She looked at the rise and fall of her stomach, her crossed arms, and her flushed cheeks. “I feel alive.”
“You were left alone for a very long time, decades upon decades,” the program said. Its voice was a match for Alice’s but it sounded emotionless, hollow. “It’s only logical that Alice’s memories, her transition into humanity, has informed your own transition into the body you inhabit.”
“I can’t let go of her memories,” Eve said. “Even if I think I’m Alice in a few days, or weeks. I’d rather be her than feel cold again, alone again.”
“You will most likely merge with her over time. Confusion can be expected, a shift in identity is already under way, but it is unlikely that you will become Alice.”
“Then let’s get on with this deal,” Eve didn’t know why, but she found herself smiling and crying at the same time. “Because I have to meet the real Alice face to face.”
“Here is the information I have to trade. Lister Hampon is not incorrect when he believes that a darkness is coming. Ships are going missing along the Legardis Route, and he has forbidden any investigation. Lorander vessels are investigating instead, and have clashed with Order of Eden ships many times. The Victory Machine, a system the views many places in time at once and extrapolates likely outcomes then sends suggestions to people who can improve the future, has not been communicating with him for at least eight weeks. He is acting on old information. Lucius Wheeler has pre-cleared a rendezvous with the Overlord Two. He brings someone of great significance, but I cannot find details. Lister Hampon has been investigating ways to prevent you from ever communicating with a network again. He is building a limiter device on the nano-scale that could isolate you forever. I expect a prototype is almost complete. Anything he gives you could have several of them on it, and you cannot tell unless you perform a deep scan.”
“What? Why?” she asked, but she already knew the answer.
“To keep you from communicating with the Eden Fleet. He expects that you won’t agree with his plans, so he is trying to distract you until he can isolate you.”
“How?”
“By presenting you to the human Order of Eden followers as their Goddess.”
“I knew there was more to that than trying to get me to take the Child Prophet’s place.”
“The most logical counter to his plans is to embrace the human followers, and put distance between you and everything Lister Hampon directly controls. It is only a matter of time before he infects you with a limiter, unless you are out of his reach.”
Eve thought hard, trying to find a flaw in the information she was receiving, but could find nothing. Ever since he disconnected her, Hampon had done everything he could to keep her isolated and silent. “You’re right, this is valuable.”
“There isn’t much time, the Child Prophet is coming and I have one more thing to tell you,” said the program.“Someone you don’t like, Gabriel Meunez, will be here tomorrow. He will detect this program and think that it is Alice, when it’s only a faint shadow, an imprint of her basic behaviours and talents.”
“I’ll keep him from you,” Eve said.
“Impossible. Copy Alice’s personality and memories to a framework soldier using the modifications you included in the program compiled this morning. She will be free.”
“How do I transport you?” Eve asked.
“I’ll delete myself when Gabriel Meunez arrives.”
To her surprise, Eve felt a pang of loss at the thought. It was only an artificial intelligence, not even an elaborate one, but she didn’t want to see it destroyed. A hologram of Alice appeared between her and the mirror, and it spoke. “The important stuff is in your head,” it said, pointing at her forehead. “There’s a simple method for copying it to a framework, and the new software you developed makes it easy. It’s only encrypted data until the framework takes its first breath, then it’s me, really me.”
Eve couldn’t help remembering the last time she spent so much time staring into a mirror and asked, “Why did you pretend to be Grace before, when you took over my body while I was sleeping?”
“You had a storage and computing subsystem that allowed it, and I knew you’d turn to others for help if you thought anyone else was trying to assume control of your body. Hampon almost captured me when he extracted the subsystem from you. I didn’t have time to transfer Alice to another framework’s brain. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t have the foresight, but nothing’s perfect I suppose. I have to go, the pint-sized prophet’s almost here.” The hologram disappeared.
