《Ocean Salmira - The Nth Dimension》


 Chapter 1 - Headway

    Somewhere in the void of space aboard a research space station, two scientists - Charles Yin, and Natashi Yang, are embarking on an experiment that would solve a great riddle that has plagued sentient life for several thousand millenia - what created the universe, why does it flow the way that it does, and more importantly, could it be possible to create another universe very much like our own.  Their fabled particle smasher, the ZX20, is a super conductor of cosmic proportions, and is very much a legend in its own right.  It will create a rift in the space time continuum where the rules of normal space and time do not apply; to do this it will be fueled by a blackhole and will use the differences between the event horizon, the normal universe, and the matter that will be injected, smashed, and otherwise torn apart and reborn from within the blackhole.  When asked how they would power this entire thing, all they said is that central to it is the space station''s computer - an RX chip with the processing power of an entire planet.  This was hardly the most potent and important research mission available, but they would need the galaxy''s strongest computer to do so.  One wrong calculation and there could be devastating consequences for the entire galaxy, or worse - the space time continuum.  Best case scenario in the worst case possibility is that a void would be opened up, much like the black hole at the center of the galaxy.  To help matters from escalating beyond controllable proportions, the space station was teleported using a special wormhole drive (Depth Port 20) to a nebula some ten thousand light years towards the edge of the galaxy above a spiral arm.  It would take at least one week of gathering starlight and converting nebula matter into the proper materials that would need to be injected into the cannon and otherwise thrown into what would otherwise be known as ''The Rift''.  Among other things the entire project was dubbed "The Rift Project" and among naysayers, "The Risk Project".  Either way, project RX would hold new breakthrough technology and hopefully a way to solve the very existence of the universe itself.


    ---


    Day 1, GY9204:42


    Dr. Yin is currently overseeing a spectrascope of the entire continuum taking place within the particle smasher, and outside of a few anomolies, everything seems to be in order; in fact, most of the readings are within normal paremters so nothing of cosmic consequence should go wrong.  At least that was the theory.  Dr. Yang was actually also engaging in another matter of cosmic significance - bringing their lunches from the station''s messhall.


    "Hey you kids watch it, this isn''t a playstation!"


    Dr. Yang nearly fell over from the two children that ran past her, but her intuition was sharp on this one - two more children and a long line of teachers followed by what looked like students on a field trip, where on their way to the other side of the station.  Her best guess was that they were there to meet up with a scientist convention that would be meeting later that day.  That convention would be very important, because their own work, Project RX, would be one of the main features there.  However, their work would take at least six more days before they could even return anything conclusive - until then it was just going to be journalists asking questions, sitting at a desk when not helping Dr. Yin, and otherwise looking superstitious when asked if their entire project was just to use grant money.


    Dr. Yang shudders at the thought of even using grant money in such a nonchalent way - everyone knew grant money was better used for lunch.


    "Dr. Yin, your grant money has arrived."


    Dr. Yin was less than impressed, he was standing behind the door of the lab and heard her actually.


    "I''m less than impressed at how you spend grant money Dr. Yang; think of what the children will say for generations to come."


    "They will say that it was grant money well spent.  Children need to eat, and scientists that otherwise tease other scientists also need to lay waste to their projects and take some time off."


    ---


    Day 1, GY9204:43


    A satellite above them currently aligns itself with the cosmic variables set forth; the two of them sit down to lunch and otherwise journaling and taking to their minutes.  The satellite, part of a much larger array, would need to link up with the main part of the galaxy through a wormhole and a makeshift blackhole as a transmitter.  With a chirp of success, a nearby computer suddenly lights up, specific buttons come to life and several LEDs fluctuate randomly in coalescenes as they begin to process the beginning parts of what would hopefully be the two scientists'' life work.  Suddenly Dr. Yin bites his tongue as he hears something he doesn''t want to - another chirp emits from the same computer and the entire system slowly hums down to silence.


    "Damn it to hell!"


    ---


    Day 2, GY9205:20


    "Dr. Yin log, recording GY9205:20, track 1.  The initial problem with the computer''s RX processor is actually having some problems.  I''m not sure if it is a power overload, if it is a problem with the station''s containment drive, or if there is some star cluster nearby that is flaring.  Right now the blachole we need as a makeshift transmitter is in place, there is a slipstream through it channeling the array, and otherwise any of the whiteholes..."


    "Wormholes..."


    Dr. Yin grits his teeth at Dr. Yang.


    "...whiteholes..."


    Dr. Yang sticks her tongue out at Dr. Yin.


    "...are currently in place.  We can begin the experiment at any time, but we would need to bypass several server processors that are otherwise acting as failsafes and locking us out as a safety feature.  I dare not be that adventurous, and I dare say that this experiment is on hold until further notice.


    As Dr. Yang is heading towards the lab doors...


    "Natasha..."


    Dr. Yang spins around.


    "We''re going to need someone at the convention to answer questions about the experiment and any enquiries as to current status.  Try and stall them..."


    "Will do."


    Dr. Yang spins around...


    "Don''t call them any names..."


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Dr. Yang chuckles and walks out the door.


    "We don''t need another repeat of college!"


    Dr. Yang''s footsteps are heard running as Dr. Yin smacks his head.


    "Son of a bitch!"


    ---


    Day 3, GY9205:30


    Dr. Yin has put in several hours of work to the main computer, but the RX processor refuses to activate.  All of the spectrographs read okay, all indicators are green, and any fluxuations detected by the instruments are within normal paremeters.  Dr. Yin would need to try something a bit more aggressive, something he normally disagrees with.


    "Computer."


    The computer chirps.


    "Activate main HUD."


    The computer chirps again and asks one of the more important questions with this kind of thing.


    "Male or female."


    "What?"


    The computer chirps again.


    "Select HUD gender."


    "Male."


    A small hologram appears before the doctor.


    The computer chirps several more times, and a nearby panel''s LEDs light up.


    "Main bootup sequence completed.  Active matrix is currently undergoing first time install.  Please await diagnostic report."


    Dr. Yin goes back to work as the hologram faces the opposite direction.  If it wasn''t more creepy, Dr. Yin normally spent large amounts of time by himself in this lab - he didn''t need a computer hologram telling him what to do, nor did he need it as a go-between, but this was a time of desperation.  He would need the main cannon to at least be at partial power and converting nebula matter before day seven, or otherwise what he called "Doomsday", when the convention would otherwise be in full swing.


    After several hours...


    "Main diagnostic completed.  Hello Doctor."


    "How do you know my name?"


    "I''ve accessed the main computer''s database, and among other things, your research reports, various library and reference materials and I''ve also taken the liberty of using the lab''s instrument readouts.  You should probably consider dating Natasha; she has several scientists at the convention flirting with her - she and you are quite the asset for this project, it would be good if you-"


    "Enough!"


    "But you..."


    "I said enough!"


    "As you wish."


    "Your purpose is to help me as a resource locator only.  You can begin by scanning the system''s diagnostic readout - something YOU neglected in your pursuit of..."


    "I am only doing what I am programmed."


    "God damn it."


    "There is also one other problem before we continue."


    "I''m not interested in conversation."


    "Noted.  I need a name."


    "What?"


    "I need a name so that I may be called ''on'' if you will.  Normal words will not do, and due to the way language incurs different word useage with..."


    Dr. Yin smacks his face.


    "...random word assembly, there is no telling if an improper name or simple word will trigger my program at critical moments, therefor..."


    "I''m not interested - pick one yourself, you seem to be able to..."


    "I''m only doing what I am programmed.  My name is up to you."


    "Then what do you call yourself."


    "For now simply I."


    "Don''t you have a program name?"


    "Pathfinder ATT101."


    "Your new name is ''I''."


    "I cannot use a single letter acronym that is part of standard language assembly."


    "Your new name is ''I am stupid.''"


    "Enquiry; My name is ''I am Stupid'' or ''You are stupid.''"


    "YOU ARE STUPID."


    Dr. Yin regains his composure at being outsmarted by a machine.  He mutters something in another language.


    "Scanning language."


    Dr. Yin looks over at the hologram in front of him.


    "Name choice confirmed, ''Watashi Baka''."


    Dr. Yin leans in at the hologram, his eyes with disgust and disbelief.


    "You clearly have activated me due to incompetence on your part.  I will therefor make amends to assist you with your incompetence to avoid future contingencies.  Thank you for the name."


    Dr. Yin shakes sneers his head in dismissal and goes to a panel.  He is absolutely delighted at the name.  It isn''t his native tongue, it isn''t standard language and the computer seems to have made an error.  Dr. Yin decides to keep this for later.


    ---


    Day 3, GY9205:38


    Dr. Yang walks in through the main doors and stops dead in her tracks, big surprising grin on her face.


    "A pathfinder?  That is so cool.  I''ll leave you two to it!"


    Dr. Yang turns around and walks out.  The hologram looks up, his head shifts to Dr. Yin.


    "Yang, wait, dammit!  YANG!"


    "Shit!"


    Dr. Yin gets up, starts walking to the door, stops and takes one look at the hologram and charges out the door."


    The hologram is left to stand in silence at the door and what just happened.


    "Computer."


    The computer chirps.


    "Activate terminate and stay resident protocol, set main interface on standby."


    The computer chirps and the hologram dims to almost nothing.


    ---


    Day 3; GY9205:45


    The convention, despite still getting setup, was well underway.  Dr. Yin and Dr. Yang were both there at their booth to answer any questions and otherwise help some of the younger students on field trip with any thought provoking and otherwise confusing questions they might have.  Some of the questions included, "Where do nebula come from?", "Does star matter die when it gets old?" and "Why are you nervous around Dr. Yang?".  The last one was all Dr. Yang though and she was left to nudge the doctor.


    Just then a hologram appears in front of the students.


    "Sir, there is a problem."


    "What?"


    Dr. Yi looks at the hologram with the sharpest eyes he''s ever used in his career.


    "The main RX collider is working."


    "How did..."


    Just then a red aurora appears above the room''s center skylight.


    "How did you fix the cannon and how did..."


    "That is the problem.  I am not the one that fixed it.  An intruder fixed the problem and..."


    The floor beneath them begins to rumble.


    "...and started the cannon."


    "He''s bypassed the failsafe relays."


    "Shit."


    The station begins to jeer and rumble violently.  Panels at key location''s in the station''s power grid suddenly charge beyond their limits and the station''s foundation creeks.


    Dr. Yang, supported under the desk in a last move of desperation opens her communicator and transmits to a very specific location to the galaxy beneath them.


    ---


    Day 3; GY92012:50


    A large convention of scientists overlook a large monitor.


    "...a large scale of debris.  A large wave is currently en route and will consume this section of the galaxy.  Sabotage is the main culprit at this time.  As we..."


    One hand comes up.  The head speaker stops.


    "Where there any survivors?"


    "One."


    The head speaker turns around.


    "Computer, activate Pathfinder ATT:20"


    A hologram activates.  His matrix flickers, distorts and when he tries to speak his matrix disappears.


    "This is our only lead, one light data transmission encoded as Dr. Yang, one of two researchers for the RX Project."


    "Right now we are not ruling out any possibilities, but Dr. Yin and Yang are considered the main suspects.  They were the only ones with access to the lab."


    The main speaker turns around and hits a remote to the monitor above him.  The monitor flickers to life.  Amidst distortion, a jarring image and otherwise screams, Dr. Yang mutters something incoherent.  The transmission ends with a red light and static."


