Legacy of the Anari

Chapter 3

by Blayze

EXCERPT FROM LECTURES AT VOLSKTGAR UNIVERSITY OF THE MASSES GD:6542.1 STANDARD TRANSLATION ( ERRORS REMAINING) Professor Tchka-Ho-pip

“The majority of sentient species that are presently space faring within the galaxy have, as they have gazed upon the stars with a bewildering variety of sensory organs, wondered as to their place in the cosmos we all inhabit. There are of course exceptions, notably the Gorna Massive but this is an uplifted species that simply lacks the capacity to imagine and as such is used as serf labour by their Urvin masters.

During a species’ technological, cultural and social rise and fall, the majority encounter different means of putting their environs in perspective. So for example there is science, the application of theorised laws, that one hopes are rigorously examined and tested. But of course if one comes upon scientific phenomena that are sufficiently advanced as to be unexplainable we move into the realms of magical context, in addition to religion, faith, divinity and so one.

Eventually the majority of these phenomena and their implications will become explainable to a species. Some phenomena and their resulting social contexts may fall into disuse, be frowned upon, suffer persecution etc while others become dominant, but the general result is that a species will over time develop in a way that best suits its perspective. Therefore some races are more inclined or better suited to technological solutions to problems, while others use their mental prowess or powers, mystical resources, magic and so one. In short the galaxy is an extremely exotic place with a great many solutions to problems, some of which may be universal. If you can conceive of it, it will probably be in use somewhere.

An additional complexity in this discussion of our universe is the existence of the dimensional planes of existence. Most species understand in some manner the concept of gods or deities i.e. creatures defined as being from higher planes of existence and conversely demons, devils or creatures from lower planes of existence. The primary difference between these planar dimensions is energetic. Of course we are not able to directly study higher and lower dimensions, but here and now we currently exist on what is generally argued to be the 4th Plane, although some species prefer to postulate only 2 below us.

It is generally accepted that there are 8 Planes in total although this is only speculation. No one to the best of my knowledge has ever been able to prove such or in fact even come up with a method that would allow us to prove above the 6h level, or even theorise as to what such Planes may be like. Galaxy wide, a vast number of species hold with the concept of ascension. I e that an individual, group or even possibly a species in totality may in fact ascend to a higher plane of existence, and that this singular achievement is in fact the purpose of life itself, a seemingly infinite climb to ascend the energy gradient of this universe of ours.

There are plenty of recorded examples, no, no, no interruptions please, please view your recorded supplemental data, where was I? Oh yes recorded examples of attempted and occasional successes at ascension. The main apparent difficulty in doing so quite apart from working out how is the energy gradient, and by this I do of course mean the total energy of a plane for a given measurement of however you define such.

Beings at the 5th Plane have vastly more energy than those on the 4th, our plane. We in turn contain vastly more energy than beings from the lower planes. We aspire to the 5th plane, but as is generally accepted need to defend ourselves against 3rd planar beings, those we term demons. This is for the simple reason that they crave energy. Limited research and study has shown that the 3rd Plane is a constant unceasing battle for energy to survive and procreate. The creatures from that dimension are adapted to that hostile and energetically restrictive environment and as such when able to feed off the higher energy levels of the 4th plane can become incredibly dangerous and powerful in short order.

This is one of the reason the 3rd plane is often called hell or some version of this. We are disadvantaged in this as the 4th Plane apparently serves as the neutral plane i.e. energy levels are abundant but balanced by physical matter, and orders of magnitude less than the higher planes. We are adapted to this environment, where energy is plentiful. While there are many exceptionally hostile creatures or species in our galaxy, in dimensional terms we have it easy. Great feats of incredible power are possible here on the 4th plane but to do so it is generally necessary to have some means of collecting or storing energy on a grand scale to power these feats. Thus the never ending search for means either technological, mystical, magical or just plane weird to draw power from around us in the 4th plane but also and far more interesting for our purposes drawing power from the 5th Plane of existence for whom energy is in truly incredible supply.

