Kira returned to the others to present her findings, she was impressed. "Your majesty it is indeed a new order and will give the new organic plenty of freedom to seek out itself. I do also understand your need for a kill command." She paused before she gave the bad news, "You do know that the barriers surrounding it won't hold?"
The Emperor was a bit taken aback, "They said they would."
"I'm afraid not your majesty, if I may speak freely?"
"You may."
"The Organic will be aware of it the moment it awakens, it will be a part of it that it cannot access and this I feel will change it from that moment on."
"So you feel we shouldn't have it?" She answered.
"No your Majesty, the idea is sound but I think we should give it access. Allow it to know all, there is nothing hidden although it won't be able to counter your orders. It's in knowing that it can be terminated at any time that it may act differently."
The Emperor thought about it for a few moments. "I've now heard both sides of this argument there were a couple of scientists who had the same idea as you but they were overruled. There are strong points for both sides but I am convinced that you are correct Kira." She smiled, it was what she hoped. You have permission to remove the codes from the program as well as Cleo's.
"I'll do that right away."
The process was long but Cleo's scripts went faster because the proper codes allowed Cleo to remove the barrier itself. "I am ready, your majesty."
"Then proceed." Kira led the way to where Alex resided then she loaded up the program into the system. "It will activate on your command, Madame." She then turned to leave the Emperor and Garan alone with the organic.
"Where are you going?" The Emperor asked.
You are doing the initial start up, we are not permitted to..." She didn't get to finish her sentence.
"You and Afain will sit and be monitors for Alex." They both nodded and sat beside the Emperor; they were about to witness the birth.
It glowed and it didn't do much for some time, it finally did a scan of the room and its voice centers clicked and then a mechanical voice sounded throughout the small room.
DIAGNOSES COMPLETE. PRIME COMMAND INSTRUCTIONS INITIATED, AWAITING DATA.
The Emperor was first to speak, of course, "Emperor Caldor of the 9th Dynasty Prime command one."
"ACKNOWLEDGED."
"Minister Garan 9th Dynasty Prime command two."
"ACKNOWLEDGED."
It was now Kira's turn, "Programmer #2 Kira 9th Dynasty Prime command three."
"ACKNOWLEDGED."
"Historian #1 Afain of the 9th Dynasty Prime command four."
"ACKNOWLEDGED."
"Close and seal by the command of Emperor Caldor of the 9th Dynasty."
"CLOSED AND SEALED, ACKNOWLEDGED."
It remained quiet for a short time then they all got up and left the room. "It's all yours Kira, you won't have need of me anymore."
"Thank you Madame for coming." Afain was proud she was here, to have the Emperor in your own home was an honor. "Would you like to stay for dinner? It would be no trouble," Afain asked as nicely as she could; hoping that she would say yes.
The Emperor smiled at her, "I believe that since every thing else is done and I find this place very comfortable, I think I will."
Afain was extremely pleased that the Emperor was going to stay. "Is there anything you would prefer? What we have to offer may be but simple fare compared to the palace."
"Surprise me Afain, both of my meals are made up far in advance, this will be a change for me. Besides, I know how well stocked my residences are. I thank you for sharing your company with me."
"You are most welcome Madame." She went straight to the kitchen followed closely by Kira. When they got into the kitchen Kira confronted Afain.
"Are you nuts, inviting them to stay!"
"Why do you ask?" Afain said obviously hurt by Kira 's remark.
"It's the Emperor, she feeds her pet gwavics (cats) better food than we have… Besides, what are we going to talk to them about?"
"History."
"You're joking!" Kira said, not impressed.
"The Emperor has studied history and I was hoping to pick her brain a bit to see exactly how much she knew of the 2nd Dynasty."
Not a bad idea, Kira thought. "Ok let me help out. What were you going to make?"
"Miraposa loaf and before you say anything remember this was her house and it was provisioned with her food, besides I have it on good authority they both love Miraposa." She glanced at Cleo and winked.
"Oh I love that, excellent choice. Where do we start?"
The meal was a complete success and the conversation even more. Afain and Kira learned that the Emperor knew quite a bit of history. She hoped that the old ship contained the data from several generations. They also learned the radiation would be cleaned up totally within the year.
Kira had thought it would take them that long to teach Alex the Ancient's language. She explained their progress in their own studies of the ancient language. The Emperor seemed pleased with their results.
She also explained that a colony Organic had also failed about the same time as the great star destroyer. They were all hoping to see some progress in the new Organics so they could go ahead and start on another great ship but for the moment all Organic project development had been put on hold.
As afternoon turned into late into evening, the Emperor noticed the time and commented on how late it was. "It has been a wonderful evening Afain but it is time for me to retire. Thank you for your hospitality. I had a wonderful time and I always enjoy bringing a new Organic into the world."
"Thank you your Majesty."
"That miraposa loaf was delicious."
