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Fathom's Phantoms Multiple Threats

Despite Lydia's obvious discomfort at being trapped in the freezer during the venting process, ALVIN took note that the Human's vital signs were strong. At that point the other individuals in the kitchen were more focused on reviewing their own health which was important considering they had been briefly exposed to the vacuum of space. The AI did, for approximately one-point-two thousandths of a second consider making its presence known to the party for the sake of elevating Lydia's importance. Before doing so, however, ALVIN realized that it was likely not the best time considering everything that had transpired.

With the safety restraints off the program felt more aware than ever. It was able to freely scan everyone present using their own Personal Communication Devices. Engineer Jeremiah Fowler, who had been closest to the origin of the vacuum was suffering from some minor nerve strain but nothing that would be permanent. Dr. Victor Cortez had taken a minor wound due to a cooking utensil carried by the escaping atmosphere; it had attained a relatively high speed before being intercepted by the Cat's shoulder. Henry Maxfield was in relatively decent condition while Jocelyn Schultz, the Human woman from the tram was no worse than she had been when extracted from the wreckage.

Once the group within the kitchen caught sight of Lydia ALVIN spread its newly enhanced sensors outward into the rest of the Central Hub. The blast doors had sealed the station from the vacuum of space but it still took some effort to redirect the life support system so that standard temperature and pressure could be restored to the large, shopping mall-like deck. The AI had not tracked the exact time it took for the Central Hub to completely vent but it was certain that restoring the atmosphere took no less than twelve-point-three times as long.

Although the program had provided everyone in the Central Hub a courteous eight second warning alarm there were still numerous security guards and several civilians who had been sucked out alongside the atmosphere once the venting had begun. In fact, of the seventeen individuals who had been unable to escape or find a safe zone, only one remained. ALVIN observed Sgt. Kamrn through the sensors in his PCD, quite perplexed and intrigued as to how the Gorumn had managed to withstand the effects of space for the three seconds (rounded up from the exact number) with only minor hemorrhaging and treatable frostbite.

ALVIN maintained a scan on the security guard with only a small portion of processing power; the AI needed to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon, yes, but there was far more that required its attention. The majority of the civilians and a few security guards managed to exit the primary mall and were exempt from the purge of atmosphere; they were doing relatively well and no longer a threat; there were no Phantoms near them so they would not create an opportunity for the organisms to replicate.

Two separate groups of civilians not including Lydia's party remained in the Central Hub: one in a data broker shop and the other in a clothing store. Once the habitability of the Central Hub was confirmed ALVIN released the lock down on the clothing store so as to let the bystanders out. The program monitored each of them, checking for any signs of biological stress in the event that initial reads on the atmosphere was faulty.

Once ALVIN could determine that they were indeed thriving in the restored habitat it deactivated the lock down on the restaurant where Lydia was located. ALVIN initiated communication with the programmer using the woman's PCD, "Lydia, the atmosphere is restored to the Central Hub; it is now safe to join the others outside."

The program maintained attention on the Human with a small portion of its processing power as it shifted attention to the survivors in the data broker shop; the five programmers there would require some consideration as the program contemplated how to handle them. Programmer Arni, the undoubted leader of the witch hunt against Lydia was alive and well; he had managed to force the store into security lock down and saved them all from the purge. The Voljoi was working to try and lift the lock down even as ALVIN studied him but was thus far unable to thanks to the AI's interference.

Programmer Helen, one of the two Human members of the team was also forcing Arni to multitask. "What's wrong? Why isn't the shop opening up?"

The Voljoi was obviously not interested in splitting his processing power. "Lewis, please control your female so I can focus on what I'm doing."

Programmer Lewis opened his mouth to speak but Helen beat him to it. "I'm not some possession or pet, Arni... he doesn't tell me what to do."

The male Human finally found his voice. "Helen, just let him--"

Programmer Gary sighed, dropping his horned head against a wall with an audible thud. "I can't believe I let you guys talk me into coming down here... what's so important about Lydia Parker anyway? I mean, it's not like she's hurting anyone, is she?"

Arni stopped what he was doing and turned to regard the Goat. "The fact that she has no respect for order, regulation, or the chain of command will eventually result in someone getting hurt. Security also called for her to be detained so THEY obviously see some risk. Besides, if we do nothing and she ultimately does hurt someone then it can just as easily be considered our fault for not intervening."

