Neither Howard nor Coleman responded, of course, but she felt better regardless.
A second later, Damien Howard said, Blow it, Coleman. I just hope it’s not as empty as Al Capone’s vault.
Track heaters energizing, sir. They will reach full power in three minutes, then will begin cutting forward. I am adjusting your environment controls to compensate for the radiant heat. Please lower your visor. Charlotte felt her hand reach up and saw a thick bubble of glass, or acrylic, slide down as Coleman continued. Shifting AR layer from goggles to visor.
The various read-outs flickered for a moment, then stabilized a few inches further than how they appeared when on the goggles. A timer had been counting down from three minutes and Charlotte felt butterflies dancing in her stomach.
Those are my butterflies aren’t they? she thought, then mentally shook her head. Of course they’re mine. I can hear his voice. I can even feel his movements, but I can't sense the damned man's thoughts or emotions. Keep it together, Omandi.
The timer reached zero and blinked several times, then Coleman said, Track heaters energized. Cutting forward. Standby, sir. Three meters, two meters, one. Cavern breached. Awaiting final command to crosscut an ingress. Is the command given?
“Shit yes!” said both Charlotte and Damien together and criss-crossing lasers danced in front of them for several seconds before the ice wall crumbled to reveal a large, perfectly square, cavern.
Howard Carter, whispered Damien, You’ve got nothing on me. Coleman, grab your virtual ass, because it’s treasure time!
She certainly does not seem happy to see me, Coleman, murmured Damien as he stared at the motionless Drac’athian. Nerr’ath looked exactly like she had when he’d first encountered her in his Atlanta office over six months earlier. She stood in profile facing to his left and her hand rested on a large metallic looking box. Within Howard’s augmented reality, Coleman appeared to walk beside the alien and crouched down to peer at the container. He pointed at the six support struts that lifted it some two feet from the ice cavern’s floor.
I believe those supports extended after the device landed, and burrowed its way to this location. I suspect there is a dormant propulsion system in the lower portion of the structure. This is really quite impressive. Coleman stood and circled around until he faced Nerr’ath. The AI cocked its head in a manner that Damien had come to expect whenever Coleman began assimilating an unexpectedly large amount of data.
“Move closer you tottering old coot,” yelled Charlotte. “Why are you standing this far way? I hate this simulation.” She was about to call for the interface when Coleman motioned to Damien and she felt herself move forward.
The AI pointed to Nerr’ath. I do not believe she is, as yet, aware of your presence.
That’s ridiculous, Coleman. She appeared the moment we walked into this cavern.
Yes, which indicates she is aware of something’s presence, but not yours. I suspect, given the first-contact protocol Nerr’ath described, she is now keyed specifically to you. Perhaps you should say something directly to her.
I was saying things to her, Coleman. I said hello. I said greetings. I even said, welcome to earth, we come in peace. Howard sighed, then added because I took the advice of my rather autistic AI companion.
I am nascently aware, not autistic, sir. Besides, one can never go wrong by restating non-hostile intent. Try addressing her by name.
Do you really think an advanced construct such as this would be triggered simply by invoking her name? What do you want me to say, Open sesame, Nerr’ath?
The alien blinked several times, then turned to face Damien. He took an involuntary step back. Charlotte felt her own heart rate increase as the alien’s snake-like eyes burrowed into her. Omandi knew, intellectually, that she was just viewing past events, but those eyes were unnerving.
Doctor Howard, said Nerr’ath. It is good to see you again.
Damien smiled and extended a hand. She glanced down, tracking the movement, then back up again. Ah, you are offering a common mammalian greeting and your show of teeth is particularly prevalent among those ascended from bipedal evolutionary roots. Unfortunately, I remain a projection and cannot properly receive your physical greeting. However— Nerr’ath's reptilian mouth curved upward slightly and exposed several small pointed teeth as well as four longer fangs, I can return your facial expression.
