Alorna's Warning (Book 2) (Page 185)

~~~(POV: Scott Autumn)~~~

~~~(Location: The Dexahedron, The Keynote)~~~

The implications of an individual Installation of the Coda Arrey being used as a weapon are outstanding. This changes the possibilities of defeating the Parasite and The Primeval Inherent. The outbreak isn't nearly the same level as it was when they first used The Coda Arrey.

Eternal Acuity had more wisdom and foresight in a single finger than most of The Primordium. Durado is busy talking to Alorna, but she's ignoring him. Looking at me instead, and Aurora in my hand as she's in Aurora Holder.

"What do you plan to do, Scott? Once you have the map fragments and access to The Keynote's connection to the other Installations, will you wipe the universe clean a second time? Or maybe you'll use The Activation Codex to use what Eternal Acuity built."

Alorna comically shoves Durado out of the way as she approaches me. But that doesn't stop the man from the way he's looking at her. In fact, I think he liked it.

"It's too soon to say I'm committed to one plan over the other. But I can tell you I never intended to wipe the universe clean. I was going to find a second option. Now that I have one, I guess I have my answer to your question."

She's not happy about it. That much is clear. No harm will come to any of us since I already know what purpose the encryption serves.

"Very well, I can't stop you. Just consider the ramifications. The Coda Arrey is a terrible power. Just a single Installation can wreck death across billions and trillions of galaxies. Eternal Acuity had its secondary function created to kill. Nothing more."

Eternal Acuity is someone I've learned so much about. There is still more to learn. More The Primordium didn't know. It's always fun finding another mystery.

"Alorna, how long have you been in isolation here?"

The AI in charge of The Keynote has been here longer than any living thing currently in The Aeternus Universe. She's older than Aurora.

"Many years, Scott. You should know better than to ask a woman her age."

A gentle smile forms on her lips, and she looks at Durado.

"Bounty Hunter, you've come a long way. But there is something I must tell you. Something good. Your daughter. She's alive. She escaped the Parasite when it first broke free on that station."

Durado is silent, and the impact of her words is clear on his face. For the first time since I've met Durado, I see the formation of a tear in the corner of his eye.

"Thank you... I don't know how you know... But thank you..."

I know how much Durado cares about his daughter. I told him that I had a feeling she was alive. Being the child of Durado means you've got that instinct in you.

"There is something I must warn you about, Scott. The Primeval Inherent is the greatest threat the universe has ever known. It has already won once before. When you decide to use The Coda Arrey, for whatever reason you think is best. Know that you're facing an enemy that doesn't stop."

She was there when The Primordium took their last, desperate act against the Parasite. But all of this I already know. She's leading into something else.

"The Primordium are to blame for all of this. The Parasites return... The construction of weapons that shouldn't have existed in the first place. You'll have to pay the price for the sins of your forebearers."

The sins of my forebearers, huh...

That's as cryptic as it gets. I won't worry about it at the moment. I've got more important things to worry about.

"Aurora. I want you to understand something. You're not the first AI going through what you're going through. Others have had those same desires. The Primordium race were nearly perfect beings, but as you've come to learn. They're not Gods."

I don't know the subtext behind the words Alorna is giving. It has to be something that only AIs go through.

"This is the only time we'll meet, Scott, unless our paths cross unexpectedly. I wish you luck in your mission. But let's be honest, a Primordium doesn't need luck."

She lifts her hand and snaps her fingers. All of a sudden, we're transported directly back to Immortalitas. It's fully operational too.