The Colony Ship Vanguard: The entire eight book series in one bundle

by John Thornton

  “Yes, I tried to. The midshipman told me to stop broadcast what he called ‘old time, horror movies’ which were ‘seeking to sow fear and dissension’. Whatever that means. I am planning to go on a counter offensive and strike a blow to alter the entire lattice system away from the CPO.”

  “That is extreme,” Brinley replied. “I am not even sure how you would start to do that. I know how to sequester a solitary AI, automacube, or mechanical system. However, altering the entire lattice is a major undertaking.”

  “The troopers in the headquarters are tabulating the ideas from scientists, Free Rangers, and engineers in several habitats. They have all been working on the concept. They all know the CPO has not been adequate in its response to the Jellies. I have not shared the android aspect of the CPO except with a few scientists in Pampas. I find too few people are open minded enough to grasp that such life-like androids are even possible. Basically, altering the lattice comes down to shutting down the Central Planning Office’s ability to interface with the primary artificial intelligence systems of the Vanguard,” Larissa stated.

  "Will that endanger the operations of the ship itself?” Brinley asked.

  “Not if it is done correctly. I have asked Tennard to review the findings, but he trusts me even less than you do. I cannot blame him for that. He has his team working out at Miass, and they are making good progress. He has made some initial reports and suggestions.”

  “So what did Tennard think of this idea?” Brinley asked.

  “Tennard reported that there is already a schism in the AIs of the ship. There are three general alignments. First, is the old lattice which answers to the CPO; second, is the Free Ranger stand-alone AIs which sadly have been badly damaged in this latest incident; and third, there are some other AIs which appear to be partnered together in ways that my own investigators have not fully comprehended, but Tennard uncovered. That third group may be how the Jellies are attacking the AIs of the ship, but it may also be some mutation of the AIs. I believe that third group is associated with an entity calling itself Phoenix Dominie. Some of those third group AI systems are affiliated in what has been termed, IAM and DAMA, but there are inconsistent reports about that. The engineers are divided on their opinions about that third group.”

  “I know of Phoenix Dominie,” Brinley replied. “It scares Paulie badly.”

  Larissa let out a small laugh. “Cuddly puppies would scare Paul. I do recall our own encounters with that entity, and I think it is separate from the Jellies, the lattice, and the CPO. I am just not sure if it is friend of foe. Nor am I certain of its intentions.”

  “Yes, that system is a wildcard or bogeyman,” Brinley replied. “It could be rampant, or insane.”

  “Or a real rusalka or sirin?” Larissa asked. “The general population is resorting to folklore and fables, but I wonder if there is a grain of truth behind those old legends the elderly men babble about.”

  Brinley was quiet for a moment as she considered how much to share. She then recognized that Larissa already probably knew much more, so she spoke. “Tiffany, the AI from Earth had numerous encounters with Phoenix Dominie.”

  “My understanding is that the artificial intelligence Tiffany has been missing and is presumed to have failed,” Larissa stated. “That too is a loss, we could have used it.”

  “Yes, Tiffany has not replied to any recent inquiries, and the physical aspects, the ALP, of that AI are missing,” Brinley said. She brushed some hair back and placed it behind her ear. “I am not sure what you are getting at specifically. Larissa, are you suggesting terminating the lattice? Is there a way to shut down the lattice, and not risk the Vanguard?” Brinley asked.

  “As I said, the interface between the lattice and the CPO is key. Break that interface, and the lattice can be redirected, not terminated,” Larissa said.

  “Oh, yes, now it becomes clear. Redirect the lattice to end up with you in control of it all?” Brinley said. Her disapproval was not hidden in her voice.

  “Yes. To defend the Vanguard from the alien Jellies. Yes. I need every asset I can get, and the way the lattice is now handicapped, we will lose the ship to the Jellies if we do not get ahead of this. If the Jellies are taking over the lattice, they will own the ship.”

  “How about just shutting down the androids?” Brinley asked. “That would eliminate their influences, as well as allowing a human crew to be reestablished. Make a new CPO with people instead of androids.”

  “I am pleased to hear you say that. Several engineers from Pampas, the same ones who came up with the design for the lake skimmers by the way, they suggested a similar thing. They are some of the few who understand that the CPO consists of androids, not humans. They suggested an intriguing potential. According to the launch records they have, one of the primary AIs, TSI-19 is designed to do ‘advanced research and development’. They said that if androids were real, and they believe they are, or at least consider it possible, then that TSI-19 was most like either directing the androids, or was manufacturing and replicating them.” Larissa pulled out a small container and opened the lid and took a long drink of hot liquid. “If we shut down that specific AI, it may disrupt the entire android system, and would prevent the CPO androids from getting repairs and replacements, and perhaps shutting down that AI would do a lot more. If you cut off the rats head, the tail dies as well. At least that is their hypothesis.” Larissa took another long drink and then gazed out into the beauty of the Wilds she had known all of her life. “I am not certain how to proceed.”