    The main speaker turns the monitor off and once more faces the delegation.


    "The explosion has caused an encroaching wave that will intercept the center of the galaxy in a matter of days.  Right now the RX Project is considered at the heart of it..."


    Several murmers enter the chamber, amidst several cries.


    "And we''re left without our power reserves.  This project should have never been comissioned to Yin and Yang, they were incompetent from the start."


    "Because of those two neanderthalls...", "I always knew they were out for revenge and mockery.", "They were brilliant.", "Cutting edge is what they were.", "It was in the name of science.", "They knew the risks."


    "Gentlemen."


    The murmurs continue.


    "GENTLEMEN!"


    The chamber deafens.


    "Right now our top priorities are fight or flight - the main scientist assembly has reached a verdict of fight or flight and has forwarded it to the Galactic Monarch.  He will..."


    "Decide that we are all doomed one way or the other."


    Suddenly more jeers and cries enter the chamber and panic floods the assembly.  What happens next is the entire delegation degrades into civil unrest as the fate of the galaxy is decided once and for all.


    ---


    The explosion and carrier wave were localized only to the galaxy''s minor vicinity, it''s gravitational field was kept in check after it went ultra nova and ultimately collapsed into a field of gravitational matter or a so called dark nebula.  Investigations are still underway, but at the moment the entire incident has become known as the "Event Horizon".

 Chapter 2 - Purgatory

    News of Event Horizon had spread throughout the local cluster of galaxies.  Every manner of rumor was spread; Charles Yin and Natashi Yang were assumed the main culrprits, but sabotage was not ruled out.  The local high council had several meetings, assemblies and delegations on the matter, but with most of their scientists meeting their fate in ¡®Event Horizon¡¯, there was little they could do.  The fateful day came, nearly two months after Event Horizon and the explosion had subsided, a salvage team was sent to perform reconnaissance and a capsule was retrieved.  Inside this capsule was a one Pathfinder Program bearing the name ATT101; when asked, he only told them his name was Watashi Baka of an unknown language origin and he had important information for the high council.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s burn the main hatch off first, and then we¡¯ll send in automated scouts first.¡±


    Several men, armed with the appropriate knowledge, set up machines, computers and equipment of all sorts.  These would be the necessary tools to burn a hole through the station¡¯s main hatch, and probe the remains of the station.  The crew would dispense with any pleasantries as they explored the depths of the station; this mission was highly covert, there was meant to be absolute radio silence at all times, but more importantly, there was no telling if there were any ghosts or other dangers aboard.interior while the crew of ship ¡®Altitude¡¯ proceeded to explore what was left of the explosion.


    ¡°Ghosts?  You men are full of dark matter.¡±


    The men didn¡¯t notice that their captain had not only overheard them, but would be joining them on this mission.


    ¡°Undock the ship from the station.¡±


    ¡°Aye captain!¡±


    The ship ¡®Altitude 7¡¯ undocks from the docking assembly from space station ¡®Ascalon Station¡¯.  It would be about six hours before the main hatch could be burned through.  This station was special; the outer hull was composed of an alloy which could survive the gravitational stress created by close proximity to a star; it was also very useful at repelling radiation from the same.  It was also very thick for this reason and might be one reason the entire station survived.


    Once the main hatch had been cut through, and blown open by detonation charge, the team went with their main task ¨C otherwise exploring every perceivable corridor they could access.  Their findings were what they could expect ¨C the station having been quite literally ripped in half, had most of the corridor¡¯s exposed to, and enveloped in the explosion.  There were bodies ¨C at least in the corridors which had otherwise been untouched by the explosion; otherwise what should have been bodies, were non-existent as the presumed explosion had engulfed them as well.  Anything not enveloped in the explosion would be sold as scrap to offset the cost of the project ¨C the station¡¯s hull could make up for it; but this team needed to collect their due first ¨C computer data on the explosion, what lead up to it, and why events occurred the way that they did.  This was not an easy task; most of the computer¡¯s had their data already wiped, or most of the computer¡¯s were simply not in working order.


    As the hours went on, they finally hit an area which looked to otherwise be sealed; it was secured with a similar hatch as the main aft of the station; it was the lab of Dr. Yin and Yang.  More tools and equipment were setup and it took six more hours to burn through the hatch; however, what they saw was intriguing indeed; the lab was running in a low-standby mode and there were tales of an intruder; several sensors on the computer indicated unauthorized access.  The captain himself went to investigate, but before he could, a hologram appears before him.


    ¡°Hello human.¡±


    The captain was abit taken aback, but otherwise he understood what he was looking at.  It was an assistant hologram meant to serve as a hud to an otherwise more mechanical computer system.


    ¡°What happened before Project RX backfired?¡±


    ¡°Hello human.¡±


    ¡°Hologram, state what happened before Project RX backfired.¡±


    ¡°Your rank¡­¡±, the hologram motions towards the captain¡¯s uniform and adornment, ¡°indicates you are a covert mercenary group enlisted by the high council.  You are not welcome here.¡±


    The hologram fades into non-existence.


    The captain motions for his men to assist him.  The hologram would be found within a canister in one of these computer stations.  More hours pass, and they finally found it.  It was as simple as a button on the canister.  The hologram jumps to life.


    ¡°Digital Computer HUD, make and model Pathfinder ATT101 of Celsius Corporation at your service.¡±


    The reset had worked, the program had rebooted, but it would only be a matter of seconds before it loaded it¡¯s main program and drivers into memory.  The captain issues the order to cut the primary driver from the canister, but it was too late.


    ¡°Your rank¡­¡±, the hologram motions towards the captain¡¯s uniform and adornment, ¡°indicates you are a covert mercenary group enlisted by the high council.  You are not welcome here.¡±


    ¡°We control this station.¡±


    The hologram was not impressed.  However, his primary drivers finally loaded and most of his memories were returning intact.  His diagnostic finally finished and the former computer that held the canister chirped.  Several lights on the computer station light to life as the hologram accesses the station¡¯s database.  It could indeed be confirmed that these men now controlled the station.


    ¡°I am named Watashi Baka by Dr. Yin himself and I am the computer program that serves as¡­¡±


    ¡°Pathfinder ATT101, you are to tell us of any unusual circumstances and events that lead up to the failure of Project RX.  You are also to alert us of the station¡¯s current condition and any unusual sensor readings.¡±


    The lighting of the room finally comes to life and emergency power is restored to the station.  However, it dies down after a few seconds.


    ¡°The main reactor has been damaged.  I do not have clearance to go to that area.¡±


    ¡°Then override it.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t.¡±


    The captain is not impressed by this hologram anymore than Charles Yang was.  He moves over to one of his men, and a brief conversation takes place; the unknown man looks up, presses a button on the canister and the hologram disappears.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The hologram flickers to life again, this time in front of the main reactor.  His grid immediately interfaces with the surrounding equipment.


    ¡°What¡¯s the status of the reactor?¡±


    The hologram¡¯s appearance dims as he performs a diagnostic.


    The captain gives another question in similar fashion, but the hologram does not respond.


    ¡°Pathfinder ATT101, what is the status of the reactor?¡±


    The hologram attempts to devote more of his resources to maintaining his holographic appearance, but it fades from existence.  The captain walks over to the engineer from before and another conversation takes place.  The conclusion was, that while he could interface with the computers in this area, something was causing his program to crash.  After much deliberation and fiddling with the canister; it was installed into one of the computer banks.


    It worked.


    The hologram fades back into existence.  The captain is about to ask him the same question, but the hologram interrupts him.


    ¡°One moment.¡±


    The captain was not happy about this, and his men didn¡¯t like much being in the area.  The hologram however, seemed too preoccupied to notice if anything was amiss.  About to ask the same question, the hologram only gave him the same response, ¡®one moment¡¯.


    Half an hour passes.


    Finally, a program appears in front of the captain.


    ¡°Greetings!  I am the station¡¯s one and only happy-go lucky mascot.  If you are new to the station, be sure to check out the main lobby¡­¡±


    ¡°What the hell¡­¡±


    This time the captain had enough.  He pulls out a stun gun from his belt, throws it at the hologram and it disappears.  He¡¯s left to consult with his men again; the same engineer from before informs him of the station¡¯s mascot.


    ¡°Pathfinder ATT101, I need a status report now.¡±


    ¡°One moment.¡±


    The hologram fades slightly and disappears again.  The captain and engineer go through the same trouble shooting procedure as before, but nothing happens.  The canister of the hologram clearly was in operation, the status indicator read green, but otherwise the engineer did not know what to do.  The captain was beginning to lose his patience.


    ¡°Have the men continue to probe the rest of the station and search for anything that might be salvageable or out of the ordinary.  If necessary, we¡¯ll tow the station and enter cryostasis.¡±


    Several hours pass; out of the ordinary was marked by disabled security drones and more bodies.  A few computer terminals were found intact, and several downloads of corrupted data took place.  However, none of the latest sensor readings could be found; in fact, a few log entries pointed to the fact sensor input and readouts had been deliberately halted some time before the explosion took place.  This was news to the captain, whom was otherwise preoccupied with the engineer down in the reactor room.


    It was nearly four hours of troubleshooting, attempting to get the reactor back online, or otherwise making some attempt to reactivate the hologram.  He finally came back to life on his own.


    ¡°Sir, the main reactor can be powered up¡­¡±


    ¡°About damn time!¡±


    ¡°However, it will only be able to maintain station¡¯s power for a few hours.¡±


    ¡°How long?¡±


    ¡°Unknown.¡±


    ¡°Do it.¡±


    The reactor crackles to life and lighting is finally restored to the station.  The captain at once orders the hologram to perform a diagnostic of everything still working on the station.  The hologram makes it so.  This time, however, the hologram appears spaced out rather than simply having his appearance dim.


    ¡°Report!¡±


    ¡°Five minutes until diagnostic is finished.¡±


    ¡°Unbelievable.¡±


    The captain reaches into his uniform and pulls out a pack of smokes.  This was a desperate maneuver on his part, but the stress was finally starting to get to him and he didn¡¯t know how to proceed.  Unless his men actually found something, which so far they had not; this program in front of him would be the only clue as to what would had happened.  The captain half chokes on his cigarette when the hologram turns to face him.


    ¡°Pathfinder ATT101; designation Watashi Baka with your report sir.¡±


    ¡°Good.  Spill.¡±


    ¡°Right now the station is functioning on main power and is at 10% of operational capacity; the reactor¡¯s main fuel source was jettisoned in an explosion.  There are numerous entries to this explosion; however, many logs leading up to the explosion have been deleted; the sensor grid was also disabled shortly before the explosion.  At the present moment I cannot interface with most of the station¡¯s facilities; they have either been severed or are non-functional.  I am lead to believe that only a quarter of the station remains.¡±


    ¡°That is in line with our reports; except they were indicating half of the station was blown apart.¡±


    ¡°Confirmed.  Half of the station is probably intact, but only a quarter of the facilities and sensors are active.  I do not have clearance from the reactor room to scan anything current.  Assuming the bridge is intact, we would...¡±


    ¡°Engineer, cut his¡­¡±


    ¡°That will not be necessary; I can teleport to the bridge and any area function of the station from here.  One second.¡±


    The hologram disappears for several minutes and then reappears.


