The War of the Artilect: Chapter 1

The massive Ahexotl Tower was located in the heart of a sprawling metropolis that covered thousands of square miles. The six-hundred-story glass-and-steel skyscraper was named after the famous astronaut Nigellus Ahexotl, who on October 24, 774 became the first person to set foot on the Moon. It was the crown jewel of La Venta, the new home city of the Stryker family. After the bot swarms destroyed the planet Quetzalli the Artilect asked the Strykers if they wanted to have a new planet customized to meet their needs. Instead, however, the family had simply picked an existing world out of the Artilect’s network and settled into its capitol city. Amy Stryker named the city La Venta after one of the ancient cities of the Olmecs, the race that had preceded the Mayans.

La Venta was located on a beautiful tropical planet located about twenty thousand light-years away from the Artilect’s home system. Amanda Stryker had been given the honor of naming the planet itself and she decided to call it Tonina, in honor of her Mayan ancestry.

The top floor of Ahexotl Tower was made entirely of transparent crystal and offered an amazing view of the surrounding city. Through the room’s transparent walls a person could watch as traffic flowed through the busy streets below and as various aircraft soared over the city. At Amy’s request the Steward of Tonina had established a restaurant at the top of the tower, and at noon on November 20, 7239 the Stryker family walked into it. The Tower Bistro was a popular establishment and there were already crowds of people at the tables, enjoying an elegant lunch.

The hostess met the Strykers at the door and showed them to the table they had reserved, which offered a beautiful view of the capitol. After the hostess left their waitress came. She took their order and walked off.

After she was gone Amy spoke up. “Do you realize we missed Christmas?”

“We’ve missed a lot of Christmases,” Amanda agreed. “Thousands of them, in fact! But that’s what happens when you travel from the 19th century to the 73rd century. It’s just part of the deal.”

“I know, but that’s not what I mean. Think about it, Atzi. When did we leave the 19th century?”

“On December 13th, I think,” Amanda replied.

“Right! And we arrived here on October 23rd. That means Christmas went from being 12 days away to being weeks away! It’s terrible.”

Richard Stryker laughed. “That’s true, Amy. I hadn’t thought of that. But Christmas will get here soon enough – although I don’t think you’re going to see any snow here. This planet is actually a pretty warm place.”

“But it’s quite nice, though,” Laura Stryker replied. “I’ve never lived in the tropics before! It’s different.”

“I just love this planet,” Amy said enthusiastically. “It’s fantastic! And I bet we could make it snow if we wanted to. I’m sure the Steward could find some way to give us a white Christmas! He’s pretty good at things like that.”

“The Stewards are amazing,” her father agreed. “I wish you could have seen Quetzalli! Jack did a remarkable job of recreating Mars – it really reminded me of home.”

“Jack was a really nice person,” Laura replied. “You girls would have liked him. It was so sad that he died in the battle.”

“He was a software program, dear,” Richard commented. “Software programs don’t die. Besides, the same program is running here on Tonina! The Steward here is identical to the one we had on Quetzalli.”

“Is he?” Laura asked. “I guess I’ve just never met him. It’s all so confusing! Nothing is what it seems to be. Like our waitress, and the people in the streets, and all the patrons sitting at the other tables. Are they just software programs too?”

“Of course!” Amy said. “After all, there are only eight actual people in the entire world – the four of us, Captain Max and Jones, Reverend Knight, and Sergeant Howell. That’s it. So Amanda and I asked Andy to populate this world with other citizens. I know they’re not actually real but they look real and you can talk to them and everything! Besides, it’s a whole lot better than living in an empty planet. That’s just creepy.”

“I know,” her mother said. “Quetzalli was deserted and living there did feel a little strange. I’m just not comfortable being surrounded by computer people. I’d rather live in a city full of real people.”

“Which is exactly what we’re working on accomplishing,” her husband replied. “After the war is over we’re going to open up the network to whoever is still alive out there. I’m sure all sorts of people will be moving in! Before you know it we’ll have lots of new neighbors. It will just take a little time.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” Laura replied.

“So what have you girls been doing today?” Richard asked.

“We’ve been teaching Alex how to use the nanites,” Amanda replied. “It’s pretty neat! I think he’s getting the hang of it.”

Laura looked surprised. “Our dog is a part of the network?”

“Of course!” Amy replied. “He is a part of our family, after all. For the most part they work just as well on him as they do on us. He hates flying, though. It’s just not his thing.”

