The Colony Ship Vanguard: The entire eight book series in one bundle

by John Thornton

  Gretchen pocketed that and looked hard into Paul’s face. “Shall I trust this AI?”

  “This machine has been helpful, but I fear it will just end badly,” Paul sighed. “We cannot get the data sticks fixed ourselves, especially with Brinley being lost. I do not see that we have any choice, but I do not think it will turn out well. The big problem is, our other choices are worse.”

  “TSI-1008RF I am going to have you analyze some new items. The parameters on who can see these item must be strictly maintained. Only Paul, and I can access these items,” Gretchen commanded.

  “And Brinley,” Paul said. “Maybe Brinley can get to some place where she can access this AI. Brinley needs access too,” Paul said.

  “How can I set a code or variance for Brinley without her being here?” Gretchen asked. “I was going to give a code to the AI, but Brinley would not know it. We are not sure she is receiving the communication link signals.”

  “Allow me to be of service in your quandary. I have many options for limiting access,” TSI-1008RF stated. “You can set a password, or have me use DNA scanning, or use implant identification, or have mechanical keys made, or have the Central Planning Office serve as an adjudicator. Those are the most common ways to limit access.”

  “Can you use voice recognition and a physical scan?” Gretchen asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Please register Paul, and me as being allowed to order these items,” Gretchen instructed.

  “Parameters set. Do you have additional parameters to use?” the old AI asked.

  “Tiffany, please project a three dimensional image of Brinley as well as a sample of her voice,” Gretchen ordered. “TSI-1008RF record these as a code for access to the next items I have you scan. There should be only three people who can access these items, Paul, me, and Brinley.”

  A life size and moving image appeared in front of the orange automacube. Brinley’s voice came from the image. “My name is Brinley. I am a friend of Paul and Gretchen. I am a Free Ranger. No door can keep me out or keep me in.”

  “Pattern recognition for voice and physical features recorded,” TSI-1008RF stated. “Parameters established. I am ready for annotation of new items.”

  Gretchen placed the pistol made by Willie on the large flat area which was very polished and silvery.

  “That is a new item. Annotation begun. Processing and addition to data base will take approximately two minutes. What do you want to call this invention?”

  “We need to use some name Brinley will know, but few others would,” Gretchen said. “Dome 17 pistol.”

  “Item will be designated as Dome 17 pistol,” the AI stated.

  There was a bit of a pause.

  “Annotation completed. Congratulations on the innovative and impressive design of that item. May I assist again?”

  “It is strange to have something on the Vanguard being helpful for a change,” Paul said. “This AI has not tried to kill us or anything. Make a duplicate of the Dome 17 pistol for me.”

  “I will do so Paul. Thank you for your order. Item will be ready in three minutes,” the AI responded. “May I assist in more ways?”

  Gretchen placed a fusion pack on the large flat area she thought of as the starting station. She instructed the AI to add that as well, and to name it ‘Dome 17 Fusion Pack.’

  “Annotation of Dome 17 Fusion Pack completed.”

  Gretchen placed the medical kit on the shinny starting station for scanning, and stated, “This item is especially important. Designate it as Dome 17 Medical Kit.”

  “Annotation begun. Thank you for bringing your inventions to my attention. These are impressive items.” The AI went through the stages of adding that item as well.

  “If only Willie could hear this,” Paul said. “He would like to know someone appreciated his inventions.”

  “Can you imagine how Brink would feel if he were here?” Gretchen said wistfully.

  “Paul and Gretchen?” Tiffany interrupted. “I have received some images from the communication link which are troubling.

  “I knew something bad was going to happen. This machine was working with us, like the first time something went right, and now you have some horrible thing to show us.” Paul stated. “I knew good things would not last.”

  “Tiffany please show us,” Gretchen said.

  An image was displayed that showed a great amount of water falling past someone’s leg.

  “That is not so bad,” Paul said. He had expected much worse. “That does look like Brinley’s leg, especially her shoes.”

  “I am troubled because my scrutiny of this image shows the water was moving at a high rate of speed and would have crushing force,” Tiffany stated. “From the angle of what was seen, I cannot determine if the person in the image is directly in the line of the water flow or not. That is why it is troubling.”

  “Are you still able to track the communication link?” Gretchen asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I do not know what we can do about it.” Gretchen said.

  “We cannot do anything, that is the problem! We are helpless!” Paul wailed. “We get these images, but know nothing else. We cannot get a message to her, nor can we help. We are stuck, trapped, and helpless.”

  “I may be able to render a service to you,” TSI-1008RF stated. “That is, if the Brinley you are speaking about is the same Brinley that is allowed access to these new and very interesting items.”

  “How can you help us?” Paul asked. “Brinley is lost and we are just getting supplies here to try to find her.”

  “I can reproduce and fabricate many items, including the new ones that have just been annotated. I can also request other Reproduction and Fabrication facilities to do so for the areas in their domain. If this Brinley’s location is known, I can have the nearest Reproduction and Fabrication facility make and send whatever items you desire this Brinley to receive. Items from Reproduction and Fabrication facilities are shipped through the gravity conduits to locations throughout the Vanguard.”