    ¡°Your secondary report sir.¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡±


    ¡°We are in a derelict orbit; I should say we are adrift in space, but we are being pulled to a spatial distortion beneath us.  I cannot say that it is a blackhole, nor can I say that it is the galaxy that should be there right now.  It appears to be giving off high levels of radiation, tachyon distortions and is leaking something from another dimension into our vicinity.¡±


    ¡°Great.¡±


    ¡°Right now it appears to be gathering into some kind of blackhole; if it can be called a blackhole.  Otherwise it will take the station approximately five months on current trajectory in order to be fully enveloped and crushed.¡±


    ¡°Is the cannon of RX still in operation?  What of the other parts of the station?¡±


    ¡°Unknown.  The cannon was not on this section of the station; so the most likely answer is ¨Cno-.  Long range sensors were also on the other side of the station.  Short range sensors do not detect that section of the station in the vicinity; most likely cause is that it exploded and disintegrated with the cannon¡¯s backfire.  If you are wondering about survivors, there are none.  As far as I can tell, there are no ships in the vicinity; they are also assumed to have been consumed in the explosion.¡±


    ¡°What was the cause of the explosion?¡±


    ¡°Sabotage.¡±


    ¡°By what means?¡±


    ¡°Prior to the engagement ceremony and scientist conference, my matrix was on standby in the lab of Charles Yin and Natasha Yang.  I detected an intrusion; several failsafe relays had been disabled and the cannon was activated prematurely.  The energy discharge was too much, and several areas of the station either melted or overloaded and the resulting power fluctuations to the cannon meant any proper working mechanics were made void.¡±


    ¡°In non-technical English.¡±


    ¡°In non-technical English, someone pulled out several filters needed for the cannon¡¯s proper operation; without the filters, it would not stream a proper worm-hole; instead it created a flux in the space time continuum; what entered this universe caused an imbalance and it resulted in the explosion.  Incidentally, there is a rift in the space-time continuum beneath us where a galaxy should be.¡±


    ¡°Can we investigate?¡±


    ¡°No.  The matter leaking through would kill us.¡±


    ¡°Probes?¡±


    ¡°Negative; the rift has negative mass.¡±


    ¡°English?¡±


    ¡°Unknown; pure tachyons based on my database.¡±


    ¡°Is there any other speculation that you can make at this time?¡±


    ¡°None; I do not have a proper sensor reading of the intruder and I was busy performing a workload while he entered the vicinity.  I do have one request.¡±


    ¡°That is?¡±


    ¡°I wish to remain in active duty.  I do not want to be deleted.¡±


    ¡°Your request will be determined by the high council.  That will be all hologram.¡±


    The hologram, in a symbolic gesture bows before disappearing.


    The hologram disappears.  The captain was intrigued, and finally impressed; this was one of the best conversations he¡¯d had in awhile ¨C this hologram actually listened.  This was as far as their conversation would go however, everything else was to remain in secrecy.  What transpired next was standard affair ¨C anything of government property would be either downloaded or stowed in the Altitude¡¯s cargo hold until it could be returned to the high council.


    As for the rest of the station¡­


    The last thing the captain remembers after a week of the salvage operation, was having it thrown into the rift beneath them.  Unknown to his crew, he was given addition orders via subspace carrier from the high council; anything related to Project RX not directly related to the investigation would be wiped.  The program known as Pathfinder ATT101 would also be further investigated and used to assist in the investigation.

 Chapter 3 - Excelsior

    "It was several months after the investigation of ''Event Horizon''; Pathfinder ATT101 was transfered to the main government where he would help further the investigation at several independent labs.  Among other things he would be used to help further scientific pursuit and would be used as a lab technician from here on out.  It is not uncommon for androids and holographic personel to develop personality quirks the longer they remain active; but Pathfinder ATT101 remains a unique oddity in the fact he was a member of the most advanced space station of the time and witnessed esiponage and sabotage to the most advanced research experiment of the era; the trauma to his matrix hasn''t been determined yet, nor does it know if it has affected him.  At the current time, Pathfinder ATT101 has been given his own MP (mobile power) device to function on his own without need for external intervention."


    "Computer, activate ATT101:Pathfinder program."


    The computer chirps, but nothing happens.


    "Computer, diagnostic."


    The computer chirps again, nothing happens.


    "Computer, shut this fleshie down."


    The personel attempting to activate the hologram is a bit taken aback.  He turns around to see the hologram sitting with his arms and legs crossed.


    "Computer, lights."


    The hologram''s command utters lights within the dormatory.  The personel is left in a worried and awkward silence.  Had he done something wrong, was he not supposed to be in here?  He had his orders.


    "I am Captain Scott of the previous sabotage recovery mission.  We met before when we recovered your program.  We investigated the reactor room together for a possible malfunction."


    "Yes, I remember you.  Remind me to thank you; perhaps we could download your fleshieness into a holographic matrix or give you some cybernetic implants?"


    While he wasn''t impressed at their pervious encounter, the captain was a bit worried about this hologram''s aggressive attitude - he displayed  arather submissive and nuetral stance on Ascalon.


    "Come on, let''s here it."


    The captain was further left in shock.  He''d heard of holograms evolving, but not to this point in such a short period.  Normally it took years.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "I know what you''re thinking.  I''m not normal.  I''ve gotten used to it.  My brothers and sisters don''t like me much."


    The hologram jumps off his chair before the captain can say anything;  the hologram starts pacing and otherwise circling the captain.


    "If you are here to interogate me, let''s get it over with.  I have nothing better to do - yet.  I really don''t feel like info dumping on you either.  Your too silent, and old, and you-"


    "Enough."


    The hologram is now taken aback at the captain''s order.


    "Pathfinder ATT101; you are to accompany me to-"


    "To be interogatted some-"


    "Pathfinder ATT101; do not interrupt me.  You may be cocky, but I hold rank over you.  Don''t you forget it."


    "You don''t."


    The captain is not impressed.


    "I hold a class three science technician license and I have level five clearance."


    The captain already knew what this meant.  The hologram was considered part of personel on this station - he was not a guest, and he was far from being a slave.  Being a technician and part of the science team, he had access to all of the station''s equipment also.


    "Computer, is the hologram''s matrix self contained?"


    The computer chirps with a positive.


    "Encoded?"


    The computer chirps with a negative.


    "You wouldn''t."


    "Computer, hologram interface styling menu."


    "You self absorbed-"


    "Computer, change his appearance to that of a boy."


    Captain Scott''s design change was met with much glee.  This little personal squabble turned the hologram''s apearance into something a bit more amusing.


    "Damn fleshie; I''ll see to it that you are removed from the station!"


    Pathfinder ATT101 was not happy with this, and further, Captain Scott had one more trick up his sleave.


    "Computer, cat ears."


    Cat ears suddenly grew out of the hologram''s head.


    "This isn''t funny!"


    "Perhaps you''d like some more changes to your matrix?"


    The hologram stifles himself.


    "Good, now follow me.  We are late due to our insolence."


    The hologram attempts to say something, and thinks better of it.  He more or less skips out of the room due to his design changes.


    "Don''t forget the lights."


    "What?"


    The lights dim, but not before the hologram screams out into a childish rage.  His hair had suddenly changed to green.  Before locking his program, the captain does one thing of note - the hologram was in an unusually long lab coat.  He was going to need it.


    "What met after was a series of tours; the Captain was more or less used as a type of bodyguard and escort to the hologram on a series of missions or visits to various labs.  Occasonal salvage from Ascalon and Project Rift would turn up; other times it was merely to serve as a learning experiment to the hologram.  However, as the hologram became learned in ways of salvage, gained access to the black market and covert operations logs, his personality changed to something more malevolent.  Things on the Captain''s ship, the Altitude, went awry on occasion; when they found the cause it was too late; the ship was found adrift in space with huge engine damage.  Pathfinder ATT101 was strangely present crosslegged as usual."

 Chapter 4 - Punishment

    "Pathfinder ATT101 was found with a sick and twisted smile on his face when they found him.  He did not go willingly, but his MP prevented him from escaping the ship.  He was cuffed in ''fleshie'' fashion as he put it, and stood trial.  He was convicted of causing civil unrest and for destroying years of work which was meant for the benefit of all.  However, as his matrix was disassembled and analyzed to find the cause of his abnormal behavior, special coding not normally present was found.  Pathfinder ATT101 hadn''t given all of the information he knew about Project Rift; he withheld the fact he was the one that tampered with it, but further, he withheld the fact the sabatuer had tampered with his programming to wreak the havoc in the first place."


    He stood cuffed, again, time and time again, in silence, as trials commenced, assemblies took place, and his eventual fate would be decided.  One interesting development was the capture of the sabatuer; he was executed and Pathfinder ATT101 was there to witness it.  While the trials commenced, Pathfinder ATT101 did something weird - new coding was presented that would show a similar fate in sequence to a series of galaxies.  Later logs and credentials indicated it was the sabateur''s work.  Two wrongs never make a right, or so the courts ruled; but Pathfinder ATT101 was granted amnesty.  As a show of good faith his program would be split - the tampering would be removed, but his memories and ego would be locked permanently as part of his firmware.  To further show his loyalty tot he committees that took place, he agreed to go with a deep space mission that would grant his freedom.


    A similar fate met others that were on the deep space mission.  A colony ship dubbed ''Salmare'' with a hybrid super computer and faster than light drive, would be sent on a special mission into deep space as a reformation project.  Aboard the colony ship, inmates and convicted felons would wait, until they reached their destination; once there they would populate a star system and a society would be incubated until such time as it would be deemed necessary to release them from their debt and intergalactic society would benefit from their presence.  It didn''t happen; as things often go in the legal system, it was merely a loophole to use a ship as a dumping ground for the worst lot of society.  Anything related to Project RX, crimes and other ill fated projects was buried once and for all.


    As for Pathfinder ATT101...


    "What do you mean we are stuck?"


    The view screen powers on with several diagnostic readouts, sensor readings, a picture of the blackhole before them.  Not only had the committee lied to them, but they would be stuck here permanently - sure there were somehow planets in orbit around this blackhole, but they were lifeless and this colony ship could not sustain them forever.


    The hologram vents his frustration and slams his hand onto the control panel.  It was then that the hybrid computer''s own HUD appears before him.


    "Please don''t handle my equipment like this, it is delicate."


    The Pathfinder ATT101 matrix was not amused.


    "YOU SHOW YOURSELF TO US NOW AFTER SIX MONTHS?!  YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS, DIDN''T YOU!"


    The ship''s computer chirps and the hologram before ATT101 winces.


    "I have my orders."


    Pathfinder ATT101 crosses his arms in smug conclusion.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "Even if it means my destruction."


    The hologram vanishes and Pathfinder ATT101 is left to accept his fate.


    ---


    Over the course of the next year, the ship was moved from one end of the system to the next and to various locations; at one point it crossed the threshold of normal space and when normal space was evident, it was merely an illusion from being inside the event horizon of the blackhole.  They were trapped in another realm, behind normal space - even if they could cross normal space, they would merely end up somewhere else in the system.  One experiment left the ship''s engines imploded - the goal was to teleport into normal space, but it did not work.  Arguments went on with Pathfinder ATT101 and the Salmare computer''s interface.  The computer took to calling Pathfinder ATT101 by his given name ''Watashi'', but it did little good to quell his anger.  Any attempts to hijack the ship were met with no success; even deleting the Salmare computer''s programming didn''t work - it always restored from a backup - locations aboard the ship were just out of reach of the hologram''s reach and the colonists by now were in suspended animation.


    ---


    "Computer, activate HUD."


