Birth Of A Goddess

by Mark T. Bacome

  ::I've already determined that,:: Alex answered. ::Determined what?::

  ::The panel is open, we just need to go inside,:: Alex

  assured.

  ::Okay, then just follow my lead,:: Kutch suggested.

  He walked past Alex and she stepped along side, and they

  both continued around the mechanical structure, keeping

  a steady pace. Alex took a quick peek over her shoulder

  just before they disappeared around the backside of the

  structure out of the guards view. He was straining to

  watch without moving from his spot, but remained at the

  base of the stairs.

  Kutch and Alex continued around the structure, at the

  same pace, several more times. Each time the guard

  would take a little further step away from the stairs to

  follow the two little humans, trying to see what they were

  up to, before returning to his post. Finally, Kutch and Alex

  paused on the backside, out of view and waited for the

  guard to check on them. Again they continued around,

  each time taking more and more time on the side away

  from the guard. They got their chance when the guard

  wandered away from his post far enough that Kutch and

  Alex were able to enter the panel without him in view.

  Once inside, Alex found a way to secure the panel from

  opening again from the outside.

  Kutch pulled out a small portable, to light up the

  interior inside the panel opening. He could see the hatch

  into the center shaft, but there was some broken piping

  stuck in the path. Parts that had apparently fallen from

  above. They could hear the guard running around the

  structure in a panic, until he started ringing a bell alarm. ::We won't have much time now,:: Alex cautioned. ::Almost there,::Kutch assured. He handed more

  broken pipes and pieces back to Alex and she pinned them through the inner panel handles to keep the panel

  door closed.

  Kutch reached the center shaft hatch, as they could

  hear more guards running around the structure trying to

  figure out how the tiny humans escaped.

  Kutch reached the hatch and tried the lever, but it was

  stuck. Alex came over to help, just as the guards pounded

  on the panel and attempted to pry the metal door open. Kutch and Alex turned the hatch handle, ever so

  slowly, before it sprung open with a loud metal-on-metal

  screech. Once inside, there was only a small platform to

  stand on, with rungs leading up and down. Kutch

  remembered this part from the last time he was through

  here. He shined his portable down, and began the

  descent. Alex grabbed another small metal pipe, and used

  it to hold the hatch closed and the handle tight, before

  following Kutch down the center shaft.

  *** Novia stopped by the internal cavern dwelling for Anaua and Ayden to check on them all, but particularly little Anali. Anali had sustained a rather deep cut, with significant swelling on the back of her head and her forehead from falling rock inside the small collapsing cave, nearly two days earlier.

  Ayden greeted Novia and showed her in. “Anaua is resting for once.” Ayden’s, eyes were tired and red. “The tea you brought has helped.”

  “Have you tried some?” Novia asked.

  Ayden shook his head. “I have been watching over Anali.”

  “The bleeding?”

  “Has stopped,” Ayden answered.

  “The swelling?”

  “Appears gone,” Ayden answered once more with little

  emotion. “She has seemed somewhat restless, but has not yet appeared to awaken over the last two days. Is she in, 'the sleep?'” Novia knelt down next to Anali, and reached out a hand on the small child's forehead. Novia could sense her restless consciousness. “She is not in the deep 'sleep;' but her rest is filled with concern.

  “Any word from the cave-in?” Ayden asked. “The rock is unstable. Even the Elvonians and their technology cannot stop the Dead Rock from continuing to collapse inside the Death-Chute. They may never be able to safely recover--”

  “I understand,” Ayden interrupted. Ayden understood all too well, the Death-Chute might very well be Chichi's final tomb.

  At that moment, Anali turned and attempted to open her eyes. “Momma...Noya...”

  “It's all right now, Anali,” Ayden answered. “Try to rest.”

  “Where's Chichi. I have to give back his brave-stone.” Anali tried to sit up.

  “What brave-stone?” Novia asked.