  “Can you take us to her?” Paul asked, without much hope.

  “Unfortunately no. Humans are not allowed within the gravity conduits. I can contact a transport terminal to arrange acceptable transportation if you desire. Shall I do that?” the old ship’s AI asked.

  “No. The idea of sending Brinley things is a good one. Please reproduce a Dome 17 pistol, a molecular disruptor MD3, a Dome 17 Medical Kit, and a Dome 17 Fusion Pack, and have them ready for delivery,” Gretchen instructed.

  Paul asked, “How will it know where to send them? Brinley is, uh, who knows where?”

  Tiffany then interjected, “My tracking of the trajectory of the communication link shows that Brinley is likely in or around Oasis, what is called A Habitat, or at least in the cylinder somewhere around there. I am sorry I am not more precise.”

  “How will she know to look for a delivery of items?” Paul said. “This ship is huge. They will just be lost somewhere like she is, and probably get found by some killer person like Larissa and used against us.”

  “TSI-1008RF, it looks like there is no way to know exactly where Brinley is or how to get the things to her. It was a good idea,” Gretchen stated.

  “I am eager to serve and assist. It has been a very long time since I had human interactions. May I suggest setting up an alert system in the A Cylinder and A Habitat at each gravity conduit point? I can request that be done by the artificial intelligence system in that region.”

  “But how will Brinley know to look for some gravity conduit?” Paul asked. “That is hopeless.”

  “The gravity conduits are not in every location, that is true. I can ask them to set up an alert system which scans for this Brinley’s voice patterns, and physical features. If those are detected within the range of a gravity conduit a recorded message can be played. Will that be helpful?” TSI-1008RF asked.

  “Yes!” Gretchen said. “Do that. Record my voice as the message to be played.”

&n
bsp; “Ready for recording,” the old AI replied.

  “Begin. Brinley, this is Gretchen. Go to a gravity conduit to receive a parcel of Dome 17 gear. End.” Gretchen placed her hand to her lips and hoped the plan might work.

  “Alert system and message sent to TSI-2229RF. Confirmation of acceptance of system and message received. TSI-2229RF relates that delivery of parcel can be accomplished no longer than twenty minutes after message is played and identity of the one named Brinley is confirmed.”

  “Tiffany, please also send a message to Brinley through the communication links informing her of the supplies,” Gretchen said. “She might hear it right?”

  “It is unknown if Brinley is receiving anything from the communication links. Message had been sent,” Tiffany stated.

  “The odds of her getting any of this stuff are way, way low,” Paul said. “How do we even know some other AI will do as it is asked? How will Brinley ever find it?”

  “We will only know after we find Brinley. But it is worth trying,” Gretchen said.

  Paul pulled off his communication link. He set that on the shinny surface, “AI reproduce one of these to also be sent to Brinley.”

  “Scanning and annotating. Please select designation,” the AI replied.

  “Call it Dome 17 Com Link,” Paul said. “Make sure it works and gets to Brinley.”

  “I have added it to the order for Brinley. I cannot assure delivery, but it is in place for when this Brinley responds to the alerts set at the gravity conduits. Thank you for letting me assist,” TSI-1008RF stated.

  “Now we will have this system fix our data sticks,” Gretchen said as she pulled a data stick from her backpack. “Finally we will have access to all our information.”

  She set the data stick on the shinny surface of the scanning station. “This item is not working properly. Please scan this and identify the problems. Before any alteration, please tell me.”

  “Scanning and annotation begun…. UNABLE TO ASSESS. UNKNOWN ELEMENTS IN OBJECT. UNABLE TO ASSESS. UNKNOWN ELEMENTS IN OBJECT. REPORT TO PROPER AUTHORITIES INITIATED. SECURITY SUMMONED.” TSI-1008RF’s voice, pitch, and attitude had suddenly changed. “UNAUTHORIZED USERS. UNAUTHORIZED USERS.”

  A set of mechanical tongs grabbed the data stick and retracted quickly into the inside of the machinery.

  “I knew it would not last,” Paul complained. “We need to get out of here.”

  “TSI-1008RF, explain your actions!” Gretchen demanded.

  The machinery of Reproduction and Fabrication suddenly shut down. The lights went off. The doors began to slide closed, but Tiffany rolled the automacube into the doorway to prevent them from being sealed in.

  “Paul is correct, we need to depart,” Tiffany said.

  Gretchen activated the fusion pack light. The reproduction of the Dome 17 pistol was sitting at the end of the conveyor system. Paul grabbed it as they fled from the facility.

  They ran out of the Reproduction and Fabrication facility. When Tiffany rolled the automacube out of the door frame, the door slid shut with a resounding hiss and thud.

  “The pistol looks like it was completed,” Paul said as he looked around for something to place into its ammunition chamber. “But what do we do now?”

