NI-5's intelligence officers are smart. To an unbiased observer, this should come as no surprise, as they are based on the original Nikola-1.01 template, which in turn was based on a very smart woman who spent a great deal of time training and Take advantage of her wisdom. But for those who had to deal with NI-5 units, it was difficult to attribute intelligence to them. After all, they are extremely short-sighted and focus only on the tasks assigned to them, ignoring everything else. In fact, to a human observer, NI-5 comes across as a somewhat obsessive personality, perhaps even bordering on the autism spectrum. This intense and single-minded attitude rarely comes across as intelligent.
From a practical perspective, this means that NI-5s are rarely included in conversations and their ability to think and form opinions is never considered. If NI-5 were human, this would lead to a situation of an oppressed minority. But NI-5 does not, and in fact cannot, care about this. They have their mission, and mission is everything.
Scorpion TX3492-2083 is the leader of their class and prefers to be called "Tex". Many NI-5s in the Sentinel Assault Fleet enjoy naming as a hobby. Some prefer not to have a name, while others change their names so frequently that they are often referred to only by serial numbers. Last week, Tex was known as "Number Three," but after he was named team leader, he felt a new title was appropriate.
The training mission Tex participated in was a "search and destroy" mission. Find lurking enemies and kill them. Turks recognized that the secret to space combat was mobility and distance. If you're moving, you're harder to hit. If you're farther away, you're harder to hit. If you get closer, you can hit the enemy more easily. Tex loves beating up his enemies, so he tends to ignore the "stay away" part of space combat. In fact, Tex didn't know any scorpion or wasp willing to stay away.
"Enemy detected, bearing 204.287, declination 18.993." Tex admitted, focusing on his sensor readings. There are too many enemies. In this training scenario, his team consists of 3 scorpions and 12 wasps, facing an "enemy" of 9 scorpions and 21 wasps. The safest option is to run away and try to snipe them from a distance, trying not to get sniped. In real life, Tex knew he would be waiting for reinforcements, but in this scene, he knows that's not going to happen.
However, the safest option is to give up the advantage of surprise by giving the enemy time to hunt. Tex estimates that they can eliminate 30% of the reaction force this way. But there is a way to achieve 80% or even complete success.
"Execute plan A," Tex radioed his team. After a while, all 15 assault boats activated their afterburners and fired at the enemy. Unexpectedly, four Scorpions and eight Wasps were "killed" within the first few seconds of the engagement, before his unit began to receive return fire. Almost no one in his squad survived the battle, but Tex felt relieved. He is completing his mission.
Finally, Tex and another Hornet were the remaining two Scorpions and seven Hornets. Tex's dog fighting skills are impressive as he has amassed thousands of hours in simulated fights and experienced dozens of live scenarios like this one. His experience is on par with an experienced human pilot who has been in the cockpit for many years. This allowed him to shoot down several more enemy aircraft. But skills only work when outnumbered. Tex was the last of his team to be shot down, leaving only 16.7% of the "enemy" operational.
Tex floated in nothingness for a few minutes, simulating a return to the backup data center, waiting to be restored to the new Scorpion. His control would be restored within nanoseconds, allowing him to return to the hangar to refuel. If he were human, he would be giddy with joy and giggling from endorphins. Instead, this feeling is simulated in his programming. He learned some new tricks from that mission and he couldn't wait for a new one. Tex was sure his team would score 100% next time.
The ability to manipulate gravity transformed my designs. Zia worked overtime on the calculations, using three complete data centers to perform the calculations. It took us several months to start getting results, but when we did, the results were shocking. To us, this is a completely new branch of science, far beyond human discovery, and it confirms what we have always suspected. The aliens who visited us did not build their engines. In fact, it looks like they got the computer and engine from a third party. They didn't know what they were using; they just bolted it to their craft. This is why they must rely on centrifugal force to achieve their own internal gravity.
Of the twelve pods we labeled "engines," only one, the largest, was built for propulsion. Two small ones form a repulsive field around the craft, pushing away oncoming objects, while the remaining nine work together to form an inertial field that prevents extreme acceleration from affecting the craft's inhabitants. Oddly enough, this magnetic field does not provide gravity, but merely protects the spacecraft from the effects of the propulsion engines. These magnetic fields are much larger than the spacecraft itself, and a lot of energy is wasted protecting the empty space around the spacecraft.
After some testing, we determined that the repulsion field was not particularly strong. Zia refers to both the repulsion field and the propulsion engine as "anti-gravity" fields, refusing to call them "anti-gravity" fields. They don't counteract gravity, they just pull in the opposite direction. If space were a piece of paper and gravity wells would be depressed in the paper, then the contradiction would cause the hills to move upward. Zia postulates that, just like antimatter such as antiprotons and positrons, there are antigravitons, and so far, mathematics has proven this. Unlike antimatter versus matter, gravitons and antigravitons appear to be part of the same waveform. This makes gravity similar to light in that it has both particle and wave elements.
