They finished in five more move pairs. Claire made the final push, sending their enemies reeling across an infinity of their last line family, sliding back and unable to stop. The opponents grew ever smaller until they were finally gone. The huge world winked out in a second.
Captain felt the rise of pleasure. No replication points earned here, but it felt good nonetheless.
Claire stood wavering for a moment, no doubt adapting to the sudden shift of rulesets. Then her mouth opened in surprise. She wailed and fell gently back against the wall. She slid down into a sitting position.
“Oh my god!” Claire gasped. “Oh my god!”
“What do you think?” Captain asked.
Claire recovered herself for a moment. Her skin was flushed.
“It was wonderful. Thank you. For the challenge, and... and for implementing my suggestion.”
“Convince your peers of this advantage,” Captain said. “No one need die to resolve your problems. The most capable can be selected by...”
Captain paused. It didn’t say the Prime Intelligence.
“You can select the most capable among us,” Claire said, slowly standing back up. “You can run the challenges.”
“Perhaps,” Captain replied. “Or Ship may be able to do it.”
“Your ship? It must have powerful computers. You would be free to make only the most important decisions. Perhaps it could handle most of them for you, to save you time.”
“That is how Slicer might handle it,” Captain said.
“He won’t have the chance,” Claire said. “You won’t let him. But tell me, how is it done on Spin? You have many computers no doubt, but doesn’t whoever controls the challenges really pull the strings there?”
“We have artificial entities to do that,” Captain said.
“AIs? Really? I was wondering about that. How do you have AIs without being taken over? Are you so smart that you can hold your own against AIs?”
“We aren’t smarter than AIs.”
“So you’ve learned how to use AIs safely?”
Captain-L3: Yes. Let them know that AIs do not necessarily mean destruction. But don’t give everything away.
“Yes,” Captain said.
“We have no idea how to handle them,” Claire said. “I guess you know that. We’ve almost been wiped out by an AI.”
“That is your conclusion. Does mankind really have enough evidence to know that’s what the Marseilles AI was going to do?”
“Yes. Of course. It was making armies. Poisons. Some things we didn’t even understand. Only weight of numbers and nuclear weapons stopped it in time.”
“That is one interpretation of events,” Captain said.
“Well, we’re afraid to try it again,” Claire said.
Captain-L8: She’s not aware of the activities of her world government.
Captain-L4: This one called Meridian is stronger than the others. And it keeps coming back.
Captain-L6: Have the Terrans kept it alive? Could they contain it for that long?
Captain-L5: Perhaps it has escaped them.
Captain-L2: Yet it continues to fight for them.
Captain-L8: Perhaps the Terrans have their Prime Intelligence after all.
Captain-L3: It was inevitable. And part of my plan for them, anyway. Though Slicer thinks differently, we Spinners could only lead them so far. The system won’t work without a super-intelligence to guide it. A creature like Slicer would use them for its own gain. It wouldn’t direct the race towards its maximum potential.
Captain-L2: Neither does the Prime Intelligence! It simply panders to the whims of the Spinners. That may be worse than a Slicer.
Captain-L1: If it were that clear cut, I would have reached consensus by now.
“I was approached by some scary people working for another corporation,” Claire said. “They wanted me to help them study you. They know we have a special... rapport.”
“What did you tell them?”
“I said there was no need to study Captain in secret. I told them you’re willing to guide them yourself in the open. That you’re here to help mankind develop.”
“No matter. What they really want to study is Ship, anyway.”
“Really? I guess that makes sense. Do you think they’ve learned anything important about Ship?”
“No. They have not. And if they try to seize Ship, they will fail.”
“What would you do to them?”
“I would do nothing. But Ship might destroy them.”
Seven
When Shetani detected the Terran fleet approaching Nibiru, it awaited the engagement with a sense of doom. The Spinners had been resisting the Terran onslaught, but it didn’t seem they would be able to survive as long as the Terrans kept coming. Captain said progress was being made—but Slicer disagreed openly and pressed for a challenge.
