January 3, 2013

From “The Decision Point” by Cherry Christon

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The woman’s eyes shone with an unnatural and electric light. “When the occupant of the simulation reaches this point, when they are aware of its nature, protocol dictates that they be given a choice.”

Jean looked at the strange digital creature before her, so familiar and yet so alien. “Protocol? I don’t understand.”

“You have discovered the simulation in which you exist. Ergo, it can no longer serve its intended purpose. As such, you will be offered a choice, and the system will proceed along a path that you designate.”

“What…what choice is that?” Jean’s knees wobbled at the thought.

“You may choose for the simulation to be terminated: you will be released into the outside world. Warning: this system possesses no outside information. It cannot comment on any way in which your life, memories, appearance, or any other factor may differ between the system and the outside.”

“And the other?”

“You may submit to a manual overwrite, which will reset the simulation to a time six to eight months ago in your perception. This will remove any memory of your discoveries but will allow life as you have known it to continue.”

“Wait,” Jean’s head spun. “Are you telling me that I may have made these discoveries before? That I might have gone though this whole process a hundred times only to ask for an…an ‘overwrite?'”

The projection was silent.

Jean thought of everything she could: her home, her job, everyone she knew, everything she loved…there was no guarantee it would be there on the ‘outside,’ that she would even be who she remembered being. She wasn’t sure she could condemn that all to oblivion so blithely.

But would living a renewed lie be any better?

“I need some time to think this over,” said Jean.

“You have sixty seconds,” said the projection. “The decision point has been reached and the choice must be made.

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January 5, 2012

From “Of Executioners and Adjudicators” by Bernard S. Roberts

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Originally a conscripted race known as the Jul-Thun, centuries of slavery and genetic tinkering by the Vyaeh have led Executioners to be wholly dependent on their masters for breeding and nutrition. One of two races that serve as internal police within the Vyaeh Empire, Executioners answer directly to agents of the Orphaned Court, the Vyaeh government, and not to local commanders (although they will obey orders that they see as in line with Court policies). As such, they are occasionally seen attacking and killing Vyaeh who are held to be traitors. Executioners are usually assigned to low priority garrisons and small ships.

“Strangely, reports indicate that this creature only fired upon other aliens and never on humans. Due to this, as well as their sinister appearance, the personnel have begun calling them Executioners.”
-Report on the battle of Barnard’s Star

The other race to serve as internal police within the Vyaeh Empire, the Ryteg (commonly referred to as Adjudicators) are a conscripted race added to the Empire relatively recently. As with the Jul-Thun Executioners, the Ryteg Adjudicators are extensively modified through genetic manipulation and cybernetic augmentation when compared to their racial baseline. Their numbers have been increasing of late due to the Orphaned Court’s perception that they are more loyal and adaptable than the Executioners. As such, they are usually assigned to high priority garrisons, large fleets, or as personal guards to fleet commanders, government officials, and even the Court itself. As with the Executioners, Adjudicators are not accountable to local military commanders.

“Defend with your life. Accept no surrender and offer none yourself. In duty is life; in protection, honor; in battle, glory. Serve the Court and you shall be served. Destroy those that betray it and you shall be spared. Work to further it in all things and you will be blessed.”
-Vyaeh manual of arms