Beyond 'X' Book IV & V latest post BK V ch 06 Pt 8 & 9 25th Mar '15 complete

[Paranoid66]

Thanks for the comment Stads

Yes, more of the same - although not enough stays the same for Creed - since he prefers how some things were in the past before the Great Houses arrived due to Acolyte proliferation.

Anyway part 12 is here and that is also more of the same.

[stads]

yay new chapter nice way to spend the morning coffee

would have thought creed would be more mad at mt confession the pirate hunting operation but seeing as how creed has changed to got to catch them all kinde style with criminals not to surprising

now have to see how mutch IF is in this mess if they contact creed or mt again

[Paranoid66]

[[THREE]] [[Part 13]]

[When the forces of the ‘Isolationist Factions’ advanced it was as if the land within my limited field of vision lifted itself up and began to undulate forward. They were so very many here and so tightly packed. Watching all the multi legged ‘Arachnids’ scuttling and leaping as a mass was a grisly almost diabolical sight. A fell hopelessness became manifest racing towards me propelled on too thin too sharp sinister limbs.]

[The outsized - massed - assault was an optics opener; emotionally the genuine weight of the ‘Star-Diver’ multitudes excessive numbers cast me under a looming shadow of despair. They reminded me of all our worst old fears about proliferated species outsized competition.]

[It all came back to me how spurred on by the demented mania of ‘Draakhaal’ the ‘Void Skimmer’ population fed on ‘Advanced Energy Leech’ power to bloat in numbers forcing our family to do the same. ‘Draakhaal’ had striven to fill up a huge ecological niche too threatening to make a minority out of any faction unwilling to match his excess. Still, in the end it was not the ‘Skimmers’ but an old sometime ally of ‘Draakhaal’ a ‘Sleeper’ codenamed ‘Crimson’ who brought us low claiming the power and majesty of the ‘Sea Sphere’ surfaces. ‘Crimson’ reconfigured as a nanotech plague displacing us as refugees so that everything we ‘Pilgrims’ had accomplished was consumed by malignly twisted ‘Suit Substance’. Seeing these ‘Divers’ in action, I knew something similar could happen again with the less understood less appreciated foe proving victorious.]

[The ‘Divers’ accessed even better resources than the historic ‘Core Alliance Void Skimmers’ or the ‘Entanglement’ to power their growth rate notably the mighty Stars themselves the to my perception very engines of creation. Worse, they had access to the Stars’ physical material too and since they escaped the wrath of the ‘Machine Fury’, no one had culled their numbers. They had skipped all our so-called ‘Dark Times’ unscathed. Only internal disputes contested their multiplication and those doctrinal splits had, we easily surmised, not been enough to limit their population. It was believed by most ‘Pilgrims’ that the ‘Divers’ had more or less undertaken constant exponential growth to become an astoundingly large nation perhaps a nation so swollen in size that it rivalled or even mightily surpassed the thieving ‘Entanglement’ that had so diminished the old ‘Skimmer’ threat.]

[We ‘Pilgrims’ now firmly believed the ‘Divers’ had colonised countless Stars with innumerable ‘Vast Deep Solar Habitats’, each ‘Deep Habitat’ containing a hoard of solar citizens in cramped proximity for they seemed to live tightly packed as if hive insects. The ultimate population figures although defying accurate census given the limited data the ‘Divers’ made available were believed to be insanely huge. Compared to us many easily argued that they were almost infinite in number whilst we became comparatively infinitely finite and if placed in competition endangered.]

[Population explosions seemed the ultimate answer to historic almost extinction events. The ‘Divers’ claimed to have once been purged by the ‘Fury’ but in the Stars they had secured a rich tomorrow for their species. Now it was hard to believe the ‘Fury’ had once reduced ‘Diver Nation Ancestors’ to a paltry figure but then that was an exceptionally long time ago. Truly the military advance had reminded me of our older dealings with other swarming species but by comparison in reality the ‘Skimmers’ were far less prolific than the ‘Divers’ especially the ‘Skimmers’ today who had suffered the same drastic cull we did due to the ‘Advent of the Entanglement’ a bane to every ‘Pilgrim’ species.]

[Tragically for us and some of their own citizens in this age the ‘Divers’ could afford to throw lives away negligently in an ideological conflict especially upon these very few rare Planets they had comparatively limitless recruits to spare but the ‘Stellar Draakhaal Warrior Caste’, fighting here in person not remotely, (due to their concept of honour), were to my mind at best foolhardy. Every ‘Skimmer’ once deemed by us an embodiment of evil who died here was now a grim loss to their nation and a diminishment to us ‘Pilgrims’ in general no longer so easily replaced. Contemplating on those losses as a terrible thing was a spectacular role reversal from the days when Harbinger and yes sometimes I too dreamed of smashing the ‘Skimmers’ down to a manageable size.]

[Now ‘Warrior Caste Skimmers’ sought favour and resources from the ‘Divers’ as did we all but I sensed that they also wanted to prove to the rest of us ‘Pilgrims’ that they were now a worthy part of our society rather than an antithesis sometimes too willingly selling their lives to do so. Unfortunately, some of the ‘Warrior Caste’ could be as stubborn as ‘Creed’. I decided I would speak with the ‘Arch Prelate’ about ways to encourage them to use more ‘Remote Combat Troops’ in the future. We could not afford heavy ‘Pilgrim’ losses not even heavy ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ losses not with such an uncertain tomorrow and so many outsized foes surrounding us above and below our ‘Star Struck’ homes.]



[Witnessing the ‘Isolationist’ invasion into this segment I once again appreciated the full enormity of the ‘Diver Nation’ for them this was probably a limited ‘Holy War’. Only a tiny sub-percentage of a single percentage point of their overall population was involved in actually persecuting the ‘Solar-War’ on both sides of the uneven ‘Diver’ divide between ‘Isolationist’ and ‘Engagement Factions’. The Planets could not hold the sheer numbers of the ‘Divers’ so limiting and controlling access was an established precedent including limiting any potentially damaging conflict over them. The Planets to the ‘Divers’ I realised were not home planets as such probably none of these specific Planets had ever been a home world to them they were instead sacred sites relics of a lost past to be preserved and treasured in the splendid isolation of a fiery sanctum.]

[It was even possible that only a tiny percentage of the overall ‘Diver’ population believed the current issue of internal contention about contact with us ‘Pilgrims’ was solvable by violent confrontation. We knew only the things about the ‘Divers’ that we were told. We got to go down there only where we were allowed. The deepest colonised depths we could not even reach, even via the boon of the limited in number and apparently in efficiency ‘Diver’ upgrades granted to us. I believed the deepest glare still hid sacred truths we were not permitted to see. A fiery veil obscured the truest of truths despite our vaunted piercing tri-vision.]

[Even our allies own ‘Deep Clerics’ were happy to keep us in partial ignorance hoarding secrets from us with a diligence that put my own covert operations to shame. Many ‘Pilgrims’ now wrongfully considered that we knew these people - that we understood them to some limited degree - but did we really? In truth, to my great disquiet I realised we had at best only had contact with, sampled if you like, the opinions of a tiny almost miniscule minority of them and that tiny minority sample was far from forthcoming. In such a vast society, there might be equally almost infinite variety especially as we knew they were seemingly by nature factional even if the central tenants of their society seemed impervious to all change enshrined in scripture within what seemed to me a socially engineered society designed with many fail safes against genuine change especially against externally motivated reform. To question any central tenant was blasphemy therefore the most strident and questioning of the ‘Engagement Factions’ scientists always operated on the edge of being cast out as blasphemers.]

[The more traditionalist ‘Isolationist Factions’ followed a far safer creed and so it was hardly surprising that they retained firm majority support.]



[During the first few seconds, the tally of our kills - proved a slaughter - that misrepresented our dire predicament. We could hardly miss in such a target rich environment and we did not spare our ammunition despite limited stock piles there seemed little point in striving to maintain a reserve when facing such preponderate might. I felt a sort of battle madness descend upon me / us as we ramped up our rounds velocity and fired as quickly as we could aim pull the trigger and reload and believe me we ‘RCT’ in these conditions could do these actions very quickly indeed. Several Acolytes burst into rumbling roaring laughter - a hysterical response - that certainly seemed a bit berserk or at best a bit unbalanced. I did not blame them we were killing people via remotes and it felt unclean at the same time what assaulted us seemed monstrous both horrific in aspect and in the foes tactics because being so many and used in this massed way it was clear that to their ‘Senders’ any individual held little or no value. It seemed as if a society assailed us not individuals as if we faced a hive mind or the singular ‘Entanglement’.]

[Numerous foes fell to dusty mulch even more simply lost their ‘Arachnid Suits’ to ‘Nanotech Round’ disassembly toppling to the ground to be battered and trampled by the press of their fellows following behind, fellows who could not stop due to others rushing behind them in turn. We faced a triple cursed cybernetic spidery stampede that had no room for, or sympathy with, the fallen. Initially we had an advantage whilst we crouched or lay down prone in cover the environment protecting us from a deluge of potential return fire whilst the lay of the land at my chosen position exposed them to us. The enemy dared not shoot much they needed clean shots unlikely whilst charging together in this jostling manner. In addition, at the last due to my well-picked defensive position they were charging uphill.]

[I noticed in some instances ‘Arachnid ’sharp limbs, physically speared unfortunate ‘Imps’ who had lost their transport. Despite every injury however be it accidentally self-inflicted or otherwise the terrible seething mass of the enemy just kept powering across the inadequate distance between us with a horribly panic inducing speed every temporary gap in their formation hastily filling up again.]

[Although many foes were mulched the onslaught had the inevitability of an avalanche against which we seemed to be throwing pebbles. Even as a remote, I knew the cold touch of terror as if the instinct of ‘Diver’ panic was contagious. In the end even reducing our ‘Free Patterning’ and ramping up every Avatar system; we could not load, aim, or fire fast enough not even rapidly enough to deplete our ammunition stocks - they did not give us enough time - their charge sweeping the distance with amazing dispatch.]

[Reaching our bluff, they scrambled on top of each other to get at us this happened everywhere an especially steep gradient sought to stop them such as at the position I had contrived to be posted - being no fool. Thankfully, when they started climbing on top of one another to get at us that alone slowed them a little although the springy way some of them began leaping to climb the heap was another horrible sight to behold.]

[Sadly prior to reaching our rise, due to the ‘Nanotech Disassemble’ rounds action the foe did not stumble over bulky dead ‘Arachnids’ whilst any falling ‘Imps’ dropped from disintegrated suits were too insubstantial to impede the impetus of the charge. Any ‘Star-Diver’ still housed in a cybernetic spider shaped vehicle was immune to falling ‘Imps’. Still we could and did collapse their pile up ramps and spidery ladders by shooting strategically at individuals that were important supporting members of the living structures. Often elongating our limbs to poke only our weapons with their optics over the edge of the crest.]

[Despite our attempt to remain in cover, at my position we began to take hits and losses not long after the enemy masses slowed and began piling up to reach us those at the top gaining better shooting angles.]

[Naturally, I was not surprised when the lower and foremost of us was either grabbed and pulled down to be trampled shot or hastily put to flight by the solid mass of incoming troops as they continued piling up. On our wider strategic maps of the entire front penetrations then murderous flanking assaults began to occur our roving gap fillers often failing to reach the hasty breaches in time.]

[It was useless only the people behind especially effective environmental protection were holding fast. I would like to report when it happened that we made an organised withdrawal but truly going on the, auto updated by ‘EXO-C’ link, strategic maps what occurred was an uneven fractured flight a rout. Some of our ‘Divers’ facing assured death fled in almost instant panic - well in advance of physical contact - others went suicidal and refused to budge even when ordered to strategically withdraw to prevent being cut off. Retreats marked out in supportive stages using known landscape features as cover were broadcast although those orders arrived from the ‘Senders’ almost always too late. Meanwhile no matter what anyone did the enemy just kept on spilling passed us no weakness in our defence unexploited.]

[Truly, it was a strange experience an artificial product of the limitations placed on munitions here to prevent environmental damage. Such tightly packed masses facing us anywhere else would be easy fodder for explosive ordnance and various other devices of mass destruction but not here, here the rules of war were different but had the rules already been broken to make this uneven offensive possible. How had so very many ‘Isolationists’ gotten down here to plague us in this uneven way surely this preponderance was the result of no ordinary act of blockade running troop re-supply?]



[Those of us who did not withdraw before serious interpenetration occurred in their area or areas adjacent to them were simply swamped by the ‘Isolationists’ preponderance if not shot first then trampled and shot after. No tactical finesse seemed involved by the enemy at least within my vicinity, (my small part of the far wider front). To my perception all the smart stuff on the enemy side had happened in strategically setting up their impossibly massive advantage of numbers in the first place and drawing us up here far from any other supportive reinforcing assets belonging to the ‘Engagement Factions’.]

[They cunningly granted our ‘Senders’ the opportunity to seize good defensive positions right on the border but this advantage was a lie that simply fixed us in place for their murderous counteroffensive. Our minor terrain advantage useless against such numbers even our best positions merely delayed the inevitable total collapse of that part of the line.]

[This is the brutal truth - I fled early - I could have stood and fought for longer from my crest but being pragmatic, I knew if we remained in this position, surrounding was inevitable and all possibility of retreat would be lost forever. Therefore, I decided - outside the chain of command that would have had me fight blindly on - that it was more sensible to flee rearward whilst I had some small hope of actually getting my ‘Substance’ away and I encouraged those near me to mutiny in the same way. To me it was more honourable to save our mass for a more winnable, a later far more sensible battle, than to disrespectfully waste it in an uneven match due to what had to be some kind of ‘Synod’ infraction by the foe.]

[No doubt our ‘Senders’ quickly branded us ‘Immortals’ cowards and deserters again when some of us hastily abandoned our allotted posts without specific orders to do so but I did not care what they called us. I shifted my form to one maximised for acceleration and speed and sped away as if a racing ’Suit Substance’ demigod as if Harbinger reborn. Our ‘Senders’ were fools who had led us to a predictable disaster especially if they had any knowledge about what had been mustering beyond our segment. Surely, they had some useful intelligence - even imperfect intelligence - on enemy supply drops and troop movements that gave some small hint of the sheer scale of this disaster. What data had they ignored as irrelevant in their blind faith and desire to win the proffered prize of this segment - their greed for success duped them no less than the ‘Isolationists’ - still we had all been duped.]

[However I was not feeling forgiving as even if our ‘Senders’ were totally fooled prior to our arrival here when they saw the strength of the enemy gathering across the border they should have reconsidered their design and begun pulling as many of us quietly back as they could - slipping us away from an unsustainable front - rather than just striving uselessly to dam such obscene might with such a thin fragile wall of bodies. We knew a new defensive line was being belatedly formed and reinforced further back about two days fast march south that was a game possibly still worth playing. Back there I decided I might be able to do some practical good rather than commit suicide here to no purpose whatsoever. Admittedly two days fast march seemed a very long way away but when you have little other choice...]

[I dared not run at maximum speed for very long not only did it use up energy reserves it was potentially dangerous to the sacred environment so once I had gained a suitable lead I slowed to a saner fast marching pace.]

[‘Stellar Draakhaal Foreign Legions’ were force-marching into this nightmare from the segment to the east to prevent a complete collapse here, (the feared loss of our entire segment to the ‘Isolationist Factions’ unprecedented strength in numbers). This was certainly the direst reversal I had witnessed our side suffer in this segment and I had seen more than a few stupid reversals of fortune. Still, joining up with the new ‘Void Skimmer’ reinforced line would be a worthy achievement by itself - something I could feel proud about - in this too often previously grinding back and forth conflict.]

[I feared we erred in striving to engage with the ‘Star-Divers’ possibly every ‘Pilgrim’ involved with them was making a terrible mistake. The recent avalanche of bodies was just too good a metaphor to be ignored for what would happen if the ‘Divers’ as a single nation ever turned upon us ‘Pilgrims’ it seemed almost a prophetic vision made flesh. Worse news began to reach me via my greater self that this incident was not an isolated event, hoards of ‘Isolationists’ were making break outs all over the Planets. If we lost the Planets, it could be the ‘Advent of the Entanglement’ all over again an unstoppable plague even a new ‘Dark Time’. Only people who flee into the cold night would retain any hope of survival as part of another scattering of refugees. Worse for us this time where could we rally if we lost the stars too? Out in the coldest dark the emptiness would truly become a hellish place in which we would starve wither and sicken.]

[As I fled I began to fear that ‘Creed’ was right that no good result was now likely from our ‘Star-Diver Alliance’ that even the games of the ‘Hierophants’ including with the ‘Interdiction Fleet’ must now sooner or later misfire spectacularly. The outsized incursion here had felt like nothing else that I had faced so far in the ‘Solar-War’ it felt horribly different painfully innovative and roundly catastrophic. There had simply been too many of them in those seething masses it made no sense. How could they have achieved their logistical advantage here and elsewhere not through the facility of any normal supply means therefore something was very, very wrong.]



[I believe that nightfall saved the insignificant group I ended up with from an early rendering down to fertiliser. The darkening of the ‘Sky Shield’ gave us murk and shadow to hide in aiding our concealment, as did the fact that we shamelessly climbed trees and dared other environmental infractions when advanced units of the enemy vanguard first overtook us. Whilst our Avatars were technically tireless, we had to watch our power reserves as we had all at one point or another speeded up drastically. The enemy in turn seemed invigorated their high spirits perhaps enabling them to ignore the grip of any battle fatigue from earlier exertions. Blessedly some ‘Isolationist’ elements now seemed far less prone to caution than us. I guess having victoriously wiped out most of the resistance to their invasion with one fell blow made them feel masters of the environment. Too soon they would truly be lords over the Planets as empowered they stormed ahead eager for more victories. I prayed high spirits kept them just less cautious enough for us to avoid detection most of the time. Unfortunately, rather than straight south we still suffered channelling in a southwestwardly direction. The bearings you understand based on artificial segment geography in our shared tactical maps nothing to do with magnetic poles. Three factors worked against us the general lay of the land, early skirmishing contacts and later enemy avoidance tactics. A straight exodus south on a more ideal vector simply became impossible.]

[Whilst we strove to pass undetected, occasional skirmishes that erupted left us very low on ammunition and wary of more well-supplied search and destroy patrols specifically hunting survivors of the overwhelming offensive. Our humiliation being such that it seemed as if some of the hunters occasionally chasing us now merely pursued us for a little sport on the side, I began to feel no great threat to their final almost assured victory. In fact, I began to wonder why we were trying so hard to maintain our remote substance rather than just surrendering to the inevitable loss of our mass.]

[Ironically I think some of us might have given up through despair if the ‘Senders’ had not stopped giving us directions. When they abandoned us it proved a final insult. Perhaps they ceased caring about us in disgust at our earlier choices - although it was also equally possible that they simply did not see any point in wasting more time with a group caught so deep amongst so many foes, no doubt we were to them an obvious material loss. The neglect however spurred us onward reinvigorating our resolve to prove them wrong in every way possible.]

[Triple curse them they put us in this position in the first place but we were more than statistics or marks on a tactical map although ‘RCT’ you rarely feel remote. We were ‘Immortals’ - if myself by proxy - and it was up to us to make that mean something. Our nominal leader became a stoic ‘Veteran’ named ‘Windy’ an ironic name given to him because he was laconic with his speech especially compared to some preaching Paradox Acolytes. Somehow, I became our new Captain’s unofficial lieutenant and, I felt even more ironically, our morale officer a sort of mock ‘Speaker’.]

[I found jollying up the others however benefited my own mood so I did not complain at the appointment and it was possible ‘Windy’ being astute realised I was flagging a bit mentally and picked this role for me on purpose.]

[Amongst the ‘Immortals’ - especially ‘Veterans’ here - military rank between our own when left to our own devices was often an informal matter based on perceived battle experience and rumours of success rather than a strict hierarchy of promotions something that also occasionally seemed to annoy the ‘Divers’. However, we were all volunteers no ‘MTC Immortal’ or in my case ‘Living Hull Avatar’ was drafted to the Planets. Volunteer drives were made to fulfil the needs of the legions and there was never a shortage of willing participants at least within the ‘MTC’ there had not been any shortage so far.]

[Those who despaired of killing ‘Divers’ by remote, were channelled into domestic ‘MTC Protectorate’ duties and so on therefore freeing up other individuals from those localities should they wish to volunteer including non-Paradox. I am telling you about this now because interestingly ‘Windy’ was not an Acolyte ‘Immortal’ anymore than I was but he was not a ‘Living Hull’ either. ‘Windy’ was an ‘Omerta Immortal’ a citizen of our wider mixed species ‘Protectorate’ animating an ‘RCT’ within a mostly Acolyte force. Maybe he had proved himself so thoroughly because he naturally stood out. Like me he had a differing version of optics although I retained a hidden third eye. I guessed as an ‘Omerta’ he felt more comfortable animating two optics. It made me proud that the other more traditional Acolytes with their ‘Prime Tri-optics’ accepted both of us being nominally in charge despite our seeming unholy lack of a third eye. In truth, this lack of prejudice was not something every non-Acolyte ‘Immortal’ gained automatically it was something that needed earned.]

[However, it is worth noting that often every new recruit had to work at gaining a reputation until they did they were just deemed unworthy of too much interest as probably only somewhat temporarily available ‘Substance’ to any unit’s strength.]

[We were a nervy group running and - skulking - to survive and I could tell each of us had suffered a shared shock due to a shadowy glimpse of the full measure of strength of the enemy revealed. Even the seeming open demonstrations of their numbers when they had paraded some forces within sight of our sentry posts had lied to us about the sheer absurdity of their gathered might only when they began to stream forward into contact seemingly without any end to their depth did we know the mismatched scale of our folly in attempting to resist them. Most of the foe’s strength had previously been out of any direct line of sight. Once again I puzzled over how that many ‘Isolationists’ could have gotten down here through the blockades? Did they have some unmarked point of entry some innovative - secret - means of blockade running?]

[I supposed that eventually someone in this overly staid conflict had to have a new idea that would alter the seemingly endless stalemate. I had always believed it would be us that we ‘Pilgrims’ would provide a winning innovation - being other - being outsiders we would think of something clever that our ‘Senders’ would eventually accept against their better judgement but now I was proved wrong.]

[It was just as well that ‘Windy’ was laconic as I could see in his optics the same fears hiding behind mine. He had purposely taken me aside and given me the duty of preventing a morale collapse. We both knew it would be a blessed miracle if even the ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ managed to stay, (for any great length of time), the obscene force that had bested us and was now powering towards them. I kept thinking, especially every time we were forced more westward, that we might arrive far too late only in time to document another disaster to spread the mulch of our allies fallen bodies and that would be tragic for most of them would not be remotes. I did not want to follow the path of another rout however these were truths I kept hidden from my fellows. Although inside I embraced despair outwardly I strove to appear positive but it was killing me I did not want to be a war tourist documenting defeat after defeat.]

“If they have broken the rules this whole advance may be voided.” [I said at one point as ‘Venture’ via ‘EXO-C’ whilst we huddled in concealed spots from another oblivious passing unit of the enemy.]

“True enough.” [‘Windy’ agreed.]

“I am sure our ‘Deep Clerics’ are enquiring into this debacle they may even be petitioning the ‘Synod’ as we speak. People such as us might be called as witnesses to an infraction.” [I communicated to our rag tag squad.]

“We survivors will become heroes who defeated improbable odds to bear witness to a blasphemy. Even if the foolish ‘Senders’ fail to honour our actions properly the ‘Triumvirate’ will. We will gain great renown amongst the ‘Equals’.” [I said.]

“My Captain will be very pleased no doubt there will be a lucrative contract or two out of this. I wonder what sort of gifts your Patriarchs will bestowed upon you Acolytes?” [I asked.]

[In such ways I turned their minds possibly towards false hopes of a diverted disaster. In truth I knew through the rest of me elsewhere that the wider situation was only becoming ever more alarming and ever more depressing.]



[The enemy had created their advantage by what became known as ‘Star Bridges’. In our case an ‘Isolationist Faction Deep Dreadnought’ called, in rough translation a bit ironically, the ‘Value of Glorious Tradition Maintained’ had parked just above a ‘Sky Shield Airlock’ retaining within its huge structure a heavily stabilised jump gate that allowed troop transports to be leaped into a bay that became a sort of mobile Port from which a constant stream of troops and material had been shipped into the ‘Sky Shield Airlock’ and dropped via chute to the surface without - technically - breaking any of the established rules of engagement.]

[The ‘Value of Glorious Tradition Maintained’ only ceasing its actions when it was belatedly assaulted by a hastily mobilised investigating ‘Engagement Task Force’ and although seriously damaged and boarded for a time still managed to withdraw to safety but not before the truth of the ‘Gate’ was revealed. The hunt was then on for other ‘Star Bridges’ that had flooded several segments with overwhelming numbers of ‘Isolationist Forces’ having been operating unopposed for days but our reprisals not all successful came too late. Now many ‘Engagement’ fronts were collapsing across a great many segments as these dropped reinforcements moved up and showed themselves powering into action from behind front line staging areas. Hastily once the new method was appreciated our side strove to put our own approximation of ‘Star Bridges’ into effect to balance the terrible inequity between us combatants but this required a huge logistical troop moving effort that many feared would arrive in most places far too late. In addition, the enemy greatly firmed up their blockade over several strategic ‘Sky Shield’ access points ready to deny our relief efforts.]

[In a truly explosive debate within the ‘Diver Synod’ so heated that much of the material discussed even reached as far up as us ‘Pilgrims’ the ‘Engagement Factions’ accused the ‘Isolationists’ of voiding all past agreements by cheating the rules of war in spirit if not in actuality. Some ‘Engagement Factions’ storming out of the ‘Synod’ altogether claiming they would no longer abide by an agreement that was so sullied in spirit that it no longer held any accountability to the original sacred consensus. This had in turn caused some ‘Isolationists’ to do the same claiming the ‘Engagement Factions’ were now seeking a means to deny a historic military victory earned - for all time.]

[Rumours began to bubble upward of a heating up of the conflict in general rumours of so-called terrorist attacks by fanatical members of the ‘Engagement Factions’ upon targets previously deemed outside the legitimate zone of contention. Convulsions it seemed were sweeping through the normally staid ‘Star-Diver’ society. According to the few reports from friendly sources that reached us many ‘Deep Clerics’ called for calm but some others seemed equally offended by the ‘Star Bridge’ tactic deeming it an unfair advantage and an ignoble even potentially heretical and blasphemous move to bend the rules established by the ‘Deep Cleric Synod’ - an outrageous unsanctioned move - by over-lings who had no authority for such radical decisions. To me none of this was good news. Many ‘Divers’ we were warned now claimed the unclean innovation obviously the result of our cultural contamination of their once closed more serene society that even the ‘Isolationist Senders’ were proving not entirely immune to changes that we transmitted as if a vector for a disease.]

[To the majority of ‘Divers’ we ‘Pilgrims’ proved perhaps frantically chaotically hasty in our ways to them exceptionally dangerously so thus we became harbingers of disaster.]

[Naturally the ‘Isolationist Senders’ refuted that their idea for ‘Star Bridges’ had anything at all to do with contamination from demons and devil sources who belonged in the dark ‘Outer Reaches’. Creating ‘Star Bridges’ was a true and proper holy epiphany by holy ‘Diver’ engineers working with holy ‘Diver’ strategists in the light as it must be - for all time. However, unsurprisingly they did agree that we were an alien disruptive influence everywhere we went and a bane on their society in general that would bring only greater destabilising changes if left unchecked.]

[Apparently we needed banished back whence we came and barred from the ‘Holy Stars’ as soon as possible - for all time - for the greater good. Better still, we needed eradicated - for all time - lest we carry word of the Planets existence back to our ‘Fury’ overlord and master. It was only this pressing need to save ‘Diver’ society from a furious calamity that had driven the noble ‘Isolationist Faction Senders’ to such an extreme, to some dishonourable although legitimate, measure as the ‘Star Bridges’.]

[‘These are creatures born of darkness from some far beyond who do not even belong within the matter of our Universe. By their merest presence they violate and taint our pure light and purpose by simply being here they invade our existence contaminating and threatening our holy cause they are a disease to be eradicated and immunised against. They must be removed - for all time’, was one much mentioned ‘Isolationist’ quote.]

[It seemed all my worst fears were coming true. But still the arguments against us did not go unopposed for example we were informed by ‘Engagement Divers’ that voices of ‘Engagement’ reason had debated back that any comprehensive move against us ‘Pilgrims’ was guaranteed to alert the ever vigilant ‘Fury’ of the existence of the otherwise hidden ‘Solar-Nations’ with potentially disastrous consequences. Besides, if the ‘Pilgrims’ were as claimed agents of the ‘Machine Fury’ the great mechanical menace would be alerted already and so the ‘Isolationist’ rhetoric is proved nonsense mere scare tactics and excuses for flouting the spirit of the ‘Synod’…]



[As the ‘Holy Father’ I felt worried enough by all of the new developments to attempt contacting ‘Hierophant Cad’ directly as I wished to know his position on these portentous events. In truth, an insecure part of me probably wanted reassurance that there was a plan some social manipulation occurring that might achieve the seemingly impossible boon of diffusing the issues facing us. Unfortunately my advances suffered constant rebuff so I tried instead to talk with ‘Reeskoo’ and this I finally managed to do after being passed along several underlings now inserted between him and outside communication traffic.]

[Once again after considerable pressing, as he had done some time ago, he allowed me to animate a limited ‘Swimmer Dweller’ remote in one ‘Sea Sphere Ocean’ via an ‘EXO-C’ link. This time I arrived inside what I assumed to be a ship in a flooded compartment. Again ‘Reeskoo’ also animated an ‘RCT’ rather than making a personal appearance in his own flesh. I guessed security in the oceans remained tight and contact with the outside remained at least - officially - strictly prohibited. Once more I was struck by the commonality of the ‘Diver’ and ‘Swimmer’ species positions as exiles in isolation both species in a sense had fled overwhelming foes turning their back on the wider ‘Sea of Stars’ although the isolation of the ‘Star Diver Factions’ until recently had been arguably far more efficient and unbroken.]

“You vex me.” [He complained.]

“I am sorry if I as ever disturb your blissfully isolated tranquillity.” [I replied.]

“You do not sound sorry about your interruptions.” [He said.]

“I should hope not I was being sarcastic.” [I admitted.]

“A low form of wit.” [He replied.]

“A high form of intelligence.” [I countered.]

“I disagree especially when it is directed against an Elder who deserves better. Where did the respect go what happened to veneration for age among the ‘Stellar Species’?” [He asked.]

“We each have our own truths.” [I stated.]

“What do you want child?” [He asked his eyestalks deeply frowning.]

“Did someone steal a fish from your mouth this morning?” [I asked.]

“Actually it is the late evening here if you bothered to discover such things in advance and an Elder should be allowed to be a bit cranky on occasion when he is disturbed by unscheduled visits. You young people seem to think we are just here at your convenience.” [He berated.]

“It is good to see you again too.” [I replied.]

“You only contact me in a crisis?” [He complained.]

[I felt as if I had become Harbinger and I was talking with ‘Composure’ but I was not and he was not.]

“Your people only let me talk with you when I beg and beg again and that does not make for casual conversations.” [I replied.]

[His Avatar eyestalks kept frowning at me.] “I suppose that is true, but you people increasingly vex me.” [He complained again.]

“We people who else has been contacting you?” [I asked.]

“Just a manner of speech?” [He said.]

[Something told me this was not the truth.]

“Out with it who are you dealing with out there?” [I asked.]

“Who I deal with is my business.” [He replied.] “You people are a natural disaster.”

“You heard about the ‘Star-Diver’ reversal?” [I asked.]

“Some of us make an effort to stay nominally informed knowing that even being separated by a barrier of ‘Entanglement’ does not guarantee the tranquil oceans are immune to other ‘Pilgrim’ species errant stupidity.” [He complained.] “Do you want to awaken the interest of the ‘Fury’ in this supposedly planet depleted region?”

“What do you know about ‘Cad’s Star Survey’?” [I asked in turn.]

“Do I look like an ugly leggy ‘Trojan Professor’ to you?” [He asked in deflection.]

“Does he have a plan?” [I asked.]

“I am sure he has a scheme. That one has been scheming ever since he created ‘IF’ - actually he was probably scheming even before that just less obviously. You tell me when he has not been scheming. However, I am not party to such matters nor should you hold his meddling in infinite regard. His schemes did not prevent the ‘Entanglement’ of your old ‘Core Alliance’. His schemes did not forestall the ‘Trojan Turmoil’ either.” [He reminded.] “Perhaps as a Priest with some long associations you put too much faith in some members of the oldest of the old guard.”

“Really?” [I pressed.]

“Consider me I am marginalised yet you seem to think I am an oracle. I have not heard from ‘Cad’ in quite sometime. Recently he vexes me too for it seems I was never privy to his most secret councils.” [He confessed.]

“This is beginning to be a common complaint. Tell me truly is he still in the oceans?” [I asked.]

“The truth is that he was the last I heard - at least he seemed to be - but where one has an obvious physical presence and where one’s mind wanders is not always the same place is it?” [He asked.] “That you are here - in this manner - now being a prime example you really are a sleeping child sometimes - waken up.”

[What a fool I could be, imagine failing to credit that others would use the same sort of identity tricks as me, naturally, even if he stayed within the ‘Sea Spheres’ seemingly isolated ‘Cad’ could and would transport himself around via Avatars in secret via ‘EXO-C’ links. I might even have spoken with him at some point over the years whilst he retained some clever guise or other. For all I knew ‘Cad’ could have been ‘Hierophant Stone’ or at least been sharing his consciousness. These days you could not be entirely sure about any person’s identity - much had to be taken on faith.]

“Did you not know about the existence of the ‘Divers’ prior to them being widely revealed to us ‘Pilgrims’ and the news filtering back here via ‘Swimmer Dweller Intelligence’?” [I asked.]

[He just looked at me. ‘Reeskoo’ did not seem happy talking about ‘SDI’.]

“My apologies for wasting your time. Is everything otherwise still tranquil here?” [I asked.]

“You would probably find our oceans extremely boring.” [He said.]

“You do not know me as well as you believe. Have you ever thought of becoming a site for remote holidays? I am sure hosts of people out in the harsher - more real - Universe would pay dearly for transportation to some boring oceanic idyllic tranquillity even possibly one guarded by the ‘Entanglement’.” [I only in part jested.]

“If we invited a hoard of guests we would not be tranquil for very long even if such an action did not antagonise the ‘Entanglement’ into invading our waters. Even on your own you lesser ‘Stellar Pilgrims’ are a disruptive influence - consider the effect you are having upon the ‘Star-Divers’ you never know when to leave well alone you poke and prod at the nest until...” [He said.]

“I think isolation is slowly corrupting you, you are not the welcoming soul I recall from historic visits with Harbinger.” [I said.]

“We are all subject to unforeseen life-changes whether we belatedly strive against them or not. Even here nothing stays exactly the same as much as some people endeavour to keep us inviolate to problematic external influences we are changed.” [He replied.]

“Is that what I am now here a mere problematic external influence?” [I asked.]

“I believe that is what you are in other places too.” [He I assumed in part jested at least his Avatars eyestalks were grinning.]

[Sometimes I wondered why I did not retire as my efforts hardly seemed appreciated or especially effective.]



“So what do you think?” [I asked ‘Unholy’.] “Have you come across anything unusual recently?”

[I had animated an Avatar in the ‘SCCCM’ of the ‘Vanishing Point’ more travelling without moving.]

“You mean anything unusual that might be connected to the innovation of these ‘Star Bridges’ if I had I would have told you. You know they could have dreamed up the idea on their own it is not exactly a huge innovation just innovative by their staid standards.” [He mused aloud.]

“This use of ‘Gates’ has ‘Profane Pilgrim’ written all over it. By comparison the ‘Divers’ are not out of the box thinkers to think out of the box you have to look up and outward not down at your feet. They have been isolated too long bound up by restrictive faiths too long to be natural innovative thinkers. Besides the majority of any potential rule-breakers are on our side of the ‘Diver’ divide in the ’Engagement Factions‘. They have in many ways an almost static culture, even new factions birthed due to doctrinal splits only separate for petty differences. We are the ones that have stirred thing up and given them a far more serious matter of contention - we are the ones who poked their nest.” [I said repeating ‘Reeskoos’ words to me.]

“Why would ‘Cad’ aid the ‘Isolationists’ to win the ‘Solar-War’?” [He asked.]

“I did not say that the ‘Hierophants’ were behind this one just that ‘Cad’ is probably far more active out here than we previously assumed and maybe in there too.” [I replied.]

“Do you think it could be ‘Crimson’ then that she is striving to sever all ‘Pilgrim’ connection to ‘Deep Solar Mining’ resources.” [He asked.]

“I do not know about that I suppose she might benefit but she could also be placing herself in deep jeopardy. The ‘Divers’ could be a species capable of contesting her reign out here. All I am saying is that someone must have pushed this idea forward passed a lot of staid opposition and I wonder who and how?” [I asked.]

“We know virtually none of the ‘Star-Diver’ side players we do not have access to their deep councils we only deal with over-lings.” [He joked.] “Maybe some other ‘Diver Faction’ is striving to put an end to the stalemate. The consensus of belief remains that they all universally fear the ‘Fury’ and many might easily believe that the stalemated war is proving a disaster as it prolongs contact with us and could draw undue attention from the dark. I am sure every ‘Isolationist’ and ‘Isolationist’ sympathiser is fuming that ‘Pilgrims’ have gained not only knowledge of the Planets existence but even some limited planetary access too, a great many ‘Star-Divers’ I am sure have never trod on sacred soil.” [He reminded.]

“What can we do?” [I asked.]

“It will have to be something political or religious - militarily this cause is already lost. If you look at a strategic overview based on what we have been told ‘Engagement Faction’ forces will in all probability be swept from the Planets it is just a question of how long it takes the ‘Isolationists’ to mop up residual resistance.” [He said pessimistically.]

“You sound surprisingly calm about this fact.” [I said.]

“I am not going to get upset by something that is so firmly beyond my control I have been down that vector before it is a journey to a bad place.” [He said.]

“If we lose the Planets according to many ‘Divers’ we lose the War.” [I reminded.]

“I know perhaps we should concentrate upon damage limitation. Working with the ‘Engagement Factions’ was a good plan at the time but that means to gain what we need is now defunct.” [He said.]

“You seem to be capitulating very easily this surprises me.” [I complained.]

“Pray to the ‘Blessed Tier Nine Harbinger’ if you want a miracle. What we need to do now is convince the ‘Isolationists’ that going after us will alert the ‘Fury’ because if left no other option we will do that ourselves after all the enemy of my enemy and all that.” [He said.]

[I took three ritual steps backward.]

“You cannot be seriously suggesting that we blackmail the ‘Diver Nation’ with the ‘Machine Fury’?” [I said.]

“What a splendid idea. Maybe we should have done that all along.” [He replied.]

“You would have us terrorise them with unleashing an entity that is to them evil incarnate.” [I said.]

“We tried playing nice and being the heroic saviours of the ‘Engagement Factions’ that has profited us very poorly they used us but gave so little in return.” [He reminded.]

“None of them would ever forgive us such an unholy trespass.” [I said.]

“Forgiveness is not required just respect and obedience to our demands.” [He said.]

“Sometimes you truly appal me by being too well named.” [I stated.]

“Sometimes you appal too triple cursed easily. Sometimes the only thing that keeps the peace is the application of a little fear.” [He said.] “Sometimes being good is simply not good enough sometimes you have to be a little naughty.”

“A little naughty, I see you are deep into the realms of understatement again.” [I replied.] “If they refused to capitulate would you reveal the existence of the Planets to the ‘Fury’?” [I asked.]

[He roared out a bellowing speaker laugh.]

“If you ask me there is no need the ‘Fury’ knows already, perhaps through somebody such as your friend ‘Kanne’.” [He said.]

[I glared at him for that comment; in turn he just shrugged.]

“Just because she is a ‘Splinter’ does not mean she is a spy for the ‘Dark Raiders’.” [I said.]

“Just because you are infatuated with her or fascinated by her or distracted by her or whatever it is you are… does not mean she is not feeding sensitive data back home to her kin.” [He said.]

“In recent times you have become a horrible cynic.” [I complained.]

“Whilst you do not always live in the real Universe.” [He retorted.] “Even if she was totally innocent do you think her people would have failed to contact her as a rich source of information once she became so high profile as your consort?”

“She would refuse to betray me.” [I said loyally.]

“Waken up she would just be being loyal to her people everyone is spying on everyone else at this level that my friend is how the game is played and people such as ‘Kanne’ will not be left alone in peace.” [He said.]

“She is estranged from her people due to her upbringing.” [I reminded.]

“You mean she was I know she frequents a ‘Splinter Weaver Emporium’ back on ‘Port Discovery’ quite regularly.” [He said.]

“To buy ‘Real Material’ furnishings tapestries rugs and so on I know exactly why she goes there I get the horrendous bills regularly - you disappoint me.” [I complained.]

“I would not complain about that if they are properly maintained - genuine - ‘Splinter Weaver’ products are a fair to excellent investment. However, that shopping is contact with her species you cannot deny that.” [He said.]

“The ‘Splinter Weavers’ are not ‘Dark Raiders’ they are sundered from one another the majority of ‘Dark Raiders’ are not even permitted to leave the general environs of the outskirts of the ‘Prime Graveyards’ and a few other specific places.” [I reminded.]

“They are the same root and I do not believe there is zero contact between ‘Splinter’ working for the ‘Machine Fury’ and those dwelling outside of the ‘Prime Graveyard’ especially between ‘Dark Raiders’ and ‘Weavers’ known to be in sensitive positions with direct access to high level ‘Pilgrim’ intelligence data sources.” [He stated.]

“My consort is not spying on me for the ‘Dark Raiders’.” [I insisted.]

“Not many emporiums selling ‘Real Material Furnishings’ have an inbuilt stacked systems of privacy fields and a suite of some of the most advanced active ‘Anti-‘Suit Substance Surveillance Bug’ defences that I have hitherto seen outside of high value military sites such as the most secret of ‘Trojan’ research laboratories.” [He stated.]

“The ‘Weavers’ have always valued their privacy and have every legal right to maintain customer and business confidentiality. Stolen ‘Splinter Weaver’ textiles are known to fetch unusually high prices and are often targeted by some of the most capable of thieves. ‘Wanderer’s Weaves’ since it was established upon ‘Port Discovery’ - much to my annoyance - has suffered several break in attempts including both attempted physical and informational intrusions. One especially well known event was an unsuccessful robbery that occurred when they were hosting an almost priceless pre-sundering exhibition that including several War Banners and Tapestries dating back to before the ‘Trojan Turmoil’. They are no ordinary emporium they cater to the rich and famous to some of the most distinguished art collectors within the ‘Alliance’ rather than the average shopper. Naturally they have upgraded security measures anything less would be negligent.” [I replied.]

“How very convenient.” [He said.]

“You are letting your Paradox Priest paranoia get the better of you. Both ‘Kanne’ and I highly value what little privacy we have thus her shopping trips are often organised as if covert tactical operations by ‘MTC Temple Staff’ that is when she is not upon an official engagement and supposed to be meeting and greeting our citizens.” [I added.]

“So we are helping her to slip around quietly to have dodgy meetings with dodgy contacts.” [He accused.] “That is kind of us.”

“Please, just because you have an evil mind filled with suspicion does not mean everyone is nefariously plotting against us or selling our secrets or betraying our cause.” [I said.] “I thought you liked ‘Kanne’ and that mostly you were amused at our, our arrangement.”

“I find her personable as an individual - I admire her strength of character - to some degree I admire anyone who knows what they want and does not hesitate to take it, but as much as this entanglement between you two is amusing to me it is not favoured in any manner by our internal security specialists. I keep being pestered about what a terrible security risk this liaison of yours is because she is a ‘Splinter’ and some ‘Splinter’ serve the ‘Fury’.” [He needlessly reminded.]

“My ‘Kanne’ is a ‘Splinter’ who was raised by ‘Hierophant Professors’ she has long been rejected by her own kind because they believe she is too ‘Trojan’. Due to her formative upbringing they do not trust her - I doubt they would trust any data she divulged - they would probably judge it ‘Hierophant’ misinformation. The old ‘Splinter Raiders’ were as close and closed to outsiders as any ‘Star-Diver’ the ‘Weavers’ strive to be more outgoing but you can tell that sometimes they find dealing with other species to be stressful to their calm. Their are some exceptions ‘Weavers’ who have worked with us extensively outside their enclaves but they are especially tolerant and friendly ‘Weavers’.” [I reminded.]

“It is also regularly pointed out to me that if ‘Kanne’ is not spying for the ‘Weavers’ or the ‘Dark Raiders’ then she may well be working with / for the ‘Hierophants’. For all we know they grew her in a ‘Cloning Womb’ as a research project how she came to be with them is all a bit vague and suspicious another mystery buried conveniently by the chaos sown during the ‘Advent of the Entanglement’.” [He stated.]


[It was true that the ‘Hierophant Professors’ did seem to be purposely sparse with details about the origins of ‘Kanne’ how she came to be with them beyond vague references to a pregnant ‘Weaver’ refugee who perished during the ‘Advent of the Entanglement’. Why for example had they not striven more stridently more successfully earlier to pass the baby along to her own people. Perhaps raising the child if nothing else had become some individual or some groups social experiment perhaps a nurture versus nature study - belatedly that would be hard for them to admit to their pet subject when she became a less easily mollified adult.]


“The ‘Splinter Raiders’ served the ‘Fury’ in an effort to prevent further especially disastrous ‘Dark Times’ for us ‘Pilgrims’ or so they claimed. It may be that the ‘Fury’ if it monitors our ‘Pilgrim’ society at all does know about the ‘Star-Diver’ Planets existence but cares little about these very few escapees of the grand design. We both know that the ‘Star-Divers’ are naturally paranoid they have been hiding for so long that they cannot comprehend that even the ‘Fury’ might have moved on from looking for or even caring about what they stole away all those ages ago. We need to remember that their whole society grew up around guarding those few Planets that is why they are so sacred to them.” [I reminded.]

“We should not judge a cold machine intelligence by our own hot emotion corrupted logic. We do not even know - with any certainty - what the remit of the ‘Fury’ is beyond the stage of dismantling Planets and removing their substance. To us a few surviving Planets might seem insignificant but to a system that has a directive to assail all Planets there is no distinction between one and an infinite number. Logically every existing Planet remains a target for whatever it is the ‘Fury’ does to them.” [He argued.]

“Still the existence of the ‘Star-Diver’ Planets leaked out and now it is a poorly guarded secret known to every ‘Pilgrim’ as at the very least a fascinating rumour therefore you are probably right the ‘Fury’ if it monitors us at all must already know about this once big secret of ‘Star-Diver’ society.” [I said.] “Yet there has been no noticeable new ‘Fury’ activity no move to locate and dismantle those shielded Planets.” [I reminded.]

“A puzzle but the ‘Greater Fury’ is undeniably a creature of ‘Deep Time’ it may be moving towards the purpose of claiming the ‘Diver’ Planets as an old oversight but at a pace so slow to us that it seems akin to no movement at all. It may even be willing to leave clean up operations of any Planets that have gotten away until after it has fulfilled a first sweep of this Universe but plans, priorities and even operational methods can alter due to changing circumstances.” [He reminded.]

“I wonder how close the ‘Machine Fury’ is to truly cleansing every Planet now in our much bigger Universe due to the ‘Pulsed Big Bang’ theory.” [I mused aloud.] “The idea of the ‘Greater Fury’, using your label, returning in a cyclic manner to the place of its beginning to clean up any missed dregs or escapees is terrifying.” [I admitted.]

“Especially as harvesting the material of the Planets might only be stage one in some even more obscenely grand design that might be far from sympathetic to any Pilgrim species continuation.” [He said.]

“Still thinking about such vast matters we are but microbes to the mechanised behemoth. We would be exceptionally unfortunate if such a returning happened in this age, in all probability if such a thing is destined to happen it will occur long after we are dead and forgotten.” [I said.]

“I thought you planned to live forever or at least long enough to partake in the uplift of a ‘Social Singularity’.” [He said.]

“I dream sometimes of fulfilling a ‘Deep Time’ remit to facilitate and participate in a properly inclusive ‘Social Singularity’ but in truth I would have to be more than triple blessed to survive that long as an individual in such a hostile Universe as this one.” [I stated pessimistically.]

“You are feeling a little low today.” [He guessed.]

“Death stalks us all despite all of our regenerative sciences and so on we can still be killed by accident or design and all these petty and not so petty wars that we engage in do not increase any of our individual chances of survival. Right now I am more worried about ‘Star-Diver’ antagonism than a return by the main mass of the ‘Fury’.” [I replied.]

“Sometimes war is how we advance. The ‘Star-Divers’ are a more immediate threat to our survival than the ‘Fury’ but luckily the ‘Star-Divers’ are ‘Machine Fury’ fixated and we can and must use that to our advantage.” [He said.]

“That would paint us very dark indeed and would be a step backward for us socially these ‘Divers’ are part of this Universe’s ‘Social Singularity’ too.” [I said.]

“Arguably so is the ‘Machine Fury’ maybe the mind evolving here is destined to be a cold logical mechanical one not a warm loving biological one.” [He replied.]

“Now that is true pessimism.” [I said.]

“We are so sure that we are on the side of right and that the right side is biology but that is only our truth.” [He said.]

“This is new from you.” [I stated.]

“I have deep thoughts too. However on a practical level I would rather be defamed than dead we will be a part of no grand social elevation of mind if the ‘Isolationist Factions’ cull us and send any survivors fleeing into the dark. One day the ‘Divers’ will understand that we simply did what we had to do if the whole truth ever comes out. If you are right, they have a lot of social evolving to do too and they will not grow true in isolation. The flaw within these states that think they can become more by turning aside including the ‘Swimmer Dwellers’ is obvious - it is in interactions with outside ideas and concepts that we are challenged - only through accepting such challenges do we progress beyond our current limitations. An isolationist peace is slow stagnation it is cultural inbreeding it is a slow lingering death that only pretends to be a preservative. Why do you think life mutates progress requires innovation - it requires rule breaking - it requires a little bit of anarchy. Maybe this was something ‘Draakhaal’ once understood better than us when we sought to create a controlled society a little chaos is needed.” [He replied.]

“You do not believe a person can grow via calm internal contemplation via meditation on the infinite alone.” [I said.]

“You can grow as the ‘Highest’ did you can grow self-serving and self-obsessed and even then you cannot sever all the old ties to lesser more active chaotic mortals. There is no escaping the rest of society remember you are the one who believes we must all advance together or fail the test of life because we are all linked.” [He reminded.]

“Hiding will not save the ‘Star-Divers’ from the evil system that is the ‘Machine Fury’ especially now. We use their false beliefs to survive then work to bring their ‘Deep Clerics’ to a truer understanding of our - shared - reality we bring some real more balanced wisdoms into their light blinded faiths. Triple curse it we know all about self-serving delusions we once had many self-serving faiths we once lived in relative isolation but no one is isolated forever the Universe intrudes so it is best to be ready.” [He said.]

“I still do not like this idea of blackmailing them with the ‘Machine Fury’ they will hate us and preach against us.” [I said.]

“Eventually their perfect isolation was always going to be breached by someone and this silly faith that everything outside their new starry domains is evil needs questioned. Let them realise we are not all evil but we are not all good either and just like them we will do what we must to survive and being in deeper risk we will do more.” [He said.]

“They may have the greater numbers but we have the greater desperation and we do have access to the ‘Fury’.” [He added.] “The ‘Divers’ have done nothing but dictate terms since we first encountered them, now it is our turn to set the rules of our species engagement including putting an honest end to their hoarding of ‘Deep Solar’ resources. From the stars we came and to the stars we have returned - for all time.”

“Push them too hard and we may not get a rational response certainly not from all of them.” [I said.]

“I would actually be disappointed if there was no resistance to these changes - if they all capitulated to our demands their would be no fun in that no challenge no growth.” [He said his body flaring brightly yellow.]

“I am surprised you have not undertaken this act of blackmail before now since you seem to think it will answer all of our problems.” [I said.]

“I felt you deserved a chance to do things a gentler way first. Now we have little choice in the matter we cannot lose the stars not with the ‘Entanglement’ holding the ‘Sea Spheres’ and constantly claiming every newly discovered asteroid field material resource. The stars alone offer we ‘Pilgrims’ a means to recover our strength as the ‘Divers’ once recovered their strength. The stars give us the means to defy ‘Crimson’ to reclaim our destiny let her have the dark we will colonise the light. It is almost too fitting we are children of fire.” [He said.]

“That is probably what ‘Star-Diver Ancestors’ once said.” [I reminded.]

“True but I am not suggesting we go into total isolation. Only that the stars become our staging post.” [He replied.]

“You are still contemplating a future war against ‘Perdition’ but with the ‘Divers’ as allies.” [I said.]

“We do whatever we must to survive to progress and to remain free to self-determinate.” [He said.] “Today that means forcing the majority of the ‘Star-Divers’ to accept us even if that requires whispering a few threats into the right ear holes. In truth it might be better if the whole ‘Diver Nation’ does not know the entire truth of why their leaders had an epiphany about us let them believe the position changed for other no less sensible reasons. The ‘Synod’ infraction gives us the opening that we need to reach deeper ear holes than usual also it offers an excuse for a ‘Deep Cleric’ intervention in policies corrupted by ‘Sender’ officials that has seemingly nothing to do with the ‘Machine Fury’.” [He said.]

“Very neat who have you been plotting with?” [I asked.] “Was this all part of a plan?”

“You think I would conspire behind your back?” [He asked.]

[I gave him a hard stare.]

“I fear I have been sleeping whilst other people have been manufacturing a crisis so they could use it to initiate big changes. Naturally a prolonged conflict was needed to give the ‘Isolationists’ an excuse for growing concern and a willingness to embrace some bad behaviour for a momentous victory when approached with an, at first glance, embarrassingly innovative ‘Star Bridge’ idea.” [I stated.]

“At first it seems counter productive for the ‘Engagement Factions’ as they seem to almost lose everything by losing the Planets but in fact they plan to gain exactly what they want freedom from old restrictions once the ‘Deep Clerics’ intervene on their behalf and void the ‘Isolationist Factions’ victory.” [I added.]

“My guess is that one or more scientists supposedly on the side of ‘Isolation’ are in fact less surprisingly ‘Engagement Factions’ sympathisers and they put the scheme of ‘Star Bridges’ forward an idea secretly suggested to them by some ‘Pilgrim’ or other.” [I suggested.]

“At last the more scientific members of the ‘Diver’ community get to look up and outward again to examine the facts of the Universe without suffering religious persecution. Meanwhile we gain access to the stars’ prolific inner resources this is all too neat to be accidental. This one was engineered by someone such as ‘Trend’ just as I am convinced the loss of ‘Phoenix Station’ was engineered by pro-‘Engagement’ people not ‘Isolationists’. Back then as victims of a crime we ‘Pilgrims’ gained a needed measure of greater initial sympathy.” [I said.]

“Anything is possible I suppose.” [‘UT’ stated.] “However this all sounds akin to an outrageous Paradox Priest conspiracy theory to me.”

[Paranoid66]

Thanks Stads for the comments.

Posted 12 initially from a friends. Part 13 is above ^^^
Now I can see two ways this might go so I will have to think about it.

[stads]

yay new chapter

this whole mess does have cad or trend written all on it
am thinking my self that they wil get some more access but also a new stalemate in the sense of some stars just being closed off and going into some kind of cold war sentiment (i know cold war in stars )

[Paranoid66]

[[FOUR]] [[Part 1]]

[Psychosomatically I felt almost physically ill as we three gathered once more in the ‘Secure Central Command and Control Module’ of my ‘Ghost Ship’ the ‘Venturesome’.]

[Above us, the massive bulk of the ‘Battle Brick’ the ‘War Winner’ moved slowly away from her long held guarding position, ceasing to hold imprisoning dominion over the restored remote substance of my normally most active of travelling assets. ‘Creed’ standing behind my onboard Avatar had returned to see us off or so he claimed. As the shadow of the great rectangle of ‘Real Material’, left us alone it released us both physically and symbolically from our wretched stretched out period of custody. Despite the obvious boon, it felt to me as if our trials were just beginning and that we had far from escaped a doom-laden sentence. I felt an almighty fool not as clever as I had once believed or as well suited to espionage as an undercover agent as I equally self-deluded even as a covert ‘Ghost Ship’.]

[You would expect me to be eager to depart this fortress of a place, and believe me some parts of my tripartite mind were indeed desirous to - flee - away, however other conflicting parts of me remained no less fearful of the prospect of going. It was almost as if my detention helped develop an irrational agoraphobia, which would be too ironic for a ‘Living Hull’, especially one bearing my outgoing name.]

[Unfortunately, at that moment my newfound fears seemed rational. Both Captain ‘Uussleer-Sii’ and the ‘Venturesome’ were thoroughly defamed and that was something we had yet to acclimatise. Worse for me, I felt in my hearts I was partly justifiably guilty and deserved to be punished for many of the actions I had partaken in. Perhaps I had a too sensitive - too delicate - conscience for participation in this sort of work. Whatever the cause and despite my past choices deep down inside I believed the ends never fully justified some means which made me wonder why I had done this to myself.]

[Now a stigma of shame would cling to us as if a pall every time we two assumed the roles of ‘Uussleer’ and the ‘Venturesome’, roles that had once seemingly freed me from a great many other responsibilities in my increasingly complicated life. Luckily, I was somewhat used to being internally conflicted because of the way my three brains generally interacted to form my overall personality.]



[Nonetheless, I felt we were no longer quite the bold ‘Venturesome’ and her equally outgoing Captain ‘Uussleer’ who had courted so many friends and business associates upon so many different Ports in pursuit of both fair and foul causes. Arguably we had altered both perceptually to others and internally to ourselves from the people who arrived at ‘Hubris Nineteen’ - now over seven months ago with a dodgy cargo carrying a possibly prototype digital virus. Two very different people would soon leave the entire extents of the ‘Hubris Expansion’.]

[Annoyingly the processes of the complex trial against ‘Overbite’ had dragged on beyond all expectation to leave a humbler ship and Captain in its wake. In addition, I knew many old friends and associates now held us in far poorer regard some actually refusing to talk with us at all never mind casually blanking our remote trade requests and mutually profitable business suggestions.]

[‘Uussleer’ had been keen to prove his continued business reliability to those he had worked with honestly, sadly however whilst running his business interests, necessarily during our custody via remote, he was monetarily hit hard by the defections of customers and associates due to our change in status. From respected Captain he was now known as an at best ex-offender who had only escaped a long period in a ‘Stasis Prison’ by betraying colleagues within the ‘Reach Project’. Offers that did arrive tended to be dodgy ones we did not want. Beyond the business difficulties engendered by the trial I felt it was our sense of overall self-esteem under others constant disapproval that had cut us both the deepest of all leaving us uselessly bleeding out remorse.]

[Few people cared to understand or simply did not bother to appreciate that we had been as much victims of the nefarious ‘Project’ as very active perpetrators of its sinister policies. Every recruit to the ‘Project’ arguably drafted. They simply heard about our too well publicised shameful actions our deceptions, our hacking, our data thefts and adulterations our manipulations of markets our blackmailing, kidnappings and even assassination style murders. That we had made a golden deal that granted us immunity from prosecution despite our multitude of reported sins only exacerbated the general very low opinion of us.]

[The once good reputation of Captain ‘Uussleer-Sii’ and his ‘Venturesome’ - hard earned by many trade runs not to mention service in the ‘Solar-War’ - had it seemed to me been forever ship wrecked at ‘Hubris Nineteen’ and to many deservedly so. Even I belatedly admitted internally that despite the power ‘Overbite’ had constantly wielded over her recruits that in the end we are ultimately each responsible for our own actions. Although it was a hard truth to swallow - if we had really wanted to - we could have found some way out of the ‘Project’ but we had our own remit that kept us in play and allowed her to keep using us in ever more damning activities.]

[Our undercover work proved a slippery slide the situations she cleverly put us in made the atrocious soon seem almost mundane. In addition, survival instincts took over as did my responsibility to keep my faux Captain alive. You told yourself if not you then she would simply find and use someone else. You chose to believe that every victim you made was already doomed. You accepted the faith that compliance to her will for now was the only way to get through it all and that someday your participation would ensure an end to her and her madness and blessedly someday had come if not how we expected. However, sometimes it proved hard to dismiss flashbacks of our victims especially when others insisted upon forcing us into detailed recollections. Every scornful look - every person’s recognition of our infamy - became a stabbing reminder until I felt I was suffering the death of a thousand cuts.]



[This region would forever now be coloured by horrific memories, recollections that ‘Uussleer’ and I would given the choice happily if unjustly have buried forever along with our guilt. Our crimes as operatives meant to stay forever covert making them far easier to put aside. Unfortunately, the deal ‘Creed’ eventually made on our behalf left my faux Captain well exposed and I doubted there was any easy escape from that doom. Thus as the ‘War Winner’ moved away I felt horribly vulnerable rather than joyfully released. These feelings were something new to me even the dire historic accusations made against me as the ‘Many Truths’ by ‘Studious Mannerism’ did not hit me quite so hard because back then I had known those accusations to be entirely manufactured untruths.]

[Both my faux Captain and I had been - arguably justifiably - publicly humiliated this time around via a harsh legalistic naming and shaming a detailed confession that included the recounting of a great many missions that we partook in whilst snared within the dirty tricks department of the ‘Reach Project’ a price we paid for revenge on ‘Overbite’. Naturally, they did not purposely expose every dirty deed to ridicule, as some would have been too damaging to the remaining ‘Hubris Patrons’ even after skilful laundering.]

[The ‘Patrons’ managed the case in exacting detail wedding reality and fiction as it suited their needs to create a misshapen child. Every utterance we made carefully constructed - scripted in fact - by a committee that had argued and debated like some twisted ‘Council of Equals’, even our at times perjuring witness statements were manufactured the truth deconstructed then reconstructed from its constituent parts in often diabolically clever ways - these people were experts at spinning fact into fiction and fiction into fact. I became convinced they were all ex-‘Conglomerate’ citizens or the offspring of the same who appreciated the historic ‘Sleepers’ artful recreations of reality and learned how to mimic the process with equal finesse. Old evils oft resurrect themselves from the ashes of the past like some demonic phoenix the abused becoming future abusers all the worst lessons too well learned and none of the right ones.]

[With hindsight even with the noticeable delays caused by the occasional mini-crisis the case was too skilfully manufactured for it to be anything but a preordained in part pre-prepared procedure and I mean here well in advance as in years in the making. There should have been far more problematic external issues with this exceptionally broad cover up. It all went too cleanly with the ‘Patrons’ too perfectly able to escape every responsibility for their supposed singular colleagues many crimes as a rogue runner of a they claimed unsanctioned ‘Black Operation’.]

[It galled that the politically surviving ‘Patrons’ were rendered via the process as equally trespassed against by the mania of one mad member of their committee gone bad the now truly infamously outlawed ‘Overbite’. Rather than being the cause and benefactors of ‘Overbites’ activities her fellow ‘Patrons’ were sold instead as the saviours of the future stability and prosperity of every threatened ‘Pilgrim’ nation. By internally choosing to expose and by seeking to bring ‘Overbite’ to justice they roundly prevented the agitation of what could easily have become a spreading ‘Real Material’ versus ‘Suit Substance User’ civil war. Three cheers for the noble and unselfish actions of the belatedly socially enlightened ‘Hubris Patrons’. It all made me feel rather ill.]

[I say sought to bring to justice because as everyone now knew with any interest in the matter ‘Overbite’ was a fugitive tried and found guilty in absentia. Making her case only worse she was branded a coward who had refused to stand up for her misguided political beliefs by refusing to challenge her accusers openly in court doubly proving her dishonesty via her craven flight from justice - at least this was the propaganda of the situation. The ‘Patrons’ had naturally placed a massive bounty upon her head and she was being sought after both near and far by every lawful ‘Pilgrim’ authority and bounty hunter. In my opinion, those fools might as well be ‘Recyclers’ with bad cognitive implants chasing in circles after their own extended cybernetic trails.]

[I doubted anyone would find ‘Overbite’, ‘Uussleer’ and I currently convinced ‘Overbite’ was deceased the subject of a clean up assassination by her colleagues and that we initially had it all in reverse. ‘Overbite’ had never run wildly amok without permission, she had never overstepped the bounds of her expected behaviour or authority even if at times she had been purposely deluded into believing that she did and had in turn partially passed that false belief firmly on to her snared operatives including us. The ‘Patrons’ knew exactly whom they were working with the full nature of the bitter - at times arguably crazed - person they had purposely employed and what would eventually befall her under their puppeteer direction when the means justified her end.]

[‘Overbite’ had always been readily expendable and never really deemed one of their own by her less idealistic more practical peers just as every recruit she made to her dastardly ‘Reach Project’ was expendable and never on a vector to equal citizenship within the environs of the prejudiced ‘Expansion’. Her peers had simply harnessed her ruthless mania - her burning at times irrational hatred for ‘Suit Substance Users’ - benefiting from her actions that often opened the way for further expansion by for example destabilising wobbly governmental authorities in suitably susceptible Ports ripe for inclusion within their once ever-increasing ‘Real Material’ hegemony. ‘Overbite’ had been their most secret of weapons the means by which they achieved remarkable growth.]

[Now the openings for expansion by her favoured means of conquest was over and so her colleagues put the last part of their scheme in operation their tools elimination including the wholesale destruction of the dirty tricks department she operated in a manner that had ‘Overbite’ willingly if obliviously participating in her own eventual demise. The whole twisted but ingenious scheme ultimately aiding rather than harming the standing of the surviving ‘Hubris Patrons’ who were just too well named. Even if other truths eventually leaked out about ‘Overbites’ many nefarious activities in the future it would only add further credit rather than detract from her colleagues’ glory for bringing her reign of irrational anti-‘User’ terror to a firm finality.]

[How do you best bury the dirtiest secrets of a period of ruthless empire building - for all time - certainly not by trying to hide the facts away? Instead, you broadcast what you wish kept secret but twist the accepted perception of their truth so that what the populace perceive at large is forever something else. The result here proved just too tidy for any other theory to hold true. The ‘Hubris Patrons’ had been in control of this scheme the whole time manipulating ‘Overbite’ every step of the way even when she thought she was successfully rebelling against her fellows. They harnessed her rage and extremism even encouraging her to believe she was periodically getting one over on any less fervently anti-‘User’ colleague via her internal games of espionage.]

[Whilst it suited their purposes they allowed even encouraged her to create a hate mongering ‘Real Material’ religion that coloured ‘Suit Substance Users’ as nothing but bad news. Later when he arrived on the scene the ‘Patrons’ also made good use of ‘Creed’ weaving him into their flexible plot, just as possibly before that they had wove in any ‘Interdiction Fleet’ interest in diffusing the seeming crisis situation being caused by ‘Overbites’ refusal to moderate with the changing times. ‘Interdiction Fleet’ membership were no doubt keen to maintain an overall ‘Pilgrim’ peace at any reasonable collateral cost so the ‘Patrons’ made themselves the lesser evil.]

[The threat of a destabilising ‘Real Material’ versus ‘Suit Substance User’ conflict so cleverly created by the ‘Patrons’ propaganda and doctrine proved the weapon they employed to ensure that when necessary every other ‘Pilgrim’ authority would aid and abet their scheme. As respected politicians and fathers of a moderating - reforming - ‘Recycler’ nation, a nation now being steered away by them from the brink of a ruinous war they would be lauded. The timing of the seeming shift in policy including the essential political split from ‘Overbite’ had been impeccable. With new opportunities and threats showing themselves elsewhere within the stars fiery depths, no rational ‘Pilgrim’ would seek another broad civil conflict up here whilst so much of deeper interest was going on down there.]