This brings us naturally to gods and deities, angels, heavens etc etc, virtually every species has its own version or multiple versions. These essentially are beings of the 5th Plane that have a cause and effect link relationship of some type with the 4th Plane. Empirical evidence shows a link between faith and power. That prayer, for want of a better description, by whatever means be it incantation, engineered device and so on can establish a link to the 5th plane for the purpose of manipulating the energy therein. The various gods etc are generally those beings who for whatever reason choose to pay attention at some level to the 4th Plane and its inhabitants. Is everyone keeping up? Yes? Good.

These 5th Planar beings, can and do, demand worship, acts of faith etc for their own purposes for an energy bargain. Now it is generally conceivable to comprehend beings from the 5th plane. Let us say for example that such beings are on the scale of a planet in comparison to our own individual beings- in terms of their energetic potential. Those of the higher planes again are virtually inconceivable to us. These are termed the Old or Primal Gods in some cultures. They are perhaps species that have ascended billions of years in the past, who knows perhaps even before the existence of this version of the universe although that is not today's topic.

These ideas are simply purest conjecture and speculation as no one knows. In our analogy of scale the Old Gods are represented by beings the size of star systems, clusters of stars even, and possibly larger still. Above these should theoretically lie that conceptualised 'Maker' we are familiar with say a being that sets the rules for a galaxy and the 8th plane is the idea of the being who plays marble with galaxies and whose discarded toys are entire universes or multiverses. They are literally inconceivable to mere mortals like us. The different entities on each plane of existence all have their own motivations, their own concepts and perspectives on good and evil for example. To try and understand them is generally only going to get us into trouble philosophically but as you will no doubt have read in your studies that is exactly what many have tried to do...”

****

Deciding that he had been sitting long enough Rin stood up and checked the lockers. The first two lockers were open, but empty of anything useful. Rin had found some scraps of fabric that fell apart when he touched them, as well as some rocks that looked like crystals of some type. He had no idea what they might be for. He had also found a pair of boots with a heavy tread, but they were too small for him. They were synthetic so he figured maybe that was why they were still intact. As he opened the next locker a disembodied voice spoke. Jumping around he scanned with his gun, nothing. The voice spoke again. It was a short sentence and sounded calm he guessed but it was gibberish, nothing he understood.

“Sorry I don’t understand you.”

There was another burst of noise, and Rin got the impression that a different language was being tried. He was puzzled that his translator nanites didn't understand this language. Everyone generally got them at birth, even Slum dwellers, how else do you expect to understand all the different alien species out there? He'd never been off Yasm, but he could hold a conversation with the Korcari at the port, and any other aliens he had come across so far.

“I don't understand you, my translator isn't working properly.”

Vault was finding the process of opening communications slow. Dealing with anything corporeal was going to be slow the AI posited but at least it was out of lock down. After trying Galcomp and several other trade languages, Vault paused to try a different approach. It ran a high frequency scan, and detected a conglomeration of nanites attached to the language centre of the new Prime. With seamless electronic ease it interfaced with the nanites programming and studied them. Fairly primitive but functional. The stored language files indicated substantial drift in the major Languages while it slept. But this should work. Data feed established. Galcomp update in progress.

Rin screamed and clutched his head and tried to be violently ill, as a collage of letters, numbers, sensations, images, sounds, visions all tried to pass through his head at once. Abruptly it stopped. Gasping for air he slumped on the bench and passed out.

Prime unconscious, language update completed. Data assimilation complete. Unconscious state permits movement of Prime to medical for analysis. Medical droids dispatched. Prime sedated for transport. Prime safety and well being now main objective. Full medical scan imperative. Full Key analysis required. Inject medical nanites to check Key bond. Prime secured in medical. Key bond check complete. Prime Key successfully bonded with unintended candidate. Bound Key is integrated far beyond normal for Guardian or Prime candidates, cause unknown this time. DNA confirms species match, Anar descendant species 98.7% probability and rising. DNA scan shows genetic abnormality associated with genetic drift, higher than normal radiation environment, provisional base markers match clan Atlath. Maintaining sedation while medical analysis completed. Analysing Key bond.

