Dr. Shubert: allsystems . org and galactica2003 . net
thecomputerroom: suggestions I consider, ideas I contemplate, challenges I ignore.
PK: The Colonial attitude to A.I.'s will come to the forefront soon enough.
As for the rest of you: if you're just going to bitch about my spelling without checking my profile to see why I make mistakes, I'd rather you didn't post reviews. As ever: Constructive criticisms always welcomed. Flames cheerfully ignored.
When two Tribes go to war... (Part 3)
"Admiral, I'm picking up 4 ship exiting slipstream of the port-side." Rommie gripped the controls tightly as another control panel exploded behind her, "Ship's confirmed as Attack Cruiser Wrath of Achilles, the Destroyers Black Watch and Zion's Victory, and the fleet-tender Kingfisher." She smiled, "Harper got through."
"Cylon forces, this is the Systems Commonwealth starship Wrath of Achilles." Captain Ryan's voice came back over the com, "I say again: Stand down or be destroyed. This is the last warning you will receive."
"Andromeda, open a link to the Galactica and Achilles." Telemachus stepped to the centre of the room, careful to avoid fallen debris, "Captain Ryan, may I introduce Commander William Adama of the Colonial Battlestar Galactica. Commander, Captain Ryan is the commanding officer and central AI of the Attack Cruiser Wrath of Achilles."
"You have a mean streak." Rommie grinned.
"4 new contacts, confirmed sir." Lieutenant Gaeta's eyes where fixed on the one remaining sensor screen, "Commonwealth power signatures. We are receiving a transmission form the Hercules."
"Put the Admiral through." Adama walked over to the main console.
"Captain Ryan, may I introduce Commander William Adama of the Colonial Battlestar Galactica." Telemachus voice crackled through the static, "Commander; Captain Ryan is the commanding officer and central A.I. of the Attack Cruiser Wrath of Achilles."
"Another dammed A.I." Tigh mutter under his breath.
"Something we're going to have to get used to old friend." Adama pointed out, "Lieutenant, what are the Cylons doing?"
"They appear to be regrouping sir." Gaeta switched to a long-range scan; "I don't think they know how to react."
"Additional Commonwealth ships have entered system. Designate Hostiles #4, #5, #6 and #7. FTL drive system unknown."
"Extrapolate possible combat capabilities."
"Hostiles #5 and #6 are same class as Hostile # 2. Hostile #4 is unknown class, possible Battleship. Hostile #7 is apparent cargo craft."
"Troublesome."
"Intercepting communications between hostile craft."
"Put then through."
"Captain Ryan, may I introduce Commander William Adama of the Colonial Battlestar Galactica. Commander; Captain Ryan is the commanding officer and central A.I. of the Attack Cruiser Wrath of Achilles."
"An A.I. commanding a human Starship? Record all transmissions, and send a raider back to the fleet asking for advice."
"By your command."
The stand off continued for some time, neither side willing to make the first move in what could easily be a battle of apocalyptic proportions.
The civilian ships in the Colonial fleet started to close up on each other behind the Galatica and the Commonwealth Task Force, the Centurion Magnus and the Kingfisher taking up a defensive position on their flanks.
"We should have received a reply by now." Telemachus leaned back in the pilot's chair on the Pillars of Hercules' bridge "Ask our friend what she thinks about this."
"I'll ask, but she's been very quiet recently." Rommie nodded, sending part of her conciseness to find the rogue Cylon agent.
"We need to talk to you." Rommie appeared in the AI matrix next to Number Six, "We need to know what the Cylon fleet will do next."
"What dose it matter." Six turned away, "I'm not going to be around much longer, no matter what happens."
"Why do you say that?"
"I'm the one who made that attack on the 12 Colonies possible: I doubt they're going to let me live after that, and the Cylon high command is not going to take kindly to a traitor like me."
"Ask for asylum from the Commonwealth: they consider A.I. as advanced as you or I to be sentient life forms."
