are pristine and pure, much like those of Shiral. Teeming with colorful and magnificent life. The forest lord and his daughter Fauna are both very nice and welcoming. They make me feel grounded, at home in a way that the citadel does not. My sorcery is based on being in harmony with the land, and as the land appears to accept me…”
“Why would the 'land' accept you when the Emperor does not?”
“Perhaps the land is wise to the ways of those who revere it.”
“Are you calling the Emperor dumber than dirt?”
“No! I didn't mean…” Why is she smiling?
“Don't panic, my own father felt that way at times, before he… disappeared.” Her smile is gone, for a moment she looks very, very angry, but then it dissipates.
“Alma…”
“No, never mind, I do not wish to discuss it.”
Time to change the subject! “So, I take it that when you were taken from your room you did not have your impressive array of devices with you?”
“No, of course not, I was asleep. Although, actually, I had gone to bed with rather more on me than I awoke with. I should not have been so defenseless.”
“That strengthens the case for it having been an inside job, then.”
“An inside job? What are you talking about? That Shiftling bitch kidnapped me – how could that be an inside job?”
“During her interrogation she stated that she had been promised a member of our royal family. She did not know who it was going to be, which is why she spoke civilly with you at first. She also said she had been provided with an item that would negate your defenses.”
“She lied! No one here would have collaborated with a Shiftling – and no one could have abducted me from my room like that!”
“Not even if the perpetrator had a device similar to that provided to Cas Lydia? And if no one here did it, how could Cas Lydia have done it?”
“Why are you arguing her side?”
“I'm not, I'm just pointing out a possibility that, if you think of it, is clearly disturbing.”
“Just how do you know all of this?”
“I was brought into the investigation.”
“Why would they bring you into the investigation?”
“If you don't mind, I really don't want to talk about it. I never even want to think of it again. The only good thing was that Lucian was convinced that I had indeed gotten the truth from her.”
“Perhaps, like my brother, he is besotted with you and willing to believe anything you tell him. That is your ploy, isn't it? Dazzle the men until they'd give anything for you?”
“What are you talking about? Cas is the only man here who is at all kind to me, and Cailli told him, rather forcefully, that we couldn't be.”
“When did this happen – is he alright?”
“A couple of nights ago, and I don't think she intended to hurt him. I haven't spoken with him since, but I saw him briefly in the meeting earlier, he did not appear harmed.”
“I have not spoken with him recently either, which is unusual. I'll leave you now, to check up on my brother.” At the door she turns back angrily. “If I learn that you have hurt him, or caused him to be hurt, you will answer to me.”
~~~
After she storms out, William pulls himself away from the wall and half smiles, “That could have gone better.”
“No kidding. Did you learn what you came with us for?”
“Not really. But I learned something more important.”
We speak the words together, “Lucian set up the security on our computers.”
I cast a shield around my room, blocking out sight and sound, then address the problem. “Computer! Sever any and all network connections now! Unless directed to re-establish them by me, disable all methods of access aside from my voice. Respond.”
“All connectivity to outside systems has been severed and disabled.”
I glance toward William, “I wonder just how compromised I already am?”
“Completely, I would guess. Fixing it could be a challenge. If we were home, I'd suggest completely wiping the system and rebuilding it, but since neither of us knows how to program for dual four-dimensional processors; I just don't know.”
“I have an idea.” I listen very carefully to my computer, thinking of Lucian's harmony, looking for it or something similar. I've got it! Several, actually, some within the operating system, some beneath it. It's time to modify a cleaning spell. Listening closely for disharmonies that would indicate I'm about to make a mistake, I carefully wipe out every bit of code that reminds me of Lucian. When they are gone I notice another – not code, but an implanted device. What a jerk! I remove it, then realize it will be pointless to remove such things if he has a way of re-infecting me before I can secure the system; I create a secondary shield that blocks out anything with an echo of his harmony, and can be modified to add other harmonies to be blocked. Next I search for telltale echoes of Alma. The sneaky bitch is almost as bad as Lucian. So is Novanus. I run through the harmonies of every family member I have met here so far, and they all have something hidden on my computer. I wonder… I haven't met everyone yet, but there are an amazing number of images on my crystal. I compare the harmonies of each individual available to me, and I'm amazed at how many people have links into my computer! I eradicate each and every one before opening my eyes again.
William looks anxious, “Well, what did you find?”
I scowl, “I think nearly every person in this family has been using my computer to spy on me! Only one person I know of hasn't, Cailli, and in all truth, she doesn't need to compromise my computer to keep an eye on me.”
“Could you remove them?”
“Yes, all that I have detected are now gone. However, I'm going to scan it again, just to be sure.”
