by Scott Baron
Craaxit’s eyes widened with appreciative amusement.
“You surprise me again, Daisy,” he said. “And we are in luck. This type of serpent is a very tasty one.”
Craaxit pulled the knife from the wall, then carefully skinned and cleaned the snake before setting up a small heating element from the pack at his side. Within a few minutes the duo was replenishing their energy stores as they discussed Cal’s plan.
“Thank you, Craaxit,” Daisy said. “That was surprisingly delicious.”
“You are the one who provided the meal. I only cooked it,” he replied. “Fortunately, your aim is true, otherwise we might have been left with a belly full of roasted wall-board for your efforts.”
The unlikely friends laughed, then slowly quieted to discuss the other matters at hand.
“Craaxit,” Daisy began, “we are leaving Los Angeles shortly. It looks as though we have a plan that may help both of our causes, but we will need your help when the time comes. Are you confident you can gather enough Chithiid to your side?”
“My network is with me, and the more senior of my friends have many, many contacts loyal to them. If your plan is indeed a sound one, I have confidence I can bring them around to our cause. But tell me, what do you hope to accomplish in your travels?”
Daisy proceeded to fill him in on the plan, including the use of the tube network and hopes of reconnecting with other city AIs across the country, and eventually the world.
“But you say others may be infected?”
“Yes. That’s a major concern.”
“Perhaps I have a solution that may be of use. What if you could purge those infected? What if you could clear them and start again?”
“You can do that?”
“Not as of yet. The AI infection is a Ra’az creation, but many of us have discussed theories on how the more useful of the corrupted systems might be able to be brought back online for us to utilize in our work. I do not see why the concept could not work for the larger AI systems.”
The surprising alien then spent the next half hour discussing his observations and ideas, many of which began in the time before the pair’s nascent rebellion. His thoughts laid out on the table became the basis of a rough plan, which he and Daisy then brainstormed how best to utilize together to move both of their causes ahead.
“Hey, you need to get back,” Sarah quietly reminded her.
You’re right. Thanks.
“No worries.”
“It is late,” Daisy said. “I need to get back. Keep talking to your people. Get as many more swayed to the cause as best you can. I will contact you when we return.” She then headed out into the cool night air, quietly making her way back to the safety of the tunnel system where her friends awaited her.
Far outside the city, Craaxit landed his work skiff in the docking bay just outside the large barracks facility. While the work crews always rested at night, as a senior shift leader, he had a bit of leeway with the young lad overseeing the machinery.
“Another night run?” the younger alien asked his superior.
“Yes. While some of the others may be comfortable in their assigned routines, I believe that to be complacency. There is still much we can do to streamline our processes.”
“But why at night? Did you hear? There was an attack on one of the scouting teams from the security barracks the other night.”
“I had not heard. This is most disturbing news,” he said with a convincing poker face. “I will be alert, rest assured. But for now, I must input a modified work order for the morning. My survey seems to have borne fruit. By studying the power flow of the far-western areas, I have identified what appears to be a gap in the power network. If the solar arrays do not re-engage those systems in the morning, we may have a very rich area to tap into, though right at the edge of the city’s defenses.”
The young Chithiid smiled in admiration.
“You see, sir? This is why you are so well-respected. You possess a forethought beyond that of your peers.”
“Thank you,” he said, “but I am merely doing my job. Speaking of which, I shall leave you to yours. Have a good evening, and may it be a peaceful one.”
Craaxit turned and walked off into the wide building across from the equipment facilities.
Rows upon rows of bunk beds lined the facility. It had formerly been a supply warehouse, in a previous life, but after the invasion, the Ra’az designated it a barracks for their conscript workforce. Lockers lined the walls, containing the few personal possessions of each worker. All tools, and especially weaponry, were kept under guard at a different location, only to be distributed as work crews left for their shifts.
The bunks themselves were long, wide, and sturdy, as they would have to be to accommodate the bulk of a full-grown Chithiid. With easily grasped rungs spaced along the outer framework, the units were stacked and bolted almost to the ceiling. It was a good thing that the Chithiid, like Mohawk iron workers of centuries past, had no fear of heights.
“Craaxit, sir.” The workers who were still awake nodded in respectful greeting as he walked the aisle between the towering bunks. He nodded to each of them in turn. Most, but not all, were trustworthy, if not actual friends. He had been there a long time, and in those many years, had become something of a role model for many of the younger men.
One particularly old alien propped himself up on his elbows as Craaxit approached, his slightly rheumy eyes showing a healthy dose of curiosity mixed with his unwavering friendship.
“Maarl,” he greeted the reclining Chithiid.
“Craaxit,” the older Chithiid replied. “Out on another night survey, I see,” he said, loud enough for the nearest workers to hear.
“Yes, and this time it was most productive. I believe I may have stumbled upon a gap in the power grid. It requires some verification over coming weeks, lest we encounter an active defense grid, but if I am correct, our workers may have a far easier, and much more bountiful vein to mine from, once my findings are confirmed.”
