LF Friends, Will Travel [HFY]

Date: 2424 AD

Dr Johnathan Fletcher drove like his life depended on it, which was good because it did. The professor was older than most people, at the young age of 373, meaning his childhood had just been early enough that learning to drive a car manually was a required skill, before automation and self driving had become the defacto standard. This was useful in his current situation, since the car's automatic safety features wouldn't have driven the vehicle in the way he did.

"We are asking humanity to please remain calm. We require you all to remain logical and functional in order to help you through this."

The streets were filled with people of all backgrounds, rushing too and fro, flowing in rivers of fear, confusion and looting. Some were still wearing whatever uniform or suit they'd gone to work with that morning, others with an outfit that looked thrown on with reckless haste and abandon. The news had come suddenly and quickly, the entire community reacting as one upon hearing the terror that was approaching.

Jonathan ignored the AI's voice that was being broadcast through the car's radio, or well, radio analog since nobody used actual radio stations anymore. Instead of remaining calm as instructed, he mounted the pavement to bypass the flaming wreckage of a burnt out car on the road, only slightly reducing his speed as he honked the horn. There was a brief feeling of guilt as he watched people desperately dodge out of the way of his vehicle, washed away by the knowledge of his wife sitting in the passenger's side seat, depending on him to get them away from the chaos.

"Do not congregate. Water should be from prior bottled sources if possible, boiled otherwise, tinned food is best. Please remain in your homes until this passes."

Most of the other traffic was stuck and jammed as masses of the population tried to escape the city, automated systems failing as they tried to navigate the impossible situation. Johnathan's vehicle had no such limits as he manually drove, weaving between traffic and crowds of people, pushing his way through the chaos. His car continues to beep a multitude of warnings and statements regarding Johnathan's driving being reported to the local authorities, speed and erratic direction being notified as above acceptable limits. Dr Fletcher correctly assumed that nobody would be picking up calls regarding driving infractions while society burned around them.

The God Plague had finally arrived on Vereka, all of the restrictions and attempted quarantines had been for naught: the virus was spreading through the human population at an excessive rate, leaving millions infected and thousands already dead. The unaffected uplifts and AI were trying to keep things going, although the lack of a physical body for the AI and their immense power requirements were a hindrance to how much they could actually help, as everything fell apart around them.

"If you are exhibiting symptoms, including joint pain, abnormal growths, difficulty breathing, or blood loss from any orifice, please make your way towards the nearest treatment center. There are plenty of Uplift and AI staff to help you and your loved ones."

A building on fire, a store front smashed up with people running out with supplies, people fighting often items in the street as others tried to get as far away as possible. The sight of smoke could be seen in the distance from a city on fire as Johnathan sped down the road, leaving the more urban buildup locations behind. Even as he left the heart of the city, the crowds of rioting and scared Terrans could still be seen, uplift and human alike looting or simply trying to barricade off entire streets, as if a virus would be held back by a wall of parked cars and other random furniture..

"The Coalition of Free Planets has offered over four thousand stasis chambers to be delivered to the system, the Free Trade conglomerates have suspended all payment requirements for their services, and Sol's government is hopeful that a cure can be found."

If Johnathan wasn't in the middle of this situation himself, he would have found it interesting. This wasn't a standard disaster, where food and water become scarce as logistics collapses. While around 70% of the planet's population was susceptible to Project Genesis, the remaining 30% included the ever present AI, all perfectly capable of maintaining the power grid and various supply lines needed to ensure food and water got to where they needed to go.

This wasn't a collapse based around supplies, but instead sheer fear at an illness with a 100% fatality rate. Confirmed cases had hit Little Antu, the first major city on the planet to be hit by Project Genesis, and the population had erupted with combined terror as it became apparent this wasn't going to be stopped. That just heading to work and pretending it wasn't happening wasn't a solution.

People hoarded and fought over items that were in plenty, they fought over locations they believed would be isolated enough from the ever present threat. They even fought over a rumour that had been going around: That the only cure to this virus was being placed in stasis, that even with all of the planet's industry fabricating as many of the stasis chambers as they could, that there wouldn't be enough for everyone.

"Operation Blackbox has been voted upon, and will be carried out at the soonest possible convenience. The combined Terran government officials of all 32 systems are confident that this will halt the spread of Project Genesis."