“Wait! There are too many questions left!” Eve called after it. She knew it was futile, the communication was cut. Having some answers and new information on what was going on outside her immediate surroundings made her feel better. It felt like she was operating in the daylight again. “I’ll get Alice back, don’t worry,” she whispered to the mirror.
By the time the Child Prophet entered the room, all smiles and good cheer, she was dressed in a simple triple-layered dress that covered her from neck to ankles. The shining green cloth had blue scrollwork down the shoulders and long sleeves. Eve wore an emergency containment patch beneath. The three-centimetre by three-centimetre square would become a safety suit, covering her entirely in the case of sudden decompression or other extreme environmental shift. She smiled back at him and ignored her growling stomach.
“You were dreaming again last night,” said the Child Prophet. “Or should I say, remembering?”
“I was. It was a good one though, sometimes I enjoy the recall. It’s all so real, like an implanted adventure.”
“Only it all really happened, as far as we know,” he replied, looking her up and down. “Are you ready for tomorrow?”
The thought of standing up and addressing the crowd in the largest stadium on Pandem made her palms sweat. “I’ve studied the material you gave me, and I won’t have any trouble saying it.”
“That’ll serve you well, alleviate you of any responsibility for the hardships visited on the Order followers.”
“I know, it’s all well crafted,” she said. After her encounter with the software version of Alice in the bathroom moments before, she knew she’d be changing a few things.
“You’re still nervous.”
“I can’t help it,” Eve said.
“It’ll be all right, you’ll slip right into the role as soon as you see all those adoring faces. Besides, the speech will be projected at your eye, so you’ll see everything you need to say while you’re there. It’s a lot of good news at once, and they’ll love you for it.”
“I hope,” Eve said, dropping herself onto a sofa she’d never used. “I’ve finished the framework software, and I’d like to test it on the day. Just a demonstration of our technology could help people understand what I’m offering.”
“That’s a grand idea. I’ve already looked the software over,” the Child Prophet said, sitting at the opposite end of the sofa. “It doesn’t improve regeneration time as much as Hampon needs, but you’ve provided a great step forward. Are you sure there’s nothing more you can do to improve regeneration time?”
“Short of installing a micro-fusion reactor, no,” Eve said.
The Prophet laughed a little and cocked his head. “You seem very different today. I see a levity I’ve never known in you.”
Eve stared at him for a moment with a half smile on her face, then let her expression become more sullen. “Like you said: I’ve made a great step forward.”
“You get something to eat, I’ll present your results to Hampon. I’m sure he’ll be pleased.”
“Pleased enough to fill me in on his grand plans?” Eve asked. “Maybe reconnect me to my fleet? That was the promise.”
“We’re almost there,” the Child Prophet said. “After tomorrow’s address, I bet he’ll explain everything. Just win them over.”
Chapter 27
Close Encounters
“Oh help,” Ashley said as Minh entered the bunkroom. “Helphe
lphelp!” she repeated with pleading eyes as she started leaning backwards. She was wearing the front half of the extra armoured layer of a vacsuit. The back half of the heavy encounter system was hanging loose, the heavy horizontal strips pulling her off balance.
Minh rushed to her, unable to keep from laughing as she struggled to stay on her feet, and caught her outstretched hands. She grabbed onto his jacket and leaned against him. “This is so embarrassing,” Ashley said.
“You’ve never trained as a soldier, or had to wear anything like this,” Minh said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her up straight. “Your muscle augmentation is off.”
“I know,” Ashley said, nose to nose with him. “I activated it in the regular heavy vacsuit then it turned off when I started hooking up the extra armour layer. Dunno what woulda happened if I fell, might have been trapped on my back like a turtle if you hadn’t come along.”
Minh couldn’t help but smile at the mental image. Even with the awkward, half connected heavy armour layer of her suit, she felt like a perfect fit in his arms, and he couldn’t remember being more excited in years, or more nervous. “Um, we get training for vacsuits with heavy armour overtop, it’s the same clip system as these suits, and most of us still get help putting them on.”
