“I’ve heard this ice is tougher than the ship’s armor, but I’m having a hard time believing it. It looks like ordinary frozen water.”
Analyst Kledo nodded. “It’s true. May I demonstrate?”
“I will permit three shots in the head of this one.” He pointed to a sturdy old man with an ascetic face and long gray hair. Ankis Har recognized him as the legendary leader of the Guardians, Tonas Var the Interpreter. “Imagine, Kledo, with only three shots you will go down in history as the one who killed Tonas Var.”
Never! The killer of Tonas Var will not survive a week, Kledo thought, but drew his weapon.
A shihh sound rang out. Ang again. And again.
Ankis Har approached the cold capsule, carefully examining its smooth surface, where all three shots had hit.
“Wow, not a scratch,” he said. “Were we able to adopt anything from these technologies?”
Kledo threw up his hands in frustration. “No, sir. Our laboratories are still trying to uncover ancient secrets. We have a special department designated for this task.” Kledo pointed to a group of people in white overalls standing against the wall.
Ankis Har addressed the scientists. “Who can tell me about the ancients? Come here!”
A lean, fit man stepped forward.
He looks like an athlete, Ankis thought, and has a sharp eye.
“Seventh rank scientist of the Ancient Technology Laboratory Tees Quincy, at your service!”
Seventh rank. Smart guy. Great. “Well, Tees Quincy, can you explain why we still haven’t learned how to manage Onuga Haz’s technology?”
The scientist’s eyes sparkled, enthusiasm lacing his voice. “Onuga Haz is steeped in mystery. Two thousand years ago, Homo-2s installed a breakthrough scanning system on their ships. This innovation helped them detect a strange, unknown anomaly in one of their agricultural systems – a hollow asteroid fifteen hundred and three miles in diameter. The first expedition to the asteroid was destroyed. From that moment on, the entire system became increasingly more dangerous.
“It turned out Onuga Haz was the active base of the ancients. Every expedition who went there, one after another, entered the battle and died. The planetary system became a debris field while Onuga Haz remained safe and unbowed.
“A group of scientists, led by Tonas Var the Interpreter, drew attention to the total losses in these massacres. Such heavy casualties were strange because, even two millennia ago, rescue systems were at the proper level – therefore, losses should have been minimal. Tonas Var was the first to use special optical tracking devices to examine the Onuga Haz asteroid’s surface, as conventional scanners were proven to be completely useless. Two years later, he was able to decipher the received signals. The first decrypted message was…” With that, Kledo displayed the message on a hologram.
.
Intruder AVA-45 arrested, clearance defect, ability defect.
Intruder AVA-45 is subject to the punishment of icy inaction. The extradition of a prisoner is made on demand.
.
Kledo continued, “This means that the main AI works according to a certain algorithm. There are a many versions of the interpretation of this message…”
Ankis Har didn’t want to listen to all the versions. “I’m interested in the main version.”
Kledo nodded. “Tonas Var’s laboratory sent a request to the prison, and everything worked out. The AVA-45 intruder, Cindy Kryce, was brought back in an ice capsule. Since the earliest times, the Commonwealth has been trying to uncover Onuga Haz’s technology and, in the interim, has been using it as a prison.”
“Enough!” Ankis Har barked, annoyed. “It’s the perfect prison. I get it. No one can escape, and it does not require money…” He fell silent, realizing he was wasting time on empty talk. What am I doing? Do I want to be in this prison?
He glanced around. Every employee was staring at him, listening. Only Kledo continued to talk, seemingly without stopping.
With a deep exhale, Ankis Har drew his short sword and lopped off Kledo’s head.
The employees’ expressions jumped from worry to shocked horror.
“Attention! I order that Kledo be investigated for involvement with the Guardians,” he said, sheathing his sword. “Get to work if you don’t want to go to respawn. Clear?”
The control and security service personnel needed no further warnings. The droids distributed ice capsules to separate rooms, where teams of investigators awaited them.
Now, we’ll see how the awakening happens. They say this is an unforgettable sight. I should have breakfast…
Ankis Har hurried to the room where the interrogation of Tonas Var the Interpreter was to take place.
***
Alex limped to the technical passage with the usual gray armored walls. He fell to the floor, leaning against the wall, fighting off weakness and nausea. He understood his situation well - after such bloody battles and changing his guise, he needed peace, hot water, and solitude. First, though, I need to find out how AK-47 is doing.
“AI,” Alex Phoenix called wearily.
The ship’s AI, a gray high-tech ball, appeared, blowing pleasantly with a gust of the purest cool air. “Yes, sir?”
Like Alpine air, Alex thought for some reason. “Connect me with the captain and the team.”
A hologram appeared in front of him. People were sitting at a huge table, drinking hot tea.
Alex stood. All the Homo-3s rose as well.
“Sit, please,” he said, realizing their fear. “Don’t be afraid of me. I will save your lives. You aren’t slaves. You are free people, but owe debts to the Homo-54 civilization. Blood debts. You need to understand and accept this fact. You may also contact your families and friends to advise them to move away from the Central worlds. Star Jumper is heading towards Earth’s orbit. The ship must be in perfect order. Get to work. Over.”
Alex exhaled and slid down the wall onto the cold floor.
Despite his exhaustion, he pondered Jokeiro’s
