Tweet
The Spartan Chronicles - Volume 4
Spires: Ascendent
The simulations were done for the day, and his crews had done well. His navigator M'Lan had mastered shunting his neural feedback to the AI of Deathsphere Alpha, and they now behaved as a single entity, one though - one action. It was strangely beautiful to see their resonance merge as the two intelligences grew to know and understand each other. The ancient AI had remained the same, but it was clear that M'Lan had gained from the experience. He was now less earnest and more purposeful, more sure of himself. Having been in contact with all the AIs of his Deathspheres Zzar knew that their call could be alluring. They promised serenity and victory, with the specter of ancient knowledge and vast experience. Slowly the AI would form the navigator, meld him to make the best use of him. That is how the Deathsphere AI was designed. I could not function without a crew. That was part of an ancient failsafe, undoubtedly installed after some very unfortunately mistake in the far past. That was the wisdom of the ancients. Zzar had found that there was nothing that the ancients had not already done, and that they would have all the answers, assuming the correct questions were asked. The conflict on Manifold 6 was simply a recapitulation of conflicts that had occurred for a millennia of millennia. It did not matter if the conflict was Progenitor verses Progenitor, or Progenitor against alien. In the end conflict was all the same.
Nir was a different story. His assimilation to the AI had not gone nearly as well. It was clear that he was a gifted weapons officer, but he lacked the elasticity to make an interface with the AI truly successful. He fought the AI. Some always fought, as a normal Progenitor would do when confronted with a challenge, and a true Progenitor will seek to Dominate. Zzar had discovered, though, that domination was more that placing your foot talon on your enemy's throat. That was mere physical domination, and while useful it lasted only as long as your foot was in place. True domination was much more subtle and involved a heady mixture of respect, deference, competence, and leadership. That is what Nir did not understand. He was caught in the old Usurper paradigm taught in the Challenge Chamber: the one who stands wins, and the winner has the honor of consuming the vanquished. Zzar had had a long discussion the AI Alpha and had found that this difficulty in assimilation was not unexpected, especially with headstrong and aggressive weapons officers, and that Alpha had had experience this many times before. Nir was acceptable to AI Alpha. Alpha warned Zzar, however, that Nir was impulsive and he was slaved to his will and would obey Nir unless countermanded by him, Zzar, or if it went against orders from Conquer Marr.
Whatever they are. Marr thought to himself, knowing that Alpha could see his thoughts in their immersion link. Conqueror Marr's orders were as of yet secret, and would be revealed in good time.
At least Nir had stopped his annoying tusk bobbing once Zzar made it very clear to him that he would not eviscerate him at his first mistake. The tusk bob was an instinctive Challenge tactic from brood, and it sometimes erupted during stress. It was yet another one of Nir's Domination tactics that Zzar found to be annoying.
Ensk was altogether different. As a Political she was the oldest of the crew, and was well steeped in Usurper and Progenitor lore. Moreover, she didn't have simple forced RNA treatments like Zzar and his crew. She had real experience. She was actually old. Still, for an Old One she was not yet decrepit, like those that went to the Tanks for combat practice for younglings. She was hale for her age. Indeed, her age spoke well for her, since Marr had a habit of purging those who were either judged to be redundant, a waste of resources, or somehow an impediment to his plan. That she had survived proved either she was too useful to loose or that she was crafty enough to avoid Marr's talon. Either way Zzar had decided early to determine what her Political parameters were and fulfill them. She would be a useful ally, and an unpleasant enemy.
When asked what she required of Zzar Ensk had been refreshingly direct. All Zzar had to do was fulfill Marr's orders and she wouldn't have him killed: very simple and to the point. Of course, it was incumbent on him to understand exactly what the Conqueror desired, otherwise he could not fulfill his grand vision, and then he, too, might meet with the wrong end of Marr's talon.
Yes. Zzar approved.
It was heady stuff. Between Marr's vision and the wisdom of the ancients victory was assured.
Now that his crews were dismissed for the day, Zzar treated himself to a return to his study. Zzar called up his tactical Personality, a 17th Cycle Master Bral of the long defunct Seeker faction.
Gradually, Zzar called the Personality up from his downloaded treasure trove of Progenitor Personalities and Faces. Other Personalities and Faces waited in the wings, ever patient and vigilant. Time quickly culled Faces and Personalities that were not, since being fixed and self-contained for many thousands of years would test the stability of any sentience.
Greetings Teacher Bral. I am honored to be your student, and seek what enlightenment you may offer.
I am honored to serve you, Conqueror Zzar, and I hope to help illuminate your path in the struggle to come. Please quote for me the first precept of battle. This will set the tone for our discussions.
Mentally, Zzar bowed to his instructor.
Very well Teacher: Tradition, the first principle of warfare, must form the foundation of all your efforts. Know, of course, the past. But in knowing the past always attempt to repeat it. The commander that embraces this totality of battle shall win, even with the inferior force.
