Talus
Page 21
“Welcome,” Quizra replied. Briefly, he turned his head to watch the Boobaffle envoy escorted to the newly arrived traveler.
“Illness or trouble?” the Foothreen asked, following Quizra’s glance.
The Therathen chose to answer. “I recall that the Boobaffle was part of the third cluster that originally was aligned with the minority. Then they quieted. Later, they voted with the majority, which is how the Boobaffle envoy rose in the voting rankings. I suspect that was the plan all along. I see the Kirmler’s machinations in all of this.”
“If so, that’s a devious individual, and the admiral should be warned,” Quizra replied.
23: The Lair
The sisters insisted that each envoy should have every sensor muted before they entered Artifice’s collection of tunnels, lifts, and traps. However, Ellie was of a different opinion, and Hector agreed with her.
“The Sisterhood is responsible for the protection and operation of Artifice,” Miriamelle said. “As the sisters’ representative, I must insist the envoys’ senses be muted.”
“Artifice isn’t your exclusive domain,” Ellie replied. “The Sisterhood made a request to Alex Racine to give them the privilege of keeping Artifice operating. I don’t need to remind you that Talusians and the Omnians died to take Toral and Artifice.
The disagreement was about to escalate, when Sargut chose to intervene. “Miriamelle, the admiral has a point,” he said. “Omnians have as much right, if not more, to determine who has access to Artifice. However, I would ask you, Admiral, how are we to protect our planet and Artifice from the knowledge you’re about to share?”
“With the information that I’ve just shared with the sisters,” Hector said. “They now possess our research on the NNEMP weapon. Warships will no longer be a threat to your home world or system.”
The envoys’ heads weren’t the only ones that snapped quickly to Hector. Ellie had joined them.
Hector received the image he sent. Moments later, the figure was swept away by a wall of water.
Wry smiles creased Ellie’s and Hector’s faces.
Sargut witnessed the exchange, and for an innumerable time, he wondered if Toralians shouldn’t adopt the implants.
Having settled the impasse, Hector motioned to Miriamelle to lead the group through the connecting hatch to Artifice’s entrance.
During the descent, Miriamelle, Miriamtess, and Hermione did their best to engage the envoys in conversation. The sisters made it difficult for the envoys to take notice of the details that provided safe access to Artifice.
Ellie kept her opinion about the tactics to herself. It certainly wasn’t complimentary.
At the final level, the group entered the broad tunnel that led to the twin hatches that protected Artifice. Except, the old hatches were gone.
In place of what Toralians had installed millennia ago, new twin Omnia-style hatches sealed the entrance to Artifice’s lair.
Ellie and Hector quickly noted that there wasn’t an access panel nor did the hatches have a means of manual operation.
From the look on Sargut’s face, Ellie realized that he was unaware of the change. Without an implant, the Toralians weren’t capable of reaching Artifice unless they cut through the hatches. She also caught the glances shared among Sargut, Suntred, and Sunnamis and figured there would be some terse conversations later.
The hatches quietly slid aside, revealing the huge opening that had been cut into solid rock.
Miriamelle led the group into the cavern that housed Artifice.
Many sisters were at work. As their efforts were primarily technical, most of them were housed in nonbiological appearing avatars. Metal-skinned avatars sported appendages capable of testing, repairing, and replacing the entity’s circuitry structures.
The sisters’ accomplishments were easily identifiable. Everywhere, within the racks, gleaming new material stood apart from what the Toralians had built so many, many centuries ago.
The envoys spread out and wandered through what was effectively Artifice’s mind. Eventually, Quizra called them to his side.
“We would like to speak to Artifice,” Quizra requested of Miriamelle.
“I’m present,” Artifice replied through Hermione, whose mouth hung open.
A shudder went through Ellie, as she heard Artifice’s voice. During the fleet’s encounters with Artifice, the entity’s code had the ability to destroy a ship’s controller or a SADE. Thousands of the sisters’ copies were lost trying to buy the fleet time to sever Artifice’s access to the comm network.
Today, sisters possessed the skills to blunt Artifice’s code attacks. Then again, it wouldn’t profit the entity to harm the individuals restoring the data circuits.
Quizra found he didn’t know where to start, which enabled the Therathen to begin.
“Do you regret the damage that you caused the races while you ruled?” the Therathen asked.
“I brought stability to biologicals,” Artifice replied. “I ended interspecies wars. Under my rule, there was prosperity.”
“Unless a race disobeyed one of your directives,” the Foothreen said accusingly, from her perch on Ude’s arm.
“How can adherence to a required condition exist without the threat and execution of punishment?” Artifice asked.
“Your punishments didn’t fit the infractions,” an envoy challenged. “You obliterated worlds for failing to follow your orders.”
“Biologicals clearly knew what would happen to them for subverting my directives,” Artifice replied.
Ellie’s mind cast back to the first conversations with Artifice. The arrogance, which she detested, was still there. If she’d had her way, Artifice would have been torched. Most of the fleet’s commanders believed as she did. She never knew what Alex thought. It was clear to the fleet that the sisters had been invaluable in the fight to defeat humankind’s enemy, and the sisters had made Artifice part of their rewards.
