by Rashid Ahmed
Max waved and replied, “All the best.”
Before he left his wardroom to grab a meal and some rest, Max made one last call. He tapped out a request to connect with Rafael who accepted right away.
“I was about to call you,” Rafael said. Looking happy, he elaborated, “We’ve run our first successful test using concentrated light and radiation beams. We targeted and knocked out a faulty drone, all the way out at Neptune orbit. The concept works.”
“That’s fantastic,” Max felt relieved. He instructed, “Ramp up as much as you can. We may have a battle coming our way soon.”
Rafael said, “Yes, I’ve been keeping track of Átt’s adventures. We’ve got our work cut out for us. I’ll test and refine our capabilities. See you in eight hours.” They signed off.
Max grabbed a meal and crept into his rest capsule. Exhausted, he was asleep within a minute.
Unknown to Max as he rested, as soon as Gylfi and Katrín set off towards the main belt, Nál followed. Fortunately, satellites and assets in the region were able to visually track the autonomous SSEV. The two combat teams dispatched to take out Nál followed as well.
Gradually, the Nál began to overhaul the Habogi curving high over the solar system’s ecliptic plane, accelerating hard. The SSEVs with combat crews attempted to catch up. A race was underway for control of the kilig spaceships in the solar system.
Confrontation
Framandi-Vilji Wormhole.
Inside the central mission deck on the freshly modified Vestur SSEV, Sven murmured to Crystal, “Kei is beginning to worry me.”
“We’ve all been worried Sven.” Crystal replied.
“This is different. It’s like the AI has an agenda to completely dominate everyone and everything,” Sven said. He elaborated, “While Kei began to show signs of independence even before merging with the AI on Síast, after they merged, the AI seems downright ambitious. Like its greedy for power.”
Crystal thought for a while. Then she said, “I hadn’t given it much thought earlier, but Síast was undamaged. Unlike the kilig vessels found by the framandi, which were taken out by gigil autonomous penetration systems, the ones we’ve located aren’t. I’ve been following the progress of the AMCARs and drones which have entered the two large kilig command-ships found in the solar system. No damage has been detected so far. Besides the dead kiligs inside, of course. Advanced as they are, there seems to be no reason for them to be found as they have been.”
“I’ve got a reason,” Sven said. He explained, asking, “What if the kiligs we’ve found so far, took a decision to terminate themselves? According to the framandi, the kiligs merged their bio processing capabilities, in effect, themselves; with their AI’s quantum processing. Physically, the kiligs are pretty much all brain. What if the AI tried to completely subjugate the kiligs? Occurs to me, they’d resist. Most sentient beings might.”
“If a single, small kilig spacecraft like Síast can cause this much havoc, imagine what an entire fleet would be like,” Crystal pondered aloud.
The two of them became quiet, drawn into their own thoughts. It had been two days since Kei had taken on the gigil fleet, singlehandedly. The gigils had thrown droves of drones at Kei, many of which the AI had subjugated. Now the AI, in its extra-terrestrial spaceship was approaching the framandi-vilji wormhole. The Átt had made its way towards the wormhole as well, tracking the Síast’s progress. It was likely that Kei had gained control of the gigils within the command-ship. This meant that the AI would have access to bio-processing capabilities, which would strengthen its abilities.
Áox was on shift with Sven and Crystal. The framandi thought to them, “We’re closing in on Kei. The AI’s captured gigil command-ship and drones will soon be able to target our fleet with heavy particle beams. All our vessels should be able to shrug these off from a distance. Once the command-ship is closer, it will be dangerous. Kei knows how we control the smart material, enveloping all our vessels. While the material only takes instructions through each vessel’s gaupa, the AI could potentially find a way past our authentication methods. Also, there’s plenty of smart material covering Síast for Kei to experiment with. Given time, the AI will figure out how to disrupt our technology. Then we’ll be extremely vulnerable.”
“Kei’s captured drones have begun firing,” Crystal announced, adding, “half an hour to close quarters engagement.”
“We need to stop the AI here,” Sven muttered angrily while thinking to Áox. “We’ve spent two days trying to come up with a strategy we’d all agree on. So far, our plans are limited to engaging our rogue AI, using autonomous multirole framandi vessels. Given the pounding and volume of assault the gigil command-ships were able to fend off in the lofi system, we’re going to have our work cut out for us taking on Kei.”
“Let’s go with what we have,” Crystal suggested.
“I agree,” Áox thought to them. The framandi stated, “I am instructing the fleet to engage.”
Crystal made selections in the projected situational awareness feed, focussing on the engagement area. Clusters of framandi vessels now became individual dots. Áom, Ásta and Stefán joined them, just as the three began dissecting available options.
Pleasantries were forgotten for the moment. The three jumped right into the conversation.
“The autonomous vessels will stay out of Kei’s theoretical EM intrusion range. We have a bead on this, from our attempt at using Síast to take over the gigil command-ship, which Kei now controls,” Áox advised them.
“I’ve got an idea,” Ásta said while thinking to her framandi crewmates. She expounded, “How about using a combination of gravity points projected from afar, which could be focussed behind, under and over Síast, to slow the vessel down and perhaps halt it?”
