Carpathia IV: Episode 223 - Reset Button
NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Alka passed through one of the side doors of the atrium into a wide corridor. The doors clanked shut and the music from the atrium dwindled instantly to a muffled beat. Devoid of people, the only company the corridor provided was two potted plants flanking a wide, upholstered bench. A perfect place to be alone. Alka plodded to the bench and let his body flop onto the cushion.
Alka didn't have much time to brood, for the doors opened again, prompting him to sit up in alarm. To his relief, it was Cyn, who entered carrying a tablet and she strode to him, exchanging her gaze between him and her tablet. Alka said nothing as Cyn presented the tablet, updating him with a dry monotone.
Cyn: I thought you might want to know that the surveillance chips in Phobos and Deimos are operating as intended.
Without a word, Alka reached up and plucked the tablet from her hand and halfheartedly swiped at the screen, bringing up a video feed. The image on the screen resembled that of a body cam of the sort you'd expect to find on a police officer, this one pointed at a red-headed demon, one that Alka recognized. Baal.
Baal: I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable. Look, I know what the deal is. I just want you to be happy, even if it's not with me. If you don't mind, I'd like to keep cheering you on.
Alka pursed his lips and shook his head ever so slightly while Cyn looked on. Again, in complete silence, Alka muted the audio and then Cyn watched as he swiped and tapped swiftly through several of the controls. Cyn waited patiently, wondering what he was doing. Changing settings? Fiddling with the details? There was much done in the minute or so that he worked the controls, fingers moving swiftly across the glass. Finally, again in silence, he handed the tablet back to Cyn who studied the screen with intense curiosity. Seconds later, her eyes widened.
Cyn: You deactivated the chips!
Alka nodded wordlessly.
Cyn: Erased the backups...
Another nod.
Cyn: And now the data is zeroing out.
Nod.
Cyn: I'd ask if you realize that we'll never be able to reactivate the surveillance chips, but I presume that's the point.
Alka lifted his head up and, for the first time during this conversation, looked her in the eye.
Alka: Have you had a chance to look through their history files?
Cyn: Can't say I have.
Alka: Brutal stuff. Not that they were trying to hide it. It was all right there, unencrypted, in the computer consoles. The humans had a civil war less than a hundred years ago when a dictator came to power. And the ones we know are ancestors of a small group who left their homeworld... a homeworld now in ruins. The nekomi nearly died out entirely in their own civil war when one side unleashed a virus. Ramewet... the first thing they did once their demigod ruler was overthrown was have a bloody civil war. King Riven probably wouldn't have even won if he hadn't had a dragon on his side.
Cyn put her tablet in her bag—not that there was anything of use on it anymore—and sat beside Alka.
Cyn: Our own history isn't exactly kelp and pearls either, but I don't really see the connection.
Alka raised the side of his head, the side facing the door with the muffled music, his flin flapping about as though wafting the music into his head.
Alka: You hear that? In spite of it all, they all found each other and not only made friends, but joined together as one. Well, but for the tokki, but I can see why, considering their numbers.
Cyn: We don't know that they'll stay peaceful.
Alka: No, we don't. We couldn't even say that we will, or anyone else, for that matter. They've been nothing but kind to us and I will not be party to spying.
Cyn: For what it's worth, I'm with you. Councillor Shran will not be pleased, though.
Alka: No, he won't, but he's always been a suspicious old lump of dried up coral anyway. He'll make a lot of noise, but there's nothing he can do now. It's risky business, making friends and trusting others, but if we're going to not only survive, but thrive, we have to take that chance.
Alka's heart did a backflip when they heard a clank and mechanical thrum. The door to the atrium opened again and, to Alka's horror, they were greeted by the very people he was trying to avoid. Front was Phobos, Baal, and Deimos. Following close behind was Artemis, Adell, and Aire. Alka's heart backflip turned to a flop as it felt like it dropped straight into his bowels.
Deimos: You switched it off!
Phobos: I knew you would!
Alka shut his eyes and let out a copious breath of air before flopping back onto the bench. While the others waited expectantly, he let his head fall back until it clunked into the wall behind him.
Alka: You knew. Of course you knew. I should have known.
Adell: We were hoping you'd do the right thing. Phobos and Deimos insisted that we give you the chance.
