Plan B For Travel (Book 2) (Page 180)

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

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

"The Keynote isn't allowing us to lift off its surface. It's a security protocol. The only way to disable it is with an Admin Console located in The Watcher."

Durado is still confused, but I know what she's talking about. It was in the information she downloaded to Immortalitas. The Watcher is a security AI that protects The Keynote. It's likely being run on old commands since we were able to land in the first place.

That, or the security AI is doing this on purpose, so we'll seek it out and speak to it. The larger screen in front of me changes and shows a new location that isn't a part of our search for the map fragments.

"From the looks of it, The Watcher is located in an area known as The Dexahedron. Since we can't use Immortalitas to travel, we'll need to use the local teleportation network to get around. Will we have access, Aurora?"

She's gained access to many parts of The Keynote, but if we don't have access to the teleportation network, we're basically stuck here.

Aurora pops up next to me and waves her hand, bringing up new information that I hadn't seen it. It's digital codes and algorithms. Sets of patterns and encryptions that are meant to be solved with a key or dataset.

"At this moment, I don't. But if we head to the closest teleporter, I can hack it, and we'll be in business. The problem is these encryptions. They hold no significance to our mission here. And yet, I find that I can't discard them..."

That's strange. Not only is it weird to bring up at all, but I don't feel like discarding them either. Perhaps there is some sort of programming attached to it that's downloaded into the minds of the people that read it.

"Durado, read this."

He raises an eyebrow and looks at me funny. This is the only way to test if it's only affecting Aurora and me, or if it'll affect Durado too.

"What am I supposed to be looking at exactly? It's just a bunch of shapes and symbols."

That's what it looks like to him.

"Try and delete the program."

He releases a sigh and makes his way toward the console's keys. But as he's about to enter the deletion command, I grab his wrist and pull it away without a will of my own. And Aurora launches security drones that point their weapons at Durado.

"Whoa! Whoa!! A little warning first would've been nice!"

Fascinating. The encryption and its effects are only working on Aurora and me. Perhaps it only works for those that can understand and comprehend it.

"Sorry about that, Durado. I had to confirm that whatever is affecting Aurora and me is only doing it to us. I wonder what the purpose behind this is..."

It's something to look into. But we've gotten off track.

"Aurora, once we reach a teleportation node, you'll be sending us to The Dexahedron. But I want you to remain in the Aurora Holder MK.1 when we make it. We don't know how powerful this security AI The Watcher, is."

I don't want her being quarantined by the AI and subsequentially deleted. That's not happening. She does as I say and marks a new location on the map.

Even if we can use the teleportation network on The Keynote to reach the 7 locations where the map fragments are, we still need to free Immortalitas, and it's better to do this first than last.

"Okay, since we're using teleporters now. Does that mean we'll be able to use them to find the map fragments?"

Durado's question causes a long and irritating sigh to come from Aurora. And it causes a tick mark to form on Durado's head.

"See! This is what I mean by her being mean! I'm of average intelligence!! It's not fair being compared to you two!!"

I can't help laughing at the comical rage happening in front of me. It's something that you only see from certain personalities. And while I didn't think Durado had it in him when we first met, I've come to see many layers to the man.

"Look, let's just focus on getting to the closest teleporter. It's about 9 miles South. The simulated night cycle will begin in about 7 hours on this section of The Keynote, so if we move now. We can reach it before it gets dark."

Aurora sets out our course of action, and it's time we get a move on.