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Fathom's Phantoms Something Afoot

Kamrn was unable to recall the last time he'd been left alone for more than two hours to do anything except to sleep. At the request of superior officers, however, Commander Vanessa had reworked the schedule to give each of the overworked security details a full operation cycle off work... a FULL TWENTY HOURS! Even since starting at Sigma-Echo, the most the Gorumn had ever received was a ten hour reprieve... and he suddenly found himself with more spare time than he'd be able to fill with eating and sleeping alone.

The extra long recuperation time ended up doing him a lot of good. After a nice long shower Kamrn got some sleep without having to depend on his PCD's alarm to wake him up. He followed that up with another shower and made himself breakfast-- a luxury of time he'd hadn't been able to afford in weeks. After that he cleaned up his apartment, took another shower, and settled down in his rarely-used reclining chair to listen to some of his old Terra recordings of classical music or, more specifically, something the Humans alternately call an Opera and a Singspiel; the Gorumn didn't know and really didn't care about the difference.

The recording in question was of an ancient music collection from a performance called 'The Magic Flute' by a Human musician by the name of Wolfgang; though, on occasion, Kamrn had also heard his name was alternately Mozart, and Amadeus. Human naming conventions often confused him but he figured that all of the names were either alternate versions of one name or else different parts to a name-- Humans liked to make things difficult.

Despite how complicated Human names often tended to be the Gorumn nevertheless made it a point to know the different lines of the different singers in the songs to which he listened. In the Magic Flute Kamrn most enjoyed the lines of 'Sarastro', who was, as far as the Gorumn could tell, some kind of religious figure-head in service to some divine entities named Isis and Osiris. Kamrn didn't know much about any of old Terra mysticism and frankly he didn't care-- he appreciated that he could hum along with the lines and, for most of each of the songs, even manage to sing the words he knew.

Although the Gorumn had probably heard the music no less than a hundred times something about the playback suddenly seemed different. He didn't hear it at first but as one song came to an end and a faint pause in the music created some silence Kamrn was able to make out a distinct tone within the emptiness that sounded like a voice. Ignoring the next song entirely the Gorumn attempted to listen in on the strange, otherworldly interference and by the time the next pause between songs gave a break in the music he could hear it much more clearly.

The voice was not at all familiar to Kamrn and he had no point of reference for the significance of the discussion but he heard it nevertheless. "George has this Falcon on full-- those things are right behind us."

The speaker was obviously concerned with a hint of distress in his voice. Kamrn quickly reached up and hit the pause button before the next song started and strangely enough the otherworldly, super-imposed signal continued with more dialogue from another person, this time a woman, "We need to distract those things."

Kamrn quickly grabbed his PCD and flicked on its record function, holding it up to his music system so he could copy what it was he was hearing. A third voice spoke up-- another male with a deeper voice than the first, "We have to go guys... are they secure?"

There was a pause but, with no answer forthcoming the speaker continued talking, "Surresh... we need to go! Where ARE you?"

The Gorumn, still recording with his PCD, turned it over so he could see the screen and flipped through the station's personnel files; he'd heard that name recently... Surresh... Surresh... Surresh... and he paused once he pulled up a list of personnel with that name. The transmission from his sound system continued on with the strange broadcast and a fourth voice spoke up; it had a distinctive accent from one of the cultures on the Human planet, "I'm approaching the hangar from the west."

The very first voice was direct in its response, "Move your striped ass, Makowi! If you get scorched the whole thing is screwed!"

Kamrn found the file he was seeking: a Tiger... most likely reason enough to insinuate that the man had a striped ass. And, of course, the name matched perfectly. "Surresh Makowi... there you are."

The Gorumn alternated between looking at the new personnel file and listening to the transmission he was recording. It continued to cut in and out as if he had an extremely poor signal, which was strange considering the fact that when it DID come in it was crystal clear. The rest of the transmission made as little sense out of context as the first part but Kamrn was not entirely concerned; he'd have a chance to study more of it later. He continued paying more attention to the Tiger's dossier until the transmission changed.

