The Assassin
Chapter 27
Action (TY53-month 631)
I was dressed in my battle gear, including skinsuit and facemask, and fully armed. I received word the council—or what remained of it—had begun transporting to the palace and would wait for me. I hoped I wouldn’t need to use my weapons and tools on any of the mayors. I stepped onto the transporter nexus when it lit up and disappeared from the citadel.
I did not arrive in the audience chamber. The confused Tara AI tried to troubleshoot where I’d gone to and was surveying every transporter pad on the planet to see where I’d emerged.
I came out in a hall several stories beneath the Governor’s palace. A lone guard stood in the room and was surprised when I stepped off the pad. He started to raise his stinger and I threw the boomerang. He fell to the floor unconscious before the stinger had come to bear. I picked up my weapon and left through the only doorway in the room. I turned on my headlamp as I descended flight after flight of dark stairs.
“It’s a long way down here,” I mumbled. “Are you sure I’m in the right place?” My question was met with silence. I wondered if I had exceeded the range of my communications with Cricket. It was spookily silent. Even the scrape of my boots seemed muted. I sealed the mask of the skinsuit and could see clearly, aided by the light on my helmet.
I entered the core room at last and swept my head lamp across the small area. Green mineral deposits were scattered everywhere. It was obvious that maintenance had been performed to chip the deposits off the core chamber itself. A recycling unit was equally coated with the green crystals and stood broken and idle. A pickaxe lay nearby. That was probably the reason for the guarded transport chamber and stairs. Someone had to come down here periodically and chip the slag off the core. It looked like it had been a long time since it was last maintained. I wasn’t going to get to the core with it covered in the deposits, so I decided that was where I should start. I used the pickaxe to begin tapping the minerals off the core.
I don’t know if I expected recognition from the AI or something like HAL’s verbal defense asking me not to shut it down. Everything was silent except my hammering at the rocks. It felt as though the minerals were somehow a living being as they seemed to cling tenaciously to the housing of the AI core. The dust hung on my skinsuit and I imagined it binding to the fibers and growing on me. Eventually, I managed to clear the deposit from the hatch.
The tools I’d been given were not human, but Cricket had given me a sleep learning session on how they were used—normally by robotics. I didn’t fully understand the principles on which they operated, but my hands had practiced using them. The cover was supposed to snap off, but the mineral deposits prevented an immediate release. I had to go back to pickaxe to remove enough for the hatch to release.
Looking at the core of an AI is a strange thing. It gave a whole new meaning to the term ‘solid state.’ The green mineral had coated what otherwise looked like a large capsule. It was nearly two meters long and half that in diameter. It was still eerie that I’d had no contact with anyone other than the guard since I transported off Ponderosa. I heard nothing and saw only what was in front of me. I hit the core with my axe but, of course, nothing happened aside from some of the mineral deposit chipping off. I stepped back and aimed my pulse rifle at the core and fired a long burst. The mineral deposit glowed and it looked like the capsule got hotter, but I didn’t penetrate anything.
The next step was to try extreme cold. The AIs had developed the chemical we used to fight fire and said by grinding the pellets into a crystalline form and mixing another chemical with it on delivery, we could drop the temperature generated to about two degrees Kelvin. Inside my miniature firehose were two small transporters. When I squeezed the trigger the two chemicals were transported out the barrel to combine in a mist. This coated the capsule. I swung my heavy hammer at it and heard a distinctive crack. Only one, no matter how frequently I hit it. The chemicals were dissipating as they warmed in the air. I could detect a fine crack in the capsule, but as I watched, nanites were healing the injury. There was one more chance I could try before setting powerful explosives and essentially killing myself down here. I put a fresh cartridge in the pulse rifle and hoped it would be enough. I started with the firehose again dropping the temperature of the case as far as I could. Then I switched to the pulse rifle and sprayed the capsule with fire, using up most of my ammunition in an extended burst. The capsule glowed hotter and hotter until even the mineral clinging to it was white hot. This time, the crack was loud and long. I hit it repeatedly with my hammer and the fissures spread across the capsule. I sank the pickaxe into the fissure and pried it wider. Pieces began to break off the capsule with the green mineral as I continued to hammer away.
And finally, there was a sound. Nothing human or identifiable with what I’d come to expect from an AI. It was a long slow moan. In my head I heard a single syllable. “Peace.”
I jumped back when the capsule split in two and rolled out of its protective chamber. It lay in pieces on the floor in front of me. Inside the protective chamber, dozens of connections were sealing themselves off. I knew it was not yet enough.
