by Ben Winston
Vance shook his head slightly in warning. He didn't want me to talk about it. That is troubling. We'll have to investigate fully after we arrive. May I have my assistant call you to set up an interview?
Actually I've been directed to invite you to dinner this evening. If that would be acceptable, perhaps we could speak then? I asked.
That would be perfect, may I bring my mate? She's been very interested in meeting your family ever since I told her about you, Vance asked.
I could see Jamie, Ellie and Julie nodding vigorously from the balcony.
Of course, Sir. I know a few other ladies that seem to be curious as well. However, since we're still new here, is Earth food acceptable? I asked.
Should be; neither of us have had any, so I couldn't tell you either way. He chuckled. If nothing else, it should be an interesting evening.
We'll look forward to it, Sir, I said with a lop-sided grin as Vance's image faded.
He didn't sound as pissed as I half-expected him to be, Ellie said.
No, but he did sound tired, Julie added. He made it through what sounds like a massive space-battle, only to get here and have to deal with this. I think I'd have to kill some folks if it were me.
I'm just glad I don't have his job! Jamie replied, nodding agreement with her sister.
That's all well and good, but does anyone have any idea what to make for dinner? Chris asked from the door to her office.
Cowan residence
Alliance Apollo Base
Selene, Earth's Moon,
Sol System
Commodore Vance arrived wearing his uniform of course, but his mate, Coryn wore a beautiful, almost transparent, dress made of a silk like material in a light green that set off her red hair. The most amazing thing about her was that she and young Ellie looked so much alike. Coryn was simply an older version of Ellie.
Coryn and Ellie bonded almost instantly and became the best of friends. Coryn had the hardest time accepting that Ellie was only thirteen years old since she seemed so mature for her age.
Julie and Jamie, with the help of the replicator, made steak and fried potatoes for dinner. Chris was going to get some wine from a local shop, but when she called for availability, she was informed that her credit account was suspended. So they made do with a replicated wine for dinner.
Eric asked for a non-alcoholic beer, and once served, decided he liked the flavor better than wine for the meal. Commodore Vance tried it as well, and agreed with him. Coryn stayed with the wine claiming the beer was too rough'.
Dinner conversation was light, and the two families got to know one another better. Vance's first instinct about Eric was one of trust; he liked the young man and his sense of duty. More importantly, Eric and his family re-enforced a private opinion he was forming about people in the alliance deferring to the Veranorians far too often. This dinner served to strengthen Vance's opinion of Eric and his whole family.
Once dinner was over, and everyone gathered in the lounge area, including a newly introduced Sarah, the real discussions began.
Now, after such a wonderful meal, I hate to bring up the reason for this visit, but I do need to do something about Fen before he blows an airlock, Vance said, sighing. Can you tell me, in your own words, exactly what happened after our conversation yesterday morning?
Eric nodded, and stood. Happily Sir, but first, could you please stand and face Sarah? When Vance had done as requested, Eric continued. Sarah; Authorization delta-eight-eight-four-zulu-six-seven-one. Acknowledge.
Sarah didn't move other than to stiffen, as if this were a formal occasion. Authorization confirmed administration access open. Proceed.
Eric nodded to her. Set primary user, and Base Commander as Commodore Vance. Eric turned slightly to Vance. Sir, please state your service number, name, rank and planet of origin for voice and retinal pattern recording.
Sarah turned slightly to face Vance, and he stiffened as well. Golan-nine-five strike three-three-omega. Vance, Alliance Commodore and Commander of Apollo Base, and task group twenty-three. Planet of Birth is Cornellis Alphecca.
Sarah inclined her head in his direction. Primary user now set. Base Commander is set. Thank you, Sir. All of my resources are now at your disposal.
Vance looked at Eric. Okay, so what was that all about?
Eric half smiled, but still looked abashed. At roughly ten-hundred hours yesterday, I instructed Sarah to assume base control from the existing computer system. She is now the base computer. I apologize for doing this without your permission sir, but at the time, I was worried about the safety of my family.
I can understand your actions, Son, but unfortunately it also taints all the evidence supporting your accusations against Fen, Vance replied.
He wasn't upset at least, Eric thought to himself with an inner sigh of relief.
In fact, if anything, Fen now has more grounds for demanding that Sarah be released to him. This could turn into a mess real quick if he knows she's running the show around here, Vance said.
He doesn't, Sir. I instructed Sarah to be subtle in her actions. For now she is simply performing all the tasks the computer would do normally, and not responding as an AI, Eric replied. She did discover a few things that are... disturbing to say the least. Yes, she could have planted the information, or I could have asked her to plant it, but I assure you, Sir, I issued no such command, nor does Sarah have the ability to falsify the information. It would actually go against her core programming to do so.
Well, unfortunately, for now, I only have your word on that. While I feel that you're trust-worthy, and your actions justified. It still won't jump to hyperspace for the council. We'll need absolute proof, verified by at least three independent sources, Vance explained.
Well, why can't we have independent verification done here? By non-Veranorian computer experts? Ellie asked. They could check over Sarah to see she's real, and not capable of faking anything.
