Nova Llar- Training Days Read online

  The first thing to emerge from the trees was one of the wolf creatures from the previous week. It looked almost like some sort of demonic hell hound with the green light being cast across it's back and mane. The two other wolves followed in quick succession. All making their way towards the centre of the camp. The light source itself had not entered the camp however and Clara wondered what could be making it with these wolves so close by. As Clara peered down into the clearing, she was shocked to see what looked like a person, in some sort of heavy duty suit, emerging from the trees. The light fixed onto its head creating an arc of green in front of it, bathing everything in its eerie glow. As the figure turned its head from side to side, almost in a scanning motion, the wolves started sniffing at all the items still left out in the camp. The lights in the pods were off so Clara couldn't tell what her teammates were doing. She guessed they were all just trying to stay still and quiet.

  One of the wolves started climbing the first tree with pods on it. It was moving exactly as they had before, except this time it pushed off with its hind legs and landed softly on the branch with the first pod on it. Batting the entrance with one of its paws, the door was pulled away like it was made of paper. The wolf then stuck its head inside, presumably to sniff through the contents. To Clara's horror, another wolf was repeating the action in the second tree. She knew if she didn't do something her team were as good as dead.

  Clara wasn't exactly unarmed in the nest. She had her bow and some arrows, a lightweight carbon steel pistol with one clip and a couple of the makeshift spears. But using them would most likely give her position away. Not to mention if the wolves started moving at speed, she wasn't exactly used to hitting fast moving targets. As the first wolf made it up to the second pod in the first tree Clara knew she had to do something to try and help her team. Picking up the bow and arrows first she took aim at the wolfs neck. With it’s head buried in the pod, investigating the contents, it was the best bet she had for a clean shot. Hoping the arrow would be silent enough to not draw attention she loosed the bow. Watching as it sailed straight into the creatures neck. But nothing happened, the creature kept on sniffing inside the pod. Giving no indication it even noticed the arrow protruding from the back of its neck. Then Clara realised her mistake. If the creature shared characteristics with wolves, she just shot the toughest part of its hide. This would be where the mother would have carried it as a cub. Grabbing another arrow, she aimed again, this time trying to get the best angle she could on the top side of its ribcage, hoping to hit the heart. She knew it would be a long shot. With about a 20 degrees angle to work with, being directly above it, the likelihood of missing a major organ was exceptionally high. Regardless she took a deep breath, made sure her aim was as good as it could be and released. A loud yelp and dull thud were the first indications she had caught the creature. It slumped and slid off the branch, falling to the ground below. Before Clara could congratulate herself, she saw the second wolf's head snap up to face directly at her. Either these things had unbelievable good hearing, or it already knew she was there. It just hadn't cared before. She turned to grab another arrow, but by the time she had turned back to face the ground, the wolf was already halfway to her, leaping from branch to branch. With practically no time to waste she quickly pulled the arrow back, eyeballing the wolf for a target and release, hoping she at least give it pause. As it leapt from a branch towards her the arrow struck it in the shoulder causing it to recoil in pain. It missed the branch it had been leaping towards and slammed into the trunk of Clara's tree, crashing and rolling down to the ground, yelping with each hit. One it reached the bottom it just lay there without moving or making a sound.

  With two wolves down Clara realised she had lost track of the third one. She scanned down in the clearing but couldn't see it anywhere. Panicked she turned to look down the other side of the tree. As she turned a blur of grey fur moved past the low wall of the nest. The wolf was already up in the tree with her, but it seemed it wasn't able to fit through the gap into the nest. Clara grabbed the gun, thankful she had loaded it during her earlier inventory and held it close to her body pointing away from her. Moving into the middle of the nest she could turn and see all of the sides with ease, but she was concerned she may not be fast enough if the wolf came from behind. Suddenly the floor to her right exploded upwards as a massive head pushed through. The sudden intrusion from below took Clara by surprise and she fell away from the intruder onto her side, still clutching the gun. As the wolf gnashed and snapped at the air Clara could see its eye staring right at her, right into her. Realising she needed to act she thrust the gun at the creature’s head and fired as many shots as she could. At this range there was no way she could miss. Bullets flew straight into the wolfs head, making tiny craters and splashing blood over the nest as they left the other side. It had gone limp after the first two shots, but Clara couldn't stop firing and crying at what she was having to do to survive. Eventually, it slipped through the floor falling down the tree to the ground with a loud crunching sound. As Clara sobbed loudly clutching the gun to her chest. She felt like the entire world around her was ending. Clara had never shot anything before. At least not with a gun. The sound and smell of it were making her sick to her stomach. Not the mention the effect she had just seen it have on flesh and bone. The barrel was hot against her chest but she didn't care, she just continued to cry hoping to wake up.