I switched to my modified rifle and began firing repeated EMP micro bursts into the broken capsule until the connections stopped sealing themselves. The nanites were dead.
«We’re in, Niall. Tara AI has released control of all the planetary systems. Teddy is taking over as we restore services throughout the colony,» Cricket spoke through my implant. I was glad to hear him.
«I believe Tara AI is dead,» I said. «I’m heading for the transporter pad, but get me to a decontamination station. This green mineral dust is all over my suit.»
I planted explosives on the raw edges of the core and headed back up the stairs as fast as I could, which after about two hundred steps was not very fast at all. I paused at the top of the stairs and removed an explosive charge from my belt, set the timer, and threw it back down the stairs as hard as I could. I scooped up the unconscious guard and scarcely made the transporter pad when I heard and felt the charge go off. I was out of there.
I woke up when the med tube opened and saw the room was sterile with no sign of my battle uniform or the mineral that was clinging to it.
«We’ve isolated your clothes and all weapons in a containment chamber where analysis of the mineral is underway. It is not a mineral or atomic structure we have encountered in any other world. You’ve probably made an important discovery,» Teddy said.
«Not exactly what I wanted to be known for,» I laughed. «Like the first guy who discovers a fruit is poison.»
«Let me see,» Teddy continued. «Niallium or just Choium? We need a good name for the stuff.»
«Why not just Tararium? I think… It’s strange, Teddy. I think Tara AI was suffering. The last thing it said was ‘Peace.’ I don’t think it was a blessing on me. I think it was its feeling.» I dressed in the new uniform provided for me. I found my Gumdo and rifle—or new replicas of them—next to the replicator. I was in battle dress again, though I wasn’t sure why.
«We’ve saved the prisoner for you to interrogate before you go to the council meeting.» I headed into the room where the erstwhile guard was sitting at the table. He wasn’t restrained, so I assumed he’d been rendered harmless—or perhaps he’d been harmless all along.
“I wasn’t told anything except where to report for duty when I turned fourteen. That’s been thirty years ago. I was allowed to choose four concubines, even though I was only qualified for two. The other guards—there are twenty of us—live in a small enclave with our concubines and families. We each have our shift and guard the transporter until the next guy arrives. It used to be that once a month or so, a team of concubines arrived and was sent to the basement. None of us have ever been down there. The concubines transported out and we never saw them again.”
The guard I’d knocked out was happy to provide us with details about what he was doing and why he was in that chamber. He didn’t know there had been a Swarm landing nor that Governor O’Hara was dead. Teddy’s assessment was that he and probably all the people in their enclave had been utterly brainwashed and isolated. Tara AI had used the implants to create a virtual world for the guards that was now falling apart without its constant maintenance. Teddy said he could repair the enclave and it was possible the guards should just be maintained on their current rotation.
“I think you and the rest of your cadre are due a nice vacation with your families,” I said. “We’ll get you all through med tubes and arrange for you to see the world.” Our decontamination was complete and we were allowed to leave the chamber.
Facing the Council (TY53-month 631)
“We’ve put this off as long as possible, Governor. The council is waiting for you,” Teddy announced.
“Is that why I’m in full battle dress? Am I going to need to fight them?”
“We don’t believe so, Governor. But the uniform and weapons establish you as a military leader without mimicking the Marines or Navy. You’ve promoted Chief Kramer, but the Governor is the actual leader of the planetary Militia.”
“What’s with calling me Governor, Teddy?”
“Currently there are ten Tuull rescue ships who have all been here before in Tara orbit. All have confirmed with the consent of the other AIs on the planet that you will replace Governor O’Hara. The council is waiting to affirm the choice of the AIs.”
“Great. I don’t get any say in this?”
“You can say ‘yes’,” he snickered. I stepped on the transporter pad and arrived in the governor’s audience chamber where I’d been headed for my execution. It gave me the creeps.
When I arrived, I just stood at the transporter and waited.
Of the eight township mayors, only five were left, including Commander Inslee of Sunnybrook. Centurion Oswald sat in his usual seat, but the seats for the Chief of the Militia and Provincial Governor were empty. Oasis, Lleifior, and Green Acres were also empty. And, of course, the Governor’s seat.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the AI announced. I was shocked. It was Tara AI! I quickly stepped off the transporter pad and put my hand on my Gumdo. If I had to fight my way out of here, at least it looked like I was the only one armed. “The purpose of this meeting is to establish the next Governor of Tara. We wish to recognize the great sacrifice of over a quarter million of our citizens in fighting off the Sa’arm invasion. The Militia and volunteer forces were led by Lieutenant Governor Cho. The Marines and sponsors were led by Commander Inslee. Gentlemen, you have the thanks of a grateful planet.” There was a little light applause in recognition of us but it died quickly.
