“How dare you,” Cain spoke with disgust.
“My Egal?” K'nal Lluxi was standing nearby, and was
caught off-guard by Cain's sudden comment.
“Leave,” Cain ordered, and K'nal Lluxi left without
hesitation.
::You are ordered to respond!::
“You have no authority over me,” Cain responded. His
voice was transferred through the necklace and returned
over the link.
::I am Director Huir. I have direct authority. You are in
violation of several protocols and will cease all activities,::
Huir continued.
“Director? Director of what?” Cain asked, becoming
amused with this strange intrusion.
::Director of the Department,:: Huir announced. ::You
will stand down your activities and wait for new protocol
instructions.::
“I have heard vague rumors of the Department-
Corporate Security. Your position has no meaning to me,”
Cain answered ready to cut the connection from his end. ::You are an AI, a Corporate-created artificial
intelligence program that is flawed and malfunctioning.
You will cease your activities!::
*** Huir was becoming frustrated, arguing with a flawed AI with a mis-configured vocal presentation, making the voice sound male. “Fix that!” she ordered Keja.
“Immediately!”
“Are you sending the over-ride codes?”
“Yes, but they appear to have little to no effect,” Keja
said, scrambling to send differing over-ride codes to no avail.
“Can you get a visual?”
“No visual available,” Keja reported.
***
Cain closed his eyes to see the visual integrated with the incoming signal in his mind. The woman appeared slim in a black jumper with a simple, yet unrecognized rank insignia, black short-cropped hair, and strong jawline.
::You will follow protocol and integrate the transmitted coding,:: Huir ordered.
Cain utilized the necklace's vast array of internal tools to bring up an analysis of the coding. He could see exactly what the coding was about.
“Your feeble coding has no effect on me,” Cain answered. “You have no authority over me. You have no idea who or what I am!”
::You are a flawed malfunctioning AI program that--::
“I am beyond your feeble comprehension! You will bow down before me, as it is I, who hold authority over you!”
::You are a simple AI program!:: Huir argued.
“You, and all of Corporate will soon bow down to me and worship my authority,” Cain shouted while he prepared a high-intensity pulse on the back trace of the incoming signal. “FEEL MY POWER!”
*** Huir looked over at Keja. “Feel my power? She is delusional.”
“I'm sensing something incoming,” Keja announced with concern. The energy pulse hit in a single wave over powering the communications equipment all at once. Every communications holographic generator in Huir's workspace exploded in a shower of sparks, leaving Huir and Keja standing in the dark.
*** Grafter opened his eyes again, still a little dizzy after the fall. He could feel an intense adrenaline flow, leaving a tingling sensation over his entire body. The hunger pangs he had been experiencing were gone, and he felt an abundance of energy waiting to be utilized along with his heart pounding in his chest.
“Don't die,” Junk ordered, holding Grafter's head off the floor.
“I won't. At least--not right now.” Grafter tried to sit up.
“You no dead,” the man pointed in Grafter's face.
“Me no dead,” Grafter agreed, shaking his head and taking a tube back into his hand for a closer look.
“NO!” the man said with concern again.
Grafter pushed the man's hand away. “I understand now. This IS food. Very powerful food.”
“Food?” Junk was skeptical.
Grafter nodded. “One lick, and nearly too much at that.”
“One lick?” Junk asked.
“Yes! One very light lick. You're hungry, yes?” Grafter asked.
“Yes, but--”
“You should try it,” Grafter said handing the tube to Junk. The Earth humans stood back with a look of distrust.
Junk took the tube of paste and gave it a hard examination. Looking once more to Grafter for courage, Junk touched some exposed paste from the end of the tube to his tongue. Grafter could see what he had missed in his own first experience, as Junk's eyes rolled back and he nearly fell to the floor, holding on to Grafter, trying to keep his balance. He shook and panted in short deep breaths. After a few moments Junk was able to open his eyes and slow his breathing. He grabbed at his chest still feeling his heart pounding hard.
“Hungry?” Grafter asked.
Junk shook his head in a daze. “Not anymore.”
“Feel the energy?”
Junk nodded, not sure just how to answer that question. He felt more energized than he had ever felt in his life. “I feel like running. I should run now. I really feel like running!”
“I think I know what you--”
“I think I could run for days,” Junk interrupted, speaking very quickly. “I wonder how many times I could run around this room? A hundred? A thousand? FOREVER? Or just jump. I bet I could jump clear up to the overhead.” Junk ran and hopped in place.
“Junk--”
“I feel GREAT! I really feel like running!”
“JUNK!”
“Don't you feel like running or jumping or--”
“STOP!”
“STOP? Oh--stopping,” Junk said, failing to stand still. “No running?”
“NO.”
“Okay,” Junk answered, his body vibrating with energy.
Grafter examined the tube again. “I remember now, vague, distant memories of this as food. Not with the same effect, but still food--food for them,” Grafter said, waving his hand toward their keepers outside of the bars. Grafter continued to try to piece together memories from the entity known as Cain. So many of those memories appeared to be relevant to their current circumstances.