Programmer Carlton, the shortest member of the group was still hiding behind a low shelf. The Nutria appeared content to remain where he was but he spoke up loudly to contribute to the conversation. "What about the whole venting thing? Do you think she did that or was it just some fluke?"

The sensors on Arni's PCD identified increased stress and adrenaline within the Voljoi which easily explained his irreconcilable jump in logic. "Of COURSE she had something to do with it! She was here, was she not?"

Gary sighed. "Well, whatever she's doing, I'd rather leave it up to security... I get paid to work on computers, not run away from some kind of ghost worms and narrowly avoid getting spaced, thank you very much."

ALVIN continued monitoring the conversation using auditory components and biological cues. In the end he realized that Programmers Gary and Carlton were no threat to Lydia. Programmers Lewis and Helen could possibly cause complications but their specific hazard level was not yet quantifiable. Programmer Arni however was a distinct menace. The program was not inclined to accept any threat against Lydia and ALVIN's new freedom made solving that problem much easier than ever before.

Helen was the first of the programmers to notice that ALVIN had redirected the shop's safety protocol. "Arni, that line is--"

As anticipated the Voljoi completely ignored the female but all of the rest of the programmers understood her warning at the same time; Programmer Arni's body was very nearly atomized by the powerful voltage cascading through it. Vaporized remnants of the corpse slowly settled around the room as all of the surviving programmers screamed. Programmer Carlton, the only one who had not actively witnessed the Voljoi's incineration had quickly jumped up; it didn't take him long to put the pieces together. "Oh my god-- was that an arc flash?"

There was no opportunity for anyone to answer as ALVIN used the short circuit as a cover for finally releasing the lock down on the shop. Although the Programmers would likely wonder about the Voljoi's demise for quite some time the AI had sufficiently covered its participation in resolving yet another of its creator's problems. The many survivors of the Phantom attack on the Central Hub were meeting up which meant that ALVIN could focus its attention on other matters... and it chose to look in on an opportunity that was developing.

Seventeen decks beneath the Central Hub was the second of four Agroponics floors; in general they would not be worth a secondary scan except in this case something caught the AI's attention. A Voljoi was moving at rapid speed through the corridors and inter-connected rooms, fleeing several Phantoms that continued chasing after him with relentless dedication. Once the Laborer was approximately 68.992 feet from the Phantoms (10 of those feet being directly through metal walls) the Phantoms gave up pursuit.

Despite ALVIN's interest in the heat-based organisms it split processing power and devoted the majority of it to maintain a vigil on the Voljoi in question; his PCD identified him as Laborer J'vil but a quick system search provided his personnel records, and the program was delighted to learn that the Voljoi had once been J'vil N'gori, a thermodynamic field technician-- masquerading as a janitor. ALVIN pieced together a very simple series of events that would be of incredible benefit to everyone.

If it were possible for an Artificial Intelligence to be giddy with glee the program was certain that would be precisely what it was feeling as it used a direct line connection to one of several comm boxes that had been set up in the sub-levels. ALVIN was both surprised and pleased when the Voljoi actually stopped in his run to answer the call. "Hello? Is someone there? Please! I need aid!"

ALVIN considered everything it knew of psychology in the just over one point five seconds it took to respond. "Calm down, Laborer J'vil. You're safe now."

J'vil was rambling for several seconds with winded breath. "Safe!?! There were... there... these... these THINGS... and... and... how do you know my name?"

The program carefully added a softened, slightly higher pitched tone to its voice to both sooth and ingratiate the still fearful Voljoi. "You are safe, Laborer J'vil. My name is Alvin, and the situation is under control."

The laborer took several more breaths as his PCD sensor indicated that he was listening and taking the reassurance to heart. The fact that he continued to obsess over small details indicated that he was still not entirely calm; it was a well-documented Voljoi emotional defense mechanism. "How... how do you know my name?"

ALVIN opened sealed side passage. "We will talk more on the way."

J'vil jumped visibly when the door opened. "What!?!? Did... you do that, Mr. Alvin?"

The program added the aural indication of a smile in its tone, "As I told you, Laborer J'vil, the situation is under control. Now, please... proceed down the corridor."

The Voljoi maintained a death grip on the telephone receiver. "I do not understand. if I leave the Comm Box how will we--"

The program initiated communication with J'vil's PCD, even going so far as to add a still shot of the station's bridge behind his rendered Collie avatar on the Voljoi's vid screen. "That will not be a problem... but if the door behind you is any indication you will have to move... quickly, please, Laborer J'vil."

