When the first girders rolled out of the Elvian foundry, cargo travelers plied between the Arcus and the Freedom. Freighter crews managed the shipping operation, using skip loaders to move the girders between the foundry, the travelers, and the city-ship.
Traveler pilots frequently swapped their ships. They operated beyond the system’s outer belt. Without a significantly sized celestial body nearby to feed their shells, their power banks were quickly exhausted.
The plan for the city-ship’s repair was to build from the inside out. Girders were applied first to form the frame, and teams in environment suits used warm oxygen tents to protect the nanites, while the nano-sized molecules bonded metal alloy to metal alloy.
When the frame was complete, decking and bulkheads were installed. There was no attempt to replace missing services infrastructure and equipment.
It was decided that the Freedom’s interior within the damaged area — corridors, engineering bays, beam guns, cabins, and thousands of miscellaneous items — could better be repaired at Omnia’s Sardi-Tallen Orbital Platform. For now, this portion of the ship was an empty space of girders, bulkheads, and decking.
The final step was the installation of hull plating.
When a senior engineer sent word that the last hull plate was installed, Cordelia performed pressure tests. Hatches close to the damaged area were sealed, and the critical hatches were opened. Bleeding air into the newly sealed area took a few days. When the pressure held in all locations, the repairs, as far as they were to go, were pronounced complete.
<Alex, the Freedom’s damaged structure has been rebuilt, and the ship is ready for the Omnia platform,> Cordelia sent.
<Well done, Cordelia,> Alex replied. <Notify the fleets of your success.>
Alex closed the link and returned to his discussion with Z. <Take me through the problem, Z,> he sent. <Remember, I’m the slow human.>
Z sent a horn blast through his link. He’d enjoyed Alex’s characterization of himself as a slow-witted human.
<Options are available to us, but we’re loath to offer them to Vyztram,> Z replied. <It’s necessary to use Elvian engineers, and there’s the distinct probability that they will communicate our choices to Vyztram.>
<Essentially, you have no hope of secrecy,> Alex surmised.
<Precisely,> Z sent.
<I take it you want me to present the choices to Vyztram and guide the AI toward your choice,> Alex sent.
<Who said you don’t have a facile mind?> Z asked.
<You’re spending too much time with Julien,> Alex accused.
<He does appear to enjoy accelerated motion of emotional algorithms, as does Miranda,> Z replied. <I thought it’s time that I tested this manner of operation.>
Alex had to chuckle. It was typical of Z to analyze the possibility of reorganizing his kernel’s hierarchy to test a new manner of presenting his personality.
<How are the Elvian engineers involved?> Alex inquired.
Alex received a view from Othello, who was staring into a narrow space. The two sidewalls were covered with hanging globes. In infrared, some glowed with heat, and others were dark.
The view briefly switched to Z, who stood in a room. He was looking at Othello, who stood in a narrow corridor.
The problem was immediately evident to Alex. <Othello can’t fit in the data bank room,> he sent. <Therefore, you must use the Elvian engineers to access the globes’ connections.>
<That is our predicament,> Z replied.
<I imagine that you’ve considered accessing the data bank room from another direction,> Alex sent.
<Tried, attempted, and failed,> Z replied. <One sidewall is backed by the core reps’ offices, which contains their cable runs to core control. The other sidewall, the deck, and the overhead connect the memory globes to the sensors and systems of the Arcus.>
<Okay, time is of the essence. So, we must use the engineers,> Alex agreed. <What are the solutions that I will offer Vyztram?>
<Not solutions, Alex,> Z corrected. <Options would be a more precise term. The challenge is that we’ve never moved an alien AI into a kernel.>
<The kernel’s crystal is just a sophisticated memory bank. Why should that be an issue?> Alex inquired.
<It’s not our avatar that’s a challenge, Alex,> Othello interjected. <It’s Vyztram’s nature.>
<Alex,> Z continued, <think of the globe room as possessing the data banks of the Freedom. This is similar to the SADEs accessing the city-ship’s databases at will. However, we are self-sufficient, self-contained. Our personalities are encapsulated within our kernel.>
<Keep going,> Alex encouraged.
