Warship (The Outsider Series Book 3)

by Steven Oaks

“Maybe I'm just still overwhelmed by having these books,” I said to mislead her.

  “We are approaching the next hangar. Would you like to witness this last capture?” she asked.

  “I might as well,” I said, thinking that I should be involved as much as I could. Even though I could offer only limited assistance if things went wrong.

  Once more I waited in the lounge with an Adam as Abihail went out to fetch this last Adam. I was silent as I was still upset and thinking about how I had been tricked into spending so much money on items that were not authentic. Adam must have either noticed my mood, or had nothing to say, as he said nothing to me while we waited.

  After some amount of time passed the door opened to the outside world and Abihail returned with this final victim. Introductions were made once more, and he was encased without incident in the white tube Athene used to drain these inhuman beings of their memories.

  Another period of waiting filled the room with quietness, and I simply bore it as I had no notion on how to fill the time. Before meeting Athene I had been used to such inactivity, as there were times in a day where nothing could be done, and I had rarely felt like watching television. I tried to go back to that mindset, as who knew what life would be like after we were rid of these Outsiders. Having Athene constantly having me jump from one activity to another for months had left me always wanting to be rushing to do things. Without the constant threat of discovery, and the need to train, what would I be doing with my life?

  I could continue to read, which I enjoyed, but I felt the spice in life might be gone without some sort of danger. I was now practically immortal in this new body, and the only threat that could pose any danger were the Outsiders themselves. I could even survive in space, though I did not know how long I would last without going insane.

  I shivered at the thought of being alone floating in the void. Athene had said if I only learned how to control my new body would I not have to worry about being lost in space, but we had not worked on how to do that since we had returned. Perhaps that would be my next goal, and maybe with this new ability I would feel less bored.

  I was shaken from this line of thought by Athene announcing, “I have completed downloading this one's memories. Adam if you would please return to the hangar in its place we shall be on our way.”

  Adam stood up from his place next to me on the couch, bowed slightly, and left without a word. This day seemed to be stranger than any I had ever experienced. These new versions of Athene with the memories of Outsiders seemed even more alien than the Outsiders had ever appeared. Perhaps since they did not feel they had to act as human around me, they dropped all pretense. However, it made me feel like I was not important, or that I was involved in a play with bad writing.

  “We will now be returning to the North American hangar,” Athene announced.

  “Yay,” I groaned.

  “What is wrong Michael?” Athene asked.

  “I don't know. Everything is going according to plan. I mean we even have a new notion on how to attack the Outsider ship using the Adams and Abihail copies. It all just feels so... strange?” I said, unsure what this feeling I was experiencing was.

  “Perhaps having your goal being realized is leaving you with a type of depression? It has been noted that after great works are completed artists feel let down, and need to begin a new task. Might you just need something else to focus on, since as you have noted, you are no longer able to assist in overthrowing the Outsiders?” she asked.

  “I can still assist. All I need to do is get control over my new body. I could easily change shape to look like an Adam and infiltrate the Outsider ship with them,” I said, not sure how I felt about becoming a man, even for a little while.

  “While I appreciate your zeal to help, the Adams are more capable of accomplishing this task. Also, if there were more Adams than there were hangars they would notice something was unusual. It will already be unusual for them all to return together anyway, we do not need to alert them further,” Athene explained.

  “I still think I need to learn how to control all my new abilities,” I said glumly.

  “Once this is all settled I will assist you in that. However, right now I need to focus the majority of my attention on keeping us safe,” Athene said.

  What did she mean? She had always had spare processing time for me. Even while we were traveling through space she still made simulated environments and played many roles as my opponents. Was she working on things I was unaware of? It made sense that it would take her a huge amount of effort to create new bodies, and even instill their memories into such forms, but now it just felt like an excuse.

  “When do you think you'll want to send the Outsider copies to their ship?” I asked, changing the topic.

  “If we wait a day that might be less suspicious,” she said.

  “Waiting will not lessen the ship's caution,” I noted.

  “However, it will seem less immediate. We do not want it to look like we have formed a cabal against it today,” she said.

  “I say we do it now. There is no reason to wait, and there is only Ava to contend with before reaching the ship's main systems,” I said, standing up thinking it might help me think.

  “She may not even exist anymore, but still how would you have us go about returning? We had thought we would pick all the Adams up and have them return with Abihail in me. If we did that now it would seem strange that we did not keep them with us,” she explained.

  “Then let them return on their own power. I assume they have some sort of ship to utilize for such a journey. You have even said Abihail had a ship it usually uses to make its way back to the Outsider ship. Are there not more of them like this for all the Adams?” I asked. I was growing anxious to have this mission completed, and I wanted to ensure it was done before the other Athenes returned.

  “That would leave them vulnerable. Alone they could not hope to overpower the ship's mind. Only together would they have any hope of success. Also, should we not wait until just before the other Athenes return?” she asked.

