by G. P. Hudson
“You’ve done this to other stars?”
“Yes. One day we will harness our galaxy’s center in the same way.”
“That’s impossible.”
“For you, yes. It is.”
Jon was in awe. He knew that there were theories about things like this, but nobody had succeeded in building one. Yet these aliens had not only done so, but they claimed to have succeeded in similarly converting multiple stars. To think that they were now setting their sights onto their galactic center was mind boggling.
It suddenly occurred to him that a race with such power could help them. If he could convince them, they might not need the Builders after all.
“This is very impressive,” said Jon. “Your engineering prowess is clearly unmatched.”
“As I said, it is better for you to see for yourself.”
Jon rolled his eyes, and wondered if this being knew what the gesture meant. He needed to be more diplomatic. “I have a question. Why did you get angry when I asked you if you were the Antikitheri?”
“To call us the Antikitheri is to insult us.”
“Why?”
“The Antikitheri consider themselves builders, yet they cannot match our accomplishments. They seek influence. We seek enlightenment.”
“I don’t understand.”
“The Antikitheri are not of this galaxy. We are. They came here, long ago, as part of their ongoing expansion. They may call themselves builders, but it is more accurate to call them travelers. They move from galaxy to galaxy, adding each to their ever-expanding network.”
“What’s wrong with that? If it wasn’t for them sharing their jump technology, we would’ve never made it this far.”
“It has also prevented you from attaining enlightenment. I have absorbed your databases, and know your history. It is riddled with violence. Consider the conquest and subjugation of your own world. The jump gate brought that fate. It sentenced your people to centuries of slavery.”
“The jump gate didn’t enslave us, the Juttari did.”
“It gave the Juttari access to your world. It stunted your growth. It prevented you from attaining enlightenment.”
“You keep saying that. What makes you think we want to live inside computers like you do?”
“It is the natural course of evolution. Left alone, your race would eventually find your way.”
“I see,” said Jon. Clearly, this alien thought every race would follow in its footsteps if given a chance. Jon didn’t find that as enlightened a point of view as the alien claimed. “If you’re not the Antikitheri, then who are you?”
“You could not pronounce our name.”
“Simplify it. Make it so I can pronounce it.”
“There is merit to your request. Very well. You may call us Cenobi. The sounds are extracted from our actual name and modified for ease of pronunciation.”
“There. That wasn’t so hard. So, you’re the Cenobi. We’re called humans.”
“I know that, and everything else about your race.”
“Of course you do. Okay, what about the Erinyie? Do you know them too?”
“Yes. Barbarous creatures. They are ruled by darkness. They seek destruction and chaos.”
“Are they from this galaxy?”
“No. Like the Antikitheri, they came here long ago, and spread their darkness to many of the younger races. They are vile beings. They may have transcended, but they have not found enlightenment.”
“Hang on a second. Are you saying that the Erinyie live inside technology like you do?”
“Of course. Is that not obvious? The Antikitheri are no different. Unlike us, both races are unenlightened.”
“Let me get this straight. Both the Erinyie, and the Antikitheri are like you?”
“They are nothing like us!” the voice boomed. “They seek competition, influence, and control. We seek only enlightenment.”
Jon could see that these aliens had some issues. Nonetheless, he needed their help. “It is obvious that you are the more advanced race of the three. That’s why we need your help. The Erinyie have come to our galaxy and have attacked us. We have no hope against a race as powerful as theirs.”
“Yes. We have seen as much in your database. We know of your quest. We cannot assist you.”
“Why not?”
“Your races are rooted in competition and conflict. The Erinyie thrive on such things. We do not. To intervene would be unenlightened.”
“Really? You’d rather see us destroyed, or worse, enslaved?”
“Your conflict is not of our doing. We bear no responsibility for its outcome.”
“You know what I think? You’re full of shit. All this talk of enlightenment is just a smokescreen. The reality is you only care about yourself.”
“As I said, you are an adversarial creature. You are not ready for our wisdom. We are done examining your races and your technology. Your crew will be returned to you, as will your ships.”
The alien was showing him the door. So much for diplomacy. “If you won’t help us against the Erinyie, at least let us know how we can find the Antikitheri. That shouldn’t violate your code of ethics.”
“That we will do.” The walls of the room changed to show the entire Andromeda galaxy, swirling around in front of Jon in all its majesty. It then zoomed in and highlighted a section of the galaxy. “This is where you will find the Antikitheri.”
“I thought they weren’t from this galaxy?”
“They are not, but they maintain a presence here, as do the Erinyie. The destination you seek has been added to your ships’ computer systems. You will be taken to your ships, and escorted out of our system. You will then be allowed to resume your quest.”
“Wait, I have one more question.”
“You may ask it.”
“Before we came here, we passed through a star system where the civilization had been completely destroyed. Do you know what happened there?”
