by Angela Timms
Intendi bowed. “There is no valid question in this circumstance.”
The Prince looked even more annoyed then glared at Kyla as she laughed. She took a step towards Intendi. “Intendi, are you the artefact?”
Intendi bowed. “Yes mistress.”
Kyla smiled at the Prince who looked a little sheepish. She then turned back to Intendi. “So what are you? What can you do? How can you detect the Followers and why did you let us continue?”
Intendi stood up straight. “I am a standard information model D221456719, D Class. I am programmed for etiquette and general information. Information can be uploaded into my systems. My sub routine which allows me to detect the minutest amount of any trace drug in a human or humanoid system and neural programming is what allows me to be able to detect the Followers. You did not ask me any questions so I did what I was permitted to do.”
The Prince smiled at Kyla. “Well done. So Intendi, will you accompany me and join my entourage? In this role will you be able to inform me if those around me are Follower spies? Do you think for yourself or do I have to tell you absolutely everything?”
Intendi bowed. “I will accompany you and join your entourage. I will be able to inform you of anyone in your court under the influence of another if that is what you wish of me. I am here to perform tasks initiated by your orders. If you wish to download anything into my memory banks I am programmed to listen for as long as you wish to speak to me. No necessity is implied in my programming.”
The Prince smiled. “I think I am going to have to be very careful about how I word any questions or orders I may give you.”
Intendi bowed.
Kyla was looking about. “Intendi, why are there two thrones on that platform?”
Intendi bowed. “They are there to be sat on.”
Kyla smiled and looked a little frustrated. “Who is supposed to sit on them and what do they do while they are sitting on them? Can you give me any information about the thrones relevant to us?”
Intendi bowed. “They were built for the Lord Osiris and the Lady Isis. They would carry out the goings on of the court while on those thrones. The thrones are a communication and control device which gives the one seated on them the ability to control the planet’s extra defense mechanisms. environmental and DNA you carry and you would be able to use them to perform all the functions that they were designed to carry out. They have many thousands of sub routines which I will list.”
A worried look flickered over Kyla’s face. “That will not be necessary.” Intendi bowed. “Very good mistress.”
The Prince turned to face them. “Why do you call her mistress?”
Intendi bowed. “I have had the opportunity to read her genetic code and she has initiated my systems by physical contact. I am thus programmed to address her in that way.”
The Prince put his hand out and touched
Intendi’s. Intendi bowed. “Master.”
The Prince thought for a moment. “Are you programmed to follow the commands of those you touch or is this an initiating program? Can I command you to only follow my commands or will you follow anyone’s commands?”
Intendi bowed. “I am programmed to follow the commands of those I touch during this reboot and initiating program. You may not. I will only follow your commands.”
The Prince took a deep breath. “Kyla, help me out here.”
Kyla smiled. “Alright. Intendi. Is this a startu p protocol where you are initiating your systems and defining those who may command you?”
They also control the finer details of the planet’s physical defenses. They are artefacts keyed to the
Intendi bowed. “Yes.” Kyla looked around the room as she thought. “Is the startup phase complete? Can one or other of us command you not to accept any more controllers?”
Intendi bowed. “Yes. Yes.” Kyla took a deep breath. “Can we later command you to accept more controllers?”
Intendi bowed. “Yes.”
Kyla smiled. “Can you only answer direct questions? Does your programming allow for independent thought? If not, why not? “
Intendi bowed. “Yes. No. Earlier models were supplied with an active learning facility. The resulting artificial intelligence was found to be unsuitable and difficult to control.”
Kyla frowned. “Would you like an active learning
facility?” Intendi bowed. “I have no function that complies
with like.”
The Prince looked thoughtful. “May we leave this facility unchallenged and in safety.”
Intendi bowed. “No.”
The Prince opened his mouth and then looked at Kyla. “Go on, you seem very good at this.”
Kyla looked worried. “Who is going to challenge us and what threatens our safety?”
Intendi bowed. “Your craft is under attack from a Follower battle cruiser and its presence would ultimately affect your safety.”
Kyla looked horrified. “Can we use the thrones to destroy the battle cruiser? If so, we are in a hurry can you tell us how or can you undertake this task for us?”
Intendi bowed. “Yes. I can tell you how or I can undertake the task for you.”
Kyla stared at the thrones. “With the greatest haste please would you destroy the battle cruiser?”
Intendi moved with lightning speed and took a seat on the throne. He lifted hologram shining dot on it. There was a slight rumble which shook the room and the dot disappeared from the screen. Intendi then pressed more buttons, the screen vanished and he stood up and returned to them. “Your command has been carried out. The battle cruiser has been destroyed.”
Kyla and the Prince both looked relieved. “Are we still in danger? If so, who from?”
Intendi bowed. “Yes. You are in danger from your enemies. I have no specific information as to the names of them all.”
The Prince looked at Kyla who gave him a wry smile. “Alright Intendi is there anything else we should do here before we go? Can we a panel on the arm of it and began pressing buttons. A screen appeared in front of him and he touched a brightly leave this facility safely? Will you be accompanying us? Do you need to bring anything along with you?”