*** Li stepped out of the small cutout that was her shared living space with Novia, into the main area of larger caverns. The young guardians in charge of lighting had just started activating the crystals that illuminated the cavern with a simulated daylight glow. The light breeze was generated by weather conditions outside of the mountain, pulled through various natural ventilations and kept the interior fresh, and crisp during the cold season.
Li pulled her shawl up over her shoulders, just as she noticed a young guardian standing along the path, as though awaiting instructions.
“Are you a runner? Is there a message for the Pe'Atchdi?,” Li asked.
“No, ma'am, I await orders from the Pe'Atchdi,” the
young man answered, as another young guardian
approached the path to Li and Novia's cutout. He
assumed a similar position.
“Are you waiting for orders from the Pe'Atchdi as
well?” Li asked, recognizing the young guardian. “My desire is only to serve my Pe'Atchdi,” the young
man answered, still not willing to look directly at Li,
reminded of their last encounter by tender ribs, a sore
shoulder and a bruised ego.
“Is it that time in the season already?” Li asked under
her breath.
“Ma'am?” the first guardian asked.
Li shook her head.“Novia, you have--guests.” Novia was curious, holding her hot tea, and pulling her
shawl up over one shoulder against the morning chill.
“Guests?” Novia let out a long sigh, as she watched yet
another young guardian run up next to the first two,
awaiting orders.
“It is the start of the new Shola'Si. The New Growth
&n
bsp; Star will be here soon,” Li mentioned the obvious to
Novia, trying not to laugh.
“Are none here for you?” Novia asked in their
direction, not expecting an answer.
“I only desire to serve my Pe'Atchdi,” the second
guardian gave his rehearsed reply. He started to glance at
Li, but turned his gaze toward Novia. The others did the
same. There had long been rumors of Li, her strange
powers and habits of walking the dark passages in the
nude, as well as her guardian defensive skills. Many
young and older guardians alike, did not know how to
approach Li--if it were possible--or even safe.
“I think they're afraid of me,” Li whispered.
Novia was about to agree, when she heard another
person approaching from the narrow path. “Another one?”
She scowled.
“Am I intruding?” a man's voice answered from around
a rock outcropping.
“Damus?” Novia thought she recognized the voice. “I thought I, too, might make available my services to
the Pe'Atchdi of the clans, in the tradition,” Damus smiled
and winked at the three young guardians as he gave
Novia a courteous embrace.
Damus wore a thick fur coat over his processed
animal skin shirt and pants which extended down to his
fur-covered boots. All that fur made his broad shoulders
seem larger than life. His thick brown hair was braided
and fell out and over his shoulder when he pulled off his
hood. The three young guardians could not help show how
intimidated they were by Damus's presence, but
continued to stand firm in their resolve to impress their
Pe'Atchdi.
“How long--” Novia began.
“Almost three Shola'Si. I came to formally announce
that my crew and I just finished clearing the blockage in
the main passage between coast clans and here.” “That is such wonderful news,” Novia exclaimed. “It is
so good to see you again.”
“I must say I am continually astonished at how much
more beautiful you have become since I've been away,”
Damus admired. “You have grown so much. You are
indeed the most beautiful Pe'Atchdi of clans. And you Li-
look so much like the beautiful daughter of Utahia, as I
remembered her so many Shola'Si ago.”
“You're embarrassing me,” Novia admonished, trying
to hide the heat in her cheeks. “In front of my suitors as
well.”
“I apologize,” Damus bowed to Novia, and to the short
line of young guardians. “I am here with motives though, I
must admit.”
“Motives other than to compete for my hand before
the New Growth Star?”
Damus felt his own face and ears flush with heat. “If I
may speak with you,” Damus requested, then glanced at
the other guardians. “Alone?”
“That, young men, I believe is our cue to leave,” Li
said, as she started past the three young guardians.
Damus held his hand out to both greet and say good-bye
to Li.
When their hands touched, Li saw into Damus's life
path and past, and felt great grief. “I had no idea,...I am
so sorry for your loss,” Li said softly. Not certain how Li
could know about any loss, Damus only nodded. “To my young guardians, please know I am thankful
and know I can count on each and every one of you in
continued service to the clans,” Novia announced, waving
them off.
“I am off to meditate,” Li called over her shoulder, as
she continued down the path, leading the short line of
young guardians behind her. “I'll be back for evening
meal.” Her voice echoed off into the main cavern. “What did she mean about your loss?” Novia asked. Damus shook his head. “I'm not certain. Everything is
fine.”
“You have something important for me?”
Damus took Novia by the hand. “Yes. I came by to
invite you to visit with the coast clans, now that the main
passage has been repaired.”
“It has been a long time--”
“Almost six Shola'Si. Right after--” Damus stopped
feeling embarrassed. He knew Novia still felt the pain of
losing Utahia.
“It's all right. I'm fine. Come in, let me make you some
tea.”