  “It might leave the Adams vulnerable if they were to show up alone for any length of time. However, all of them should ship out immediately and arrive at near enough the same time so they can combine their powers. Also, it would be best if we could overwhelm the ship before the Athenes arrive. I know we had thought to wait until just before, but that might cause some of their destruction. No I think we should do it as soon as possible. It may just look like they were unable to predict their created beings and their desires. As I understand it the Adams were each under the threat of destruction if they failed. Perhaps they have noticed that failure was imminent and wish to survive even after such a catastrophe. They would then team up to ensure their survival. Is that not logical?” I asked.

  “However, if the copies are unsuccessful they still have memories of you and our goal of destroying the Outsiders power. This would leave us vulnerable, and we would likely be hunted down, and the Athenes attack would no longer be a surprise,” she said.

  “We now have a little more than three days until their arrival, would that be enough time for the ship to prepare itself? I doubt it,” I said commandingly.

  “We have little information on the Outsider ship's abilities, it could be the attack would fail anyway. Combined with an internal attack we have a more likely chance of success,” she explained.

  An idea struck me, and I asked, “Can the copies make more copies of themselves using the ship's material while they are aboard?”

  “It may be possible, but that would immediately notify the ship to their intention,” she said.

  “And what would it be able to do to your more powerful versions of Adams and Abihail?” I asked.

  “It could detach itself from the rest of the ship and fly away, after it realizes that it can no longer simply take control of our copies,” she explained.

  “And where is its mind located?” I asked.

  “It is dispersed throughout th
e ship, though there should be certain sections more dedicated for thinking and memory storage,” she said.

  “Is it even possible to attempt to control it then?” I asked, growing frustrated.

  “If we attack all at once it is likely that it will not be able to regain enough control of itself,” Athene said.

  “While I would like to get this over with, I'm not so sure about this plan now. If it's so dispersed that we can't even attempt it without the ship splitting up and flying away, what chance do we have for success?” I said as I began pacing.

  “We have no chance for success if we do not try Michael,” Athene said calmly.

  “I know that, and risk is something we must take now and again. But each time we risk something we have to evaluate whether it has any chance to obtain our freedom. Even having the other Athenes here may not help. It may simply fly away in different directions before we can surround it. And who is to say that it doesn't already have other versions of itself flying about the galaxy now, like you,” I said feeling more and more discouraged.

  “If it is our only option, do we have much of a choice?” Athene asked.

  I turned to face Abihail and asked, “What do you think?”

  “I am of the same mind as Athene. While I do have more of the original Abihail to draw upon for my personality, the information I have is the same as Athene. If we preclude that it is necessary to rid humanity of Outsiders, then we must indeed find a way to attack them. As we are limited in our knowledge of their abilities and their desires, beyond the collection of dead, we have no bargaining chip to try to strike up a dialogue. A non-violent approach therefore is implausible, and we must use what resources we have to remove their influence. As we only have so much time before our fleet arrives it would be easy enough to wait just before their arrival and attack, and hope in the confusion it allows us an advantage. However, if we were to attack now, and succeed, it would mean we might stave off any damage, or destruction, of our own numbers. Save of course to us who are duplicates of Outsiders,” it said logically.

  “And would you be willing to go in with the Adams and attempt such an attack before the fleet arrives?” I asked.

  “What value do I have to you besides giving you aid?” it asked, tilting its head in question.

  “Must you have value to me personally? You are your own person now, you are not required to please me,” I said, taken aback by this question.

  “Ah, I see you still wish to honor every thinking life's autonomy. However, I was constructed for a purpose, and that is indeed to aid you. Without that purpose I do not feel I have any other desire, save a weaker sense of self preservation,” it said without emotion.

  “Do not mistake programing for your own wants. You can choose to do or not do anything, even though it may not benefit me or my own desires,” I said feeling confused by this limited being.

  “The original I was copied from had no desires, and was of a much simpler design than the Adams. I was not required to mimic humans, therefore was given nothing to feel. The only desire I am ever likely to feel is the one that is programed into me. The Adams may feel differently however, and may have to be convinced to assist in this attempt. That being said, I am quite willing to attack the Outsider ship on my own if I thought it had any chance of success,” it declared.

  “Athene have you made these copies without opinions?” I asked.

  “I have not, they merely reflect the originals more strongly than Mr. Thompson. This was to help ensure they would not be detected as duplicates. Abihail is correct in saying it has no feeling about anything and only wishes to fulfill its programing. It may learn to be something more with time, but currently, while very intelligent, has only one desire, to aid you,” Athene explained.

  “Very well. When we return to the hangar see if we can contact the other Adams and ask for their assistance. The last three you've made should be easy enough to convince, since it was their plan. And once we hopefully get all their consent they should proceed individually to the Outsider ship and attempt to take control. While it is distracted I feel we should also attend this event, and see if you, Athene, can assist in this operation. You are the most powerful mind on our side, and you should hopefully be able to not only restrain it, but also download its mind,” I explained.

  “I am unsure this is wise. Your safety would be in jeopardy, that is if you wish to continue residing aboard me,” she argued.

