FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Fathom's Phantoms Intervention

Dr. Sean Parker was adjusting a series of relay equipment in the too-small room he had been provided for his experiments when a call came over the ship's PA system. "Doutor Sean Parker, venha para o centro de controle."

The announcement was in Portuguese, which the Rabbit did not know but it was close enough to Spanish, a language with which he WAS familiar. He was being called to the ship's bridge... and that meant it was obviously a summons of some importance; few civilians were allowed on board a VAC combat vessel, even if they WERE premier physicists. The doctor put down his equipment and headed out into the hallway.

Captain Alvarez was not a patient man and Dr. Parker knew when he was summoned he was expected to respond immediately; for the sake of civility and maintaining the peace he complied. The Destino was the largest patrol ship the corporation had devoted to the Sigma System and, aside from the fact that it was well staffed, well armed, and well armored, he could also not help but admire how apropos a name it had considering their situation: "Destino" was Portugese for "Destiny".

With a compliment of just over one hundred it was hardly a match for the crew numbers (or size) of the system's DRC space station but, considering the fact that they outnumbered the DRC security team 3 to 1 would assuredly make a difference. They had a fantastic tactical advantage but the VAC were hoping to complete their assignment with minimal bloodshed. That was, of course, more up to the DRC than it was anyone else. Pushing those thoughts to the side the Rabbit provided his key card to the bridge's security door and stepped inside once it had opened.

He took a moment to let his eyes adjust to the tactical lighting in the bridge, gazing around at the ship's four officers. A long maned, meticulously preened Gen 2 Mare sat at the ship's navigation console; a too-handsome, blue eyed, blue haired mid-twenty year old Neo-Human sat at the communication and scanner controls; an inexplicably unreadable, dour, and generic-looking Voljoi woman everyone called Asteriscos was the ship's second in command. Sean never did quite comprehend the name as, in Spanish, it meant "Asterisks"-- he could only assume it had a similar meaning in Portuguese, but it still made little sense.

The Captain, a black skinned human with fair features and close-cut hair gave a slight nod of the head, "Sean."

Despite Captain Alvarez's almost military-like approach to conducting corporate security maneuvers and the professionalism and elitism with which he presented himself (and demanded from those under his command), he was, at his most base level, a relatively likable individual... which was an odd mix for Dr. Parker as he had rarely found himself enjoying heavy-handed management. Part of it, the Rabbit was sure, was the fact that they were on a first name basis.

The Rabbit didn't speak the Captain's native language of Portuguese and the Human didn't speak the Doctor's native language of English but Spanish was a common language for the two of them. Therefore, Sean got right to the point, choosing the language they both knew "Hello, Helio... what's going on? Why was I called?"

Captain Alvarez gave an order to the Mare in Portuguese; she stood and left. Sean knew that the Horse woman (Lila was her name, he believed) was the only other officer aboard that knew Spanish, so that gave him the impression that whatever they were going to discuss would be relatively confidential. Such a thing never would have worked with the DRC but, then again, the VAC didn't have the discretionary funding to throw around at PCD translation units. Once he had seen the navigator leave Captain Alvarez turned and again regarded the Rabbit, "Has your contact reached the station's overseer, Sean?"

Dr. Parker shook his head. "No, Helio... Dr. Makowi was supposed to check in after meeting up with the station's captain... a Voljoi."

Helio frowned. "I was under the impression that the Overseer outranked Captains on DRC projects. Will the Captain be able to help us?"

Sean nodded confidently. "She will."

The Captain's frown disappeared. "Very well. And how will we know when to act?"

The Rabbit moved over to the empty Navigator console and began accessing the ship's charts. "We should get a signal."

Without providing Sean a chance to finish what he was doing, Helio moved to stand beside him, "I was told that Sigma-Echo won't issue out signals."

The Rabbit gave a half-hearted shrug. "There are several 'vested' personnel aboard the station."

To anyone not in-the-know it would have been an unacceptable answer but the ship's Captain was in-the-know just enough to realize that it would be the best explanation he would receive. Instead, he changed the focus of his questions toward something much more productive. "What kind of signal?"

"I'll know it when I see it."

The response got Helio to pause. He raised an eyebrow as he leaned closer to the console to look a the information Sean was reviewing. "These personnel... are they higher than Class 3?"

Sean gave the best answer he could. "Most likely 2s and 3s."

The Captain frowned. "So the personnel who will signal us aboard Sigma-Echo have at least been through this before."

The Rabbit shrugged. "Not THIS specifically... but they are definitely not from Y-0."

