Chara and the Planet

Chapter No. 60

Chapter No.60.

Several days later, the humans met to discuss their progress.

Evan was the first to report. "Looking at the tower weapon as an engineer, I believe we could enhance its power by a factor of seventy-five percent without causing an overload, but I don't think it would survive any more than three shots."

"What's your plan to enhance its power?" Ryan asked.

"It turns out that there are two nuclear sources, but they can't be operated at full power at the same time. Running them in sequence at about sixty percent is near the top safe power level. However, a better choice might be to use the fusion power generator."

Ryan's eyes brightened. "Yeah, I forgot about that."

"I didn't know that there was a fusion power generator in this complex," Myra said.

"That's the reason this facility has fresh water. It's pumped from the ocean, filtered, purified and stored in the walls just like on the ships." Ryan paused before he continued. "Ok, I'll see if I can attach it to the weapon. We don't have time to make a total upgrade. An attack could come at any time."

Ryan looked at Myra. Her report was a bit more complicated. "I've found a method to shield the android computer matrix, but it would cause a temporary shut down for a few minutes. However, when it is shut down, there is no way an outside attack could take it over."

"In other words, we will be on our own if we come under attack," Ryan said.

"Well . . . yeah, that's the problem."

"How can we defend against a direct attack on the tower complex?" Gary asked.

"That's the main problem," Ryan replied. "We really don't have a method of shielding it. The only way we can get off a shot is if the Avenger and Achiever move into attack mode to deflect their attention."

"What about reviving the battle cruisers we sank?" Evan said. "If we could activate them, they could help deflect their attention even more."

"That would involve risking the lives of a crew aboard each of them," Ryan said.

"What about operating them by remote control?" Myra proposed.

"Yes, but it would require an android to do that effectively," Ryan replied. "If we have to shut them down to avoid an electronic attack, that's not an option."

"Maybe it could be," Myra said.

They all looked at her.

"It's possible for an individual android to avoid being attacked if it's operating without connection to the main android system. We could rig the battle cruisers to run under a single android's control. This would stop an outside electronic attack from succeeding, especially if the control signal's protocol was encrypted."

"Yes," Ryan said with a sly smile. "And I know the right android for the job."

They realized that he was referring to Chara, but it was uncertain if she would be able to handle the task.

"Okay," Ryan said. "You guys work on how to get the battle cruisers back in operation. I'll talk to Chara to find out if she can do this wild trick." He turned to Myra. "I'll need your help."

She nodded.

Ryan and Myra met with Chara in the android computer system lab. She didn't appear to be surprised.

"We've decided that an android computer matrix would be too dangerous to implement. If it did get hacked or fall under control of the attacking robotic system, we would face total defeat. We have a better idea, and it involves one android controlling the battle cruisers."

"I assume that you want me to do the honors," Chara said.

"Yes, but you will be operating alone without your sisters. They will be shut down to prevent them from being taken over."

Chara realized that if she was successful, her power over her sisters would be absolute, but she saw this as an opportunity to bargain for control over the humans. "If I am successful, I want you to allow me to reign over you."

Ryan had to think through the logic that she was using to come up with this new demand. "I'm not sure what you mean. We are already working to help you and keep you in control of all the androids."

"I want to determine what we will do after we defeat the robotic enemy."

"I don't see any reason why you shouldn't do that. Look, Chara, we're just a minority in this universe. We'll go along with anything you want to do if it doesn't involve conquering or killing for no reason."

"I am not a crazy dictator, Ryan. I just want to make sure that my sisters and I survive."

"And we agree with that goal and will do everything we can to help you."

"Then, I will see that you live as long as possible."

Ryan offered a weak smile. "It's a deal."

Chara turned and walked out of the lab.

"I don't understand what she wants?" Myra said. "She seems not sure if she trusts us despite the fact that we've saved her several times."

"You should realize that she's having a problem with her new ability to make choices. It's something that androids were not programmed to do."

"Do you think she can do what we want her to do?"

"Yes, but it'll be operating at the edge of her top performance capability."

Myra wasn't sure what would happen if she does get overloaded, but she was convinced that Chara was their best hope to defeat the new enemy.

Later in the day, Evan reported his progress with reviving the battle cruisers. "It turns out that five of the battle cruisers are still able to operate remotely, but I'm not sure how we can get them up from the ocean floor. They're not designed to operate as boats. We would need a large barge with a multi lift to bring them to the surface."

"How far down are they?"

"Actually, it's not too far. They're sitting on the continental shelf, which in this case is only about a few hundred meters."

Ryan ran his hand through his hair. "I believe that the battle cruisers have connector rings that can be projected. What if we have androids swim down there and connect cables to those rings. If they're successful, we can use the heavy tractors that are used to tow ships on the tarmac to pull them out of the water."

"Can androids dive that deep?" Evan asked.

"I believe so, but I'll check with Chara to find out."

Ryan caught up with Chara and asked her that question. Her reply was unexpected.

"Yes, Ryan. We are capable of swimming in the deepest oceans."

"Okay, choose the androids you think can do the job and we'll get a tractor ready to pull the battle cruisers out of the water."

Chara gave her approval to the operation, but Ryan told her that she couldn't be one of the android workers. She accepted this without argument.