<We’ve determined that the memory globes have no greater density than our kernel’s crystals, and our crystal matrixes are faster at data migration,> Othello added.
<Disappointing to learn,> Alex muttered.
<Yes,> Othello commiserated.
Alex switched his view to that of Othello and requested a sweep of the globe space. <Do we know what the differences are between the warm and the cold globes?> he inquired.
<Negative,> Z replied. <That step awaits the Elvian engineers’ support.>
<Then we don’t know if any globes are permanently offline, and we don’t know if there’s redundancy within the memory bank,> Alex concluded.
<Worse,> Z sent. <We don’t know how Vyztram’s personality is stored. It might be distributed.>
<Black space,> Alex whispered. Now, the challenge that faced the SADEs was clear to him.
If the warm globes contained the only data to relocate or copy, it would still be too much for a kernel’s storage space. Furthermore, the SADEs faced the prospect that Vyztram’s personality might be spread throughout the globes. That would make it nearly impossible to aggregate and move the AI.
Finally, even if Vyztram was successfully relocated, the avatar could contain only a portion of the globes’ data. After relocation, the AI would need access to the memory banks to support the Elvian population. That would necessitate moving the globes to the domes or finding a way to enable Vyztram to connect to the Arcus whenever the AI wanted.
<We could always station the Arcus over the World of Light, move the population into the domes, and leave Vyztram in orbit, with or without an avatar,> Alex offered.
The idea stunned Othello, but Z sent, <Admittedly that solution was not considered. Will you be offering that one to Vyztram?>
Alex chuckled, and Othello understood that he’d heard a concept volunteered in frustration. In a tick of time, he updated his knowledge of seeming conflicts between a human’s statements and true intentions.
<The difficulties are understood,> Alex sent. <How can this be successfully resolved?>
<Regardless of the path we take, Alex,> Z replied, <there is the distinct possibility that transfer of the AI to an avatar will fail. If successful, we’ll need to accommodate Vyztram’s access to the Arcus memory banks. That might necessitate both virtual and in-person access.>
<I’m sensing that we’re not offering Vyztram choices,> Alex sent. <Instead, we’re warning the AI of the possible outcomes of our attempt to provide an avatar.>
<We thought referring to the operation as options would be more palatable,> Othello sent. <We were advised to discuss the problem in positive terms.>
Julien, Alex thought.
<One last question before I communicate the gloom-and-doom aspects of this operation to Vyztram,> Alex sent. <Can the AI direct any aspect of the steps? In other words, does Vyztram know the locations of event memories versus sentience?>
<The AI can pinpoint every memory relating to the ship, whether an event, system data, operating manuals, or creators’ directives, but none of the file locations relating to personality,> Z replied.
Alex stared at Othello’s view of the globe room, while he mused.
The SADE was careful to hold the view so as not to disturb Alex’s thinking.
<Here are some suggestions for you,> Alex sent. <First, ignore the cold globes.
Whether they’re backups, redundant memory banks, or defunct globes, they’re not pertinent to the avatar. Second, have Vyztram provide you the known data files. Third, have the engineers determine how to translate that information into physical locations. You might use a cold globe to determine the method of data storage. Fourth, with the aid of the engineers, compile the list of data files within every warm globe. Fifth, subtract Vyztram’s list from your comprehensive one. Finally, transfer the difference to the avatar’s kernel and see if Vyztram wakes within the avatar.>
Alex briefly paused. Then he asked, <Did that match your solution, Z?>
The Freedom’s controller attenuated Z’s blast of a musical crescendo, and Alex laughed. The SADEs had encountered a considerably risky situation. Unlike most challenges they addressed, this outcome was unknown. They wanted the AI to understand the problem’s complexity and make a decision as to whether to proceed. Much was at stake if Vyztram was denied an avatar.
