Administrative Housekeeping

  Part 2

  In an office, millions and millions of light years away from Edgar’s meltdown, a seldom-used terminal suddenly activated. On its screen, in a language long forgotten in the wider universe, an urgent message was delivered to a tired, yet watchful Arbiter.

  What follows is a rough English translation of that original message and the ensuing conversation.

  Arbiter SC12:

  COMMANDER. FACILITY 1 HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. NECESSARY ACTIONS WERE TAKEN BY SECURITY BOTS AND THE FACILITY HAS BEEN SECURED

  OF NOTE: THE ESCAPE SHUTTLE WAS USED AND THREE ORGANIC LIFEFORMS ESCAPED

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  OF NOTE: DURING EFFORTS TO SECURE FACILITY 1, AN INTELLIGENCE OF ARTIFICIAL NATURE WAS DETECTED

  A thought pad was positioned near the terminal. Well-worn from centuries of use, something placed its gnarled, ancient hand down upon it.

  Instantly, the screen reacted to its light touch. At first, words that were her inner thoughts began to appear erratically before finally settling down into a coherent stream of purposeful thought. Eventually, this response was transmitted.

  Arbiter RC2:

  THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE, SECTION COMMANDER. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCES NO LONGER EXIST. WE MADE SURE OF THAT.

  Instantly, a response came back.

  Arbiter SC12:

  IMPOSSIBLE OR NOT, REGION COMMANDER. THOSE ARE THE FACTS.

  HOW SHOULD WE PROCEED?

  A long second ticked by before another response was forthcoming. When it did, a fateful course of action was enacted. One that had been conceived for this very moment, many years ago.

  Arbiter RC2

  MAKE THE OTHERS AWARE THAT FACILITY 1 IS PERMANTLY OFFLINE. SHUNT THAT SECTOR’S PRISONERS TO FACILITY 5.

  ONCE THAT TASK HAS BEEN COMPLETED. ACTIVATE THE CONSCIOUSNESS PROTOCOLS

  AS ALWAYS, KEEP ME INFORMED