NanoSymbionts

by Joseph Philbrook

  “He referred to Steve as my ‘master’,” Jake explained. “Which isn't quite true. I never swore any more allegiance to him, than I have to the guild itself. What he is or at least has been, is my mentor. I'm not really sure why that difference means so much to me but it does.”

  “I stand corrected,” 1st responded coldly. “It now occurs to me that in the interest of actually getting to the truth of the matters at hand. I think we should delegate our inquiry to the capable hands of the Admiral.”

  “It would expedite matters,” 2nd agreed.

  “You will of course be expected to treat the Admiral with the same respect you've agreed to give the council itself,” 3rd added.

  “Agreed!” 4th simply said.

  “The Admiral will commence the formal inquiry now,” 5th concluded.

  The Admiral, who had been quietly standing at attention behind the prisoners, cleared his throat.

  “That being the will of the council,” he screeched. “The prisoners are directed to face me that I might see their faces while we talk.” When both Jake and Steve were facing him he continued. “Thank you gentleman. My first question is for the one called Jake. How did you acquire the information concerning Location-null?”

  “I had hoped that might be what's on your mind,” Jake said with a slight smile. “But the truth is I didn't. Your question confirms my suspicion that ‘this’ is in fact the council's secret base. But I still don't know where it is.”

  The Admiral was watching both Jake and Questor closely as he listened.

  “This is most confusing,” the Admiral screeched. “Yet I believe that your speaking the truth. I also believe that your ‘mentor’ is not very surprised to hear that. You should know, as he does, that I am a master at reading facial expressions. However, you may as well know that the council will expect both of you to prepare nano-verification tools at the end of the council audience. As they have less faith in this method than I do.” He turned his head towards Questor and added, “I will also want to know why you did not find your apprentice's revelation very surprising old friend.” Then the Admiral turned his full attention back to Jake as he continued. “But for the moment I must ask Jake to explain how it is, since he doesn't know our coordinates, that the Avant-garde has arrived here to demand your release. How did they know where to find you? And perhaps more importantly, why doesn't my report of their presence surprise you?”

  Jake actually treated the Admiral to a radiant smile before he began his explanation.

  “It is true that I hoped that my friends from the Free Spacer Alliance would detect my homing beacon,” Jake explained. “Just as I'm sure that you find it hard to believe that anyone who was in an active nano-secure isolation chamber, could have set one without help. When the council examines the nano-verification tool you mentioned Admiral, they will find that I speak the truth when I say that the Captain was unaware of the special stealth nano-pods I released when I first boarded the Resonance. It wasn't his fault. I had the advantage of being quite sure that he would be required to confine me to such a device before I would be brought here.

  The particular nanites that made up the pods were composed with a high percentage of a special crystalline material that is part of the basis of certain proprietary Hillside technologies involving sidereal communications. I made sure that special receivers were built into the new ships which I licensed to the Alliance upon the contingent that they accept my pledge.”

  “It is conceivable that certain stealth enhanced nanites could have sent a covert signal that we failed to detect,” the Admiral admitted. “What is hard to believe is that you were able to so instruct them from within this chamber. Can you explain that.”

  “I can and will,” Jake began. “But you should know that this explanation touches on my whole reason for wanting an opportunity to speak before the council in the first place. Shall I continue?”

  After a slight pause, the Admiral replied.

  “Since the council didn't choose to object, I presume they are just as interested in this detail as I am. Proceed!”

  “Very well Admiral,” Jake continued. “It is however, a complex detail that requires more than a few assumptions to explain. As the council is no doubt aware, I acquired my nanites directly from my mentor when he used them to save my life. This has more ramifications than just the issue of my not having pledged myself to the guild. The first and more obvious ramification is based on the fact that my mentor became a questor prior to certain modifications being made to the rules of nanosymbiotic conduct.

  Thus my nanites themselves, are not obligated to automatically enforce current guild protocols upon their use. A less obvious but more pertinent ramification is that, since they don't automatically enforce those protocols, it is possible for a variant on the traditional sentient nanosymbiotic control pattern to develop. It's quite rare and would be so even if the modified rules of nanosymbiotic conduct built into the nanosymbiotic seeds, that are now so predominantly used to offer guild pledges the opportunity to become host-minds, didn't specifically preclude such a development. But under such circumstances it can happen that the potential host-mind gains a more direct form of control over the nanites. One that isn't wholly dependent on the formation of a sentient nano-net.

  Such direct control, in those rare cases where it exists, usually leads to the development of preprogrammed nano-pods that are not dependent on a continuous flow of control codes from some nanosymbiont. Which in my case, has yet to develop. I might add that if you examine the report on my first encounter with the species that I took it upon myself to commit genocide against. You will find verification of that fact. Because their containment field wasn't interrupted long enough for even a mature nanosymbiont to reconnect a full control dialog with any external nanites. Never mind actually use them to inflict the systemic damage that mine did upon simply being instructed to enter combat mode.