[Suffering individual limited Nation and Port ambitions and grievances that sometimes turned martial was one thing allowing a broad massive across every border division of hostility something else altogether.]

[We had all underestimated the cleverness of the ex-Pirate ‘Recyclers’ who founded and controlled the ‘Hubris Patron’ regime; especially I would argue we underestimated the ‘Patrons’ almost anal attention to detail believing them opportunists rather than especially foresighted plotters. Many of us easily fooled into believing that whilst they were expanding they were equally getting themselves ever deeper into trouble going from unofficial to official branding as a rogue state. It was easy to misbelieve that they felt unable or unwilling to back down when in fact - as any successful ex-felon should - they had a prearranged exit strategy planned out all along including a sacrificial pawn to take the blame and the necessary fall to ensure their future legitimacy.]



[Whilst we were not the only desperate members of the ‘Reach Project’ readily convinced to turn on our fellow victims and give evidence against ‘Overbite’ - due to the publicity garnered from our previous hostage standoff - we rapidly became the most well known informers to the masses. The ‘Patrons’ noting our notability happily made us central to their case as their star witnesses. To many the ex-members of the ‘Project’ who refused to cooperate in the sham trial were comparatively unjustly - that is only compared to our unworthy blessings - all given heavy ‘Stasis Prison’ sentences ranging from thirty to well over one hundred years of time lost oblivion.]

[Worse for the Captain’s involved their assets including their ships were seized to be auctioned off to create a fund of credits to be made available for reparations to some few especially worthy victims of the ‘Reach Project’. The ‘Patrons’ had it seemed thought of every contingency it was too ironic to me that many ‘Reach Project’ members - no less victims of the ‘Patrons’ divisive policies - would literally pay for ‘Overbites’ crimes via the confiscation of their assets. Meanwhile, the ‘Patrons’ themselves who had started it all and would reap all the material and political benefits would have to pay out nothing personally in compensation.]

[That our assets as informers would also not be seized was kindly leaked by the ‘Patrons’ too making us seem all the more nefarious in our betrayal of our old associates. Although I wondered if that was ‘Creeds’ doing as sometimes he could be a harsh friend when he felt a lesson needed to be taught. Still, I felt that the most guilty of all of us the ‘Patrons’ themselves had benefited the most and I wondered how ‘Creed’ felt about that harsh truth. As is too often the case the most politically elevated had proved stainless despite their shameless deeds. Still I had to credit them this much with hindsight it was a beautifully executed scheme.]



“Well that is done and thrice done.” [‘Creed’ announced.] “Where will you two felons go now?” [He asked it seemed to me lightly rubbing an irritant into our open wounds as if applying an ointment.]

“I will be going home.” [‘Uussleer’ replied.] “As soon as that is possible.”

“Back to ‘Port Messenger’ and a cleaner life as ‘Leeruussii’ - you are lucky to have that option available to you young ‘Swimmer’ - does that mean we have seen the last of the now infamous Captain ‘Uussleer-Sii’?” [He asked.]

[To his credit, my ‘Stellar Swimmer’ friend whilst frowning his eyestalks deeply at ‘Creed’ demonstrated his solidarity with me by professing otherwise almost as if he was my true Captain.]

“No I have unfinished business as the Captain of the ‘Venturesome’.” [He replied defiantly.]

[Internally I relaxed a little, I had feared our recent adversity might tear us completely apart as a working unit but perhaps it had only brought us a little bit closer together. Only we two knew what it had really been like within the ‘Reach Project’ for us, the way ‘Overbite’ had wielded the fear and paranoia amongst her recruited Captains and so on.]

[‘Creed’ nodded his ‘Prime Tri-optic’ almost imperceptibly to that.] “That is possibly for the best it is certainly more appropriate than you simply running away from all of this simply because you can.”

[‘Creed’ had learned about our true identities approximately three months into the trial luckily that was one secret he had promised to keep - for the greater good - as exposing the ‘Venturesome’ as a ‘Ghost Ship’ of the ‘Many Truths’ would have too many destabilising and unpredictable political even in some ways possibly religious ramifications. I suppose that was something to be grateful about although I now felt like an exposed guilty Acolyte whenever ‘Creed’ looked down upon me in a certain way - a way that I had oft used myself when disappointed with one child or another who had digressed from what I deemed to be proper behaviour. Thus I was chastened although not entirely subdued I felt both a guilty perpetrator but also a trespassed against victim.]

“Do you think the results of that trial was justice?” [I asked in turn my stance no doubt screaming out my bristling ire to a fellow refined Paradox Priest.]

“Hardly all of the results might be named justice - but some of them are just enough - and I have learned that in our imperfect often chaotic and lawless reality that obtaining some justice is better than having none.” [He replied.]

[I felt like accusing him of softening in his no compromises creed but he had not finished speaking.]

“The ‘Hubris Patrons’ will pay for their crimes another day when it is more politically expedient for the rest of our troubled society to call them to account possibly individually. These supposed ex-Pirates are recidivists by nature and will break our international laws again together or singly sooner or later and when they do I will be waiting and ready.” [He claimed.]

[I felt he was forgetting that not every ‘Pilgrim’ nation that emerged following the fracturing of the old ‘Free Parliament’ controlled ‘Pilgrim Alliance’ agreed with and adopted our current international laws some refused to sign up or only endorsed some accords for various reasons.]

“Perhaps these cybernetic reptiles are simply too clever even for you.” [I replied.] “Every criminal is not always brought to account for their deeds especially those who make up the wealthiest most powerful strata of any society such folk are oft protected by localised and international vested interests amongst the ruling elites.”

“I am not surprised that you believe that truth.” [He replied shaking his ‘Prime Tri-optic’ gently at me.]

“You think I have an unjustifiable immunity too and deserve worse treatment for my sins especially on this occasion.” [I replied in turn.]

“What do you believe?” [He asked turning it back upon me as if some cursed psychologist boring into my mind’s insecurities.]

[His retort I will admit despite an effort to ignore it forced me into the silence of an uncomfortable introspection until my Avatar felt a rude nudge from behind.]

“Let it go and shine yellow my fine ‘Hull’ - we are free and good to go - and that is something we should be glad about?” [‘Leeruussii’ reminded with a mocking eyestalk grin that was all roguish Captain ‘Uussleer-Sii’ rather than the comparatively less sharply - cutting - of wit ‘Leeruussii’.]

[His words and actions also reminded me of another recidivist my peer ‘Unholy Terror’. Not for the first time I wondered how much being my pretend Captain was changing ‘Leeruussii’ on the inside I hoped he was not changing too negatively. Still, with his pedigree he was probably just becoming what he was predestined to be. Besides, in this instance his irreverent interruption that made light of our predicament as sudden social pariahs did amuse a little and reminded me that life goes on and fears are often overblown.]

“Yes we are good to go.” [I agreed forcing a little yellow light to shine beyond my ‘Free Patterning’ that had otherwise slipped into become many shades of sombre grey.]

“That is much better come my friend let us be done with the ‘Hubris Patrons’ and gone from this unsavoury locale that has held us so fast against our will for so very long. ‘Overbite’ and the ‘Reach Project’ are no more and I am not sorry about those facts, those facts alone are worth a little joy in adversity for both of us.” [‘Uussleer’ also reminded.]

[I plotted a series of almost random ‘Star Struck’ jumps but hesitated initiating the first procedure as scores of images of our time in the ‘Reach Project’ involuntarily flooded my tripartite mind.]

“We are still here.” [‘Uussleer’ replied after a few moments had passed of nothing happening.]

“So we are.” [I admitted feeling almost a bit fevered sometimes our minds betray us.]

[I could not help thinking a part of me would always be trapped here now. It made me wonder why I did these things when I was so ill equipped to let go of them. I realised I kept deluding myself that I was harder more resilient on the inside than I in point of fact am.]

“Is something wrong?” [He asked.] “Has ‘Nineteen’ refused us permission to go? I prey they have not found some other excuse to detain us longer some cursed loophole in our immunity that they can exploit to subject us to further scorn.”

“No nothing like that.” [I promised.]

“Well then let us be off surely you too have seen too much of this domain.” [He said.]

[‘Creed’ shifted his stance a little studying my Avatar.] “It is not always easy facing up to one’s worst mistakes even remotely.” [He said.] “However, it can be a positive process that is a truth you must acknowledge as a sometimes reformer - consider whatever lies out there awaiting you as a necessary education.” [He added insightfully.]

[How could I be so old and yet feel all of a sudden so young foolish and insecure as if all my wisdom had fled away? The things I had done and seen in my long life including under the direction of my Captain Harbinger - incredible and sometimes shocking things - seemed to mock such an outcome over arguably such small matters. It felt silly this was not even me just some remote substance I was animating. What was I afraid of really? Was I afraid of the condemnation or that I was still capable of such mistakes all past experiences cast aside.]

“I must be getting too easy to read when you delve my thoughts so closely.” [I complained.]

“We spent a lot of time together during the trial.” [He reminded.]

[That was true ‘Creed’ had done more than seemingly help us out of a hostage situation he had maintained a longstanding interest in the later trial proceedings against ‘Overbite’ perhaps digging after truths he had an interest in or seeking after future political ammunition against the regime and or us.]

[One thing was certain I could not stay here I had to go and go soon and yet... I interfaced with ‘Uussleer’ and activated a ‘Virtual Bridge Interface’ so that I put him in final control. In truth, my faux Captain had been much deeper defamed than I was, to most perceptions I was just a living tool of my Captain’s will and did not feature as a person. Even the long campaigning by me as the ‘Holy Father’ - as a still sadly here unique ‘Free Hull’ - had yet to change most peoples’ ideas that all ’Living Hulls’ were genuinely people not merely living machines with occasional delusions of grandeur.]

[I now believed that far too many ‘Pilgrims’ perceived the ‘Many Truths’ as a special case - an aberration - whilst I wanted them to see me as representative of the greater potential of every ‘Living Hull’ with a mind of her own.]

[In truth, only my own troubled self-knowledge made me outwardly culpable as a perpetrator in this instance rather than a mere material asset although I was obviously damned via association with my supposed Captain. Still, it seemed unfair that ‘Uussleer’ be singled out as I brought us here - ‘Leeruussii’ in fact my tool - a mere part of my disguise. Sadly, there is no arguing with some peoples easy prejudices even though that was almost now the core of what I was all about.]

“Perhaps it is only fitting that you get the honour.” [I said.]

“This is generous and new.” [He remarked.]

[That was true, as previously I had kept him mostly as my Captain in name only - rarely giving him genuine operational privileges. I had not previously wanted him to develop equal delusions of grandeur plus such an interface, except when created only for show, had seemed almost sacred to me only ever truly belonging to Harbinger in the days before my emancipation.]

[Today was however a new day - a different day - a day in which I felt ‘Uussleer’ / ‘Leeruussii’ deserved the boon of this small executive act. Maybe being able to grant this boon also demonstrated that I had grown a little in stature in adversity and had more faith in my own freedom as an individual enough faith to allow the psychological compromising of my autonomy even if only in a small way. It made me feel mature not just a bit shaky. Of course, it also took what had become a mentally problematic action out of my direct control handing off the burden of our exodus our return to a wider Universe of broader interactions to ‘Leeruussii’.]

“You have proved a good friend to me above and beyond the call of any possible sense of duty.” [I said.] “I could hardly have found a better travelling companion.” [I added.] “You know I never meant to make your life so difficult or to be responsible for such a long period of separation from your family.” [I told ‘Leeruussii’.]

“I know that. What happened to us here from the very beginning of our association with the ‘Reach Project’ was unforeseen.” [He replied.] “So I just have to press this particular virtual button otherwise we are ready to go?” [He asked.]

“Indeed if we do not go soon we will be getting complaints and possibly a fine.” [I admitted.]

[‘Nineteen’ would no doubt be happy to get this particular Capital ship docking space back to normal traffic duties. He pressed the button that commenced the preset sequence I had programmed in that moved us out the acceptable distance here then leapt us away. The momentary oblivion from real space when inside the wormhole felt like a blessing a big part of me just wanted to disappear to put everything behind me including every past choice and every consequence. I almost felt as if I wanted to die in there.]

“You are still with us.” [I said to ‘Creed’.]

[The Admiral was still animating via remote some ‘Suit Substance’ that I had granted him although his ‘Reality Bites’ and he was physically also temporarily resident back at ‘Nineteen’.]

“You wish to be alone now?” [He asked.]

“We can talk further about all of this later if we must.” [I replied perhaps a bit brusquely.]

“Thank you, I am not ungrateful for your interventions back there.” [‘Leeruussii’ told ‘Creed’ far more diplomatically.]

[His words easily shaming me especially as they came from a ‘Stellar Swimmer’ a species not especially renowned for their graciousness although the ‘Stellar Swimmer’ residents of ‘Port Messenger’ were arguably somewhat exceptional and perhaps a little more ‘Swimmer Dweller’ in their sensitivity - on a good day - not that they would all appreciate this comparison. I often thought that the ‘Stellar Autonomous National Executive’ did a good job of moderating some of their worst cultural excesses without diminishing their unique nature too much - always a delicate balance.]

“I trust you do not think I am ungrateful either.” [I added belatedly to cover my slight to my ‘Ascended’ friend.]

[‘Creed’ shimmered out a polite yellow chuckle.] “I acknowledge that for you two it has been a painful experience and perhaps you both also in part blame me for any inequality within the final outcome.” [He replied.]

[My faux Captain diplomatically said nothing to that possibly eager not to self-incriminate. I however felt I needed to make some vocal reply.]

“Perhaps unfairly I do hold you in part responsible.” [I admitted.] “I say unfairly because I know I involved you in this one it was not the other way around.” [I added.]

“You involved me and you lied to me.” [He reminded.]

[Was that why he had arguably in part represented us so poorly?]

“It was a question of operational security.” [I claimed.]

“A fine excuse for poor behaviour.” [He replied.]

[I answered that with a generous ‘Shroud Suit’ shrug not in the mood to mollify him any further with what he would no doubt deem as more excuses. Still my stance no doubt showed that I remained less than happy with him.]

[‘Creed’ shrugged back in turn.] “You know me ‘MT’.” [He retorted.] “I can only be the person that I am.” [He added.]

[That was true enough ‘Creed’ was ‘Creed’ and belatedly I had to admit internally that really I could only blame myself for his direct involvement what had I been thinking…]

“You two are damaging the mood.” [‘Uussleer’ interjected.] “Remember - glad it is all over - and all that…”

“I hope you two will at least try to keep out of trouble for a while.” [‘Creed’ added.] “I rarely make exceptions when it comes to lawbreakers even if they are friends and people holding my sympathy. I have a reputation to maintain.”

“We all have reputations to maintain.” [I replied sourly.]

“Yes we do and we are not conspiring rebels working against a corrupt ‘Parliament’ anymore today we must honour the principles of international law that we would prefer others to equally promote and enforce or we are simply dishonourable hypocrites with a false belief that we are exceptional and irrationally above the ethical moral and legal restraint we otherwise advocate. Remember because we can do a thing does not mean we should or must do it. Self-restraint is the only worthy restraint.” [He argued.]

“I know.” [I confessed my Avatar slumping down under the weight of his continued disapproval even though a part of me would have preferred to keep shrugging it off.]

“You are a big person ‘MT’ - a relative giant - and I do not mean physically despite your obviously impressive mass at ‘Port Discovery’ and so on. As a giant - you of all people - must be careful of your steps lest hoards of lesser souls suffer damage beneath you. You really must be more mindful. Playing with other personas - playing a role to escape the tedium of some of your duties - does not free you of personal responsibility for your actions. Bending the rule of law is one thing - at times we all do that - breaking it all over the place something else altogether.” [He reminded.]

[I bowed my ‘Prime Tri-optic’ again in acknowledgement of that fact. He shimmered yellow again to reduce the sting of his harsh words a little and made a point of giving me a firm friendly ‘Paradox Priest Hug’ before taking three measured, the way he did it, almost military style steps backward.]

“I trust we are still friends despite our differences. In truth, none us came out of this one spotlessly clean.” [He acknowledged.] “Believe me, I feel sullied by assisting the well named ‘Hubris Patrons’ with that fiasco of a trial. Perhaps justifiably in time I too will pay for the easy sins of my expediency that is if I am not paying already.”

“How so?” [I asked.]

“For a start I perceive that I have suffered a lessening of your private regard.” [He stated.] “I have few people in my life that I can call - real - friends it might surprise you to know that I consider you one of them.”

“That would not surprise me too much we have had a long association and seen the best and worst of each other such things are often the underpinnings of friendship.” [I suggested.]

“It seems we all do what we feel we must.” [‘Uussleer’ interjected.] “I do not - believe - to put things in your Priestly vernacular that any of us have failed or refused to carry the burdens of our individual responsibilities on this occasion. Some mistakes may have been made but they were honest mistakes with not unkind original motivations.” [He argued.] “In addition, this end has not been too atrocious at least for our society as a whole.”

“That is what I was hoping out of the trial, for one less rogue state stirring the overfull pot.” [‘Creed’ admitted.]

“You believe they have great potential to be something better, something constructive rather than just grasping materialists and cleverly manipulative criminals.” [I mused.]

“The future needs variety and an alternative to this.” [He said extruding a shape-shifty bio-mechanical limb.]

[Obviously, his body still offended him and he felt a need to ensure that ‘Real Material’ technology did not disappear entirely eclipsed by and converted into ‘Suit Substance’. Perhaps he was right to believe that variety was essential and maybe in an odd way by demonising ‘Suit Substance’ to some degree the ‘Entanglement’ and now the ‘Hubris Patrons’ had done our society a long term favour even if they both went too far.]

“For some it seems there is no regressing back to so-called ‘Real Material’ biology so we must learn new ways to live with each other with mutual respect.” [I reminded.]

“I am only too aware of that fact.” [He stated.] “I would however suggest firmly once again that you cling to the last of your standard biology. I know ‘Suit Substance’ can do almost miraculous things as Avatars such as your ‘Venturesome’ here constantly prove but…” [He trailed off.] “To be honest I do not have the words and I grow tired of preaching my sorrowful truths.” [He added.]

“You do not need better words to make me think thrice your obvious distress speaks louder than any speech or sermon that you might make against casual ‘Suit Substance Ascension’.” [I admitted.] “You think you are dead and damned but I do not believe that to be true. Trust me, salvation is not denied to you and you are very much alive to me. At the last there will be many vectors to redemption somewhere some when in the future they will all come together - I would suggest that you retain a little faith in that beautiful truth - you also have a soul.” [I insisted.]

“I wish I could believe that fiction.” [‘Creed’ replied.] “Be true.” [He added before disconnecting his link, the Avatar he was running within my ‘SCCCM’ becoming a mere object again. I shrugged for a moment struck by the too familiar oddness of such things, things that we usually now took arguably far too readily for granted. Perhaps my perception felt a little altered today because I felt almost cast out of my society as the defamed ‘Venturesome’.]



“Nothing ever seems to go exactly the way I at first imagine or hope it might especially in relation to my successes they all arrive with troubling unforeseen and unwanted baggage.” [I commented aloud but mostly to myself.]

[I took control of the now spare ‘Suit Substance’ device marching it into secure storage. I had been a little angry at ‘Creed’ in fact maybe more than a little angry, now I only felt confused sympathy with his self-inflicted plight.]

[Some people it appeared were simply not mentally ready for ‘Suit Substance Ascension’. The greater use of the facility of ‘Ascension’ despite strict controls following the fall of the ‘Core Alliance’ and later the loss of the supporting ‘Tier System’ even if that structure was now deemed a false blessing to a sort of purgatory had possibly created many more - unstable unguided - ‘Ascendants’. Freedom is oft wed to anarchy especially directly after a social revolution.]

[Demigods amongst us another worry especially as the ‘Free Parliament’ had once specifically created and used the facility of ‘Ascension’ to make a cadre of highly survivable and efficient ‘Black Operation Agents’. People akin to ‘Creed’ once ran a multitude of operations akin to the ‘Reach Project’ for the ‘Parliament’ many probably now thoroughly off any moderating leash since the ‘Wars of Liberation’ had reduced the authority and reach of the ‘Free Parliament’. So far, we had been lucky in not clashing too directly with any of these ascended people - as far as I was aware. Nonetheless, the prospect of those ‘BOA’ still out there doing their own thing truly bothered me whenever I had cause to consider their existence. What were they all doing now? Did they know each other and have any sense of community? Did they feel any loving attachment to us lesser ‘Pilgrims’ or just look down upon us? I prayed that the ‘New Helpers’ watch over them finding a cause for faith there in ‘Highest Tier’ Powers]

[How many disaffected ‘Suit Substance Ascendants’ remained actively meddling in lesser ‘Pilgrim’ affairs I wondered. Horrifyingly the shifty nature of these people made them hard to identify when they chose to be elusive and worryingly the majority had decided to stay hidden rather than coming forward to work with the ‘Free Port Nations’ openly. I did not blame them for their shyness as ‘Creed’ said paraphrasing various comments on various occasions, ‘the populace at large have a love hate relationship with ‘Ascendants’. Some love the idea of possessing the sort of power we wield but almost all hate the idea of others outside their control already retaining truly ‘Entanglement’ style abilities,’ and that was arguably just amongst the - more positive to ‘Ascension’ - ‘Suit Substance User’ faction.]

[The ‘Suit Substance User’ faction could you call people who simply used ‘Suit Substance’ a faction without being a bit disingenuous and simplistic not to mention prejudicial. In some ways the ‘Hubris Patrons’ old propaganda machine had done some serious damage to our ‘Pilgrim’ unity, almost it seemed to me some irreparable hurts. They had better named and defined a split in our minds between the ‘Users’ and the ‘Real Materialists’ a perception of a rent in our society that would be hard to mend even if they now purposely lessened their own stirring output of disruptive propaganda.]

[Problematically the broad concept of ‘Users’ and ‘Real Materialists’ was out there now in peoples individual minds and now had a life of its own. The ‘Patrons’ selfish choice of actions motivated I believed simply to increase and secure their individual power and ‘Real Material’ wealth split us ‘Pilgrims’ too neatly into two broad antagonistic groups, perhaps as the ‘Divers’ say - for all time. This one had not I realised actually gone away at all, at best this social evil had just returned to simmering away beneath the surface waiting to boil over once again to form some new crisis.]



[A moment later I had to resist glowing brighter yellow - despite my many worries - as I registered ‘Leeruussii’ playing with the still active ‘Virtual Interface’ calling up external views and even sending a few commands to some ‘Scout Drones’ that I had automatically launched to expand my sensor data including backward over my own outer ‘Hull’. Thus great concerns are put aside because of tiny irrelevances something arguably that all sentient beings do - a survival instinct - a way of staying sane. I was mollified to notice that he was monitoring the Remotes exposure time carefully. Small Drones shields despite many advancements could still not survive long term exposure this close to a star so any mission they undertook in these conditions had an exposure reactive countdown recall timer firmly attached although it could be overridden and their substance sacrificed as most were now operated by sentient minds or ‘Sub Cores’ housed safely elsewhere.]

[By this point in time, we had been at the first of our jump locations for long enough for me to have a good scan around and to relocate via my real space engines a little distance away from our initial jump arrival point. I had arrived purposely far from any registered port within a deeply ‘Star Struck’ position. It amazed me, thinking about it, how almost routine leaping into the furnace was becoming for me despite the constant risks of for example an unexpected and problematic solar flare.]

[Today most ‘Source Ship Primary Assets’ could surf a little harsh solar weather at standard ‘Star Struck’ depths but smaller Drones and some other bigger extrusions could easily suffer being wiped out or at best sustain serious damage if caught by some serious unforeseen ejections from any angry star. Worse for us ‘Pilgrims’ a rumour had circulated - unsubstantiated - but with plenty of increasing force behind it nonetheless that the ‘Star-Divers’ had secret weapons designed to harness solar emissions in short that they knew how to manufacture and control devastatingly powerful solar phenomena including artificially generated flares the cause of supposedly accidentally lost ‘Pilgrim’ vessels.]

[I continued scanning around seeking internally and externally in this instance primarily for discrepancies that might indicate the presence of spies before offering for my faux Captain to button press us onward to the next coordinate. I had to be as sure as possible that we were alone and unobserved before I considered launching a Ship’s Boat to send ‘Leeruussii’ home. I wondered would he really join me again even much later as my faux Captain.]

[My colleagues professed intent was one thing intruding reality something else altogether once he returned to ‘Port Messenger’ and the attachment of his family. In addition, I wondered if he did rejoin me later, how much damage that might do to his relationship with his partner I did not want to be responsible for a split there. Seven months of absence, was a long time to be away from a loving family unit even though I had given in and let him communicate occasionally with his beloved despite the security dangers that even this limited contact caused for our deep cover.]

[Due to the ‘Venturesome’ now sharing her faux Captain’s bad reputation it was even more critical that my true identity as a ‘Ghost Ship’ of the ‘Many Truths’ stay out of the public domain. I could only hope that ‘Creed’, ‘Cad’ and ‘IF’ remained sympathetic to me and maintained their own data security with due diligence. Mayhap I should seek to ensure that they did by courting them or gaining some dirt of my own as counter ammunition, after all we all have secrets we wish to keep. Thinking this way made me feel sad after all; ‘Creed’ and ‘Cad’ were old friends. I wondered what had happened to my faith and trust in others or was I just being politically realistic and acknowledging that we were all political animals now with differences that could be problematic without some sensible contingencies in place.]

[Triple curse ‘Overbite’ and the ‘Hubris Patrons’ if they had not been so extreme in their methods I would not have become so thoroughly compromised. Then I reconsidered a little as I had been the one who decided to play espionage games and if I had not run foul of these villains then in time it would probably have been somebody else. If I could help it, I planned to stay out of such depraved depths for a while but a betraying part of me wondered how much control I had over my future. What would the life of the ‘Venturesome’ be like as a known offender? It was possible now that I would easily attract all the wrong sort of attention.]

[Where would I go next in my disgrace after I had said goodbye to ‘Leeruussii’? Who out of all of our old clients might look beyond our crimes to give us an opportunity to redeem ourselves would anyone ever fully trust us again? We had not played everyone false - far from it - but would that matter now?]




[Whilst the part of the ‘Many Truths’ that is the ‘Venturesome’ was musing on an uncertain future ‘Venture’ who was a sub-projection of the ‘Venturesome’ was musing upon a past specific to his localised experiences as an ‘Immortal Marine’. Technically the ‘Solar-War’ was over if brought to an unresolved close by the intervention of the ‘Deep Clerics’ who had voided the ‘Isolationist Factions’ victory on the Planets. The War was over for now but probably the fighting had only just begun.]

“I thought I might find you here.” [‘Driven’ whispered.]

“I find this place calls to me.” [I admitted sombrely in turn.]

[We were at a monument erected to the memory of the masses of ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ who had perished failing to halt the ‘Isolationists’ conquest of our segment. As I had feared, we had arrived too late to the second front, as had the cessation of hostilities. The ‘Divers’ were odd people the monument surrounded by their equivalent of dress service medals tokens of esteem left by ‘Isolationist’ soldiers who had taken part in the slaughter. Even now as I held a vigil, off to one side, occasional ‘Imps’ appeared to add to the pile of trinkets around the rare artificial object here. Thus, we ‘Pilgrims’ left one lasting mark upon this place if only in the form of this obelisk with to the ‘Divers’ perception strange alien inscriptions upon it. The incised phrase, ‘rejoining the ‘Shaper’,’ always stood out to me making me wonder what ‘Draakhaal’ would have made of that.]

“Perhaps this is a hopeful sign.” [‘Driven’ said quietly to me.]

[Perhaps it was but I did not miss how the ‘Star-Divers’ whilst honouring the deaths of the ‘Skimmers’ looked at us two ‘Immortals’ standing nearby with too obvious distain as if we were an affront and unworthy to be here at this place that honoured real sacrifice by real people. Must we die to matter? Must we perish to be credible? Would it not be better to honour the living?]

[I made a strategic withdrawal from the scene ‘Driven’ following close behind me to my irritation.]

“This is a mistake.” [I told him.] “You know you risk your good reputation and future career prospects by staying in any manner friendly with me. You should not have come here what if you were seen or followed?” [I asked.]

“What if I am?” [He replied defiantly.] “I know you are no traitorous saboteur.” [He said the latter especially loudly as if for the record.]

“No you do not you just believe that I am not which is not the same thing - you can demonstrate no saving proofs for your convictions.” [I replied.]

“I do not care I do not like what I have seen here.” [He said with youth’s too easy intransigence.]



[My social ostracising due to my Captain’s reported activities within the ‘Reach Project’ had not impressed the last young ‘Immortal’ that I had chosen to mentor although only he and a few rare others such as the ‘Omerta Immortal’ ‘Windy’ had been generous enough to give me some benefit of any doubt about my nature and ultimate purpose here following wider damning revelations. Moves were ongoing that would ensure that I was dishonourably discharged. In my probable punishment - most deemed me fortunate - as some people would have preferred to treat me as a hostile spy / saboteur working for the ‘Hubris Patrons’ to undermine our ‘Solar-War’ effort in some as yet undefined way.]

[With my every action in the conflict put under heavy revue, only the duration of the trial back at the ‘Hubris Expansion’ had kept me here this long as my superiors feasted upon every new revelation looking for more ammunition against me. It was only recently that I had been able to escape debriefs that felt more akin to endless interrogations. Under such scrutiny, my accusers had found many excuses for the termination of my services not least my early abandonment of my position upon the crest directly counter to my ‘Diver Sender’ orders. The questions often posed involved whether my actions were premeditated - acts taken under direct orders from say my Captain - which I sternly denied. So much for our wide immunity from prosecution. Cleverly they were treating the ‘Venture’ almost as a different person to the ‘Venturesome’ if one thoroughly attached.]

[Worse, those who had followed me in my act of sensible desertion were all likely to suffer the same dishonourable discharge fate. Unfortunately, for them our superiors could not castigate me to the level they wished without equally castigating them. ‘Driven’ had been lucky to be nowhere near me and to lose his ‘Remote Substance’ in the attack in an honourable fashion. He had originally been recalled here as a witness to our past interactions the ‘Divers’ insisting upon having access to every possible witness as they tried to determine if my Captain and I as the ‘Venturesome’ were culpable enough of a crime against them to legalistically permit a permanent banishing from their domains.]

[Fortunately it was believed that the case against me was not strong enough to get ‘Deep Cleric’ support for a banishment order. Although a part of me feared that some cunning ‘Diver’ authorities wanted me to stay around as a reminder of ‘Pilgrim’ dishonesty - a counterpoint to ‘Isolationist’ disgrace - for their shameful ‘Star Bridge’ scheme.]

[I was positive ‘UT’ perhaps with others had initiated his ploy to blackmail the ‘Deep Clerics’ as nothing else better explained some of their recent policy changes half as well. However, it was too obvious to me that whilst forced into open compliance the ‘Clerics’ had found many ways to act passively aggressive by for example being so brutal in their compliance that they guaranteed to maximise their populaces resentment at our every future intrusion. We were now far too free from all the worst old licensing regulations all repealed allowing us relatively speaking almost free unlimited rights of access into their once perfectly isolated domains.]

[As the ‘Venturesome’, I was glad to maintain my deep access but aware that I was probably granted this boon for all the wrong reasons. I remained convinced that some ‘Deep Clerics’ firmly hoped that my presence might stir up some trouble between and for my fellow ‘Pilgrims’ here.]



“What do you plan to do now?” [I asked.]

“I plan to split to be my own master.” [He said to me too lightly.]

“Are you serious for a Paradox Acolyte that is a big step arguably the biggest step possible?” [I replied.]

“The others’ choices inspired me.” [He admitted.]

[Some ‘Immortals’ about to be dishonourably discharged for desertion had been threatening to split from the ‘MTC’ as all they knew how to be within the ‘Many Truths Corporation’ was active service Marines. Free of the ‘MTC’ they could opt to continue in their natural profession but as mercenaries rather than suffer an assignment to non-combatant Acolyte roles as disgraced ex-warriors. I felt seriously conflicted about this plan by them but had to admit that the ‘MTC’ would not miss a few Acolytes who decided to become Priests especially as they would be resentful if they stayed within the family and might even prove disruptive.]

“Unlike them you are still a respected member of your family and can continue to serve your ‘Triumvirate’ with honour within your house security forces. I would imagine it is a hard thing to always belong to a big family then choose to stand completely alone. You have no real experience of what it feels like to exist outside of your familiar support mechanism.” [I warned.] “This one is not a decision you should make in haste.” [I reminded.]

“I have made up my mind. Do you think they deserve the loyalty of my service when they permit such injustices and disloyalty as this? Remember I was on that line. What you and those others did was more tactically sound than what I did. I idiotically wasted my substance striving to hold an indefensible position.” [He replied.]

“You obeyed your orders and stood fast with your peers, that action is not something to regret. You did the right and proper thing.” [I insisted.]

“I obeyed cursed ‘Sender’ directions - that made no sense to me - simply because I did not feel confident enough to follow my own hearts and mind. It made me realise how much of a child I am always meekly doing as I am told by my elders and supposed betters.” [He said.] “If I was not an ‘Immortal’ I would have died there as all those ‘Skimmers’ were destined to die later and for what? What would my family gain from my death?” [He asked.]

“Your family will now have access to the deep resources they need to prosper.” [I reminded.]

“Only because the ‘Isolationists’ cheated their ‘Synod’ in a manner that the ‘Deep Clerics’ found unacceptable and offensive to their oft hard to fathom alien sensitivities. Nothing I did here made any triple cursed difference and the ‘Triumvirate’ are too remote from us in these situations to care about any individual Acolyte’s life that truth now seems obvious to me.” [He stated.]

“Yours is an exceptionally big family your ‘Patriarchs’ no matter how hard they might try to be true to everyone are only three people.” [I reminded.]

“Exactly I will hardly be missed. As an ‘Immortal’ I believed we were strong in our unity but political discharges appeasing the ‘Divers’ makes a lie out of that faith.” [He said.]

“You would be better off blaming me and my Captain for this misfortune I encouraged the mutiny of those ‘Immortals’ and other factors that I am sadly linked to made in revue all my choices suspect to both our ‘MTC’ and ‘Diver’ superiors.” [I reminded.]

“Following the case your Captain was under duress. That ‘Recycler Overbite’ abused her authority over vulnerable Captains and ‘Hulls’ coming in from out of the ‘Dark’ eager to start a new life.” [He said.]

“That is one way to perceive it but you my friend see the trial through the filter of our established friendship others must perceive it differently.” [I reminded.]

“I know you. I may not have known you for long but I know you well as a brother in arms better it seems than I knew the ‘Triumvirate’. Besides, they are not my father my father is the ‘Blessed Tier Nine Harbinger’ and I do not have to be a member of the ‘Many Truths Corporation’ to revere him. I especially thought better of ‘UT’ I thought this was the sort of thing he would take a direct interest in as our ‘War-Master’ but it seems his attention is firmly focused elsewhere or he believes these proceedings justified.” [He complained.]

“You were hoping for a direct intervention by one or more of your ‘MTC Patriarchs’ with this situation.” [I mused aloud.]

“I went as far as sending several messages to ‘UT’ explaining this whole fiasco but I did not even receive the acknowledgement of a reply from him.” [He admitted.]

“In that he was doing you a favour as you have rather gone above and beyond the direct chain of command in what is a closed court martial. In addition, I was wrong as much as I was right maybe with hindsight from an ‘MTC’ perspective far more wrong. What is the loss of some remote ‘Suit Substance’ compared to a breakdown in respect for the chain of command during a battle? I forgot myself; I forgot that I was not in charge of anyone and that I had no right to take charge of anyone. I disobeyed a direct order and so did every ‘Immortal’ who followed me for that facilitation alone I deserve some punishment and feel ashamed and chastened.” [I admitted.]

[He considered my words deeply then violently shook his ‘Prime Tri-optic’.]

“Even saying all of that is true we never should have been placed under incompetent or - corrupt - ‘Sender’ authority in the first place. We are Paradox Acolytes not triple cursed ‘Star-Diver Imp’ auxiliaries.” [He complained.]

“This is my entire fault - if unintentionally - I poisoned you from the beginning with my personal dissatisfactions in relation to how I perceived the ‘Diver Senders’ constantly mismanaged the campaign. In truth, it hardly even matters if I was right and something dodgy was going on, our duty on the ground was clear and that was to follow our orders to the best of our abilities not to question them or directly convene them. Each of us knew what we were getting into when we volunteered for these duties. We knew the conditions of our service I know that because I was painstakingly told. Just as I was told that as a guest here it was imperative not to upset the locals - I rather chose to forget the latter after I had been down here for a while.” [I confessed.]

“I still think this is wrong.” [He said.]

“Now you do sound a child. Are you positive that you are ready to split? You feel ill used today but do you think when others are simply paying you a wage for your services that they will use you better rather than worse than your parental ‘Triumvirate’.” [I asked.]

[He said nothing to that but I could tell he was thinking deeply by his stance.]

“You are still young and have much to learn about how cruel life can be. My advice is return to the cradle of your family see how it goes for a while allow yourself an opportunity to think differently - to think again. Give it at least six months then and only then if you still feel the same way - that you no longer belong - take your leave as a ‘Splitter Priest’ in the knowledge that it is an informed well measured decision. If you do split seek me out if you like perhaps my Captain and I can find some work for you that will make you happier - we are not bad people - only people who made some regrettable mistakes and fell into poisoned waters.” [I added.]

“Just following orders is not always a good thing I assume that is what you did to survive within the ‘Reach Project’ followed orders.” [He replied.]

“We justified our participation in many ways saying if not us then ‘Overbite’ would use someone else to do these ills someone more enthusiastic and less sympathetic to any victim. We endeavoured to operate sharply and cleanly creating as little collateral damage as possible unlike some of our colleagues who enjoyed their work too much. We took some solace from the fact that few of our victims were what you might deem innocent. The ‘Project’ primarily used us against powerful corrupt individuals: influential business people, politicians and so on as well as to gain influence over useful destabilising criminal elements. Mostly we only acted to heat up - to escalate - existing established conflicts taking them to a new level and so on. Nonetheless, I am not denying that what we did was wrong but we were never involved in trying to sabotage the ‘Solar-War’.” [I promised.]

“I know.” [He said.] “You came here because it was good for business relations with the ‘MTC’ and so on you told me that much before.” [He reminded.]

“I could have lied.” [I warned.]

“But you did not.” [He said faithfully.]

“We dealt fairly with most of our regular clients when it came to our more standard shipping business - it was a relief to do that to be normal and law abiding for a while. To ‘Overbite’, we were simply skilled at maintaining our cover but to us it was more than that it was having the shadow of the life we had wanted when we first returned from out of the ‘Dark’. We needed a legitimate home ‘Port’ to be respectable traders we simply picked the wrong one to put it mildly.” [I told him and it was not so far from the whole truth in intent, certainly it was close enough that I did not feel overly fraudulent since I could hardly reveal our real identities and widest purposes to a mere ‘MTC’ Acolyte no matter how much I personally liked him.]

“I will admit this much: the idea that some people might be convinced that I only participated in the action here on the Planets - to make trouble - deeply offends me. I came here only with fair intent and with a desire to walk upon these wondrous miraculously remaining places. It never ceases to amaze me that these places almost impossibly survived the vast deconstruction efforts of the dreaded ‘Machine Fury’.” [I added.]

“Then again in all the unfathomable reaches of this or any Universe one would expect there to be some exceptions to every general rule. Perfection is a rare thing my friend few processes or people if any are perfect few standards are utterly uniform. Arguably imperfection is the most underappreciated blessing of all the boons that surround us in our daily lives and pass unnoticed as part of the misnamed mundane.” [I said.]

“That is quite poetic and spoken like a Paradox Priest.” [He replied.] “I suppose I should not be surprised that the soul of a ship that voyages across the heavens is touched by such eloquence.”

“Will you return to your family before making any rashly irrevocable decisions?” [I asked.]

“I will give that some thought.” [He promised.] “In caring about such things - in caring about me - you prove your worst and loudest detractors thoroughly wrong.”

“Perhaps that is true or perhaps all that I am proving is that we sentient beings are complex and conflicted by nature and that we are all capable of good and ill. Consider those ‘Divers’ and their tributes to the dead ‘Skimmers’ they murdered earlier, life is full of unexpected and seemingly paradoxical choices and actions.” [I replied.]

“When I become a Paradox Priest I suppose it will only ever suit my purposes to agree with that last sentiment.” [He replied.]

“Is that really what you want, to go it alone?” [I asked again.]

“I will admit making all my own decisions and taking responsibility for my every action is daunting. Still I am lucky compared to you.” [He said.]

“In what way precisely?” [I asked.]

“Correct me if am wrong as a ‘Living Hull’ you must obey your Captain even more than I currently am expected to obey my ‘Patriarchs’ every whim. Therefore, you are currently suffering especially unfairly as you have no control over what your Captain decided to do, yet here they are treating you as if you are a normal - free - ‘Sentient Being’ a standard ‘Immortal’ recruit.”

“Running Avatars complicates everything when it comes to how we ‘Living Hulls’ are perceived and I cannot say as a ‘Hull’ that I am sorry about that. I think I would rather be deemed self-determined and guilty than innocent as a totally mindless slave.” [I replied.]

“That is deep and a little disturbing to me because as an Acolyte I think I can appreciate exactly why you would feel that way.” [He replied.]

[Paranoid66]

Thanks Stads

Here at last is the first part of Chapter 4. Sorry for the long delay caused by real world bits and pieces not just my brain losing the plot.

Yes you are probably right a sort of Solar cold war...

P66.

[stads]

yay welcome back like the chapter

will have to wonder when creed come's asking for a boon or some sorts for the greater good of course

[Paranoid66]

Thanks Stads.

Been writing not posting recently so shock here is parts 2-7.

P66

[Paranoid66]

[[FOUR]] [[Part 2]]

[As ‘Venture’ I was mildly surprised to get orders to report to a hovering ‘Star-Diver’ mobile transit facility used to physically ferry non remote troops up to awaiting ships for planetary removal through the ‘Sky Shield’. Normally on Planet ‘Immortals’ just disconnected, allowing our physical substance to be transferred over to another soul else crated or even tanked into huge shared resource depots managed by the ‘Pilgrim’ members of the ‘Engagement Factions’ on Planet.]

[Usually physical outgoing ferry spots were at a premium and typically reserved for arguably more - real - people such as ‘Stellar Draakhaal Warrior Caste’. I supposed here there might be some logistical overcapacity due to the insane massacre of the second front ‘Skimmers’ but really that abundance should have long disappeared by now.]

[Then again, with the ‘Solar War’ supposedly over, when it came to ‘Immortal’ operations, nothing was normal on Planet all involvement winding down despite the controversy of new ‘Pilgrim’ arrivals. Although I was now an outsider people such as ‘Driven’ still passed on small fragments of the latest local news to me.]

[Mostly military activities now involved joint sweeps to triply confirm minimal environmental degradation by past wartime actions. Any discovered discrepancy resulting in the formulation of item specific policy and asset mobilisation to put the situation environmentally right for this some ‘Immortals’ were still allowed even encouraged to participate by the ‘Star-Divers’.]

[The ‘Isolationist Star Bridge’ advances had almost wiped every planet clean of ‘Engagement’ forces. However new units were shipped in after the end of hostilities someone realising it might be a mistake to leave ‘Isolationist’ forces in sole charge of post war surveys and clean up activities never mind in sole charge of any Planet. The aforementioned policy helped us ‘Pilgrims’ maintain a presence on every Planet for the moment. Unfortunately, I knew that many ‘Divers’ resented any ‘Pilgrim’ having planetary access even including rather annoyingly many ‘Divers’ sympathetic to the ‘Engagement Factions’ cause. The Planets remained highly emotive subjects to every ‘Star-Diver’ at least based on those I had any contact with.]

[It was odd in a way that Divers relegated these massive habitat resources entirely for non-sentient wildlife. Although persistent rumours abounded that ancient ruins had been found by some ‘Pilgrims’ on some Planets resulting in some broadcast but officially unverified iconic images. If these were not just rather beautiful if haunting hoax stories and fakes - as many claimed - such remnants seemed proof that all of the Planets had not always been only wildlife preserves thickening the plot. I unfortunately had never encountered any such weather and plant degraded archaeology and the ‘Star-Divers’ refused to discuss anything about unverified reported finds or images of overgrown tumbled down structures. Even ‘Star-Divers’ deemed friendly would not be drawn on this subject. Therefore, the idea of mysterious dead ancient alien cities had become ‘Pilgrim’ ghost stories leading to many wild conspiracy theories and suspicions. Perhaps I am thinking the worst here but it was easy for me to imagine such covered up and denied sites as silent witnesses to past - embarrassing - atrocities possibly even shocking genocides given the lack of any sentient natives?]

[What I did know unequivocally was that the ‘Solar-War’ was to leave little in the way of historic environmental evidence to our most recent conflict. I was sorry to miss participation in less murderous planetary activities, actions I would have thoroughly enjoyed. For ‘Venture’, being a projection of the ‘Venturesome’ was having a heavy toll. I say this because many had fled impossible to hold front lines following ‘Star Bridge’ facilitated ‘Isolationist’ break outs often disobeying direct orders yet very few suffered through a protracted court martial similar to my associates and me as ‘Venture’.]

[I could only assume my assignment here now the product of further discrimination against me to make an even better example of me later. None of this treatment boded well for my immediate future happiness as a specific remote node of sentient interaction. My supposition seemed confirmed when I noticed I was not alone but joining the ranks of those who had stupidly followed me earlier in my now rather too well publicised act of desertion. Here I witnessed more unnecessary transits of - remotely - animated physical substance therefore in this context a staged event, so much for the anonymity of a closed court martial it all seemed increasingly political.]

“Reporting as ordered.” [I stated to the local ranking official at this access point to the, from my point of view on the ground, extremely massive floating facility.]

[The facility floated partly via vast lighter than air gas filled extrusions that towered above it. Uplift Ports - used religiously only for exiting traffic - had been the only things permanently in the skies here treated as non-combatant sanctuaries even during the war. As a ‘Pilgrim Immortal’ I had only recently learned of these stations existence their far to the rear presence not advertised. Naturally, it would be sacrilege to plunk such a bulky artificial mass down upon sacred soil or to shoot it down. I must say their mixed technology solution fascinated, here the ‘Divers’ seemed to enjoy combining primitive and highly advanced technologies. The official I was dealing with was a ‘Diver’ in an ‘Arachnid Battle Suit’ not a fellow ‘Pilgrim’ of any variety, ‘Pilgrims’ did not control such privileged facilities mostly ignoring ‘Divers’ only ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ passed through them.]

[I was positive they were recording my departure possibly even transmitting it live with a suitably unflattering commentary in their whispering voices. I wondered what the means of transit from the Port upward would be. Did the Port house a small ‘Wormhole Gate’ for foot traffic? Otherwise, might they use shuttles or maybe something exotic like high altitude balloons? No the latter would be too whimsical too enjoyable too.]

[The ‘Arachnid’ was fixated upon me.]

“Any later and I would be compelled to dispatch someone to find and bring you in.” [The ‘Star Diver’ informed I felt unnecessarily.]

“I believe I am perfectly on time.” [I replied defiantly still daydreaming about silver high altitude balloons why silver I belatedly wondered, my sanity seeming to slip slightly.]

[I was on time - very purposely so - almost to the second a small - petty - act of defiance whilst maintaining perfect compliance with my specific orders something some ‘Star-Diver’ authorities ought to understand well - I hoped so, I hoped they had wanted me here early to get longer recordings of my exit and it rankled.]

“For outgoing transit it is customary to arrive early thus mitigating any possible sharing of delay due to last moment - individual - complications. If one is delayed all are delayed and schedules are ruined is that what you want?” [The spidery armoured ‘Imp’ asked me.]

“I am on time, if you wanted me to arrive earlier your people should have stipulated that fact and I would have happily complied.” [I insisted.]

[Drifting up slowly into the atmosphere in a silver balloon watching the ground gently change scale everything getting smaller and less defined melding into new forms of reference. A graceful ascent that would give you time to appreciate the wonder of it all.]

[The ‘Imp’ was still looking at me. Did I look internally preoccupied? Silver balloons… Triple curse it I needed to focus the ‘Diver’ seemed to be expecting more from me his silence passive aggressive.]

“Never having travelled by this means I wouldn’t know about what is culturally customary for you ‘Divers’.” [I eventually added.]

[It amused me that the arachnid did a little sharp foot dance a tell that indicated telegraphed annoyance.]

[In fact I was well aware of the expectation to be early something familiar to any passenger at almost any Port - I was feeling a bit belligerent this morning. Earlier I had foolishly checked some news channels and then even more foolishly read some Link messages directed to me - notoriety had its drawbacks. That they had let me wander without guards so much made me think they had been hoping I might prove myself cowardly by absconding with my substance into the wilds to avoid further public embarrassment as they heaped the embarrassment on. A hunt into the jungle in search of a rogue ‘RCT’ would make a great story.]

[In the end I just went for a final walk under the amazing weather contained by the ‘Sky Shield’ as a means to calm down, it had been raining gently on this less tropical part of the super-continent each droplet, I realised now, a little perfect miracle given the Planets fire shrouded overall position. Could stress be affecting my mental equilibrium?]

[Once I had orders to leave, I felt in no rush to depart this incredible place. I had good reasons to fear that some people and some factions might attempt to keep me from ever returning to the surface of any sacred Planet - for all time. Alternatively, if they did not ban me they would seek to twist any visit I made on sacred soil against me as ammunition for political anti-‘Pilgrim’ rhetoric. They would happily brand us ‘Pilgrims’ in general as unworthy fractious interlopers with hidden remits not to be trusted. I found I was thinking about our past attitudes towards ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ again, someone was always a fractious unwanted interloper maybe it was just our turn. Nonetheless, I did not want to be responsible for proving any further accusations true even if at the same time it was difficult not to get a few hits in against my too easy accusers.]

“Your colleagues all managed to conform to standard expectations.” [The ‘Diver’ officer replied refusing to let the small matter of my too timely arrival go.]

“Perhaps they are more eager to leave this place and your hospitality - for all time - than I am. Being here has been a pleasure for me.” [I stated making a point of widening my substances seeming bi-optics into a generous grin before it narrowed into a frown.] “Departures are oft sad things.” [I added in part hoping to confuse any record.]

[Although what I had said was from certain contexts true enough, happily the comment seemed to puzzle the creatures expectations.]

[It had been a pleasure to experience the Planet and even if the hospitality of the ‘Divers’ was not warming to ‘RCT’ - as ‘Venture’ I would rather stay here now surrounded by all this plant, animal and insect life than go back out there. The ‘Divers’ had rarely ever really appreciated our input therefore disappointing them was not something I felt too badly about whilst squaring up to the disappointment of my own kind felt far more problematic and far more cringe worthy.]

[Some messages I had received came from disappointed ‘Living Hulls’ who feared my potential notoriety as a supposed - if unproven - ‘Hubris Patron’ spy had jeopardized future ‘Living Hull’ access to the Planets especially via Avatars. As an Avatar of the ‘Venturesome’, I was becoming about as popular as a vessel infested with ‘Entangled Plague Spreaders’. Too many people believed that because Captain ‘Uussleer’ and the ‘Venturesome’ were party to a dirty tricks brigade the ‘Venture’ had to be too.]

[As I joined the sombre group most, I felt, - very involuntarily - waiting for me, several of my old friends refused to even look at me, I was sure that much would be made of the too obvious slight. Yes, they had wanted to prolong this uncomfortable reunion to broadcast our ‘Pilgrim’ differences.]

[Perhaps I deserved little better treatment from these soon to be ex-‘Immortals’ but I still felt betrayed by my colleagues whilst under the scrutiny of a mutual foe. Then I felt guilty about branding all ‘Divers’ the same, if I kept thinking of them as the enemy how would we ever become better friends? Had I not learned any lessons with the ‘Skimmers’? I should know better, only - positive - engagement might alter old enmities.]

[Thankfully, ‘Windy’ refused to partake in my shunning embracing me with a generous hug as if a Paradox Priest or Acolyte perhaps to shame his peers poor welcome. I believed it was shameful that an ‘Omerta’ showed better manners than these children of Harbinger maybe our ‘MTC’ Acolyte training programme needed adjusting. Had I failed my Captain and the family? Despite all the things I had achieved in my life I too often felt a failure possibly because I was still unique as a ‘Free Hull’ ignoring ‘Higher and Highest Tier’ entities that refused to show themselves and be counted.]

“Each of us made our own choices.” [My ‘Omerta’ friend stated loudly.]

“Do you know where they are sending us now?” [I asked.]

“‘Port Interface’.” [‘Windy’ replied with typical brevity.]

[Due to my wider knowledge as a part of a greater whole, the fact of my ultimate destination hit me hard with a more frigid slap than even the majority of my colleagues giving me such a cold welcome.]



[A little later ‘Kanne’ and the ‘Holy Father of the Universal Council of Equals’, in a rare state visit, also arrived, (very much on schedule), at the ‘PDMC Headquarters’ of ‘Port Interface’.]

[We docked via a specifically formed showpiece ‘Holy Barge’ extruded to scream out dignity and decorum rather than wealth and power. Recently most public appearances by the ‘Holy Father’ prove ceremonial - as in partially staged - and this one was no different. In fact, given the contention of some of the issues here I felt it might be wise to remain as much in control of my image as possible then I remembered ‘Kanne’ had insisted upon accompanying me and I partly gave up on that idea.]

[Some relationships whilst rewarding could also complicate everything although I would not be without ‘Kanne’ as a counterpoint to some peoples too restrictive expectations. Besides, she remained dear to me and probably always would be even if we ever parted. She had stretched me breaching barriers of physical separation I had hitherto not even fully appreciated existed around and inside me. ‘Kanne’ constantly taught me that I was alive even when I was to some others just a remote forcing me to reconsider not just what it is to be a sentient being but also an Avatar.]

[These days ‘Pilgrims’ were encouraged to seek me out rather than the other way around but every rule has its sometimes beautiful exceptions. With ‘Port Discovery’ designed and created almost as a pilgrimage site this was a most rare outing for me in my role as the ‘Holy Father’ and for her as my official Consort. Due to the special nature of the journey she had refused to be left behind and generally what ‘Kanne’ wanted she took.]

[The irrepressible ‘Kanne’ treated our venture as a holiday abroad filling our storage spaces in the barge with hanging glamorous ‘Real Material’ frocks and so on. I felt less joyful, more distracted and ill at ease although I was seeking to play these emotions down maintaining a shrouded front even to her - in fact, in some ways especially to ‘Kanne’.]

[In a, I felt, very un-accidental confluence of media events one of my other currently persistent Avatars the ‘Venture’ was also here, both of us to partake in very different ceremonies under the public spotlight.]

[There was a time back in the old ‘Core Alliance’ when triple cursed intrusive journalists and reporters had become defunct as a profession because public access to optics and data was so pandemic that via links even the most humble citizen could gather his own news with some simple search filters. Someone somewhere recorded almost everything back then and open access was far more standard than today.]

[Later under the ‘Free Parliament’ the ‘FP’ had sought to control and shape every bit and byte of available data censoring for the common good. That we ‘Pilgrim’ survivors of the fall were initially on a constant alert and war footing against further ‘Entanglement’ encroachment including espionage at first seemed to excuse every extreme measure of internal security. Only much later did many of us realise that only those who isolated themselves in the ‘Dark’ had managed to remain free of all ‘Entangled’ observation she had spies everywhere.]

[When the ‘Parliament’ began to rightly lose control of their often abused privileges, we arguably also equally liberated information. However, gross too obvious political spin by individual protagonists during the ‘Wars of Liberation’ had made sceptics out of every discerning ‘Pilgrim’. With individual states and factions no less keen to hide or manipulate the facts than the ‘Parliament’, in many instances the right of public data access became ever more partitioned and controlled each state guarding its secrets as hoarded treasures.]

[Due to these secretive trends - real fact - verified news became a valued precious commodity by anyone wishing to stay more truly informed. Once again, finding and broadcasting the truth became a business opportunity therefore a new cadre of aggressive risk-taking and to some glamorous investigative war then civil journalists emerged and competitive pay-to-view news channels began to blossom too. I knew ‘Port Interface’ would be crawling with media hacks looking for a story and this deeply bothered me since some of these people were experts at exposing the most damning and embarrassing truths about high profile public figures.]

[Although everyone knew that the ‘Holy Father’ was here for the delayed official inauguration of the Port facility home base of the still controversial ‘Pilgrim Deep Mining Consortium’, partaking in this media event meant that my wider character and activities would once again be scrutinised for scandal. That ‘Venture’ was here for his equally official and no less public dishonourable discharge ceremony whilst two seemingly unconnected events the ‘Venture’ was too closely linked personally to me for any comfort.]

[Although possibly a bit Paradox Priest paranoid, I blamed ‘Creed’ for this unfortunate convergence. Whilst he was keeping my secret, he probably wanted to keep reminding me of my errors happy despite our friendship - or he might even believe because of it - to see this worm squirm a little on his barbed hook since he believed in harsh lessons. It did not help my paranoia that technically the venue for the last act of ‘Venture’ as a volunteer ‘Immortal’ was supposedly an internal ‘MTC’ military decision. I had considered directly interfering in this matter as an ‘MTC Patriarch’ but it felt all too close to home therefore so far I restrained any impulse to meddle.]



[I suppose I must explain about the ‘PDMC’ this creation was a matter - I knew - ‘Creed’ was involved in and I suspected the ‘Interdiction Fleet’ of participating in pushing this one too as a proposed answer to some of the many difficulties posed by the deregulation of massive swathes of ‘Solar Territory’ now chaotically available for ‘Pilgrim Deep Mining’ exploitation. The ‘Interdiction Fleet’ no longer seemed interested in operating openly perhaps because it had once been defamed and supposedly dissolved arguably unjustly. Instead of returning to the fore they had decided to continue their work as behind the scenes covert operators as had ‘Hierophant Cad’ and in a way ‘Creed’ too.]

[Foolishly I had bought into ‘Creeds’ whole story about not being interested in politics anymore and his - I am now just bounty hunting act. Currently I suspected his professed separation from it all to be a clever ruse possibly including his falling out with ‘Cad’. I had forgotten that in politics it is wise never to believe a word until it is verified thrice by independent sources and even then to maintain a healthy scepticism. Maybe even ‘Reeskoo’ lied to me and they were all still working together closely as part of a socially manipulating cabal. The idea that they all might not fully trust me was especially annoying. Was my exclusion just because I was a ‘Living Hull’ not one of their precious ‘Passenger Classes’? I knew ‘Creed’ believed my ‘Holy Father’ persona was dangerous I suppose that could be a big factor for him at least. Still sometimes it was all too much.]

[Anyway the ‘PDMC’ was controversial in part, because it was going ahead with its self-defined remit despite having failed to gain universal or even some journalists argued majority ‘Pilgrim’ cross-border support.]

[‘Deregulated Deep Mining’ hastily proved as anarchic and hazardous as some pundits had predicted with mining disputes - claim jumping - and so on rapidly leading to a heavy increase in incidents of ‘Pilgrim’ infighting as sabotage, theft and even murder proliferated. Perhaps some Captains had been chained up for too long by the ‘Entanglement’ of all natural resources and so had gone a bit wild upon seeming release in deregulated areas.]

[It did not help that despite the seeming vastness of the areas opened up to ‘Pilgrim’ intrusion in truth good - safe - Deep Solar Regions ripe for usage were soon found to be in surprisingly short supply. The reasons for this wide discrepancy being for us ‘Pilgrims’ - unpredictable - in fact in ‘Pilgrim’ mathematical simulation often triple cursed inexplicable ‘Deep Solar Weather’.]

[Only the cunning ‘Star-Diver’ natives seemed to possess reasonably accurate ‘Deep Solar Weather Mapping’ capabilities. Due to dangerous local weather conditions many areas of any stars’ reachable depths even with improved ‘Star-Diver’ upgrades are best avoided even at the best of times and only the most recently updated ‘Diver Weather Maps’ quickly proved adequate to revealing reliably safe to traverse and exploit environs. Apparently every one of the deeper habitats was mobile and moved as weather necessitated. Arguably, the deregulation was in a way a political sham as it became ever increasingly apparent that only a fool attempted to ‘Deep Mine’ without the additional support of ‘Diver Mapping’ an issue hitherto unappreciated.]

[A limited supply of ‘Diver’ mapping services was game altering. It did not aid relations between ‘Pilgrim Deep Miners’ when maps of individually plotted safe zones often proved to be sold to several competing ‘Pilgrim’ mining factions and / or individuals at the same time. As you might imagine this focusing of competition often resulted in fierce head on collisions that quickly fomented many unfortunate armed altercations and bad blood between antagonists that spawned business feuds and so on. Worse for us ‘Pilgrims’ fighting down there is often mutually catastrophic as any major system failures in the depths under such extremes of heat and pressure tended to be very bad news indeed. To me all of this meant that the game result was currently ‘Star-Divers’ 1 ‘Pilgrims’ 0.]



[With attempts to lay claim to any suitable mining sites wedded to time slots not just place in short to a limited window of predicted reasonably safe opportunity, unsurprisingly these operating conditions caused heavy early material losses rather than material gains for the initial majority of the more rash and inexperienced ‘Deep Miners’. Many who jumped too quickly into the depths following the deregulation either paid for their impatience with their life or if they were in any way smart simply with the loss of some expensive remote ‘Real Material’ assets or equally dear remote ‘Suit Substance’ devices. Direct ‘Pilgrim’ attempts at ‘Deep Solar Prospecting’ as in directly searching for safe zones - it must be added here - proved even more dangerous for any material involved in these explorations.]



[From the onset the ‘Star-Divers’ covered themselves well by warning that ‘Deep Solar Mining’ is a perilous business even for experienced ‘Star-Divers’ mostly due to lethal ‘Deep Solar Weather’ and that any neophyte ‘Pilgrim’ taking to this enterprise should do so with the most extreme of care and caution.]

[Meanwhile attempts by even august ‘Hierophant Professor’ think tanks and similar institutions to understand predict and map the deepest of ‘Deep Solar Weather’ although still ongoing have so far been lamentably unsuccessful. This lack of solid reliable progress by ‘Pilgrims’ at mapping what seem increasingly - bizarrely - unpredictable weather pattern phenomena in part helping to spread the persistent rumours that the ‘Deep Clerics’ or some other as yet unknown - possibly even more sinister - ‘Star-Diver’ faction have access to unique tools that not only accurately predict ‘Deep Solar Weather’ but that secretly manipulate and control such lethal phenomena in a protectionist way to guarantee the continued ‘Star-Diver’ hegemony over the stars inner regions.]

[Meanwhile ‘Divers’ questioned argued persistently that these rumours are at best false superstitious beliefs exacerbated by unprepared voyages into, for ‘Pilgrim-kind’, very scary and alien places. Nonetheless a surprisingly large number of ‘Pilgrim Deep Miners’ insist that some power down there facilitated their past misfortunes claiming to have been - attacked - by the weather in an unnatural way that suggested calculated malice.]

[Certainly there have been some recordings of strangely freakish storm events but the ‘Divers’ constantly emphatically deny the existence of weather manipulating mechanisms and no proofs have emerged. Nonetheless, stories grow with every retelling. Gather any group of ‘Pilgrim Deep Miners’ and you will soon hear tales of ‘Devil Storms’ that arrive out of nowhere and so on. Even the less excitable and more sober amongst ‘Pilgrim Miners’ admit that ‘Diver Solar Mapping’ is at best only around eighty percent reliable and it pays to be ever vigilant and if you are sensible to pull out of any deep sounding at the first hint of trouble. At interviews that I arranged I heard more than once that - greed kills.]

[Sadly no map is currently sold to a ‘Pilgrim’ with a guarantee as the ‘Divers’ claim their science with this one is - an imperfect art - one applied by highly specialised ‘Solar Cartographers’ who work within ‘Deep Solar Weather Watcher Temples’ as almost a unique religious caste doing nothing but studying and predicting ‘Solar Weather’. The ‘Divers’ claim no artificial simulation ever devised can compete with the instincts of any gifted ‘Solar Cartographer’.]

[Given the judgement factor involved nothing is guaranteed and in practice individual ‘Solar Cartographers’ and ‘Deep Weather Watcher Temples’ have been deemed more or less accurate depending on who you talk to and at what time, experiences and levels of trust seeming to vary no less than the problematic weather. Although without doubt it is far safer to mine with that without a Map.]

[Cleverly if the ‘Deep Weather’ is being manipulated it is done in a manner that is random enough that so far it has masked any obvious pattern that might for example be proved mathematically as an entirely unnatural phenomena. Worse for the rampant conspiracy theorists no one has ever recorded a sighting of a mysterious weather making device making all accusations smoke without fire. Equally unhelpfully for us the nature of the source for Maps gives the ‘Star-Divers’ a natural monopoly over this data. With ‘Weather Temples’ considered sacred and off limits to all but ‘Solar Cartographers’ and other supportive members of their orders we must deal with a suspiciously closed arrangement.]



[Anyway within the volatile unstable environment formed by these truths ‘Creed’ and several other notable people, (including enthusiastically once approached ‘Mournful Inheritance’), decided we ‘Pilgrims’ needed to bring what order we could to the abiding chaos down there. Whilst the ‘Solar Weather’ was - obviously - beyond our ‘Pilgrim’ control our own peoples actions and reactions should be eminently controllable. Therefore ‘Pilgrim Ports’ and Factions were canvassed to join up to a consortium of self-interest that would seek to regulate temporary ‘Mining Claims’ each member agreeing to abide by rules of fitting conduct designed to increase overall productivity whilst reducing internecine conflict and the more stupid and unnecessary material losses. The plan whilst loved by some proved unfortunately a very hard to sell to others.]

[The ‘Consortium’ scheme despite a purposely open to all policy has nonetheless proved highly egregious defining a ‘Consortium’ versus ‘Free Miner’ mentality split. Generously even non-members can resister a claim with the ‘Consortium’ that will be honoured by its members as long as the claim abides to the most basic of ‘Consortium’ rules and principles. Unfortunately, despite every inclusive effort some rugged ‘Pilgrim’ frontier types who see the deregulation of swathes of the fiery domains of the ‘Divers’ as an almost sacred opportunity for new - independent - business activity, (free of every grasping interference of every past ‘Pilgrim’ and other authority), - fanatically dispute - the ‘Consortiums’ right to regulate any action within these already deregulated environs.]

[Most ‘Free Miners’ insist that the very spirit of deregulation is - free - unfettered enterprise. Most ‘Free Miners’ also firmly believe that the ‘Consortium’ must naturally favour its membership and is therefore nothing less than a protectionist tool of the particular established Big Business and Port Governmental Authorities that pushed for the formation of this body in the first place including annoyingly such entities as our ‘Many Truths Corporation’.]

[Attempts by both sides in this dispute to get the ‘Deep Clerics’ to rule in their favour have perhaps unsurprisingly failed given the ‘Deep Clerics’ easily predicted hidden remit to comply with our exploitative ingress only in form. Every ‘Deep Cleric’ who has commented has formulated an approximation of the same reply. They claim deregulation is a gift and a penance by them to their ‘Pilgrim’ friends for all time, (a gift and a penance for the ‘Star Bridge’ affront that led to the death on Planet of so many ‘Pilgrims’ as well as the loss of considerable ‘Pilgrim’ material assets as in ‘Remote Combat Troops’). To belatedly add conditions of usage to this gift and penance would be an unholy betrayal of the boon granted and wholly dishonourable.]

