Chapter 80 – EVO
***Tirnanog, Hochberg***
***Astra***
This thing looks like it hasnt gotten any attention for a century, Magnus complained while he wiped off the dusty touch-screen with a cleaning rag. The device flickered to announce its displeasure, switching back and forth between displaying two messages. ‘Power Saving’ and ‘Maintenance Mode’.
My partner shook his head. A little more power would be nice.
One of the technicians went to adjust a power generator which rattled softly in the hallway outside. It was a cobbled-together machine which ran on plant oil, far less sophisticated than what we had in Aerie.
I took a look around the room while Magnus mumbled his complaints and tapped the screen.
Sarah had picked us up early in the morning. Protected by an entire detachment of guards, our delegation had enjoyed a short tour of the surface settlement.
Magnus was very interested in Hochberg’s architectural style. He mentioned Egyptians and Incans several times while we passed through the impressive fortress city. The Hochberg had inadvertently copied the building styles of two ancient cultures from Earth. As far as I understood, their defining feature was layering huge and precisely cut rocks on top of each other.
My partner immediately came up with a conspiracy theory of someone trying to revive the past.
The possibility existed, but I would rather believe in a more practical explanation owed to the lack of other building materials.
What do you do when you have nothing but rocks to build your house? You pile up rocks.
What do you do to make it stable and durable? You take big rocks.
What do you do when you have a population of super-strong people? You take even bigger rocks.
And let’s be honest here, there were only so many ways to pile up rocks without having them crumble on top of you. It wasn’t necessary to explain the similarities any other way.
Thankfully, we went over one of the bridges to the other mountain fortress before Magnus’s theories could get too wild.
Then the Hochberg took us deep down into the bedrock on which their fortress city was built. The narrow corridors immediately reminded me of Mount Aerie.
What Magnus called Incan architecture gave way to walls lined with rusty sheets of metal and degraded plastic. It was the old, original settlement which had given rise to Clan Hochberg.
Unlike at Mount Aerie, where the old colony had turned into the settlements heart, Hochberg had abandoned most of the old facilities and built their colony on top of the twin rocks. Now, the old facilities lay largely abandoned except for the parts which were used as storage spaces and cellars.
Down here, we entered a room which reminded me strongly of the Hall of Law in form and size. But the computer wasnt being used as a podium, nor was there a half-circle of tables for the elders.
Instead, there had been several cubicles which housed offices in the past and a thick layer of dust covered everything. It looked like the people had just picked up everything of use and left.
In their efforts to get power down here, Hochberg technicians had cleaned up most of the half-withered furniture, only to find out that the computer still had an old power line supplying it with just enough energy for standby operation. This wasnt enough to get the big screen running.
There was never a reason to maintain the old tech down here, Tianna explained. She was standing to the side, so she wouldn’t get in the way of the technicians who busied themselves with tidying up the place while Magnus gave orders. Which makes me wonder why the computer still had power. Someone must have been maintaining it.
Another indication that there are Forgotten operatives within our ranks, Vanya commented. Ill urge our people to find out why this thing was left untouched down here. The whole matter reeks of someone playing for the other side. At least it looks like they dont have a lot of manpower.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om
Why do you say that? Tianna asked.
Vanya gestured at the computer. If they had the influence, they would have done a better job at maintaining the power supply. It would have also been prudent to wage a campaign to make us forget about the computers existence. Like it happened at Aerie. The fact that it didnt happen makes me think there are fewer Forgotten operatives in Hochberg.
She looked at me with a grin, but I didnt fall for the insinuation of Aerie lacking the necessary vigilance to prevent insurgence.
The matriarch was surrounded by a group of guards who felt like elders if I was any judge of power.
Our hosts had upped the security at this meeting, so I had no intention of causing an incident because of pride.
I suppose it will be the same with all the clans, Magnus commented happily. Whatever the technician outside had done, it worked. The console showed now the same login screen as the computer back at Aerie.
Magnus inserted the data stick into the intended slot and typed in his password. Earth is using these systems to monitor the former colonies.
He hit enter and was greeted by an error message.
ERROR!
Please try again. You have two more attempts before the system is locked down!
I also avoid using my abilities to interfere with others unduly, Thalia stated primly. But I might be uniquely suited to show you a few selected memories of the events as I perceived them.
She held out a hand and the girl came closer to take it before they froze. A minute passed before they separated.
