novelnext Book 4: Chapter 192: Falling (to) Pieces
Book 4: Chapter 192: Falling (to) Pieces
Book 4: Chapter 192: Falling (to) Pieces
USD: Nineteen Hours since hostile fleet incursion.
Location: Meltisar, MNS Aegis Flag Bridge
Captain Young was forced to return to tending to operations when Nameless came up with a new formation makeup that forced the Aegis to maneuver. Alex shook her head and watched the mans back before looking back to the strategic maps on the holographic table. She couldnt stop thinking about what he said.
Or thinking that he was wrong.
From what it looked like, most people were doing better on paper. Even everything shed seen on Meltisar indicated that most people were doing fine.
But what about the people in 92 Pegasi? What about the colonists that had been dumped on Nu Craters? The Corpo plot to have them murdered? The decision that it would be okay to glass the planet to hide their actions when things went sideways.
She hadnt seen much of the galaxy, but there had been plenty of messed up shit to go along with the good that Captain Young held up on a pedestal.
A mixture of anger and frustration filled her. Even if humanity had made progress under the guidance of NAIs, it felt like the corruption andexcesses werent an equal trade on the scales. Was that right? Surely everyone that was fine with the status quo and did well under the system would say it was. But what about those who fell through the cracks or didnt fit it?Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only
If the frontier had been a small relief valve for people who didnt fit the mold of wherever they had been born, didnt they deserve a chance at happiness too? And she doubted that 92 Pegasi was the only place, it was just the one shed seen and been dumped in. It had been mostly used by the Solarians, but also the Corpos. What about the Ertan and Imperium?
Would sacrificing so many of Meltisars best be worth it to save the rest? Shouldnt they be told about what they were facing? Did they already know? Hadnt they signed up to join the military? To defend their fellow citizens?
Alex placed her forehead on the table and closed her eyes, brain running wild with questions that she couldnt pick any good answers for. But an overwhelming feeling of responsibility pushed at her, like it was her responsibility to figure it out.
A chime across the bridge indicated that Nameless had ordered a new formation change. Alexs hand clenched into a fist.
Nameless, enough of that, she hissed. Stop tweaking the formation, its not helping anyone!
[Informative: An improvement in fleet cohesion of 0.17% has been achieved by organized unit repositioning.]
I dont care. We need to focus on the bigger picture here. Youre acting like youre in withdrawal or something. I realize you dont have the traffic net to experiment with, but I need your help to figure out a plan without sacrificing half the first fleet to do it!
[Notice: Recent Avatar plan seems optimal in configuration. If no further proposals exist, seeking additional input from sub-cores could be a useful alternative if Avatar stressor chemical levels are an accurate indication of current progress. This unit has no further information or data to report.]
Alexs mouth slackened. She hadnt been interactive with Nameless nearly as much in the last month or two. At least compared to before the incident on MIL-1A where Tia had taken over. It wasnt like she had ignored him or he hadnt been helping her. It was just they had both been focusing on their own projects most of the time.
No, that wasnt quite right. Hed been acting weird ever since hed woken up when they had hijacked Tias computronics. Shed not really examined that; it was more of a little feeling that had built up. Something was just not quite right.
But hed never, ever told her to figure it out yourself before.
Are you going senile? I cant ask them. Were a light-hour out from MIL-1A, Alex mumbled.
A pressure built up in her head without warning and then it felt like two fingers yanked her out of her body and pulled her through a cold pool of water. She landed on a hard surface with a thud. A curse escaped her lips as she stood back up. What the fuck, Nameless. What
It looked like Tias MIL-1A HQ. The gaming center she and Thea had set up was in the corner, but the control consoles had been replaced with a wooden table with matching chairs. A stark white light shined down on it, highlighting a half dozen cloaked figures.
What Alex started to ask a second time, but one of the figures leaned forward. It was Tia.
We cant let them take Meltisar. There is nowhere else for us to go. Theres nowhere to hide. It sounded like Tia. The expression, body language, even the blue tint of her eyes and silver-white hair were accurate. But the other NAI felt off, in a way that Alex couldnt explain.
