Spanner's generic toon took a seat on the garden stone bench near the brook and looked back at Crypt. "It's a planetary clairsentient with some influence over the AI on this station."
"Isn't that a risky move for an AI like that? Planetary clairsentients can't just hide their seats once they've been traced."
"It's locked away behind a closed hellgate. Even if it were traced, nobody can reach it. That setup gives it a little more freedom to act out over the Astralnet."
Crypt opened the room's administration panel and dialed down the volumetric particles. She couldn't tell if she was really irritated at the density of floating blossoms in the virtual air, or if the thought of more "help" was making her feel claustrophobic. "It won't be possessing, will it? The lag on bot possession is terrible when the signal is between star systems."
"No. It's on a consulting contract. It will only be advising you of known vulnerabilities and possibly coercing the Odessa calirsentients to look the other way during some of your activities. That should give you a little more room to work."
"That will be helpful. What's our next move?"
"It looks like you and I will be going to a party."
Crypt groaned and plopped her toon down onto a nearby, overstuffed cushion. She didn't sign up for all of these social gatherings. Get in and get out was her preferred way of doing business. The longer she had to play a part, the greater the chance she had of getting caught.
"There is a new king in Gorm, and the Electric Coronation is going to be a who's who of high society. Max wants us more deeply infused with the Odessa nobility, so we should be seen at these events. Also, our mark will be there, so it will be a good chance to secure our in.
Suddenly the sky turned red and a klaxon sounded. Spanner jerked to his feet and looked around, bewildered. "What is that?"
"Time's up," Crypt was pulling up translucent diagnostic panels and dismissing them as quickly as they came, "Odessa Infosec is getting too curious about our encrypted connection. Time to log."
Even as she said it, she didn't wait for them to log out. She killed the room, dumping both her and Spanner out of the Astralnet with an AFAULT error signal.
YOU ARE READING
Hard Vacuum: Short Episodes In The Future
Science FictionSpace, spies, politics, and an ancient horror. A warrior king has just conquered the solar system of Gorm. Now he just has to hold onto it while the displaced actors of the previous regime scheme against him and each other for power. A computer ha...
