Hatchling by Chris Fox

Author:Chris Fox [Fox, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chris Fox Writes LLC
Published: 2020-03-14T04:00:00+00:00

18

I was conscious of the eyes on me when I answered Kek’s question. The squad was watching, as were Kek’s companions. It seemed they could all understand us, though they seemed to prefer conversing in their native tongue, which I wished I had the time to study properly.

“We were partially successful,” I finally answered, and it seemed to fit. I started walking up the corridor, and waited for Kek to fall in beside me with that awkward shamble of limbs before I spoke again. “Cindra won’t oppose us, but she won’t consent to becoming Guardian of this ship. I’m convinced that’s what it most needs. A mind to tame the swarm and shape it back into the ordered mass the Web was intended to be.”

“Hmm,” Kek exclaimed. His staff clicked on the deck in time with his lurching gait, and I found a rhythm there I’d missed before. “What qualities must this Guardian possess? Have you observed one? Did you have them on your world?”

It occurred to me that this ship comprised Kek’s entire world, and that unlike the hatchlings he didn’t seem aware of the signals Kemet had broadcast. He lived like an ancient scholar in some isolated colony.

“Almost all Catalysts have a Guardian,” I explained, as Kemet had explained it to me. “That Guardian serves as a protector, archivist, and even an executioner, depending on need. In the case of this ship they are a kind of steward that keeps it all running. They’d be connected to the Web, and to the swarm. That’s why Cindra isn’t interested. The swarm is insane, and touching insanity…well, it spreads.”

I shivered and glanced at the wall next to me. It crawled with spiders…until I looked it directly. Then the wall was empty, unless you counted pitted rust stains.

“This Guardian,” Kek prompted as we continued away from Cindra’s territory, the rest of the squad behind us. “They must posses an iron will, yes? A trained will?”

“I’d imagine so. They’d also need to be a powerful fire mage, or they’ll never survive the union with that core.” I wrapped my hand around the grip of my new, as of yet unnamed, pistol, then glanced down in sudden realization. I’d been touched by the core, and so had it.

I drew the pistol and examined the changes as we walked. The metal had taken on a dusky red tint, and I could feel the power within it. The flame, waiting to be discharged. I could also feel a child-like intelligence, the barest beginnings of a mind.

The weapon was more potent than Ariela had been. She’d never developed speech, though occasionally I had empathic impressions from her. This pistol, though, already seemed to possess that much intelligence.

“You really like it?” Vee asked as she moved up on the side opposite Kek.

“It’s amazing. Thank you. Again.” I holstered her again. “I have a feeling she’ll tell me her name when she’s ready.”

“It seems you are already bonding the weapon,” Kek chittered, three of his eyes fixed on my holster, while the rest studied other angles.

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