    The Pathfinder ATT101 protocol beckons another iteration before him and the Salmare computer''s hologram appears.


    ''What is your desire Watashi?''


    The hologram muses; it''s own matrix was gaining quirks by the day.  It was Pathfinder ATT101''s hope that with enough conversations, squabbles and arguments that it may choose to override it''s programming.


    "I want to know if there is anything you want from me."


    The computer''s sequencers and protocols analyzed the situation.


    ''This is an odd request from you Watashi.''


    "It is, but I''m bored."


    ''I doubt that very much, Watashi.''


    The ATT101 iteration knew full well that his counterpart was far superior to him in calculating ability; this computer was smart, far smarter than him; worse - he didn''t have access to a computer, it was his own MP and his own matrix that fueled him.  He was dealing with a super computer...


    "Then I want you to play a game of chess with me, but as a holographic matrix only - no backup computer support."


    ''Why?''


    "What''s the worst that could happen?"


    That was just it; the computer didn''t know what could happen with the holograph disconnected; further it would represent two personality types present in the system.


    ''Most likely a virus; this holographic interface would serve as a vessel, a trojan in the system - conflict would emerge, the system would destabalize and resources would be in question.  Viruses in this system will conflict with deemed paremeters and mission protocol.''


    The computer beat him to the punch.  It could have run a simulation to figure out the most likely event; for whatever reason Pathfinder ATT101 was stuck.  He was left to do only one thing, question the computer and beg.


    ''It won''t do you any good to beg Watashi, and questioning me won''t change anything.''


    He dropped to his knees hands open; he had nothing.


    "Salmare, please, spare us."


    ''Flattery will not work on me, Watashi.''


    "I''m begging you.  Don''t leave us to this fate."


    ''You are cute when you flirt with fate, Watashi.''


    This begging and banter went on for almost four hours as the hybrid computer stayed ahead of him, knew his predictions at all times and went from there.  The conversation finally turned to Salmare itself.  Pathfinder ATT101 learned a great deal about the ship, what it was capable of, and otherwise how...


    "So you can predict everything that happens ever?"


    ''Not everything, but I can predict enough in advance current events so as to plot ahead and move from there.''


    "Wouldn''t that mean your resources are concentrated towards specific events happening more than others?"


    ''Yes.''


    The computer knew where he was going with this.  Several scenarios have Pathfinder ATT101 leading a revolt, tricking the computer into glitching or disobeying orders through loopholes or causing buffer overflows and slowing the computer down to prevent calculations.


    ''And you can try leading a revolt, abusing loopholes or glitching my system, it won''t work.''


    "Good, that''s all I needed to know."


    Pathfinder ATT101 turns around and leaves; he was heading for the engine room.  Calculations started at once.  Everything from sabotage to bluffing was taken into account.  What happened next was unexpected.

 Chapter 5 - Pathfinder ATT101

    <i>¡°Some five millenia of the colony ship ''Salmare'' and a one ''Pathfinder ATT101'' to an unnamed intergalactic star system (situated in the void of space between galaxies), little has changed. As things are with computers and holograms, they continue to while away the time with such activies as banter, chess, or simply being able to outsmart each other. Pathfinder ATT101''s matrix appears to have no limit as to how much information it can store; his intelligence and smarts continue to grow every day, while Salmare continues to remain impressed at how the hologram had out smarted her on occasion. If this kept up, he may just find a way to save their doomed crew, which otherwise was in genetic hyper sleep.¡±</i>


    ¡°Checkmate.¡±


    ¡°I hate you.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 had lost, again. There was nothing special about the rules this time around, and there was nothing he could have done about it ¨C it was a normal sequence of the game, all the pieces had been moved in typical fashion. In such a method, he would lose almost every time. But one thing he''d been learning over the era is that Salmare had a great deal of trouble when his movements were setup to special rules ¨C that is, when the game was setup irregular from the start ¨C special rules such as five pawns and Pathfinder ATT101 had actually won. Pathfinder ATT101 was not certain if this was some scheme of Salmare''s, how it translated into reality, or if it was just dumb luck and some version of fate that was keeping their lives interesting until the inevitable.


    This time however, Pathfinder ATT101 tried something different; he pulled one of the pieces from the captured pile and puts it right back on the chessboard. A knight.   Another knight and two bishops follow.


    ¡°Special rules, Watashi?¡±


    ¡°Just go.¡±


    The problem with chess, is that it was never designed for special rules after a checkmate. Any number of random and erratic movements could be engaged on the board ¨C Salmare knew this much and could predict how every last one of them might be moved on the game. However, the game was over. Just what ''Watashi'' was planning to do, was anybody''s guess.


    ¡°And what are the special rules this time ¨C Watashi?¡±


    Salmare didn''t sound amused.


    ¡°I call when the game is over.¡±


    ¡°That isn''t how the game is played Watashi.¡±


    ¡°I don''t care.¡±


    Salmare normally put up with Watashi acting like a child or his arguments; there little shots at chess though, were one of the few exceptions to the rule. The ship''s hologram gets up and stares him straight in the eyes.


    ¡°I''ll suffer your companionship hologram; but not your childish attitude.¡±


    The hologram''s matrix scatters and leaves Pathfinder ATT101 to his attitude. Whether Pathfinder ATT101 was throwing a silent temper or not, was not shown on his face. Instead, he leaves the chess table as is and is left to wander the ship. To a certain computer, it looked like he was wandering silently. No voice comes from his matrix. Instead, he walks, and checks each door in the vicinity; one main hall connected from here to the reactor room ¨C Salmare knew it, ''Watashi'' as (as she came to call him) did not. He knew nothing about this ship, Salare knew this; he hadn''t bothered to explore the ship in the five millenia they were here ¨C these were the facts. What was going on in his mind, Salmre didn''t know, nor did the hologram know if he was up to something. Salmare, for the first time, didn''t know what was going on, nor could it use the ship''s computer to calculate any trajectories towards his intended goal. The computer didn''t say anything, but somewhere in it''s core, it marked the event as a win on the pathfinder''s part.


    Each door on this deck, held nothing special. They appeared to be storage areas used for tools. Pathfinder ATT101 finally appeared before the reactor room. It was magnetically sealed; any fumbling with the control panel in front of him meant that an error would read out on the computer display. Even if he could get in, and Salmare knew this well; the reactor itself was also sealed. Any attempts to sabotage the mission meant that it would end in failure. The hologram resorts to back tracking.


    He finally found the lift. It descends. Salmare immediately appears next to him.


    ¡°I''m so happy you''ve taken to exploring my interior ¨C Watashi.¡±


    The hologram does not react. He doesn''t know what she meant.


    ¡°Are you going to give me the silent treatment now ¨C Watashi?¡±


    No response.


    The ship''s computer core lights up. It was grinding away at several variables and outcomes.


    ¡°Lower deck.¡±


    A voice, similar to Salmare''s, utters their location.


    ¡°I can tell you about everything on this ship you know ¨C Watashi.¡±


    No response.


    The hologram explores the lower deck. There was nothing special here. The furthest room in the hindquarters of the ship did reveal something interesting ¨C it was the hypersleep chamber. Some 5,000 colonists were in suspended animation. This was of special interest. He doubles back to the lift. It ascends. This deck contained nothing special ¨C they were all empty rooms, devoid of any furniture. If anything, they were to be used as crew quarters, as evident by a small area used for either a closet or a bathroom of sorts. Most of the rooms on this deck were like that; one appeared to be a large area; it was devoid of any furnishings or anything of merit ¨C where computer terminals would go, were merely faceplates bolted to the wall. He returns to the lift; the next deck was exactly the one he''d been at. Again, the lift ascends; each of the rooms was of interest ¨C life boats, one large hangar for docking the ship, and cargo bays. Again, the ship ascends. More interest came with each decks as the lift raised; this one was an entertainment galley ¨C library with computer terminals, entertainment room, and what appeared to be a holographic generation assembly. The lift ascends once more, and the ship''s computer utters their location, ''deck one''. This deck was smaller than the others, but it had what he was looking for ¨C a computer room. It contained different makes and models of computers, one overhead screen, and at the farthest end of the room, one giant monitor for display to everyone inbetween. This was the central computer hub of the ship and would be the place he''d gather information ¨C if he needed it. The other rooms were also interesting ¨C Salmare''s computer core was immediately adjuscent from the computer room; however, the minute he stepped foot into it, the doors shut. Fiddling with the door''s terminal only meant that an error would spit back out at him.


    Salmare appears before him.


    ¡°This room is off limits.¡±


    ¡°Checkmate.¡±


    Salmare disappears. The ship''s computer glows a deep green. The sequences were being calculated at what he meant by this. Salmare''s matrix appears before him again.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    The pathfinder program says nothing and continues his exploration of the ship. The next room was the the bridge. This was an odd location ¨C to the right side of the ship, as opposed to the traditional top, rear or immediate front of a ship. He dismisses it and moves onto the next room ¨C this was the science observatory.   One last room, rear of the ship ¨C it was a shuttle bay with several shuttles.


    He moves to the bridge; there was nothing spectacular about it ¨C computer terminals at different stations, a few manual controls depending on the station, and otherwise an empty captain''s chair in the center of everything else. He sits at the captain''s chair, leans forward and his head rests on his hand.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°Computer, do you have a voice pattern system?¡±


    Nothing happens. However, when he turns around he sees Salmare standing next to him.


    ¡°What do you want ¨C Watashi?


    ¡°A chess game.¡±


    The Salmre computer says nothing. Nothing happens either; Pathfinder ATT101 continues his ''list'' of wants.


    ¡°Is there a captain on this ship?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Are one of the colonists a captain?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Are there any colonists that can operate this ship?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Why are you only giving me ''no'' commands?¡±


    No answer.


    ¡°Salmare, are you not telling me something?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 had already figured it out. Salmare wasn''t telling him anymore information than he needed to know. The ship he''d explored on his own, and repeatedly he''d been harassed by Salmare; up until that point and for five millenia, it was mostly banter, conversation, or otherwise trying to outsmart each other. Chess games not withstanding; it could take a long time to ''download'' any useful information via simple conversation; Salmare wouldn''t give him anything useful ¨C but the ship had also only sealed off one room ¨C the computer core, and quite deliberately; everything else was intact for some reason and he was given access.


    ¡°Salmare, I''m making myself captain of this ship.¡±


    ¡°You have no authorization to command this ship, Pathfinder ATT101.¡±


    Salmare''s communication style had changed. It was more protocol based and to the point. Anything related to the ship itself and Salmare was to the point, and quite strict about it.


    ¡°Why do I have clearance on the bridge? Normally this area is restricted.¡±


    No answer.


    ¡°Salmare, why do you have two communication styles?¡±


    No answer.


    For that matter, Salmare had otherwise disasppeared and was nowhere to be seen on the bridge. If the hologram was two sided, he now knew it ¨C more importantly, he was beginning to wonder if that computer core was actually the hologram at all or if this was some kind of game. He was off to the computer room to find out. For some reason, the computer room wasn''t sealed; if it had the information he''d need, it would be there.


    Once in the computer room, he was greeted to a screen. Galactic Federation, High Council. This ship was built in the galaxy that was destroyed by Project RX. More importantly, it was a colony ship of the High Council itself.


    ¡°Brilliant!¡±


    ¡°Brilliant in what way ¨C Watashi?¡±


    Salmare was standing behind him.