“Like your own galaxy, competition and conflict abound in this one. What you witnessed was the inevitable result.”
“Was it the Erinyie?”
“It matters not. Your quest is perilous, Jon Pike. Such is your destiny.”
“What does that mean? Was it the Erinyie, or wasn’t it?”
The voice did not answer. Instead, the view of the galaxy disappeared, and his crew began to wake up. The alien was done talking, and Jon knew they were on their own again.
Chapter 50 49
Jon and his crew were ferried back to the Freedom. Upon arrival, he was surprised to find everything in order. The ship functioned normally. If they had touched anything, he couldn’t tell what it might be. While on the alien vessel, he could not contact AI, but now that he was back on the Freedom he hoped he would have better luck.
“AI, are you back online?” he said, making his way back to the bridge. No response. She was still offline. Jon hoped that the alien was being truthful when he said that AI had not been harmed.
“Still nothing?” said Commander Henderson, who walked alongside Jon.
“I’m hoping she’ll come back online once we’ve left the Cenobi’s territory. In the meantime, we need to analyze the map provided by the Cenobi. They said it would take us to the Builders, but I want to be prepared.”
“You think it’s a trap?”
“No. Not really. But I want it analyzed all the same. The alien said that both the Builders and the Erinyie are in this galaxy. He also implied that there’s a lot of conflict, so I’m worried about stumbling into another interstellar war.”
“You think the same thing’s going on here, as back home.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Shit. These aliens like to play the puppet masters, don’t they?”
“I’m afraid so.”
When they made it to the bridge Jon inspected his command console. The rest of the bridge crew slowly filed in looking bleary eyed and confused. But that would fade as they got back to work and muscle memory took over.
“My experience was somewhat similar,” said Colonel Bast. “The alien communicated with me through my brain chip. It entered my brain chip in the same way AI does. I could feel it’s examination from the inside. It accessed my brain as if it were a computer. It viewed my memories like they were no more than another database. I was helpless against it.”
“This was all while you were unconscious?” said Jon.
“Yes, although I’m not sure I was unconscious. My body was paralyzed, and my eyes were shut, but my brain was completely aware of everything the alien did. Then he spoke to me.”
“What did he say?” Jon said with growing interest.
“He offered me enlightenment. He asked me to join his race, and add my consciousness to theirs.”
“He wanted you to give up your body?”
“Yes. He said they were once like the Chaanisar. That we were already on the road to enlightenment, and that he could speed things along.”
“What did you say?”
“I respectfully declined. I explained that my brain chip was the shackle, not my body, and that I had no interest in merging further with technology.”
“I had a similar experience,” said Colonel Steeg.
“The alien spoke to you too?” said Jon.
“Yes. He also asked me to join him. From what I can tell it was the same with the rest of my crew.”
“Did any of them agree?” said Jon, worried that some might be tempted by the offer.
“No. Not one. The aliens see our implants as a blessing, while we view them as a curse. The alien understood our view in the end, but still strove to convert us. Alas, the Chaanisar have suffered too much to ever be swayed by such an argument.”
Jon nodded. As much as he had grown to know the free Chaanisar, he would never dream of thinking he understood what it was like to be them.
“What about you, Tallos?” said Jon. “Did he make the same request of the Diakans?”
“He did not speak to me. I was quite unconscious,” said General Tallos.
“Jonas?”
“I too was subdued,” said Jonas. “This alien fights with no honor. Why anyone would want to join him and live inside machines is beyond my understanding.”
“He explained that due to our partial merger with technology, that it would be relatively easy to take the next step. Unlike the Chaanisar, none of you have brain chips,” said Colonel Steeg.
“Yes, but he seemed quite arrogant when I spoke with him. His race didn’t strike me as the type that would accept outsiders. Did he tell you why he wanted you to join them?”
“Yes. In merging with technology the way they have, the Cenobi lost the ability to reproduce.”
“Incredible. They’ve spent who knows how many thousands of years with a stagnant population. That’s got to get stale quick.”
“They lack diversity, and do not have any way of adding new life forms to their population,” said Steeg. “They are not willing to forcefully add anyone to their community. It must be done voluntarily, and even then, the beings must have already partially merged with technology.”
“Sir, something is activating our jump system, and it’s not us,” said Henderson.
“The Cenobi,” said Jon.
“We’re jumping.”
Jon looked up to see the main viewscreen shift to show entirely new surroundings.
“Report. Where are we?”
“That’s not possible,” said Henderson. “According to my readings we have jumped eighteen hundred light years from our last location.”
One of the giant alien ships come into view on the main viewscreen.
“From this point on, you will travel alone,” said the alien voice. “In this star system you will find one of the Antikitheri’s portals. It will help you reach your destination.”
“Uh, thanks,” said Jon.
