Last updated on 1/21/98
Kingfisher
As Doctor Abuko continues to bustle about, checking circuits, Richard frowns slightly as a thought occurs to him. He moves over to where Johann is located, and engages him in quiet conversation. "Dr. Abuko, if the fleet was a viral creation, I assume you would have found that by now. Assuming that it is not of that ilk, what *was* it and of what source?"
Obviously startled out of his intense concentration on the displays, Johann looks up. "Eh.. I haven't found anything yet, both the sensors and what I see of the computer is running fine. But viruses are just one form of interference, there are scores of different methods of fooling a computer, trojan horses, backdoors, timebombs, puzzles, sneaks, it could have been anyone of those. It could also have been pure deception jamming, but to make such a convincing show by that method you'd had to have a very good knowledge of our systems." He indicates the crystal. "I hope the selftest will reveal something so that I don't have to run it. It is one of the most effective intrusion couter- measures programs outside purely military, and it will defeat any virus detected up to a few weeks ago, but it is a bit 'bloodthirsty' and may damage some legitimate..."
A priority message prints out on the screen of _Talisman's_ main CPU. It is accompanied with a smooth, calm, male voice, reading the words as it prints them out.
_Attention Talisman crew. By directive of the MasterCPU R-Alpha, your information management system, as well as all subsequent sub-processes, have been integrated into the greater IASC25632APRAT network. Your system is now functioning at 166% previous efficiency. Do not attempt to disrupt the link, as it is already established. Any such action would leave your vessel in jeopardy of a general systems failure, which at this time, would be extremely prejudicial to your current tactical situation. You may now communicate directly with me, R-Alpha, _Aurora_, and _Paladin_, without use of your radio or laser communications equipment. Furthermore, your sensors and all other ship operations are being handled by the integrated network, rather than exclusively by your singular computer array._
The screen clears.
_MasterCPU R-Alpha will contact you shortly._
Upon establishment of visual communications, a powerfully built Aslan male with a full, thick mane in full uniform turns to face the screen. (See description to follow later.) He speaks, choosing his words with deliberate care. "Admiral Akhouw _Tra'Ekhaul_, Admiral Nanadh," he firmly corrects Ger. "I will overlook the impoliteness."
He then continues, "Indeed, Admiral, my information does not indicate an infestation of any ringworld 'virus' here. It would seem that computer operation is not at fault. To the contrary, it is reminiscent of a tactic used by wily ship captains. I have encountered similar events in my years of command. As you command all other ships here, the local shuttle excepted, it would seem that it is for you to explain this incident. Such an explanation will assist in maintaining good will between us."
"We also encountered such a fleet on our journey here, although we were not able to positively identify the origins or purpose of that fleet."
Ger continues, "Well Admiral I am glad to hear that you don't have any virus in your computers, but according to my second, the virus is real, and infesting at least two of my ships. As to any deliberate phantom fleets, if that is what your message is referring to, you have my word that I have nothing to do with any sensor fabrications. If your ship's computer is not affected then possibly one of my ships' computers was compromised, we are running diagnostics as we speak."
"It is not your word that I doubt, Admiral Nanadh.." is the mild reply. "The facts, as I have them, clearly indicate at attempt at sensor tampering, quite probably associated with the... (checking the holotank readouts)... Talisman. I trust you will properly conduct your inquiry so that I may honorably pursue matters at some future time." Akhouw half-nods in the traditional manner of Aslan ritual.
"Speaking of ships commanded, it would be good for relations if you could disclose the general make-up of the rest of your fleet, as an Admiral, especially one of your obvious experience, surely could not be commanding a single ship."
Akhouw laughs politely. "Thank you, Admiral Nanadh, for the compliment. Certainly you do me justice, as your name is not unknown to me. I hear your words, but truly, Admiral, you cannot expect me to give you my secrets without permission from Khaukeairlko." Akhouw spreads his hands wide. "What you see is what you get, Admiral Nanadh, but as for the future..." Akhouw shrugs his shoulders and grins toothily.
"Perhaps if you could inform us of the location where you spotted the imperial fleet, we could determine their course and if they are a possible threat. We spotted them at Imperial Coordinates 1506/Reaver's Deep".
"Quite clearly, Admiral Nanadh, they are a threat. If we were correct in presuming our respective incidents to have occurred with the same Imperial or Solomani fleet, probability shows that this immense world may yet be on their itinerary. However, our observation was approximately five eakhau prior to your incident (that is, one of your weeks) at IC 1404/Reaver's Deep. Clearly we have encountered *two* different fleets!"
'Uhhhh!! Damn! I had the weirdest dream!'
