The Eye at the Center of the Galaxy – D’s Machine Perspective Story – Cont.
4
Central Year 50902, Lagging Day 64
Core Status: Nominal.
Observational Scanners: Calibration in Progress.
Repair Modules: Recalled.
Protocol Active: Beta, Defense Alert.
A new set of ships has entered the system, the structure too smooth to be of Tridian design. Repair modules have been recalled so as not to startle the newcomers. The fleet consists of fifteen ships in total, six of which exhibit life signs of greater than one thousand. They continue to circle my structure at a distance, wary or unwilling to land. Due to their relatively soon arrival after the tussle with the Tridians, it is likely that they intercepted the Tridians’ signal from a nearby star system. Are these the “Danger that Lurks”?
Central Year 50902, Lagging Day 65
Core Status: Nominal.
Observational Scanners: Calibration Error.
Repair Modules: Online.
Protocol Active: Beta, Defense Alert.
After significant quantum chatter between the ships, one has decided to approach my mainframe. The small shuttle has only two life signs onboard. Their approach is guarded, and thermal signatures suggest weapons are presently trained on my mainframe. I have deemed the threat to be a precaution on the part of these new arrivals as it is improbable that they have encountered something like my structure before.
Unfortunately, with the recall of my repair modules, there are still traces of the violence enacted by the Tridians. Several of the Tridian bodies remain at my mainframe. As interference is not allowed within my protocols, the new arrivals will have to take that as they will and come to their own conclusions. Beta Protocol is in place, protective systems online.
The shuttle has landed at my mainframe. The two who crew the shuttle operate with the need of minimal light. Their language is guttural and the deciphering process is well underway. This species lopes around as if two-leggedness has been a recent development. Perhaps the opposite is true, and their two-leggedness has been devolving from extended space travel, suggesting that the species may be from a remote region of the galaxy. If so, they may have a higher spacefaring technology level than that of the Tridians.
Central Year 50902, Lagging Day 66
Core Status: Nominal.
Observational Scanners: Calibration Error.
Repair Modules: Online.
Protocol Active: Alpha, Observation Only.
They call themselves the Mek. More arrive at my mainframe every day in a rotation, never more than a few dozen at a time. Every one of the Mek carry a weapon and warily work their way around my interior. They have studied the bodies of the Tridians and falsely concluded that I was built by them as they have yet to identify the technological mismatch. My core is now under remote evaluation, but appears under no threat. Alpha Protocol has been reinstated and repair modules remain docked for ten more days or until the Mek leave. It will be tricky to complete repairs without spooking them.
The Dragon's Den 