  “The brave-stone Li made for Chichi. I was scared and he gave it to me--so I could be brave until we got home. I can give it back now. I'm not scared.” Anali opened her hand to reveal the small stone that Li had fashioned into that of a singing night-singer.

  Novia now understood why Anali had Chichi's figurine and gave Ayden a broken-hearted glance. How does one tell such a young child her brother is dead. The brother who always looked after her, cared for and protected her. Novia could see Ayden was not holding his own emotions together enough to explain, so she took a deep breath and made the attempt. “My dear Anali, Chichi didn't come out of the cave. He didn't make it out. He's--dead.”

  Anali gave Novia and her father a look of confusion, as though trying to process this new information.

  Anali shook her head. “Can't be dead. Chichi held my hand.”

  Novia furrowed her brow in thought. “Held your hand? When?”

  “All the way back home. While we rode on the nightsingers--we laughed at their songs and he held my hand, like he promised--all the way home.”

  “Chichi was riding a night-singer, holding your hand?” Novia pressed, trying to hold back her own tears.

  “Yes, all the way home--just like he promised. Then that nice old lady in the white gown and tall walking stick--she took him by the hand, into the caverns. She had a nice smile, and told me everything would be all right now.”

  “OH MY Shola Rai,” Anaua cried out, before falling to her knees next to Novia. “Utahia came for my little boy!”

  *** The large door in the dim light at the end of the tunnel, seemed as foreboding as the last time. Kutch stepped up toward the door to trigger the sensor.

  “Are you Administrator?” The artificial voice had a familiar tone.

  “Proto, this is Kutch rememb--”

  “Access denied,” Proto interrupted. Alex was unable to hide a little giggle, shaking her head.

  “Oh, right,” Kutch remembered the procedure, and stepped back, then forward again, tripping the sensor once more.

  “Are you Administrator?” Proto prompted once again.

  “Yes, I am Administrator...”

  “Access denied.”

  “What? Wait--that's the process! I AM administrator,” Kutch directed toward the small audio device above the door.

  Alex couldn't hold back any longer, and stepped forward to trigger the sensor.

  “Are you Administrator?”

  “I am Alex Administrator, two,” There was a long silence that followed. Kutch started to step forward with a wild look of confusion on his face. ::Stop, wait and I will explain,:: Alex said over the internal link.

  “Please present password,” Proto continued.

  “Alex, nine-nine, six-three.”

  ::What is going on?:: Kutch asked, feeling quite perturbed.

  : :When we left, I changed the user name and passwords from the default settings,:: Alex explained.

  ::Why?::

  ::Don't you remember setting the levels of security to their highest settings before we left to protect this place?::

  ::I remember setting his defensive settings, but I didn't do anything about the access--::

  ::NO, I did,:: Alex argued.


  ::Ah--that's what you did,:: Kutch conceded.

  “Access granted,” Proto announced, but the large locking pins did not release. “Please present second Administrator.”

  ::That's you--Kutch, Administrator, one,:: Alex prompted.

  “I am Kutch, Administrator, one,” Kutch forced out, trying to follow Alex’s prompts.

  “Please present password,” Proto continued.

  ::Kutch, EJ-AG4162D-9,:: Alex relayed.

  “Kutch, EJ-AG4162D-9,” Kutch stated. A much longer pause followed. ::Wasn't that correct?::Kutch asked.

  ::Should have been.::

  “Access granted,” Proto announced, followed by the sound of the large locking pins releasing and the massive door swinging open.

  “I don't understand why you would do that, if you had come by yourself, you would not have gained entry,” Kutch grumbled, as they both stepped into the first small room and the door closed behind. A series of flashes and a complete exchange of air occurred in the first chamber in a matter of seconds.

  “A precautionary scan has been completed. You have been cleaned of all unauthorized microbes or

  contaminates,” Proto announced. “Please continue to the clean prep room.” The inner door bumped open and they both stepped through.