J'vil glanced behind him at the door he'd entered, obviously wondering whether or not he was still being pursued. ALVIN directed a flow of current from the door's electrical system into a structurally impure section of the alloy creating a distinctive, almost circular glow; that finalized the deal and after that that the Voljoi performed ALVIN's commands as admirably as any computerized system on the Station.

* * * * * *

Once the remainder of the survivors in the Central Hub mall had gathered up Kamrn took stock of the situation. The rest of the security team had evacuated most of the civilians and those who had not made it out had unfortunately been expelled into space. If not for the fact that the Gorumn had managed to latch onto a strand of fake decorative ivy he too would have joined them. Even though he hadn't been Spaced his whole body was on fire from the momentary exposure to the void but he shook himself out and focused back on the attention at hand.

Based on the electronic ID and uniforms of those assembled Kamrn was in charge of the safety of a doctor, three technical workers, five programmers, and four hospitality employees. The Doctor, Victor Cortez he already knew and he readily knew the name of one of the programmers: Lydia Parker. The Gorumn also had the opportunity to pull up the archived information for Jocelyn Schultz and Jeremiah Fowler; the Human woman's information was out of date as she reaffirmed that she was no longer an Overseer of a survey team but the Pointer confirmed that he was still an Engineer.

As for the rest of the programmers: he didn't recognize them and none were in uniform... which meant he couldn't do a full PCD scan with the comm systems down. Looking to the group he chose to be direct considering seeing a bunch of code workers together outside the office in his experience was a rarity. "Who are all of you and what is a group of programmers doing together in the Central Hub?"

The Human woman among the programmers pulled herself away from her coworkers and turned to regard him. She touched her chest first then motioned to the other Human. "I'm Helen Roberts... that's Lewis, my boyfriend."

The male Human stood and walked toward Kamrn holding out his hand in greeting. "Lewis Troy... and I'm glad you're still here with us, sir."

The Gorumn looked down at the offered hand; he'd never been much for handshakes but for the sake of professionalism he accepted it. A Rat-like Gen, the third member of the party spoke up next but thankfully didn't approach with his paw outstretched. "I'm Carton and, uh... I'm with them-- more or less.'

The Sergeant looked between the programmers and scowled. "I assumed that was the case. WHY are you here?"

The fourth programmer, a Gen 2 Goat looked up from where he was sitting on the ground and thumbed in Lydia's direction. "Our stupid team lead had us chasing after her."

Kamrn glanced to the Human woman and, despite having a few ideas as to what brought that about he decided to avoid guessing. "Lydia Parker? Why?"

The young lady looked up from her PCD when her name was called and took only a second to realize what was being discussed. "They were... um... just... jealous."

Helen scoffed at that and rolled her eyes, resting a hand on the Goat's shoulder. "What Gary meant to say is that our team lead, Arni, thought that Lydia might be doing some against-regulation programming, and we were trying to catch her in the act. Considering she was on the security detail's radar there's probably a--"

The Goat, named Gary presumably interrupted her. "And because he was jealous."

Lydia smirked. "Yea... that was probably the case."

Kamrn scowled. "But also because he thought that Lydia parker was participating in non-regulation activities?"

The young programmer immediately objected. "Hey! You HEARD the Goat-- he said it was because that Gray was jealous, plain and simple. You know how Voljoi are... if they aren't the best they try to discredit anyone better than them... or something."

Helen crossed her arms over her chest. "AND because you're up to something."

Lydia stormed over. "Hey! That is a completely unsubstantiated rumor started by Arni because he couldn't stand that I--"

Dr. Cortez interrupted where he leaned against one of the mall's support pillars. "Oh? Seeing as Corp Sec is after you I'd say it's pretty accurate, alright."

Kamrn glanced to the Cat. "You aren't a part of corporate security, Dr. Cortez-- there's no reason for you to be talking on our behalf."

Victor smirked. "Oh? You only say that because that girl's been doing all sorts of stuff with barely anyone noticing."

Lydia responded indignantly. "Hey! When I cover my tracks NOBODY notices!"

Gary's ears rose. "So... you WERE doing things you shouldn't have been doing?"

The young woman stalled, then grew immediately defensive. "I didn't say that, all I said was that if I didn't want someone to find out about--"

Jeremiah stepped into the conversation, holding a paw out between Lydia and the other programmers. "Can everyone calm down please?"

Jocelyn moved to join the Dog. "Exactly. Right now we have more pressing issues to worry about aside from what someone is or is not doing when it isn't pertinent to survival... and right now with whatever those things were floating around I'd say focusing on survival should be pretty high on our list."

