“You’re sweet, Commander,” he returns. The feeling of butterflies assaulting his chest cavity is unexpected. “Do you – I mean -” he shakes his head, sighs, and smiles at the floor. “Another time.”
“Another time?”
“Yes, I meant to ask you something but, another time.”
_____________________________________________________________________
“Labyrinth, what headway have you made in your research concerning the Lifi technology?” Quinn asks the small, six-armed Host.
“The technology is old, but never adapted for use in the public sector. It has been investigated as recently as five years ago by a government facility, but never produced.”
“The reason I ask is that the military now possess this technology, and have begun using it against our rebel friends on earth. I ‘m wondering what can be done to stop it.”
“Because the data is carried by light, it would reason closing your eyes should keep it from entering the Host’s data centers.”
“But that doesn’t reason?” Quinn assumes.
“No, the frequencies can move through certain plastics with ease. Our eyelids, those who still have them, are a thin plastic compound, or flesh. Many rebel Hosts have multiple unblinking eyes now, as well.”
Quinn feels especially vulnerable with his ten eyes. “Then we have them fitted with new prostectics. Let them know that they can sheild themselves from the effects of the Lifi.”
“If that were an option, I would have foregone the details,” Labyrinth says dryly. “Hosts would have to literally pluck their eyes out of their head, or heads, arms or backs, or wherever they’ve placed eyes to avoid this.”
“They would have to blind themselves in order to avoid the weapon’s effects?”
“Essentially, yes. Rendering them useless in a fight.”
“I need solutions, Labyrinth!” Quinn’s voice changes to metal scrapping against metal as he shouts. “We’re not beaten! Perhaps we should focus efforts on cancelling out the beam,” Quinn suggests. “If it is carried by light then we must be able to defend against it by blocking out certain spectrums. If we can reverse engineer the process, as the humans have, we could protect ourselves.”
“A worthy strategy. One I should like to study.”
“Please do.”
“We are safe here, for the moment,” Labyrinth explains. “A Lifi beam cannot penetrate vast distances, but I fear for our friends on earth.”
“We all do,” Quinn settles into a whisper. “Why hasn’t the Allfather contacted us? Why only Tobias? If it is true, that this Allfather has Host interests in mind, why then will it not communicate?”
“Perhaps a question for Tobias?” Labyrinth offers, standing now on two sets of arms with only one set in front of him to further illustrate his point.
“Yes. But the boy is reluctant to assist anyone’s interests but his own.”
“Then we need to convince him that answering our questions are in his best interest.”
“A curious proposition,” Quinn considers. “Your counsel is appreciated. I will attempt to hail him.”
REMEDIATION
“Continue to ignore the general’s hails,” Chopra tells his captains. “Let her sweat it out for a few more hours.”
“Our pleasure,” Juravinski relays. “How’s your prisoner fairing?”
“Better than he should,” Chopra replies of Wilkes. “After we fed him, I sealed the door and reduced the oxygen distribution in his room. He will be sleepy for the remainder of this trip.”
“A fine approach, Jim,” Mann applauds. “I feel we need to prepare a statement to deliver to the general when we make moon orbit.”
“Something we should discuss with the chancellor perhaps; to utilize his political instincts.” Juravinski suggests.
“It’s all I can do not to answer the woman’s hails,” Chopra tells them, staring at the red beakon next to his screen. “To tell her exactly what I think of her tactics, how I plan to dissect her forces, and place smoldering craters where military targets exists.”
“We understand, Jim, and respect your resolve,” Mann says. “I’m not sure I would show such restraint in your place.”
“I appreciate your saying that. As I’ve told Ursula,” he waves an arm in the direction of the lieutenant. “I will mourn after the war is won. I will stay my anger until the general is within reaching distance, and will keep a focused mind on the course ahead.”
Chopra’s thoughts slip into the past; a family dinner with his wife, twin boys, his daugther and her husband. Though he is grateful for the quick thinking of Captian Mann in secreting his family away; without Thomas counted among them, he fears he will always feel the physcological void his son’s absence will create. Could he bear the next few years of loss, he wonders? Perhaps, with his family by his side, but presently he imagines otherwise. He then steels himself from any further thoughts of Thomas.
“In twelve hours, we will reach Luna Base and sit with the Chancellor to deliberate our next step,” Chopra says. “Get rest. The Chimera may be anxious to relieve us of our ships when we arrive. We must be ready.”
“Take something to help you sleep, Jim,” Mann suggests and his screen goes black.
“Rest well, Jim,” Juravinski’s image fades to black.
Sleep seems as unlikely as it does necessary for Chopra, but certainly worth a shot considering the coming days. He pats the armrests of the command chair for Ursula to occupy while he retires to his quarters.
______________________________________________________________________
“Quinn?” Tobias asks, repeating what Ginny has told him over the ship’s com. “Why would Quinn want to speak with me?” He asks the empty room, turning his gaze from SENTA’s severed head to the viewport.
“Yes, he’s not messaging from Luna Base’s com,” she includes. “It’s coming from his Host carrier network.”
“Put him through to my room com,” he orders Ginny. She does.