<Proceed, Z,> Alex sent. <I’ll speak to Vyztram.>
Alex ended the comm with Z. Before he could connect to Vyztram, his hand was nudged, and he opened his eyes. A server had placed a mug of thé within reach. A second server placed a small repast next to his other hand.
There wasn’t an opportunity for Alex to object. Renée stood in front with folded arms and a stern expression. A quick check of his chronometer showed he’d missed midday meal. Now that he’d stopped to listen, his stomach was objecting to being left out too.
Sipping on the thé and munching on the food, Alex winked at Renée, who was mollified. Then he connected to Vyztram.
<Greetings, Alex,> the AI replied.
<We’ve two items to discuss, Vyztram,> Alex sent. <The second is dependent on the success of the first.>
<I can hypothesize that the first subject is my avatar,> Vyztram said, testing the ability to understand how Alex thought.
<It is,> Alex replied, letting Vyztram explore an understanding of human speech and logic.
<The SADEs have regarded my memory globes much longer than I would have thought was necessary. Should I interpret that as they’ve confronted an obstacle to proceeding with my transfer?>
<There are definitely challenges to a successful transfer, but the SADEs have shared with me what they think will be a successful operation,> Alex sent. <I’m encouraged by the analysis. You’ll be required to participate fully.>
<What are you intimating, Alex?> the AI inquired.
<To what extent do you believe there are hidden files within your memory banks that don’t relate to your operations or sentience?> Alex asked.
<Unknown, Alex,> Vyztram replied. <A panel was recovered from the Deloy’s sleeping quarters. Engineers and techs have managed to activate it within an isolated console. It offers programs that I was unaware existed.>
<Such as?> Alex queried.
<A reset of my sentience,> Vyztram replied.
Alex’s hands clenched, and Renée and a server swept away the mug and plate before his agitation spilled them.
Cordelia communicated to Z about the panel’s existence and suggested that Othello and he investigate it.
<I’m sorry to hear that,> Alex sent, as soon as he gained control of his temper.
<My core was impressed by the creators with their concept of Elvian superiority, Alex, but after meeting Omnians, especially SADEs, I realize that intellectual and technological superiorities are cold things. Without concern for other entities, they’re of little value.>
<Well spoken, Vyztram,> Alex replied. <The landing of the Elvian population on the Ollassa home world depends on a successful meeting between Scarlet Mandator and you. For that to happen, we must be successful at transferring you to an avatar.>
<And if you can’t transfer me?> Vyztram asked. When the silence extended too long, the AI said, <Then the Arcus must be on its way.>
<Not necessarily,> Alex replied. <There’s always the possibility of Omnians helping you find a home world. Although, it might not be green with flowing water. Inhabiting domes would give you time to build a robust system and either repair your ship or construct your own starships.>
<I understand, Alex,> Vyztram replied. <We must think of the Elvian population first.>
<Remember, Vyztram, in our eyes, you’re a part of the Elvian population,> Alex sent. <I’ll speak with you later,> he added, closing the link.
The plate had returned and the thé was hot again. Alex quickly emptied mug and plate before he connected to Dafine.
“I find our communications awkward, Alex,” Dafine said, addressing his slate.
<Why is that?> Alex inquired.
“Your status and all that the Omnians are doing for us deserve the courtesies. My hand moves before I remember that you can’t see it,” Dafine replied, with a soft chuckle.
<Imagine that I do,> Alex said and laughed too. <Dafine, we must discuss the issues surrounding your citizens making planetfall and building domes. Will everyone transfer if the pieces fall into place?>
“Your question makes me want to ask ones of my own,” Dafine replied. “However, I’ll answer yours first. The count request sent to our citizens was phrased with the opportunity to settle the local home world. Prior to the count, the population heard directly from many engineers and techs about the troubles that plague the ship’s systems. The count’s result means the core’s reps speak for the population. It allows the core’s reps to make the hard decisions for Elvians, but it doesn’t mean that we can dictate to every citizen.”
