{"id":1722,"date":"2016-11-09T07:14:31","date_gmt":"2016-11-09T13:14:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1722"},"modified":"2016-11-12T07:26:38","modified_gmt":"2016-11-12T13:26:38","slug":"the-uneasy-alliance-part-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1722","title":{"rendered":"The Uneasy Alliance – Part 7"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Uneasy Alliance<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 7<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Oracle looked over at Seraph waiting for his answer to her question to the Architect.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe only said yes,\u201d Seraph said relaying the message to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing else?\u201d the Oracle asked watching as Seraph nodded no. She felt disappointed and slightly unsure about a few things now.\u00a0 She looked at Seraph and then over at Niobe before continuing.\u00a0 \u201cThings became much more complex than they were before\u201d the Oracle said giving some thoughts to what was happening.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you need us to do?\u201d Niobe asked speaking up and trying to assess the situation in front of them.<\/p>\n

The Oracle thought about that for several seconds giving serious thought about what they could do. The situation on the outside had not changed at all, they still needed human help.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can gather a group of volunteer and head to the surface, once there you will be met by a machine called Deux Ex Machina, it will lead you the rest of the way,\u201d the Oracle said, watching Niobe nod at the information.<\/p>\n

Oracle turned to Seraph who was also waiting for instructions. She knew that he understood something was going on as well and as much as disliked her next order it had to be done.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to him, we will need his help this time,\u201d she said to Seraph seeing the confused look on Niobe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure?\u201d Seraph asked, he wanted conformation on the instructions.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I want to talk to him, though he probably already knows despite the fact I promised to not disturb him. He will probably ask what is going on, tell him what you know,\u201d the Oracle said watching Seraph bow then left the room leaving her and Niobe alone in the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Niobe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I knew Niobe,\u201d the Oracle replied. \u201cWe\u2019re facing an enemy we don\u2019t understand, or know.\u00a0 Last time we knew the enemy, they were our creators, this time, everything is confusing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I should probably get going then, we don\u2019t know if time is also critical,\u201d Niobe said, something the Oracle hadn\u2019t considered much either.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt might be, Deux Ex has already begun the process, he\u2019ll explain more when you reach the surface. I feel things are worsening outside the Matrix,\u201d the Oracle said watching Niobe flipping open her phone.<\/p>\n

\u201cLink, I need the nearest exit,\u201d Niobe said, listening to the instructions. \u201cGot it,\u201d she said, flipping the phone closed again and looked back at the Oracle.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s going to happen, but I hope I get to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMe too child,\u201d the Oracle replied, watching as Niobe headed out of the kitchen. The Oracle could feel something inside the Matrix which shouldn\u2019t be here.\u00a0 She had hoped she was wrong but he Architect conformed her suspicions.\u00a0 What surprised her was his inability to do anything about it.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

It continued to look around, seeing humans all over the strange place. It saw humans everywhere.\u00a0 It could feel something strange was happening and continued to watch seeing one human who appeared odd to it.<\/p>\n

Deciding to follow it trailed the human female to see if she indeed had some sort of secret that the others did not have. She continued to walk towards a ringing phone and went over and picked it up and disappeared.<\/p>\n

That shocked it, something had happened it had not expected inside this machine. It still had a lot to learn about this place, and once it had learned all about it then it could destroy the humans here.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Niobe sat up quickly in the chair after disconnecting from the Matrix. Her disconnect had been very different this time, she saw a strange face in her mind who appeared to have been watching her.\u00a0 Dismissing the thought she figured it was this Deux Ex Machina who had been watching this time to check on what was going on.<\/p>\n

Link was right there asking questions about what happened, what the Oracle said. Niobe understood there were things she had to do and people to organize and waited until Link took a breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need to talk to General Turner first,\u201d Niobe said, standing up and leaving the ship. It took Link only a few seconds before he caught up with her.\u00a0 It was only a few seconds before Niobe found Turner.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the verdict,\u201d Turner asked as Link caught up with her and listened in on the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Oracle asked for volunteers to head to the surface to help out. Once there they would meet up with a machine called Deux Ex Machina, or something like that,\u201d Niobe replied to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome volunteers,\u201d Turner replied, rubbing his chin giving the request some thought. \u201cThe Council won\u2019t like this, but I think we can manage a few without them getting suspicious, at least not yet.\u00a0 We won\u2019t be able to hide it forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Niobe nodded, thinking the same thing. Any large numbers would be noticed by others, and the Council would become suspicious of any activity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we need to move quickly, the Oracle stated time was important,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Turner thought about what Niobe said, and an idea formed in his mind. They could spare a few people, from the right areas, especially if he controlled those areas, he could shield what was going on from the council a bit longer, or until more proof could be provided.\u00a0 He walked out of the Hammer along with Niobe and Link and headed towards the cells to inform Morpheus what was going on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll meet you back at the cell, I want to talk to someone first,\u201d Turner said looking over at Niobe and Link, who merely nodded and took off as Turner changed course. \u201cBen, can I have a word with you?\u201d Turner asked, approaching the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir, what can I do for you?\u201d Ben asked as Turner made his way closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cRelax,\u201d Turner said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Ben had shown time and again his abilities during the war against the machines, and even managed to survive the battle in Zion, a remarkable feat few managed and knew he could handle any mission or situation which might come up.\u00a0 \u201cI need you for a mission, but you can refuse if you want, just don\u2019t\u2019 tell anyone, it must be kept a secret.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the mission,\u201d Ben asked, and Turner could hear the curiosity in the man\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot here,\u201d Turner said, looking around at all the people. All it took was one person blabbing to the council and it was all over.\u00a0 \u201cCome with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben followed as Turner made his way to his office, where he could ensure a more private conversation. His office was actually quite sparse, only a few things on the desk and a couple of potted flowers which were in bloom giving the room a different smell compared to other areas.\u00a0 He looked over seeing Ben looking at the flowers.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy pride and joy, it adds a different smell than the recycled air the machines give us,\u201d Turner said. \u201cIn fact they\u2019ve only blossomed today.\u00a0 There used to be entire fields of flowers, perhaps someday there will be again.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gave a brief thought about how that might look, and smell before remembering he brought Ben here for something else.<\/p>\n