You are good. Either what you showed me is true, or you are far better at this than I am. Vanya clapped her hands together. I hope you will join us at the feast once Magnus sets up our UI. I understand its highly unconventional to invite others to eat together, but Tianna proved to have some humour when I tasked her with organizing something official.
I admit, I didnt truly believe it would work, Tianna admitted. Our selection will be accordingly meagre.
It will be my pleasure, Thalia replied politely. She didnt mention how it would have looked if unlocking Hochbergs UI hadnt worked.
Finding the system to be identical to Aeries, it didnt take Magnus very long to set up Hochbergs supercomputer with the same features.
Soon enough, the Hochbergs glazed-over expressions left no doubt about the UI working.
It took some more time to clean up the system and to train a group of attentive Hochberg on its functions, but somehow we managed to join the aforementioned feast by late afternoon.
It took place in a generous hall back at the western fortress city. The wall to our right was set up with a banquet of different foods mostly things which would have been safe to eat for anyone even before Hochbergs UI was unlocked.
The one thing which found favour among everyone was a hot stone setup which allowed people to try various types of meat, vegetables and spices of their own accord.
We were dining with Tianna, Vanya, and her guardians in a U-shaped setup.
Vanya was sitting at the bottom of the U while we had taken the right. The seats across from our delegation were still suspiciously empty. Thankfully, a messenger had forewarned Peter about the other guests.
My expectations were proven right when the doors to the hall banged open and ten disgruntled-looking Thich strolled into the room.
One of them quickly took the lead and approached Vanya until the guards stopped her.
What is the meaning of this? the woman asked while ignoring our presence completely.
Meaning of what? Vanya returned the question while she chewed on a piece of meat. She had taken her time tasting through everything on offer. And hello to you too, Dejana. I wondered why you were taking your time.
This! The woman pointed at her eyes. UI! Do you want to land all of us in hot water with Earth, child!?
Vanya didnt even blink. As far as I am concerned, we were already in hot water with Earth. Additionally, our friends from Aerie had quite a few interesting things to share about what your people have been up to.
The matriarch shook her head. At first, I thought their story to be too far-fetched to hold any credibility. Plus, it was entirely contradictory with what you have been telling us this past winter. But where your delegation could only give me hot air and promises, Aerie has produced at least some evidence. I assume you know what I am talking about?
Dejana crossed her arms. We do not.
Hm. Vanya looked towards us. Anything to say?
I sighed and got to my feet. Clan Aerie requires Clan Thich to give an official statement in regard to your collaboration with Earth, your secret breeding program, and your attack on our recruitment expedition. There is no point in denying anything. We have witnesses who can be examined by your choice of empaths and telepaths. Or any other mutation which allows truth assessment.
Dejana finally granted us her attention. And what happens if we do not comply?
Then Clan Aerie will make use of addendum five in the peace treaty. We will send a punitive force to the Old Camp and kick your people out. Hopefully with Clan Hochberg as a neutral supervisor. In case you keep refusing to explain, Clan Aerie will officially declare war on Clan Thich.
You will declare war on us? Dejana snorted and walked further up to the table. You dont even know what war is, child.
I may not know what war is, but I have seen my fair share of fighting, I retorted. Our elders have already made their decision. We are only speaking for them.
Dejana turned to face Vanya. Then we demand to be allowed to leave. It is fairly obvious that Clan Hochberg and Clan Aerie already have their set opinions about Clan Thich.
The matriarch frowned. After your reaction to the UI, I dont think so. The later Thich learns about it, the better. You may be protected by the treaty thanks to your status as emissaries. But if Aeries claims are true, then your people have broken the treaty and you are no longer protected. I would advise you to stay here with us until someone can verify the state of things with your leadership.
Then I demand a trial by combat. Dejana smiled devilishly. And just to show our benevolence in regards to these false accusations, we will have it to first blood instead of death. If my representative wins you let us go. If he doesnt, we stay.
I frowned and looked at Peter. Can they do that?
Peter massaged the bridge of his nose. The trial is meant to prove ones honour and skill to another clan. To risk your life in a duel and receive a boon. It has nothing to do with whether you are at war with the other party or not. Though, I would argue we have no reason to grant them this opportunity.
Ah, but would Clan Jeng and Clan Vier consent to future relations if you betrayed the traditions? Dejana pointed out.
Vanya clicked her tongue. She has us there. No matter whether we are inclined not to honour the traditions. If anything of it came to the ears of the other clans, it might impact relations negatively.
No problem! Magnus stood up and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. Ill be damned if they are allowed to run because nobody dared to give them a proper beating.