A Second Meeting on Abydos (part 2)

Posted on Sat Jun 27th, 2020 @ 12:36pm by Captain T'mpest Michaels & Lieutenant Commander Orin ch’Valri

1,899 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Repairs and Relaxation
Location: Abydos
Timeline: Shore Leave

[CONTINUED]

[OLD]

T'mpest again felt the minds of the AIs in her head and shared 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.

[NEW]



There was a long pause. "Your request has merit. Ra, what is your assessment?"

"Our understanding of Temporal Mechanics and traveling through time is limited by experience. Event's in time, regarding the future, are not set until they occur in the present. However, there are theories in regards to the event we are speaking of that draw more questions. Whether this is, in fact, an event in our future or an alternate timeline of a future event that has yet to occur. There is also evidence to show that, if this is in fact a future in our own timeline, that this was a Predestination Paradox where, our involvement, is an event which must occur in order for us to alter that timeline by obtaining this knowledge." Ra replied in a monotone fashion before adding. "Whichever paradox this event is considered, the information provided, is accurate and your involvement is required to alter the events experienced."

"My research was used to create a weapon that killed trillions of people. As Ra said, I believe that we were allowed to see the future so that we might prevent it."

"You know we cannot allow our technology to be used in such a way," one of the AIs said.

"I do not require you to stop this man. I wish to do that by showing every member of the Federation what he has done and how. I need your help disseminating the information across the worlds instantaneously in a manner that cannot be traced to you or to us."

Orin stood there, listening to the conversation, until it reached a certain part. He took a moment to look to Ra's screen, then to T'mpest before walking away slightly.

T'mpest turned. "Is there a problem?" she asked Orin.

An AI looked at Orin. "The data would indicate that you are essential in the proper execution of T'mpest's plan."

Orin looked over to T'mpest, he remained quiet, before saying. "I trust T'mpest's plan is a good one." He shifted his gaze over to Ra before looking to the AI's themselves. "My problems... are my own concern."

Three voices spoke in unison in his head. "As you wish."

Orin said nothing, although it was obvious, their response made him a bit apprehensive. It was less their response and more their method. All of it. From how they presented themselves, to their secret nature, and not to their capabilities. It all made him feel uneasy and it pushed against his better judgement.

T'mpest watched him for a long moment, not sure what to think. She would have to find out later. Now, she had to focus on her reason for being here. "Can you send this out, or help Ra to do so?"

The three again grew quiet as they talked to each other. Then, as one, they turned. "We will tell you how this is to be accomplished, but we dare not do it ourselves. We must keep to our purpose. At the same time, we will not give the information to your Ra. There is still a risk. However, you mentioned two people in the alternate future. Perhaps they can be of help now."

"Which people?"

"They are known to you as Starbuck and the Cryptkeeper."

Orin continued to remain quiet. He was beginning to think the only person they trusted was T'mpest. His and Ra's presence was only because of her insistence and there was nothing they would be able to say, or do, that would make them think otherwise.

"You are mistaken," came the three-as-one. "If we did not trust you, we would not speak to you, nor allow you to enter this far into the city. Only you know this Starbuck and how to reach him."

"Get out of my head." Orin said firmly, turning to face the three AI screens. "I am standing right here, in front of you, so there is no need for you to pry into my private thoughts. If you have anything to say, or ask, you do it so the rest can hear you. You three..." He stopped before he could finish and clenched his fist in frustration. The Andorian hybrid took a deep breath before letting it out to say. "You speak to me aloud and, I would ask, you allow me to keep my thoughts to myself."

"We are a telepathic people. It is much easier to share ideas, concepts and meaning without words. This is how we came to know T'mpest Michaels and to trust her. We share ideals and purpose."

T'mpest put her hand on Orin's arm. "They mean no harm." She paused, at first unsure how to word what she wanted to say, then of how he would receive it. "In the future, Starbuck and Vanya worked here, with the AIs, to protect them from the Federation. Perhaps we should bring them together now for our purpose. Vanya of all people would know how to use the knowledge of Abydos to send out the messages we need without compromising them."

"I know they don't" Orin replied, looking to T'mpest. "But you know its not the only way. They dove into your head and you, having done that so many times, grew comfortable in it and saw it would help you. But me, having only begun to exercise that part of my brain, have reached that comfort yet. When they look, into my head, they'll see everything. Good and Bad, but how can they interpret those feelings and events into who I am now by only looking at who I was. I was never a scientist, T'mpest, so I may not share what they saw in you, but I know how much it means to you. I know its needs to be protected from those who would abuse it." He looked over to the AIs, for a moment, before looking back. "If that's not good enough for them... then they should wipe my memory again because I will be nothing but a concern for that technology you want to protect."