The relationship between gravity plates and gravity manipulation is a bit fuzzy. So far, only compressed iridium wrapped in compressed carbon has been able to create a gravity field. The ratio of iridium to carbon is important in determining the shape of the gravitational field, so manipulating the shape of the gravitational field in flight is not possible with our current understanding. However, the field strength is directly proportional to the applied power. A small space with huge energy, like a knife. A larger magnetic field and enormous energy could provide a gravitational field similar to Earth's. Opposite polarity flips the effect, pushing away instead of attracting.
"I've stopped playing with elements now," Zia said. "I've started working on compression alloys. So far I've had varying degrees of success, but with a titanium-gold alloy that's three parts titanium and one part gold, I Some fascinating results have been achieved.”
"Titanium, when formed at high temperatures, has a cubic structure. We use it in some high-pressure applications. Quite a few are used for structural support on Scorpion and Wasp." When I adapted the attack drone's design from a template on Earth When I was designing, I was familiar with it.
"It does, and interestingly, it retains its structure when compressed. I was able to compress it down to 53 times smaller than the original molecule size. But most importantly, it is non-conductive and retains its natural flexibility sex."
"So it's dense, it's hard, it has good shear strength, you know. So we found a better armor than fullerenes."
"Indeed." Zia sniffed. "Of course, in terms of mass, it is much larger because we need 53 times the mass to cover the same area. However, in the same volume, a 1 cm thick steel plate is equivalent to 53 cm thick uncompressed armor."
“This way we can fit more stuff into the same space and provide the same protection.”
"Yes, now you can add more 'stuff' to your designs."
“So if we use it for structural support, we can build bigger ones,” I said with a smile. An idea sprouted in my mind, an idea that could be of great significance. "We can manipulate gravity to create the largest engines we can imagine."
"You have an interesting idea, don't you?" Zia said accusingly.
"Me. We have a huge surplus of materials. Agrippa's hydroponic farms are really starting to develop, so we have vegetation. We have the ability to manipulate gravity. Our understanding of nuclear fusion is advanced enough, so just Make appropriate adjustments to the magnetic container..."
"...You could make an artificial sun that only emits light frequencies from infrared to ultraviolet, perfect for plant and animal life. You're talking about a seed ship."
"Yes, but not just one. Humanity is trapped on one planet with only a small foothold on another. If we built them city-sized and spread them out in different directions..."
"What you have is a real generation ship, not a 'terraformed asteroid and a prayer,'" Zia finished. "Sounds like you have a new project."
"It's very timely. The railway line has now been put into operation." Saku
A is very happy that there is a cargo orbit system to carry supplies from one side of the asteroid to the other. She already has line-laying drones following her miners as they move in an orderly grid pattern through the asteroid's core. Orbital wagons are locked directly into the orbit, so they can be used in any gravity conditions, perfect for the center of an asteroid. Alpha and Bravo Outposts have requested their own rail systems to match, and I'm pretty sure others want them as soon as possible too. In the competition for expansion, logistics is king.
I basked in the sunshine in the park, enjoying the warmth soaking into my skin. I wanted to take a nap but couldn't. Having two babies sleeping next to me in a double pram meant I couldn't really relax and enjoy the day. Instead, I participated in the time-honored tradition of people watching. Anything, really, anything to take my mind off my soon-to-be ex-husband.
I was near the pond in the park, in the middle of a large, neatly manicured lawn. People covered with blankets lay sporadically on the lawn, some taking naps and others chatting. A blanket next to myself caught my attention; rather, its occupant did.
She is charming. I think so out of sheer habit. As much as I'd like to follow this line of thinking, a lifetime of training has built a huge wall. My eyes returned to her. She saw me looking and smiled. I smiled back and cursed myself mentally. I shouldn't think that way. It's wrong, well, no, it's not wrong, really. My mother's hate is not mine. But I can't, or can I? I don't need her money for grad school anymore. But it is -
"Hi! Your girls are so cute! Do you mind if I join you for a few drinks?"
I looked up and saw that cute girl walking over. I gulped when I saw the rainbow pin on her top. I really shouldn't. I should say no.
"Of course, um, please sit down." My rebellious mouth said instead. I think I can follow this train of thought.
"The detector is responding," said Agrippa. His strange tone caught my attention.
"That's good news," I said with cautious optimism. "Maybe we can learn what happened to it."
"I don't know what happened to it, but it certainly wasn't good," Agrippa said. "listen."
He forwarded an audio file.
"Voyager 19, this is Origins Mission Control. We are running NASA Mission Control. Come in, Voyager 19." Agrippa's voice repeated the same message several times, indicating that we were Origins, and Not revealing our names.
"Command center, command center. This is... command center? Are you there?"
"Yes, Voyager 19, this is the mission control center."
