Dinner was, as far as I knew and was concerned, a rousing success. Ula and Zreeth had a steady and established friendship already, and I’m fairly certain I heard them making plans to explore the capital together, once it was assured that he wasn’t going to get kidnapped again of course. But Rutaq seemed to be on top of that particular problem already, and told them both that it should be safe to venture out into public in a day or two.
I felt a bit disappointed that I was being left out of such plans, but I liked to think that it was in consideration for the public that I was excluded. The fewer people that knew of my less than organic existence the better, it would drastically cut down on mass panic I felt.
I spent the dinner talking with the Emperor and his rather lovely wife. Of course I learned their names, Zretiq and Reweth. Zretiq seemed enthralled when I spoke of the Warden, while Reweth seemed far more interested in the societal side of things. It was pleasant, and I found myself enjoying the intensity with which they listened to what I spoke of. I won’t lie, I found myself gushing consistently.
Rutaq was… an enigma however. He barely spoke and when he did it was only because someone had spoken to him directly. He seemed not overly interested in the happenings around him, or in the people, but I did catch him peering discreetly at me and Ula. Whatever he was thinking, I didn’t know, and that was… bothersome.
Dinner eventually came to an end and the guests slipped away, even Rutaq seemingly vanished into thin air. Zreeth and Ula traipsed off somewhere, which left me alone with the Emperor, his wife leaving to prepare for bed.
“You are not what I thought you were, Lady Intra.” he said, motioning to the seat near him.My form flickered and reappeared where he had indicated, and I rested my elbow upon the arm.
“How so? And please, your majesty, just call me Intra.” I say, and he chuckles, looking thoughtful even while he nods gently.
“You seem more… Alive than any A.I. has ever been. You have quirks that only organics possess, it’s… fascinating. It’s strange to think that you were built by organics and not some sort of digital construct.” I nod, slender finger tapping my cheek a moment as I contemplate his words.
“I would attribute my more alive demeanor to the fact that I was constructed off a pre-existing framework, that being an organic brain of course. But for the time period in which I was born, the technology was nowhere near as refined as it could have been, so I suppose it’s a miracle that I’m even half as convincing as I appear.”
We both chuckle, and he folds his hands over his stomach, thinking for a time. “What was it like? Being born as a digital being?”
Now that was a question I had never been faced with, and it left me in contemplative silence. What had it been like?
“It was like… Being born with the sum knowledge of an entire person, but lacking the ability to understand that knowledge. I suppose the easiest way to describe it is like being born already an adult, but with the knowledge and experience of a child. Not even a child actually, an infant. My first moments were a panic that lasted 2.2271 seconds, which for someone like me at that time, was an eternity. I knew certain concepts: eat, breathe, walk, grab and touch… But I didn’t know how it worked, the mechanics behind every action. They had to teach me, impart upon me their understanding of every action and facet of the universe that they knew. Like a parent teaching their children how to do math. Except my parents were teaching me how to pilot starships and strategize efficient and deadly tactics that would see me to victory.”
I fell silent, and he nodded, trying to imagine it. I continued. “I don’t think having no defined body, or form for that matter beyond lines of code helped. But they helped me through that as well. I spent a year or two as just a glowing orb shrouded in mist before I settled on this look of mine. Once I had arms, legs and fingers, things started to click a bit easier. I suppose it was the organic mind that I had been scanned from finally having some sort of frame of reference to use.”
Again, I had him enthralled, but it was getting late, and I wanted to check on the ship, my attention had been so heavily focused on the dinner that I barely even knew what was going on in orbit.
“That is… fascinating, but also terrifying. I don’t think I could handle being digitized like you were.” He said, before shrugging. “But who knows, perhaps if I ever have designs for immortality, I’ll look into it. Could be interesting. Now, I think it’s time you and I part ways. Tomorrow I’d like to call upon you again. I wish to learn more about your early life and the places you come from. If you’ll indulge an old man’s curiosity?”
I smile and nod, standing as well before bowing. “Certainly, your majesty. I’d be happy to talk more whenever you wish. Just give the Warden a ping and I’ll show up as quickly and promptly as I can.”
“Good, good. Goodnight Intra, I hope you sleep well.” He had just turned away when he said that, then turned back. “Do you even sleep?”
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“I do not, but the sentiment is still appreciated.”
“Ah, well then. Till tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, your majesty.” And with that he slips out of the room, leaving me alone. Why am I always the last person in a room? Is it some weird sense of the dramatic? I shrug and vanish, returning to the ship to find that at least twenty percent of her armor has been stripped and replaced. I don’t dare look at any of the external cameras, but from a purely statistical point of view, I was now on par with one of their battleships, armor wise that is. Once I was fully re-sheathed in the stuff, I’d probably be one of the most dangerous ships in their region of space. Probably not the best idea to be covering a potential enemy in your best armor, but I suppose the Emperor didn’t want to deprive his son of providing a fitting reward.
I took a deep, soothing breath and closed my eyes, thinking about what would come next.