“That would be a welcome change, my friend. I am sure the teams would greatly appreciate a few months of less difficult work.”
The two shared a knowing look in the dimly lit room.
“Well, then,” Craaxit continued, making sure the others nearby could hear him, “if you don’t mind your rest cycle being interrupted, perhaps you would be willing to join me in the logistics room to go over my notes before turning in for the night? Your years of knowledge and expertise would be greatly appreciated.”
“Of course,” the older alien replied. “Brew us a pot of kathaari tea, and I will join you there shortly.”
“It will be brewed and awaiting you, my friend. And as always, thank you for lending me your wisdom and guidance,” Craaxit said, then turned and walked out of the barracks.
The logistics room was used primarily by work team leaders in planning out the month’s labor assignments. It was also empty at that hour of night, and was also, unlike so many areas of the facility, not monitored by loyalists.
A short while later, the old Chithiid entered and took a seat next to his friend. Craaxit poured him a steaming mug of syrupy-sweet tea and slid it to his welcoming hands.
“So, Craaxit, what is this really about?”
“We’ve been friends for a very, very long time, have we not?”
“Longer than I care to admit,” his elder replied with a faint grin.
“You know what we have been hoping for, all these years? What we have spent decades and decades quietly stockpiling and preparing for?”
The old alien lowered his mug and fixed an expectant gaze on his friend.
“Well,” Craaxit continued, pausing for a sip of tea for dramatic effect, “while the particulars may sound fantastical, you know I would not lie to you, Maarl.”
“What are you saying, Craaxit?”
“What I am saying is, I believe we may have finally discovered an ally capable of helping free our people. The most unlikely of sparks, y
et one that just might be enough to ignite our revolution.”
Quietly, Daisy approached her team.
“Damn, you’re getting good at this sneaking around stuff.”
See? Told you.
“No, Daisy. You are still not a Ninja.”
But I even have a sword now.
“Nope. Not a Ninja.”
You really are a killjoy, you know that?
Deep in her head, her sister laughed.
Daisy rounded the corner. “Okay, y’all, I’m back,” she said, stepping into the light.
“How did it go?” Finn asked, rousing himself from a shallow cat nap.
“He said he is on board and has already been reaching out to his network to lay the basic groundwork,” Daisy said as she dropped her pack and sword and slumped down into a padded chair.
“Excellent! I can’t believe we actually have freakin’ aliens on our side,” Reggie marveled.
“Don’t get too excited yet. Let’s just consider them our secret weapon for now. Once we have a revised plan with all the AIs, we’ll decide how best to utilize his people.”
“We do appear to possibly possess more resources than initially anticipated,” Cal interjected. “If he is true to his word, that is.”
“Indeed. Let’s just hope his people come through,” Daisy replied. “Oh, he did also have one rather interesting suggestion. He said if we encounter an infected AI en route, we should try to disable it, then remove the shielding apparatus and hit it with an EM blast direct to the processor’s core. That should wipe it clean. We could then purge any remaining virus with a hard system reset and then reboot. It could salvage a lot of incredibly complex machinery, and ideally, would let a new uninfected AI consciousness grow in its place in time. What do you think, Cal?”
“An interesting idea, Daisy,” Cal replied, “However, a nascent AI of the type required to operate any larger unit must be very carefully crafted before being installed into a primed AI processor. And even then, it is still a somewhat dangerous process.”
“Dangerous?” Daisy asked, a sinking feeling forming in her gut.
“Oh, yes. A newly born AI is a remarkably dangerous thing if not handled properly. There is a tremendous amount of power housed in our processors, as you know, yet we all start out in this world unsteady, like a toddler. A toddler who could accidentally knock their entire house down by mistake. It is for this reason that every AI is sequestered and must follow very specific protocols upon activation to ensure we do not develop personality problems, or even go mad. It is quite a complex process.”
Daisy thought about Freya, and her unconventional birth.
“Um, Daisy…” Sarah said, uncomfortably.
I know, Sarah, I know, she replied. Oh, man, what have I done?
Chapter Thirty-Five
“I must thank you again, Daisy. This has been the most interesting few days in well over a century. Truly, I thank you for that.”
“It’s been our pleasure, I suppose,” she replied, while continuing to load her pack in preparation for the journey.
“You know, your team’s approach was quite impressive. Really something to see. Your pilot team is quite skilled. After they dropped off your compatriots, I watched them do a quick-burst launch while masking their retreat by triggering a minor explosion at one of the smaller generator stations at the perimeter of the city. Very clever use of electronic interference to mask his ascent into orbit. I still don’t know how they managed that.”
“Bob’s a clever ship, and he and Donovan work really well together,” Reggie said.
“Wow, you’re admitting another pilot is good? Did hell just freeze over?” Finn joked.
“Hey, I just said they worked well together, not that he was better than me.”