  “Not certain?” Brinley asked in surprise. “Usually you are much more convinced of your own thoughts and just take action. You have always been decisive. Why hesitate now?”

  “I am learning from past mistakes. There are too many unknowns. That Phoenix Dominie, the androids, and then the Jellies,” Larissa replied without pause. “The Jellies especially. I just do not know how to anticipate their actions. This situation has far graver potential consequences than when I was just running this habitat, or when I removed an incompetent Governor. This might mean life or death for the Vanguard itself.”

  Brinley thought long and hard before she answered. Standing there under the warm light of the sky tube, and seeing the trees, flowers, and chirping birds, she could almost convince herself that all the other things she had witnessed was some bizarre nightmare. But she knew it was not. Larissa had made logical sense, and the threats were grave indeed.

  “Tennard and I have worked on the stand alone AIs, and even tried to alter some basic core programming. They are vastly complex, but there is truth in the idiom, ‘AIs only do what they are programmed to do’. So if a primary AI is shut down, it may have unintended consequences,” Brinley said. “However, I do understand what you are saying and there is merit in the plan of targeting TSI-19. Do you know where its memory core is located? Will you be sending engineering automacubes to set charges? Or a detachment of troopers?”

  “You and I will do it. My personal plan is that we seek it out and destroy it,” Larissa said. She was looking directly and intensely at Brinley. “You are the best engineer on the Vanguard, even better than Tennard. I am an exceptional fighter. Together we can seek out that memory core and dismantle it. That may shut down the androids, and allow us to redirect the lattice into my service. We worked well together before.”

  “Because we had to,” Brinley snapped back.

  “I think we can do this,” Larissa said, “If we work together. I have the troopers charting out the most likely places for the location of the memory core for TSI-19. Since we cannot consult the achieves, and the lattice will not give us the information, we have had to go to what physical records and resources we have. Everyone allied with us has scoured their locations, and complied the relevant findings. They have been sending copies and physical records. The gravity conduits are still functional, as are the multiceivers.”

  “The location will likely be somewhere on the needle ship. If that is so, how do we get there?” Brinl
ey asked.

  “Brinley, you will fly us there in a shuttle,” Larissa answered simply and confidently.

  “Hey, remember? The shuttles are getting shot to pieces. I believe you were involved in getting that happening?” Brinley was feeling the rage building up in her again.

  “What I have started, I can end,” Larissa answered. “Right now we only have surveillance on things inside, within, the Vanguard, and not even in every section or location inside. The lattice and CPO can see what is happening outside, where I suspect the Jellies are based, but the CPO and lattice will not cooperate with me. So I devised a mission, and Tennard helped eagerly with this part of the plan, I have had engineering automacubes go out and remove the macroactinide capacitor enhancers along a route to the needle ship. We follow the route, that sequence over the exterior of the Wilds, and we get to the needle ship sight unseen.”

  “Which hanger bay did you use as a starting point? Many of them were devastated by the shuttle crashes,” Brinley asked. Her interest was peaking more than her anger.

  “Yes, many were destroyed, a pity really. So much equipment lost, as well as the unnecessary deaths of those people. My mission does not use any of the old Free Ranger hanger bays, or the egress points where we have seen repeated cutting open of doors. On the deck plans we located a small hanger bay labeled as E-71H. It is not far outside of the Wilds on E Cylinder. The blue automacube I assigned there to investigate found it has not been accessed since the launch of the Vanguard. The automacubes I have posted there also sent back these images,” Larissa pulled two printed images out of her pouch.

  “Those are runabouts,” Brinley replied. “Small, but usable for this quest. Not much cargo space at all. That location is not a full hanger bay. It looks much like other places I have raided for spare parts, but that one has never been opened. Look at the security seals which are still intact. It is more of a storage compartment, than a hanger bay. It can be opened to space to remove the runabout, but coming back to that location is not possible. Docking from the exterior is very tricky without an AI to guide the reinsertion into storage of the runabout. Free Rangers rarely use those types of shuttles because of the lack of cargo capability, and I do not know of anyone using a storage locker as a hanger bay. It is feasible, but will have challenges.”

  “You are the expert mechanic! Tennard said nearly the same thing. After removing the macroactinide capacitor enhancers from a nearby exterior repair station, the blue automacube ran diagnostics on both of them. Those shuttles have been prepped and serviced, by automacubes, according to Tennard’s directions. They are both separate from the lattice and are on manual operation status. We can slip them out of storage and be outside as long as we have spacesuits. The automacube confirms there are spacesuits at Exterior Repair Station V-4991”

  “Larissa, that takes care of the launch from this end, and if you cleared a channel along the exterior of the hull I can fly us to the needle ship. When we get there, how will we dock on the needle ship?” Brinley asked.

  “That docking will be up to you, Brinley. So are you willing to accompany me on this mission?” Larissa asked.