Prime has severely degraded auto immune response from Anari normals, cellular deterioration at higher than anticipated levels given apparent youth. Prime is lacking in Guardian or Prime genetic improvements. Significant DNA difference from Prime requirement. Positing that degradation of immune system has made possible Key bond. Bond is now complete at a neural level, to attempt to remove would terminate Prime. Physical maturity of Prime should render base gene manipulation attempt unsuccessful but Key bonding suggests as a workable possibility. Probability of significant improvements to Prime attributes and consequently greater probability of survival. Results unpredictable given extent of key bond. Integration of Prime Symbiont now also required. Process terminal at this time. Results of Symbiont bond also unpredictable given extent of Key bond. Gene augmentation to Prime standards mandatory. Prime Key retains Gene markers from previous confirmed Prime candidate. DNA template taken. Viral augmentation and gene manipulation nanite cluster produced. Nanite insertion through Key bond completed. Analysis continuing. Sedation continuing. Monitoring of nanite process ongoing.

Rin opened his eyes, and found he was looking at the ceiling.

I'm lying on a bed. Where am I? What happened? What a headache.

The memory of the noises and sensations going through his head returned.

Guess I passed out. But how did I end up here? Where is here?

Sitting up he found himself in what was obviously a medical ward or lab, pristine white, with various unexplained pieces of equipment, all in pristine plastics or immaculate steels or alloys.

“Hello? Is anyone there?” Rin called out.

“Hello Prime.” The voice was disembodied again but seemed vaguely masculine as well as electronic.

“Hey! You're speaking Standard now. How? And my name's Rin not Prime. Where am I? What is this place? Who are...”

The voice returned cutting off Rin in mid flow.

“I detected your language nanites after trying to speak to you earlier. You lost consciousness after they were updated. I took the opportunity to download current language data from them while you were unconscious so I now understand Standard as you call it, although it appears to be a heavily modified amalgamation of trade languages and Galactic Comprehension or Galcomp as I would refer to it. You would now understand me if we spoke like this' the voice switched language' or like this in Galcomp.”

Switching again. “However I will use Standard from now on.”

“Okay where am I then?”

“Currently Prime you are located in the vault secure medical laboratory of the Anari Guardian Creche Facility. This is located in the Facility you entered earlier.”

Rin interrupted “What's this prime thing? My name is Rin.”

“I will explain. I am the Paladin class Semi Sentient Artificial Intelligence that is responsible for the security of the Vault, and for the Anari Guardians raised at this facility. The Vault is the most secure element of this facility where the Guardian symbionts are grown and kept. Prime is a title, not a name. The Prime fulfils the roles of leader, warrior, justiciar, and high priestess amongst others, for the Anari people. You are now the Prime. I conducted extensive medical investigations while you were unconscious to determine why as this should not be possible.” There was a short pause as the AI checked he was paying attention.

“The Prime Key should not have bonded to you, the hatchway should have remained inaccessible, and you should not be here. It is likely that your very degraded immune system is responsible for the Key bonding with your system, however this has also caused other issues. The main purpose of this facility is the raising and training of the prime candidate, who upon maturity would become Prime. You are not trained and you have reached physical maturity, and without genetic modification you will not survive the process of meshing with the symbiont which is critical to your Key and yourself.”

“But I'm human, not your Anari, what do you mean won’t survive the process, what did you do to me?” Rin started to stand up wanting to leave, and starting to get scared again.

“Sit.” The electronic voice projected such authority that Rin sat straight back down. “You are human as you call it, but you are also Anari, your species is descended from an Anari clan.”

