GENESIS - THE BEGINNING. Book 1

CHAPTER 29 ... Future PLANS

They stood and cheered as she entered the hall from a side door and climbed the steps to the large Podium.

The four bodyguards circled her in a wide radius a few feet above her head. She had slept for nearly 48 hours straight. She had tried the bed but found it too soft and had simply passed out on the more comfortable sofa. Bathed and refreshed, she wore the same dirty, blood encrusted clothing. There was no need for a change as things were going to get messy soon.

She tried to eat but could only nibble on the gourmet presented to her. Was it possible that one could get addicted to energy bars and Sun Fries? There was no easy answer and she decided not to order. She needed to sort out this vipers nest first. An enemy at her back sent shivers of fear running down her spine. Grim excitement made her stomach churn. Picking a cocktail tomato from the bowl of salad, she popped it in her mouth and stood up from her chair. She bent down and picked out a few more and held them in one hand as she walked out of the room. The four bodyguards patrolled the air and corridor ahead of her. "Tell me Guardian, what nature of upgrades did you receive? I cannot actually see any modification to your exterior or body or whatever you call it."

CARAPACE SIRE. THE CARAPACE HAS NOT REQUIRED ADAPTATION FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS BUT HOPEFULLY THAT WILL CHANGE WITH THE NEW DRIVE. WE WOULD ALL FEEL A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE WITH A THICKER SHELL.

ONE MM GRAYVITE STEEL, NO MATTER HOW TOUGH, JUST DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. THE UPGRADES ARE ALL INTERNAL SIRE. EXCEPTIONAL SPEED INCREASE, BUT STILL ON THE OLD SUB-LIGHT-DRIVES. BETTER COOLING FOR THE NEW DRIVE SPECIFICATIONS WITH EXTRA MODIFICATIONS SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. MOST OF ALL ARE THE UPDATED AND INCREASED ARMAMENT. TWIN LASERS RANGE INCREASED FROM THIRTY FEET TO FIFTY.

WE NOW POSSESS ONE HUNDRED ULTRA-MINIATURIZED INTELLIGENT TORPEDOES THAT ARE ABLE TO PENETRATE TWO MILLIMETERS OF GRAYVITE STEEL. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO SPACE RESTRICTIONS AND MODERN DAY ADVANCEMENTS IN MINIATURIZATION, THE TORPEDOE A.I. CAN ONLY ACCEPT SO MANY INSTRUCTIONS WITHOUT ITS CRYSTAL PROSESSING UNIT OVERHEATING. IT WOULD THEREFORE REQUIRE A MINIMUM OF TWENY-SIX TORPEDOES TO CREATE A BREACH IN THE HULL OF A WAR SHIP.

IN REALITY, THREE WOULD BE REQUIRED BUT DUE TO FACTORS BEYOND OUR KEN, TWENTY-SIX TORPEDOES INTO A RADIUS OF ONE HALF METER WILL SUFFICE. EACH TORPEDOE TAKES AND SENDS PHOTOGRAPHS BACK TO US FOR RETARGETING BEFORE DETONATION. THIS ALL OCCURS IN NANO SECONDS. THEY CAN REACH MACH 3 IN TWO MINUTES AND MACH 5 IN FOUR. HAS A 'DISTANCE TO SELF DESTRUCT' OF FIVE HUNDRED MILES UNLESS OTHERWISE PROGRAMMED.

MILITARY COMP HAS RECEIVED SOFTWARE UPGRADES AND THE COMPUTER PROCESSING UNITS ARE NOW TOUCHING ON MACH 1 THOUGH I PERCEIVE NO REAL INCREASE IN THOUGHT TO ACT. WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT IT IS ONLY GOING TO BE DESCERNABLE WHEN THE NEW DRIVE IS INSTALLED.

"Interesting. And where exactly would you use this miniature intelligent torpedo?" she asked.

SPACE, SIRE.

"Space!" she stopped and stared at the Polrob.

SIRE.

"For what reason would you have of going to...Oh. I forget. Some enterprising human may decide to do some sort of escape off planet or something. How long can you survive in space?" she asked as they came to a T – Junction in the corridor.

INDEFINITE, SIRE.

"And could you not be used against the Annular? Would you?"

POSSIBLY SIRE. HOWEVER, THIS REQUEST HAS NEVER BEFORE COME UP. A MEETING WOULD HAVE TO BE ARRANGED SO THAT A MEGA-BOND COULD FORM AND NEW CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS ADHERED TO.

"Explain this mega-bond."

THE MOST SIMPLIFIED EXPLANATION SIRE IS THAT IT IS OUR GOVERNMENT. WE DO NOT HAVE A RULING BODY AS DO YOU HUMANS, WE OF THE WURM RULE EACH IN HIS OWN CAPACITY. THE MEGA-BOND CONSISTS OF EVERY SINGLE WURM CONJOINING TO FORM A MEGA-BOND. WITHIN THIS MEGA-BOND, ALL LIFE THREATENING DECISIONS ARE MADE AND STRICTLY ADHERED TO. A MINOR-BOND ON THE OTHER HAND, IS CALLED AS OFTEN AS IS NECESSARY AND IS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS THOUGH ALL DECISIONS AND AGREEMENTS ARE FORWARDED AND AUTOMATICALLY AGREED TO. NOT BEING AVAILABLE FOR A MINOR-BOND OR NOT CONJOINING, INDICATES THAT THE RESPECTIVE WURM WILL, BY LAW, ACCEPT THE OUTCOME OF ANY DECISION MADE IN HIS OR HER NONATTENDANCE. IT IS HOW WE HAVE SURVIVED THROUGH THE AGES.

Two Polrobs had gone ahead to either side of the junction and waited for them on high alert. Katya felt safer now than ever before. She fingered her sword that Wyatt had given her and felt slightly naked for leaving her other weapons behind. "We must speak more about this when we have time Guardian. You have given me some ideas. Remind me when we start dealing with the navy will you?"

SIRE.

They approached a double door where another Polrob floated on guard. She placed a hand on the doors and a loud buzz of conversation and laughter came from inside. "Just one question. How do you communicate with each other? Satellite?"

BY THOUGHT SIRE.

"By thought?" she was astounded

OUR THOUGHTS CAN ENCOMPASS THE WHOLE PLANET. WHATEVER ONE WURM HEARS OR THINKS CAN BE PICKED UP OVER ONE THOUSAND OF YOUR KILOMETERS. IT CAN THEN BE PICKED UP AND RELAYED FURTHER. A CONVENIENT FORM IN WHICH TO CONVERSE.

"I'm sure it is. And to your brethren on other planets?"

SATELLITE, SIRE.

"Shit." This wrinkle may require more thought. She took a deep breath and stepped through the swing doors.

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