"They will decide that before we leave," she said quietly. "I only had the normal Vulcan touch telepathy before I came here the first time. They reached out to me and awakened a greater ability that must have been used by my ancestors. It was unexpected, but I have learned to appreciate it, even though I do not use it often." She paused, smiling as she felt a mental touch. "They look into everyone who comes here. Mostly it is to learn of them and decide if they should make their presence known or not. Over the generations few have learned of this place and fewer of its history. They do not judge people just by who they were, but who they are now. However, they will not use telepathy with you again without your approval. Can you or Ra contact Vanya covertly and ask her to come here?"

"Ra can. However, it would be best to start with Starbuck first. Where Vanya is, the amount of technology she uses, a direct contact to her will lock right onto this location as a reference and store it into their system. With Starbuck, out in the field, we can contact him easily and not have to worry about this location being compromised." Orin said firmly, letting out a slight sigh, before squeezing her hand tightly. "I know you're concerned about all this, as you should, but Vanya is very close with Max Hunter. Keeping him out of this, feels wrong. He will understand and, more importantly, he can make sure both Vanya and Starbuck fall so far off the grid to work on this no one will ever know where or what they are doing. We can trust him."

"I trust Vanya, but I will defer to your greater experience with the other two," she said. "Ra? Can you make contact?"

"I can. However I need to have access with my primary systems to establish the proper encryption and protocol that will be recognized." Ra replied.

Orin nodded his head before replying. "I am not saying you shouldn't. So do I. All I am saying is, to keep this location from being recorded into the system, Starbuck can deliver the request in person. That keeps the location out of the system. All I am saying Max will understand. He can be trusted with this secret."

"You have the access," the three AIs said in unison. "You may safely send a message from here. Let this Starbuck advise on how to respond."

"To interpret, if Starbuck thinks we should include Hunter, then we shall do so."

The message was carefully composed by Orin and sent. It took several minutes before there was a reply.

"You have reached the Intergalactic Tetris Fan Club. How may I direct your call?"

"Captain T'mpest Michaels wishes to speak with either Starbuck or Vanya Karolyi."

"When did you become a captain?" the female asked.

"Five years, four months and seven days ago," T'mpest replied, smiling. "Hello, Vanya."

Vanya chuckled. "So, where are you calling from and how can I help?"

"I am with Commander Orin ch'Valri and Ra. We are in need of assistance from you and Starbuck. Is he there?"

"He's due back in about an hour." The music in the background stopped. A moment later, Vanya spoke again. "You're on an encrypted, untraceable connection. What's up?"

T'mpest explained quickly and succinctly.

"We can leave tonight. How long will it take us to get to your location?"

"Three weeks, five days, two hours," the AIs replied in unison.

"We cannot stay that long." T'mpest wished they could, but she still had the Ranger to consider. "I have a ship to get back to."

Vanya sighed. "Sorry to hear that. Well, we can go there when Starbuck returns and call you in about a month. Will that work?"

T'mpest felt the approval of the AIs in her mind. "Yes. Although I know Orin would like to see you both."

"Maybe we can swing by the Ranger when we're done?" Vanya suggested.

"Perhaps. It will depend on where we are and what we are tasked with."

"True. Well, I need to keep this short, so send me the coordinates and we'll leave tonight. Good luck."

The connection ended. T'mpest turned back to the AIs. "Thank you."

"You are welcome. Now, if you will permit us, we wish to larn more of this, then we will wait for the others to arrive."

T'mpest felt the three in her head again, reading her memories. She didn't tell Orin, as he would not approve. It lasted a moment, then they were gone.

"You will hear from us again." the tree said.

T'mpest bowed. "I am honored, as always."

Ra disappeared from the portrait. A moment later, the AIs also disappeared. T'mpest stood quietly for a long moment. Then she turned to Orin. "Ra is back on the ship. It is time to go home."

____
OFF

Lieutenant Commander Orin ch'Valri
Chief Security Officer

Captain T'mpest Michaels
Commanding Officer

Ra
AI

Abydos AIs

Vanya Karolyi
Cryptkeeper

 

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