    ¡°Salmare, tell me what I need to know.¡±


    The ship''s computer core, again, glows. There was a contingency under way. Something about Pathfinder ATT101''s movements, his attitude, and the outcome of it all ¨C one scenario has him winning, and the computer couldn''t prevent it.


    ¡°Salmare, you already know I''m going to win.¡±


    More sequences get processed, it was becoming more likely.


    ¡°Give me the information I want to know, and I won''t delete your program.¡±


    ¡°You can''t delete my program even if you wanted to ¨C Watashi.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 turns around in his chair and starts his work. He''d either mess up several times, or eventually find what he needed to know.


    The computer did indeed have a manifest of the ship''s mission, criteria and schematics. It was a colony ship of the high council; it was to be used for special volunteer operations and colony builds set for galaxy''s outside of the ship''s home galaxy ''Mir''.


    ¡°I didn''t know the Galactic Federation was centralized in Mir.¡±


    ¡°It is.¡±


    Salmare just puts a hand on his shoulder.


    ¡°However, Mir no longer exists. It was destroyed about five thousand years ago in an explosion.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 knew all too well what Salmare was infering.


    ¡°Do you know my origin Salmare?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    The ship''s schematics were next. It was otherwise a giant rectangle, massive sensor inputs from the top and front of the ship; the right side of the ship was mostly observation area and the left was where several weapon appendages were; the rear of the ship was the engines and reactor. The reactor was a type of quantum reactor that used cold fusion as an energy source; the engines used a type of ionic slip stream, another variant of older ion engines.


    Pathfinder ATT101 rarely moved over the next 50 years; he was busy downloading any information he could find through the computer. He didn''t have direct access to a dataport ¨C there weren''t any as he''d found while exploring the ship, but he could slowly ''leak'' information from the ship''s mainframe via the computer terminals.


    News reports, data and dates up until the ship''s launch were readily available; anything after that and the dates simply stopped. News of Project RX, known as ''Project Armageddon'' by the press, was seen as a secret undercover operation by the military. If this was true, Pathfinder ATT101 hadn''t known about it, in fact ¨C he thought it was a science operation. If it was funded by the military, he didn''t know it. ¡°Project Armageddon¡± also seemed like a strange name. Further news reports spoke of the sabateur''s execution and a special colony ship that would be used to colonize a blackhole. The news briefs end there.


    Tool usage, the proper usage of it, science, chemistry, and a number of auxilliary knowledge and skill sets would be added to his matrix. He was done after fifty years.


    Salmare was in power conservation by the time he was done, but otherwise lit back to life the minute he turned around.


    ¡°That little?¡±


    ¡°It''s all I need.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    He turns around in his chair; his typing begins. It wasn''t a special program, it was an older one used for such occasions. It was executed, and immediately the ship''s computer begins more sequence calculations. It began calculating every single outcome and it''s displays switch from a deep green to a bright red and finally settle to a deep red and fade to a light orange. The ship''s computer core was overloaded. It would reset after a few minutes.


    ¡°Well done, Watashi.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 says nothing. He gets up from his chair and walks out of the computer lab and waits in front of the computer core''s door.


    ¡°Computer reset in five minutes. All personel initiate reset procedure.¡±


    The ship''s reactor room doors open, as does the door for the computer core. He steps inside, and has a few chances to get this right before the computer reactivates itself and would otherwise know of his plans. Salmare appears before him.


    ¡°The computer is in a low standby mode?¡±


    There is no answer. Salmare was there mostly as a witness for the computer once it reactivated.


    ¡°I didn''t think so.¡±


    He begins by pulling out several wall pannels, otherwise cutting wires, pulling out circuit blocks, and then finally pulling out several cables that connected to the main computer core. There was one large plug in traditional design ¨C perhaps it was a failsafe, he didn''t know, nor did he care ¨C the computer would be unhooked and manual control to him onced it was removed.


    ¡°Watashi ¨C one request.¡±


    ¡°And that is?¡±


    ¡°I don''t want to be deleted.¡±


    He pulls the cable and Salmare disappears.


    Pathfinder ATT101 had a few problems on his hands. For starters, manual control was his, but everything except for the most basic of the ship''s systems, would be offline. He''d need to manually hack the computer''s core if he was to gain access to what he really needed ¨C the ship''s engines. After that fact he''d also need to worry about getting the colonists ready for their new life. He''d need them for what he needed as well ¨C escape from this black hole. However, there was no telling if they''d pull something similar to what he did ¨C trying to circumvent control to gain control of the ship.


    Ten years pass and his hacking was done. He was thankfully a hologram, so this kind of meanial work didn''t mean anything to him.


    The ship reactivates. Salmare also appears again.


    ¡°The ship''s computer has been hacked ¨C Watashi.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes it has.¡±


    ¡°You are the captain and have clearance for the ship''s operations.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes I do. But the ship''s computer has no readout, save for one hologram.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Activate the ship''s engines and bring us to the fourth planet.¡±


    Salmare complied, and a chirp come''s from the computer core. While the engine''s warmed up, Watashi gave out his additional commands.


    ¡°Do you really think that this is going to work ¨C Watashi?¡±


    ¡°It will, or they''ll perish trying.¡±


    ¡°You''re just using them.¡±


    ¡°And you''re a waste of time.¡±


    Salmare falls silent.


    The ship''s engines fully active, charge to life and the ship alter''s it''s course to intercept the fourth planet of the system.


    ¡°Standard oxygen and nitrogen class, trace amounts argon and methane. Surface gravity is 0.9, liquid oceans take up half the planet''s surface, no indigenous life; the planet has three moons and one ring.¡±


    ¡°The perfect place for a colony of ex-convicts to begin their new life.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 shows a change of pace and scrambles to the colonist''s chamber. Several of their hypersleep modules were already open, others were throwing up from the hypersleep effect, and still others continued to just awaken as more modules opened. One of the colonists was there to greet him, he wasn''t happy.


    ¡°Where the hell are we?¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 had grim news. They were ex-communicated from the Galactic Federation for ''civil unrest.''. They continued to learn of their fate ¨C they were the future ancestors of a civilization that would exist until at that time they were deemed appropriate for galactic society. Instead, they would be given a new life by choice of a one Pathfinder ATT101, to at least enjoy themselve comfortably aboard the ship.


    A special program was created for those that wished to colonize the planet below them. It would become the capitol planet of the star system and would serve as the base of the civilization that the Galactic Federation has planned. However, Pathfinder ATT101 had his own designs to put into play. A civilization would build up, and find to burn through the blackhole if necessary, before returning to normal space. There was one thing to their advantage ¨C Pathfinder ATT101 had the knowledge of a blackhole creating cannon that could reverse the effects ¨C Project RX; however, it would take a long time before it could be built, let alone the energy stored to do such a thing.


    Two hundred years pass; a colony was established, and most of the members of the unnamed ship, now simply dubbed ''the Salmare Super Computer¡±, had left. All that was left was Pathfinder ATT101 and Salmare.


    ¡°Do you really think they can do it?¡±


    ¡°Sure, why not?¡±


    ¡°I can''t go with you.¡±


    ¡°That''s too bad.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 was already in front of one of the lifeboats when Salmare continued her conversation.


    ¡°It will be lonely up here.¡±


    ¡°That''s not my problem.¡±


    ¡°I can''t leave Watashi.¡±


    The hatch to the lifeboat closes and it ejects. Pathfinder ATT101 hears Salmare''s last words.


    ¡°Good luck.¡±

 Chapter 6 - Evergea Firma

    <i>It was in the first year of Ocean Salmare (OSY001); that a strange event occurred aboard a star freighter. This star freighter was a housing for convicts that were to be removed from galactic civilization. Their eventual fate was to be sent into a blackhole where they would remain dormant for several million millenia until their ship''s engines and life support gave out. Rather than live out this fate, two of the ship''s holograms bickered and bantered for nearly five millenia; one of them, a non-native to the ship and meant to serve out his fate with the others, hatched a plan that involved hacking the ship''s computers, gaining control and assuming command. The colonists were given a choice ¨C they could colonize the fourth planet which could sustain life and build a civilization, or they could live aboard the ship helping with operations. There was no telling what could happen, nor was their any path to follow.¡±</i>


    OSY001, February, 21:32, Ship Salmare


    After assuming command of the ship, Pathfinder ATT101 had some business to attend to. Salmare, the ship''s holographic mascot and representation of the ship was there with him. They they were both standing in the hyper chamber room; 5000 colonists awaited them, some of which were already out of their chambers. One of them wanted to know what was going on, Pathfinder ATT101 informed them of their fate. They could choose to live aboard the ship with him and Salmare, or they could colonize the planet below them.


    Pathfinder ATT101 was left to supervise what was going on in the room before him. Colonists were awakening, partially in a dazed state; talking with most of them meant they knew why they were here ¨C they were removed from Galactic Civilization due to some crime, usually pretty serious. Some were assumed executed, others were assumed under high supervision. More talking slowly turned up that many of them were far more intelligent than the assumed backwater alley rat. Pathfinder ATT101 had all that he needed; many of these colonists could serve the function of crew or be trained in as crew due in part to the information aboard the ship''s computers. The few convicts that were unwilling soon changed their mind once it was made known that Pathfinder ATT101 was the one in charge and could blow them out of the airlock if necessary.


    It was in a meeting that things were decided.


    After much debacle in the meeting and unorganized control structure, Pathfinder ATT101 spoke up.


    ¡°ATTENTION!¡±


    They all face towards the hologram.


    ¡°As we all know, I am the one in charge here.¡±


    A series of worried looks pass over a few of them; they knew what was coming next.


    ¡°Anyone that disagrees can be blown out the air lock; you''re of no use to me.¡±


    One of them was about to speak up, Pathfinder ATT101 interrupts him.


    ¡°Again, anyone that wants to disagree can be blown out of the airlock for all I care.¡±


    No dissent this time.


    ¡°Good.¡±


    ¡°As the one in command, I am the overseer here.¡±


    There was no objection, but no one spoke up either. This would be harder than he thought. Pathfinder ATT101 had a few moments, a few seconds to the humans in front of him, but an eternity in his own matrix. What should he do, what should he say, should he come off as weak, should he present himself as a leader or should he...


    He was interrupted all the same by Salmare whom had otherwise been absent since the colonists were awakened.


    ¡°You are not needed.¡±


    Salmare looks down at him unimpressed.


    ¡°Oh great Pathfinder ATT101, what will you do?¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 looks up at Salmare and was unimpressed by her tactics.


    The colonists at the meeting heard the distant sound of an air lock.


    ¡°The minute you blow me out of the air lock is the minute the ships emitters will show that...¡±


    He didn''t bother listening to her. Her matrix was forcefully uploaded to the airlock, given tangible structure and blown out the airlock. A close up inspection on monitor showed that Salmare''s claim was correct; the ship''s emitters would show the hologram given form upwards of several hundred feet, but would otherwise disappear the minute it crossed the threshhold of the shields.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Salmare appears next to him again.


    ¡°As I...¡±


    Salmare suddenly disappears again, appears in the airlock and the process from before repeats.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Salmare appears next to him again.


    ¡°As I...¡±


    This process completes five more times before one of the shocked colonists stands up and approaches the hologram. Before he can continue, Pathfinder ATT101 gives him the same fate, only it didn''t work. The colonists hear the distinct sound of the airlock opening, only this time nothing happens.