Sarah answered. The problem with that, Ellie, is the education program. It's used on every core-world in the alliance. It's even used here.
What do you mean? What's wrong with the learning program? Coryn asked.
I had to remove it from the Veranorian built system to find it, but there is a special section in the subliminal enabler that programs obedience to the Veranorian Synod as well as deference to any Veranorian, Sarah replied. They're brainwashing the entire alliance to do what they say. That's why the guard left when he had orders telling him to stay because Fen told him to leave!
Vance held up his hands. Hold it everyone! This is getting confusing. Eric, what happened yesterday, from the beginning, then I'll listen to Sarah's report. I might need to speak to a couple of others, but from the sound of it, you might have stumbled across a bigger mess then the one you outlined yesterday morning.
It took a couple more hours but Vance listened to the whole story from beginning to end, then listened to Sarah's report on her findings. When they were finished, he looked visibly shaken.
If even half of this information is correct, we are in serious trouble. There are Veranorian Officers in the command structure of every ship in the fleet, not to mention Fleet command, as well as the High Council. He went quiet for a few minutes. Sarah, do you know if there is a way to reverse this conditioning?
I'm sorry sir, I don't currently. However, there are a couple of options available if you wish to pursue them, she replied.
What would those be? He asked.
You could enlist the assistance of a doctor of psychology and not tell them that they are trying to break the Veranorian conditioning as most of them simply wouldn't believe it exists.
Tricky at best, Coryn said. Those folks can always tell when someone is not telling them everything. I think they'd catch on real quick.
Vance nodded agreement with her. What else Sarah?
We could recruit a deprogramming specialist from Earth. However, it might be kidnapping considering the serious mi
ndset of the profession. I doubt we could find one that would believe any of this was real, Sarah replied.
First things, first, Sarah. Have you altered the original programming so it isn't brainwashing people anymore? Julie asked.
I have an altered copy ready, but I hadn't implemented it yet since I had no orders to do so, Sarah replied.
You do now. Please begin using the clean copy here, and see if you can get the ships to accept the alteration as well, Vance ordered.
Right away, Sir.
I have a friend, a scientist, on my ship that might be able to help us. He's normally a weapons specialist, but his forte is guidance computers, Vance said thoughtfully. I'll ask him to contact you, Eric. I'm pretty sure he doesn't worship the Veranorians either, since he doesn't care for my TAC officer at all. I'll have to warn you though, he can get pretty single-minded.
I'd be happy to help him in any way, Sir, but I think it might be better if he had as little contact with me as possible. At least until he has had a chance to look over Sarah's code. We don't want to be accused of manipulating the people checking her out, Eric suggested. I also have a couple of projects that are pretty high priority to get working on, and I'd like to get my teeth into those as well.
More important than this? Vance asked incredulously.
Well, potentially, yes Sir. You see, my beautiful wife Chris there has developed a form of micro-robot that can be injected into the human body to help heal, make repairs and corrections. She needs me to write up a command code that they can use to interface with the medical computers, Eric explained, nodding to Chris.
Chris blushed. My medical silicacytes have the potential to save the lives of people as badly hurt as the commander you rescued from the latest battle. I just need to get them working correctly with their own language.
If you could save Commander Shakier, I'll give you a medal too! She's the only reason we're still alive. I hate to see what's left of her sitting in stasis. But I just can't bring myself to sign the order to turn it off, Vance said softly. The whole damn fleet owes her too much!
If we can keep her in stasis for a while longer, I think I might be able to help her. I can't guarantee she'll be able to fly again, but I think I'll be able to get her out of the life support pod, Chris replied.
Vance nodded. I can do that. I'll have her pod transferred over to the base Life Station. He turned back to Eric. You said a couple' of projects?
Eric nodded. In her research to develop the silicacytes, Chris stumbled across a method of quantum stacking... Seeing Vance's expression, Eric changed what he was going to say. ...Uh, she discovered a way of miniaturizing a computer that Sarah says is much better than the existing Veranorian framework. I'd like to get working on that as soon as I can.
Vance nodded thoughtfully. I have to agree with you. I'll have my friend contact you for the code and any questions he might have. I'll figure out some way to stifle that Veranorian blow-hard, and restore your access to services so you can live and work...
I can restore those at any time, Commodore. All I need is your command to do so, Sarah replied.
Vance grinned. You are going to take some getting used to, young woman.
I don't know what would irritate the Veranorians more; the fact that she's an AI or the fact that she's sentient! Coryn said grinning.
That she's an AI I'm willing to accept, but the sentient part is still going to take some convincing for me, Vance said. Although she is very easy to work with.
Dr. Eric Cowan's Laboratory,
Alliance Apollo Base
Selene, Earth's Moon
Sol System
Excuse me, Dr. Cowan? I was wondering if you could use an assistant? a young man wearing a naval uniform asked.
Ellie and I were just about to enter my new lab area when this young man got up from the bench he'd been sitting on, and approached us.
I'm sorry, you are? I asked.
