An Axe To Grind by Jon R Osborne

An Axe To Grind by Jon R Osborne

Author:Jon R Osborne [Osborne, Jon R]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Seventh Seal Press
Published: 2020-03-24T22:00:00+00:00


* * *

Ashok scuttled back to the shuttle, eager to return to his quarters aboard the Bountiful Excess. The crude shelter the Human mercenaries operated in barely reduced the ambient dust and reeked of their sweat and food stuff. The Human commander had remained adamant regarding the three-cycle delay—72 of their hours—despite Ashok’s offer of additional financial incentive.

Perhaps he should have located the Besquith before opening negotiations? If the commander had delayed in hopes that his personnel could locate the quarry, Ashok could expedite the process.

“What did you find?” Ashok asked the elSha technician waiting in the shuttle. The shuttle shuddered with liftoff. Ashok grabbed the straps of his harness and secured himself.

One of the elSha’s eyes tracked Ashok. “The mammals are cleverer than I gave them credit for,” the technician admitted. “They detected our attempted intrusion.”

“I am quite aware.” Ashok remembered the large Human’s outburst. His temper rivalled Master Archivist Heloxi’s. “The commander objected to our investigations. Were they hiding an artificial intelligence?”

The elSha made a derisive click. “These monkeys? Whoever provided the lead doesn’t know much about AIs. The Humans use a multi-node, networked, virtual intelligence—advanced for them—but not a self-aware AI.”

“It’s just as well they don’t,” Ashok said. If the technician had discovered that the mercenaries harbored an artificial intelligence, it could have given Ashok another negotiating advantage. How would Commander Tovesson have reacted if Ashok threatened to expose their AI? Ashok shuddered in his safety harness. It was just as well they didn’t have one. “What else did you find?”

“Boring stuff. Their roster and equipment manifest are out-of-date, so I hope enough gear and soldiers survived Peepo’s invasion for your mission.”

“The commander seemed confident,” Ashok stated. Even if the Humans did not eliminate or capture the target, the attack should disrupt UCX operations. “Have you connected to the planetary network?”

The technician clicked again. “They modeled their network on the GalNet but used out-of-date equipment. A trainee and a Lumar could hack this network. Do you want to know how many files depict mating activity?”

“No.”

“A lot. I mean, a lot a lot.” The elSha shook his head in disgust. “What am I searching for?”

“Find out anything you can regarding Besquith incarcerated by the planetary government,” Ashok replied. “I am sending you two UAAC identities.”



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