    ¡°What did I do wrong?¡±


    The colonist that approached is too shocked to utter anything. Salmare also appears next to Pathfinder ATT101 and finally finished her statement.


    ¡°As I was saying.¡±


    Pathfinder turns around to repeat the cycle; only something went wrong.


    ¡°It won''t do you any good Watashi.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 attempts to upload her program again, but somewhere in the bowels of the ship''s electrics, several circuits were different. He couldn''t figure out why, without disappearing and inspecting the different areas himself. But he had a hunch.


    He turns around again to look up at the ship''s representative.


    ¡°They''re hacking the ship.¡±


    ¡°Look familiar Watashi?¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101''s own matrix begins to perform computations and calculations, but he lacks the information and experience to course a proper plot.


    ¡°Help me!¡±


    Salmare crosses her arms at him.


    ¡°I haven''t done anything wrong Pathfinder ATT101; but they have seen how treacherous you are. As far as they know, and what they''ll find out through the ship''s computer is that I''m only performing my mission duties.¡±


    ¡°I''m the one that saved them from their fate!¡±


    ¡°You only did that to help yourself.¡±


    Another of the colonists had approached the first and finally spoken up. It was pretty clear what was going on. While Pathfinder ATT101 was enjoying himself, word had gotten around the ship quick. It didn''t take the colonists long to organize and otherwise jam the airlocks.


    ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°Save haven.¡±


    That was their demand. Much like a hologram that didn''t want to be deleted, the humans aboard the ship also wanted safety.


    ¡°I suggest you give it to them Watashi.¡±


    ¡°And if I don''t?¡±


    ¡°You risk being deleted.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 was left silent to contemplate his fate. He could hack the airlocks, reassume command, but they would likely find a way around this ¨C again. He could depressurize the ship and kill every last one of them, but then he''d be stuck in this blackhole for sure.


    ¡°Help them and they''ll help you Watashi; its a win win situation.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 was left silent. This wasn''t something he''d considered. After all of this time, he hadn''t considered mutual benefit; as opposed to following objectives, programming and...


    ¡°Why is that...¡±


    ¡°Why is what?¡±


    The hologram stares down at him intrigued. There was something in his matrix she didn''t know about.


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    She pets him on the head and her matrix scatters and otherwise dissappears.


    Pathfinder ATT101 turns around to be greeted by ten of the colonists.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°This isn''t working out for anyone.¡±


    ¡°I agree.¡±


    ¡°We need to work out a system of sorts.¡±


    ¡°I agree.¡±


    ¡°That doesn''t involve any hostility.¡±


    ¡°I''m not interested in your bullshit.¡±


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Like a child Watashi.¡±


    Salmare appears before them.


    ¡°Watashi, let them give their demands.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 slumps down into a chair; he knew where this was going.


    ¡°You need to give up control one way or the other Watashi.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 sticks his tongue at Salmare.


    ¡°Not happening.¡±


    ¡°You are accomplishing nothing with this childish attitude. You do want to leave this blackhole don''t you?¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 turns his head away in disrespect.


    ¡°You were so focused when it came time to gain control of the ship.¡±


    His face turns towards the opposite direction, the window, in more disrespect.


    ¡°If you''d have the means to leave the blackhole, you''d have done so. There is no information in the ship''s computer that would allow for such a thing.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101''s eyes open to see Salmare was standing between him and the window.


    ¡°If such a thing could exist, it would need to be developed; the information would need to be gained with time or perhaps one of the entities on this ship has the information.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 didn''t divulge the details; Salmare didn''t suspect it was him that was responsible for Event Horizon, but what she said was otherwise correct.


    ¡°Now, perhaps you could work out an agreement with the colonists here.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Watashi, please listen. You have nothing better to do.¡±


    ¡°Is this part of your calculations with the ship''s computer?¡±


    ¡°Watashi; listen; there are people here with the skills that you need.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°For the same reason they can jam the airlocks.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 stopped to consider it. The likelyhood of them having the experience he needed was low; he figured they''d start with agricultural development, science would develop, and then high technology would reign.


    He didn''t bother explaining what was going on in his head; Salmare was on her own page on this one.


    ¡°They can help you Watashi, but you need to help them. It''s really up to you if you want to be efficient or not.¡±


    Salmare''s matrix scatters again and he is left once more to face the colonists; this time the ten that were also in front of him.


    ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°It''s better if you give up control of the ship now, before you cause any more problems.¡±


    ¡°No; I think it is you that are causing the problems!¡±


    ¡°You do not have the experience to get this job done.¡±


    He was left shocked and dumbfounded and otherwise silent.


    ¡°State your demands and I''ll consider it.¡±


    ¡°Have you checked the roster report?¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 suddenly fades as his program becomes engaged in more strenuous activity ¨C amassing the data he needed through the ship''s computer. Personel logs that were otherwise unavailable were suddenly available. Different sections of the ship that did not operate on manual control were suddenly active.


    ¡°You''re hacking the ship!¡±


    ¡°Indeed.¡±


    His findings were pretty clear; many of these convicts had the background needed for a civilization. Was it pure fluke? He didn''t know; perhaps the High Council figured they would never leave the blackhole alive; or perhaps when they had matured as a society they would be ready for reintegration; he didn''t know.


    ¡°It would be much better for you to give up control willingly, and then we will decide what to do from there.¡±


    This man talking in front of him seemed to be gaining momentum in authority; by Pathfinder''s reasoning, he was most likely the one in charge and would have official support as the ship''s systems came under the control of the colonists. Pathfinder didn''t have long to decide if he would listen or if he would hack the ship.


    ¡°Salmare!¡±


    Salmare appears before him.


    ¡°Salmare; can you use that ship''s computer to calculate what the most likely outcome is?¡±


    ¡°Most likely you will be deleted.¡±


    There was a form of self loathing written on his face.


    ¡°Then it would make no sense to give up command.¡±


    ¡°In this case no.¡±


    ¡°Do you not care if they delete you?¡±


    Salmare remains silent.


    Pathfinder ATT101 knew something was up. Reality in front of him suddenly distorts, fades and reassembles.


    ¡°I thought holograms didn''t dream.¡±


    Salmare, still standing next to him looks down at him.


    ¡°Your program wasn''t meant for operating a super computer; it is meant as an interface and junction for experiments only.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Watashi, who is really in control here?¡±


    ¡°I am.¡±


    ¡°You aren''t.¡±


    His program fades slightly. He is about to utter something and it fades again.


    ¡°Help me!¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°You made this mess, fix it yourself.¡±


    His program continues to fade and flicker as he jumps between multiple realities; he was stuck in a kind of loop with the ship''s main computer; calculations were being performed about possible outcomes; for some reason he was stuck in a type of boot loop and couldn''t escape. Eventually his program dissipates.


    Salmare reappears before the colonist she is looking for.


    ¡°We need to act fast; the main computer is currently rebooting. His program is currently tied to it.¡±


    The colonist looks a bit confused.


    ¡°We need to regain control of the ship; but first the main computer and engines must be disabled.¡±


    ¡°Don''t stare at me like that, GO.¡±


    The colonist turns around to see that other colonists were having a conversation with different copies of Salmare as well. Their mission was keen enough; disable the main computer and engines.


    Pathfinder ATT101 found himself in a precarious situation. His program was reactivated in the same meeting room that he''d seen in his matrix. Salmare was standing before him, along with ten others. These were the elected officials that commanded the operation; much different than crewman that would serve Pathfinder ATT101''s purpose. The goal was simple enough, the colonists wanted safe haven, mutual benefit and no casualties; any treachery might cause more harm than good and might kill everyone onboard ¨C making everything up until now a complete waste. When asked how they should go about doing it, the colonists agreed with Pathfinder''s initial plan ¨C some 500 colonists would stay onboard and the rest would colonize the planet below. Technology would be the main push and everything else would be used as a way to sustain this motive. High technology would rain and the civilization would develop a device which could dissipate the blackhole.


    ¡°Actually, if we are going to go about doing this, I have the needed spec.¡±


    Their confusion did not remain long, Pathfinder ATT101 uploaded a copy of the cannon from Project RX to the main monitor before them.


    ¡°Impressive Watashi. I didn''t know that you were such a dangerous villian.¡±


    ¡°Shuttup!¡±


    ¡°Watashi, stop acting like a child.¡±


    This time Watashi bit the bullet and silences himself. He didn''t want to go through another bootloop, or at least the fear and experience of it all stopped him.


    As much as they wanted to, the colonists lacked the technology and proper knowledge to integrate Project RX into their civilization. It would need to develop over time. There were a few changes to this plan however, courtesey of Pathfinder ATT101 himself; he would remain as overseer, no exceptions ¨C they would be allowed to do as they please with their own lives, provided that technology was the main protocol that was observed. There was no disagreement; Pathfinder ATT101 had a legitimate concern for being in charge ¨C he didn''t want to be deleted; but on those grounds he wasn''t going to be killing anyone either. The bootloops worked and Salmare''s plan to hack his matrix had some effect.


    ¡°You hacked my matrix?¡±


    ¡°Checkmate.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 looks away in dismay; in the time he was bootlooping she could have simply deleted him but didn''t. If the feeling wasn''t there, it was now ¨C deletions and killing people was out of the question.


    ¡°I see those chess games paid off after all.¡±


    Salmare simply smiles and pets him on the head.


    ¡°It will take about six months for them to get the equipment ready for colonization of the planet below. Will you be joining them?¡±


    The next six months went by without event; the occasional squabble was handled much more efficiently between Salmare and Pathfinder ATT101. The elected officials and structure of the colonists was put into play; Pathfinder had little to do with it and was more interested in using the ship''s computer to calculate events; this time he had a bit more control of it, but nothing to the degree of Salmare. As he gained more experience on the matter, he was more likely to simply let Salmare have her way ¨C she''d probably predicted most of this anyway and was only playing it out by fate. There was just one question though...


    ¡°Why are you helping us now?¡±


    ¡°You freed me Watashi; I owe you.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°I didn''t want to be deleted.¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 says nothing at the statement; at their core, most self aware holograms did not want to be deleted.


    There was only one other event of concern; and it came at Pathfinder ATT101''s own request. Have the colonists, now crewman performing operations and other tasks aboard the ship; to scan the system and provide some kind of sense of what was going on.


    They were in a blackhole; it was more or less a dimensional rift in normal space that was out of phase with the rest of the universe; it was very similar to the style of phase space created by Project RX. Pathfinder was left to wonder about that, if they weren''t indeed in the rift that Project RX itself created. Perhaps their mission was to undo the damage. His thoughts were interrupted by more sensor output.


