::I have insufficient data to answer at this time. As
you can see, some of these segments are fragmented and
faded, but still indicate several different neural imprints-
as though, remnants of several brain neural imprints.::
Xria manipulated the anomalous signature as she
explained.
::Multiple AI imprints?:: Keja asked
::No. I am having difficulty in locating the AI Corporate
imprint.::
Keja sighed, ready for defeat. ::Elvonian then?:: ::Analysis does not confirm that hypothesis at this
time.::
::If it is not Elvonian--then what?::
::Insufficient data.::
::How many imprints?:: Keja started to count by
pointing through the different-colored segments with his
laser stylus.
::Four, with some of the fragments making a possible
fifth imprint, here--here and here.:: Xria high-lighted the
fragments for better visual.
::Can you take these separated layers, and run a
search for any matching imprints within Corporate?:: ::Parameters?::
::Go through the known time frame of all these
anomalous events, over the last seven years first. Then
go back in one-hundred-year-increments--if possible,::
Keja requested.
::Searching.::
*** Covered with vast oceans of water under deep layers of ice, several kilometers thick at some points, Toolkit's facility on Europa was never in fear of a water shortage. The vast geothermal subsystems throughout offered a near limitless supply of heat, thus Alex enjoyed more heated water showers during her stay than she had anywhere else in her life. This was a luxury she had often scolded Kutch for coveting from his pampered former Corporate lifestyle, so Alex was beginning to feel a bit hypocritical--only a bit.
Alex toweled off and threw on a fresh jumper before entering Toolkit's dark work quarters to find everyone huddled around another holographic projection. Everyone except one. “Where's Kutch?”
“He said something about needing to look into some off-line data in Captain Roth's pods,” Reed answered without turning from the holograph.
“Where is--” Toolkit sent a link with directions, as though knowing her question before she even finished asking. “Uh, tha--”
“No problem,” Toolkit answered without losing track of his concentration on the holographic projection or his calculations.
“Any news on Ca--”
“They've split up. Two freighter's and a shuttle have stopped just short of the Proxima Centauri Gate, and a third freighter is heading for Sirius B Gate,” Toolkit interrupted Alex again. “We're trying to figure this out now.”
“I'm going to go find--”
“We'll let you know if we discover something,” Reed interrupted. Alex knew her glare was being wasted, as no one was paying any attention; still, she gave the look a final punch with an audible grunt. Frustrated when even that garnered no further reactions, she shook her head and followed her Logistics AI instructions from Toolkit's directions link to find Kutch. She immediately recognized the location; a large cavernous space where Kutch had nearly died by the hands of Cain and Hyak. That was a long time ago, and Hyak, although controlled beyond his wishes, was dead and gone. Still, Alex felt a chill run down her spine.
The space had been emptied of waste debris and refuge, cleaned and refilled with equipment and materials from various locations within the Elvonian organization throughout Corporate. Toolkit's link contained coordinates within the crowded space, and led Alex to a far corner of the cavern and three off-line storage Pods. The entry on one was open, and she could hear Kutch muttering from within.
“Kutch?”
“In here,” Kutch replied.
Alex found him sitting on one of several storage bins. “Find anything interesting?”
“Unbelievable, impossible, unlikely and yes-interesting,” Kutch sounded exhausted.
“Like what?” Alex found a bin close by and sat.
“Where to start?”
Alex pondered a moment in thought. “What led you here?”
Kutch nodded. “Yes, that's a good start.” He paused to take a deep breath and glanced around the pod. “Sid has been reviewing all the off-line data that Toolkit cataloged from these three pods. A very substantial amount of offline data, however, still only a small percentage of what appears to be left.”
“And Sid found something significant?”
Kutch nodded again. “I just don't know if I can believe what Sid has been finding.”
“From what I've come to understand, every time we find something thought to be 'unbelievable' and deliberately hidden by Corporate--that 'something' turns out to be the truth,” Alex offered.
“Yeah--that's the interesting part!”
*** Cain was feeling a combination of exhaustion and exhilaration all at once. The pile of material had been transformed into an exact replica of the bone throne, left behind at Drelund. Cain took his place on the throne and through his necklace, connected to a reflective program that projected a holographic image of him. Rotating the hologram, Cain could see all angles. “Glorious!” Cain's entry signaled and he allowed K'nal Lluxi to enter.
“Communications reports from K'nal Ja'Nier my Egal,” Lluxi reported, falling to one knee, head down as soon as he saw the throne in the center of the room.
Cain took the communications link internal through his necklace. ::My Egal, we approach with no resistance. Destruction of the Gate will commence,:: K'nal Ja'Nier reported.
::Leave nothing untouched,:: Cain ordered.
“My Egal,” Lluxi's voice cracked with wonder and awe. “Rise my K'nal. You are the first to see. You may
approach,” Cain ordered. Lluxi stood and approached, but kept his head bowed down. “How is this possible?”
“All things are possible, through your Egal!” Cain's voice thundered. “Assemble the remaining Caps immediately. I will hold a proper council of my Trupes, that they may gaze upon the glory and power of their Egal! Soon I will take my place where all of Corporate will bow down before me!”
