*** Seventy-eight hours and still no closer to reconnecting the interstellar gate. Cain was beginning to feel he might lose control of his divine temper, if not for the life energy infusions from the thirty-five Corporate facilities personnel, left stranded on the Delphinus Major Interstellar Gate. Only a few operational AIs were left--not much use, isolated from Corporate.
The problem was not so much repowering the gate, but acquiring a target gate to entangle, without direct communications available. Manually pointing an interstellar gate was not recommended. Without the destination gate properly entangled and engaged, the gate opening could end up anywhere--deep within intergalactic space, the center of a sun, or worse--the edge of a black hole.
::Egal, Cap Krue, I have an anomaly to report,:: One of Cain's ship's Caps announced over the necklace interface. ::Cap Krue, continue,:: Cain replied while continuing
his own thoughts of the enigma of the interstellar gate. ::Analysis requested of the Interstellar Gate's Power
regulating artificial Intelligence, is proving more difficult
than expected,:: Cap Krue announced with some
reservation. He had no desire to disappoint the Egal and
possibly suffer the consequences.
::You are incapable of the assignment?:: Cain asked.
His demeanor was far more surreptitious than his intent.
Killing a crew member for incompetence was an
honorable and readily available resolution.
::No my Egal. The data log files you wished to be
analyzed, keep changing--updating. I am having difficulty
identifying the Corporate source,:: Krue defended. ::I only
wish to bring this anomaly to your attention.::
Good answer, Cain thought. ::Send me the link.:: ::Sending the link, my Egal.::
Cain observed the anomaly. Log files were, indeed,
being refreshed, from every few seconds to a few minutes
apart. A quick scan of the entire interstellar gate database
found no reference or reason for an internal updating of AI
logs. Cain began an advanced trace for source. Sixty
seconds later revealed the anomaly. Had it been so long?
Cain thought. At least several hundred years had lapsed
since Cain last processed Corporate protocol updates. The
AI protocol channel ports are still open!
*** Li woke Novia with a gentle nudge. “It's time,” Li smiled, unable to contain her own excitement. Novia, already dressed, grabbed her Pe'Atchdi bag of tools and herbs, as they both were expecting the arrival at any moment.
“I didn't hear. The runner was here?” Novia asked as she started out of the entry of their carved-out living quarters inside one of the larger caverns in the mountain.
“The runner is on his way,” Li answered, choosing an appropriate shawl for the day’s event, and following behind Novia. Novia stopped and turned to give Li a scowl, about to say something, when a message runner came swiftly up the path.
“Pe'Atchdi--you have been requested,” the young man announced upon his approach. “The elder-mother, Mar'ya--she is certain it is time now.”
Li winked with a smirk as she passed Novia and the message runner, leading the way back down the path.
“Is there to be a reply?” the young man asked, watching the two women leaving without answering. “Did I say something wrong?”
The path to Shara'ari and Cyan's cavern was only a few moments brisk walk, but by the word from those along the way, the morning's event was almost already old news. A small gathering of friends had crowded the entry. The Presleys, watching from outside, parted, making an opening for Li and Novia to enter. Inside and away from prying eyes, Shara'ari was bare, squatting back ready for delivery, with Cyan on one side toweling her forehead, and Mar'ya close between her knees. Mar'ya turned to greet Novia and Li but was unable to hide her concern.
“Novia reached Shara'ari's side first. “Is there a problem?”
“The water has broke, but the baby still has not turned. I fear the biluc has wrapped around the baby's neck,” Mar'ya spoke calmly, but mostly for Shara'ari's sake, to keep the new mother calm as well.
Novia could see Shara'ari fighting the surging pain. “The herbs--”
“They've all been tried--as well as massage, and body positions,” Mar'ya pressed. “The pains have increased and the baby is trying to present, but not in the correct position.”