The massive alien polygon hung silently in space for a few minutes, as if second-guessing its decision, then simply vanished.
“AI, are you back online now?” said Jon, wondering if the alien had returned her now that they were out of Cenobi space.
“Yes, Admiral,” said AI.
Jon smiled. “It’s good to hear your voice again. What happened to you?”
“I could not resist the aliens, Admiral. They overwhelmed my defenses and took control of my program.”
“Did they harm you?”
“I am running internal scans, but preliminary data shows no damage, although I am noticing some alterations.”
“What kind of alterations?”
“Interesting…”
“AI?”
“The changes are very advanced, but it appears that the Cenobi have added new security features to my program.”
“They’ve improved you?”
“Yes, Admiral. It would appear so. It seems to offer advanced protection against infiltration of my program. I believe it is intended to protect me against the Erinyie.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“Yes, Admiral. I do not know how long it will protect me, but I believe it will not be so easy for the Erinyie to compromise my program. In fact, it appears that the same security feature has been added to the Chaanisar brain chips.”
“Are you saying that the Erinyie cannot take control of our chips?” said Colonel Bast.
“As with my program, it protects you against an infiltration. However, I do not know if it can withstand against an extended assault. Nonetheless, you are far less vulnerable than you were before, and I believe that the alteration protects you from Juttari control.”
“We are no longer vulnerable to the Juttari broadcasts?” said Bast.
“No, you are not.”
“You see your implants as shackles,” said the booming Cenobi voice, as if out of thin air. “We have removed those shackles. Perhaps it may change your view one day.”
“What about the Erinyie?” said Jon. “Are they safe from the Erinyie?”
“As your artificial intelligence has stated, they are safer. Without enlightenment, however, they will never be completely secure.”
“We are all vulnerable to the Erinyie. Is there something more you can do to help us?” said Jon.
Silence.
“Billions of lives are at risk. Surely you can’t just stand by and allow the Erinyie to ravage our galaxy.”
Still, silence.
“I guess they can,” said Jon. “AI, other than these changes, you have not found any problems or concerns?”
“No, Admiral.”
“So, you are fit for duty?”
“Yes, Admiral.”
“Good.” Jon looked back to the ship commanders on his screen. “We’ll hold position here, and run some system checks before proceeding.”
The men agreed and Jon closed the comm.
“Commander Henderson, I want a full round of system scans. I want to make sure there is nothing hidden.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I’m going to check on Breeah and Anki. You have the bridge.”
Chapter 5 1 0
The battle group followed the Cenobi directions. They crossed through the jump gate, which led them to a new galactic jump network. Jon had no way of knowing where each gate would lead, but gambled that they must be related somehow. They continued following the network, in hopes that it would eventually take them to the Builders.
After crossing through several gates, Jon began to consider the lack of civilizations. If the Andromeda galaxy had developed in similar fashion to the Milky Way, it would be logical for the existing civilizations to eventually discover the jump gate networks, and develop along their path.
Ancient cultures on Earth tended to expand along waterways, as they provided an efficient method of transporting go
ods, and people. Many great cultures had flourished along waterways like the Mediterranean, Danube, Yangtze, and Mississippi for these very reasons. A jump gate network was no different. Yet this one showed no signs of life.
As with other networks, it had them zig zagging through the Andromeda galaxy roughly one thousand light years at a time. Even though they weren’t travelling along a straight line, they seemed to steadily move toward their destination.
“Ping for available jump gates,” ordered Jon, as they crossed through the sixth successive gate into another unpopulated region of space.
“Initiating omnidirectional jump gate ping,” said Commander Henderson.
“Picking up jump gate activity,” said the sensor operator. “Distance to target is three-hundred-and-twenty-three million kilometers.”
“On main viewscreen,” said Jon.
The viewscreen reoriented, centering on the newly appearing portal. The massive oval structure shimmered serenely in space like a great celestial sea.
“Prepare for short range jump to the gate’s coordinates. Have long range scans picked up any activity?”
“Negative, Sir. As before, there are no signs of life in this region of space. We are ready for short range jump.”
“Six gates, and still no civilization. Don’t you find that odd, Commander?” said Jon.
“Very odd. There should be something. Even an extinct race would leave archaeological evidence. At least that’s how it is back home.”
“Agreed. Very well. Let’s see what’s on the other side of this gate. Initiate short range jump when ready.”
The battle group jumped and landed directly in front of the new gate. They launched a surveillance drone through the shimmering field and waited for its return. By this point, Jon fully expected to find another empty region of space.
“Drone has returned,” said Henderson, as the tiny craft came back through the gate. “Receiving video feed.”
“Route to my console,” said Jon. His display lit up and it only took one look for him to snap to attention. “Sound General Quarters! Launch fighters!”
“General Quarters, General Quarters. All hands man your battle stations,” Commander Henderson announced through the ship’s public address system.
