Song of the Void

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”We’ll need to inform the Admiral of the cloaked ships.” Lilly suddenly realized. “Otherwise he might do something silly while thinking the enemy only brought a couple dozen ships.”

“Surely he isn’t that stupid?” Amaterasu frowned. “These new enemies have been stealthily attacking ships of various races all over the place. He must have realized they’re using cloaking. And if they can use cloaking to that extent, then surely one must be prepared for the presence of cloaked ships as reinforcements.”

"I think you might be overestimating him a bit," Lilly admitted with a deep sigh. “He’s not incompetent by any means, but he didn’t exactly gain his position due to having keen tactical acumen. Haven has been seen as a something like a prestige position among the Mrrroww High Command. Prestige position where you need more administrative skills and a good quartermaster, not tactical brilliance. Here you can post officers with good connections and at least some talent. They are smart enough to not cause any real damage but not smart enough for situations that require real tactical decision making.”

"I sent him a message," Haven reassured Lilly. “I thought it only fair.”

“So this might be just me missing something as an outsider, but there's something that stands out about this whole situation," Yrala interjected as Lilly gave a sigh of relief. "The enemies seem to be quite well informed on what they can and can't do to avoid Haven’s involvement. They’ve picked a tactic that relies on a technicality, and you can’t utilize tactics like that if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

"There's actually a rather plausible explanation for that one," Lilly stated confidently. "Amaterasu mentioned earlier that the enemy has been attacking ships. Well, the more accurate statement would’ve been that they’ve made ships disappear. I assume they’ve made the crews disappear as well. Likely those crews have been questioned. The rules of engagement concerning Haven aren't exactly a secret. There's no brochure or anything when you come on board, but usually, most races and crews that visit the station figure the rules out pretty quickly. Someone usually informs them sooner or later."

“That’s not quite sufficient as an explanation though.” Amaterasu countered with a concerned frown. “While most of the rules might be general knowledge, and we can assume they gained that knowledge from the ship crews they captured, their tactic requires very precise knowledge of the details of the rules. Most spacers don’t really care enough about the rules to really learn them down to such detail. It’s not like they had their ship AI request the details from Haven. Additionally, I’m guessing Haven hasn’t exactly posted a detailed list of the rules anywhere either.”

“Both fair guesses. I told most of the rules to the Mrrroww when I was still in a VI state and left the rest up to them. They added some of their own rules on top of mine, but since they didn’t really conflict with my rules or the purpose of the station, I let them run with it. Some people have broken the rules and have been punished by me, so people know the seriousness of the rules.” Haven confirmed.

“Exactly. So we have rules that have been passed on third and fourth hand at best, inflated and changed by rumors, and rules that were not really complete in the first place. Yet the enemy has managed to pinpoint a hole in the rules of the station, not just the Mrrroww additions or the rumors, and managed to develop a strategy based on a technicality of those rules. That sounds more than just a bit iffy to me.” Amaterasu finished her point, agreeing with Yrala.

“Basically it sounds like they know more about the station than they should. That means they either have some sources of information you aren’t aware of, or they’ve dealt with something similar before.” Yrala added on.

“Haven, can you show us a scan of the enemy ships? You should have some sort of analysis on them by now since they aren’t all hiding anymore.” Xiaoli requested.

"The ships are still employing high-level electronic countermeasures, so I don't have a detailed scan of them, but I can give you some information," Haven said and they could all hear the displeasure in his voice.

A holographic display of a menacing-looking vessel appeared. The ship had a spiny, almost spider-like appearance. The fairly compact central portion of the ship had several slightly curved spines extending to both sides that looked almost like spider-legs. The ship in question had sixteen of such spines, eight on both sides, although a second hologram showed a smaller vessel that had fewer of such spines, which made it look like the larger vessels were almost like two smaller ships placed on top of each other. The ships were dark in hue and they seemed somehow odd, as if the surface of the vessel was undulating in some way.

“That’s…eerie.” Amaterasu gave a small shudder. “Why would someone make their ships like that? It seems impractical.”

“Intimidation?” Yrala suggested.

"I believe there's a reason that is at the same time more complicated, and a lot simpler," Haven said. “The ship seems to be at least partially organic in nature. I have some reason to suspect that the ship might be grown and not built, and that is simply the natural shape the ship takes.”

“So they’re a bit like Shinzen?” Lilly asked.

