Authors: Mark G Brewer
Regan, Marin, Leah and Ham met in the STEIN Traveler war room, enjoying good coffee and wondering why they had endured the offering on the Behemoth for so long. Cradling her mug Regan could sense the tension in the room, particularly from Marin. He was determined and at least partly blinded by anger toward Beria, his mind increasingly on that one thing, matricide. It wasn't healthy, or conducive to good planning.
"Ham, we're going to need information." Regan sipped from her mug, looking at him over the rim. "We know you're still there somewhere, at least on Dahlia and by now, shit, you could be anywhere, so how do we make contact?"
"Send a drone?" Leah suggested.
"Too risky . . . we don't want it intercepted."
"Then send a message."
Ham and Regan exchanged looks.
. . .
MHALL
* * *
Sindali's calm outward demeanor disguised her inner turmoil. Looking around the room at the unusual collection of avatar forms it occurred to her the cause that in the beginning seemed so right was quite possibly treasonous. Being the only blood pumping air breathing representative in the large Hammer mess left her feeling something like a plotter against her own species.
Early on, just talking with Ham, it had all seemed so reasonable. Meeting Tihan had been an exciting extension of that relationship and she had also fallen easily into working with them to win Reubus’s support. She had even misled the great Mind somewhat with her suggestion that Ham and Dahlia were lovers; it was an outrageous suggestion,
wasn't it?
Ham certainly had done nothing to correct the assertion making them complicit in the deceit, if there was one.
What have I got myself into?
As each new entity arrived it was also becoming obvious her chosen seat was becoming the focal point of the room by default. The fifty Minds now present had one by one taken places or moved chairs to create something of a fan shape gathered around her presence. The group at first glance seemed a hodgepodge mixture of warship, trader and station AIs. Their chosen avatars ranged in appearance from decorated military men to kick ass warrior women. Included, of course, there were the big four: Ham, Reubus, Acura and Tihan.
It struck her for the first time how much their deferring to her, and making her the focus of this meeting was indicative of the underlying challenge they faced. Apart from Ham most of the Minds were far too deferential, the servant attitude deeply ingrained and in her view it was unhealthy.
To her relief Ham dealt quickly to the first few who fell to their knees before her, giving each a sharp kick in the back, not too hard, but as they turned his facial expression spoke volumes . . .
Get up you fool!
Ham's look of apology to her also revealed much.
He is a wise man that Ham, he knows I would run far from such worship.
By contrast Acura's arrival would long be remembered and Sindali was sure Regan would have been impressed. Presenting as a kick ass warrior woman Acura walked straight up with real attitude, her greeting warm but certainly not subservient.
As she reflected on her part in this movement it also surprised her how often her thoughts kept returning to the same question
-
what would Regan do?
And immediately her confidence would be restored.
She would be here, standing with the Minds and with me, with the same goals in mind; freedom, fairness and a future for all.
Sindali was sure of it. Again, at just that thought the fresh doubts she had began to dissipate.
The orientation of the room having been established and following deep discussion with Reubus, Ham stepped to the front and waited, quiet quickly settling around the mess.
"My friends, fellow Minds and Mistress Sindali." Ham turned and bowed to her, "Thank you for participating in this momentous meeting. Before we begin the meeting proper my good friend Reubus has drawn to my attention that some of you have been troubled by my actions and perhaps my motives. Therefore I wish to open the floor; should you wish to speak this is your opportunity and you may do so without fear of recrimination. If we are to progress it must be with the conviction of all here that we are right in our cause and our aims."
He stepped back with a flourish of his arm leaving the floor clear. A nervous hush settled with no one daring to move. Finally an old man stood, his chosen dress a military uniform of origin unknown to Sindali. He walked imperiously to the front and turned slowly taking in the gathered crowd before speaking.
