*** Roth strained to contain any comments, as he and Huir watched the repair crews clean up the mess and repair the destroyed holographic projectors. Their working relationship was becoming increasingly stressed with the Earth humans and all of the destruction. Now, the involvement with a rogue malfunctioning AI, identified as C-AI-N, only complicated matters. The issue with the Earth humans could easily be blamed on Anthony, but a rogue Corporate AI would strictly be the responsibility of Corporate Security at the Department level.
“This AI must have some involvement with Elvonians,” Roth argued, going over the data with Azis2. “Keja has obviously missed the link.”
“If there is a link, Keja will find it. I trust his analysis implicitly,” Huir spoke with a sharp tone. Roth felt the sting of her comment.
“I believe you have exaggerated your trust in Keja's abilities far too long,” Roth retorted.
“And I believe you feel your elucidation is banqueted, pertinacious of my assiduity. When, in fact, your consultation is inconsequential,” Huir assured, keeping her poise while castigating Roth with ease. “Keja has his expertise, and as I have reminded you numerously, you have yours.”
“And, what--do you feel is my expertise regarding this rogue AI?” Roth asked through clinched teeth.
“I expect your expertise to shut her down--” Huir sneered. “Break her!”
“My pleasure.”
“I know.”
***
Zed and Drom explained to the crowd what Grafter and Junk were about to do, and watched the passage between the holding areas for the keepers. Grafter pulled on the lever and the entry opened without issue. Junk peeked out his head, and Grafter followed. The passage was dark gray and dusty, only a couple of paces wide. Grafter noticed a similar panel across the way next to another entry for what he assumed was another holding area. Grafter looked for signs of keepers but everything was quiet.
“That pile of stuff I was seeing should be this way,” Junk motioned.
“Lead on but be careful,” Grafter answered. They walked a few paces to an intersection of passages. Junk checked in all directions and selected the closest one. They started down a wider passage that led between holding areas. Zed had managed to pass the word to other holding areas not to grab Grafter or Junk, so they made their way to the main passage without issue.
“This way,” Junk whispered, and turned down the main passage. Grafter kept watch in all directions, expecting the keepers to show up at any moment. After only a few more paces, they reached the pile Junk had seen and began digging through. There were clothing items, footwear, personal effects and other sack-like items. Grafter spotted his pack near the top of the pile and Junk reached his down near the bottom. Nothing appeared to be missing in either pack.
“I guess they don't care?” Junk asked.
“I guess.” Grafter pulled out some tools to open more entries.
“Now to find Digger. He must be around here somewhere.”
“I'm beginning to be concerned about our keepers.” Grafter looked around.
“Why? They're not here,” Junk assured.
“Exactly--why?”
***
***
455 pilot AI, at Moon Detention Center Twenty-three, flight plan beacon registered, Requesting departure
authorization,:: The shuttle pilot AI requested. Agent Fent threw his gear bag in the storage bin next Oben's bag and readied for the departure with the rest of the detention center crew.
::Standby Shuttle MDC448776-455.:: “Does any of this make any sense?” Agent Oben asked as he buckled up.
“Orders are orders. They want us to leave
immediately--contract canceled. Nothing I can do about it. Just be glad we're being reassigned and not sold off to a subcontract, like some of the others in this crew.” Fent glanced back at the other ten personnel getting ready for departure.
“But what about the Earth humans?”
“Not my problem. Go Free Radical if you want, but I'm not arguing with my AI. When she says go--I go.”
:: Shuttle MDC448776-455 pilot AI, flight plan beacon registration excepted. Departure authorized. You are cleared for departure.::
::Copy that Regional Flight Control, cleared for departure.::
*** Keja sifted through all of the data leading up to the destructive pulse, trying to evaluate any useful information. The signature of C-AI-N, was without a doubt, a fusion of several signatures now, including what appeared to be some form of hardware. He found other instances of the hardware signature, in other locations of the freighter, indicating some form of commonality, or replication among possibly different users.
“Xria, please pull up all similar signatures for overlay comparison,” Keja requested. Xria complied, setting the holographic imagery in an overlay mode. ::Filtering for anomalies,::
“The main C-AI-N signature is still showing the core programming of an embedded male attribute.”
::Director Huir will not accept that analysis conclusion.::
“I know, but I don't see any other explanation, other than unauthorized programming protocols.”
::That would seem to be an anomaly as well.::
“Yes--very much so. Anaua was the listed
programmer, alias 'Mother,'” Keja pulled from another holographic file. “She was a bit of an agitator, with several disciplinary actions on record.”
::However, her overall record of service was highly regarded.::
“She would have to have known the protocols for AI gender restriction. I'm fairly certain she would have had to be in conflict with her own AI.”
::There was an indication of an affiliation with Elvonians in her later years of service.::
“Is there any record of direct violation of programming protocols, involving Elvonian programming personnel?”
::Searching.::
“If there is, this might be the link Director Huir is looking for, but it would be thin at best.”
::No records found,:: Xria replied.
“You are certain?”
::Verified. No records found,:: Xria assured.
