CHAPTER 11

SEEKING

Conservatory Chamber

They watched as the robot walked across the grassy surface and away from them.

'What now captain?' John asked.

Sam placed her hands on her hips and looked out over the expanse before them. Animals were visible all around. A breeze blew across her face from the right, gentle and light.

'We've still got a pilot to find, and I'd like to investigate this place further, it doesn't feel right.'

'There is no way a PE series Guardian should be looking after a conservatory. They never could figure out how to deal with organic systems,' Jing said.

'Organic systems?' John asked.

'I can't think of a good word for it. The PE models were never good dealing with anything that was alive. They couldn't manage anything with people, animals, or plants. Those older Guardian's weren't exactly brilliant. They'd struggle to decide on a course of action if a problem occurred. PE's needed near constant Advocate support. And yet,' Jing gestured with his arms out, 'here we are in a conservatory full of plants and animals, and according to the Guardian, the Advocate isn't here.'

Sam nodded. 'There are certainly some questions I'd like answered. How are you holding up Dan?'

Dan was still being helped by John, though seemed to be steadier on his feet. 'Whatever the bot gave me seems to be kicking in. I'm feeling pretty good.'

'Keep an eye on your supply, if you get low, we may just have to leave.'

'Yes, Captain.'

***

'For the rest of you, we will split up. I want to find that enemy pilot and get us home as soon as possible. The sooner we can get someone back here to investigate, the better, but while we're going around, keep your eyes open, record everything. If you recognize any plants or animals, record it. If you see anything odd, record it. If you spot one of the robots, watch what it's doing and record it.'

'Captain, shouldn't we just be focusing on finding the pilot?' Dan protested.

'There's something odd going on here, and I'd like to find out what it is if we can,' Sam said, ‘otherwise, you are correct, the pilot is the top priority.’

'Should we be splitting up though?' Victor asked, 'Let's not forget the pilot is still dangerous, and we don't know how stable this Guardian is.'

'Stay in communication range at all times. I'll want periodic checks from everyone. As for teams, Victor and Ise, you'll be one team, and you'll be heading to the right, toward the next elevator shaft. Dan and I will be another and we'll go toward the centre. Jing and John will make up the last team and you'll be heading left, toward the shaft on that side.'

'We should keep an eye on the Guardian's robots, we are organic variables being thrown into its domain, and its Advocate is nowhere to be found. I'd prefer not to guess how it would react,' Victor said.

'Vick, I don't think we'll have to worry, that thing handled introductions much better than an unattended PE series should have. Maybe those upgrades worked,' Jing commented.

Victor put up his hands. 'I'm not saying anything will happen, but if something happens, it'd be good to have some advanced warning so we can get to an elevator shaft in a hurry. I don't like the thought of trying to run across this much open ground,' Victor pointed at Dan,' and Lt. Higgins should like that even less.'

'We'll all need to be careful. There's no question there,' Sam said, 'But it's not in our best interest to let the pilot get its hands on any of the technology here. If it gets the FTL signalers, or the Guardian core, it would be terrible for the war. The Lobsters are tricky enough even without their hands on those technologies, give them the ability to communicate faster than light, and give them computer systems with the capability of a Guardian core, and things will get a whole lot worse. Now we've got a job to do, so let's get to it. Stay in contact and stay safe.'

'I'm sure it'll be fine Vick, you worry too much,' John said.

'Rather not be caught off guard. This place has me on edge.'

'Really? I find it rather nice. Nothing like a chance to stretch out and go for a walk in a park,' John said with a smile.

'This is hardly a park,' Ise commented dryly.

'Well granted, it is hard to imagine you're outside when you can see the roof, but I mean the breeze is nice, and the air has that rich quality you get from a living world,' John said.

'The engineering that went into the place is impressive,' Jing said, looking up at the domed roof, 'and the excavation of this space couldn't have been cheap. I'd like to find out who these owners are.'

'It's another question we can try to answer,' Sam said, 'But I wouldn't try to book this place as a vacation spot. I imagine the authorities might want to look around when we get back.'

Jing nodded. 'True enough.'

'Now let's get to work people. We've got questions to answer and a pilot to find.' Sam said.