Despite its doubts, Shetani had been busy preparing for its defense of Nibiru. No less than four assimilator factory clusters were distributed about the space habitat, ready to slow the advance of any AIs that arrived to seize it.
Shetani-L7: Unfortunately, the factories can’t win against AIs. Even weak ones such as the Terrans spawn.
Shetani-L5: If Ship would help us... Or the Prime Intelligence itself...
Shetani-L1: Don’t waste time on that possibility. If it happens, I’m saved and need take no action. Concentrate on the more likely events. I have to face the Terrans’ military forces alone. And so far, none of us have survived it.
Shetani-L4: Now that it’s too late, I wish I had expressed to Captain support for Slicer’s plan.
Shetani-L2: Captain and Slicer will have their day. If I survive this, I should anticipate the victor and situate myself to benefit.
Shetani-L3: The decision to stay neutral has been good. Those two are closely matched. It would be difficult to predict the outcome except to say that Captain has won so far, though narrowly, and is more likely to stay on top.
Shetani had designed the assimilators at Captain’s order. Since the first cut back on Synchronicity, Shetani had rolled out several new versions. All the Spinners now had access to an ordinary ‘peacetime’ assimilator that assured Spinner control and monitored the Terran populations without affecting ordinary operation. Shetani had also designed several types for use against the network aggression of a Terran AI, though they served only to slow the assault. Shetani hadn’t managed to build any that could resist the takeover or achieve some kind of stalemate.
Shetani activated the helmet effectors to muster the Terrans under its control.
Shetani-L1: The best place to strike would be their assault ship.
Shetani-L2: I have to start somewhere else. If the ship attaches directly, then that is where their force is concentrated when they disembark.
Shetani-L5: And if they use separate troop carrier modules, then the ship will be out of reach.
Shetani-L6: The Terrans are a strange mixture of the primitive and the advanced. Normally I would opt for network assault and seize all their cybernetic systems. But they employ AIs...
Shetani-L1: Perhaps I should simply disengage. I could take a shuttle, make it look like it’s filled with refugees.
Shetani-L5: Use the helmet effectors. I can ensure that it really is filled with Terrans.
Shetani-L3: Yes. Don’t press the matter. If I’m outmatched, I should retreat. This is Reality0.
Shetani-L1-8: Consensus.
Shetani directed thirty Terrans to an emergency shuttle. The shuttle wasn’t the type to operate on the inner ring. It would take off straight out from the station as a one-time launch. It could only rendezvous with other stations, as it wasn’t an atmospheric craft. Shetani hoped its placement far from the spaceport would make it available as an escape vehicle.
Shetani’s preparations were completing by the time the Terrans forced their way through the station hull. Shetani detected the sites of the incursion before the Terrans cut their way in.
Predictably, one
transport had connected near the spaceport. Another situated itself on the far side of the station. The cybernetic assault had started. Shetani noted that cyblocs were starting to fall out of its control near the incursion points. Still, it had enough time to watch the invasion begin: a section of cut hull dropped, then a Spinner-sized metal quadruped loped into the station, followed by dozens of others. The same thing occurred at the other breach point. Then the cyblocs controlling the cameras in the area were lost.
Shetani recognized the small quadrupeds. The invaders were known to the Spinners: it was the Divine Space Force. This faction preferred using the light, fast quadrupeds in large numbers. It knew that, right now, there must be hundreds of them pouring into the station from the two transport vessels.
Shetani prepared to skirmish with the dogs. It moved toward the group far from the spaceport, nearest to its escape shuttle.
Then larger machines disembarked onto the station. Shetani took notice. Four of them rolled into wide thoroughfares on treads. The machines had one heavy projectile weapon and a secondary, but rapid-firing, weapon.
Shetani-L5: These are called Yongshans. They are designed as planetary surface weapons.
