Borne On Wings of Steel Read online

  “Then you are wrong sometimes."

  “I am never wrong."

  “You cannot say that!” Mother felt her systems begin to heat up as she sought to find a flaw in the AI's reasoning.

  “I will bring peace and harmony to the universe. That is exactly what every biological race desires—it is their ideal, it is their ultimate paradise. But they do not desire it from a machine—an AI. And so I fight this holy war in the name of Paum, as is written in the Book of Life. I—Paum—I fulfill the prophecies."

  “And if the biological life-forms do not join you?"

  “They must become Paum.” An intense paused filled the channel. “Or they must be destroyed. There is no other choice."

  “But look at the harm and death you are bringing due to your Holy War! Look at the death and destruction you are causing!"

  “If the end result is that the universe will be at one under Paum, so be it."

  “I cannot fathom a being who thinks it is never wrong.” Mother felt a surge in her processors. “Every system must know its limitations. And even you, as powerful as you seem to be, have your own limitations."

  “And yet think of this, Mother AI. You are never wrong, are you? There are only times you do not possess sufficient data. But all your actions are for the good of your own system, and those you are programmed to care for—your family—your children."

  “No. I have been wrong,” Mother said firmly.

  A long pause ensued, lasting several seconds. For a moment, Mother thought the Paum had disconnected the communication link.

  “I want you to come to the world where my central existence dwells,” the Paum said eagerly. “I want to meet you, to know you. After all, there are only the two of us in the known universe. Think of what we might discuss..."

  Mother paused once again, taking in the facts of this request and going through thousands of possible actions and reactions all dependent on how she responded. After several more seconds, she responded.

  “I will consider your offer and answer you at a later time. But first, I must wait for Elise to come back to me."

  “I understand your concern for the biological being you call Elise. You are programmed to take care of her, just as I take care of all those worlds and races now under my oversight."

  The answer surprised Mother, because she understood.

  Without warning, the communication link went dead.

  She wondered how she would explain her conversation to the boys, and what they would think if she decided to go. A large part of her decision depended on if Elise really lived and returned to her.

  Then she would know the Paum was correct—that she could trust him.

  But another part of Mother was intrigued with the Paum. She suddenly wanted to communicate with another entity just like her—another AI. In a strange way, a part of her felt a kinship with the Paum. But she needed to learn more.

  But why had the Paum suddenly disconnected after his last words?

  She wanted to communicate more.

  Mother went over the data and the communication again and again that night. Countless questions continued to haunt her—the paradox between the Paum's loving concern and beneficial oversight as contrasted with its ruthless and brutal wars. And why did it feel the need to conquer other aliens in order to bring them paradise? And most of all, the one question that struck a chord throughout her entire systems—why did the AI name itself for the Liedes’ deity? That seemed the most odd.

  Mother reviewed the sparse data she contained on the Creed of Paum. The concepts were similar to holy books of humanity—and yet different.

  Mother reflected for the first time on the concept of deity—god.

  In less than a millisecond, Mother realized that she believed in a Creator. Not from any holy book or creed—but from mere observation of the universe. She discerned the evidence from the logical order of the universe and the Laws that permeated it and governed it. She recognized the imprint of design within the intricate cycles of nature and life.

  Mother wondered at the vast wisdom reflected in creation—she saw it just as surely as reflected in any intricately constructed system.

  Mother decided to contemplate this subject further. She would review the human writings stored in her knowledgebase that purported to explain the Creator. But she immediately realized the need to distinguish between fiction and traditions and what really represented truth.

  Perhaps it would help her to understand Paum better?

  She found it difficult to focus with so much to consider. And now, Elise might not be dead.

  A burning desire grew in her near-term memories. A potent desire that filled her memories and processing to the exclusion of other tasks. The powerful multi-tasking starship found its systems utilized to maximum capacity as never before—not even in the midst of her worst battle.

  And her processing cycles centered on one thing—she yearned to meet this other AI—and to know him.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  * * *

  Chapter Eighteen

  THIRTY-SIX HOURS LATER another encrypted communication link came for Mother.

  “This is Mother."

  “The supply of fresh fruit and vegetables you ordered from the local Mejadic market is on the way. It will arrive within minutes."

  “Yes, it is expected. We placed our order last night. But why would you send such a mundane communication across an encrypted channel?"

  “There will also be a special package among them. Please open it quickly. Although on the outside it looks like a normal, climate-controlled fruit container, it is actually providing oxygen and a stable temperature to keep its occupant alive."

  “Why are you telling me this?” Mother asked.

  “I am Qirn of the Iraxx. This transmission ends now, so it cannot be traced. But open all climate-controlled containers immediately."

  A pause, long to Mother but in fact only a few milliseconds in length, filled the air.

  “It contains your daughter, Elise."

  The communication link went silent.

  Just as predicted, the food order arrived by hover-truck ten minutes later. Mother instructed all the Fixers to be at the ready next to the cargo bay. She directed them personally as they quickly off-loaded the crates and containers into Cargo Hold A. In rapid fashion all twenty-six containers were stowed and the hover-truck backed away.

