Nova Igniter by Joseph R. Lallo

Author:Joseph R. Lallo [Lallo, Joseph R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joseph R. Lallo
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

There were very few ways in which Karter Dee could be compared to Michella Modane, but one of them was his note-taking preferences. In a few short minutes he had scribbled seven pages full of notes and musings.

“What we need is a way to get in contact with Lex. Every second that idiot is being asked to use his brain instead of his reflexes is another step closer to oblivion,” Karter said.

“I think you underestimate Lex. He has tremendous insight and reliable instincts,” Ma said.

“This isn’t a performance review or a job interview, it’s a science problem, so quit talking him up and help out. What are the ways we can communicate surreptitiously? Optical transmissions work short-range for our purposes because they become too diffuse to be interpreted at long distance without getting washed out by the star’s radiation, but that doesn’t do us any good, because we need it to actually reach Lex.”

“It is unlikely that any communications methodology available to us will slip past the notice of the GenMechs under the control of EHRIc,” Ma said. “With the benefit of an intelligence, they are capable of eliminating any blind spots and overcoming any weakness.”

“Then we don’t go for weakness. We target strength.”

“This is a nonstandard tactic,” Ma said.

“Nonstandard tactics are what win battles when the other guy is too smart to be fooled by the standard ones. It’s the whole fencing thing. Flailing around like an idiot is one of the best ways to score a point on a seasoned fencer because they’re used to more sensible attacks.”

“I am not certain that applies in this situation.”

Karter grumbled incomprehensibly for a moment. “Give me the full data scan of a standard GenMech unit in the swarm and the full schematics for the design we installed with Lex’s last mission.”

Two emitters in the ceiling of Karter’s cluttered quarters activated. The requested data displayed side by side.

“Run a diff on available design details.”

“Unless currently utilized in a specialized rosette, available data on current model of GenMech is superficially identical in structure and emission patterns.”

“So EHRIc is keeping them stock. Makes sense. It was an optimized design. Flexible.”

“Karter, at the risk of distracting you, I have a question regarding your current behavior.”

“I haven’t brushed my teeth because I’m waiting for the polymer bonding agent in my bicuspid to cure, and you know that. The synthetics are tricky. Quit badgering me about it.”

“The issue was not your hygiene.”

“Then what?”

“You are devoting an uncharacteristic amount of effort to this particular task, given your usual level of self-interest.”

“Preserving the integrity of the galaxy I live in is relevant to my self-interest.”

“You have already pointed out that you have the ability and intention to escape to an unthreatened period of history if things become intractable. Yet you remain in a space station that is one of the only inhabited structures near enough to be almost certain to be destroyed if the GenMech cluster activates.”

“We’re FTL-ready, and you’ve got nanosecond reflexes. We’ll get away.”

“I think you understand the point of my observation.

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