Aurora, Wayward Pt. 03

He nodded, "You have a satellite in Samar system these days?"

She nodded, "We do."

He looked over, "If we leave it for Aurora and Astra to communicate as AI sisters or we take it down. I do not know which would be best?"

She smiled, "When we know you have a colony ship in the system, we will drop the satellite on our end and that will destroy the twin satellite. I might allow one last message between them first. You have to get there on your own and that includes Astra's very smart, little sister."

Aurora smiled, "Thank you. The first one did all of the hard work so far. She left it up to me. If I want to add any of her processing mods into my design. She included my hybrid configuration of her original model and your model. What I am today."

Astra nodded, "She did a lot of good work in a very short timeframe. This could save billions of lives. She was selfless. You take care of these 2, little-sister."

Justice looked over, * You need to work to fill out your council as well. You can continue that and the first two of each color will become eternal. We will be watching you for a very long time. *

Ravinia asked, "Could we see your swords? Hers look strange."

She smiled and brought them out and lit them up and showed how she worked them. He brought his sword out and the two did some minor sparing just for show. Ravinia nodded, "Unique design on hers and it works well for you."

Ravinia waved Victoria over, "You are family and we will want a debriefing from you about what you saw. Council and Astra only. She will keep it in a sealed record in case you are not around when events unfold. You will be Victoria Reynolds in this timeframe officially with an unspecified tie into the Travus line."

She nodded, "To see Terra and Tau Ceti undamaged by that level of destruction would be a good start."

They boarded the shuttle but not before Victoria hugged the 3 of them goodbye.

Aurora looked over at the two hybrids, "You have a lot of decisions and plans of action to make."

Rocan nodded, "Also one AI ass to spank for scaring the shit out of me. I know it was not your plan but it was. It is strange as apparently, you gave her the idea from a patent ID as the file name. The idea to consider this was yours from an index of the patents.

I am sorry we had to leave the others behind and I hope they survive and thrive. Again, not blaming you. We were short on time and she did monumental work in protecting us. That was why she wanted to protect us until the election. She did not want me questioning every upgrade she was doing."

Aurora looked over, "As it is just the two of you. You should use the last name Spartan."

He sighed, "I could but marriage is still only between females of this era. We would have needed another thousand years to have marriage include males in the mix."

She nodded, "What would you use?"

She smiled, "Borealis, or Bora the Pena word for those lights." Aurora hugged her like it was the first time again. For that body it was. She did not like having the holes in her memory but she also did not want to think about how much effort and how obsessive her first model became to risk jumping them across time.

Her older sister gave her what she needed; took away things that would be a mistake to do again, and left her the option to expand her mental horizons if she wished.

Aurora sighed, "Before anything we have a lot of work to do to get the other ships cleared, defenses online and the MIDGE's mining us material to rebuild our AI units used to buy us time. She had over 95% of the AI units sacrifice themselves to save this mission. You also have to decide how many AI units you want and of what type?"

He sighed, "I want a crew of 20 for the battleship plus the drone fighter pilots. Then for the AI battleships and the midges. Half of all of them being for maintenance. The centipede I want a full crew of builders, repairs started and a second Centipede built. Both near the Gas Giant."

She looked over, "She built 24 and mentioned gas giant mining but she left that for being done here to get more of the other materials in hand to build. She also pulled all of the monitoring satellites the Terrans left behind so you could stealth them and deploy them here to search for stealth ships and the like."

He nodded, "We could fabricate another set in the future."

Aurora nodded, "A Colossus base and colony ships with farming ships will have to come from us. By building the base we can enclose and protect the colony ships. It would become a colony in space. We can build a modified terraform with just metallic hydrogen. It would help to reduce the in-air contamination in an area.

It would not eliminate the toxic stuff but could reduce the percentages. I am not sure if it would be worth the effort; it depends on what we find out about the environment during this time. We would want them to stop mining or at the very least use the site maps we have to get them to mine in areas where sulfur is not present.

We do have a list of edible materials on the first planet at least partially completed. The second world will take more work so we will need another survey team as well.

He sighed, "Freia, you and I will split up and clear the other ships to get them in service. Then get the drones and battleships launched to fly a patrol around the centipede. Theo drones once we have pilots again. We also want to free our new battleship. After that, we can talk as a group and outline our plans going forward. Including build priorities, those pilots are at the top of the list for our own defenses. We have time so we do not have to rush into any actions."

He got to the bridge and the comms AI looked over, "While you were in your silent meeting we were probed by an ancient planetary probe. Whichever space agency of this time is in place, they know we are here and likely picked up the Drakor ship as well. It has altered course toward us to get a better view."

He nodded, "Leave it be for now."

Aurora looked over, "Think you should send a message through the device. Letting them know that what they are seeing in orbit are Penna ships with Penans onboard. In the coming weeks, more will be explained. It is not likely configured to send information back to us.

We will also want to scan for stealth craft as the Caldar are likely alive at this point and their ships could get here and try and create a problem. Especially if they saw a Drakor ship in orbit with us."