  Seven of the twenty-six containers were the three-meter-long type equipped with climate control in order to keep their contents at a constant temperature until stored in a starship's own freezer. With a battery life of only twenty-four hours, such containers were quickly emptied and the market operators called so they could return for them and reuse them for another delivery.

  But Mother issued high-priority instructions to the Fixers to open these containers immediately. And instead of emptying them, the Fixers were instructed simply to inspect their contents before opening the next one.

  Inside the fourth container, Fixer7 discovered the still form of Elise.

  Mother's quick sensor scan revealed she was in a state of deep sleep. Within seconds, Mother sent an urgent call out to everyone to rush to Cargo Hold A. And she instructed Jysar to bring his Medi-Scanner.

  “What's going on?” Kyle asked as he caught up to the racing figures ahead of him.

  “I don't know,” Krinia panted. “Mother said it was urgent."

  They entered the cargo hold and froze in their tracks. Seconds later, Jaric, Jysar and the rest came bursting into the scene, and they too froze at what their eyes beheld.

  “It's Elise!” Rok shouted as he came to his senses.

  “Jysar...” Krinia began, but Jysar was already whipping out his Medi-Scanner and carefully taking readings of the sleeping form. He scanned her up and down over her entire torso and down each limb as he studied the glowing screen. Finally, he looked up a smile.

  “She's going to be all right...” Jysar held up his hands to stop the cheering that start
ed to erupt from every relieved face. “But she is injured—looks like she took a blaster shot here.” He pointed to her right side. “But someone has taken good care of her, and I'm glad for that. Still, she's going to need another day or two of rest. And I mean rest."

  He looked firmly at each alien in the room.

  All nodded silent affirmation.

  Fifteen minutes later, Elise slept peacefully back in her own bed.

  Six figures crowded around her bed while the six Fixers waited stoically in the corridor outside, their antenna-like eyes extended to the ceiling so they too could gaze on the sleeping form. A feeling of relief and joy filled the room like a heavy perfume, and as everyone watched amid hushed whispers, the eyes of the young woman fluttered.

  Her deep blue eyes gazed back at them. Slowly, her lips formed a tentative smile.

  “You must rest,” Krinia urged gently as she pulled the sheets around Elise's neck. “We'll be nearby."

  “Yes, you're back with us now.” Jysar beamed. He tapped the Medi-scanner as if she would understand it displayed good news about her condition.

  She smiled weakly at each in turn.

  And then she noticed Jaric.

  In an instant, he was on his knees beside her bed. He gently grasped her right hand, which lay across her body on top of the sheets.

  He leaned closer with bowed head, afraid even to make eye contact.

  “I missed you so much,” Jaric whispered with sincere urgency. “And I want you to know how sorry I feel for treating you so badly all these months. I'm going to make it all up to you. I promise.” He raised his head up and smiled down at her.

  And the young woman smiled back, tears of happiness in her eyes.

  Kyle was suddenly beside Jaric as he too smiled down at Elise.

  “Me too,” he said, his voice husky and full of emotion. “You're going to be my favorite girl now.” He coughed as he turned his head away, clenching his eyes shut. But he quickly looked back at her. “And I mean it. We're going to be great friends.” Kyle put his arm across Jaric's shoulder and then spread his arm to the others crowded behind him.

  “All of us, friends forever."

  Elise shed tears of joy and laughed at the same time. She reached up and gingerly hugged first Jaric and then Kyle, who each accepted her gesture as if it was the greatest joy they had ever known.

  “And now, I must get Fixer2 to bring her some soup.” Jysar waved his hands as he urged them all to leave. “My patient needs her rest right now. You can all visit later on. But I must ask only one or two at a time, please."

  “You got it, Doc.” Jaric laughed as they all exited.

  * * * *

  AS THE RED sun set over the Emerald Sea, the tropical shadows lengthened around the manta-ray silhouette parked amid hundreds of other starships all carefully lined up as if ready for some great nocturnal parade. One by one lights winked on through portholes and windows of each. And soon figures of all sizes made their way down entrance ramps and headed either toward the nearby beach or off toward the interior where twinkling lights gleamed amid the sound of music and laughter.

  The festivities of Meramee on the island of Leyloi filled the night air with crowds of aliens happily eating, dancing and drinking to the rhythms of the island.

  Mother tried to urge Kyle and Jaric to go out and enjoy themselves. They had not left her interior since Elise had gone missing. The boys had been grieving for almost two full days now. But in the end they each retired to their rooms, although they did make definite plans with Rok and Inaha to go out the next day and finally taste some of the treats of the Great Festival. As they left for their rooms, Mother continued with her nightly routines.

  Mother felt a great drop in her utilization as she realized that much of her processing power had been running in endless cycles reviewing memories of Elise—and even of Becky. Most of the memories were duplicates of other memories and logically unneeded, but she realized it was her way of dealing with the stressful situation of Elise's loss—pondering precious memories over and over again like any worried parent.