Shara'ari screamed out in pain as the contractions increased, her face flushed red and contorted. She had never felt pain like this in her long prior life with Corporate. She felt scared that something might be wrong. Cyan kept a firm grip on Shara'ari's right hand. Li could see the stress and feel the uncertainty in both their minds. With all Cyan's strength and courage, he was at a loss to ease her pain.
Li stepped up and knelt down next to Shara'ari and Cyan touching a gentle finger to each of their foreheads. “Rest easy young mother and father. Ease your minds and let your pain and uncertainty drift away. This is not this little one's path--but merely a pebble to a tender young foot, on yet to be, a long and blessed journey,” Li whispered, then reached down to Shara'ari's belly. Her panting and groaning, changed to labored, but controlled, breathing once more. Her face more calm and comforted. Cyan too, felt an ease fall over his mind as he held Shara'ari close.
“Well, hello there, little-one,” Li whispered to the unborn child, as she moved her hands with a light touch and graceful motion around Shara'ari's abdomen. “Let me help you.”
Mar'ya and Novia could see movement from under the skin directed by Li's gentle touch as the child changed her orientation within the womb. Li continued her hand motions as though she were actually moving the child and the biluc from around the child's neck from outside the womb. “There now--untangled,” Li cooed, as though talking to the baby directly. Li glanced at Mar'ya with a reassuring nod, and held Shara'ari's left hand. The eldermother took her cue and continued coaching Shara'ari through the birthing steps.
A tiny wail of the new-born child soon filled the small cavern home of Cyan and Shara'ari, followed with cheers and applause. Mar'ya put the infant to Shara'ari's chest, and Li draped both mother and child with her shawl.
“Have you chosen a name?” Novia asked.
Cyan and Shara'ari both nodded. “In honor of Utahia and the name she gave to Shara'ari Re'alta, meaning Summer Star--our daughter will be named in the same manner as her mother in the ancient tongue--Ghym'rid Re'alta, Winter Star,” Cyan announced. The newborn's name circulated around the room, then out the entry, passed on to those waiting outside.
Novia pulled Li aside away from the others. “Tell me you have not interfered with this child's path with your powers--you know the consequences,” Novia scolded.
“I have not. Her path today included all that was witnessed, nothing more or less,” Li assured. “We were meant to be here, at this time and place. Winter Star has a full life ahead--but that is for us to keep to ourselves for now.”
“You've seen her path?” Novia kept here voice low, so not to be heard by anyone else.
“Yes, and she has a wonderful future ahead. She will become a great Pe'Atchdi for the people of the NorWes--” Li gave Novia a gentle touch on her shoulder for reassurance. “Just like the Pe'Atchdi that will one day, instruct her.”
“Your actions with the baby, moving her inside like that--”
“Are stories now, spreading throughout the caverns as we speak, taking on a life of their own,” Li affirmed.
“Do you think it wise? Rumors--half-truths,
exaggerations?”
“I have meditated on that--a lot lately. These will be stories of hope and good fortune. The Clans of the NorWes need inspiration--especially in these coming days,” Li explained.
“Why? What is coming? Danger? Cain?” Novia pressed, desperate to understand.
Li shook her head. “I wish I could tell you. My understanding
of this is mostly--here,” she touched her hand to her own chest. “But I do feel Cain gaining strength everyday. He will come, of that there is little doubt. Like summer follows winter, Shola Rai rising in the mornings and setting at the end of the day--he will come for me.”
Novia took Li by the arm. “Let me help. Please?”
“Your greatest tasks are yet to be. You will help me by protecting those who are in your charge--the clans.”
“And your task is to die alone, trying to defeat Cain?” Novia argued.
Li shook her head. “I don't believe so--”
“So you don't know your own path? How can you be sure?”
“I know now my path has been developing for a long time--much longer than my life in this body. Taking shape as I have grown. Everyday, I'm seeing more--feeling more, understanding and focusing to a clarity I could have never imagined before. I am shaping my path, day by day--as is Cain. We have a destiny together...of that I am certain now. How that destiny arrives, I have yet to glimpse. Once I do--you, my friend, will be the first to know--I assure you.”