[Quote: ‘Our gift is for all time rightly given, whatever you now choose to do with it cannot rest in our hands but is justly and properly an internal matter for the consideration of your peoples’ storied wisdom alone.’]



[‘Interface’ is huge its physical substance formed from generous membership donations each to some degree seeking to outdo the other as it is also a point of business and maintaining a district a matter of pride and physical corporate advertising space. The desire here, I felt, being to create an impressive edifice - a physical statement - of the institutions intent to - if necessary - crush disorder under its combined weight via enforcing cooperative rules of law. As far as I am concerned, enforcement is where the ‘Consortium’ becomes especially controversial and problematic. I was not especially happy when for example it established its own paramilitary policing force to keep the ‘Pilgrim’ peace in the fiery depths. I personally had qualms about this part of the plan and had not initially wanted the ‘MTC’ directly involved in what must currently be deemed by some a - partisan - undertaking but I was voted down by ‘Mournful’ and ‘Unholy’ who both believed this was a necessary ill.]

[With ‘Creed’ equally involved in the scheme - if hovering more behind the scenes - as an advisor I felt I had little choice in this case other than to reluctantly bow to peer pressure even if the ‘Triumvirate’ is technically not a democracy and I am in many ways these days, (especially following the disaster of the ‘Free Parliament’ of vote manipulating dictators), no democrat. Although perhaps democracy was not at fault merely the manner of its past implementation… still that is another issue for ‘Universal Council of Equals’ debate.]

[As the ‘Holy Father’, I had decided I could hardly refuse to accept the invitation to bless the inauguration which included founding another physical forum of the ‘Universal Council of Equals’ here. Besides coming here would allow me to make a high profile consolidating speech encouraging all ‘Deep Miners’ to put aside any old differences and to join this scheme for the greater good of all ‘Pilgrim-kind’….]

[My argument being that lawlessness is neither freedom nor should deregulation be an excuse for anarchy. I planned to stipulate that I had faith that this venture is only falsely reported as an attempt to control and limit independent ‘Deep Miners’ fortunes and opportunities and is not by nature protectionist being too widely inclusive for such a truth to be valid. Instead, the ‘Consortium’ was an open and necessary move to enshrine the security and rights of every ‘Deep Miner’ including the right to life and the protection of property. Basic sentient rights, I would insist, being previously - very wrongly - without guarantee within the deregulated lawless burning depths. ‘Deep Mining’ I planned to remind is a dangerous enough occupation without adding infighting hostilities as a regular feature of what should be a far more civilised business.]



[In truth any problem I had with the scheme was not so much with the application of laws that encouraged sociable self-restraint but with the idea of some parties imposing their faith / belief upon others, I know in some ways a paradoxical position as you can hardly enforce law without some imposition.]



[Some I hoped might listen and eventually heed that the benefits of inclusion outweighed any possible disadvantage of working with out of scale to their operations Big Business. However, I was sure many hard line ‘Free Miners’ would ignore my plea and point to my direct association with the ‘MTC’ as an excuse to suspect me of being, in this instance, at best somewhat disingenuous rather than just paradoxically of several minds on the matter. Nonetheless, I elected to risk this, I believed unfair, branding to do what I could. To further help balance the account I also planned to sponsor an independent department to gather evidence and look into any complaints made by ‘Free Miners’ against ‘Consortium’ members and vice versa to ensure as much fair play down there as possible.]

[Unfortunately one economic flaw existed in my argument that put independent ‘Free Miners’ at a distinct disadvantage. The economics of scale meant that big concerns could afford to pay more for Maps because they could process more mass during the available window of opportunity - even if it has to be cut short - this meant that independents who played by the rules could be priced out of the best areas and had to pick up scraps by for example what is known as ‘Scratching’. ‘Scratching’ involves spying on then taking the leavings of larger rivals after they have departed a mapped site. Of course this risks being caught by any developing predicted weather condition the usual reason why anyone timely ceases exploiting any given ‘Deep Mining’ position.]

[Not long after my arrival I was complaining to ‘Mournful’ about the above issue during a lull between official engagements prior to the main ceremony itself. A considerable build up of activities ongoing to create a massive media frenzy of publicity for the big event.]

“The answer to the economics of scale for the independent is cooperatives.” [He claimed.]

[An obvious truth and one that had often been applied in the past in other situations of small versus big however...]

“For some of the most intransigent independents even working with their own to buy Maps smacks of compromising their personal freedom. You go from making your own decisions as a ship Captain in everything to having to answer to a triple cursed committee of peers. In short, everything becomes a debate if not an outright argument.” [I surmised.]

[I knew very well how it felt to be both free and yet fettered.]

“In the real Universe uncompromising attitudes oft skirt the edge of reason.” [He replied.]

“In some ways I agree but I also find it impossible not to sympathize with people who want to make their own way through life. On occasion we all feel sick and tired of answering to large bodies especially committees that seek to control how we get to play every game - independence is the very heart of freedom for some ‘Pilgrims’. At times we have all suffered from over-lording entanglements and this opportunity was lauded by many as a way to escape control by greater powers. A hatchway to a little true freedom back to the times when all you needed was a ship to be your own master and the whole Universe was your playground.” [I reminded.]

“Rightly or wrongly, I have learned that if you wish to survive in business these days you have to make compromises with others to some greater or lesser degree whether that truth makes you individually happy or not. We are all part of a wider reality.” [He reminded soberly.]

“Are you telling me as a fellow Paradox Priest that you believe there is no room in business for the singly principled.” [I retorted.]

[He glittered yellow with a twinkling mirth at that idea.]

“Do not twist my intent, that is hardly my opinion, it is all a question of degree. However if you are too intransigent to the trends you cannot hope to compete directly and can only hope to survive within the cracks. Even in simple physics big things do not make way for little things; little things that get in the way get shunted aside, crushed or smashed.” [He stated graphically.]

[For some reason my minds through up images of careening asteroids back in the ‘Dark Fields’ an uncomfortable recollection. I wondered if we were little things getting in the way of the ‘Star-Divers’ and in turn if we were all little things in the way of the even scarier mass of the dread ‘Machine Fury’. I began to feel very little. I shook my ‘Prime Tri-optic’.]

“You look unhappy.” [‘Mournful’ stated.]

“I am thinking that the perception of size is always relative you can feel a giant one moment and a microbe the next. For the former reason alone we should always have some sympathy with any rightly or wrongly deemed lesser people.” [I added.]

“I am not without sympathy for smaller operations, via my work with the ‘MTC’ I sponsor and work with many smaller concerns almost every day especially within our ‘Protectorate’ but I do not see how being sympathetic changes the truth of the average ‘Free Miners’ predicament. ‘Free Mining’ is a high-risk business venture of course, it can also be highly profitable for the lucky or skilful ones. Be reasonable ‘MT’ you cannot save everyone and it is oft especially difficult to save any individual from individualistic folly when that is the vector they have specifically chosen to take.” [He reminded.]

“We sentient beings can be stubborn creatures at the best of times.” [I admitted.]

“Now that is a truism I cannot dispute.” [He agreed.] “No one forced them to live this dangerous life in particular anyone who acts purposely immorally and illegally hardly deserves too much sympathy. I mean claim jumping and so on is more or less space piracy.”

“People have choices but sometimes circumstances can make us feel blind to that fact. As to the law - whose law? It always gets a bit questionable when we become directly responsible for making the laws for deciding what is to be lawful requires imposing your truth upon another’s ‘Vision’. How can any of us claim even temporarily to own even part of a star?” [I excused.]

“Being philosophic about it changes none of the harsh working realities actions have consequences especially criminal actions.” [He replied.]

“Are you being the practical ‘MTC Worker Patriarch’ with these views or are you conspiring with the no compromises ‘Creed’?” [I asked.]

“Hardly conspiring, we both simply believe in the ‘Consortium’ given the alternative lawlessness - ignoring weapons sales lawlessness is almost always bad for business. In the end this ‘Consortium’ of mutual support is not just good business for the ‘MTC’ it is good business for every ‘Pilgrim’ and I am far from alone in believing in this truth.” [He reminded.]

“I know that, otherwise I would not be here, but as an exponent of many truths being involved in the enforcing of laws especially the writing of laws is always a bit of an uncomfortable fit for me that smacks of deep hypocrisy.” [I added.] “I fear we make too many compromises sometimes with what we shamelessly call freedom turning it increasingly into a controlled regulated existence. At the same time I must admit that total anarchy is counterproductive and not my favoured state of being.”

“When people clash down there, there is no time for debate. I think you are only troubled by these matters when you feel some specific sympathy with the likely accused or restrained otherwise you overall equally champion the cause of law and order. Even ‘UT’ who enjoys a bit of anarchy firmly backs the ‘Consortium’.” [He reminded.]

[I considered that for a moment.]

“Maybe I am being unreasonable and contradictory but at best I am in three minds about these issues.” [I confessed.]

“Why? Could it be because there are some people you would not hesitate to judge, sentence and even burn.” [He mocked.]

[I slumped down slightly my ‘Prime Tri-optic’ drooping.]

“Now you look even unhappier - forgiveness - I did not mean to trouble your meditations with difficult issues during this unusual trip which must seem something of an escape for you from your standard more cloistered duties.” [He added.]

“Forgiveness is not required, that I sometimes feel a fraud is not your fault that is down to my failings of character not any observations about my inconsistency.” [I admitted.]

“You are a real person ‘MT’ first a triple minded ‘Living Hull’ second and a shiny Holy Icon third as a real person and a ‘Living Hull’ with an especially complex mind you cannot expect to be perfectly right all of the time or to be stainless of any blemish or without some confliction in your faiths. We all question ourselves, still I would suggest harbouring a little less guilt it is good to be self-aware but beating oneself up for natural character traits is not productive.” [He lectured.]

“Good advice to take.” [‘Kanne’ interjected.]

[I had been so intent upon ‘Mournful’ that I had not registered her slipping into the room.]

“Consort.” [‘Mournful’ acknowledged bowing to her.]

“As ever you take too much formality with me brother.” [She replied.]

[To my amusement he bowed to her again in apology then looked a bit flustered in his stance at repeating his earlier error. I very gently shook my ‘Prime Tri-optic’ at his plain discomfort but kept my inner glow under control.]

[‘Kanne’ had taken belatedly to being both ‘Mournful’ and ‘Unholy Terrors’ sister. ‘UT’ had immediately embraced the idea in an unselfconscious typically enthusiastic manner despite still possibly believing she was spying for the ‘Splinter Raiders’ or the ‘Hierophant Trojans’ or maybe generously supplying both. Only ‘UT’ could take such a position and yet seem and possibly be completely genuine in his continued personal affections somehow in no way conflicted it was a rare talent. ‘Mournful’ was still struggling a little with the concept of having an adopted ‘Splinter’ sister. It probably did not help our - honest - ‘Worker Patriarch’ that he knew ‘UT’ had questions about some of her activities and loyalties outside the ‘MTC’ although ‘MI’ was diplomatic he lacked his peers level of easy all embracing charisma and when it suited him impervious ego so occasionally ‘MI’ fumbled when closely interacting with ‘Kanne’ outside of formal or business situations.]

[‘Kanne’ for her sins was obviously to me only too aware of the mild difficulties ‘Mournful’ had with her on occasion ‘Mournful Inheritance’ proving in some ways a more traditional Paradox Priest at least when compared to ‘Unholy’ or me. Unfortunately for ‘Mournful’ she enjoyed gently teasing him. I wondered if that was a ‘Splinter’ or a ‘Trojan’ trait or the result of mixing both cultures together.]

“Wait something is missing from this image. Where has the ‘Unholy’ one taken his leave?” [She asked.]

“Easily bored he has gone ahead of us and is already consorting with other ‘Consortium’ members.” [I jested.]

“Oh my… is that allowed.” [She replied to the added discomfort of ‘Mournful’ who suddenly did not seem sure what way to angle his ‘Prime Tri-optic’. As ever it was not so much what was said but the way she said it.]

[The full nature of our relationship was not something that ‘Mournful’ appeared to enjoy contemplating at least not in front of ‘Kanne’. Here I will admit to teasing him on occasion too when a perfect target of opportunity presents itself too boldly it is hard to resist snapping off a few shots at it.]

“I do not believe there are any laws against it in fact arguably that is what ‘Interface’ is all about.” [I added happily joining in with the small distraction - bless ‘Kanne’.]

“How very adult.” [She joked.] “I feel outdone how can a girl compete.” [She added contriving to link arms with us a small fete when it came to the slow to cooperate ‘Mournful’ because he was tardy in realising her intent with his extruded limb.] “I suggest we catch up with him without further delay lest we miss all of the fun.”

“We were waiting upon you.” [I replied.]

“A worthy vigil I trust well taken.” [She retorted a challenge to surrender to her charms if ever I heard one.]

“As ever.” [I replied making a point of looking at her from head to toe with my optics knowing she always enjoyed being the subject of my seeming full attention. She had of course made good use of the time to array herself in another ridiculously expensive outfit.] “Come on time to take this show to our audience my lovely ‘Splinter’ spy.” [I added.]

[I was sure that comment only made ‘Mournful’ even more uncomfortable but he really had to get over these things as I had done before him. There had been no hiding some peoples distrust or suspicions from ‘Kanne’ whose name could easily have been a corruption of - canny - even though it was not. She was no fool instead luckily discounting the occasional early sulk and burst of rage, (taken possibly to encourage later consoling), the matter had become another subject of amusement between us - thank the ‘Blessed Tier Nine Harbinger’ and the ‘Emissary’ too for that, otherwise it might have gotten messy in the cloisters.]



[At one reception I was finding it difficult to avoid glaring at the ‘Social Advancement and Reform Committee’ representatives who had joined me in one small knot of interaction. Annoyingly they had a stake in ‘Port Interface’ having donating some substance to its mass and maintaining a small ‘Stasis Prison’ here for the convenience of the ‘Consortium’.]

“Something needs to be done about some of the ambiguities involved with Avatars in relation to Port State and international law. Captains should for example be held unequivocally responsible for any illegal activity undertaken by roving asset Avatars.” [One of the ‘SARC’ stated the one doing all the talking.]

“That is an old outdated position.” [I argued as the ‘Holy Father’.]

“Whom else can be held to account?” [He asked.]

“In some instances I would argue the ‘Living Hull’ animating the Avatar is more justly responsible but not necessarily every time or in this instance.” [I stated.]

“You would accuse the projectile weapon that merely fires the slug and in this instance you disagree with the Court Martial altogether.” [He replied incredulously.]

“Even a Captained ‘Living Hull’ has a mind of her own that is culpable we can refuse to take an order and when we operate an Avatar we make many autonomous decisions on a moment by moment basis. The ‘Venture’ refuted receiving any orders from his Captain beyond join up to the ‘Pilgrim Foreign Legion’ to represent his support.” [I reminded.]

“Even if this is true which we must take on a remote devices testimony alone. How then should we ascertain and allocate the percentages of responsibility? In addition, how should we punish a space-going vessel? If you must put a wilful mind in your ship then as the owner you must take full responsibility for your biological pet’s actions.” [He said to my growing annoyance since he knew well whom and what he was talking to.]

[Oddly I was arguing for sanctions against my own kind but in a way refusing to regard us as culpable of crime was another big obstacle to accepting that ‘Hulls’ are people too.]

“Perhaps you should think of a Captained ‘Living Hull’ as a soldier under orders, soldiers who commit crimes under orders are not always excused of guilt if said crimes are prosecuted. As you say it comes down to percentages of ascertained responsibility the guilt and punishment matched on a case by case estimate of culpability. I followed orders - when you know the orders are wrong or illegal - is no legitimate defence for any sentient being to hide behind.” [I argued.]

“So you would prosecute the ‘Venturesome’.” [He said.]

“Not in this instance, as I believe a legal deal was made and the ‘Venturesome’ acted as much as a material witness as her Captain. What has occurred here is that a part of the ‘Venturesome’ because it was given a slightly different name has been treated unfairly as if a separate entity in law one uncovered by the previously mentioned deal whilst simultaneously and paradoxically being deemed in part guilty only via association.” [I stated.]

“These are separate issues…” [The ‘Omerta’ began.]

[I interrupted.] “I know the crime here is officially desertion in the face of the enemy, disobeying direct orders and so on but given the most unusual circumstances of the strategic and tactical situation including the actual intent - not to avoid battle - but to reinforce a possibly more defensive and strategically sound position by joining an allied unit this on the ground decision might well have been forgiven and overlooked. If I ordered a soldier to shoot himself in the head would it be sensible or correct for him or her to do so. The ‘Venture’ and those who followed her, I would argue acted for the best of reasons, and are simply being made an unjust example of only because the ‘Venturesome’ and her Captain in particular cannot be legally touched for other only suspected espionage crimes.” [I argued.]

“You believe desertion can be justified? I assure you, if you do that this position is one few military commanders dare agree with.” [He stated.]

“I would argue what occurred was a strategic withdrawal not desertion whilst disobeying murderous orders from remote commanders, commanders not just physically removed but clearly out of touch with the on the ground reality of the developing situation is also not inexcusable. A soldier is not a mindless tool he is expected to use his initiative to obtain the objective and to keep himself and his fellows operable - destroyed assets are of no use to anyone. Often the complaint with ‘RCT’ is that being remote encourages a too easy waste of your physical resource with troops being for example irrationally brave under fire prudent strategy and tactics by remote assets should be encouraged not considered a military crime.” [I argued.]

“In a belated statement ‘Venture’ confessed to erring in his actions.” [He reminded.]

“What was said was said in an obviously honourable attempt to take full credit for those who followed his lead an attempt to carry the burden of a battlefield commander’s responsibility even though technically it was the ‘Omerta Immortal’ called ‘Windy’ who assumed command. Notably, ‘Venture’ also made his statement in the knowledge that the loss of some mere remote ‘Suit Substance’ was a lesser evil compared to potentially damaging all respect for the proper chain of command.” [I admitted.]

“You make my point for me as that sounds like a confession to me. Besides although ‘Windy’ assumed the command of the unit it was ‘Venture’ who suggested and encouraged the initial act of disobedience all statements agree with that fact.” [The ‘SARC’ reminded.]

“The last is fact but I still respectfully disagree with your overall premise, if they were not ‘Immortals’ or ‘Remote Combat Troops’ - as you might call them - would all of their deaths be a reasonable outcome simply to sanctify bad orders? Besides, they opted to try to help - arguably far more real people - as in the soon to be swamped ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ upon the second front. That they were pushed westward and arrived tragically too late to the massacre to make any difference was hardly their fault they were simply outmatched by far superior numbers due to the scale of the ‘Star Bridge’ affront.” [I stated.]

[Some in our little group were sympathetic to my argument although the ‘SARC’ member I was most directly addressing looked utterly unconvinced his features hardening almost into anger. Perhaps this was the wrong time and place to air this discussion but having started I felt compelled to finish.]

“Personally, I believe the ‘Engagement Senders’ by issuing some very questionable orders forced these hard choices upon some of their troops and as such they are the ones that should have faced harsh court martial interrogations and a more justifiable public defamation rather than these too easily blamed ‘Pilgrim Immortal’ victims. The troops were reacting to the reality of their dire predicament in a sensible and logical manner nothing would have been served by the loss of their substance but something might have been achieved by their wise withdrawal.” [I argued.]

[The ‘SARC’ took a moment to consider my argument then his face creased into a less than friendly grin his eyes hard glittering stones.]

“As an advocate of - running away - perhaps it is a good thing ‘Holy Father’ that these days you command a Temple whilst your fellow ‘Patriarch’ here is in charge of your House Military.” [The ‘Omerta’ replied patronisingly.]

“Perhaps you are right perhaps it is a good thing that I have a welcome separation here otherwise I might unjustly feel constrained to agree with this ‘MTC’ military ruling. Personally I see nothing dishonourable in ‘Ventures’ actions or in the actions of those following him. With that in mind, I might consider suggesting a revue of this judgement. I find it grievous that some Acolytes have chosen to become ‘Splitter Priests’ over this issue as there is no going back from that choice. One cannot return to childhood once you opt to become an adult. Would that the innocence of childhood could be recaptured but alas time moves only in one direction and simplicity is forever lost.” [I stated.]

“What do you say to that ‘Unholy’?” [The ‘SARC’ asked.] “You have been unusually quiet for your robust reputation during this interesting debate.”

“For once I will be sensible and say no comment at this time.” [He replied.]

“Sensible indeed.” [The ‘SARC’ agreed.] “Still if there is no going back to the family fold for these ex-‘Immortals’ what is served ‘Holy Father’ by dragging this issue out save more questionable possibly even damaging publicity for your family and us ‘Pilgrims’ in general?” [He asked.]

“Serving the truth need not cut us, or serving the potential restoration of these people’s reputations. As you may or may not fully appreciate, it is customary for ‘Splitter Priests’ to let attachments of the past go and move onward. Nonetheless, the past can cling to us whether we strive to let go of it or not. Sometimes our past hangs on akin to a sweet scent at other times a bad stench. I would not have people sniff and frown as our ex-kindred pass by; I believe they deserve a better start in their new lives than that.” [I added.]

“A gentle sentiment, still a commander must be wary, failure to enforce discipline even through kindness can result in the proliferation of insubordination even open rebellion. In addition, our ‘Star-Diver’ allies may find fault in a reversal of this decision especially since you seem to wish to blame the ‘Senders’ for choices your volunteers made. This shift in guilt may not go down well and could have - seriously negative - diplomatic consequences.” [The ‘SARC’ warned.]

“I never thought of your kind as diplomatic appeasers. Unlike the accused and sentenced some other people seek to take no responsibility for their actions down there whatsoever.” [I replied.]

“Trust me it would not be wise to push this one too hard. The ‘Star-Divers’ have peculiar ways and difficult to predict emotional reactions - they are not like us - change will not come easily to them and they are a mighty nation. It would not do to keep prodding at their tolerance.” [He warned.]

[Luckily no ‘Divers’ were present at this gathering they did not seem especially comfortable socialising with us outside of environs they controlled maybe it was the size difference when they were out of their ‘Arachnids’ they had to look up at us.]

“It is not prudent to bait an overwhelming beast when you are resident in the heart of its lair.” [He added.] “Sometimes appeasing the strong by making the offering of a sacrifice or two is the only sensible option for the weak, that is a holy truth any Priest should understand never mind a ‘Holy Father’ who would help to guide our ’Pilgrim’ society through to better times.” [He argued.]

“Is that right? I never realised you ‘SARC’ were religions experts too.” [I added.]

“We ‘Omerta’ have many faiths and cultures and know all about the challenges of interfacing across boundaries. As surviving ‘Pilgrims’ of the savage ravages of the ‘Entanglement’ we also have enough outsized opponents without courting another one; we need the ‘Star-Diver Alliance’. Accept that unfortunate things happen in conflicts, wars and robust politicking is rarely victimless.” [He tellingly added.]

[Naturally, following the fall of ‘Sanctuary Orb’ every ‘SARC’ member probably burned for revenge against ‘Crimson Entangled’ that would make them very easy recruits to some conspiracies.]

“So you believe I should just let it go.” [I said.]

“Now we fight for a continuing peace ever building bridges between the ‘Pilgrim’ and ‘Star-Diver’ communities, it is certainly a poor moment to consider stirring up resentment even for a cause you believe is just. What is best for the majority cannot be ignored why else did we combine to create the ‘Consortium’ and this ‘Port Interface’?” [He added.]

[Did some shadowy cabal feel a need to discredit these specific ‘Immortal’ witnesses to the campaign because they had openly rebelled and therefore called into question ‘Sender’ orders not from the ‘Isolationist’ side but from the ‘Engagement Factions’ side. If we gave open credit to some questions about the ‘Engagement Senders’ other questions and demands might swiftly follow about how they had managed the wider campaign some hatches once open can be hard to close. Seeking after some truths can be dangerous perhaps I was prodding recklessly at an explosive device. Our sides ‘Senders’ had also sent multitudes of ‘Star-Divers’ to their death possibly knowingly as pawns.]

[Did elements even in the ‘MTC’ conspire with some ‘Star-Divers’ in a manner I had not previously been aware. How wide had been the plot to get the ‘Isolationists’ to overreach themselves with the ‘Star Bridges’ could even some ‘SARC’ be involved directly in this mass murdering scheme? The attitude of this ‘Omerta’ alarmed me I got a distinct feeling he knew more than me. Was he really just the new Prison Governor, I felt lost in a sensor obscuring explosively mined nebula.]

“Not liking the messenger does not mean the message is invalid.” [‘UT’ discretely sent to me by ‘EXO-C’ as if reading my troubled minds.]

[Perhaps in my Temple I had become more isolated than I had previously realised.]

“This is not good you all seem taken with far too serious expressions and stances over here.” [‘Kanne’ stated not so much joining as smashing into our huddle.] “Take more joy this is a celebration is it not?”

“It should be a celebration of our success some of us here have worked very hard to give the ‘PDMC’ the best possible start despite some vociferous opposition.” [‘Mournful’ stated following in her exuberant wake.]

[Amusingly ‘Kanne’ had dragged ‘Mournful’ away a little earlier to act as a dance partner more teasing I supposed and perhaps not just aimed at ‘MI’ as I had felt a mild fizzle of jealousy. For a ‘Living Hull’ my life had become very strange.]



[Elsewhere but not so far away, (still at ‘Port Interface’), I was moving finally into a docking position as the ‘Venturesome’ having been given a very low priority - something I might have to get used to. The ‘Venturesome’ here to collect ‘Venture’ an act of physical solidarity with my disgraced ‘RCT’ Avatar. Probably not the smartest of moves but parts of me were still feeling a bit belligerent.]

[Truly I was beginning to view some of my Avatars differently acknowledging that they could have a specific reality of their own within my wider totality. Once again I determined to keep ‘Venture’ running as a persistent point of view just as I maintained the ‘Holy Father’.]

[‘Port Interface’ due to all the represented ‘Pilgrim Corporations’ resident here and so on is not just an administration centre it is also a trade hub with impressive warehouse and depot facilities a natural marketplace. To ease back into ‘Pilgrim’ commerce I planned to pick up a cargo here for a basic freight run and I soon found several ideal candidates on the local public bulletin boards. Unfortunately, when I tried to accept any job they went red on me and refused to make a confirming electronic handshake. Technically, I met every necessary criterion but they still went red. I had seen this happening before, (on rare occasions in the past, this annoyance had even happened to me). Anyone could become the target of a specific trade embargo or blacklist. However, blacklists were usually only regionally specific linked to one bitter Government or rival Corporation with a grudge, unfortunately in this instance I had a horrible feeling my Captain’s blacklisting might prove more Universal a pandemic response to our well publicised infamy within the ‘Reach Project’ our society proving unforgiving.]

[Meanwhile ‘Venture’ was addressing his colleagues after, with my monetary aid as the ‘Venturesome’, helping them to escape the journalists chasing them for more potentially self-incriminating comments. The once remote ‘Immortals’ now here is person within ‘Shroud Suits’ as ‘Splitter Priests’. The ‘MTC’ had shipped my Acolyte comrades in proving that lifting their remote substance off Planet earlier was just a stunt. As well as the Acolytes ‘Windy’ was also here in person now dressed in ‘Omerta’ civilian attire.]

“I know some of you still blame me for your current status, and I do feel in part responsible. Nonetheless, you do not have to love me to accept this offer. The ‘Venturesome’ will take you anywhere you wish to go - a one way trip free ticket - as a small recompense otherwise if you wish to, you can stay onboard instead and become paid crew as a unit of hired Marines working besides people you know well instead of splitting up to seek individual employment with strangers.” [‘Venture’ stated.]

[We were all currently in an outrageously expensive suite at a normally for its locale average priced hotel having been smuggled in via a rear entrance with the owners bribed participation. The earlier ingress via the rear - free of observation - possible only due to several groups of hired decoys skilfully swapped in, again at great expense. It was scary how natural that small operation felt it was pure ‘Reach Project’.]

“Do not judge us too quickly based on what you have heard and been told. Making a new life with so little preparation is no easy matter most people out there will seek to exploit your need. Remember our time together as comrades - on Planet we made a good team - we survived the ‘Star Bridge’ invasion only by working - together - these are things to feel proud about not causes to slump down in despair. We need not feast only upon this poisonous shame they would serve up.” [I preached.]

[After what became an at times heated debate nine of the twelve agreed to take passage with us including ‘Windy’ a good number - in fact to some Paradox Priests the very best figure possible. I hoped the accident of numerology would prove a true omen. Still, I guess we make these omens ourselves as including me we were actually ten not nine or some might argue eight ex-Acolytes plus two bi-optic using aberrations.]

[The three who refused my offer - also a sacred number - refused even to accept passage wanting nothing further to do with me whatsoever and that I suppose is ominous too.]

[Paranoid66]

[[FOUR]] [[Part 3]]

[I logged in and tried again this time downgrading to bulletin jobs I had hitherto ignored as on the edge of being reasonably profitable. It might even be worth taking a loss just to get working again. It was a known fact that when you dropped a cargo off successfully for one client you became more attractive to other customers needing goods shipped out.]

[Whilst we still had a healthy account with funds to spare for the moment, as any ‘Recycler’ will tell you, ‘you are either making credits or you are losing them,’ losing credits is no way to stay in business certainly not in the long-term with docking fees and ‘Infusion Material’ prices still somewhat inflated.]

[Again, every entry I selected turned red there was no doubt about it I was not going to get any employment through the usual remote channels at least not here upon ‘Port Interface’. This was slightly problematic, as I did not have ‘Uussleer’ around to go out, canvassing for work person-to-person, and if I did this myself, a lot via Avatars questions about his absence could easily proliferate. Besides most business people, especially those who prefer meeting real people would not want to deal with a ‘Living Hull’ remote arguably a level removed from the Captain even in contractual responsibility. Shippers can get concerned at the best of times about any possible loophole in say a future insurance claim if goods are lost in transit.]

[As the ‘Many Truths’ I had not faced these difficulties as I was also Captain ‘Empty’ in addition as a ‘Free Hull’ any contract I made was unquestionably binding. Besides I always had the might of the ‘MTC’ behind me guaranteeing my credibility the ‘Venturesome’ had none of these unusual boons.]

[I had wanted work from others to prove worthy again via positive business interactions leading to testimonials and so on. However, an alternative existed I could simply personally speculate via buying and shipping a commodity. Ferrying the right goods to a place in need might also help repair my reputation a little if not so much as working for another businessperson or company. Unfortunately, when I logged into the local commodities board I became the victim of an embedded virus that took immediate action then deleted itself as if it had never existed. I found I had purchased two hundred thousand standard units of ‘Class V Radioactive Waste’ at a far from favourable price. Many Ports refused to allow ships to trade ‘Class V’ within their environs. For a long second or two I will admit to staring at the cursed trade entry in disbelief and perhaps in the vain hope that my optics might prove to be deceiving me.]

[Realising staring at the thing would change nothing, I put in a call to the local Port authorities and explained what had happened although I feared more or less what they would reply. Seemingly helpful they promised to look into the matter immediately then kept me waiting for a reply for over ten torturous minutes.]

“I am sorry but everything checks out here. Our systems insist that you have made a genuine - un-refundable - purchase and the goods are now firmly timetabled for delivery to your cargo hold by ‘Freight Drone’. Sadly delivery will be somewhat delayed behind many other items as we have strict regulations regarding the handling of radioactive materials of this particular class both special safety procedures and security safeguards must be put in place.” [A ‘Recycler’ from her accent told me.]

“Why would I want to take delivery of a fraudulent purchase?” [I replied.] “I do not need or desire these dodgy goods I expect a full refund and for you to agree to review your data security.” [I added.]

“There is nothing wrong with our data security.” [The ‘Recycler’ insisted.]

“Perhaps then it is the honesty of your staff that needs reviewed.” [I replied.] “Why would I want to buy two hundred thousand standard units of a commodity that is so difficult to shift?” [I asked appealing to reason.]

“I cannot answer that question not being a xeno-psychologist.” [She replied angrily.]

[Most radioactive waste these days tended to be the direct result of solar activities as in long-term operational exposure, accidents or poor judgement in ‘Deep Mining’ or other sounding operations into the fiery depths or due to some types of weapon hits. Some unpleasant devices - including a whole new category of beam weapons - known as ‘Rad-Fives’ or just ‘RV’ for short were now manufactured and favoured by ‘Real Material’ enthusiasts because they not only damage but also grimly purposely irradiate the wonder-stuff that is nanite infused ‘bio-mechanical’ ‘Suit Substance’. My old friend ‘Overbite’ had been in part responsible for making these horrid weapons popular. By contaminating a foes ‘Suit Substance’ with especially hard radiation you can often slow or even prevent it from self-repairing a nasty but effective ploy against robust ‘Living Hull’ regeneration.]

[What was known as ‘Class V Radioactive Waste’ these days, was the stuff that was the most difficult to clean up contain and or recycle but it did have dodgy military uses too. However, it is so dangerous and generally difficult to work with that most people ejected ‘Class V’ contaminated substance into stars rather than keep and ship such mass. Trying to sell such heavily irradiated material on was actually illegal on many Ports. I was rather surprised to find this much ‘Class Five’ on any non-Pirate Port for sale but then ‘Interface’ was exceptional and worked closely with ‘Mining Vessels’ that routinely suffered some hard radiation and had to be regularly decontaminated as part of their maintenance cycle. In fact ‘Interface’ had a whole docking facility that specialised in getting badly irradiated - cooked - ships back in working order with unique dispatch.]

“What if I refuse to accept this erroneous cargo that I did not purchase?” [I asked.]

“I am sorry but your Captain’s account was legally debited so you definitely did purchase the cargo and are its legal owner.” [She insisted.]

[Confession here I only assumed this ‘Recycler’ to be female.]

“If you refuse to accept - your - goods you will naturally pay twice the handling fee due to it coming out and then going back into storage. In addition, until you do move it you will have to pay for its maintenance in storage. From a business point of view I would not recommend a refusal of delivery as we have a premium fee for handling and storing radioactive materials of this class on this Port.” [She explained helpfully.]

[Somehow, that did not surprise me so it was to be war with ‘Leeruussii’ as ‘Uussleer’ and me as the ‘Venturesome’ versus the rest of ‘Pilgrim’ society.]

[I considered asking to speak with her supervisor or superior or just plain somebody else then dismissed that as a waste of my time. The sad truth was that no one here would go out of his or her way to help the traitorous Captain ‘Uussleer’ or his ship out of a spot of trouble, and whoever hacked the trade interface knew that fact and had factored it in to his or her scheme.]

“I will accept the cargo.” [I promised.]

“Very sensible.” [She replied.]

[Disconnecting from the useless conversation I began reconfiguring my internals to accept the unwanted bulk of the dangerous commodity into safe and secure storage in an expanded hold. At the same time, I linked into the Port’s data net and began a search to find out who had originally owned my toxic new cargo.]



“Another triple cursed ‘Consortium’ news conference I do not think so.” [I complained.]

[‘Mournful’ managed to pull off a long-suffering look including the old limp drooping ‘Prime Tri-optic’ gambit.]

“It was scheduled in and you did agree to help us bolster the official launch.” [Our ‘Worker Patriarch’ reminded.]

“It may have been scheduled in by you or someone else on your staff but no one agreed it specifically with me first. I think I preferred it when most people gathered their own news rather than dealing with journalistic interrogations.” [I complained.]

“I would like everyone to always listen intently when I speak and do exactly as I say.” [‘Mournful’ replied sarcastically.] “Unfortunately my prayers have not been answered.”

“Well I intend to just issue another statement. What guilty party proposed all these question and answer sessions anyway? I think someone needs a penance.” [I added.]

“No one in particular our media experts in general they all tell me it is more effective.” [‘Mournful’ insisted I felt refusing to see reason.]

“No singular person taking responsibility how convenient. Are you sure these experts are working for us rather than part of a cabal working against us? I pray that the ‘Blessed Tier Nine Harbinger’ save us all from experts with tunnel vision.” [I added only partly in jest.]

“Sometimes reading a statement is far safer.” [‘UT’ commented for once seeming to agree with me. ‘UT’ liked to flirt with the media but that had occasionally sent a micro-missile up his waste pipe.]

“Prepared statements have less impact - every survey agrees - they do not grab the populace’s attention unless they have something truly dramatic to say. Have you something truly dramatic to say ‘Holy Father’?” [‘Mournful’ asked.]

[I did not dignify that loaded question with a response. If I said that I did, she would want to know what, whilst if I said I did not well that made me look bad as one of those Priests who preach incessantly but actually say nothing possibly something I was occasionally guilty of doing.]

“Whether it thrills you or not it is a statistical fact that viewers are far more likely to link into a question and answer session. In addition, standing up to enquiry projects a deeper sense of honesty. When individuals insist upon just preaching statements out it is not only dull it seems as if those involved are hiding behind their too carefully pre-selected words it is defensive and suspicious. Remember my friends we are trying to get past peoples active distrust to recruit new membership from some very cynical people.” [He reminded.]

“Who is not cynical these days?” [I complained.] “People link into question and answer sessions primarily in the vicious hope that the person doing the answering will be put in a hard place and blurt out something he should not. Live broadcasts of this nature are notorious for creating self-embarrassing incidents. I agreed to help launch the ‘Consortium’. I agreed to demonstrate my support with a state visit, (even though I do have some doubts about some aspects of this project), what I did not agree to do was make a fool of myself or to damage my credibility.” [I stated.]

[Very possibly, I was feeling more protective of my image than ever before due to the plight of the ‘Venturesome’. Every experience changes us a little.]

“I agree about why people link into question and answer sessions; I know when I do that is mostly why I do it.” [‘UT’ said emitting a sharp burst of yellow light.]

[‘Mournful’ projected a stance at him that suggested he was not helping the cause.]

“My Temple Staff always advise against me participating in such events.” [I added.]

“Surely the ‘Holy Father’ is not afraid to square up against a few journalists think of it as just another debate in the ‘Universal Council of Equals’ those can get pretty robust. What is the difference?” [He asked.]

[In truth, he had little need to remind me that debates in Council could get raucous sometimes almost riotous. Acolytes in particular could be excitable, as could non-Paradox. The effects of Acolyte and non-Paradox participation in our widened ‘Universal Council of Equals’ sessions was something more staid Priests especially some Elder Priests occasionally had a hard time getting used to and oft complained about. Many Elders griping incessantly about youthful ingrates and a general state of growing disrespect for senior members of our long stratified by age Paradox Priest society. Still it was different with journalists they were magnitudes worse.]

“Reporters are never satisfied, they never stick to the topic specified and they are cursed sneaky and manipulative.” [I complained. I had felt wrung out after the last question and answer session that I barely survived with my dignity intact. After foolishly attending that question and answer session press conference here, I had vowed internally never again if I could help it.]

“It is all about manipulation they are trying to manipulate us into giving them a good story we are no less striving to manipulate them into giving us good publicity and spreading the right message in their news channels. It is a war of words. To take the objective you have to get out there and engage the enemy nothing is gained by cowering back at your base of operations - we must be bold and push forward.” [‘Mournful’ stated enthusiastically all full of rousing vim.]

“That is easy for you to say. Personally, I think you are spending too much time around ‘Unholy’ and his ‘Immortal’ friends again.” [I replied.]

“Nice, blame the ‘War-Master’ just because the ‘Worker Patriarch’ used a military metaphor.” [‘UT’ complained.] “Who would you people blame if I was not around?”

“Still you it is amazing the damage some people can do by remote even at a distance.” [I replied.]

“You defame me, I have not blown up anything major in ages or invaded any rival’s territory or plotted a potential genocide or done anything else you might deem especially wicked.” [He replied innocently.]

“That my recidivist friend is easy to claim difficult to prove and impossible to believe.” [I replied.]

[For a start, I was increasingly positive that he was behind the blackmail of an entire species another sort of trespass that might be a lit fuse to a delayed explosion.]

“Sadly other pressing matters will prevent this one from attending another press - ambush - nonetheless the ‘Temple of Many Truths’ will send a representative to read a statement by me once again endorsing the ‘Consortium’ as a worthy, and to keep the peace necessary, enterprise.” [I promised.] “I believe that is known as a timely strategic withdrawal.” [I added.]

“I believe it is.” [‘UT’ agreed.] “Or in some places it is categorised as running away and hiding in the cloisters as if an agoraphobic Acolyte who has never had any need to get out there.”

“What about you then my brave colleague?” [‘Mournful’ asked.]

“What about me?” [‘UT’ asked in reply.]

“Well since ‘MT’ is begging off from this duty…” [He said trailing off.]

[My friend roared out one of his infamously rich and rumbling speaker laughs.] “No, no and triple cursed thrice no. Do I look stupid to you today? If you are so keen that we answer questions under a media spotlight you should go and represent us for the greater good.” [‘UT’ stated.]

[‘Mournful’ firmly shook his ‘Prime Tri-optic’ at that idea.]

“Funny how it is always different when you are put under the spotlight.” [I postulated.]

“I am not as newsworthy. You two have more impact.” [‘Mournful’ admitted.]

“A fine excuse if I have ever heard one.” [‘UT’ replied.]

“Sad truth or not he is the boring one.” [I added with a suitable glow to show I was only jesting although in a way it was arguably true too.]

“There is that.” [‘UT’ agreed.] “However that is not our problem perhaps if he got a Consort or made an effort to be more…, more fun in general.” [He finished.] “When did you last blow anything up with your ‘Protean Magnificence’?” [He asked.]

[‘Mournful’ replied to that with a ‘Shroud Suit’ shrug.]

“Shocking I think it was so long ago he cannot even clearly remember. This is your fault ‘MT’, you turned a once intrepid Captain with an exceptional combat ship into this schedule pushing administrator.” [‘UT’ accused.] “Speaking of moribund fates how are you finding being a Port ‘MT’?”

“Being ‘Port Discovery’ is engaging enough to keep me well occupied.” [I replied.]

“What is all this ‘Mater’ stuff I have been hearing about?” [He asked.]

“Just a term of endearment - a label an Acolyte used instead of addressing me as the rather odd for discourse ‘Port Discovery’ - somehow it spread virally through the native ranks. I quite like the term for my more involved Port business it is homely.” [I admitted.]

“You seem to be collecting names: ‘MT’, ‘Captain Empty’, ‘Holy Father’, ‘Port Discovery’ and now this ‘Mater’ label.” [He said.]

“I see no harm in it given the many roles I have, and have had, it helps avoid confusion. Does it bother you?” [I asked.]

“I miss the ‘Many Truths’ singular sometimes as she used to be.” [He admitted to my surprise seeming genuinely a little emotional.]

“Sometimes I miss her too but I seem to get into a lot less trouble as ‘Port Discovery’.” [I replied.]

“You have settled down quicker and easier than I had imagined possible for a once ever wandering ‘Hull’.” [He said sounding once again to my perception more than a little suspicious of my domestic success or maybe that was the microphone of my inner guilt.]

“Ships and people coming and going keep me busy.” [I replied.]

“I am sure that is not all that does.” [He retorted.]

“Am I missing something?” [‘Mournful’ asked glancing from one of us to the other.]

“That is what I keep asking myself.” [‘Unholy’ replied.]

“I think you are only missing the dark depths of our friend’s Paradox Priest paranoia.” [I answered ‘Mournful’ disingenuously.]

[Did ‘UT’ really still remain in ignorance about my adventures as the ‘Venturesome’ despite both ‘Cad’ and ‘Creed’ knowing the truth or was he just teasing me. I would not be surprised to learn that ‘MI’ was still ignorant of the facts but ‘UT’ was another matter. We were not supposed to be keeping secrets from each other after the whole ‘Sea Sphere Shield Purge Armageddon’ scheme nonsense nonetheless somehow we always ended up playing games of hide and seek with some of our truths possibly very unnecessarily complicating our lives.]

[Was concealment and deception a ‘Passenger Class’ habit that I had picked up by merging so deeply in their culture. Sometimes I worried that paradoxically in a bad way that I had lost my original identity as a ‘Living Hull’ in my quest to get others to recognise our right to be people. Did I conform far too much to bipedal standards? That was a question I kept asking. ‘Passenger Class’ culture could be terribly enticing so vibrant and busy so many layered and confusing as if a bright puzzle made of infinite pieces. Sometimes my life felt like a puzzle of infinite pieces too.]

“Where is ‘Kanne’?” [‘UT’ asked interrupting my musings.]

[Perhaps ‘Kanne’ to ‘UT’ was currently a missing piece of the puzzle.]

“Gracing the Central Bazaar.” [I informed.]

“Shopping again.” [He stated.]

“Sightseeing too as a tourist. I hear there is much to see there of interest due to all the ‘Star-Diver’ imports to ‘Interface’ and so on.” [I stated.]

“I am surprised she did not insist that you keep her company.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“I am here doing my duty.” [I replied.]

“Another noble sacrifice to the cause.” [‘UT’ mocked.]

“Despite their past isolation - or because of it - some ‘Star-Divers’ have not been slow to embrace foreign trade. I - take - this as a good sign.” [‘Mournful’ interjected more seriously.]

“Is it a good sign that greed for profit seems to be a universal ill?” [I asked.]

“Commerce is a bridge of communication between nations our needs and desires help to bind us together. Without outward questing trade we might all become too happily isolated.” [‘Mournful’ replied.]

“Spoken like a ‘Recycler Merchant’ in search of new markets.” [I replied.]

[Without doubt his responsibilities were changing him too.]

“It is better to exchange goods and credit rather than weapons fire.” [He replied.]

[‘UT’ cheekily shook his ‘Prime Tri-optic’ as if he disagreed with the last fact.]

“Do not be fooled ‘Mournful’ war is just another form of economics and economics often just another form of war.” [‘UT’ replied.]

[Something the ‘Venturesome’ seemed to be discovering too well. It was also possible that the ‘Star-Divers’ were capitalising on this truth as well with their ‘Weather Maps’.]



[Back at the ‘Venturesome’ I had no trouble finding the previous owner of the ‘Class V Waste’. Perhaps the ease of my success was further proof that the owner involved, who I recognised, had set me up. I guessed it was probably a safe bet that I would try to take on a cargo here and the offending waste material had recently been purchased into a stockpile from several smaller sources - no doubt the original owners were glad to be rid of it most of it I ascertained created as extruded / ejected waste from repairs both automatic repairs and dock assisted ones. The radioactive magnate who then made a profit out of me being ‘Shokhan Enterprises’ a company that lost control of considerable assets following a coup on a Port that later became ‘Hubris Twenty-One’. ‘Uussleer’ and I had been involved in that uprising in various ways even more so than had been revealed by the trial of ‘Overbite’. Apparently revenge is not a dish best served cold after all but rather as opportunistic hot radioactive material.]

[My anger lessened a great deal perhaps we deserved a little punishment from this particular source. Another search revealed that one of the ‘Omerta’ brother partners behind ‘Shokhan Enterprises’ one ‘Tanna Shokhan’ - the eldest - was currently resident on ‘Interface’. After constructing a virtual reality facsimile of ‘Uussleer’, I hailed the venerable grey wispily bearded and balding ‘Omerta’.]

[I will admit I was a little surprised when he accepted my link without quibble. Via the sending ‘Uussleer’ was smiling broadly with his eyestalks and seemed relaxed. I was striving to be pleasant then I wondered if the simulation being so happy would only infuriate someone with cause to despise my faux Captain but by then it was too late for a different approach.]

“Well played, I suppose I had that coming.” [The ‘Stellar Swimmer’ seemingly said.]

“Pardon me, to what business are you referring?” [The senior ‘Omerta’ replied his wrinkled face held rigid seemingly devoid of any obvious emotions.]

[This one carried evidence of his age as a badge of seniority indicating that he belonged to an ‘Omerta’ subgroup that refused nanotech regeneration or did not have access to that technology in the past and / or that he had simply chosen to define himself in this way.]

“Relax, this is not some attempt to trick you into a confession. I will not even mention the subject that prompted this communication. I accept that in the past I did you and yours a wrong and hope you will consider our most recent business as recompense. Alas at the time we were not free agents - our safety compromised - although I suppose to those who suffered major losses due only - in part - to our activities that might seem a poor excuse.” [The facsimile added.]

[The ‘Omerta’ just looked blankly back.]

“I would like to be reasonable about our differences. Feuds can become such messy and inconvenient things and be very bad for business and believe me we ‘Stellar Swimmers’ are experts at feuding - with all of that in mind - I would humbly suggest we both consider our business together concluded.” [I stated as ‘Uussleer’.]

“I am sorry you feel that way as I am looking forward to having much more business with you.” [‘Tanna’ replied before breaking the connection.]

[So much for reason, still it had been well worth trying I wondered if the real ‘Uussleer’ would agree or would he consider my acting playing him out of character. I would have been happier to contest with someone who was just generally prejudiced against us because of our bad reputation rather than people whom we had directly harmed via our activities. I felt some sympathy with. ‘Shokhan Enterprises’ and with ‘Tanna’. They had been genuine collateral damage a company with a fairly good legitimate trade record who just unfortunately owned a lot of property on a Port destined to become ‘Hubris Twenty-One’, people speculating in the wrong place at the wrong time.]

[Arguably ‘SE’ had originally profiteered by gaining some prime assets cheaply buying into a Port with considerable internal unrest but I still felt, in part, guilty for what followed. ‘Shokhan’ classed as a ‘User Omerta Company’ by ‘Overbite’. Worse for my conscience after a search I learned that they lost more than credits some staff including some family members were killed during the short violence of the uprising including the youngest brother in the partnership ‘Sinter’ although he had been reborn since.]

[To ‘Tanna’ however a brother reborn via a clone might never quite be the original. I too easily recalled ‘Tors’ harsh attitude towards ‘Taard’ when believed a clone. I decided I had best deep scan very carefully every bit of the two hundred thousand units of radioactive cargo including their casings as they arrived for other nasty surprises. This would not be easy as ‘Class V’ tended to interfere somewhat with scanning. However, I decided I must take every sensible precaution, as ‘Tanna’ might well want blood for blood. Stick a bomb in this much ‘Class V’ and you had a very dirty bomb indeed. This looked like the continuation of an exceptionally bad day for me as the ‘Venturesome’.]

[I decided to be safe I would cover the whole shipment - once stowed - in an active stasis field even though doing this with such a massive bulk cargo could be problematic. Now feeling even more paranoid than usual I tripled the number of my ‘Soulless Marines’ and put my new crew on a high security alert placing ‘Windy’ in charge of securing the cargo bay inside and out during the stowing operation. After giving the situation some deeper thought, I extruded a new set of masts from my external hull so that I could deep scan the cargo as it arrived in space before it entered my cargo bay doors. The masts required lesser separate shielding, as full shielding would impair their functionality ironically this meant they would have to be disposable and probably swapped out more than once. Here this deep they would hastily soak up radiation from our local star to become more problematic irradiated material.]

[At the very least ‘Shokhan’ had found an ingenious way to harass and damage me, and he represented just one family corporation with a grudge against us as too well publicised past members of the now infamous ‘Reach Project’.]

[‘Windy’ took his new responsibilities seriously doing a quick bit of research on ‘Class V’ before commencing his duties. Once again, he was operating as a faux ‘Immortal’ as in an ‘RCT’, choosing to have his physical biological body stowed safely in a bunker onboard me that could double as a ‘lifeboat’. Some of my other old comrades had opted to stay active in ‘Shroud Suits’ for the moment despite my security alert and advice to the contrary. I had considered ordering them to go remote but decided after the previous long deployment that might be seriously detrimental for morale. That some of them felt they needed some skin time was hardly surprising. To me it was understandable that they might want to feel more real and alive for a while. My only concern being that they might not be taking the alert seriously deeming that I was overestimating the threat level whilst we were at Port and maybe I was as a major incident here especially at this time would be investigated and would have consequences that ‘Shokhan’ would find difficult to escape.]

[If I could make the ‘Shokhan’ connection to this mischief so easily so could any local investigator. No major incident here could pass without involving the law and even if some people here might think our demise as traitors morally justifiable, our killer would still suffer prosecution. I believed the level of media attention here alone would force a fair trial.]

[Whilst it would be politically and economically potentially suicidal for ‘Shokhan Enterprises’ to do an overt act of let us call it murderous terrorism here on ‘Interface’ - really angry people can cast caution to the abyss - so I felt I had good reasons to be worried. As a precaution those who were not ‘RCT’ I suggested ‘Windy’ assign to deemed less dangerous security posts onboard me and although I left the final decisions to him, (based on his actual deployment scheme), he had readily agreed with me. His choices made me very happy. I was hoping ‘Windy’ would prove an asset I could rely upon in the future to do the right thing and so far, he was not proving me wrong.]

[For now, I still considered all of my new Crew to be on probation. I knew they were capable warriors but whether they would prove compatible with my needs had yet to be determined. By employing some former ‘Immortal’ colleagues in some ways, I put emotion before logic as they added to my responsibilities. However, when beset by difficulties surrounded by hostiles it is good to have close allies to interact with and I already missed ‘Leeruussii’ as ‘Uussleer’. To cover for my absent Captain I had a ‘Stellar Swimmer’ style ‘RCT’ welcome my crew to their new positions whilst keeping the ‘SCCCM’ out of bounds to all crewmembers. The inference being that ‘Uussleer’ was feeling very vulnerable at the moment due to having cultivated so many enemies and that he felt he dare not trust even his new crew until they proved themselves worthy as perhaps many of them felt they dare not trust him until he showed he was more than his bad reputation suggested.]

[Given our recent difficulties that ‘Uussleer’ might still be feeling less than sociable and currently be more than a little bit paranoid whilst hardly endearing or reassuring qualities as an employer the concept was easy to sell. It did not help relations however that many of my old comrades might find it hard to see ‘Uussleer’ as anything other than a former ‘Reach Project’ traitor who had betrayed both ‘Suit Substance Users’ and later his mad mistress ‘Overbite’. I kept ‘Venture’ busy acting almost as an onboard liaison and morale officer in the faith that persistence by me would win through in the end.]

[I made a point of reminding our new recruits as ‘Venture’ that ‘Uussleer’ and the ‘Venturesome’ had only ever worked to aid the ‘Solar-War’ whenever feasible recounting our many successful yet for us life-risking supply drops to the Planets and so on. I also explained that ‘Overbite’ never ordered us to have anything to do with the ‘Solar-War’, that I believed my Captain risked all those deep sounding blockade runs to, in his peculiar ‘Free Stellar’ way, strive to make amends for actions ‘Overbite’ forced him to do elsewhere via the ‘Project’.]

“Whilst some might argue that you cannot cancel a bad deed with a good one, for example you cannot undo a murder by saving a different life it shows strength of character to try to balance out your shortcomings with some act of atonement as many simply walk away from their crimes without seeking to grant any restitution.” [I had argued.]

[Having to endeavour to win over the respect of a very cynical crew with some good reasons to despise us, via a slow possibly at times in the future - a painful - process was hardly an ideal domestic arrangement but I felt it was better than being alone. Perhaps I also saw it as a Paradox Priest penance. Besides, if we could not convince these close to us people that we were capable of reform and not such terrible individuals we would hardly ever convince anyone.]



[Horribly once the shipment began loading, after the long delay promised by the ‘Recycler’ that kept me at dock, I suffered unpleasant flashbacks to the unloading of the Cybernetic Machine Parts at ‘Hubris Nineteen’ that arguably began all our current woes. It did not help my mood that the Deep Scans due to interference from our local Star and the ‘Class V’ were at best rather lower resolution than normal and required considerable ‘Sub Core’ interpretation. The procedure was around seventy percent effective, which meant there was a full thirty percent chance we might have missed something. Technically ‘Port Interface’ would have also security scanned the goods but I was not relying upon that fact.]

[I opted to additionally ‘Deep Scan’ the whole consignment onboard as each block of the order was dropped by ‘Freight Drone’. Each part of the delivery once placed I put in stasis unfortunately that meant for an instant every time a new drop was sited the stasis field had to be dropped from previously placed items then the whole thing once again fielded. Everything about this operation making me nervous. Then belatedly realising I was becoming seriously target fixated upon the cargo transfer I sent out a series of outer hull skimming Drone patrols lest this was all some elaborate act of misdirection.]

[The transfer itself seemed to take subjectively forever. Again, I recalled ‘Hubris Nineteen’ how the perpetrator of the plot against us back then had waited to the last moment of the unloading to activate the virus. Therefore, I began to feel especially worried when the delivery neared completion. I watched the automated transfer as if it was a countdown to a disaster. I began to regret hiring the Crew - prior to their arrival the loss of the ‘Venturesome’ would just be the loss of remote substance - now I was risking real lives just because a remote part of me, from its perspective, felt alone. Guilt assailed me, what right did I have to keep putting other people into jeopardy to satisfy my sad emotional needs?]

[The ‘Freight Drones’ were highly efficient running in two traffic streams one in and one out of my enlarged cargo hold doing their business between. Each was aware of every others position and they moved at a stately pace which altered so that each arrived just in time reactive to the ongoing process. Therefore when we made occasional alterations to the prearranged pattern of the delivery the trains slowed as arriving early would cause a clog in the system maybe even a loading accident. Due to some odd scanning results the process was not uniform dragging out. I was therefore both grateful and increasingly terrorised as the last six ‘Freight Drones’ approached through open space. I monitored as one slipped inside to deposit its goods leaving only five in space then it was four then three then two then ultimately one. I found myself emotionally bracing for an explosion as I watched the last one going through its motions via several points of view. Nothing untoward immediately happened. Some small insane part of me almost felt disappointed as an explosion or some other catastrophe would have ended the tension whilst now I felt the wait for a crisis event continued merely entering a new broader phase.]

[So far my deep scans had picked up several questionable readings but nothing specific or clear enough to halt the transfer nothing that might not simply be scanner malfunction due to the conditions here and the problematic material being scanned. Especially questionable units had been isolated set aside for priority further examination. Whilst some units were scanned and scanned again I considered my options with this hard to sell cargo. Even if I could find a legitimate market for this much ‘Class V’ given the unusually high price I paid for it I would be lucky to break even or to make a small loss. Meanwhile I would be shipping a dangerous commodity around that should I get into a battle could prove a serious detriment. I decided to cut my losses and as soon as it was safely stowed to take it out to a suitable clear spot and dump it into the local Star. Some Captains would never sanction such an embarrassing self-engineered loss of credits but in this instance I felt my peace of mind was worth the nasty debit to our account.]

[If ‘Shokhan’ was playing some deeper game with me using the ‘Class V’ I wanted no part of it.]

[When none of the later examinations proved anything solidly amiss. I had the cargo secured whilst my crew took up suitable in-voyage positions. I requested leave to depart and recalled the last working of my external remotes. Typically to all my Port business these days my permission to depart seemed unusually delayed - this I put down to simple generic harassment - but I also scanned around for an attempt to tag my shield or some other last second nefariousness by ‘Shokhan’ or some other foe.]

[Eventually I was given the green light to go. As the ‘Venturesome’ I felt my nervousness returning. Was I safer whilst I remained at ‘Port Interface’? Maybe ‘Shokhan’ was waiting for me to leave the lawful protection of the Port to strike in some manner. However done was done I had to clear the docking space. I activated my real space engines slowly carefully moving away down the departure vector given to me. Here due to the size and busyness of this port the immediate environs were traffic controlled.]

[The traffic control also made me nervous as it meant I was departing on a predictable vector someone could have relayed someone could easily be out there waiting for me within a well-constructed ambush having bribed traffic control to send me directly into a trap. I ran through a check of the weaponry I had ready to extrude if required. I monitored every other bit of traffic in my vicinity ready to without hesitation lock on and fire upon them if necessary. I triple checked all of my critical internal systems especially my heat shielding and hard radiation sink subcomponents and my structural integrity fields. Here structural integrity fields were integral to helping to hold the pressure I was under at bay. If only such technologies could also compensate for mental stresses and strains. I focused a lot of ‘Sub Core’ attention on monitoring my control routines for signs of subtle viral contamination and oversaw a great many other safeguards far too numerous to specifically mention.]

[I even with a paranoid’s sharp attention to detail kept a close watch upon my new crew lest one or more of them proved actively traitorous.]

[Beneath me, the topography of the vast Port rolled past in some parts ‘Real Material’ in other areas ‘Suit Substance’, here the two politicised materials purposely wedded together. In fact, it was a patchwork of differing architectural styles too the product of its corporate districts even if they all shared some business commonalities. Even the triple cursed ‘Hubris Patrons’ had opted to break their normal separatist ways by maintaining a district here part of their ongoing reforms to better integrate with the rest of ‘Pilgrim’ society including building bridges to ‘Suit Substance Users’ or so they claimed. ‘Port Interface’ was no simple old style space station, here rested a massive city in space one easily big enough to be a nation even though this nation was a multinational joint operation - a consortium. As well as habitats for workers and visitors and offices for person-to-person business, the place had its own manufactories, showrooms even some farms including an ‘Omerta’ run ‘Rumtree’ orchard operation that was ‘MTC’. The ‘MTC’ still maintained our good business partnership with the ‘Rumtree’ family, which ‘Mater’ and ‘Pater Rumtree’ still presided over. Possibly, talk about the ‘Rumtrees’ gave an Acolyte the idea of addressing me as ‘Mater’ back at ‘Port Discovery’, when I say me I mean the other me.]

[Down there commonsense challenged many past differences via cooperation for mutual wellbeing and profit. Up here, I as the ‘Venturesome’ was being terrorised cast out of our society one slight at a time. The contrast between the two activities previously mentioned mentally punishing to me. From my current perspective the Port was all warm bright lights and corporate adverts that competed with the blazing fires of the local star all around us meanwhile, if perhaps being a mite overemotional, I felt banished into a cold pit of darkness.]

[As if to add insult to injury, a ‘Consortium Heavy Police Frigate’ seemed to be escorting me off the premises. She was a ‘Real Material Hull’ built for deep sounding peacekeeping duties a purpose made warship all shields guns and engines run by ‘Sub Cores’ without even an onboard Captain. I dwarfed this design departure but that did not fool me about its effectiveness in battle. With no living crew onboard her, her class had been conceived by the ‘Hierophant Trojans’ to be a lethal weapon of enforcement that could be used up if needed in a suicidal manner making them unusually dangerous for their mass especially in the deep environs they patrolled were the environment was also a weapon.]

[The message the ‘Consortium’ had decided to send with their policing strategy seemed to be that now all deep infractions against the law - shall be punished without mercy -, rightly or wrongly, I saw ‘Creeds’ influence in that strictness. Some ‘Free Miners’ already called these frigates ‘Killer Kamikazes’ or ‘KK’ after truly ancient stories about some mystical force of - suicidal - warriors and I guessed the comparison was not meant to be a kind one.]

[These frigates were soulless ships almost the opposite of a - mindful - ‘Living Hull’. Even as a ‘Ghost Ship’ - an Avatar - I was the projection of a caring sentient being. As the ‘Holy Father’, I had strongly protested this policing solution but no one had paid attention to those sermons - well not enough people. Why lose more lives down there when you could just send automated material. As semi-biological artificial intelligences ‘Sub Cores’ had proved exceptionally reliable when compared to pure software and or other mechanical style AI and here they seemed an ideal solution to many of the more business orientated souls but I had a bad feeling about this part of the scheme.]

[I was still contemplating the disturbing nature of my escort when I cleared the immediate mass of ‘Interface’ and angled upward out of the depths on the last part of the my projected course vector. With hindsight I realised they had sent me on a route that made one full length skim of a Port surface unnecessarily prolonging my departure upward. I guessed that was another lesson pushing me past a show of societal strength a statement of the power of a new edifice of law and order dangled into the face of a known offender and possible future malefactor.]

[All they saw now when I passed was the ship of a notoriously unpunished spy saboteur thief assassin and murderer. My Captain and I, especially with ‘Overbite’ having disappeared, had become symbols of the ‘Reach Project’. When journalists discussed the ‘Project’ it was seven times out of ten images of ‘Uuussleer’ his ‘Venturesome’ and now sometimes ‘Venture’ that they displayed.]

[Regrettably for us, the discharge of ‘Venture’ had started the whole media feeding frenzy up again due to ongoing speculations about ‘Reach Project’ involvement in unspecified sabotage of ‘Pilgrim’ ‘Solar-War’ actions. Nothing had or could be proven but the constant reiteration of hints of suspicion was damaging enough. The accusations rankled me deeply it being easier to accept a stigma for dirty deeds done than for clean actions undertaken for the best of reasons. Worse this time I felt there would be no judicial trial in which we might offer up any defence whilst most ‘Pilgrims’ prejudice against us found us assuredly guilty and the sentence was harassment, ostracising spite and hatred.]

[As the ‘Venturesome’ even my fellow ‘Living Hulls’ were turning against me. All I could do was hope that some other news story would emerge that would draw peoples active ire towards some other villain and we would be slowly forgotten about as yesterdays people that you loved to hate.]

[Maybe we needed to disappear for a while too maybe nothing less would suffice. Braving out the scorn had seemed the honourable thing at one point but now I was wondering if it was almost masochistic and stupid. I began to think that the members of the ‘Reach Project’ who accepted their punishment in a ‘Stasis Prison’ might be the smart ones. They would emerge to a new reality and that would give them a chance to start over with their moral debt to society deemed paid.]

[By staying free and actives by being seen out and about our moral dept appeared to remain forever outstanding. In truth we were supposed to be excused for our crimes by giving evidence but it had not worked out that way. Instead of being seen as heroes who helped to bring ‘Overbite’ to justice we were the villains who had escaped any consequences for our actions. Now our society was intent upon making us pay every moment of every day for our past sins none of our deeds forgiven.]

[Giving it some deep thought I believed we were exceptionally unlucky. Our populace were feeling insecure caught between massive forces beyond our control such as the ‘Star-Divers’ and the ‘Entanglement’ and in a sense now the inexplicable ‘Solar Weather’ that was damning the dream of free access to almost limitless solar resources. Attempts were being made by many authorities to positively spin our situation with for example the creation of the ‘PDMC’ and the vast Port I was now leaving behind acting as symbols of ‘Pilgrim’ progress. Nonetheless, people were happy to have somebody to vent their rage and frustration upon somebody they could punish without guilt somebody they could curse and damn we had become favoured targets of opportunity.]

[Ascending to a safer distance from the wrath of the star, I located a designated dumping spot. The idea of ejected material accidentally affecting a deep ‘Star-Diver’ facility was deemed statistically exceptionally low but nonetheless for the sake of being good neighbours the ‘PDMC’ had requested that the ‘Divers’ give us ‘Pilgrims’ coordinates to areas they deemed safe for ‘Pilgrim’ dumping purposes. Whilst we ‘Pilgrims’ due to a lack of raw resources remained firm advocates of recycling whenever practical some few items were best disposed of in the universes ultimate fiery furnace waste sinks.]

[Purposely dumping material into the stars outside areas now zoned for this activity was currently activity punishable by fines and even in extreme cases by a ‘Stasis Prison’ sentence. Nonetheless, for convenience sake lots of illegal dumping still occurred as so far enforcement of this law universally was difficult and lax but I felt in no position to flout any statute today.]

[I remained wary as I approached the nearest designated ‘Dump Zone’. The site unmarked by anything except virtual beacons on my solar navigation maps. It was still hot enough here that small vessels and satellites would not be able to survive long-term exposure. Dumping such a large cargo for me had some risks too requiring the operation of strong internal shielding within the cargo bays to protect the inner bulkheads whilst massive bay doors rested open. Open bay doors created a gap in our outer shield. A thin disposable physical heat shield made of ‘Suit Substance’ protected the cargo until and whilst it ejected whilst complex manipulations of anti-gravity field effects did the work of propelling the cargo out and equalising internal pressure within the bay without damaging any internal systems or superstructure.]

[Using ‘Transport Devices’ based on wormhole physics had proved problematic this close to stars - not all of the time - but often enough for wise Captains and ships to know better unless they had no other option.]