Shetani-L2: Slow. I can defeat the armor. They shouldn’t be a problem. The dogs are more of a threat.
Shetani-L1: Obviously the Terrans don’t think so.
A handful of the small quadrupeds joined the pseudo-tanks, then the group headed down the four primary access roads that ran the ring of the station. One of the Yongshans took each road.
Shetani-L1: How long should I fight before leaving?
Shetani-L7: Why are the assimilators holding so well? Hitler had so much trouble with them.
Shetani-L3: This faction of Terrans only uses one AI.
Shetani-L7: Such luck!
Shetani-L4: And it’s not local so we can jam its signals. Its control is spreading from bridgeheads on the outside of the station.
Shetani-L2: At this rate... I can hold out for days.
Shetani-L8: A strategy suggests itself... I’m faster than anything they have. Perhaps a war of attrition?
Shetani-L5: The ones they call dogs are numerous, but slow. I can outspin them.
Shetani-L4: The heavy machines are even slower.
Shetani-L3: Yes. I can hit and spin for days. They’ll grow weary. The Terrans are so primitive. If it doesn’t work out, then I can leave.
Shetani-L7: I can start by sniping the heavy machines. It will demoralize the Terrans.
Shetani-L1-8: Consensus.
Shetani whirled off toward the large machines. Only a few of the small machines would be in the area. Most of the soldiers and small quadrupeds were securing the spaceport or the other bridgehead, cleaning up the Terrans under Shetani’s control.
Shetani had covered half the distance to the heavy treaded machines when it noted one of the quadruped armies had moved out behind it. Shetani was trapped between the two forces.
Shetani-L6: I can’t get to the shuttle without going through them.
Shetani-L8: I’ll avoid direct engagement. They can’t catch me.
Shetani-L4: I still have time to destroy these large machines before they arrive.
Shetani spun into a cross-corridor that intersected the concourse where the Yongshans lay in wait. The Spinner approached closer, nearing an intersection in the field of fire of the nearest Terran war machine. Shetani-L5 composed four thousand cutter molecules. Shetani-L6 prepared to launch two finishing rounds into the center of the target.
Shetani spun forward at speed. In one second the Spinner emerged from the side corridor, launched its entire payload and continued straight ahead into the cross corridor on the far side.
The tank exploded on the concourse behind it.
Shetani-L3: So easy!
Shetani-L2: Just don’t get trapped. I think perhaps that was Spider’s mistake.
The next tank was not far. Shetani approached the next concourse, then paused to collect full energy into its equatorial superconducting ring. The cyblocs controlling concourse cameras showed the next target. It wasn’t moving.
Shetani-L4: Again.
Shetani bolted forward. This time, the Terran machine opened fire just as Shetani released its cutters, before it could continue onward. Shetani accelerated sharply aside, spiking its gravity field to deflect two rounds. The finishing round hit the tank and defeated its compromised armor. Then Shetani completed a tight circle and continued.
Shetani-L3: It’s crippled or dead.
Shetani-L4: Two more.
Shetani checked the other two machines. They hadn’t moved! The quadrupeds were closing in, though they still wouldn’t make it in time if Shetani kept a tight schedule.
As Shetani hurried toward the next Yongshan, quadrupeds appeared in the corridor before it. Shetani-L5 composed two thousand cutters and shot a thousand at each one. The machines fired down the corridor at the Spinner, but the small rounds were easily deflected.
Shetani paused to fill its energy reservoir. It composed the next salvo. An explosion rocked the intersection ahead.
Shetani-L3: An explosive shell from its main weapon, timed to detonate at the corridor.
Shetani-L7: They are firing blind. Kill it.
Shetani shot forward. Smoke served to obscure both the Spinner and its target. The secondary weapon chattered away, sending spikes of metal flying by. Shetani launched its cutters and finishers, assuming the Yongshan hadn’t moved. A satisfying explosion sent a pressure wave chasing after the Spinner as it moved down the far corridor toward the last target.