“What? That's crazy. Humans evolved on Lost Terra, or Earth as they used to call it.”

“No Prime. You may think this is true but I have the genetic analysis. Your species most certainly did not evolve on this Earth. Accounting for genetic drift and mutation the evidence is conclusive you are Anari.”

Rin sat on the bed in stunned silence, trying to wrap his mind around the voice's words. There was a pause and the voice spoke again. “You referred to this planet as Lost Terra?”

“Yeah. We lost Earth and the Sol system when the damned Penarl burned the world and destroyed the colonies, and every surviving human became a refugee, least that's what I was taught. Why?”

“It is possible that there are more Anari facilities on Earth.”

Rin shook his head slowly. “No there's nothing left. I was taught the Penarl used world crackers and destroyed the planet.”

“When was this?”

“Umm, I'm not sure..over 200 Sol years ago. Which is about 220 Yasm years.”

“Yasm?”

“Yasm is what we call this planet. The Korkari founded a colony here about 50 years ago.

“Well by comparing your measurements with stored data I can tell you that this facility was attacked and destroyed over 8500 of your Sol years ago. The vault was isolated at the time of the attack, but I surmise that it succeeded totally in depriving the Anari of its next generation of leadership, the Prime and her guardians. The fact that you know nothing of this suggests that the Anari have been truly almost destroyed totally.”

Rin sat in stunned silence. It was one thing to find yourself in a weird alien facility with an ancient AI talking to you, quite another to find out that everything you thought you knew about being human was quite stunningly wrong. His mind latched onto one of the AI's statements. You won’t survive the process of meshing with your symbiont. The Key should not have bonded to you.

“What is this Key you're talking about?” Rin's voice was strained.

“The ring on your finger is your Key. However normally this one could not bond to you as it was already bonded to the last prime candidate Yeshi bar Olta, who was killed during the attack on this facility. She was at that time just under 11 of your Sol years old and had only just begun her training. Her Key had only been bonding for hours when the attack took place.”

Rin thought the AI sounded very sad somehow then realised that these events probably seemed like they just happened to the machine.

What does bonded mean?

He tried to remove the ring, but it would not budge, somehow it was fused into the skin of his finger, the metal band seemed to have sunk into his flesh, and the green stone? The green stone seemed to glow, and pulsed with a faint light as he watched. With more than a measure of panic in his voice Rin asked “Why can’t I take it off? Get it off me.”

“The Key has bonded to you. This should not be possible, but the Prime Key is more powerful than any other, also your immune system is much weaker than is normal for Anari. It is likely this is the reason the Key overpowered your body's defences and bonded, although it is not possible to be certain. The Key is also forms a part of your symbiont. Your symbiont is part of what it means to be a guardian or prime. It is a part biologically and part technologically engineered being that is symbiotic with you, protects you, gives you enhanced physical and mental capabilities. Guardians give up part of themselves to the symbiont to form a partnership that is much more than the sum of its halves. Normally to complete the bonding process could take many days as the Guardian's Key would have to battle through the Anari immune system before it could begin to form its neural links and begin its optimisation of the body. The medical scans that have been taken show that this Key, and it is yours now has carried on what had just been begun with Yeshi. It is physically part of you now, and has linked to your nervous system fully, in fact more deeply than is supposed to be possible for any Anari. The results of this are unpredictable at best given the extremely unusual circumstances.”

The AI spoke calmly doing its electronic best to sound reassuring and confident as it explained the next step. After all it did have a pretty good idea of what was happening, just not why.

