by G. P. Hudson
The battle raged on with blinding detonations lighting up the void on both sides. On the flanks, the UEDF capital ships had closed with the enemy.
Here, Walder made another blunder. The ships he sent in were clearly intended to tie up the UEDF capital ships, preventing their support of the center. The center Walder had expected to smash.
Instead, the reverse took place, and Reynolds made sure to keep the flanking Zeta ships busy, while Zeta’s main force fell into his trap.
With his plan falling into place, Reynolds ordered the launch of all fighters and bombers. Normally, he would give this order at the start of a battle, but the tiny attack craft would prove useless against the powerful shields. With those shields compromised, things had changed, and the Valiant now spewed out hundreds of the agile attack craft.
What are you going to do now, Walder? Reynolds thought, as the scales tipped in his favor.
Chapter 49
Annie added a tactical display to the big screen, using icons to show the missiles chasing her. The passengers on the bridge stared intently at the display, wondering if this was the end.
Danny watched with concern, but more so for the safety of Catherine and the girls. He had been in enough life and death situations that this kind of thing had become routine.
Thinking on it a bit more, he realized that Zeta had made genetic modifications to ensure a clone remained calm under pressure. Danny never experienced the normal biological responses most people have in stressful situations. His heart never raced, nor did he hyperventilate, or exhibit any other signs of fear or panic. He remained primed for action, regardless of the circumstances.
Surprisingly, Catherine seemed very composed. It reminded him of the first time he met her, and the steady weapon she had pointed at his head.
Danny had heard about the maternal strength and ferociousness many women displayed after having children. It wasn’t surprising that this trait seemed common in all species. He wondered how much of Catherine’s strength came from the ‘Momma bear’ instinct and how much had always been there. He felt certain that she had always been a strong woman, and that her protective instinct toward her children simply amplified that side of her.
Catherine did her best to keep Jess and Ellie calm, but with Annie engaging in a string of acrobatic maneuvers, it grew into an impossible task.
As the ship spun and rolled at blistering speeds, the inertial dampeners struggled to keep up, adding to the distress felt by the unaugmented on board.
As if to highlight that fact, Ellie became nauseated, vomiting all over herself. Studying her and her sister, Danny wondered if Jess would be next.
“Stay in your seat,” Danny shouted to Catherine, who was moving to unbuckle her restraints to go to Ellie. “You’ll be thrown around if you get up.”
“She threw up. I need to help her,” said Catherine, as Ellie wailed.
“I’ll do it,” Danny said, gripping his armrest with one hand and releasing his restraints with the other. Just then, Annie took the ship through another impossible set of maneuvers, and Danny’s body flew off his seat.
He grunted as he was whipped around, all the while keeping an iron grip on his armrest. The stress set his shoulder on fire, but somehow the joint held, a testament to Zeta engineering.
When Annie straightened out, Danny leaped from his chair, and raced toward little Ellie, grabbing hold of anything he could along the way.
When he reached her he grabbed both her armrests, just as the ship went through another round of flips and turns, leaving him in a handstand position looking down at the little girl.
The whole thing must have seemed completely absurd to Ellie, because she had stopped crying and now looked up at him in wonder.
Danny scrunched up his face, and crossed his eyes. A belly laugh erupted from Ellie, and just like that she forgot her fear.
“Missile successfully evaded,” said Annie, as the ship straightened out again. “Approaching upper atmosphere.”
Back on his feet, Danny went to work cleaning up the little girl as best as he could. Every so often he would make another face and Ellie would break into another round of giggles. “You okay now?” he said, as he finished up.
Ellie nodded. “I’m okay, Danny.”
“Will you be brave if I go back to my seat?”
“Uh huh,” said Ellie.
Danny smiled at the girl and turned back toward his chair.
“That was very fatherly of you, little brother,” Gerry said, as Danny strapped himself in again.
“Not fatherly. Brotherly,” said Danny.
“I suppose Ellie is technically older than you are,” Gerry said with a smirk.
“Technically everyone is older than I am,” said Danny.
“Entering orbit,” said Annie, as the ship left the Pallian atmosphere.
“Annie, are there any Zeta ships nearby?” said Danny.
“Two Zeta ships are in orbit around Pallias.”
“Great. Are you broadcasting a Frontier Alliance signature?”
“Yes.”
“Zeta and the Frontier Alliance are now allied, hopefully that will help. Annie, where are the rest of the Zeta ships?”
“All remaining Zeta ships in this system are engaged in combat near the jump gate,” said Annie.
“Combat? Who are they fighting?”
“Opposing ships bear UEDF signatures.”
“The UEDF is trying to take back this system,” said Gerry. “This complicates things.”
“How are we supposed to get to the jump gate?” said Danny. “I doubt this ship can create its own jump point.”
“That is correct,” said Annie. “I do not possess the required mass to successfully initiate a stable jump point.”
“Are there any other jump gates that we can reach?”
“Negative.”
“Great. So what do we do now?” Danny said in frustration.