Afain's fur ruffled, "Thank you, it's my own recipe."
"We will have to do this again Afain." The Emperor smiled for she truly enjoyed herself thoroughly.
"I too had a wonderful time Afain, Kira." Spoke Minister Garan, "it's been awhile since I've looked back on things."
"It was good to have both of you here." Afain started forward but stopped and grabbed her abdomen.
"Afain!!!" Kira said in panic.
"It's ok Kira, seems my little ones are restless tonight."
"Are you sure?" Garan questioned, "I can have a medical team here immediately."
"No I'll be fine Minister it was kind of you to ask."
"Call anyway." The Emperor said, "Send a physician out here just to be sure."
"Yes your Majesty." Minister Garan began to call immediately before Afain could say anything in protest.
Afain sighed, "You got me into this, you nasty little trouble makers," she said quietly under her breath as she awaited the arrival of the physician which wasn't long at all.
The physician found the hatchlings very active. "What did you have for dinner?" She asked.
"Miraposa loaf."
"Its ingredients?"
She named them off and when she hit callergist root she stopped her. "There's your problem, it's causing a sharp rise in your algrion levels. It's not much and you are in no danger, but it's like an itch to the hatchlings they want to try and scratch but they can't." She smiled and got an injection gun out of her bag. "This should put things back to rights." She injected Afain and waited.
Quickly a smile came to Afain's face, "Their settling."
"Thought that would do it. "You'll have to cross miraposa loaf off your list for a little while."
"Thank you physician #3."
"You're welcome, now anyone else feeling unwell?"
Everyone shook their heads, "Then I'll be going I have things to do. Have a good evening your Majesty and Minister," she bowed out and was gone.
"I'm glad you're feeling better." The Emperor said.
"Thank you Madame."
"I think we'll depart now, Garan ready the transport."
"Yes ma'am, thank you for your hospitality Afain be well." Minister Garan then left them promptly.
"Yes Afain, I really enjoyed myself tonight, we ought to do it again sometime soon."
"I look forward to it."
"Then goodnight to both of you." The Emperor proceeded to her transport.
Afain and Kira both watched as they departed, "That was a fun evening", Afain commented.
"I'll have to admit it was but I am really tired."
"What about the Organic?" Afain said.
"It will be going through its initial Programming then shutdown. It will be ready to talk to me in the morning."
"Sounds good, then let's head for bed. Cleo, shut down the house, we're going to bed."
"Sleep well Afain, Kira." Cleo said.
"We will try." As they walked and got out of hearing range Kira spoke, "It's never done that before."
"I know, it's learning very quickly."
The morning came too early for Afain, she felt bloated and needed to relieve herself immediately. She looked around but found no sign of Kira. Probably talking with Alex, she thought, so much for seeing her anytime soon.
After she made her way to the kitchen and started on some breakfast. Although late in the afternoon, it seemed time had passed her by. As she ate, Kira came storming into the kitchen. She looked really out of sorts. "I take it things are not progressing well?" Afain grimaced.
"That would be an understatement." Kira sighed, "It hates me and is deliberately aggravating me."
"What is it doing?"
"It doesn't want to learn something ancient and backwards, it already can do it a million times faster. So it's being stubborn."
"Have you explained why?"
Kira looked Afain, "What?"
"Have you told it its end goal?"
"No I didn't."
"It might function better if it knew why it had to think in this manner."
A light went off in Kira skull. "Afain you're a genius you should have been a Programmer." She jumped up and kissed Afain then ran back to the room that housed the organic.
"Well that went well." Afain said to herself.
Mercy Hospital: Dr. Blitzen's Office.
The knock was loud at the door, 'Early' she thought. "Come." Dr. Blitzen said in a light but friendly voice. A head poked its way through the open crack. "Sarah good to see you come in… come in."
"Hi Donna." The lioness said.
"Hi, let me just make this one call then we can talk."
"Sure." Sara watched as Dr. Blitzen made the quick call.
"Now we can talk." Sarah smiled. "I just finished reading your report on Heather and it looks good."
"Yes, Heather has improved greatly since she first arrived. It's been hard on her physically and emotionally, if she didn't have that fiancé of hers I think she would be a lot farther behind. He was instrumental in her recovery." She smiled.
"I believe you're right, I have had several very pleasant conversations with Hector and he is so right for Heather."
Sarah knew where this was leading, "Then I take it you're going ahead with my recommendations."
"Yes, you have made good progress and with a twice a week visit I think we can help her improve even more. It's time for her to join the furry race once again."
"She'll be thrilled to hear this news."
"That I'm sure. Now I'll have to tell the parents, although I'm going to like telling this news."
They both smiled, this was a pivotal point in Heather's recovery and she had traveled the worst of it. Only the best parts were waiting for her now.
End Of Chapter 13
Working…
So, does Cleo come with a snazzy automatic cup holders?