Áom thought in response while conveying concern, “We have previously used gravity focussing from up to twenty vessels simultaneously, to move and position asteroids in our home system. We’ve always had a problem with wayward asteroids, in our planetary system. The method you’ve described is frequently used to place asteroids into stable and desirable paths. However, some quantum-level instability occurs when graviton is focussed at a single point, by over twenty of our largest vessels. We will be entering an area outside our experience if we focus gravity from hundreds of vessels, at a single point.”
“Perhaps we don’t need to place all their focussed gravity, at a single point,” Ásta suggested, adding “we could try to have groups of twenty vessels, focus gravity at points close to each other.”
Áom replied, “That may not work. It is like placing magnets of equal strength close to each other. The effect exerted on a third object, would not be the cumulative strength of both magnets. The concept will not hold when using gravity against the gigil command-ship.”
Crystal who was working on her mission pad, interjected, “Then we generate a higher gravity concentration. I’ve been running the numbers on the intensity of gravity that’d be required to propel the gigil command-ship. The gravity-well it requires, indicates that higher concentrations, can be focussed at a single point.”
“Your theory is sound,” Áom thought back. The framandi added, “However, in our endeavour to remain masked or camouflaged all this while, we haven’t attempted generating the intensities you’re suggesting. We must also consider that the gravity generated, may pull our own vessels in, faster than it draws the gigil command-ship. Additionally, if the gigil command-ship is capable of even greater gravity generation, it’ll tow our vessels with it.”
“So, we’re back to square one,” Sven said, adding “Let’s review everything we have.”
“We can’t use a heavy asteroid assault against the command-ship, like we did in the lofi system. This planetary system doesn’t have an asteroid belt. The few asteroids we’ve located, aren’t close enough,” Crystal said.
Sven nodded as he brought up another tactic. He said, “We can’t shoot and scoot. While we might take out a few drones, our firepowe
r would be ineffective against the command-ship. Also, we can’t focus gravity inside Kei’s ship. Next, infiltration or penetration is out of the question. Any vessel getting close enough would likely be subjugated. It hasn’t been successful against framandi vessels so far, but it could. Force concentration is part of our present tactic. The command-ship has Síast shielded inside a hanger, so the kilig spacecraft itself, is well protected. That’s the list of available options. All fall short. We’re up against an insurmountable moving castle.”
“We have to react,” Áom interrupted, explaining, “Kei is heading our way, even though we aren’t in its path towards the wormhole.”
“Why would the Átt still be interesting to Kei?” Sven wondered indicating his thoughts.
“It’s Jón,” Ásta postulated. She clarified, “Kei was briefly able to access my brother’s mind while we were in Síast, just as we attempted to take control of the gigil ship. The AI likely used his wetware, to aid in subjugating the gigils inside the command-ship.”
Áom thought to them, “I’m assigning a group of autonomous vessels to run interference.”
Stefán said, “After his brain was accessed, I’ve worked closely with Jón. He’s developed some resistance using framandi techniques. I believe Jón will be able to repel further efforts by Kei to access his wetware.”
Ásta said, “If Kei is headed our way, I have little doubt that the AI is going to try subjugating one or all of us. The AI surely wants human wetware. Kei was unsuccessful at subjugating any framandi while entering this planetary system. They’ve passed on mental resistance techniques amongst themselves. The framandi would be unaffected until Kei learns how to bypass their mental defences.”
“I’ve got a nasty idea,” Sven said. He elaborated, “Not something I’d want to try out, but we don’t have any viable options available.” The group turned their attention to him.
“I suggest we use Jón as bait. Ásta can help him find his center, should Kei manage to acquire access to his brain. A wild goose chase with the twins in an SSEV,” Sven explained. He continued, “If we’re to keep Kei in this system, while we figure a way to take down the command-ship, we need to use something the AI wants. In this case, it may be Jón.”
Stefán looked alarmed. He thought to the group, “I don’t want us to use Jón.”
Ásta responded, “If we don’t, Kei might attempt to subjugate someone else. Jón is strong. We should let him decide.” She added grinning, “I’m sure he’ll be game to this madness. Let’s set things up.”
Áom thought to them, “I will accompany the two of you.”
Max who was observing the actions aboard the Átt along with Maji interrupted them by requesting a call. Sven allowed the connection and said, “This will have to be quick. We’ve got our backs to the wall.”
“If your immediate objective is to keep Kei in the vilji system, then I suggest blockading the wormhole leading to the framandi system with asteroids,” Max said.
Sven replied a little irritated, “You’ll notice we don’t have many here. None close to the wormhole.”
“I meant that the framandi could tow the asteroids in from their system. After the wormhole is adequately filled with asteroids streaming in, framandi vessels in the vilji system could begin arming themselves,” Sven explained.
“Understood, we’ll implement your suggestion,” Sven replied. Then he turned to Áox and thought the framandi through what they needed done.
“I feel like we’re apes, fighting off an attack with rocks,” Crystal muttered transmitting dejected thoughts around.