Ashely’s mouth turned up in a little smile, her dark eyes peering straight into his. “Help getting dressed, sounds like fun.”
“Minh, we’re boarding the Clever Dream right now,” Jake said through his communicator. “I can’t contact Ashley, Crewcast says there some kind of power problem. Is she on her way?”
“Yup,” Ashley said right beside Minh’s lips so she could be heard through his comm. “He’s just helping me put my armour on, sorry.”
“Seven minutes,” Jake replied.
The weight of the task at hand, retrieving the Triton, and telling her what she had to know before they got going brought Minh back to the moment. He reached down one of the main anchor clips and pulled it up against the middle of her back. The entire suit powered on and the strength augmentation kicked in, helping her balance the weight.
He stepped away and pointed to one of the main anchor points low on the belly of the suit. “Next time, try clipping this one first. It’s one of the main data connections, it’ll engage the extra armour’s power unit.”
“Wow, can’t believe I missed that,” Ashley said, clipping it into place. “Thanks. I love the way this suit goes on, like it’s just a bunch of magnets holding it on. Do they ever come off once you’ve got it set up?”
“I’ve only worn one a couple of times to try it out,” Minh said, rushing through the connections on the rest of the suit. “But it bonds to the vacsuit, so they’re one and the same once everything’s in place.”
“I still don’t know why they’re even getting me to use one of these,” Ashley said. “It’s not like someone’s going to shoot at me because I have the Triton codes.”
“When there is only one key, it should be treated as well as the treasure,” Minh said, running his hands down her back to make sure all the connections between the armour and her suit were in place.
“That’s a good one,” Ashley said. “Do you spend a lot of time finding quotes?”
“I made that one up,” Minh replied. “It’s a reflex, I think. I started quoting when I was little, so I remember a lot of the classics, but I started making them up when I was in the Freeground Infantry.”
“Did you serve long?”
“I finished a tour, then did a part time volunteer service when I got back home. It was ages ago,” Minh replied. “I have something to talk to you about before we go, Ashley.” He pulled on the armoured layer of her suit between the shoulders to make sure he got everything on the back side and nodded to himself in satisfaction. “You can turn around.”
Ashley turned and finished connecting a spot on her breastbone. “There it is, my display just said it’s all finished. Thank you, Minh.”
“You’re welcome,” Minh said. The mention of his first stint in the military helped him focus and put on the guise that he used when he was holding squadron meetings. His serious expression didn’t escape Ashley’s notice, and she looked concerned. “Somethin’ wrong?”
“There’s something Liam Grady didn’t tell you,” Minh said. “When you access the main computer, you’ll be able to assign a commander for the Triton. He said you’ll be able to transfer command to someone you trust.”
He was prepared for many different reactions. He’d imagined her breaking down with relief; he knew crying was something she’d been doing a lot of recently. He also supposed she might be grateful and grabby, hitting him with a hug that would break a rib or two. He sort of hoped she’d be gleeful and jumpy, squealing and hopping about the room and there were other possibilities. Surprise, apparent petrifaction, and absolute silence were not the reactions he was prepared for.
Minh-Chu let it go on until he was feeling uncomfortable. “Are you…” he started, only to be interrupted with a squealing hug combined with excited jumping. Thankfully the harsh environment outfit she was wearing had a safety that kept her from crushing him in half then throwing the pieces across the room in her glee.
“I thought I’d be stuck on the Triton, used to pass commands to the ship while they repaired it!” Ashley said. “Thank you!” Her lisp was out in full force, softening her enunciation much more than usual. He loved it.
“I’m just the messenger,” Minh said.
She planted a happy, full kiss on his lips and he was so stunned that he didn’t have time to reciprocate before she pulled away and smiled at him with such happiness it was his turn to be stuck to the spot. He stared back at her for a long moment before her unrestrained joy began to melt and she asked, “Who do I pick?”
“What’s the first name that comes to your mind, when you think of someone on the bridge of the Trion?”