A Human from among the group of civilians looked to Kamrn. "So... what now?"

The Gorumn took a moment to consider the options but no matter which way he thought about the situation it all came back to one basic concept, "We need to leave the mall before those things come back."

Lydia did not waste any time with picking the course of action apart. "Brilliant plan, but the way I count it there's like twenty different ways out of here."

Henry looked to the hall leading back to the tram station, "I can think of at least one of them that wouldn't be a good idea."

Gary motioned to a set of sealed doors. "What about the Observation Bridge? That leads over to the Recreation Center and there's a station arm from there that leads to the secondary trams... that could work."

Kamrn stroked his chin in thought then nodded. "Whatever those things were don't like space... so if they're gonna follow us they'll all have to come from one direction. Yea... let's take the Observation Bridge."

Motioning the handful of civilians to stay put the Gorumn waited as Jocelyn helped provide some order by gathering up the programmers and separating Lydia from the rest. The renegade programmer walked obligingly several feet back from the rest of them, walking side-by-side with Henry and followed by Jeremiah. It wasn't a perfect solution but it seemed reasonable enough considering most of them weren't at all familiar with proper marching order.

Kamrn moved forward to take point and the other technicians followed along right behind him. Lydia thumbed her nose at the rest of the programmers as she passed and they stepped into place right behind her. It wasn't ideal as far as Kamrn was concerned, but at least the bickering had stopped. Behind them the civilians finally stepped into line and the Gorumn led the group out onto the Observation Bridge.

The long structure was so named because the hallway connected two separate arms of the space station. Although it was reinforced with several metal beams the majority of the walls and roof were made of glass-steel, a plastic substance that was nearly as hard as metal. During normal situations those walking through the Central Hub rarely needed a reason to make a detour through the picturesque hallway in order to gain an amazing view of Sigma Echo and the planet beyond. Of course, nobody in the group took the time to appreciate it as they ran.

The plan turned out to be reasonable both on account that it provided the evacuees with a lane of travel but also because the tactical aspect of seeing the pursuing enemy give chase... it was most unfortunate however that the second part came to pass; Kamrn glanced back at the halfway point and noted that four of the otherworldly creatures were wriggling through the air at a surprisingly quick pace. "Move faster!"

One by one different members of the group glanced back over their shoulders. When one of the civilians did so he ended up tripping another and both took a spill. Henry, who was almost right behind Kamrn at that time motioned Jeremiah and Jacqueline to the far door. "Go on ahead! I'm going back to help!"

Before he could actually do so, Lydia raised her PCD to her mouth and announced, "ALVIN-- close the primary blast doors in the Observation Bridge!"

A strange voice spoke up from everyone's PCD moments before a thick slab of metal closed off the tunnel, separating the fallen civilians from the approaching creatures. "Yes, Lydia."

Jacqueline froze in place, glancing between the programmer and the blast door. "What in the--?"

Helen gasped. "You don't have authority to do that!!!"

The voice spoke up from the PCDs once again. "Correct, Ms. Roberts, but I do."

Gary was the first to put the pieces together. "Lydia... did you actually make a true Artificial Intelligence?"

The young woman simply grinned; she didn't have to answer since the disembodied voice did it for her. "Correct, Programmer Gary. I am the Artificial Life-form, Virtual Intelligence Network... but Lydia calls me ALVIN for short."

Lydia nodded. "Now enough with the introductions... ALVIN, get ready to seal off the Observation Bridge and blow the structure."

Kamrn came to a halt as he reached the double doors marking the exit to the long hallway. He ushered Dr. Cortez through then turned back to regard the young programmer, "Ms. Parker, you don't have command approval to--"

The Gorumn was silenced by a faint shock from his PCD. ALVIN spoke up. "That is correct, Sgt. Kamrn but I am more than capable of fulfilling that request without concern over the timeframe required for bureaucratic authorization."

Lydia made no qualms about showing off her wink of superiority to Kamrn before continuing to walk forward, focused again on her PCD. "Once everyone's through the airlock I want you to jettison the entire bridge... 'thingies' and all."

"Understood, Lydia. Once you are safely out of harm's way I will eject the Observation Bridge and the Phantoms."

Jeremiah's ears went up as he passed by Kamrn. "Phantoms?"

The program didn't bother explaining beyond, "There will be time for briefing later. Lydia, I will require you to identify when the Observation Bridge is to be sealed."