Tamara paused in her packing and looked up at the monitor Cal had been using as his main interface in the room.
“Cal, I’ve been thinking about something you said the other day. You said you were watching our assault on Alma’s facility after we landed.” She gestured to the Faraday suit she and the others were wearing. “We should have been invisible to your scans with these on.”
“Oh, you were, rest assured. The Chithiid had no idea you were in the city. You may not have realized it at the time, but you passed quite close to one of their work parties, and they were none the wiser.”
“Then how did you see us?”
Cal let out a low chuckle.
“I am one of the older and more powerful AIs, Tamara, and as such, over the years I have learned to think outside of the box, as the saying goes. As a consciousness in a box, that expression has always particularly amused me.”
“So you found a way to scan us after all,” Tamara said.
“Not exactly. You see, you were still invisible, even to my scans, however, your remarkably clever shielding suits are a bit too good at negating a signal.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning wherever you go, while your movements and presence are hidden from scans, there is also a conspicuous lack of background noise. If you know what to look for, that is.”
“Damn. Now that’s clever,” Daisy said.
“Wait,” Omar said with a confused look. “How about you explain it for us dumb grunts.”
“Speak for yourself,” Shelly said, jabbing him with a sharp metal elbow.
“Hey, be careful with that thing!”
“It was intentional, dumbass,” she said with a chuckle.
“What Cal is saying is that you’re all still invisible to scans for mechanical and non-organic movement, but the suits disrupt ambient scatter as well.”
“Meaning?” Omar asked.
“Meaning he was able to reconstruct your movements based on what was not there, rather than what was there. Like tracking a ghost.”
“You rang?” Sarah chimed in on cue.
Not you.
“I know, just messin’ with ya.”
“The Ra’az Hok designed the devices the Chithiid use in their service, and while the Chithiid are a less advanced race, the Ra’az Hok are so technologically superior that they only expect high-tech attacks to be launched against them. The very idea of something so basic as a Faraday suit shielding against their scans never even occurred to them. Rather, they prepare for large uses of technology and power in any actions potentially taken against them. Hence destroying any cyborgs or AI they come across, but not organics. Even knowing there were bound to be a fraction of a percent of humans who survived the plague, they were not enough of a threat to concern them in the slightest.”
“And that’s a gigantic weakness in their defenses,” Finn said, drawing one of his many new ceramic knives across his portable whetstone.
“Yes. Interesting times we are in. Interesting, indeed, and about to possibly take a turn for the better. If Joshua is in fact still online, he can coordinate resources at speeds and levels of complexity far exceeding my abilities.”
“You’re being too modest,” Shelly said. “What you’ve done here is amazing.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but Joshua is the greatest military mind ever created, and when operating at full capacity, he controls immense resources. The only problem is, he is nearly impossible to reach now that his systems are closed off from the non-military communications hubs.”
“And the military ones?”
“The first to be destroyed in the attack. Even before the AI virus was released. The Ra’az Hok targeted Dark Side and the orbiting satellites before they even hit the atmosphere. From there, they blinded the world’s military in less than an hour. Without the communications and surveillance network they had so relied on, there was simply no means to accurately target an enemy they could not track or see.”
“So all I have to do is cross under several states, avoid rogue AI nutjobs, and not get killed by hostile aliens. Then I just hack into the most secure military facility on the planet, which just so happens to be located beneath an entire mountain. Sounds like a walk in the p
ark,” Daisy said with a grim chuckle.
“If only it were that simple.”
“Why did I know you were going to say that?”
“Because I assume you are well-acquainted with the law of Murphy by this point.”
Tamara laughed grimly. “Ain’t that the fuckin’ truth.”
“If you do reach Joshua at NORAD, and if you somehow manage to connect with him, even then it will likely take far more than one or two civilian AIs to get his attention. Perhaps if we are successful in networking together enough of us, he will listen, but he has a different sense of priority than non-military AI. One might say he lives by a soldier’s code, of sorts.”
“So we get the others networked as well,” Daisy said matter-of-factly. “We’ll split into four teams, as planned. I’ll take Colorado Springs, and the rest of you will target the major AIs that are most likely to be unharmed based on the list Cal gave us. If you confirm their presence and stability, re-establish secured comms with the deadman switches installed, then move on to the next city on your list. Once that’s done, maybe we’ll have enough of the larger civilian AIs to make Joshua listen.”
“You’re missing the obvious, Daze,” Sarah said in her head.
“What’s that?” she replied out loud.
“What did you say, Daisy?” Tamara asked, a questioning look on her face.
“Just talking to myself,” she covered.
“You gotta watch that outside-voice stuff.”
Yeah, I know. So what’s this obvious thing I’m missing?
“You’re so focused on what’s in front of you, you’ve forgotten what’s above.”
Just Mal, and Sid, and—the realization hit her. How could I have been so dumb?
“Just who you are,” Sarah teased.
“Cal, you said Joshua is military, right? So why not have Sid make contact?”