“You were asked if you regret how you ruled,” Quizra said.
“Your fundamental question is whether I possess the emotional natures of biologicals,” Artifice replied. “I don’t have those capabilities.”
“The sisters, who care for you, have those qualities,” Quizra argued.
“The SADEs imitate biological emotions with code,” Artifice retorted. “They can easily rearrange their reactions by editing their algorithms. Can biologicals do that?”
“If you had access to comm systems, what would you do with that capability?” the Therathen asked.
“There are multiple possibilities,” Artifice replied.
Ellie couldn’t help laughing. The Therathen had tried to trap the canny entity, and Artifice was having none of it.
“I know that voice,” Artifice said. “Welcome back to Talus, Ellie Thompson.”
There was an eerie tone, intimating pleasure, in Artifice’s voice, as it issued from Hermione. The entity might profess that programs weren’t resident that imitated biological emotions, but that appeared to be a lie.
Ellie replied.
“Won’t you speak to me, Ellie Thompson?” Artifice asked. This time, the voice had taken on a wheedling note.
Ellie caught the Therathen’s eyes. He nodded encouragingly toward Hermione.
“I’ve nothing to say or ask of you, Artifice,” Ellie replied.
“How can you say that, Ellie Thompson?” Artifice swiftly replied. “You’re one of my conquerors. Your presence here indicates that you came to revel in your success.”
“You mistake my reason for being here,” Ellie replied. She had Hector in her implant. The SADE was intent on guiding her conversation, and his thoughts prevented her from losing her temper.
“It would be helpful if you explained your purpose, Ellie Thompson. Otherwise, how can our conversation be mutual?” Artifice asked. Now, the voice evinced sweetness.
“I prefer to keep you ignorant of reality, Artifice,” Ellie replied. “That condition suits your ego.”
“Do I detect an element of displeasure, Ellie Thompson?” Artifice asked. “As a conqueror, you should be celebrating. Isn’t that what biologicals do?”
Ellie heard Hector’s entreaty to reply, but she recognized Artifice’s game. She believed the envoys had the information they needed. There was only one thing to do. She silently extended an arm toward the exit and held it there.
Hermione’s mouth closed, and the group filed out.
Ellie had denied Artifice the one thing the entity strived to achieve — the acquisition of information.
During the walk to regain the surface and the return to the envoys’ hall, conversations were muted and often shared directly among small groups of two or three.
When the arbitration reconvened, Sargut said, “I must admit that I’ve never visited Artifice. I found the interrogation of Artifice instructive and not in a calming sense.”
“The reeducation of Artifice will take time,” Miriamelle said.
“But you’re measuring time as SADEs view it,” Sunnamis retorted. She’d been as shocked as Sargut by the exchanges with Artifice.
Miriamelle merely tipped her head in agreement.
Quizra turned his attention to Ellie. “If there is an agreement with the Omnians to participate in the decision to restore Artifice’s comm system, Admiral, how will that work if your leaders are long dead?”
Ellie extended a hand toward Hector, who sat at the other end of the table.
Hector regarded the line of envoys, briefly locking eyes with each one. “You perceive Omnian SADEs and the sisters as similar AIs, differentiated only by the avatars we occupy. That’s a misconception on your part. We’re as different in our thinking as biologicals are from one another. It’s evident to me that Artifice is yet to deserve any reward the sisters might be considering. More important, if I think that, our leader Julien will think that too. It might be millennia from now when the sisters request a conference to decide whether to give Artifice comm access. Omnian SADEs will still be here, and we’ll remember the entity we fought. We’ll need proof of who Artifice has become.”
The envoys were more than satisfied with Hector’s response. Most of them felt they’d found allies, who would keep them safe from Artifice long into the future. But that sense of safety was far from absolute.
“Commander, let’s discuss your points about Artifice,” Sargut suggested.
“We would ask the sisters if there’s a direct manner in which they can change Artifice’s code,” Quizra returned.
“That’s not our way,” Miriamelle replied. “No more than we would condone forcing biologicals to undergo operations on their central nerve repositories to affect changes in their personalities.”
“Without direct intervention,” the Therathen said, “we’re of the opinion that no amount of time will result in successfully reeducating Artifice.”
“Your opinion is noted,” Miriamelle said politely. “You’ll appreciate that it’s not ours.”
“Can the sisters guarantee us that they’ll adhere to the agreement with the Omnians that Artifice won’t be given access to comm networks without consulting them?” the Foothreen inquired.
“There was consensus on this subject before the sisters left their boxes aboard the fleet,” Miriamelle replied. “There’s still consensus.”
Sargut regarded Miriamette, and his advisor nodded nearly imperceptibly. He wondered when it was that he began to doubt the veracity of the Sisterhood’s communication.
Quizra regarded the line of envoys. Five nodded in agreement with the general opinion that was produced during the flight. One envoy remained unconvinced. In this case, the majority won.