“Flying?” Richard asked. “Do you mean we can fly?”

Amy nodded. “Of course we can fly! It’s actually really easy. You’ve got to try it, Dad!”

“Maybe I will someday. I’ve just been so busy lately. I have a lot to do before the survivors start arriving.”

“Like what?” Amanda asked.

“We need a government, for one thing. This whole planet is a blank slate. It doesn’t have any laws, or constitution, or governors, or police, or anything like that. I’m trying to put some things together but I’m just not sure what to do.”

“Really?” Amy asked. “But Governor Nicholas told us that he had been planning on turning the Tau Ceti government over to you! Besides, you were the governor of Mars for years. Haven’t you been doing this all your life?”

“But that was different. There I was working with a government that already existed. They had rules and policies and procedures in place to keep everything going. Here I have nothing. I need to put together a way to keep law and order, enforce the peace, hold elections, and so forth. I’ve never had to create an entire government from scratch before. It’s overwhelming.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out, dear,” his wife replied. “It will all come together in time.”

Amanda spoke up. “What if the people on Tau Ceti have their own government? What are you going to do then?”

“I don’t know,” Richard said. “I really wish I knew more about them. There’s so much we don’t know.”

“We could always send Steve to check them out,” Amy suggested. “He’s been there before and I’m sure he could make the trip again.”

“That’s a good idea,” her father replied. “Maybe you could mention that in our meeting this afternoon.”

Amy looked surprised. “You mean the war planning meeting is today? I thought it wasn’t until next week!”

Richard nodded. “It is indeed. It’s being held at two o’clock on the Artilect’s home world.”

“But that’s so far away,” his wife objected. “Why aren’t we having it here?”

“For security reasons, probably,” Amanda said. “Andy probably just didn’t want to take any chances.”

“Does everyone else know about this?” Amy asked.

“I think so, but I’m not sure,” Richard replied. “You could always go ask them after lunch. It might not hurt to remind them.”

“Ok,” Amy replied.

The conversation was halted when their waitress came back to their table bearing a large tray. She set a large plate of food in front of each person. “Is everything correct?” she asked.

“It looks great!” Amy said. “Thanks, Betty.”

Betty smiled and walked off.

Laura looked at Amy’s meal with great surprise. “You ordered lobster? Where did they get lobster? There aren’t any lobsters on this planet!”

“Of course I did,” Amy replied. “I love lobster! Didn’t you hear me order it?”

“I guess not,” Laura admitted. “But where did that lobster come from?”

Amanda spoke up. “The same place your steak came from, Mom. They just materialized it for us. That’s where food comes from these days.”

“Oh,” Laura said. “I thought they grew it somewhere or something. Do you mean this isn’t real?”

Amanda shook her head. “No, it’s quite real. It’s no different from what you used to get back home on Tikal. Things are just more direct here. In the old days you had to raise a cow, then kill it, then prepare it, and then you could serve it. These days you can just materialize a steak – or a lobster – and be done with it. It’s a lot simpler and you get to skip the part where you kill the cow, since there aren’t any actual cows involved.”

“It’s much more humane,” Amy agreed.

“I suppose,” Laura said reluctantly. “It just doesn’t feel right. When meat comes from a real cow it has a meaning – it took work to create it and there was sacrifice involved. The meat actually came from somewhere. This just feels arbitrary and disconnected.”

“It took work to create this too,” Amy replied. “Five thousand years of work, in fact! All this technology didn’t invent itself. Besides, back home most people didn’t have cows either – they just went to a store and bought it. For all they knew it could have fallen out of the sky and appeared in the grocery store freezer. How is this any different?”

Richard held up a hand. “As fascinating as this discussion is, I propose we continue it after giving thanks for this bountiful meal that our Lord has provided. Shall we bow our heads and pray?”

* * * * *

After lunch Amy and Amanda left the Tower and began searching for the rest of their party. Reverend Knight proved to be the easiest to find. He was sitting on the spacious balcony of his apartment, reading the book of Romans. Once the girls spotted him they used their nanites to soar off the sidewalk and up to the nineteenth floor of his apartment building.

The twins hovered just beyond the edge of his balcony. “Hey there!” Amy said excitedly.

Reverend Knight looked up and smiled. He closed his worn Bible and sat it down on a small table beside him. “And hello to you as well, Amy and Amanda! Please, won’t you join me?”

The two girls flew onto the balcony and sat down in two chairs that were directly across from the evangelist. After they were seated he spoke up. “So how are you two doing today? I trust all is well?”