Very good. Now, explain to me what it means…
The simulations were done for the day, and his crews had done well. His navigator M'Lan had mastered shunting his neural feedback to the AI of Deathsphere Alpha, and they now behaved as a single entity, one though - one action. It was strangely beautiful to see their resonance merge as the two intelligences grew to know and understand each other. The ancient AI had remained the same, but it was clear that M'Lan had gained from the experience. He was now less earnest and more purposeful, more sure of himself. Having been in contact with all the AIs of his Deathspheres Zzar knew that their call could be alluring. They promised serenity and victory, with the specter of ancient knowledge and vast experience. Slowly the AI would form the navigator, meld him to make the best use of him. That is how the Deathsphere AI was designed. I could not function without a crew. That was part of an ancient failsafe, undoubtedly installed after some very unfortunately mistake in the far past. That was the wisdom of the ancients. Zzar had found that there was nothing that the ancients had not already done, and that they would have all the answers, assuming the correct questions were asked. The conflict on Manifold 6 was simply a recapitulation of conflicts that had occurred for a millennia of millennia. It did not matter if the conflict was Progenitor verses Progenitor, or Progenitor against alien. In the end conflict was all the same.
Nir was a different story. His assimilation to the AI had not gone nearly as well. It was clear that he was a gifted weapons officer, but he lacked the elasticity to make an interface with the AI truly successful. He fought the AI. Some always fought, as a normal Progenitor would do when confronted with a challenge, and a true Progenitor will seek to Dominate. Zzar had discovered, though, that domination was more that placing your foot talon on your enemy's throat. That was mere physical domination, and while useful it lasted only as long as your foot was in place. True domination was much more subtle and involved a heady mixture of respect, deference, competence, and leadership. That is what Nir did not understand. He was caught in the old Usurper paradigm taught in the Challenge Chamber: the one who stands wins, and the winner has the honor of consuming the vanquished. Zzar had had a long discussion the AI Alpha and had found that this difficulty in assimilation was not unexpected, especially with headstrong and aggressive weapons officers, and that Alpha had had experience this many times before. Nir was acceptable to AI Alpha. Alpha warned Zzar, however, that Nir was impulsive and he was slaved to his will and would obey Nir unless countermanded by him, Zzar, or if it went against orders from Conquer Marr.
Whatever they are. Marr thought to himself, knowing that Alpha could see his thoughts in their immersion link. Conqueror Marr's orders were as of yet secret, and would be revealed in good time.
At least Nir had stopped his annoying tusk bobbing once Zzar made it very clear to him that he would not eviscerate him at his first mistake. The tusk bob was an instinctive Challenge tactic from brood, and it sometimes erupted during stress. It was yet another one of Nir's Domination tactics that Zzar found to be annoying.
Ensk was altogether different. As a Political she was the oldest of the crew, and was well steeped in Usurper and Progenitor lore. Moreover, she didn't have simple forced RNA treatments like Zzar and his crew. She had real experience. She was actually old. Still, for an Old One she was not yet decrepit, like those that went to the Tanks for combat practice for younglings. She was hale for her age. Indeed, her age spoke well for her, since Marr had a habit of purging those who were either judged to be redundant, a waste of resources, or somehow an impediment to his plan. That she had survived proved either she was too useful to loose or that she was crafty enough to avoid Marr's talon. Either way Zzar had decided early to determine what her Political parameters were and fulfill them. She would be a useful ally, and an unpleasant enemy.
When asked what she required of Zzar Ensk had been refreshingly direct. All Zzar had to do was fulfill Marr's orders and she wouldn't have him killed: very simple and to the point. Of course, it was incumbent on him to understand exactly what the Conqueror desired, otherwise he could not fulfill his grand vision, and then he, too, might meet with the wrong end of Marr's talon.
Yes. Zzar approved.
It was heady stuff. Between Marr's vision and the wisdom of the ancients victory was assured.
Now that his crews were dismissed for the day, Zzar treated himself to a return to his study. Zzar called up his tactical Personality, a 17th Cycle Master Bral of the long defunct Seeker faction.
Gradually, Zzar called the Personality up from his downloaded treasure trove of Progenitor Personalities and Faces. Other Personalities and Faces waited in the wings, ever patient and vigilant. Time quickly culled Faces and Personalities that were not, since being fixed and self-contained for many thousands of years would test the stability of any sentience.
Greetings Teacher Bral. I am honored to be your student, and seek what enlightenment you may offer.
I am honored to serve you, Conqueror Zzar, and I hope to help illuminate your path in the struggle to come. Please quote for me the first precept of battle. This will set the tone for our discussions.
Mentally, Zzar bowed to his instructor.
Very well Teacher: Tradition, the first principle of warfare, must form the foundation of all your efforts. Know, of course, the past. But in knowing the past always attempt to repeat it. The commander that embraces this totality of battle shall win, even with the inferior force.
Very good. Now, explain to me what it means…
Comment