Novia took Li in her arms for a strong embrace. “We have been together for only a few Shola Si; most times I feel as though I've known you for my entire life--and yet, there are moments I fear I don't know you at all.”
“Believe me when I tell you I know how you feel--for once,” Li agreed. “Now let us help celebrate this new life among the clans.”
Novia turned to see the crowd of close friends and family had grown in the small cramped spaces of Cyan and Shara'ari's home within the Cavern. Mar'ya, outnumbered, gave up trying to move the party away, and instead, with Cyan, helped to protect Shara'ari and Ghym'rid Re'alta from anyone getting too excited or too close. Despite the crowd, mother and baby fell into a comfortable and much-needed sleep--Ghym'rid Re'alta nestled at Shara'ari's breast.
*** Over fifteen hours of intense systems intrusion and searches revealed to Cain through his necklace that--until now--he had known very little about the AI protocol channels and operations. Not surprising, as he never had much use for Corporate protocols--even from his early life as an Artificial Intelligence program. AI standard protocol configurations and updates were handled by a closedsystem, unidirectional, broadcast communications channel, maintained by a division of Corporate Security. Six main nodes distributed the broadcast signals throughout Corporate and Duissis, through the
unidirectional channels engineered in a effort to eliminate feedback, cross-talk and data contamination. The six nodes were tied together in such a way, as to act as a redundancy check if any one node was to fail. To date, over the last several thousands of years, only one node had ever experienced an unknown failure, but the redundancy of the system stayed intact.
Cain was able to trace back through a channel--prebroadcast--and reach the nearest regional node; however, being a unidirectional signal, the trace had no connections at the node for an operational interface. Short of a few improperly placed protocol update log files, Cain had limited access to anything of use--except for-
“Interesting,” Cain mused at his latest discovery.
*** Keja arranged the holographic data spheres within Director Huir's quarters, in such a manner that she could walk through and examine his findings in a fashion she preferred--up-close and personal. Commander Roth was not amused by Keja's request to be present, or even more so, that Director Huir approved that request.
“I have been collecting some intriguing data from the Delphinus region, ” Keja began his report. “Despite the Commander’s efforts to contain the Earth humans by shutting down the Delphinus Major Interstellar Gate, I have been finding indications of rogue signals within the AI protocol channels, which were left operational.”
“Terminating the AI protocol channels to the Delphinus region would have permanently isolated the gate, leaving no viable option for reconnect,” Commander Roth explained.
“Terminating transport and normal communications was your only viable option?” Keja was skeptical.
“Temporarily--yes!” Roth defended. “Besides, AI protocol channels are unidirectional, and would be useless to anyone except AIs.”
“Director Huir, I have evidence of rogue signatures, back-tracing the channels,” Keja reported.
“Impossible,” Roth argued. “Unauthorized use of the AI protocol channels--”
“Has been occurring,” Keja interrupted.
“Your proof?” Huir requested, in an effort to defuse the tension between Keja and the Commander.
“Yes, Director,” Keja replied, then pulled another holographic data sphere over, and expanded an area for Director Huir's inspection, pin-pointing specific signals with a familiar signature. “These signals have the same characteristics as those found earlier associated with the Earth humans on the rogue ships.”
“Elvonians,” Roth declared.
“Quite possible; however, unsubstantiated at this time,” Keja replied.
“Still, there is little that can be done on an AI protocols channel,” Roth assured with smug confidence.
“Director, I have developed an AI program to analyze the possibilities--”
“Of which there are NONE!” Roth interrupted Keja, annoyed that his expertise was in question.
“Commander!” Huir admonished Roth. “Keja has proven his worth in the past many times and I wish to hear his analysis.”
“Director, my analysis AI has discovered one possible weakness in the AI protocol channels system, that could be compromised, and exploited.”
*** “Okay, I'm here now. What's so important?” Reed asked, as he entered Toolkit's dark workroom. Kutch, Alex, Troy and Rhys were already there surrounding Toolkit and a holographic projection.