“Then by all accounts, the AI, C-AI-N was purposely programmed by Anaua, with male attributes, and has no affiliation with any Elvonian agenda,” Keja concluded.
::I would affirm that conclusion,::Xria agreed.
“But to what desired effect?”
::Insufficient data.::
“With this analysis conclusion, there would be no protocols for dealing with this type of AI personality.”
::I would affirm that conclusion,:: Xria agreed again.
“The Director will certainly want some kind of protocols developed for this!”
::IF she even accepts the analysis conclusion.::
“I will affirm THAT conclusion and we need more data.”
*** Grafter felt there was something wrong. The keepers had not come back through the passages between the holding areas for quite some time. He and Junk had explored the level, including twenty-four other holding areas, without any interference, and no sign of Digger. They returned to their original holding area.
“You find out?” Zed asked, as Grafter and Junk returned and closed the entry.
Grafter shook his head. “Not yet. How often did the keepers use the passages?”
“Much,” Zed offered in his broken dialect.
“Now?” Junk asked.
Zed squinted as he realized their absence. “No much.”
“No see,” Drom added, trying to express surprise through his thick beard and long hair covering the bulk of his face.
Grafter had another realization about something else that didn't feel right. He felt lighter on his feet. Beyond the paste and the excessive adrenaline rush, this place had another, different effect on his body, and he almost felt nauseous. “Zed, do you know where we are?”
Zed shook his head. “Home, then--here.”
“I understand that,” Junk said, under his breath.
“Do you know
where the keepers stay?” Grafter asked.
Drom pointed toward an entry outside of their holding area, leading into the main passage. “There.”
Grafter took a deep breath and blew out. “We need to go through there next.”
“But what if the keepers are in there? They have those stun-sticks--the ones that really hurt,” Junk argued.
“We've got to find out. We need to figure out a way out of here, and get these people back to where they belong,” Grafter explained.
Junk looked around at the room of humans, young and old, some healthy, some very sick. “Hopefully that's not too far from here.”
*** Li approached the cutout, not sure if she might be interrupting private time for Novia and Damus, but soon felt only the presence of Novia, preparing for the evening meal.
“No guests for the evening meal?” Li asked, as she entered.
“Were you expecting anyone?”
“Damus?”
“He left some time ago. He had to meet with the elders,” Novia explained.
“Not returning?”
“No--why?” Novia asked.
“Can you not see? He likes you,” Li affirmed.
Novia scowled. “No. He was just helping me with the gathering of guardians. He stopped by to officially request a visit of the Pe'Atchdi of clans, to the coast clans.”
“Novia--he likes you.”
“He is a teacher of guardians, and a--”
“A man, who likes you.”
Novia stopped and stared, not sure whether Li was joking or not. “A well-regarded man among the clans.”
“Yes, a very handsome, well-regarded man among the clans, who likes you very much, I know--I felt his thoughts, his heart.”
“About that. You said something this morning--about his loss? He had no idea what you were talking about.”
“When I held his hand this morning, I saw his life, past and path.”
“Something is going to happen?”
“It already has,” Li said. “He didn't tell you?” Novia shook her head.
“When he was much younger, still a young guardian of the coast clan, he had gone through a commitment ceremony,” Li started.
“He has a life partner?”
Li shook her head. “She died soon after, along with their first child--his son, during child birth.”
Novia looked away to hide her shock. She had no idea. He had never indicated any such thing in his life.
“He carries that pain, though buried deep, to this day--after all these Shola'Si,” Li confided. “Much like you-with Hyak.”
“That's not fair. You can't just make comparisons--”
“I know what I feel, Novia. You carry that pain, and I can feel that, as much as I felt his. When will enough time be enough for either of you? When are there enough tears?”
Novia shook her head, still contemplating the news of Damus's loss.
“I have had many lessons between you and the Tutela-Animus regarding love, pain, joy and sadness. Know this; he likes you, a lot--I felt that; and you like him, a lot--I can feel that now. Don't let your pain get in the way of what can be.”
“You've seen our paths--”
“I've seen many paths, and too many are clouded by my presence.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I'm saying, don't let anything stop your heart, or love--” Li tried to explain.
“You're not going to tell me, are you?”
“Not everything, no.”
“Sometimes I really hate you,” Novia scowled.
“No you don't.” Li reached over and gave Novia a hug.
“No--really, I do.”
Li shook her head. “Nope, not true. I can tell--”
Novia scoffed in a laugh. “Yes--”
“No--” Li giggled.
***
Cain sent the navigational codes, and the three Class C freighters and one shuttle began their course for the Proxima Centauri Gate. His intrusion into the Interstellar Gate system cleared the path for their arrival, and their passage through was without incident or interaction from Corporate Security.
*** “They're on the move,” Toolkit announced. “Direction?” Reed asked, as he arrived at the holographic display Toolkit was manipulating to improve the data stream.
“I think they're making straight for the Mars Solar, Interstellar Gate,” Toolkit guessed.
“Why do you think that, they're just passing through the entry gate now?” Reed argued.
“Because I'm following navigation protocol interface channels, and nothing is indicating a navigational change to any of the planetary coordinates.”
