by S. H. Jucha
“What are we going to do with it in the Talus system?” Mickey asked.
“Land it on Toral, and hook it up to Artifice’s antenna,” Alex replied.
Mickey stared aghast at Alex and then the admirals, who raised eyebrows, as if to say yes, that’s what Alex intends.
“By the way, you’ll find that having Lipsit along will do a lot to help the smaller males cope,” Alex said. “Now, do you have better transport than these units?” he added, pointing to the grav pallets.
Mickey shook his head to clear the image of the Omnians attempting a landing on Toral. “Yes, over here,” he replied to Alex.
Mickey demonstrated one of the four grav pallets that came complete with seats, a controller, and compressed air propulsion. “You’ll get a warning when your distance from this cave is about to exceed your air supply. We’ve a compressor in the corner to fill the tank again.”
“How far can we travel on one tank?” Alex asked.
“I estimate one hundred and eighty kilometers, but we haven’t been able to test it under real circumstances,” Mickey replied.
“Well, you’ll be the first, Mickey,” Alex said. “Take Miriam, Luther, Tittra, and Lipsit with you to the cavern where the digital entities reside. You’ve a great deal to learn. Most important, I want you to understand that this final entity is the product of hundreds of years of work for the Chistorlans. We need to take the utmost care in its transport and delivery.”
“Understood, Alex,” Mickey replied. He signaled Miriam and Luther to attend him and waited for the SADEs to arrive to translate his speech for the Chistorlans.
Happily, Mickey sat in the front seat of his new invention. It was an engineer’s dream to test new products in real-world conditions. Soon, they were zipping quietly along.
It wasn’t long before Mickey realized his new transport lacked a critical item. It was entirely silent, and he was required to shout to Chistorlans to warn them of their approach.
Miriam laughed at Mickey’s consternation and decided to produce a horn noise for him. Luther couldn’t resist and added his own variation. So they shot through the Chistorlan tunnels, using sophisticated grav technology, digital controllers, and compressed air, while tooting and blaring at the locals.
In the cave, Alex turned to speak to Julien, who tipped his head in another direction. Alex turned, grinned, and shook his head in amazement. Tiny Miftra sat on a SADE’s arm and was leaning out to adjust the large holo-vid near the conference table. Alex could hear the croaking, as the two entities exchanged information about the imagery displayed.
Friends are made in such ways, Alex thought.
“It’s time to resume our strategic planning,” Alex said, inviting everyone to join him at the conference table.
Julien cued the SADE who held Miftra that he was usurping control. As the group settled around the table, Julien linked through the cave’s traveler to the Freedom, which had made station over the planet. He spoke briefly with Cordelia and then accessed the telemetry recorded by the scout ships, when they investigated the Talus system.
“The goal is to deliver the Chistorlans’ digital challenger to Toral,” Alex announced.
As he spoke, Julien sent a wireframe display of the Talus system to the holo-vid, and said, “The fleets, as we last saw them, are marked by the colored dots.”
Taralum wanted to ensure that the Omnians understood the rules. She said, “No ship or fleet, for that matter, may enter the Talus system without Artifice’s express directives.”
“Artifice’s probes, which surround the system’s periphery, will signal an encroachment,” Sargut added.
Alex used Julien’s link to Cordelia, and sent,
The holo-vid was updated with bright white dots located in the system’s outer belt.
“The probes, thirty of them, are placed at intervals of twelve degrees,” Alex explained to his audience.
“So that’s obstacle number one to overcome,” Tatia stated firmly.
“Tridents and banishers,” Reiko agreed. “The attack would have to be timed with the overall strategy.”
“How will you defeat the fleets?” Sargut asked.
Alex studied the system, noting the number of colored dots that represented the tremendous forces that protected Artifice.
“We can’t,” Alex said. “Our strategy will only succeed if we can discover a means of neutralizing Artifice’s forces.”
“The grand commander will support you, Alex,” Suntred said, “if he can be assured that Artifice’s programs won’t be triggered.”
“Guile will work in our favor for the immediate future,” Julien said.
“How?” Suntred asked.
“When do you need to return?” Alex asked.
Taralum understood the shift in conversation, which sought to explore the limitations on a strategy. “We must join the fleet soon, Alex. If we wait too long, Artifice might take measures.”
“Do you submit a report?” Reiko asked.
“Nothing so mundane,” Sargut replied. “Artifice downloads our ships’ data recordings.”
“Oops,” Tatia remarked.
“If that expression means what I think it does,” Suntred responded, “we would agree with you.”
“We’d discussed the possibility of not returning,” Taralum added.
“Not returning to the fleet or not returning at all?” Tatia asked.
“At all,” Sargut replied. His slender shoulders fell at the thought of never seeing his home world or colonies again.
Alex leaned forward. His stare demanded Sargut’s attention. He asked, “Is that all Artifice will collect from you, the data recordings from the ships’ external sensors?”
