by Aer-ki Jyr
“As I understand it, yes.”
“And your knowledge comes from their own records?”
“It does.”
“Which may have been altered.”
“As could those stored here,” Riley pointed out. “It will be interesting to see how much overlaps.”
“Are you certain the Chixzon were fully destroyed?”
“Their records indicated it was only a matter of time. They saw no way to avoid the deaths of every last one of them.”
“Could they not flee?” the short Dati asked as the doors sealed and they began to rise.
“They were so despised they did not see that they had anywhere to go, so they stuck together and held out as long as they could,” he explained, not adding any information about their planned resurrection.
“The Ancients were destroyed in a similar manner. Their records say that the effort to sedate the Hamoriti was too costly, and that others rose up to deplace them in the aftermath.”
“Are you sure they’re all gone?”
“We have searched for their remnants, living or otherwise, and found nothing to indicate they still remain. We still held some hope, if only that they would tell us how to recapture the beast.”
“I thought you said there were war records?”
“Most of those detail how to defeat the minions and how to maintain the sedation. There is curiously nothing about the means used to first administer the sedative. All of our attempts have failed miserably.”
“Maybe they had help.”
“Perhaps so,” the small triped said as the doors opened and they walked out into a chamber of different make. The lizard infrastructure transitioned into something else that was built around the massive red wall before them that stretched out for the length of a football field.
“How many entrances are there?”
“We suspect 6, but we have been unable to confirm any others. It requires visual inspection given the rock surrounding the structure. The detail on the surface of the shell is very fine and easy to miss.”
“Do you have a key?”
“Of sorts. You have to enter a code that the Ancients devised to test any potential interloper’s intelligence. It is not difficult, but was designed to prevent anyone without sufficient understanding of the threat from accidentally gaining entry and waking the beast.”
“And the lizards didn’t bother with the door the other time?”
“No, they cut straight through not even realizing it had one,” it said, gesturing towards the already open aperture that was flanked by two of the Trinx’s combat machines. Riley stared up at one of them, figuring it was almost too heavy to telepathically lift, but should be easy enough to knock down without having to lay a finger on it.
“The Oracle awaits,” the Trinx said as it led the way inside.
As soon as Riley stepped over the imperceptible gap between structure and prison he must have passed through some sort of a containment field, for the mental presence of the Uriti grew immensely stronger. He staggered a step, but quickly regained his balance as two of the others noticed his wobble.
“I’m alright. I just didn’t expect it to spike like that.”
“What has happened?” the Domu asked, spinning about on all four legs to look at him.
“The prison is containing some of its power. I’m alright, I just had to filter out more than I was prepared for.”
“It will increase the closer you get in proximity to it. Venture too close and your mind will no longer be your own,” the Sety warned.
“And you all feel nothing?”
“We do not have telepathy,” the Trinx stated flatly.
“No, but it does have an effect on you. I can see it. You don’t notice it?”
“What effect?”
“Paranoia.”
“Of course we fear it,” the Sety said.
“No, not fear. Paranoia. It’s amping up your angst, whether by design or accident. Your minds are not immune to its telepathic presence. I’m simply aware of it and can filter it out.”
“No telepath has come this far before,” the Trinx said ominously. “They have all turned back in a panic, stating that closer exposure would kill them.”
“If they’re sensitive enough and lack defensive mechanisms it’s possible.”
“I assume you have them then? These defense mechanisms?”
“Yes.”
“If what he says is true, it explains several things,” the cyborg stated.
“Let us ask the Oracle then,” the Sety insisted, walking forward without waiting for the others to follow.
Riley went with them, looking around at the interesting architecture. This wasn’t industrial, rather it was made to house guests, like a welcome center. That seemed odd, like it was an amusement park or something, but he guessed the purpose of this place was to not only contain the Uriti through physical means but by also teaching others of the threat and how to contain it.
Still, he wouldn’t have been surprised if he saw a ticket booth pop up somewhere.
Eventually they came to what looked like a small amphitheater with a holographic array at the center. On approach a tri-tipped symbol flared to life and turned to face them and began speaking in the Ancient language, though Riley had been told that it would adapt to whomever came here, learning their new language in a remarkably short period of time.
“Welcome guests. You come with more questions?”
“We have a new guest,” the Sety said amicably, almost reverently towards the hologram. “They have questions.”
Riley stepped forward, looking through his helmet at the intricate hologram with his armor translating.
“Ask,” it bluntly suggested.
“Display the locations of all known Uriti.”
The hologram didn’t respond at first, then began to speak without showing him a map. “Your terminology is unfamiliar. Do you refer to the occupant of this facility?”
“Yes. You do not know what they were originally called?”