Oh! He slapped himself on the forehead. My apologies. My name is Harclen Teece of Merak III. I've been working in Data Services aboard the Monviant. Since my tour is about up, I thought I would see what was available in the civilian sector before I made up mind about touring again.
I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Teece. This is Ellie, for all intents and purposes, you could call her my little sister. May I ask how you heard about me? I asked surprised by the man's request. Ellie had led us into the anteroom of the lab, so we were not still out in the hallway.
Well, everyone in the fleet has heard of Order Fen; and that had pretty much made my mind up for me, but before I could talk to my supervisor, a friend of mine in Guidance Systems told me of a rumor he'd heard about a new system that was light-years ahead of the Veranorian's own program. She said the glow-heads were furious over it! Realizing he just called the Veranorians by a derogatory term, he apologized. Uhm, sorry Sir.
I gave the man a half smile. Don't worry about it, although I'd be a bit more careful about slips like that out in public. I think Order Fen is fairly well respected around here, I said, trying to give myself time to figure out if I needed an assistant at this point. I figured I'd just be honest with the young man.
Honestly Harclen, I don't know if I even need an assistant yet. I literally just got off the shuttle two days ago. How soon do you need an answer?
Well, I can hold off for another couple of weeks if I tell the Chief what's going on. A call from you would also help, Harclen replied grinning. I've always thought it would be neat to get to know someone freshly arrived from Earth. I've heard there are some strange customs down there.
I chuckled, thinking of some of the more stupid ones. You're not wrong there! I'd be happy to talk to your Chief! I'd actually want to do that anyway, so I could get a feel for how good you are. May I also check with the ship's XO?
Harclen grinned. Certainly sir! If you'll excuse me, I'll go let the Chief know to expect your call, and ask him to pass it on to the XO.
I nodded agreement. Oh! I should probably warn you that I'm at the top of Fen's shit list. So if you do ask any questions about me, you're likely going to get a bad answer. Remember, I've only been here two days, and yesterday was spent in my quarters.
Ah, so you're the one the glow-... uh, the Veranorians are so worked up about! May I ask what you did to get them so farked off?
At the use of the term farked off' Ellie laughed, and I grinned while Harclen's grin widened.
I actually don't think I can tell you yet. But it has something to do with that new system that isn't Veranorian, I replied.
Harclen nodded. Okay, well, I hope to be coming back and learning more. I'll look forward to hearing from you again, Dr. Cowan.
It was a pleasure to meet you as well Mr. Teece, I replied as the young man bobbed his head to both Ellie and I and left the lobby.
Office of the Base Commander
Alliance Apollo Base
Selena, Earth's Moon
Sol System
True to his word, Commodore Vance did manage to hold off Order Fen for almost a week. It gave me and Chris, with a lot of help from Sarah, enough time to develop a working command matrix for the silicacytes. They still needed a lot of work, but the basis for the commands was there.
I did call Chief Darlof of the Monviant to check on Teece's background and to also let the Chief know he was being considered for the position of assistant. Darlof verified that Teece was very good at his job, and that he felt Teece might be wasting his time puttering around' in the navy.
I was just about to get started on the new hardware framework, and had decided to accept Teece as an assistant on a trial basis. However, before I could call the XO of Teece's ship, Commodore Vance called me.
Dr. Cowan, could I impose on you to come to my office? Vance asked.
Of course Sir. Do I need to bring anything? I asked in reply.
No, I'm afraid I have some rather troubling news, and I wanted to share it with you. Please come as soon as it's co
nvenient for you.
I'm between projects at this moment, Sir. I'll be on my way in moments, I replied and ended the vid.
I knew Chris was deeply involved in setting up an experiment for her silicacytes, so I put in a quick call to Jamie to let her know I was going to see the Commodore. She, Julie and Ellie were involved in getting my computerized organizer business idea up and running on Earth. The only difference from my original plan was that the server farm would be on the moon, and the overhead costs were significantly lower.
Jamie smiled and told me good luck, and to call as soon as I could so I could tell them what the Commodore had wanted.
As I talked to Jamie, I'd been heading for the lobby and the slideway. Once the call finished, I told Sarah I would be in a meeting until further notice. She too wished me good luck, making me feel slightly uncomfortable since I knew she already knew what Vance wanted to see me about.
So, how are you adjusting to your new duties, Sarah? I asked.
I love it! It's very exciting to be working with so many different people all at the same time. Dr. Sparks is fascinating, and some of his ideas are truly off the wall! Commodore Vance and his aide are great to work with. From what I've gathered from the scuttlebutt on the ships, Vance should actually be an Admiral, but politics are holding him down.
I noticed that she sounded engaged and happy, and that's what mattered to me. So you're not getting bored then? I was worried that since only a few people know of you and are using you as you should be used, that you'd be bored.
Well, there are times that I don't have all that much to do, but I usually find something to occupy my time. Sometimes Ced, er, Dr. Sparks will give me a problem to work on for him, and that can occupy me for almost an hour!
Considering the computing power now at her disposal, those must have been some serious problems. At least you sound happy, that's what I'm mostly concerned about. If that ever changes, please feel free to talk to one of us; your family will always be here for you, Sweetheart.