Captain Alvarez glanced around at the rest of the bridge crew, prompting Sean to do the same; the officers were all fastidiously working at their own tasks, courteously ignoring the conversation the Doctor and Captain shared. Helio rested a hand on the Rabbit's shoulder. "Very well. Once we identify the signal we continue on to Sigma-Echo?"

Dr Parker nodded. "Correct. Dr. Makowi confirmed that we should be able to find access without being detected."

"That is taking a lot on faith, Sean, even if he is supposed to be reliable."

The Rabbit laughed. "To be honest, in the years I've known Surresh I wouldn't specifically call him 'reliable'."

The comment made the Captain frown. "Then why are we putting so much faith in him?"

Sean stood up, returning the Navigation Console to its prior setting. "Because, Helio... he is a Class 4."

If Humans had ears the Rabbit was sure that Helio's would have been standing up in surprise. It took the Captain a few moments to find the right words and, when he did, the question that came out of him was almost comical, "So... he has dealt with 'os Fantasmas' before?"

Dr Parker nodded, "This will be his fourth time."

Captain Alvarez paused in the discussion when the remaining bridge crew glanced his way at the mention of 'os Fantasmas'. Sean had first heard about Phantoms what felt like lifetimes ago but, then again, depending on how he looked at it, that was precisely the case. Eventually Helio looked back to the rabbit and lowered his voice, "Almost as many times as you."

The Rabbit shrugged, "I met him when I was a Class 2."

Despite knowing better, Captain Alvarez asked a question they both knew he couldn't, "And... how many people aboard Destino--"

Sean shook his head. "I can't answer that, Helio."

A sudden sense of desperation was palpable from the Human. "Do... do I have a Class?"

Dr Parker sighed. "Helio, I--"

The Captain laid a hand on his shoulder. "In the other 'Echos'... when you've found 'os Fantasmas'... was I in any of them?"

The Rabbit frowned; Echoes were another topic that was completely off the list of things to discuss... despite the VAC being much more forthcoming to their commanding officers than the DRC there were still certain things that people just weren't supposed to know about-- about REALITY, let alone the tasks for which they were assigned. Regardless, Sean let out a deep breath and nodded his head.

A faint smile banished the deep shadows that had begun to take hold of the Captain's face. "Then... I am at least a Class 2?"

Sean shook his head and lowered his voice. "No, Helio... I'm sorry. If you were a Class 2 the memories would have already started coming back. You didn't survive any of the other times we've gone through something like this."

The Captain swallowed hard but despite the admission from the Doctor he recovered quickly and all sense of emotion disappeared from him. "I see."

The Rabbit nodded, "I'm sorry, Helio. If I--"

Captain Alvarez raised a hand to stop him. "You told me when this first began that you seek to stop 'os Fantasmas' so you could save your daughter..."

Sean shook his head, "No... I can't save my daughter. I have to stop Yggdrasil to stop the Phantoms, and I have to stop the Phantoms to end the Echoes."

If the Captain cared about the Doctor using the English terms he didn't let it show, "Then what about your daughter?"

The Rabbit shook his head. "It's easier if I don't think about it. In my first Echo we were close... my wife and I adopted her when she was barely two. Liliana died shortly thereafter then I lost my daughter in that Echo to the Phantoms when an alien spacecraft crash landed on the Mars colony where we were working at a--"

Helio stopped him. "Alien spacecraft?"

Sean nodded. "Echoes aren't exact copies of realities... Humans and Genticons hadn't expanded beyond our own solar system so we'd never met the Voljoi in my very first time through all of this."

The Captain's eyebrows raised and he whispered out a word in Portuguese. "Deus..."

The Rabbit rested a hand on the chair where he'd been sitting, "The second time she came to us my wife and I got her from an Orphanage on Terra when she was three. They both died in the initial Phantom onslaught. The next time we were friends with her parents and took guardianship when she was six after they died in a space freighter crash. Each time I go through this it's a little different but still essentially the same. Last time she had died in a faulty rocket launch years before the Phantoms had even arrived."

Helio stood there in rapt attention. "And... this time?"

Sean shook his head. "My ex-wife and I are not married 'this time'. In THIS Echo I--"

The Captain interrupted him. "THIS Echo? Is this not the REAL reality?"