“That would be nice.” Damus smiled.
*** Grafter could feel the adrenaline flowing through his body and a clarity through his mind. He walked past Junk, who was still struggling to stand without vibrating, and examined the entry depression in the bulkhead. Distant memories flashed of the various technologies to activate the opening--all from his encounter with the entity he knew as Cain. This opening would be operated by a program interface known as an Artificial Intelligence. More memories became clear; Cain was originally something like this artificial being. There would be a manual override for the entry, as standard equipment design.
Grafter ran his hand over a well-concealed panel near the entry, the edges were too tight to get a finger hold. He looked around, and patted at his own body for any needed tools that might be handy, but all were in his missing pack.
“If only I had my tools. There is a manual override inside this panel,” Grafter turned to explain to Junk. He took his fist and simulated hammering or pounding on his other hand, trying to think of anything available to use as a tool. A large man stepped up, and with a loud grunt he slugged the panel and exposed a corner. He tore the panel off the wall in a single quick motion.
“Or that,” Junk said, eyes wide, dropping his jaw. “That's going to hurt,” Grafter admitted, examining the large man's hand for damage. The man grimaced as Grafter felt for broken bones. “You're lucky. Nothing broken--this time.”
“He help,” the first man said.
Grafter nodded. “I understand, but can you tell--him--” Grafter pointed to the large man.
“Drom,” the man interrupted. “He, Drom. Me, Zed.”
“Zed,” Grafter repeated, and nodded again. “My name is Grafter. This is Junk. Drom--I appreciate the help, but--”
“No hurt Drom,” Zed interrupted, directed to Drom.
“Right. No hurt Drom,” Grafter repeated.
Junk peered inside the opening in the wall. “I see what looks like a lever. Should I give it a try? I could give it a try--do you want me to give it a try?”
“No, not yet.” Grafter pulled Junk’s arm down from the opening. “We need to work out a plan first.”
“Right, a plan. We need a plan. First a plan then, what's next?” Junk asked.
“JUNK! Breathe, and be quiet,” Grafter scolded, then turned to check out the passage between the holding areas. Their keepers were gone. Another memory bubbled up; Corporate. “They're called--Corp-or-ate,” Grafter enunciated.
“What's that?” Junk asked.
“Those little people--our keepers,” Grafter explained.
“How do you know all this stuff?” Junk felt the adrenaline dropping off.
“That necklace you and Digger found,” Grafter stated. Junk felt a cold chill run down his spine even after all this time. “There was something living inside that necklace. I believe that 'something' was an artificial intelligence, named Cain and took me over, briefly. Cain eventually over took Dravon. That being is from this strange world, and I am having memories from that being. Memories of this world’s language and technology.”
“So, what do we do now?” Junk asked.
“We need to
see if we can get to Digger and our packs.”
“You go, we go,” Zed interrupted.
“Yes, yes, I know. But, we can't all go at once. Not yet,” Grafter tried to clarify. “We need to find our friend and our packs and figure out where we are and how to get out.” Grafter could see that Zed understood but did not like what he was hearing. “Trust me.” Grafter held his hand out.
Zed clasped Grafter's forearm with a reluctant nod of his head. “Trust.”
*** Li's meditation helped her to digest all the lessons from Novia and the Knowledge Rings. Although she was not officially an apprentice to the Pe'Atchdi, Novia was keeping her promise to Utahia, teaching Li everything she could. This day's meditation led her to the Other Realm as usual, but this time to the crystalline wall bordering the Dark Realm. In particular, where a dark spot appeared on the wall. Li could feel Cain's energy in that spot, and knew he had attempted to force his way through.
“Why does his heart hold so much hate?” Li asked, not expecting an answer from anyone. She ran her hand over the spot, careful not to touch. “I wonder if I will ever truly understand his hate.”
One could never understand the light without a comparison of dark, a voice answered from within Li's mind. For what is light without dark? What is to understand joy, without understanding sadness? And what is to understand love, without understanding hate?
Li turned to see the growing light of a Tutela-Animus appearing nearby. “I understand love. I know love. I have loved and still do.”
What do you know of love? the Tutela-Animus asked. “I know that love can bring great pleasure.” Is that all?
Li thought for a moment. Her conversations with
Anaua came to mind. “Love can also bring confusion.” And pain?
Li didn't want to admit that point, although she knew
that feeling as well. “Yes.” Is not pain the opposite of pleasure? Both are required for balance and understanding of each.
“I know you. I recognize your voice--your lessons. Consequences, every action--balance of the universe--”
You cannot understand that which is not a part of you. You are light without dark, love without hate, pleasure without pain, joy without sadness, you are half--not whole. You must seek the half that makes you whole--only then, balance and understanding can be achieved.
“Once again, you speak in riddles I don't understand. Cain wishes to destroy me, where I seek to make amends. How more opposite can that be? How can that ever be whole?” Li felt further frustration when the Tutela-Animus faded away.
Birth Of A Goddess Page 18