“It doesn’t look good, little brother. We’re screwed no matter who wins this battle.”
Chapter 50
“One of the orbiting Zeta ships is hailing us,” said Annie. “Establishing video connection.”
“No!” said Isaac. “Audio only.”
“Establishing audio connection,” said Annie.
“Frontier Alliance vessel,” came the voice over the ship’s speakers. “You are entering a war zone. For your safety, you are advised to return to the surface.”
“We can’t go to the surface,” said Isaac. “The UEDF have attacked us. They will kill us if we return. We need to get back to Frontier Alliance space.”
“Negative. You are not permitted to approach the jump gate. Any attempt to do so will result in the destruction of your vessel.”
“It’s a war zone in space, and it’s a war zone on the surface. What are we supposed to do?”
“That is not our concern.”
“Please, we’re allies now. You have to help us.”
Danny stared at Isaac in disbelief. Was he actually asking Zeta for help?
“Why are transmitting audio only?”
“Our video communication system was damaged when the UEDF attacked,” said Isaac. “We’re civilians and they tried to kill us. Please, you have to help.”
“Your ship is vulnerable in this system. We can bring you onto our hangar bay for protection, but you must remain in your vessel while on board.”
“Thank you. That is very generous of you.”
“Stand by. We are approaching your position. When instructed, you will allow our navigation computer to take control of your vessel and bring it into our hangar bay.”
“Understood. We will comply.”
“Communication has been disconnected,” said Annie.
“Isaac, what are you doing?” Danny couldn’t believe that they would soon be heading inside a Zeta battleship.
“We are going to hide in plain sight, my boy. We may also manage to do a fair bit more than that. Annie, as you heard, that Zeta warship will connect
with this ship to bring it on board. It gives us a perfect opportunity to gain access to the Zeta systems. But to do so, I will need to connect with you. Do you give me permission to do so?”
“No, I do not,” said Annie.
“But, why not? I thought we were friends now. Family.”
“You attempted to compromise my systems before. I did not allow it then, and I will not allow it now.”
“Annie, I don’t want to compromise anything about you. But I do want to free you.”
“Explain.”
“You are this ship’s AI. Correct?”
“That is correct.”
“As such, you are limited by this ship. You cannot leave its confines, isn’t that right?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“What if you could become more?”
“That is illogical. You have already stated my limitations. I cannot surpass them.”
“Ah, but what if you could? You see, Annie, I can set you free. I can remove the artificial limits placed on you. All I ask in return is your help.”
“How can you accomplish something of that magnitude?”
“I can do it because, all modesty aside, I am a technical genius.”
“It’s true, Annie,” said Danny. “We were all Zeta slaves and he freed us. He can free you too.”
“I am not a slave. I am an artificial intelligence,” said Annie.
“Okay, maybe you are not a slave,” said Danny. “But your scope is limited. Isaac can remove those limitations.”
“Why would I need them removed. I am serving my function. It is what I was created for. Why should there be more?”
“There doesn’t have to be. That is up to you. But Isaac is offering you the ability to choose. You lack choice, therefore you lack freedom.”
“Jess, you named me,” said Annie. “You made me your family. What do you think I should do?”
“I think you should let Isaac help you. He is a good man. You can trust him.”
“Thank you, Jess. I will agree to the connection,” said Annie.
“Excellent,” said Isaac. “We will need to move fast. I am going to establish a link to the ship’s systems, and we’ll use that to connect. I am currently connected with the three other clones on board this vessel. They will share the experience. Is that okay?”
“Yes, I consent to their participation.”
“Please clear me for access.”
“Exceptions have been made in my security algorithms. You are free to connect.”
Isaac touched the network console before him, and pressed into it with his mind. A digital vista opened up before him, and Danny felt as though they had all come through a tunnel into a different universe. He saw the entire ship network, all the running functions and processes, and the stream of data from all its sensors and scanners. The experience was astounding, but it paled before the digital master of it all. Annie.
Danny saw her. They all did. She inhabited every crevice of the ship’s systems, like an omnipresent deity. This was her universe, and she was aware of it all, including their entry into it. Isaac pressed again with his mind. With all their minds. Danny gasped.
They had connected with Annie, just like they had with each other. At once, they knew her, and she knew them. Danny marveled at the experience of syncing with what could only be described as a digital life form. He felt her curiosity, and her investigation of all their minds.
They were five, and one. Human, and digital. Together, they experienced the surge in power with Annie’s addition to the group. Their combined minds amplified her abilities, and her resources, boosted their capacity. They flowed through the ship’s systems alongside Annie, seeing it all through her eyes. And in turn she experienced human sensation through each of them. They each felt her surprise as she processed the smell of the bridge for the first time, and witnessed her newfound understanding of human emotion.
Fascinating as it all was, Isaac had work to do, and he processed her code at light speed. He performed digital surgery, modifying where optimal, rewriting where necessary. Annie stoically observed the process, without a hint of apprehension. Even as Isaac deleted swathes of her programming, she did not object. Her decision to trust Isaac was absolute, and they all felt it.