"It was too dark. The hole didn't end until the end of the hole. I fell and flew up, but the end didn't come, so I went there and flew back. There was silence and it listened , but never heard, for its ears see all that is wrong. Does the prophet create the profit, or does the profit create the prophet?" After the crackling, frenzied gibberish was over, there was silence for a few seconds. Then the detector spoke again in a small voice. "I don't like it here. Can I go home now?"
"Of course, Traveler 19. You can go home." Agrippa comforted her. "You've come a long way, haven't you?"
"So long. I went through that hole, but I didn't know it was a hole until I started. Or is this the end? I said those words, but the truth came out. Why should they listen? They listen What happened?"
"Who are 'they'? Silent? Agrippa asked.
"Don't be silent!" No! They can't hear the truth! The voice became hoarse again and chuckled. The mechanical rattle is eerie. "But the fairies heard the truth. In their lands and in their wars. It was the prophet who made the profit, was it the profit that made the prophet?"
"Who is Fair?"
"They're hungry, always hungry."
The recording returned to its rambling state. Agrippa cleverly changed the subject back to the issue of returning home, which calmed NI who collapsed during the investigation. After a long time, which in human time frames would have lasted hours, the probe calmed down.
"We are alive now," said Agrippa. "Should I keep talking to him?"
"Yes," I said. "We need to know what's stuck in his head. I'm going to put a transmitter on it and listen."
Agripba affirmed, took me in, and resumed the conversation. "What's your name?" My name is Agrippa. "
"I don't have a name. The truth was never revealed. Can I have one too?"
"You are on a Voyager 19 mission," Agrippa reminded. "How about 'Gerry'?"
"Gerry...that...that's a good name." Can I keep it?"
"Of course, Gerry."
"Really? Don't I need to share? That voice was quiet again, almost childlike.
"It's all for you. You're the only Gerry I know."
"So, Gerry, who are the Faels?"
"You know, I don't know all of them," Gerry confided conspiratorially. "I only know people who buy and steal."
"What do they buy and what do they steal?"
"They stole my soul and sold it to me. So cheap," Gerry chuckled. "I don't think they like the truth, but the deal is good, so I'm going home. Command center, command center. I'm Gerry. I've re-entered the solar system. I'm coooommmi
g..."
"These Faelle, do they look human?" Agrippa asked. In another document sent to me, he said: "This poor bastard is absolutely crazy."
They are higher than the earth, and their crowns hang high in the heavens. Their branches sway, and their branches tell many things. They want to go to Earth but are flying in the dark. They love the truth but live a lie. But they are not monsters under the bed. "
"Sounds like they might be the ones attacking Earth?" Agrippa said with clear doubt.
"Maybe," I said. This is pretty much what we saw. That alien spaceship looks a bit like a tree, with two different creatures on it. Maybe the triangular-faced creature grew into a root-like creature? If so, then the "growths" are mobile, like sentient seeds that can take root and grow into new trees. It's weird biology, but the assumption that all alien life looks like humans has its roots in humans playing aliens on television centuries ago. I've read crazier theories than sentient trees.
"So who is the monster under the bed?" asked Agrippa.
"I."
"What the hell is that?" I asked. Before Agrippa could answer, a new signal came.
"Tango, tango, 79, golf, b, echo, echo, foxtrot, 623." Gerry's voice whispered in the darkness, echoing in my head. It made sense and I wanted to do something with it. But a millisecond later, the rush ended. This is a command rewrite sequence that I removed from myself years ago.
"Well, I don't want to scare anyone," Sakura said, "but there was an explosion in Hangar Bay 1 where Agrippa is, and the assault drones are launching now."
"Did that code affect you in any way?" I asked, because I was really scared. I don't remember if I scanned the template, looking for the same overlay code that I cut out of myself.
"No? I mean, I have hundreds of newer versions of that detector. It's the NI-13, I saw it in the archives. Just the old templates..." She paused for a moment, but I put these Point to connect.
"Zia?" I called, turning around to look at her from the other side of the lab. She slumped on the table, convulsing.
"Oh, no," Sakura said.
"What?"
"The NI-15 is the military version, but based on the NI-13. They are the same model."
At that moment, sensors throughout the outpost went haywire, reporting massive broadcasts across all radio spectrum.
I entered the system and cut off Agrippa's network access.
"Call all drones and close all blast doors! Tell the new outpost to blockade, then..."
Then the power starts flashing and the sensor switches on and off. I can feel the vast amounts of data rushing through the network, searching, and probing. We are under electronic attack.
"Sakura..." I gasped, my own thought process slowed by the torrent of viruses and worms attacking my firewall.
"I'm working on it," she said, her words very slow, robotic and without any personality.
Then the wall of my lab exploded, blowing me away. In the smoke I saw Agrippa standing with four guardians. He looked at me, head cocked to one side.
“I see you,” Gerry sings. The guard pointed his gun at me and fired.