“So you think they're heading for Earth?”
“That would be my guess,” Toolkit explained.
“How soon can you and the crew be on the way to set up the protective force field?”
“Troy was getting the latest calculations.”
“I just received internal that Kutch, Alex and Rhys are on their way now for details,” Reed reported.
“Details? The details are we need to leave NOW!” Toolkit complained.
Reed nodded in agreement.
*** As Li left for meditation early in the morning, she alerted Novia to another batch of young guardians awaiting her orders and hopeful to catch her eye of approval as a suitor. The Tutela-Animus had left her with more questions then answers, but at least a new possible direction. Li centered herself in her crystal cavern and began her meditation. She had several more of the Pe'Atchdi Rings of knowledge to digest. Novia's teachings along with the rings, were a great wealth of historical, physical and spiritual information. Her meditation was a wonderful method of contemplating the many complex concepts and interpretations.
***
“Damage reports!” Huir demanded. “None!” Keja reported through his link as he sifted through the incoming data.
“Why are there no reports?”
“There are reports, just no damage,” Keja corrected. “The rogue ships have passed through the Interstellar Gate and it is undamaged--so far.”
“Present trajectory?” Huir continued.
“Navigational projections indicate course heading toward the Mars Solar, Interstellar Gate,” Keja reported. “Estimated time of arrival to the gate; seventy-nine hours.”
*** Toolkit tossed his gear bag through the hatch of the shuttle. Reed, Kutch and Alex were already buckling up for departure, their Elvonian pilot was going through final flight checks.
“Where's Rhys?” Toolkit asked anyone within earshot. “Right behind you,” Rhys answered, stepping up. He too placed a gear bag inside the hatch of the shuttle. “Latest data shows Cain and all ships heading straight for the Mars Solar, Interstellar Gate. Estimated time of just over seventy hours at top speed. You were right.”
Toolkit nodded. “I figured as much. Are you ready?”
Troy stepped up from behind Rhys. “We'll be leaving in a different shuttle.”
“Why?” Toolkit looked inside at Reed, Kutch and Alex-there were plenty of empty seats left. “There's plenty of room, we could go over the plans--”
“We have another very precious cargo to return to the clans of the NorWes--” Troy explained. “Something we've been waiting on for several years now.”
“I'll see you there,” Rhys assured Toolkit, then turned and followed Troy to another smaller shuttle.
“Okay.” Toolkit felt a bit confused as he found a seat.
“Did you find Rhys?” Reed asked.
“He's taking a different shuttle with Troy,” Toolkit answered.
“Oh, right,” Kutch answered looking at Alex. “Utahia.”
“That's right, Utahia,” Alex agreed.
“What's a Utahia?” Toolkit asked.
“Not a what--a who. She was a very prominent Earth human from the NorWes clan,” Kutch answered. He remembered her like yesterday. “Warm, friendly and yet very strong-willed. A formidable force. Died, facing down Cain. Troy and Rhys preserved her remains i
n order to bring her back to the NorWes clan for a proper ceremony.”
“Proper ceremony? There is so much you guys have not told me!” Toolkit scolded.
“And there is so much you're not going to believe when we get there,” Alex assured.
*** The Dark Realm felt as cold and dark as before when Li had tried to save Hyak from Cain's grasp. She had not returned since but now the time felt right. The words of the Guardian at the Gate seemed clear. In order to save the Sea of Dying Souls, she would need to enlist the help of Cain--and yet protect the Clans of the NorWes from his rage. Finding the balance--that always seemed to be the trick, as well as the words from one of the Tutela-Animus she had encountered just recently. Maybe if she could find Cain on the Dark Realm side, without revealing too much, and convince him of this worthy cause to save those new souls from which they both had come. Then they could combine their efforts and energies.
Li felt fairly certain she could protect herself and ventured through the dead dry brush and bramble that defined the dark landscape. Flashes of lightning skittered across the blackened sky, only briefly illuminating a larger view, as the rumble of thunder rolled off into the distance. As she continued her search, Li was startled when a flash silhouetted a large dark crystalline form standing in her path. A black mist-like form floated nearby, that Li felt to be another presence as well.
“You are not from here,” the crystalline form stated, sounding neither threatening nor welcoming.
Li glanced at herself, a glowing lit form of her physical being. “No, but I mean you no harm.”
“Ah yes, but the one you seek, would harm you, without prejudice,” the entity replied, his voice booming through Li's mind. “And yet--here you are.”
“You know of Cain?”
“Indeed, Li. I am quite aware of Cain.”
Li experienced a sudden chill of uncertainty and danger, but also felt compelled to stand her ground. “I feel I may be at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I don't know who you are.”
“You have no idea the advantage I hold. I am Lord and Master of all--Kyrios.”
A large flash of lightning, coupled with booming thunder, appeared to accentuate the entity’s remark, as well as show that the black mist had moved and resided on each side and behind Li. She wanted to flee this place, but felt she was unable to move, held captive by the black mist. “You are not Lord and Master of the Realm of light. So how could you be Lord and Master of ALL?” Li's question was direct.
Birth Of A Goddess Page 19