Intendi bowed. “There is nothing that you should do. Yes. Yes. I need to bring my emergency battery pack and my repair kit with me.”
The Prince smiled. “Can we leave
now?” Intendi bowed. “You can leave now.”
A flash of inspiration seemed to come across Kyla and she smiled broadly. “Do you have an inbuilt operating manual which can be downloaded onto the Prince’s laptop? Do you have a function to respond to anything other than direct questions? If so, what is it? Do you have any other programming or inbuilt programs that could be activated?”
Intendi bowed. “Yes. Yes. I have an etiquette sub routine. Yes.”
The Prince took a final look around the room. “Kyla, we had better get out of here. That battle cruiser may have transmitted that it had encountered us in this quadrant. If so, I had better get clear before there is a diplomatic incident. We have what we came for. Time to go I think.”
Once back on board they initiated the drive and sped off into the IDC.
2 0
The Erlik Landspeeder Mark II swept across the uneven terrain and skipped over the watery swamp that made up nearly half of the planet of Kisrexian. It had long been their defense as it was hard to form any kind of tactics in such a harsh terrain.
It was verdantly green and at first glance looked like a land of rich meadow and weeping willow like trees. Everywhere was bursting with life. Thick bushes grew from the water below as did the rich green plant which formed the grass like cover over the murky black depths below. Below the surface many creatures writhed. Black tentacles and relying on touch rather than vision meant that the lightless layer of water beneath the surface was perfect for them. They waited there for anything which fell from the many precarious paths which were the only way of crossing the treacherous landscape. Other than Landspeeder of cour
se which skimmed the surface causing barely a ripple.
They were lucky, it was a good day. The normal monsoons and hurricane speed winds were conspicuous by their absence and Rath was enjoying a gentle skip along the planet’s surface. They were well on their way to their destination when they spotted a black shape bearing down on them.
Rath took evasive maneuvers and just managed to move the ELM II sideways before the talons and giant beak bore down on its previous location. The bird was immense. The speeder was easily overshadowed by it.
The bird swooped and glided effortlessly up into the gentle thermals. Its forked tail splayed as it flew above them, matching their course. It was clearly watching them and clearly intent on another attempt at them. It folded its wings and down it came at an impossible speed. Rath swore under his breath and again managed to move the ELM before the bird could get its huge talons onto it. Then the bird jolted slightly before it flew upwards making its own evasive turns to get away from an even larger flying lizard which had got hold of its tail. The new assailant was huge, nearly twice the size of the first. Its scaled skin slightly red in colour. It released its grip on the tail to try to get a better grip on the body but the bird took the opportunity to exercise an amazing and frantic turn of speed and was able to get away.
Rath took the ELM into the trees and hovered over the flooded ground. The trees were covered in a thick hanging vine which fell from the branches and covered the ship, concealing it from even the reptile’s keen eyesight.
Rennon relaxed slightly, his knuckles were white where he’d been gripping the arm of his seat just that little bit too tight. Kyla turned to smile at Kel who was clasping his blaster tightly and looking around nervously.
Rath switched on the cloak and relaxed back into his seat. “Well I think I’ll let that little one have a chance to fly away a bit.” Just as he finished speaking a warning light came up on the screen. The proximity alert light was flashing on and off indicating that they had more company.
Looking out of the window they could see very little as the moss had fallen from the trees and completely covered them. It too would be invisible to anyone looking. Rath bent flicked a couple of switches and the external surveillance system sparked into life. It had been originally intended to see things in the infrared but it also had a daytime camera. Rennon leaned forwards and flicked another switch before pulling down a laptop and opening it up so they could see the screen. On the screen they could see the relay from the external cameras. Most of them were now covered in moss but the port and starboard fore cameras were giving them a clear picture of what was out there.
It was very dark under the moss laden trees. Their black twisted trunks eerily reflected what little light there was and the moss hung down ominously, glowing slightly green in the dim light. They were surrounded by water but there was a small raised path to their right that they hadn’t noticed before. It looked manmade, the stones were regular and cemented together to form a causeway which snaked its way around the trees. It was covered by the green plant but it became more visible as a traveler moved slowly and cautiously along it.
A man with a donkey was walking along the path. He looked forwards and intercom and very on edge, he was looking anxiously from side to side. His donkey had obviously noticed something which had spooked it as it jumped sideways, threatening to fall off the path at any moment so the traveler was also having to spend a good deal of his concentration keeping the beast calm and on the path which was barely visible.
Around him things splashed in the swamp. Tendrils broke the surface then were swallowed up by the black liquid again as the green blanket closed over them. Occasionally there was the dull splash as a fish like creature jumped from the water, snatched an insect from the air and re-entered the water leaving its circular ripples to fan out over the water surface before the green tendrils of the plant closed in over the hole. The place was teeming with life. Insects, bugs and flying creatures of all sizes went about their daily business.
The traveler was covered head to foot in a long robe. The hood was pulled up over his face but what glimpse they did catch of him revealed that his face looked like it was bandaged.