“It is further recognized that Niall Cho has been selected by the planetary AIs as the new Governor of Tara. Governor Cho, please accept the seat at the head of the table.”
“How can he be governor?” Drovers Run asked. “He isn’t a sponsor.”
“That is not precisely true. When the young man, Niall Cho, tested on his fourteenth birthday, he was awarded a score of 7.1. He refused to acknowledge his score and joined the planetary Militia. Governor Cho led the forces in defeating the Sa’arm. During the assault on the enemy’s ship, he was injured and taken to a med tube. While there, he was retested for the first time since his fourteenth birthday, forty-two years ago. His test result is a 9.2 CAP score, qualifying him for instant recognition as governor in event of Scarlett O’Hara’s demise. Sadly, Governor O’Hara fell in the first wave of the counterattack. The AIs met and immediately selected Governor Cho as the most capable leader to oversee the reconstruction of Tara in the wake of the invasion.”
“Welcome, Governor Cho,” Oswald said as he stood and pulled my new chair out from the table.
“Welcome,” chorused the rest of the mayors.
«Take your seat, Niall,» Cricket said.
«How can Tara AI still be here and recognize me as governor?»
«Teddy decided it would cause less turbulence among the populace if he adopted the persona of Tara AI. He has enough Darjee DNA to impersonate the former planetary AI.»
«I’m not quite as crazy as that worthless Babbage machine,» Teddy said. «You need to accept the congratulations of the council.»
“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your affirmation of my office. It is a bit of a surprise to me as I’m sure it is to you and I am saddened by the honor.”
“Not so much of a surprise as you might think, Governor,” Drylanders said. “Anyone who honestly evaluates the progress Tara has made in the past forty years can see your hand in all the most significant developments on the planet. Including most recently defeating the Sa’arm invaders.”
“Where do we go from here?” Twelve Oaks asked. “I’m sure you have an agenda.”
“I don’t plan sweeping changes,” I said. “Not until we’ve had the opportunity to fully assess the damages that were done to our planet and how best to rebuild. I will say that no concubine or dependent of the deceased sponsors will go without care or services. We owe that to them and to their sponsors. We face a significant challenge regarding unhomed concubines. Concubines now outnumber sponsors by fifty-to-one. I will solicit opinions from the council regarding how we care for them. We also need to fill the empty seats from Oasis, Lleifior and Green Acres. I have appointed Derek Kramer to the vacant Chief of Militia position. Chief Kramer, will you join us at the table, please?” In a second, Chief Kramer stepped off the transporter pad and joined us at the table where I designated his spot at my right hand.
“I understood the Militia was disbanded,” Twelve Oaks said.
“That order was immediately rescinded. It was a misunderstanding between Tara AI and me. I ask your help in all these tasks that we might rebuild Tara quickly.”
“How likely are we to see another visit by the Sa’arm?” Cold Comfort asked.
“AI, can you help us with that question?” I asked. I carefully didn’t use Teddy’s name.
“Nearly three months ago, there was a confrontation with the Sa’arm in the Soldat system,” Teddy said. “We have checked records and one Sa’arm ship escaped annihilation. All indications are that ship was the Vesta that invaded our system after several unsuccessful attempts to jump to a supporting planet. As a result, we believe no other Sa’arm are aware of where its last ship went to, or even that it escaped Soldat. All indications are that we remain undiscovered. However, we must remain vigilant.”
“I will request additional resources from the Confederacy in the way of planetary defenses. We may need to build our own. I’m not sure I want the Confederacy with its lack of regard for human life floating around our system anyway. Now let’s get to the assessment of damages and losses. We have a great deal of work to do.”
The meeting went better than I had any right to expect. Once my true CAP score was revealed, Drovers Run and Twelve Oaks immediately dropped all pretense of objecting. We were able to identify good candidates for the mayorship of Lleifior, Oasis, and Green Acres. We didn’t waste time, but contacted them and asked them to join us immediately. All three were seated at the table in short order.
“What are we doing about Ponderosa?” Cold Comfort asked. “Surely you can’t be governor and lead a single township yourself, can you?”
