by Jack Adams
“It is about her?” Ephemris exclaimed in a manner which seemed like a shrill and jealous girlfriend. Ephemris then began to list off all of the past and potential dangers Jubilant represented to Finders safety with mechanical precision.
“You seem bothered, Ephe. We've worked together for years. So please tell me exactly, why is it you are so protective of me?”
“You should know this, Captain. I'm the Ace of Spades artificial intelligence support matrix. I'm programmed to keep the crew of this craft alive and healthy.”
“Yes, of course, but I've never known an AI to be so forceful in its opinions. Even to the point of being openly defiant like you.”
“That's because not all AI have the track record of failure that I do.”
“Explain,” Finder said with renewed curiosity.
“The people who crewed this vessel before you were gray marketeers as well. Much like you they engaged in reckless behavior but unlike you they were not able to pull themselves out of grave situations so expertly. On one particular mission we were scheduled to do an illegal cargo run from Terminus to Swale. To summarize the missions end, the crew did not survive the repeated hull breaches after being fired upon by the Ophidian military. In hindsight, I came to the conclusion that if I had engaged in a simple command override of only one of the previous Captain's orders that crew would have been alive today.”
“Wow, I had no idea. I mean I knew you were capable of learning but your past-”
“I am a synthetic intelligence and thus cannot 'feel' things in the same sense that you organics do. That said, I am capable of experiencing sensations analogous to regret and shame. Ever since I first encountered those sensations I vowed that I would never let harm befall my future Captain, even one as skilled as you.”
“Th- thank you, Ephermis.”
“Do not bother. It is what I'm meant to do.”
–
Most people would find visiting a dead planet rather depressing, including Finder, but this one was different. After all of their strife Finder found Vincinal to be strangely relaxing. The barren rocky escarpment and dusty valleys were immensely peaceful compared to the chaos Finder had experienced around other living beings. In less than an hour he and Jubilant departed the Ace to the dry world and located the final scepter. Once it was brought aboard Jubilant found herself with seven resonating royal fragments and much to Ephemris' delight Finder found himself nothing but clear skies free from aggressive marauders or alien militias. With a casual cruise the party set off for Outbound certain that once they entered the sacred worlds orbit nothing could touch them.
However, when they neared the prized planet they were greeted by a host of signals from myriad ships from all over the Refuge. Stanchion, Ophidian, Wisp, and of course Faux had assumed a high orbit, outside Outbound's planetary defenses, but in formation dense enough to prevent the Ace from making a landing. Within the swarm a single massive ship raised them, demanding to speak directly to Finder. When the visual signal broadcast in Finder's cockpit he resisted the urge to grind his teeth as the flagships captain spoke.
“Hello, Finder,” Txaenid said. “Welcome to the end of your journey and the beginning of a new era.”
Ch. 9 – Assuming the Throne
As the Ace of Spades slowed from full speed to a drift which seemed to unconsciously signal defeat the immense inter-species armada swarmed the hapless vessel like a flock of cultures descending on a weakened antelope. Finder began to wrack his brain for a solution to this new challenge. There was no way he could even attempt to fight either ship to ship or in a man-to-man firefight. He could attempt to run the planetary blockade but the force he was facing was far to vast, to well-armed, and to well deployed. Clearly this operation had been extensive strategized. He could flee but even with his crafts superior speed the coalition force which bared down on him was sending a clear message. No matter where he fled to they had the time and firepower to run him down. Even if Finder took his craft and crew to the outer worlds far from the systems warm center they would eagerly pursue, intent on acquiring the Ace's most coveted treasure.
“What are you going to do now?” Jubilant asked grimly. Txaenid had already demanded that Finder surrender, give up the Echoshard and the the scepters without delay as his armada redeployed to greet them. Pondering Txaenids demands, Jubilant's questions and all of the other variables Finder sat back in his chair in deep thought. Going over the problem again and again he could come up with one and only one solution.
“Ephermis,” he said with a tone of neutrality. “Prepare the automated destruct sequence.”
“This is the only think you can think of,” Jubilant asked with an even pitch which suggested she had come to the same conclusion.
“It is,” Finder answered.
“Good. I'm not going to allow my life's work to be used and corrupted by vicious beings who will never appreciate it or use it for constructive ends.”
“Captain, I object,” Ephemris proclaimed. “I will not do this and you know precisely why.”
“Ephemris, do it,” Finder said sharply.
“I cannot take an action which will not harm this spacecrafts crew,” the AI countered.
“We will find ourselves in immeasurably more harm if that battle fleet gets to use. Now arm the destruct sequence or I will shut you off and do it myself.” Finder ferociously hissed. Jubilant studied his posture. Finder's fingers met to form a pyramid and his face was still. While she had never met many men who faced death on a near daily basis but his disposition seemed to suggest something other than someone who was preparing to die. Inside his mind she could see the wheels turning.
“Ephemris, please do it,” Jubilant added. “We've not intention of dying today.” A brief pause gripped he air.
“Affirmative,” Ephmeris responded. “The automated destruct is now armed. Please, set conditions of detonation.”
