Lost Valyr by Pauline Baird Jones

Author:Pauline Baird Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942583592
Publisher: Pauline Baird Jones

It was the most human reaction CabeX had had for a long time, this relief that events were moving too quickly for a confession about the messages. It was not logical. They had time for both and more. All of them could do millions of calculations and actions. The only time they were limited was during physical activity. Like humans, they could only do one physical action at a time, but movement did not limit their processing processes. And they could react much faster than any human as the Quh'y had learned too late.

Still, he took the excuse. And found he rationalized—another new old emotion. There had not been a follow-up message, as was usual. He tried to feel relief that the messages may have resolved themselves. That the sender might be past helping. He did not let himself think that it might be a distance issue.

He would not…hope.

Was it hope he felt? He was not sure. It had been too long to remember irrational hope. Their ship, all the crew, operated on hope, but it was not irrational. It was very focused and strategic. A most attainable hope.

He took his place on the bridge, connected physically to the ship’s controls. Kraye was in his place, and AzumC was in the secondary pilot’s position. All the crew were at their stations and on alert status.

“Update report.” CabeX used voice commands for the benefit of Kraye.

MicroP reported for him and RaptorZ. “Target is still resisting the probe. We are unable to scan the interior. The last scan showed a new heat signature. Assume the outpost is on high alert.”

CabeX knew this, but Kraye had not. Sometimes it was boring always to know.

“Well, they did know we were coming?” Kraye said philosophically. “Any idea how much resistance we should expect?”

“Resistance has been in proportion to our intrusion attempts so far,” MicroP said.

Was the outpost truly sentient? Or reacting to their program? They did not wish to go to war with one of their own kind, but this made him only more determined to gain access. What was it protecting? Could it protect them?

“What about negotiating with it?” Kraye asked.

“If we open a channel of communication, we risk an attack on our systems,” MicroP told him. “It would be more optimal to negotiate face-to-face.”

If their firewall expert were unwilling to risk their systems over a comm channel, CabeX would not override him, no matter how much he too desired advanced negotiations. It would be initially safer—but ultimately more difficult—to attempt negotiating after using force to enter the complex.

He had no doubt they could breach any physical barriers. Like the previous outpost, this one had an access tunnel from the surface. For them, this was a path inside. There was no resistance the outpost could mount that could keep them out.

The toxic atmosphere was no barrier either though Kraye would need special protective gear. All felt it was advisable he join the breach team since there was a minor human presence. In normal conditions, their imposing physical form was an inducement to give them what they wanted.

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