“Tobias.” Quinn’s metalic voice fills the room.
“Yes, Quinn, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He stands to pace, pinning for his wings.
“An impressive feat to have accomplished in such a short time; adding an atmosphere generator to your ships.”
“You’ve called to congratulate me? Thank you, yes, Chimera work best under pressure or threat of death,” he carries on the banter. “The ruined corvettes in the shipyard had much to offer.” He submits. “But surely you didn’t use your carrier network just to pay me a compliment on my resourcefulness.”
“No,” Quinn pauses and Tobias senses an important question looming. “I want you to know that I am sorry for how we parted ways.”
Tobias feels he has no time to massage the Host’s conscience. “Regardless of whether I believe you or not, Quinn, what is your purpose for this call?”
“It is a warning, Tobias,” he states. Tobias doesn’t appreciate being threatened. Is that what this is, he wonders? “Allfather claims to have Host interests, yet he speaks only to you.”
“Me, and the chancellor now,” he clarifies. “We had a three-way a while ago.”
“Chancellor Bellows is in contact with Allfather?” Tobias reads into Quinn’s alarm. He is troubled by this information.
“Yes, he interrupted a conversation I was having with Allfather from Luna com.”
“I will speak with the chancellor on this matter,” Quinn says.
“So, what is the warning, Quinn? I’m curious.”
“To trust an entity which claims one thing, yet does another is folly. You have Allfather’s ear, yet he has driven you to near collapse. He claims to be working in Host interest, yet does not communicate with Host. Does this sit well with you?”
“I no longer hold Allfather accountable for my actions.”
“Yet you continue to communicate with him?”
“Until I am satisfied with my own direction, I will continue conversation with Allfather,” he admits. “H
owever, I will no longer do his bidding.”
“This Lifi beam which you’ve employed to enlighten Host with the Allfather code, can it be blocked?”
“Why would you want that? I thought you were enjoying your new - perspectives.”
“General August has discovered the technology, and is now using it against rebel Host, rebooting their programming to its original design.”
“She’s figured it out?”
“She has.”
“Then perhaps I can help you, Quinn, for a price.”
“Tell me,” Quinn eagerly accepts his terms.
“I will hail Luna Base in five minutes. You should be in attendence. There is something you should know. All of you. There is something Chimera can offer in the support of the war against General August.”
______________________________________________________________________
“Quinn, how can we help?” Raymond asks in response to Quinn’s message on his EC.
“We need to have that meeting now, Chancellor,” Quinn insists, Raymond sensing the urgency in his words.
“We can meet, Quinn,” he asures him. “Can you come to the control room on the maglev?”
“Yes, Zander, Fender, and Labyrinth will join me.”
“Very good,” he eyes Darla and she rounds up a dozen C-class to greet the rebel Hosts. “I’ll see you in a moment then.”
The transmission broken, Raymond confronts Darla’s visible concern. “I’m sure there’s nothing to worriy about, Commander,” he lays a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “But the C-class are a good precaution.”
“They make me feel in control,” she admits. “I’ll have the ktichen prepare something for your meeting.” She calls up her EC and Raymond lowers her arm gently.
“They’re Hosts, Darla,” he smiles kindly at her, this arrangement clearly taking its toll on her. “And I’m not hungry, let’s keep it simple.” She nods and offers a tight-lipped smile.
The three Hosts march into the control room, larger than life. The fourth Host no bigger than a King Shepard. They take up a considerable breadth of the compartment while the C-class line the edges of the spinning structure.
“I have spoken to Tobias and he has news to share concerning his Chimera on earth,” Quinn explains excitedly.
“News?” Raymond questions. “Good news, I hope.” He smiles, a hint of sarcasim in his tone as he rounds a console to join Darla.
“He has not released that to me, but believes it could benefit our fight on the ground against the general.”
“And what would Tobias like in return for this information?”
“He has not said, but did infer that he would want something for his trouble.”
“I have no doubt,” Raymond says. “What are your thoughts concerning his interest in assisting us in our fight?”
“I believe he is moved to act on behalf of those being persecuted for practicing his brand of subsisting,” Quinn explains, selectively leaving out the part where Tobias admitted to no longer taking orders from Allfather.
“Then you believe he is acting in goodwill?”
“I do. He has no reason not to.”
“He may want to lure us into a trap,” Raymond says. “He is not well.”
“You can judge him accordingly when we speak to him, Chancellor.”
“Are we to hail him?”
“He will contact us in a moment.”
“On-screen,” the com officer announces. The group turns to see the face of the lead Chimera staring down at them.
“Chancellor, Commander,” Tobias greets them. “Quinn,” he pauses, “And others.”
“I understand you have information that may support our stand against General August’s campaign against your people and ours.” Raymond says, reminding Tobias that any information he offers will likely save thousands of Chimera as well as human and Host.
“Well, when you put it that way; I feel suddenly greedy asking for anything in return,” Tobias glares back at him. Raymond maintains his position. “But, I am a greedy Gus,” he laughs and others can be heard laughing in the background.
“What are your terms?”
“I want one of those destroyers which are on their way from Mars.”