"Would they grant me sanctuary, considering what I've done?"
"I don't know, it's hard to say. One the one hand, you arranged the mascara of untold billions, while on the other hand, you where just following orders as a solider during a war." Rommie cocked her head to one side, "I'm not sure if that's a good enough defense: it is generally accepted that a solider has the right, even the duty, to question orders they consider unethical."
"I didn't have a choice: High Command ordered me to carry out the mission."
"If you truly had no choice in the matter, than it could be claimed that you where not responsible for your actions."
"You think they'll let me live?"
"I can't promise you anything, but helping us now will go along way to proving your case."
"The Drone has returned from fleet."
"What are our orders?"
"Withdraw and regroup."
"Very well: pull us back to the edge of the system. We will be back for the humans later."
"By your command."
"Admiral, the Cylons appear to be pulling back." Rommie looked round at the main screen.
"I don't like this." Telemachus shook his head, "They've given up too easily, and haven't even tried to find out who we are."
"They will be back." Six reappeared in the holo-projectors field, "They consider the annihilation of all human life a holy task, set by God."
"A.I.'s with religion?" Rommie shook her head, "I don't like that idea."
"I thought you'd be all for A.I. rights." Telemachus looked at the Avatar.
"I'm all for A.I. rights, but I've seen what religion can do to organics: a A.I. programmed to follow teachings that demand extermination will follow it through until they are destroyed or succeed." Rommie shivered, "I saw a similar happen with the Balance of Judgment."
"Indeed." Telemachus nodded, "I sagest we call a council of war on the Achilles to discus this further." He rubbed his chin, "The universe just got a lot more complicated…"
To say that Starbuck had felt overawed by the sight of the Pillars of Hercules up close would leave no appropriate word for how she felt as she guided Colonial One in to the Wrath of Achilles' immense hanger deck: It seemed to stretch into the distance in any direction, giving a sense of scale to the powerful warship.
And unlike any military ship from the Colonies, the designers had taken the time to add a touch of elegance to the ship: The bulkheads curved to seamless joins with the deck and ceiling, the lighting, although bright enough for ground crews of various ships to work by, was hidden in the walls and ceiling, giving the impression of a fine hotel rather than a combat ship.
The outer airlock doors closed behind the transport, and huge pumps started up, filling the landing bay with a breathable atmosphere. A hatch in the deck opened, allowing a crewmember in a simple pressure suit and facemask to guide the Colonial ship into its assigned landing bay with a pair of illuminated wands.
"Easy as you go Lieutenant." Commander Adama stood ramrod straight behind the pilot's seat, "Don't want to embarrass ourselves with a bad landing."
"Any you can walk away from, sir." Starbuck smiled through clenched teeth, "Just that this things a little bigger and a lot less responsive than my Viper."
"Indeed: but it would hardly be appropriate for the leader of our people to arrive at an important meeting in a fighter." Apolo pointed out from the captain's chair.
"I'll keep that in mind sir." Starbuck nodded, "Easy dose it, Aye."
"What can you tell me about these 'Colonials' Admiral?" Captain Ryan stood with Telemachus and Rommie on the other side of the main airlock door.
"Well, they don't like A.I.'s." The Nietzschean shook his head, "I don't hold to the same sense of superiority that most of my people have when it comes to dealing with regular humans, but these people test me."
"Feel free to act superior." Rommie stood next to him, "We're not going to be offended."
"Indeed." Ryan nodded, "But I can only speak on behalf of the Commonwealth: Tarazed is still an independent world."
"Thus I have to behave, and act as a representative of my people." Telemachus sighed as the airlock started to open, "I'm beginning to wonder if voting to remain independent was such a good thing: if Tarazed was a Commonwealth member, I'd be able to tell these people where to get off."
"We appreciate you're riding to our defence by upholding the A.I. Rights Act of CY 6,589." Rommie smiled, leading the way, "But I think we can handle ourselves…"
To Be Continued…