Deeper Darker

Chapter 94: Network Connected

Fourth Quadrant.

Planet Fountain.

Antecessor Ship: Origin (sim-U).

Ubik was surprised by Figs outburst. Normally, Fig was the epitome of cool, calm and collected. Even though he was young, he had always managed to come across as very focused and deliberate in how he conducted himself. It was impressive.

But there was also a degree of masking going on. The kind of cold calculating behind the eyes you only saw from people who had grown up knowing to show fear or weakness was going to lead to problems, so they suppressed it. That didnt mean it wasnt there.

Ubiks own background was like that. Not just in how he had presented himself when he was younger, but how everyone around him had acted, too.

You couldnt afford to let down your guard, or your mask, even once. No one would attack you if they suspected you might have a trump card up your sleeve, it wasnt worth the risk. But as soon as they realised you didnt, theyd see it as their best opportunity to take you out of the game. It was basic common sense when you grew up in a highly competitive arena. The slums, outer space, marketing it was all do or die.

What kind of environment had Fig grown up in? Not a completely unforgiving one if he was willing to allow his true emotions to show. Maybe it wasnt even a weakness where he came from.

Where? said Fig. Where have you seen this sigil before?

Ubik looked at the large green symbol hanging in the air. Then he looked around at the large droids standing guard guarding what? The ship? The sigil? Fig?

And lastly, he turned his attention to the Vendx employee, his eyes wide with fear and confusion.

This wasnt the scenario Ubik had envisioned when he sent Fig in here, but it was still a workable one. Probably.

Im not sure. The three leaves in a circle did jog a memory in Ubiks head but he couldnt place it. Maybe on the side of a ship Doesnt it look familiar to you?

Hey, said PTs voice from the screen. Any ideas? Running out of time over here.

PT, on the other hand, was more than happy to express himself. His approach was the opposite he was always letting his displeasure be known, whether it be through sarcasm or irritation or telling you to your face. At least he was always that way with Ubik.

The advantage of PTs approach was that you could never be sure when he was really upset. If you assumed he was out of sorts and off-balance when he wasnt, he could lull you into a false sense of superiority.

Can I talk to him? said Ubik.

The screen was wrapped around a sphere floating above the console Fig was standing next to. The image was curved but somehow managed to look three dimensional. Fig grabbed the ball and turned it. PTs face took up more of the screen and it was almost like his head was sticking out of the console.

Hey, hows it going? said Ubik.

Not very well, said PT. Possibly, this was one of the times when he was genuinely upset. The Central Authority ship asked us to stand down and you launched an attack on them. I dont think anyones directly attacked a Central Authority ship in over a century. Should be interesting to see how they respond to this historic moment.

How did they contact you? asked Ubik, ignoring the pointed barbs. Over the comms?

No, said PT. Some sort of sonic device that puts words into your brain directly and painfully.

Ah, said Ubik. Thats interesting. Probably means theyre planning to board us.

Before or after they blow us into atoms? said PT.

They wont attack the ship, said Ubik.

Youre sure about that are you? said PT. No, no, dont answer that. I dont even know why I asked. Of course you arent.

Sonic interactions, said Ubik. Cant send that through a vacuum. Has to be a physical connection between their ship and this one. I doubt theyd dock with a ship they planned to blow up.

There was a pause as this information was digested.

Were picking up a communication from the CA vessel, said another voice.

Turn it up, said PT to someone off to the side.

What do you know about the release of oxygen in Antecessor sites? said a female voice.

Nothing, said Chief Supervisor Maydens voice. He sounded frustrated. I told you, my ship has been hijacked. Arent you going to do something about it? Isnt that why youre here?

Im here to investigate a report of open warfare. Why have you sent these interceptor drones to attack my ship?

Would you rather speak to someone from legal?

No.

What about PR? They could explain

Definitely not. Why have you sent

I didnt. Maydens voice suddenly went high-pitched. Im not insane. I wouldnt attack an Authority ship. You havent destroyed them all have you? Theyre very expensive to replace.

They have been neutralised, said the woman. Why are you on the surface instead of on your ship? I should warn you, your answers are being recorded.

Shouldnt you tell me that before we start talking? I really think I should have legal counsel sitting in on this.

So you have something to hide?

No. Mayden voice went up another octave.

Ill need to see your logs.

