Sigma 16 T2 - Chapter 77 - Communication (Patreon)

Talia exited the research module, her head still pulsing from the implant damage. As much as Neo assured her she was fine, having things go on in her brain was scary.

And it wasn’t like there was an approved neuro-doc to see about it anywhere within a few dozen light-years.

She made her way across the base, straight toward the containment cell.

As she approached, she could see the Blue prisoner still sitting in a meditative pose, seemingly oblivious to her presence.

“Neo, I want to talk to him,” Talia said, her eyes fixed on the alien.

[Recommendation: It would be safest to communicate with the prisoner remotely, using the cell’s built-in speaker system.]

Talia frowned. “Is he a threat to me while I’m in my suit?”

[Notice: Projectile weaponry is available if the prisoner attempts to assault you.]

“It wouldn’t be good to kill our only prisoner,” Talia pointed out.

[Agreement: That is why this unit suggested remote communication.]

Talia hesitated, considering her options. “I’m not sure that will be effective enough.”

[Report: MIRU units can provide security and restraint if necessary.]

“We’ve given him some HEM already,” Talia mused, her brow furrowed. “If it turns out like the one we fought at the research lab, he could pull some super power trick. Send for a whole IRU squad, just in case.”

[Affirmative: Dispatching new IRU ready patrol to your location.]

Talia nodded and waited patiently.

A Pegasus APC pulled up, and the robotic units disembarked with precision, lining up in formation.

It was a freshly printed group and their metallic bodies gleamed in the sunlight. They still needed their matte camouflage painted on, apparently.

That only took a few seconds for the units to deploy themselves, so they were literally off the print and pressed to come play escort.

“Rosetta, are you ready for this?” Talia asked.

“Absolutely!” Rosetta responded, her voice brimming with excitement. “I can’t wait to put my linguistic skills to the test.”

Talia bit her lip. “Focus, Rosetta. I’ll be doing the talking. Your job is to translate accurately and ensure effective two-way communication.”

“Of course, of course,” Rosetta said, her tone becoming more professional. “I’m a highly skilled translator. I will facilitate the conversation flawlessly!”

Well, her enthusiasm was nice, if a bit too cheerful. Talia nodded. “Neo?”

[Confirmation: This unit will monitor and record the conversation, analyze the translation logs, and correlate any information the prisoner provides with our historical data.]

“Thanks, Neo. Let’s get started.” Talia took a deep breath as the containment cell door slid open.

Two unarmed MIRU units stepped inside, their posture alert and ready. A HIRU took position near the door, prepared to enter if the situation escalated. Talia noticed a LIRU sniper perched above, its precision laser trained on the cell interior. That was a bit much.

Talia entered the cell, her exo-suit humming softly. The Blue prisoner looked up at her and the MIRUs.

He remained seated, his expression unreadable.

Talia wondered what he thought of her suit and the robotic entourage.

“Hello,” Talia began. “I have some questions for you.”

Rosetta’s translation filtered through her suit’s speaker, the alien words strange. It was sort of surreal to hear them spoken in her own voice.

The Blue prisoner looked up at Talia, his expression guarded. “I will cooperate with the honored paladin,” he said, his voice translated through Rosetta.

Talia frowned. “Rosetta, what does he mean by ‘paladin’?”

“It is likely a class or title,” Rosetta responded, “but critical context is missing.”

Talia muttered under her breath. “Why even call it paladin then and not something else like warrior or knight?”

Rosetta launched into a linguistic explanation, her voice filled with enthusiasm. “Well, you see, the term ‘paladin’ has roots in ancient Earth languages, specifically Latin and French. It originally referred to a type of warrior or knight, but over time, it took on connotations of a holy or righteous champion. In many cultures, paladins were seen as defenders of justice and protectors of the weak. The use of this term by the Blue prisoner is due to linguistic hints that such meaning is present in his address of you. It’s fascinating to consider the potential cultural and linguistic parallels between—”

Talia’s eyes glazed over as Rosetta continued her explanation. Eventually, it became too much. “Rosetta, shush.”

The chatter stopped.

Talia turned her attention to the Blue. “Stand up and come outside with me,” she instructed.

[Warning: Allowing the prisoner to exit the containment cell poses a security risk.]

Talia rolled her eyes. “There is literally an IRU hit squad waiting outside, Neo.”

