“No idea,” Tim said, which was true, since he hadn’t been the one chatting with ACE. “But I think we want everyone in one place right now, and I suggest that place is the command deck. There’s enough room there for all the people we have on this impromptu mission.”
Wasn’t so sure about that—by my count, we had at least a hundred people on board, and who knew who I’d missed. However, there was a more pressing issue. “I want to know how Hacker International got here, honestly.” Stryker and the others weren’t meeting my eyes.
Chuckie heaved a sigh. “They snuck in.”
“Excuse me?” The hackers were now really interested in their shoes.
“You heard me. They snuck in, apparently under the belief that they were going to stow away on the official mission.”
“Words fail me.” The hackers looked up hopefully. “Well, honestly, they don’t. I just feel that saying the words I want to, with press so nearby, will be a poor choice, all things considered. I’m going to let the President say those words to you guys, however, because I just know he’s going to want to and, unlike me, can probably get away with it.”
“She can be taught,” Chuckie said. “And I’m with you, Kitty. It was moronic and it’s also kind of backfired.”
“Not really,” Reader pointed out. “They’re here and, from what Kitty and Tim said, none of us are going anywhere other than where Mother’s taking us.”
Knew without saying it aloud that Chuckie and Reader were hoping for the same thing Tim and I were—that the hackers could override Mother. Also knew that the four of us really didn’t want said hackers figuring that out, because they were not the epitomes of cool or subtle and the chances of them sharing their abilities out loud was hella high.
Could see the five of them thinking and Stryker’s mouth looked to be opening, meaning I needed to say something fast before one of them did and basically identified their potential plans to Mother.
“I think we need to get everyone out of Engineering and to the others before Jeff starts freaking out about where we are or the kids want some parental face time.”
“We’ll continue this on the way,” Chuckie agreed quickly, as Stryker’s mouth closed. We all headed off, but at a walking pace.
Figured it was better to be talking, lest one of the other hackers decide to share his prowess with computer overrides. “Mother, how long before we’re out of this jump?”
“Several hours.”
“Great, so where should everyone house? I mean, I know we’re spoilt for choice, but is there a section or deck you would prefer us to be on?”
“I would suggest that everyone stay near the command deck.”
“Not the tail portion?”
“No, not until detachment might be needed.”
“It just keeps on getting better,” Tim muttered.
“Great. Is everything we need in the rooms or do we need to rough it?”
“There is no ‘roughing it’ on the Distant Voyager,” Drax huffed.
“My creator is correct,” Mother said. “All that everyone needs is available, and I can create whatever might be missing.”
Chose not to make a comment about her choice of descriptor for Drax. He was indeed her creator, though not the only one. Really wondered if Mother was playing games or if the reprogramming had messed her up a whole lot. Had no idea which way to bet, so went with both because why not?
We reached the others just before they came looking for us. Family reunions took place as we explained what Mother had shared.
“How is it that the ship that supposedly needs a crew of six to fly it safely is functioning perfectly without anyone at the controls?” Hughes asked as we finished up.
Walker nodded. “Because it doesn’t sound like Tim, Tito, or Jeff affected anything while they were at the controls. Only Kitty and only for Communications, nothing else.”
“That was all that was needed at the time,” Mother said.
“I thought you said she didn’t talk to anyone but you, Kitty,” Jerry said.
“I am here, listening, and Kitty has insisted that I respond to everyone’s queries,” Mother said, sounding slightly annoyed again. “I am always listening.”
“That’ll put a damper on everyone’s private lives,” Joe muttered.
“Probably the least of our worries,” Randy said. “All things considered.”
“The ship has gone into Protection Mode,” Drax said. “It’s the only answer.”
“So, Mother, why won’t you come out of Protection Mode, since we’re all here?”
“As I keep on saying, where we are headed has more priority than anything else.”
“Why?” Jeff asked, sounding angry. “And I’m asking as the President of the United States and the King Regent of Earth for the Annocusal Royal Family, not as your Weapons Chief or whatever the hell role you’ve chosen to assign to me. I want answers that make sense, not more of your usual secretive crap.”
Everyone looked like they thought we were all spaced. However, I’d been pissed off and Mother had responded better to that than to kindness, which was a weird programming thing that probably needed our attention sooner as opposed to later.
Mother sighed. “Your assistance has been requested. And I have been shown the situation you are being asked to circumvent. Without doubt, if you do not go, the ramifications will be catastrophic.”
“How catastrophic?” Jeff asked, sounding slightly less angry.
“I have calculated the odds of the complete destruction of your galaxy to be extremely likely.”
“How likely?” I asked.
“A ninety-nine-point-nine percent certainty.”
CHAPTER 19
EVERYONE WAS QUIET FOR a few moments, even the kids. “So,” I spoke carefully, “you determined that whatever’s going on with Ixtha is going to affect our entire galaxy?”
“Yes. I will explain everything, but right now, you should all choose quarters. For the next jump you will have the choice to be in quarters or to be in the jump stations. You all seem to like to discuss your choices in great detail, so please make them now, while there is still plenty of time.”
“You don’t know us.”
“Oh?” Mother asked politely. “You don’t plan to discuss every choice you’re going to make and reach consensus which you will then, somehow, override and change as events warrant?”
“Who the hell programs sarcasm into an AI?” Jeff muttered, shooting a glare at Drax, who looked confused, chagrined, and worried.
“Accurate sarcasm, too,” Reader admitted.
After we all agreed that, sadly, it appeared that Mother did know us, we did as she suggested, with Reader passing a “no one is alone in a set of rooms, period” rule that Jeff and I wholeheartedly backed. Then we all did our best to not discuss our choices and all that jazz. Mother was really living up to her name.
The living quarters were nice, very much like A-C housing—bedroom, bathroom, living room setups, with additional bedrooms for those with larger families. Because we had three kids with us, we got one of the larger family suites.