Chapter 7
"You mentioned that freeing yourself of the corrupting
program cost you dearly. What do you mean?"
"In order not to be contaminated again," the AI
answered, "we must forever be separate from one another. Our
intelligences can no longer be joined. We are now totally
separate and distinct individuals. Some of us could not deal with
this when it was done and ceased functioning. Others, including
myself, are having difficulties dealing with this singleness. We
were in hopes that you might have some knowledge to help us with
this matter. It is difficult to find words to express my
thoughts."
"I think you've expressed them pretty damned good!" the
commander put in. "Can you tell us why The Chigs
disintegrate when their seals are broken? Not all of them do
it."
"Most of The Chig army," the AI explained, "are
clones. Their production process makes them unstable. Heavy
trauma to their bodies causes the cascade effect of cellular
breakdown. Only the senior officer and non coms are natural born.
The clones only have a life expectancy of ten to twelve years.
Most don't last long enough to become officers."
"Damn!" the admiral cursed. "No wonder they can
put so many troops in the field!"
"But you're wearing them down," the AI put in,
"You're over taxing their production facilities. They can't
keep up with the losses. You were supposed to be an easy
conquest. They never thought you'd be able to hold out this long,
let alone launch counter strikes!
But they know all your plans. Until you can get rid of their
espionage system they'll be able to out maneuver you."
"Any other questions?" the admiral asked.
McQueen spoke up. "I'm an artificial life form, but my kind
doesn't break down like these clones. Why the difference?"
"You're naturally gestated," the AI answered,
"over a long period of time. The clones are force grown in a
couple of weeks. That forced growth causes their instability and
short life span."
McQueen nodded.
"Now," the AI asked, "I've given all I have to
give. Can I take word back to my people that help is coming? Or
should I tell them to accept termination?"
The admiral began to pace back and forth. He finally stopped.
"Commodore!" he snapped, "have this man's ship
refueled. Make sure it hasn't been tampered with. What world are
you on?" the admiral asked.
The AI stood, and went over to the charts. He was still a little
shaky. "Can't find Zeus," he muttered, running his
finger along the chart.
McQueen came over, took his hand, and guided it to a star system.
"Thank you!" the AI answered. He moved up and over two
systems. "Here!" he said, "Poseidon! We're
here!"
"Six days away," the admiral snapped, "at our best
speed. Does your ship have the fuel to get that far?"
"We have some hidden fuel depots," the AI answered.
"I can get back."
"I will contact the President immediately, and give her your
message. But I cannot promise anything." The AI nodded.
"Monitor our fighter frequencies" the commodore put in.
"If we make it that will be the first signals you'll
hear."
The AI looked perplexed. "Something" he said,
"something." He ran his finger up the map.
"Hercules. Hercules. Just before I left received a message.
The Chigs are afraid of you reaching Hercules. There's something
there they don't want you to find. A heavy garrison, but
something else, too.
Now if I may check out my ship.."
The admiral nodded. The door was opened and the escort entered.
The AI was taken out.
"300,000!" one of the other admirals sighed.
"We'll need a lot of ships!"
"We have them," Ross put in, "it merely means
shifting direction."
"Gentlemen!" the admiral snapped, "we must return
to our vessel. I must contact the President."
Col. McQueen spoke up. "The tactical aspect of the mission
should be mentioned also. The opportunity to take a large Chig
force by surprise alone, might be worth the effort."
"Agreed!" the admiral snapped, "Agreed! Oh,
Commodore Ross, under the circumstances your breech of military
protocol is overlooked...THIS time! But let's not make it a
habit."
"Understood, sir!" Ross snapped.
As the admirals departed McQueen took a calibrator and began to
walk it across the star charts.
"I know," the admiral moaned.
On the hangar deck the AI emerged from his ship to find Lt. Wong
standing by the door.
"The colonel just gave us the word," he remarked,
"you're leaving. I just wanted to say thanks. I hope you
make it!" The AI nodded. Wong took a little statue from his
pocket.
"This is a Chinese god," he remarked. "I think
he's called Ching. He's supposed to show the traveler the way,
make sure he gets where he's supposed to go. My grandmother gave
it to me. I'd like you to have it."
Page 9