\u201cI regress, let\u2019s talk about your mission,\u201d Turner said, watching Ben\u2019s focus return to him. \u201cNiobe talked with the Oracle lately, as has Morpheus.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve seen the machine they came back with?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, we want to send a group of volunteers to head to the surface,\u201d Turner said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe surface?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I don\u2019t know all the details, and it could be a trap by the machines, but I\u2019ve learned to trust Morpheus over the years. I\u2019d like you to be in such a mission, if you want,\u201d Turner said.<\/p>\n

\u201dOkay, I\u2019m in,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHead to the cell where Morpheus is, only say you\u2019re in as well, tell them I\u2019m working to get some others involved, a small team, and,\u201d he paused thinking, \u201ca plan which might be able to spring Morpheus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Ben said, heading off.<\/p>\n

Turner only hoped the plan worked, and it might, just might, shake up the council enough to push them into action.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Apollo and Starbuck walked into the lounge to relax before their next patrol. They glanced around until Starbuck noticed Cassiopeia talking with Athena, and with a bit of hesitation Starbuck headed over with Apollo behind him wondering how all this was going to play out.\u00a0 His current girlfriend talking with his ex.\u00a0 Even as Apollo watched Bojay approached and whispered something in Athena\u2019s ear causing her to giggle.<\/p>\n

Apollo sat down, with Starbuck behind him seeing the others.<\/p>\n

\u201cHope you don\u2019t mind us joining you,\u201d Apollo said across from Athena.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all Apollo,\u201d Bojay said sitting down next to Athena. It caused Apollo to consider the two, had Athena moved on from Starbuck?\u00a0 Despite Athena being his sister and Starbuck his best friend, he had the feeling the two would never have been good, mixing like oil and water.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey handsome,\u201d Cassiopeia said as Starbuck sat down next to her.<\/p>\n

Now Apollo had a feeling he was out of place with two couples already. He briefly wished Sheba was here but she was on duty.\u00a0 Cassiopeia and Starbuck seemed to be headed in a slow direction and now his sister seemed to be attracted to Bojay.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, is it true?\u201d Bojay asked, lowering his voice to ask the question to Apollo.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat true?\u201d Apollo asked, hoping it wasn\u2019t about a certain rumor. He hoped that rumor would remain shushed and quiet for now.<\/p>\n

\u201cA basestar, someone said one was spotted,\u201d Bojay asked very quietly. It appeared the rumor had spread, at least among the pilots that they had spotted a basestar while on patrol.\u00a0 Apollo glanced over at Starbuck who had a similar look on his face, not wanting to talk about it.\u00a0 \u201cNever mind,\u201d Bojay finally said after a few seconds of silence.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just a rumor,\u201d Apollo said to them, despite the fact everyone appeared to not believe him. He knew it was words but the way the basestar acted still weighed on him.\u00a0 They might not spot another basestar for a long time, and he hoped not to.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you heard the rumor about the vipers getting an upgrade?\u201d Athena finally sad, changing the topic of conversation to something more pleasant.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah. Know a guy who works with Doctor Wilker, and he and a team are going to upgrade the thrusters and weapons on the vipers, even adding new software for the communications so we won\u2019t be jammed so easily,\u201d Bojay said in excitement.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t think they could upgrade the vipers any further,\u201d Starbuck said, his own body language indicating excitement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s amazing what people can do when we have to,\u201d Cassiopeia said to the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather thinks they also found a way to improve the fuel efficiency of many of the ships in the fleet as well, though they still have to test it,\u201d Athena stated to the group. It was the best news they had heard in a while.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdding that will allow us to go further with our existing fuel, so some good news,\u201d Bojay said. \u201cAnd upgrading our weapons will keep pace with whatever upgrades the Cylons have worked out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mentioning Cylons brought back the somber mood which had been present when Bojay asked about the rumor.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, why the long faces around here?\u201d another voice said, causing them to see Sheba standing there next to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, thought you were on duty?\u201d Apollo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust got off,\u201d Sheba replied. \u201cThought I\u2019d track you down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not hard to find,\u201d Apollo said, knowing there were only a few places one could go on board the battlestar to find privacy. In fact most areas had tells now to indicate if someone was using it to avoid awkward situations.<\/p>\n

A squeal from across the room shifted their attention and looking over they spotted Rigel hugging Omega tightly. Confusion reigned for a few seconds until word quickly spread Omega had proposed to Rigel.\u00a0 Apollo figured Rigel said yes considering her reaction.\u00a0 He silently wished them better luck than he had with Serena, and some excitement was good for the ship and crew.<\/p>\n

He waited until the group of well-wishers died down before heading over himself to congratulate them.<\/p>\n

End part 7<\/p>\n

Continued in part 8<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Uneasy Alliance by AJ Marks Part 7 The Oracle looked over at Seraph waiting for his answer to her question to the Architect. \u201cHe only said yes,\u201d Seraph said relaying the message to her. \u201cNothing else?\u201d the Oracle asked watching as Seraph nodded no. She felt disappointed and slightly unsure about a few things […]
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