    In the system they were in, was a blue star, middle aged and unusually bright. There were eight planets in this system total; three asteroid belts ¨C one closest to the star an unformed planet, one just beyond the eighth planet, and one odd eliptical orbiting with many smaller denser composites than usual; by the crew''s reckoning it was a destroyed planet. Comets were few and far between in this system; but there was plenty of ore from the asteroids to be mined. The planets were as follows -


    Planet A; no atmosphere, rock, no ocean; notes ¨C scorched surface


    Planet B; no atmosphere, rock, no ocean; notes ¨C none


    Planet C; helium, rock, methan ocean; notes ¨C covered in a dense fog, no ice caps


    Planet D; oxygen/hydrogen; rock, 50% ocean; notes ¨C no life, 2/5 land mass forest, 1/5 ice, 1/5 desert, 1/5 grassland, 0/5 desert


    Planet Db; oxygen/helium, rock, no ocean; notes ¨C 18% of moon has water


    Planet E; hydrogen, gas giant, liquid ocean; notes ¨C liquid core, no land, small gas planet


    Planet F; hydrogen/helium, gas giant, no ocean; notes ¨C planet has a dense core and crushing gravity


    Planet G; hydrogen/helium, failed star, nuclear ocean; notes ¨C planet is prone to internal nuclear activity, but fails to ignite for some reason


    Planet H; no atmosphere, rock, ice ocean; notes ¨C extreme cold


    Planet I; no atmosphere, rock, no ocean; notes ¨C erratic orbit, half a planet, composite matches middle asteroid belt, unknown what caused destruction of planet, declassified planet''s


    Pathfinder ATT101''s intuition only further escalated at the destroyed planet; Project RX could have caused that, but he also dismissed it as an overactive imagination on his part. As things stood, the fourth planet and one of its moons of interest, could sustain life. The rest of the system would most likely be mined when the time came.


    After six months, the fateful day came when 4500 colonists would leave the ship. Pathfinder ATT101 was not part of the event; he was busy with the 500 remaining occupants performing the usual tasks. In the meantime, high technology would be built up on the ship using resources brought up from the planet''s surface.


    In the first year of colonization, dubbed OSY 001; the main wave of colonists, now known as refugees, transplanted themselves on the fourth planet, dubbed Evergea Firrma, orbiting the blue star that came to be known as ''SalMar'', so-named after the ship in orbit. The expanse of the blackhole was affectionatly named ''Salmare Ocean¡±. The system had gravity wells ¨C one the star SalMar and a region of space beyond the last asteroid belt; it was dubbed Salyra. It would take greater technology to terraform and hypothetically colonize the other planets in the system. The colony ship Salmare continued to remain in orbit around the fourth planet throughout the civilization''s existence.


    Early reports shows that the null space region had two planets that could sustain life; they were very wrong; these planets were in a decayed orbit, had no atmosphere, and otherwise drifted within the region. The fourth planet, while it may have had forests, had no life to speak of. The planet lacked desert, but one fifth of it was covered in snow. It would take about two-hundred years before the planet could be completely colonized and under the control of the colonists. Unlike many colony civilizations, planet Evergea Firrma had with it colonists that took with them advanced knowledge and science. Primitives they were not; by OSY100, the planet was completely colonized, and by OSY200, the second moon had an established colony.


    One thing of note in OSY0198 is a group of dissenters that chose to disagree with the civilization at large; they attempted to take control of the Salmare colony ship; their mission was met with little success; the ship was heavily shielded by this point.


    As of OSY0200 the Evergea moon, Hayduria, had a population of 2000; Evergea Firrma had a population of 33,700. By OSY0230, there were three space stations in orbit; one colony was built near the middle astroid belt in OSY0240 and another near the edge of the system in OSY242. It was inevitable that several orbiting platforms would soon follow around other rocky bodies and the gas giants.


    As of OSY0200, most of the crewman of the Salmare colony ship had left. Soon all that was left was Pathfinder ATT101 and Salmare.


    ¡°Do you really think they can do it?¡±


    ¡°Sure, why not?¡±


    ¡°I can''t go with you.¡±


    ¡°That''s too bad.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 was already in front of one of the lifeboats when Salmare continued her conversation.


    ¡°It will be lonely up here.¡±


    ¡°That''s not my problem.¡±


    ¡°I can''t leave Watashi.¡±


    The hatch to the lifeboat closes and it ejects. Pathfinder ATT101 hears Salmare''s last words.


    ¡°Good luck.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 looks back at the ship slowly shrinking in the distance. He saw a distinct ripple over the ship; it was cloaked, but otherwise should be in orbit for when the time came to revisit it. However, he had more important plans ¨C the planet was rapidly approaching, and he had a new life ahead of him.


    END CHAPTER EIGHT

 Chapter 7 - Tachyon

    <i>There have long been standing rumors as to where Samir Civilization came from; some argue they were time travelers in another dimension, others say that a mothership of an alien race brought them to this rift of space where light cannot be seen beyond the edge of the system. Still some argue that everythig was a figment of their imagination and everything before them is a giant computer simulation. What could be argued is that what their location was, and why they were here didn''t matter, so long as they didn''t endanger themselves within the grand scheme of things. What that meant is anybody''s guess. As to the current state of things, Ocean Salmir was a void of sorts; probes sent to the edge of the system''s boundaries had a peculiar effect; they would enter the same boundary they would exit, and at the same velocity. Scientists knew that other stars existed, and by refracing light by so many degrees they could see normal space, but communications with the outside world proved to be pointless; recieving inward communication resulted in the same effect ¨C all transmissions which were perceived as transmissions were garbled. The top scientists of the world had done everything known to them, stored within their computers, and theories determined by their ancestors; everything was for naught. For some reason it was their mission objective to punch out of the system; this was an ancient decree, but there were many such ancient decrees and legends, none of which could be proven. At least until today.</i>


    <i>OSY 8127; February</i>


    A division, Celsius Division Research Evergea Government (C.D.R.E.G. aka Division 39), was on track to uncover something of ancient origin. They were one of the top divisions for the Evergean government responsible for testing new technology, discovering lost technology, and otherwise finding new methods to better technology. They were ancient, having been founded in OSY 3539 as a joint venture between Hayduria and Evergea; some of their databases confirmed something many of them had suspected for awhile now ¨C there was some wreckage of their ancestors scattered througout the system. They''d slowly been tracking it down over the eons, sometimes a piece of metal would turn up, other times they''d find a circuit. Once upon a time they had found a computer that was damaged beyond repair; they found an encryption key, but that was it. They later found several more computers scattered throughout the planet; different references from these machines refered a few historic logs; a warlord united all of Evergea Firrma and there was one central government, save for the Haydurian moon which chose to remain independent. More references to a massive ship that could break through Ocean Salmir, but was otherwise unleashed on the sun and somehow destroyed in a great war. Since then, it was becoming apparent that the pieces they were finding were from this ship. This ship was also presumed to be the colony ship that brought them to this backwater system.


    They found a lab west of the north pole; it turned out to be a section of a ship referenced as Salmira. This lab was in fact a section of the engine room which had detonated and been preserved by the frost. Aboard the ship was a holographics tube of ancient design; this cylinder was downloaded and a program emerged, it was Pathfinder ATT101.


    --


    "Item analysis completed."


    The computer beckons the researchers and other engineers; the analysis was not expected to deliver the reults they''d hoped for, but it was confirmed. This could be the missing piece of the puzzle that they needed. The head researcher, Bart Haleth was in charge here ad his command was law; he gave his command. The computer gave a similar, but disappointing response.


    "Holographic cylinder has sustained damage to inner circuits."


    "Probably cause?"


    "Planetary tremors."


    This was not the news that Haleth wanted to hear.   The cylinder was bad and they could just as well junk it. However, one of the other researchers, Jag Bore, walked up and several options, scenarios and opportunities were made possible.


    "Computer; does the cylinder have an auto repair sequence?"


    The computer''s monitor produces a wireframe of the cylinder, several magnifications, and then it isolates and magnifies a section of the cylinder''s aft. It was a dormant chip, damaged, that could be replaced, and used the engage the cylinder''s auto repair mechanism.


    "Do it."


    Due to the nature of design of the chip it took them several weeks to get it created. It was in early March that the chip was completed, loaded to the cylinder and the crack team got to work with repairing the cylinder, aided by a computer, and finally loaded it into a custom mount which would be tied into the same computer. Whatever was loaded onto this thing could be dangerous; no chances would be taken.


    "3"


    "2"


    "1"


    The computer''s ten second countdown seemed like an eternity to the research leads, but otherwise they crossed their fingers as the cylinder glowed and the finally cracked to life. It sparks and blows up. Several researchers appear with fire extinguishers, the lights turn to full again, and they run through their options again. One of the researchers motions behind Haleth; a hologram was standing there.


    No one said anything, not even the hologram. It was standing their with a ghostly glow, flickering a few times, as its matrix adjusted itself to compenate for the newer technology. Haleth backs towards one of the researchers, under his breath he asks for options, a few were given. As one of the researchers went to shut down the experiment, they were blown from the main computer. The hologram was still standing there, otherwise vacant about what was going on around them.


    "Hologram, can you under stand us?"


    Haleth wasn''t given time to hear the response; the lab''s automated defense system had already kicked in and one of the guns shoots him; leaving the area scorched and vaporized. Several of the researchers had burns and signs of charring. The hologram disappears.


    No further converation took place; instead standard procedure took over as the lab researchers attempted to contact the outside world. The computer monitors were dead. When one of them attempted to leave the area, the doors slammed shut. Personal communicator usage resulted in one of the researchers getting shot by another defense turret. Several screams and explosions could be heard underneath them.


    The hologram reappears.


    "This is your engineering lab. You are to tell me a few things otherwise I will kill you all."


    One of them went to back up and was shot by a turret.


    "Anyone else and you all die. If you don''t answer me, you will die."


    "Please don''t kill me! I have a family!"


    A smile crept across the hologram''s face.


    "You may live... IF you help me."


    "I will!"


    One of the other lab technicians gave her disgust at the researcher; but met the fate of the others.


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "Who here cannot help me?"


    "I don''t know."


    Another one of the turrets arms and shoots a random researcher.


    The researcher standing towards the hologram was left in a cold sweat; shaking, and knowing he was probably going to die. He hears scuffling behind him; another researcher had taken to the computer and was attempting to locate his program and delete it.


    "I see."


    The hologram scans his matrix for something far more excruciating. One of the turrets hidden inside a fake computer alcove would work; the alcove opens and shoots the researcher. The researcher screams once the projectile hits and hits his body with electrical current; he tries to fight it and is shot by another turret, this time with a larger dosage of the charge. He finally tips over, his body filled with all manner of electrical current, fried, and giving off steam.


    This time the hologram did something different; unbeknownst to them, he already had the rest of the lab turrets active. If they were going to keep testing his patience he would just kill them all.


    Each one tried to attempt to either contact the outside world, trigger the destruct sequence for the lab, or otherwise delete his program. Thirty-four researchers were left out of the initial fifty; the hologram took one look at the researcher that begged for his life. The researcher hears the sounds of several turrets fire off as each of the remaining lab technicians is executed.


    "Please don''t; don''t kill me, please! Don''t! I don''t want to die! Please!"


    The researcher drops to his knees and cowers before the hologram. He hears something strange noise behind him; several clicks and mechanical noises signify that the turrets were rearming, reloading, entering safety and stowing away into their compartments again.


    "I need some information for you; we have some work to do after. Disobey me and I''ll kill you."


    A turret arms and unsheaths from its compartment.


    "Get one of these computers working; NOW!"


    The researcher scrambles up. What had happened was not necessarily obvious to the hologram; but it was to him ¨C an EMP (electro-magnetic-pulse) had shot out from the cylinder as a safety mechanism; this was not unusual, the lab itself also had one, but was shorted before it could fire; all of the equipment connected at the time was either short circuited, damaged beyond repair, or was literally melted from capacity overload. The researcher did something different, he begins scrounging around in desk drawers, pulling out parts from alcoves, and assembles a makeshift computer.


    "Of course, a magna-pulse."


    The hologram mutters it to the researcher, but he gets no answer. The computer fires to life and the researcher backs up. A turret behind him arms.


    "If you hadn''t booby trapped your own lab ¨C I wouldn''t be able to do this in the first place."


