Star Force: Zealot (SF87) (Star Force Origin Series) Read Online Free

consciousness?”
    “Enough to get them to comply, yes.”
    “Can it be undone?”
    “Not without direct access, and even then probably not.”
    “Lizards all over again?”
    “I find that comparison insulting.”
    “My point is, do we let these guys hibernate forever or do they need to be woken up eventually?”
    “I won’t have an answer for that until I do a lot more research.”
    Paul looked at the Oracle. “How big is his program?”
    “Considerable.”
    “Think we can fashion a mobile database so we can bring him with us?”
    “If you want to spend the time building it. I would not recommend interfacing this program with your computer systems. They won’t fully be compatible anyway, but where they are it could cause problems.”
    “We can construct an isolated module. Actually, Oracle, can you construct a mobile unit using the resources within this facility?”
    “You wish me to observe the rogue Hamoriti?”
    “That’s the idea.”
    “Feasible. I will require specific orders, for the blueprints to create such a device are not within my memory, but the construction tools required are within my control.”
    “How big do you want it?” Nefron asked.
    “Make the database as large as needed, but make a mobile interface about,” Paul put his hands together and stretched them out as if he was holding a beach ball between them, “this big.”
    “You want it to be mobile onboard your ship, but to do so without interfacing with your comm and computer systems?”
    “Yes.”
    “Simple enough. But I recommend you allow me a full survey of its programming before you allow it to activate. I do not trust Ftrolee programming.”
    “Well don’t give it any weapons. Just make it a talking, floating sphere that can gather data and display it.”
    “As you wish. That will also allow me to do part of my research from afar, though actual readings on the Uriti will have to be taken here.”
    “Don’t you have millions of years worth of data to study?”
    “I need to induce a few changes and study its reaction,” Nefron said evenly.
    Paul bit his lip. “I trust you know what you’re doing?”
    “I won’t wake it. But I need to study its condition. There is little chance of it accidentally waking. None if it has not been damaged.”
    “Oracle, are you feeding the other races information on the Uriti?”
    “As they requested, yes.”
    “Can you falsify those feeds so they are unaware of any tests we run?”
    “A prudent suggestion given the unstable relationships involved. Yes, I can replay previous data that will be genuine other than the timestamp if so directed.”
    “Do not do so until I say,” Nefron instructed, “but make the necessary preparations.”
    “As you command.”
    “Leave us.”
    The hologram disappeared, but both of them knew that it could still monitor their conversation.
    Do you really have that thing on a leash? Paul asked.
    I believe so, but I must finish my confirmation before undertaking any action.
    How long?
    At least another day.
    I’ll make sure you get as much time as you need. Have any of them been in here lately?
    No. They are afraid of another purge and do not want to lose more personnel. They only come with heavy guards and on rare occasions to converse with the Oracle. They want to know if we can do what we claim to, and it has instructed them that we can.
    That should help…or maybe hurt us. I get the feeling some of them would prefer if we’d never shown up and the status quo remained.
    They’ve grown addicted to the fear?
    And the power that the cause gives them. They think this is the holiest cause ever invented, and the Trinx have been willing to screw everyone else over to accomplish their goals.
    Are you going to make them pay for that?
    Depends what they do here. The priority is to minimize the damage and stop any more tech from flowing to the lizards.
    They will betray us if they get the chance , Nefron warned.
    I get that feeling too, from the Trinx at