Brian Saves the World, Maybe

Chapter 13 - Welcome to Borae-Serve

Brian and Dale once again rode in the back of the police cruiser, on their way to Dale's barn.

Welcome back, Brian.

Brian jumped in his seat. It was TV. Brian had gotten used to having his mind to himself in the short time he had been underground.

Wait, shouldn't I be welcoming you back?

If you wish. I did not expect to be welcomed after our last conversation.

Brian sighed. TV, you need to tell me who you are, how you know what you do, and what your connection is with the Borae.

Brian, as I said before, I am an inorganic life form, created for interplanetary study. My world was harvested by the Borae.

Years after this, I detected a beacon signal from a Borae outpost I had thought to be abandoned.

The signal was continuously transmitting information about the next Borae campaign— Earth. It also included a piece of information that appeared to be an encryption key. I directed my long-range sensors toward Earth and began listening.

What did you hear?

Besides human communications, I discovered many Borae signals similar to that of the beacon. However, these signals were encrypted. I attempted to decrypt each signal using the key from the beacon, but I was unable to find a match. I was eventually able to decrypt a few of these signals through brute force however, revealing more of the Borae's plans.

So, you perfected the art of interstellar eavesdropping?

My skill is far from perfect. Most signals were impenetrable to me, and I still hadn't found a match for the beacon key. That didn't happen until two weeks ago.

Two weeks ago? Brian shuddered. That was when his memory loss had occurred.

A new signal suddenly appeared, and this time, the beacon key worked. I was surprised by the wildly disorganized information I had accessed. I eventually discovered I was receiving the thought-stream of an Earth inhabitant.

Right, right, okay, that's when you broke into my mind. Got it. Brian shook his head. So you're saying, the key, or whatever, that you used to decipher my signal, was being broadcast by some random Borae beacon? That seemed creepy to Brian, in an intergalactic sort of way.

I do not believe it was random. I strongly suspect it was done deliberately for me to discover.

But, why?

I do not know.

Awesome.

I do not think you used that word correctly.

Brian frowned. Aunt Carol said she had once been in touch with one of the Borae for a while, a human sympathizer, I guess. Do you think that could be who was behind the beacon signal?

That is possible.

Brian frowned. Okay, what's the Cafeteria, and why did you tell me to ask Watkins about it?

I do not know what the Cafeteria is.

Well, you're just full of answers, today. Brian shook his head, looking out the window.

It was a term I had intercepted in a Borae signal. I had hoped the Observer might reveal something about it. From Watkins' response and the conversation with your aunt, I think we can gather that it is some sort of Resistance facility.

* * *

Officer Watkins dropped Brian and Dale off near the barn.

Dale watched from inside the barn, until the cruiser was completely out of sight, and then turned to Brian.