A.I. Void Ship by Vaughn Heppner

Author:Vaughn Heppner [Heppner, Vaughn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-02-06T22:00:00+00:00

-6-

“You discovered the identity of the Seiner infiltrator,” Ree said some time later.

“I did,” Zeta said. “I submit that she originally tricked us with her humanlike skin-suit.”

“I do not see how that could have been possible.”

“The reason is almost unfathomable. In some manner I have not yet determined, she stole power from us. It was an unconscious act, but still, it gave her greater resources than she normally would have possessed against us. The Seiner actually intruded in several of the tests.”

“Are you claiming that she tricked me while taking her tests?”

“It is not a theoretical claim,” Zeta said, “it is on record. Without a doubt, the Seiner tricked you in more ways than one.”

The ball of energy that was Ree took on a strange orange color. “Of course, I know. The statement was…an exclamation of the event. You must know that the record will diminish my standing. I will never gain status in the Sisterhood.”

“You are mistaken,” Zeta said. “Your situation is much worse than that.”

Ree said nothing for a time as she pulsated in contemplation. Finally, “It would be a shame if that record was lost somehow during our long journey home.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“I?” Ree asked innocently. “Nothing, nothing at all. It was a statement without meaning.”

“I am not sure that is accurate.”

“Surely you cannot be suggesting that I think you would or should deliberately destroy the damning record.”

“That would be against all the dictates of Enoy,” Zeta said.

“That is why I spoke it as a joke, a jest. Yes. I see now that such a joke was made in poor taste. Please. Forget I ever said that.”

Zeta did not reply.

“It is these humans,” Ree said. “Their proximity stains us with their vile emotions and sick thoughts, which must bleed into us.”

“It might also be the Seiner,” Zeta said. “They are a venal race. They would subvert the humans if they could. In fact, they have subverted many of the apish creatures on the planet Earth, keeping them under secret thrall.”

“The humans and Seiners deserve each other, and both deserve to die. The universe could use more purely motivated races.”

“An interesting idea,” Zeta said. “The AIs have pure motives.”

“As killers, yes,” Ree said. “They would also eradicate us if they could.”

“True, true,” Zeta said. “I suppose you will wish to dispose of the humans yourself.”

“It will be my pleasure.”

“What of the Seiner?” Zeta asked.

“She deserves real pain for what she caused,” Ree said. “I have lost my chance for greatness because of her. The idea is galling in the extreme.”

“I have found you to be a faithful and hard worker, Ree. I am sad to realize that you will be rendered null once we reach home.”

“Null?” asked Ree.

“I thought you understood. The record does not lie. You failed to detect the Seiner. To maintain its purity, the Sisterhood demands perfection. A null fate is the best you can hope for now.”

Ree became thoughtful as she pulsated once more. “Perhaps we can extend our patrol time.”

“Stay out here on the fringes longer than necessary?” Zeta asked.

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