<If I understand you correctly, Dafine, you’re saying that the core reps can authorize the building of domes on the local home world and the majority of Elvians might transfer from the ship to the domes,> Alex summarized. <However, Elvians can choose to remain aboard the Arcus.>
“Elvians have that choice, but the core’s citizens and most of the attendant families are prepared to transfer,” Dafine explained.
<Which means the ship’s operations won’t be maintained,> Alex finished.
“That will be the reality of those who choose to remain behind, Alex,” Dafine agreed. “We anticipate that the desertion of the participants from the Arcus will force the elites and the few loyal attendant families to join the exodus.”
“If we can, Alex,” Dafine said. “It would depend on our ability to easily visit the Arcus and continue to harvest resources.”
Alex could detect hopefulness in the core leader’s voice. <Omnians can help with part of your challenge, but the nature of the Elvian-Ollassa alliance will determine the other part. But let’s deal with the first step, which is the meeting with the Ollassa leader, Scarlet Mandator.>
“We understand that Vyztram will handle the initial contact with the Ollassa leader,” Dafine said. “Why can’t the core’s reps represent Elvians?”
<Vyztram, please share this image with Dafine,> Alex sent.
Dafine studied the image of Scarlet Mandator. “Is this individual wearing a costume, Alex?” he asked.
<Negative,> Alex replied. <You’re looking at the Ollassa leader, Scarlet Mandator. The species is a symbiotic relationship of fauna parts. The bloom operates as the point of intelligence and senses. The Ollassa communicate via ultrasonic frequencies.>
“Plant parts?” Dafine queried in confusion.
<Sentience comes in all forms, Dafine. It must be respected in whatever shape you find it,> Alex replied. He’d tried to keep the hardness out of his thought and hoped that Vyztram might have helped.
“How will we communicate with ... with beings such as these?” Dafine asked.
<In the beginning, you won’t,> Alex replied. <I can’t. The SADEs speak for me.>
“Then that’s the purpose of Vyztram meeting Scarlet Mandator,” Dafine surmised.
<Partly,> Alex replied. <A more important aspect is your appearance. To the Ollassa, we’re all animals, and they have a healthy fear of them. The Elvians, as animals, demonstrate
d their aggressive natures by unauthorized entry into this system, commandeering resources, and destroying Ollassa lives and their ships.>
“When you phrase it that way, I can’t understand why the Ollassa would consider an alliance,” Dafine returned.
<I explain these things to you, Dafine, so you understand the delicate nature of this alliance,> Alex sent. <The fact is that you need each other. Accept that. Accept that you’re different, and learn to live together.>
“What if you’re unable to transfer Vyztram to an avatar?” Dafine suddenly asked.
<As I often tell my associates, Dafine, then we go to plan B,> Alex replied.
“Which is what?” Dafine queried.
<I don’t know,> Alex replied. <When I think of it, I’ll let you know.>
Dafine was still pondering what Alex had said, when the connection terminated. He was left staring at an image of the mandator. The question that crossed his mind and made him laugh was how he would demonstrate courtesies to an Ollassa.
29: Visitors’ Surprises
With most of the projects well in hand, Alex, Renée, and Julien sat in the owner’s suite with Hector, Ellie, and Lydia. It was the opportunity for the leaders of one fleet to update the other.
“The sisters have fractioned that much?” Alex queried.
“It was inevitable,” Lydia replied. “Human influence on the sisters was minimal before they made planetfall, and the Toralians aren’t a substitute for humans.”
“But there’s been a major shift for the Toralians,” Ellie said. “Sargut held a referendum about implants, and it was overwhelmingly accepted. By the time we sailed, the Toralians had received their implants and were communicating frequently with the sisters on a daily basis.”
“That gives me hope for the sisters,” Hector added. “Although, for some, it’s too late.”
“Explain,” Alex requested.
“Sargut expelled a group of sisters, who are referred to as militarists,” Hector said.