Sargut hesitated, glancing toward Taralum and then Suntred. The Toralians entered into a short, quick exchange, and the SADEs didn’t bother with translations.
“In our combined experiences, that’s the only thing that Artifice takes,” Sargut replied.
“Then fortune smiles on you,” Alex said, leaning back and wearing a satisfied expression. “I’ve the perfect artist to edit your data.”
“An artist?” asked Suntred, staring at Julien in confusion and then turning to regard Alex.
“Yes, a SADE, who is a superb artist at creating imagery,” Alex replied, smiling at Julien. “She can produce a programmed holo-vid that allows us to interact with her presentation via our implants. We can sense what is present … feel the breeze on our faces, smell the scent of flowers, or hear the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
“Why does she do this?” Suntred asked.
“For entertainment,” Alex replied.
After hearing the translation, the Toralians gave Alex blank stares.
Alex was saddened to realize what the unconscionable years of fear under Artifice’s tyrannical rule had done to the Toralians. They worried that any false move they made would lead to the annihilation of their race. Under those mind-numbing conditions, entertainment had been relegated to the memories of those generations who came before Artifice.
“I’ve concerns,” Taralum said. “We’ve recorded too much data over too long a period for an individual to edit this material on three ships in a manner that will fool Artifice.”
“Oh, I agree,” Alex replied. “It’s too much to expect any individual to accomplish, except a SADE.”
“Greetings, everyone,” Cordelia sent, her voice issuing from the holo-vid speakers.
“Admiral Cordelia, when the Toralian battleships return to Talus, Artifice will recover their ships’ external telemetry data of their time in the Chistorlan system. Is i
t possible to edit that data in such a manner as to show the Toralian ships arriving, as they did, observing the battle, and never approaching the planet?” Alex asked.
“One moment, Alex,” Cordelia replied.
Over the holo-vid speakers was heard, “Greetings, this is Miriamelle. How can I help you?”
“Miriamelle, how is the battleship’s external telemetry data encoded?” Cordelia asked.
“Imagery is continuous. Data is an adjunct that’s linked to the imagery,” Miriamelle replied.
“Is there any data that you can’t read, Miriamelle?” Cordelia continued.
“Negative, it’s all standard information … ship’s date and time, distance of images, relative star position, and other minutiae,” Miriamelle explained.
“Alex, the editing can be accomplished satisfactorily,” Cordelia said.
“When should it be done?” Julien asked.
There was a pause, while Cordelia processed the knowledge she had of the battleships’ movements and the activity of Omnians, coming and going from the battleships.
“When the battleships leave, which needs to be soon, they will reverse course,” Cordelia said. “I’ll direct them to pass through the precise positions they held before they approached the Chistorlan home world. As they exit the system, I’ll perform the editing with the sisters,” Cordelia replied.
Sargut had been listening to Julien’s running translation, but the conversation was making him nervous. “Excuse me, Admiral,” he interrupted. “I don’t mean to question your abilities, but are you sure that you can accomplish this feat without alerting Artifice.”
Cordelia chose to shift to Toralian to respond to the senior commander, while sending her words to the Omnians. “Your concern is noted, Commander Sargut,” Cordelia replied. “I’m aware of the risk your race faces if this attempt to fool Artifice fails. I’m a SADE, and this is not a guess on my part. The manner in which your data is stored makes it easy for me to create a different scenario. I’ve heard through Julien that you give no report of your own. That’s where Artifice’s fallibility lies.”
“My apologies, Admiral,” Sargut said.
“None is necessary, Commander,” Cordelia replied. “You labor under difficult conditions. I understand this.”
“What’s the plan, Alex?” Taralum pursued. “Our ships return with imagery of your fleet defeating the battleships. Artifice accepts this. Then what?”
“First and foremost, we free the Toralian fleet,” Alex replied. “This can be done, while we wait for the Chistorlans to achieve their final result.”
“One of your fighters can’t be seen moving between our ships,” Sargut noted.
“No, but a traveler will be aboard your ship with personnel and supplies to embed sisters on your ships’ bridges and clear your systems. They can move about the fleet on your shuttles,” Alex explained.
“Our fleet will be free of Artifice, but what of the others?” Taralum asked.
“If our combined fleets were to advance on Toral, what would Artifice do?” Tatia asked.
“It would employ all options,” Taralum replied. “The majority of the fleets would be sent to intercept and destroy our combined fleets.”
“And the rest?” Reiko asked.
“Would receive program directives that sent those battleships to our colony worlds,” Sargut answered. “Our race would be reduced.”
“Which is why we wish to hear how you’ll eliminate the threat of the other fleets, Alex,” Taralum added.
“I don’t have an answer for you on that, yet,” Alex replied, which provided no comfort to the Toralians.
Taralum was reminded of Sargut’s comments about the alien leader. His thinking, which shaped his strategies, was fluid. In her mind, these individuals made the best commanders.