*** Xria ran the holographic sequence in reverse, using all of the collected signature traces over the last six fiscal years. The sequence appeared to show the neural-imprint separating, thus revealing a Corporate AI signature.
::Running the sequence forward now shows the two imprints merging into one,:: Xria explained. ::How is that possible?:: Keja asked, not expecting an answer.
::Insufficient data.::
::But now we have a Corporate AI signature, six fiscal years ago.::
::Yes, and I have further traces of that AI signature.::
::Where?::
Xria pulled up the holographic data for display. ::Moving back, I have found traces of that AI signature on Arcquius Resort, during a period of anomalous terminations without cocoons, including the termination of an Elvonian without cocoon at former Board Member, Anthony's private suite.::
::The signature matches?::
::Not exactly. The signature of the AI matches; however, the current merged neural-imprint is not present.::
::How is THAT possible?:: Keja already knew Xria's answer.
::Insufficient data.::
::Can we get any source of origin on the AI signature?::
::I have traced back the separate AI signature to several transmissions from that time frame, back to one other anomalous termination without cocoon, on the Earth Observatory, Orion station, William, series AA746HN-1. William, series AA-746HN-1 was a registered Elvonian. Two of the anomalous signature's current neural-imprints show present at that time. A signature trace dating from eighteen months earlier, shows the AI signature with only one neural-imprint.::
::Utilizing the new data-sphere search from archive files, can you get a lock on the source?::
::I have followed the unregistered AI signature t
hrough the more extensive archive process and found a point of match. The host and AI fell off-line over seven hundred twenty-five years ago. Tracing back further produces a possible match to an original host.::
::He went off-line. The host MUST be Elvonian--::
::Not a probable solution. Elvonian membership is derived from a lack of internal AI.::
::Who was the original host?::
::If all data is correct, the original Corporate host traces back to Eli, series AA-746HN-2. The assigned AI was registered as C-AI-N, product of programmer Anaua.::
::Anaua, series?::
::No registered DNA series; however, she was once known as 'Mother' among programmers. Records indicate Captain Roth downloaded her mind, and possible corrupt object file, eventually leading to Captain Roth's REIMD and demotion. Anaua was noted to have not survived the process. All data files are under quarantine.::
::So Eli, series AA-746HN-2 is working with Earth humans to--::
::I do not have sufficient data to believe Eli, series AA746HN-2 is currently involved.::Xria interrupted.
::Explain.::
::Of the four neural-imprints within the current anomalous signature, the two oldest are the most degraded and fractured imprints showing signs of loss, indicating no refreshing of the imprint. Only the AI signature continues throughout the samples unchanged, until only within the last six years, appearing to 'merge' with the newest neural-imprint.::
::So if the original host is not refreshing the neuralimprint, you are suggesting that the original host is terminated?::
::Insufficient data to conclude termination.::
::The AI has left the host?::
::Insufficient data, but most probable conclusion.::
::So you are saying the AI has moved onto a new host?::
::Insufficient data, but most probable conclusion.:: ::How is that possible?::
::Insuffici--::
::I know, I know--insufficient data!:: Keja interrupted. ::What we DO know--there is a former Corporate AI--based on signature tracing--that is involved with the movements and operations of those ships carrying Earth humans, and destroying Interstellar Gates.::
::That conclusion is circumstantial, but most probable at this time.:: Xria agreed.
::Arrange a meeting with Director Huir immediately.:: ::Arranging now.::
*** Kutch gathered several off-line cubes he had been analyzing. “These data-cubes all have references to a series of conferences between large-governing bodies-apparently held very much in secret.”
“You mean between the Board Members?” Alex assumed.
Kutch shook his head. “In the year 3824 there was a visitor to the Earth governing bodies, all pre-Corporate-when Corporate was still named Tri-Con United. There were other governing bodies on Earth, besides Corporate-Tri-Con United. There were three Federal governments, and six United Global State Alliances,” Kutch explained, trying to remember as many of the details Proto had provided about Earth.
“So where was this visitor from, if not from any of them?” Alex asked.
“According to these documents--not from here.” Kutch tried to understand what he was attempting to explain.
“What--not from his solar system, or this quadrant?” Alex glared her impatience.
“Not from this galaxy,” Kutch stated, trying believe his own words.
Alex let out a heavy sigh, shaking her head. “Of all the bizarre stories and weird things we've discovered, and even witnessed over the last few years, this is too much--”
“I know what you mean, but hear me out--this is almost starting to make some sense,” Kutch pleaded.
Alex continued to shake her head in disbelief. “Okay, I will try to keep an open mind, but really? Humans from another galaxy?”
“From what I have put together so far, the visitor is from a humanoid genetic variant called the Aki. The visitor was named Anu Aki. He claimed the Aki were the original inhabitants of this galaxy and that we were genetic hybrids, seeded on four planets in this solar system--”
“They created us,” Alex stated with sarcasm.
“According to several data-files, the claim was welldocumented and undisputed by most of the governing bodies.”
“Most?”