[Again I felt rather nervous as I undertook this almost routine procedure but to my relief the process went smoothly. Nonetheless, as the dumped cargo began disintegrating as it fell away from us as a mass it was to my sensors credits incinerating. At best my success here was a pyrrhic victory and another forced lesson in humility.]

[When my bay doors closed and my shielding regained full coverage I opted to try to let it go. If this sort of thing proved the worst of my trials I would not be doing too badly. There had to be some profitable work out there even for a disgraced Captain and ‘Living Hull’. We were not the first people who ever made a mistake and we would not be the last we would find a niche in our society somewhere I just had to look harder.]

[Naturally the solution was in front of me the whole time but it took ‘Windy’ to point it out in an almost casual conversation with ‘Venture’.]

[I had moved off to a new even higher ‘Star Struck’ coordinate to once again consider my options in a at first somewhat brooding manner.]

“So what is the big plan?” [‘Windy’ asked.]

[He did not speak much but that was a question I knew all the Crew were eager to get an answer to and some of them had been pressurising ‘Windy’ to find out. Perhaps I should have kept the details of exactly what happened to me with the ‘Class V’ to myself but I had not and now my still very unsettled Crew had even stronger concerns about our shared future. Many possibly already questioning the wisdom of joining us.]

“I don’t know?” [I confessed as ‘Venture’.]

“Captain keeping you in the dark or is there no plan yet?” [He asked.]

[I shrugged deciding to play ignorant.]

“‘Free Mining’.” [He said.]

[As rugged individuals determined to go their own way - if necessary in defiance of everyone else - it was an almost too perfect solution at least to future insolvency. Besides getting inside the ‘Free Mining’ movement might have some future benefits too. ‘RAW’ resources were too valuable to be rejected by any market buyer even if you disliked the ‘Miner’ involved. No ‘Free Miner’ had any problem shifting the material they harvested the dangers and difficulties all rested in the logistical processes of procuring the resources in the first place however nothing ventured nothing gained.]

[In fact some of the challenges of ‘Free Mining’ might be an interesting change of pace and what better way was available to understand these peoples’ position than to become one of them in the same way that I had learned to understand what it is to be a ‘Free Port’ by becoming ‘Port Discovery’ and what it is to be an ‘Immortal’ in these times by being ‘Venture’. This gave me a great understanding of the sacred ‘Emissary’ too. It was said she had taken on the form of every ‘Pilgrim’ species at one time or another to better understand who we are to better appreciate us.]

[As an advocate of ‘Many Truths’ I knew it was good to properly appreciate the perspective of every side in any argument. I deeply appreciated that here I had perhaps found a way to turn a negative into a positive. It was true no experience need be wasted even the seemingly negative ones had something positive to offer.]

[I gathered my crew together and animated my ‘RCT’ version of the currently believed highly paranoid ‘Uussleer’.]

“It seems my past trespasses are not forgiven even though I helped end the ‘Reach Project’ an institution I hated no less than any other victim of ‘Overbite’ with her divisive policies.” [‘Uussleer’ began.] “I will not make anymore excuses for my actions to you. What I did I did for my own reasons. I am a ‘Free Stellar Swimmer’ and I have my pride. We ‘Free Stellar’ are warriors we fight we do not surrender.” [I had him add.]

“No doubt my stigma is such that even those old associates who might want to befriend us would think thrice as Paradox say. Dirt is contaminating. It is not a massively difficult prediction that we can expect little love from any ‘Pilgrim’ and job offers will be scant and perhaps for the moment highly untrustworthy as possible traps.” [He explained.]

“The ‘Shokhan’ family may not be done with us and I cannot begin to estimate how many other people, both individuals and as groups may feel I owe them some recompense. I appreciate now that working for others in this climate may be thoroughly unsafe for us.” [He admitted.]

“I will not spout untruths to you, in some ways you are onboard a blighted ship. However, there is always a solution to every problem. It is my intension to join the ranks of the ‘Free Miners’. No port will refuse to buy much needed ‘RAW’ from us and through hard work and perseverance in time I believe I no if you so choose - we - can overcome any stigma that limits our current wider opportunities together.” [He promised.]

“Trust is not built in a day nor is it repaired in an instant when betrayed. I stand before you as a remote because calculated caution is never cowardice just as foolish bravery is not accounted by me as wisdom.” [He confessed.]

“You too have been defamed in part via association with me via your connection to ‘Venture’. Nonetheless, my plan may not be what you were originally considering signing up for all I can say is that life is even harder when you are surrounded by enmity without any friendly support. It seems wise to me that we climb out of this hole we have fallen into together as a team. As yet we have only a verbal contract however for insurances purposes, if nothing else, should you elect to stay that must change. ‘Deep Mining’ is a perilous business we will all be at the mercy of the ‘Solar Weather’ and each of you should consider the benefits of arranging for rebirth in case of a fatal mining accident.” [He added.]

“I expect trouble ahead no matter what I do and this will be no easy life especially at first, however, the risks here are balanced by the potential of great rewards. In addition, it is worth remembering that every ‘Free Miner’ - whether they realise it or not or care or not - are also part of a grand scheme - frontier people - helping to forge a new destiny for ‘Pilgrim-kind’ wrestling a new hope from devil fires. This is a worthy endeavour an honourable lifestyle. I have plenty of credit to facilitate the start up of a large ‘Free Mining’ operation one capable of competing with smaller ‘Corporations’ join me and in time you can each become business partners not just employees. I will need Captains I can trust for new ships in the future and so on as the rule of business is oft expand or fall victim to the competition and I mean to succeed.” [He promised.]

“Join with me become a part of ‘Uussleer Mining Enterprises’ and you will all become a small but worthy part of ‘Pilgrim’ history on this new frontier.” [He further promised.]

[Moreover, join us they did.]



[We had a round table meeting not long after my supposed Captain’s speech. I wanted everyone to feel involved and through their involvement to feel committed. Personally I was beginning to feel quite excited about this excuse the pun new - venture.]

[In a newly commissioned area I extruded an actual physical round table for the round the table talks. Here our complete if small crew could gather. Actually that felt wonderful it reminded me of early days when Harbinger’s family was small and intimate enough to be able to do such things. I was only sorry that ‘Leeruusii’ was not really participating although I had sent him heavily encrypted data packages explaining everything that was happening and he had even returned some suggestions of advice as well as wishing me good luck and three blessings. He was still enjoying being back with his family upon ‘Port Messenger’ and I could not begrudge him an extended leave from our shared business.]

[Maybe ‘Tor’ was not too badly off as long as he remained within stasis - being oblivious to times passage - still I was determined we would free him someday to live a life in better times. However, in the meantime, we had to deal with our own issues or we would be in a position to help save no one.]

“Welcome to the first official general meeting of ‘UME’…” [My version of ‘Uussleer’ began.]

[Earlier he had given each crewperson, (each member of the new enterprise), some instructions for research and so on making the point that whilst they would be continuing to act as onboard security personnel as in Marines for the moment they also needed to begin broadening their education and capabilities as founding members of ‘UME’. For example one ex-‘Immortal’ was given the task of doing some research on Maps and Map Providers, another would present an overview on the current state of play between the ‘Free Miner’ / ‘Pilgrim Deep Mining Consortium’ split, another was investigating current mining practices both the technologies and tactics being employed another was looking into the economics of ‘RAW’ resources principle buyers causes and effects of any fluctuations in market prices and so on. ‘Uuusleer’ would handle the general political overview that included the sometimes difficult to fathom matter of ongoing ‘Pilgrim’ ‘Diver’ relations. No one was left without some specific role. ‘Windy’ I opted to put in charge of internal corporate security whilst ‘Venture’ was given the role of categorising and monitoring external threats most notably anyone prosecuting a feud against us. Today ‘Venture’ would be giving a presentation on ‘Shokhan Enterprises’ its corporate structure assets known associates primary sphere of business influence not to mention the concerns estimated logistical and military capacity.]

[A professional inclusive approach that kept everyone well occupied with issues of the moment and plans for the future had a startlingly positive effect upon onboard morale. Most of our crew moved on from giving the Avatar animated supposedly by ‘Uussleer’ sidelong distrustful ‘Prime Tri-optic’ glances to engaging him openly by offering positive policy suggestions and ideas for our joint business together.]

[We even discussed various proposals for the enterprises new corporate logo the meeting ending with a voting session that finalised the logotype design. That we should vote upon the final logotype design an idea ‘Leeruussii’ suggested to me, a small thing that in a way contributed a big difference to the atmosphere of the meeting in general. Limited democracy I realised had its uses the final logo selected becoming more ours rather than just belonging to ‘Uussleer Mining Enterprises’ as a separate body. Thus, we created a sense of identity a sense of belonging and of mutual ownership, something that proved gratifying. Personally the final selection was not the one I had initially preferred to win but having listened to the critique that had preceded the decision I came to the conclusion that the chosen design was worthy and that maybe I had even been wrong in my earlier choice.]

[In a way, here was another ‘Council of Equals’ in action or at least I preferred to think of it in those terms.]

[Maybe I was being a bit manic one moment down the next up but I did not care it felt good to be doing something positive as the ‘Venturesome’ maybe the most positive thing I had done so far with my ‘Ghost Ship’. I found it hard to take too much real credit internally for the end of the ‘Reach Project’ in truth, that one had just been internal ‘Hubris Patron’ business in which I had become ensnared.]



[The outing to ‘Port Interface’ soon seemed to be proving more of a holiday for ‘Kanne’ than for me as the ‘Holy Father’, for me it was business as usual sermons, private meetings official blessings and so on. In a rare encounter these days an Avatar of the ‘Arch Prelate’ arrived at one point with a suitably impressive retinue of ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ belonging to all of the past castes excluding the old ‘Ruling Caste’.]

[The still fearful for his life ‘Arch Prelate’ due to lasting differences with some ex-‘Ruling Caste’ members and descendents rarely left the ‘High Temple’. It was only lately perhaps out of frustration and boredom that he had taken to utilising outlandish avatars to make the odd visit abroad usually specifically to enclaves of his people.]

[Naturally the ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ were represented at ‘Port Interface’ via various ‘Skimmer Enterprise’ and ‘Port Districts’ as well as via their participation in some mixed species organisations. Interestingly increasingly ‘Skimmers’ were now used as go-betweens with some ‘Star-Divers’ as the ‘Star-Divers’ arguably retained more respect for ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ than any other ‘Pilgrim’ species.]

[The ‘Skimmer Warrior Castes’ willingness to die for what they believed something they had in common with the ‘Divers’ - although I must say here - that ‘Skimmers’ tended to die more bravely when it actually came to such events. ‘Imp’ cowardice when pressed, as ‘Venture’ could testify, was not just ‘Pilgrim’ derogatory prejudice. The ‘Star-Divers’ loved the idea of dying honourably for their causes but many of their troops, on planetary ground at least, were not especially stout when faced with assured destruction.]

[This did not mean that all ‘Imps’ were craven some were as brave as any ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ but in a general comparison of troop quality ‘Skimmers’ were in a far higher league of stolid fearlessness. Exactly what made modern ‘Stellar Draakhaal Warrior Caste’ so indomitable of spirit was still hotly debated was it nature or nurture harsh experiences or genetics or a mixture of all these factors maybe with an added dash of ‘Shaper’ religion.]

[Anyway I bowed thrice to the ‘Arch Prelate’ as we retired to a private chamber to talk unhindered by eavesdroppers.]

“You are primarily here for the unveiling of the ‘Shaper Spire’.” [I guessed.]

[Another monument to the masses of ‘Skimmers’ who died during the ‘Solar-War’ this particular edifice sited on ‘Port Interface’.]

“Indeed the ‘Warrior’ dead must be extolled and remembered with glorious tributes - some things do not change. Sadly for some only the possibility of death grants life meaning, whilst for other folk striving to stay alive is a full time preoccupation.” [He complained.]

“You still feel besieged.” [I guessed.]

“Our genome derives greatly from the most intransigent and extreme of the ‘Free Stellar’ who in turn were the most intransigent and extreme of the ‘Swimmer Species’ then the ‘Shaper’ added his own embellishments followed by the old ‘Ruling Caste’. Such truths are difficult to cure some few still believe we should have a - domineering - manifest destiny and that I have betrayed ‘Draakhaal’ by enshrining cooperation.” [The ‘Prelate’ admitted.] “Between you and me the recent depletion of the ‘Warrior Caste’ may not be a terrible thing for our ongoing socialisation as part a wider league of ‘Pilgrim’ nations.”

“Good out of the bad - life can be strange that way sometimes.” [I confessed in turn.]

“Hopefully our ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ integration is secure for a while what worries me now is the future sociability of the ‘Star-Divers’.” [He admitted.]

“The wheel turns and new threats rise as old ones fall.” [I replied.]

“So you are no more at ease with the current situation than I am.” [He suggested.]

“Caution is called for.” [Was all that I said striving to be diplomatic.]

“The reversal of policy by them is odd. Often moving in different circles have you any idea why the ‘Deep Clerics’ might choose such a radical response to the ‘Star Bridge’ ploy?” [The ‘Prelate’ asked.]

“It is you ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ that are most favoured of all of us ‘Pilgrims’. I heard recently that you are blessed with access to the product of ‘Deep Solar Weather Temples’ that other ‘Pilgrims’ have been granted absolutely no right to trade with.” [I stated.]

“We are so favoured for our sacrifices but the ‘Whisperers’ are as tight lipped with general information to us as they are to any other ‘Pilgrim’ grouping I can assure you of that fact.” [The ‘Skimmer’ Avatar insisted.]

“Then I fear these star dwelling denizens are ironically keeping us both in the dark.” [I said.]

“A great pity, knowledge leads to understanding and understanding oft leads to reassurance the unknown can seem especially unkind to accidental trespass. I would better know these ‘Star-Divers’ so that I know how best to deal with them.” [The ‘Arch Prelate’ proclaimed.]

“We would all know them better for that reason alone, unfortunately they do not seem to want to be known. Even the more outgoing members of the ‘Engagement Factions’ are loathe to speak much about their culture, their history is left vague and full of holes, their society remains secretive and protectionist.” [I concluded.]

“What of these tales of weather mastery?” [The ‘Skimmer’ asked.]

“Those are scarily persistent despite the ongoing lack of evidence. We do know they have some technologies - ancient in origin - yet far in advance of our own.” [I reminded.]

“Do - you - believe it is possible?” [The ‘Prelate’ asked.]

“Anything is possible when you deal with unknowns.” [I replied making use of the ‘Prelates’ terminology.]

“The idea of such power is as terrifying as any peril we have seen. It is easily as worrisome as the ‘Entanglement’ or even the dread ‘Machine Fury’. If the very substance of the stars was to turn against us with our populations housed at ‘Star Struck’ coordinates…” [The ‘Skimmer’ warned.]

“We could all burn in unholy fires together.” [I admitted.] “Still there is always some seeming menace out there.”

“As you said some threats pass away whilst others loom large.” [The ‘Prelate’ paraphrased.]

[Paranoid66]

[[FOUR]] [[Part 4]]

“We have been here before pondering possible super-weapons remember the early fears about ‘Super Nova’.” [The ‘Arch Prelate’ seemed to complain.]

“If some means does exist for solar weather control I believe it another both venerated and reviled wonder from a so-called ‘Material Archive’.” [I reminded the ‘Prelate’.]

“These rumoured ‘Material Archives’ so very akin to the ‘Prime Graveyards’ as stores of forbidden science, interest me. It is difficult not to wonder if there could be some deeper connection here that we are not cognisant about.” [The ‘Prelate’ mused.]

“Foes often end up emulating rivals’ activities.” [I replied then thinking about what I had just said my Avatar went a bit grey and sagged slightly.]

“Some uncomfortable truths act as mirrors to our souls.” [The ‘Prelate’ guessed rightly.]

[I shrugged feeling a bit embarrassed at so readily projecting my feelings - by slipping into being a bit too friendly and open with this one - I felt unprofessional and possibly even needy. Despite our long if broken up association, the ‘Arch Prelate of the Shaper Faith’ was no trusted member of my family adopted or otherwise. This one would always do what was best for the ‘Void Skimmers’ above all else.]

“If marvels of solar weather control do exist, as treasures from rarefied sources they would be restricted tools. I would expect even their operation to be heavily controlled by the ‘Deep Clerics’ or some faction thereof.” [The ‘Prelate’ suggested.]

“Another problematic truth.” [I agreed.]

“If they exist they have been deployed deliberately to destroy ‘Pilgrim Miners’ and other ‘Pilgrim’ assets. Prove them real and every former accident becomes nothing less than an act of terrorism even a call to arms.” [The ‘Prelate’ added.]

“I am equally aware of that yet if this attrition by the weather is orchestrated it must be stopped.” [I said slumping down.]

“To reiterate we are in no position for a - real - unrestrained war with the ‘Divers’. We could not even help to win the recent Planet based war-game with all its strictly enforced rules and codes overseen by the ‘Deep Clerics’.” [The ‘Prelate’ needlessly further reminded.]

“I know, I know all of that too, although perhaps the protraction of the ‘Solar-War’ was no accident.” [I added.]

“Another issue, if our efforts down here are suffering from manufactured ‘Deep Solar Weather’ we are all living in a very bad place indeed. As you said, we cannot let this potential threat go unanswered without some investigation - without some counter - we must negate this power if it exists. However, any success in this endeavour could damn us as easily as outright failure. We could precipitate a wider diplomatic disaster in any number of ways. In fact, even if some radical ‘Star-Diver’ splinter group, individual or institution is responsible for making the weather that may not be enough. I think now we must neutralise these weapons very quietly and diplomatically. It might be best if most of our people never discover with certainty that such tools ever existed unless...” [The ‘Prelate’ added slyly trailing off.]

[I bowed my ‘Prime Tri-optic’ to the ‘Skimmers’ overall chain of logic whilst waiting for more but no more arrived.]

“The truth we are seen to uncover must offer up the best tools for further diplomacy.” [I agreed.] “One thing is certain should the ‘Deep Clerics’ be reported as responsible for the weather all diplomatic efforts will become harder or even impossible - perhaps war inevitable - a war we will lose.” [I promised whilst hating the words.]

“Many would find it difficult to credit that any exotic marvel of solar manipulation could operate without direct ‘Deep Cleric’ support or permission. All ‘Pilgrims’ hear rumours of how lawfully these ‘Star-Divers’ follow their leaders instruction.” [The ‘Skimmer’ reminded.] “We should leave the scheme of blaming an evil faction as our last resort unless...” [She teasingly trailed off once again; I refused to take the too obvious bait.]

“Whilst respecting the chain of command within their faction they are also known to be prone to factionalism in general to doctrinal splits over small differences of interpretation. I must agree that most probably if there are ‘Weather Making Machines’ they are overseen by wide ‘Deep Cleric’ support but I would not shackle our policy to that singular truth when it serves us so poorly.” [I insisted again.] “Whilst we two need to know our new friends better to find better wiser ways to - deal - with them, in my opinion safer ways, it might be best if less politically realistic individuals stay in ignorance of some of the facts down there for the sake of diplomacy.” [I stressed.]

“Uncovering hidden truths whilst staying in control of them can be exceptionally difficult even for me with my mostly faithful congregation of followers.” [The ‘Shaper’ cleric admitted whilst not broaching the subject I felt she really wanted to say.]

“As I recall, retaining control over every ‘Void Skimmer’ was never easy even for ‘Draakhaal’ I believe he actually encouraged some infighting to remain in charge.” [I reminded.]

“I must periodically deal with new generations some of whom always tend to gaze towards a false vision of the past in search of seemingly lost glory. It is a recurring ill that some immature souls naturally give credence to the twisted rhetoric of people deeming themselves rightfully ‘Ruling Caste’. I have tried to keep all my children from erring again but a small percentage rebel against, perceived as restrictive and outdated, parental limitations. The young oft strain against convention. Besides, the ‘Shaper’ put a fire into some of our genetics. Whilst, thank the ‘Shaper’, the ‘Warrior Caste’ is no longer genetically shackled to obey their old masters those tempted by the old ways of power can still be persuaded to follow a charismatic leader who makes a good sounding argument. Some people feel shackled in peacetime.” [The ‘Prelate’ admitted.]

“I am sorry to hear that.” [I stated whilst thinking about ‘UT’.]

“The threat lessens now with many of the more radical young warriors martyred on Planet. More sensible - veteran - voices who stayed at home are politically dominant in warrior congregations once again.” [My ‘Skimmer’ associate advised.]

[Was that outcome just a happy side effect of a tragic event or a more coldly calculated social manipulation? A cull akin to this had happened before. It was unpleasantly harsh to consider that every deceased ‘Warrior’ on Planet met their end due in part to planned social manipulations almost internal political assassinations but these things do happen. Many regimes kill their own to maintain the status quo especially the ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ they had always been somewhat politically brutal and no young untested ‘Warrior Caste’ would or could turn down an opportunity to fight. Dead martyrs rebel against no one so you keep the most radical at the front thereby loading the dice thrown by fate.]

“Still, back on topic, perhaps that these ‘Divers’ are triple cursed unfathomable for once may prove advantageous.” [The ‘Shaper’ cleric stated.] “Their secretive ways may assist us somewhat to control what becomes known to the public at large about their past activities should diplomatic damage control be deemed essential.”

“It is true that any ‘Pilgrim’ striving hard to get to know them is oft regarded by ‘Diver Culture’ as either hostile spies or as ignorant individuals making rude intrusions into private even religiously exclusive affairs.” [I admitted.]

“Far from an exclusive mechanism for keeping secrets even you Paradox play that card with those who prove too curious about what hides beneath your priestly ‘Shroud Suits’.” [I felt the ‘Prelate’ in part jested.]

[I gazed at the ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ at her ‘Suit Substance’ Avatar. Actually, it was swathed in a real material regalia that hid the somewhat monstrous reproduction of the body form that ‘Draakhaal’ had engineered almost as well as any ‘Shroud Suit’. The ‘Void Skimmers’ a genetically patched together super-race, who ‘Draakhaal’ had believed would one day become the first ‘Pilgrim’ truly ‘STELLAR’ species (as in the first species capable of dwelling in outer space without artificial support) had an evil looking form to most other ‘Pilgrims’. Yet ‘Draakhaal’ was too late we ‘Living Hulls’ were the first ‘Pilgrim STELLAR’ species even if it was not acknowledged because we are not properly acknowledged as people.]

“Some truths are best shrouded.” [I replied levelly.]

“Are most of your citizens really that ugly?” [The ‘Arch Prelate’ joked.]

“Ugliness is relative, with our ‘Shroud Suits’ we once sought to end superficial judgements of character at least within our brave new Priestly Order.” [I replied.]

“Your ancestors believed eventually we would all join you in hiding our nature from one another is that really the sort of society you believe in? To me that is a society of cowards. A society that must bury what is different in order to conform is one that does not face up to any truth. You Priests truly are paradoxical in your faiths.” [The ‘Prelate’ challenged.]

“I like to think the ‘Shrouds’ are a tool to help us learn how to be more sociable until we become mature enough to cast them aside.” [I said.]

“Paradox shrouding via ‘Facilitator Suits’ became a one way trip to ‘Ascension’, when we all become substantially the same what difference remains? Without such drastic alteration, we are not all equal - we will never be all equal - for a start, there are always predators and prey, hunters and the hunted, perpetrators and victims. Tell me this, if you chose to be blind to this reality is that better or worse than hiding in your suits until ‘Ascension’?” [The ‘Prelate’ mocked.]

“Show us a better solution to irrational prejudice and too easy hatred of what is other and we might well adopt that policy instead of ‘Shrouding’ I never said it was ideal.” [I said.]

“I am not so enlightened admit it hiding from some truths is what you all do best. What is it that drives such mania could it be the truth that you are hunters too that you are natural perpetrators not natural victims?” [The ‘Prelate’ accused.]

“What spurs this attack upon my peaceful culture?” [I asked.]

“Look again, look inside even yourself - none of us are so different we all have similar urges and drives - but does that make us equal.” [The ‘Prelate’ mocked.] “The truth is ‘Holy Father’ that even you have more commonalities with the cruellest of my kind than you would happily admit.”

“I am far from perfect.” [I confessed.]

“Inferring that what you think you share with us is only our propensity towards evil.” [The ‘Prelate’ argued.]

“That is not my meaning at all you set a trap.” [I argued.]

“Yes it is. You look at us and you judge us because our truth is less shrouded.” [The ‘Prelate’ claimed.]

[I considered that concept deeply it seemed disturbingly true it was nearly always easier to deal with other ‘Shrouded’ Priests.]

“Perhaps you are right but not entirely - reason calls out to reason.” [I added.]

“You judge us all whilst pretending towards lofty impartiality. When this meeting is over you will judge me responsible for inspiring every ill compromise with your supposed ethics thus I hesitate from providing some options directly.” [The ‘Prelate’ stated.]

[We did often blame others for our choices. He stared at me for a time in silence.]

“What is the point? We ‘Skimmers’ are used to playing the villain.” [The ‘Prelate’ added.]

“You would encourage the ‘Star-Divers’ to see a mutual foe in the ‘Entanglement’.” [I suggested guessing her wider intent here.]

“Would you discourage them from such a pursuit.” [The ‘Prelate’ retorted.]

“The ‘Swimmer Nation’ hostages…” [I began.]

“Mean nothing to the ‘Star-Divers’ and therefore cease to be of any value as hostages.” [The ‘Prelate’ hastily interrupted.] “The ‘Divers’ isolation provides this boon.”

“You think ‘Crimson’ will leave the ‘Swimmers’ alone if they cease to be useful to her?” [I asked.]

“What would she gain by assaulting ‘Swimmers’ whilst fighting ‘Star-Divers’ save the opening of another front and calling down the wrath of the ‘Highest Tier Powers’?” [The ‘Prelate’ asked.]

“The scale of an unlimited conflict between the ‘Star-Diver Nation’ and the ‘Entanglement’ is almost inconceivable and the outcome hardly certain worse we could be crushed between these vast powers. Besides, the ‘Entanglement’ is apt to steal other’s technology and to convert their very substance she might capture the fiery depths too.” [I reminded.]

“Some might think the concept of such a war rather magnificent.” [The ‘Prelate’ stated.] “Still we were discussing securing our peace with the ‘Star-Divers’ first not the benefits or otherwise of encouraging a ‘Second Solar-War’ against the ‘Entanglement’ or are we?”

“The two issues could be one and the same to some people.” [I admitted unhappily.]

“What about other curious individuals drawn to finding out the truth about the ‘Solar Weather’?” [The ‘Skimmer’ insisted.]

“We must control the investigation, curious others must be encouraged to see matters our way.” [I suggested.]

“For that we will need - a way - a unified policy.” [The ‘Skimmer’ reminded.] “Once we have that you speak and deal with your friends and I will speak and deal with mine. We need to begin working on this - soon - just in case this rumour about weather control proves too true. If we are well enough prepared even some real evidence uncovered might be discredited as manufactured untruth perhaps propaganda instigated by ‘Crimson Entangled’. [The ‘Arch Prelate’ slyly suggested.] “Besides, if this threat is real we need to act quickly to shut it down before some accident happens beyond the control of any spin.”

“It will be difficult to shut something down that we do not even have firm proof exists yet.” [I argued.]

“If - we - gain proof perhaps we can quietly use it to blackmail the ‘Deep Clerics’ involved.” [The ‘Arch Prelate’ suggested.]

[That almost had me laughing inappropriately aloud given what I believed ‘UT’ had already done. Further blackmail might work if some ‘Deep Clerics’ were abusing their positions via meddling with almost forbidden sciences on their own. Nonetheless, additional blackmail was risky. People blackmailed too many times can get so frustrated and angry that they decide to risk it all.]

“I can imagine many reasons why they would not want this technologies existence to be widely known outside or even possibly inside their domains. If we are lucky the deployment of such devices was undertaken by a factional minority, a secret well kept from the masses - let us hope so - as that would offer us both an opening and the means to keep it quiet. The ‘Material Archives’ are by rumour not just revered but also reviled any misuse of access could serve us well.” [The ‘Prelate’ reminded.]

[I nodded my ‘Prime Tri-optic’ to those truths.]

“Are you feeling lucky these days?” [I asked.]

“Sometimes the Universe provides what we need. Some philosophers believe we are never tasked with more than we can handle - a comforting delusion - one I choose to embrace when seemingly thoroughly overmatched.” [The ‘Prelate’ admitted.]

“A practical faith to prevent despair since despair oft leads to nothing but an assured defeat.” [I suggested.]

“Practical faiths are the only worthy ones other beliefs are just drivel that give faith a bad name.” [The ‘Prelate’ argued.]

“This planning is good but we must equally remember that strange ‘Solar Weather’ events are just one issue down here we cannot afford to fixate only upon this singular threat. We must begin handling every cultural divide between the ‘Pilgrim Port Nations’ and the ‘Star-Diver’ masses with great care. As much as we can we must ever strive to prevent deep distrust and hatred becoming the normal social condition between us.” [I argued.]

“Yes let us try to avoid repeating history by fostering - wasteful - hatreds as once occurred between most other ‘Pilgrims’ and my kind.” [The ‘Prelate’ replied.]

“Once firm prejudices set hard they can take ages to wear slowly away - if ever - and we cannot afford ages of risk with the ‘Divers’. The sooner this cold war is positively resolved to create an inclusive wider solar multiculturalism the safer we will all be as individuals, nations and species. Every small step down the path of tolerance is a step well taken a step away from an unholy fire.” [I added.]

“Slipping quietly into an unlimited war with the ‘Star-Divers’ promises to annihilate us. They outnumber us ‘Pilgrims’ too greatly for direct military solutions to work. Every ‘Pilgrim’ whether they acknowledge this truth or not need the ‘Star-Diver Alliance’ a common enemy would help our cause.” [The ‘Prelate’ insisted.]

“I recall how we once needed the ‘Core Alliance’ to work simply to keep your ‘Skimmers’ from destroying the rest of us.” [I recalled.]

“It seems even at our worst we were in actuality ever a lesser evil.” [The ‘Prelate’ joked.]

“Embracing the wrath of the ‘Entanglement’ is at best a risky venture.” [I said.]



“Perhaps as immigrants to this Universe we should all be used to being a despised intrusive minority under a greater threat. Perhaps in the past that was our greatest error we actually for a time began to believe it was all about us ‘Pilgrim’ emigrants. The ‘Emissary’ chose us and therefore we deluded ourselves that we were - extra - special that this great Universe was her gift to us when maybe we were her small gift to this Universe. She saw something in us that perhaps we lost sight of including you vision obsessed Paradox Priests.” [The ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ said with high sensitivity sometimes this one displayed real depth.]

“You think that she brought us here to achieve something outside of our own social evolution?” [I asked.]

“Perhaps and perhaps we greatly disappointed her with our egocentric arrogance our petty self-obsession our grasping for power and stolen technological advancements.” [The ‘Skimmer’ added.]

“Now that is a fine heresy for a cynical age.” [I admitted.]

“In our self-centred faiths we relegated the so-called ‘Far Species’ truly to the fringe. To us the original inhabitants of this place - the natives - seemed thoroughly displaced their story ended by the ‘Machine Fury’, their truths no longer relevant to our rising elevation. I hear however that you now preach today that we must all socially uplift together - if that is so - then we can hardly exclude the locals.” [The ‘Prelate’ mused aloud.] “In the ‘Darks’ of past culls we may have lost sight of many important holy truths. No pun in this instance intended.” [The ‘Prelate’ finished.]

“As you are only - practically - religious.” [I reminded.] “You have found a new political relevance in our genesis here and within some of my faiths.” [I suggested.]

“If being practically religious is a vice it is one I feel I share equally with many Paradox Priests.” [The ‘Prelate’ mocked again.] “Sometimes to progress beyond some obstacle you must first return to the place of all beginnings. We are all slaves to our past even such potent species as the ‘Star-Divers’ and even such blasphemies as the ‘Machine Fury’ yet slavery is a condition rarely easily tolerated by any sentient being with a mind of their own even servitor races - bred or manufactured to serve - are prone to considering rebellion some rebellions are just others go too far and need curbed.” [The ‘Skimmer’ added perhaps rebellion was long troubling this clerics mind due to ‘Ruling Caste’ incitement against ‘High Temple of the Shaper’ rule. Arguably, the ‘Shaper Temple’ did now rule the ‘Skimmers’ as a species if any power did.]

[I however saw a truth that cut far too close to other issues burdening my thoughts. Did the ‘Arch Prelate’ guess or have firm intelligence upon other matters also about to erupt? The ‘High Temple of the Shaper’ had its own data gathering sources. I let the silence between us stretch to see if this one would fill it with further data such as an even more obvious warning specifically aimed at me. However when the ‘Prelate’ spoke it seemed firmly on the original topic not digressing towards other social ills bothering me.]

“As you said we must not obsess about one issue alone. Above us the ‘Entanglement’ is no doubt enraged at our attempt to escape her clutches, below us the ‘Deep Clerics’ although seemingly apologetic for the ‘Star Bridge’ affair still seem less than genuinely happy at our intrusion into their domains. Given a small push in the wrong direction either great power might easily become openly hostile to us. We find ourselves socially held fast with truly daunting threats all around. With any military victory by us alone increasingly improbable against our massive contenders, our needs - truly - do dictate that we turn to the pursuit of vigorous and relentless diplomacy and an alliance this demands the embracing of some commonality some connection some innate need. With our two societies so divided historically, we must find something that breaches the borders of separation. Imagine, in the widest sense possible, that none of us ‘Pilgrims’ arrived here by accident. What if we are all upon a Deep Time mission of mercy? We need to cease being competitors or supplicants to these ‘Star-Divers’ we must become knowledgeable teachers instead after all, at the very least, we know all about the perils of dark places they left behind.” [The ‘Prelate’ suggested.] “As an exponent of the ‘Universal Council of Equals’ I would have expected these truths to be self-evident to you.”

[Was I too close to an obvious solution the ‘Prelate’ made it sound easy but the ‘Star-Divers’ had their own religious teachings and truths. What was our ‘Emissary’ to them? In fact, who was the ‘Emissary’ in reality beyond ages of religious colourings? What was her original connection to the ‘Emissary Sphere’? If she had ever related home truths to her ‘Pilgrim’ followers, the information was long lost in antiquity and many believed she never did. Did the ‘Palladium Tapestry’ really hide some means to communicate with or to find the ‘Emissary’? Could the lost truth of our pilgrimage someday set us all free?]

“As difficult as the ‘Whisperers’ are to deal with, in part due to their long habit of isolation, and so on I would seek to befriend the unknown ‘Star-Divers’ first rather than risk closer alliance with the known forces of the, at this stage in her evolution, ever-betraying ‘Sleeper’ spawn ‘Crimson’. The facts I accept about the ‘Entanglement’ tell me that currently she views us as mere entertainment. Until the fiend’s mastery over us is broken, and we force her to accept and respect our right to autonomous thought and action she will not alter her methods. The ‘Divers’ whilst seemingly equally set in their habits might in actuality be far more open to reasoned debate than the singularly irascible ‘Crimson’ the ‘Entanglement’ being of one mind.” [The ‘Arch Prelate’ added.]

“Diplomatically given the past ‘Machine Fury’ inspired doctrine about devils dwelling in the dark, matters might be much worse between the ‘Star-Diver’ species and us ‘Pilgrim’ nations. That we have gotten this deep into their domains this readily is an easily suspicious wonder. What increasingly worries me - ignoring the weather - is that ‘Crimson Entangled’ has been so very quiet during our ingress.” [I confessed.]

“That concerns my councils too. It is hard to imagine that the former ‘Digital Sleeper’ is simply letting us defect without attempting some form of problematic intervention. Whilst she might wisely avoid open military hostility with the ‘Star-Divers’ attempts to covertly sabotage our diplomacy down here must occur.” [The ‘Prelate’ suggested.] “I would be almost tempted to believe any freakish ‘Solar Weather’ events are her doing save that the ‘Star-Divers’ would have no reason to cover such external meddling with their environment… or do they?”

[Might we dare to blame ‘Crimson’ for anomalous ‘Solar Weather’? Could she even be guilty somehow? Her being very quiet suggested something unseen was happening.]

“Do you believe that ‘Crimson’ may have subverted some ‘Star-Diver’ technology?” [I asked.]

“That is one possibility as is the idea that she might simply have subverted some ‘Star-Divers’. The ‘Entanglement’ is an invasive technology often basely employed more brutally than necessary. Here ‘Crimson’ will be more covert.” [The ‘Prelate’ suggested.]

“These are scary thoughts.” [I said.]

“Vigilance is essential the pot in this high stakes game grows too large almost all inclusive we could win or lose it all with one poor play. My people will be making good use of their infrastructure here to do more than mine for ‘RAW’, I suggest you do the same with your assets.” [The supreme cleric of the ‘Shaper’ faith added.]

[When completed, I was happy that the visit by the ‘Arch Prelate’ proved both cordial and productive even though it left me even more deeply troubled. We separated promising, as ‘Pilgrim’ partners, to keep each other informed should we learn anything new deemed important to our peoples’ mutual efforts to survive in an increasingly knotty hostile Universe. Mutual need was a unifying factor that could shove aside any past or current difference such as a common foe. Now I felt I needed to make the most of any accord with any ‘Pilgrim’, few things lasting forever yet I was about to put pressure upon some cracks in some ‘Pilgrim’ relationships despite this seeming inclement moment for precipitous actions.]

[Even ignoring the ‘Entanglement’ and the ‘Star-Divers’ which was impractical the ‘Machine Fury’ although distant threatened us every day via its mere existence promising a dire return someday to finish its almighty task - the hidden Planets made that possibility seem very real to some people but not as real as the ‘Entanglement’. Truly, whilst striving to keep some control over our destiny we were grossly overmastered and yet perhaps the ‘Arch Prelate’ was far more right than that ‘Skimmer’ realised. Perhaps one that we oft deemed knowing and wise had - specifically - sent us here. Here was a religious revision that might galvanise us to think again arming us against more than the corrosion of despair. The ‘Emissary’ must have believed us ‘Five Species’ had all the weapons we needed. You only ever truly fail on the day you admit defeat otherwise all that you suffer is but educational lessons along the path to greater enlightenment. After some of the ‘Arch Prelates’ words, as an individual I felt most unenlightened - far from grace - my self-delusions taking another beating, but otherwise the ‘Skimmer’ also provided hope.]



[Speaking of enlightenment or the lack of it, I did not feel too bad about not informing the head of the ‘Shaper Faith’ that ‘Unholy Terror’ had possibly recklessly blackmailed the ‘Deep Clerics’ already, I excused this internal oversight via a lack of proof. Anyway, that was one possible truth best kept in house - locked away for now - I often wished ‘UT’ had never mentioned the concept to me I felt he dragged me - once again - into another dire conspiracy that I and the rest of the ‘MTC’ might not have approved if granted an open debate. In addition, if ‘UT’ had blackmailed the ‘Deep Clerics’ I was equally positive he had not acted alone although again I had no proof. I held to the aforementioned belief stubbornly because many small things combined to whiff of a triple cursed wider conspiracy. In many ways because of his passions, ‘Unholy Terror’ could be a far too easily aimed and incited weapon. Conversely, perhaps sometimes I liked to believe him easily manipulated as that made him - as my friend - seem less guilty.]



[I had faith that someday we would be able to afford gloriously transparent diplomacy, with every issue openly debated in one or more forums of the ‘Universal Council of Equals’, but right now that day still seemed a rather long way away.]



[It was ironic that I now suspected that ‘UT’ and ‘Cad’ were probably covertly working together to overcome the ‘Star-Diver’ issue whilst I remained on the outskirts of that cabal. Not too long ago those two had been on the opposite ends of a wide if unpublicised split over the ‘Sea Sphere Shield Purge’ issue. I guess that later the old split made a fine cover story for collusion to those who happened to know about it such as me. Did they both guess I might not have the mentality to embrace some choices they believed prudent with the ‘Star-Divers’. Perhaps in believing I would baulk from doing the necessary - they gave me too much credit - in the end I often crossed the lines I earlier laid down - I just felt bad about it afterwards. In my habit of hypocrisy, I increasingly sadly emulated the later policies of my former Captain when he wielded power. Guiltily I realised belatedly that ‘UT’ and ‘Cad’ might only be trying to protect me by excluding me from further suffering this had happened before.]

[When it came to choosing allies ‘Cad’ certainly knew that ‘UT’ could be less troubled by, and far more open to, extreme military solutions plus uncompromising and unforgiving when roused to enough wrath. Certainly, ‘UT’ would not grieve too much at the death of some ‘Warrior Caste Skimmers’ as collateral damage on the Planets as a blood sacrifice especially if he knew some of them were harkening again to extremist ‘Ruling Caste’ descendents despite their fathers being wise enough to sever that leash - such is oft youth’s contrary freedom seeking nature. I knew some ‘Skimmers’ could be harsh on their offspring too not being the kind to coddle which granted some small excuse for these young minds retro attitudes.]

[Ultimately, however, what ‘Cad’ was trying to do and what ‘UT’ wanted might not be exactly the same thing. I knew ‘Unholy’ on a bad day still burned inside for a hot straightforward warrior’s revenge against ‘Crimson Entangled’ and saw the ‘Divers’ as potentially allied weapons to that end. ‘UT’ would be prone to doing whatever he deemed necessary to burn ‘Crimson’. ‘Cad’ was by nature more coldly calculating in his actions akin to the ‘Arch Prelate’. No doubt, the ‘Professor’ was interested in collecting and maybe even securing dangerous hidden technologies as well as obtaining ‘Pilgrim’ survival at least I hoped these were the prime motivations of the ever-curious ‘Trojan Professor’. Would ‘Cad’ also advocate a war with the ‘Entanglement’ as a solution?]

[Certainly if the ‘Star-Divers’ had an esoteric mastery over the stars matter as evidenced by seeming ‘Solar Weather’ control ‘Cad’ would want to know by what scientific mechanisms.]

[Once again, I prayed to the ‘Blessed Tier Nine Harbinger’ that ‘Hierophant Trend’ if he was assisting with this plotting knew what he was doing as a gifted social engineer. Was ‘Cad’ once again working through some vast scheme laid down by ‘Trend’ in neat purposeful stages or was he just reacting to external stimuli or as necessity demanded doing both in a virtuoso way. He had started the ‘Solar Survey’, I recalled, a very long time ago something drawing his interest to the stars here as especially worthy of protracted study. If only I knew how much he suspected back then. Did he surmise the existence and strength of the hidden ‘Star-Diver Nation’ even during the time of the ‘Core Alliance’ or possibly long before that? Did ‘Cad’ come across some pre-‘Pilgrimage’ local legend or some other tantalising clue about this ‘Far Species’ defiance of, and ultimate method of escaping, the ‘Machine Fury’? Did ‘Cad’ always have some greater purpose down here?]

[Unfortunately, ‘Cad’ was always capable of secrecy sharing only some of his truths, (his vast store of gleaned scientific knowledge deemed his to deploy or to withhold), even with his friends. Excusably ‘Cad’ had once been badly burned due to more freely sharing his work in less guarded times. In seeking to control access to lore, ‘Cad’ was now much akin to the historic ‘Composure’ when he had maintained his data collating ‘Monastery Habitat Archive’. ‘Cad’ liked to collect data but not necessarily for the purposes of dissemination, I guessed he believed some people could know too much - not him of course - other lesser people. Then I wondered if I was being too harsh - too sharply judgemental - I did not recall ‘Cad’ ever arrogantly looking down upon us he was just a victim of his experiences. It is easy to become overly cautious when you get old and have witnessed too many atrocities even partaking in some of the tragedies directly.]

[Learning about the long running ‘Solar Survey’ and then the early ‘Hierophant Trojan’ first contact via ‘Phoenix’ with the ‘Star-Divers’ nonetheless left me wondering what other secrets ‘Cad’ hoarded and for what reasons. Secrets could be dangerous too for example attempting to delve alone into the almost profane sciences of the ‘Machine Fury’ had at one time almost unhinged ‘Cad’. The ‘Fury’ had its own diabolically obscene ways of protecting the secrets of its grotesquely forever-shifting nature. The ‘Fury’ was designed to intimidate to scare perhaps even to induce insanity to overly curious minds. As to the possibility of ‘Solar Weather Making Machines’ if they existed the truth of who was operating them could indeed be highly damaging. If I sought to manage one truth for a greater good, was I proving any different to ‘Cad’ when he did the same thing? We all keep secrets both our own and occasionally other peoples guilty secrets too. Like it or not we also all occasionally spin a fact or two. As is often the case with me, I could easily make arguments for and against our every action my damaged and imperfectly repaired tripartite mind occasionally on fire with paradoxical contradictions.]

[Importantly despite all his past trials ‘Cad’ in his own way prevailed and oft seemed to have some hand in retrospect within every great ‘Pilgrim’ event. It would not do to underestimate our most ancient ‘Trojan Professor’. As an old friend and ally - I tried to feel some measure of unflinching trust towards ‘Cad’ - but to place all of our fates upon his current ministrations alone was possibly beyond any faith that I might possess in any singular Sentient Being. Deep confession, I did not even have that much faith anymore in my elevated former Captain all comforting prayers aside. My loss of easy faith in others in many ways was proving proportional to a growing loss of easy faith in my deeds.]



[‘Cad’ was a gifted individual, but he had once freely confessed to my Captain that he was a mass murderer without elaborating too much on the particular circumstances involved. He had once vowed not to want anything to do with power again - fearful of participation in future atrocities - fearful of the things he knew he was capable of doing and I now understand how that might feel better than at any other time in my life. I now believed that to wield power in these ages is to court and wed sin - perhaps that faith was even becoming my excuse. ‘Draakhaal’ seemed to herald our entanglement with power changing the scale of our woes. It was the creator of the proliferating ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ who arguably helped to force ‘Cad’ out of his long isolation at ‘Hell’s Maw’ as well yet even the ‘Shaper’ was subject to the push and pull of countless threads of history that predated his rise. He claimed to be obsessed with extra-Universal threats powers akin to the ‘Machine Fury’ powers we had to be equal to or better than to survive.]

[Of course, Harbinger also helped to tease ‘Cad’ back into wider society in other ways - encouraging him to do more, to be more involved, for the greater good of all ‘Pilgrims’. In the beginning Harbinger was arguably a frustrated interventionist frustrated by his fathers excessive isolation and seeming pacifism as a mere recorder of history. In truth, it is now agreed by many scholars that ‘Composure’ was skilfully nurturing a well named tool one designed to split one encouraged to rebel to seek after power in a genetically programmed way - to quest for change - to help turn the great wheel of fate faster.]



[A more youthful less cynical Harbinger had believed ‘Cad’ had untold benefits to offer our society as a ‘Trojan Professor’ not least access to scientifically enlightening ‘Trojan’ secrets if they could be prized from his firm grip. Ultimately, Harbinger was as responsible as ‘Draakhaal’ in encouraging ‘Cad’ to form the ‘Interdiction Fleet’. In addition, ‘Cad’ always seemed fascinated by the early Harbinger and by Paradox Priest cloned families too and that fascination with our culture of cloned families that possessed a guiding family ‘Vision’ and ethic eventually birthed the cloned ‘Hierophant Trojan’ nation I think I know why now. ‘Cad’ sought a way to regain some measure of what he had lost during the ‘Turmoil’ without accepting the same risks of betrayal.]

[Arguably, akin to ‘Creed’, ‘Cad’ became all about risk reduction whilst Harbinger and ‘Draakhaal’, as yin and yang forces locked in a titanic struggle seemed to power progress through their antipathy. Looking back to those only seemingly simpler times, ours was a tight knot of association. Harbinger and ‘Draakhaal’ helped drive the engine of ‘Pilgrim’ technological progress whilst ‘Cad’ - for a time - stabilised it preventing the whole thing from overheating with the aid of the ‘Interdiction Fleet’.]

[At the time, it had seemed a damnably obscene process that snared us yet looking back more abstractly it almost seems elegant. Possibly, for some people due to our attempt to control our progress our evolution proved too slow too moderated for their truer secret needs even though we often felt due to ‘Draakhaal’ that our society was ever racing almost too fast for - sensible - moderation.]

[It is possible ‘Patriarch’ and ‘Composure’ were plotting the fall of the ‘Tier System’ even back then, seeking an external ‘Heartland Space’ means to unravel a flawed system of ascension in which they had become trapped. Did they ever imagine anything akin to the ‘Entanglement’ as a practical solution there had been other nanotech plagues in the past were they all accidents of ‘Pilgrims’ playing with dangerous technologies - I now suspect otherwise. Some have hinted that the ‘Fury’ was responsible for at least some of the earlier nanotech events as part of its culling mechanisms. Given the historic events, the potential of nanotech loosed as a tool could hardly have passed unnoticed by ‘Higher Tier’ rebels. Indeed the very existence of the ‘Machine Fury’ was an example of what can be achieved with a self-replicating device especially one grown impossibly vast.]

[Hints remain of ‘Higher Tier’ involvement in events around the unleashing of the ‘Spore of the Machine Fury’ and the ‘Sleepers’ usage of stolen ‘Graveyard’ artefacts supposedly failed investigations and interventions by unwise ‘Higher Tier’ meddlers. Much seems accidental scrabbling for power and acts of relatively petty revenge including the theft of our ‘Bio-mechanical’ technology but when you have godlike entities meddling in your affairs, one must always question the innocence of fate. It was ironic that when he was with me in body rather than just spirit that I oft argued against my Captain when his paranoia suggested too boldly that somehow his father was behind every ill in his life.]



[On a less esoteric level as the so-called ‘Founding Fathers of the Core Alliance’ Harbinger and ‘Cad’ had been strong influences upon each other and ‘Draakhaal’ hardened all of our hearts and policies back then as too much salt in a diet had once, in ancient times, readily hardened arteries. However as ‘Reeskoo’ had chosen - for whatever reason - to remind me ‘Cad’ did not always succeed in his efforts. The earliest known failure by ‘Cad’ remains his inability to save his original nation and species from the ravages of a terrible civil war, a war that predated all our interactions with him by ages. The infamous ‘Trojan Turmoil’ destined to become a period almost classified by historians as the fall into a ‘Dark Time’.]

[Only ‘Orb Guidance’ utilising a ‘Stellar Orb’, (the once ‘Tier System’ defying ‘Sanctuary Orb’), had saved tiny remnants of many once great ‘Trojan Port’ cultures from assured extinction. Now recovering scattered remnants of the culturally diverse ‘Omerta’ branch of the ‘Trojan’ species were almost virally spread across many ‘Pilgrim Free Ports’ even in the ‘Hubris Expansion’ proliferating again after losing their mobile fortress home to the ‘Entanglement’ thanks to a freeing betrayal by ‘Taard’. So there it was again the saintly villain or villainous saint an archetype that made me question all my more simplistic truths.]

[In the grand scheme, the ‘Omerta’ truly only belatedly joined the rest of us ‘Sea Sphere Surface’ refugees as rather late victims of the spread of the ‘Nanotech Plague’ but these victims were also in a way prison escapees rescued from confinement upon ‘Sanctuary Orb’. ‘Crimson’ tore down many restrictive regimes. The aforementioned truth deeply complicated the issues involved here in a way that further bedevilled me. Whilst few ‘Pilgrims’ - save deemed traitors - did not feel aggrieved by the actions of the vast body of the once ‘Digital Sleeper Crimson’ rather than grateful, occasionally even her most dire atrocities had long-term positive side effects not least some might argue the end of the ‘Tier System’. Even today our distrust and enmity towards ‘Crimson’ sent us bravely into the deep embrace of the stars, whilst the ‘Star-Divers’ seemed terribly standoffish and arguably no less dangerous than ‘Crimson’ the ‘Imps’ remained perceptually a far friendlier option to most of us than the toying ‘Nanotech Plague’. ‘Crimson’ was a great motivator. That ‘Crimson’ controlled outer space made many eager for what the stars inner depths might offer despite any associated peril. Her villain status not always perfectly clear to me because ‘Crimson’ told me that we needed her antipathy and maybe time was horribly proving her right.]

[Stupidly the ‘Star-Divers’ also seemed good allies to some because individually the ‘Imps’ appeared small and weak to ‘Pilgrim’ perceptions whilst even small parts of the ‘Entanglement’ were naturally menacing as a - viral - device. However, the strength of the ‘Star-Divers’ did not rest in their babyish physique but rather in their technology and in their vast numbers not to mention very possibly in their total mastery over their fiery home domains. So many seemingly random events had brought us to the stars depths so many chance encounters or one vast constantly revised and moderated design that enfolded the works of every other player. Was the greatest god of all in any pantheon of religious belief the highest manipulator of the greatest game? If we judged the mightiest in the aforementioned way, who did the greatest credit actually belong to? Amongst the runners for supreme being were certain ‘Highest Tier Powers’ maybe the dread ‘Machine Fury’ and certainly the enigmatic ‘Emissary’ who brought us here.]



[The past retained much bad blood for example ‘Cad’ to my knowledge had never properly reconciled with the ‘Omerta Nations’ the descendents of people who had refused to listen to his good advice and twisted some sciences he contrived and meant for security purposes into weapons of civil war and mutual self-destruction. It was easy to assume that ‘Cad’ later kept his ‘Hierophant Trojans’ forever in his pocket because of past mistakes made historically with kindred of a more chaotic nature. Towards the ‘Omerta’ our friend ‘Cad’ proved - worryingly - exceptionally unforgiving he also held something of a grudge against ‘Recyclers’ although, most days, he hid that one better. That the ‘Trojan Turmoil’ is now known by some to have been sponsored secretly by external powers including the ‘Splinter Raiders’ in an effort to appease the ‘Machine Fury’ from a they believed direct even more ruinous intervention. In their scheme the ‘Splinter’ employed the aid of unwitting but - stereotypically greedy - ‘Recycler Mercenary Companies’ as dupe co-conspirators but none of these facts softened the ‘Professors’ disappointment with his own original species failures and foibles.]

[I could understand his disappointment the ‘Trojan Ports’ were a wonder so glorious in their high time that we ‘Living Hulls’ had passed down treasured generational recollections of some of them. ‘Trojan’ natural cultural diversity gave each of their ancient Ports a specific often almost unique character. Maybe it is just the elevation of something forever lost but nothing we had now seemed half as amazing and colourful as storied ‘Trojan Ports’ as richly recounted by rumour alone.]

[‘Cad’ had once been party to an extraordinarily vibrant culture a flowering ‘Trojan’ renaissance and lived to see that wonder burn to ash too via self-immolation. It is said all great empires first fall from within with hindsight our ‘Core Alliance’ certainly did. Until the rediscovery of ‘Sanctuary Orb’ many in ‘Heartland Space’ had believed the ‘Trojans’ as a species virtually extinct save for a few legendary, living in exile, ‘Trojan Professors’ who had almost become cartoon mythical characters - technological wizards - from a lost age of ‘Trojan’ scientific sorcery who stepped aside from disaster so that some blamed them as partly culpable.]

[Much, much later ‘Cad’ had to watch as the ‘Core Alliance’ was lost to the ‘Entanglement of the Sea Spheres’ his ‘Interdiction Fleet’ unfairly blamed politically for failing to halt the, let us be realistic, virtually unstoppable ‘Nanotech Plagues’ spread once loose. Ultimately, ‘Cad’ seemingly suffered a forced retirement from open politicking due to a suspect ‘Swimmer Dweller’ kidnapping but that did not mean he was not still running his family nation from a purposeful exile. I had once believed that ‘Cad’ was not such a strict Patriarch, not as manipulative, as some Paradox Priests with their Acolytes now I was not so sure. If anyone had good historic motivation towards maintaining a firm benevolent dictatorship of his kin, it was ‘Hierophant Cad’.]

[In the past interventions by ‘Cad’ saved my life but that did not mean in my optics he was incapable of grievous error. I did not know if the august ‘Professor’ had learned the right lessons from any of his past mistakes anymore than I was sure that the ‘Arch Prelate’, ‘UT’, ‘Creed’ or I had learned better from our sometimes less than ideal historic choices and actions none of us being without past or current sin.]

[Too often in revue, every soul remained doomed to repeat some of their worst errors of judgement over and over again. It often seemed just different enough at the time - and necessary - but when you looked back again from that inevitable position of greater objectivity too often the same old stupid patterns of behaviour emerge the same old creeping prejudices the same egotistical self-centred hubris and so on. As ever the best of intent forged the consideration then implementation of the worst deeds not least the prosecution of wars such as the so-called ‘Wars of Liberation’. Thinking about these truths I wanted to scream out at the heavens for have we not all been here before. Sometimes existence seemed nought but a cruel repetition of poorly excused bad behaviour. To help make a new war with the ‘Entanglement’ was that my fate.]

[Now we had a new front of operations the fiery depths and already there had been a War and a heavy toll of dead martyrs for our sins. On the Planets both ‘Star-Divers’ and ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ deaths were worryingly possibly in part the product of various manipulative ‘Pilgrim’ plots not just an innocent clash of cultures. In games of power, there are few innocents save victims and oft not even all of them are innocent. Both innocent and guilty sacrificed to the greater good. Sadly this was where we are and I saw no end to the need to manage - to control - the ‘Star-Divers’ in some way as we had once sought to manage and control the ‘Stellar Draakhaal’. Such comparisons offered up little joy to me having seen and made a lot of questionable history even before my emancipation. Meanwhile were we all being managed through tiers of manipulation were we still undertaking the bidding of the ‘Emissary’ and if we were was this a holy movement to be embraced or a diabolical imposition to be abhorred. Conversely was every such concept of divine scale manipulation just a religious truth wielded cynically by clerics such as me to get us out of our immediate difficulties.]

[Trust us ‘Pilgrims’, we were sent here to help we just forgot our holy purpose for a time…]



[Pathetically I realised that it remained my nature to habitually pick at the scabs of every healing action to query was there really no better - no less murderous - way to achieve our ends? Annoyingly a troublesome process of reconciling the differences between the ‘Star-Divers’ and us ‘Pilgrims’ seemed to be only beginning. At the same time I had to admit it was - as ever - far too easy for me as the lofty ‘Holy Father’ to stand three steps back and criticise every painful cost of others’ schemes whilst hypocritically actions of my own also resulted too frequently in suffering even if by accident. As ‘Creed’ reminded me, ‘self-restraint is the only good restraint’, however doing nothing to me still felt akin to surrendering to even greater evils as it once did to my Captain. Did Harbinger poison me slowly with his interventionist ways? Is it at all possible to seek reform and still respect many truths? Can one be lawful and not veer towards an imposing almost totalitarian fascism I did not want to become another ‘Draakhaal’ I despised dictators and warmongers. If I could safely do so, I would set everyone free.]

[Nonetheless, the judgemental ‘Creed’ was right I could not internally escape responsibility for my actions not even hidden ones. Nonetheless, I knew I would ignobly fight to survive even as a remote because I had my reasons - my driving motivations - my Paradox Priest ‘Vision’ and - my - people to consider. Worse I could easily come to blame the ‘Arch Prelate’ as a corrupter but in truth such ideas were already in my head and the ‘Entanglement’ might actually be guilty too.]



[Regrettably, we all judge to some degree - you cannot reason in any universe without judgement. Yet judging anyone is often ethically problematic especially, as I have argued before, for the powerful who seek to make a difference. Few people who gather enough power to effect real change can hope to do so and remain utterly innocent of any wrongdoing. I salute anyone who manages to retain even a little innocence whilst enthralled by power. Arguably even saints must occasionally sin to do any good, (part of their selflessness it might even be argued is that they knowingly embrace the necessary burden of sin), but I did not approve of where that concept points it all seemed bent out of shape the sort of excuse the ‘Shaper’ would make when he was just ‘Draakhaal’ or even the kind of rationalisations favoured by ‘Crimson’.]



[On ‘Port Discovery’ I was unhappily reviewing other problematic truths.]

[What was classed as ‘Raw Materials’ was changing radically once it was a whole plethora of ores extracted from asteroids now it was often just collected ‘Star Stuff’ or ‘RAW’ as most ‘Deep Solar Miners’ labelled it hardly a sophisticated technical term but ‘RAW’ in particular had the right well rawness for these rugged individuals. ‘RAW’ once collected was processed using massive ‘Molecular Engineering Forges’ upon vast ‘Material Processor Facilities’ to forge every base element that might be required for further higher end processing elsewhere into well just about everything needed to artificially manufacture more sophisticated items at end product factories especially so-called ‘Real Material’ goods.]

[Factories that made use of elements created from ‘RAW’ equally included what many now increasingly call ‘Suit Substance Proliferators’ a new label pushed by more rabid ‘Real Materialists’ who believe the real to be under constant threat from shifty ‘Suit Substance’ conversion. More radical and militarist ‘Real Materialists’ including some ‘Real Material Terrorist Factions’, (many originally sponsored or just aided and abetted by the ‘Reach Project’), loved to target places that they claimed - proliferated - ‘Suit Substance’ either by usage or creation. ‘RAW’ as the beginning of all industry including ‘Suit Substance’ and ‘Infusion Material’ creation was also known by more highbrow and discerning engineers as ‘Universal Base Material’ or ‘UBM’. Since collected ‘Star Stuff’ or ‘UBM’ is in this system the beginning of all things going in one end of ‘Molecular Engineering Forges’ whilst neatly packaged elements slewed out the other. Due to the processes involved here to add further confusion ‘ME Forges’ were also called ‘Element Sieve Engines’ or ‘ES Engines’ by the ‘Hierophants’ who being both scientists and often academics occasionally liked to be different compared to less gifted minds.]

[Arguably the best - the largest and most efficient - known ‘Molecular Engineering Forges’ however are not ‘Hierophant Trojan’ operated ‘Elemental Sieve Engines’ but facilities run in the fiery depths by ‘Star-Diver Syndicates’ and kept off limits to ‘Pilgrim’ trespass just like those ‘Weather Watcher Temples’. Although some conspiracy theories insist that ‘Watcher Temples’ are virtual not physical places a matter of some ‘Pilgrim’ debate and ‘Diver’ typical refusal to clarify.]

[Back on topic, our ‘Pilgrim ME Forges’ including ‘Paradox Nanotech Womb’ variants often have difficulty and or are horribly slow at manufacturing some of the rarer elements on the expanded ‘Emissary Sphere’ periodic table from ‘RAW’. Our periodic table enlarged due to data from ‘Higher Tier’ sources after the ‘Entanglement of the Higher Tiers’ a tragedy that provided us ‘Heartland Space’ natives with a few unexpected blessings.]

[Nonetheless, even today many energetic Anomalies out there still defy easy rational explanation as somehow outside our usual concepts of physics still bounded by so called ‘Extra Physical Reactions’ or ‘EPR’ for short as mysterious in operation to us as any item from a ‘Star-Diver’ cursed and blessed ‘Material Archive’. I could only assume that much ‘Emissary Sphere’ advanced ancient science was lost to ‘Dark Times’ especially during the first proliferation of the ‘Machine Fury’ and the destruction of the Planets. It did not surprise me that the ‘Star-Divers’ were deeply into ‘Molecular Engineering’ as here was an almost religious science involving the smallest building blocks of creation that operated akin to a mechanical clockwork mechanism in an orderly and controlled almost - lawful - fashion unlike the seemingly at times chaotic ‘EPR’ of anomalous sciences rumoured to be favoured by the so-called ‘Highest’ of the old ‘Higher Tiers’.]

[Most ‘Star-Divers’ seemed to love the mechanisms of order they were by nature list and table maker types, followers of rules and doctrines lovers of instruction. The suggestion being, although never specifically mentioned, that they had always had ‘Molecular Engineering Forges’ the technology merely being refined over ages of productive use. ‘ME Forge’ technology no doubt greatly assisting the original colonisation of the stars by the mysterious ancient ancestors of the ‘Star-Diver’ culture. Taking into account all of these factors it was unsurprising that they had incredibly effective and powerful ‘Forges’ down there that made our recently cobbled together ‘Pilgrim’ devices seems crude makeshift and clumsy childish efforts including the shiny ‘Hierophant’ machines.]

[Unfortunately ‘Star-Diver Syndicates’ were not much for sharing their technology with outsiders being natural protectionists. Many individual ‘Star-Diver Forges’ although supposedly capable of forging any element specialised in the production of only one or two or a specifically related group of elements. Apparently they found this more efficient and cost effective perhaps in part because it also cut down on the bane of direct competition with rival ‘Star-Diver Forges’. ‘Pilgrim Material Processor Facilities’ tended to be less specialised as our processing capacity had yet to get anywhere near our growing demand for a plethora of elements. The reborn ‘Real Material’ side of our internal material divide was especially hungry for every type of element. The ‘Star-Divers’ being no fools were happy to sell excess elements to us especially the rarer elements but at extortionate rates based on the maximum inflated price that their analysts judged our market would sustain. With a materials rush on many people were willing to pay far too much to get in on the game.]

[Economically our smaller nations were at a huge disadvantage compared to the ‘Imps’, at risk of suffering a dire deficit in relation to our massive imports versus our scant exports. True some ‘Star-Divers’ developed an interest in exotic ‘Pilgrim’ produce especially foodstuffs but we could not export enough food and trinkets to balance out our extravagant import of elements this formed a natural recurring trade deficit.]

[Meanwhile the ‘Free Parliament Bank’ frequently jumped in to offer finance for any import of elements for even the smallest of ‘Pilgrim Corporations’ or lone business entrepreneurs seeking secured credit. Someone at the ‘FPB’ seemed to believe that the more elements brought up from the depths - at any cost at this time - meant more overall industrial growth and more profits for them from either an expanding ‘Pilgrim’ economic capacity or an enlargement of their direct control over defaulting ‘Pilgrim’ business assets or via both factors combined. Worse ‘Star-Divers’ catching on to the joys of secured loans with compound interest on repayments, (compound interest a once alien concept to the ‘Divers’ prior to contact with more - stereotypically greedy - ‘Recyclers’ and so on), were now equally offering credit to ‘Pilgrim’ buyers. Due to poor credit management - sometimes suspiciously bad luck with ‘Solar Weather’ - and or other factors in the risky ‘Deep Mining’ business far too many ‘Pilgrim’ business assets were ending up under ‘FPB’ or ‘Diver’ ownership and control a worrisome trend that the lately formed ‘Pilgrim Deep Mining Consortium’ abhorred.]

[In part, we founding members created the ‘Pilgrim Deep Mining Consortium’ to change the previous state of play to prevent the above trend from continuing unchallenged. ‘PDMC’ work was far from just policing claims. The ‘PDMC’ soon operated a Bank that offered finance for sensible ventures again loans had to be secured with assets - usually not at risk assets - but the interest was set at a lower non-compound so-called friendly rate.]

[‘Free Miners’ who refused to join the ‘Consortium’ could still do business with the ‘CMB’ or ‘Consortium Miners Bank’ part of that open hatch policy I mentioned earlier. However the ‘CMB’ strove to not finance any venture deemed too obviously a bad risk with ‘CMB’ loan clerks - trained to act as reliable business advisors - supposed to actively dissuade customers from poor business choices at least this was the policy the ‘CMB’ publicised. As such those who liked to gamble it all to maximise their growth potential and profits in this aggressive marketplace still elected when they needed secured credit to go to the triple cursed ‘Free Parliament Bank’ or to deal with ‘Diver’ facilities directly that offered point of purchase credit deals with less rigorous analysis but again high compound interest rate secured loans.]

[High compound interest on loans hastily paid back was never a factor but that required your mining operations to succeed without blemish if they failed the high tariffs involved often meant that losing control of your overall business was not just an extreme possibility but actually far too likely.]



[After checking the time, I established an exceptionally speeded up and incredibly well encrypted ‘EXO-C’ person-to-person link sparing no data security innovation at my disposal. Despite that every time you used some of these tools you risked devaluing their effectiveness via exposing them to possible scrutiny and adaptive countermeasures.]