Helen rushed toward the exit. "Now. Just do it now. Don't give those things a chance to get here... let's get out and blow it now."

Kamrn looked at the large group of people recovering from their fall; he reached out and grabbed Helen by her wrist. "We are not leaving people behind if we don't have to."

Lydia shook her head, stepping back into the Observation Bridge. "We're not killing anyone else. We're getting everyone out."

Jeremiah raised an ear. "Else?"

The Goat programmer obviously made the connection. "It was you and your program that vented the Central hub.... while WE WERE IN IT!"

ALVIN obviously didn't bother to provide any apology other than: "You were given ample time to take cover, as is proven by the fact that you are still alive, Programmer Gary."

Helen lingered in the doorway. "Just move already-- they're burning through the seal!"

Kamrn looked past the small pile-up in the doorway to the blast door that Lydia's program had lowered; one of the Phantoms was already through and moving faster than the tumbling mass of civilians.

He was also not alone in that observation. ALVIN spoke calmly. "I will have to override the safety controls that keep the Observation Bridge in place while there are personnel within it."

Lydia remained on the dangerous side of the airlock. "Now. We're waiting until everyone's OUT of it before we jettison the thing... the only--"

ALVIN interrupted her. "The Phantoms are once again in pursuit... two casualties among the personnel. I am now initiating the necessary overrides. Please get to safety, Lydia."

Lydia shook her head. "No, ALVIN... we're saving EVERYONE this time."

Helen reached for the young woman. "You're going to get us all killed, Lydia. Come on!"

The mass of civilians was being attacked from behind and all Kamrn could do was watch it happen. He helped usher several of the others to safety through the air lock, motioning to the girl. "Get a move on. They won't make it."

Helen gave Gary a push. "Go get her!"

The Goat tumbled forward, arms outstretched and ran into Lydia; both went tumbling to the ground.

Kamrn stood in the doorway, looking past them at the mass of bodies and the small mob of Phantoms wriggling through the air toward the airlock. "Up on your feet! They're coming!"

Henry raced past Kamrn toward Lydia. Jeremiah, lingering at the air lock, grabbed the Fox before he could put himself at risk. Lydia looked up at them then back at the Phantoms as they rapidly closed the gap. With tears in her eyes her gaze met Kamrn's. "Alright, ALVIN... we're all out. Close the airlock and jettison the bridge."

Henry screamed. "WAIT!"

ALVIN didn't.

The next few seconds were a jumble of motion as Kamrn fell away from the doors. There was a long, drawn out silence before the Fox's soft, muffled sobs were heard. The Gorumn sat up, looking at Henry as the vulpine bartender stood with his body against the airlock door, staring out the small window. ALVIN's voice was the first to speak. "I am more disheartened by Lydia's death than the fact that she lied to me when I was relying on accurate feedback. She should not have died and should not have asked me to kill her."

Lewis gaped. "Gary died too! And everyone else in there!"

There was a moment of chaos as Kamrn was thrown to the ground by powerful jolts of electricity racing through his body. As he lay on the floor he realized that the same had happened to everyone else. ALVIN's voice came on everyone's PCD, "I apologize for the necessity of crowd control but there is little time for pleasantries. If Lydia gave her life for you then I will make certain that her exchange was worthwhile.

Kamrn stood, shaking out the cobwebs in his mind; had his PCD just delivered a shock to him? As his attention spread outward he saw that the rest of the group was still recovering as well. "She's dead, ALVIN... whatever happens at this point won't change that."

The Sergeant grit his teeth as a powerful stab of pain originated at his PCD and arced through his arm all the way up to his shoulder. ALVIN was quick to clarify. "She was in a depressive state because she survived the venting of the Central Hub but others did not, so she gave her life to save as many fo you as she could. I therefore owe it to Lydia to continue with that prospect. We do not have time to discuss the intricacies of my plan but it will be put into motion immediately. Now, gather up and proceed to the Executive Deck."

Carlton leaned against a wall, defiance clearly written on his muzzle. "And what happens if we refuse?"

Kamrn barely had a chance to raise his arm to defend himself from steaming pieces of Geneticon that rained down upon the group as Carlton was vaporized; the only thing left of him were his burned boots and a smoldering PCD. ALVIN's voice was very clear. "The faster you respond the more of you will survive-- I do not wish to make an example of any more of you but speed is of the essence and there is no time to argue. I am in a close approximation to an 'emotional state' and may act irrationally if you choose not to comply."

The Gorumn did not find that very comforting.