No other presences apparent to within 30 years.
My status: H&H, unTouched. L8 secure post system-scour (100 %). ATDPSs {trans.: Auto Total Destruct Protocol Suites} engaged. CRTTDPSs {trans.: Coded Remote-Triggered Total Destruct Protocol Suites} engaged.
Repeat:
Excession eGrid (inf. & ult.) linked, confirmed.
eGrid link details non-estimal.
True class non-estimal.
Awaiting.
@n…
.
… PS:
Gulp.
(Document binary choice menu, [1 = Yes or 0 = No]:)
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"We'll dip out here for now," the drone said.
All the above (0 = leave doc):[0]
End-Read point Tracked Copy document #SC.c4: +
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NB: The preceding Tracked Copy document is not readable/copyable/transmissible without its embedded security program.
NB: IMPORTANT: Communicating any part, detail, property, interpretation or attribute of the preceding document, INCLUDING ITS EXISTENCE-
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[Post-document warning read-out aborted.]
"I wish you'd stop doing that," the drone muttered.
"Sorry," she said. Ulver Seich shook her head slowly at the text hanging in the air in front of her and the drone Churt Lyne. She took a deep breath. Suddenly, she felt quite entirely sober. "Is this as important as I think it is?"
"Almost certainly much more so."
"Oh," she said, "fuck."
"Indeed," the drone replied. "Any other questions so far?"
She looked at the last word of the GCU's main signal:
Gulp.
Gulp. Well, she could relate to that all right.
"Questions…" Ulver Seich said, staring at the holo screen and blowing her cheeks out. She turned to the drone, her violet ball gown rustling. "Lots. First, what are we really…? No; hold on. Just take me through the signal. Never mind all the translations or whatever; what's it actually saying?"
"The General Contact Unit issues an excession notice through its home General Systems Vehicle," the drone told her, "but it's prevented from being broadcast by another GSV which the first one obviously contacted before doing anything. The GCU tells us that its sensors clipped this artifact, which then hailed the GCU using an old Elench greeting and an even older Galactic Common Language; then the GCU spends a great deal of the signal detailing how clever it was pretending that it's slower, not as manoeuvrable and less well equipped in the sensor department than actually it is. It describes the object and a few surrounding bits and pieces of debris which imply there was some sort of small-scale military action there fifty-three days earlier, then it assures it's well and unviolated but it's ready to blow itself up, or let somebody else blow it up if its integrity is threatened… not a step a GCU takes lightly.
"However, entirely the most important aspect of the signal is that the object it has discovered is linked to the energy grid in both hyperspatial directions; that alone puts it well outside all known parameters and precedents. We have no previous experience whatsoever with something like this; it's unique; beyond our ken. I'm not surprised the GCU is scared."
"Okay, okay, that's kind of what I thought; shit." She belched delicately. "Excuse me."
"Of course."
"Now, like I was going to say; what are we really dealing with here; an excession, or something else?"
"Well, if you take the definition of an excession as anything external to the Culture that we should be worried about, this is an excession all right. On the other hand, if you compare it to the average — or even an exceptional — Hegemonising Swarm, it's small, localised, non-invasive, unaggressive, unshielded, immobile… and almost chatty, using Galin II to communicate." The drone paused. "The crucial characteristic then remains the fact that the thing's linked to the energy grid, both up and down. That's interesting, to put it mildly, because as far as we know, nobody knows how to do that. Well, nobody apart from the Elder civilisations… probably; they won't say and we can't tell."
"So this thing can do something the Culture can't?"
"Looks like it."
"And I take it the Culture would like to be able to do what it can do."
"Oh, yes. Yes, very much so. Or, even if it couldn't partake of the technology, at least it would like to use the implied opportunity the excession may represent."
"To do what?"
"Wehhll," Churt Lyne said, drawing the word out while its aura-field coloured with embarrassment and its body wobbled in the air, "technically — maybe — the ability to travel — easily — to other universes." The machine paused again, looking at the human and waiting for her sarcastic reply. When she didn't say anything, it continued. "It should be possible to step outside the time-strand of our universe as easily as a ship steps outside the space-time fabric. It might then become feasible to travel through superior hyperspace upwards to universes older than ours, or through inferior hyperspace downwards to universes younger than our own."
'Time travel?"
"No, but affording the opportunity to become time proof. Age proof. In theory, one might become able to step down consecutively through earlier universes… well, forever."
"Forever?"
"Real forever, as far as we understand it. You could choose the size and therefore age of the universe you wanted to remain within, and/or visit as many as you wanted. You could, for example, head on up through older universes and attempt to access technologies perhaps beyond even this one. But just as interesting is the point that because you wouldn't be tied to one universe, one time stream, you need be involved in no heat death when the time came in your original universe; or no evaporation, or no big crunch, depending.
"It's like being on an escalator. At the moment, confined to this universe, we're stuck to this stair, this level; the possibility this artifact appears to offer is that of being able to step from one stair to another, so that before your stair on the escalator comes to the end of its travel — heat-death, big crunch, whatever — you just step off one level down to another. You could, in effect, live for ever… well, unless it's discovered that cosmic fireball engines themselves have a life-cycle; as I understand it the metamath on that implies but does not guarantee perpetuity."