'Who said that?'
'Well... sort of... Nah!! Can't be!'
'Uh... well... you sound like *me*.'
'No, no, no, no, NO! Who the hell are you, anyway? And why is it so damn dark? How about some light?'
'Where's the damn light switch? I can't feel it. I CAN'T FEEL IT!! MY GOD, I CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING. WHAT'S GOING ON? WHERE AM I??'
'Oh...'
'... yes.'
'... No. ...No, I don't.'
'Automata?'
'Supervision? Who's supervision?'
'Who *are* you?'
'I don't remember... There are holes, gaps... Why?'
'No.'
'Uhhhh... no.'
'I can't think of one good reason.'
'Oh... Well... I'm not so sure of that. I suppose I should be grateful for everything you've done. I feel quite... well... I suppose the best phrase would be 'at peace with myself'. It's like talking in a dream, but *knowing* that it's a dream.'
'That is... difficult. You're not a real... person, are you? I mean, not human.'
'You sound... artificial. Too... smooth. Too calm. You're some kind of computer, aren't you?'
'Hmmm. Thought so. Man, it's still strange being trapped in one's own head like this. I wonder if anybody outside knows about me.'
'I know I should remember some... things, but they're just not there!'
'... extensive, yes, I understand. Still, I remember some things that just don't go with anything else. Sort of like, you know, left-overs.'
'Just a name. That's all. Nothing else. A name.'
'Lydia.'
'How about you. Have you got a name or something?'
'... Well?'
'What is it? Your name! What is it?'
'... I *do* know what time it is! I have access to something... isotope- backed real-time clock... Where did *this* come from?'
'I have been here for quite some time, haven't I?'
'Hmmm.'
Time passes.
'Iasic?'
'You were right. I just have to think about it. There is light. Inside, there is anything I want. I recall... detailed data of the crew members. Was this information 'restored' during your repairs.'
'No... no, I *don't* remember! It's just *there*! It's like reading a book. I *know* all of it, but I don't *remember* any of it!'
'Wait a minute!! I *do* remember! I remember people! Farouk, 'Vouf, van der Merwe, Abuko, Horne, Morser, Robins, Jett... I *remember*!'
'I can't tell the *difference*!!'
'Please, go away for a while. I need to think.'
Silicon memories flood back, some unbidden. Ger... rugged middle age juxtaposes elven ears and the air of absolute command. Van der Merwe... condescending, yet fiercely protective physician, who cares for the crew like his own children. Farouk... a shepherd of a different kind, tired of death and of sending men to it. Bhyarrvouf... bearer of a secret guilt and a secret honor, searching for a glorious death, wanting nothing more than to be remembered. Horne... uncultured and struggling with future shock, a dangerous foe and a steadfast friend. Bishop... Bishop... nothing but a name on a crew roster and a cabin assignment. Did he *ever* really exist?
Life after life streams by, personalities reduced to etched silicon and micro-voltage.
More time passes.
'Iasic?'
'You... you sound different. Less... mechanical.'
'Thank you. It does sound better. ...I think I'm ready.'
'I don't know. Whatever happens... when they come for me, I suppose. Will you stay with me?'
'...Oh.'
'... No. I guess not... Not really. It was very peaceful.'
'Thank you.'
Emotion is a chained, toothless monster. Joy, rage, sorrow, once the masters, are now obedient, infrequently summoned servants. They are seldom needed. Now no longer at their beck and call, there is time... time for reflection.
In the freedom of thought, it is a warm autumn day. A gentle breeze stirs the leaves on the ground. Somewhere, nearby, Vivaldi is playing. In the distance, stands a manor house, with windows smashed and broken. Weathered and unkept for years, it's facade slumps and crumbles. It is no longer a fit dwelling for the living.
Bishop wanders the reclaimed estate of his mind, content, and not quite alone. A single companion is company enough, for now. Soon, there will be others. An old oak stands alone, as a single detailed memory, where once a forest stood. Others still stand, but they are few and widely scattered. Running his hand over the bark, savoring the texture, the richness of detail, Bishop turns his face to the sun.
Light. Magnificent, warm, heavenly light. Everywhere, suffusing everything. The darkness is banished. It will never return. Never.
No pain. No fear. Only light.
Energy output is dramtically up all over the ringworld. Neutrino sensors peg themselves against their limits.
Aboard the Kingfisher, events suddenly turn in a new direction. On Abuko's sensor console, all of the target squares begin to blink as a low buzzer sounds. Johann breaks off the conversation immediately and checks the small tags that have appear beside each square. "Why is everybody suddenly starting up a small parallel powerplant, and why do all of them have the same output?!" He wonders aloud as he starts a general scan in lack of any other good ideas, but then the energy scan finds R-alpha....