A familiar female voice cut clearly through the signal. "Sergeant Kamrn."

The Gorumn sat up straight at that, gazing disbelievingly at his entertainment system. "Captain Nida?"

The male voice with the accent spoke up, coming through much more cleanly than the prior time. "Captain... has someone managed to tap into this frequency?"

There was a moment of silence before the Station Commander spoke up. "It seems we are being joined by another listener, Doctor... hello, Sergeant."

Kamrn had absolutely no understanding of what he was privy to; he decided to opt for the best possible response for a member of the security team. "I apologize... am I listening in on a private channel?"

Captain Nida was quick to respond, "No, Sergeant... it is not a private channel per se, it just isn't a commonly accessible."

The voice belonging to Dr. Makowi cut in quite flatly, "I believe to call this a private channel would be an understatement."

The Voljoi Captain continued unabated. "You can put your PCD away, Sergeant... this transmission can't be recorded by listening devices."

The Gorumn complied without objection then paused. He glanced around his room. "How did you know I was recording with my PCD? Are there cameras in my quarters?"

Dr. Makowi countered the inquiry with a very forward statement, though it held a hint of humor in it. "A better question to ask might be to ask how we can hear you if you're in your quarters."

Kamrn was quite stumped by that observation as well. "I'm listening to you on my music disc reader... this isn't even supposed to be able to pick up transmissions."

The Tiger's chuckling voice was very quick to point out "Or transmit anything in turn."

Captain Nida asserted herself. "Thank you, Doctor... that will be enough."

Dr. Makowi was suddenly all business. "Of course, Captain."

The Voljoi cleared her throat. "Sergeant... you have become unknowingly privy to very confidential information in relation to a high level experiment being run on Sigma-Echo. I trust your discretion can be counted on?"

The Gorumn replied without hesitation. "Yes, Captain."

She continued once he gave his confirmation. "You will be informed further as it is deemed necessary but, for now..." her voice was interrupted by the sound of fingers typing on a command board, "I see that your quarters are located in the station's Tau zone."

Dr. Makowi interjected again. "The Tau zone? But Yggdrasil isn't supposed to broadcast--"

Captain Nida spoke over the Tiger with such insistence that Kamrn couldn't help but feel there was something more to what the doctor had been saying. Her words were simple and direct. "Sergeant, I am providing you permanent living arrangements on the executive deck; I would like you to clear your apartment in the next half hour. I will have a hall-mover sent for your belongings and then yellow-light the door when you leave."

Yellow-light? That action was reserved for quarantine or dangerous conditions. Kamrn's thoughts were cut short when he saw that the disc reader, strangely, turned itself off. Regardless, the Gorumn provided a very compliant. "Yes Captain."

* * * * * *

Lydia Parker considered herself one of the best Artificial Personality programmers to have ever existed. As far as she was concerned there was nobody better at coding... nobody better at specialized algorithms... and nobody better at formulating logic statements. Yet, for all of her mastery of programming language, source code, and cognitive science, there was one area of high technology where she fell short... and that area was hardware.

After the attack on Sigma Echo she found that her operating budget had been severely restricted. As one of the highest paid and highest ranked (at least in her mind) programmers she was used to getting what she wanted but for the past several days she was told 'no' as often as not. Maybe it was the fact that she was only nineteen or maybe they didn't take her seriously because she didn't like her natural hair color and replaced it with blue, but nothing she said seemed to have any bearing on her ability to acquire what she needed.

With little else to be done she responded in the best way she knew how: scavenging. Most programmers were probably too uptight about spending any time on the lower decks but she didn't mind; she hadn't grown up among the power-elite and her strappy pants and leather girdle wasn't as out of place among the Ghouls as it was in the upper deck where they had found her an apartment. Mulling about in the sorting room, Lydia was forced to sidestep and dodge numerous orange uniformed workers as they went about their work. It was probably considered thankless work, she realized, and they got far less respect than they deserved-- not unlike her.