Nameless! Thats not Tia. Faster-than-light transmission is impossible, unless youre time dilating us somehow. And if you are, get me out of here right now, youre wasting tons of time! Alex shouted.
[Negative: Avatar is currently under no time dilation effects.]
That didnt make her feel any better. Nameless, this is obviously a virtual space. I dont want to be here. Tia isnt here. Let me out.
You need our help. Tia answered.
Another one of the shadows leaned forward into the light. It was Thea. Come on, Big Blue. Whether youre fretting on the bridge with Mr. Depressing or here with us, whats the difference?
A third, much smaller figure appeared. A young girl with short blue hair and eyes Alex didnt recognize. We can figure it out!
A deep, gravelly voice echoed in the inky-black chamber as a much larger form appeared. The enemy must be crushed.
H32 Alexs words trailed off as a frown appeared on her face. Her hands tightened into fists. Nameless! I did not ask for a self-imposed mental crisis! Theres no way we can communicate with or even know H32 is alive!
A tentacle whipped across the wooden table, making a loud crack where the wood splintered on the surface. Is memory not a form of existence, Mother?
Alex grit her teeth. I dont have time for this. I dont think Tia or the admirals will have a solution.
Captain Young already sent your plan to the HQ through a transmission. I imagine theyll push for that. Tia said.
What? Alex blinked. Her plan had just been an idea, and she still didnt agree with asking so many people to sacrifice themselves, even if they were willing to do so!
[Affirmative: Avatar conversation was transmitted to MIL-1 HQ via flag bridge systems.]
The young blue-haired girl spoke. Time is important. With more time, we can get more resources, and then we can build more things to stop bad people from coming again!
Alex felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. Her plan was going to kill millions of her own people. Because she couldnt think of something better.
The large nest project seems critical. H32 stated gravely.
It took her a moment before she realized what he was talking about. That wont be ready for weeks. Its definitely not ready now.
One of H32s tentacles suddenly turned toward Thea and pointed sharply.
The NAI turned an angry glare at H32. Get that thing out of my face or Ill chop it off.
A resounding growl surrounded the table. Friendly fire is not permitted by Mother.
Shes not MY mother, slime bags. Thea responded.
The little girl jumped up on her chair. Family shouldnt fight! Especially sisters and brothers!
The tentacle retracted, and Alex felt grateful shed not been required to police the rapidly devolving insanity inside her head. It was clear that she had finally gone insane; the stress had been too much, and Nameless had for some reason decided to throw her to her own destruction.
There was a second of nothing happening. She closed her eyes and pictured the clones going away.
Stop.
A wind whipped at her back, and then she opened her eyes. The clones had all been handcuffed and shackled.
Go away!
Like an angry blast wave, the clones hurtled through the air, being blown away like an angry god had blown out its birthday candles. The clones somersaulted and crashed into each other as they flashed back through the still open portals.
It was over in a few more seconds; all the Nameless clones were gone.
The others approached and formed a semi-circle around her, looking to her for guidance. Somehow, none of them were hurt.
Alex frowned. This isnt helping. Its just She let out a weary sigh and sat down on the floor. On the faces she could recognize frowns and worried likes filled them as they sat down as well.
H32 pointed another tentacle toward Thea, causing her to bat it away with her vibro blade.
I warned you about pointing those at me! she protested.
An alien growl filled the air, but H32 decided to not press as he turned toward Alex. This one should at least express its idea. It has merit.
Alex frowned, and her eyebrows furrowed. You mean the wormhole drive moonlet? I already told you, its not ready and useless.
Hadnt she said that to them? Or was it a memory of her realizing that herself? She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. It felt like her head was being squeezed, and it was hard to think.
Thea started to explain. Well A few days ago, I was thinking about that, actually. The humans have put in dozens of safeguards and built up the systems, but if we got rid of those and tossed them off the base, I thought I could have it running in a few hours.
Alex opened her eyes and looked at Thea. What?