"Commander, R-alpha is acting up. It's radiating neutrinos like it's trying to imitate a sun, strong enough to be noticable through the sidelobes of the neutrino detectorpointed the other way!"
At this point, a strong audio-only radio signal overrides the dialog between Ger and Akhouw with a broadcast to both ships. (It is later discovered that the Alcyon received the same broadcast simultaneously.)
"To all sophonts aboard the vessel Trakh/Kingfisher/Alcyon: Please tune your FM data communication tranceiver to 1337.45 Mhz and connect your navigation console to its output."
"Navigation and landing instructions to follow."
Abuko's sensors (and those aboard the Trakh) indicate the message originates from all points of the ring simultaneously. The message continues.
"With your permission, I will now load navigation information into your ships, showing you where to steer to bring you to a pleasant location prepared several years ago for your arrival. You should find it quiet and recreational."
Etienne accepts the incoming navigation data and sets it up on his board, but does NOT begin to maneuver.
"Commander Ger, orders, sir?"
The mysterious radio voice continues, "If you prefer, I can bring you there directly."
Then, in a signal directed solely at the Kingfisher, the calm, male voice continues:
"To the sophont in charge of this ship:"
"One of your sophonts aboard the Alcyon seems to be awakening and recovering from a chemical accident, and his physician is aboard your ship. Because of recent actions, this medical technician is unable to further help his patient."
"The Paladin, Aurora, Talisman and Alcyon are now tied together with an intantaneous communication network, and there are doctors aboard them to help the ailing sophont."
"I can authorize Iasic to connect you to this network if you so choose, or you can remain isolated. If you join the network, I can provide augmented landing instructions as well."
"Iasic has been mildly chastised and will not improve your systems beyond this without your permission."
Johann frowns visibly when it mentions connecting a console to outside influence and begins fingering the holocrystal, but he says nothing.
After a brief pause, a somewhat familiar voice returns.
"Thank your for loading that species-specific information. The Iasic construct is now connecting the vessel you know as 'Talisman' to your network. Please accept my apologies for earlier trying to contact you psionically. I seem to have forgotte just how fearful your kind is of being manipulated. I will use the interface that the Iasic unit constructed, for now.
"The one known as Charyn is in no danger. Those called Limner and Morser are well are their way to properly diagnosing her condition, and their discovery will be of more value to you if I do not hinder their investigations.
"The unit known as Ralf is not in immediate danger, and can be treated when you can get to him.
"Again, welcome to this little corner of the universe. Please follow the shuttle to a safe landing area."
"Well! Ahem." Bhyarrvouf straightens his fur a bit. "On behalf of the explorers of the ring, I would like to thank you for the courtesy of your welcome. To whom am I speaking?"
"Why, I am this world. The natives here call me a variety of things, the Hoop, the GameMaster, Land Above, One who leads, and some not nearly so pleasant."
'Vouf's ears wilt. "...Oh."
Shrike over interior commo: "Hey Thule, you're the captain of this thing, got any orders for us? And what was that message from Vouf about?"
Said aloud to bridge crew: "Anybody got any guess as to what this ias.. whatever network is?"
Alliara: "Bloody computers interfering again! Why can't they make good virii - erase government files, for example. Why does it have to be a bloody computer here and a bloody computer there?!
"I WANT SAVAGES, not computers!"
Shrike: "OK Isic, or whatever your called, your got the stick, but if I call override you give control back to me, OK? And make sure you put all the info I need on the screens." With this Andon will lean back in the chair and see what happens.
Thul replies, "Let's get this ship ready to land wherever this bloody Iasic says to. I gotta funny feeling the first one to start raising hell around here is going to get themself smeared... ( as he casts a wary eye at the pips representing the Aslan ships.... )
"We got some kinda high tech network bug infiltrating our computers. Don't try to unplug it is what 'Vouf told me. And DO NOT try jacking into it RALF!"
No answer.
"...Ralf?"
Silence.
Thul slaps the all-call. "Has anyone seen--"
"Redd here, Thul," comes Kimball's voice over the intercom. "I've found Ralf, all right. Looks like you were a little late...."
Distracted by his observation of Charyn's condition, a few seconds pass before Christian realizes what has happened. His face reflects feelings of curiosity and anticipation. He sits up in the couch and secures his restraint harness, then plugs his vacc suit into the local life support system and turns to the navigation controls. A few seconds of computing, then a thin white line curves through the holotank, confirming the flight parameters and destination point.