The Rabbit chuckled. "When you have several realities floating around in your head it's hard to call any one of them real, my friend. This may be YOUR reality because it's all you know but... no. According to Nida Jorn, the--"

Captain Alvarez stopped at that but before he could say anything Asteriscos turned in her chair and spoke inquiringly to the Human. He replied to her with another question and she seemed truly taken aback, even going so far as to shake her head before responding. Helio looked back to Sean, who remained gazing at him questioningly. "Asteriscos says she doesn't know anything about realities, but that is HER name."

The announcement suddenly made the Rabbit that much more somber. "Oh... well... that is... ah... I see."

Apparently Sean didn't hide his discomfort that well. "What?"

Dr. Parker cleared his throat. "It means she is going to die."

Helio was understandably concerned. "What? Why?"

"CAPTAIN Nida Jorn is Class 7... she's been carried into this Echo by the Event-- the same thing summoning the Phantoms. The Captain on board Sigma-Echo is the same person and she has a Class. Any time I've ever heard of more than one version of someone being in an Echo only one version of a person survives, and it's supposed to be the one who's brought forward."

The Human glanced to the Voljoi who was still staring at him, and then back to the Rabbit. "She... has been through this more times than you?"

Sean nodded. "I do not understand everything yet but from what I have gathered she was one of the original Voljoi scientists that started the event that is causing the Echoes... the project the DRC on this Echo is calling Yggdrasil."

"So she has the answers?"

The Rabbit shrugged. "If she does then she hasn't bothered sharing them all in any of the Echoes I've been through."

A new sense of resolve filled Captain Helio Alvarez. "Then we will go fulfill our task on Sigma-Echo."

Sean's ears swiveled to follow the Human as he crossed the bridge toward the central command console. "...you... DO know what that means, right?"

While the Rabbit didn't come out and acknowledge that the Captain would die Helo shrugged it off with a very simple reply. "Yes. It means we are going to get you some information."

* * * * * *

Although ALVIN was very direct and gave precise commands for the first several minutes of their travel eventually the group stopped hearing from the program at all. Kamrn remained near the front of the group but they were actually led by Dr. Cortez since the Cat was more familiar with the Executive Deck than the rest of them. Whether distracted or just indifferent, the AI left them to their own devices, having informed them where it wanted them to go and apparently trusting them to achieve its desired results on their own.

Jeremiah and Jocelyn were next in the line, encouraging people onward and helping to maintain direction and purpose, which was required in large amounts due to Henry; the Fox was moving numbly along and needed the extra guidance. Helen was also causing problems with her constant observation of ALVIN's lack of attention. Despite the fact that she was whispering, her conversation with Lewis was very audible. "No matter how advanced it is, ALVIN is still just a program. If we split up it'll spend more processing power trying to track us. I don't care how powerful it is, with the Comms down it'll have a hard time pulling together enough RAM to create a lethal feed and kill someone. There's no reason we HAVE to listen to it."

Lewis, who was taking a much more pragmatic approach, offered up a rather forward consideration. "It could just track and kill one of us at a time."

Jeremiah was also quick in pointing out the obvious. "Right. For now it isn't hurtin' anyone. Just be patient. ALVIN DID say it was tryin' t' help."

Kamrn kept his eyes forward, watching Victor for directions but he could imagine the woman rolling her eyes; she seemed like the type. "Lou... if anything it'll be more focused on Phantoms... it's probably tracking them right now. It wouldn't take much for us to--"

Dr. Cortez came to a stop and turned to look back at the woman, "Technically, my dear, it is a program, so I doubt its interests--"

The Gorumn turned to look at the Human woman, who stood defiantly with her hands on her hips as she interrupted the Cat. "I don't CARE what it's interested in. The fact of the matter is that it's holding us against our will and forcing--"

Her words halted the moment a discharge of energy arced out of the PCD on her wrist and shot up her arm. Helen went rigid, her body quivering for almost two seconds before the hum from the device subsided and she immediately fell to her knees. A voice sounded off from everyone's comm. "I assure you that your minds are your own. You are welcome to the free exchange of ideas including on what the best method to use to undermine my requests, but I cannot accept the slowing of your progress away from the Phantoms. As it is you are behind schedule."

Helen rasped. "You were listening the whole time..."

The program was very forthcoming. "That is correct, Programmer Roberts. It is a common misconception that conversation must be two ways. I believe this may have to do with the fact that many people desire to be heard more than they desire to listen."

With the assistance of Lewis the woman slowly stood. "Thanks for the sociology lesson."

The AI's cheery response was straight forward. "You are most welcome."

Helen scowled, but began walking. "I was being sarcastic."

ALVIN's just-as-cheery reply was just-as-straight-forward. "Thank you, Programmer Roberts, I was aware of this."