Rennon had his handheld scanner out and he was taking readings. He keyed in the planet’s name and a stream of information ran across the screen. “He’s a traveler alright. They wander the swamp lands doing odd jobs and moving from place to place by appointment. The bandages you see are just that. The biting insects are so prevalent around here at this time of year that bandaging the face in material soaked in a repellent and antihistamine is the only way to move around. He’ll be bandaged over most of his body and there is a gauze over his eyes. We are in the Retasinian Swamps, about a mile from our destination and my guess is that he is travelling that way too. We can’t offer him a lift as opening the airlock would let in the insects so we’ll have to let him walk I’m afraid. No room for the donkey anyway.
The town we are going to is encased in a force field which keeps the insects out. The inhabitants can go about their daily lives quite safely during the day. There is a curfew at night as the power supply cannot cover a full day. They then retreat to their houses and lock themselves in. They put the shields up in the morning and bug spray before anyone goes out for the day.
This is all basically the result of the powers that be realizing that their use of the natural resources and tampering with the environment would have a bad effect. It didn’t have the effect they expected. They predicted floods and mass starvation due to climate change. They got climate change alright, the lands did flood and this provided the perfect breeding ground for anything that enjoyed that habitat. A water world is fine but when you add to that a warm and humid atmosphere you are going to encourage things that bite. They tried mass extermination of the bugs to start with but something in the bug spray caused the growth of that tendril like plant that is everywhere now. I think at that point they gave up and created the force field and retreated back from the planet into residential areas. It isn’t all bad though, the green tendril plant is apparently quite tasty and has supplemented their food supply to such an extent that it more than makes up for the farmland they lost. Animals are now raised in huge atmosphere controlled towers and fed on the green stuff as well. Kyla before you get your hackles up, they raise a sort of swamp cow which is a large slug like creature which is semi sentient and lives to eat. Even if released into the wild it would simply stay in one place until the food ran out and then wriggle a few feet to eat some more.
We are going now to Cyber City. It is a technologically advanced place. That donkey down there, it’s not real, it’s a replica of a real donkey, programmed to react in the same way as a real one would. I’m guessing that the owner has chosen the completely lifelike program and I bet he’s regretting that now with trying to get along that semi hidden path. They lost most of the real animals long ago, they just couldn’t survive the biting insects and in those first years of chaos the animal life was the last thing they thought of preserving. Now it would cost too much to feed anything like that. By the way, don’t expect any variety of food while you are here. They live on swamp cow most of the time, supplemented by the occasional delivery of fresh vegetables and of course a whole cookbook worth of ways to prepare that green plant. Here we are far away from any of the trading belts so their access to anything else is limited.
You wouldn’t believe this used to be a thriving planet and a real hub of commerce. How things can change. Here, well it was the eco- terrorists. They wanted to make a point and broke into a research establishment. What they set free should never have been allowed outside a restricted area. So, to compound their biting insect problem they have huge predatory beasts above and below the surface of the water that are happily reproducing in the warm swamp environment. Truly a lovely place to live.” Kel looked up. “So why do they?”
Rennon smiled. “In truth, because it is their home and mostly because they can’t leave. Take a look around, do you see an
y airborne vessels? They are rare here. The Corporation rules the planet and they won’t let anyone gain access to anything like that. They keep the population pretty much on what used to be called the bread line. That is they pay a minimum wage, provide the accommodation, provide the food, clothing and just about everything else. So what the people do earn goes straight back into their pockets.”
Kel grunted. “So why doesn’t someone do something?” Rennon looked down at his scanner. “Why should they? They have food on their tables, a roof over their head, zero unemployment and a comfortable life. Those who do choose to argue against it are free to leave. But few survive long outside the force field dome. Some have set up communities, some have survived by being driven so insane by being bitten that they no longer care. Be careful of them, they will attack without provocation and general prowl the swamps in bands attacking anyone they find.”
Kel leant back and put his feet up. “So a controlled place with a few vagrants living free but in abject poverty. Sounds a lovely place!”
Rennon smiled to himself. “On the face of it, it is. They have little to complain about as everything is controlled for them. After so many generations they are used to it. They had rebellions at the start. The rebels have become the foundation of the workforce in various mines and factories sited a long way away from decent civilization. They are now into their third and fourth generation and the people there know no different. They live in controlled domes like the one we are going to but they are very different as those are run like prison colonies, even though they are many generations from the original perpetrators of any rebellion. You’ll see on the horizon, this place is the height of good taste, impossible architecture and controlled civilization. So no doubt we’re going to be in trouble the minute you and Rath step off the shuttle.
Try to tone it down boys. We don’t want to be leaving you behind. This is one of the few planets that fought off Follower intervention successfully. As far as we know they haven’t been infiltrated and are keen to be allies. Leave it to Kyla here, I’m sure she can secure a diplomatic agreement for us. Kyla, you are going to have to bite your tongue over any wrongs you may see. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt for the sake of what everyone has to gain.”