  After what felt like an eternity Clara started to hear shouting coming from below. Wondering what it could be she tried to compose herself, “There was someone down there.” she told herself. “Someone wi…with the wolves. A person, or thing. There was someone.” she kept going the thought in her head. Unable to bring herself to the edge to look down. The shouting continued for a minute or two and then stopped. There was just silence below. “What's happened to the shouting?” she thought to herself.

  Chapter 22

  “Well, Mr Taylor. You certainly have put us in a difficult situation.” Colonel Jones said from across the table. Joseph was sitting in a sort of interrogation room. In the centre was a metal table, two chairs and a single light hanging from the ceiling. A door that looked to be the only way in or out and a mirrored wall, most likely a two-way mirror. “You were supposed to be in that simulation for another two and a half months.” the Colonel continued his voice anger and frustration. Turning away the Colonel seemed to be trying to compose himself. “Just tell us how you knew?” he said, a little calmer this time. “There were little, peculiarities that gave it away.” Joseph replied honestly. “That simulation was state of the art, designed and managed by Steve at all times. The chances of anyone detecting errors is a million to one.” Joseph could tell the Colonel was starting to get angry again. “Look, everything was flawless until those guys raided the camp and took my AI storage module. There was too much there that didn't add up, so I started looking at everything more closely. The thing that really brought it all together was the rabbit.” Joseph explained. The Colonel's face suddenly changed. A look of confusion maybe, “What Rabbit?”. Joseph went on to explain the rabbit with a Knick in its ear, how there seemed to be multiples of the same rabbit and how the injury kept disappearing and reappearing. This ultimately led him to check some other things he had noticed. He then cut out his tracker. Placing it in one of the rabbits with a small electric stimulator to simulate a heartbeat. Finally putting it in the cave to look like he was asleep. “To be honest I started to doubt myself when nothing intervened to stop be leaving. I thought for sure we would all be monitored continuously, and I would have been detained at the first signs of my plan.” Joseph said. “Once I made it to the edge and fell off my suspicions were confirmed. At least that it was a simulation. When Steve brought me back to the ground and started explaining everything to me I felt kind of stupid for not seeing it before, to be honest.” The Colonel just stared at Joseph with a furrowed brow and tight jaw. “Did you know when the men were in the camp and took your module?” the Colonel asked coldly. “What
? No not at the time. I was too mad to think straight. It took me a few days to put everything together and I pretty much executed my plan to test it instantly.” The Colonel looked over at the glass for a few seconds then nodded, looking back at Joseph. “It appears you are telling the truth. At least the truth you know.” the Colonel said flatly. “On the plus side, it means we can use your experiences so far as an evaluation. However, we can't put you back in there knowing what you know. Sending you on an individual survival expedition at this time wouldn't work as you may just question whether any of it is real.” pausing for a few moments the Colonel rubbed his chin, clearly considering what to do about the situation. “Mr Taylor. In light of your performance in the simulation and having the wherewithal to discover it as such I would like to officially offer you a position on the Nova Llar mission.” Joseph just sat there, his mouth hanging open and his brain struggling to understand what was happening. “Bu...But we are only just coming to the first year of the training! Surely there are tests...other criteria I need to meet. Not that I am not thrilled for the offer I'm just confused as to why?” Joseph stammered and tripped over the words as he forced his brain to start working again. “I'm sorry sir but can you really be offering me this now? With all of the other candidates still to consider?” The Colonel smiled for the first time since Joseph had met him, excluding the one he thought he saw after he first slammed into the wall in an LF63. “Mr Taylor. While I hate to admit it now, I was very much against you being here. I couldn't even imagine you as a team player. By your own admission, you were here to achieve your goals, on your terms by your own means.” he paused for a moment. “Since you have been here you have not only demonstrated your own abilities as an individual, but you have put other members of your team ahead of yourself. From the late-night study sessions with Mr Wilson. To the pep talks you have given Professor Forest. While Steve likes to think his test of your character was the only factor in my evaluation of your teamwork abilities, I have been watching you closely for a long time. You have impressed me Mr Taylor, and that is not something that occurs very often these days.” Joseph wasn't sure what to say, so he simply said: “Thank you, Sir.” The Colonel laughed and stood to leave the room. Stopping with one hand on the handle he looked back over his shoulder at Joseph, still frozen looking at the opposite wall. “As for procedure and the remaining tests. I am the mission commander and the final say it mine. As of right now, you are on the mission if you still want it. Just don't make me wait too long for an answer.” The Colonel opened the door and stepped out of the room, letting the door close behind him.