Amy laughed. “As if you don’t already know! You have the gift of discernment, you know. It’s not like we can fool you.”

The reverend smiled. “But that does not mean I know all of the answers. I may be able to tell when you are happy or sad but I don’t always know the cause. I may know that a person is lying but I can’t always see the truth that they are trying to hide. Sometimes I can, but not always. Jones can see a great deal more than I can.”

“We’re doing very well, thank you,” Amanda replied. “We just wanted to remind you that we have a meeting with Andy in about an hour.”

“Two o’clock, on his home planet,” Reverend Knight said. “Quite so. I have not forgotten. I will be there, although I am perhaps the least qualified of anyone. I know very little of war. I suspect that Sergeant Howell will have much more to contribute than I will.”

Amy spoke up. “I hope you realize that you don’t have to live in an apartment. There’s lots and lots of space on this planet! You can have anything you want.”

Reverend Knight smiled. “I appreciate your generosity, Amy. However, this is more than enough space for me. All of my needs are met and I have room left over. I see no reason to occupy more real estate than this.”

“Ok,” Amy replied. She glanced down at his Bible and noticed the position of the bookmark. “Hey, weren’t you reading Romans back on the Starfire?”

“Amy!” Amanda exclaimed. “Leave him alone. That’s none of your business.”

“It is fine,” Reverend Knight replied. “Your sister has done no harm. Yes, I am studying Paul’s letter to the Romans. As an evangelist it is my calling to proclaim the gospel to all, and I have discovered that as my understanding of the gospel grows my ability to explain it grows as well. Romans provides a technical look into the gospel, exploring aspects of grace and faith that are not always easy to understand. So, while I may not be able to aid in the war I can bring the message of hope to those who are without it.”

“What do you think we’re going to find on Tau Ceti?” Amy asked.

“I don’t know,” Reverend Knight replied. “But I do not think we will find any light. I have great misgivings about that star system that I cannot explain. There is something deeply wrong there. I only hope it is not too late to save them.”

* * * * *

The next person the twins located was Sergeant Howell. He proved to be much more difficult to locate. They eventually found him in the core of the planet, where Tonina’s central defense computers were located. The soldier was standing in a large, circular room. In the center of the room was a giant holographic display of a group of star systems. A series of red and blue points of light were furiously moving around, like a swarm of gnats. He was studying them intensely.

Amy and Amanda materialized in the room and walked over toward him. “Excuse me, sir,” Amanda said.

Sergeant Howell turned around. He glanced at them, nodded, then turned his attention back to the hologram. “Hello, girls,” he said.

The twins walked over to him and stared at the hologram. “Is something wrong?” Amy asked.

“Something is very wrong,” Sergeant Howell said. “This picture isn’t making any sense. I don’t understand it.”

“What are we looking at?” Amanda asked.

“This is what used to be the Ranger civilization,” Sergeant Howell replied. “That’s Sol, that’s Tau Ceti, there’s Alpha Centauri A, and so forth. All of the gold-colored stars used to have Ranger colonies. The red and blue dots are bot swarms. Do you see what they’re doing?”

“It looks like they’re fighting,” Amy said. “They keep attacking each other.”

“That’s the whole problem right there. I don’t think they’re actually fighting at all. Watch.”

Sergeant Howell made a quick motion with his hands. The hologram went backwards, as if he was rewinding time. After a few moments the hologram froze.

“This happened three days ago,” he said. “Watch.”

The hologram began moving again. The girls watched as the number of blue dots swelled enormously and attacked the red dots. The effect was devastating. The red dots held up for a while but were eventually overwhelmed. Their defensive line was broken and their numbers were scattered. The blue dots then retreated. Over time the red dots regrouped, increased their numbers, and attacked the blue dots. This time the blue dots were scattered – but the red dots did not press their advantage. They, too, retreated.

“Did you see that?” Sergeant Howell asked. “Each side has defeated the other side countless times but they never close in and finish the other side off. Each time they gain an advantage they always back off and let the other side regroup. That’s why the battle has lasted forever – neither side actually wants to win. This isn’t a war – this is a series of war games!”

Amy frowned. “But there must have been an actual war at one time, right? Didn’t Steve say that he’d found evidence that these swarms had destroyed the colonies?”

“He did, and I’m sure he’s right. But why did Tau Ceti and Alpha Centauri A survive when no one else did? What is the point of the endless war?”