Charlotte knew, if she had any motor controls whatsoever, she would have recoiled at Nerr’ath’s attempted smile. Instead, Damien gave a little wave with his extended hand and lowered it to his side.
No need for that, he said. I am perfectly fine adapting to whatever method of non-verbal communication is customary with your people
Nerr’ath’s face returned to its normal, slightly angry, expression and she slowly touched the three fingers of each hand to her forehead, then gestured back to him. Howard mimicked the gesture and she inclined her head to him. You honor me, Doctor Howard. Thank you. Now, is your AI with us. I suspect you may need its assistance with the materials I have for you.
Oh, yes, he’s here, Damien sighed, and he requests that you use his name, which is Coleman.
Nerr’ath nodded. Very well, Coleman. I do not perceive him. Is he projected elsewhere?
He’s not projected anywhere, Nerr’ath. I do not have the means to project a holographic representation of my AI. When you first met us, we were in a virtual reality construct.
Yes, I remember, she replied, so am I to assume you are communing with him through some private augmented reality layer?
Exactly, right, said Coleman.
She can’t hear you, and you are distracting me, hissed Damien, then nodded at Nerr’ath. Exactly right. From my perspective, he’s standing just in front of you and to your left.
Do you mind, if I project him into the cavern. I believe it will be easier for us three to communicate if you will allow it.
“How can she do that?” asked Charlotte.
Uh, how can you do that, asked Damien.
Nerr’ath pointed to his helmet. There is a data beam connecting that visor with a distant source. It relies on a rudimentary encryption algorithm. I would simply decrypt it and use that data to project your Coleman here with us…with your permission, of course.
I developed that encryption algorithm, huffed Coleman as he turned defensively toward Damien. It uses an exceptionally advanced 1024 byte key, which—
...She can apparently decrypt like it was secured using a Buzz Lightyear decoder ring, finished Damien, then nodded to Nerr’ath.
A moment later, Coleman appeared in the cavern and she offered her, now familiar, gesture of greeting in his direction.
Can she see me? asked Coleman.
She can, said Nerr’ath, and it is very good to be able to do so, Coleman. I did not mention this before, because the odds of us meeting again were actually quite low, but my corporeal self has a great interest in AI evolution.
Your corporeal self? asked Damien.
“Her frozen self,” said Coleman and Charlotte together, even though both utterances were separated by decades.
Suspended, would be more accurate, corrected Nerr’ath, but essentially correct. What you see here, like you saw initially, is simply a AI-facsimile of my real-self. I must say that meeting you both today is quite encouraging. I have been gathering data ever since your access tunnel drew near enough for me to acquire an external signal. You were able to reach this cache within six months of decoding my original message. That is quite remarkable. There may yet be a chance for you to save your species from extinction and me from a terminal orbit into your system’s star.
Yeah, said Damien smiling again at the prospect, how big a chance do you figure?
Nerr’ath’s reptilian brow furrowed and she rubbed the fingers of one hand along her jaw for several seconds. I put our chances at about two in eight.
Two in eight? repeated Damien questioningly. That’s a strange figure to choose.
“Eight finger
s,” murmured Charlotte. “I bet all their mathematics use base eight just like ours use base ten.”
I suspect Nerr’ath’s race use octal computational numerics, sir, said Coleman.
We do, she confirmed. In fact, it is the galactic standard, however, we did use hexaoctal for many computing needs prior our shifting to quanta.
I honestly don’t care, right now, said Damien, What I do care about is that your estimate puts our odds of survival at only twenty-five percent. Why so low? Narr’ath stared at Damien for a long minute then shook several times while making a low hissing sound. Okay, what’s happening right now? he asked.
“She’s laughing at you, idiot,” grumbled Charlotte. “You may be some super-genius but you’re complete shit at picking up non-verbal cues.”
I believe, she is surprised at your optimism, sir, said Coleman.