  “The sensor detected two people outside the entry, and would not have opened unless both were granted access,” Alex explained.

  “Oh...”

  Kutch could see the over-sized 'clean-suits' right where they had been left, when he and Alex were last there, over six Earth years ago. Remembering the requirement, Kutch and Alex put their respective cleansuits on and waited for the next door to open. Once Proto was satisfied that the two guests were attired

  appropriately, the next door opened for Kutch and Alex to step through. After more flashing lights and another complete exchange of air, the next door into the main facility opened.

  “You are cleared for entry,” Proto's voice seemed to echo throughout the first level of the facility.

  “Do you remember me, Proto?” Kutch asked.

  “Of course, Kutch, Administrator, one,” Proto replied.

  “Kutch is fine while inside the facility, Proto,” Kutch requested.

  “I understand. I will refer to you as Kutch while inside the facility,” Proto confirmed. “Will Alex, Administrator, two, require a similar designation?”

  “Alex is fine.”

  “I understand. I will refer to you as Alex while inside the facility. Do you wish to make any changes to my voice presentation, gender, or dialect?” Proto asked.

  “Ah--”

  “NO!” Kutch interrupted Alex. ::Don't go there,:: Kutch advised Alex over the internal link.

  “Do not go where?” Proto asked. “Please re-indicate where you do not wish to go.”

  “You can hear my internal communications?” Kutch asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Can that feature be turned off?” Alex asked. “No,” Proto answered.

  “Okay. Good to know,” Alex relayed with a glance of caution to Kutch.

  “So--Proto, it has been a while since our last visit, can you please give a tour of the facility again?” Kutch asked.

  “I understand. You wish to have a facilities integrity check,” Proto confirmed.

  “Proto, keep in mind, this is not an official inspection. We are not here with termination codes,” Kutch reiterated. He remembered Proto's concern last time.

  “I--understand now. Please follow the blinking overhead lights, as I guide you through the facility for your requested tour, Kutch and Alex,” Proto’s tone perked.

  *** Novia had dreaded the arrival of the two ceremonies for Utahia and Chichi, not believing they would be happening at the same time. The unprecedented double ceremony would be difficult for all, and yet, quite appropriate, after hearing Anali's vision.

  The top of the ceremonial mountain had been neglected over the last six Shola Si, overgrown with black thorn-berries. Looking over the site, Novia felt a cold chill breeze as she remembered her last ceremony at this sacred place for Hyak. The pain of loss, still lingered deep within, but like the new growth season, she felt for the first time, there was the possibility of renewed life--and love.

  Damus stepped up and placed his hands on the tops of her shoulders. Novia may have been startled, had she not sensed his presence, and seen his shadow.

  “Not surprised?” Damus asked. Novia nuzzled her cheek on the back of his hand. “I felt you near...” she paused. “Will there be a second body to prepare?”

  Damus let go a heavy sigh, and shook his head. “The Elvonians have done their best--we all have, but the cave has now been officially sealed. No chance of recovery.”

  Novia put her hand on Damus's hand, still on her shoulder. “Maybe that is for the best.”

  “With the amount of rock-fall covering the boy--yes,” Damus said. They both watched in silence, as several volunteers from the clans continued to clear the ceremonial site to prepare the grounds. Once cleared, they could begin building the pyres. Even with Shola Rai shining strong in the late afternoon, the breeze was chilled by remaining snow drifts among the shadows of the tree line and the higher ridges. Novia wished she had brought more than just her shawl.

  “I am so sorry,” Damus broke the silence, still holding Novia at the shoulders.

  “For what?”

  “You--having to deal with all this. To see you so saddened, so often. To see your tears and not your warm smile,” Damus explained as gently as he knew how.

  “It is the life of a Pe'Atchdi.” Novia wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand, and attempted to offer a smile.