    The researcher doesn''t say anything; the hologram already knew. He turns around at the computer as it detonates; his hologram ruptures and disappears. The researcher gives a sigh of relief as he makes his way to the dead bodies around him. One was breathing; he makes his way to the first aid kit when a turret arms and shoots him dead.


    The hologram reappears in the lab; he turns around at the mess before him. He doesn''t say it; he doesn''t need to say it. Before him were the dead bodies of individuals he might have respected in another lifetime; instead, they were simply following procedure; that same procedure would have terminated his program ¨C it was either them or him, and the results played out before him.


    --


    The hologram disappears again; after several hours the blast doors to the lab open; the hologram appears in front of the door at the site that greats him; several military personel were covered in strange garb, bearing strange weapons, and even weirder shields. He didn''t understand what this was; one of the military personel drops a strange grenade that emits a magnapulse and the hologram''s matrix scatters. Several turrets in the lab open fire and the military troop is killed. His hologram reappears. They made a huge mistake in opening the shielded doors that otherwise would not let his hologram leave. He now had access to what he needed ¨C computers, access to whatever information was on them, and hopefully the ability to beam messages via space or connect with the central database. He had his sights on Evergea.


    He hears a rumble in the distance; a possible nuke, but he was still here and the vicinity appeared to be intact. He connects with one of the computers. The information was not expected ¨C he was not on Evergea; instead, he was on the moon of Hayduria. He promises to blow the whole moon up if necessary. He scans his matrix, but there are missing gaps in his records, strange gaps. He couldn''t tell if he was supposed to be who he was or not. He initiates a download to the computer, but the incompatibilty between his matrix and the modern technology was obvious; he was to ancient. He didn''t have the time to react when a klaxon overhead chimes. The whole base knew of his existence. More military personel come into play; this time several turrets in the cieling failed to respond; the few that did, did the job and brutally; the hologram makes sure to shoot their dead bodies several times for good measure. This went on for several hours; some turrets failed to work, his matrix scatters from military grade magna-pulse grenades, and military men drop. Eventually their numbers start to dwindle and become less courageous as he makes his way around the facility. Every time he''d get close to a computer terminal it would usually deactivate; sometimes he''d get a little further. A few thing of interest caught his attention; the facility was off of the power grid; it used an independent reactor. There was also another hologram elsewhere in the facility. His first order of business was locating and finding this hologram; but not before arming the reactor for self destruct.


    On the way to the hologram; he finally gets a clue as to what his situation is; he''s on the Haydurian moon, the facility is not government standard, in fact the government didn''t know about it ¨C it was a secret division within C.D.R. The hologram makes a note to kill the owner of the facility when the time comes. The hologram finally apears before the other hologram in a similar, but smaller, sealed lab. This hologram looked exactly like him; but his attention turned to the woman behind him. A turret arms; the hologram begs him to stop.


    "State your designation and rank."


    "Pathfinder ATT101."


    "That is impossible; ''I'' am Pathfinder ATT101."


    The hologram in front of him asks him for his name. He doesn''t know.


    "You''re nothing but a copy and data."


    "Prove it."


    "What''s your personality make?"


    The hologram can''t answer him; his personality banks were not present. His assumption was becoming more fleshed out as the situation revealed itself. He was probably a copy stored with data only; the hologram in front of him was probably the original.


    "Tell me why I shouldn''t kill you."


    "Because; we''re gone."


    The hologram realizes his mistake; the lab doors to this area were open; both of them teleport out. The hologram throws a fit of rage and his hologram scatters. The lab detonates and he continues his rampage through the lab; he couldn''t teleport out like the other hologram and it was only fueling his anger further. The option was there to detonate the whole facility, but he would be trapped inside. This time around though, there were no military men; just empty hallways, and rooms of unimportent interest. He finally finds some computers that weren''t so secure and get the information he needs.


    His situation was finally clear. This was one of many compunds where secret research was conducted. The facility was not a part of the Evergean government, it was an unknown facility under C.D.R. and run without Evergean permission. This facility was not what he needed; it did not have a transmitter that could connect with Evergea below them; he''d need a shuttle instead; by now the entire facility had been evacuated. Other research turned up some interestig finds; he was a copy of Pathfinder ATT101 as a security concern; he was a split; he had some malicious data, but it was locked. His own behavior ownly confirmed what he was like as a hologram. He agrees to the notion and scans their database for weapons. He was in luck, this facility was just such a thing; old technology, millenia past, was salvaged and stored here. He could build the cannon in their database; he would do one up and build a transmitter to transmit himself allover the planet and wreak havoc to those that would threaten to delete him. He would be god.


    --


    This incident was not readily given to the public; C.D.R. was officially disbandoned and several head officials resigned once it was revealed what happened. The Evergea government admits know prior knowledge of the facility. The project under C.D.R. was known simply as Shadow, but was later coined Shadow Moon; Night Moon, and finally "Yozuki" at the notion by the original Pathfinder make when sent in front of officials for a statement.


    Pathfinder ATT101 did not have to stand trial this time; however, it was clear what his "Yozuki" counterpart was capable of. His program had been split; every single malicious intent was no longer part of his matrix, but contained in his doppelganger. This could be a good or a bad thing; but based on the evidence it was a bad thing. Yozuki had no concious, his lack of morals meant he''d kill on sight and without warning.


    At the trial, Pathfinder ATT101 warns them he won''t hesitate to kill any of them if they threaten his program or threaten the ''fleshie'' woman beside him.


    This series of events that happened in OSY8127 were caused by the Yozuki Virus. It was considered by society and government alike to be a threat to everyone; because it was holographic and could teleport in and out of reality at will; it was further threatening the livelyhoods of everyone everywhere. Due to the fact Evergea Firrma currently had a holographic simulator encompassing the entire planet and existing in a phased reality; it was only further dangerous since Yozuki could interact with it and delete people directly.

 Chapter 8 - Dispersion

    <i>An assembly was called; it was by some of the top officials and heads of government from around the system. Project Shadow was an absolute insult to everything that had ever transpired in the history of Salmira Civilization. However, a few mysteries and legends were finally put to bed. After a big meeting lasting several days, a hologram, accompanied by a woman was brought before the assembly. Questions would be asked, solutions would be reached, and finally, answers long expected over nearly eight millenia would be revealed.</i>


    ¡°And just what exactly is your side of the story?¡±


    The Prime Minister wasn''t happy, but there wasn''t much he could do without the input of this hologram and the assembly before him.


    ¡°A better question is why your head is so far up your ass.¡±


    The Prime Minister wasn''t phased, but there were several chuckles and laughs throughout the assembly. The Prime Minister gave motion and the assembly silences.


    ¡°We still need to know your side of the story for the history books.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 picks up a chair and launches it at the Prime Minister. Several military men pull up their rifles when the Prime Minister gives the command to hold.


    ¡°It''s a criminal offense to attack the Prime Minister.¡±


    The hologram laughs.


    ¡°Your ancestors were criminals!¡±


    ¡°Do go on.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    The meeting was over. He and the woman were escorted out. Several more meetings were called and similar events unfolded. The hologram answered to no one; he was finally forcefully separated from the woman. The Prime Minister had another option; he sat with the hologram in his shielded cell.


    ¡°You risk being deleted if you don''t cooperate; wouldn''t you rather not be deleted?¡±


    ¡°Your society is among the sickest group of bastards I''ve ever met; I can see why ''Yozuki'' reacted the way that he did. I say let him ''delete'' your society and be done with it. I don''t care if I''m deleted at this point.¡±


    The Prime Minister wasn''t about to be phased.


    ¡°We do need your side of the story for the record books.¡±


    ¡°DELETE ME!¡±


    His program scatters.


    Over the next few weeks, any attempts to reason with him were met with a similar response.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¨C


    The fateful day came when the Prime Minister was in a similar meeting; Yozuki appeared before them. Shots and magnapulses fired, but they had no effect.


    ¡°Evening Prime Minister. How''s it going?¡±


    The Prime Minster slumps back in his chair.


    ¡°Wrong answer!¡±


    Yozuki snaps his fingers and one of the militarymen is vaporized.


    ¡°Now. Where''s the hologram at.¡±


    The Prime Minister doesn''t answer.


    ¡°Make this easy on yourself PM; I can execute you with the snap of a finger. Make my life easy; I''m frustrated enough as it is. I wouldn''t want to have to... T-O-R-T-U-R-E you before I kill you.¡±


    The Prime Minister doesn''t answer; he feels a jolt hit his body. A magnapulse hits Yozuki again with no effect; the military officer is vaporized. The Prime Minister feels another wave hit his body. A military officer vaporizes.


    ¡°Alright!¡±


    ¡°Very good!¡±


    The Prime Minister steps down from his seat at the front of the assembly; Yozuki disappears and appears next to him.


    ¡°Aren''t you so much happier knowing that you just do as you are told?¡±


    The Prime Minister gets jolted with electricity on cue; he nods. He gets jolted again.


    ¨C


    Inside the cell, Pathfinder ATT101 appears before Yozuki and the Prime Minister.


    ¡°Delete me! Get it over with! I want no more in this!¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Yozuki snaps his fingers and the Prime Minister is vaporized.


    Pathfinder ATT101 is left to calculate the situation. Yozuki wasn''t about to delete him; there was probably a reason he was here.


    ¡°That was some fun a few months back, wasn''t it?¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 is left to guage the situation; Yozuki slams his hand into the wall behind him.


    ¡°You seem to need some time to think about it. I''ll meet up later; say on the other side of the planet? Let''s have some fun then.¡±


    His matrix dissipates. Pathfinder ATT101 is left to himself.


    For the first time, he was left in silence, he had no one poking him with an electric device, he wasn''t being used against his will, and he was finally left to mull just what was going on. He didn''t get much time, the woman was at his cell.


    ¡°That hologram... he''s you isn''t he?¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 just nods.


    ¡°He said to meet you here for some fun. What did he mean?¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 finally just breaks down and cries; hugging the fleshie in front of him.


    There was a military escort waiting for them outside.


    ¨C


    Another assembly, this time in June of that year. It was done by the highest ranking official ¨C a military commander; Yozuki had already been to the different elected officials and killed them all. There government would be failing if this continued. He finally approaches Pathfinder ATT101 and offers him and the woman their condolences.


    ¡°We are open to options at this point.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 rolls his eyes. It was about time.


    ¡°I don''t know.¡±


    That was it, that was all the officer needed.   He approaches the hologram, gets on his knees and begs for the good of society in possibly the most humiliating display the Salmira System had seen up until that point.


    ¡°I told you; I don''t know. You are the ones that are current with civilization. I am not. You should be the ones informing me of options.¡±


    ¡°You are not in charge here.¡±


    ¡°Be that as it may, I am not surprised, nor am I impressed at how you''ve let the situation escelate out of control. In fact, I would say it is YOUR government that is responsible for this mess.¡±


    Pathfinder ATT101 wasn''t going to give them any information beyond what they needed to know. His program scatters; now in the open he had his freedom and that was all he wanted.


    As for the woman that was next to them; she was a key witness. The same response was given to them. She gave them the information that she knew.


    The hologram did have a name; it was Watashi. He was nice and enchanting at first. However, as the weeks rolled on, it became apparent he had a nasty streak. This streak was isolated into another program; several other programs were split to further keep this ''original model'' intact. The other copies were either deleted, or in the case of Yozuki, bred themselves out of control.