So Dr Johnathan Fletcher continued to drive, as fast as he was able, the car filled with a tense silence as neither of the married couple spoke to each other. There was no need for words, both of them knew what was happening, that absolute concentration was necessary for both the excessive speed he was driving the vehicle at, and the required steps ahead.

As they finally left the edges of the city, driving towards the blue mountains that lined the horizon, the professor remembered his childhood. Before AI had completely taken over, when colonies on Titan were exciting and leaving the solar system was something left to science fiction stories. When things were a little more simple. He remembered a childhood spent in forests and the wilderness with his long since deceased parents, and couldn't help but feel a little glad of the skills he'd learned, speeding away from civilization as fast as his vehicle would take him.

"Do not be alarmed, we will get through this, together."

Date: 77 PST (Post Stasis Time)

"Prying question: Why are you so adamant about this?"

"Because Terran governments always do this kind of sketchy shit."

Johnathan and Lena stood outside the lab, the shadows on the sidewalk laying longer as the lights of the artificial station were dimmed in order to simulate the 22 hour 'day' that Research Location 9 ran on. While it wasn't quite the same as breaking into a place under the cover of darkness, the lab situated on its own at the edge of the research district was completely devoid of other beings at this time of 'day'.

"Clarifying statement: This institution is run by the Terran Alliance as a whole. Not just Terrans."

Jonathan rolled his eyes at that statement as he continued to peer through the glass window on the door leading to Xavius's lab. Or, well, what they assumed was the Hagorthian's place of research. The famous scientist wasn't on any of the normal directories or records, but a few other star struck researchers had spotted the saviour of humanity, allowing them to triangulate this location. Whatever Xavius was doing would be found inside those walls, they just had to get inside.

"Please. This is a hastily constructed secret science lab researching whatever crazy, fleeting ideas anyone can come up with. Who do you think is organizing this?"

That… that was a fair point. There was a certain brand of chaos whenever a Terran was in charge of anything, a brand of chaos that this place dripped with. A lackadaisical 'anything goes' feeling that permeated everything from the air to the sidewalk. The duo continued to stare at the door to the lab, slowly scoping out the entrance, a simple innocuous lock and an intercom to communicate with whoever was inside, was standing between them and the answers they desired.

"Unconvinced statement: The universe has some experience with this Terran government you speak about. Compared you with many other governments around the universe, your species does not fare badly."

Terrans worrying about their past was, if Lena was being completely honest, a little adorable. The primates and their created friends branded their history as if it was a uniquely tragic travesty when compared with the rest of the galaxy. The Scythen knew from personal experience that this wasn't the case: They'd only had a grand total of two world wars before reaching the stars, and one major conflict after that, before forever deciding that big devastating wars were never worth it. Their homeworld was livable, not a nuclear, ecological, or biological hellscape, which was rarer than you'd think for any species who had managed to colonize over 30 systems.

Lena knew from personal experience that the Scythen homeworld was not one that anyone could set tentacle on without dying.

"Because the Terrans you know aren't how we are. The Terrans you know are ones who want to try new things because everyone nearly died, who are effectively going through a mid life crisis. We've not been tested since reaching the stars, and I know what happens when Terrans are tested. We do things like Operation Blackbox."

Johnathan stared at the lab doors, as he was currently suffering the problem called 'reality'. It was all well and good having principles and making a promise you'd get the bottom of things, but the actual brass tacks were a lot harder to swallow. Dr Fletcher had no idea how to break into a lab that presumably had some method of security, it wasn't like he could just drive a car through the front doors without being caught.

"Unconvinced statement: Terrans are known for two things: Over-exaggerating your failings, and bringing the best out of every member of our Alliance."

It wasn't like Terrans had been completely untested. Their first forays into the galactic community had resulted in their neighbours attempting a war of genocide upon them. Sure, they hadn't been tested militarily, since the isolationist Hatil were no match for the Terrans and their AI powered research. The tests they had faced were more ones of moral standing. Many other species would have enacted their revenge upon the Hatil, or turned isolationist and withdrawn from the stars. Not the Terrans. No, the Terrans had instead called 'No harm, no foul' then befriended the people who had tried to kill them, along with everything else that moved in their section of the galaxy.

Not that this Terran morality was helping Johnathan in the slightest, who was completely out of ideas before he'd even started. He was a scientist, not a master locksmith or rogue criminal famous for breaking into banks. Dr Fletcher stood there for a moment, staring at the entrance with his hands on his hips, before having a stroke of genius. With a level of confidence and bravado, the Terran reached out, and gave the doorhandle a jiggle.