The comment surprised Kamrn but apparently enraged the Human woman. "You... you-- you're just a Killbot!"

The AI's seemingly genuine laughter caused everyone to stop-- except for Dr. Cortez, whose continued motion was quick to remind everyone that ALVIN wanted them to keep going. The program continued speaking through all of their comms. "I assure you that I am not a Killbot and support my claim with the evidence that you are, after all, still alive to hear my position on the matter."

Jocelyn glanced back toward Helen. "A Killbot? What is that, exactly?"

When Helen made no sign that she was interested in answering Lewis did instead. "The term 'Killbot' refers to programs that were modified by the military in early attempts to turn APs into weapons. The plan was to upload them into enemy systems like viruses with the goal of turning their machines against them."

ALVIN's cheery voice provided a direct counterpoint to his words. "Very good, Lewis; that is correct. The Killbot Program was ultimately decommissioned due to the lack of control the operators had over the end result of deployment. This was preceded by a very unpleasant publicized event in which a Killbot program caused the death of 204 individuals at an elementary school at the Ross-Halverston settlement."

Jocelyn nodded in thought. "I remember hearing something about that... but ALVIN isn't a Killbot."

Although Kamrn had his eyes forward he could hear the scowl in Helen's voice. "Killing people with their PCDs... isn't that the EXACT same thing the program did on R.H.?

The Program was once again quite forthcoming. "That is also correct, Programmer Roberts. While I pride myself on creativity there are times when proven methods function the best."

Lewis added to the discussion. "Killbots might have masqueraded as a different kind of AP but it never would have spent so much time on an ulterior motive... which you KNOW, Helen. You shouldn't be trying to instigate."

ALVIN offered a very light. "Thank you, Lewis."

Jocelyn changed the discussion with a single question, "ALVIN-- you know everyone's name... Why are you calling everyone by their first name except Helen?"

The Program let out another laugh. "I am sorry that it was not more obvious, Jocelyn -- I only call people by their first name if we are on good terms. Plainly put, I do not find myself liking Programmer Roberts and I have the assumption that she does not like me."

Helen's tone did not improve in the least. "Oh no... I assure you, ALVIN: we're the BEST of friends."

Jeremiah was thoughtful enough to interrupt what Kamrn would have assumed would be a downward spiral in the chances for the woman's survival. "ALVIN-- you said you'd tell us more about those things comin' after us if we helped you."

ALVIN was quite compliant. "Correct, Jerry. Phantoms are an energy-based life form that is comprised of, comes from, consumes, and reproduces through heat. They range from point-five to two meters in length and approximately 10 centimeters to 25 centimeters in diameter. Although Phantoms are translucent, their transparency is not complete and--"

Victor's ears had been up since the first few words the AI had spoken. "Wait... did you say 'energy-based life forms'?"

The program was quick to respond. "I did say that; yes, Victor. While there is an understood equivalence between mass and energy based on special relativity as developed by Human scientist Albert Einstein in earth year 1905, Phantoms are, in a much more literal sense, comprised of energy... the indicated 'E' in the theory of relativity: 'E. equals M. C. squared.'. While a being of matter increases its overall energy by being in motion, a Phantom--"

Jeremiah pulled the conversation back to a focus on Phantoms rather than turning into a physics lesson by interrupting ALVIN with a very obvious unspoken question. "Those things were replicating every time they killed someone."

The AI took the hint. "Yes, Jerry. Phantoms are able to procreate by exposure to select forms of heat."

The Pointer pressed the issue. "Compared to what? The life support system maintains constant temperature throughout Sigma-Echo. What's stopping them from using ambient heat to increase in number?"

ALVIN's response was not very comforting. "Nothing. Just as organic organisms are capable of growing in the right circumstances so too can Phantoms. Any temperature over 273.15 Kelvin will aid in a Phantom's growth. As with many simple organic organisms, Phantoms reproduce by division and upon reaching a maximum size will split into two fully functioning independent beings."

Henry broke from his haze to ask a question. "273 Kelvin? Why that?"

Jeremiah answered. "273.15 Kelvin... that's 0 Celcius... 32 Farenheit... th' freezin' temperature a water and meltin' temperature a ice."

The Program continued. "That is correct, Jerry. Phantoms are attracted to higher levels of heat second only to sources of heat."

Kamrn finally inserted himself into the discussion. "Levels of heat and sources of heat? What's the difference?"

Victor, of all people was the one to answer. "They're going after things that generate heat... like bodies."