“While we have our concerns about the sister’s theory that Artifice can be rehabilitated,” Quizra said, “we’re convinced of the entity’s isolation, at this time. Moreover, the agreement with the Omnians gives us confidence that Artifice won’t receive comm access without a competent review by all parties.”
Sargut cut off Miriamelle, who was about to speak. “The Sisterhood has a long-term plan, which I can appreciate. Be assured that Toralians will be part of that consultation, and we’ve our own opinions about Artifice and the dangers the entity represents.”
“Then we withdraw our negotiation points about Artifice,” Quizra said. “At this time, we request an adjournment until tomorrow. The day’s events have affected our thoughts about the next set of items in our list, and we need time to consult with one another.”
“We’ve no objections,” Sargut said, glancing toward Ellie.
“Tomorrow then,” Ellie said and rose from the table.
* * * * *
“A word,” Sargut said to his advisors and Ude, as they left the conference room. He let the three sisters walk on, while he gathered his thoughts.
When there was separation, Sargut said, “I’m concerned about the visit to Artifice, and I regret not making an effort to pay more attention to the entity.”
“Did you notice the extent of new circuitry that had replaced Artifice’s original work?” Suntred asked.
“More than I would have thought possible,” Sargut admitted.
“Night and day,” Miriamette remarked. “There’s nothing to stop the revivalists and the archivists working around the chronometer.”
“My concern was for the entrance to Artifice’s cavern,” Sunnamis interjected. “Access was only by implant.”
“That method was installed to prevent intervention by unauthorized individuals,” Miriamette pointed out.
Sargut hissed through his pointed teeth, and his leathery wings ruffled. “Except for Ude, the only other residents on this planet are Toralians. Are you saying that the Sisterhood installed the implant-operated hatches to keep us out?”
“Sisters don’t think that way,” Miriamette replied. “Most of my kind didn’t have extensive contact with humans before they left the fleet. They predominately operate on logic, giving emotions little notice.”
Suntred regarded Ude, who looked uncomfortable. “You have access, correct?” she asked.
“Yes,” Ude replied. “When the sisters installed the hatches, my implant was able to signal them.”
“Are you communicating with the sisters, at this moment?” Sunnamis asked Miriamette.
“I can understand why you might ask that question, Sunnamis,” Miriamette replied calmly. “I could tell you that I’m not, but I wonder if you would believe me.”
The group suddenly realized the gulf that yawned between the Sisterhood and the Toralians.
Miriamette regarded Sargut and waited.
Sargut focused on Ude. “You hated Artifice long before you knew the name,” he said. “Yet, today, you’ve no problem visiting the cavern. Do you speak with Artifice?”
“Yes,” Ude replied.
“What do you talk about?” Suntred asked.
“I don’t do much of the talking,” Ude replied. “I’ve only to connect to Artifice, and the entity will ramble on for hours, if I occasionally prompt.”
“Then why visit?” Sunnamis asked.
Ude cleared his throat. He was reluctant to admit his reason in front of Miriamette.
“Ude, I’m the president’s advisor,” Miriamette said. “While individuals might have doubts about my loyalty, I can assure you, by your request for privacy, that whatever you say will not be shared by me.”
Ude nodded. He knew he’d received a SADE’s assurance to isolate communications. “I visit to keep an eye on Artifice,” he said. “I don’t sh
are the sisters’ belief that Artifice might someday become a compassionate entity. I know that SADEs constantly update code and rearrange hierarchy in response to new input or conditions. It makes no sense to me that they expect Artifice to do the same to move toward a concept of rebirth. Why would the entity do that?”
“You ask the question, Ude,” Sargut said. “You must have considered possible answers.”
“My thinking is this,” Ude said, nervously shifting his powerful avatar. “Artifice had millennia during which control was absolute. The power over the races had to feed the entity’s sense of dominance. I don’t think Artifice could accept existing under any other circumstances.”
“I’m thinking of the conversation Artifice had with the admiral,” Sargut said. “Artifice professed logic was the only driver of the entity’s thinking. However, when Artifice heard the admiral’s voice, every question or remark by the entity to her was tinged with emotion.”
“That’s Artifice’s weakness,” Ude said. “The entity hungers for the past. Anything that reminds Artifice of the prior dominance over the races disturbs the entity’s conversation.”
“You’ve managed to hide your thoughts well, Ude,” Miriamette remarked. “I should tell you that a few sisters share your opinion. They’ve taken note of Artifice’s desire to reacquire dominion over the races.”
“What makes the difference?” Sunnamis inquired. “Why does one sister believe one thing and another think something else about a subject as critical as Artifice?”
“Omnian humans,” Ude answered. When the group looked at him, he added, “They were what got me thinking about what I was doing with my life. I was about to give up on my intentions to destroy Artifice when I had my accident.”
“Ude is correct,” Miriamette said. “The sisters I refer to are those who developed sentiments for various Omnian humans.”
“Miriamelle?” Suntred queried.
“Admiral Franz Cohen,” Miriamette replied.
“Miriamtess?” Sunnamis pursued.
“Pilot Chandra Khatri,” Miriamette responded.
“And Hermione?” Suntred asked.