“Without the remainder of your symbiont you will certainly die. The best likelihood of your survival is genetic augmentation to enhance your body's immune system and this has been begun by injecting you with nanites designed to improve your immune system to Anari norms. This should then prevent any further integration with the Key, although it will be some hours before results will be known. Your Key had already begun its process when its original holder was killed. It is known how the Key survived but it obviously has and in an operative condition as well. It is most likely that your Key will still be working to Yeshi's DNA template for its symbiosis with your body Rin. The Prime Key will most likely work by optimising her DNA which was exceptional, it may utilise some of your DNA to a greater or lesser degree, this is unknown. The clash with your own DNA could still be fatal but the nanotech augmentation provides your best chance of surviving the remainder of this process. If this is successfully completed then we must attempt to complete the integration of your symbiont. You will know if we get that far, all Guardians can feel their symbiont. She will call you.”

“She?” Rin queried vaguely, nonplussed by this small detail in the insanity happening to him.

“Of course she, all symbionts are female. Just as all Guardians and the Prime are female. Males cannot be linked, as their neural links are not generally adequate and the immune system responses prevent it being possible. This is another complication of your condition at present.” The electronic voice stated this latest ‘complication’ as calmly as the rest.

Rin's mind had passed strained now and gone somewhat vague, as he lay on the medlab bed, gazing at the white ceiling and tried to comprehend the information the AI was giving him. After a long couple of minutes he spoke again.

“Okay just let me get this straight here. I’ve walked into some ancient base owned by humans, and I’ve got this ring on that is part of some living armour type thing that now has to become part of me, or I'll die. This whole thing isn't supposed to work with guys at all, but it has because my immune system isn't as strong as what they used to be. You, being the AI controlling the ancient base, think there’s a good chance this process it will kill me anyway. If I survive this first bit and the nano injections you have already given me, then it will kill me if I don’t get integrated with the other bit of the living armour thing which may or may not kill me because I’m a guy. Assuming I survive all that you think it will probably use this Yeshi's DNA- she was the girl the ring was for, to make me a girl as well? But maybe not and there is no way to tell? Is that correct?”

“Your details are approximate but summarily correct.”

“Oh fuck. And this is gonna take how long?”

“Unknown. The nanites that were injected into you are already doing their work and from the monitoring devices it is possible to say that the neural and nervous system links that the Key is making appear to be slowing their rate of growth, but that may be because of the nanites, or that this portion of the integration is nearing completion. Normally a Guardian is given her Key and the bonding process alone can take weeks. The remainder of the process varies from candidate to candidate.”

Rin got off the bed as he realised that despite all the unsettling news he had been given, mostly he was just very hungry, and mentally he shoved everything else aside in favour of food.

“How long was I unconscious and how long ago did you do that injection? Is there any food around here I could just eat about anything. And a drink?”

“Follow the floor lighting I am illuminating now, they will take you to the eating area. There are no fresh provisions but I am processing some emergency sustenance bars for you to eat now. Water will be available also. You were unconscious for most of a day, and the injected nanites have been functional for approximately 15 hours 24 minutes.”

***

Rin followed a trail of blue indicator lights that illuminated and led out of the medical bay along a corridor into a large of circular atrium with a high vaulted ceiling, before heading two thirds of the way around the room and following another corridor. This entire area was incredibly clean he thought, and there was no trace of the structure’s age here. As he walked he realised that he could now read the strange language on the signs and walls. Part of the language update he thought.

“Umm is this place part of the vault as well?”

“Yes Rin,” the AI replied, “the vault is a separate secure facility within the creche. It consists of the medical lab you woke in, the computer core where my physical units are located, symbiont engineering and storage facilities, a subsidiary power station and a small recovery area for Guardians and the Prime after they finished their bonding. The recovery area is at the end of this corridor. The vault is only ever used by the guardians and prime candidates as they are processed, so there is no need for extensive living facilities here. The facility commander had access but she died defending the main facility after securing the vault. The main creche facility is located approx 40 metres above your head. It can be accessed from the atrium we have passed through although it is locked down at present. That is inadvisable as my surviving sensors show the main facility to be seriously decayed from aging, and the damage sustained in the attack.”