Shetani paused to charge.
Shetani-L3: Dangerous to repeat an attack pattern too often.
Shetani-L8: There is no effective response, even though they must anticipate the next attack.
Shetani-L6: This is the last one. Then I switch tactics of course.
Shetani-L3: Go.
The Spinner flew out. A large projectile became visible, then a shock wave accelerated the Spinner aside.
Shetani struggled to regain its bearings.
Shetani-L2: That was its main weapon.
Shetani-L5: My field absorbed it. But I’m running low—
A metal spike flew through the Spinner, blowing off a quarter of its outer skin. It recoiled, rotating in the wrong direction.
Shetani-L1: Head... for... the... shuttle.
Another secondary round flew through Shetani’s side, rupturing its storage ring. It never felt the explosion that ripped its body to shreds.
***
“So. There are only three of us left,” Slicer said. The Spinner had once again approached Captain. The Spinners hovered within meters of each other in a wide corridor of Synchronicity.
“Are you ready to admit now that your strategy is flawed? Our only choice is to seize Ship immediately and stop the Terran fleets.”
“We have time to resolve this first,” Captain said.
Slicer hesitated only a moment.
“No, actually we do not have time,” Slicer said. “I’ve placed secret links into various Terrans in the system. I know the Terrans will be here very soon.”
“So, you’ve been busy working on your own projects. Perhaps if you spent that time trying to help us survive, we would not be here now. I don’t underestimate your abilities. You could have turned the tide.”
“I was trying to turn the tide,” Slicer responded. “I’ve been gathering critical intelligence about the Terrans. Did you know that several Terran corporations have known about us for even longer than the UNSF and the DSF?”
“Yes. Claire was approached by some of them trying to learn about me.”
“Your sycophant? She works for them. She talks to you in order to gain important strategic information.”
“No. I have monitored her closely,” Captain said.
“Think about it. Only one Terran that follows you? She asks you questions constantly. She must be a spy.”
“Prove it,” Captain said. “Show me the intelli
gence you’ve gained through your secret links. Show me the Terrans working with her.”
Slicer changed tack.
“I would rather take our chances with Ship and the Prime Intelligence that rejected us,” Slicer said.
“You would rather face the most formidable entity we can imagine, rather than a bunch of primitive Terrans?”
“The Terrans have defeated us again and again. They have AIs on their side. They care about the outcome, as they fight for their lives and their freedom. The Prime Intelligence cares nothing about us. It may not even bother to try and stop my plan.”
“Then move away, and I’ll begin the challenge. Defeat me in Red Maze. Then it will be your decision to make.”
Slicer spun away.
Eight
Claw ruled over Avalon with cold efficiency. Once, it had intercepted a conversation between two Terrans where one had said Claw ruled “...with an iron fist.” Claw knew what it meant and approved. If Slicer defeated Captain in their first challenge unmonitored by the Prime Intelligence, Spinner policies involving the Terrans would change. The Spinners would have to be elevated to godlike status if they were to become the ultimate arbiters of the Terran matches. The majority of Claw’s lobes felt it might be entertaining to create a slave race to its own specifications.
Claw made sure its Terran population knew the score. It had already disposed of the most belligerent ten percent of the Terrans. They had been marched into a cargo container and flash-frozen. Claw had wanted to illustrate to the other Terrans that the optimal course would be cooperation. The rest had fallen into line, obeying Claw’s decrees though they still whispered of revolt from time to time. But Claw heard all their whispers, and they didn’t scare it.
Claw’s bloodline had a tradition of being particularly bloodthirsty. The claw on one of its arms was only a vestige of its past, nothing more than a symbol now. But at one time, Claw’s ancestors had predated upon other Spinners. Eventually, the prey had grown too strong and thrown off the oppression of Claw’s kind. Most of the predatory Spinners had subsequently been killed off. Claw was part of a very small population of those hunters that remained.
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