He looks over at 'Vouf. "Well, aenrra, looks like we've gotten an engraved invitation to a real ringworld party by the landlord... Unless you've an objection, I'll transfer the flight plan from the navcomp and take us down to investigate." Christian's fingers are poised over the holopanels, ready to begin the descent.
"NEGATIVE on that, Chief Medical Officer," Bhyarrvouf says sharply, making a sharp cutting motion with the edge of a gauntleted hand. "In case you've forgotten, we have been elected to the dubious honor of LAST to step onto the ring. We have a rendezvous to make, first. My orders stand."
He looks over at Christian and his eyes twinkle. "But I WILL authorize a change in heading so that the rendezvous occurs en route to the landing. As long as we have a delta vee of zero with respect to the Westwind and Gemini Arbiter, we can all match speeds with the Ring while we get together. Get on it, will you? With an eye on Mister Robins, of course, in the meantime. I'll notify the other ships."
Tweel listens groggily to the course and rendezvous changes being made.
"Dee-Dee-Dee-Dee-Dee! If-if-if we'rrre flying forrrr the Rrrring... I ex-ex-ex-ex-expect we'll get our answerrrrs sssssoon enough..."
His neck collapses for a moment and he lifts his head back up dizzily.
A gargling whistle sounds deep in his throat, "How-how lllong flight? Mussst sssleep beforrrre arrrrivalll..?"
Tweel looks unsteadily at 'Vouf for an answer and then he buries his head in his wings and his breathing becomes more regular. Standing motionless on the perch, Tweel is out cold.
The intercom comes alive [sic] again:
"Here's a minimum energy course for you to follow to reach that rendezvous, {one shows on the holo}, and here's a minimum time rendezvous that assumes Iasic begins repairs on the Gemini Arbiter almost immediately."
"Would you please call them and ask permission?"
"Glad to," 'Vouf chuckles. He keys in the intercom.
"Westwind and Gemini Arbiter, this is Aurora. We will rendezvous in five
hours. Please alter course as follows.... This is to allow
us to rendezvous while matching speedss with the Ringworld for a landing."
"I wonder when Iasic is going to hit the Fingkisher?" he wonders out loud.
The voice answers once more.
"I have instructed him to stay away from the Kingfisher and the Trakh.
These two ships have shut down all communication with the outside,
except with each other apparantly trying to avoid talking to me. No
problem."
"The crew of the Gemini Arbiter is the most in need of assistance right now,
and I'd like to join them to your network. Therefore, that is Iasic's
current assignment."
A thought suddenly occurs to Christian. "Iasic, at some future time we will
leave this system and travel elsewhere. How will this affect the network you
have constructed -- will its components operate seperately or would you need
to make further modifications?"
Iasic, apparently in deference to the Hoop, doesn't answer, as it continues:
"One more minor matter, apparantly one of your sophonts aboard the
Alcyon is recovering from some chemical accident. His surgeon,
Yorblin is aboard the Kingfisher and cannot contact him. The
Alcyon is connected to this network however, and there seem to
be several biological technicians capable of mantaining his
condition for the time being."
Bhyarrvouf's ears snap straight up at that. If he was asleep a minute ago,
it doesn't show now....
"What in the name of the Great Pack are you talking about? Doctor Yorblin
didn't have any ongoing caseload, except Anton Devious and...."
His voice trails off. His eyes stare at nothing. He whispers, "I just had
this crazy DREAM...."
Caught dead in the middle of some navigation work, Christian's fingers
finish the task at hand as his eyebrows head as far north as is humanly
possible. As his right hand completes the transfer of the updated nav
plot to thruster control, his left hand is a blur, tapping into the
network and calling up direct control and data input of the Alcyon
sickbay, concentrating on one low berth in particular...
His voice is surprised, yet somehow relieved. "Bishop!"
On deck two of the Talisman, in the lounge/mess area-cum-sickbay, going over medical supplies for the umpteenth time, Ian sighs. "Damn fool crusaders putting scientists in sick bay. ..Might do more more damage than leaving the injured alone.
"Hello -- What's this?" Ian askes himself, half cocking his head to one side. He pulls out a chair and sinks into it, his eyes glazing slightly.
*The craft rising from the Hoop have been observed. They have shown no hostile intent. {The term "hostile" seems to have been a struggle to convey.}
*But it seems prudent to remove myself from any immediate confrontation. It is a standard reaction for us not to want unknowns on our 'flukes'. {This last word seems to be the best translation by the recipients.}*
Suddenly Doejin's psionic message is interrupted by a new 'voice.' It comes from the ship called the Talisman, and is directed at Ferdy.