Still pressed against the wall, Alka rolled his head to the side to see them better.
Alka: You should have thrown me out an airlock.
Artemis: Believe me, we wanted to, but Phobos and Deimos talked us out of it. They were both right, of course.
Alka stood in a weary, plodding sort of way of a dualist about to concede utter defeat. He faced the group and held his arms straight out from the sides of his body and bowed deeply, with his head nearly down to his waist and pointed to the floor.
Alka: You have my sincerest apologies. As Praetor, I take full responsibility.
Adell broke from the group and stepped toward Alka with a breezy shake of his head.
Adell: Alright, we appreciate the gesture, but let's push the reset button a little, shall we?
Alka, remaining in his bowed state, lifted his head and eyes to meet Adell's.
Adell: Let's have a seat.
Alka stood straight and nodded. Adell acknowledged by leading him back to the bench. Adell sat first, deep into the back of the bench so that he could lean against the wall comfortably, and crossed his legs. Alka followed suit, plopping stiffly next to Adell.
Adell: You read up on our history. Our computers keep records on which consoles access which databases. You went through a lot, as well you should. After all, we only just met and you need to know what you're getting yourself into. Tell me, what was your impression?
Alka's eyes darted to and fro for quite the silent pause before he answered.
Alka: Your various histories are certainly... colorful.
Adell gave a broad smile and allowed a slight chuckle.
Adell: Very diplomatic of you! Still correct, of course, if grossly understated.
Alka: To be a bit less diplomatic, there is a lot of good, but the bad is rather horrifying. I appreciate that you're open about your past. Frankly, I'd be more worried if the information I had come across was too perfect. Vashta is like that. Perfect on the surface, but utter misery underneath.
Adell: Which is why we like to keep this out in the open and we even teach it in schools.
Alka: I hope you'll forgive us our transgressions. I can't guarantee that every interaction will go smoothly. Some of our council members are very stubborn, but I very much advocate friendship. Speaking of, I have been remiss not to have invited you to our ship. You'll find that our history is equally colorful. Seeing all your peoples come together as you have gives me hope.
Adell: I accept your offer! Captain?
Adell turned to Aire with an expectant smile.
Aire: Of course, Commodore.
Alka: I extend the invitation to your entire crew. as well.
Cyn: I will also be pleased to introduce you to our people.
With a two-handed pat on his knees, Adell stood.
Adell: Alright then. That is sorted, but that is for the future. You have a busy time ahead of you. First, you'll be meeting Admiral Zhang and later, the politicians. Whatever help you receive finding a place to live is up to them, not us. For me, I'm just glad that Phobos is safe and Deimos is back with us. Right now, the path back to the party goes through Artemis.
Adell stood aside and Alka immediately jumped from his seat and shifted his gaze to Artemis, who was now striding towards him.
Alka: My apologies, Artemis. The chips are deactivated, but I presume you would like to remove them. I will show you where they are.
Artemis stopped and put one hand on his hip and, with a smirk on his face, held out his other hand and opened it, revealing a pair of tiny, rice grain-sized chips.
Artemis: You mean these? I worked out a plan for removing them yesterday. Took all of five minutes. I would have done it sooner, but Phobos and Deimos wanted to give you a chance.
Wide-eyed, Alka leaned in close to Artemis's open hand.
Alka: I have underestimated you, Artemis.
Artemis closed his hand and stuffed the chips into his jacket pocket. Stepping forward again, within inches of Alka's face, Artemis jabbed his finger into Alka's chest.
Artemis: You're damned right you did. Rest assured that I will be going over each and every cubic millimeter of their anatomy again looking for anything that makes me grumpy. We worked in haste before, building their bodies, and you snuck these in. That is not going to happen again. If there's anything else I need to know, it will be a lot better for you if you tell me right now.
Alka shook his head.
Alka: There is nothing else. Their bodies and minds are theirs, completely autonomous. Please conduct your evaluation as you like.
Artemis stepped back with a skeptical gaze.
Artemis: I will begin after the party.
With Artemis's part finished, Adell sidled back next to Alka.
Adell: Artemis and I are a team. I have the luxury of being the nice one in this situation, but remember, if he's not happy, then I'm not happy. You don't want me unhappy.
Alka: Point taken, Adell.
Adell: In that case, we shall return to the party.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
Falke2009