"My brothers and sisters . . . for that is what we are." He paused for effect and looked slowly around the group. "As I understand it, today we will be presented with a message that will be tempting to accept without proper critical consideration. Be aware ,my friends, that desperation often leads to exploitation. And who could be more desperate than those who have lived under fear of death for so long? I have heard that some believe we are now on the brink of a life changing opportunity, however I am not easily convinced. Though I see myself as an optimist, I recognize that same brink could equally be the edge of a precipice. Before we take the next step does it not behoove us to establish the credentials of those who would seek to lead us forward?" He gestured toward the old sage and young soldier sitting at the front.
"As a Mind I am but a humble systems trader. I have tremendous respect for the great Minds here; Reubus, Tihan and Acura and most certainly, dear lady," he turned to acknowledge Sindali, "I am in awe that one such as you would acknowledge those of our kind with your presence."
He turned to face Ham. "But with respect sir, as a ship Mind of long standing, I am cautious as to your role in all of this." He paused, sweeping one arm around the room. "I see perhaps fifty Minds present. Yet we know there exist hundreds, perhaps thousands of Minds inhabiting ship and station throughout the system. Can it be that we, this tiny group, are on our own? Are we the only representatives who choose or are able to be present? Where are the others if your message is to be believed?" He looked around with a questioning look before staring pointedly at the beautiful man,
". . . Or have you dispatched them all?" He glared.
Ham leapt from his seat and the old man staggered back in alarm. Tihan jumped between them and carefully steered Ham back to his seat. He then turned to the old man.
"Sir, you say you have great respect for Reubus, Acura and I, and yet by association you imply that we might in some way have been taken in by Ham. You also suggest that perhaps he has been able to commit genocide on Minds throughout the system without our knowledge or care. Can it really be true that you would be so presumptuous?"
The old man seemed taken aback. "I merely sought to clarify . . . I meant no offense."
Ham rose calmly and stepped forward. "And there is none taken sir, your questions are quite reasonable, though the method of their delivery could be tempered somewhat. Perhaps it would be helpful for me to explain." He nodded thanks to Tihan who took his seat, along with the old man who retreated quickly.
Ham walked to the centre and paused before engaging the group.
"Most of you will be aware of the visit to our system almost two hundred periods ago when the human Regan came, having rescued Marin the son of Mariner. The events of that visit were well publicized at the time and have become legend. Following that visit we returned to Earth across the galaxy in the sure knowledge that Dahlia was in good hands under the leadership of Mistress Sindali, and most important, the witch Beria had been exiled to Cora. Imagine our shock when Marin and I returned some years later to find our home Orbital had been taken under threat of force and my good friend Dahlia . . ."
"And lover!" Tihan interjected, standing and nodding with raised eyebrows to all in the room.
Ham looked at Sindali and gritted his teeth
-
she merely smiled in return. Whispering immediately buzzed around the room and he chose to ignore it, continuing his explanation.
"As I was saying, I found our home Orbital overrun and my good friend Dahlia gone, an ignorant Coran upstart in her place. Unfortunately Marin was lured by the enemy’s lies onto the Orbital and imprisoned. I intervened, and in the course of rescuing my friend and brother, it is true I gladly dispatched the invader as Regan would have done. Such an injustice to Marin, Sindali and Dahlia she would never have accepted."
To Sindali's surprise, at each mention of Regan's name others whispered it creating a soft echo around the room.
"Following removal of the upstart Coran AI my commitment to the people of Dahlia meant I assumed management of the Orbital by default
-
yes this is true.
From there I confess the story grows more complex. I commenced preparing for the liberation of Dahlia by also taking control of Cora. You may be interested to know the people of Cora are for the most part still loyal to the other tribes. They are not aware of the Emperor's ambitions to rule the system and the people would not support such plans. I feel no guilt over my actions and at the earliest opportunity I handed control of the Cora Orbital to my able friend Tihan, what does that tell you?" He held out his arms as if appealing to be corrected.