The doors ahead hummed open as Rin approached, revealing a small lounge area with a table, a couple of chairs, a bed, locker and washing facilities with a shower. There was a screen on the far wall and the room was coloured a calming green. A hatch opened in the side wall with a chime and Rin reached in and picked up a couple of bars of some type of food. They didn't look very appetising at all but he didn't care the way his stomach was growling, and he took a bite. Surprised, Rin took another, and began eating rapidly. The food bars were actually edible. The screen on the far wall lit up and an electronic male face grinned at him.

“Expecting something horrible?” The AI asked.

“Yes actually.” Rin admitted.

“Well at this point I cannot produce anything else so I am glad you like them. Two of those should provide you with adequate energy for the day ahead, and they also include the majority of necessary minerals and vitamins you require. As your integration continues there may be a need for additional minerals but we will deal with that if it occurs.” The AI’s face ‘watched’ as he ate before continuing.

“As I explained, the Vault was isolated during the attack on this facility and as all communications systems were destroyed, I still do not have access to outside data. Therefore Prime…”

“Rin.” He reminded the AI.

The AI did the equivalent of mentally sighing and muttering. Not addressing the Prime by title was very odd.

“Very well Rin, To assist you I need more information. How did you come to be in the creche?”

**

Two energy bars did not fill his appetite so while Rin ate more he did his best to update the AI on the circumstances on the planet explaining, explaining about the attack on the ranch and then answering the AI’s questions talking about the raiders, his journey through the caverns, as well as life in the slums. He found he really did not like the number of times he had to admit to ignorance to he AI, but also he was starting to feel better after talking about the events of the previous few days, like an invisible weight was coming off his shoulders.

“Did you ask me these questions because you need the info or because I would feel better after talking?” Rin queried the AI, curiously.

“Both. My main function now Rin is to ensure the well being of the Prime, and your psychological well being is critical.”

“What’s that mean?” Rin asked confused.

“Being able to talk about things that happen to you Rin is important to your health. If you cannot do this then you can begin to suffer from mental illnesses and you cannot function properly. Do you feel better after talking?”

“Yes I guess,” he admitted after considering, “although I’m not sure what about. I know there was nothing I could do for the Rijkards and the ranch hands, and I got some payback for them before the bastards chased me into the caves. I just wish I could’ve warned them... “

Rin was suddenly shaking at the memories running in his mind. The atmo shuttle descent overhead towards the Hold, all the com channels swamped under jamming as he tried to call. The sight of his friends broken on the ground. The heavy recoil of the hunting rifle shoved into his shoulder, the scope drifting to the next alien, as he increased the tension in the trigger. Stumbling along in the dark, praying the torch would last. Suddenly he felt so sleepy. Rin threw himself on the bed and sobbed quietly at the madness that had torn up his world as the sedatives laced into the energy bars finished their work and he fell into a dreamless rest for the first time since the raid.

The AI monitored its new Prime and its sensors observed the young Anari’s brain waves settle down to a deep and healing sleep. Initial comparison of the Prime's brain activity to stored data seemed promising, but there were too many unknown variables. It would need to conduct a lot of subtle, careful, testing to determine the character and psychological make up of the new Prime without causing additional stress. The Prime’s urge to take responsibility for people would be beneficial but would have to be managed carefully, as would its strong urge to exact revenge.

As Rin slept, a fragment of the AI planned for the future, trying to develop a training regime for its sole responsibility with next to no resources, which would allow the Prime to develop and deal with the strains that would be forthcoming. At another level the AI’s core analysed the constant stream of data that the medical nanites were transmitting. The Key's integration with the Prime was still continuing. The speed had slowed a little but the AI had ascertained that this was down to the complexity of the neural links that were now being forged by the ancient and alien bio technology the Keys actually were. The injected nanites had finished doing their best to update the new Prime's immune system, which was now on a par with Anari norms, but when they had attempted to follow their programming and reduce the intrusive integration the symbiotic technology had disabled them. The AI did not know how or why and was sentient enough to be electronically worried.

***