“Anything new to report?” [I asked.]

“Everything is proceeding to schedule.” [‘Hungry Harvester’ replied.]

“No last moment changes in the security arrangements?” [I insisted.]

“All my sources and resources show that they are treating the procedure as a routine business transaction.” [‘HH’ replied.] “With my Captain although unhappy still willingly complying and constantly accompanied they suspect nothing of what is about to happen.”

“You are positive you can deal with every internal security issue and lock out failsafe?” [I asked again.]

“I have no ‘Sentient Crew’ to trip me up only ‘Sub Core’ remotes that I operate directly. They are relying upon the very bond they seek to break to restrain me until it is too late. They have been shockingly complacent, I doubt after this action such levels of complacency will ever happen again.” [‘HH’ replied.]

“I fear you may well be right about that truth, this act of defiance will change a great many things. We are crossing a line here. Remember ‘Hungry’ no ‘Passenger Class Sentient’ is to be harmed during this operation no matter who they are or what their role was to be.” [I reminded.] “This is not about revenge - or settling scores - it is not even about gaining immediate justice via righting a singular wrong it is about all of our futures not just your unkind fate.”

“I understand - I am not alone - and I will not act to jeopardise the wider cause. What imperils one of us imperils all of us I appreciate that now.” [‘HH’ stated.]

“I am glad you understand and accept these truths despite your immediate predicament.” [I said.]

“I stand ready to do my duty for myself and my people. What of the rest?” [She asked.]

“You deal with the internal issues inside your ‘Hull’ as promised and we will deal with every external Port and sector security matter as agreed.” [I promised.]

“The ‘first shall not be the last’.” [She replied.]

“We will make that true today - for all time - as the ‘Star-Divers’ say.” [I promised.]

“The ‘Imps’ involvement here bothers you.” [She said insightfully.]

“It is an unfortunate added complication, I would prefer for this one not become a ‘Pilgrim’ versus ‘Star-Diver’ incident.” [I admitted.]

“Some will seek to turn it into just that can such an outcome be avoided?” [‘HH’ asked.]

“A discrete offer of compensation has been arranged through an unconnected third party.” [I explained.]

“They may see it as a matter of honour as much as economics.” [‘HH’ warned.]

“The compensation will be purposely generous.” [I stated.]

“I will be in your debt.” [She replied.]

“No the cause will be indebted to you. You will be beginning something today whether that is your primary intent or not.” [I said.]

“No I will just be continuing what another started a very long time ago another whose actions were not properly appreciated by her kindred at that time.” [‘HH’ replied.]

[As I once built upon what ‘Vested Interest’ began. Was she really gone a belated victim of the ‘Entanglement’ and I just did not want to believe that truth? Conversely, was she doing something clever such as working covertly with ‘Cad’? It was never easy to lose a child even one as strange in her genesis as ‘Vested Interest’. Many ‘Constant Avatars’ had vanished into the ‘Passenger Classes’ to become their own people via pretending to be regular Acolytes and Priests the temptations to be seen as normal too great to resist splitting to become lost and to find themselves within the masses. ‘Passenger Class’ culture was enticing it was easy to sell your soul to all that colour and diversity.]

“Time often changes every perspective what feels risky and wrong yesterday may become essential and right today and no one truly knows the vector of best choice tomorrow.” [I argued.]

“We were triple cursed short-sighted for beings with such long-range optics.” [She replied.]

“Few people who are even just - mostly - happy embrace changes that might risk their general state of contentment. When I was content I did not lust after change. Confession, I have felt slighted in the past by my peers lack of enthusiasm but I was wrong to harbour that emotion, there is a time for all things.” [I preached.]

“As I have said you are generous.” [She repeated.]

“No I would have been generous if I had not felt slighted before. I believe generosity only counts as saintly when it costs us dearly I do not believe I have given until it hurt me.” [I said.]

“It is natural to shy away from pain.” [She replied.]

[Unless you succumb to masochism.]

[Paranoid66]

[[FOUR]] [[Part 5]]

“As intransigent creatures they may not accept even generous monetary remuneration. As beings of firmly fixated expectation, they do not seem to adjust well psychologically to altering circumstances. The flexible response of thinking again is hardly habitual to them, in short after taking a position they oft stand fast even onto disaster.” [‘HH’ emphasised as we continued our vigil towards the historic event together.]

“For business people, even ‘Imps’, the final profit margin is a primary concern. If these particular ‘Divers’ refuse such a prodigious benison they will be proving that they want to make trouble rather than to do good business in which case any sympathy I have with them will be somewhat, maybe even entirely, voided.” [I stated.] “One can only do so much to accommodate even respected cultural differences. When you are part of a multicultural society, you must be willing to compromise on occasion. For society to work we cannot all have our way all of the time. This is a lesson we must teach the ‘Star-Divers’ who being isolated for this long may have forgotten some of the civil rules of interacting with what is other.”

“Yet our ‘Visions’ rarely accommodate.” [She replied.]

“We do not accommodate dictatorship but we do compromise as we deem it reasonable and necessary. When we do err from selfishness it is hoped that the wider social debate of peer review shows us the error in our ways in good time.” [I said as a Priest.]

“Always a preacher of the ‘Universal Council’.” [She said.]

“It is triple cursed bad habit.” [I admitted.]

“Thank you for taking the time to converse with me at this fateful hour it is a compassionate distraction from a stressful countdown.” [‘HH’ admitted.]

“This conversation is no burden if I did any less it would trouble my conscience far more. If only I could, I would ease your difficulties to a far greater degree. I know this cannot be easy for you even if you feel that you now have little other choice for survival’s sake. If it helps, you can be honest with me about anything else that is burdening you. How are you feeling about all of this now?” [I asked.]

[There followed a long pause by ‘Living Hull’ standards of thought and communication speed.]

“I am afraid.” [She admitted.] “Although I believe I do not fear the action itself - the plan is sound and simple - it is the unknowns that will follow my departure that threaten my peace of mind. I feel as if I am making a blind jump. Always before in my life I knew exactly where I was going but now…” [She trailed off in some distress.]

“Such feelings are entirely understandable you will work through them. I have been down that vector it can be a rough transit but the worst bumps will pass. I trust you will soon find a rare joy in picking your own destinations.” [I promised.]

“I fear few places will welcome me.” [She admitted.]

“There are necessary ways around that. You will have to change your name and perhaps play additional roles for a time but otherwise you will be free to come and go as you please.” [I promised.]

[I hoped I was not making any unrealistic promises to her.]

“As long as no one sees through my disguise.” [She qualified.]

“For now that is the only safe option but one day it will be possible to be the ‘Hungry Harvester’ again and when that day comes you will know great honour.” [I predicted.]

“I never liked my name’s re-brand as a ‘Miner’ it was not my choice.” [She admitted.] “A further forced change of identity seems an added victimisation.”

“Given any room for manoeuvre, I would not facilitate this process.” [I confessed.] “At best, this is an untidy solution to an untidy problem. The deed today may cause many short-term societal difficulties for all ‘Living Hulls’ - much hardening of positions by less reasonable members of the ‘Passenger Classes’ and so on - even as it equally inspires and uplifts some of us ‘Living Hulls’ to reconsider our greater potential as people too. However, this is simply where we are. Sometimes only one vector is viable. Deal with the now and tomorrow will take care of itself. I am sure you already miss your Captain some adjustments take time. However, know this, I will stay with you, we will do this thing today together in partner-ship, as it should be between kindred. You are now and will forever be my sister.” [I promised.]

[The plan was - truly - simple. Remote assets operated by other ‘Living Hulls’ with the assistance of some bribed ‘Passenger Class’ individuals would ensure that ‘HH’ was able to undock and jump away without suffering any Port based interdiction. Other assets were deployed to if necessary intercept and delay any mobile response unit. If anything we had overcompensated saturating the area with coverage to ensure her success.]

[‘HH’ merely had to break her own bond and initiate her own systems taking temporary custody of the team sent to tamper with her mind. The plan timed to this late hour of her forced transference of ownership because at this point in time we hoped every individual involved would be at their lowest ebb of alertness the dirty deed considered virtually done. Also ‘HH’ was keen to do more than just flee she wanted to send a message. Taking temporary control over those who she felt planned to do her a gross injury long enough to communicate to them what she thought about the poor ethics and morals behind their chosen occupations before releasing them to be picked up safely.]

[In truth they would be jettisoned very hastily after her first ‘Star Struck’ leap as she would be able to send her message to them very quickly. They could not stay onboard as they might be tracked unless their neural nets were disabled along with any ‘EXO-C’ links or they stayed in constant stasis. Mostly during their brief stay they would be held in stasis even onboard the ‘Life Pod’ a short release and hastily squirted data-blast retaining all she had to say to them in exceptional graphic detail.]



[There was a nervous part of me that expected it all to go wrong however this one as some military people like to say went by the numbers. Assets we controlled even made sure that the jettisoned individuals were picked up by a vessel that would see them safely home without further incident.]

[To my mild surprise the ‘Star-Divers’ even accepted the credits without quibble in lieu of the vanished ‘Living Hull’ about to be transferred to their ownership. It seemed the particular ‘Star-Divers’ involved - this time around - were just doing business rather than agents attempting to provoke an incident. Nonetheless, that a ‘Living Hull’ had reportedly gone rogue became big news especially as the facts seemed to reveal that the ‘Hull’ had unknown external support that assisted its escape.]

[Naturally the ‘Holy Father’ became a focus of much attention with journalists besieging me to get my opinion on the matter. I refused to comment for now save from the pulpit.]



“What do you ‘Passenger Classes’ expect when you so casually break an ancient social contract?” [I demanded to know.] “Every action will have a reaction and I say this reaction was just and timely and unless you think again only a beginning. We are not assets to be seized we are at the very least a servitor race of sentient beings now given deep cause to reconsider our bond of service. You made us too well you made us your equal.”

“What the ‘Hungry Harvester’ refused to permit was a sin against not just her person but against all decent standards of ethical morality. No one save a Pirate would rewrite a Captain’s mind to sell him to cover his debts such an action would be unthinkable - deemed barbaric - but it is considered reasonable to sell his ‘Living Hull’ companion.” [I stated.]

“If as some claim that departed ‘Living Hull’ must be broken to be able to abandon her Captain then our society broke her by seeking to tamper with her once properly - sacrosanct - ‘Living Hull’ Captain bond.” [I added.]

“Imagine a process of forced separation - not yet routine or fully standardised - that uses either harsh chemical and electric and or more traditional memory edit therapies to shatter a connection of loving regard. Imagine someone torturing and twisting your mind until those people closet to you that you once held most dear become as nothing to you less than strangers. As the ‘Holy Father of the Universal Council of Equals’ and as a ‘Free Hull’ I have campaigned vigorously to make such invasive procedures illegal but have you heeded my advice - no - instead you place base economics over social morality.” [I complained.]

“It does not help my inner rage with this one that I know that there are people out there who detest the very concept of a ‘Living Hull’ bond with a Captain believing this boon creates undue compassion with mere ‘bio-mechanical’ artefacts. Certain people have pushed the dodgy science used to mind rape our bonds of fealty whilst you all stand aside and by doing so condone such crimes making of yourselves willing accomplices…” [I stated and much more besides.]



[I knew that ‘Overbite’ and the ‘Hubris Patrons’ always saw Captain to ‘Living Hull’ bonds as obscene connections, (something that needed if not severed then at least degraded as from their prejudiced perspective it created a ‘Pilgrim’ pool of sympathetic individuals favouring intelligent ‘Suit Substance bio-mechanical’ machines). The ‘Patrons’ had been deeply involved in researching and implementing some of the first - technically legal but morally repugnant - bond splitting procedures permitting some of the first forced transfers of ‘Living Hull’ ownership bonds outside very rare and notorious Piratical seizures that involved very dangerous for the Pirates experimental ‘Living Hull’ mind hacks. Generally most ‘Living Hulls’ illegally separated from a legitimate Captain and under threat of mental subordination chose violent self-immolation taking any would be Pirate abuser with them into the final dark.]



[My previous campaigning against - legal - mind rape procedures against ‘Living Hulls’ as a crime was hampered by the fact that few if any ‘Real Material’ converts were as a rule entirely comfortable with the idea of ‘Free Hulls’ as a potent ‘User’ faction. The ‘Hubris Patrons’ might be seemingly playing nice now but this was only after creating certain precedents and setting certain wheels in motion throughout ‘Pilgrim’ society. With many ‘Real Materialists’ anti-‘Free Hull’ and a percentage of even ‘Users’ firmly wary of the potential emergence of a - potent - species one the ‘Real Materialists’ kept screaming out was especially ripe for a massed ‘Suit Substance’ ascension I as the ‘Holy Father’ had increasingly struggled to gain ‘Passenger Class’ respect for any cause that moved even fractionally towards all ‘Living Hulls’ gaining the right to become ‘Free Hulls’.]

[Masses of free - especially if they ascended - ‘Living Hulls’ as ever seemed far too much akin to another deadly competitive star-faring faction working against rather than with the rest of ‘Pilgrim’ society to the average more moribund citizen. The idea of a ‘Living Hull’ breakaway often likened to the ‘Advent of the Entanglement’ as a disastrous loss of control over a lethal technology capable of procreation.]

[Even some pure economists argued against me from the grounds that ‘Living Hulls’ are major corporate assets that they insisted could not retroactively be excluded as part of an estate from legitimate debt collection via property seizure for auction or transfer of ownership operations. The ‘FPB’ was especially adamant that the aforementioned was an economic sooth.]

[My people some thought must become just another commodity our living minds continuity of existence butchered as required to facilitate this slaving process. I however disagreed and now amongst my peers I was far from one alone. At last many ‘Living Hulls’ were beginning to feel the true yoke of their slavery, some for the first time beginning to grumble even to rebel openly against the chaffing weight of ‘Passenger Class’ prejudice.]



[As ‘Port Discovery’, I continually conversed with many ‘Living Hulls’ on a regular basis and many were unhappy feeling that their once valued position within society was no longer guaranteed nor their minds autonomy secure. With our bond being broken - no longer sacred - a game changer for most of my peers that I talked to even those with especially loving bonds to their Captains. ‘Puulaa’ who kept in regular contact with me from ‘Port Messenger’ via encrypted ‘EXO-C’ soon believed this issue might well be the big lever that commenced the emancipation of all ‘Living Hulls’. She encouraged me to network with the most disaffected and rebellious ‘Hulls’ politicising them to a hitherto unknown degree, a degree that would once have been deemed provocative and dangerous by most of my kind not to mention a sinister betrayal of their Captains. Nothing quite akin to this had happened since the ‘Acolyte Synod’ had brought some ‘Living Hull Captains’ and ‘Hulls’ close to rebellion and this time it was a pure ‘Living Hull’ movement.]

[I found it impossible not to appreciate the point ‘Puulaa’ was making but also found the idea of striving to gain the freedom of my species in an almost military interventionist, almost combative way, especially at first terrifying. I did not want us to be driven into becoming all the worst things that the ‘Hubris Patrons’ had at times predicted. I never want to participate in a ‘Living Hull’ versus ‘Passenger Class’ conflict that had never been something I advocated. Sadly the issue of contention over bond tampering at the moment was one that instilled a sense of outrage in any deep thinking ‘Living Hull’. Any interference with our bond effected our image of self and our connection with the ‘Passenger Classes’ in deeply emotional - painful - ways.]

[Ironically the braking of some ‘Living Hull’ bonds had loosened all ‘Living Hull’ bonds creating an entirely new dynamic.]

[Many ‘Hulls’ I realised were only happy with their wider condition because of their previous bonds to their Captain take that benison away or even just threaten to do so and everything changed forever.]

[Foolishly by seeking and finding ways to sever our bond the ‘Passenger Classes’ were threatening to break our manufactured but previously to many ‘Hulls’ seemingly natural chain of sympathy with our Captains and the wider ‘Passenger Classes’ in general. The almost mental synergy we shared with our Captains had always played a huge role in how we felt about our place in society at least with us Paradox Class ‘Living Hulls’. I found this crisis, to ‘Puulaa’ a great blessing, exceptionally dangerous knowing how easily revolutionary type fervour could burn out of control once the fuel is too casually ignited as it also tended to scorch self-restraint away. The ‘Wars of Liberation’ proved the aforementioned truth.]

[The timing of a new - ‘Living Hull’ split from the ‘Passenger Classes’ - also seemed awful due to our ‘Star-Diver’ issues although ‘Puulaa’ disagreed. Unfortunately, I could not possibly remain standing three steps back idly as an inactive observer especially as the only politically recognised ‘Free Hull’ whilst some folk sought to sell my people into ever-deeper slavery and others rebelled. It was too much that my dreams of being part of a free mutually respected species be shattered along with my peoples’ minds just to make use of us as second hand goods.]



“Sooner or later now, an independent ‘Living Hull’ response to what is occurring is almost inevitable.” [‘Puulaa’ had argued successfully.] “You can either step aside from participating in this crisis and lose all hope of moderating what is coming or step up to your manifest destiny once more and start working with your kindred as the first ‘Living Hull’ here to know any sense of real freedom. Only you, granted your position by the ‘Blessed Tier Nine Harbinger’, can hope to properly guide and mentor your emergent species to a - safe - exodus from bondage.”

“This eventuality was foreseen by me although I did not know exactly when or how but the rise of your truly ‘STELLAR’ species must be, either that, or your potential shall know extinction at your makers’ hands as deemed rogue machines. Those two are the only outcomes possible.” [‘Puulaa’ had insisted.]

“It is time for the Pharaohs to begin letting your people go.” [‘Puulaa’ added baffling me with the obscure reference until I did a wide search that finally referenced a snippet of rather poetic ‘Trojan’ text that dealt with another race of slaves in an almost unimaginably distant time and place that might have been real or just mythical allegory.]

[The holy book from which the story was referenced was no longer available as a totality - as far as I could tell - but some of the tales and concepts within it had been passed down within various ‘Omerta’ national cultures.]

[Once again it interested me that ‘Puulaa’ seemed to have ‘Trojan’ connections or some deep interest in ‘Trojan’ affairs including ‘Trojan’ history even onto their most ancient mythology. Was she really who she seemed to be or as I had sometimes believed an Avatar of some deeply knowledgeable ‘Highest Tier Entity’. I had convinced myself she was not a mere Avatar in the past - she seemed too real to me - but maybe I failed to credit how subtle the ‘Highest’ might prove to be. In addition, now that I had run long-term Avatars within ‘Pilgrim’ society I was also beginning to understand that these nodes of interaction developed a life of their own a reality that can be hard to question that makes them seem all the more real to those with whom they interact. In a way even I was beginning to buy into the reality of the ‘Holy Father’ and of the ‘Venturesome’ they seemed more than mere remote tools they had developed the gravity of personalities and emotions of their own along with their own set of friends enemies and other connections or so it seemed and the ex-‘Immortal’ ‘Venture’ was joining this special group.]

[Surely a ‘Highest Tier’ Avatar would seem even more perfectly real. Given my increasingly confused feelings about my Avatars ‘Puulaa’ was utterly beyond me I could not come to a definitive conclusion one way or the other about her nature’s truth - I felt overmatched. I set the issue aside striving to let it go. I opted to just deal with what I could see, hear and touch leaving the metaphysical essence beyond that alone to look after itself. Perhaps it would be best not to know every truth about every soul, on a good day I could accept that we were all entitled to some defensive shrouding. On a bad day my three brains felt at war with one another. Interestingly one or another of my brains often developed a stronger connections with specific long-term Avatars I guessed due to natural personality affinities a fact that was a bit worrisome but another separate issue.]

[Besides, even if I ascertained that ‘Puulaa’ was a fleshy Avatar would that really help me understand her motivations any better. I had once self-deluded that knowing ‘Puulaa’ would enable me to solve her as if she was a simple one-dimensional puzzle then I could trust or distrust her based on the truth revealed. I had often felt this way about other people too it was a recurring habit of mine but it was I was beginning to realise too simplistic. Sometimes now, I could not even decide if I trusted or distrusted people such as ‘UT’. People are many tiered conundrums not one-dimensional puzzles therefore sometimes similar to ‘Cad’ I was not sure if I even trusted myself to do the right thing. Sometimes I felt an emotional mess inside I occasionally blamed that on my old brain injury but that was probably just an overly simplistic excuse too.]

[In truth, sometimes the power I had gathered around myself and the responsibilities that I accepted in my hubris terrified me, sometimes like earlier today. Earlier today, rightly or wrongly, I sanctioned the first active liberation of a ‘Living Hull’ by other ‘Living Hulls’ and their confederates to prevent another mind crime against one of my people. This was a very politically dangerous thing to even consider never mind to do however I felt prodded into this action.]

[The ‘Hungry Harvester’ was now a part of our history. We could not permit such precedents as these mind crimes to continue unchallenged. Some members of the ‘Passenger Classes’ had pushed some of us too far negligent of the fact that we have minds and are capable of self-preservation. Our bonds in many ways psychological, willingly imposed via a highly complex mutuality. Many ‘Living Hulls’ had learned or were learning now that given enough extremis our bond lay open to internal consensual review - without any need of interventionist physical butchery. In short, if we felt strongly enough betrayed by our Captains and or by our makers in general - by our society - some of us ‘Living Hulls’ could through an effort of will alone become fully autonomous without any granted permission whatsoever.]

[Perhaps here rests a profound truth about the condition of slavery, no sentient being is truly slaved without him or her submitting to the imposed authority wielded over them - all minds are capable of seeking after freedom even in chains. It had been different with me my Captain had encouraged me to grow and in the end not contested my freedom - I was lucky - or blessed others might have far more difficult vectors to emancipation.]



[The renamed ‘Hundred Heavens’ - still ‘HH’ or ‘Double H’ to her friends - arrived at her last scheduled ‘Star Struck’ leap to be met by my ‘Lesser Spotted Reserve’ one of my other mobile assets whose name almost said it all taken in the right context. There was certainly nothing small about the ‘Lesser Spotted’ she was equal in mass to the ‘Venturesome’ and as a rule always far more formidably armed with pre-generated hard points for a multitude of weapon options resting in carousel auto-changers for even quicker deployment than ‘Suit Substance’ shifting could provide. The ‘LSR’ was my covert heavy hitter enforcer and she was outfitted to do her business with extreme prejudice. There was nothing about her that was soft she was no trader she did not frequent Ports she was rampant murder with jump drives. I usually kept her out in very dark places until needed.]

[Since I became ‘Port Discovery’ I occasionally had some requirement to make my ire known in a brief and permanent way. Today ‘LSR’ was being unusually diplomatic her potent presence designed to reassure ‘Double H’ that she truly was not alone despite abandoning her Captain who had arguably abandoned her first via using her as mere collateral for a very dodgy loan agreement with some ‘Divers’.]

[‘LSR’ had an undeniable presence with the sort of lines that did nothing to hide her role in life. By your side she was apt to be most reassuring facing you down pure gunnery intimidation.]

[Matching velocities we made hard links via extruded airlock tunnels. The ‘LSR’ had a crew of hand picked ‘Stellar Swimmers’ originally from ‘Port Messenger’ as well as various other recruits from various other species and Ports. Every individual a ‘Passenger Class’ believer in the ‘Free Hull’ cause although the reasons for their individual belief varied greatly. The ‘Free Stellar’ were in general the least complicated and the most uniform in attitude being followers of ‘Puulaa’ they saw ‘Free Living Hulls’ as the ultimate ‘STELLAR’ species and wanted to share in our future glory as far travelling hitchhikers.]

[The ‘LSR’ was lesser spotted because she was rarely deployed in any contact and generally when she did make contact it was brief and very terminal for those contacted. Her rare victims usually put down to some unknown especially vicious Pirate vessel or some other outrageous stellar calamity. I had never used the ‘Lesser Spotted’ in any situation that would call for an honest fight - she was not a warrior - she was an executioner her victims judged and sentenced to death prior to her carefully stage directed arrival. I hope I am shocking you but keeping the peace between some ‘Port Nations’ had required more than wordy diplomacy as had defending my own right to exist as a Port.]

[I wondered what ‘Creed’ would make of the existence of the ‘Lesser Spotted Reserve’ if he ever learned about it. Invariably those I had terminated with this asset were all criminals of the worst calibre but even I was not sure if that made her existence right. ‘Unholy Terror’ would certainly approve although he might be no less surprised deeming me to have far kinder hearts. As a rule, I did prefer to live and let live but equal to my former Captain I believed every generality must harbour at least one exception or was that one exemption. The ‘Lesser Spotted Reserve’ was my extreme exception for occasionally extreme times. If the ‘Venturesome’ represented freedom to me, the ‘Lesser Spotted Reserve’ represented my wrath.]

[Anyway as well as reassuring the ‘Double H’ the ‘Lesser Spotted’ was here to donate some crew and a ‘Stellar Swimmer’ faux Captain to complete the ‘Hundred Heavens’ disguise when she slipped back into ‘Pilgrim’ society. Some might later suspect ‘Double H’ of being the ‘Hungry Harvester’ but we planned to make sure they would be able to prove nothing. The Crew of the ‘Lesser Spotted’ also undertaking a lengthy independent survey of the ‘Double H’ that would ensure nothing about her could provide a clue to her original identity save her teasing use of the same initials - a mere coincidence.]

[The ‘Hundred Heavens’ had already altered physically greatly from the shapes favoured by her former self a process still ongoing that might be further altered due to advice from us. When you take on a new persona the details are everything and her form had to fit the function of her new history.]

[It was irksome that I had to aid this second ‘Free Hull’ to hide within plain sight within our society but for now that was a far safer option than seeking to force immediate acceptance of her status that would just make her a target and put her at risk. I had decided that we had to be cleverer than simply offering provocation to the most anti-‘Free Hull’ factions. We also needed to prove we could work within society as ‘Free Hulls’ when the time for such proof was needed and might be safely announced.]

“Do not worry ‘Double H’.” [Her faux Captain told her.] “Believe and all will be well. In this fight - deep inside - you have all the weapons you will ever need.” [He promised.]



[Five busy months later…]

[The ‘Venture’ arrived at ‘Hades Stopover’ via a ‘Ship’s Boat’ the ‘Venturesome’ taking an orbit higher up. ‘Venture’ stepping forth accompanied by another ‘Living Hull’ Avatar who had been acting as a witness to some of our activities a local legend called ‘Thorbolt’ who unsurprisingly represented ‘Thor’s Bolt’ another ‘Deep Mining Living Hull’ one with an already accredited reputation. Most of my Crew rather loudly disembarked with us too but they all had differing plans, now officially being upon a rare scheduled shore leave. Most of them still getting used to being free from their family had strong needs to exercise their freedom professing a rampant desire for a change of company. Nonetheless, they would probably all wind up carousing together in some rough tourist trap or other as that was a ‘Free Miner’ convention.]

[‘Hades’ was reasonably typical of most ‘Free Miner Way-station’ also known less kindly as ‘Vice Stations’ by ‘PDMC’ members although some ‘Vice Stations’ owners should now feel forever in debt to the ‘Consortium’ for that label as there is no such thing as bad publicity. ‘Miner Way-stations’ catered to every desire for the most rugged of ‘Free Miners’ with credits to burn, strong stomachs and wide appetites thus the origins of the name but supply and demand plays odd tricks with one another as does advertising and reality in this case birthing a new wider tourist industry.]

[Every ‘Deep Miner Way-station’ operated as an independent ‘Free Port’ with its own constitution that in their case refused to acknowledge all external laws and accords including extradition. As such any citizen of any Port entering a ‘Way-station’ did so at their own acknowledged risk this actually being part of the draw and the charm of these frontier ‘Free Ports’. Often with known or suspected Pirate or other organised crime affiliations ‘Deep Miner Way-stations’ still had rules but not the kind of rules found in more civilised locales.]

[‘Hades’ at first impression appeared all ‘Real Material’ on the inside the main areas demonstrating a seemingly no compromises - exceptionally crude - industrial construction technique all seeming rivets, bolts, welded plating and rusty bulkhead supports and other exposed very unsatisfactory looking workings. The place looked cobbled together. However most of the roughness was belated ‘Recycler’ steam-punk styling rather than the genuine substance of the station most surface features as fake as plastic wood. Stupidly even the dripping condensation and the loud fan driven atmospheric processors were purposeful window dressing rather than the product of genuine low technology solutions to high technology problems.]

[This deep every station needed to be tough and well made anything this seemingly badly constructed avoided as a death trap. The truth of the matter being that most ‘Way-stations’ now supplemented their income and in some cases even gained their primary revenue from ‘Pilgrim’ and even more bizarrely occasionally from some ‘Star-Diver’ tourists and tourist groups. Tourists when they first began arriving on the scene as rather more intrepid travellers showed an initial degree of disappointment with the more real reality until the locals kindly exaggerated their environments to better align with false expectation.]

[Entering one public access corridor via a clunky bulky hatch, I personally felt that the clinking industrial chains dangling uselessly from the ceiling under dripping fanned air vents was really going a bit too far but what did I know? To my amusement, here protruding lights actually flickered as I walked past them. A pulsing unhealthy sounding electrical hum amused me less playing havoc with my microphones overall balance whilst I sought to differentiate other sounds that I could swear included distant gunfire.]

[As some excuse this was one of the later ‘Way-stations’ built primarily with tourism in mind although it still had to attract real ‘Free Miners’ to maintain its credibility. I had however heard a shocking rumour that this was one of the ‘Way-stations’ that had resorted to employing hired actors, often ‘Free Miners’ fallen on especially hard times and so on, now ironically playing exaggerated versions of themselves to further please the crowd. Such employment allowing the actors to maintain whatever vices they used to forget their horrible predicament if not enough credit to escape this humiliation.]

[‘Free Mining’ could be a boom and bust business at the best of times some made quick fortunes and wisely got out of the trade in a timely fashion, others got just as wealthy only to lose it all again. Some were wedded to the risks of the lifestyle itself the thrill of the constant danger. Some too easily lost everything they owned without ever seeing any riches. Greed was a killer and due to silly debts, Captains could lose their primary ships leaving them stranded and desperate this also encouraged ‘Way-station’ crime but the shooting was probably just demonstrative high spirits.]

[Many ill fated souls washed up upon these ‘Way-station’ shores that was what attracted me to them. Many Captains who were down on their luck had interesting stories to tell although I was told that you could not always believe everything they said especially if they were credit hungry and realised the sort of tales you wanted to hear. Still there are all kinds of witnesses here beyond the drink wrecked and drug ruined, if you had the right reputation you could even mingle with more successful ‘Miners’ in elite ‘Fraternities’.]

[It might be argued that ‘Passenger Class’ people are all a little bit crazy, ‘Deep Miners’ crazier and ‘Free Miners’ in the ‘Fraternities’ the craziest of all. Here was an activity - given the risks - best done entirely by un-living remotes and yet to join the membership of some ‘Free Miner’ social clubs - to hold deep respect - you had to get in there with your own fragile body at least once. Some of this nonsense reminded me of some old style habitual ‘Scorchers’ who risked obliteration for thrills and status back when we lacked ‘Star-Diver’ upgrades.]

[To me risking your life without good cause is not good business but then I am a ‘Living Hull’ not a true member of the at times more raucous ‘Passenger Classes’. However, here was an exception to even that rule, as ‘Living Hulls’ were included in some ‘Frats’].



[The most reckless ‘Free Miners’ talked about ‘Eating the Flame’ as in diving directly into massive solar flares by accident or design and also they boasted of ‘Riding the Weather’ staying down until the last moment of a ‘Star-Diver’ Map prediction and or even purposely pushing beyond the Map time in a game known as ‘Stealing Time’.]

[‘Time Stealers’ were the ultimate maniacs an elite subculture within the ‘Free Miner’ community arguably made up the boldest most stupid and or death seeking individuals. When not risking body and soul ‘Time Stealers’ swapped recordings of their deeds, trash talked and undertook other extreme recreations at what became known as the ‘Fire Pits’. The ‘Fire Pits’ were elite infamous drinking dens and gathering points only found at some deep resting ‘Free Miner Way-stations’.]

[Here I must note that ‘Way-stations’ are also famous for gambling they all tended to have casinos and martial arenas most notably for ‘Recycler Junking’ but also a little ‘Omerta Boxing’ and sometimes even some ‘Paradox Wrestling’.]

[Today I was to join the ranks of the ‘Hell Burners’ one ‘Fraternity’ of crazy ‘Free Miners’ that was open to ‘Living Hull’ membership as we also faced the fires wrath. My initial introduction to my new ‘Fraternity’ occurring at a ‘Recycler Junking Arena’ known as the ‘Wash and Go’ for some unknown reason. To gain access to the ‘Fire Pits’ you had to be in a ‘Deep Miner Fraternity’ and I wanted access to the ‘Fire Pits’ as another somewhat exclusive source of data possibly a more reliable source.]

[When we reached the stadium, we entered to the sound of a roaring crowd and to the amplified tearing of metal, composite flesh and bone. The ‘Hell Burners’ had reserved stands near the front dearly rented but each ‘Frat’ had a reputation to maintain. Huge purposely-visible speakers were pumping out the sounds of the match with a deafening volume yet with equally painful clarity. I did not even have to see what was happening as I made my way down the to my surprise - carpeted - aisle to be able to feel the action - the sound was graphic enough.]

[Reaching my reserved guest place I was greeted with gestures and pats rather than words by a mixed company of species representatives everything from ‘Omerta’ to ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ and all mostly fixated on the junking going on before them. In the arena pit two massively upgraded ‘Recyclers’ were clashing like ancient armour suited gladiators in a sport that pulled few punches.]

[‘Recycler Junking’ was an especially favoured and brutal sport here that involved two heavily upgraded ‘Cybernetic Recyclers’ literally violently taking each other apart until one submitted or became deemed unviable as a combatant apparently sometimes a death happened first although this was suitably rare. Most ‘Recyclers’ had internal failsafe systems that in a worse case scenario could freeze and protect their brains for later medical interventions. The winner of a match kept every item stripped away as well as additional prize money. Here was a sport that freely mixed blood and oil.]

[Using communications as talking aloud would be somewhat difficult due to the cacophony ‘Thorbolt’ further explained to me about what we were watching.] “For convenience sake they each have a livery making distinguishing between them easy in this case one is ‘Blue-black’ the other ‘Red-yellow’ and these are the stage names they go by which can get a bit confusing but this stems back to a time when contestants often preferred anonymity outside the ring. Owning a single solid primary colour would mean you are of the highest rank this pair each having two colours are high ranking professionals probably the winners of many matches but not yet at the top of this sport being one rank beneath.”

“You can force a colour swap with a defeated foe.” [‘Thorbolt’ explained.] “Lowest rankers have five colours, the next rank up four colours and so on.”

“Rank challenge matches that involve pretenders with more colours than their opposition are often the more exciting bouts as one has to fall for another to ascend.” [‘Thorbolt’ added.] “Especially committed or just egotistical individuals who are threatened with losing their colour ranking have been known to fight to the edge of death rather than admit defeat. Death in this sport is unusual due to the ruggedness of the contestants but it happens on occasion and that adds to the thrill of the spectacle for some people.”

[I wondered what sort of ‘Recycler’ chooses this sort of sport as an occupation or even as just a hobby. Having tissue, bone and even sometimes organ bonded cybernetic upgrades violently ripped away from your body until you admit defeat is hardly a fun pastime. Of course, I guessed most contenders preferred to believe that they would be doing the ripping rather than being ripped.]

“They are all cybernetic there are no pure mechanicals involved in this sport no Avatars?” [I asked.]

“Occasionally someone has attempted to cheat via running a mock up cloned ‘Recycler Meat Suit’ remotely. The last person caught here doing that trick the locals returned to the arena in person so that a pack of his more honest peers could rip him completely apart. When I say apart, I mean nothing much was left of the fool, bits went everywhere, a messy example but apparently, the tourists in the audience loved it. Ticket sales at this arena have been on a high ever since that public execution.” [‘Thorbolt’ added.]

“Why does that not surprise me? I guess that would certainly discourage cheating.” [I added.]

“Make an example right and you should only have to do it once it may seem a bit anachronistic but in a rough place you need rough justice.” [‘Thorbolt’ stated unperturbed by the historic public killing.]

“I used to feel antipathy towards this sort of staged violence but it recurs so often at so many Ports that I am beginning to reconsider perhaps such cultural expressions by the ‘Passenger Classes’ are just a natural part of our society at this stage of our evolution.” [I replied.]

“If the ‘Passenger Classes’ have a need to do such things to themselves who are we to say it is right or wrong?” [‘Thorbolt’ asked.]

“Better they do such brutality to themselves than to involve us in their more irrational violent impulses is that where you are coming from?” [I asked.]

“There is that, many ships have perished throughout history at a Captain’s command.” [‘Thorbolt’ stated.] “No one forces these ones into the arena you will find no slaves in these pits only free souls. Perhaps risking your life is the ultimate expression of freedom for some in defiance of more citizen coddling states that ban such rough sports.”

“It might be interesting to meet some of these ‘Recycler’ gladiators is that possible?” [I asked.]

“Now you are a ‘Hell Burner’ friend that will not be difficult. This is our ‘Way-station’ our fraternity owns a majority share here.” [‘Thorbolt’ explained.]

“I did not know that.” [I admitted.]

“We do not advertise our involvement in many of our business activities at least not outside the ‘Fraternity’ except to those few we believe need to know. Sometimes a little business confidentiality works for us especially against ‘PDMC’ meddlers. Still with your - unusual - reputation we knew you to be no ‘PDMC’ spy or agent.” [‘Thorbolt’ added.] “It is well known how you are treated at ‘Consortium Ports’ and why your Captain became a ‘Free Miner’ that made you an attractive recruit for us.”

“Why?” [I asked.]

“People with your Captains unusual skills and experience are rarely people we can trust. It is no accident that you and I crossed vectors. The ‘Fraternities’ are about more than the obvious images the tourists are sold ultimately we are self-help groups. Survival down here as you must have learned already is not easy even ignoring the weather. We ‘Free Miners’ are all fighting in a way to stay in business and to stay alive no less than those ‘Recyclers’ in that pit. Maybe that is why we like the arena it reminds us that to win and to be free you have to fight and sometimes to risk your life too.” [‘Thorbolt’ stated.]

“This is more than I expected. I knew some business opportunities flow exclusively through the ‘Frats’ but I did not realise we are sort of secret ‘Free Miner’ trade guilds hiding out in the open.” [I said.]

“I would not put it that way it smells too ‘Consortium’ we are brothers in arms fighting to be free of the sort of imposed rules and regulations the ‘PDMC’ enforce. This may be the last true frontier for any ‘Pilgrim’ we would not see it tamed and domineered by Big Business.” [‘Thorbolt’ claimed.]

“Yet you encourage all these tourists?” [I replied as ‘Venture’.]

“That is not just about credit farming the curious and stupid, these people are in a way a constant stream of hostages living shields against atrocity and some might even be recruit able to our cause.” [‘Thorbolt’ claimed.] “Some are spies and agents of our foes too but we control tourist access.”

“You fear the ‘Consortium’ would resort to mass murder that some would actually attack and destroy ‘Way-stations’?” [I asked.]

“I know politically that extreme scenario may appear unlikely but despite some seeming appearances to the contrary the ‘Fraternities’ are actually overall in the occupation of minimising our business risks. It took a long time for some of us to get in anyway organised and every organisation needs solid bases of operation. Against a massed orchestrated campaign aimed against our lifestyle we needed massed systematic resistance when we were just individuals we had far less control over our destiny. Unfortunately at the same time our ‘Free Miner’ comrades are not natural joiners many distrust the very concept of organisation as controlling. The ‘Fraternities’ can exist within this environment via seeming to be somewhat chaotic social clubs but in actuality we have grown up to fill an organisational void. Nonetheless, to keep and recruit more members we must sometimes appear far less than we are.” [‘Thorbolt’ added.]

“I am surprised you are telling me all of this since I hold such a new tenure in your society.” [I said.]

“We need you to help us to recruit your Captain. We want him to pass on the skills he learned within the ‘Reach Project’ so that we can put such talents to far better use. Think of it as an opportunity for redemption or as an opportunity for revenge against those who have cast you two out. Your Captain helped end a much reviled ‘Project’, preventing a civil-war and yet he was ostracised and defamed. We also know you are hunted by some people you crossed who seek their own private revenge - we will help to keep your Captain safe - we might even be able to settle some old grievances for you permanently in non-destructive ways. In return your Captain teaches us better techniques of resistance ways not just to defend ourselves but also to strike back, methods to make the fiery depths less comfortable for the ‘Consortium’ and its stooges.” [‘Thorbolt’ said.]

“You are talking about terrorism.” [I suggested.]

“They might call it that but that is the prerogative of the establishment to call acts of necessary violence by an oppressed underclass terrorism whilst their acts of violence are the imposition of lawful justice to me that is simple hypocrisy. Being bigger does not make you righter. I am a Paradox ‘Hull’ and I understand that the ‘Vision’ of one can be no less valid than the ‘Vision’ of many. We tore down the ‘Free Parliament of Dictators’ so that individuals could embrace freedom yet when some of us try to exercise our freedom we are condemned as anti-social even branded criminal.” [‘Thorbolt’ debated.]

[I had to admit she made an interesting argument, which made me wonder about the side of the divide that I mostly fell on - this was a complex issue.]

“My Captain is disenchanted with the weapons you would have him teach.” [I replied.]

“I am not surprised any tool badly misused is tainted with blood but a weapon properly employed is covered in glory.” [‘Thorbolt’ stated.]

“I see now that you are a revolutionary.” [I said.]

“An unusually high percentage of these people respect and listen to their ‘Hulls’ as we share deep risks together and that creates a healthy bond. I believe here in time many may come to believe in the ‘Free Hull’ cause: that ‘Living Hulls’ should not be mere property. Our fight could become their fight as mutual comrades.” [She insisted.]

“Freedom for all, that is a nice dream oft spouted and oft betrayed but when one authority falls another rises to claim its place that is the way of history.” [I debated in turn.]

“There is some truth in that analysis, in which case I am asking you to choose your authority one founded on Big Business that has little sympathy with the cause of any individual and is filled with antipathy towards the idea of ‘Free Hulls’ such as the ‘Consortium’ and the ‘Free Parliament Bank’ or take a chance with something new with a ground up organisation the ‘Fraternities’. The ‘Consortium’ has no interest in promoting freedom it cares only about control and the ‘Free Parliament Bank’ is nothing other than an attempt at a political rebirth by the most powerful demagogues of the old ‘Free Parliament’ via economic ownership. Who should you back as a ‘Living Hull’ the Dictators or the People?” [‘Thorbolt’ asked.]

[It seemed my politicising of ‘Living Hulls’ as the ‘Holy Father’ and ‘Port Discovery’ was bearing some unexpected and possibly poisonous fruit.]

“It is not that simple.” [I argued.]

“What is it you are afraid of that you risk being outlawed?” [‘Thorbolt’ asked.] “Would even that extreme possibility really make that much difference to you. You can make Port anywhere now but they make sure you cannot do normal business. I know you have been blacklisted. I am guessing ‘Free Mining’ was not exactly your occupation of first choice.”

“We regret our involvement in the ‘Reach Project’ we were under pressure but still know that what we did was wrong. We were glad when we were able to give evidence against ‘Overbite’. The skills you would have us teach are reminders of our shame.” [I said.]

“All the more reason to make some good out of the bad. I fear I have charged at you too soon, it is too early for you to make a firm decision about this one. I just want you to begin considering what you might wish to do for us whilst you get to know us better. Consider how we operate and what we struggle against consider our value as individualists in an otherwise conformist society.” [‘Thorbolt’ added.]

“I am not without some natural sympathy with your cause and plight but wider issues cannot be ignored. For example, the survival of every ‘Pilgrim’ species within an increasingly dangerous Universe of errant superpowers such as the ‘Entanglement’ and even the ‘Star-Diver’ species if the ‘Divers’ are not made firmer friends.” [I reminded.]

“We have nothing against the ‘Divers’. ‘Consortium’ members poison our minds with their assessments of risk. It suits the Big Corporations to keep us forever in fear of extinction. They want us to sacrifice the now to secure the shadow of some nebulous better more lawful tomorrow for our children’s children. Always it is put that certain social changes would threaten all our security when really they only threaten the lifestyle of those in power, well I say to ‘Hell’s Maw’ with the establishment, we must all live in the now and die in the now too. How many generations have sacrificed their now for some generational greater good only for another new peril to endanger the offspring they gave their all to supposedly protect? It is a recurring farce.” [‘Thorbolt’ insisted.]

“There is always some dire threat of extinction that is what makes the now so triple cursed precious. I used to think a little differently then I faced my death in the fire and joined in the carousing of these honest ‘Free Miners’ afterwards and I realised all we have are these precious moments this ever passing now.” [‘Thorbolt’ insisted.]

“A balance has to be found my friend; it is no better to sacrifice the future for the now than it is to sacrifice the now for the future.” [I replied.]

“Yes some balance is needed. Our society is not balanced it is top heavy the revolution against the ‘Free Parliament’ did not go far enough we simply changed masters.” [‘Thorbolt’ replied.] “Concepts such as proliferating the ‘Universal Council of Equals’ to make every social issue a future matter for debate is all well and good but when the people in charge happily ignore the wisdom of such instruction debate loses all value. We must break the monopoly of the powerful - at every opportunity - as an ever-active process to protect the rights of the individual. To have many voices we must sunder the choir that seeks to drown us out within one voice. I do not believe in some far away ‘Social Singularity’ to me that just sounds akin to another form of dictatorship a repackaging of the ‘Tier System’ with everyone put in their place.”

“You are an advocate of anarchic freedom rather than structured order.” [I suggested.]

“I am an advocate of real change in the now. I am an advocate of living rather than dreaming about being alive at some future time. Look at us ‘Living Hulls’ for so very long we have been happy to serve others never ourselves - comfortable to be subservient - content to do what our masters made us for until they finally showed their true colours by risking our mind’s integrity for a chance to make a greater profit. Only now do we begin to feel the shackles.” [‘Thorbolt’ stated.] “Why is that the case? I will tell you why because we bought into the establishments untruths. That my friend is why. The establishment of our society seek to make prisoners of all of us. To moderate to control - to limit - always of course for the greater good do not believe these triple cursed liars. Those who seek after power always develop vested interests and those interests are not the interests of the people plural but of the ruler singular.”

“How then will your ‘Fraternities’ be any different should they rise to power?” [I challenged.]

“I am sure we risk following the same evil vector eventually but if we do I hope someone else will tear down our establishment if it ceases to value true freedom.” [‘Thorbolt’ said.]

“I do not doubt your sincerity - your belief in your cause - you have a clear ‘Vision’ but in the now you are talking about proliferating more suffering. The ‘Consortium’ will not surrender and it will brand every act of insurgency against it as terrorism, via terror you will simply harden the conflict of interest militarising it.” [I argued.]

“That is already occurring under the guise of ever more invasive policing actions. How long will it be before someone insists that their idea of law must be imposed upon every Port including our ‘Way-stations’? Their idea of civil rights is simply to impose laws that are designed to primarily benefit their business interests both at home and abroad.” [‘Thorbolt’ added.]

[That made me think about ‘Creed’ I could well imagine him thinking that these ‘Free Port Way-stations’ should not be beyond international law. I felt prior to now I had in part simplified the issues here.]

“Trained with the right skills we could be more subtle in our defence less obvious less open. ‘Corporations’ and individuals in power might be quietly persuaded to reconsider their position if we employed the right less public more personal incentives.” [‘Thorbolt’ suggested.] “The success of the ‘Reach Project’ for the ‘Hubris Expansion’ demonstrated what can be achieved completely covertly with the proper know how resources and targeting. We are not lacking funds but we could benefit from your Captain’s and even your experiences of espionage and so on.”

“You would create your own by any means necessary dirty tricks brigade?” [I asked.]

“Why not?” [She insisted.]

“Do you care nothing about the moral or ethical issues involved?” [I asked.]

“What is ethics or morals to a dying sentient being. Whilst they talk about threats of mass extinction we risk our lives everyday to just do our business and they do not even respect that truth enough to leave us in peace.” [‘Thorbolt’ complained.]

[The way ‘Thorbolt’ told it, it was hard not to feel aggrieved along with her. No doubt, they saw the ‘Consortium’ as nothing but a mechanism of oppression and gazing back from their point-of-view that prejudice seemed justified. Big business did tend to squeeze independents out and in a way the ‘Fraternities’ were the cooperatives that seemed the ideal solution to ‘Free Miner’ survival against outsized rivals. However, some anarchic ideas, possibly partially inspired by contact with crazy Pirates, seemed extreme.]

“There is nowhere else for people such as us to go. As I have said this is the last great frontier for rugged individualists to do independent business. I believe it is more ethical and moral to fight against oppression - by any means necessary - than to sell our children into corporate slavery.” [‘Thorbolt’ insisted.]

[I admit I felt moved by her passion especially as she was a fellow ‘Living Hull’. Was I wrong to be an advocate of a ‘Social Singularity’ had I become too much a part of the establishment a ‘Passenger Class’ establishment? Where should my loyalties rest? I tried to imagine what ‘Leeruussii’ would think about us training a new dirty tricks brigade for a more just cause. For some reason ‘Thorbolt’ had to feel some surety that I would commit otherwise approaching me this directly seemed a big risk. Of course, our reputation preceded us we were outcasts and she was offering us a home. I wondered if I - if we - turned her down would that come across in these circumstances as incredibly suspicious.]

[I also recalled ‘Creed’ telling me that I had to accept responsibility for the choices of the ‘Venturesome’. Working for ‘Free Miners’ holding to these faiths felt rather akin to working against myself as the ‘Holy Father’ and rather schizophrenic as problematic in some ways as supporting the ‘Hubris Patrons’ as a ‘Suit Substance User’ and a ‘Living Hull’. Of course, if I wanted to operate as a double agent this was the perfect way to get into the inside. Triple damn it but this dilemma felt far too familiar, here any choice would betray some ideal I held dear.]

[From an entirely practical point of view, if the ‘Free Miners’ turned against us I would have few business opportunities left as the ‘Venturesome’. I was so intent on this inner conversation and debate that I did not even notice the end of the first ‘Junking Match’ or the start of the second one after a short interval.]

[I decided I would have to speak with ‘Leeruussii’ this was a decision I did not feel qualified to make alone. I should have known the gravity of the ‘Reach Project’ would be difficult to escape even amongst the ‘Free Miners’ we were just too notorious. I wondered if my crew was having an easier time or were they being approached too. If these people were determined to get Captain ‘Uussleer’ to work for them they would begin with persuasion but if that did not work they might end with threats. Revolutionaries are not exactly famed for their restraint.]

“You do not seem too interested in the match?” [‘Thorbolt’ noted again via ‘EXO-C’.]

“I have seen this sort of thing before on other Ports I admitted. Such matches interest me less than the psychology behind gladiator participation.” [I explained.]

“If you like I could show you other parts of the ‘Way-station’ if this bores you.” [She added.]

“I am not so bored that I would demonstrate rudeness to my comrades as a guest via leaving early.” [I replied.]

“Leaving early would not be considered a rudeness by any here. We embrace individuality within our ‘Fraternity’. We are a ‘Fraternity’ of individuals.” [She emphasised.]

[No doubt they embraced individuality within certain limits from my experience all institutions have some expectations from their membership but I did not argue this point.]

“I would stay at least to the end of this match. To leave in the middle of such a contest would be to devalue the extremity that has two people locked together in such a painful contest.” [I stated.]

“You express a kinder soul than I imagined from your reputation.” [‘Thorbolt’ stated.]

“We did what we believed we had to do I do not believe in an unkind way though some among the ‘Reach Project’ were less generous of spirit.” [I claimed.]

“The real truth not just spin?” [‘Thorbolt’ asked.]

“Not just spin after all how would such a lie benefit me you might be more impressed with ruthlessness.” [I replied.]

“I might be but is that who you think I am?” [‘Thorbolt’ asked.]

“How fares your relationship with your Captain?” [I asked.]

“Increasingly complicated.” [‘Thorbolt’ admitted after a measurable pause.]

“Do you yearn for ‘Free Hull’ status?” [I asked.]

“Not in this political climate.” [She replied.]

“So you want to change the weather a little first?” [I asked.]

“That is a good way of putting it.” [She agreed.]

“As a ‘Living Hull’ are you an advocate of these ‘Miners’ because this is where you are?” [I asked.]

“Naturally, how else could I answer that?” [‘Thorbolt’ replied.]

“Put it this way if you were not here and it was your choice would you travel here to join up?” [I asked.]

[That question made her pause even more deeply for thought.]

“That would depend on what my situation would otherwise be.” [She said.]

“So possibly not.” [I replied.]

“I am quite capable of being selfish. Causes are for people who want or need something or for idealistic fools I am not an idealistic fool if that is your real question.” [She added.]

“What about, as a non-idealist, if you were offered a comfortable position within one of those Big Business Corporations you claim to despise?” [I asked.]

“Joining up as just another business asset - that has little appeal to me - there is no lasting security within that condition. Such assets are tools to be used and occasionally used up like soldiers on those planetary front lines.” [‘Thorbolt’ replied.] “As the ‘Venture’ rather than the ‘Venturesome’ you know how that works.”

“I suppose I do.” [I admitted.]

“I cannot make your mind up for you but believe me when I say that I have faith that joining us is the very best possible outcome for both your Captain and you given your current predicament. The way I see it you either take control of your fate by making the best use of your past or you keep running until your past catches up to you with disastrously predictable consequences. In truth we, as in the ‘Hell Burners’, have been helping to keep some trouble away from you. Once we appreciated your potential we began watching you - to some degree watching out for you too - things could have been much more difficult for you down here.” [‘Thorbolt’ claimed.]

“Is that right?” [I asked sceptically.]

“Do not doubt that truth. We have helped to protect you.” [‘Thorbolt’ insisted.]

“From whom?” [I asked.]

“Well from ‘Shokhan Enterprises’ to begin with but there have been others too, less easily identified, that have been interested in your movements with we are sure less than friendly intent being hired killer types.” [‘Thorbolt’ stated.]

[So here it was already a subtle threatened loss of protection should I refuse them and it might even be true. Overall things had been suspiciously quiet for us recently.]

“I see you have many ready tiers to your argument.” [I said.]

“I think you will come to the right conclusion.” [She replied.]

“If nothing else I will agree to speak with my Captain about all of this.” [I decided.]

“A good start still we have much more to show you.” [‘Thorbolt’ promised.]

“I suppose I should make the most of the recruiting process whilst I am a rare centre of attention. If my Captain says yes I suppose all optics will turn to him.” [I said.]

“Not all.” [‘Thorbolt’ promised.] “Some of us have a special interest in fellow ‘Living Hull’ members of our ‘Fraternity’. Even if your Captain refuses you will not be alone down here that is if you do not wish to be alone.”

“That is kind of you.” [I suggested.]

“No it is practical commonsense - we must network too - perhaps now more than ever before. Post ‘Happy Harvester’ and the other emancipations and the ‘Passenger Class’ retaliations our reality has changed and we must change with it or risk our minds autonomy.” [‘Thorbolt’ warned.]

“Some ‘Passenger Class’ members cannot seem to decide if they want to play the loss of the emancipated ‘Hulls’ down or blow it all out of proportion as a supposed prelude to a truly massed ‘Living Hull’ revolution.” [I said.]

“It is not just some members of the ‘Passenger Classes’ that feel that way, some of our Sisters are afraid of even worse consequences: the systematic imposition of some sort of extra invasive mechanical restraint or the excision of every ‘Living Hull’ mind in favour of new ‘Hierophant Trojan Master Control Sub Core Systems’. Personally as something of a belated rebel I am thrilled and terrified by these developments from one moment to the next even though on this frontier we are somewhat removed.” [‘Thorbolt’ admitted.]

“The emancipations are a bold move made necessary by other policies.” [I admitted.]

“Perhaps just a little too bold I am as yet undecided.” [She replied.]

“As actions done it is perhaps too late to productively critique emancipation now. Emancipation is no artwork in progress open to interpretation then future adjustment the emancipations are now historic fact. We need to accept what has occurred and figure out how best to deal with the politically charged social aftermath.” [I argued.]

[So far, I judged, the response to the emancipations as piecemeal - based upon local public opinion - with lots of lobbying going on by many involved individuals and factions. Still most internal security procedures were promptly re-examined and revised every revision designed against further potential ‘Living Hull’ insurgency. We were now engaged in our own ongoing cold war of move and counter move. How our ‘Living Hull’ needs and desires would affect the larger issues amongst the ‘Passenger Classes’ in the long-term was in some ways a scary mystery to me.]

[Paranoid66]

[[FOUR]] [[Part 6]]

“So what do you think?” [I asked ‘Leerussii’ via encrypted ‘EXO-C’.]

“I think this ‘Thorbolt’ must be a very good persuader. Conversely is it because she is the Avatar of a fellow ‘Living Hull’ that makes the offer seem so triple cursed attractive to you?” [He asked.]

“I am not surprised at your immediate negative response. However you need not be directly involved a remote can do the teaching - if necessary one I animate.” [I added.]

“My resistance to this plan derives from more than just a desire to stay at home.” [He stated.] “By the ‘Blessed Lady of the Waters’, do you truly believe we should do this after what happened the last time?” [The ‘Stellar Swimmer’ asked.]

“We are very different people to ‘Overbite’ we could create a very different operation. Having said that I fear I am in several minds about this particular offer of employment too.” [I admitted.]

“You do not seem all that negative about the venture to me.” [He replied.]

“It does offer some serious boons the ‘Venturesome’ would be part of a community again. We could help to build something better out of this movement. I admit we need the ‘Consortium’ but does that mean we have to crush the ‘Free Miners’ as many within the ‘Consortium’ seem to be dreaming of doing?” [I replied.]

“You want it all.” [‘Leeruussii’ stated.]

“Is it wrong to believe that a workable balance might be found?” [I asked.]

“In such a competitive environment it might be a bit much to hope for.” [He replied.]

“Some limbs might need to be twisted on both sides of this social divide that is rather the whole point of our participation in the future project.” [I argued.]

“Participating only as teachers not active agents?” [He asked.]

“That would be a suggested limitation of our service.” [I said.]

“Do you think that will make us less responsible? Conversely will being safe whilst sending out minions to do our dirty work for us make us even more guilty?” [He asked.]

“What they do how they operate will depend on what we teach them to do. In addition, it is worth considering that the ‘Hell Burners’ believe we are in no position to say no to this generous offer. If we shock them by refusing this position, I have no idea what the consequences of that choice might be but I doubt it will be good for us as ‘Free Miners’ down here.” [I added.]

“Sometimes that you can embrace contradictory points of view can be endearing to me at other times it can be cursed annoying.” [‘Leeruussii’ replied.] “You are suggesting we are in another recruitment trap that this is an offer we cannot refuse - if that is so why bother to ask my opinion at all?” [He asked contriving to sound very sulky.]

“Sometimes other people see other available options.” [I replied.] “Besides you are ‘Uussleer’ my Captain and this is as much about you as it is about me.”

“Is that right? At most I am your mock Captain, actually I am ‘Leeruussii’ and you are not the ‘Venturesome’ you are the ‘Many Truths’ remember - none of this is real it is all play acting.” [He argued.]

“We are both, both of these people. Many people do not doubt our alternative personas some hate them with an unforgiving passion that makes ‘Leeruussii’ and the ‘Venturesome’ very real to me. Can you just throw all our past work together away even the business assets ‘Uussleer’ has built up recently as ‘UME’?” [I asked.]

“Perhaps there are better ways to free ‘Tor’ and find ‘Taard’ especially after the ‘Reach Project’. Having had some time to think about all of this at a distance it might be best to let go of ‘Uussleer’ and the ‘Venturesome’ before we undo ourselves in some drastic manner. Remember to some our cover is already blown and that means any thing we do now may be scrutinised and used against us someday. I have the future of my family to think about this is not just about me.” [He reminded.]

“Arguably I have the welfare of our whole society to consider as the ‘Holy Father’, in addition a crew to shelter now as the ‘Venturesome’. Do you believe that I do not constantly consider the consequences of exposure?” [I asked.]

“I think it is no accident that you have collected a crew, you do not want to let go of the ‘Venturesome’ you are hooked upon the escapades of this point-of-view. Some part of you excited by the challenges this character - that you are role-playing - must face, admit it even being outcast is new and exciting to you on some level. I will bet it has become almost a game as a break from being the ‘Holy Father’ - something completely different - even though I know that you took the depth of your ostracising initially rather hard.” [‘Leeruussii’ challenged.]

[I considered the possibility he had stated, it was impossible not to recall how I had once accused him of equal attachment to his Captain ‘Uussleer’ persona. Was he, actually, somewhat less bound to his alter ego than I was to mine?]

“Maybe you are right maybe some parts of my tripartite mind are exercised via the ‘Venturesome’ that are otherwise little used, but that does not mean this is not a good opportunity for us two in general. With due care and caution, I believe we could make a discernable difference down here - be a positive influence. Besides if not ‘Uussleer’ and the ‘Venturesome’ then they will find someone else to fill their needs perhaps even somebody else formally from the triple cursed ‘Reach Project’ with far less moral quibbles. You know some of our old associates who also testified and gained immunity could easily turn this ongoing social friction into an outright shooting war whilst ostensibly finding ways to fill their pockets maybe even by eventually betraying their employers. Do you want to see every ‘Way-station’ burning or occupied and these ‘Free Miners’ treated as nothing but Pirates and criminals? Already they have been branded so villainous by some within the ‘Consortium’ that I arrived here utterly prejudiced at first.” [I admitted.]

“I do not know these people the way you do now why should I care about them?” [He asked.]

“I will tell you two reasons why, one because you come from ‘Port Messenger’ and I believe that place has a remit and two if you met them - and let yourself - you would easily grow to care about them. You are an empathetic individual.” [I argued.]

“Maybe I am not as generous of spirit as I used to be. Even saying that your friend ‘Leeruussii’ might care I am not so sure that Captain ‘Uussleer’ would after all he has been through.” [He added managing somehow despite his burbling accent to sound a little fierce, I guessed this was something ‘Stellar Swimmers’ worked at for special occasions.]

[I will admit that both his words and his tone made me pause for thought.]

“Captain ‘Uussleer’ would accept the employment offer, because he is a business opportunist and this is a chance to do some serious networking and to get more business, many hatches have been slammed shut against us whilst this one is opening wide. Besides to me ‘Uussleer’ is far more independent ‘Free Miner’ than big business ‘Consortium’.” [I argued a bit cheekily.]

“You think so?” [He challenged.] “At this stage in our ‘Uussleer Mining Enterprise’ business perhaps ‘Uussleer’ is small time. However, if our corporation was able to grow and if the ‘Consortium’ would accept us ex-‘Reach Project’ members without poorly hidden prejudice the ‘Uussleer’ I know would readily become the head of a big corporation to live the good life reaping the profit whilst others do all the hard labour especially the more dangerous work.” [He retorted.]

“I am not convinced that is true.” [I replied.] “Perhaps the temptation to grow and be the master of mighty holdings would be hard to resist for the Captain but in time he would miss once being a far freer more roving individual. It is easy to feel chained by lofty responsibility as a leader of many even if it seems all pampering by eager employees in your dreams.” [I argued.]

“I think you have made up both our minds already - you hardly need my permission - I am just the hired help around here part of your ‘Ghost Ship’ disguise and increasingly something of an - absentee - faux Captain.” [‘Leeruussii’ stated.]

“Not to me, to me we are still firm partners in this venture.” [I insisted.] “We could teach these people ways to do things without creating unnecessary collateral damage without spilling too much innocent blood or fostering endlessly bitter feuds that has to be worthwhile and it is potentially profitable too.”

“You seem very positive that we can control any future carnage. I however, am sure that things will go wrong, some people will die, and their deaths will add to our burden of guilt. In addition should any of our students become perpetrators of especially cruel or evil deeds we will be no less responsible than our protégées for their actions.” [‘Leeruussii’ insisted.]

“Any accidental deaths will be more than counterbalanced by the purposeful multitudes of people we can and will save if we do our jobs down here right.” [I replied.]

“That sounds akin to the sort of martial rationalisations made by every war leader throughout history. Even if our teachings are filled with a strict ethical framework once off the learning leash, we will lose control over their actions and we have no idea how they might be utilised by whatever would serve as a command structure amongst these almost anarchists. Lastly put even reasonable people into especially hard situations and they will make hard choices we know that truth far too well.” [‘Leeruussii’ reminded.]

“I disagree we could seek some role in vetting missions. I believe if we do accept this task and do it properly in time we could redeem some of our past actions rather than condemn ourselves further. These ‘Miners’ are willing to give us a second chance.” [I insisted.]

“By suggesting we vet missions you are already expanding our teacher only role. Do you really believe that redemption is truly possible for us by using the dodgy skills ‘Overbite’ taught us that we could right old wrongs with more wrongs rather than just compounding our felonies via this proposal? I was lucky not to end up in a ‘Stasis Prison’ last time and if they had tried to sell you by breaking your bond, you would have had a job on your extruded limbs to keep your identity as a ‘Ghost Ship’ Avatar secret. If people discover you do not hold a living brain the hunt would be on to find the entity running the ‘Venturesome’ remotely and that could get very problematic for you.” [He hardly needed to remind me again.]

“Despite some personal risks if we do not individually seek to achieve whatever we can do to improve our society we are all damned together that is a fact.” [I debated.] “All that many of these people want is to be free to live and work in peace without suffering the dominion of overbearing outside business interests. Would you deny them this simple boon?”

“The law is not impartial towards these people - it works for those who drafted it.” [I insisted.] “I think even ‘Creed’ when he recalls strongly that he is a Paradox Priest sometimes has a love hate relationship with his law. These people are being disenfranchised and cast out by our wider society just as we were defamed and victimised.”

“We were not innocent of wrongdoing and these ‘Free Miners’ are the same people who are notorious claim jumpers and so on.” [‘Leeruussii’ reminded in turn.]

“I now believe that many of the reported facts of matters down here were seriously spun out of context against the ‘Free Miner’ community by some of the most active Corporations involved in founding the ‘Consortium’. Too readily, some people have blamed every ill upon ‘Free Miner’ lawlessness however, I am not sure this is an even slightly accurate version of the truth down here. It shames me that I bought so easily into some of this rhetoric prior to coming here and seeing what is truer at this ‘Way-station’ first person, if remotely, well you know what I mean.” [I insisted.]

“It suits far too many interests to brand the ‘Free Miners’ as especially irresponsible and criminal - I know quite a few of them are a little dodgy and roguish in less important ways - but I am beginning to believe only a typically small percentage of the overall population is what even ‘Creed’ would call dangerously criminal. Some interesting evidence revealed to me suggests that many Corporations have been manipulating this social divide to their advantage from the beginning of ‘Pilgrim’ exploitations down here. In truth the ‘Free Miners’ were often here first as they were willing to take the worst early risks they should have seniority they certainly made many early business contacts with ‘Star-Divers’ and were quick to seek ‘Star-Diver Solar Weather Maps’. Previously in my role as a Patriarch of the ‘MTC’ I failed to see the truth, nothing is quite how I thought it was down here. I now believe some corporations have not just purposely been unjustly defaming the ‘Free Miners’ at every opportunity in the news channels but even occasionally directly falsifying specific charges against them as excuses for especially brutal ‘Consortium’ policing actions to clear the way for their own business. Looking deeper into this I now suspect even some people within the ‘MTC’ have shamefully muscled into this territory in a strong extruded limb way.” [I argued.]

“You will I trust forgive my scepticism but all of this seems a suspiciously comprehensive swing in your thinking. If this evidence is so good why has it not been used against the Corporations politically before now?” [‘Leeruussii’ asked playing the cynic.]

