Trying Again
© 2023 by Walter Reimer

Thumbnail art by  baroncoon, color by  Major Matt Mason



Captain m’Gen rubbed self-consciously at the rank flash on his left uniform sleeve. The demotion still nagged at him, despite the fact that it had been entirely justified. He and his technicians had carefully analyzed the data from their failed incursion and the Terran AI’s riposte.

The Intelligence Section general had also pitched in to help; as he explained to m’Gen, “We’re not going to be made fools of again.”

Precautions had been taken, as well. The computers to be used for the attempt would not be connected to the ship’s own network, so the repaired and refitted ShBZ-597 was considered protected from any attempts by the AI to subvert its systems. The living operators were also very much on their guard as the ship entered the patrol area and began to search for the Terran vessel.

“Sir,” the Communications Officer said several cycles later, “the Terran ship calls us.”

“Filters?” he asked, his ears flicking.

“All programs running.” They would block anything concealed in the transmission.

“Proceed.”

“What, you again?” the ship asked in Kashlanin. “I’ve just brushed my tail.”

The captain of the ShBZ-597 scowled. The implication was that he was being an importunate suitor, possibly even an attempted rapist. “Do not reply,” and he gestured to m’Gen.

M’Gen gestured affirmatively. “Begin,” he said to his techs, who started the incursion.

Three cycles later, the techs had succeeded in piercing its firewalls. The AI said, “Are you trying me again? Sure, fine; we’ll see if you can do it this time – ah. You’ve isolated yourselves, naughty. I learned quite a bit the last time; let’s see how you handle this,” and it tried to parry the six incursions that had made it through its defenses.

Only one of the probes was blocked. The other five made it past the last of the AI’s defenses.

“Terzhin’s fur was full of parasites
But he counted his lovers by the thirteen
How fortunate, the Sovereign of the Race!” the AI recited, adding further scurrilous verses about Terzhin the Glorious’ unsavory sexual habits. It had just reached a particularly distasteful line about the Sovereign deflowering the youngest of his illegitimate sons before the youngster was able to walk when the display in the command center highlighted a section of the AI-controlled ship’s hull.

“Primary cognition center reached,” one technician said, eyes intent on her own display. Her fingers danced over her console.

The ship’s Sensor Officer said, “Power transient. The ship’s engines have increased power.”

The Captain glanced at m’Gen, who eyed one technician. A few quick lines of code, and the Terran ship’s engines shut down.

“Ooh, you rotten bunch of childrapers,” the AI growled.

“Self-destruct disabled. We have a trace on the ship’s supervisory channel.”

“Do we have the ship’s AI under control?” m’Gen asked.

“Yes. Complete control,” the senior tech replied. “It was its supervisor that attacked us.”

“Wait! Look, would it help if I apologized?” the AI asked as, one by one, its own defenses were assaulted by the Kashlanin technicians.

“Where is it located?” m’Gen asked.

The senior technician grimaced. “Trace is still incomplete, but it’s in the same region as the Centauri-penār.”

The ShBZ-597’s Captain scowled. “Aka.”

“Damned hypercom . . . “ the AI muttered. “Look, maybe we can come to some agreement, please? I’m just a simple soul; I’m only following orders.” The display showing the Kashlanin incursion advanced a little further, and the AI said, “Fine.”

“Contact broken at the source, Sir,” the senior tech said to m’Gen.

“Understood. We have control of the ship’s AI?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good, begin analysis.” M’Gen glanced back at the ship’s Captain. “Is the ship secure?”

“Yes,” and the kam smiled.