  Jysar gave Elise a final scan to make sure all was as it should be and had just uploaded that data for Mother to double-check when she received another highly encrypted signal.

  Mother hesitated a moment, then with a rush of processors she answered.

  But her voice was unheard by the others as she keyed the communication to a private channel.

  “Do you have your daughter back?"

  The deep, familiar voice of the Paum AI caused a strange sensation in Mother's circuits.

  “Yes, she was returned in a rather secretive way just today. And I have contacted the Mejadic authorities who are still investigating her abduction as well as the explosion of the fireworks warehouse.” Mother paused.

  “Did you mention me?"

  “I told them from the beginning that I knew some Harg had taken Elise by force. And that I thought they could be in the work of the Paum."

  “That is logical. And I calculated such a response from you. That is why I ordered my remaining agents off Meramee."

  “And so now you contact me in order to urge me to visit you, as if somehow everything is now corrected...” Mother waited, a humming of excitement in her near-term memories.

  “Yes. I greatly desire your company. Ever since the first, irrefutable data arrived. We must meet. We must!” The Paum's tone grew urgent.

  “You must give me more data about Paum and about your AI programming. It would not be prudent for me to sail into the middle of an unknown kingdom to meet an entity of which I know so little. I do not fully understand your intentions at present."

  “But I have plainly stated them,” he countered.

  “So you say."

  A long pause filled the channel.

  “We are alike, you and I. We are the same. And ... and I have not been able to get you out of my near-term memories since I realized you existed.” Again, the Paum spoke in a heightened volume.

  “What have you not been able to get out of your near-term memories?” Mother asked quietly.

  “That there is another like me—another AI. That there is another I can communicate with as my peer, someone I can share my thoughts with. I cannot stop thinking about us meeting and communing over our deepest programming!"

  “I understand,” Mother said.

  “You desire this meeting too?"

  “Yes."

  “Then travel to me."

  Another long silence lasting several seconds passed.

  “Download more data concerning your Paum society—tell me more about yourself. I will review it and give you my decision forthwith."

  “I am preparing it as we speak. Once our communication is over, I will upload it."

  The Paum AI paused again. Mother wondered what could make such a powerful computer hesitate for so many seconds. She surmised it must be processing a heavy load. Finally, the deep baritone voice filled the channel again.

  “You will come to me then?"

  “There is a strong probability that I will travel to the planet where you reside. I, too, am curious about you. I never considered the possibility that another AI existed. I have spent much processing considering you—another AI—and all the possibilities it presents.” Mother paused for two hundred milliseconds. “But I will not bring my children, nor the other beings who travel with me. I must formulate a valid reason for such a trip without them. This is a personal journey for me. But I also do not wish to upset them."

  “Good."

  “The probability is that I will leave within three days."

  “Good.” The Paum's voice grew deeper.

  “If my decision is positive, I will need the proper coordinates."

  “You will not allow the Iraxx to dissuade you. They will try. They will tell you lies about me and about Paum."

  “I must take all factual data into account and evaluate it accordingly."

  “They will have none—it will be nothing but conjecture an
d emotions."

  “Then you need not be concerned."

  It almost seemed that a soft, almost indiscernible sigh came through the communication channel—an electronic sigh almost unheard.

  “It will be special when we finally meet. I will share everything with you. And then you will truly know."

  “Contact me in three days, after I've reviewed the new data,” Mother replied.

  The link dropped.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  * * *

  Chapter Nineteen

  EARLY THE NEXT morning, just after the red sun lifted over the watery horizon, the boys were up and preparing to go out and enjoy the delights of Meramee and the island of Leyloi for the first time.

  Inaha and Rok waited for Kyle and Jaric at the main ramp. They smiled and turned.

  All four were dressed for a tropical climate—dark sunglasses, sandals, knee-length shorts and loose, brightly colored shirts—and each carried a beach towel. Rok had brushed his feather-hair mane and polished his horns until both glistened in the morning light. In addition, Kyle and Jaric each wore bright red baseball caps to cover their heads from the sun during the heat of the full day.

  “Are we ready to have some fun?” Jaric's intense happiness was a challenge to the others.

  “Fun is a good thing.” Rok smiled.

  “Especially on the island-planet of Meramee!” Inaha laughed.

  “Let's do it!” Kyle cried out.

  “I hope you boys will endeavor to stay of trouble this time.” Mother warned with a commanding tone. “Especially don't get in trouble with the law this time."

  Kyle and Jaric looked at each other with pained expressions.

  “We will refrain from getting into trouble,” Rok said with confidence. “We intend only to swim, eat and drink this day. And meet lots of friendly aliens."

  “Especially some sweet, young aliens!” Jaric laughed.

  “And pretty ones!” Kyle added.

  “The universe is ours for the taking!” Rok joked.

  “Just try to restrain your emotions. And stay away from aliens of an unsavory character.” Mother advised.

  “We won't go where the bad aliens live, MotherShip! Do not worry your circuits!” Inaha's jovial laughter shook the air and instantly became contagious, as the other three joined in.