A Second Meeting on Abydos (part 1)

Posted on Sat Jun 27th, 2020 @ 12:15pm by Captain T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Commander Orin ch’Valri

1,369 words; about a 7 minute read

T'mpest felt when they were getting close to Abydos, even before the alert came from Ra. She was excited to be back, to talk over what happened and to explain why she felt their help was essential at this time. She just hoped they wouldn't be upset with her for bringing Orin.

She walked into the war room. "Ra. Open a video communication with Abydos. Use my authorization."

"Establishing communications with the Abydos AI." Ra replied, the dog appeared by her side, as the shuttles voice continued over the intercom. "I will ensure your authorization is forwarded ahead so they are aware of who is attempting the connection."

Orin remained quiet, crossing his arms over his chest, as he stayed behind her.

"Thank you."

The audio came first. "Please identify your origin and purpose."

"I am T'mpest Michaels, captain of the USS Ranger. I am here to speak with you. I bring a companion."

"We know of your companion. He will stay on your ship."

"He is here at my behest. He now serves aboard the Ranger as my security officer. I trust him, and know he will keep your secret. Ask Ra if you do not believe me."

Ra seemed to hesitate before speaking. The dog looked toward the screen as the voice came over the Ra's intercom. "I apologize for my return. I made you a promise to not return and, this situation, breaks that promise. However, there has been a development that requires your attention and could use everyone involved."

Orin raised a brow, not familiar of any promise or connection between the AI's and Ra, but given the history it didn't surprise him that this was left out.

"My fellow AI's, I welcome you to analyze the data I have of Orin and his people if you wish to understand my loyalty." Ra said the dogs head looked over to T'mpest. "If you can trust Captain Michaels, I assure you that my friend will take your secret to his grave." He added still talking to the AIs.

"I discovered that Orin and his team had been here once before," T'mpest added. "What little he knows came from me. None of it compromises the information you wish kept secret." The AIs needed to know that much. "Since sending you the data we acquired from the future, I have learned that some of it has come to pass, but it is not exactly the same. We need your council to move forward."

There was a long silence, then the image of three tall, alien-looking people appeared on the screen. They looked closely at Orin and T'mpest. "Come, but know that if we are not satisfied with why you are here, we will again wipe his memory of this place."

Orin raised a brow before looking to T'mpest. "Do you think there are medical ramifications for having that done more then once?"

She paused, considering. "I have no idea. Let us hope we will not need to find out."

"Ra may accompany you. The cat stays." The communication closed. A moment later, directions for landing came on the screen.

"Ra, that will take us safely to a spot near the entrance," T'mpest said, nodding to the screen.

The dog looked over to the helm console just before the system began to corrects its course to the directions they just received. "I've initiated the course correction. We should arrive momentarily.

The shuttle came down, through the atmosphere, quick. However, there seemed to be no resistance during the decent. Ra was built for such maneuvers and it showed. It didn't take long for the shuttle to locate the entrance and land somewhere close by.

Salem growled from a console nearby. "The cat always stays behind."

"Someone must guard the shuttle," T'mpest said, smiling at the cat's disgruntlement. "We will return."

"How do they intend he does that? Ra is confined to the shuttle." Orin said as he looked to T'mpest.

The doberman looked to Salem and approached. He stood on his hind legs, resting is from on the console the car was seated at, before replying over the speakers. "Do not worry, Salem. My previous encounter, with these AI's, prove to me they mean no harm and are cautious of their secrecy. Our friends will be safe. I will assign my functions to you for the time being. Please remain cautious and safe. I value our friendship."

Salem nudged Ra. "Be careful."

Then Ra disappeared.

"I think that is your answer," T'mpest said. "Come, I know the way in."

Orin looked around for a moment, caught off guard by the Ra's sudden disappearance. He wasn't pleased with them taking liberties with his friend. "They should work on their manners." He said in a slight frustrated tone.

"They are generally direct," she replied, moving toward the door. "Once we are inside, they will speak to us telepathically. They prefer that. We will most likely find Ra in the center."

"Is that even safe?" Orin replied quickly as he tried to keep a calm tone. "It's a foreign system with a program entirely alien. We've spent a lot of time getting Ra to the way he is. There is no backup."

She put a hand on Orin's arm. "I trust them. They will not harm Ra. I do not know what taking him will do, but they mean well. We will see him shortly and you can talk to him and see what he thinks."

"If you say so." Orin replied. "It's not your brain they are threatening to wipe."

She understood, but she trusted the IAs as much as she trusted Orin. She preceded him off the shuttle and around to the hidden entrance to the underground facility. It opened as she approached, allowing both to enter.

Inside it was dark and the air smelled stale. As soon as he door closed the corridor lit up. Cool air stirred what little dust was on the ground. T'mpest paused for a moment, looking down the corridor, then headed down the one in front of them.

The lights came on ahead of them, leading the way. As they passed the lights went out behind them. They turned several corners, passing a number of closed doors. T'mpest didn't stop, continuing to follow the corridors as the lights came up.

At last they opened on a large room with three portraits on the far wall. There was no sign of doors or exits.

She walked up to the portraits and bowed. "It is good to see you again." She indicated Orin. "You know my friend, Orin."

The beings in the portraits inclined their heads. "Welcome to Abydos."

A panel slid open to reveal a view screen with Ra.

Orin looked around, his eyes masked by the goggles over his face, as he took in the whole room.

One of the AIs spoke directly to T'mpest, switching to telepathy. "We thought the Federation did not believe in genetic manipulation."

"It does not. Why do you ask?" In her experience, the AIs would not ask her the question without a reason.

"Your friend has been augmented. It was imperfectly done."

T'mpest looked at Orin, then back to the AI. "I will ask him. Is the answer necessary to my request?"

"No. We were...curious...as to our knowledge the laws have not changed."

"Then I will look into it later," T'mpest replied. The telepathic conversation took only a moment. The information concerned her, but it was something she would ask later.

"When returned to this timeline, I sent you the historic data for your perusal. I also requested that you assist me in disseminating information to prevent that future."

All three inclined their heads in acknowledgement.

"My first officer received information that alters the data," the half-Vulcan began.

"Show us."

T'mpest again felt the minds of the AIs in her head and shard with them the data Rylie gave her, how it differed from what they brought back, and why she needed to stop the current Federation president.

(To be continued...)

Captain T'mpest Michaels
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Commander Orin ch'Valri
Chief Security Officer

Ra
AI

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