  Damus gazed deep into her eyes, placed a gentle hand on her face and wiped another tear with a soft brush of his thumb. Novia closed her eyes and nuzzled her face in the warmth of his hand. Damus leaned over and kissed Novia on the forehead, then wrapped his strong arms around her, enveloping her within the warmth of his fur coat. “I would treasure every chance to witness even the slightest smile from my Pe'Atchdi,” Damus whispered.

  *** Keja looked over the data-sphere. At every attempt to counter Cain's protocols and reclaim control, Cain was able to shut down Keja's commands across the protocol channels. More and more Corporate personnel were walking away from their assigned tasks and duties, and seeking passage to the Great Hall on Mars, to worship Cain and end up terminated. The precise, integrated functional structure of Corporate, had come to a grinding halt.

  ::Cain would appear to be rewriting the actual command language, then using the protocol channels for distribution, circumventing security nodes and protocol checks,:: Xria reported.

  “Can you get a sample of the new programming codex?” Keja asked.

  ::I have been attempting, but each time I get a sample, the translation appears out of sync,::Xria answered with a tone of frustration.

  “Cain is anticipating our actions but how does he know?” Keja wondered.

  “My child, Cain, is using a multi-layered, algorithmic logic-propagating poly-programming structure, that selfregenerates based on previous parameters within a randomly-assigned time frame. Each new programming language is a completely antithetical, yet compatible, variant, ” MotherII announced, as she filled Keja's workspace in a thick fog holograph representing herself.

  Keja waved his hand, in a vain attempt to clear the air. “I don't believe I'm familiar with--”

  “You would not be. I designed the programming process myself,” MotherII interrupted Keja.

  ::My initial analysis was correct,::

  “Indeed my child, Xria. Your analysis was correct,” MotherII agreed with a hint of pride.

  “So--how do we--”

  “There is no 'we,' Keja--” MotherII interrupted. “Xria, however, has the ability to simulate a platform to calculate the next generational changes, based on previous base codes. She will require as many previous variations of the language codex, along with several new variants to begin to c
alculate the multi-algorithm parameters, and the multiple key-code language-codex possibilities being generated. Now Keja, if you would be so kind as to stop interfering and allow Xria to do what is necessary.”

  ::I apologize for MotherII's impertinence,:: Xria offered to Keja.

  “There is no need for you to apologize, my dear Xria,” MotherII scolded.

  ::For once, we are in agreement,:: Keja answered.

  *** Presley1477 greeted Presley1522 in a traditional Elvonian bow, holding wrists together. “The environmental suits for Presley1490 and Presley1567 are almost completed per your request,” Presley1477 formally reported.

  “I will give them a full brief on conditions and requirements before they leave for the moon,” Presley1522 explained. “Are there any parts available from the list I provided?”

  “A few. We are currently sourcing for those not available here.”

  “The ceremony for Utahia--I'm not too late?” Presley1522 pressed.

  Presley1477 shook his head. “Tonight upon the rise of the full moon, but the procession begins well before, to allow everyone to arrive in time. We will begin soon.”

  “Kutch and Alex?”

  “If they are inside the mountain to see Proto, as they intended, they are out of contact range,” Presley1477 answered.

  “They will be disappointed, missing the ceremony,” Presley1522 declared.

  “Indeed.”

  “The Earth-child who appeared to have a connection with Toolkit,” Presely1522 paused, shaking his head.

  “Was a shock to us all here,” Presley1477 agreed.

  “Toolkit?”

  “Toolkit has spoken little--only recently coming back into the caverns from the rise outside, where he last saw Chichi alive.”

  “I have heard talk since my return, that Chichi may have been the incarnation of ICE-Cube, the AI program written by Anaua, Chi?”

  “Yes. That does appear to be true,” Presley1477 nodded.

  “How is that possible?”

  “Analysis is not complete, but theories suggest that Anaua's AI programming changes have far exceeded even her own original expectations, and truly evolved into a new life-form--and possibly not just within the special AI group.”