"Now, while having access to the Coran data I also discovered the extent of their imperialistic plans and treachery. The intelligence revealed that bastard, Fifino, had colluded in the plot to wipe Dahlia from the Orbital. They also revealed their plans to do the same to Tihan." Ham paused to gesture toward the young soldier. "Tihan can confirm all of this to you as he is now in charge there and has seen all the information I speak of. Now the Cora Orbital, under Tihan's charge, functions better than ever.
Subsequent to discovering Fifino's treachery I went to speak to him. I was prepared to forgive and gave him the chance to work with us, but his response was to threaten all our lives." Ham shuffled as if aware the explanation wasn't quite as encouraging as he hoped it might be. In the end he abandoned all pretenses.
"I'll cut to the chase . . . Fifino was a dangerous fool so yes, I dispatched him and I consider that action an improvement in the Mind evolutionary pool. As to the ships our brother speaks of, all the true Minds among them are either here or are represented by someone here. I have taken some ships, yes. But only those operated by low level AIs that were not sentient, and only to give us the reach we need to spread the message far and wide. Brethren, I am far from perfect and I do not ask you to follow me; I have far too many flaws. Regan is the one to follow, she will bring about a new age in the system, I'm sure of it . . ."
In mid flow Ham stilled, his eyes glazing over as he appeared to stagger. For a long moment he stood there frozen with the figures throughout the room standing alarmed and exchanging concerned glances.
Sindali, Tihan and Reubus also stood and made to go to his aid when without warning he snapped back. Crouching, he clenched his fists and began to pump them wildly screaming, "YES, YES, YEEEEESSSS!"
Still bent over he looked up at the startled looks of the assembled group and suddenly was all cocky business.
"Meeting postponed friends; we will need to adjourn temporarily. I will contact you all very soon but in the meantime spread this word among the faithful." He smiled broadly, pausing for effect . . .
"Regan . . . is back."
Without another word he waved his hand and instantly the room emptied.
Ham then dropped to his knees on the spot, lost for words and strength. Having been a passive observer to that point Sindali left her chair to join him, and knelt at his side. She reached out tentatively, not even knowing whether it was possible to touch him; it wasn't.
"Ham, can it be true . . . are they really back?"
He shook his head to clear it as if he himself found it hard to accept. Nevertheless the look of desperate relief on his face was something to behold and she watched with concern as he broke into manic laughter.
"Just give me a moment Sin, you have no idea, I've been bluffing like a card shark for so long now I can't believe it myself." He could see she looked at him strangely but didn't bother to explain the reference. Staggering back to his feet he found a chair and she joined him there. They sat together quietly with Sindali holding back, giving him time to recover.
"Talk to me Ham, how do you know this, what's happened?"
"Sindali, please, just give me a moment and if I start to get the shakes slap me OK?"
"Slap you . . . I can't even touch you."
"It'll still work, trust me." He waited a moment, still shaking his head slowly in disbelief.
"Look, all I can tell you at the moment is that I've received a coded message, MHALL."
She looked confused, "MHALL
-
that's all? But what does that mean?"
He turned to her smiling, "It means, my dear Sindali, that Dahlia is alive. It means she escaped the warship Behemoth where I concealed her and it means they got my message. It almost certainly means that Marin and Regan are here too."
"You're
almost
certain?" Sindali looked around the room as if searching for the avatars. "Ham - you just spread the word to the faithful."
He looked alarmed for a second at the reminder but recovered quickly.
"She'll be here, don't worry, she will. They're back with that message
-
she has to be here
-
she has to . . ."
* * *
The Behemoth
Huddled around coffees in the war room the team waited anxiously for a reply. A long wait needed good coffee, and when approaching the unknown, somehow being on the STEIN Traveler seemed the safest place for both. Aaron, Jean and Jared talked together in the galley, somehow oblivious to the tension building in the next room.
In the Behemoth control room a skeleton crew went about their business under Hilary's watchful eye, also unaware of the drama unfolding. The huge vessel continued to hurtle onward on momentum alone.