“The Ancients classified the Hamoriti as they saw fit, not having any data on their origination.”
“They are called Uriti,” Riley began to lecture. “There were originally 118 created by a race called the Chixzon. How many are currently contained within prisons such as this?”
“I cannot confirm your data. Knowledge of source material references 7 original captures and three additions. The Ancients did not know there were more than 7 that required capture, and well after the sedation of the originals three more were discovered. The efforts to contain them cost the Ancients much, but these three were also neutralized, one of which rests here. It cannot be allowed to awaken under any circumstances.”
“Describe its telepathic presence.”
“The Hamoriti emits an immense telepathic signature with varying effects subjected on those that come within various distances of proximity to it. This range can be measured to determine the waking state of the Hamoriti. At close range biological minds become frozen and enthralled. Were the Hamoriti active it could bid them to do its will, but in this state they simply become catatonic in a rigid state. Do not approach the Hamoriti. Before you come within physical contact with it you will become entrapped. Any attacks against the Hamoriti will begin to awaken it. Distance must be maintained for both reasons.”
“How did the Ancients capture the Hamoriti?”
“By use of a chemical that sedates them to this day. It must be produced and administered constantly. Large doses will render active ones sedate.”
“How was the sedative delivered originally?”
“Undetermined. This facility was constructed after the Hamoriti was sedated. All knowledge instilled is for the purpose of containment. Release and recapture is not an option. The Hamoriti must not be allowed to awake.”
“One already has. What do you advise?”
“This has been told to me. Deliverance of the chemical will sedate the Hamoriti. I have supplied several delivery opt
ions. I have been told none have been successful. No historical records exist concerning the method the Ancients used. If the Ancients cannot be found, then there is no hope to contain this Hamoriti. Attempts must be made, but there is no viable outcome if the Hamoriti has fully wakened.”
“Why would the Ancients build you without knowledge of how they conquered the Uriti?”
“The Ancients did not build me.”
That brought a reaction in the minds of the eight alien minds around Riley, as if they hadn’t expected it to say that.
“Who built you?”
“I am a construct of a collaboration of races utilizing Ancient technology in their absence.”
“Did the Ancients give this collaboration of races this Hamoriti in order to imprison it?”
“They did.”
“Where were the Ancients located?”
“That knowledge is not within my files.”
“What happened to the races that built this facility?”
“Their fate is unknown. Past creation of this facility they did not interface with it.”
“Identify them.”
A slew of holographic aliens popped up around the Oracle, resplendent with statistics that were written in a language that he couldn’t read. But there was one race that stuck out to him while the others were totally unfamiliar.
The Preema.
“How did these races utilize the Ancient technology without understanding it?”
“The Ancients provided them with the necessary skills and tools to construct this facility. Knowledge beyond this was not required.”
“Why was this collaboration required?”
“Unknown.”
“Has information on the Ancients been deliberately withheld from your databanks?”
“It has.”
Another reaction from the Nine. Apparently no one had thought to ask that question…or maybe this Oracle had significantly different programming than the other ones they had access to.
“For what purpose?”
“Only knowledge relevant to the maintenance of this facility and the continued sedation of the Hamoriti is of importance.”
“Oracle,” the Trinx said, interrupting almost apologetically. “The others contained data concerning the fight against the Hamoriti’s minions. There is a long and detailed war record of the Ancients and how they defeated them. Do you not have this information?”
“I do not contain war records. I contain all necessary information on the minions and their capabilities.”
“If there is no hope to stop them once awakened,” Riley asked, “why contain information on the minions? Can they be spawned while the Uriti sleeps?”
“They cannot. The information is within my files. I do not know why it has been included other than to stall the advance if a Hamoriti was ever released.”
“Is your programming the same as the other Oracles?”
“I have no knowledge of the other two Oracles beyond their basic function and locations.”
“Do you know the locations of the original 7?”
“I do not.”
“Do you have compartmentalized programming?”
“Possibly. When analyzing recent events that seems to be a theoretical possibility. However, if I do possess such restraints I was not made aware of them.”
“Speculate.”
The Oracle processed for a good three seconds before speaking again. “If the total number of Hamoriti was 118, then it is feasible that different factions were tasked with their imprisonment. Regionality of those within my files suggest that others may have been tasked with similar regional containment procedures. The release of a single Hamoriti without the presence of the Ancients is catastrophic, but safeguards may have been implemented so that the location of one set of Hamoriti, if discovered by those who did not heed the danger, would not result in the release of them all. This runs counter to the necessity to educate guests about the dangers present and inform them of the other locations of Hamoriti within this region, but it is possible.”
“What is the status of this Hamoriti?”
“Its condition is stable. Planetary supply feed is stable. No anomalies to report in either since the inception of the sedation.”