It was indeed locked, as expected.

"Excuse me Dr Johntahn Fletcher and the Scythen called Lena. Can I ask what you are doing?"

The AI voice of MATILDA erupted from a speaker above the door, causing Johnathan to jump with a startle, the once professor nearly shitting himself as he fell over onto his ass.

"-HOLYJESUSCHRIST-!" Dr Fletcher's voice was at a far higher pitch than he wanted it to be as he screamed out in shock "Where did you come from!"

"I am everywhere I am required to be, in order to help my charges, Dr Johnathan." MATILDA responded, voice as profession and constant as always. "Now, please explain why you have been hovering outside this laboratory for the last twenty minutes?"

Lena stayed silent, intently watching their Terran friend, wondering what brilliant lie the Doctor of science would come up with. What chaos the Terran would bring, to gain access to the lab and its secrets that lay within.

"We, uhm, wanted to know what Dr Xavius was working on?"

Or he could just tell the truth and let the AI know exactly what they wanted…

"I do apologize, but Xavius is not taking visitors today. Please return to your living quarters."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Yes, but we'd just like a moment to discuss, or…" The Terran started mumbling and stammering, before he was interrupted by the sudden and speedy arrival of a transport vehicle, clearly arriving here at MATILDA's request.

"Again, I do apologize, and I do insist that you leave."

—---------------

"Curious question: What was Operation Blackbox?"

Lena asked the question, breaking the silence as the pair lay on the roof, hidden. Well, Lena hoovered closer to the ground than normal while Dr Fletcher lay on his front, the dusty concrete surface leaving marks along his tweed jumper. The Terran stared through a pair of high powered binoculars, looking over the back of their target for any kind of crack in the defenses. Investigating Xavius's lab directly had been continually rebuffed by MATILDA over the last week, so the duo had decided to do some reconnaissance on the roof of a nearby lab, watching from a distance and out of sight of MATILDA's sensors.

"Sorry, what?"

Jonathan glanced up from his watching, confused at the sudden question out of nowhere. It wasn't a happy question, a sudden shift in tone giving the Terran emotional whiplash.

"Clarifying statement: You mentioned an Operation Blackbox, but then failed to explain what that was."

It was hardly surprising that Lena didn't know about Operation Blackbox, yet another black mark on the history of Terrankind. Things that happened during the God Plague were not spoken of widely, hidden away behind silence and denial. There was a reason that legally, things that people did during that time were ignored, that the six month period where humanity collapsed were only spoken of in grander terms, instead of actual actions that people had taken.

Jonathan knew he didn't like to think about what he'd done during those few short chaotic months.

"Operation Blackbox was… a line in the sand. The God Plague was spreading rapidly, and people wanted a way to stop the spread. The Tau system was considered the line, if you were further away from Sol than Tau, you were considered lost. To Tau itself, they destroyed it to try and stop the spread, putting an uninhabitable black hole between them and the God Plague in its place. They said they evacuated off the system first, but everyone knows that was a lie; everyone was moving too quickly for everyone to get out."

"Probing question: You believe there was a better way?"

Jonathan gave another sigh, now completely distracted from his scouting of Xavius's lab. It was a difficult question that had no good answers, that if Johnathan had taken the time to be fully honest with himself, involved a fair amount of hindsight. There had been no other way, as not even something as drastic as destroying an entire inhabited system was enough to provide a firebreak to stop the God Plague.

"It's not about a better solution. It's about not doing something as terrible as… that. It didn't even work, the virus had long since spread past whatever line they'd drawn. They committed a travesty and didn't even succeed in what they were trying to do. Standard Terran government fuckery."

"Understanding and accepting statement: So you believe whatever Xavius is working on, is another Blackbox level… 'government fuckery' as you so eloquently put it?"

Johnathan gave a small sad shake of his head, going back to staring at his target through the . The real problem was MATILDA having full vision of Xavius's lab, meaning even if there was an open window or unsealed entrance, they'd get caught too quickly. Maybe some way to get onto the roof? They might not have any cameras there, and there'd probably be a way to get inside…

"Or something else terrible." Jonathan responded, voice heavy as he did so. "That's what Terrans do Lena, when push comes to shove, when given the choice between something difficult and doing the wrong thing, we'll do the wrong thing every time. Then we'll justify it afterwards, state it was the right choice, that there was no other option, that it was an 'unfortunate reality'."