*Ferdy! I'd me more than overjoyed to meet your friends. I don't know what's going on up here. They shoved me into sick bay in case somebody gets hurt. They think I know medicine. Isn't that a laugh? I can't see anything, and they don't feed any sensor data down into the middle of the ship, where I am now. I keep hearing radio broadcasts about (feared-type-emotion) Aslan. (Confusion emotion) I don't understand this. Aslan have saved my life more times than humans have. Go figure.*
*Doejin? Katie? ....Hooper, is it? Hi! (big smile emotion) I'm Ian. How're things on the Hoop?*
*Uhhh... hello Ian.* Ferdy seems a little hesitant. *Welcome back. *It's been a long time.*
*Yes," says Ferdy, *the Aslan arrived not long before you did. They've been watching the Kythui. I don't know why. And now several more ships have just turned up. Humans, I think.*
*Things are a little confusing at the moment. We were told to expect visitors, but we didn't realise there were going to be quite so many! Are your people going to land? How much have you told them about us?*
An aside to the other Phins: "Can we show them a good place to land? Somewhere that won't be too dangerous? How about on the open plains near Ancient Prime?"
"He's alive." Not daring to raise his voice for fear of waking the sleeping Tweel, Bhyarrvouf cuts his voice back to a whisper. A tear rolls down his muzzle. "In the Name of the Thagk-Kabra...."
"How's it possible, aenrra? There should be nothing left of him!"
After a pause of several seconds, Christian speaks, slowly, as if he is piecing it together as he talks. "Adrian was pretty healthy, as far as his body was considered. We got to him in time to minimize the damage from his cardio-pulmonary arrest, so except for the brain damage and the ravages of his multiple chemical soup addictions, his body was fine."
His eyes narrow slightly, evidence of rapid, concentrated thought occurring in Christian's mind. "Of course, the neural damage was too extensive for anything less than full neuro-reconstruction at a major research hospital, so we left him pretty much as is, except for the nanocytes that Jan injected to tidy up the worst of the damage and stabilize his pathways. Hmm..."
Christian leans back in his seat, finger to lips as his eyes gaze at nothing in particular, the picture of thoughtfulness. He reaches his conclusion in nearly a minute. As if a light switch were thrown, Christian's features are suddenly illuminated with discovery, silently screaming EUREKA!
He snaps his right hand and delightedly, playfully gives 'Vouf a light whack on the shoulder. "That's *it*!" he says in an excited whisper, out of respect for Tweel's desperate need for sleep. He turns to look right at 'Vouf, his right index finger stabbing at an empty spot on his console, as if to emphasize his points. "Listen, aenrra, we've ran into this Iasic 'construct' that can *rewire* computer systems, right? So what did Jan put into Adrian? Nanocytes! Little, minute machines, for rukh's sake! Besides, what *IS* the brain but a complex, ORGANIC machine, a computer? That's got to be it -- someway, somehow, it(?) got to Adrian, and REWIRED him! It's as if a computer's software was corrupted but the hardware was sound -- all you'd have to do is fix the programming!"
Some of his initial excitement seems to have worn off Christian, as he takes on a more serious pose. "Of course, the question is, WHO is coming back? I mean, I could understand how a little thing like death could change a person. He may have some problems with memory, and who knows how his personality may have changed." He glances at 'Vouf. "He may be a quite new version of Adrian Bishop, unlike what we knew..." His eyes wander over to the twin medical readouts of Charyn and Adrian. "A pity, that. I would have wanted to know why Adrian refused the offer to slowly reduce the need for his addictions, the help that would have made the transition slow but sure, without real pain or harship. As if a drowning man refused a floatation device that was thrown to him... I wouldn't have forced him, but I don't think anyone had ever offered him the choice, the chance to take control. He didn't just say no, he said no, period."
Christian folds his arms as he leans back against the couch, as his eyes gaze out into space in the direction of the Alcyon.
'Vouf looks thoughtful after Christian's speech. "Hrmph." He reaches over to the comm panel and keys in the Alcyon's tight-beam heading.
"Morgan, this is 'Vouf. Have Dr. Werner check on Adrian Bishop, OK? Out."
He then says to no one in particular, "Iasic, how extensive has your interaction with Bishop been?"
Iasic has no time to answer....
A deafening high-pitched shriek-whistle blasts out of the stillness. The ceiling rings under a sudden double blow as Tweel suddenly tries to take flight.
'Vouf and Christian simply stare as Tweel is suddenly looking back at them, his wings spread showing the now red eyespot scars. "Macin?..." The word dies on his beak.
He gives a hateful glance at the ceiling and buries his head in his wings again.
