| "…..and then the ghost apparently tried to displace my consciousness
from the gem!" Inquirer said while she was working on Probe's base unit.
Probe tried not to fidget as she made an adjustment to one of his sensor
units before removing yet another snooper (that had been the fifth one
in as many minutes).
"Of course I struck back like I would have a hacker," the female Golem
wraps up, casting a spell upon the pile of snoopers that make them glow
right before they turn into a pile of dust. "And I learned a few things
from the exchange. Not the least being how to caste a spell or three!
"And speaking about magic," Inquirer goes on, looking at Dr. Vincent.
"How do I go about turning off this Mage sight? I mean, it's nice and all,
but….."
"Judging from the spells I've seen you cast," the eccentric Dr. Vincent
murmurs in thought. "I'd say you're about on par with me when I was…..oh…..something
like eight years into practicing the Arte…..and I had the same problem
until year fifteen……
"But, I don't think we need to wait seven years for you to learn that
small trick, so….." Dr. Vincent explains the mental trick needed to switch
that Sight on and off at will. Inquirer's eye's switch back to normal,
no longer glowing crimson.
"Thanks," the female AI/golem sighs. "That was fun, but……."
Probe finishes examining the gruesome remains of Inquirer's base unit.
The Tech boys back home are NEVER going to believe this! the
senior Golem mutters to himself. If nothing else, they'll be envious
of how Terran mages were able to fit an intelligence into a "unit" that
can fit into the palm of my Avatar's hand! My mind is about half the size
of the base unit….which is about the size of a human coffin……. Inquirer's
old host unit wasn't much smaller, despite being twenty years younger than
mine……
"I found no snooper units in there, Inquirer." Probe sighs. "I see now
why they switched Tech boys when it came time for my 50k tuneup. He'd been
a plant!"
"The Suites are wising up," Inquirer nods. "That's how they were able
to get the codes on me. They just lifted it from every session we had……"
"I'm beginning to think that they have as many operatives in Us as we
have in them," Probe muses. "However, I don't think that our particular
brand of traitors down in the dungeons worked for the Company……because
frankly, the Company views the Enemy just as We view the Enemy….something
to be wiped out.
"But right now, since we've found the last of any potential leaks we
need to contact Command," Probe finishes. "He needs to know about this
ASAP. I'll need you to 'come along' to talk to the Old Man, Inquirer."
"Let me get the secured unit, Sir" Inquirer says, picking up something
like a old style video camera on tripod.
"Excuse us, folks," Probe says, pausing. "But I and my comrade here
need to inform our Higher Ups about the treachery of the Phantoms."
"Ack, got right ahead," the Dragon Regent nods. "I'd hate to think what
mischief they're causing right now, the vipers!" Murmurs of agreement follow
Malachi Dronocis' statement.
Probe pauses yet again when he sees Inquirer make a patch connection
between herself and her "radio."
"Sir, even though every circuit was transferred….I can't use my built
in comm unit," she murmurs, embarrassed. "So, I'm stuck doing it the human
way."
Probe nods, understanding. Radio units had been needed, because as versatile
as the cybernetic units that had linked human to Avatar had been, due to
design limitations within the rig, there was still need for a separate
channel….a separate line of communication for individuals speaking to each
other. At least as far as humans were concerned……or for a certain AI who's
spirit now resided in a gem……
-
 "Lt., at least you don't
have to explain that costume," Probe chuckled as a connection was made
between himself and the secured unit. "I doubt that he's in a good mood
right now….considering all that's happened."
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