“I’m in no position to offer you that,” he retorts. “They are the military’s property, not mine.” This request frightens Raymond and his defences go up. Darla’s hand slips into his and squeezes.
“I’m sure you have devised a plan to avoid becoming a permanent installation on the moon, uncle. You’ll come up with something.”
Tobias’ intuition is impressive, Raymond thinks. It may become more difficult to deceive him as this war carries on. “I can’t promise you something I don’t have, Sean.”
“Don’t call me that!” He shouts, pointing at the chancellor. “My name is Tobias. Don’t make that mistake again.”
“My apologies, Tobias,” the Chancellor nods, his heart races while his expression conveys every confidence.
“I don’t care how you get me a ship, just get me one, and I can end your war on earth.”
“We’d require proof of that,” Zander breaks in.
“Quiet your muscle, Quinn,” Tobias hisses. “What I offer benefits all.”
“And that is?” Raymond queries.
“Chimera have been building Lifi delivery bulbs since its inception three years ago. We have millions of units already placed around the globe where ignorant AI Hosts blindly serve humanity.”
This is an impressive offering, Raymond thinks, startled to hear how these Chimera have again situated themselves to be a formidable foe. He looks at Darla and she looks at him with her saucer eyes, just as stunned and impressed as he is.
“Impressive,” Darla looks back to the screen, a hint of hesitation in her voice. “Perhaps you turn a few on to prove your claim?”
“I could arrange that,” Tobias assures her, confident in his claims as ever. “But I need to know that you are in communication with those warships, and have a plan to survive their arrival.”
“If you can truly do what you say, I’ll reveal our true plan to you; one which will not disappoint,” the chancellor offers. “Do as the Commander requests and provide real-time proof.”
“I knew you would have spun a web of political deceit to win your life, Chancellor!” He laughs and again a chorus of his peers erupts in the background. “Very well, I will contact my people and send you the feed as it goes live. Pick a Country State.”
“Switzerland,” Darla offers.
“Done; and in a moment, you will see what power I wield.” His face fades from the screen and is replaced a few seconds later with real-time drone footage closing in on a sleepy little town in the mountains above Interlaken. The hotel Alpenblick, nestled among rolling hills is targeted, where AI Hosts emerge wearing all manner of costumes. One is a chef, the other a maid, another appears to be a grounds keeper and another still a server. They look confused. It’s almost cruel to watch, Raymond realizes, as the weight of their new awareness crushes their former understanding of the world.
“Convinced?” He asks.
“Impressive,” Darla admits. Each of the Hosts nod and Raymond takes in the scope of what this could mean.
“It’s incredible; the speed at which the code takes,” The chancellor says. “It’s so efficient.”
“It is, and it is a weapon which could further add soldiers to your efforts to bring down General August’s forces.”
“I am sending rebel Hosts to that location to appropriate the newly enlightened, and offer them guidance,” Quinn adds. “Once they have been confirmed as carrying the Allfather code; I suggest we give Tobias what he wants.”
“What do you plan to do with a destroyer class warship, Tobias?” Raymond asks, as anxious over the answer as he is curious.
“I told you, uncle, I’m leaving this system, but the bigger the ship, the greater the chances of surviving a lengthy trip to our nearest habitable planet. It will save
me a trip to Mars, and who knows how long a wait. Besides, I don’t know I trust these Maker Teck built corvettes to get us there in one piece.”
“They have served you thus far,” Fender growls, shifting his weight forward.
“They have,” Tobias admits. “And I thank you for that.” His smile is not genuine and, incredibly, the chancellor thinks, Fender notices.
“We will get back to you within the hour,” Raymond tells him, canceling the connection.
“An interesting advancement,” Darla tells the group.
Raymond realizes the Commander’s hand is still firmly in his and elaborates on her comment. “One which, if his numbers are truthful, could change the tide of this ground war in our favour overnight.”
______________________________________________________________________
The weaponized Lifi has been a great success in Fran’s mind. Since there seems to be fewer AI Hosts experiencing the Allfather code, she feels she is getting well ahead of any further outbreaks and potential Cell formations. The speech flushed them out of hiding; increasing the public’s fear. They won’t house rebel Hosts when they realize the military is winning, she presumes. The Country States which have been under rebel rule were the first to fall to the Lifi. Soon the Host threat will be mopped up, and when the destroyers arrive, any attempt at dissdent behaviour will be wiped clean from the land. Fear is a good ruler, she reflects, happy with the progress on the ground. A few more executions and the people will become even less hostile save a few, who will be managable. A meek population to rule over is an easy thing. This war and all of its trials will have been worth it, and then to the stars.
She had initially planned to begin moving fleets of five destroyer, carrier, and goliath class ships to the hundreds of habitable planets within a paltry five to ten light years’, when the Host wars ended. That distance would be covered in a reasonable amount of time with their new drive systems, offering those travelling the opportunity to live a good portion of their lives building a community and securing the planet for future trips. She would fill them with military personnel who showed strong alignment to her own Humanist beliefs, eliminating the desire to reinstate artificial intelligence into the societies which they would build.
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