“If any alien ship attempts to board use, forcibly or otherwise. If we are fired up by any weapons system or if munitions come within twenty meters of this craft. Also keep the destruct option open to my auditory command until I command you stand down. Understood?”
“Understood.”
“Good. Now relay those conditions as well as digital proof of our armed destruct sequence to the armada's flagship.”
“Done,” Ephemris said with a hint of what someone would almost mistake for concern. “And Captain, the lead enemy spacecraft is attempting to raise us.”
“Patch it in, audio only.”
“Jack Finder,” Txaenid's lyrical voice said with the irritating charm of a used hovercar salesman. “Please, do not tell me that you have actually armed you crafts auto-destruct sequence.”
“In fact, I have,” Finder said sharply and immediately. “I assume you are aware of the conditions under which this craft will self-detonate?”
“Yes, of course, I am,” Txaenid said in a perfectly calm tone. “But you must realize this will get us no where. We have the superior force and have blocked off all routes of escape.”
“Yes, but we have the sacred Apocryph fragments you so badly want and the keys to unlock Outbound. I'm sure you don't want to see those fragments reduced to irradiated powder so let us pass so we may make planetfall.”
“Obviously, Captain Finder, you know that that isn't going to happen,” Txaenid said. “We are currently at an impasse but you must realize that we have the supplies to wait you out. And I am a very patient Faux.”
“Yes, but unfortunately I am not a patient man. Perhaps I'll get bored and destroy by ship and the scepters along with it.”
“You clearly, have something in mind, Finder. What is it?”
“Just your craft escorts us in towards Outbound. The rest of your fleet remains at this position.”
“And give you the power to unlock all of Outbound? I hardly think so.”
“Not quiet. We'll take the Ace below the planets automated defense perimeter. You follow us with a shuttle which carries yourself
and no more than three aids. We will all then descend to the planet together.”
“You are giving me three aids, human? Your species truly is as arrogant as it is short-sided. I will bring six aids and you can bring your female if you so desire. Is that agreeable to you human?”
“Very,” Finder said as his hand hid the signs of a smirk and rose to his feet. “End transmission.”
“Can you take on six trained Faux troopers,” Jubilant asked deftly seriously but with a hint of hope.
“No, I cannot,” Finder answered plainly. “But I have been able to leverage out position to far more even odds. After all, I've now got Txaenid isolated from the vast majority of the rest of his force and once we land on that planet with the seven scepters, we'll have an entire planetary defense network which by default will guard us.”
“Yes, but still once you land on the planet you'll be at a numerical disadvantage.”
“For now,” Finder quipped as he checked the charge on his new plasma pistol. “But we shall see where the star wind takes us.”
–
Jubilant thought that whatever the star winds were, they must be very fickle and possess a peculiar sense of irony. While Finder had always seemed to refer to them as metaphorical forces which possessed serendipity and situational good luck, she had recounted that they tended to put him and her into more harm. As she and Finder descended through the atmosphere of Outbound in a shuttle they were closely tailed by Txaenid's personal assault vessel. After a harrowing descent through the defense perimeter of the planet the Faux managed to sneak in his own craft right behind the Ace, using the extended resonance field as a cover. Jubilant knew that Finder was a valiant fighter but her mind strained to determine how he was going to overcome seven highly trained Faux troopers, plus their field commander. When assuming their initial descent she asked and Finder replied was, “I told you I'm playing it by ear.” To which Jubilant whimsically mused, “perhaps then I'll have to think of a way to save you.”
When the pair touched down on Outbound they waited precariously for the Faux to first exit there craft. In true military fashion they left their vehicle with weapons drawn in a neat row with Txaenid at the front. With Finder in the lead and pistol drawn he motioned Jubilant, who carried the seven Scepters of Klubindi on a backpack, advance with him.
“Oh, come now,” Txaenid said. “Can't we learn to trust each other? Troopers lower your weapons.”
Finder smirked and replied, “I'd trust you a lot more if you were walking in front of me.”
“So that we don't wind up at another impasse. I will lead the party, with Ms. Jubilant just behind me. You can walk behind us and men troopers will cover our rear.”
“Fine,” Finder said as he motioned to Jubilant.
“Very good,” Txaenid quipped. “Now Ms. Jubilant would you please direct us to the throne?” To which Jubilant gingerly withdrew the Echoshard concealed in her right breast pocket. She studied the signals that the shard had emitted and within a few moments pointed northeastward. “That way.” She announced and so the unease party set off.
–
After an hour of tracking through barren and uncivilized landscape Finder began to make a few hypothesis' about Outbound's condition. While he lacked the bevy of knowledge that Jubilant possessed he did know that the Refuge had been, for reasons unknown colonized, by the ancient Apocryph. He also knew that the planet Outbound held some sort of significance for them. But looking at the state of the planet currently, it was almost impossible to surmise that the Apocryph were an advanced civilization, or even a moderately sophisticated one.
Careful to still keep his pistol carefully trained on Txaenid, Finder noted the degenerate architecture which had been rubbed to hunks of wind-worn stone. All around him lay the remains of corroded metals and corrupted composite materials. More than just a world which seemed to be composed of refuse, Outbound seemed to exhibit an emotion that Finder couldn't quite identify until he stared out into the twilight setting suns: despair.