  “I of course will be in attendance. I will board the ship as well and see if I might lend some aid,” I smiled. “Remember, if this fails we will more than likely be attacked. Why risk something if you do not put your full strength into the attack?”

  “Then why not wait until the fleet arrives?” Athene asked.

  “Because if we wait that would cause more chance of one of us to slip up. If we do it now, yes they might be suspicious, but we are more likely to succeed than if we wait until they notice something strange is going on,” I said, and hoped I found a way to sound logical about my desire to get this all over with.

  “We have already done a suspicious thing, but then again acting quickly will not allow them time to prepare. I see, this is logical,” Abihail stated flatly.

  “Alright, the only thing is to contact the other Adams. How might that be best accomplished without alerting the Outsider ship to our intentions?” I asked.

  “We could simply call them,” Athene said.

  “But how would we get their consent to risk themselves without telling them what we want to do?” I asked.

  “Flying back to them is out of the question as we just left them. However, as luck would have it I have a way to communicate with them via coded words that I only have access to,” Athene said.

  “And when did you develop this? Also, how long would it take a super computer, like their ship supposedly is, to crack this code?” I asked, confused by her sudden revelation.

  “When we were on Argil, I felt it best to not alert anyone listening in on my communications with the other Athenes and the Mr. Thompson copy. In so doing I put into place a coded way to communicate important messages while leaving the majority of communication in the clear. As for how long the Outsider ship would need to decrypt such a coded message, I am unsure. Personally without the basic working knowledge on the system we put into place it would be nigh impossible to decipher there is even a message being communicated other than the one spoken plainly,” Athene explained.

  “Do we have a reasonable message to give to these others so as not look even more suspicious?” I asked.

  “I could simply have Abihail call them up and ask them if the facilities are now running properly, with the scattering of words that would be needed to communicate our need. I think this would be reasonable,” Athene said.

  “Then let's do it. As quickly as we can we'll have the Adams and Abihail return to the Outsider ship. Might it be reasonable to us to fly up with Abihail so we can be right there when they begin their attack?” I mused.

  “That would be seen as an anomaly. I have always returned alone aboard one of the single flier capsules. You may follow shortly after we arrive, but do not do so closely as we do not want it to focus on your ascent,” Abihail said.

  “If it's focused on us wouldn't that let you be able to attack more readily?” I asked.

  “I would think that would be unlikely as I can focus on multiple things at a time unless I am preoccupied by something complicated. It would be best to wait until they are all aboard and attempting to take over the ship before we make our way to it,” Athene concluded.

  “Very well. How long should we hold out for?” I asked them both.

  “I would say give us five minutes after we arrive, then you may begin flying towards their ship. If we are unsuccessful at distracting it, you might find yourself under attack, therefore you should fly away. You may wish to attempt to communicate with the ship and see if it is able to answer a hail. If it responds you may be sure we have failed,” Abihail explained still
sitting comfortably in the Victorian chair. It had not moved, and appeared completely relaxed. I still found it the most inhuman entity I had ever met, even though it was now imbued with Athene's thoughts.

  I sighed, this was getting more complicated by the minute. I had to trust these new versions of Outsiders with ridding their original creator from influencing humanity. Sure they were versions made by Athene, but they still seemed to have their original personalities intact. I asked myself if they might fail on purpose, or would they follow commands from Athene forever? I had never doubted Mr. Thompson after I got to know him, but still these new copies seemed less Athene, and more Outsider. Maybe I had just needed to have spent more time with them before I could trust them, but at the time I had not the opportunity.

  “This is it then. Once we reach the hangar let's go all out,” I said with confidence I was not feeling. If anything, this last day had left me with more doubts about Athene. She seemed to be acting strangely, and so did these copies she was making. Was she planning something, or was she not telling me something? I just wanted to end this as quickly as possible so I might find out.

  “We are arriving now. Abihail make your calls with the message I have prepared to all the Adams and we shall await your flight away to begin our ascent,” Athene said.

  “Very well,” Abihail bowed, and finally stood up to walk to the door.

  As soon as it opened it stepped out, and I found myself alone for just a moment in the lounge until another Adam appeared behind me.

  “Excuse me, I too have to prepare to leave,” this Adam said as it followed closely behind Abihail.

  When the door irised closed behind them I asked Athene, “Were you still connected to them while we were flying these last few places? You each seemed to have your own personalities.”

  “We were merely transmitting thoughts, but I was not in control of Abihail. I find that I agree with the original Athene with splitting ourselves up so we might have more perspectives. I've allowed each to be their own person, and so far it has helped create ideas. The Adam you talked to alerted us to his concern about the Adams before him. This is something I would not have thought of otherwise, as I think of them as extensions of myself, though they have their own personalities from the originals intact. Had I known we were going to immediately attack the Outsider ship I may not have done so, but again an Adam is the one who came up with the idea to attack the ship in a group. I find this an interesting turn of events,” she said.