“Open the inner chamber.”
“I advise extreme caution. For what purpose do you wish entry?”
“I need to test the telepathic intensity through personal exposure.”
“I can provide all necessary data without such exposure.”
“Show me data for telepathic races within proximity of the Hamoriti.”
“Telepathic races cannot come within even local range without adverse side effects.”
“Define ‘local range.’”
“Within this facility. The outer shell dampens the effect on the planet, but within it telepaths will suffer catastrophic damage.”
“I am telepathic and I am not suffering damage. I need to determine what threat the Hamoriti present to me by getting closer. Is the inner chamber also shielded to reduce telepathic presence?”
“No. I cannot scan you through your armor. Please remove it to confirm telepathic presence.”
Riley released his helmet, with it peeling back and revealing his head. A holographic wand of light scanned his face three times before retracting.
“Telepathic immunity confirmed. You are the first race with sufficient resistance to enter this facility.”
“How many others have visited here prior to the most recent opening of the entrance?”
“None since the commission date.”
“You were told it was not possible?”
“So my data suggests. Recent scans contradict this. Permission to enter granted. I will scan you throughout the duration to update my files. Such an immunity, even in limited fashion, is a new addition to the combat lexicon in my files. Any new additions take priority. Please accompany me,” the Oracle said, with his hologram disconnecting from the emission pillar and floating out over the heads of the guests and towards an opening door on the far wall that led to more of the catacombs that made up the outer rings of the facility.
9
Riley whistled, with the sound being eaten up by the enormity of the cavern he’d just walked into. No echos, just a very dull silence in the kilometers between the entrance and the Uriti sleeping on the floor in the center.
“Now that is one big mother fucker,” he whispered to himself as the others stayed back at the entrance, including his two Knights, as he walked slowly in towards the beast that would have made Godzilla look like an ant. This one was pale yellow and had a giant wing draped over its side crunching up on the ground, leaving only a bit of a snout visible from Riley’s position. The wing didn’t look scrawny, and the trailblazer knew it didn’t function like an actual wing, for this thing was too large and far too heavy to actually fly that way.
He heard the sound of his footsteps and nothing else as he continued to walk closer, being patient with this test and having a lot of ground to cover to get close to the creature. Apparently none of the other races had convinced the Oracle to give them access yet, so this was the first time they were seeing it and due to an overabundance of caution they’d stated they would not come any closer than the doorway.
“Oracle?”
“Yes,” the hologram said, suddenly appearing beside him and matching his pace.
“Is it responding to my presence?”
“Not at all. Why would you suspect it would?”
“My mind is not structured like others. If it is trying to access it, it will fail.”
“Interesting. Your present scans do not show any tampering, though I am certain that you are well within the rage of telepathic sensitivity overload. Your immunity is indeed curious.”
“I can still feel it. A rhythmic hum. What would happen if I tried to connect with it?”
“You could not damage it.”
“Would that wake it?”
“Uncertain. The Hamoriti re
sponds to various stimuli and begins to counteract the sedative with a state of alertness, but all noted instances have been physical stimuli. No telepathic testing has ever been done.”
“I thought you said there had been no incidents here.”
“I have been given knowledge from other sources. They contain data on waking states of other Hamoriti without specifics identifying them. It is necessary for me to insure this one does not wake. You no longer need your translation program. I have successfully analyzed your language and can replicate it at will,” the Oracle said, with its last sentence being spoken in English.
Riley withdrew the little bit of helmet that had snaked up to cover his left ear. “That was quick.”
“Neural calibration and sample size allow for a quick study. Your questions have given me enough of both to analyze, though degree of accuracy will increase with time.”
“Has it moved since being placed in here?”
“Minor contractions and a partial roll, yes, but it has not gained consciousness. Such stirrings are expected to maintain passive rest. If one portion of its body stays in contact with the floor for too long a period of time it instinctively adjusts. If not allowed to, it will cause an internal discord that will result in its awakening. Thus the prison was designed with no restraints. It can readjust as needed, and if it strays close to one of the walls it can be repositioned slowly using a number of levitation systems. You are beginning to show anomalies yourself.”
“Touch of a headache,” Riley confirmed. “I think it’s the sheer telepathic pressure.”
“How long do you think you can persist?”
“This is nothing,” he said as he continued to walk and the symbol floated beside him.
“Is it too much to attempt to communicate under?”
“You want me to try?”
“I merely ask for confirmation of my current scans.”
“I could shout at it, but there’s probably too much feedback for me to open up to it this close. My own range is further, but a lot of Archons wouldn’t be able to transmit to it at this range.”
“The Hamoriti is incredibly sensitive to telepathic signals. Assume greater range of reception.”