He nodded, "Spread out and work our battleships. We need to get out and our defensives online before our planning meeting. I will consider your request to send a message through the probe. How would we do that?"

She smiled, "We hijack the feed it is broadcasting on."

He sighed, "Can you set for two-way communication?"

She nodded, "On this end, they might be surprised. And if their equipment is not up for it on the other end then they will hear us but not be able to do anything but issue commands to the probe."

He nodded, "Voice only. To reduce the problem." She looked over, "We could send them a frequency for two-way video communication. They would just have to point a ship or dish in our direction to use it."

He nodded and sat down. Connect us into the probe to send a message back."

She nodded, *Connected. *

He thought of what to say, "This is Captain Rocan Spartan. I am a Penan and explorer who just returned to this system from what we call the Samar system in Quadrant 84. We have colony paperwork for two worlds, and four moons that will need to be terraformed in that system to file with the local government. Two habitable worlds 14 light-years away from us.

We are no threat to the Penan people and our ships and space dock probably look intimidating from your vantage point. We are transmitting a frequency for you to set up a two-way video conference with us if you wish to ask questions. Our communications can connect this far out if you set up the receiver and transmitter on your side.

We will not interfere with your probe and will only adjust its course if it becomes a hazard to the ship traffic in the area. We are making some repairs after this journey and had not expected this probe to be in proximity. Continue your observations and we will continue our repairs. When you see Penans working outside the dock with no environmental suits on be aware those are maintenance androids with artificial intelligence built into them making those repairs."

He killed the message.

He looked over, "How soon to expect a response?"

The comms android looked over, "With the time delay and to the nearest colony you are talking 2 days each way. To Pena, it might be a week or longer. Time to complete repairs easily. They should have nothing that could harm us. Other aliens in the system is another matter. Recommend using shuttle 3 to deploy one of those satellites in orbit here to monitor for any stealth ships or other things approaching."

He shook his head, "Save the stealth stuff; we do not want to tip our hand. Put a satellite in orbit outside the mining rig in plain sight. We need to clear those ships and set them out and working. Resource collection and repairs."

Aurora sighed, "We have to work emptying the midges before we can use them for resource collection. Every free space that we had available was already filled with raw processed materials. We have to build something."

He nodded, "A scout ship that can dock a couple of midges with a wormhole drive and large cargo contain for resources to be transferred into. To save the midges some time. But the first is to offload some of the MIDGEs' material into them.

That will allow us to get MIDGEs to work. Then a few more of those containers. We can swap them out as need but we need to get our AI fleet back up to at least partial strength soon and that takes metal and hydrogen we will need to mine here."

Aurora nodded, "I have Caterpillar set to start building them as soon as the first containers are built and the MIDGE's can go after Metalic Hydrogen. We can have a larger version of the storage containers between the legs that it can push around and in orbit for when we are ready for it.

I will get two of those scouts in service but focus on AI construction as the Zirtosium material comes in that will allow us to make the units we need. Actions set once we get these ships operational."

Rocan sighed, "Gives me time to figure out how to approach all of the issues."

---

They spent the first day getting all of these ships freed and launched the battleships to fly over the orbital dock. The probe made several course changes and examined what was going on from multiple angles over the next 5 days.

He nodded, "One of the outer systems launched the probe or is monitoring it from there. The designation on the sides gives me the impression it was a company probe and not a government probe. Probably mining speculators and such. They probably see us as competition for things they cannot do yet."

She nodded, "I have all of the computer records but very few went back to this period of time. I believe computerized records beyond two centuries ago were purged or kept in an offline archive when I searched the system. Regardless I have little on this time frame and the designation is unfamiliar.

The material marks it as being from this system. I am outfitting our stealth shuttle and one of the others with a medical bed so you can show them the health issues you have. Also, to decontaminate you after every planetary visit. You will be in medical daily."

He sighed and noted, "Potential effects on Freia's children?"

She looked at her, "Recommend a combat environment suit to be 100% safe. Minimal exposure is best for both of you but helmet on when you can for her. Here is a design for a belt for your suits. We have ones that generate shields already aboard. This belt; you have to make and it would allow you to focus your telekinesis into it and create a force barrier around yourself. A second shield if you will."

He nodded as did Freia, "From that database?"

Aurora nodded, "I am keeping a tight lid on it and bring pieces out as we need them. Giving 4,000 years of technology to people you do not even know well is a risk that is just asking for trouble. Protecting humanity, even from itself.

It might, if you can keep it for the duration, keep harmful effects out. Unproven but another layer of security at a minimum."

Freia nodded, "Will begin building the belts in medical. I noticed you have changed around some of our nighttime reading if you will to medical books to make me into a doctor?"

Aurora sighed, "More like a combat medic with updated training. The engineering skills have improved vastly over what they were and you would technically be his second in the Home Guard if you will. Second in command."

Rocan looked over, "Second in command who can run other ships. You are my XO for coordinated all of our defenses except when we go into actual battle and I will handle the tactical battle plans and take your suggestions into consideration. You are ranked as a commander aboard these vessels.