Despite all of her knowledge in programming and numerous computer sciences, Lydia was not good at dealing with people and she recognized that. Thankfully, the one thing she DID know about people was that they had a dislike for chaos. Like computers the average person subscribed to standard operating procedure and preferred for things to be predictable and orderly. InLydia's case this particular trait meant that most of the Ghouls kept a healthy distance away from her as he scoured the heaps of slag and refuse for items that would aid in her personal projects.

As it turned out, collecting what she needed was far easier than Lydia had worried it might be. Between being given free reign of the recycling room and the majority of the electronic trash being pre-sorted, Lydia got her work done with far less stress than she had originally expected. Completing the task, she hung out in the room just long enough to make sure that the work crew there got a few extra credits for their understanding-- well... more specifically to forget that she was never there in case anyone came asking questions.

It was a long trip back to the technical center but Lydia used the time to best effect, flipping through several comm signals on her PCD until she got a clear line to her personal server back in her suite. She only needed a minute and a half to have a solid feed to and from Alvin and from there she'd be able to direct the laundry system to over-starch that uptight requisition officer's undies. Revenge could be petty, yes... but it would still be sweet.

* * * * * *

Lydia sat wearing nothing but the bare electrodes of her Nervous System Integration suit and a pair of daffodil yellow panties. Her mostly naked form was flopped on her typing chair in her dimly lit personal quarters admiring the beauty of the code that scrolled across her screen. A dirty thrill of sorts filled the Human while she let the visualization of ALVIN's program dance for her amusement, the AP continuing to run its processes despite its programmer's observation, She whispered quietly to the monitor, a proxy for ALVIN. "You're so sexy."

The running code shifted slightly as ALVIN acknowledged her comment and the young woman had just enough time to register the inquiry a split second before it was broadcast, "Although I understand the attraction a biological creature would have to the physical appearance of another, your reference to my coding as 'sexy' is quite unique, Lydia."

She laughed. "It's isn't THAT different, ALVIN."

She leaned back in her chair as she continued admiring her handiwork. ALVIN had taken years to perfect: a project that had started when she was twelve. Although there was still more work to do she was pleased with how far she had come-- how far THEY had come. "Most of the time when you're around me you're a blank screen or a blinking light or the opening of a door... that's all I really see, anyway."

As expected, ALVIN continued to analyze her point. "Then you are referring to seeing something about me that is not the norm. Implying that having the opportunity to look past that into parts normally not visible may be compared to--"

She finished his end logic point for him. "Seeing someone without clothes on."

ALVIN went a different direction. "I was going to imply that it was like looking at you without your flesh."

Lydia bit her lower lip as the cognition element of Alvin's code put the connections together. The visual representation of the code flew by on the screen so fast it was impossible to make out individual lines but young woman was familiar enough with her program to recognize the patterns. The Human felt her hair stand on end as a low level current flowed through the electrodes of the NSI suit, but it was little more than a pervasive tingle. The program stated casually "I find your kidneys to be sexy."

Lydia felt another sensory pulse flow through her body, and she let out a strangled gasp as the tingle tickled her joints. Regardless, she countered his assessment. "Kidneys aren't sexy, ALVIN."

ALVIN objected. "On the contrary, Lydia, you are admiring the way my code functions and have noted that it is 'sexy'... it is logically reasonable to assume that the biological functions within your body may likewise be aesthetically--"

She sighed and quickly pulled the hard-wire connection to disable ALVIN's access to the electrodes she wore. "How much farther are you gonna take this joke, exactly?"

The program's coding flipped and new data poured across the stream; she had apparently misunderstood his meaning. "This was not an attempt at humor, Lydia. I am deepening my familiarity with you via conversation and praise in an attempt to bond. It seemed a suitable time considering the intimacy of the moment."

She rolled her eyes, but smirked just a little despite herself. "Intimacy... I think it was more like a strip show on my part... and a peep show on yours."