Nerr’ath pointed to the AI as she regained control of herself. Doctor Howard, if I understand your colloquial time measurements, its primary macro-measurement is called a year, correct? Damien nodded. According to available data, the current year is two-thousand-four which means the artificially created nuclear fission event we detected took place in the year one thousand nine hundred forty-five.
Exactly right, Nerr’ath, but we refer to those years as 2004 and 1945 respectively, said Coleman. The nuclear test was called Trinity and— the AI noticed both reptile and human eyes fixed on him, then murmured, —and that is not particularly important right now.
The Drac’athian xenologist turned back toward Damien. Charlotte thought she saw sadness in her bright green eyes when Nerr’ath spoke again. Doctor Howard, even with the cache of technology I’m providing, you will need to develop, and launch, an FTL-enabled vessel in about forty of your years. You will need a crew for that vessel and not just any crew. It will need to be a crew that can prove itself worthy of humanity’s entry to the Galactic Confederation.
What the hell does that mean? asked Howard. You never mentioned that. You just said FTL enabled. I was planning on launching a faster-than-light unmanned missile or something.
Nerr’ath looked down. I am sorry if I misled you, Doctor Howard. I honestly did not expect you to make it this far. Yours is a relatively warlike and primitive species, but even so, I did not want to unnecessarily alarm you as to the extent of your challenge.
Damien reached up, undid the clasp on his helmet and pulled it off. He rubbed his hands together then slid them rapidly up and down his face several times.
Okay, okay, he said. This is fine. This is not a big deal. We have over forty years. I can build a ship in forty years, assuming your goodie package is everything you promised it would be.
Nerr’ath gestured, and the large container silently slid open on unseen hinges. It is all that and more, Damien, but what of your crew?
Howard smiled, Oh, that will be the easy part. We mammals love doing crazy shit. I’ll have folks lining up to crew whatever monstrosity I cobble together. Hell, the guys who went to our moon, were basically sitting on a giant exploding stick. What I build will have to be better than that.
You still do not understand, hissed Nerr’ath. This is my fault. I am not explaining myself. Forgive me. Doctor Howard, your ship will be tested as will its crew. If either are found lacking… she trailed off but, the implication was clear.
“We’re fucked,” said Charlotte.
Tested? Tested how, exactly? asked Damien.
Your ship must be able to sustain life at FTL, it must be able to defend its crew and contribute, or at least not detract from, the overall Confederation. I am providing you all the base science needed for such a vessel. You must obtain the local resources needed to bring that science to life.
That’s easy, said Howard, I’m stupid rich. I have unlimited resources.
Perhaps, but do you also have secrecy? I have seen other worlds torn apart with political upheaval as factions jockeyed for power during the time between our detecting nuclear fission and the time of testing.
He’s very good at keeping secrets, offered Coleman.
Damien nodded. I’ll get the ship built, if it’s the last thing I do.
Nerr’ath’s tongue slipped out and tasted the air several times, but said nothing as her eyes locked with Damien’s. Finally, she inhaled deeply and said, I believe you will, but a vessel without its crew is a sterile thing. Your crew, like your ship, will be sorely tested.
How? asked Howard.
Nerr’ath shook her head and gestured above her head. My true self lies in stasis, serving a sentence handed down over sixty of your years ago. My crime was giving your species a chance to prove itself. Do not mistake that for naivety. I will not hold your hand and unravel the technological mysteries I've laid before you. Neither will I train you humans to be more than you are. This is your challenge, Damien Howard. Build your ship, evolve your crew, prove your place among us, and gain life for your species. I have done all that I can and it has cost me dearly.
Why does that have the ring of finality to it? asked Damien.
Because I will not be leaving this cavern with you. When you retrieve the technology within this ark, my avatar will be deleted to prevent any further interference. I wish you well, for your sake, for mine, and for all members of your species.
I am a bit fixated on your crew comments, said Coleman, and Nerr’ath turned to him.
Yes, you have been quiet for some time.
I’ve been thinking, replied the AI.
This whole time? asked Damien in wonder. You never think that long…about anything.