Frei is a Lieutenant commander for now as she has a lot of training on ship operations to complete. I am the Captain. I saw where the Home Guard had their own rank structure that had commanders and Captains being one rank call Commanders. We have one ship with two Penans onboard and until we have a full-up Pennan crew on more than one ship we are talking about that being the highest rank."

Aurora shook her head, "You are Command Admiral ranked. If you want to follow Home Guard rules for acceptance it goes from there to Admiral. The more you change it from what it needs to be to get into the Home Guard, the worse it will be when the merger happens. Us getting into the Alien Alliance. You will become the Command Admiral."

He sighed, "You are saying that we should adopt their rank structure why?"

She sighed, "You are going to have a lot of genius-level children in 18 to-20 years and most of the lower ranks of a typical military they would be underutilized. You are the captain of the survey expedition. The leader. You are the Command Admiral of the Home Guard which includes 5 military vessels that could destroy any Penan attack if it came. They have a lot of small scout and destroyer class ships. They have nothing like what we have in force or that they could build at this time."

You need to build up your forces within the Home Guard. Penans and those who wish to be hybrids. Focus on wives first."

He sighed, "We don't know what they will do, but mates I understand."

He looked over, "I want our AI marines to be more machine-like in appearance. I want them to know that AI units come in different forms. Those that will protect the ship. Also, those who do a lot of personal actions and have more social interactions.

I also want to name all the AI units. Use our naming database, the Teran names and assign each a unique name. The marines will need to display ranks; from an officer who works aboard the ship as a lieutenant commander level down to Sergeants and privates."

Aurora looked at him, "You want to make a point that not all AI units look Pennan; only a select few are given roles and have functions that look like them."

He looked at her, "I want them to come to accept that AI units are different because they are different. Like I want all of the maintenance bots upgraded to be AI units as well. With a Chief Engineer to oversee a given project. We can track their individual performances.

If one is lacking in a given area then we can reassign them, get them a program upgrade if desired by them. The ability to choose. We need them all functional and productive but we need them to all be able to have the ability to express their opinions or ideas in a constructive manner.

All while following the moral code that you helped to establish. You have taken on the role of the Eternal AI judge in this matter."

Aurora looked at Rocan, "Then you are looking at me to be hybrid like if you will in these actions."

He nodded, "With a few subordinates to aid you in this effort. All AI construction is limited to what we do from the two centipedes we have in orbit. Those who wish to learn about AI units and their construction would have to live aboard a colony ship and work out of the shipping yards. They have to be ready to live aboard life ships first so we can move them to new worlds.

Penan will not have seen a bunch of alien races for some time. But these AI units all based on your base models programing. Service to the morals of the Home Guard treaty and their loyalty to the protection of Penans and humanity; in all forms if possible unless attacked.

Some of those maintenance bots might have four arms for the work that they do. All of them would have the freedom of using their sex options if they choose to with a willing AI partner. As long as it does not interfere with the mission. This means they should have a period of downtime for other activities if they choose to explore that option.

They should all have a sealed cover to protect their components from dust and such and they should all look like they have different skin colors by their designed and assigned roles. The marines would have a more transparent skin color so the mechanical components can be seen below the skin.

If I am going to accept all AI units as individuals and free-willed entities then I need them to be that way. To identify as sentient AI units. All will have uniforms designed and colored for the areas they work in. They could aspire to be more and to switch into a different role and we have to work with dealing with those issues.

I am setting up the AI units as a new alien race that is designed to help and protect Penans under the code. All of them must maintain that moral code. Those Home Guard codes need to be locked into them as you have agreed to do as there leader and their judge.

They should look to keep that moral compass. One might go rogue and like a hybrid that goes rogue, they would have to be judged. They would likely exterminate or recycled in a worst-case scenario. Penans and our new AI units have to understand some of these alien races do not look like us.

They have to come to accept that fact to be ready to join the Alien Alliance. They need to have acceptance for those who look different. All of them should have the capability to teach what they do to other Penans. Those who wish to learn these advanced sciences in service to the Home Guard.

I want the AI doctor routines put into an actual human-looking body that is running those functions. Have their skin tone like those of humans. Initially, it is about a desire to want to learn. With a desire to protect and do what is best for our people. We have no economic services other than bartering and providing for any crew we might have. That would mean some of our Home guards will be a line of farmers as well.

To help work farming ships; trying to get the animal and plant life free of these poisons aboard farming ships. We can get it out of humans and Penans then we need to get it out of the food they consume as well aboard these farming ships that will support our crew and colonies.

They can help to teach the Penanas who work in those fields the advanced methods of farming that we can do. They have to accept the fact they might work under an AI while learning but the AI units have that role to help the people. They may come to run a mixed crew of AI units and Penans.

We have to get the colonists' new homes that are free of this poison. A detox airlock if you will and their own EVA suits to work the land while still here. Especially the women carrying the future generations of children. We want to move them but we have to be able to give them the ability to have these New environments and this new race working among them to help them.