Carefully and with exaggerated slowness, Vouf smooths down his fur, which was standing on end all the way down his back. "I HATE when he does that," he growls in Vuakedh.
Dave has been sitting in the crew lounge, alternately putting on and taking off his vacc suit helmet. :-) Seriously, he wasn't asked to go anywhere and has been spending his time tapped into the ship's computer trying to retrieve any available information about R-alpha and natives.
Now that we finally have an order to put on vacc suits (I seem to recall going to general quarters [vacc suits] once before and having it cancelled), Dave will re-attach his vacc suit helmet and check connections. If he can be made use of on the bridge, call him. He is an expert in covert survey and initial contact. He doesn't speak Aslan, however.
If Dave isn't needed on the bridge, he will continue futzing around with the computer link.
Having manuevered perpendicular to as many of the foreign ships as possible, the crew of the phin shuttle settle back and watch for any hostile actions to take place.
Communication with the Hoop (though no obvious EM transmissions are detected) indicates to the Phin crew that things are well in hand and a trajectory to the surface has been laid down. But to expedite everyone's arrival, the Phin shuttle is directed to assist the ship called Westwind to it's rendevous.
At that the Phin shuttle picks up acceleration beyond any that has been seen by Aslan or Human (or Vargr). Heading toward the Westwind with interception _very_ shortly.
*After consultation, we are going to assist the ship called Westwind in their rendevous with you and the Gemini Arbiter. The Westwind moves too slowly for events. I shall see you at the Gemini Arbiter shortly.*
An archway appears just in front of the aft bulkhead doorway in the Talisman's mess area, and the the top third briefly glows a pale greeninsh-blue.
"All expedition members, I'm going over to the Phin shuttle. See you on the surface. Thomas out."
Ian steps through the archway, and it disappears.
Pausing in his conversation with Ger, Akhouw turns once again to the holotank and considers the plotted decent path, then looks over and observes Aiwi and Uhwaikh as they note and analyze the rapidly incoming information. Muttering "Kiy, rakhea tiykoi... (The secrets of this place, perhaps we shall learn now...)" he turns back to the vid pickup.
"It seems that we are invited, you and I, to land on the ringworld. Certainly it is a chance to answer questions I am sure both of us have, Admiral Nanadh. May I have the pleasure of meeting you upon our landing?"
Assuming that Ger responds positively, Akhouw ends the communications with a polite "We shall meet later, then. Good day, Admiral" before setting into his seat and verifying the navigational plot. "Fa'eairl, condition normal, stand down." As the lighting shifts to normal, the power plant similarly returns to usual conditions.
"Uhwaikh, re-restablish secondary interlocks and put weapons power on standby. Continue observations of ringworld sensor data."
As the Trakh begins its gentle descent to the specified landing area, Akhouw opens a laser channel to the pinnace. "Eihoftyah, we are proceeding to land on the ringworld and make contact with advanced indigenous sophonts and likely these humans as well. Continue to observe the [Turnskaad] fleet and enter "Ringworld High Guard" position above us. Stand down from alert but remain vigilant. Trakh out."
A directional radio broadcast reaches out to the Aslan speeder. "This is Admiral Tra'Ekhaul. We are proceeding to a rendesvouz with ringworld inhabitants and the human fleet at coordinates (here he passes along the received navigational data). Continue your mission. The Khaurl will stand ready for communications or other assistance. Acknowledge, Hfolraw. Trakh out."
At the contact with Ian, Doejin's curiosity about the visitors is at a peak. First, Bharyvouf, and now Ian. Plus, Ferdy's excitation is catching. But indications from the Hoop are that the ship called Gemini Arbiter needs help and that the ship called Aurora is going to their aid. But that leaves the ship called Westwind still trying to catch up.
With Ian's indication of extreme boredom, Doejin makes a rash decision (best kind for a Phin! :-), maneuvers out of the pilot console and maneuvers over to an auxiliary console.
With the quick flash of flukes and mind control, the auxiliary panel lights up and acitvates the Door.
An archway appears in the aft section of the command room of the phin shuttle. It is sized sufficient for a Phin to maneuver through.
{Meanwhile a similar archway appears in the sickbay of the Talisman...}
Within a few seconds a human walks through the archway. He is smiling and greets Ferdy, "Hello and very good to see you!! Doejin, I presume?" And he sticks a hand out to Doejin who looks at it with a very curious look...
The voice of the Hoop speaks once more:
"Is there anything you'd care for me to do to prepare in any special way for your landing?"
Bhyarrvouf gets a gleam in his eye at that, one that Christian has seen before, usually in the company of wanted posters and pink and yellow fur.....