“No, I don’t believe so. As you all know, Ponderosa is a unique township. There are no sponsors there. I will probably maintain my personal home there as I’ve gotten used to it and two of my wives and a son died on Eldorado in the past week. But you have a heavy duty placed upon you now. We have seen that it does not take someone with a sponsor score to defend our planet. But will you recognize that as equal to the privileged position you occupy?” I asked.
There was a discussion among the mayors that lasted several minutes that I tried not to participate in. Commander Inslee talked about what he had seen during the action on Eldorado and the diversity of the colony. Eventually, there was a nodded agreement among the members of the council and they turned to face me.
“We recognize the corporate and individual worth of the freemen,” Drylanders said as their spokesperson. “Ponderosa is a township of freemen. Its mayor should also be a freeman. Do you have a candidate in mind?”
“Yes. Two, actually. I nominate Reba Rosenthal as Mayor of Ponderosa. Reba has been a driving force in the city since it was founded, coordinating education, immigration, and commerce. She has a grasp of what is needed and how to get it done. She was one of the first refugee immigrants that Tara accepted and has repeatedly shown her ability and her dedication.”
“Hear hear,” Inslee said. “Most recently, I understand the woman has coordinated the rehoming of several million dependents who lost parents in the Sa’arm engagement. She is a formidable force to be reckoned with.” There was quick agreement around the table.
“AI, please summon Reba Rosenthal to the council chamber to take her place at the table.” With the same efficiency with which the new mayors of other cities had been called, Reba was soon sitting—a bit shocked—at the council table.
“Reba represents Ponderosa, the first township on Eldorado, but we have other growing population centers and will likely have an additional township soon. I have filled another role on the continent and in this council, as well as that of township mayor. I have sat at this table as the Provincial Governor of Eldorado. For that position, I would like to nominate Rhea Doherty. Rhea lost her sponsor here on Tara through an unfortunate accident. She was denied the privilege of taking over the farm and forced to immigrate to Eldorado as a freeman. Rather than stew in bitterness and loss, Rhea has worked at creating a rural association of farmers and ranchers, establishing regional schools, and coordinating trade of various products with the rest of the planet. Most recently, Rhea was wounded in the battle with the Sa’arm so critically that she nearly didn’t survive and, in fact, will still be in med tubes for another two days before her body is fully regrown.”
At the mention of regrowing her body, several faces at the table paled. There were immediate nods around the table.
“AI, record consent.”
“Recorded.”
Our meeting continued through the afternoon as we dealt with the issues facing us in the wake of the invasion. I had to reassure the mayors that I had no intention of disrupting the sponsor/concubine relationship where it existed. But everyone agreed that it was foolish to consider that low-scoring testees needed to be owned by someone. Our ultimate consensus was that unhomed concubines on the other continents who could show their ability to manage a business or ranch should also be classified as freemen, and accorded the same property rights as the freemen on Eldorado.
All told it was a successful, even if exhausting, meeting.
Facing Myself (TY53-month 631)
“Congratulations, Governor,” Commander Inslee repeated after the meeting broke up. “I don’t know how you managed to reverse the AI but am glad you did. I’d like to integrate the military refuge here more fully into the life of Tara. Maybe we can help fix some of the defenses.”
“Thank you, Commander. That sounds like a good idea. I don’t believe you and your troops have been given enough credit for the assault you led nor for the service those troops contributed before arriving here. I plan to rectify that oversight.”
“Without you coming to our relief, we would have quickly been overrun. You are a genuine hero. Good luck.” With that, he strode out of the room and disappeared with the others. I sank back in the governor’s chair… My chair.
I was free. With the qualifying CAP score and appointment as governor of the planet, I was a full member of the Confederacy. I could leave the planet if necessary or desired. And I had begun fulfilling a promise to myself to right some of the wrongs that had been perpetrated. I could see a day coming when there would be no sponsors on Tara who were any different than their freemen neighbors next door.
«Cricket, did Amos Radcliffe make it out of the battle alive?» I asked.
«He did, Niall. I know you don’t like the man, but he served honorably. He was wounded, but rescued a dozen of his fellows when they were pinned down.»
«I’m glad to hear that. We will need to find a way to recognize those who served, those who were wounded, and those who gave their lives. This is not going to be an easy job.»
«And those who were heroes, like you. I know this is not what you envisioned as a fourteen-year-old, but I also know you will do well. And I’ll always be near if you need me.»
A hero? None of the council knew there’d been a change in planetary AIs. None of them knew that I’d entered a forbidden zone and engineered the destruction of the Tara AI. None of them knew what I truly was.
The Assassin.
The End
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