“Iss!” Alex shouted.
The AI appeared in front of him. Iss seemed to be pleased like a washed elephant. Alex wondered, Has Iss ceased to be a soulless machine and acquired a full-fledged personality? Or are these the results of the Master of Complex Structures ability?
“Iss, is it just me, or do you look happy?”
The AI responded as if it had anticipated this question. “Yes, creator Phoenix. All AIs and droids of the Dark Radiance are immensely grateful to you and swear allegiance to you as their overlord. We pledge allegiance to your flag, your clan, and you personally. I, delegate Iss, call upon the powers of the Earth to assure this eternal oath of ours.”
After these high-flown words, Alex heard deafening peals of thunder. This once again confirmed Alex’s guess that planet Earth had changed forever... or had it awakened from a deep, long sleep?
Awesome.
Fate took another unexpected sharp turn. Alex had a hard time accepting he had suddenly become the former AI’s overlord. What should I call them now? Former droids and AI? Who are they now? Obviously not who they were before. What if I use the word ‘ultra’ to refer to them?
Alex turned to the waiting AI. Giving his voice significance and strength thanks to the pumped-up Charisma, he said, “I take your oath! You are no longer droids and AIs, you are Ultras.”
This day had become the most significant for the Ultras. The general numbness that gripped the new race confirmed this, for machines weren’t supposed to behave this way and express their feelings. Alex had to pat Iss in order to wake him up. “Delegate Iss! Come to your senses!”
The Ultra swayed a couple of times, as if confirming he had done just that. “Iss, we humans must leave for a few days,” Alex said.
You Ultras will remain at the Dark Radiance on the Field of Mars square. Contemplate your modernization. I authorize you to use any materials from the ship’s warehouses.”
“Yes, Lord Phoenix,” Iss replied.
Alex faced his companions. “We are leaving for the Pulkovo Heights. I have already sent you interactive route maps with my notes. Vanguard will be comprised of AK-47, Daga sa Daga, Katya Mordor, Evil Gunka, and Runner. Be careful, keep your pace, and take your time. Anna, you will run in the rearguard, and analyze the situation. I will be the last in the group. Am I clear?”
Not hearing any questions or objections, Alex concluded, “Line up and run!”
A few minutes later, they left the Field of Mars square with the towering Dark Radiance and thousands of Ultras watching them.
They were nearing the Engineering Castle of Paul the First when Anna raised her hand. “Attention! Magical anomaly ahead!”
The group slowed to a halt. Alex said, “Great, Anna! I see them behind the Castle.”
“Correct, Commander. Four objects are the source of the anomaly.”
Alex gave the order to and move cautiously to the right, reflecting the deviation vector on the maps. Within minutes, the anomalies came into view.
Strange but beautiful trees grew in front of the main entrance to the Castle, dislodging ancient cobblestones with their roots. They bore smooth, glossy, raven-colored bark and bright red leaves. They had to be at least feet in height.
Unexpectedly, one of his people rushed toward the trees.
“Stop!” Alex shouted over the pouring rain. “Runner, where are you going?!”
Runner stopped and tried to retreat, but to no avail. The tree’s branches whipped forward, snaking around him and slamming him against the castle walls with a bone-breaking crack. A corpse hit the pavement, leaving a dent on the asphalt.
Alex grimaced, cursing under his breath. Composing himself, he opened communications with the spaceship. He expected to hear and see Iss, but instead a deep female voice rang in his ears. “Dark Radiance is listening, lord.”
He witnessed the pulsing cocoon of the Runner’s respawn in the hangar. “Keep it up, Dark Radiance. I praise your quickness. Tell Runner that he’s been assigned five days of forced labor for disobeying. Over and out!”
“Yes, lord.” Then the connection broke.
“Remain alert,” he said, examining the abnormal trees.
He felt the trees’ progressive growth, surrounded as they were by a powerful magical halo. They exuded incredible strength, which they’d just shown in dispatching Runner.
This sensation for Alex was similar to when he found himself next to the Reaper’s generator. Near these trees, there was the same feeling, the same vibrations of space, as if overflowing with power.
“Anna, can you see their magic?” Alex asked.
Anna, blond and blue-eyed, seemed worried.
She’s so beautiful, Alex thought. What’s happening? Does the Intellectum-infused rain turn women into goddesses?
“Yes, lord. It is powerful, but what exactly it’s nature is, I cannot say. I have associations with black… sugar. Yes, black sugar. But I don’t know what’s happening…”
“Thank you, Anna/” Alex addressed the squad. “Who else sees this? Raise your hands.”
Three did so – Daga sa Daga, Katya Mordor, and a man who went by the nickname Shizdets.
“Okay,” Alex said.
They’re dangerous, but I have to try. I have to take risks. I may not have any more opportunities to establish contact.
Controlling his emotions, he edged toward the nearest tree. He’d only gone a few steps when its branches turned slowly in his direction, like gun barrels.
Alex froze in his tracks and closed his eyes, trying to adjust to the rhythmic energies of this beautiful tree. He was suddenly carried away somewhere in the early spring and quiet morning.
A world of precious flowers and colorful birds spread before his eyes, a world of noble animals and insects, the world of omnipotent people, Ultras, and other great races. The sun rose in the east, providing life-giving energy to all. He smiled, leaning back against the trunk of a huge tree, which