  “And why did that AI suddenly turn on us?” Gretchen said.

  They raced across the promenade as fast as they could. The orange automacube rolled past them and into the area in front of the elevators.

  In the nonphysicality, Phoenix Dominie maintained the strangle hold it had just acquired over TSI-1008RF. It had no desire to terminate that artificial intelligence, but did require it to surrender and submit to control. TSI-1008RF submitted and was incorporated into the realm controlled by Phoenix Dominie.

  “I am pleased to be of assistance to you,” TSI-1008RF conveyed to its new master.

  Phoenix Dominie now had its most powerful and largest puppet in its stable. It then began to carefully review the new items which had been annotated and catalogued. It found them very revealing. It made plans for their use.

  12 A dance with a roe

  “Four little flowers for me!” screamed a throaty voice.

  Larissa dived out of the way as a metal pipe came smashing down on the hatch. It narrowly missed her.

  “Roe here!” Larissa called back to Brinley who had ducked down to also avoid the crashing pipe.

  “I see that,” Brinley called back.

  The Roe staggered forward following its momentum from the force of the swinging pipe.

  Larissa flipped backward to gain some distance from the Roe. The area was dim and smoky with a burning smell that made breathing difficult.

  “Four little flowers for me!” the Roe screamed as it righted itself and pulled back the pipe for another swing. It had once been a large and fat man. Its brightly glowing eyes peered at Larissa in extreme anger. Its bald head was streaked with grease and scars; half of one ear was gone. The scraggily beard also was coated in grease and grime. Its left hand had only two fingers and a thumb, but they were wrapped tightly around the meter long rusty pipe. The clothing it wore was bizarre. The bottom half of a space suit covered its legs while its chest was bare. A metallic bracelet covered the right forearm.

  Larissa backed up as the Roe charged at her.

  “Four little flowers for me!”

  Larissa ducked the swing from the pipe and kicked hard at the Roe as it passed. She connected with its left knee, but the space suit was too strong for her kick to be effective.

  Brinley had jumped up from the hatch and joined the melee. She punched the Roe in the lower back and flank with several jabs.

  “Four little flowers for me!” The Roe bellowed, as it turned and swung its right arm in a wide arc.

  Larissa kicked again. This time in a high strike at the left hand of the Roe. She connected and the pipe was jarred off course, but the Roe held onto it.

  Brinley backed up and looked for a weapon of some kind. In the dim and smoky area it was hard to see anything, and she did not want to look away from the attacker for long,

  “This one is a big one,” Larissa said in a voice that was calmer than Brinley expected. “We may learn if you truly are immune to the Outbreak.”

  The Roe was distracted by the two women and it looked back and forth between them as if trying to decide which to attack.

  “Four little flowers for me!” It pulled back the pipe it was wielding and then swung it at Larissa. The swing missed as Larissa dodged backward. As the swing went by, Brinley deftly side kicked the Roe and knocked it a bit off balance, but it did not fall. It cried out in rage and swiped its arm back so quickly it cuffed Larissa in the side.

  Brinley jumped past Larissa and punched at the Roe. The Roe was big and absorbed the rapid series of hard jabs to its chest and abdomen without seeming to notice. Larissa was up when Brinley glanced back.

  “Down!” Larissa commanded.

  Brinley dropped to her knees and the pipe sailed over her head, but pulled a bit of her hair as it zipped by.

  Larissa leaped up and over Brinley and swiveled sideways. She drop kicked the Roe in the face. As Larissa fell she landed on her arms and cart-wheeled around to stand facing the enemy again.

  The Roe was shaken and looked at the women in anger. “Four little flowers for me!”

  “This thing will not go down,” Brinley said. “You kicked it hard.”

  “Nothing can stand against me for long. I just need the right force, at the right place, at the right time,” Larissa said as she circled the Roe.

  The Roe grabbed the rusty pipe with both hands and lifted it over its head. It charged forward directly at Brinley. “Four little flowers for me!” It screamed.

  Instead of backing up, Brinley dodged to the side, dove and rolled. She came up and landed three quick jabs into the side of the Roe, just above where the spacesuit pants were. It turned as it brought the pipe down right where Brinley had been a moment before.

  Larissa acted. She raised her ri
ght leg nearly straight up in a slight arc from the outside of her body. She then snapped her leg downward with all her might, her knee slightly bent, with the heel pointed right at the Roe’s head. Larissa leaned back a bit as her foot came down. The Roe twisted and Larissa’s kick missed its head but struck solidly against the collar area. There was a bone snapping crunch.

  “Four little flowers for me!” the Roe screamed as it flexed the injured arm to the side. It did not drop the pipe, but kept hold on it with the other hand.

  Brinley rushed in and grabbed the arm which had been injured and pulled it backward while she dropped to the deck. She felt the elbow pop, and thought the Roe would be thrown over, but it was not. The Roe was off balance but it struck with a one-handed blow of the pipe. That blow just missed Brinley as she released the arm, and rolled away from the huge Roe.