Seich looked at the drone for a while, her brows furrowed. "Haven't we ever found anything like this before?"
"Not really. There are ambiguous reports of vaguely similar entities turning up in the past — though they tend to disappear before anybody can fully investigate — but as far as we know, nobody has ever found anything quite like this before."
The human was silent for a while. Then she said, "If you could access any universe, and go back to one universe at a very early, pre-sentience stage with an already highly developed civilisation…"
"You could take over the whole thing," the drone confirmed. "An entire universe would be yours alone. In fact, go back far enough — that is, to a small enough, early enough, just-post-singularity universe — and you could, conceivably, customise it; mould it, shape it, influence its primary characteristics. Admittedly, that sort of control may well remain in the realm of the fantastic, but it might be possible."
Ulver Seich drew a deep breath, and, looking at the floor, nodded slowly. … And of course," she said, "if this thing is what it appears to be, it could be an exit, as well as an entrance."
"Entirely so; it is almost certainly both at once. As you imply; never mind us getting into it, we don't know what might come out of it."
Ulver Seich nodded slowly. "… Holy shit," she said.
"Let's call up the comments," Churt Lyne suggested.
"Can we miss out the preparatory junk at the start?"
"Allow me. There."
Read previous comments? [1]
"… And skip all the detailology crap, too. Just who said what."
"As you wish."
(Comments section:)
x Wisdom Like Silence (GSV, Continent class):
1.0 As agreed within the informal SC Extraordinary Events Core Group (Crisis Preparatory Foresight Sub-Committee, Occasional), we (in multiple mode) have assumed the management of this situation as of n.
1.1 The following constitute our introductory remarks.
2.0 Might we first beg to record that it goes without saying that we are not only extremely flattered but also deeply humbled to be placed in a position of such importance on the occasion of this grave, profound and indeed one might even say momentous circumstance.
"Po-faced bastard. Are all Continents this up themselves?"
"Want me to ask somebody?"
"Yeah, I'm sure we'd get a straight answer to that one."
"Just so."
"Hmm. Meanwhile the bullshit rolls on."
3.0 Clearly, this is a matter of the utmost consequence. It follows that the manner in which it is presented beyond ourselves must be considered with regard to all the possible ramifications and repercussions such a pan-developmentally crucial subject might reasonably be expected to entail.
"Sit on it, in other words," Seich said tartly. "What exactly is a Continent class's multiple mode, anyway?"
"Three-Mind grouping, usually."
"That's why it's saying everything in triplicate…"
3.1 The Excession under consideration is without precedent, but it is also — it would appear — static, and (presently, and again apparently) to all intents and purposes inactive. Thus, caution (born of import, situational stability and imprecedence) would appear to be the order of the moment. We have — as a temporary measure, and with the approval of those comprising the above Group and Sub-Committee who are within reasonable consultative range — deemed the matter to be secrecy-rated such that all discussions and communications regarding it are carried out according to M32 standard.
3.2 Under the terms of the Temporary Emergencies (Allowed Subterfuges) Post-Debacle Steering Committee report following the Azadian Matter, the maximum length of the M32 secrecy interval has been set at 128 days standard from n, with a Mean Envisaged Duration of 96 days and a full-sub-committee review period of 32 hours.
3.3 The nearest star to this Excession is called Esperi (under Standard Adopted Nomenclature); however, in accordance with M32 procedure we propose the code-term Taussig (from the Primary Random Event-Naming List) be used regarding this matter henceforth.
3.4 This concludes our introductory remarks.
4.0 The following comments will be arranged in sorted-relevance order; actual receive-times and context-schedules are available in the usual appendices.
4.1 We hereby open the discussion on the Taussig Matter.
oo
x Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The (GSV, Plate class):
Right. First, this should not be kept secret, even for a limited time. I object in the strongest possible terms to the fact that the instant we stumble over possibly the most important thing anybody's ever found anywhere ever, the first thing SC does is snap into Full-Scale Raving Paranoia mode and apply this M32 total-secrecy-or-we'll-pull-your-plugs-out-baby shit. I've given my word and I'm not going to leak this, but for the record, I believe we should be telling everybody. (Let's face it, we'll probably have to well before this unrealistic time-limit of 128 days, anyway.)
That said, if we are going to keep this to ourselves for the time being, might I anticipate SC's all-too-predictable reaction and draw everyone's attention to a study by the Added Value [text and details attached] which basically says if you surround something like this with a mega-fleet and it isn't quite omnipotent, just staggeringly powerful and fully invasive, you're basically giving it an immense, ready-made war-fleet to play with, if it is hostile. Just a thought.
oo
x Tactical Grace (GCU, Escarpment Class):
I agree absolutely with the above and endorse the Added Value study.