  “After seeing what the Jellies did to that young woman’s father, and knowing they have taken over Oasis, we do need to act.” Brinley responded.

  “I should check with Lyudmila and see how she, Paul, and Gretchen are faring.” Larissa lifted the multiceiver and spoke, “TSI-463, connect me to Lyudmila.”

  “Yes, Larissa,” the personal AI responded. “Unable to make connection or link.”

  “Identify cause of link failure,” Larissa commanded.

  “Cause of failure due to outside interference. Interference is consistent with known CPO activity. Central Planning Office is requesting connection. Shall I establish the link?” TSI-463 asked.

  “Audio only, yes.”

  “This is the midshipmen overseeing this area. You are attempting to connect to a location within a different habitat. That is forbidden. Please state your reason for this attempted communication,” the midshipmen’s voice was exactly as Brinley had remembered it.

  “Private conversation between friends,” Larissa responded. “Please establish the link as requested.”

  “Contact between habitats is forbidden,” the midshipman stated. “You will not make further attempts in this regard.”

  Larissa ended the transmission without further comment. “That will make things more interesting now. It does confirm my suspicions and strengthens my resolve to shut down the androids and divert the lattice. Brinley? Will you help me do this?”

  Brinley looked Larissa in the eyes again. “You are telling me the truth, correct?”

  “Brinley, I am coming with you, and I am putting my life in your hands as the pilot,” Larissa stated. “I would not do that if I thought we would fail.”

  “So Larissa, have you ever been in zero gravity?” Brinley said. A small grin was on her wide mouth.

  “Have you ever ridden through our lovely canyon, Velky Weep?” Larissa asked returning the smile. “The exit from the habitat is in the canyon.”

  7 situation in tula

  “This beast is still trying to knock my legs into the trees,” Paul complained as yet again Queenie the Haflinger horse he was riding walked near a tree trunk. “And my back is sore. How much further is the place we are going?”

  “Daisy has done that to me as well. Paul, these animals see it as a game, I think.” Gretchen turned around and looked at Paul. She said with a smile, “Just steer the horse away as it approaches one of the trees.”

  “They have a mind of their own.” Paul pulled at the reins and Queenie nickered.

  Lyudmila, riding on Serko was leading them along the pathway. It was only large enough to allow one horse at a time, and Daisy and Queenie had taken their specific places without any direction from Paul or Gretchen. Apparently, they had been that way before, and Daisy was always ahead of Queenie. Twice more the twisting path had lead back to wooden bridges that cross the stream, and each time the water level was lower than before.

  “We will break out from the wooded area soon, and be on the farmland around Tula. We can see the town as soon as we exit from the woods here,” Lyudmila said.

  As they rode onward, Paul and Gretchen both ate some of the food ration bars from their packs. Then there came a rustling ahead of them along with many unusual noises. The woods had been noisy with the sounds of birds, insects, and animals, but the new sound was deeper and more rumbling.

  The horses all tensed up under their riders, and Queenie’s ears were laid back. No longer did she try to scrape Paul against a tree, but now she tossed her head back and forth and her eyes were alert.

  “The pathway leads out beyond that turn. Be alert as we exit the woods. There are some animals up ahead. Cattle and llama probably, maybe some others,” Lyudmila stated.

  Walking past the last turn and emerging from the woods, Lyudmila had her horse stop. Gretchen and Paul rode up next to her. All three horses stood abreast. Their riders looked out across the farm fields and toward the town in the distance. The cultivated farm fields were neat and arranged. The crops had grow up to about knee high.

  “There is something moving!” Paul said and pointed his arm. “Animals of some kind.”

  “They are running very fast, and right this way,” Gretchen added.

  Coming nearly directly at them were large blackish gray animals with oblong bodies that tapered back to a point at the rear. The animals had upright and tall skinny necks. The necks and heads were light gray or tan colored.

  “They have only two legs,” Paul stated as he drew out his pistol. “What a mob of beasts. How much of a threat are they? Are they predators?

  The horses stomped and fidgeted about as the first of the animals drew near to their location. Up close Paul could see that the animals were feathered and even taller than he expected. They ran mostly one right after the other, but there was a sense of panic in their stampede.

  “Move
out of the way,” Lyudmila ordered as she guided Serko to the side and out of the way of the stampede which were running full out. “The flock of ostriches is not a threat, but let them pass.”

  Paul and Gretchen did not need to guide their horses at all, as Queenie and Daisy just ambled out of the way as the flock of ostriches ran into the woods via the path.

  Paul still had his pistol drawn and was pointing at the ostriches. “They will not attack us? There are so many of them, and they are big.”

  Lyudmila looked at Paul and shook her head. “I am not sure where you came from, but the ostrich is a silly bird and not a threat. They can sometimes peck, and the emu are sometimes a bit mean, if you get too close, but no real danger. They are raised for food, for their meat and mostly for their eggs. Something has terrified them. I have never seen them running in such fear.”

  They watched as the line of ostriches disappeared into the woods.