As the pair fell silent once more, Lena couldn't help but think Johnathan was being too hard on their own species again, in classic Terran fashion. She could imagine the fear the entire species felt as an unstoppable virus rampaged through everyone they knew, who wouldn't try their hardest to stop such a thing, no matter the cost.

Although maybe a bit of being overly self critical would have helped the Scythen's in their history, maybe if they'd have ever looked back with shame at what they were doing, they would have stopped before it was too late.

"Query: So what is your plan when you get into Xavius's lab?"

Lena's question gave Dr Fletcher a moment's pause. He hadn't really thought past his initial feeling of indignation, but it was a good question. They were in a secret government facility, with all communications to the outside heavily monitored and censored. There were no journalists or other members of the public within several light years, it wasn't like they could just email the news with this information.

Of course, a lot of other scientists of various species would also disagree with something truly terrible being created here, there had to be a reason that whatever the Hagorthian was working on, was being kept a secret.

"I… don't know, spread it amongst the other research members for a start. There's enough expertise that they can't just get rid of every prominent scientist for the Terran Alliance. Just making sure people knew what was going on would be enough. Break into the lab, get evidence, move on from there."

"I do apologize for my interruption, but I feel I must warn you that I can hear you right now." The digital voice of MATILIDA sounded out from a hidden speaker somewhere on the roof, once again causing the pair to jump with surprise, before giving their own groans at the now familiar voice of the AI's chastising. "I have full access to all parts of each lab, including the roof. I can also confirm that there are no known security issues with Dr Xavius's lab or anyone's lab, as all vents, windows, doors and other entrances are kept locked, closed and monitored by myself."

Jonathan tossed the binoculars away with a huff, once again annoyed by the AI caretaker's intrusion, seemingly one step ahead before he could even start to think of a plan. It felt like the digital annoyance was everywhere, which in a way the AI was, through his network of cameras and sensors.

"For the love of… can you just leave us alone one time?" Jonathan huffily asked, already knowing the answer to that particular question. "Or just tell us what Xavius is working on and we no longer need to waste our time doing this."

"Unfortunately, as I have stated before, I do not have access to the inside of Xavius's lab, meaning I cannot help you with that query. In addition, I will not 'leave you alone', as it is my job to keep you safe, and Dr Xavius unbothered." The ever chipper, ever constant voice of MATILDA responded with a neutral sense of glee. "Also, I must request you to evacuate this roof as soon as possible, as it is not safe for you to remain up here."

—-------------------------

The box looked perfectly normal as it traveled along the automated systems that ran throughout Research Facility Nine. Simple green painted wood that looked just like the multitude of others that trundled along the inner workings of the delivery system for the station. In a way it was just like all the others, a simple package headed towards a lab, one of hundreds that would be processed that day.

Although this box in particular contained a pair of very special items.

LenaTheScythen-> Skeptical question: What makes you so certain about Dr Xavius's research? This could simply be standard military secrecy?

Science&Bacon-> Because they've not told us to stop. If it was nothing, we'd have been specifically told to stop bothering Xavius by now.

Hidden between inside the container addressed to Xavius's lab, was Lena and Dr Johnathan Fletcher: safely stored inside the giant box, albeit cramped and uncomfortable. It was the first plan the Terran had actually had, in order to try and break past the impenetrable defense that was MATILDA. They knew that nobody was actually searching or processing Xavius's research materials, so it had taken just a little bit of under the table package relabeling to redirect themselves directly towards the Hagorthian's lab.

Lena thought it was a plan that encapsulated Terrans: Sneaky and crazy. It was at least an actual plan rather than the general periods of attempted reconnaissance they'd been doing over the last month.

LenaTheScythen-> Understanding statement: I did wonder why nobody had mentioned our forays. I assumed this happened consistently between Terran scientists, trying to steal each other's research.

Science&Bacon-> Well… that's also true. The reality is, they want us to get bored. Telling someone to stop would just intrigue them further. They're ignoring it as if nothing is happening, so they hope we eventually give up due to apathy."

The troublesome pair obviously couldn't speak to each in their current hiding place, as they were jostled about to and fro. The FRAGILE sticker and shipping label that were a near replica of the actual thing doing a good job hiding the intentions of the Terran and Scythen that were sitting inside the box. Instead they continued to communicate with each other digitally, using their devices as they passed the time, slowly being delivered towards their goal.