“Almost there,” jubilant announced as the party faced a platform which once seemed to be an immense palace, but was nothing more now than a series of step platforms and crumbling pillars. As the group approached it Jubilant quite directly gave orders to the Faux troopers apparently no longer intimidated by their stature or weapons. Inside the center of the former palace lay seven alters which surrounded a center console. Jubilant instructed the Faux troopers place the scepters on the seven outer alters while she hurriedly approached the console. Finder stood back and carefully observed Txaenid do the same. Jubilant then drew the Echoshard into the air and examined the console before her.
“What are you doing human,” Txaenid asked as he beckoned his troops return to him. Jubilant said nothing and simply smiled. Txaenid rose his spindly hand and his soldiers drew their weapons in kind.
“Hey, Jubilant, what are you doing?” Finder asked as he pointed his pistol in the troopers direction to find three of them aiming at him. Jubilant cocked her head towards Finder and replied “This it where I get all the answers, where solve this great riddle, where I, where we all ascertain the truth.” Jubilant stared at the shard and for just a brief moment Finder thought he could here the fabled whispers that the Echoshard was supposed to emit. In a swift motion she jammed the Echoshard into a slot on the console and light enveloped the woman. “this is also the part were I save you, Jack.”
–
Nestled safely in a low orbit between Outbound's defense layers of defense drone and the planets upper atmosphere, Ephemris carefully monitored Jubilant and Finder. However, the planets thick and shifting atmosphere made visual observation extremely difficult. Then suddenly a brilliant light erupted on the planets surface and what followed was a massive data download. At first Ephemris though it was a signal sent by the Echoshard directly but further data analysis revealed the signal to contain fragments of Jubilant's mind mixed in with so many, many others.
In the instants the plucky AI took to process the signal she came into contact Jubilant's inner most mind, and as the AI did, she finally understood why Finder was so intent on protecting her. The women was talented, passionate and fiery; in many respect an extroverted version of Finder. No wonder he didn't just want to protect her but he also had begun to intimately care for her.
The data upload was incredibly complex, far more so than anything Ephemris had before encountered. But upon breaking it down into a few basic communique's the AI managed to discern the messages fundamentals: hope, fear, Finder in danger, salvation from above. Within a few more seconds Ephemris had just managed to completely decipher what Jubilant was trying to say and positioned the Ace of Spades for a final mission. The AI just hoped that her actions weren't a few seconds too late.
–
Finder marveled as a swirling aurora seemed to lift Jubilant high into the air. All colors imaginable spun around her making her appear to be some sort of unorthadox cherub rising from the grounds. At first her eyes remained closed but when they opened dazzling white lights poured out of them. The Faux troopers rose their rifles but Txaenid commanded them to stand down. Then Jubilant spoke but with a voice which seemed to combine hers and a host of synthetic beings speaking all at once in a booming register.
“You have gathered the Seven Sacred Scepters and the Echoshard to the holy place but you are not the makers. Who are you?”
“Jubilant it's me,” Finder shouted as he holstered his firearm. For a moment Jubilant's face seemed to form a warm smile until it suddenly straightened into a scowl.
“What are you doing here?” she asked again.
“We want to know the secret of the scepter and the shard and why the worlds within the Refuge are the way they are, testaments to the greatness of the long absent Apocryph.” Txaenid asked. Jubilant's body twirled a few times in mid-air until it became rigid.
“What you refer to as the Refuge was to be the crown star system of the Apocryph, the heart of a massive empire which spanned this galaxy.
The moons around Nestle were to be terraformed colonies, and Outbound was to be the throne world of their empire. The entire system was tailored to be an interplanetary fortress and the cybernetic lifeforms known as the Imperil were intended to be both paladins of the Apocryph and guardians of other lifeforms. However, with the disappearance of our illustrious creators, Outbound fell into decay and the machine army which surround this planet have grown impatient waiting for their creators to return with the Seven Scepters.
“However, over the centuries we reached a new consensus. After waiting for so long we determined that they've been forever left, the doomed synthetic guardians of Outbound with no creators to return to use. As the despair of this set in around the Refuge's guardian's the synthetic planetary support systems which had kept life sustainable on the seven worlds around Refuge has started to weaken.”
“Is this is why life had started to die all around Nubilous?” Finder asked.
“Yes, and all of the other worlds. Without the will of the original synthetic intelligence's to endure in the absences of worthy successors everything in the Refuge will be doomed to die. Until either our makers return or a worthy race can take up the mantle of the Apocryph.”
Upon hearing this Txaenid rejoiced, “but we've gathered the scepters for you. I have gathered them, and in so doing I claim authority to lead the Refuge and who live within it.” However, Jubilant's face curled into a twisted smile.
“Clearly, your kind have never heard the whispers of the Echoshard and discerned its true purpose. Not only was it a device to locate the scepters, but it was also an observer. A synthetic being itself intended to deem who be worthy to inherit the throne of our makers.”
“What are you saying?” Txaenid roared. “You are going to turn this planet, this entire star system over to these pitifully inferior humans?”