  That fact is relevant because it was my experience with their containment system, that taught me the value of preprogramming for multiple contingencies. Thus my less than sentient nano-pods were nonetheless able to determine when to initialize the homing beacon protocol. Hence the Avant-garde.”

  “This is most disturbing Mr Peterson,” 1st interrupted the Admirals interrogation. “For if everything you've said proves to be true, then you are correct that we don't actually have direct jurisdiction over your crime. Worse, under the terms of the Free Space Accord, the fact that you have already pledged yourself to the Free Spacer Alliance precludes our allowing you to pledge to the guild unless they first decline your pledge.”

  “Which you have insured they will not do,” 2nd continued. “By making the licensing of your new starship technologies provisional on their acceptance of your membership.”

  “This is unfortunate,” 3rd explained. “Because you have become far too dangerous to be allowed to roam free without certain safeguards that we can not impose directly on your nanites without your sworn allegiance to the guild.”

  “This is most regrettable,” 4th added. “But it leaves us little choice.”

  “We have but two options,” 5th concluded. “We must either confine you for the rest of your life or the only other viable choice is execution.”

  Jake did his best to look all of the councilors squarely in the eyes.

  “Before you decide which fate to impose upon me,” he said. “Let me inform you of a few things that you should be aware of. Though in the event that you should learn something that changes your mind, you will let me know, won't you?”

  It was the Admiral who answered.

  “Say your piece Jake,” he screeched almost gently. “I doubt it will change anything but say it anyway. The council will at least listen to you.”

  Jake smiled but his face reveled the deep sadness of an old wound that still festers. Then Jake began talking.

  “I'm here because you fear what I have done,” Jake began. “Or to be more precise, the fact that my nanites didn't shut me down for
doing it. After all even though, given the same tools to work with, any questor could have done the same. None of them could have survived knowingly doing so unless they had the backing of a quorum of their peers. And in the case of those subject to the modified rules of nanosymbiotic conduct such a ‘quorum’ is predefined as a council decision.

  But I did this terrible deed on my own, there were no others to validate my decision. Yet my nanites didn't institute nanosymbiotic deresolution protocols.” Jake paused briefly. “I don't blame you for being worried. It is alarming to think of what might happen if anyone with even just half as much power as a questor, could operate without some kind of limiting mechanism. As a matter of fact, to some extent I find myself in agreement with the council.

  Now that I have seen what I'm capable of, I'm painfully aware that I can't continue on this way. I understand that since it is no longer possible that I become a pledge of the guild and thus become subject to the same oath that imposes such limits upon my mentor, you think that you can't afford to permit me to live. You know in some ways that almost doesn't matter to me. I lost my reason for living on LosLand. You see when that monster invaded Cindy's mind, I lost her heart. To be sure I sent in nano-probes to analyze and if it had been possible, repair the damage. But she is no longer the woman I love. You've seen her Steve, am I wrong or is she lost to me?”

  Questor shook his head.

  “I'm sorry Jake,” Questor replied. “I wish I could disagree. I've taken measures to give her a chance to reinvent herself. But your right, most of the neuropathways that could restore her former emotional bond to you now irrevocably lead to memories that would certainly tear her apart. She may eventually heal but she won't ever be the same.”

  Jake sighed.

  “I said there were some things the council should be aware of,” Jake resumed speaking. “The first thing is that since my nanites are bound to the original nanosymbiotic pact, they are designed to be bound, by certain aspects of their host-minds own personal oath to the Guild. Rather than by automatic built in obedience. This also means that they would actually be bound to the similar limitations imposed by their host-mind taking the oath of a Freespacer.

  So if you permit me to formally become a Freespacer, instead of a questor, I wouldn't be without safeguards. They just wouldn't be under your direct control.” Jake paused for a moment. “Yeah well I didn't think you'd want to go for that, even though you know that by denying the Freespacers the full benefit of that licensed technology you are turning your back on the express will of your predecessors.

  The ones who realized that in the long run a little competition would be good for the guild. Which brings me to my second point. By now it must be obvious, even to the guild council, that the guild itself is deteriorating. Its been in a state of slow decay ever since most people realized that the competition that the Free Space Accord was supposed to inspire just wasn't in the cards.

  As you must know, if you don't allow the Alliance to formally accept my pledge, the results will be the same as if you let me become one of theirs and then didn't release me. They will declare it a holy war and you will be forced to use your superior force to crush them. In so doing you would become very much like the old guild.” Again Jake paused. “It occurs to me that like it or not, you will eventually decide to release me to captain Waymaker. You really have no other viable options left. But I wouldn't expect that to be the end of it.

  The fact that you found it necessary to modify the terms of the original nanosymbiotic pact to specifically exclude the Free Spacer's oath, is sufficient to show that you don't consider it to be a sufficiently effective limitation. So while I expect that you will let me leave, you will also most likely institute certain sanctions against me as an omega class threat.