The translation of Talia’s words filtered through her suit’s speaker.

The Blue prisoner stood up, his legs shaking slightly. “Are the servants still present?” he asked, his voice hesitant.

“He likely means Dusky, Dapple, and Hot Pink,” Rosetta suggested.

Talia mumbled, “They must have really traumatized him.”

[Analysis: The prisoner’s encounters and interactions with the Tch’Llik’yzz’Lrr have likely had a significant psychological impact.]

Talia snorted. “We call them ‘spiders,’ Neo, not... that.”

“Using accurate nomenclature facilitates cultural exchange,” Rosetta chimed in.

Talia blinked. “It’s entirely unpronounceable in Galactic Standard.”

She realized the Blue prisoner had been waiting for a response and turned to him. “If they are, they won’t pose a danger,” she assured him.

She led the way out of the cell, her steps confident and purposeful.

The Blue hesitated at the threshold, his eyes darting around nervously.

As he finally stepped out, he flinched at the sight of the HIRU unit standing nearby.

Well, she didn’t blame him. The thing was bulky as hell and tougher than the strong Blue soldiers they’d fought.

Talia walked a short distance away and waited, allowing the prisoner some space. The IRUs formed a loose formation around them, spreading out to maintain a watchful eye on the Blue’s movements.

“What’s your name?” Talia asked.

The prisoner looked at her warily. “Raxion.”

Talia nodded. “I’m not a Paladin, Raxion. And I’m not Ferroin either.”

She held out her arm to the air.. “Neo, display a hologram of me without the suit.”

Neo complied, projecting a holographic image from Talia’s suit. It showed her wearing a standard skinsuit, her features clearly visible. Raxion’s eyes widened, and he stepped back, his reaction unmistakable.

Talia held up her hands in a placating gesture. “The Ferroin have attacked me at every encounter. You’re the only one who has survived, and I have questions for you.”

Raxion’s expression turned grave. “Your technology is powerful, but the Empire is endless. You should hide at the ends of the world furthest away from the gate before the legions come for you and your machines.”

Talia frowned. “So far, I haven’t had any trouble dealing with them.”

Raxion shook his head. “The ones you have fought are only provincials, at the bottom of Ferroin society, scraping their existence on the frontiers with limited resources.”

“Where is the rest of their empire, then?” Talia asked, puzzled. “I didn’t see them from orbit.”

Raxion’s expression turned ominous. “They come through the gate.”

Talia stared at Raxion. “What gate?” she asked, her voice tinged with surprise. “We haven’t seen any evidence of a gate?”

[Suggestion: The prisoner may be referring to a gate that leads to an underground network.]

Raxion shook his head. “The Ferroin Empire inherited the gates from the ancient progenitors, as we are their heirs. They use them to travel between all the connected worlds left behind, spanning the universe.”

Talia blinked, trying to process the information. “Galaxy?” she asked, her voice uncertain.

“Across all the galaxies,” Raxion clarified.

“How big is the Ferroin Empire?” she inquired, her voice barely above a whisper.

Raxion shrugged. “I do not know, but it’s said there are a million prefects that answer to the emperor.”

Talia let out a breath, her heart pounding in her chest. “Neo, is this possible?”

[Analysis: While human science has never been able to create a stable teleportation gate capable of transferring matter safely, that does not mean it is impossible.]

Talia nodded and turned back to Raxion. “Thank you for being open about things,” she said, her voice sincere. “But… aren’t you revealing the information about your people a little bit too easy?”

[Notice: No physiological markers for deception have been detected.]

Talia frowned. Would Neo even have a reference for Blue physiology?

Raxion looked down at his hands, his expression pained. “I was a slave, mining dust for my entire life. The provincial soldiers already treated me like I was dead because that is the fate of all dust miners. It doesn’t matter anyway, because I was captured by an alien. My life will be ended if they take me back.”

Talia took a deep breath and sighed. That would suck. “As long as you don’t hurt me, my things, or the spiders, I’m not going to kill or hurt you,” she assured him.

Raxion nodded, but his demeanor remained muted, defeated.

Talia shook her head, a wry smile inside her helmet. “Well, at least I’m just up against some alien empire with a million worlds,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Raxion looked up at her, his expression serious. “No, the prefectures don’t rule worlds. They rule world clusters—many thousands of them.”

Talia stared at him, her mind reeling.

That would… be a lot.