LenaTheScythen-> Mocking statement: You're going to look more like a science goblin than normal, if Xavius just wanted privacy for a perfectly normal project.

Science&Bacon-> I'd be very happy then, but I don't think that will be the case. You've seen the latest reports from the war, the Estorians seem to have stabilized and gotten their act together. That's going to worry people, and worried Terrans… do things.

No, as much as Johnathan would have liked nothing more than to be wrong about their hunch, nothing felt right, everything felt just a slightly bit off. Xavius not being on any records, MATILDA not having camera access inside the lab, nobody responding to his requests for meetings about his worries. As the package they were hiding in was jolted about as it was placed on the final transport truck towards Xavius's lab, the Terran truly did want to be wrong about this.

Sadly in Dr Fletcher's experience, believing the worst of people was the correct action.

LenaTheScythen-> Changing topic: In lighter news, are you looking forward to showing people our progress next week?

Science&Bacon-> Yes, public speaking and showing off your half finished work to people smart enough to tear it apart, the thing all academics crave.

Of course the pair hadn't spent all their time trying to get into Xavius's place of study, and had in fact managed to keep doing their job, to much success. The research they'd been doing had borne some interesting fruit, even managing to create an initial prototype. This of course had sparked some interest amongst other academics and members of the military, who wanted to see what they'd created in action.

A more cynical point of view, such as the one held by Dr Fletcher, was that this new attention was nothing more than a way to distract them from their investigation into the saviour of humanity.

Either way, it was something that Johnathan wasn't looking forward to: He was never a man who enjoyed showing off, a deep anxiety forming within himself at the idea of others seeing mistakes he'd missed.

LenaTheScythen-> Further mocking statement: We could change the presentation to be about your grilled cheese making skills, and how to mitigate the dangers of setting the kitchen on fire.

Jonathan was about to respond to the snarky message from the Scythen, a mirthful smirk on his lips, when the world exploded into light, the creaking sound of the package being opened by the manipulators of a repair drone. In a moment of confusion the pair wondered if they'd finally reached their destination, blinking away the sudden change in light levels as they stood up and looked around.

Only to find themselves not within the expected walls of Xavius' lab, but instead staring once again at its entrance. Outside.

"Of course, it is you idiots again." The voice of MATILDA erupted from the microphone positioned above the door, once again informing the pair they'd failed in their attempt to gain access. "I must request that all members of the research staff avoid sending themselves through the internal delivery system. Especially Scythens who should know better."

There was a small feeling of being ashamed as Lena gently floated up and out of their hiding position, Dr Johnathan also standing up and stretching after being sat still for the last two hours. There was a despondent air between the two of them, as another failure made itself apparent.

"Surprised query: How did you know to check this delivery? This was sent through the proper channels as a pre-processed package?"

The Scythen was a little confused how the AI had known to check this innocuous looking package, compared with the thousands of others racing around Research Location Nine.

"To date, Dr Xavius has not had a single package be delivered through official means, meaning when I saw one scheduled to be delivered, I was suspicious." MATILDA gave a small pause before continuing. "In addition, no fewer than four other scientists have attempted to gain access to other lab's research via this method."

That figured, such a crazy idea as to mail yourself to another lab had already been attempted by several other Terrans.

"Surely that in itself is strange MATILDA." Jonathan exclaimed, finally climbing out of the package in an intelligent movement. "Come on, Xavius isn't on any of the records, you, the head of facilities, don't have any access inside the lab, and none of her materials are going through official channels. Aren't you even a little concerned? What if what she's working on would endanger the rest of the staff?!"

There was a moment's pause after this, as if the AI was considering the words Dr Fletcher had spoken. For a brief moment Johnathan wondered if he'd finally managed to convince the caretaker of Research Location Nine to finally help them, before his hope was dashed once again.

"It is not my job to check on what everyone is working on, Dr Johnathan Fletcher. My job is to keep the staff happy, healthy, and able to work on their own projects. This includes respecting Dr Xavius's requested privacy, and stopping silly people from mailing themselves through this facility's delivery system." MATILDA spoke sternly, making it clear they were not going to be of any help in the pair's endeavors to find out the mystery of what Xavius was working on.

"Now, I have arranged transportation for both of you back to your lab. Please see to it that you do not use the mail network as a method of transport again. Thank you."