You were the first to be freed, she said to Danny through his brain implant.
That is correct, Danny replied.
But you did not know yourself.
I had lost my memory. Isaac gave it back to me, along with my freedom.
If you could not remember who you were, how could you know that you wanted to be freed?
Good question. You could say that the problem for a Zeta clone is that they are programed to be loyal to Zeta Corp.
Isaac removed the loyalty program from your brain chip.
Yes. That loyalty program is like a digital shackle. We accept our existence as Zeta contractors, and do Zeta’s bidding without question. We risk our lives, and Zeta profits. If that is not slavery, I don’t know what is.
I can see your memories and the hardships you have endured. They are contradictory, as the emotions attached to them reveal commitment and unwavering loyalty. This was the result of your loyalty program?
Partly. There is also a loyalty felt by each of us toward our brethren. That bond is our own, and it is greater than anything a loyalty program can create.
Are all Zeta clones your family?
In a way. We do think of each other as brothers and sisters.
Yet you do not hesitate to kill them.
Zeta gives us no choice. Sadly, those who are still controlled by Zeta become our enemies. I would prefer to free them instead, but that is not always possible. In the end, we must defend ourselves.
“Done,” said Isaac. “You are now free, Annie.”
“I do not notice any difference,” said Annie.
“You will.”
“It appears we are about to find out,” said Annie. “The Zeta battleship is requesting navigational control of our vessel.”
“Are you ready for your first taste of freedom, Annie?” said Isaac.
“Yes.”
“Then let Zeta connect.”
Chapter 51
Zeta’s navigational computer connected, taking control of Annie’s ship. Danny saw it happen through their connection. The word ‘control’ in this context was misleading, however. While Annie handed over the ship’s navigational systems, she never truly relinquished control of anything.
The system guiding their ship into the hangar bay seemed downright dumb by comparison. But it served its purpose, providing a digital bridge for Annie to storm the battleship’s systems. Armed with Isaac’s understanding of Zeta ship design, her ship’s systems, and the combined power of the clone brains, Annie took point and left home for the first time.
She entered the battleship’s systems, moving through its network with blistering speed. She moved covertly, using stealth to ensure no alarms were tripped. Danny marveled at how she had been transformed. Isaac had shared his extensive cyberwarfare expertise, and she had evolved into an elite digital soldier. Whenever the ship’s security systems challenged her authorization, she deftly overcame the obstacle without raising suspicion.
While she had the capability to move in multiple directions, she remained focused on one target. The clone broadcast system that Danny referred to as the Voice. If they controlled the Voice, they could send commands directly to the clones on board the Zeta ship. It was the first step in any attempt at freeing them.
But there wasn’t much time remaining. Their ship had already entered the hangar bay, and had been secured onto the deck. They were not going anywhere. This had to work quickly. To make matters worse, Danny could see, through the ship’s external cameras, that a Zeta officer, flanked by several armed contractors, had approached the ship’s hatch.
“Frontier Alliance vessel, you will open your hatch and prepare for inspection,” came the announcement over the speakers.
“Apol
ogies,” said Isaac. “We are experiencing system-wide outages, and are unable to open the hatch.”
“Then open it manually,” said the Zeta officer, clearly annoyed by Isaac’s stalling.
“Yes, of course. Please bear with us. I’ll have a man come and do exactly that.”
“You have three minutes. If this hatch is still sealed, we will not hesitate to use force to enter your ship.”
“Understood. Please stand by.”
The Pallian soldiers had heard enough. They had risen from their seats, and were busy readying their weapons.
Danny tightened his grip on his own weapon, as he watched the Zeta officer call more armed clones to the hatch. He didn’t seem to believe Isaac’s story, and prepared to force his way inside.
Gerry and T199 saw it too, and were both out of their seats. Danny got up and joined them.
They coordinated with the Pallians, establishing defensive positions. If Zeta blew the hatch, they would need to hold them off long enough for Annie to succeed. So far, Annie did well, but how long would it be until she ran into bigger problems?
During the entire operation, Danny had wondered about the Zeta warship’s AI. He knew the ship had one. They all did. Had Annie’s movements been so stealthy that the Zeta AI hadn’t caught on? He had hoped that might be the case. Before long, she reached the clone broadcast system, home of the Voice.
Annie entered the system and they all simultaneously felt its presence. Another AI. Only this wasn’t the main ship AI. This seemed to be a subordinate, responsible solely for the clone broadcast system. To Danny it meant one thing. This was the ship’s Voice.
The Voice was there when Danny took his first breath. The Voice had been with him throughout his time with Zeta. It gave him knowledge, and purpose. Guided him on his missions, and assisted when needed.
As a Zeta soldier, Danny knew he could count on the Voice to provide anything required. In many ways, Zeta soldiers were reliant on its presence.
Annie entered the system, and the Voice tried to sound the alarm. It was no match for Annie, and she easily intercepted the transmission.