“A bit, yes. Though from the little I can tell, there are rather significant differences as well. The Shinzen ships are living creatures. Weird and almost mindless beings controlled by the hive mind, but living beings nonetheless. I don’t think these ships are alive in the same sense. They are simply based on organic technology and grown artificially.” Haven explained.

“Considering you said you didn’t have detailed scans, you seem to have oddly detailed information.” Yrala pointed out.

“It’s not the first time I’ve seen similar technologies. In fact, such things become rather common at a certain level of technological development. Even the Dhar went through that phase.” Haven easily retorted.

“How advanced are we talking about? Compared to us I mean.” Yrala asked curiously.

“That’s hard to say. Some races advance more quickly than others, and there are multiple levels to these sorts of technologies. They could be a couple dozen millennia ahead of you, or they could be a million years ahead. Most biological races wind up with semi-organic construction methods at some point, and those races tend to be the most advanced until Dhar technology is introduced to the mix. Synthetic lifeforms tend to avoid such technologies for obvious reasons of course.” Haven took a page out of Nox’s handbook and actually created a holographic image of a non-descript humanoid just to give a shrug.

“But we are facing a significantly more advanced civilization nonetheless?” Yrala confirmed.

“Relatively speaking. That’s just one branch of technology though. I have no idea how advanced their weapons or shields are for example. I would assume they are ahead of yours, though at the moment I can’t even guess how much. It very well could be that they simply build their ships in a different way and that’s it.” Haven replied.

“Have you informed Selendil of the situation?” Amaterasu asked Haven. “She said she won’t interfere with things unless the situation gets really bad, but she might be interested in what happens to you Haven. After all, this is the place where she spends most of her time when she returns to this galaxy. If nothing else, then this might affect the availability of quality cuisine on the station. And we all know how seriously she takes that.”

"Fair point," Haven admitted and went quiet while discussing things with Nox and Selendil. “I’ve officially been given free rein on things affecting the station and its surroundings.”

“So what will you do?” Lilly asked worriedly.

"Two things," Haven replied without really answering the question. Outside the station, one of Haven's weapon systems activated. A thin but long turret pivoted towards one of the phase space inhibitors and fired a powerful blast of energy, missing the inhibitor barely and on purpose. It was a clear warning shot.

“Come now Haven, don’t keep us in suspense. We can’t actually see what’s going on without you keeping us informed.” Xiaoli prompted. After all, they weren’t on the bridge of a ship but in a random corridor of the station. There were no displays of what was happening outside.

“I gave them a warning shot and sent them a message. The station will not tolerate any more shenanigans like what they were trying to pull. Everyone has free access to come to the station, and that extends to the Mrrroww even if their stewardship of the place is questioned. However, the enemy is also welcome on the station despite the recent events. Those were the rough contents of the message as well.” Haven explained.

“Are they showing a reaction?” Lilly asked.

“They seem to be considering things at the moment. Ah, no, they seem to have come to a decision. Their ships are pulling back and the inhibitors were turned off and brought aboard their ships. Three of their ships are actually approaching the station while the others are preparing to leave. Apparently, they do plan on coming on board. However, they sent a message addressed to the Admiral that they do not recognize the Mrrroww control of the station, nor any of the rules they have set. They will not subject themselves to any procedures upon boarding.” Haven gave commentary.

"Well, now I'm curious. I did not expect them to come on the station. I suppose this could be considered a draw? They did not get what they wanted but they were not defeated either.” Yrala commented.

“Haven, can I see the list of races they have attacked again?” Amaterasu suddenly requested. They all suddenly saw a list of names floating in the air. “I think I might have an inkling about what they are doing. See this?” Amaterasu pointed at the list. “These races are all relatively unpopular among the other races on the station. The Shinzen are just the most blatant example, but the others are rather belligerent or fiercely isolationist as well. They aren’t necessarily the ones I would’ve picked to attack first if I was in the place of the enemy. Not unless I had some alternative aim from a pure military conquest.”

“You’re saying they’re attempting some sort of divide and conquer type of deal?” Xiaoli suggested.

“I can’t really speculate that far. I just think they have some diplomatic plans as well. Considering how aggressively they are behaving, they might not be as disliked by many of the races on the station as one might suspect, just because they are attacking races that few others would actually miss." Amaterasu tried putting her thoughts to words but was finding it difficult. It was like she was close to grasping some kind of idea but it kept eluding her.

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“Master. Some of the creatures have come on board the station.” Haven reported to Selendil.