I perceived a complexity in Nerr’ath’s warning and proceeded to run several simulations.
Several? she asked, amusement in her voice.
Many, Coleman allowed, but in each successful simulation the crew variable continued to vex me. I believe the equation you set for us cannot be solved without additional data. You said that Doctor Howard needed to evolve a crew, not acquire, not train…Evolve.
She nodded. Humanity is not yet ready to crew a ship capable of withstanding the trials.
So I gathered, said Coleman and pointed to Damien, but you must tell him what is lacking. Surely that would be permitted. How is providing that information any more disruptive than the technology for which you were convicted?
Long moments passed as the two AIs stared at each other. Charlotte could feel Damien holding his breath until, finally, Nerr’ath nodded. I should like to meet you in the waking world, Coleman. You are more than you seem. She turned to Damien. Mark me human and mark me well. Spacefaring vessels provide more than simply conveyance. It is those contained within such vessels who make all the difference. There is an ancient song among my people and it was my people who founded the Confederation. The song spoke of those who first sailed our oceans, skies, and who ventured into the vastness of space. If you can decipher its meaning with the same skill you did my original message, humanity may yet endure. Nerr’ath closed her eyes and made a long harmonious humming sound. It rose and fell several times. Each time it repeated, the intensity increased. After the eighth sequence she spoke with a sing-song cadence, To sail beyond sunsets, each ship needs a guide. To cross through darkness, each ship must stay strong. To keep a ship strong, its crew must be healed. To keep the crew safe, some few must defend. Pilot, Engineer, Doctor, and Warrior. Each are required, but must be bound by one more. No ship will sail far, no crew will succeed, without being led by the one called Hath’sede.
Charlotte felt herself leaning forward with Damien, as if trying to catch Nerr’ath’s words as they were spoken. Now she could almost feel his face frown in confusion. What the hell does that even mean, he asked. What on earth is a Hath’sede?
Nerr’ath opened her eyes and locked them on Damien. A Hath’sede is the ship’s heart and soul, Doctor Howard. A Hath’sede is the one who places everyone and everything before herself. A Hath’sede binds her crew together. Out of the many, she forges one. There is no exact translation for it in your tongue, however, if I were to
try, I would say that the Hath’sede is the equivalent of your air and seafaring ships' Captain. Damien Howard, go forth throughout the world and find your Hath’sede. If he or she does not exist, then you must make her exist, for humanity dies without her. Farewell.
As Nerr'ath's last word faded, the hologram broke apart into tiny motes of glittering light.
Silence stretched for several long moments, then Damien took a deep breath and clapped his hands together. Well, Coleman, start digging through that treasure box so you can figure out what all that shit means. Apparently, I have more important things to be getting on about.
Really, and what might those be, sir? asked the AI with genuine curiosity.
Damien gave a mirthless laugh, Given the state of humanity in the year 2004, it means I need to, literally, evolve myself a crew.
A crew, sir?
Yep, a crew. And that crew needs to start with a kick-ass Hath’sede. So, Coleman, I’m gonna genetically engineer one hell of a Captain.
“Oh, fuck me,” said Charlotte, and her world faded to black.
Chapter 6
The Final Test
Charlotte threw the ceramic teacup. It sailed in a shallow arc due to her wrist still being tethered to the chair. Howard’s hologram shimmered as it passed through him to shatter against the far wall. He held up both hands in a placating gesture.
“I can see you are upset. This is actually a good thing. I always used to say the opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s indifference. That said, you should actually be pleased rather than angry. I've assessed your performance during the Antarctic simulation. Congratulations, you have passed the third of four tests."
Omandi gave a primal yell of frustration as she strained against the bonds.
“You think this is upset? I haven’t even begun to show you how upset I can get. You edited my genes? I’m just sorry you’re dead because now I can’t kill you! Who do you think you are? Who gave you the right to do this to me? For that matter, what did you do to me?”
Paradigm 2045- Trinity's Children Page 6