  You will, no doubt, stop short of open war with the Free Spacers. But sooner or later, I will be under the threat of sanctioned assassination. I understand why this will be so. And that leaves me to warn you of a few things. Though you needn't worry very much about me instituting a vendetta against the guild itself. Or even the members of it's council. I make no promises however, as to the safety of anyone who tries to do me harm. And that is especially true in the case of any who would reach me by harming my friends. But there are a couple exceptions concerning the possibility of a vendetta.

  First, if I ever believe the guild has instituted sanctions against Hillside or it's personnel. Or in the event that you should decide I'm so dangerous that you decide to broaden the sanction to include such collateral damage as incurred by destroying a city or village or even just a household, where I'm believed to be located. Then you had better hope the would be assassin does not miss. For if I survived such a thing, I would institute such a vendetta as you have never seen. Now, if I've made myself sufficiently clear. I suggest you invite captain Waymaker to come on down and accept my oath of membership.”

  “The prisoner has made some valid points,” 1st reluctantly admitted. “But his release is by no means certain. He is in a poor position to threaten us with a vendetta.”

  “I'm not so certain he intended it as a threat,” 2nd contended. “In fact since he was careful to outline certain reprehensible circumstances under which he would do so. I suggest he merely intended that as a warning.”

  “Threat, warning or...” 3rd looked pointedly at Jake as she speculated. “Perhaps even just a promise.” 3rd turned her attention back towards the other council members. “The fact is the circumstances he listed as a causative of such a vendetta, should be addressed before we even consider releasing him. Which, given a few prerequisites, I now recommend.

  First, before we would allow him to complete his pledge. We should ourselves make a binding resolution in his presence, that we expressly forbid that any guild representative should stoop so low as to attack him in such an indiscriminate fashion as he described. Indeed, we should also publish that any such action taken by any third party agent would be treated as severely as a similar attack on a guild representative. Secondly we should require that he repeat that which he just said to us in the form of a personal oath. With the modification that he acknowledge that anyone who attacks the guild, does so at their own risk. For we should have the same right to protect ourselves as he claims for himself. Lastly, we should make sure that the Free Spacers understand our belief that the oath of a Free Spacer is insufficient protection from the dangers presented by the sub-sentient nature of their pledge's nano-symbionce. And that we do reserve the right to address that danger as we see fit.”

  There was a moment of silence before 4th spoke.

  “I support 3rd's recommendations,” 4th agreed when he was done thinking about it. “I also think that when we explain our right to address the danger he represents. We should clearly define that we mean to reserve the right for any questor to engage him in personal combat under the provisions of extreme dispute. Which we shall deem applicable to the prisoner even though his oath of compliance will not be that of a guildsman. We should further claim the right for any ship of the Guild to challenge any Free Spacer vessel bearing his personage under the terms of honorable combat as defined in the Free Space Accord.”

  “I'm in agreement with both 3rd and 4th,” 5th added. “So I now bid the prisoner to speak concerning the revisions we have just proposed.”

  “Well then there are several points I would make concerning those revisions,” Jake said with a smile. “First of all, while neither the 1st councilor nor the 2nd were exactly wrong, 3rd's shrewd speculation as to the intent of my comments concerning a vendetta was the more accurate. For it was in fact a promise, that in the event that my warning was unheeded, I would with considerable regret, turn the threat into a reality. But in the event that any future conflict between us is handled honorably under the terms 4th did specify. Then I too shall honor them. I will also accept that the provisions of extreme dispute as defined in a questor's oath of induction can be applied to me, so long as the guild allows that I therefore have the same right to so
challenge an individual questor to personal combat. I further predict that the Free Spacer Alliance will allow that a guild ship may invoke the terms of honorable combat upon an alliance vessel under the same circumstances that you will allow an alliance vessel to challenge a guild ship.

  In both cases, of course, there must prove to be reasonable cause, as defined by the Free Space Accord. Else a breach of agreement shall be awarded under the terms of said accord. I will allow, that should any alliance ship refuse to release me to answer a challenge to personal combat under the provisions of extreme dispute, it shall be deemed reasonable cause. And I'm certain the alliance will ratify that, so long as the reverse circumstance shall be considered reasonable cause for an alliance ship to challenge any guild ship declining to release a questor to answer my challenge.

  I further do hereby swear that in the moment that all these things are formally agreed to by both the Guild and the Alliance, my former statement of fact shall be considered by me and all of my personal nanites to be a binding oath. Regarding which they will provide a nano-verification tool to certify that they will enforce that oath as strongly as a questor's nanites would a sworn life bond. Will that do?”

  Chapter 40 Departure

  Steve shook his head, then laughed loudly for longer than he had in a long time.

  “I think congratulations are in order Jake,” he said, when his laughter finally died down. “Frankly though I must say that I'm still trying to figure out how you pulled that stunt off. But I'm sure glad you did. You know of course that you will be the most famous nanosymbiont in guild history.”

  “Yeah!” Jake interrupted his former mentor. “But do you mean because I used a transdimensional rift to commit genocide or because I managed to reintroduce viable competition in interstellar commerce?”