“Toolkit was about to explain the intricacies of the AI protocol channels left operational, when Corporate Security isolated Cain and his followers at Delphinus Major, Interstellar Gate,” Alex explained. “Apparently there might be a problem.”
“AI protocol channels are unidirectional--useless to Cain,” Reed countered.
“That's what I said,” Kutch agreed.
“Wrong,” Toolkit stated.
“What does any of this matter, anyway?” Alex asked.
“Cain and the others are isolated--at least a couple hundred years worth of travel to the nearest functional Interstellar Gate.”
“That should, at least, give us some time to figure out a longer-lasting strategy,” Kutch added.
“Listen to me,” Toolkit raised his voice. “I have been using the AI protocol channels for covert transmissions and communications for years.”
“That's not possible,” Reed argued, looking to Troy and Rhys for support. Both Troy and Rhys were abnormally quiet. “Right?” Reed pressed.
*** The connection was real, if not brief--a mere one hundred forty-seven milliseconds--the length of a simple status request protocol upload, to be disseminated throughout the AI protocol channels. Cain captured the connection information for analysis. Standard Corporate communication channels were present during the brief upload. Once the analysis was completed, he was able to fashion an appropriate data request packet for the next connection availability. Then--he waited. I hate waiting.
***
“Terminate all AI protocol updates immediately for the Delphinus region,” Huir ordered.
“Yes, Director,” Roth replied.
“It's not that simple,” Keja interjected. “That request
could take hours to isolate the region from that singular node.”
“Suggestions!” Huir barked with concern.
“Terminate ALL AI protocol updates, until that region can be isolated,” Roth stated.
Director Huir glanced at Keja for objections.
“That could work. Still might take a few minutes,” Keja agreed.
“ONLY until the region can be isolated,” Huir demanded. “Any longer will cause a serious security risk!”
*** Troy gave Rhys a knowing glance then stepped forward. “Our organ
ization has been exploiting a littleknown weakness in the security of the AI protocol channels for a very long time,” Troy explained.
“Wait--you guys know about that too? I thought I was the only one!” Toolkit attempted to scowl.
“How is that possible? The channels are
unidirectional,” Reed asked with skepticism.
“Yes, they are. The system is designed for one-way communication, from the nodes out. However, the nodes and the AI protocols are maintained by a servicing AI,” Toolkit explained. He raised his shoulders, as though that would help finalize his explanation. He soon realized Reed, Alex and Kutch needed a little more. “The servicing AIs only connect when they upload protocol updates. When a servicing AI is connected, a communications bridge is briefly created through the AI, thus allowing access to normal Corporate channels, for as long as the AI remains connected.”
“How often or how long does the servicing AI connect?” Kutch asked, realizing the reason for concern.
“They connect as often as requested by Corporate Security, which can be as little as every few seconds, every few minutes, to no more than seventy-two hours. The connections usually last only a few milliseconds, but can be more, if required,” Troy explained.
“And you think Cain is exploiting this bridge?” Reed asked.
“I've been monitoring the Delphinus region, ever since we discovered what happened at the Transport hub there,” Toolkit pointed to the holographic projection. “When Corporate Security closed the Gate, I checked the AI protocol channels--force of habit. I recently started observing a very familiar trace signature.”
“You're sure it's Cain?” Kutch asked. Kutch was certain that if Toolkit could glare through his optical implants, he would be at that moment.
“YES. I'd know that signature anywhere!” Toolkit's answer was sharp.
“What do we do?” Alex beat Reed to the question.
“Watch and wait for Cain's next move.” Troy suggested.
“I hate waiting,” Alex grumbled.
*** An agonizing twelve hundred, thirty-two point sevenfive seconds passed for Cain, before the connection was re-established. His reaction time to upload the packet was a mere two milliseconds, taking only three more milliseconds to complete the intrusion and subjugation of the servicing AI. The servicing AI had no idea what had happened, let alone any time to react.
Birth Of A Goddess Page 10