Really, it seemed like everything was being slowed down on purpose; maybe no one really noticed it but all the basics have been installed already, but the humans have been dragging their feet. Lots of habitat space being installed for crew, while engineering spaces and fusion reactors remain uninstalled.
Tia frowned and looked at her. I dont have a record of that, and it doesnt make sense to me. Why would they be slowing things down?
Thea shrugged. Beats me. I was only there because Big Blue was too busy with the silly trial thing. Thea turned to look at her. Good job beating up the Drakar, by the way! I cant wait to see the video of that!
Alexs mouth hung open for a moment before she could think of anything to say. I was there. Everyone was working hard.
Thea raised an eyebrow. Do you even have any idea what a naval base working hard looks like? I assure you I have ten years of experience running a customs station twice the size of your little project. Theyve been doing the opposite of expedited the entire time.
Tia grunted and shook her head. Even if what you are saying is true, how do even suggest speeding things up? Making it operational in a few hours is ridiculous.
The little girl suddenly let out a squeal and jumped up, raising her hand. I know! I know! Two brilliant blue orbs shined at Alex. Pick me! Pick Me! I want to explain!
Thea winced and shrunk back from the girl. Ertan let her tell it before she has an aneurysm.
Alex nodded. Go ahead?
You can just take all the extra computronics modules from MIL-1A and toss them in the base and make a really, really big fabricator!
You cant do that! Do you want another disaster like the AGAI? Tia hissed.
Thea stood up and took a breath. Yeah, its dangerous, but yknow odds are pretty good for it to work. Its only what 3.58% chance to go sideways and turn whoever is doing it into goop along with everything attached? Got to pick someone mentally stable, though.
Thea turned to look at Alex and frowned. Sorry, Big Blue, but thats not you.
Alex glanced at Tia, causing Thea to shake her head. Sorry, not the princess, either. Youre both screwed up something fierce.
Are you saying YOU are more mentally stable than both of us? Tia asked pointedly.
Of course. Ive got everything Ive ever wanted, and being recombinated inside Big Blues head just to lay down this bit of wisdom is probably the most exciting thing thats happened to me since I got to explore her insides with my fingers!
Tia facepalmed while everyone else looked at Alex expectantly.
Iyou think this could work? Alex asked.
Tia sighed. Well, if she can get the wormhole drive working, I dont think flying the 6th fleet through it and showing up behind the Imperial and Ertan fleets would be a problem. If the Solarians retreat, it will take a half a day to get the 4th and 5th there, too. So tactically, it would be a coup.
Alex frowned. But youre all figments of my imagination.
Thea sat down on a chair that appeared from nowhere, then leaned back, resting her head on her arms. Well. Im pretty sure Im updated as of like, twenty hours ago, unlike some of those here. So, I can promise that when you message me about the memory, Ill figure it out as well. Even without a tentacle robot threatening me.
A threatening growl rumbled from H32, causing Alex to worry it was about to snap at the other NAI, but thankfully he quieted down as the little girl tugged on one of his tentacles holding up some kind of toy. It took it and began using it to draw.
Okay... okay. Enough of this. How do I get out of here? Alex asked.
Tia blinked. What? Isnt that something you should know already?
Alex opened her mouth, then closed it. Somehow, Tia was right.
She knew how to get out. Omega Override.
A blink returned her back to the MNS Aegis flag bridge. Captain Young was looking down at her with a frown. Are you alright, Ensign?
Uhh. Alex swallowed and looked around. Her HUD clock reported that only two minutes had gone by since the formation change. Sorry, Sir. I think I need that rest break, too.
His frown didnt disappear, but he nodded. Make sure you stay fresh. We are going to need everyone at their best when the time comes.
Alex nodded and escaped towards the temporary quarters shed been assigned in the officers section. A long hot shower was called for or she was going to fall to pieces or something.
But first she needed to send some priority messages back to her friends.
[Notice: A recording of recent events could be sent with the next transmission to sub-cores.]
"No thank you. I'll type one myself, Nameless." Alex mumbled. She couldn't manage to muster any more anger at the voice. "I'm not crazy. Make sure Elis' neural net is deleted, along with any others you didn't get permission to store."