“Tri-Con was disputing the evidence, as the Aki were claiming ownership of not only the solar system of which Tri-Con also claimed, but the entire galaxy.”
“Well I'm guessing Corporate, or Tri-Con, whichever you want, appeared to win the argument. There are no Aki and Corporate owns everything now,” Alex shrugged.
“I guess, but I'm not certain yet, I still have several data-files to go over,” Kutch nodded.
*** Keja watched with nervous anticipation as Director Huir walked through the holographic presentation with obvious annoyance. “I give you five minutes of my time to exhibit your report and you insult my intelligence by presenting to me an AI with the vocal programming set with male attributes? A male AI is not only impossible, but against all protocol--reset the attributes at once,” Huir demanded.
Keja cleared his throat. “The attributes of the AI C-AI-N are embedded, and are not adjustable.” Huir stopped midstep, indicating her disbelief and displeasure with Keja's answer. “However, I can apply a filter to adjust the postvocal parameters,” Keja added, hoping to save his presentation with the Director. He applied the filter and the audio file of the AI C-AI-N played once more, this time pitched and processed. Huir nodded her approval, although Keja felt the change made the voice sound contrived and over-processed.
“You believe this rogue AI is associated with the earth humans destroying the Interstellar Gates?” Huir asked, as she continued to walk through the holographic layers of Keja's presentation.
“If I may be allowed to point out with this over-view holograph, I have been able to trace the AI C-AI-N signature from the original Corporate host to this new hybrid combination we are seeing from the rogue ships,” Keja moved the newest holographic data view into center position.
“Fascinating--this evidence of the unusual blending of the host neural-imprint and the AI signature is either flawed, or poses a new and potentially serious threat to Corporate,” Huir mused. “Further analysis will be required and your efforts will, of course, be noted...dismissed.”
Keja turned and terminated the holographic projections of his presentation, before disconnecting his own projection.
A figure from the shadows of Director Huirs quarters stepped closer. “His conclusions are flawed,” Roth protested. “I ran my own analysis and found no such correlations. Those signatures are garbled and of no use!”
“I believe I will hold final judgment on Keja's expertise. Your talents are often best suited elsewhere.” Huir’s tone was cold and Roth felt the sting. “You will, of course, accompany me to the Great Hall? I have just been notified that the Galactic Board has completed a roll call and agreed on a the new Mediator for Earth resources. I want to be there in person.”
Roth smirked. “I have a detention team staged and waiting, as well as a REIMD facility standing by for complete data extraction.”
“Exactly the expertise I expect from you, Commander, or should I now say--Captain? Anthony and Presley1285 will no longer be able to hide under the protections of the Galactic Board, or Council of Twelve member, Vaudi--I've made sure of that!”
***
Part 4
Water poured down from the single pipe straight through a grate in the flooring twelve meters below, in the center of the dark, foul-smelling, over-crowded
containment room. This was one of several similar rooms in one of over a hundred facilities on the only moon orbiting Earth. The water only poured from the outlet for a few minutes of every hour, and the occupants pushed to the center, cupping their hands to drink. Others attempted to wash, while still more relieved bodily fluids through the grating; the water washed the waste material away.
Not all of the occupants were able to get to the water in time. Some were sick, too old to
move as quick, or injured. If they were lucky, one or two of the other occupants who were able, would try to carry water, cupped in their hands, to those in need.
Grafter strained to see in the darkness through blurry eyes; he was still feeling groggy. The smell was the first of his senses to attack his mind, and present him with a pungent impression of his new surroundings.
“You're alive!” Hearing the next of his senses to attack his foggy mind as Junk's familiar voice shouted into his ear.
“I'm not so sure,” Grafter offered his initial assessment, as he attempted to sit upright after being laid out on the hard flooring.
“I was beginning to wonder. You've been awful quiet-for a long time,” Junk explained.
“Where are we?”
“I don't know.” Junk kept close to Grafter. “I was unconscious when we were placed in here. I woke up and thought you might be dead.”
The water had shut off and the other occupants were moving back away from the center of the room, taking up any space available to sit or lay down.
“Digger? Is he here somewhere?” Grafter asked.
Junk didn't answer right away. “We were separated.”
Grafter nodded. “I think I vaguely remember that--” The images in Grafter's mind were like flashes of light in a dark room. He could only remember pieces.
When they left Drelund and finally reached the city under the Dunes, they were accepted by a local group, led by a man named Hedron. Hedron had a recollection of Tayl, a young man with bright red hair left for dead in the desert. Tayl stayed at the city under the Dunes for many turns of the sky, but eventually grew restless and obsessed with the stories of another group of people living in a sacred mountain, “Keepers of the Time.” Grafter knew this could only be his long-lost scion. After a few years learning the ways of the surface dwellers and obtaining a better tolerance for travel during the day, Grafter, Junk and Digger set out with a guide to find the sacred mountain.
Several days into their trek, a large, strange flying device dropped from the sky and small beings
approached. Grafter's memories were more vague at this time. He could remember being shocked by some unrecognized device, blacking out and now this strange dark place.
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