The Earthfather: Magitech Legacy Book 8 by Chris Fox

Author:Chris Fox [Fox, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chris Fox Writes LLC
Published: 2023-09-05T16:00:00+00:00

INTERLUDE X - NEBIAT

Nebiat returned to her harvester, the vessel assigned to her use and transport, though she did not truly control it. The VI aboard operated independently, and she’d as of yet found no way to unduly influence the virtual intelligence. Such a feat could not be easily achieved with magic, and she lacked the technical skills to hack such an interface.

She was escorted to the bridge, where said VI manifested as a hologram, the technological equivalent to the illusions she herself would have used.

The creature had large bulbous eyes, and a tiny mouth. Prey’s mouth. This was no predator species, and it showed in the way they reasoned, and conducted themselves.

“We have monitored the footage from this encounter,” the VI explained, cocking its head. “We require your additional commentary, as the outcome is unclear. You voiced clear opposition to the entities self-designated as the Earth Flight. Why?”

“Because they are less than children.” Nebiat explained, then realized she would need to elaborate. “They are very, very young as my species measures such things. They lack experience, and have never been faced with a foe greater than themselves. These are the survivors who were secreted away before the conflict that tore apart their empire devoured them whole. They never fought in that war. They do not understand the stakes, nor the abilities that will be brought to bear against them. I need them to understand that, or we will all pay the price for their hubris.”

“Acknowledged.” The VI gave a nod. “A practical assessment of their combat abilities is useful. Offending them is an acceptable cost for delivering the necessary information. Hard truths, as the humans say. Can we hold against the forces assaulting us?”

“We are too outmatched.” Nebiat missed her old body. Simple gestures were denied her. Sending a programatic message to cause her too-thin limbs to move would never be satisfying in the same way. “They will annihilate this system and all within it. If we stay we will be destroyed too, and I do not believe our presence will influence the outcome.”

“Processing possible responses within the collective.” The VI went motionless, and remained that way for some time. Minutes? Finally the VI became responsive again. “We have reached a conclusion. More data is required before a final decision can be made. Flight can occur any time before battle is joined, and we do not wish to make an irreversible decision prematurely. If the battle can be won here, then the ultimate war may also be won. If not, then we must continue our mission of alerting all Void Wraith, in all remaining realities.”

“I see.” Nebiat provided no emotion inflection to the utterance. She too would wait and see. “Is there additional data required from the meeting, or may I be released to research tools for the coming battle?”

“You are released.” The VI vanished back into its cube.

Nebiat strode slowly through the ship, ignored by the other Void Wraith as she made her way down to the workshop they had provided her.

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