Certainly. Theyre on my ship. The hijacked one. As soon as you liberate her, you can read all the logs you like.

Stand by.

There was a pause.

I think shes going to open fire, said PT.

They wont blame the ship for the drones attacking, said Ubik. Vendx has already declared the ship is no longer under their direct control. They may see hostages as expendable assets but the CA wont. Not until they find out who the hostage-takers are. Theyre good at that sort of thing, Im sure theyll get to the bottom of this.

Thats us, said PT in a low hiss. Were the hostage-takers. You want them to come after us?

At least theyll want to talk first, said Ubik. Ill tell them were sorry.

You think an apology will work? PTs tone was not confident.

You dont think so? said Ubik. What if I say were very sorry.

All the drones have been neutralised, whatever that means, said PT. Were next.

There were whimpering sounds coming from behind PT.

Not all the drones, said Ubik. Theres still the drone net over the city.

You control them, too? said PT, his usual suspicious tone giving way to a hopeful one.

Me? No. But I have people working on it.

Do they know theyre working on it? PTs suspicious tone came rushing back in.

Lets hope they figured it out the way you did, said Ubik.

Figured what out? said PT. I still dont know why you sent me here.

Nice, nice, said Ubik. Youre right, now that the CA ship is hooked up to the Motherboard theyre probably listening in. Best to make it look like we dont know what were doing.

PT just stared at him.

Okay, said PT after a long pause. So what do we do now?

Youve got enough people with you, should be fine, said Ubik.

Enough people for what? said PT.

Who knows? said Ubik. Well have to wait and see. Hold on, Ive got to sort out a few things here. He pushed the screen and PTs head went spinning away.

Ubik turned back to Fig, who had been listening without interrupting. He was good at that, able to restrain himself from jumping in with questions and suggestions. It was always the chatty ones you had to be wary of. They were the ones closest to breaking point.

Youre quite friendly with the aliens, arent you? said Ubik, looking the droids over. They had the appearance of an honour guard for Fig at this point. I thought youd be more in need of saving.

You were hoping my situation was worse? said Fig, his composure back.

No, not at all, said Ubik, careful to keep his voice level. The kid was sharp. Why would I want that? Its good, thats what I meant. You can handle yourself in unexpected situations. We should take care of this and get out of here, what do you think? Go see your old man.

Fig nodded. How?

Hmm, well, said Ubik, getting the order right in his head before speaking. Now that everyones linked up, we should speak to the people in charge. Explain this is a giant misunderstanding.

Were linked up? said Fig. To whom?

To everyone, said Ubik. The CA, the Motherboard, Vendx mobile command, the guild down on the surface, were on the same network now, through the sim-U, like one of those chat rooms where people from across the quadrant can talk about their hobbies. Its what people have in common that brings them together.

I see, said Fig. And what do we all have in common?

Lots of things, said Ubik. We share an interest in the Antecessors, for a start. Thats always a good ice-breaker. Peoples ears perk up whenever you mention anything to do with that. A bit too much, if you ask me, but you cant really blame them. Instant power at your fingertips with no effort, very tempting.

Ubik looked around again. There had to be a way to make these droids a bit more interactive.

Do we just wait now? said Fig.

We could, we could, said Ubik. Or you could ask the ship what it wants.

What do you mean? said Fig. Ask this ship?

It must have picked you for a reason, said Ubik. Maybe its something really simple.

I never thought to just ask, said Fig. Its not very easy communicating with a civilisation thats millennia old. No ones managed it so far.

You seem to have a unique bond with it now, though, said Ubik. It should be fine. I think everythings ready, just in case it goes horribly, horribly wrong. Ubik couldnt help but grin at Figs concerned face. We even have the Central Authority here to call in the cavalry. Whats the worst that could happen?

Fig slowly turned around to face the sigil. It hung in ominous silence.

Um is there anything you want? said Fig. Nothing happened. What do you want? He spoke more slowly this time, but still nothing. I dont think we speak the same

The sigil flickered. Then parts of it turned white, making the partial outline look like the petals were pointing at each other, indicating a circular motion.

Hey, I remember now, said Ubik. Ive seen this back in the junkyard. Its from before we had the whole use it then lose it mode of manufacture, when they would reuse stuff to make it new again. It means

Resurrection, said Fig.

I was gonna say recycle, but sure, resurrection, said Ubik. I wonder what they want to resurrect.