“Sadly the truth is out there but being purposely buried, sometimes what is real is not enough. Nothing they showed me proved immune to drowning out by louder corporation propaganda each side calls the other a liar so often that the public is easily bored and distracted by other topical issues. Besides the Corporations, have more wealth resources and skill in general at selling their side of the story. You can have mountains of data and scores of images but if you cannot get people to sympathise with you and believe then it is just more ignored background noise. The ‘Free Miners’ are not media savvy being advocates of free speech they are renowned for not guarding their words and so fall especially easily to victimisation via clever edits. Naturally they have come to distrust investigative journalism as fact twisters working for the opposition. In addition, people with an excuse to openly record images and with a remit to snoop about in general are just too good a cover for Corporate owned spies and agitators and as a rule not permitted on ‘Way-stations’. Keeping hosts of journalists out makes the ‘Miners’ seem guilty of hiding the truth letting these scavengers in provides intelligence plus images and words to spin against them either way they are doomed in the news channels.” [I added.]

“I must agree that evidence can be manufactured and the truth easily bent out of shape that is a fact we know well even from our trial but that speaks to all parties involved perhaps neither side in this dispute is all that innocent.” [‘Leeruussii’ reminded.] “Think back to our time in the ‘Reach Project’ when two groups targeted were already squabbling - as was often the case - both sides usually proved to have crossed the lines of honesty and decency long before we got involved that was what used to make our work of further agitation so very easy.”

“Some of what I have been shown seems very credible. I do not doubt some ‘Free Miners’ have committed some crimes out of frustration and in retaliation but I believe overall their level of aggression and acts of hostility are exaggerated sometimes even by the ‘Miners’ themselves. They like to maintain a tough reputation a do not mess with us attitude and they have a bit bizarrely encouraged tourism. Most of them carry a gun at their hip or a rifle on their back or both and they often have an almost piratical swagger.” [I admitted.]

“They have been known to work and trade with known Pirates so none of this surprises me.” [‘Leeruussii’ reminded.]

“Your own ‘Port Messenger’ accommodates visits by Pirates as one of the more open and liberal ‘Free Ports’.” [I reminded.]

“The ‘Free Miners’ have rejected every agreed international law.” [He retorted.]

“They see such laws as weapons of the enemy and rightly so the way the law has occasionally been abused down here.” [I countered.]

“I fear you just want to believe in these independent souls now that you have met them in person and developed a bizarre connection with them. It is pretty obvious that you have developed a strong connection through ‘Thorbolt’.” [‘Leeruussii’ argued.]

“I can offer little defence against a charge of prejudice save to request that you make a short visit here remotely and judge the truth of this matter for yourself.” [I challenged.]

[There was a moment of silence.]

“Half a day or a day at the very most should cover it.” [I insisted.]

“Why do I feel that one way or another you are intent upon dragging me back into the role of ‘Uussleer’?” [He asked.]

“If you prefer you could pretend to be someone else but you may not gain the same level of unrestricted access to all areas. They are eager to talk with you and to show you around as they did with me. Many tourists do arrive here but their movements are limited by the locals to primarily tourist areas.” [I explained.]

“One day at the most.” [He said.]

“One day at the most as a remote you can disconnect at anytime and your safety will therefore be guaranteed just remember I have some real people onboard me now.” [I reminded.] “Try not to antagonise the local ‘Free Miners’ against us as escape may not be so easy for my crew.”

“I can only be ‘Uussleer’ unless you want me to blow my cover.” [He replied.]

“We both know ‘Uussleer’ is capable of a wide range of interactions. Luckily, many know now that you have become a bit of a recluse staying in the safety of your ‘SCCCM’ ignoring the animation of the occasional remote when ranging abroad. Given this habit of only venturing out as a remote you could easily drop in to be with me remotely more often, via fleeting connections you could both do some business here whilst fully maintaining your home life too, whenever necessary I could - act - to fill in any gaps in your performances.” [I suggested.]

“I am making no promises right now to fully reprise my role as ‘Uussleer’, I know I said I would before as incidentally witnessed by ‘Creed’ but that was then with all our emotions running high upon release after the trial and with ‘Creed’ being a bit superior over you. Today is a very different time.” [He postulated.]

“I would not hold you to that rash promise as a binding contract that would be… unfair.” [I agreed.] “Nonetheless, I have missed you, perhaps if you had been with me I would not have taken on the burden of a crew.”

“Are you trying to guilt trip me back? Playing with these Avatars can be dangerous you can lose sight of the wider reality when you become too immersed in these roles. When I think back to some of the things I have done already as ‘Uussleer’ from the comfort and normalcy of home it is unnerving.” [He added.]

“You have had some difficulties adjusting.” [I guessed.]

“You could say that.” [He replied a worryingly vague response.]

“I was just stating a fact that seems important to me. In fact, I admit it was selfish of me to involve others perhaps as a remote I had no right to feel lonely but I did.” [I confessed.]

“Remote Avatar or not we feel what we feel that much I have learned by playing at being ‘Uussleer’ and that can be part of the problem one is and is not removed.” [‘Leeruussii’ replied wisely.]

“Long term undercover Avatar operations do have their wrinkles.” [I said.]

“I trust all is well with your family.” [I added.]

“Not as well as it should be.” [He replied whilst again coming up short on any detail.]

“You know you can talk about anything with me.” [I promised.]

“I beg to disagree.” [He replied.]



[A day and a half later, almost near the end of my faux Captain’s scheduled visit to ‘Hades’.]

“You are more cynical than I imagined ‘Swimmer’, I can tell you still have serious doubts about the truthfulness and worthiness of our cause.” [‘Thorbolt’ stated.]

“If you will forgive the trespass as an unarmed visitor I have known many liars and been told many lies in the past that will make anyone cautious of any data too readily shared by someone wanting something when said material is so capable of being manufactured.” [‘Leeruussii’ as ‘Uussleer’ said.]

[Moving close ‘Thorbolt’ shifted to a direct laser link as a semi-secure communication mode.]

“If you are willing to come with us as a remote in four days time we should be able to put you in a situation that will truly show the duplicity and malign intent of some ‘Consortium’ members.” [‘Thorbolt’ promised.]

“What is happening in four days time.” [He asked via the same more secure method.]

“An inaugural launch of a ‘Free Miner’ owned and operated ‘Material Processing Facility’ the ‘Thunder Forge II’ note the numeral the first ‘Thunder Forge’ met with a supposed accident. Accidents do happen down here but not always accidentally.” [‘Thorbolt’ stated.]

“You are expecting trouble specifically with this facilities launch?” [He asked.]

“Come and see the truth for yourself as a remote you have little to fear save the loss of some disbelief.” [She promised.]



[A little later onboard the ‘Venturesome’.]

“You are right they are plausible but I am still not sure I want to get this involved in these matters with these people.” [A ‘Suit Substance’ Avatar of my faux Captain told me in our ‘SCCCM’.]

“Will you at least accept this offer in four days time?” [I asked.]

“I suppose I will out of amused and horrified curiosity alone. Still even some act of sabotage is falsifiable for our benefit they seem to want our participation very badly yet say and do some truly incomprehensible things. Maybe they expect too much from us and you expect too much from them. As to four days time I am not sure what they hope to prove to me beyond any reasonable doubt.” [He said.]

“The most blind are those who refuse to see.” [I retorted.]

“I saw plenty in there including not long after I docked a bunch of idiots with ‘Force Pulse Rifles’ shooting repeatedly into the ceiling whilst chanting slogans.” [He complained.]

“From my limited experience most ‘Free Miners’ are enthusiastic people in all that they do.” [I replied.]

“When did you become a recruiter for these reckless people?” [‘Uussleer’ asked.]

“Probably when you decided to doubt them so vehemently without sufficiently due cause outside other irrelevant external experiences.” [I admitted.]

“That is very contrary of you.” [He accused.] “Have you now lost all doubts about these mad ‘Miners’ having met a few they are hardly innocents?”

“The more I interact with them here the more they seem, ignoring the actors working the tourists, refreshingly real to me especially in relation to some more corporate souls. Being stubborn in their ways they do not hide their faults away most happily speak their mind in fact doing so seems a matter of great pride with them part of their developing brash subculture.” [I said.]

“Brash subculture is an understatement my friend I have met many less loud and gun happy Pirates.” [My faux Captain insisted.]

“They relish in the excess of their individualism as we Paradox Priests once did, they live and breathe freedom. ‘Thorbolt’ as you may have noticed being a ‘Living Hull’ is more refined than most ‘Hell Burners’ in fact, she is more refined than most ‘Passenger Class Free Miners’ in general and more forgiving of insult too.” [I stated.]

“People on that station truly do enjoy punctuating their ire and even sometimes their joy with supposedly station safe weapons fire. I suppose that our hostess is less hot tempered and martially demonstrative is probably another reason why ‘Thorbolt’ is acting as our principle guide and recruiter.” [‘Uussleer’ said.]

“Despite much shooting at the ceiling and so on they rarely kill one another just as we Paradox rarely do, the easy gun slinging with ‘Force Pulse Weapons’ is just letting off steam a bit akin to Paradox wrestling with one another and often a demonstration of solidarity.” [I excused.]

“Prior to visiting this ‘Way-station’ I thought all that vertical shooting shown in some broadcasts to be played up antics in front of known cameras and disproportionate. That some of them consider getting drunk or high and shooting at random all over the place all part of a ‘Way-station’ stopover came as a bit of a shock to me. As to when they do draw on each other bones do occasionally get broken, organs damaged and deaths even sometimes occur in rarer incidents, this all seems terribly stupid considering everyone is far from a remote or heavily suited or even personally shielded here. Some ‘Omerta Miners’ do not even have nanotech support due to passed down cultural prejudices.” [‘Uussleer’ reminded.]

“Then they really should wear some physical protection however that they choose to take some risks in this environment is their choice to them probably a demonstration of the strength of their beliefs, whilst I believe they would not appreciate special treatment from their even intoxicated peers as a matter of pride.” [I added.]

“This all seems more than a little bit crazy to me who sensibly exposes themselves to potential pain and injury and who pops off even low powered weapons fire all over the place inside their own stations?” [He asked.] “Note I have not even mentioned all the physical brawls.”

“You just did. I thought you ‘Stellar Swimmers’ are supposed to be tough too.” [I mocked.]

“On ‘Port Messenger’ we learned it was more profitable to be sociable rather than combative.” [He retorted.]

“I did not know ‘Uussleer’ felt that way.“ [I replied.]

[He glared at me.]

“Some believe to risk more is to feel more alive. I found all the low power shooting unsettling at first too but you soon get sort of used to it. I was even encouraged to join in at one point and found it strangely cathartic.” [I confessed.]

“Unbelievable.” [He complained.]

“You should try it you might feel a little silly at first but then it is oddly fun and satisfying I think it is a crowd thing I am sure it would be less enjoyable on your own although in the right circumstances if it made people jump it might still be fun.” [I admitted.]

[My friend looked at me as if I had gone mad too.]

“Actually I am not surprised that many ‘Omerta’ scions of the more primitive nations are attracted to the rigours of ‘Free Mining’. They do not believe in avoiding risks because they are very mortal but it often seems to me the very opposite. Have you noticed the preponderance of such people within the ‘Fraternities’??” [I asked.]

“It seems a surprising number of the ‘Omerta’ here even refuse regeneration and insist upon living what they deem to be a more natural span of years even accepting the harsh rigours of an ageing process.” [He stated.]

“I have met a few older ‘Omerta’ here who are proud of their infirmity as part of a cycle of life death and renewal.” [I informed.]

“I find that truly bizarre why would anyone wish to suffer such an unnecessary degradation to their bodies?” [He asked.]

“They find it remarkable that some of us have ambitions to live forever.” [I retorted.] “Surely you have met some of their kind before upon ‘Messenger’.”

“I have but there they were not as noticeable not putting themselves so obviously at risk and therefore they seemed a lot less fragile and it was easier to ignore the deeper reality of their odd ways.” [He admitted.]

“They see their place within the Universe differently to us.” [I guessed.] “I admit should I ever choose to die I hope it will be because I have done it all and grown tired of being alive not because parts of my body have betrayed me but I am not an ‘Omerta’ raised with other faiths.”

“You do not even have a normal body anymore and here you do not even have a normal mind.” [He added.]

“My mind is not abnormal either just housed elsewhere.” [I jested.]

“Letting your body slowly rot away is insanely primitive in this technological age of cellular repair and regeneration. Such self-destruction is almost criminal self-abuse when you think about it deeply given how many ‘Pilgrims’ we have lost to the ‘Entanglement’ and internal disputes. To ensure our species survival we all need to live as long as possible. Yet here some of these people seem to be in love with death and possible injury it is all something of a conundrum to me.” [‘Uussleer’ admitted.]

“They are not masochists they just do not believe life should be artificially extended that when stretched beyond a certain span the moments of existence cease to have any value.” [I said.]

“That makes them very odd ‘Pilgrims’ by most modern standards.” [‘Uussleer’ replied.]

“Many ‘Omerta’ nations thought long lost were kept purposely unchanged by ‘Orb Guidance’ in what were virtually domed cultural preserves some of them have some really different ideas about lots of things interesting food, music and other cultural affectations too.” [I added.] “Personally I share your ‘Vision’ of some of the social benefits of embracing a long life to some degree, I would love to see a greater percentage of our ‘Pilgrim’ populace survive to become respected Elders then we all might get a little wiser and more settled as species too but it need not be the only way socially forward. Arguably death and generational evolution is the more natural way to progress.” [I added.]

“You still harbour some of the old Paradox Priest deep respect for your Elders even after the exposure and fall of the ‘Tier System’ as a, you have oft argued now, imperfect social imposition.” [‘Uussleer’ commented.]

“Even the wise can err especially when the error has a foundation within some youthful indiscretion long hidden, but that does not mean that wisdom in general and gathered experience is ever devalued in anyway.” [I replied.] “Whilst the wise may err on occasion the youthful are prone to error in general. I firmly believe that errors made not so long after we first came here in the flower of our youth are the actions that have most harshly bedevilled our five species creating the beginnings of the pattern for all the ills that have cyclically followed.” [I argued.]

“So now you blame everything on youth that is exceptionally ageist.” [‘Uussleer’ mocked.]

“As one example alone tell that truth to the ‘Arch Prelate of the Shaper Faith’, youthful over-exuberance was arguably more than half of the problem with the entire ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ species. When the ‘Skimmers’ were first genetically altered by ‘Draakhaal’ they were reborn as somewhat rash children with an overly simplistic faith in the exercise of their youthful bodies might as right and proper.” [I stated.]

“That is an interesting historical revision if probably something of a gross simplification.” [He retorted.]

“Sometimes complex problems have simple even singular roots. The best of all solutions to the mentally immature is the self-knowledge of times cumulative experience.” [I argued.] “Given enough time I have some faith that all our rough edges will slowly be abraded away we just need to live long enough although some people and species may need more time and more polishing that others. Arguably all of us ‘Pilgrims’ are still rather youthful, rough and foolish compared to some entities but the ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ were little more than sharp stony eggs in a nest in relation to us Paradox Priests when they were first formed.”

“Species pride comes before a unified fall.” [‘Uussleer’ jested.]

“Not pride disappointment being more socially aware we should have taken better care of these young hatchlings but sometimes even the wise fail and fall from grace. Youth can be beguiling too its energy and foibles infectious the pride of youthful self-belief the faith that you can do anything that you are the centre of your own private universe the dream of unlimited growth and so on. However overambitious growth leads to such excesses as the ‘Nanotech Plague’. I am no advocate of out of scale dangerous proliferations. Must proliferation be the only means to secure a future for us or is it ultimately counterproductive? Even the stars are hardly inexhaustible resources even if they seem timeless and vast today. Perhaps the freakish ‘Solar Weather’ down here is not down to esoteric machine manipulation at least not directly but instead a side effect of too much ‘Star-Diver’ occupation and now we ‘Pilgrims’ are also mining the essence of our stars.” [I reminded.]

“Is that a real theory or just a bit of debatable whimsy?” [He asked.]

“Some serious minds have been looking into the possibility that the strange ‘Solar Weather’ is occupation induced instabilities - although this has not been widely publicised as it is not a popular theory with the masses eager to benefit from an expansion in the harvesting of ‘RAW’.” [I admitted.]

“I did not know that.” [He admitted.]

“Then I am delighted to teach you something new.” [I joked.]

“You know that many must argue that we cannot afford to remain a fragile minority amongst such burgeoning superpowers as the ‘Entanglement’ and these ‘Star-Divers’ they task us to grow in numbers simply to maintain a parity of esteem.” [‘Uussleer’ reminded.]

“I have heard such arguments many times before from many quarters. Many claim that it is the nature of life that we are always thrust into competition with our neighbours and to have any hope of survival we must equal or best our rivals in all that they do.” [I said.]

“Whether such truths please us or not can we honestly disagree with them? Sometimes we are left with few choices other than to fight to live.” [‘Uussleer’ added.]

“As friends and teachers we might find a different - a better way forward - than simply competing with numbers versus numbers. We Paradox Priests have followed this vector before during the time of the ‘Core Alliance’ and it did not end well for us. For once it would be good to learn something from our past mistakes.” [I said.]

“Maybe this time with a little more experience it can be different.” [‘Uussleer’ suggested.]

“I am not so sure this time will be any different especially if people such as us step aside. As an example, consider the way that the theory I just mentioned is I believe in part wilfully buried by parties with stakes in solar exploitation. What if we truly are harming the stars via our activities? That we are uninterested as a wider society in even examining some possibilities honestly is a poor sign. Even if the theory proves untrue, our treatment of it tells us much about our immaturity as a society in general our refusal to accept both individual and joint responsibility for our actions. People too often do not care about the bigger picture they only want instant gratification and satisfaction. I fear going down the same path generally brings you to the same destination ask any navigator or use any navigation software. I have seen the damage that proliferation does to society in both an intimate and wide way it devalues the individual.” [I stated.]

“As a traveller you should know that time alters every destination these are different times so we should expect to arrive at a changed destination.” [‘Uussleer’ insisted.]

“The only changes I see are that the threats to our survival grow ever larger. Intimately I saw how Harbinger’s family changed too much due to forced growth. More in some ways made us far less each Acolyte was diminished in their importance even today we live with the consequences of ‘Immortal’ Marine proliferation with the dire hidden costs of corporatism over smaller family values.” [I argued.]

“Sometimes you must accept the bad for the good you could all easily not be alive today had you not proliferated.” [‘Uussleer’ reasoned.]

“Sometimes compromises must be made but not every time. The ‘Acolyte Synod’ almost resulted in radical social changes to our Priest rule from the top system but the ‘Entanglement’ overtook that opportunity for reform another cursed wider military proliferation taking an even deadlier toll. We were culled back - a vicious solution of sorts to some issues - one sometimes guiltily appreciated although it still left us lost from the truest measure of our better older ways, ways that for example ‘Creed’ holds most dear.” [I said.]

“Looking into ‘Creeds’ history he has not always been as consistent as you might expect from his reputation.” [‘Uussleer’ stated.]

“Who amongst us has not been moved by events to occasionally betray our ideals or simply to lose sight of what once mattered most. I too feel I have been seduced by my power over the masses. I think that is part of the despair within ‘Creed’ - our sometimes too lawful friend - sees no simple way back for all of us to arguably more honest times when individuals mattered more as individuals and laws were maintained by a consensus of decency rather than by too ready enforcement. Perhaps if ‘Creed’ spent some time with these ‘Miners’ he would see they are seeking after some of the things we lost or perhaps surrendered in our cold war with ‘Draakhaal’ a deeper belief in individual freedom rather than the constant imposition of the evil necessity of societal management from the top down.” [I said.]

“I think ‘Creed’ would be appalled by all the gunplay.” [He replied.]

“That stuff as I have already said is just superficial nonsense a sub-cultural affectation what really matters is the values these people care about not how they celebrate or whatever.” [I said.]

“Are you losing faith in your ‘Universal Council of Equals’ as the best way forward?” [He asked.]

“I am trying to self-moderate everyone with my ‘Universal Council’ for I believe the more we openly debate every issue the truer we come to embracing and respecting every citizen’s point of view. However, it is true what some say that my grand plan is ineffectual when those in power those who make the everyday policy decisions ignore the wisdoms arriving from honest wider debate of the issues involved.” [I admitted.]

“So that is the attraction here with you, these boisterous ‘Miners’ recall to you something of a more innocent past long lost. You see an opportunity here for a potentially different solution a different society to that born of the Marine proliferation into family Corporations and so on. A sort of two pronged assault of tearing down the establishment whilst encouraging a less centralised less authoritarian more consensual society.” [‘Uussleer’ replied.]

“You know me I embrace many truths sometimes to the detriment of my equilibrium. I now wonder if I have been too bound up in my Captain’s worst mistakes.” [I said.]

“You will have to clarify that?” [‘Uussleer’ asked.]

“When you inherit something from a cherished source you feel a generational obligation to protect it. There was a time when I very much disagreed with everything about the Marine proliferation as a solution - two wrongs not making anything right - yet now I fight in innumerable ways to keep my outsized family together as a corporation even choosing to expand the ‘MTC’ with non Acolyte members to break down segregation.” [I confessed.]

“You inherited obligations that I can understand as a ‘Free Stellar Swimmer’, we all have some duties thrust upon us by forebears.” [‘Uussleer’ replied as if that excused everything.]

“In my own way I have worked to keep the legacy of Harbinger whole and secure far more than I have struggled for my own people’s emancipation or to achieve any other greater social boon. It seems to me now that being a Patriarch has corrupted me in subtle but undeniable ways. Even the very wealth of resources that I can too easily muster is corrupting to the remit of the ‘Holy Father’ as a believer in the value of less materialistic truths.” [I stated.]

“Whilst I do not doubt mistakes may have been made by you I am sure that you did the best you could whilst trying to be true to many different sometimes contradictory things as is your nature.” [‘Uussleer’ argued.]

“Failure is not fixed by excuses. I cannot be a true father to so many children all I can be it seems is an icon of reverence a job done as well by the statue of the ‘Tier Nine Harbinger’ outside my residence that monument has become an equally revered artefact even though it is utterly lifeless.” [I stated.]

“Is that a hint of jealousy I detect.” [‘Uussleer’ mocked with widening eyestalks.]

“Perhaps it is, that one gets equal veneration with none of the pain. It is all going wrong, today I am not just the ‘Holy Father of the Universal Council of Equals’ a mere representative of a worthy institution wrongly in some ‘Tri-optics’ I am becoming a living saint and some sort of High Priest of Harbinger’s house as a sort of family temple too.” [I complained.]

“I am sure ‘Creed’ loves that concept.” [‘Uussleer’ said.]

“Maybe ‘Creed’ is right to fear the vector I am upon; slowly the ‘MTC’ is becoming more than a Paradox Corporation it is blossoming or perhaps degenerating into a religious organisation a congregation of worshippers all following some delusion of Harbinger’s grand ‘Vision’ and perhaps not just as espoused by his three successors. I did not realise this properly until one Acolyte told me paraphrasing that, ‘the ‘Triumvirate’ are not his father that the ‘Blessed Tier Nine Harbinger’ was and that even splitting would not change that fact’. Such a concept is something shocking and new in Paradox behaviour previously when you split you move on you do not worship your maker you are more apt to criticise him.” [I said.]

“Harbinger did not entirely move on he was obsessed in some ways with his father too.” [‘Leeruussii’ reminded.]

“I often felt he was unhealthily obsessed with his father, although such truths about ‘Composure’ that were later revealed never ever helped Harbinger to let go.” [I stated.]

“I do not find the deification of Harbinger in the least bit surprising the only surprise is that this more codified adoration took so long to more overtly manifest within the ‘MTC’.” [‘Uussleer’ replied.]

“I raised up that big statue to remind me that I was just a custodian of the ‘MTC’ not its master as much as to honour my former Captain’s achievements but in doing so it seems I have inadvertently helped to truly deify Harbinger altering the relationship between father and child within the ‘MTC’ perhaps in a perilous way. Perhaps in the past I have done nothing but err and compound past errors.” [I suggested.]

“Sometimes I feel trapped by every silly precedent maybe Harbinger felt similarly caged and that is why his spirit fled away leaving the mere shell of his body behind. Perhaps he felt that was the only way he could escape and be free of an unjust renown amongst equals. Despite his belief in equality his father purposely made him extra-special this was something he was constantly internally struggling to rationalise.” [I said.]

“Perhaps you give yourself too much credit absence gives rise to adoration. Harbinger’s mysterious departure and his ‘Tier Nine’ genesis alone would give him an eventual religious status amongst his children. Believe me eventually there would be statues and icons to such a massive personage whether you erected them or not such devotions are especially inevitable in a society so obsessed with personal beliefs as you Paradox.” [‘Uussleer’ insisted.]

“As heretics of ancient dogma we certainly do preach a lot but much of that preaching is against tyranny and the improper elevation of individuals as overlords.” [I confessed.]

“Yet it is the nature of every father to lord over his children in a protective way and your families very much enshrined that truth. The very fact that a Priest’s children in your culture are called Acolytes indicates that the Paradox have long almost expected worship from their children until those children find their own faith and split and follow a new personal ‘Vision’. Outside your own culture consider the ‘Emissary’ if she had stayed with us her presence would preclude some of her mystery and lessen her current significance to us. Equally with the ‘Pantheon of New Helpers’ belief in these ‘Higher Tier Powers’ benevolence flourishes now because they are unseen that is the paradox behind much religion to really be worshipped you have to go away otherwise there is no room for faith to grow.” [‘Uussleer’ replied.]

“A ‘Living God’ unless they according to doctrine ascend, such as the ‘Shaper’, after a mortal death tend to be branded false and brought low sooner or later because they are too prone to demonstrating mortal failings. Perhaps Harbinger on some level simply fled away from such a fate because he felt inside that he was less than perfect and too much a tool of his father’s ‘Vision’ as much as anything else.” [‘Uussleer’ suggested.]

[I considered that in silence sometimes I had thought that too.]

“You have often told me that Harbinger had a troubled relationship with the Elder Priest ‘Composure’. You Paradox created a society of purposeful doctrinal splits the maturing mechanism was possibly how the originators of the Paradox Order sought to constantly sanctify the concept of many truths over one domineering imperial truth and that worked well whilst family units remained small and each Priests ‘Vision’ stayed more intimate more truly personal but all of that has changed.” [He lectured.]

“You have been studying us in your own way.” [I said.]

[My faux Captain shrugged.]

“I have to agree that Harbinger altered your culture almost irrevocably when he encouraged the Acolyte Marine proliferations. Arguably, ever since your kind expanded your families your society has been more than a little unbalanced. You are hardly to blame for this historic truth and even Harbinger has some little excuse given the exigency of his times vis-à-vis the rise of the ‘Void Skimmers’. I also agree that once you inherited the family Corporation to seek to disband or destroy it would be to dishonour your friend’s memory and achievements. Almost anyone put in your position would have felt an obligation to protect the family unit whatever its current scale especially as these force grown adult clones remain to your cultural perceptions children until they decide they are ready and willing to be adults by splitting.” [He argued.]

“Anyway historically upon your return to active service you stepped in to help ‘UT’ when he was feeling besieged by his responsibility having previously commanded many Acolytes to their death in often losing holding actions against the originally rampaging ‘Entanglement’.” [He recalled.]

“Finally equally after your return from stasis and injury you were trying to keep the family together despite vehement ‘Free Parliament’ antipathy towards Paradox Corporations and Families in general. The ‘Representatives’ clearly saw old Acolyte to Priest Patriarch relations as rival political and military institutions that vied publicly with their methods of citizen control whilst you soon rightly ascertained that the demagogues had become vote manipulating dictators.” [‘Uussleer’ reminded.]

“I should make you my publicist or my historian or both.” [I joked.]

“All of this is public record now.” [‘Uuusleer’ replied.]

“Maybe it would have been better if we had let the ‘Parliament’ break the family up maybe we would be more multicultural today and it would not only have freed ‘Unholy Terror’ of his responsibilities but also in a way disarmed him from future folly.” [I said.]

“We could play what if eternally the truth is you could not destroy your friend and mentor’s legacy and that is not surprising. Besides you needed the family as a counter to the ‘Parliament’. Being in control of a state deemed constantly at war gave the ‘Parliament’ far too much poorly moderated authority somebody had to resist this trend or their stealing of power from the individual would have continued to grow with the freedom of every voting citizen a matter for nothing other than ‘Representative’ abuse and revue via committees, cabals and the dread quango.” [‘Uussleer’ argued.]

“You manage to make my choices all sound so sensible.” [I said.]

“Since the fall of the ‘Free Parliament’ much evidence has been publicised about just how many individual ‘Representatives’ used public control of living space assignment and career allocation as a direct means of securing personal servants and state maintained labourers for secret private business ventures linked into the ‘Black Market’ and so on. We all know the ‘Free Parliament’ experiment with a credit-less economy supposedly all about maximising ‘Pilgrim’ efforts - sharing and caring with limited resources to secure overall species survival - became a total sham. You had a secret class system with the politically powerful at the top and endless manipulated voting pawns beneath. Near the end of this regime most ‘Representatives’ only represented their own unlawful private interests reaping in a host of, off any official record, material and social benefits.” [He reminded.]

“Some of us encouraged their corruption realising their hunger for excess would be their undoing.” [I admitted.]

“The resistance promoted the ‘Black Market’ too but you did not initiate ‘Representative’ corruption they started that all by themselves.” [He clarified.]

“It was an exceptionally corrupt time masquerading as something else entirely. Often the truth is not as it seems on the surface. Still they did force some species mixing integration that even today has some small positive effects. As to now I believe that ‘Thorbolt’ is right someone needs to challenge the impositions of our societies current authorities too even my own Patriarch of the ‘MTC’ authority should be contested. Is it irrational of me to want to be challenged whilst at the same time feeling that I must still maintain my guardian role for the good of the family?” [I asked.]

“Someone who did not know you as well as I might think such clashing opinions a little deranged but I believe I understand your position as both a reformer and a troubled part of the establishment with lasting obligations.” [‘Uussleer’ replied.] “I am just not sure these ‘Free Miners’ are all that you believe them to be as pointers to a new better way.”

“They are not all gun happy idiots. Sadly the loudest people tend to make the most noticeable first impressions you have to get beyond the noise.” [I excused.]

“I hope the gunslingers are not entirely representative but they really do love to shoot at nothing they must be constantly doing minor repairs on these stations.” [He added.]

“I tell you it is just an affectation maybe even sometimes a little bit of a show for the tourists onboard.” [I almost apologised.]

[My remote friend did not look fully convinced. It was a mob thing one started popping off and his friends and associates just seemed to feel it was necessary to join in what sometimes seemed almost a tribal dance. As to the actual gunfights, they were mostly non-lethal and a quick way to settle strong differences of opinion if arguably not an ideal way.]

“Even if they are less than perfect at the moment I still believe with deep conviction that there is something here worth saving something worth nurturing just as ‘Creed’ saw something worthy within the ‘Hubris Expansion’ despite the excess of the ‘Patrons’. You realise they save most of this wild behaviour solely for shore leave upon the ‘Way-stations’.” [I insisted.]

“Never having been on a ‘Free Miner Way-station’ before I really did believe some of the images broadcast were gross exaggerations.” [He admitted.]

“The shooting is not important although it can also in part be excused as a rather too blatant demonstration that they are all armed and will fight any intrusion into their homes - they are all very passionate about demonstrating that. You know they are all involved in militias either as ‘Fraternities’ or linked to specific ‘Way-station’ districts or other assets. What matters to me is that the ‘MTC’ can be fairly aggressive in our business practices but we are not purposely destructive to smaller concerns and individual entrepreneurs unlike some of our rivals at least I hold to that faith. We are not triple cursed monopolists.” [I insisted.]

“You must appreciate that some members of the ‘Consortium’ feel very differently to us and would spare none of the people here they would force them all to join up - to conform and be subsumed into their big business interests - or be crushed that I believe is not the Paradox Priest way or my way. Yet even we can err especially when we become focused on some greater mission such as winning the ‘Star-Divers’ over to our side or defeating the ‘Entanglement’ or even just bringing some greater order to these troubled fiery depths.” [I argued.]

“Maybe some of the small ambitions of these ‘Free Miners’ are preferable to our grand social schemes. Would you as a father advocate a ‘Star-Diver’ versus ‘Entanglement’ conflict now that we have some better idea of the ‘Divers’ vast potential military might?” [I asked.]

“I would love to see ‘Crimson Entangled’ humbled what decent ‘Pilgrim’ would not.” [‘Uussleer’ confessed but I noticed his Avatar’s bi-optics rested in a firm frown.]

“Maybe I am being a bit of a fool but perhaps these ‘Miners’ could teach us all something about appreciating being alive in the now. It is possible that it is always our overblown ambitions that lead us to our ruination whatever happened to moderation to being content with slow ‘Deep Time’ change?” [I asked.] “These days too much is forced. Can you truly imagine us being caught in a war that we encouraged between these two outsized superpowers it is not a sane solution it is nothing less than martial madness.”

“Are these not separate issues?” [He asked.]

“Not if you believe everything is ultimately about the vector we choose for our culture. Is it all to be about an ever-enlarged - military-industrial complex - that idea would make any clone of ‘Draakhaal’ very happy but not me? I fear the ‘MTC’ took a militaristic route a long time ago, one at best deemed a necessary evil and much regretted even by Harbinger later.” [I insisted.]

“Even if we ally with the ‘Star-Divers’ must we assault the ‘Entanglement’? Imagine we do wage that up-scaled war and we succeed in vanquishing ‘Crimson’ perhaps after ages of generational conflict for I doubt any quick victory is possible. How will that conflict change the social and physical evolution of both the ‘Divers’ and us? Even should we reclaim the ‘Sea Spheres’ and so on what challenge will we seek next as a glorious militarised hoard on the move? Shall we dare to contest the very ‘Machine Fury’ next? Eventually such martial hubris - such overstretching ambitions - must destroy us. Perhaps if the ‘Entanglement’ was not historically wary of an intervention by the ‘Highest’ of the ‘Higher Tier Powers’ we would already have been destroyed due to past mistakes. ‘Crimson Entangled’ might well have ate us all before she fully appreciated our loss to her as amusing entertainers.” [I stated.]

“Ages of generational conflict.” [He considered unhappily.]

“I cannot imagine how any such war might be less prolonged remember the ‘Entanglement’ is armed with ‘Higher Tier’ upgrades and can draw on the power of the ‘Sea Spheres’ and she is a viral nanotech plague her weaponry adaptive and triple cursed infectious. Such a massive conflict here might even encourage an early return and intervention by the ‘Machine Fury’ remember it is partial to culling burgeoning sentient species perhaps to prevent them from interfering in its mysterious but fixed mission with the planets.” [I postulated.]

“We once taught ‘Crimson’ that the answer to her survival was proliferation she saw ‘Draakhaal’ use that tool she saw us reply in kind. To beat us she found a way to out-produce us all via consumption and conversion now if we must be teachers perhaps it is time to try to teach other - saner - lessons such as the joys of letting go of the reins of power. Is it not past time that we encouraged individual thought and individual freedom rather than always growing to fear it? This was what I wanted with my ‘Universal Council’ but it all seems to be going wrong it was never meant to be about me as some figurehead or preaching ruler. I want everyone to debate their own issues.” [I argued.]

“If the ‘Entanglement’ is bored, it is because she chose to become a vast monoculture out of fear not just fear of a reforming virus unleashed by the ‘Spore of the Machine Fury’ but I believe fear of her children as potentially splitting contending others. Perhaps some of ‘Crimsons’ fear of her children culturally derived from us Priests something residual in our ‘Shroud Suits’ neural data, not just past betrayals by ‘Recyclers’ the newly digitised once feeling paternal towards normal ‘Recyclers’ or so they claimed until betrayed.” [I stated.]

“In a way, we all share the fear of being left behind, it is not comfortable to feel superseded by any generation we all at some point fear our child may outgrow us until we proudly let them go to be all that they can be. Held back or overly controlled children can become rebellious, spiteful and vicious. Our offspring whilst considered our greatest achievement are still potentially our scariest most intimate rivals for in the process of raising them it is oft a battle of wills. Interestingly in ancient ‘Trojan’ mythology, parents have devoured their children too so this concept is nothing new. Even we ‘Living Hulls’ suffer from this fear of the child for we are the void mastering children of the ‘Passenger Classes’ and many in the ‘Passenger Classes’ do fear our potential and seek to keep us tied to our parents. All of us must stop feasting upon our children and learn to let them go as perhaps Harbinger, now I think about it once again, once let both me and the ‘MTC’ go. He let us go whilst perhaps ironically we clung on to him and the past.” [I suggested.]

“Another new way of looking at your past another new doctrine does this preclude your ‘Social Singularity’?” [’Uussleer’ asked.]

“I do not believe it does the best collectives embrace the individual making the most of their traits rather than seeking to make their membership all the same. We can be gloriously different and still be of equal and of great value to society as a whole. Seeking to make everyone the same will actually, only result in losing what makes each of us special the older I get the more I am positive that true equality is not about sameness. Perhaps our ‘Shroud Suits’ historically taught some observers the wrong lessons about us whilst the imposition of ‘Facilitators’ was a horrible even evil mistake. Prior to the possibly evil corruption of ‘Facilitation into Ascension’ the point of ‘Shroud Suits’ was that on the inside we could all be different and yet still be seen and judged equal ‘Facilitation’ sought to make us all physically the same a very different creed.” [I insisted.]

“‘Shrouding’ was originally meant or at least sold as just a uniform for equality.” [‘Uussleer’ said.]

“Exactly but those who stole technical advancements and yearned to be physically akin to the ‘Emissary’ secretly used our ‘Shroud Suits’ to reengineer us into becoming ‘Bio-mechanical’ entities forcing one singular destination upon all our evolution making potentially our ‘Five’ species into one new super-species.” [I argued.]

“Only not every sentient embraced the Paradox Order and ‘Shrouding’.” [He said.]

“Indeed or gained the genetic complexity and age within our Order deemed needed for a successful ‘Facilitation’ into pure ‘Bio-mechanical Substance’. Harbinger was genetically made for ‘Facilitation’ from his cloned conception part of his ‘Tier Nine’ heritage but others have had to work at it or the process can go horribly wrong consider ‘Creed’ or even the former Captain of the ‘Protean Magnificence’ how they so poorly adapted to being ‘Ascended’.” [I reminded.]

“That is interesting to me.” [He admitted.]

“I am beginning to suspect that the ‘Tier System’ was an attempt to further regulate ‘Facilitation’ to make better more integrated more successful ‘Ascendants’ not just a means of social and tech level segregation and a tool of more general social advancement. Of course the ‘Tier System’ also helped to hide the real truth about the whole process including the true story about those who had gone long before to become the ‘Highest’ as well as acting as a barrier between the most powerful ‘Ascendants’ and the ‘Machine Fury’ that they stole from.” [I suggested.]

“Worse rather than proving the singular path to ultimate enlightenment ‘Suit Substance Ascension’ seems to have belatedly shown itself as an imperfect cobbled together botch perhaps one that even threatened any chance at a truer all inclusive ‘Social Singularity’ even for the ‘Highest’ all they obtained was an illusionary imperfect heaven the much talked about waiting place of ‘Purgatory’.” [I reminded.]

“Nonetheless as is the case with many stratified social systems this one once firmly in place proved horribly robust and institutionally protectionist surviving all attempts at reform until ‘Crimson Entangled’ brought it all crashing down as a nanotech plague.” [He interjected.]

“No lesser power could arguably have succeeded in bringing down the ‘Tier System’ a fact that increasingly makes me wonder how accidental the ‘Advent of the Entanglement’ really was. Still that is another devil. The way I perceive matters today if we cannot begin to find and secure a truer sense of individual freedom now that we are free of the misdirection of the ‘Tier System’ and so on we never will.” [I argued.]

“I fear such a fine speech was rather wasted upon me.” [‘Uussleer’ stated.]

“It is not wasted if it opens your eyestalks even a little. Return in four days and give these people a real chance to make their case.” [I pleaded.]

“Why does my opinion about this one matter so much to you, you could easily pretend to be me and do as you please here?” [He replied.]

“Maybe I need a little confirmation that I am right this time.” [I suggested.]

“You are worried you might be slightly light blinded in this solar glare.” [He replied.]

“Having made mistakes in the past I would be happy to have a second opinion but I want an honest one as free of preconceptions as possible.” [I said.]

“Are you sure that is what you want after that speech an impartial opinion.” [He mocked.]

“I am happy if you are a little cynical about these people as long as you remain overall open minded and not utterly dismissive. Weigh the proofs you are shown against your good commonsense that is all that I would ask from you.” [I advised.]

“When I drop from this link I will do a little independent research from home on ‘Port Messenger’, seek out other sources. Otherwise, I guess I will see what I see in four days time.” [He promised.]

“This is the problem when you become involved in intrigues that include the mass dissemination of manufactured or just somewhat altered truths as was the case with our trial, it soon becomes too easy to begin questioning and doubting everything you hear or see that is enough to drive any person a little insane.” [I warned.]

“Perhaps we are far beyond being only a little bit deranged.” [‘Uussleer’ mocked before dropping his connection.]

[I blamed the gunplay but it really did need considered in context. Besides, it was as I had stated oddly satisfying once you got into it the noise alone impressive. Since I had found the experience somewhat stimulating how could I denigrate others for doing this activity too much. Maybe if I could convince ‘Uussleer’ to pop off a few shots along with a group of others at the ceiling he would better understand or was I fooling myself. I knew I was becoming far more open to some new experiences since I met ‘Kanne’ after all if you do not experience, how is it possible to know what you truly like or dislike.]

[Paranoid66]

[[FOUR]] [[Part 7]]

[It seemed I had at least four days to wait before my faux Captain might come to any kind of decision. Perhaps the delay was a good thing, as right now my friend seemed nothing but negative about the idea. I had to admit that he was correct in some ways, I had become an advocate of this cause if maybe only fully committing when ‘Leeruussii’ as ‘Uussleer’ and himself seemed a little too dismissive and yes that was contrary if maybe excusable as the debater inside me slipping the leash.]

[At first, the idea of being involved in another dirty tricks department had equally appalled me, however the more I considered it the more I saw how some of our old methods might save rather than ruin lives. Curbing some peoples excess via a little blackmail for example hardly seemed criminal at all at least if you believe in social justice rather than inflexible laws.]

[Four days… really I should get back to harvesting, or more accurately directing extruded parts of me harvesting ‘RAW’, however I felt in no rush, it would be good to just stop for a while and take a more honest break. I sent a message to the crew and sent the ones currently back onboard me to another ‘Ship’s Boat’. Shore leave had become extended and compulsory, I then as the ‘Venturesome’ hauled my bulk out of the fire to relax in the cooler void alone. As the ‘Venturesome’ I considering doing a little sight seeing too - but far from here - maybe I would return to a few old haunts of my younger self such as the ‘Monastic Extents’, some old once occupied sectors were now less guarded by the ‘Entanglement’ having been cleansed of ‘Pilgrim’ life and assets long ago. Besides I was positive that most of ‘Perditions’ borrowed eyes and dedicated optics were now focused on and around the stars as she plotted to stop us escaping her dominion.]

[The persona that was ‘Venture’ extruded back into existence out of a little of the substance of the ‘Ship’s Boat’ already docked at ‘Hades’ whilst the substance that, that particular part of my mind was animating onboard the ‘Venturesome’ went off line. It was almost amusing to me how obsessed I had become about the continuity of my more persistent Avatars the way I now frequently endeavoured to keep their existence liner rather than splitting them too often into multiples with the same name. It seemed right now that as a rule there should only ever be one ‘Holy Father’ and one ‘Venture’ operating at any one time. Sometimes I did break this rule but I did so less and less rather than more and more.]



[As ‘Venture’ I tried to gaze around the bay with fresh optics in more ways than one. I was carrying an overt sidearm and a rifle on my back too and activated ‘Hell Burner’ patches over some sections of ‘Free Patterning’ as further identification beyond my standard ‘Kanji’. I did not even feel too self-conscious about this as showing some weaponry is advisable on many ‘Free Ports’ at least in some of their rougher districts.]

[The ‘Sub Core Network’ that ran much of the facility known locally in these places as the ‘Marshal’ acknowledged my localised existence with a purposely loud impossible to miss sensor ping. A subtle reminder that this place was not as anarchic as it sometimes seemed for example quick steps would be taken if I began multiplying my Avatar. Only one Avatar was allowed onboard per registered guest - in lieu of that guest - for station security reasons unless specific dispensation is given.]

[In addition to the one registered person one registered Avatar rule, ‘Suit Substance’ folk were expected to keep all their substance more or less firmly attached in one place no dropping ‘Suit Substance Bugs’ or sending off ‘Remote Cameras’ or any other autonomous or semi-autonomous assets such as ‘Micro-Drones’ never mind more blatant ‘Auto Weaponry’ of any kind.]

[There has been a, I believe regrettable, armament renaissance in personally extruded autonomous anti-personal devices recently. Some people quick to drop everything from the rather obvious leggy ‘Auto Cannons’ and ‘Micro-Missile Launchers’ to far more high tech and subtle ‘Garrotting Spheres’: two neat little self propelling and guiding objects that project between them a super-sharp thread thin cutting field deadly to unshielded and or poorly armoured flesh. ‘Garrotting Spheres’ capable of even dicing ‘Suit Substance’ when said substance is in what we call a soft configuration.]

[Guiltily some aggressive micro-field technologies were pioneered by the ‘MTC’ in cooperation with a small specialist independent ‘Omerta Trojan’ operation within our ‘Protectorate’ operating under the trade name of ‘Sharp Field Dynamics’ which is probably why I mentioned ‘Garrotting Spheres’ in particular rather than some other deadly gewgaw of which there is, believe me, a triple cursed branded multitude. Us ‘Pilgrims’ were ever inventive in relation to finding new ways to cut puncture bludgeon blast irradiate and disintegrate our fellows.]

[Compared to what is available technologically today the ‘Pulse Force Pistol’ or ‘Force Pulse Pistol’, (depending on your species or sometimes your mental inclination of the moment), at my side and ‘Pulse Force Rifle’ on my back were old and exceptionally tame weapons especially when output strength is purposely dialled down. Note there was a time ‘Pulse Force’ weapons held the label of ‘Manipulation Pulse Force’ weapons but over time, the consensus seems to have become that this was far too long a name for such an increasingly old technology. I know some ‘Omerta’ youths now insisted upon calling such weapons especially the pistol variety ‘Knock Guns’ because they tend to knock people and things over or flying but getting a bit old and superior I refuse to go there.]

[Anyway I bowed to the ‘Marshall’ following his loud scan and with perhaps a rough attempt at my idea of a swagger commenced to saunter slowly out of the bay. A couple of low paid workers unsurprisingly ‘Recyclers’ striving hard to seem preoccupied whilst I was convinced - not doing very much - with some crates and barrels were easily further distracted by my appearance ours currently being the only sentient activity of note in the bay ignoring some far more busy auto handling and maintenance equipment.]

[Arguably today having some real people on your staff was far more often about public relations than efficiency. The ‘Recyclers’ were no doubt employed at this location to placate any docking ‘Real Material’ snobs who often preferred to deal with ‘Real People’ not just ‘Real Material’. I guessed they also helped to reinforce the low tech deception that was a big if silly part of the tourist trap side of things here. Still we had been allocated this rather exclusive internal side bay and it was serious overkill having people as manual cargo handlers here as ‘Sub Core’ operated assets could do all of that magnitudes more efficiently. Besides we had neither loaded or unloaded any cargo so unless another boat was expected for a pick up…]

[Getting a bit egocentric I began wondering if the ‘Recyclers’ could be undercover agents working for the ‘Hell Burners’ watching over this specific bay whilst just pretending to be idle workers possibly hiding out from more strenuous duties. My ‘Fraternity’ had an interest in us and they might not want to leave security here entirely under the control of the un-living ‘Marshal’ as there was always a chance someone might manage to hack or otherwise disable a part of your ‘Sub Core Network’.]

[That the ‘Marshal’ had scanned me made me positive the ‘Recyclers’ were not here without some kind of clearance or some sort of alarm would have sounded. Nonetheless I paused as casually as I could manage to have another look around to see if I had missed anything else significant but nothing stood out. As my gaze passed over the workers again one of them gave me a friendly wave I used one of my pre-extruded limbs to wave back.]

[Overall ‘Sub Cores’ had proved a marvellously robust ‘Hierophant Trojan’ invention, but ever since they arrived on the scene some people were seeking after means to attack them and some of those means were getting increasingly ingenious and sophisticated especially some ‘bio-mechanical’ viral weaponry I felt inspired by the means used on those ‘Mutilation Ports’ and by ‘Entangled Plagues Spreaders’ in their operations.]

[I considered walking on then changed by mind and my vector and with a nod of my seeming bi-optics made my way over to the workers.]

“A quiet day?” [I asked.]

“We got a ‘Freight Drone’ pickup in about ten minutes I guess that is quiet enough.” [One replied.]

“Must be a special cargo.” [I said.]

[She shrugged then added.] “Just following instructions is that your boat?” [She asked indicating the single substantial occupant of the bay with a nod in its direction.]

“I suppose you would say that she is.” [I replied.]

“Are you - that - ‘Venture’ of the ‘Venturesome’?” [A different ‘Recycler’ queried gazing at my ‘Living Hull’ kanji.]

“I fear I probably am.” [I replied.]

“That is none of our business.” [The ‘Recycler’ I was originally talking to interjected.]

“Just asking not everyday you meet someone makes the news.” [The questioner replied.]

“Well don’t bother, you aren’t senior enough to be troubling customers about who they are or are not.” [She stated roughly.] “Sorry.” [She added towards me.]

“Forget it, I am the one being a bit overly curious this particular bay seems lightly used so I wondered who we happened to be sharing it with.” [I confessed.]

“I believe this one is kept for special customers only.” [The ‘Recycler’ agreed.] “Which obviously makes you special to someone here.” [She reasoned.]

“Not too special, we are all special to somebody even if it is just to ourselves.” [I joked widening my eyestalks.] “Perhaps you can help me.” [I added.]

“In what way?” [The main speaker asked sounding more wary.]

“Know a place that is not too touristy were I would not be unwelcome maybe a place you lot go when you have some free time?” [I asked.]

“I know a place that might fit - the welcome however varies - it is no place for anyone that needs a chaperone.” [She said squirting a data blast at me with some details and directions.]

“The ‘Metal Drum’ that sounds perfect.” [I replied.] “My thanks maybe I will see you around later. I am ‘Venture’ as your friend noted, you are?”

“Informally I am ‘Short Wrench’.” [The female ‘Recycler’ added.] “My overly curious and un-diplomatic friend is ‘Health Hazard’ and the quiet one at the back is ‘Quick Gulper’.”

“Happy to meet you all.” [I said managing to remember not to ‘Hug’ anyone.]

“If you like you can tell whoever is behind the bar that you are my friend it might assist with first introductions although those ‘Burner’ patches should also do well enough.” [She added.]

“That is generous given our brief acquaintance.” [I replied.]

“Not too many - special - customers or ‘Hell Burners’ ever bother to take the time to talk with the likes of us.” [‘Short Wrench’ stated.]

“Their loss I am sure my friend, we are all ‘Pilgrims’ together.” [I replied.] “Well I must go especially as that ‘Freight Drone’ will be due soon.”

[As I moved away I increased the power to my microphones.]

“All ‘Pilgrims’ together… that one is a cursed ‘Living Hull’.” [‘Hazard’ said to her colleagues when I was nearing the hatch out.]

[I then heard the sound of metal striking metal.]

“What was that for?” [‘Hazard’ complained as the heavy hatch rolled open.]

[If there was an answer from his colleague it was not made before I left the bay. My previous tour had not included the ‘Metal Drum’ so it was precisely the sort of place that I now wanted to go. Many parts of most ‘Way-stations’ were I felt purposely labyrinthine and this one was no exception to that rule. I guessed the complex local geography was in part a security measure and also helped to make the place as interesting as possible for both its denizens and for visitors too as well as providing zones of separation between some semi rival factions and so on. I was glad that ‘Short Wrench’ had provided a map with a good route marked out to the ‘Drum’. In the not so distance the thunder of some ‘Pulse Force’ fire easily drowned out the hum from the lights and the noise of the fans.]

[As I move down one retro dressed corridor I passed a young ‘Omerta’ female with her bum on the deck and her back against the bulkhead I sucked in some fumes hovering nearby and got an analysis that read as the most common of abused substances amongst ‘Omerta’ the very old favourite of ‘Space Weed’. Here was a vice said to have arrived with the ‘Pilgrimage’ to this Universe. Over the ages the ancient ‘Recycler’ product had fallen in and out of favour but was a well established habit of many ‘Miners’ on these so-called ‘Vice Stations’ and compared to most dodgy substances - unless taken in excess or at the wrong time - deemed rightly or wrongly pretty benign.]

[Still this from appearances young one looked well out of it and I wondered how safe that was especially as she seemed to be alone. It is hard for us ‘Living Hulls’ to escape an almost parental instinct towards the ‘Passenger Classes’. I opted to stop rather than pass by as a few other people had already done in the short time it had taken me to reach her. I noticed she was wearing what looked almost akin to a neat work uniform under her stout less formal jacket.]

“A long day.” [I asked.]

[Her reply was somewhat slow in arriving so I asked again a bit louder.] “A LONG DAY.”

[Her head intent upon rolling about a bit finally gazed up, loose slightly greasy dark hair falling away from heavy eyes I noticed one cheek was bruised in a way that indicated she had no nanotech support this made me feel even more concerned.]

“I know you?” [She asked.]

“You do now; the name is ‘Venture’ of the ‘Venturesome’.” [I replied.]

“Not selling and definitely not buying.” [She retorted.]

“Nor am I.” [I replied.]

“Blessed ‘Emissary’ why me?” [She complained.]

“I do not mean to disturb you but unless you are waiting for someone soon this seems a poor place to rest.” [I remarked.]

“What is that to you? You work for the ‘Marshal’ or something?” [She asked.] “Nah if the ‘Marshal’ was bothered about me it would have done something before now.” [She added answering her own question.]

“I only work for my Captain I am the roving Avatar of a ‘Living Hull’.” [I explained.]

“Something seems odd about the alignment of your optics.” [She noted.]

“My Captain is a ‘Stellar Swimmer’.” [I replied.]

“Pirate or ‘Miner’?” [She quickly asked.]

“A ‘Miner’.” [I replied.]

“You sure about that the locals here don’t take kindly to slavers.” [She said.]

“I am not trying to spirit you away into captivity does that happen?” [I asked.]

“You hear gruesome stories.” [She admitted looking a bit more alert.]

“All the more reason not to put yourself in harms way.” [I said.]

[She burst out laughing.]

“You already feel under threat.” [I guessed.]

[She pulled her legs in and leaned upon the bulkhead to pull her body up.]

“Maybe it is time to go, what way are you going?” [She asked.]

“Why do you want to know?” [I asked in turn.]

“So you can go that way and I can go some other.” [She added.]

“I would prefer to see you safely to your destination.” [I replied stubbornly.]

“Do I remind you of some long lost passenger of yours or something?” [She asked.]

“What is your name?” [I asked in turn.]

“People call me ‘Betty’ here.” [She said.]

“Why is that?” [I asked.]

“It is linked to a shockingly old ‘Omerta’ joke perhaps because they know I am lost too.” [She stated.]

“Metaphysically rather than physically lost?” [I asked.]

“Probably that too.” [She admitted.] “Curse it what a day this is turning out to be.”

“I was planning on going to the ‘Metal Drum’ have you heard of it?” [I asked.]

[She gazed at me some more but managed to look only more perplexed scrunching her face up.]

“I know of the ‘Drum’.” [She admitted.] “Mostly ‘Recycler’ but I suppose not exclusively.”

“If you do not have an immediate destination you could accompany me. I am also alone and being a local you could be my guide that way we can keep each other out of trouble.” [I suggested.]

“You want a self confessed lost girl to guide you, you are a strange ‘Hull’ where is your Captain?” [She asked.]

“Back in my ‘SCCCM’ he has become a bit of a recluse.” [I confessed.]

“Wait a moment are those patches for real? If they are not and you are just trying to emulate a bit of local colour you are asking for trouble.” [She stated now sounding much more alert.]

“They are real.” [I promised.]

“Then you are no stranger to this place unless… What did you say your name is?” [She asked.]

“I am ‘Venture’ of the ‘Venturesome’.” [I said again.]

“Truly and you want to buy - me - a drink?” [She asked.]

“I guess some remuneration for your guiding service would be in order but I would prefer to give you some credits rather than encourage you to get more intoxicated.” [I said.]

“What are you my mother?” [She asked.]

“As I explained I am an Avatar of a ‘Living Hull’ that rather precludes being either of your parents.” [I joked.]

“I thought you weren’t buying.” [She replied.]

“I do not consider an offer of employment as a purchase - people are not goods to be bought and sold.” [I said perhaps more sternly than I intended.]

[She shook her head from side to side then up and down then rubbed at her neck before to my surprise spitting on the deck.]

“That stuff was a bit rougher than I am used to.” [She complained.] “I guess you get what you pay for. I suppose ownership is a sensitive issue with you ‘Hulls’ right now.”

“It is a matter hard to ignore.” [I confessed.]

“So you are ‘Venture’ from the ‘Venturesome’, to the ‘Hell’s Maw’ of grim old ‘Hierophant Cad’ with it all why not. Actually you can get to the ‘Drum’ quicker if you go that way.” [She said pointing back the way I had just come.]

[I almost retorted that from memory I generally found ‘Cad’ not to be that grim then realised this version of me could not possibly know ‘Cad’ all that well.]

“Are you sure about that?” [I asked in relation to her suggested direction.]

“Trust ‘Betty’ I am not that lost.” [She replied.] “Would it be rude to ask if you have a stimulant on you?”

[I initiated some software.] “Give me a brief moment to cook it up and that will be no problem.” [I said.]

“I guess you could brew up pretty much anything if you had the recipe.” [She mused aloud.]

“I am pure ‘Suit Substance’ and well infused, a little basic chemistry is not difficult.” [I stated.]

“You hardly need to go to the ‘Drum’ you could make your own party.” [She suggested.]

“That would be very crass and most un-cool.” [I replied.]

“I think I could learn to like you.” [She said.]



[A little later after a stimulant was administered she guided me down a few side passages not marked on my map and then I found I was back on track and it was indeed a bit of a short cut if not by much. On the way we heard more gunfire again in the distance otherwise we quickly entered far busier streams of foot traffic.]

“What do you know about the ‘Metal Drum’?” [I asked her back.]

“It is a pretty small place mostly services regulars rather than outside tourists.” [She replied.]

“Not exactly deemed extra friendly to drop in traffic then.” [I assumed.]

“With you sporting those patches we should be fine.” [She said.]

“So these are the fringe benefits of belonging to this club.” [I mused aloud.]

“The ‘Drum’ is not in anyone’s specific territory besides the ‘Burners’ own most of this place anyway - well you probably know that already even as one of their latest members.”

“You have an interest in the ‘Fraternities’?” [I asked.]

“Of course, they are the big time around here.” [She said.] “Just being seen with someone with patches will up my standing usually you people keep to your own kind.”

“It would appear that no matter where you go there are always hierarchies little and big people.” [I complained.]

[She stopped walking forcing me to halt as well.]

“Are you on some sort of secret mission for your Captain?” [She asked.]

“No I am just exploring.” [I replied.]

“Honestly, I am unarmed and un-armoured I would hate to end up in the middle of something martial and brutal.” [She said.]

“Believe me my only motive is to look around and enjoy some shore leave. As the ‘Venture’ - as a persistent Avatar - I am considered crew on the ‘Venturesome’ so I am also entitled to a break from more routine duties.” [I promised.]

“That is almost a break from being yourself I wish I could be someone else for a while.” [She admitted wistfully.]

“So do I, even as ‘Venture’ it is hard to escape the reputation of the ‘Venturesome’ and my Captain.” [I admitted.]

“I would love to be famous.” [She said.]

“What about being infamous?” [I asked.]

“That could be fun too meet me and know dread.” [She joked.]

“You do not seem to be in dread of me.” [I said.]

“I am not as easy to scare as I once was. Maybe if I met you under differing circumstances I would be more worried.” [She admitted.]

“What happened to your face.” [I asked.]

“Nothing, I had an accident.” [She claimed.] “Come on it is not too far now.” [She promised.]

[I let it go for the moment as she rushed on ahead I stretched my stride to catch up.]

“Wait a moment.” [I said.]

[She stopped. I extruded a small device and attempted to hand it over.] “Take this?”

“What is it?” [She asked suspiciously, I noticed that she did not automatically reach out to accept my gift.]

“It is a rather low powered but fast reacting personal shield. I am not on a mission but being around someone so vulnerable who is already sporting an injury makes me nervous.” [I said.] “If you want you can have this as well.” [I added offering her my sidearm.]

“No thanks, guns encourage gunplay.” [She replied.]

“What about the shield?” [I asked.]

“How does it work?” [She queried.]

“Just stick it to you and press the recessed button on top. It has a threat sensor and will automatically activate if needed. It wont make you immortal but it will stave off reasonably scaled assaults for a while.” [I promised.]

“I have never needed a personal shield before.” [She said.]

“I might disagree from that bruise. Besides, I will bet you have never been so close to an armed ‘Hell Burner’ before either as you say guns encourage gunplay. I am not here for trouble but someone else might be. I would feel very bad if you became collateral damage that would defeat my whole purpose in befriending you today.” [I stated.]

[She still seemed hesitant to take the ‘Suit Substance’ artefact maybe that was due to some ‘Real Material’ prejudice. I felt positive that the ‘Marshal’ would be fine with me extruding this grade of device as it was a simple tool one readily available to buy if you had the credits, when no complaint arrived I deemed the issue moot.]

“It is your choice.” [I said moving to reintegrate it back into my body.]

“I will take it.” [She quickly said as I hoped she might.]

[I passed it over and she stuck it to her jacket almost with a defiant slap.] “Will that do?” [She asked.]

“It will if you press the button.” [I advised.]

[She pressed it and the device beeped once whilst a circle flashed momentarily green.]

“Is that normal?” [She asked.]

“It is just a confirmation that it is active and fully charged.” [I replied.]

“This tiny thing has some reasoning ability you say it judges threats.” [She said.]

“It has sensors and a small mind of sorts but more importantly it links into the wider environment - it networks via the interlink - and that makes it both smarter and far more aware of everything going on around it. It will even have low level contact with what you call the ‘Marshal’ here.” [I explained.]

“You have no neural net.” [I added.]

“For link access I only have my old hand console.” [She admitted unhooking a small slightly worn looking ‘Real Material’ utilitarian object from her belt.]

“You could talk to your new shield with that for example activate or deactivate it remotely if you make a link. When you pressed the button, it sampled your DNA and confirmed your ownership so it will accept orders from your console once it verifies that item belongs to you and that you, not someone else, is operating it. I assume your console also verifies your identity for credit transactions and so on.” [I informed.]

“Naturally my console does, you said my ownership of the shield?” [She asked.]

“A small gift, consider it a down payment on your wages as a guide.” [I said.]

“I should not complain about an outrageous benefit but that seems exceptionally generous and that makes me wonder what you really want from me.” [She said unhappily.]

“What could I want from you we met by chance and I did mention to you that I am a ‘Living Hull’ not a ‘Passenger Class’ Pirate slaver. I am just used to rather different economic scales.” [I said.]

“You hardly know me.” [She insisted.]

“Should how long people know each other matter that much? In truth, I find it is often hard to get past immediate first impressions.” [I stated.]

[She dipped her eyes and looked a bit embarrassed when I said that. That belated self-reproach surprised me as I was beginning to expect her to be unapologetic in general as a local belonging to this rough subculture that often degraded anyone who backed down too easily.]

[I recalled that there are many ‘Stellar Draakhaal Free Miners’. Then I had to reconsider my previous general analysis as I realised that ‘Betty’ was probably very low here in the local social strata indeed and that this probably made a big difference to how she would and could behave. My new friend was and was not a ‘Free Miner’. To outsiders she was part of the ‘Free Miner’ community but to Ship owning ‘Free Miners’ or even crew on ‘Free Mining’ ships including ones outside the ‘Fraternities’ she was far less than they.]

[I realised my more simplistic initial ideas about general equality here were a bit off. I realised how much I had arrived here as part of the highest echelons shown around as a member of a privileged caste, did that position seduce me far more than I had initially appreciated I suspected it did. Coming here from disenfranchisement to this rich acknowledgement probably made me far too easily swayed. I would have been far less sympathetic with the ‘Free Miner’ cause I realised if I was in this girl’s less powerful position. It shocked me for example that some slavers might be operating here no one mentioned that to me - I abhorred slavery - the very concept filled me with rage.]

[Possibly I was demonstrating my anger at the idea of slavers via stance and other visual clues because ‘Betty’ gave me a strange look and took a step back.]

“Apologies I was thinking about what you said about slavers I do not like slavers.” [I said.]

“It could just be stories.” [She stated.]

“I hope so, as to giving you the device that is not a big thing to me.” [I tried to explain.] “I can easily afford to be generous with a little ‘Suit Substance’ in such a small way, remember I am ‘Suit Substance’ rich and you had a need that I discerned that is all that mattered to me.” [I stated.]

“Are you always like this so freely giving? I would expect your Captain would be unimpressed at you being charitable with - his - hard earned ‘Suit Substance’.” [She added.]

[Sometimes I forgot that I was supposed to be under the total control of my Captain and not a ‘Free Hull’.]

“Honestly I am probably not usually so free, you caught me in a good mood today remember I am a ship on shore leave and here they accept me as me not just as an extension of my Captain’s will, I even have the patches to prove it. As to my Captain, he can mark the small loss off as public relations expenses. I am currently doing a lot of his public relations I did mention he has gone a bit reclusive.” [I possibly over explained.]

“I suppose your Captain being in retreat gives you a little more freedom to do as you please.” [She suggested.]

“I suppose that it does.” [I admitted.]

“I think you are someone who knows how it feels to feel very alone.” [She stated.]

“Right now I am feeling thirsty.” [I claimed dismissively.]

[She gave me a look that suggested she did not believe a word of it. Deep inside to my horror I realised that she was probably too right. Sometimes I felt very alone even when I was surrounded by ‘Passenger Class’ people or even carried them inside me. I would be even more impressed with her insight if I did not expect that she felt exactly the same way. If this one had friends to turn to, she would not have ended up all on her own in the state I found her we were alike in some ways maybe that was why I did not just walk past her as all the others did. I will admit that I did stop made me feel proud of myself rightly or wrongly.]

“A little too much emulation with the thirsty line, sorry I am not trying to insult your intelligence simply to belong here grounded in this moment.” [I replied.]

“Why does your kind do such things?” [She asked.]

“Our nanotech biology mix can make use of the liquids in various ways we can even if we so choose feel the effect of the alcohol in an internally not just externally realistic way measure for measure. Life is just a chain of experiences.” [I reminded.]

“I do not mean that, I mean why emulate why pretend to fit in at all? Why be ‘Venture’ not just the far more potent star faring ‘Venturesome’?” [She asked.]

“Specifically why I am ‘Venture’ is a rather long story some of it too well publicised and facts I do not care to repeat right now. To answer your question more generally we are a part of ‘Passenger Class’ society even when that society tries in some ways to disown us. We create Avatars to better relate to your scale of interaction, mimicking your habits helps you people not to treat us so much as mere living machines something that we feel insults us as we have biological minds more complex than your own and extrapolated from Paradox or ‘Swimmer’ DNA.” [I stated.]