Sargut sank into his seat, pleased that the newly arrived chairs were loaded with nanites. It had conformed to his back, while they talked. He knew they were throwing objections at Alex, and at the same time, they weren’t providing the information he needed to form a solid strategy. It occurred to him that this discussion had run its course.
“Alex, I would suggest that we’ve made decisions that are sound … editing our ships’ telemetry, clearing our fleet of Artifice’s programs, and targeting the probes before the launch of our attack,” Sargut said. “I think the remainder of our plan must wait until you’re able to communicate with Grand Commander Tranimus.”
“I think you’re right,” Alex agreed. “We’ll return you to your ships immediately. After that, Admiral Cordelia and your ships’ sisters will be in control of your courses, while they edit your telemetry data.”
The Toralians were unsure of the definition of immediately, but when Alex stood and gestured with his hand toward the cave’s mouth, its meaning was clear. They stood and tipped their heads to Alex.
“Thank you, Alex, for your efforts to eliminate Artifice’s rule,” Sargut said. “I recognize that your intentions are self-serving, but it benefits so many other races that I’m humbled by your commitment to your goal.”
Alex tipped his head in appreciation of the compliment, and the Toralians were led by an Omnian to the traveler waiting on the river wash.
-18-
Fleet Bound
“We need to send a team to Sargut’s ship,” Alex said in an aside with Julien and Tatia. “They’ll be the ones clearing the remainder of the Toralian fleet.”
“They’ll be using Toralians’ shuttles,” Tatia said. “But their actions will be monitored by the probes. If Artifice anticipates what they’re doing, they’ll have little chance of escape.”
“Send a Trident to stand off a short distance from the black fleet,” Alex requested. “If there’s time and an opportunity to get to their traveler, the Trident can pick them up.”
“I’ll make the arrangements,” Tatia replied.
“We need security,” Alex said.
“Z has volunteered,” Julien replied.
“And we’ll need a comm specialist,” Alex added.
“Luther believes he’s the best one to go, and Miriam agrees. She’ll work with Mickey on Herrick’s transport,” Julien said.
“Herrick,” Alex repeated, “Don’t tell me … Mickey.”
“Precisely,” Julien replied with a grin. “Mickey wanted a name, and a Méridien engineer, an original passenger on the city-ships, said that he believed the name originated from the elements of power and army, hence army power.
“That leaves a need for a traveler pilot,” Alex said.
“Either SADE could fly the traveler,” Tatia noted.
“That presents a problem,” Julien said. “Z and Luther will have to be transported between battleships via a Toralian shuttle. If they need to be evacuated, we must have a pilot aboard.”
“I don’t want to send Franz,” Tatia said firmly.
“And I agree,” Alex replied. “The fleet will need him.”
Alex linked to the traveler’s sister parked in the cave.
Alex heard the sounds of burbling water and splashing.
Alex could imagine Omnian humans, especially Méridiens, such as Chandra, partaking of an opportunity to enjoy a form of nature that was exquisitely unique to this world. They would have doffed their clothes and relished in the lukewarm waters washing over their skin.
Chandra ran in
to the cave, searched for Alex’s bio ID, located it, and threaded her way through personnel, tables, and equipment. Her hair was wet, and she was breathless, when she reached him.
“Interested in a change of assignment, Chandra?” Alex asked. He watched her eyes light up and knew he’d guessed correctly.
“Yes,” Chandra said excitedly.
“We need a pilot to keep Z and Luther company,” Alex said.
“Aboard a Toralian ship?” Chandra asked. When Alex nodded, she asked, “Are they going to sweep the black ships free of Artifice’s code?” Alex nodded again, and Chandra piped up, “I’m your pilot!”
“Most of your duty will be monotonous, Chandra,” Tatia interjected. “You’ll stay with your traveler, while Z and Luther move between the battleships in a Toralian shuttle. You’ll be there for up to ninety days.”
“Your primary duties will be to communicate with us,” Alex continued. “Your ship has the comm range to reach a Trident that will be stationed not far from the Talus system.”
“This next part is important,” Tatia emphasized. “In the event that Artifice detects what we’re doing with the Toralian fleet, there are several scenarios that might play out, but you’ll have one mission … retrieve Z and Luther, call for help, and rendezvous with the Trident.”
“And if Z and Luther are lost?” Chandra asked, the brightness in her eyes fading.
“Then you call for help and make the rendezvous,” Alex replied firmly. “Is that clear?”
“Yes, Ser,” Chandra replied crisply.
“Do you still want the job?” Tatia asked.
“I’ve been flying cargo and passenger shuttles on and off Confederation freighters, stations, and planets ever since I qualified, Admiral,” Chandra replied. “I’ve been ready for a change of pace for years. If this is the first offer to come along, I’m not turning it down!”
“We’ll transfer you to a fighter with a sister by the name of Miriamette,” Tatia said. “She’s familiar with the Toralian battleships.”
“Excuse me, Admiral, I’d prefer to take my ship,” Chandra responded. “I work well with my sister, and you know as well as the rest of us that what one sister knows, they all know.”