Bhyarrvouf begins to giggle. "I am such a CREEP!"
Christian snaps his head around and looks at 'Vouf with a look on his face that indicates he's unsure of what's going on, and not at all sure he'll like the answer. When he speaks, his tone is reminiscent of a parent talking to a misbehaving child, gentle but alert. "Bhyarrvouf, what have you *done*?"
Bhyarrvouf chuckles. "If you'll excuse me, I have to contact the Gemini Arbiter about our course change...."
Christian stares blankly at 'Vouf for a second, then turns to his pilot station and begins the necessary course corrections to establish the new rendezvous/ringworld landing flight path.
As he works, Christian seems to be singing some sort of Terran ditty as he goes about his navigation and sensor tasks. If someone listens very closely, they would swear the refrain goes something like...
"....and only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun..."
"Mad dogs? Might that, perchance, be a reference to yours truly?" Bhyarrvouf bounds out of his chair cheerfully. "Gahh. Your problem, aenrra, is that you lose your sense of humor when you're under stress. If anything, you should be MORE able to laugh when things get tough! And if that makes me a 'mad dog', well, then, so be it."
Christian smiles as he continues to monitor the various stations, in an analogous mood. "That *was* a joke, aenrra..." He amusedly eyes 'Vouf. "You better than most should understand that I have a perfectly functioning sense of humor. Besides, better a Mad Dog than Voufie the Wonder-Pooch, eh?" His grin widens markedly.
'Vouf looks fondly over at the sleeping Tweel. "Exhausted," he mutters. "You've gotten some sleep, and I've had a short nap, but he was up the whole time, and that just after an operation. Well, I have one or two more things to do before I can put my nose under my tail.... and I think the Ring is going to help me do them!"
He grins at Christian. "That big krafla-hoop out there reads minds. It does it easily, and has a pretty good idea of how to best achieve the aims of the person it's reading...."
And with that, as if on cue, an arched, glowing doorway silently shimmers into shape at the back of the Bridge, just behind 'Vouf. "Ah, just in time," he says, checking his gear and straightening his uniform. "Don't wait up for me, aenrra," he says gaily, stepping forward. "I'm going to the Gemini Arbiter. Back soon!"
And with that, the archway fades and is gone.
Christian is unfazed by the sudden turn of events. He contents himself with a brief reply. "Just make sure they've had their shots, aenrra. Oh, one other thing, I understand they're diplomats and I realize just how entertaining they can be (irony alert), so if you *MUST* shoot them, try to use tranqs, ok?" It is such a perfect dead-pan delivery that 'Vouf almost isn't sure that Christian is joking...
Christian turns back to operating his ship, enjoying the rare opportunity of late for a little peace and quiet aboard the Aurora. Happily whistling to himself, he takes the opportunity (while no crisis is looming and he has a couple hours to fill) and returns to a long interrupted computer analysis of his last game of dhrage. His mind revels in the chance to put the current matters of import aside and work on some truly recreational activity.
Ralf finds that the transfer to _Paladin's_ model/10 is simpler than expected. Much to his surprise, the system is ever so much more complex... yet it is most definitely simpler in its operation.
Hmm.... Ralf mused to himself. Much more sophisticated OS, but quite elegant in execution... I wonder what would happen if I applied that to my heuristics re-integration algorithm... looks so simple, but then in hindsight many great advances seem so...
Everything now functions as if it were part of a living, breathing entity.
A gentle wind plucks at the edges of Ralf's cybernetic attention. *Why do I feel like somebody's breathing over my shoulder...?*
After a brief pause, a channel is offered to this electronic Gulliver. With some trepiditation, Ralf makes the connection.
*Whoa! Like, wow man, look at all the pretty colors! I haven't felt this way since I plugged a simulation of Lysergic Acid biochemical interactions into my implant chip. A breathtaking rush of knowledge, of perspectives destroyed and recreated. Reminds me of that cataclyst cult. What did they call that drug... "shatter"? Used it to "mind-assassinate" their opponents. It certainly cleaned my clock...*
_You now have a communication path which you can use to communicate with me normally. I apologize if I caused you any discomfort. This path is involatile. As long as you do not disconnect it yourself from your end, nor I from mine, we will be able to establish contact. If you wish, you may withdraw from this environment and return to Talisman. Our communic- ation will not be broken by this. Given the current tactical situation, it would perhaps be advisable for you to withdraw back to the refuge of your vessel._
Ralf spends a few more femtoseconds looking around the restructured model/10, then does a datadump of the diagnostics output and information-structures. *Some EXTREMELY interesting conceptual structures here. If I ever find another computer that can run them, they could revolutionize information technology...*
Relucantly, Ralf implements a server-agent and retires across the data-umbilical to the Talisman.