  Joseph just continued to stare at the far wall. His vacant expression giving none of the chaotic thoughts racing through his head. “I'm on the mission. No, I need to say yes first. But is this fair? This is what I have dreamed about, my ultimate goal, why am I hesitating. I should answer the Colonel now. I need to...” Where was the Colonel? He had been sitting right there but he had vanished. Then the last pieces of the conversation started filtering through into Joseph consciousness. The Colonel was in charge. If he said someone was on the mission, they were on the mission. Joseph continued to go over the same conversations in his head, back and forth. Each time he reached the same conclusion. “This is what I have wanted since I was a little boy. My whole life has led to this and there is no way on this earth I am going to turn it down.” Steeling his resolve Joseph stood from the table and made for the door. He knew what he needed to do and right now nothing was going to stop him.

  Steve watched as Joseph left the room. The conversation between him and the Colonel had gone almost exactly as expected. The only thing they hadn't banked on was Joseph freezing up for so long. It had forced the Colonel to improvise and leave Joseph with his thoughts. Following Joseph through the camera systems in the hall, Steve could see the determination on his face. It was clear Joseph had made up his mind but had he come to the right conclusions. As Joseph rounded the corner to the Colonel's office Steve transferred himself back into his physical body, currently standing next to the Colonel as he sat in his office chair. “He's just come around the last corner Colonel.” Steve said. A few moments later there was a knock on the door. “Come in.” the Colonel called, busily looking through some paperwork projected in front of him. Only Steve could see it was all junk, designed to give the impression of being busy without actually doing anything. The door opened and Joseph strode through with purpose, matching right up to the other side of the desk and standing to attention facing straight forwards over the Colonel's head. “Sir. May I have a moment of your time to go over the conversation in the interrogation room?” the excitement in Joseph's voice was evident. “Yes, Mr Taylor. Have you reached your decision?” the Colonel asked, swiping his hand downwards to shrink the paperwork into the desk and looking straight at Joseph's face. “I have sir. I would very much like a place on the mission.” there was some hesitation in Joseph's voice. “However, I would like some assurances, if I may.” The Colonel had not been expecting this and it was evident on his face he was a little perturbed by the remark. “What sort of assurances?” the Colonel asked pointedly. “Firstly, my spot is confirmed in writing before I leave this room. Forgive me I do trust your word and yours Steve. However, should anything happen to you I would not want to encounter resistance similar to our first encounter from a replacement.” The Colonel relaxed a little at that. “Fair enough. Given my reactions, I can see why that would be a prudent course of action for you. The first condition is granted. Steve please begin writing something up and print it for us all to sign.” Steve started a new subprocess to complete the task as requested. “You had other conditions, Mr Taylor. I would like to hear them please.” The Colonel was taking charge of the situation now. He may have been caught off guard at first, but he was well known for adapting to situations quickly. “My second condition is of a more personal nature. As the simulation demonstrated you are aware of my AI storage module and most likely what is contained within. The data allocation for the mission is too low for me to take her with us, but I cannot bear to leave her behind. In all honesty other than the clothes I will wear I have nothing else to take with me. I would like to formally request 8 petabytes of storage space for Jess to join us on the mission, please.” The Colonel looked at Steve. “8PB is a significant amount for a third generation AI. Based on storage requirements is this the sort of