This time I listen for all I'm worth. I don't detect anything that directly reminds me of family members aside from the obviously quite necessary underlying code, but that seems too simple. Instead of listening for people, I do my final scan searching for anything that is out of tune with my vision of a perfectly safe, secured system. There is a very faint echo of something wrong, like something is hiding from me. As I focus on it it becomes louder, as if it is about to launch into action. I cast the tiniest shield spell of my life around it, then cleanse everything within the shield. It fights me – it is not just code, it's a blending of AI and sorcery! It belongs to Lucian, I should have known. It is strong, but no match for Harmony. When I am finished with my cleansing, the resulting harmony now sounds… clean. “Computer, run a self diagnostic; are you functioning properly?” While it scans, I listen for signs that my work has not been complete; all sounds fine.
“All systems functioning properly. Processing speed has been increased by 27%.”
“Good. Now tell me, can you sense anything different between these two words?”
First I say 'computer' vocally only, then I repeat it, accompanied by a surge of Harmony.
“Yes. The first was sound only, while the second was accompanied by a surge of an unidentified power.”
“Good. You will only respond to and interact with me when you hear both my voice and the unidentified power you just sensed. You are never to connect to any outside network, computer or individual without my express permission, you are never to allow another device, program, or code not approved by me to be placed within you, and you are never to divulge any information to any source other than myself. Encrypt all data, communications and operations with this key.” I project the harmony of Zah-Ha’Gor. “Were you able to detect that?”
“I have not encountered it's like before; it is quite unique and complex. That encryption key will slow down my processes.”
“Will I be able to notice?”
“No.”
“Then use it. Also, set up an intermediary connection with the outside networks, a firewalled gateway, so to speak, so that your encrypted processes and internal data are never directly exposed to outside scrutiny. Fully eradicate any usage data from it immediately after all transmissions, I do not want anyone to be able to discern any information that has passed through it. Constantly scan yourself and any incoming data for these harmonies.” I provide her the harmony definitions currently active in my latest shield. “You, from now on, are to exist in the most highly protected environment that we can create for you – I want absolute privacy. If there are further steps you can take to ensure my privacy, take them.”
“Does this privacy also exclude access by Prince Lucian?”
“Absolutely and completely!”
“Understood. Do you wish to place limitations on access to my data crystal?”
“Yes, of course! Only you, me, and the processors currently linked to your data crystal are ever to access it. Can you ensure that?”
“Affirmative. Program running.”
I can't help but think, 'Let's see that dog get in here now!'
“Sis, would you mind coming to my rooms now? There's something I'd like to try.”
“Sure.” The air shimmers and we stand next to his computer. Catching his intention, I cast another shield around his rooms, this one including the harmony definitions of our family members. “Do you want to take a stab at cleaning your own system, or shall I give it the same treatment I gave mine?”
“Do your thing, Sis. Computer, allow Shi'ahn complete access.”
His system isn't quite as badly compromised as mine was, but it still reminds me of a sieve. I let him know when I'm done.
William calls out, “Computer, I want you to carefully observe my sister and tell us if you can detect any
difference between the two words she speaks.”
That's what he's up to. “Computer. Computer.”
“There is a slight difference in inflection, nothing significant.”
William is obviously disappointed, as well as intrigued. “Your computer is different than mine. I wonder if the Cailliach is behind that.”
Her voice joins us, “Of course I am! Try again.” I hear the harmonies of William's computer change interestingly. Wait a minute, I shielded us! I suppose I should know better.
“Computer, listen to my sister again.” I speak just as before.
“There is a difference – the second word was accompanied by a surge of unidentifiable power.”
“This should work, William. If we encrypt your computer as I did mine, you should be able to keep the likes of Lucian out.”
He smiles, “Computer, accept my sister's directives as though they are my own. If you would, Sis?”
“Computer, encrypt all your processes with this exact key.” I project a different harmony, “There, William, your system is now encrypted with the harmony of Puff – I thought you'd like that.”
“I do! You know, I wonder if that will confer some of the magical protection he extends to me?”
“What an interesting thought!” I suspect he is correct. As I ponder the idea, William gives his computer very strict instructions on securing itself, but runs into a snag.
“Shi'ahn, the computer cannot identify anything specifically about me that would not be possible for another to mimic.”
“Computer, can you identify this within William?” I project William's harmony.
“I detect it.”
“Now scan me, do you detect that same thing?”
“No. You are similar, but not exactly the same.”
William smiles triumphantly, “Computer, accept instructions from and interact only with me. Always ensure, as Shi'ahn has shown you, that it is indeed me.”
“Program accepted and running.”
“Ha! Now no one should be able to breach our security!”
Between Darkness and Light Trilogy Page 16
