2.11|ALL YOUR FAULT

 

2.11|All your Fault

 

“It was an incendiary stream of high-density particles emitted from an ion charger, traveling from our lunar body, charging itself through the magnetosphere and igniting into explosive plasma upon impact. Our report indicates it was likely a preliminary warning shot of some kind, it was a highly-strategic salvo of general bombardment. An Ooht explained with a holochart.” Amity described.

In a darkly lit room, Protlyn listened in around a round table. Monarch, Amity, Theo, and several Ooht tribunals took in the silence, getting drunk on its foreboding emptiness.

“This report is more than alarming,” declared Monarch. "With the damage to the rail systems and agricultural districts, food supply will be down 26%. Mining operations, metallurgy stations and resource production will lose about a third of their efficiency. We'll have to make cutbacks to prevent a full-scale logistics crisis.”

Protlyn looked at the holochart above. "Has, Glitter Kiss ever done this before?"

The Sightless approached from the back of the Oohts.

"Not that we're aware of. They relocated to the lunar surface after the Ooht's

settlement. But there has been no context or any interaction of any kind

since."

Amity threw her hands up in frustration.

“What are the reasons behind a bombardment like this? Why are they being so

aggressive?”

"That's not the right question we should be asking. Rather we should be focusing on how can we defend ourselves." Theo interjected. "And more importantly, how can an attack like this slip thru our notice?"

Amity laid her cheek against the table. "I don't know.. MATRUS is equipped with sensory arrays, but we've never detected something like this before. But how MATRUS could miss it, doesn't make any sense."

The court looked at the Ooht Tribunal. "Any new intel on the rumors around

the MATRUS crew and/or Glitter Kiss?"

Theo raised his hand. "I believe that there is a connection, but the two factions

remain independent.”

"What kind of connection?"

"That is between the two.

One can be attributed to each.”

The court went silent.

Protlyn continued to look at the holochart. "If we assume that there is a connection, how can the Oohts defend themselves, with all their technology and resources, if Glitter Kiss has somehow penetrated the military? If they've hijacked our computer mainframe or compromised the AI we'll have to deactivate.."

"WHAT?" Amity slammed her hands on the table. "MATRUS is my work, it's done nothing but good! It's optimized our food, our energy output! Improved life outside the walls for the nomads too! And now you're trying to get rid of it??!"

Monarch "Calm down, Amity, we need to determine where this came from. We can't assume that this was Glitter Kiss's handiwork or anything. I'd like to see a full-court military tribunal and a deep dive into the MATRUS's security protocols and data banks."

Theo's eyes bulged as he spoke. "I have an idea about where we can find out.”

Protlyn was taken aback. "An idea?"

Theo turned "Yes. Amity, I'd like you to take a trip up to the MATRUS server

tower and get more information. It's just a dozen miles outside the city right?"

"You're not the boss of her, we should send a full team to inspect while she

sets up new defensive measures."

"No. He's right, I'll do it." She "You want to get rid of MATRUS, atleast let its

engineer examine it before tearing it up.”

Monarch turned to Theo. "That's fine, but I want you there, making sure mity

is protected."

Theo stood. "I'll go."

"Why are we suddenly trusting Theo?" Protlyn said angrily.  "I'm the only one in this room that has any military experience! A hacker, a synth with no memory banks and grifter geneticist we cannot trust?”

"Just because you're two people now, doesn't mean you're twice as smart as all

of us." Protlyn got in his face. "Don't push me girlboy."

Theo gave him a smug look. "I know you better than anyone, you're smarter than you want people to know." He licked his hand and a magical rune appeared on his palms. "But you're not more clever than me." floating particles started to charge around him. He aimed his hand at her, as if threatening to fire. Monarch tried to tackle Theo and held his arm down.

Protlyn jumped to his feet. "If it's a fight, I'll throw the first punch."

She kicked him in the face and knocked him over the table.

Monarch's hands balled into fists hitting Theo in the face as he spoke to the

Ooht Tribunal.

"What do we do now?"

They discussed among themselves. After a minute they turned back to the

four. "Ms. Byte will go to the Tower to inspect the computer systems, Baron will assemble a security team. Theo and Protlyn, you two shall break the news to the primitives."

"Can you tell this grubby synth to get his hands off me?" Theo pushed him off, rubbing the bruise. Protlyn brushed herself off.

“What's the plan? How are we supposed to explain this to the people? Are we gonna tell them that some enemy has destroyed our infrastructure and we're in a war with the moon??”

Monarch got up. "Figure it out and straighten yourself now. We're all soldiers

now."

The Ooht tribunal started to leave. When the others left, Protlyn was alone in a dark room, leaning back on her chair. “This time,” she said with a whisper, hands squeezing tightly “I’m not going to let this get the best of me.”