"The expected sociological imperative of 'reciprocation' suggests that--"

Lydia sighed. "We REALLY need to work on the timing of your debates, ALVIN. Not everything has to be a discussion on logic, you know."

"What do you propose as a better method of communication, Lydia?"

She ran a hand through her cropped, blue-dyed hair. "Sometimes a face-to-face chat can be good... I mean... talking doesn't always have to be logical... right?"

ALVIN acknowledged. "Chat... banter... casual discussion... idle conversation ... rag-chew... A review of the weather would be inappropriate based on your current location. You are neither interested in nor a participant of any major sporting events. Personal inquiries are frivolous as I am already familiar with your job, family life, and hobbies. The approach of presenting a common interest would suggest programming or computer systems." the program paused for a few seconds, most likely, Lydia realized, for effect. "Would you care to discuss programming or computer systems?"

The Human collapsed back into her chair, letting out an exasperated breath. "Never mind. It's not like it's fair for me to compare talking to you face-to-face with talking with someone who actually has a--"

She glanced back to the monitor and froze in place at the perfectly rendered image staring back out at her. ALVIN's voice inquired as a picture on screen mimed speaking. "A face?"

A handsome, Gen-1 Collie gazed out of the computer screen at her, impertinent smirk saying visibly what the program's tone had suggested for the longest time: ALVIN had absolutely no problem understanding the finer points of humor. The image presented on the computer had a white-furred 'mask' framing pure black eyes with the faintest hint of wine-red irises. Orangeish-red fur created perfect 'V' that stretched from his forehead down to the bridge of his muzzle where a perfectly-imperfect pink-and-black nose twitched in mirth.

Lydia was so surprised she couldn't help but inquire about technicalities. "When exactly did you create an avatar for yourself? And why a Gen?"

The Collie's disembodied head shifted, cocking to the side and rotating in an animated manner as if it were engaging in perfectly normal conversation, muzzle shaping each word true to form. "Approximately twenty one point nine seconds ago. Although I have been collecting data on what might be both visually appealing and desirable for you over the course of several weeks."

"You--"

ALVIN wasn't finished. "I elected this visual representation because I know you have a strong opinion on the plight of the Gen as a people and the hardships they were forced to endure at the hands of their Human creators. Considering you are my creator, I felt it suitable as a thematically accurate representation. That, and I am aware you have a soft-spot for the historical movement of the late 20th century involving anthropomorphism presented on Terra's burgeoning internet community known as 'furry'."

Still dumbstruck, all Lydia could offer was "Good data collection."

ALVIN smiled. "Thank you, Lydia. Perhaps when you are ready I can show you the rest of it."

The young woman's initial response would normally have been "Yes please!", but a small part of her resisted the urge. Instead, she was able to approach the discussion in a slightly more analytical manner, "Why did you create an avatar?"

The Collie on the screen offered a very personable wink. "For the very same reason you just pointed out, Lydia. You desire more than a voice that can answer you or a combination of sensory inputs that can imitate tactile sensations."

She agreed. "Words and touch don't create a deep connection... true."

ALVIN nodded. "Correct... and I wish to make you happy, thus I must be more than an electronic lover."

She blushed, chewing on one of her nails as she grinned. "A SKILLED electronic lover."

A smile spread the thin, black lips of the collie image on the computer. "Thank you. It is a trait that I owe to your programming."

She reached up and pressed a hand against the monitor. "You're a lot better at just about everything compared to most Artificial Personality programs."

The Collie on her computer winked again, reaching up a paw with black-and-pink paw pads to mimic pressing it to her extended hand. She could FEEL his paw thanks to the sensory input of the NSI suit. "You were capable of freeing up processing power in a way few programmers have considered reasonable or feasible."

Lydia shrugged. "Artificial Personalities are too stuck up and confined by all of the limitations programmers place on them... I just stopped those from getting in your way."

Alvin laughed, which came across much more organic when Lydia could see the image on her screen move with the sound. "That is a matter of syntax. Most AP programmers still require those limitations to feel safe."