“Your analogy is close enough. We’re up against superior technology, and we’re actually using space rocks as one of our weapons,” Stefán said.
“We’ll make sure Suður SSEV is prepped for the baiting tactic,” Ásta announced motioning to Stefán. The two headed off towards the front of the SSEV to climb down to Suður. They returned twenty minutes later a little flushed. Ásta announced, “Suður is ready for action.”
Knowing how Stefán and Ásta felt for each other, Crystal smirked and said, “I’d say it’s already seen action.” Ásta giggled and stuck her tongue out at Crystal. The two got along well enough, often teasing one another.
Sven had already woken Jón and Isla. They’d been on first shift and had caught up on their sleep. With Átt bustling, Eiji and Lei couldn’t rest, so the two helped the twins prepare. Jón, Ásta and Áom went over their emergency and manual control procedures before sealing Suður.
“Kei is nearly on us,” Ásta thought over the crew’s common diadem channel. She called out for the benefit of observers, “We’re cutting our decoupling process short.” Then after a moment she said, “Disengaging clamps. Separation successful.”
The Átt veered upward and turned back towards the lofi wormhole while Suður SSEV slowed into the path of the gigil command-ship. As soon as Jón and Ásta felt the first tingling sensation of Kei’s attempt at subjugating their brains, the twins motioned to Áom who began accelerating.
It only worked for a short while. Without easy access to either of the twin’s brains, Kei began assaulting the smart material covered SSEV, with heavy particle beams. Much of the energy was absorbed by the vessel’s shielding, generating additional power. The rogue AI kept up the assault. The smart material covering the exterior of the SSEV, churned outward like convection currents would. A fresh layer of material continuously replacing destroyed layers. Then the gigil command-ship seized by Kei, began to catch up. It used its more intense projected gravity to propel itself ahead while slowing the SSEV down. To observers from the solar system, it looked like a whale bearing down on a tiny shrimp.
The SSEV was still heading towards the framandi-vilji wormhole. “Changing course.” Áom announced. The framandi elaborated, “Veering to the right of the wormhole. Asteroids have begun filling it. Hopefully, Kei will continue to pursue Suður.” The framandi’s thoughts were translated by Shun for the benefit of human observers.
Still unaffected by Kei’s assault on his mind, Jón thought to Áom, “Ásta and I are becoming strained from Kei’s continuous attempts to subjugate us. You’d mentioned that the wormhole maintenance systems defend themselves against all threats, including unknown gigil vessels, right?”
“What do you have in mind?” Áom asked.
“Head straight for the gigil wormhole maintenance systems,” Jón answered, adding, “with any luck they’ll take out the command-ship.” He then shared mental images of what he meant.
Áom understood what was required immediately. The framandi brought up an interface to communicate with the vessel’s outer material, instructing it to pull a procedure for a masked approach to the gigil assets. The framandi had undertaken similar approach actions eons ago, when they sought to take control of wormholes within their own system. Áom hoped the procedure worked. The outer material enveloping the SSEV began to compress and form tiny geometric angles, beginning with surfaces facing the wormhole. It would undermine most forms of detection while keeping all emissions within Suður. The masking was soon activated around the entire vessel.
By now, even Ásta had begun to feel the pressure of Kei’s assault. Her head ached. The AI was utilizing higher amounts of energy to penetrate the SSEV, to access their minds for additional bio processing capacity. But despite the severe discomfort, the siblings were still in complete control of their faculties.
“We’ll be within range of the gigil wormhole maintenance systems soon,” Áom let the twins know. A short moment later the framandi thought to them, “Entering their engagement range now. We haven’t tripped the defences yet.” Áom thought encouragingly to Jón and Ásta, “Kei’s gigil command-ship doesn’t have the masking we do. It’ll be in range of the gigil defences soon.”
Suddenly, a rapid series of heavy particle beams tore into the front of the SSEV. Áom brought up sensor feeds on an interface. It was the gigil command-ship. Kei had obviously figured how to track their vessel, even with the smart
material masking activated. Kei hit them again, targeting the same spot. Áom saw a layer of outer masking material peel into space. The surface damage gave them away. Then the automated gigil defence systems kicked in, targeting both the SSEV and Kei’s command-ship.
They were in the thick of it now. Áom connected with the twins and held a channel open. The framandi provided a stream of continuous updates and encouraging thoughts, while the siblings focussed on resisting Kei’s attempts to control and use their brains. Every so often, Kei assaulted Áom with nervous system frequency EM as well, but the AI was unsuccessful. Áom told the twins to hang on as they passed over the blurry edge of the wormhole and below three gigil wormhole maintenance structures. They caught a continuous stream of heavy particle beams, stronger than any they’d faced from Kei’s control-ship.
Mentally zooming into the situational awareness feed, Áom noticed that Suður only attracted four beams, while Kei’s much larger command-ship drew most of the defences’ ire. As suddenly as the barrage of beams hit them, it stopped. They were through. The gigil defence systems now concentrated all their attention on the command-ship which had just entered the area between the wormhole and the defence systems, the continuous battering decimated the command-ship.