Recalculating
© 2023 by Walter Reimer



Accompanied by her military attaché and her Political Officer, Balakrishnan entered the office, nodded at Admiral-General Gromov and ‘M’, and took a seat. The armadillo and corsac fox both saluted, and stepped back to flank the closed door after the tiger returned the salute. ‘M’ was in civilian clothing, the roebuck maintaining a straight face. “You said you wanted to see me urgently,” Gromov said to Balakrishnan.

“Yes,” the Dhole-Akita said. “I’ve conferred with the Kashlanin ambassador, and the answer is ‘No.’”

Gromov frowned and he glanced at ‘M’. The roebuck asked, “They will not permit us to equip AIs on patrol ships?”

“They won’t. K’Ven recounted four occasions where artificial intelligences – “ She broke off, frowning as three holograms in uniform appeared, ears canted forward alertly “ – had been built and were destroyed. The shlani don’t trust them, and don’t trust us to control them.” The three strategic planning AIs exchanged glances. “K’Ven promised a military response if we deploy AI-piloted or AI-monitored ships along the border.”

‘M’ looked at the corsac fox, who nodded. “Hmm,” the roebuck said.

The Admiral-General glanced at the three AIs. “Thoughts?”

The male canine avatar said, “It will require a redesign of the scout ships for a nominal crew of two – “

“With backup crews and necessary rear echelon support,” the porcine sow added.

“But we calculate that we can maintain AI monitoring,” the feline femme said.

“How?” Balakrishnan asked. “You just heard that the shlani won’t allow it.”

“True, Balakrishnan-jih,” the sow replied, “but a scout or patrol ship must maintain contact with its base, does it not? Providing the base with data.” The sow turned to look at the tiger and the roebuck. “It could be doable.”

Admiral-General Gromov twitched his whiskers for a moment as he thought, and finally the tiger said to the three avatars, “Very well. Come up with a way to make it unobtrusive, to keep the shlani from getting suspicious, and have the design bureaus revise the patrol ship plans.” The three holograms nodded and vanished.

“Should I notify the Prime Minister?” Balakrishnan asked.

“Yes,” Gromov said. “I’ll talk to the Defense Minister. Director?”

‘M’ swiveled his ears. “Sir?”

“Please notify the Regent. The usual channels.”

“Of course.”


***


“The Hierarchy is present. We serve the cause of Holy Terra,” the Bishop said. “Come forward.”

‘M’ succeeded in concealing his smirk. He’d so far succeeded in discovering who two of these shadowy figures actually were. There was no need to let them know that – well, not yet, at any rate.

The Vicar, hooded and cloaked and so well-camouflaged that even gender, species and scent could not be determined, stepped forward. “I serve Holy Terra. The Director has given me some information, and I have called this meeting to commune with the Hierarchy.”

The hooded figures, nearly all of whom were holograms, turned toward the roebuck. “It’s not much that truly concerns you,” he said, “but the Vicar asked to share it.” He then related what Balakrishnan had been told about the Kashlanin history with artificial intelligences.

“Infidels,” one Bishop growled.

“The Hierarchy thanks you for this information, Director. We shall be watching, and offer guidance as we can. Vicar, how is the Emperor?”

“He is well.”

“May Terra prosper as he prospers,” the senior Bishop said. “This meeting is adjourned,” and the room went utterly dark. The lights came back up, and ‘M’ was alone.

The roebuck smiled.