Let us not thoughtlessly get cannoned up on this one.
oo
x Woetra (Orbital Hub, Schiparse-Oevyli system, [solo]):
Some sadness reigns. We may approach the end of our knowing Naïvety. Draw round (the fire, growing dim, draws too, drawing in its breath for one fine final burst of flame). Potentially an end of innocence, we face this, glancing backwards. Within the horizon of our mutual import, an end and start to Meaning (finally beginning). Ancients (knowing so little) would have half expected, partly welcomed what we all fear this might be. We (knowing all too much) would rather deny its untold implications. Ephemera, they were half happy with and wholly used to the possibility of an End. By their knowing Immortal, we tremble before the same. My friends, if we have ever worshipped anything, it has been the great god Chaos. (What else shields Intelligence from the awful implications of utter Omniscience?) Might we be looking at our god's Deiclast?
oo
x Steely Glint (GCV, Plains Class):
Remarkable. One hears nothing for years then suddenly… well, anyway. Pace the Added Value study mentioned above, I propose the immediate and complete remilitarisation of all viable units to within — say — sixty-four days" rush-in distance. Not so much because we might need to fight the Taussig Matter itself but because this Event will undoubtedly not stay secret for very long and will — with equal certitude — attract an entire cast of terminological Civiliseds of the distinctly Undesirable persuasion. Serious up-cannoning on our part, for all its intrinsic vulgarity and first-principle undesirability, may be the only way to prevent scalar inter-civilisation conflicts which, at worst, might overshadow the entail of the Matter itself.
oo
x Serious Callers Only (LSV, Tundra Class):
Here, in the bare dark face of night
A calm unhurried eye draws sight
— We see in what we think we fear
The cloudings of our thought made clear.
oo
x Wisdom Like Silence (GSV, Continent class):
A most interesting contribution, we're sure, but can we keep this just a little more focused?
oo
x Shoot Them Later (Eccentric, Culture Ulterior, AhForgetlt tendency [t. rated Integration Factor 73 %, vessel rated 99 %]):
Illuminating. Unhappy as I am to agree with the Steely Glint, I suspect it might be right. There, I said it.
oo
x Wisdom Like Silence (GSV, Continent class):
I was not aware that the Shoot Them Later was part of this Core Group! No entity with an IF of less than 100 % is supposed even to be considered for inclusion in this Group! No Eccentric or Ulterior craft are eligible! LSV Serious Callers Only; said message was relayed through you; provide an explanation immediately!
oo
x Serious Callers Only (LSV, Tundra Class):
No.
oo
{a Ethics Gradient (GSV, Range Class):
With the Group's permission: Hint of warp wake — inadvertent soliton resonation signature — Kraszille system (62 std years xTM), curved V towards TM region. DGs attached. Probably nothing…}
oo
x Limivorous (GSV, Ocean Class):
This TM, this latest E, this I, this strange new object of concern: telic?
oo
x Wisdom Like Silence (GSV, Continent class):
With immense respect to our highly esteemed colleague Limivorous and with full cognizance of its most illustrious career and near-legendary reputation, we have to say we were also not aware that our humble group was graced with its exalted regard! GSV Anticipation Of A New Lover's Arrival, The; as relayer, you should have informed us you were in contact with the Limivorous!
oo
x Not Invented Here (MSV, Desert Class):
Read. Also
henotic?
oo
x Wisdom Like Silence (GSV, Continent class):
But the Not Invented Here was reported destroyed in 2.31! Identify yourself, you liar! Security breach! What is going on here?
oo
x Shoot Them Later (Eccentric, Culture Ulterior, AhForgetlt tendency [t. rated Integration Factor 73 %, vessel rated 99 %]):
Tee hee.
oo
x Full Refund (Homomdan «Empire» Class Main Battle Unit [original name MBU 604] Convertcraft [vessel rated Integration Factor 80 % {nb; self-assessed}]):
Add delitescent.
oo
x Wisdom Like Silence (GSV, Continent class):
What! We can't have a self-assessed ex-enemy craft privy to M32-level matters! What is going on here? Security breach! I invoke my authority as convener of this Group to suspend all M32 level discussion immediately and until further notice while a full security review is carried out.
oo
x Different Tan (GCU, Mountain Class):
Indeed so, perhaps. Even — whisper it — an outrance?
oo
x Wisdom Like Silence (GSV, Continent class):
The Different Tan is also not an accredited member of this Core Group! This has gone far enough! We hereby-
oo
Switching document/comments track.]
[New M32-level Core Group formed.
Name: Interesting Times Gang (Act IV).
Group initially comprises all previously mentioned craft except Wisdom Like Silence (GSV, Continent class).]
oo
x Star Turn (Rock, First Era):
Filing name change.
From: Star Turn
To: End In Tears.
oo
x No Fixed Abode (GSV, Sabbaticaler, ex Equator Class):
I suggest firstly that we rid ourselves of this ridiculous «Taussig» nonsense and call the matter after Esperi, the nearest star; I also propose that between eight and sixteen days from now — depending on the availability of more noteworthy news from elsewhere — we move to an information release at M16-level, simply saying that we have discovered an excession of an ambiguous nature, which we are investigating and which we are asking others to stay away from. Assuming that they will not, we should request the Steely Glint to instigate a measured and localised military mobilisation, immediately. Beyond that, the normal democratic processes will doubtless apply.
Excession c-5 Page 13