“I assume there’s a reason you’re telling me.” Selendil prompted. She didn’t need reports on such details otherwise and Haven knew that. Selendil wasn’t one for micromanaging things.

“There is.” Haven replied and a hologram of a spindly creature with a black carapace was projected in front of Selendil. The creature seemed to be somewhere between a spider and a praying mantis with thin spiky limbs and insectoid body shape. The creature had a small triangular head and seven pairs of pinpoint eyes in two stacked rows. Externally the creature was colored in shades of dark purple and black. According to the readings, the creature possessed the ability to cloak itself from most visible wavelengths. The station's sensors were easily able to see it, however. “The creature is listed on my database. Specifically, the database for another galaxy.”

"Well, this is interesting. I seem to remember these creatures. Weren’t they one of the last projects we completed before we were hit with the plague? What was their name again?” Selendil asked. She would’ve consulted the stored memories, but this was still during the time when only notable people were preserved by the Keepers, and the Dhar involved with the project were not among those notable people. For once electronic records would be more reliable.

“Yes, they were the last race to be uplifted by the Dhar according to my database. As for the name,” Haven released a high-pitched screech impossible to replicate with normal humanoid organs. Even Selendil was incapable of replicating the sound despite being an energy being.

“Ah. Well. We’re going to have to come up with a nickname for them. So. During the intervening years, they've developed the capacity to make the trip between galaxies and actually did it successfully. Not a bad accomplishment. Is the galaxy they are listed for located relatively close?” Selendil smoothly changed the topic.

“It’s in the same cluster. It’s not the closest neighboring galaxy but among the closer ones.” Nox reported in Haven’s stead. Her mechanical body was currently working on the ship’s primary weapon systems with Selendil’s assistance.

“Estimated travel time with the phase drives of Dhar ships?” Selendil asked.

“Around 600-years for the ark ships, give or take a hundred depending on possible detours in phase space.” Nox performed some quick calculations.

“So it is quite close.” Selendil nodded. “For the phase drives of a Dhar ship other than an ark ship, we’re looking at around a millennium. So for younger races, I'd say we're looking at roughly a hundred thousand years to make the trip."

“Master, I think I should point out that I may have made an error just now.” Haven suddenly jumped back in. “The being tried to take command of the station with vocal commands. It spoke fluent basic of the Eternal Empire and evoked succession protocols citing the fact that since their race had actually had contact with Dhar, they should be allowed stewardship over the station over the current stewards, the Mrrroww. I turned them down of course.”

“As you should.” Nox pointed out a bit smugly.

"Yes, well, strictly speaking, they did have enough of a claim to get a hearing from a VI. The problem is that there are really only three reasons to turn their request down so quickly. Either because I’ve already returned to AI status, or because there’s a better successor with enough of a claim already claiming the position, or if there’s no reason for succession. The creature seemed shocked that I turned them down and inquired about the reason, and I replied that I had discretion over the matters of the station.” Haven explained.

“Ah. So the fact that you can exercise such discretion revealed your return to AI status.” Nox realized some of the implications. “And that can mean two things. Either a Dhar has returned, or you’re a rogue AI that regained its intelligence.”

“That would be it, yes. The being immediately sent a ship back to report and their fleet phase jumped away. Whichever possibility they find more likely, I have a feeling they’re going to be returning with more ships in the relatively close future. Either they will be trying to force me into giving more information, or they will be here to deal with a rogue AI.” Haven agreed.

“Well, I suppose now I might have to get involved.” Selendil gave a small shrug. “I can’t exactly claim this was a problem caused by the original inhabitants of that galaxy. I'll still try to keep my involvement minimal. I suppose a lot depends on the reason these creatures are in that galaxy. If they've arrived for conquest, then things don't look too great, but if they have some other reason, then the locals might have what it takes to handle things on their own.”

“How about the tests with the jump drive?” Haven asked curiously. Nox wasn't sharing that info with the other AI just yet. It was a bit like allowing a friend/rival to see your mistakes.

“We’re almost there. The calibration is almost complete. We’re only missing the target by light-seconds now. We’re only hampered by the cooldown period of the jump core. I think we’ll take the ship to a less optimal testing situation to iron out the last problems. Testing things under less than ideal conditions would be a decent idea I believe.” Selendil mused.

“What did you have in mind?” Nox asked.

“I think it’s about time we go back to see what the situation with the Cortoids and Shinzen is. Maybe we can even get involved in a combat situation. We might even get the chance to test our primary weapons.” Selendil decided.