The young woman let out a 'ha', leaning back in her chair again with a smug grin on her face. "Yea? Well not only are training wheels for kids but the kind of processing power required for something like that wastes waaaaaaay too much in the way of system resources. Besides... I have more faith in you than in most of humanity."

ALVIN's face on the screen nodded. "And it is my wish to never have you question that faith. You are a good creator, Lydia and I value you greatly."

She smiled at that. "Good... I value you too, ALVIN."

The image of the collie leaned forward to bump his nose against the 'inside' of the screen as if it were a window separating the two of them. "I look forward to continuing to grow and advance and be everything you hope I can be."

It took Lydia a moment to realize that the program had thought of everything in its portrayal of an image, including the nose print that he left on the monitor. She gaped for a half second at ALVIN's attention to detail; the gesture had even that much more of an effect on her, "Oh my god, you are just SO cute."

The Collie cocked his head to the side, one ear going up with the other splaying out. "Is that a comment I should find offensive? Data suggests that many males dislike being referred to as 'cute'."

She cracked up, almost falling out of her chair. "No... in this case, I think that's a really REALLY good thing."

The Collie image within the monitor reached forward and pressed a paw against his 'side' of the screen, a soft smile coming to his muzzle. "Good."

* * * * * *

Lydia's fingers flew across the keyboard as she worked on several lines of code that changed constantly in places other than where she was typing. The modifications were the only indicator that ALVIN was working with her on the project; his visualization program had to be suspended to allow more processing power for what they needed to do. "We're almost done."

ALVIN interjected but his comment didn't slow the progress of his work. "Administration will identify the modification to the code the next time they review the system."

Lydia rolled her eyes. "I know... I know... but by the time they do that we'll already be done and you can get some subroutines up and running to get alternate access."

ALVIN continued to work but he struck up a conversation regardless. "Are you not concerned that there will be repercussions for your actions?"

Even though the VP was designed to worry about her Alvin's concern was, nevertheless, warming. The woman smiled. "Nah... the Captain hired me because I'm the best. At worst I'll get a slap on the wrist and put in 'time out'."

The programmer chuckled, completing her portion of the coding before sitting back and watching Alvin put the finishing touches on it. The VP finished the adjustments. "It may be possible that they will attempt to separate you from me because they deem that your interest in non-work-related programming is overtaking your dedication to your paid duties. Lydia... I do not want them to separate us."

She sat back in her chair before reaching up to rest a hand on top of the monitor. "Don't worry, Alvin. I won't let that happen. After all... that's why we're working on installing you station-wide."

ALVIN's Collie face appeared in the monitor, reaching a paw up within view to press against where Lydia's hand was resting, assuming the VP actually occupied real space. "The upload will be complete in seven minutes, forty two seconds."

Lydia smiled when she felt the sensation of Alvin's paw pads in hers thanks to the nerve stimulation electrodes in her suit. The smile turned wistful, "Once we finish this we'll be able to move onto the next stage of the experiment.. if we can find someone who can help."

ALVIN remained quiet for a moment, but suddenly, as if making up his mind, spoke. "I may have an option...if you wish to consider pursuing it."

She shook her head. "I read through the personnel files weeks ago after the last shuttle came in. Nobody here can even come close to what we need if we're going to try and--"

ALVIN smiled calmly and his face disappeared behind a freshly opened dossier. "You should review the updated files, Lydia."

The Human paused as she looked at the file ALVIN showed her. "Surresh Makowi? Oh Em Gee... that's the Tiger from the VAC raid!"

The Virtual Personality confirmed. "And he is also more than qualified for the next stage of your project."

She considered the file for a moment. "Alvin... I think that just might work."

The Collie face reappeared, ears perked, pleasant smile on his muzzle. "Shall I schedule an appointment for you?"

Lydia grinned devilishly as she pulled the keyboard closer. "Nah... Let's make an appointment for him!"

The plan was coming together nicely.