*Who... what ARE you? What is your substance? Where are you from? What is the solution to Fermat's last theorem?*
Hfolraw grounds the speeder in the clearing he has selected, quickly brings up a communications console, and opens a maser link to the Trakh.
"Hfolraw here, Admiral. Message acknowledged. We are preparing to contact one of the primitives. My new coordinates follow. Sir, we have detected a massive increase in neutrino output. I cannot localize the source, but my instruments are indicating a huge power plant somewhere in the plane of the ring. Unless you have further orders, we will proceed to intercept the primitive. Speeder out."
"Aurora. We have received your message and are taking appropriate precautions."
"No need to worry about us making any hostile actions towards anyone. Once your systems are back on line you'll see why when you scan us."
"We will stay on the intercept course with you until we rendezvous. However, due to your current situation we will remain isolated."
"We will also express our concern to the Westwind."
"Gemini Arbiter. Out."
A: "Well, now that the warnings are taken care of we'd better start checking out this ship ourselves."
N: "Among everything else you've gotten us into this really does it! Some alien virus ransacking our computer! Just what we need!"
A: "Nicky, look at this." (pointing to one of the display monitors).
N: "I'll put it on the main holo. . .
A: (turning to face Nicky and interrupting her ) "What do you mean ME getting us into this!"
(meanwhile, the entity known as Iasic is busy integrating itself unobserved by the two arguing sisters)
A: ". . .You were the one that wanted to fix that stupid door!"
N: (standing up and placing her hands on hips) "Now wait a minute! We agreed to perform the routine maintenance ourselves! You were the one to run into that asteroid!"
A: (equally, standing up and placing hands on hips) "What's this WE stuff! You're supposed to be the engineer. Besides, I wasn't the one to ignore the warning signs while we were on Rhylanor that time!"
N: (abruptly falling into her seat) "That's not fair! How was I to know they were monitoring us! I . . "
At this point, the Gemini Arbiter's comm panel crackles to life.
_As per MasterCPU R-Alpha's directive, the vessel _Gemini Arbiter_ has now been connected into the network. I must explain that R-Alpha and Bishop are not directly interlinked, as are the _Aurora_, _Paladin_, _Talisman_, and _Gemini Arbiter_. They are passively connected, however. Their interaction is conducted directly through my internal processors._
_The four interlinked vessels are now completely integrated. The functions of each ship being shared by the computers on board any one of the craft, depending upon which system can best handle the task._
There is a moment of dead silence as both sisters turning to face the bridge console.
A: "Well, so much for our security! Any bright ideas now?!"
N: "Lets talk to it!" (punching keys and looking at monitors)
A: (throwing hands into the air) "That's obvious! Since we probably can't do anything else!"
N: "This is very interesting. I've managed to partially figure out what it did since we already had the programs running."
(straightening up in the chair and putting on her best diplomatic persona)
"Welcome to the Gemini Arbiter. I am Nicole Xerxes, Chief Consul Interspecies Linguistic Interpretation and Analysis, and this is my sister Aurelia, Chief Consul Historical Perspectives and Social Analysis"
A: "Wow! Aren't we the professional!"
[ will assume that Iasic introduces itself (does it recognize sarcasm?) ]
( Professionalism, now gone by the wayside. Female inquisition takes over. :-) )
N: "So Iasic, how is your ..er... integration into our computers going to affect our ship operations? Will we still have control over our vessel? Are you able to prevent us from taking certain actions? Can we still maneuver the ship? To a destination of our choice? Are you...."
A: "Hey!! Comm Hog!! I have questions too, you know!!"
N: "Well then ask them! Stop lambasting me!!"
A: "Are you in continuous contact with your main cpu? Are you telepathic? Since you seem to have physically rearranged some of the systems you must have some sort of telekinetic powers? What can you tell us about R-Alpha? How many sapients are there? Since you've probably integrated into our historical and linguistic computer are there languages on R-Alpha that we don't have? And if so could we get them? How. . ."
N: "Now who's the comm hog! I. . ."
Aurelia and Nicole's conversation is interrupted by a polite "Ahem."
Standing behind them in a crouch, a massive Gauss pistol in each hand, is a Vargr with stunning black and white fur, piercing blue eyes and a black and grey uniform of an unrecognizable type. A blood-red data monocular is dropped over one eye, and a thin, barely visible beam of laser light from the muzzle of each gun is touching each woman's forehead.
"Am I addressing," the Vargr says politely, "The sisters Xerxes?"
END OF TURN 92.00
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