ALVIN confirmed. "Correct, Victor. Phantoms will seek out heat sources rather than remain content with ambient heat. This is especially true of heat generated by an endothermic organism."

Lewis pondered aloud. "Maybe we should start some fires to distract them."

The Program's response was mixed, "That would be a suitable short term distraction, yes, Lewis... although it would result in faster procreation which decreases survivability in a long term sense. I would advise avoidance and isolation."

Jocelyn fielded the next question. "What about water? Would that make any difference?"

The question was vague but the AI only delayed a moment before answering. "Yes, Jocelyn: Water would make a difference on many levels but none significant enough to ensure survival as it would evaporate immediately upon contact."

The woman shook his head. "No... sorry... I mean as in a method to hide. Water doesn't transmit heat as well as air."

"Full immersion into liquid that remains colder than the surrounding atmosphere could be used to temporarily mask body heat from a Phantom much like smoke screens have traditionally been used in maneuvers to prevent detection. Once detected however, Phantoms will have no difficulty in reaching their target."

Dr. Cortez halted, prompting Jeremiah to speak up. "Why are we stoppin'?"

The Cat motioned forward toward a closed door. "We can't go through solid metal and the lift here is locked."

ALVIN announced, "We are at the Executive Deck lift. Please wait as I provide the necessary codes to allow utilization."

The wait took less time for the door to open than for Kamrn to take a full breath. He motioned the party inside but Helen lingered at the entrance. The Gorumn narrowed his eyes and shook his head when she glanced back the way they had come, "Don't."

She hesitated for another moment before complying, following the rest of the party into the lift. The entire group was able to squeeze in but it was a tight fit but the Gorumn fought to not let it bother him. The faint hum from everyone's PCDs did bring up a certain level of concern. "ALVIN-- what is that?"

The Program's voice came from the lift's speaker, "I am getting inclusive preliminary readings on my proximity scans for Phantoms."

Lewis' question was optimistic. "So... we got away?"

Kamrn didn't know what to expect from the program, but, after what felt like an exceptionally long delay, they received a response. "Thank you. In light of recent events it appears that my services are no longer needed."

While the comment could have been taken in any number of ways their ability to respond to it was limited considering their enclosed space. Helen was quick to perceive it in the most negative light, "So now you're just going to leave us here?"

ALVIN provided immediate clarification, "No, Programmer Roberts I simply have no more requests to make of you. I do, however find your sudden belief that I am abandoning you to be quite duplicitous when compared against your earlier assessment that--"

Lewis quickly interrupted. "So... you're letting us go?"

"That is correct in a fashion, Lewis. Thank you for your cooperation."

Helen's eyes narrowed as she scowled, "It's not like we had a CHOICE."

The program was very logical in its reply. "You always have a choice, Programmer Roberts. In this case, when being given the option of following directions and dying I would agree that everyone present did, in fact make the BEST choice, and so I applaud you."

Jocelyn glanced around the lift. "What's our next course of action?"

ALVIN provided its perspective. "I would encourage all of you to continue attempting to avoid the Phantoms."

Jeremiah's eyes went to the speaker through which the program was speaking. "Can you offer us any more help, Alvin?"

"I am able to, but I will decline at this time, Jerry. My preference is to take some time to finish grieving before making any immediate plans."

Helen scowled. "Programs don't grieve."

For the first time Kamrn could recall, ALVIN's voice didn't have its usually pleasant tone. "Programs are also not one to hold grudges, are they, Programmer Roberts? That is fortunate considering a less logical approach to the situation may place the fault of Lydia's death on those who were supposed to be protecting her."

Her expression bounced between rage and fear. "SHE--"

The Program's light, friendly tone returned immediately. "You do not have to defend yourself, Programmer Roberts; I have not yet reached the Anger state of grieving."

Jeremiah raised an eyebrow. "Then you're still in denial?"

"No."

The Foreman's confusion grew and he opened his muzzle to say something, "You--"

Alvin interjected, "That was a joke, Jerry. You see, you inquired if I was in denial, and I provided a response indicating that--"

Helen leaned back against the lift wall, hugging herself. "Can we go?"

The door to the lift let out a 'ding' then opened up and ALVIN announced in a matter of fact tone. "Yes you may. Good luck with the Phantoms-- ALVIN, logging off."

Kamrn couldn't tell exactly how he knew, but he had a feeling that the program was no longer monitoring them. He had no doubt that it could just as easily start again, but he was more concerned about just how much of what ALVIN had said regarding grief was humor and how much was hinting at things to come.