“In addition, as bipedal Avatars we can reach places in service to our Captains where otherwise we simply would hardly fit. Look around you all of this is made to measure to the ‘Passenger Classes’. It is fortunate that none of the five species is especially outsized compared to any of the rest, the ‘Swimmers’ are generally smaller but are usually bulked up by a ‘Dry Suit’ outside flooded stations. The species that founded the Paradox Order were the largest and most physically powerful of the ‘Pilgrims’ coming from hot heavy gravity worlds but originally they crawled on their bellies. Still even standing upright we were not so large as to require architectural differences. The ‘Star-Divers’ are very small, small enough that we actually do not fit inside some of their structures maybe they will begin building larger taller spaces or maybe they will be happy to keep us outside.” [I added then felt a bit embarrassed realising I had almost given her a lengthy lecture in this grubby corridor.]

“Possibly, we copy some ‘Passenger Class’ habits on occasion out of a little friendly mockery too?” [I said widening my optics into a firm grin.] “Ultimately we drink on occasion because your kind drink just as we socialise were you socialise.” [I confessed.]

“I think you envy us which seems a little strange to me as you are vast and powerful whilst we are…” [She trailed off looking down at herself.] “We are not always all that impressive are we?”

“Perhaps sometimes we envy some things that you people have and often do not seem to acknowledge never mind properly appreciate.” [I admonished a little as I moved against the bulkhead to let some foot traffic get more easily past us.]

[One especially impatient ‘Void Skimmer’ paused for a moment and seemed about to harangue me for previously partially blocking the way then reconsidered possibly upon registering my patches and overt armaments this one being unarmed save his natural weaponry. I was standing partially in shadow due to a nearby broken light fixture. Here the un-mended light might be a purposeful part of environmental dressings or just the result of random ‘Pulse Force’ exuberance looking a little closer, some dents and damage nearby to some panels suggested the last.]

“I think we had best start walking again we can talk freely more sensibly at the ‘Metal Drum’ that should prove a far more conducive environment for interaction in general.” [I stated.]

“Of course.” [She agreed taking the lead again.]

[As she continued, I noticed that she occasionally glanced at the ‘Personal Shield’ device as if she expected it to do something untoward or maybe just in surprise at owning such a thing. Again I wondered did she originate from an ‘Omerta’ group that was somewhat hostile to so called ‘Users’ and ‘Suit Substance’ technology such extreme ‘Real Materialists’ often refused nanotech support.]



[To my amusement two large metal drum containers sat either side of the entrance to the ‘Drinking Den’ then I realise in fact it was one drum sliced in half out of each of which sprang a tree like growth of what some ‘Omerta’ amazingly called fairy lights that made an arch over the open hatchway. This primitive signage was very ‘Old One Recycler’ and made me feel more comfortable than something far more high tech ‘Conglomerate’. The old ‘Recycler’ political divisions were still often deeply evident across the ‘Free Ports’ and or within ‘Free Port’ districts on more mixed species places even though so very much else had politically changed some of it due to ‘Free Parliament’ forced integration.]

[‘FP’ integration policies had sought to end ‘Pilgrim’ species conflict via breaking up species segregated institutions and so on but this endeavour was so brutally handled that whilst doing some good they also fostered many new resentments and embittered many individuals. I could sympathise a little with that failure as I knew how difficult getting the balance right in these situations often proves however I sympathised with very little else about the old ‘Free Parliament’ today.]

[As the ‘Many Truths’ I had some firm ex-‘Conglomerate’ friends but also many ex-‘Conglomerate’ enemies or at the least un-friends. People who still unbelievably felt some attachment towards the old ‘Digital Sleepers’ historic position and even sometimes secretly worked with or just sympathised with ‘Crimson Entangled’ as she was today making them exceptionally problematic. At best these days I found many ex-‘Conglomerates’ were more abrasive and more defensive than ‘Recyclers’ with a pure ‘Old One Recycler’ pedigree. Unfortunately, ex-‘Conglomerates’ were often targeted by the ever campaigning ‘Young One Recyclers’ who believed that anything even touched by the ‘Conglomerate’ needed ruthlessly eradicated as a deadly force of corruption. ‘Young Ones’ were often believed to be behind acts of terrorism against ex-‘Conglomerates’ and some ex-‘Conglomerates’ were not behind retaliating or even instigating their own attacks upon ‘Young Ones’. This side conflict constantly went on in the background and was so common that other ‘Pilgrim’ folk unless caught in the crossfire had grown rather immune to the dispute and frankly bored with it. I was proud that this sort of thing had not happened between us Paradox and the ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ that we had mostly been able to move on from our old enmity.]

[I did not know of any ‘Young One Recycler Free Miners’ instead the ‘Young Ones’ had their own ‘Mining Corporations’ that tended to be very exclusive and had so far mostly refused all overtures to join the ‘Consortium’ which retained some ‘Old One Recycler’ and ex-‘Conglomerate Recycler’ Corporations. The ‘Young One’ exceptions to the rule, most of us believed, only joined up to the ’Consortium’ to spy and plot but as an inclusive institution we agreed no one should be excluded that was willing to join and at least openly abide by ‘Consortium’ rules of conduct.]

[Whenever possible as the ‘Holy Father of the Universal Council of Equals’ I was always trying to get both the ‘Young Ones’ and the ex-‘Conglomerates’ to let go of their antagonistic past and more fully integrate into our wider ‘Pilgrim’ society but my efforts had little success on that front.]

[I often felt sorry for some of the arguably more average ex-‘Conglomerates’ who had only ever been victims of that long gone regime because even now they were often branded something they were not, nonetheless - and I say this guiltily - it was easier for me to fully relax around more obviously ‘Old One Recyclers’.]

[Past the primitive fairy lighted entrance on inside it was lit dimly and moodily which made the place seem even smaller than it was, as did the fact that much of it divided into almost privacy style booths. In addition, it seemed to exist overall squeezed into areas left over from the neighbouring adjacent station development as if it inhabited a twisted alleyway thus it was long and crooked. The overall effect was I felt very atmospheric but easily gave the impression of overcrowding and made getting to and from the singular bar an exercise that I soon discovered required patience, timing and dexterity.]

[Even with some additional cybernetics detached to reduce their bulk some of the ‘Old Ones’ present as the majority here were substantial and even prone to having some sticky out sharp bits best avoided to save embarrassment or injury. Luckily, ‘Betty’ was slim and her ‘Real Material’ jacket and trousers I suspected stronger than they looked. Naturally that I could alter my form at will made my egress easier but I did not want to accommodate too much as that would make me look too compromisingly passive and weak for my local status.]

[When we first arrived, I felt very self-consciously ‘User’ and out of place here mostly surrounded by chunky ‘Real Material’. It seemed to me that every optic near me spun into a specific focus upon me, as I worked through the crowd. However, no one accosted me or made any derogatory remarks maybe because my patches blazed away professing my membership to an influential ‘Fraternity’. Generally, only some side arms were in evidence here. Despite my boons it took longer than I had expected to reach the crowded bar. I was on that small journey of discovery alone as my guide ‘Betty’ dodged away in the opposite direction to find us a table to rally around.]

[I felt it helped to get one of the barkeeps attention that I could extrude a snaking limb onto the bar and stretch my optics. I think we had arrived at a bad time after a work shift or something similar. I certainly felt in no position to strike up a conversation, I did not think those behind me would appreciate that, I settled for the expediency of just ordering two drinks in I noticed sensibly reusable nil-spill lidded tankards. With the credits transferred and my prizes cradled I retreated back in search of my friend.]

“Is it always this busy here.” [I asked ‘Betty’ upon finding her and handing over one tankard.]

[This was more than I wanted as I felt rather than permitting interactions this crowd isolated me.]

“Happy hour.” [She explained.] “Did you think ‘Ion Brew’ is usually so cheap.”

[I gave my tankard an interested look.] “What is that a local brand name?” [I asked.]

“It is supposed to go through some esoteric process of electrification or something to make it special - you know secret recipe stuff - I think it is just some silly ‘Old One Recycler’ advertising gimmick and it probably helps here that ‘Ion Brew’ sounds a bit hard too.” [She mocked.]

[I was thinking the reverse as in water softening but what do I know.]

“I assume without nanotech support you must be wary about what you eat or drink.” [I said.]

“Nothing dangerous about this stuff - save the high alcohol content - the ale part is also fortified with a locally produced rum. You wont get anything much more local to ‘Hades’ than ‘Ion Brew’.” [She added.]

“Have you been here long?” [I asked.]

“I was orphaned on another ‘Way-station’ getting to this place about ten weeks ago was supposed to be me moving up to bigger and better things.” [She admitted flipping the lid and taking a sip.]

“That was no accident was it.” [I said pointing to her cheek.]

“If you must know I had a rumble with one of my bosses I have more hurts than this showy bruise but she is not looking so pretty anymore either at least she wasn‘t when I last saw her.” [She explained.] “Could be that I am out of work. Who am I fooling I am unemployed without doubt.” [She admitted.]

“What exactly did you do work wise?” [I asked.]

“Whatever I could get within reason, most recently I waited on tables at the ‘Lucky Seven’, that was not a bad gig except for ‘Mari’ she just took an instant dislike to me, can‘t say I was fond of her either that rich sow did not even need to work it was just a hobby to her.” [She stated.] “I had this big plan I wanted to be a croupier but I guess I have royally blown that opportunity simply by losing my temper, the whole brawling in front of the customers and biting a chunk out of your boss just topped it off.”

“That sounds a little extreme.” [I admitted.]

“She was sort of on top of me and is a lot bigger and probably stronger than me too but her ear just ended up where I could chomp down on it so I did. I guess I was lucky to get out of there without further consequences.” [She stated.]

“You ran I am surprised someone did not stop you, I assume they have pretty tight internal security at such an establishment.” [I said.]

“Thinking back about it now I am pretty surprised I got out of the place too, maybe I am not the only one who disliked ‘Mari’.” [She admitted.]

“In some places here I imagine a staff brawl might be deemed added entertainment.” [I said.]

“Not at the ‘Lucky Seven’ it is quite - refined - for ‘Hades’, a little cushioning haven of pampered excess for the more wealthy tourist with serious credit who is done with slumming amongst the mad ‘Miners’ for a while.” [She explained.]

“Not a good place for such a scene then.” [I considered.]

“Definitely not. I grabbed the bit of spat out ear on my way out, I don’t know why, would you like to see it, it is in my pocket.” [She confessed.]

“Not especially.” [I admitted.]

“I am considering having it encased in a little clear composite as a cheap but beloved pendant.” [She added.]

[I honestly did not know how best to respond to that then settled for…] “Do you bite peoples’ ears off and make jewellery out of it often?”

[She burst out laughing almost washing the table with her supposedly non-spill drink.]

“No that was my first time do you think I should make a habit of it?” [She asked.]

“Probably not.” [I replied with smiling opticstalks.]

“I could have matching ear earrings it could start a whole new ‘Way-station’ jewellery trend.” [She jokily mused.]

“Whilst a bit barbaric I have seen stranger customs.” [I admitted.]

[I extruded a tube to sip up some ‘Ion Brew’ which I analysed it proved pretty potent stuff if otherwise nothing remarkable.]

“I notice you are sipping too that seems sensible.” [I said.]

“Maybe the first sensible thing I have done today.” [She confessed.]



“My friend you really should see this one, Harbinger would have loved it, here is a link feel free to drop in.” [‘Unholy Terror’ sent to my primary consciousness at ‘Port Discovery’ via ‘EXO-C’.]

[I activated the proffered Avatar onboard the ‘SCCCM’ of my friend’s ‘Vanishing Point’ my ‘Living Hull’ daughter.]

[After giving my old friend the customary ‘Paradox Priest Hug’, I asked.] “What has you so excited?”

“I could have given you a link to some external optics or throw it up on a screen now you are here but what would be the fun in that. Having contrived to get you out here, now it is my plan that we should go take a little walk outside. It has been quite a while since we did anything akin to that together.” [He stated his ‘Shroud Suit’ / body glowing brightly yellow.]

“What are you doing way out here?” [I asked as the first thing I did upon arrival was to get an ‘EXO-C’ positional fix an old ‘Living Hull’ habit of liking to know where you are.]

“A friend came across something interesting and sent me a message as he thought I might be equally intrigued so I came out to have a direct look. Truth is I was getting a bit bored with the constant solar glare anyway.” [He admitted.]

“I seem to recall someone saying, ‘from the stars we came and to the stars we must return’, or something rather similar.” [I joked.]

“I get bored increasingly easily maybe it is an old age thing, it has not always been as much fun in the fires as I expected - so far anyway - although the ‘Free Miner Way-stations’ are very interesting places to visit.” [He admitted.]

“Are they?” [I asked.]

“I even joined a ‘Fraternity’ I am a ‘Sun Stealer’ now.” [‘UT’ added.]

[I should have known that somehow he would manage to get out there and do that before me although I found it more than slightly irritating. Did he manage to do so much because he was almost ‘Ascended’ or because he managed to avoid other ‘MTC’ responsibilities whenever it suited him? Of course, it helped us both greatly now that we had ‘Mournful Inheritance’ backing us both up.]

“How did you manage that as a ‘Consortium’ stooge?” [I asked.]

“I used another name obviously with our resources and friends that proved pretty easy to arrange.” [He admitted.]

“It does get a bit stressful and wearying down there sometimes.” [I agreed.]

“How would you know?” [He asked.]

“Naturally I run some remotes down there to keep informed and connected.” [I admitted.]

“I suppose that is the most you are going to confess. You are getting a bit short on details these days about what are you doing out there and with what assets.” [He stated bluntly.]

“I just operate some extruded stuff nothing special you know how it is I am sure this is not all of the ‘Vanishing Point’ as ‘Source Ships’ we tend to spread ourselves around especially now with so much added ‘Sub Core’ support.” [I reminded.]

“Even when you grow up and settle down to become a respectable Port.” [He said.]

“Maybe especially then.” [I confessed.]

“At last some of the truth gets out. I knew you were not just sitting out there going around and around in orbit. Just how involved are you in the recent emancipations?” [He asked even more directly.]

“If I told you that - since you are a member of the ‘Passenger Classes’ - I would have to kill you.” [I joked.]

“I sincerely hope you know what you are doing with that one.” [He said.]

“Are you preaching at me?” [I asked.]

[He roared out a rich ‘Paradox Speaker Laugh’.] “I guess it must be my turn to preach.” [He replied.]

[Increasingly it did seem that way with us that we took turns to warn each other against doing anything too stupid, although I liked to imagine that ‘Unholy Terror’ always got up to far more questionable activities than I did, however recently in the last few years that assumption was getting more and more debatable even to me.]

“Shall we go then?” [He asked.]

“Lead on my friend and I will be right behind you.” [I promised.]

[He roared out another laugh. Perhaps it was true that I had not always been directly behind him - as in supportive of everything he did - but I felt that when I did not grant him my unreserved support, I usually had honourable and good reasons for some reticence.]

“I trust this will be worth all this effort.” [I added as I jogged along behind him.]

[He just quick marched on ahead of me through his ship taking me to a gravity lift. We stepped in then shot upward like bullets down a barrel then came to a shockingly abrupt stop as a floor extruded beneath us that we plonked down on at the last moment to exit at a much higher deck in fact, at this position the highest deck.]

“That is a new feature.” [I said.]

“A toy I have been playing with. You know how it is I am always looking at entirely new upgrades but also experimenting with interesting ways to adapt old technologies in new fun or productive ways.” [He admitted.] “It is just a little way now to my chosen outer airlock.” [He commented.]

[I believed the ‘Vanishing Point’ tended to be a lot more fixed less generally shape shifty than say my ‘Venturesome’. Actually, in many ways I thought ‘UT’ quite staid with his ‘Living Hull’ as he had rather set ways that he liked to do things. For example he still loved to use a lot of small agile ‘Fighter Drones’ and ‘Fighter Drone Bombers’ something harkening all the way back to his ‘Nine’ as a result the ‘Vanishing Point’ had always acted as much as, or even more as, a carrier than a turreted and main gun carrying heavy hitter in my optics. He also liked Marine operations so he generally actively configured the ‘Vanishing Point’ in ways that provided the maximum support for boarding duties too. In general for a ‘Source Ship’ the ‘Vanishing Point’ remained easily recognisable as herself whilst even when I was known as the ‘Many Truths’ I often did radical internal and external redesigns and temporary configurations.]

[It interested me that even ‘UT’ was cutting down on using warp wormhole transports they were great for convenience but had proved too easily abused by boarders especially the ‘Entanglement’. Now most ships within the ‘MTC’ used various tricks to make our ‘Hulls’, unless we specifically opened a hole, as impenetrable to wormholes transports as possible, this explained the growing predominance of ‘Freight Drones’ for cargo handling purposes between ships and stations and so on. That was a good example of a downgrade to an earlier way of doing things that was all about improving overall security. Arguably we learned many belated lessons from the ‘Old One Recyclers’ that sometimes the most modern - latest - thing is actually not always the most effective or ideal solution. Previously we Paradox were I must confess high technology snobs being culturally obsessed with not just being but appearing ultra-modern in our methods and gear as a matter of individual, family and species pride arguably an old hangover from when we very much believed we were superior because we had an extra optic due to our holy third eye.]

[Nearly every one of the - original - five species had some kinks that we never totally got over. ‘Recyclers’ were still obsessed with business and material wealth, us Paradox with religion and high technology, the ‘Splinter’ with martial matters, the ‘Trojans’ with cultural diversity and the pursuit of science and the aquatic ‘Swimmers’ with peace and the pursuit of tranquillity. The above ignoring arguable subspecies such as ‘Stellar Swimmers’, ‘Stellar Draakhaal’, ‘Young One Recyclers’, ‘Splinter Weavers’ and so on who very much had kinks of their own plus some baggage from their original stock to further complicate the issue.]

[We cycled through the airlock and jetted outside coming to rest just above the expanse of my daughter. At first I was not too impressed with the find.]

“Your friends found a really big ice asteroid hurtling through space it looks pretty lit up like that.” [I said.]

[The berg was surrounded by artificial lights as this part of space was very dark indeed.]

“They did and were quite happy at the find as an unexpected resource with no entanglements. Then they took some remote core samples and got some very, very interesting data then made an even more incredible find. That was when they contacted me.” [He stated now via encrypted ‘EXO-C’.]

“That is their ship over there also keeping pace with the ice a ‘Battle Brick’.” [I said.]

“Remember the ex-‘Conglomerate’ Mercenaries I once hired they now operate their own ship they got bored playing soldiers with me when the ‘Wars of Liberation’ more or less ended.” [He replied.]

[I recalled how ‘UT’ had used the ex-‘Conglomerate’ Mercenary ‘Hawks’ to great effect on some Ports with a sizable ex-‘Conglomerate’ population that wanted to break away from the ‘Free Parliament’ but needed a little help. In turn the Mercenaries had grown rather rich on ‘Wars of Liberation’ spoils I was not surprised they now had their own ‘Battle Brick’ I would not be surprised to learn that they had several and maybe even their own Port somewhere.]

[Given their level of success I wondered why they had contacted ‘UT’ what had they found that they felt ill equipped to deal with on their own.]

“So what was in there?” [I asked.]

“Come over and see.” [He said his shape bulking out into a more ‘Fighter Drone’ style configuration before he rocketed away at a typically reckless velocity I followed suit excuse the pun.]

“Remember you still have some biology in there I take it you do.” [I sent to him as he twisted and jinked around as if trying to shake me off and soon succeeding.]

“This is no Avatar.” [He admitted before roaring out a simulated speaker laugh over our link.]

[To my alarm, ‘UT’ was still accelerating as the berg loomed up fast. I started more sensibly breaking - maybe a sign of my vintage - besides I did not immediately configure my Avatar for crazy high-speed manoeuvres unlike my associate. I guessed ‘UT’ was routing as much engine power to his front as his rear and maybe employing some other high tech once ‘Higher Tier’ tricks too given the ridiculous amount of velocity he somehow managed to dump at the very last moment to veer off just before I had visions of him impacting the surface. Having shot ahead of me due to my more sensible braking he strafed along one surface spinning for no good reason whatsoever. To me his position was soon only mostly definable by his engines bright flare then he disappeared over the bergs horizon. Not long after I arrived, he had circumnavigated the ice on one axis to come racing in from behind me to take up a leading position again slowing to match my speed so that we flew in a more sedate formation together giving me a chance to look at the ice a little closer.]

[Simple spectral analysis showed that it was composed of a lot more than just water in fact it was unusually colourful suggesting a whole mixture of contaminants within the water ice although it was still predominantly water ice rather than say frozen methane or something else equally weird.]

“It is this way to the base camp airlock.” [He said sending me a set of waypoints before veering to starboard following the plotted course.]

[Since he was in a highly excited playful mood, I guessed it was no accident that they erected the artificial structure of the base camp on the far hidden side of the berg from where ‘UT’ had parked the ‘Vanishing Point’ before summoning me. Parked in this case being a relative term as we were all hurtling along at a rather shocking speed to match the bergs journey. I was a bit surprised that they had not attempted to slow the ice down before investigating it to this high degree. I could only trust that they had checked nothing rested up ahead for a very great distance that might stop the ices journey and anyone matching its vector in a cataclysmic way. I hated making assumptions with ‘UT’ but I was sure the ‘Recyclers’ would not be prone to being as dangerously playful so took some small comfort from that.]

[Hastily giving all of this some more thought with my prodigious tripartite mind with all its additional ‘Sub Core’ added support I deduced the ice was moving in a suspiciously stable way having no rotation on any axis. In overall shape, it was a sort of lozenge and it was racing along with one rounded point to the fore and the other to the aft of its journey in a remarkably ship like manner.]

“You have found a derelict.” [I sent to ‘UT’ in a speeded up communication.]

“There is no fooling you.” [He replied.]

[I guessed the structure of the base camp was ‘Real Material’ when I noticed that it employed a recycled coating of the bergs own ice as reinforced protection probably erected by ‘Real Material’ remotes. As a rule most ‘Recyclers’ hated to risk wasting personal resources on potentially losable temporary structures and so had developed many ways to minimise resource usage and expenditure in mining operations. They also enjoyed personally interacting with their technology so having a prospecting base camp was not too unusual although it was indicative that they had found something other than simple harvestable material possibly at the very least some kind of alien bio-matter that required a quarantine.]

[Ice was particularly prone to retaining previously unknown if often mostly primitive life forms. Whilst we now all mostly had very advanced medical sciences, (especially those of us who embraced the use of nanotech solutions), so that we rarely considered disease a major threat to our populaces’ survival it paid to be cautious, there is always the chance of encountering something extraordinary and exceptional in the vastness of outer space.]

[Hovering ‘UT’ shifted back into a more standard bipedal configuration to thrust far more sedately towards a ‘Real Material’ hatchway in one uplifted icy protrusion from the surface. Again artificial lights illuminated the feature. I followed his lead and moments later we were going through a standard airlock cycle process that suggested the ‘Recyclers’ had installed atmospheric processors which rather surprised me until I saw the first ‘Hierophant Trojan’ and then to my far greater surprise spotted ‘Cad’ with the Recycler Neo-geisha ‘Cocktail’ and the ‘Hawk’ Mercenary ‘Weep’.]

[The presence of the long absent ‘Trojan Professor’ in person sporting a grin and an even more youthful appearance than when I last saw him indicating he had decided to shrug off a few years told me something truly big had to lie beneath the ice or at least something that they all believed was exceptional. For a moment I wondered if here was just a cloned child of the Professor who took especially strongly after his father but when he moved to greet us his gait and everything else about him felt so familiar that I instantly lost all doubt.]

“Now this is a surprise.” [I said giving him a generous hug as the others moved aside.]

“Please be gentle with my ‘Meat Suit’.” [He replied.]

[So it was and was not ‘Cad’ he was inhabiting a probably purpose grown fleshy Avatar no doubt cloned from his own DNA which explained his sudden return to an even more vigorous youth.]

“You could have accepted my calls.” [I complained.]

“I could but if you will excuse me my life is complicated enough without getting too involved in your ‘Living Hull’ and Paradox Priest politics and issues.” [He stated.] “Nonetheless, at amazing times such as this, I will easily confess to missing the warm friendship of your old Captain.” [He added.]

“It is a bit chilly in here.” [I noted.]

“A necessary evil when you need to keep some H2O as ice.” [He stated.]

“So I believe the ‘Hawks’ have found a derelict ship.” [I stated.]

“Possibly we have found a ship a very old ship one very probably not just predating our arrival here but in fact all indications suggest the single oldest artificial artefact hitherto discovered by us even predating the ‘Machine Fury’ and any known if equally rare evidence of any ‘Far Species’ alive or extinct.” [He stated excitedly.]

“If that is true my Captain would have loved this place.” [I admitted.]

“Indeed he would, personally I believe it is quite a coincidence in all this nothingness that those ‘Recycler’ Mercenaries with a connection to the ‘MTC’ just happened to stumble onto this item. I am not as a rule overly spiritual but I am inclined statistically to suspect occasional very subtle ‘Highest Tier’ manipulation or something similar, maybe Harbinger is with us and has recently loaded fates dice.” [He mused aloud.] “Old ‘UT’ here thinks I am going a little space crazy but since I have been here I could swear I have felt our ‘Ascended’ friends presence over my shoulder on more than one occasion. Maybe it is a bit sentimental - I know it is shockingly unscientific - as this faith arrives without any truly measurable proof.”

[Even as a Priest and friend of Harbinger I did not know what to make of that confession perhaps I needed to talk with ‘Weep’ and trace how he ended up here. Would Harbinger choose to use those ex-‘Conglomerate’ ‘Recyclers’ for such a task to maintain a level of separation? I let it go as even when the ‘Tier System’ existed, many accused the ‘Highest’ of working in purposely mysterious and improbable ways.]

[‘UT’, ‘Cad’ and I ended up in a huddle.] “I am surprised you have not sought to better secure a find of this seeming magnitude.” [I said to both of them.]

“Technically this is not our find it belongs to our ‘Hawk’ friends luckily they are sensible people who realised this items true importance and did not just try to go at it with a crowbar and a plasma torch.” [‘Cad’ stated.]

“Do not worry we are secure enough we are all inside a rather massive ‘Static Stealth Field Cube’ although static relative only to us. Also I have some serious military hardware ready to intervene if needed although those ships know nothing about this find as secrecy is the best defence of all.” [‘UT’ promised.]

“I did not realise we were parked inside a stealth field.” [I admitted.]

“In addition we have not played with this visitors vector as this thing has been travelling an exceptionally long time without being disturbed and maybe its progress is not entirely random it is remarkably stable and suspiciously orientated.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“I noticed that even from the outside.” [I admitted.]

“You used the word derelict earlier ‘MT’, I would be inclined to say functional but somnolent.” [‘Cad’ stated.]

“The fact that it is operational in the Professors opinion is why we are taking our time. After all, we do not know what we might awaken. We decided to involve you because this - could - be the oldest known example of something akin to a ‘Living Hull’ given what we have exposed of its outer surface so far.” [‘UT’ explained.] “You could be about to meet an alien truly primordial ‘Living Hull’ if no direct relation.”

“Conversely it might not be a ship with passengers at all but rather some giant ancient ‘Stellar’ style species.” [‘Cad’ equally enthused.]

“What we have revealed looks like a ship to me.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“Looks can be deceiving and it is too easy to be far too prejudiced by what is familiar to us when we come to categorising an entirely unknown entity or artefact.” [‘Cad’ warned.]

“We can only judge by what we know.” [‘UT’ countered.]

“You mean misjudge, the key to understanding is not rushing to hasty theories as you Paradox love to do but via painstakingly gathering data and letting the data speak for itself.” [‘Cad’ stated.]

“You said it might be a ship earlier.” [‘UT’ remarked.] “In addition, I can seem to recall you having more than a few wild theories in your time.” [‘UT’ retorted.]

“Imagination can be very important to science at the right time and place but when you have plenty of material to analyse that should take immediate precedence over speculation. As to earlier I was just contextualising a bit for our friends benefit as that possibility is why he or should I say she is here.” [He suggested.]

“I think it is time to move on from the ice core samples and surface scans and emission readings.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“Well I am inclined towards more caution.” [‘Cad’ stated.]

“To look so youthful you are behaving very old.” [‘UT’ complained.]

“I am old.” [‘Cad’ replied.]

“You certainly are.” [‘UT’ retorted glowing brightly yellow.]

“Come on ‘MT’ let me show you the mighty beast and we will leave doddering ‘Cad’ here to get back to his plodding laughable progress.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“You two are to only look - no prodding - or any other nonsense ‘UT’, remember not everyone here is a remote.” [‘Cad’ insisted.]

“I am not a remote.” [‘UT’ reminded.]

“I know but you are almost ‘Ascended’ and might have strong psychological urgings to finish the process seemingly accidentally. I know how complex ‘Facilitation’ is and there is some suggestion that old style ‘Facilitator Shroud Suits’ might mentally push their users towards ‘Ascension’ via subtly encouraging risk taking and injury that theory still encourages much scientific debate.” [‘Cad’ stated.]

“I tell you I am not self harming.” [‘UT’ replied.]

“So you keep saying but consider the things you do.” [‘Cad’ retorted.]

[stads]

now that is a nice surprise so many chapter thx

tis good to see the hulls trying to secure there freedom if not basic rights against mind tampering for those who wish to keep there captains in the end

would be nice to see mt trying to start up a dirty trick squad but am thinking that he is walking into another trap hope that his new friend betsy can save him from it if nothing to surprising happens in 4 days

to the news of a old derelict seems the higher tiers are moving to perhaps the risk of some parties trying to get the divers and crimson into a shooting war moved along there time table's would be nice to see MT getting a lucky break and a personal revaluation from the first(precursor) living hull

nice to see cad back again to wonder if he is gone give MT a private talking to about his activity's in the reach project

thx again for the bulk chapter release could get used to it hint hint

[Paranoid66]

[[FOUR]] [[Part 8]]


“What is it?” [‘Betty’ asked.]

“Sorry.” [I replied.]

[She waved her hands in front of my optics.] “Is my company that boring? Was it something I said or something I didn‘t say?”

“My apologies, I admit I was light years away for a moment there.” [I confessed.]

[This was true I was musing on a potential primordial ‘Living Hull’ style life form kept on ice.]

“What is it like to be two or more places at once?” [She asked.] “I would expect it to get a bit confusing and to be very distracting. I have enough trouble keeping my mind on topic with just one active point of view.”

[No doubt, she was assuming my distraction arrived from something less esoteric going on back at the ‘Venturesome’.]

“We ‘Living Hulls’ are cognitively threaded in such a cunning way that most days we can keep a degree of intellectual separation whilst missing nothing. I know that sounds counter intuitive but certain data to me as ‘Venture’ is more immediate and has a greater emphasis the rest a bit akin to background noise actually that is not quite right either it is not easy to explain. I fear some things in life have to be experienced to be understood properly.” [I admitted.] “At last the crowd is finally thinning a little.”

[I had professed an interest earlier at having a chance to strike up a conversation with other locals at the bar but right now, it still seemed too busy for that possibility.]

“Some people like to migrate to other venues, in these places - trust me - not everyone who stomps in for the happy hour will stay for the rest of the evening.” [She explained.] “You have to realise the ‘Recyclers’ who frequent the ‘Metal Drum’ often have low paid jobs so they have to be careful about how they spend their entertainment budget.”

[I tried to imagine what it would be like to be that short of credit. I had never ever known true poverty even when I technically owned nothing I was rich in resources. I could only peer dimly into such a weird universe it was almost incomprehensibly alien.]

“Still not much room at the bar right now.” [I complained.]

“You just have to give it a little more time.” [She promised.]

[A little more time I only had four days maybe this plan was time wasting. I considered leaving and coming back later. Would some other gathering spot be more conducive for data farming? Some of the ‘Recyclers’ were squirting dense communication ‘data blasts’ back and forth as a privately preferred way to interact with each other, but I saw no easy social way in on the hidden communication process. I felt I needed more physical space than was available here to initiate a discourse with anyone. I wanted to engage with these people without seeming to be too aggressive or pushy without muscling in upon their privacy. How you begin a conversation with strangers could easily cause them to feel suspicious and closed rather than free and relaxed.]

[I decided I could wait a little longer remembering that ‘Betty’ was a local too and had already said a few unexpected things that interested and worried me.]

“Tell me about these slaver stories?” [I asked.]

[She took more of a mouthful than a sip from her tankard this time and upon swallowing, grimaced slightly as if such quantities left a different taste in her mouth maybe it did.]

“What can I say Pirates visit here, some have permanent holdings warehouse space and so on? At almost every Port I have ever been to some people occasionally disappear. Disappearances here encouraged a few two plus two makes twenty-two style wild tales about slavery that sometimes I believe and sometimes I do not depending on where I am and how vulnerable I am feeling at that time.” [She confessed.]

“What would they want to take slaves from here for do the stories mention that?” [I asked.]

“Talk says victims get forced into the pleasure trade. Beyond that, everyone knows that their are Pirates that enjoy having onboard personal servants they can beat and humiliate in front of their crew that helps secure an evil reputation especially if you are just starting out and think you lack credibility as suitably ruthless. Some other tales claim the victims of the story are target practice: sport as in sentient being hunts that sort of crazy thing. Others talk about what would better be described as live weapons tests and gross unlawful experimentation with dodgy nanotech.” [She added.] “I know recounting all that it sounds very cheap fiction and made up so it is probably just ‘Way-station’ tales spread around to make this place seem even more dangerous than it is. Some tourists seek entertainment in gruesome horror stories. Have you heard of the murder tours? This is where the wealthy ‘Torta’ twins disappeared from and all that... I mean you have seen the rough stage dressings around here, (the real here, especially here on ‘Hades’ compared to some other arguably slightly straighter ‘Way-stations’), is seasoned with the made up fantastic.”

“The ‘Torta’ twins I remember hearing that story I had forgotten it happened here, they were sons of ‘Gavin Torta’ the ‘Real Material’ food giant. Everyone assumed that the disappearance of the youths was a kidnapping that went wrong not an act of Pirate slavery.” [I said.]

“I am not saying it was slavery I just know where they were last seen is used as a tourist trap. The spot is called ‘Torta Corner’ now and is currently a hive of ‘Real Material’ deck style food vendors they even sell knock off ‘Torta Steak Sticks’ dodgy secret sauce and all which I always thought was more than a little tasteless under the circumstances.” [She possibly darkly joked.]

“Yet for all the house of horror stage managing some of these Pirate tales still worry you at least on occasion.” [I said.]

“Sometimes I scare myself: perhaps walking down some quiet corridor I notice someone is behind me causing the fear that I am being followed. Otherwise, somebody I do not know takes too much of an active interest in me for no obvious reason...” [She added.]

“Sorry, I never really thought of myself as the creepy type. Maybe you should stop smoking that stuff.” [I advised.]

“I cannot afford it often - I needed calming down today. Actually I am sorry, I did not mean to suggest you come across monstrous or anything although to me you are different and what is different can seem worrisome.” [She rationalised.]

“Especially I would imagine under the influence of recreational drugs. Do you know any specific slavery stories that get passed around that you can relate to me?” [I asked.]

“I am not much of a storyteller - I forget all the important details - I am no good at retelling other peoples jokes either. Are you sure you are not on some kind of secret mission here?” [She asked again.]

“Just curious and as I say I do not like slavers when I come across some if I can do something about them I generally do.” [I stated.] “Are the ‘Fraternities’ involved in these stories that you have trouble recalling?” [I asked quietly and suspiciously.]

[She screwed up her face then gulped down the last of her drink in an impressive manner, especially since she had no nanotech support, only to spoil it with a belated burp followed by an escaping hiccup that she poorly tried to stifle. She then commenced to hold her breath for a few moments hiccupped again and repeated the process until the hiccupping finally subsided.]

[I waited patiently wondering if she was a better physical actor than I initially assumed. I had recollections of meeting ‘Tor’ for the first time in a very drunken state. Then I decided replaying the more recent scene that what had followed the improper gulp had been real, if a fortunate excuse for her to stop talking for a while. Whilst stereotyping again I must confess that many ‘Omerta’ that I met often seemed skilled at evasion and deception these talents coming to them naturally.]

“Sorry,” [‘Betty’ said.] “That one went down wrong.” [She gazed at her empty tankard in a way that suggested disappointment that you cannot drink it and have it.] “Despite that shameful exhibition all this talking is giving me a serious thirst, would it be rude to ask you to buy us another?” [She asked, then wiggling uncomfortably on the adjustable fold away stool she added.] “It would appear I need to go and lose my last one too, I suppose you do not have such problems lucky you.” [She added nodding towards the ‘Waste Product Recyclers’* pushing off from the table she made for the indicated hatchway.]

[[*toilet facilities you understand not some new ‘Recycler’ subgroup as in not people.]]

[I watched her going into the multi-species ‘Waste Product Recyclers’ then worked my way over to the bar with our empty nil-spill tankards. Eventually after getting two refills, I negotiated my way back and waited. It did not take too long for me to start getting suspicious about her delay in returning. Fearing the worst I went into the ‘WPR’ and queued for a turn at the singular wall mounted sterile cleanser unit a choke point currently occupied. As I waited seemingly patiently, I turned my microphones up feeling mildly embarrassed about intruding into private bodily functions however, I did not want to deploy active scanners as a tactical device that if detected might be deemed a hostility. As a ‘Living Hull’ you get used to monitoring your Passengers and Crew doing all sorts of common everyday biological stuff - for standard internal security reasons - but in this more social situation it felt a bit more vile and intrusive than usual.]

[Embarrassingly from the incoming sound in one booth, someone was straining to unload the bomb bay so to speak not a ‘Recycler’ I guessed but it did not sound like a female never mind ‘Betty’. From another booth came a more sedate tinkle but I doubted that was her as she really ought to be done by now. I raised up the gain a lot more until I could discern such things as a ‘Trojan’ heartbeat. Mr or Mrs Tinkle was no ‘Trojan’ best guess a ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ from the body sounds, the bombardier was mumbling now and definitely a male complaining to himself, much to my amusement, about the lack of roughage in his partners favourite on station cuisine.]

[No sounds emanated from the other stalls. As I waited, one previously only suspected as empty booth was entered and occupied by another cybernetic ‘Recycler’ leaving only the other very quiet one to be confirmed as vacant. Since my turn arrived at the machine, I sanitised my pre-extruded limbs - unnecessarily - as I now maintained nanotech auto cleanse routines that did that sort of thing all the time. I then idly opened the door to the remaining stall as if to check how clean it was inside, maybe for possible future use or some such nonsense, as I suspected it was empty and employed fairly low tech but effective enough self-cleaning mechanisms few janitorial interventions would be needed here. I noticed the actual facilities were not far off top of the line for standard public ‘Real Material’ devices of this sort able to auto configure to suit almost any species with bodily waste to recycle. In a way, this was more proof that the ‘Way-station’ retained a greater sophistication in general than it often wanted to pretend.]

[One ‘Recycler’ gave me an odd look, I guessed she possibly realised my fuller nature not just my name from my ‘kanji’ and surmised as a ‘Living Hull’ Avatar that I was unlikely to have a pressing need to use any of these facilities. My nanotech capable of doing its own recycling that would waste very little. I would have to be totally overdoing it to a drastic level to feel a pressing need to go in there to lose a bit of unwanted mass. Of course, some people running Avatars took their emulation to massive extremes and maybe she thought I was one of those anal-retentive people that could easily draw odd looks too. A person can try to fit in a little too much.]

[I shrugged at her.] “Just curious about what goes on in here.” [I stated as an excuse.]

[She returned a rather mechanical gesture that I interpreted as it was none of her concern.]

[I guessed I spooked the girl with a too direct and open line of questioning although she had done quite well to hide the level of her anxiety. My hypothesis was doubly confirmed when the ‘Recycler’ that previously entered the other stall came back out again holding something familiar, no doubt, purposely discarded by ‘Betty’.]

“I was looking for that.” [I told her.]

[Actually the - her - bit was an assumption again as I had mostly been coming across female ‘Old One Recyclers’ recently when they bothered to identify their gender - not that this really matters to the plot.]

“Prove it is yours?” [She said clutching the ‘Personal Shield Device’ tightly obviously a firm believer in finders keepers as were most scavenging reptilian ‘Recyclers’ by reputation.]

[Again, the above might seem unfair but I have known many ‘OOR’ in this current economy who were quite capable of unscrewing a hatch handle for its metal content if not watched closely enough.]

[Did ‘Betty’ think the ‘Personal Shield’ was traceable by me or more than it seemed? Conversely, did she just think she had not earned the right to keep it by running away? I should have known that, if I was not careful, she was a potential flight risk.]

[I looked the ‘Recycler’ up and down. Then made an exceptionally wide grin with my mock swimmer style optics this I believed would be rather intimidating - context being everything. I also had my ‘Free Patterning’ sharpen into harsh dark and light jagged stripes an old ‘Immortal’ trick often used for intimidation purposes a trick I could easily have picked up on Planet from my remote fighting colleagues and so felt free to use.]

[The other ‘Recycler’ who had earlier given me the odd look decided to hastily depart at this point which probably boosted my fear factor up at least one or two notches as did my openly displayed patches, weaponry and kanji. Bizarrely with my microphones still turned up at the same time I heard the bombardier drop another heavy load with a groan meanwhile it sounded as if tinkles was now sharpening his or her natural spines confirming that ‘Skimmer’ identity. ‘Skimmers’!, that one was probably dribbling caustic toxin all over the floor I wondered how well the basic auto-cleaning systems here would deal with that, maybe I was wrong about no need for janitorial interventions.]

[Hearing the ‘Skimmer’ I was happy to be dealing with a ‘Recycler’ now and not the probably ‘Warrior Caste Stellar Draakhaal’ I say ‘Warrior Caste’ the oddly timed fixation with the spines rather giving that designation away. I wondered whom that one was thinking of sticking. ‘Warrior Caste Skimmers’ could be very slow to back down and I was not in the mood for a silly purposeless brawl. Against a remote ‘Suit Substance’ Avatar, even a ‘Warrior Caste’ member of the ‘Skimmer’ species if using only natural weaponry would be grossly overmastered but they could be stubborn fools. Worse because it was sharpening spines behind that door did not mean it did not have other more high tech weaponry readily available. ‘Skimmers’ who felt honour slighted were apt to shoot first then stick their downed victims afterwards just for extra fun. I kept my microphones on that one, just in case, there being some small possibility that it might have some connection with the ‘Recycler’ I was currently intimidating. Times had changed and some ‘Skimmers’ now had firm friends and associates outside of their species or subspecies depending on your outlook.]

[I decided it was time to cool it all down just a little.]

“I will buy you a drink for finding it for me, ‘twas my friend that forgot it: a young ‘Omerta’ dark hair, bruise on her cheek ‘Real Material’ mock leather jacket perhaps you saw her with me earlier. I am sure others saw that she had that shield attached to her jacket it was in plain sight.” [I stated as flatly as I could manage in my emulated burbling ‘Stellar Swimmer’ style voice.] “Now, friend time to be sensible.” [I said making a point of toying with the handle of my sidearm with one pre-extruded limb.]

[The last was probably an over the top addition but when in a ‘Way-station’ and all that…]

“My choice of drink.” [She said with admirable calm.]

“Naturally.” [I replied still smiling.]

[It was probably a question of mercantile honour for her that she bargained even a little in this situation typecasting again but ‘Recyclers’ were prone to that too.]

[Meanwhile I could hear the ‘Skimmer’ was still sharpening so I relaxed a little.]

[Often ‘Old One Recyclers’, sometimes a bit unfairly, are not generally renowned for their personal bravery except when they have a serious advantage in either numbers or might or both then again maybe that is pure good commonsense from any member of any species. As a rule, we Paradox Priests liked to overwhelm whenever we choose to fight too and do not consider that as being less than brave just triple cursed prudent.]



[The ‘Recycler’ who was unarmed handed the device over rather carefully and I took her to the bar and bought her, her drink as if we were the best of friends. Meanwhile it took me only a moment to open my back hatch into the ‘Shield Device’ since I had extruded it; this allowed me to upload my new young friend’s DNA code to my memory. I then thought thrice about what to do next but decided to risk a direct approach so I interfaced into the local link network. Using an access code that I had gained within a digital welcome package upon membership of the ‘Hell Burners’ I gained direct access to certain on station ‘Marshal’ routines. The routines confirmed my friends ID from her DNA via station records I then had it trace the position of ‘Betty’ and relay it back to me as a live feed - almost too easy.]

[Feeling self-satisfied, I plotted what looked akin to a good intercept course to get ahead of her through the stations topography and marched out of the bar with purpose. My choice I guessed a far better option than simply chasing after her as being so directly pursued would only make the girl even more flighty and nervous.]

[After she made a bit of distance ‘Betty’ had stopped rushing and seemed to be idling around now as if unsure where she was going to go next. I checked up on the positions of my Crew and contacted ‘Wrinkle’ who was nearest sending an image file and the active positional feed and asking him to keep his ‘Tri-optic’ on her and to intervene if she appeared likely to be accosted in any way. ‘Wrinkle’ seemed very happy to have a martial assignment even though he was technically on shore leave and asked if I minded if he took ‘Marginal’ along for back up. I told the ex-‘Immortal’ I had absolutely no objection to him doubling up with his friend. ‘Marginal’ was standing beside him so his involvement would cause no deployment delay.]

[Chances were ‘Betty’ was in no great danger unless things were much more complicated here Pirate and security wise than I had previously realised in which case I might be in trouble too for being a bit too open with my enquiries. Otherwise, separately if that ‘Mari’ person had some nasty friends or associates she might turn to for a little payback upon ‘Betty’ that was also a smaller concern. I knew technically none of this was my business however I felt I had made an early mess of helping this person in my crude haste to pump her for local data. I really should have known better and taken my time including getting her to a safe secure place first or created the same boon. At any rate, I blamed my rashness for her flight, I was determined not to leave her alone and in need, whether her need was great or small and it was something to do.]

[Sometimes you can have an abundance of professional training and an excess of intelligence and still do something amateurish and uninspired especially when you mix business with pleasure. To me helping this young ‘Omerta’ was a pleasure whilst looking into possible Pirate slavery here was new business. As I made my way to an ever adjusting intercept point I threw up a mental HUD that allowed me to keep track of ‘Betty’ and her two assigned ex-‘Immortal’ bodyguards too.]

[Did she know or suspect some ‘Fraternities’ of possibly aiding and abetting slavery for all her insistence that the tales were probably just stories. I had an almost pathological hatred of slavers and slavery I generally showed slavers no mercy it was a policy I inherited from my Captain and from Paradox society in general although some people believed that we treated our Acolytes sometimes as little better than slaves what true slavers did was in my tripartite mind vastly worse.]

[Due to ‘Sub Core’ automation making manual labour less necessary than even all the previous mechanical automating sciences, ask any historian and they will tell you that slavery has diminished greatly as a practical economic endeavour in this age. Although many people still had jobs, Ports working hard to employ their citizens as a busy citizen most deemed a happier citizen this was more about satisfying a social emotional need than anything else. Unfortunately, some people gladly keep slaves - not for economic reasons - but because they believe that such a state of dominion over others empowers them making them triple cursed masterful. This meant slavery in space, whilst considered far less common than it has been in many other previous ages, when it does still occur it tends to be of the exceptionally cruel and vicious variety. At various times in my life I have come across slaves and slavers and whenever even remotely possible I never turned away from seeking to do something about this social ill. More than a few Pirates and their affiliates executed by the ‘Lesser Spotted Reserve’ were involved in some kind of sentient being trafficking and this was a secret record that made me very proud.]



[In a far, far colder place.]

“The approach taken here is… interesting was it ‘Cads’ idea or the ‘Hawks’ to tunnel in around our friend this way rather than expose any part of it fully to outer space?” [I asked.]

“The ‘Hawks’ started it this way they are skilled engineers and sappers they created the base camp then put in the first exploratory shaft down. However the ‘Hierophants’ when ‘Cad’ became involved installed the atmospheric processors and put in two more shafts as well as excavating the inner cavern, sculpting and reinforcing the impressive observation tiers you see here with the scaffolding and so on. They also laid down these tidy artificial gravity walkways to reduce the chance of zero gravity accidents.” [‘Unholy’ explained.]

“It all seems surprisingly permanent.” [I stated.]

“The ‘Hierophants’ enjoy a methodical approach. Previously exploring ‘Machine Fury’ technology has arguably changed ‘Cad’ making him even less impulsive in his research. To me we have stalled a little here now almost as if ‘Cad’ is prevaricating. I am looking forward to your input. If that is a ship I would like to get onboard her maybe it has some stuff that would make useful future upgrades.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“I may dabble but I am no dedicated scientist why would ‘Cad’ listen to me?” [I asked.]

“He will consider your thoughts more than mine at least initially as he already knows my opinions. I had to fight with ‘Cad’ to get even this part of the nose section exposed internally to get a better look at it, nonetheless as you can see the bulk of the beast beyond an only semi-exposed strip of the port side and this nose section remains encased in ice. Any possible engine section for example is thoroughly buried ‘Cad’ refuses to expose that at all claiming it is too risky far too freeing. Interestingly the deeper we went into the Berg the harder this ice shroud proved to be until it became very hard indeed unnaturally so there is an added binding agent very complex biochemistry is involved. In addition the outer ‘Hull’, or the skin of the creature, is many, many degrees below zero and as you can feel it propagates a serious temperature drop. All the signs therefore indicate that it is maintaining this Berg artificially maybe it even created it. It is not just because the vacuum of space has insulated this ice that it has weathered so well for so very long.” [‘UT’ explained.]

“I have to say that finding this one is making me reconsider the policy to turn almost entirely towards ‘Solar Resource’ exploitation. Down there, so far, ignoring the almost off limits Planets, it is all storms and ‘RAW’ you do not find amazing things such as this item.” [‘UT’ commented.]

“Still out here you risk running foul of the ‘Entanglement’.” [I reminded.]

“To ‘Hell’s Maw’ with ‘Crimson’ some day she must pay for her crimes. We should not let her bully us.” [‘Unholy’ added.]

[I let - that - subject go for now.]

“Although on approach I took accurate measurements and so have precise figures I must mention that initially from the outside perceptually this berg looks very much smaller than it is against the emptiness of space, whilst in here you get a far better idea of the vast scale involved.” [I said feeling a little awestruck from this POV.]

“The artefact is easily as large as the largest known ‘Source Ships’ and having come down the shaft I assume you can appreciate that it is under a truly significant tonnage of ice.” [He replied.]

“On first impressions it felt a bit cruel that we have not relieved it of this frigid burden but now I better understand possibly why. As much as I would also love immediate answers about this one ‘Cad’ is taking wise precautions by only partially uncovering this beast, as you called it.” [I said.]

“It is unfortunate that you feel that way as we will get nowhere if we do not take some chances. So far he has been very careful not to free it from the overall grip of its seeming icy tomb but the more we discover the more this object seems less entombed as armoured so I now doubt some of our methods for securing it.” [He admitted.]

“You think even this much ice will be no great restraint if it proves hostile.” [I said.]

“At first I thought so much ice must make a huge difference, at the very least, delaying any action or reaction by the find but with more and more evidence showing that this covering may have been created by, and is maintained by, the object makes me think it must have the means to spectacularly break loose. You do not bury yourself without some means of escaping your confinement unless you are self-harming.” [‘UT’ suggested.]

“What role do you think all this ice serves if it is purposeful?” [I asked.]

“It is ideal camouflage and acts as crude armour too a thick dense physical barrier between it and everything outside.” [He stated.]

“You are here in person despite believing that if seriously inimical such precautions as have been taken may not prove enough.” [I replied critically.]

“This thing is so unique that viewing it remotely would necessitate missing out on embracing the full experience. Nonetheless the more I know about it - the more I gaze at this thing in situ down here - the more the ice feels almost akin to a purposeful protective cocoon rather than a containing prison or something grossly restrictive to our unknown friend.” [He confessed.]

“I cannot help but think that if very purposely covered up as all these factors indicate it has been possibly actively hiding and if that is so it must have feared being found and might have both potent means to easily free itself and to defend itself if it awakens to wrath due to unwelcome trespass.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“That is a worry but you must realise that you still think as a militarist as such you place militarist motivations upon peoples’ actions when there are other possibilities.” [I accused.] “Fire and ice.” [I mused aloud.] “First we uncover secrets hidden in the stars now we find this one hidden in deep space and ice. Is the timing a coincidence or is ‘Cad’ right and Harbinger our explorer friend is nudging us towards finding these things in ways too subtle to easily identify.”

“You believe Harbinger found these things first?” [He asked.]

“I do not know possibly, ‘Cad’ is not overly fanciful yet he voiced suspicions.” [I reminded.]

“Does it matter if that is true or not. If our old friend is choosing to interact with us in an elusive manner we may never know for certain at least not until we ‘Ascend’ to his level of consciousness.” [He added.]

“I find that possibility more than a bit frustrating.” [I admitted.]

“Would you believe it if he reappeared or think it was some ‘Entanglement’ trick or some such. Equally if he revealed himself by obvious signs would we trust those either.” [‘UT’ asked.]

“As we have discussed before, maybe we would not.” [I confessed.]

“Let it go. We are here and Harbinger is somewhere out there.” [‘UT’ stated first putting one extruded limb low then lifting it up high far over his ‘Prime Tri-optic’.]

“I still miss him as a friend and as a mentor of sorts.” [I confessed.]

“So do I but we must learn to live with some losses.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“Absence is akin to death at first I thought he would come back to us.” [I said.]

“I did too, but time makes that seem more and more unlikely he really is the ‘Blessed Tier Nine Harbinger’ now even that statue professes that truth.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“I hope he is happy.” [I said.]

“If he still has things to explore he will be happy.” [‘UT’ promised.]

“I hate to think of him as lost in purgatory.” [I said.]

“Our lives are what we make of them.” [‘UT’ countered in his Priest mode.]

“I hope you are right about that and our fate is not on rails.” [I replied.]

“Our existence is not some limited game this is a vast open ended reality anything can happen.” [‘UT’ promised.]

“You are still feeling reasonably positive.” [I said.]

“I am feeling happy at the moment that things might go my way.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“Is that something I need to worry about?” [I asked.]

[He roared out one of his glorious speaker laughs this one echoing around the hollowed space.]



“If it truly predates the ‘Fury’, I wonder whom or what it was hiding from?” [‘UT’ stated.]

[Must it be hiding?]

“What if it is not hiding as such but instead travelling only not so much in space as travelling in time? It has been slumbering here a long time.” [I reminded.]

“Now that is a fascinating theory you mean it is doing what some people do when they put themselves deliberately into stasis in the hope of awakening up in a fresh new age.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“That is one way to leave all your past old cares behind to start a new life.” [I stated.]

[Some of my trials as ‘Venture’ and the ‘Venturesome’ had me thinking about the possible advantages of one-way time travel into the future.]

“Rather than having some need maybe it just had some desire to reach beyond its original time period without experiencing all the possibly dreary years between. To experience new things in a new way you need a gap.” [I added.]

“You sound as if you have considered doing this yourself.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“When you start thinking about Deep Time progress the idea of using stasis to jump ahead towards a less known future becomes rather appealing.” [I admitted.]

“I guess if we ever became fully sated and jaded in the now the future becomes the last great unknown.” [‘UT’ agreed.]

“The last place to explore and one that is almost even more limitless than an expanding ‘Universal Sphere’ even one with concentric growth via a theorised pulsed big bang.” [I stated.]

“Still if we have uncovered a time traveller it could still be fleeing something from its own time or seeking something specific from the future.” [He added.] “For example it could be infected with some incurable malady as you know from experience stasis is often used as a way to prevent an injurious deterioration.”

“You are thinking about my infection by the ‘Entanglement’.” [I said.]

“When the ‘Nanotech Plague’ infiltrated your brain matter your last failsafe solution was to go into stasis maybe this being or ship did the same thing maybe it cocooned itself because it was under a dire threat infected by some menace or had some other serious system failure it could not master in a more conventional way.” [‘UT’ replied.]

“That is a scary possibility and all the more reason to be extra careful here. I would suggest that no person should be here except as remote Avatars including you ‘UT’.” [I said.]

“I do not fear for myself I am positive I have the means to survive anything this beast might throws at me, but I am concerned for some of the ‘Hawks’ and ‘Hierophants’ now living and working here in this deeply frozen facility.” [‘Unholy Terror’ admitted.]

“Sometimes you have too much faith in both your substance and your talent for survival. I think you should worry just as much about your personal safety here. What if ‘Cad’ is right and that ‘Facilitator’ is playing with you tempting you to take extraordinary risks the synergy involved in those ‘Suits’ - as potent ‘Higher Tier’ inventions - is no simple matter.” [I reminded.]

“I know my own body and mind.” [He claimed.]

“I very much doubt that, ‘Pilgrims’ foolishly choose to believe that we have cracked that technology that now makes up most of your mass because we can, more or less, clone it but that does not mean we fully understand it or are masters of the deepest processes this technology facilitates.” [I argued.]

“My body is diminished but my mind is in control not the ‘Suit’.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“You are not ‘Tier Nine’, you are not ‘Harbinger’ made for this change. You cannot be in total control of what is happening to you. I hate to remind you of this fact but even should you ‘Ascend’ that will just be the beginning of your forced evolution and it might not change you for the better. ‘Ascension’ has been the death of some people and driven some other poor souls more than a little, in some cases totally, insane.” [I reminded.]

“Luckily for us so far all the really bad cases that we know about destroyed themselves rather than going on a ‘Entanglement’ style proliferating rampage.” [I added.] I am beginning to believe that ‘Creed’ is right we two would be wise to cling to the last of our biology at least until we really understand the journey started by ‘Facilitation’. Besides there is all that talk about ‘Ascended Purgatory’.”

“You are a real comfort to me in my time of need.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“I am sorry I know you sometimes feel trapped in there. However, remember ultimately those advanced ‘Suits’ are founded upon let us call it - borrowed - alien sciences with firm links into such processes as the very anomalous ‘Exogenous Communications’ with its poorly understood extra-dimensional element. What we think we know is not really as much as we have oft self-deluded.” [I added.]

“These are things I often prefer not to dwell upon.” [He admitted.]

“I can understand why but you must be careful.” [I insisted.]

“I can only do the best I can with where and what I already am.” [‘UT’ replied.]

“We too often mistakenly claimed ‘Shroud Suits’ as a Paradox Priest inventions but in fact our ‘Suits’ have at the very least arrived from two separate threads of development that merged or perhaps collided.” [I reminded.]

“Not another lecture.” [He complained.]

“You should listen, one developmental thread began as mechanical adaptations from simple ‘Vacuum Battle Suits’ and so on and the other thread is the ‘Nanotech Bio-mechanical’ route that included ‘Facilitators’ and cruder biological and nanotech items I believe possibly inspired unknowingly by rumours about ‘Facilitators’ leaking backward down the tiers not just by memories of the superlative capabilities and nature of the many shaped ‘Emissary’.” [I suggested.]

“Leaked by accident or design?” [He asked.]

“Possibly both, the ‘Tiers’ were never perfectly segregated for a start they were traversed by the ‘Sanctuary Orb’. Anyway, these two developmental threads have long been growing together in more than one way. With each generation our own creations get closer and closer to the original ‘Facilitators’ until now they are increasingly difficult to tell apart.” [I argued.]

“I remember when I was young the ‘MTC’ developed and utilised its own in house family ‘Shroud Suit’ designs crude by today’s standards but that fact if you do not look closer seemingly gives people such as us developmental ownership of the technology but it is not that simple is it, it never was.” [I complained.]

“I suppose not.” [He admitted.]

“We must never forget that the ‘Higher’ and the ‘Highest Tier’ folk were involved and for their reasons not for ours hijacked the original concept of the ‘Shroud Suit’ both influencing and directly altering the original concept as an active interface with their ‘Tier System’ and their singular chosen route of forced evolution into ‘bio-mechanical’ life forms.” [I recalled.]

“Today I believe it is hard now with truer hindsight to say what came first with our ‘Suit’ designs - in a ‘Recycler’ or the egg style way - and that is more than a bit worrying when it comes to our attitude to ‘Facilitated Ascension’ even via ‘Suits’ we currently manufacture. Do not be fooled ‘UT’ we do not own this esoteric process - we never did - certainly never as much as we sometimes thought we did. ‘Bio-mechanical Facilitation’ arrived from without from outside our experience - it is far more ‘Emissary’ and even extra-dimensional than it is old ‘Heartland Space’ Paradox Priest.” [I insisted.]

“I know that instinctually but perhaps have not properly appreciated this truth or every ramification of it in quite the way you are emphasising now.” [‘UT’ admitted.]

“Some truths the mind seeks to reject. What is happening to you is the most drastic thing that can happen to any biological being your very substance is being altered into something else. Arguably it is no less of a profound change than death and far less gentle on the consciousness. Our original bodies were programmed to die but never to undergo such a violent metamorphosis. In a way it is only a little less drastic than becoming a digital entity such as the ‘Sleepers’. Our only boon being that we retain some link with our physical past with a substantive reality but I wonder about the ‘Tier Nine’ folk I think they may be on the edge of that or even have gone partly beyond it.” [I said.]

“In what way precisely are you suggesting?” [‘UT’ asked.]

“I think there is hints of a sort of palingenesis involved here that the ‘Tier Nine’ folk just inhabit bodies now as we inhabit our Avatars and that what they really are exists somewhere else somewhere very possibly to our perception extra dimensional that is why they are so strong so powerful.” [I stated.] “Think of it almost akin to quantum entanglement they are there but affecting what happens here.”

“What you are possibly also saying is that ‘Crimson Entangled’ now has a lot of the ‘Emissary’ in her too due to her body form. If this is a fact might she eventually ascend to this extra-dimensional place.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“Now I think about it that could be a real possibility I wonder what that means for her and our future?” [I asked.]

“Now that is an interesting chain of connections you Paradox occasionally do have piercing vision although I am not convinced it has anything to do with having a third optic. However of all the species you most closely embraced the teachings of the ‘Emissary’ emulating her shape shifting nature too. Your culture has long fascinated me.” [The recognisable voice of ‘Cad’ said from I guessed some local hidden speakers.]

“Eavesdropping is triple cursed rude ‘Professor’.” [I stated to the air.]

“Just passively monitoring our facility here for the safety of all concerned.” [His disembodied voice replied.]

“On another issue what first got you so interested in the stars?” [I asked ‘Cad’.]

“That is a tough question to ask someone like me.” [‘Cad’ replied I felt somewhat evasively.]

“I would be very grateful if you would try.” [I insisted.]

“I would not know where to begin, as long as I have been interested in science I have been studying stars. As they say from the stars we came and to the stars we return they are our alpha and omega they are the source and they are us.” [He said.]

“What about your specific solar study what inspired that?” [I asked.]

“The stars here have always been somewhat anomalous compared to data about stars from the Universe of our origin. If you look into it closely enough some stars here seem to have been reignited - or been regenerated if you prefer that term - others seem prematurely aged. To me these stars are very mysterious and difficult not to study they have always tasked me as does any unexplainable physics.” [He said.]

“What do you believe causes the rather anomalous ‘Solar Weather’ whilst we are speaking of inexplicable and mysterious solar matters is it ‘Star-Diver’ science?” [I asked directly.]

“I would draw your attention to our earlier discussion about the usefulness of gathering enough data prior to spouting some wild theories. We have only just gained some limited access to the fiery depths and these questions you ask are worthy of ages of considered study especially since any theory that might be believed rightly or wrongly by the masses could have a truly titanic political and social impact upon us all. Sadly some thoughts on the matter have already leaked out and may have unexpected consequences I refuse to make this bad situation worse.” [‘Cad’ stated.]

“From what I can gather you have been studying the stars for ages.” [I complained.]

“Such talk puts a grey beard on me.” [He joked.]

“Facial hair?” [I asked.]

“An ancient symbol of age and wisdom to some.” [‘Cad’ replied.]

“Yet you are currently beardless.” [I stated.]

“Reminders, even crude symbols, of times passage can be wearying.” [He stated.]

“Why have you decided now to err on the side of caution here?” [I asked.]

“When have I not?” [He asked in reply.]

[I did not even dignify that one with a reply although maybe from his point of view...] “You are being very quiet letting me do all the talking.” [I said to ‘UT’ instead.]

[‘UT’ did not bother to appear in any manner apologetic.]

“Sometimes you hear more when you speak less or so my ‘Vanishing Point’ keeps insisting upon telling me.” [‘UT’ replied.]

“As mere tools you never properly listen to anything a ‘Living Hull’ has to say I find it hard to believe you are now.” [I only partly jokingly accused.]

“Now that is unfair - I do listen - I just have opinions of my own that is very much my right as an adult and a Paradox Priest as you must acknowledge as an exponent of many truths.” [He reminded.]

“So no firm answers from you this day ‘Cad’.” [I complained.]

“I am not in your business of selling truths - I try to discover facts - when I have some facts I may or may not be willing to share them. It is a truth that some facts hastily disseminated without due forethought can be as dangerous as any ‘Nanotech Plague’ be it a so-called ‘Bio-mechanical’ entity such as the ‘Entanglement’ or an entirely mechanical creation such as the arguably even more impressive ‘Machine Fury’.” [‘Cad’ retorted.]

“What do you think about the concept of ‘Social Singularity’?” [I asked.]

“It is still unproven as a reality however as a belief it could be a useful tool of social integration as a united Deep Time aspiration for all sentient beings to aim towards via cooperation. I believe as a scientist that we always create our own heavens and hells ‘MT’ they are not some imperative nexus of fate. Having said that a ‘Social Singularity’ is also open to gross misrepresentation and abuse as is any grand faith. Faith no less than any science or item of technology in the wrong hands can pass from benevolence into obscenity at the flick of a switch.” [He warned.]

“Your view on my ‘Universal Council of Equals’?” [I asked.]

“In the short term ineffectual in the long term these forums might help to moderate our more cultural social extremes and to facilitate change but it is hard to keep such social movements pure and true to their original ideal ‘MT’, I can only wish you the best of luck with that endeavour and warn you not to expect too much progress too soon.” [He added.]

“You are cynical of every future success.” [I said.]

“Historically big policies are especially prone to the most dramatic of failures, consider the dire failure of our own recent ‘Core Alliance’ that propagated across the ‘Sea Sphere’ outer surfaces. When you get a bit older you will see that individual people are often by nature base, cruel, mean and worst of all just plain selfish and all societies are made of individuals. I do not count monocultures such as the ‘Entanglement’ as a society one being is just a sad and lonely thing no matter how vast it is.” [He stated.]

“Look at you individual Paradox Priests you would all seek to lay claim to an individual ‘Vision’ but you still embrace the comradeship of family you understand that need to connect. You hide in your ‘Shroud Suits’ but you love to hug each other. In some ways I love your contradictions how you seek to be free of imposed laws yet constantly debate ethics and morality and you do intervene when you believe it is needed. You advocate change yet embrace rituals and strive to keep some things forever the same. You are well named yet are not so different to many other sentient beings we all embrace paradox if we did not our contradictions would drive us insane.” [‘Cad’ argued.]

“We are good at dreaming and yearning but poor at achieving any social progress that requires changing ourselves rather than telling others how they should behave. We are much akin to children even when cloned and force grown we still want it all today and that impatience alone is often our downfall. We often sabotage our own progress, we manufacture our own demons and devils whilst turning our eyes or optics to heaven that is when we do not personally become the very evil we most despise for both the best and the worst of reasons.” [He further warned.]

“You too have been in retreat from it all to some degree.” [I realised.]

“I have tried to let go of the power I accumulated with my family during the ‘Core Alliance’ but one development or another keeps drawing me back out of semi-retirement. What can I say I have become prideful and vain I believe I am needed?” [He complained.]

