part of their ships as was the anchor drive, an integral, reliable system rather than a merely flesh-and-blood addition to it.
Kajic was the first prototype of a radical new technique, one that had the potential to transform the Ethnarch’s Military Presidium into an unopposable force across the region. Naturally, there would be resistance to the idea. Those sympathetic to the cause of coexistence, and those who believed the process itself to be an immoral perversion of the “natural” Pristine state, would be eager to see the project fail.
“I’m still being tested,” he said, almost to himself. Despite all the implants, and his three unalterable priorities—which, even now, throbbed in his mind like guilt—he still wasn’t completely trusted.
And if he failed to complete the mission—and thereby failed the test—what would happen to him? Would he be excised from the ship and thrown out with the scraps? Of what possible use would a man such as he be—one flayed and twisted, unable even to live without the aid of expensive machines?
capture Al and Roche with as much stealth as possible
Priority C stabbed at his thoughts like a physical pain, an ache in his left temple. In this, at least, he had failed—and whoever was watching him knew it too.
But the mission wasn’t lost yet. Priorities A and B remained to be fulfilled. If he could only do so quickly enough, he could salvage his honor.
Focus, he told himself, dispensing with his doubts. Focus.
Makaev hadn’t moved during the split second it took him to think the situation through. She denied knowing about the back door. Perhaps it was true, although he doubted it. She may not have been directly involved, but she must surely have been aware of the monitoring taking place.
He sighed. “We can discuss this later. For now, though, tell me about this shuttle.”
“It seems that it escaped the destruction of the COE frigate under cover of the debris,” she explained, her face carefully deadpan. “The Paladin moved to intercept, but it managed to evade them.”
“You said it crashed,” said Kajic. “Were there any survivors?”
“Unknown at this stage, but unlikely. The explosion was detectable from orbit.”
Kajic mulled this over. “Any progress yet in the wreckage of the frigate?”
Makaev shook her head. “The dispersal pattern of the fragments has been thoroughly mapped and studied— twice—but our scanners and probes have failed to locate the AI.”
“So it must have been in the shuttle.”
“That conclusion seems obvious, sir.”
Kajic glanced sharply at his second in command, but her face was still stonily blank.
“Has the wreckage of the shuttle been investigated?” he asked.
“Not yet. A search party is on its way as we speak. The authorities at Port Parvati assure me that no detail will escape their attention.”
“Have you told them what we’re looking for?”
“Of course not, sir. They are simply to study the wreckage and convey the data to us.”
“At considerable expense, no doubt.” The Port Parvati wardens were voracious—and if there was one thing Kajic hated, it was fighting a war with money—but there was no other option. His future, if not his life, might well depend on their help.
Kajic’s instincts continued to nag at him. He felt that he was in danger of letting success slip through his fingers unless he acted decisively.
at all costs
If the AI wasn’t in the wreckage of the Midnight , then it must have escaped in the shuttle. The Espionage Corps had, however, reported that in its present form the AI wasn’t able to move itself. Its escape must therefore have been facilitated by someone else. And as it was also known to be secure-cuffed to the wrist of a COE Intelligence agent...
“Instruct them to expand the search,” he said. “Tell them we are looking for survivors.”
“Sir?”
“We have underestimated our opponent, Atalia.”
“Opponent?” Atalia Makaev could not conceal her
Kajic was the first prototype of a radical new technique, one that had the potential to transform the Ethnarch’s Military Presidium into an unopposable force across the region. Naturally, there would be resistance to the idea. Those sympathetic to the cause of coexistence, and those who believed the process itself to be an immoral perversion of the “natural” Pristine state, would be eager to see the project fail.
“I’m still being tested,” he said, almost to himself. Despite all the implants, and his three unalterable priorities—which, even now, throbbed in his mind like guilt—he still wasn’t completely trusted.
And if he failed to complete the mission—and thereby failed the test—what would happen to him? Would he be excised from the ship and thrown out with the scraps? Of what possible use would a man such as he be—one flayed and twisted, unable even to live without the aid of expensive machines?
capture Al and Roche with as much stealth as possible
Priority C stabbed at his thoughts like a physical pain, an ache in his left temple. In this, at least, he had failed—and whoever was watching him knew it too.
But the mission wasn’t lost yet. Priorities A and B remained to be fulfilled. If he could only do so quickly enough, he could salvage his honor.
Focus, he told himself, dispensing with his doubts. Focus.
Makaev hadn’t moved during the split second it took him to think the situation through. She denied knowing about the back door. Perhaps it was true, although he doubted it. She may not have been directly involved, but she must surely have been aware of the monitoring taking place.
He sighed. “We can discuss this later. For now, though, tell me about this shuttle.”
“It seems that it escaped the destruction of the COE frigate under cover of the debris,” she explained, her face carefully deadpan. “The Paladin moved to intercept, but it managed to evade them.”
“You said it crashed,” said Kajic. “Were there any survivors?”
“Unknown at this stage, but unlikely. The explosion was detectable from orbit.”
Kajic mulled this over. “Any progress yet in the wreckage of the frigate?”
Makaev shook her head. “The dispersal pattern of the fragments has been thoroughly mapped and studied— twice—but our scanners and probes have failed to locate the AI.”
“So it must have been in the shuttle.”
“That conclusion seems obvious, sir.”
Kajic glanced sharply at his second in command, but her face was still stonily blank.
“Has the wreckage of the shuttle been investigated?” he asked.
“Not yet. A search party is on its way as we speak. The authorities at Port Parvati assure me that no detail will escape their attention.”
“Have you told them what we’re looking for?”
“Of course not, sir. They are simply to study the wreckage and convey the data to us.”
“At considerable expense, no doubt.” The Port Parvati wardens were voracious—and if there was one thing Kajic hated, it was fighting a war with money—but there was no other option. His future, if not his life, might well depend on their help.
Kajic’s instincts continued to nag at him. He felt that he was in danger of letting success slip through his fingers unless he acted decisively.
at all costs
If the AI wasn’t in the wreckage of the Midnight , then it must have escaped in the shuttle. The Espionage Corps had, however, reported that in its present form the AI wasn’t able to move itself. Its escape must therefore have been facilitated by someone else. And as it was also known to be secure-cuffed to the wrist of a COE Intelligence agent...
“Instruct them to expand the search,” he said. “Tell them we are looking for survivors.”
“Sir?”
“We have underestimated our opponent, Atalia.”
“Opponent?” Atalia Makaev could not conceal her
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