allocation we can spare?” Steve appeared to stare off into the distance as he calculated the available space, factoring in updating star charts, the potential study of anomalies on the journey and every piece of information they would need to take with them. “8PB would be within the acceptable an acceptable storage limit for Jess to accompany us. There may be some issues in integrating her programs into the virtual environments given her age and compatibility. My old concern is 8PB may not be enough space to incorporate the additional physical parameters required to give her a body.” It was Joseph's turn to be put on the back foot. “A body? I hadn't even considered her having a physical form. That does change the calculations somewhat.” Joseph mused, almost to himself. “Correct. At our last scan of your module, she was roughly 5.4PB, meaning you allocated 2.5PB for expansion over the next 300 years. Presumably, this is with limited interaction and her having no access to the additional data we collect on our journey.” Joseph just nodded at Steve. “Based on my calculations you will need 31PB of storage set aside for 'Jess' to make the most of her time on the Isabella.” Steve said with a neutral tone, these were facts, not flights of fancy. “Can we do it?” the Colonel asked. “It is possible. However, we will either need to sacrifice some data or convert one of the redundant server arrays to ensure space is kept available for the duration of the trip.” Joseph looked at the Colonel, waiting for an answer. “Those are some big asks. They could put someone's life in danger should we need the redundancies.” he paused rubbing his chin looking off to the side. “What does Jess mean to you Mr Taylor?” he said without changing position or action. “Sir?” Joseph replied, a litt
le confused by the question. “I mean would losing Jess be an irritation you would rather avoid, or is she more than that?” The Colonel was now looking Joseph square in the eyes as if searching for the answer. “More than that sir. Much more.” Joseph finally replied. “Very well. Have your company send us 12 200PB ATM Drives to replace the 150PB drives in one of our backup units as well as six 64TB RAM modules to increase its capabilities and we can agree on it. That should do it shouldn't it Steve?” the Colonel said, turning to smile at Steve. “Well, yes actually. That would give us a small overhead and the extra RAM would assist in buffering Jess' information.” Steve was visibly stunned the Colonel had managed to work that out so fast, “Had he been planning this?” Joseph didn't need convincing, “Certainly Sir. I will have them here first thing in the morning.” he stood and started walking towards the door. He had barely may it three steps when the Colonel spoke again, “Only two conditions Mr Taylor?” Joseph stopped and turned back to look at the Colonel. “Actually sir, there was one last thing.”

  Chapter 23

  The man sat crouched in the makeshift cage, his knees tucked up to his chin as he held his legs. Since the group had overpowered him he hadn't said a word or even moved really. The food and water they were giving him sat there until they took it away. “It's been 4 days.” Clara thought. “Surely this guy needs to at least drink something.” She hadn't fully recovered from her ordeal with the wolves yet. She had been up in the nest for well over an hour when Shivani finally went up to find her. Given the damage to the nest, everyone assumed she had been killed whilst killing the final wolf. The effort to subdue their owner had taken some time, the main concern had been securing him and ensuring there was no-one else nearby that could have surprised them. Shivani had checked her over an gave her a clean bill of health, at least physically. It was taking regular 'sessions' with Meihui to come to terms with what she had to do. Because she had had to do it, otherwise she and her team may not even be here now. The sights and sounds were still fresh in her head every time she closed her eyes. The gun going off and the blood erupting from the far side of the wolf's head. Guns were not something that should exist in any civilized society.