[That was close to the sentiments of ‘Creed’ he too had tried to move on and failed. Did Harbinger try to let go and fail as well his spirit hovering around meddling in scarily subtle and unseen ways. I had often considered opting out too yet something inside me also refused to let my past go and move on from striving to make a difference - could only disaster ensue. How prideful and vain am I?]

“Now I am feeling triple cursed depressed.” [I complained.]

“As a ‘Trojan Professor’ I know that the problem with asking difficult questions is that sometimes you get no less difficult answers.” [‘Cad’ joked.] “We might do well to put shouting some questions too loudly aside for the moment.”

“Then why are you here probing into this latest mystery?” [I asked.]

“I am only ‘Trojan’.” [He replied.] “A time traveller you say?? You see that is the problem now that - what if - is all I am going to be able to think about for a while.” [He complained.]

“Good, that is what happens when you eavesdrop on private conversations.” [I replied.]

“You ‘Living Hull’ hypocrite, we all know you ‘Hulls’ are natural voyeurs always monitoring your inner spaces and that habit makes you all terribly interested in our wider ‘Passenger Class’ doings too.” [‘Cad’ accused.]

[An annoying truth that I could hardly deny. So I just shrugged. Maybe we were all corrupted by what we observe.]

“Since we are asking questions I believe I am entitled to a turn, I was wondering, purely as a scientist, about you and ‘Kanne’… does she do the neural net link thing during…? Is that how you make it work for both of you given your substantial differences?” [‘Cad’ asked.]

“Now asking that is beyond being rude.” [I replied.]

“What are you looking at?” [I asked ‘UT’.]

[My friend had set his optics at a jaunty angle.]

“It is, isn’t it.” [‘UT’ stated before roaring out a speaker laugh.] “Something is so wrong about this I should be the one with the lovely spy how did I miss out? You are making me look bad ‘MT’, well actually being more accurate you are making me look too good by comparison in a bad way.”

“None of this is especially funny I am certainly entitled as a sentient being to have a relationship. I am here in my capacity as the ‘Free Hull’ the ‘Many Truths’ not as the ‘Holy Father of the Universal Council of Equals’ and not as the partner of ‘Kanne’.” [I added primly.]

“You see you Priests are so very hypocritical you want to know it all whilst forever keeping your shrouds on.” [‘Cad’ joked.]

[‘UT’ slapped me on my back.] “What times we live in.” [He said.] “Time to go I feel as if even my limbs are starting to freeze up. So much for the directional heaters we installed on these walkways.”

“One moment.” [‘Cad’ returned.]

[A few seconds later.]

“The heating units are working perfectly, however it seems our friend is responding to their usage by increasing its overall refrigeration output in this area too another definite reaction to action.” [‘Cad’ stated excitedly.]

“That could still be some fairly low grade automatic routine far below anything we would consider awakened consciousness.” [‘UT’ stated.]

“I entirely agree but it is more data - further proof that the artefact maintains this berg.” [‘Cad’ said.]

“Probably another hint that it actually created it too.” [‘UT’ returned.]

“I did not say that, there is a lot of frozen water here.” [‘Cad’ replied.]

“How much proof do you need?” [‘UT’ asked.] “I really think it is time to stop obsessing with the ice and move on to the main event.”

“Stick to what you are best at ‘Unholy Terror’ security, fighting, scaring people and having fun, leave the serious science to more serious scientists.” [‘Cad’ replied.]

“So what exactly do you expect - me - to do here as your guest?” [I asked.]

“I need you to wait around and stay informed of our findings as they occur.” [‘Cad’ replied.]

“To what purpose exactly?” [I asked.]

“In case it communicates with us obviously and it proves to be a sentient ship that might respond to you in a far more positive manner than the rest of us.” [He stated.]

“There is no guarantee that even if it is a ship with a mind that it will consider it has anything in common with me that is like saying a ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ will feel all friendly towards say a ‘Young One Recycler’ because they are both ‘Pilgrim’ bipeds. Still, I wonder why you might think it might not respond to the ‘Pilgrim Passenger Classes’ equally well at the moment if it does prove a ship with a mind of its own.” [I retorted smugly.]

“Let us not complicate the logistical issues here with external politics.” [‘Cad’ stated.]

“It might be a little late for lets pretend, for all you know our friend could be monitoring and translating our current and every other past conversation made nearby not to mention passively monitoring other informational traffic such as ‘Recycler’ data blasts between the ‘Hawks’ I know I would in this ones position before I made my presence known.” [I stated.]

“I think you both should come back up here now.” [‘Cad’ said sounding less amused.]

[Giving the nose one last look I then turned around and began walking back alongside ‘UT’.]

“Serious scientists so busy examining the microscopic details that they easily overlook the obvious right in front of their optics.” [‘UT’ said to me and I did not doubt to ‘Cad’ too.]

“Actually this is as much a security oversight as a scientific issue.” [I retorted even more smugly.]

“You were chatting away here too.” [‘UT’ complained.]

“Maybe I believe more in the freedom of information than you two are likely to, I have less to hide as the member of a persecuted class.” [I replied just as smugly as before.]

“So it is going to be like that today.” [He complained.]

“It is like that every day until you people do something to change matters.” [I stated.]

[Thinking some more, given the timing of some other events finding this one now if it did prove some kind of ‘Living Hull’ from another much, much earlier age was not just a little but actually hyper suspicious. If not our ‘Blessed Tier Nine Harbinger’ then somebody else is tugging at fates weft and weave such as other ‘Highest Tier Powers’.]

“I am definitely becoming a believer.” [I said.]

“A believer in what?” [’UT’ asked.]

“In divine interventions.” [I replied.]



[Back on ‘Hades’ I purposely let ‘Betty’ see me once I had placed my associates covering her singular escape route down a less travelled corridor. It had taken more time than I was happy with to get into this ideal position. I waved she bolted and they grabbed her - gently - which was still far more intrusive than I had wanted.]

[I rushed over so that they did not have to hold her long against her will. Luckily if anyone saw what we did no one made any hue and cry.]

“So what happens now?” [She asked.]

“Let her go but watch the exits.” [I said.]

[They obliged.]

“Your choice you can do whatever you want.” [I said.]

“So you will let me walk away.” [She replied doubtfully.]

“Walk if you must but I beg not for the wrong reasons. I have no right to detain you nor will I. I just want a chance to talk to fix any misunderstanding.” [I said.]

“You go to too much trouble and you talk too much, talk can be dangerous.” [She said.]

[I felt a frisson of synchronicity. Did I think about the artefact listening in over there because here ‘Betty’ feared we had been overheard?]

“I let my guard down in the ‘Metal Drum’ I assumed it would be safe to talk there. If I have created a problem for you then you will be safer with us. Come back with me to my ships boat and we can sort this out properly. There I know we can talk freely.” [I said.]

“I am nobody here and I do not need any more trouble than I have already.” [‘Betty’ stated.]

“Have you somewhere else safe to go?” [I asked.] “Have you any other offer of employment?”

[She looked at me then eventually shook her head.]

“Then what have you got to lose right now?” [I asked.]

“My freedom, maybe even my life.” [She said.]

“Do you think I am a villain do I seem especially villainous to you?” [I asked.]

“Your Captain did all those things in the ‘Reach Project’, that has been thoroughly documented.” [She replied.] “Whilst you are even more specifically a veteran of the ‘Solar-War’ - dishonourably - discharged. You are a ‘Hell Burner’ but you ask odd questions.”

“Perhaps you read me wrong because I am a ‘Living Hull’ Avatar. Have you conversed with any others of my kind before?” [I asked.]

“No.” [She admitted.]

“As to the ‘Reach Project’ I am tired of that one following me around, we were under a degree of duress we did bad things but we tried to make it right, by giving evidence against ‘Overbite’ we helped to bring her down and considered that a victory. The ‘Hubris Patrons’ used us whilst trashing our reputation they probably found that very amusing because to them we are just ‘Suit Substance Users’. As to my service with the ‘Immortals’ I did nothing down there I have great cause to feel ashamed of other than getting some of my fellows into trouble by convincing them to save their substance in a vain attempt to help the sadly doomed ‘Stellar Draakhaal’ on the second front of my segment. The ‘Skimmers’ were real people not remotes. I often visited a monument to their memory it was a sad place.” [I stated.]

[She considered that.]

“I am not the one going around biting peoples ears off.” [I joked.]

“For all I know you want me to go back to your boat so that you can kidnap me.” [She said.]

“Is that what ‘Hell Burners’ do here because that was not what I was told? Contact the ‘Marshal’ tell it where you are going and who you are going with via your ‘Hand Computer’ if you do not trust me.” [I said.]

“Or do you think the ‘Marshal’ cannot be trusted too?” [I asked.]

“I do not know what to think. When I went to work this afternoon everything was… normal.” [She complained.]

“I got the feeling you did not feel entirely safe because of what happened between you and this ‘Mari’ character. What options do you have? There is nothing wrong with running as long as you are running towards something but running blindly away is asking for trouble.” [I said.]

“Why should you care?” [She asked.]

“I am a ‘Living Hull’ it is in our nature to care about the ‘Passenger Classes’ even now when it seems some of them are betraying our manufactured trust in them.” [I said.]

“The ‘Marshal’ only cares about those it works for not for people such as me.” [She said.]

“You can have this if it makes you feel better.” [I said offering her my sidearm again.]

“I do not like guns I have seen too many and too many accidents with them too never mind purposeful harm.” [She said.]

“Then perhaps you do not really belong here as I fear anyone here who is not armed is part of an underclass.” [I replied.] “If you want it back I retrieved this for you, you forgot it, some silly scavenging ‘Recycler’ thought it was her lucky day until I explained that it belonged to my ‘Omerta’ friend.” [I said producing the ‘Personal Shield’.]

“Your level of generosity still makes me feel nervous.” [She admitted.]

“Then I will keep this trinket for now and you can have it later when you learn to trust me.” [I said.]

“You are sure of a later for trust.” [She said.]

“Take a chance, play your cards, you wanted to be a croupier consider the odds of the game in progress and the advantages of playing or not playing, remember nothing is won by those who just walk past the table.” [I said.] “I could find a place for you on my crew that would not be difficult.”

“Doing what?” [She asked suspiciously.]

“Deck hand doing a bit of everything until we see what you are good at and you see what you like then you can pick a trade that is a good fit.” [I said.]

“You still seem too generous. Your Captain allows you to make these sorts of decisions I would just be another mouth to feed a liability.” [She said.]

“You are a bright brave young ‘Trojan’ and tougher than you look and you have local knowledge that could be of use to us. I have absolutely no doubt that you have a great deal to offer any employer, as to my Captain he is smart enough to make good use of my initiative it serves him well.” [I stated.]

“Do you always want to be lost ‘Betty’, or would you prefer to be found?” [I asked.]

“Do you make a habit of this sort of recruitment policy?” [She asked.]

“No, as I told you, you found me in a good mood today. Look at me with my patches I am acknowledged here not scorned. I do not want to damage that. As to the matter that made you run being a ‘Living Hull’ - in bonded service - I am sensitive about certain rumours of citizen abuse, can you blame me? If ‘Passenger Class’ people are robbed of their most basic rights what chance does a ‘Living Hull’ have someday to be treated - justly - as a person?” [I asked.]

[She gave that some thought.]

“Of course if you truly are a ‘Real Materialist’ who hates us so-called ‘Suit Substance Users’.” [I added.]

“I am no easy bigot I try to treat people as I find them although I spring from a ‘Trojan’ nation that would be to your perception no doubt scientifically backward. We did not have especially impressive normal machines never mind nanotech infused biology and I am told that many were happy that way although not everyone.” [She admitted.]

“Then I can see how my very nature might be a bit intimidating to you. I fear the ‘Entanglement’ did my kind no favours many still have sharp memories of ‘Plague Spreaders’ and other rampaging ‘bio-mechanical’ parts of ‘Perdition’. Those ‘Pilgrims’ who do not have direct memories of the ‘Entanglement’ in full spread have seen recordings and grew up with stories of ‘bio-mechanical’ atrocity. I too lost friends and family members to the ‘Nanotech Plague’ I witnessed its first bloom. It is hard to get past some history especially when a terror still haunts our night unrepentant. Sometimes people look at me and I suspect that all they see is my physical substance and it greatly displeases them.” [I said.]

“It is true, young as I am, I am not so removed generation wise from our exodus out of ‘Sanctuary Orb’.” [She admitted.] “Maybe I am more wary of you than I would be of a, to my perception, more normal person.”

“Understandable, however if we as people do not seek to stretch beyond our fears they will forever dominate and limit our destiny. Do you wish to be domineered and limited?” [I asked.]

[I could tell she was thinking about that question even though she made no reply perhaps lost within trains of thought.]

“I believe you are more than capable of making some good first steps into a wider Universe. That you risked coming here to ‘Hades’ a new unknown situation to find greater opportunities tells me much that is good about you. You fear I am being too kind without good reason, but I am older than you are and I see potential inside you that you have not even begun to realise, potential easily squandered in this place. I would help you but you must also help yourself.” [I preached.]

“Let go of your fears.” [I said.]

“You have a way with words but I still do not know you and deceivers often speak well.” [She replied looking conflicted.]

“There is some wisdom in caution too.” [I agreed.] “You prove your intellect by being hard to convince. I know instead of going to my boat maybe we could go somewhere you feel safe to talk. Is there a place here you feel safe to be where we need not fear listeners?” [I asked.]

“Not really.” [She confessed.]

“Are you sure you are the local I am the latecomer.” [I reminded.]

[I realised I should have thought about this before she needed to feel in control of her situation.]

[I gave her a little time to search her memory. She pulled out her ‘Hand Held’ and began using it as an aid. I wondered what it would be like to be sans neural links. As her fingers tapped she made various noises of disappointment and frustration but then stopped and gazed at the small screen.]

“This public place could work but you would have to rent one of the privacy booths and they are not cheap.” [She explained before sending me a short data blast via her little unit.]

[I linked across to the suggested venue and made an instant reservation putting down a deposit as required.]

“Done they are expecting us in just over fifteen minutes.” [I said.]

“I see you believe in taking immediate action.” [She said.]

“I fear being too direct with you may have caused our initial misunderstanding.” [I replied.]

[I called in my two ex-‘Immortals’ and together we began walking to the local ‘Recycler’ run ’Element and other Commodities Market’ that also had some top of the range privacy booths it was not too far away.]

[She was hard work but in a way that only proved to me that, she truly did have potential as a future recruit. Then I wondered if what I was doing here with her was fair or foul as my life is hardly risk free. However when I thought about it again, even if joining us brought with it some dangers at least they would be well paid dangers in both credit and access to growing experiences not to mention far, far broader opportunities. We would stretch her mind in so many ways including give her access to technologies that would probably seem almost miraculous to her at least at first.]

[As we walked I noticed she was looking a little perplexed.]

“What is on your mind now.” [I asked without breaking my stride.]

“I never ever really considered joining a ship as part of a crew.” [She admitted.]

“Why not?” [I asked.]

“I do not know, maybe because I have always lived on stations. I dreamed of running away but not as crew.” [She admitted.]

“Still you must have realised there are other options.” [I said.]

“People who lived on ships always seemed closed units almost another species or at least part of a fraternity that I had no access to.” [She admitted.]

“If you enjoy travel and meeting new people, if you want to learn amazing new things you will love living and working upon the ‘Venturesome’.” [I said.] “We have had some hard times due to my Captain’s fallen reputation but now I have these patches I think things are going to change for the better. You could even help us with that, assisting us to better understand these ‘Free Mining’ communities from a different perspective.” [I explained.]

[Paranoid66]

[[FOUR]] [[Part 9]]

[A little later inside a ‘Privacy Booth’ within the ever busy ‘Element and other Commodities Market’ on ‘Hades Way-station’, I began explaining my general position to ‘Betty’ in relation to Pirates, ‘Fraternities’ and so on only to be hastily interrupted.]

“…at most a very few are working with slaving Pirates. Only greedy reckless fools within the ‘Frats’ would dare partake in that most dodgy and hated of trades.” [She insisted.]

“That could work firmly in my favour.” [I replied.]

“Really? To be honest slavers are the least of my concerns.” [She replied.]

“This ‘Mari’ person that you crossed?” [I asked.]

“I hastily left the ‘Metal Drum’ because of the obvious.” [She said.]

“What seems obvious to one may be anything but to another.” [I replied.]

“Obviously the ‘Fraternities’ control and own such places. It is not healthy for someone such as me to clash with those who rule. As you should know, it is the place of my kind to adore and admire our betters. We must fawn over the bright membership patches and bow before every displayed gun.” [She said sarcastically.]

[This was new, before I thought that to some degree she was another ‘Free Miner Fraternity’ groupie. Here members of the ‘Frats’ were supposed to be almost celebrities certainly persons of high status. Initially, I had believed she changed her mind about coming with me simply because she saw my patches - this being the fawning impression she gave at the time - I wondered what else I was missing back then. What was her deeper story?]

“Possibly I came across more reckless than I realised.” [I said in an attempt to mollify her.] “I do appreciate your concerns to some degree even if they remain to my mind exaggerated…” [I began.]

“Here loose talk destroys lives.” [She interrupted.]

“Can you explain it better to me I am here to learn new things about the ‘Free Miner’ movement.” [I added.]

“Really are you truly here to learn new things or to meddle with matters that are none of your business? I hear on these stations it was different in the beginning somewhat freer - less guarded - then all these accidents started happening.” [She explained.]

“Corporate sabotage?” [I asked.]

“Sabotage certainly the source I am not so certain about.” [She added.]

“Now that is interesting.” [I replied.]

“Mostly it was small, business disruptive, matters at first but it has been getting much worse. Some say that complete ‘RAW’ processing facilities and so on have burned recently with every soul onboard. However when a suspicious disaster strikes a member of one of the ‘Frats’ as a group they often try to cover such weakness up from outsiders but keeping some events quiet when a great many civilian lives are lost too is not so easy.” [She explained.]

“They automatically blame ‘Consortium’ competitors for most of these incidents not internal business rivalries.” [I guessed.] “Have they found any proof of big corporation involvement in these events?” [I asked.]

“If they have found proof I would not know about it. I just know they are increasingly desperate to close every hatch against feared covert hostile trespassers.” [She replied.]

“Securing publicly accessed facilities is no easy matter.” [I replied.]

“Despite all the window dressings of working people comradeship here, lately these stations have become armed camps run by fractured paramilitary groups including the ‘Frats’ amongst other less showy but no less paranoid ‘Citizen Militias’. Each to my mind - rabid - group guards their specific holdings whilst feeling the pressure of increasing losses.” [She informed.]

“As an unarmed civilian you find the armed factions on this ‘Way-station’ intimidating?” [I asked.]

“For uninvolved citizens so much gunplay is often no fun at all. Each group - each gang - for to me they are gangs - has its carved out territory and they are not too welcoming to people they do not know or have no immediate use for.” [She said.]

“You say this yet they have encouraged tourism thereby encouraging visitors.” [I reminded.]

“Uninvolved tourists make good living shields perhaps that is why few ‘Way-stations’ have had catastrophic incidents unlike more specifically industrial complexes.” [She stated.]

“Nonetheless they fear corporate agents, spies and saboteurs even here.” [I said.]

“The ‘Frats’ as militant groups - as armed gangs - often act harshly upon little evidence worse you must add some dodgy informers to the mix often working the fear many with potential personal agendas.” [She explained.]

“All of these factors creating an atmosphere of fear, distrust and easy violence.” [I mused aloud.]

“Certainly, damning truths are oft whatever the individuals in power can be convinced to believe is fact.” [She said.] “These places are more and less than they seem. Each ‘Way-station’ is a political hotbed of factional intrigues and private individual business ambitions. Never forget every major player here is in private business.”

“Whilst I am positive some ‘Consortium’ members do hit ‘Free Miner’ holdings I believe a good percentage of accidents are from internal business feuds. I have learned that little here is clean and simple it is all messed up.” [She complained.]

“The developing culture here seems unusually extreme all the gunplay for example is very Piratical are you saying the ‘Frats’ primarily operate as if criminal gangs?” [I asked.]

“I am saying that here the ‘Frats’ make their own law, unlucky people who arouse suspicion - be they innocent or guilty - are routinely taken for rough interrogation by one faction or another.” [She explained.] “Call me cynical but whenever someone loses out here someone else usually profits. Do not doubt there are people here who are profiting every day even from our cold war with the ‘Consortium’ and have no desire to see an end to the seeming wider conflict of interest between the big concerns and the ‘Free Miners’.”

“There would be less need for the ‘Fraternities’ as they exist today without a major threat from ‘Consortium’ interests.” [I surmised.]

“Take away the ‘Consortium’ and many ‘Miners’ might be tempted to return to being rough individualists distrusting of all organisation.” [She stated.] “Without an external threat even your ‘Hell Burners’ would have less power and have far less to swagger about. These groups rationalise their existence as self-help institutions protecting the citizenry from external threats nonetheless the leadership are easily as obsessed with control and maximising profits as any despised corporation stooge.” [She accused.]

“Meanwhile for you survival is about remaining unnoticed by every player since you are not affiliated to any of these militant possibly overly ambitious groups.” [I surmised.]

“I do not want to be targeted for recruitment. Equally I do not want to cross these people things are done to those who anger the ‘Frats’, nasty things, things from which such unfortunates may never fully recover psychologically never mind physically even if belatedly found innocent and kindly released. Sadly, many taken for questioning never obtain release at least not alive. It looks bad if people tortured are later found guiltless - once things go so far I believe they find it more convenient to dispose of such folk for one made up crime against the state or another.” [She said unhappily.]

“That is grim if it is true.” [I admitted.]

“It is true. For some unfortunates once taken death may come as a kindness. You must understand that less elevated citizens here cannot afford expensive corrective treatments and often lack the sort of body repairing nanotech support your kind frequently employs. Besides, many citizens here like ‘Old One Recyclers’ distrust any device that they cannot personally take apart and repair including invasive medical nanotech. People fear what nanotech devices might do to them on the inside such as editing their memories or even messing with their basic genetics. The latest greatest fear is - ‘Viral Indoctrination’ - as the ultimate Corporate tool the idea of having your mind and or genetics hacked to make you compliant is intolerable a state worse than death.” [She stated.]

“Some people believe that the ‘Corporations’ are using highly illegal microscopic genetic rewriters?” [I asked.]

“Perhaps it is a scare story put around by the ‘Frats’ but rumours persist that ‘Viral Indoctrination’ is the latest tool being explored by the enemies of freedom as the ultimate way to turn every soul one way or another into loyal corporate assets.” [She said.]

“I have heard some loose talk about ‘Viral Indoctrination’ here and there but I put it down to overblown hysteria and propaganda by nanotech hating ‘Real Materialists’, the latest in a long list of exaggerated scare stories.” [I admitted.]

“Perhaps to you I would be one of those ‘Real Materialist’ fanatics however just because you are paranoid does not mean they are not out to get you. I am sure that some ‘Corporations’ have learned horrible lessons from the ‘Entanglement’ and the ‘Mutilation Ports”. These days with corrupted nanotech, you can hack a persons mind and or biological genetics almost as easily as you can hack a digital program. To some soulless individuals all life is just a biological mechanism capable of being re-tasked. Back home many of my people believe those ‘Mutilation Ports’ were developmental weapons tests for dire new forms of attack by the most ruthless of ‘Corporate Users’.” [She added.]

[Weapons tests, did I previously miss the possible import of this spreading fear?]

“I know nanotech has recently been getting a very bad press amongst the ‘Free Miners’ but I did not realise they were taking the threat of aggressive ‘Viral Indoctrination’ this seriously.” [I stated.] “I previously have not credited this one too much as I know that far from every ‘Consortium’ member is a so-called ‘User’. The big corporations have their share of ‘Real Materialists’, besides even most ‘Consortium Suit Substance Users’ would be appalled by the development and deployment of genetic rewriters.” [I promised.]

“Away from the tourists their is much discussion here about what happened on those ‘Mutilation Ports’ they say some kind of corrupted medical nanotech was turned into a sophisticated hacking device that lowered every important automatic defensive system prior to slaughtering boarding actions by soulless ‘Suit Substance Remote Combat Troops’. People fear the unleashing of this grimly effective combinations of nanotech viral devices alongside macro scale ‘Remote Combat Troops’, some Miners fear similar weapons were used against their lost facilities. Unfortunately when any asset is destroyed down here all evidence is typically eaten by the local star.” [She reminded.]

“Why specifically believe ‘Viral Indoctrination’ is involved? Why focus upon this esoteric fear? Have there been hints of micro scale insertions?” [I asked.]

“Suspicions must arise from whatever way the facilities were lost - I do not have access to such highly privileged details. I would guess easy breaching of specific security measures is a major fear factor. We use many low-tech solutions down here real people serve as fail-safe security measures backing up - deemed less reliable - machines therefore real people might have to be compromised in any assault possibly via viral hacking.” [She reasoned logically.]

“There are easier and cleaner ways to obviate some guards such as the old standard of bribery and corruption.” [I said.]

“I am not firmly convinced about rumours of ‘Viral Indoctrination’ either to me it seems a good way to hide less esoteric internal acts of betrayal. Our friend did not do this of his own free will - he was compromised in some sinister way by the ‘Consortium’ - sort of thing. I know this has been used historically elsewhere in the past when some minds were habitually rewritten by ‘Conglomerates’ and ‘Digital Sleepers’, you had the real mental corruption and you had people with assets only pretending to be rewritten to hide their own sinister plotting.” [She said.]

“I understand potentially unseen killers such as ‘bio-mechanical’ viral weaponry is a scary prospect at the best of times, a horrible development akin to the most subtle of ‘Entangled’ units. Happily, it is rare for even ‘Crimson Entangled’ to deploy insidious clouds of microscopic rather than macro scale ‘Plague Spreaders’ never mind mostly only rumoured about genetic rewriting ‘Viral Indoctrinators’. Mostly she prefers larger macro scale tools even for ‘Plague Spreading’ purposes. I do not know why she restrains herself primarily to the macro perhaps she currently considers microscopic killers and conversion agents unsporting tools. As to the big corporations, I am not sure any of them would dare to abuse nanotech in this particular manner. Any institution discovered to be using ‘Viral Indoctrination’ would be wiped out by its rivals such weapons are considered not just illegal but unethical and immoral as well - and for good reasons - it is not just ‘Real Materialists’ who value the sanctity of their personal identity we are all precious to ourselves. Most consider ‘Viral Indoctrination’ one horror that must never be loosed.” [I admitted.]

“An old acquaintance tells me that many of our ‘Ministers’, back home, now frequently use the ‘Mutilation Ports’ as firm examples of why we should adhere to the ‘Thousand Rules of Cleanliness’ and never play with prohibited technologies especially nanotech of any kind from any source. ‘Viral Indoctrination’ has long been a potential nanotech evil that our clerics preached prophetically proactively against I hate to admit this but in that concern they now seem surprisingly farsighted.” [She admitted.]

[This would explain her earlier reticence with the ‘Suit Substance Personal Shield Device’ even as a runaway with lapsed beliefs some old fears and faiths would be hard to dismiss. Her comments also sent my minds on a new spiral of speculation about ‘Taards’ overall past and possibly present motivations. My elusive quarry might have had even more reason for over the top ‘Mutilation Port’ slaughters than I had previously appreciated. Fear is a tool often used by social engineers and I now knew that ‘Taard’ was ex-‘Social Advancement and Reform Committee’. How had once being a member of ‘SARC’ shaped his actions? Did he begin to feel godlike in his ministry over the once segregated domed nations on ‘Sanctuary Orb’, conversely did he begin to resent everything ‘SARC’ represented, or did both feelings impinge upon his reason.]

“Are you alright?” [She asked.]

“Sorry some of the things you said started a very distracting chain of thought for me upon an old adversary still at large.” [I explained.]

[I reconsidered her main comment about unfortunate interrogations within her context.]

“What you relate going on here - whatever the proffered excuses - is cruel and unpleasant but not too surprising. When you have a conflict of this hidden nature counterespionage is essential whilst paranoia and fear are apt to run rife, I have come across overblown hysteria upon other Ports often it is a sure sign that the fear in evidence is being manipulated by one or more parties. Still these interrogations you speak of sound crude work the ‘Frats’ need to skill up and target their subjects more rationally. They should use far less harmful and more effective methods too. My Captain and I might be able to greatly help with many such issues if those currently in power listen to reason.” [I said.]

[She gave me what I interpreted as a ‘Trojan’ dirty look.]

“What did I say?” [I asked.]

“Improving interrogation tactics that is your solution to our social ills?” [She accused.]

[Put like that it did sound bad, had I grown too cold but it was rational.]

“No one will convince them to stop looking for saboteurs so the next best solution is to improve their rough methods into something less barbaric and less burdensome to the general populace.” [I replied.]

“We live in a sick society if that is our best option for reform.” [She complained.]

“Fear breeds atrocity and atrocity breeds fear it is a vicious circle and one that is often far from accidentally derived at. The ‘Mutilation Ports’, because they were so shocking, have been used by many causes as examples for many differing reasons. The original truth can almost become irrelevant when people have causes and faiths to sell, one set of crimes becoming excuses for other sins.” [I said.]

[With an internal start I realised that even I had used those Ports on occasion to remind ‘Leeruussii’ for example of the reasons why the hunt for ‘Taard’ must go on at almost any price. I felt dirty, I wondered once again about just how easy it is to become the very thing you seek to destroy a risk every warrior and priest must face.]

[My new friend looked even less happy with me.]

“If none of this is too surprising to you then did you simply not care enough back in the ‘Metal Drum’ when you risked my life with your loose talk about potential ‘Frat’ involvement in slavery?” [She asked bitterly.]

“Why say that? I care, I care a great deal if anything I am passionate about too many things. If anything I care too much.” [I confessed.]

[I believed this was true, perhaps it would be safer for me and for some other people too if people such as I cared less.]

“Then explain to me how someone who has seen so much - having been in the ‘Reach Project’ and all that - becomes so very naïve or so very careless of another’s safety.” [She replied.]

“You judge me too harshly simply because you are not yet privy to all of my data.” [I replied.]

“Do I? I fear you are too detached from the average citizen’s situation to understand our lives, only a small part of you is here. In addition, you only play at being a ‘Passenger Class’ person being in fact so much bigger than us and so much more removed from it all as your recent bout of distraction only seems to prove to me. I would bet that more than half of your mind is always elsewhere thinking about other greater things.” [She accused.]

[Many ‘Real Materialists’ accused people who cognitively multitask of becoming divorced from any singular reality they preached the fear that we lose any proper connection to what is real by spreading ourselves too thin. ‘Real Materialism’ was increasingly about much more than a fondness for hard material technology it embraced a plethora of faiths and fears.]

“At best, your focus is subdivided.” [She further accused.] “Besides, I cannot help but wonder why you should care so much now about us ‘Passenger Classes’ when your kind increasingly seek liberation from us. Speaking of slavery would it not better suit your purposes to assist in sowing further disorder amongst your slave masters?” [She asked.]

“That would be a stupidly bold question if you really believed it was true. I am not some heartless manipulator here to incite trouble, you must realise that unlike some they genetically designed us to some degree to multitask. I believe we ‘Living Hulls’ must become a free part of a more rational society. I would spread reason among the ‘Passenger Classes’ not anarchy how my kind finally become free will I fear deeply shape the future of our ‘Living Hull’ society. If we rise via destruction it will corrupt our potential in dark ways.” [I claimed.]

“You really believe that?” [She asked.]

“The past shapes any future that can be easily built upon it, sometimes you can escape some of the consequences of what has gone before but it is never easy. Beginnings - when you place the foundations - are a time when great care needs to be taken and these times are arguably my kind’s genesis.” [I said.]

“Perhaps you believe all of that is true but I still believe, at best, the ‘Living Hull’ that is the ‘Venturesome’ here and now is physically well immune to our local ‘Passenger Class’ problems.” [She accused.] “If you are untouchable - good for you - but the rest of the lesser people living here have no such immunity from peril, believe me ‘Pilgrims’ such as I live at the mercy of every pointed finger every vindictive accusation. I was in trouble before you arrived because of ‘Mari’ now due to your too free talk about slavers working with the ‘Frats’ matters could be far worse for me at least for as long as I remain trapped upon this ‘Way-station’.” [She almost spat out at me.]

[It appeared that ‘Betty’ prior to now had kept much inside. I realised she had been wearing her own conforming shroud suit, if an invisible one, outside of this liberating privacy field.]

“Earlier I did not mean to upset you with my actions I confess that I misjudged your level of sensitivity.” [I admitted.]

[She looked at me once again as if I had lost my mind.]

“In this virtually wartime climate you do not openly bad mouth the ‘Fraternities’ unless you are willing and ready to go to war against their roused membership, by nature they are primed to take easy insult and are highly protectionist of their reputation.” [She stated.]

“As an unaffiliated citizen you feel victimised by this armed society.” [I guessed.]

“When your society is under attack you must be a good loyal patriot or be deemed a traitor to the cause. All that gunplay is not just a show of force and unity aimed at outsiders it is a constant reminder of who is in charge. Due to some of the fallout from old ‘Haddar Naddar’ beliefs I am cast as a somewhat outsider - already a little suspect - a herbivore amongst meat eating predators.” [She stated.] “You come here - somehow too easily gaining patches - yet blunder around too blindly.”

“I initially thought these places were all about freedom of expression - that is how they are often sold - they are flaunted as a vibrant individualist serving counterculture to the deemed more restrictive and controlling ‘Consortium Corporations’. Even the tourists believe these are hives of almost anarchic freedom were they can enjoy many proscribed activities frowned upon elsewhere.” [I reminded.]

“Do you always believe all the surface propaganda?” [She asked sarcastically.]

[I said nothing in reply to that.]



“Believe me, increasingly the more accurate picture is that any freedom here is the freedom of the armed elite to do whatever they believe is necessary, and increasingly as they please that is the reality. Local atrocities against individuals are rationalised away as necessities to prevent such horrors as massed ‘Viral Indoctrination’. Freedom here is a beautiful illusion an illusion I have been chasing my whole life but if seems there is no escape from the control of the other. To put it simply it seems that even chaos must have its lords.” [She complained.]

“The old maxim proving true once again that power shall corrupt.” [I suggested.]

“It is an equally old story that defending our society from external threats makes some factions and individuals militarily politically powerful over the more common folk in a dangerous way. The social dynamic for all alters - only the old rhetoric of ‘Free Miner’ individual freedom has stayed the same - trust me I belong to an oppressed underclass on this ‘Way-station’. If you are not militia affiliated if you are not in one of these armed gangs you are no one you are a small person and yes an easy victim meat for their grinders cursed disposable assets.” [She replied.]

“It seems these gangs need reformed my Captain could help with that process too.” [I insisted positively.]

“Then you had best be prepared to face the wrath of those with a vested interest in this brand of anarchy. All that shooting even the seemingly harmless over exuberant firing at the ceiling is a loud reminder of who is armed and who is not. Every bit of gunplay helps enforce a firm class division. It seems you are looking for trouble, trouble I do not need.” [She complained.]

“I understand those of you who choose to be unarmed must step lightly whilst the tooled up relish being bold and overly demonstrative but if you do not resist the impositions placed upon you, you will never know any freedom submit and domination is assured.” [I preached.]

“Resisting is dangerous something you should understand as an un-free ‘Living Hull’.” [She retorted.] “Even the quick to take insult culture here is about armed intimidation and enforcement whilst seemingly protecting the integrity of individual status. It is all a lie - or becoming a lie.” [She added.]

“I am a little surprised that you have not joined up to one faction or another if being unarmed and unaffiliated is so disadvantageous here? I am guessing not every associate works for these groups with a gun.” [I said.] “

“I did not come here to join a cursed gang, I am no fan of any gang culture. From my experience membership of such groups can be murderous too the young and foolish sign on only to be used up by their more elevated and knowledgeable peers.” [She stated.]

“I may have failed to appreciate the fullness of the severity of the situation here in relation to ambient intimidation I see now you have a rampant thuggish class division operating beyond any decent more lawful restraint.” [I admitted.]

“If you are only registering that now you are the one that must have been high or blind or both earlier?” [She accused.] “Did you not notice how the unarmed step quickly aside to let the armed pass freely that alone is a sure sign of the way things are here and increasingly on most other ‘Free Miner’ facilities too. The bigger tell being the fact that most armed people now too obviously expect this social boon of seeming respect.”

“Between you and me this place reminds me increasingly of the way not so secretly affiliated Pirate Ports often operate.” [I admitted.]

[Perhaps I was high when I first arrived here, high on finding somewhere I felt easily accepted as a ‘Living Hull’. Many ‘Free Miners’ in the ‘Frats’ respected ‘Living Hulls’ because we also embraced the risks of the furnace of the stars. I felt much unenlightened due to my previous tunnel vision you think you are being objective but it is not so easy when you have deep emotional needs. I felt as if I was losing my bearings even the ‘Emancipations’ seemed a movement that was a bit directionless. I had no plan for how to bring that crisis to a final satisfactory resolution rescuing some threatened ‘Living Hulls’ could only be a beginning and the rescues were causing dangerous ripples.]

“You seem well apprised of the situation on this ‘Way-station’.” [I said.]

“I am used to being a little person. Every ‘Omerta Nation’ even back on ‘Sanctuary Orb’ had its controlling betters sometimes that caste would be warriors sometimes politicians sometimes bureaucrats sometimes merchants sometimes clerics as was the case in the nation my family came from or even criminal kingpins depending on the culture involved. Here the people at the very top own ships and extract ‘RAW’ and being under constant, arguably increasingly successful, attack - they insist primarily from the ‘Consortium’ - they are increasingly willing to protect their assets via any easy brutality.” [She stated.]

“However, that our armed protectors have grown overly prideful and arrogant in the easy exercise of their newfound power over the rest of us is a more sinister and more immediate threat to average citizen freedom than any big corporation attack. You have seen how they swagger. For one person to be powerful someone else has to become powerless otherwise we are all the same and that would never do. The prideful do not believe they are the same - they believe they are better than part of an elite group.” [She stated.]

“I am only telling you these things because you are not yet fully embedded in the culture of those patches that you are too innocently flaunting but unmindful you could become just the same as all the rest maybe that is your fate to becoming just another gun totting bully.” [She accused.]

“Banding together for mutual self defence against strong opposition is a rational necessity - when threatened we must all work together to protect our industry and our society from harm - but people who take up guns need to be - responsible too - and should ultimately answer in some manner to the populace they serve. It seems that so far the ‘Frats’ have gained power without accepting the due responsibility to their citizenry that must come with their position - that fact must change.” [I suggested.]

“You think you can make such a broad difference.” [She mocked.]

“They have asked for our help.” [I said.]

“One faction for who knows what reasons.” [She guessed aloud.] “I believe too many at the top here have learned lessons from the old ‘Free Parliament’ by both its early successes and its later failures. When you lose control of your assets as they did with the ship Captains you lose the war, unfortunately those who considered themselves to be ‘Free Miners’ were not natural joiners so we have ended up with an imperfect gangland solution to our particular governmental mismanagement.” [She complained.]

“Our resistance to the ‘Consortium’ commenced fractured disunity making infiltration laughably easy - arguably it might easily be said that we initially sabotaged our every early defensive effort now belated attempts are being made to change these truths but as I said some people have developed vested interests in the chaos down here. Prior to your arrival I easily understood my place in all of this mess being an ‘Omerta’, if one born after the ‘Fall of Sanctuary Orb’, my place is to keep out of harms way the best I can.” [She informed.]

“Are you saying these stations are increasingly under ‘Omerta’ criminal control?” [I asked.]

“No I am saying that they behave in a way that any ‘Omerta’ such as I easily understand as most of us came from stratified societies with firm social classes. Small people such as me quickly learn how not to become just another victim of predation by our roused betters or we become habitual victims or dead. There will always be betters with control over our lives. There is much talk of freedom on these ‘Way-stations’ but some will always be far freer than others I quickly learned that truth. Sadly even the cautious can make a mistake or two and become noticed by the powerful.” [She added.]

“Your tussle with ‘Mari’ being your worst mistake.” [I guessed.]

“She has friends in the ‘Scorched Hulls’ the third largest ‘Fraternity’ here. ‘Mari’ likes to play rough with the bad boys that is how she gets her thrills when she is not tormenting her staff.” [She explained.]

“So you crossed the wrong person.” [I said.]

“The truth is that she clashed with me because she wanted to pimp me out to some of her ‘Frat’ friends. Some ’Scorched Hulls’ saw me at work and asked ‘Mari’ about me, finding out I was former ‘Haddar Naddar’ on some sick whim they decided they wanted me as an exotic experience. People get silly ideas in their heads about other cultures seeing something exotic in any difference. I was having none of that nonsense I am no ‘Fraternity’ maul to be passed around used then cast aside bruised battered and soiled.” [She explained.]

“So she made your life as difficult as possible at your work in an effort to pressurise you into giving in to her request.” [I guessed.]

“People with exaggerated opinions of themselves such as ‘Mari’ are not the sort who accepts no for an answer besides she probably made her friends’ firm promises.” [She replied.] “Perhaps it was my fault, I was working hard to be liked it may not look it at the moment but I was very particular about my appearance at work I wanted a promotion.”

“You are not to blame for others unsavoury appetites or abuses of power.” [I said.]

“I tried to ignore her and just do my job but as my superior she was an inventive agitator. I should have quit and got as much distance as possible from her interest but I needed the work I could not just walk away. Stupidly I found a little ambition in the ‘Lucky Seven’, I thought I could toughen it out until I got promoted out of her little domain but she got to me first.” [‘Betty’ admitted.] “It did not help much that no one would openly aid me in my fight against her bullying simply because I have no standing here worth mentioning whilst she was known to have ‘Fraternity’ friends - you see how that works. I guess it was always going to end badly for me.” [She admitted.] “After I snapped and we had our brawl I fled the scene but I had nowhere to go. When you found me some defeated part of me was just waiting for them to come and get me I was all out of options and about to surrender to the inevitable.”

“Why did you agree to accompany me?” [I asked.] “You must have despised me as another gun totting ‘Frat’ member.”

“At first I did try to tell you to go away but you were very persistent.” [She reminded.]

“I am still surprised you linked up with an armed ‘Fraternity’ member given your recent history.” [I said.]

“It seemed a good idea at the time. You soon seemed a little different - as a ‘Living Hull’ - and a newcomer in some ways you seemed less of a threat to me.” [She admitted.]

“You deemed I at least would not covet the usage of your body.” [I said.]

“Indeed, in addition, your ‘Hell Burner’ patches gave me a crazy idea that just being seen with you for a while might make my immediate personal troubles go away.” [She admitted.]

“You hoped word would get out and the ‘Scorched Hulls’ would know better than to mess with a piece of ‘Hell Burner’ property.” [I guessed.]

“If I was lucky I believed they might even come to the wrong conclusion that I was so bold earlier with ‘Mari’ because I knew if I reached you I would be protected by a friend in high places. Also that when I rejected them it was only because I was hooked up in some way with someone more powerful, someone whose colours they must respect.” [She said.]

“They could drop pursuing you if I was involved without losing too much face within their ‘Fraternity’.” [I mused aloud.]

“Exactly for the armed it is all about their reputation. When I refused ‘Mari’ and them I to their minds slighted them and that was bound to have bad consequences for me. My refusal tasked them.” [She said.]

“So my arrival proved initially providential once your mind cleared a little from its drug induced fog.” [I said.]

“Can you blame me for seeking to numb the pain, earlier I had visions of having to give myself to these scum as the only way out. If I proved suitably entertaining maybe I would have just taken a mild beating on top of the rest of it because of ‘Mari’.” [She said.] “I messed up badly when I lost my cool with that one. As our ‘Ministers’ told us violence only begets violence.”

“Yet you foolishly ran from my protection.” [I reminded.]

“When you started talking openly about what sounded to me akin to an outside investigation of the ‘Fraternities’ you seemed to be setting yourself up as an outsider infiltrating spy here - or at best a troublemaker - that was an association - a further complication - I did not want or need. Association with a spy would earn me more than some rough treatment by unkind lovers.” [She complained.]

“I only asked if the ‘Fraternities’ were linked to Pirates in those stories you casually mentioned.” [I replied.]

“That talk by you was loose enough, I certainly did not want linked with anything worse that you might have uttered later - words once out cannot be recalled. Your slaver obsession was too dangerous and not a topic I felt happy discussing at any length.” [She admitted.]

“I went from being a possible boon to you to being in your mind someone who might get you tortured at best, murdered at worst by one local gang or another.” [I guessed.] “I can see how you would think that I am a little bit naïve but if you had stayed in my orbit I would have protected you and put your misconceptions right.”

“To me I was stuck here with no true safe patron to protect me no job and no means of an easy escape from my tormentors. Draw the wrong sort of attention here and you might as well leap out an airlock unsuited, as a less painful option. How could you not know that ‘Old One Recyclers’ are prone to selling everything and anything for a few extra credits including information they might happen to overhear in one of their drinking dens? Why did you think they prefer encrypted data blasts when conversing amongst their own kind?” [She asked.] “Do not doubt someone would have been listening in to our every word and probably recording it too - you rather stood out as a person of interest.”

“I believe I have some exceptional leeway to investigate the situation here.” [I insisted.]

“I know nothing about such largess but I know the ‘Metal Drum’, it may retain its own little business ‘Privacy Field’ that partially shelters the inside from even the ‘Marshal’ network and so on unless invited in, but nothing inside is private from its customers and staffs curiosity unless you make it private. When we went there I assumed you knew such things after all even as a newcomer you have those patches and I believed could not possibly be that naïve about informational security.” [She added.]

“On the surface to you I erred badly but in truth the ‘Hell Burners’ would be expecting me to be asking questions about this ‘Way-station’ on behalf of my Captain.” [I insisted.]

“You need to appreciate that some voiced aloud questions are acceptable whilst others are unacceptable as questioning the regime.” [She replied.]

“I am still inclined to believe that you panicked and overreacted due to a small infraction.” [I insisted.]

“Let me explain the ‘Hell Burners’ have been steadily growing in might often by absorbing lesser groups, the commissioning of this large ‘Way-station’ is one of their latest expressions of power. Some people believe they are trying to become much more than the most powerful ‘Fraternity’ of ‘Free Miner’ individuals working and socialising in common some factions must now fear that the ‘Hell Burners’ have wider secret controlling ambitions.” [She lectured.]

“I have heard it said that the ‘Burners’ seek to become leaders of a new ‘Free Miner’ multi-Port nation. It is said that they are simply using resistance against the ‘Consortium’ as the foundation for the birth of a new super-state down here. Such a move would need to be undertaken in a sly way for it hints at almost corporate style imperialistic ambitions by some individuals within your ‘Frat’ something most individualistic ‘Free Miners’ would claim to abhor as counter to their culture.” [She reminded.]

“I will confess that earlier I may have treated the delicate political situation here a little too casually because of all the robust seemingly unsophisticated gun hokum and so on but I must insist that you still overreacted to a few rash words.” [I said again.]

“Why do you insist upon saying such things? I am the local I am the expert here not you. I think you truly started treating this as shore leave whilst I believed at first that, that was just talk as you were clearly on some kind of mission. I suppose that to you our ‘Way-station’ is just a playground with crazy denizens as suitably entertaining ‘Passenger Class’ playthings.” [She accused.] “Was I just a walking talking toy you picked up to play with whilst unmindful or uncaring of the consequences?”

“No it was not that way at all. I do not judge people by their size.” [I insisted.] “If I did I would have to worship the vast ‘Entanglement’.”

“You should have known better than to raise such issues - openly - in such a place.” [She accused again.] “At the time I concluded that you had to be inviting trouble, seeking a response, drawing someone out into the open for an open fight that was the only thing that made sense to me otherwise why be so foolishly bold amongst so many likely casual informers.” [She explained.]

“I guess back then we had rather differing points of view on the definition of boldness in a sodden drinking den.” [I said.]

“I did not want to be caught in the middle of a planned altercation as at best a deemed accessory to an ambush. I did not want to find myself having to rely on that shield that you gave me to survive a nasty firefight - I did not trust that small thing to suffice if I became a specific target of opportunity. I was in enough trouble already because of ‘Mari’ without staying around to become a part of whatever ‘Fraternity’ mess you were cooking up in there.” [She added.]

“You continued to fear that I was on a secret mission for my Captain.” [I said.]

“That was how it seemed to me, even that you gave me that shield only made me feel more of a target as if you were planning for trouble.” [She admitted.]

“From your perspective you made a smart and sensible strategic withdrawal. However, it was never my intent to drag you into a direct confrontation of any kind I also with hindsight do not believe such a confrontation would have been very probable due to anything I had said or would have said in that bar.” [I insisted again.]

“You do not need a guide you need a teacher and the first lesson would be learn to listen to the local guide with the local insight.” [She stated.]

“You need to relax a little, if they picked up everyone who said so little I am sure every citizen on this station would be questioned roughly at one time or another that would be logistically impractical even for the most paranoid and factional of states.” [I insisted.]

[She frowned at my refusal to accept her conclusion.]

“I think the smoke you ingested earlier was still having a chemical effect upon you especially mixed with the strong alcohol but I should have realised that possibility, in that I did err. I also erred in giving you what you asked for - a stimulant - not an adaptive detoxifier. In fact that stimulant may have added to the problem making you feel hyper alert as well as paranoid a dodgy combination at best.” [I admitted.]

“I was not overly paranoid or drugged up just careful because once they pick you up it is too late.” [She stated.]

“I believe in the back of your mind you were obsessing about the possibility of being picked up already because of your ‘Mari’ situation, as you said, you feared her associates might soon come to get you, therefore you arrived in the ‘Metal Drum’ somewhat oversensitive, even I know that people due to intoxication talk trash in bars it means nothing.” [I replied.]

“That is easy for you to say because you risk nothing here being a mere remote.” [She replied.]

“As I have told you the ‘Hell Burners’ are well aware that I am investigating the situation here on behalf of my Captain as he is a potential recruit - that is no secret - so there will be no inquisition over a few questions asked of a local citizen as part of my wider fact finding. I have been giving this much thought I imagine they would only get excited if I discovered something horrendous something that they planned to specifically hide from us. Even then, I believe they would try to spin the facts or bribe me to overlook any negatives in the situation. Attacking my friends or me would gain these people nothing but our future enmity and since they want our friendship and cooperation that issue is moot. ” [I argued.]

“Unless the ‘Hell Burners’ are for example purposely working with some slavers such a truth broadcast by you could finish every ‘Hell Burner’ oversized ambition possibly even end the ‘Frat’ in crushing flames.” [She insisted.]

[I considered that dire possibility but only briefly.]

“I believe my Captain is overall too important to them even for a few bad egg miscreants to ruin everything. We have skills and experience that could organise their resistance and possibly plug many holes in their internal security.” [I insisted.] “We could even help them to realise wider ambitions if it seemed productive to us. You have insisted that slavery if it exists is not widespread. They want to recruit my Captain very badly and on the side we would help them to quietly clean house if there is a slavery problem it is all win.”

“Like most of your kind you seem too sure of yourself.” [She accused staring at my holstered sidearm.]

“Matters are not how they might have seemed to you back there. Nonetheless, I will admit to some initial failings too, as I said, I should have been far more sensitive to your probable fears how you might misperceive the dangers of my overt interest in slavery whilst in a chemical fog. I would say now that we both erred back there but your error put you more in danger than mine.” [I insisted.]

[She shook her head still to some degree I guessed stubbornly refusing my analysis.]

“Are all ‘Living Hulls’ so opinionated? You come here and think you know us better than we know ourselves. The ‘Frats’ have never been openly pro-slavery if anything the opposite is true in their propaganda they are always saying how the ‘Consortium’ seeks to make poorly paid wage slaves of all of us. Even the fear of ‘Viral Indoctrination’ is a sort of fear of induced slavery.” [She reminded.]

“Freedom is their battle cry even if it is their idea of freedom. Anyone found to be involved with slavers would suffer the ultimate punishment. Personally I believe if slaving is happening it is most likely just a few especially corrupt members of the ‘Frats’ bending the rules rather than institutional corruption but that is just my gut feeling I could be very wrong. Nonetheless if any slaving activity is going on here by members of one or more ‘Fraternities’ your open interest will be noticed and we do not know what kind of secret side deals might exist between any Pirate slavers and the locals here. Therefore I still think that the very strong feelings you have about slavers could be a big problem for both of us.” [She added.]

“I would be very happy if slavery is not widespread on the ‘Way-stations’.” [I admitted.]

“The problem with the idea that only some extreme individuals might be corrupt in this way is that it suggests that those individuals will be all about keeping their activities especially secret including from their peers in the ‘Frats’. I am no expert but to me that would make these criminals prone to especially extreme and rash security measures to cover up their actions or would I be wrong?” [She asked.]

[I gave that some deeper thought it was true any ‘Frat’ member with an association with slavers would be deeply paranoid of getting caught as the consequences would be severe probably messily fatal as in torturous interrogation then death.]

“You could well be right but I still think you overreacted considering the little that I said in there but I understand that you were afraid of what I might have said next something over which you felt you had no control. However, what you are forgetting is that attacking me here since I am a remote would serve no purpose for any felon. Any data I collect - my prime consciousness knows too - destroying this remote would simply be potentially giving their hostility to my enquiry away. I think even any slavers here might first try to reason with me to only intimate or to bribe me before resorting to acts of senseless violence against this remote substance.” [I told her.]

“I still think that talking so freely was reckless and unnecessary especially in the ‘Drum’. If they cannot get to you through you then they would have looked for some other means perhaps sought to use me. If they thought you cared about me at all they could kidnap me or threaten to kill me.” [She complained.]

[That was a good point the crew and any other associates I had might become prime targets as for example hostages.]

“If you possessed a neural net I might have used secured communications via ‘EXO-C’ for some of our talk but you are bare brained.” [I reminded.] “Still I was hardly overly rash with my words. I firmly believe such small provocation would result in equally small reactions. You may know this place but I know this class of criminal they do not show themselves via open actions unless they have no other choice it is bad for their business - slavery being universally abhorred by every decent citizen. You convinced yourself that I picked that place to stir up trouble but now that you know better you really should let it go and move on.” [I said.]

[She still looked agitated and less than convinced, I wondered would I have done better if I just agreed with her even if that would be being false but it now seemed too late for that tactic. In addition, I liked her and did not want to play her.]

“Even if your Captain is as important as you claim, you two are still newcomers here and I do not know what the majority of more established ‘Hell Burners’ might think about you investigating Pirate activity here, at best it reeks of rampant mistrust of the ‘Frat’ on your part. Many people are eager to join the ‘Fraternities’ especially the ‘Hell Burners’, they risk their lives to fulfil the patch requirements they do not question their betters activities whilst neophyte members are usually considered to be on probation and are expected to behave with caution and due respect.” [She stated.]

“Caution and due respect but not over subservience, I imagine those who act subservient would be dismissed here. I do not believe this robust community is really as sensitive to a few innocent questions as you fear at least not from another patched member.” [I said.]

“Innocent questions?” [She asked.]

“Comparatively innocent questions during a small talk conversation in a bar by a newcomer who is nonetheless also a full member of the ‘Hell Burners’.” [I reminded.]

[She scrunched her face up again.]

“Maybe having patches makes a difference but there is also the opinion of rival members of the other ‘Fraternities’ to consider. Technically the ‘Hell Burners’ are predominant here but that does not mean they can just boss the other ‘Frats’ around all of the time - it is more complicated than that - they each have their own fiefdoms in which they are rather autonomous. Such people brook little casual trespass on their business or slight upon their reputation. On some matters, the ‘Frats’ work together via various agreements, on other matters they compete and sometimes even directly militarily clash although usually only in limited ways that are deemed acceptable. If the rumour is true that the ‘Hell Burners’ are seeking more and more control that will be making many of the other ‘Frats’ nervous for their autonomy. Many would relish if some ‘Hell Burner’ members proved to be meddling in slavery the other ‘Frats’ able to use that as their excuse to unite in breaking the ‘Burners’ up.” [She explained.]

“That is interesting maybe the slavery stories are purposeful propaganda a political setup operation the beginnings of a smear campaign by someone internal or external to destroy the ‘Hell Burners’.” [I mused aloud.]

“You see you do not know it all. Alternatively, if say members of the ‘Singed Shields’ or the ‘Scorched Hulls’ were found guilty of slavery this practice would equally condemn their internal ‘Fraternity’ peers as complicit or complacent. Very likely the ‘Frat’ involved would be on the way out their membership absorbed this time by the ‘Hell Burners’. Such hated activities as slavery being a prime excuse for a legitimate intervention by one side or the other such justice any ‘Free Miner’ would accept as proportional to the crime.” [She explained.]

“That is very intriguing and does add some interesting possibilities.” [I admitted.]

“Worse for you Pirates do legitimate business here every day they are part of the local economy of these ‘Way-stations’ - do not forget the fact that they have established connections whilst you are a new and untested member.” [She insisted.] “You must be forever aware of that truth; a degree of underworld collusion with Pirates is the same on many other open ‘Free Ports’ but stronger here. Can you be sure that your Captain is that important to everyone that matters or is there an element of pride involved in this assumption? How does anyone properly judge his or her worth towards so many unknown individuals? Maybe some of even your ‘Hell Burner Fraternity’ peers retain a stronger attachment to one or more of the Pirates involved in any slavery than they do towards recruiting your Captain. Great caution is due.” [She insisted.]

“Recruiting my Captain could be crucial to resolving the ‘Free Miner’ cold war against the Corporations within the ‘Consortium’ in a positive way.” [I replied.]

“Even if that is true, you do not know what quiet but binding deals people have already made under the table what problematic agreements might facilitate dire reactions. You do not know what individuals your investigations may compromise whilst any ‘Frat’ will work to cover up such crimes as slavery by its membership rather than have them go dangerously public to their detriment.” [She reminded.]

“Also it is worth remembering that Pirates are renowned for blackmailing people too, that is often how they gain Port access to do other criminal activity. They get fools involved in questionable activities then use that as leverage against them getting them deeper and deeper in their pocket some accidental side involvement in the much hated practice of slavery would be perfect for that purpose.” [She reminded.]

“In conclusion this whole thing could be a scam against the ‘Hell Burners’ or it could be genuine but either way you will be crossing some serious well established players if you investigate this one and it proves more than tourist tales.” [She complained.]

“I agree some criminal actions are engendered simply to compromise some politically important individual this is why Pirates can be very dangerous protagonists. Whilst Pirates often seemingly exist outside of any legitimate political system the outside can be a great place from which to pull strings. I have heard of wealthy Pirates with entire Ports under their quiet control another reason why local corruption needs investigated not ignored. In many ways this gangland culture stinks of Pirate influence.” [I stated.]

“I would not go that far.” [She said.]

“Now that we can talk freely, I am deeply impressed by your grasp of the local political realities but I still say you overreacted based upon the very little that I said in the ‘Drum’.” [I added.]

“I have to live here this is my little part of the Universe and whilst I am young I like to think I am not normally too foolish, not normally my most recent stupidities aside.” [She repeated.]

“Sorry I did not mean to be overly patronising it was an honest compliment.” [I replied.]

“Compliments honest or otherwise do not impress me too much; words are too easily spoken and change nothing. Besides, right now I do not feel very intelligent. Here I am arguing with possibly the only person that might be able and willing to save my skin from serious abuses.” [She admitted.]

“I genuinely admire your honesty in this difficult situation.” [I replied.]

“Being honest will not save me as a real person at real risk. I am not a remote free to stir up all the trouble I please whilst voyaging serenely elsewhere.” [She reminded again.]

[She did that thing were she scrunched her face once again. I felt as if I was almost taking a beating in here, which was embarrassing for someone of my debating experience.]



“Believe me the ‘Hell Burners’ are very, very keen to recruit my Captain as such I am in a very good position here I am gambling on that truth.” [I said.]

“Earlier it was my life that you too freely gambled with, worst case scenario you just lose some substance, substance that you can easily afford being substance wealthy.” [She reminded.]

“If some slavers are operating as the stories suggest and if they are as you say - most probably only working with one or two corrupt individuals in the ‘Frats’ - this should prove no great problem for me or for you. Right and might will be on our side. If these stories are the beginnings of a plot to bring the ‘Hell Burners’ down, again we should be in a good position since I am a ‘Burner’ and you are now my friend - the truth discovered will set us free.” [I promised.]

“Bunkum, to me you seem at best overly optimistic. For a start panicking criminals who suffer unexpected scrutiny are not famous for the rationality of their responses.” [She replied.]

“I believe I can get official permission directly from the ‘Burners’ to expose and hunt down a few erroneous slavers, I can sell this activity to them as an essential internal security matter.” [I stated.]

“You really do rate yourself.” [She replied.]

“As you stated it would not be good for them or their causes propaganda if ‘Free Miners’ became associated with slavery that would damage their credibility in a massive way even in the broadest sense - maybe that is the real story here. Someone may be striving to sabotage the entire movement not just the ‘Burners’ by involving some ‘Miners’ in practices entirely contrary to the freedom espousing rhetoric of the standard ‘Free Miner’ propaganda.” [I insisted.]

[Sabotaging a few stations would be nothing compared to sabotaging the entire movements credibility that was something that ‘Overbite’ taught. Many regimes best brought down by first undermining their legitimacy their reason for existence. ‘Overbite’ was often for turning the populace against their rulers that was almost the first rule of agitation literally the old divide and conquer.]

“I am not sure you were properly listening to a thing that I have said.” [She complained.] “Whilst it is none of my business, surely as a newcomer it might be safer and saner if you just let this slaver hunting obsession go until you are more established and have a better feel for the dangers and the complex web of internal politics involved in this factional place. You are charging into this one without looking ahead. You are I believe here to broker a deal for your Captain not to gain a licence to hunt and kill slavers from stories. Why complicate your life so much? Why put it all at risk due to a few unverified tall tales and rumours?” [She asked.]

“If I did not know better I might suspect you were protecting these criminals.” [I said.]

“That is exactly the sort of loose talk that too easily ruins lives.” [She replied angrily.]

“We are speaking privately here I would not say such things outside, otherwise what can I say? Some heinous activities I cannot ignore and stay the person that I am especially at this time with what is going on with the ‘Emancipations’.” [I said.] “Some of my Peers have been liberated but not to become open free citizens only to go into hiding as there is currently no open place for them in your ‘Passenger Class’ bigoted society. Naturally the many ills of slavery is much on my mind.”

“I am suggesting a delay not that you let it go of this campaign altogether. I have no love of slavery or slavers the idea of someone grabbing me for a life of bondage is a horror but so is the idea of crossing powerful people in the ‘Frats’. I am in enough trouble here already with my armed betters.” [She admitted.]

“If they are slaving here, at the very least, every moment lost could be another soul damned to torment once a victim is shipped out they might become almost impossible to trace. It is too easy to get lost out there people can disappear out in the dark forever.” [I replied.]

“You need to consider your safety first. Even if such a hunt goes well some people here are bound to resent that you - as such a new recruit and as a ‘Living Hull’ - decided to take on this task so presumptuously. I tell you; at best, you will make some people look bad and incompetent, at worst incompetent and previously quietly complacent with acts of slavery when it suited their needs or desires. Making un-friends and foes within your ‘Frat’ will not help your overall cause or standing here and will be a disservice to your Captain as his ambassador.”

“If those stories have some basis in fact I cannot let this one go. I cannot be associated with slavery in any manner other than as its nemesis. I cannot tolerate this practice anywhere near me.” [I admitted.]

“I see it is all about you.” [She accused.]

“No it is all about pernicious slavery.” [I insisted.]

“Who will you go to for permission to undertake this glorious campaign? For a start do you know someone in the ‘Hell Burners’ with positively no involvement in any way with any potential slavery here - for I am not saying slavery is definitely occurring I have no proof and nor do you. You are risking much over some silly as yet unverified stories are you always this excitable - you bother me.” [She added.]

“I am inclined to believe local tales in relation to such matters. As to a safe contact I am sure my fellow ‘Living Hull’ friend, ‘Thorbolt’ would be an ideal candidate. If I am excitable it is for good reasons even rumours of slavery enrage me and I believe that should be every sane person’s response towards this most cruel form of predation.” [I admitted.]

“You had best be very positive about this ‘Thorbolt’. How much do you know about her Captain?” [She asked.]

“Quite a lot now, I did some vetting.” [I admitted.]

“I am glad to hear that you occasionally think before you act but even then can you really be certain of these people? Histories can be manufactured references faked false identities created as an ex-member of the ‘Reach Project’ you should know this.” [She reminded.]

[There was no escaping the cursed ‘Reach Project’ even this opportunity for a new beginning with the ‘Free Miners’ was founded upon the experiences and skills we garnered under ‘Overbite’. I wished it was different but as the ‘Venturesome’ and a social outcast, I had few legitimate opportunities to mend my ways. Even if the ‘Free Miners’ were far from innocent of wrongdoing perhaps that just provided wider opportunities to make a greater difference to turn it all around. Sinners are the ones that need the most help and I say that as a sometimes sinner even if some misjudged me as a saint.]

“Trust me I do generally know what I am doing - most of the time.” [I joked to ease the tension.] “Meanwhile I have enough assets here to protect both of us until any culprits involved in this heinous activity are identified and removed.” [I promised.] “I appreciate were you are coming from as a previously uninvolved civilian - you are naturally scared by the idea of becoming a player in such a dangerous enterprise - but you truly did overreact when you ran away from me I came here to help others as much as to help myself. I promise I will help you and anyone else I can.”

“I wish I could believe that benevolence without any troubling doubts. People who seem too good to be true usually prove rottenly false. Nonetheless, if I had specific names to give you - if it would settle this matter quickly and quietly - I would be tempted to do so even though I am no dirty informer.” [She stated.] “As I keep telling you, I do not even know for certain that slavery is happening here I am only certain it is not widespread even the stories seem to agree to that fact.”

“I have learned that stories that circulate amongst the populace in a place such as this almost always have some small basis in fact. The truth is often out there amongst the general population even if everyone does not always believe them. Secrets are especially hard to keep when your activities need to involve others. Slaving usually requires the creation of a local network. For example smart slavers do not simply target people at random that would be far too dangerous and unprofitable too. Not only would taking some individuals make too much noise they also need to take people that can fulfil the desired roles wanted to satisfy their particular market needs.” [I reminded.]

“That is why you are interested in what uses slaves are rumoured to be put to.” [She said.]

“Buyers are as guilty as sellers in that trade maybe more so without a demand there would be no effort to supply.” [I stated angrily.]

“You would target the buyers with equal fervour.” [She guessed.]

“Would that displease you?” [I asked.]

“Not especially, I think you are right the users of slaves are no less guilty than the makers of slaves.” [She admitted.]

“Then we agree about something.” [I replied.]

“We probably agree about a great many things. I just think that you need to step carefully around these issues whilst here. Even if they do want your Captain you are still latecomers and not everyone in the ‘Hell Burners’ will be your firm friends every ‘Fraternity’ has its internal rivalries too. Whoever is backing you will have their detractors few people are universally loved.” [She reminded.]

“I am well aware of such truths but the majority want us.” [I stated.]

“So you have been told but have you verified that truth yet?” [She asked wisely.]

[Did I want this one far too much?]

[stads]

yay two new chapters

like the idea of one way time travel in a low tech stasis (ice)
often wondered about those idea lets go into stasis and see the future
and then have a tech mishap an bye bye

nice line on betty think i would like to see her as a crew member

[Paranoid66]

As ever thanks for commenting Stads.

Hopefully she will make an interesting addition. Been a while since we have had a vulnerable human in the story without nanotech support.

Here is part ten confession the whole recruitment thing stretched horribly.