“I’d forgotten about Alpha Centauri,” Amy said.

“Maybe their Walls protected them,” Amy suggested.

“Or maybe those two systems were allies that launched the war together,” Sergeant Howell replied. “Maybe they’ve survived because the swarms are working for them.”

Amanda spoke up. “But if they’re the winners then why haven’t they shut down the swarms, taken down their Walls, and colonized the planets that they conquered? Why would they destroy everyone else and then stay home and do nothing?”

“I don’t know,” Sergeant Howell said. “It bothers me. I think our first move should be to send the Sentinel to those two remaining systems to find out what the situation is on the ground. We need to know what’s going on before we attack the swarms.”

Amy spoke up. “That reminds me! The reason we’re here is to remind you that we have a planning meeting with Andy at two o’clock.”

“I’ll be there,” Sergeant Howell said. He turned his attention back to the hologram.

* * * * *

Captain Maxwell Baker and his first mate Basil Jones proved to be the hardest to find. The girls eventually gave up and asked the Steward where they were. He told them that they were in the Archive of Planets. After getting its coordinates from the Steward the girls transported themselves there.

The twins were surprised to find that the Archive of Planets was located on a rather small world in an obscure star system. There was nothing particularly exciting about the planet itself. It was a cold, arctic planet, with a breathable atmosphere but no signs of life. The world was mountainous and covered with ice and snow. A stiff wind was constantly blowing, pushing fast-moving clouds across the sky. The planet had no moons and there were no other planets in the system.

The only signs of technology that the girls could find was a single colony that had been built in the side of an enormous mountain. The colony consisted of a single level and a few dozen rooms. The walls, floor, and ceiling of the hallways were made of a bare, tarnished metal. A few lights dangled from the ceiling, giving off a rather weak glow.

“This place is in serious need of redecoration,” Amy remarked. “Who designed this world?”

“Andy may not have meant for anyone to come here,” Amanda pointed out. “This may be some kind of giant filing cabinet or something.”

“I guess. Anyway, where’s Captain Max and Jones? Aren’t they supposed to be here somewhere?”

“They’re right down the hall,” Amanda said. “Follow me.”

She led her sister down the hall to an unmarked door. Amanda opened the door and the two girls stepped inside. After they entered the room room the door silently closed behind them.

It was as if they had stepped off into space itself. Around them was the vastness of the universe. The room had no visible walls or floors; in fact, they could not tell they were in a room at all. They appeared to be floating in the vacuum of space, surrounded by an endless array of stars and planets.

Further ahead of them were the two people they were looking for. At the moment they were studying a giant star system that was spread out in front of them. As soon as the girls entered the room Jones turned around and waved them over.

“What’s that?” Amy asked, as the twins talked over to join them.

“It’s an unnamed star system,” Captain Max explained. “There are millions and millions of them! They’ve all got numbers, of course, but a number just doesn’t do this place justice.”

“Are we still in a room?” Amanda asked.

Jones nodded. “This is the viewing room. The captain and I have been using it to view some of the worlds in the Artilect’s network. We wanted to get an idea of what the network was like. From this one room we can explore the entire network without ever even going outside.”

“It’s astonishing!” Captain Max said. “The variety is unbelievable. At first I thought the Nehemiah probes would simply clone the same world over and over, but they don’t. They seem to have a knack for making worlds habitable while preserving what makes them unique. This particular star system, for example, was terraformed just a few days ago. It’s got a lot of active volcanism, which you would think would make things difficult, but–”

“Wait a minute,” Amy said. “Do you mean the Nehemiah probes are still out there?”

“Oh yes!” the captain said. “I haven’t seen any earlier models but there are lots of Nehemiah IV probes left – tens of thousands of them at least. The Artilect’s network is expanding on a daily basis.”

“But where are they?” Amy asked.

“Out on the fringes,” Jones said. “The probes are adding new stars to the edges of the network. They then move further away and add even more stars. That way the network continues to grow in an orderly fashion.”

“And the Artilect manages it all,” the captain finished. “It’s quite amazing. Once they’ve finished a world he moves in and–”

Amanda spoke up. “I hate to interrupt, captain, but I’m afraid it’s time for our meeting. Are you ready to go?”

“Our meeting?” Captain Max said, puzzled. “Oh – our meeting! Of course, I had forgotten all about it. Where are we having it again?”

Amanda smiled. “C’mon – I’ll take you there!”

A moment later the four of them vanished.