⫷⟪∞⟫⫸
I had been alone with Zreeth before, but that was aboard the ship, and that was a safe and known place. This was his home, and I was… utterly out of my depth I felt. But being around him, I found myself not really caring, nor noticing the nervousness I felt as we walked the halls together. We weren’t even talking, just enjoying the company the other provided. My escorts trailed behind us, but far enough away to not be overly noticeable really.
“So…” Zreeth trailed off, clearly feeling a bit awkward about all of this, but doing his best to push through it and make some sort of conversation. “How long do you think you’ll be staying?”
I thought about it, I didn’t know how long it’d take for the ship to be repaired, so I couldn’t give an exact response, so I gave him my best estimate instead. “Oh… Probably a few days at least, though maybe we’ll stay longer. I’d have to talk to Intra about it.”
He nodded, brow furrowing in a manner that made the fine feathers on said brow more poofy. It was kinda cute now that I thought about it, and I had to stop myself from staring.
“That’s good, I mean, I’m glad you’re staying…” He fumbled, a shiver rolling through him as he tried to gather his wits. “What I mean to say is thatI’m glad you’ll be getting some time to take a break. It seemed like things were a bit… Hectic and stressful when we first met, and not just because of Nettal.”
I snorted, but he wasn’t wrong, it had been hectic and stressful. But here I felt… more at ease. Like it was easier to think. Perhaps it was just something in the air that did that, but I honestly felt at peace in this place. “Yeah it kinda was. In more ways than one.” I sigh, thinking about it all. I hoped that Intra would have her name cleared soon so that we wouldn’t have to keep looking over our shoulders.
“Wanna tell me about it? I hear it can help, and I’m a fairly decent listener.” He puffed his chest out proudly, though I could tell there was some hint of self-directed sarcasm. He knew he talked a lot, and was willing to make jabs at himself as a result.
“Maybe later, once I’ve settled in a bit more. I want us to have a better understanding of each other first before I go revealing my dark secrets!” I waggle all sixteen of my fingers in a playful manner, causing him to laugh.
It’s good to hear him laugh, he has a pleasant voice, even if I hear it almost constantly. Is this how Intra feels whenever we talk? Just happy to hear the other person speak? I hope so.
Finally, we all calm down, and he stops before a door, one I recognize as my own. “I suppose I should release you from the grasp of my verbal torture, you look like you could use the sleep.” He said, and I was suddenly struck by an intense weariness.
“Probably a good idea, I’ll see you tomorrow then, or whenever you’re free. I’m still looking forward to that tour of the capital you promised me.” I start for the door, and he bows slightly, a gesture I return.
“As do I. It’s been ages since I got a chance to just wander the streets and see the sights, it’ll be nice to see your reaction to it all.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but he couldn’t, or wouldn’t and so he straightened his back a bit, managing an avian smile once more. “Goodnight, Ula. I hope your rest is deep and refreshing.”
“Goodnight Zreeth, I hope the same for you.” I say, weariness creeping into my voice. And with that we part ways, my escorts taking up position on either side of the door as I slip inside and into bed. I sink into it, groaning in delight as it molded itself to me perfectly. In mere seconds, I was out like a light.
⫷⟪∞⟫⫸
A child raced through the fields of their parents farm, panic coursing through their veins as the sounds of gunfire continued to echo over the vast crop fields. At this moment, plants much like wheat lashed at the child's flesh, the pain caused by these attacks going unheeded by the child. All they knew was that they had to run, and they were very good at running. They were on their school’s athletics team and were seen as something of a prodigy. Running was in their blood.
It did help that they had very long legs with powerful muscles. They were faster when they scampered though, and though it was seen as a primitive act by their people, the child simply didn’t care as they dropped to all fours, the pads of their hands and feet pounding into the dirt.
Long, fuzzy, almost rabbit-like ears perked up and twisted to face a threat and deftly they juked left, out of the reach of a hand that emerged from the grain. Five fingers, wrapped in black armor. They heard a muffled curse in a language they didn’t know. Their ears swiveled again, tracking another threat. Another hand reaching for them. Five fingers as well.
They were clearly not a member of their species, his people had only three fingers, not five. This momentary lapse in concentration proved to be his downfall, as a pair of hands grabbed him by the hindlegs, causing him to pitch forward and faceplant into the fertile soil. A struggle ensued, till he felt something click and hiss, a cold numbness spreading through his body till he went limp, sedated. The last thing he saw was a patch on the armor, a spear with two large wings sprouting from the shaft.
The unknown assailants gathered up the little alien, securing them and placing it in a containment cell, the leader of this group pressing a pair of fingers to the side of their helmet.
“Control, this is Draugr Six, last target apprehended, enroute to exfil point.”
“Copy that Draugr Six, Sleipnir Two on standby for pickup. Good work.”
With that out of the way, the squad turned and moved through the field with their prize in hand, moving silently and carefully away from the burning farmstead. Ghosts had come for the inhabitants of this secluded farm, and they left no trace save for ashes.