To Shining Death

[Locksmith]

Omega-41 —> Omega-5 —> Omega-11 —> Stuttgart —> Cologne
03.01.836 AS

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Although radiation-heavy Omega-41 was usually teeming with Corsairs, who would hardly have welcomed the arrival of Bundschuh ships, compared to the previous system, it offered a welcome respite. Having avoided collisions, the group took refuge from the neutron star at Freeport-5. Here, they could catch their breath and gather their strength before the onward journey.

Or they would have, had the group not been followed by an Archon, apparently controlled by an artificial intelligence with a fairly human-like personality. Besides searching for the Civil Servant, this intelligence was also interested in suggestions about what could be done with the "piece" of the cosmic maw it had "bitten off." Crimson Veil wasn't entirely convinced by these claims. Still, out of concern for humanity, she warned the AI ​​against reckless actions near human habitations. Such actions as, for example, attempting to stabilize this "piece" with another similar "piece." There was also something suspicious: this AI knew too much about their actions. And even knew Chevalier's real name.

And then... Something unpleasant happened. The AI ​​established a link with Crimson Veil's fighter, attempting to improve its systems and customize it for its pilot. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Of course, the AI ​​couldn't know that Crimson Veil's Anubis already possessed an augmented link with Crimson Veil herself—a link she had forged herself using the knowledge Ageira imbued into her. The fighter carried traces of albino's organic matter, and attempting to re-establish a similar link rendered the existing one dysfunctional. Anubis thrashed back and forth, while Crimson Veil's voice was interrupted by seemingly untranslatable static. At that moment, Crimson Veil herself felt completely defenseless, as if paralyzed: her consciousness oscillated between wakefulness and unconsciousness.

It was, frankly, a terrifying experience.

Fortunately, realizing something was wrong, the AI ​​ceased its attempts at improvement. This whole thing enraged Chevalier; Melusine offered to provide assistance in eliminating the synthetic lifeform. Crimson Veil herself, having recovered, quickly calmed down, only demanding that AI never do such a thing again without permission. However, the albino didn't stop Chevalier from venting her anger. The gunboat opened fire on the Archon, but the AI ​​continued its conversation as if nothing had happened. Melusine rightly concluded that assistance was not required.

Crimson Veil understood that it didn't matter. Such AIs don't simply die from the destruction of a single vessel.

Chevalier, apparently realizing this too, despite her anger, ceased firing, merely damaging the Archon enough to make it impossible to follow the group further. The farewell was rather cold. For Crimson Veil, and probably for the others as well... Another potentially dangerous factor had emerged that now needed to be taken into account.

The road back was, fortunately, uneventful. But today wasn't over yet.

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