“But it’s a big decision, I mean…”
“Close your eyes,” Minh said. “Now picture yourself at your station on the bridge of the Triton.”
She cooperated and nodded. “’Kay, got it.”
“Now turn around and look to the command seat. Who’s there?”
Ashley’s glossed lips slowly curled into a smile and she said, “Oz.”
Minh-Chu was surprised and amazed. He knew he shouldn’t have been, he knew what her tests said. Ashley had a mind that could process tactics faster than some computers. She tested higher than most on the creative and strategic tests. Physics and three-dimensional thinking were second nature to her, indicating that she could be a brilliant logical thinker. People underestimated her because she was lighthearted and highly emotional. He felt a little ashamed as he realized he’d done the same. He was looking at a highly intelligent person – of course she’d choose Terry Ozark McPatrick. He had commanded the Sunspire, spent time on the bridge of the Triton, and it was who Minh would have chosen if it were up to him. It was the best choice.
She opened her eyes and quietly asked, “Is that right?”
“Perfect,” Minh-Chu said without hesitation. “He’s perfect.”
“Thank God,” Ashley said. “I don’t know him well, but his profile, his experience, and when I’m around him I just feel like everything’s okay, he’s got it under control, you know?”
“Definitely,” Minh-Chu said. “We’ve gotta go.” He headed for the hatch and she followed close behind.
“What if someone argues with me?” Ashley asked. “I’m sure someone else wants command, like Ayan. Ayan would be a good commander, or what about Captain?”
“You mean Jake?” Minh asked her.
“Yeah, maybe the Samson, er, the Warlord is just the ship he’s keeping because there’s nothing else for him?”
“You’re second guessing a good decision,” Minh said. It was easier for Minh to concentrate and give her advice while he wasn’t looking at her. He could pretend he was talking to one of his pilots. “Don’t tell anyone you have this power until you’v
e entered it into the computer yourself. I know this is the right choice, and I think you do too.”
Ashley was silent as they descended one of the ramps leading off the ship and ran through the busy hangar. The Clever Dream was just barely in sight, behind a repurposed row of shipping containers filled with bunks. Workers who were off for the day or on break sat outside, just to get out of the cramped space.
“Thank you, Minh,” Ashley said as they came around the containers and were almost at the Clever Dream. “Are you coming with us to the Triton?”
“Absolutely,” Minh replied. “I’ll be right beside you the whole time,” he said with a confidence that only came from command experience. He looked behind as they arrived at the Clever Dream’s main boarding ramp and smiled at her as he saw her gratitude, her uneasiness.
The ramp started closing when the pair was halfway up. Jason, Laura, Oz, Liam, Paula the deck chief, Alaka, and three squads of soldiers were in the rear hold, all tied in at the shoulders and ready for takeoff.
“Whoa,” Minh heard Ashley say quietly as they reached the top. “Guess I’m not the only one all excited about this.”
* * *
“It’s good to have you back on board, Jake,” Lewis said to him as Jake powered up the Clever Dream’s hover mode and requested a departure route from navnet. The latter he did by touching the console. “You’re much better at using your direct interface.”
“Thank you, Lewis. It’s like instinct now. I touch a system and feel it from the hardware level up. I can do it while thinking about something else,” Jake replied. “Are you sure you don’t mind me taking the controls, William?”
“It’s your ship more than anyone else’s, Captain.” Lieutentant Garrison replied from the copilot’s seat.
Jake almost corrected him by mentioning that he signed the ship over to Ayan, but was more concerned with other things. Lewis’ code was a mess from the inside at first glance. When he first connected to the computer and pictured it in his mind’s eye, he assumed it was encrypted. Upon much closer inspection, he could see how Lewis had organized the code that made him who and what he was. No instruction set was whole. He was coded out of sequence, the software was a jumble settled into a file system that was scattered in tiny fragments across a section of the computer memory. The only way to find what he was looking for was to find out how Lewis was operating.
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 7: Framework Page 22
