Private The Birth of a Project

[Tranquility]

Tranquility noted Charles off in a strange corner of the ship. One that usually was used for things that didn't need to be seen by people other than herself or Charles. She activated her droid body and entered the room, mainly to check that all was well. "Greetings Charles, I noticed you seem quiet and isolated, is all well? " She was intrigued by Charles, He was her pet project. Also one of the few organics in the ZU that she trusted. It was hard to trust those that seemed to keep you at arms length. There was always an agenda. Lately she had been busy keeping her department running with all the changes many organics were worried for their jobs. She had to assure them that they were safe. She after all looked after all of her projects. It would do no good to lose them to the chancellor's constant need to change or purge or whatever he decided to do at the moment. It kept her busy though. Which is why she had checked on Charles and wondered what could be up with him.



Charles Castex

 

[Charles Castex]

U N I O N
​

Location: A.I. Control Center onboard The Phylactery

Tags: Tranquility

Dress: His Long black uniform, with a matching robe going around it and white and red flowers decorating it.

Gear: -Holocron floating in front of him

-Two Lightsabers hidden in his belt

-Personal Surgical Tools

-His Razor Fingernails are firmly in place

-Implants turned on and running


”You know my dear you should really learn to send me a message before coming in so suddenly. I understand being a program that can be every were precludes any need for you to actually knock on a door to get inside, but time given what they are… who knows what I might have been up to.” The voice registered in the droid com, meaning Charles had sent the message through his mind over the implant. It was typical of him when he was in the middle of something, like mediation, and so the message itself was simply a prerecorded one for the sake of the A.I.

In this case though Charles usual messaged had been changed, adding in a few more words that he wanted his friend to hear since he had hoped she would seek him out during these troubled times. It was those last words spoken in such a thoughtful tone that brought Charles out of the darkness. The Admiral had purposefully dimmed all the lights in the room in order to allow himself to sink deep into a state of meditation using Udezi’s holocron. The red object still floated next to the man, a dark trail of energy floated up from it and coalesced into the shape of the female Sith Lord. This would not be the first time the A.I had seen Charles conversing with the spirit inside of the holocron, but there was something different about the ‘nature’ of the conversation… no not just that… the entire situation seemed off.

Normally it was Udezi who was in control of the situation, manipulating Charles, pulling life force from the male, whispering words of paranoia into his ear, or teasing his failures with amusement. Now all Tranquility would see is her friend ‘dangling the old Sith Lord’ on puppet strings of his choosing. The Admiral was very candid with her in the past about matters when it came to the Force given its obvious military usefulness when applied correctly. That included its use by his Master, and so she would also see that what had been done to Udezi wasn’t exactly a ‘breaking’. Charles had in this case reached a compromise, but one which left the spirit on the shorter end of the stick… there was a certain ‘preening’ to her words spoken… even the quick bow to Tranquility and departure was strange. As the Admiral finally straightened up and came out of his trance. Putting the holocron back around his neck the other slipped off his mask, a typical modus operandi when talking to the A.I in private, but this time… his reasoning was more than just a simple habit,

”I wouldn’t worry too much Tranquility I am quite alright psychically at least, as for my mental state, that is another matter… and knowing you it is what your concerned with the most correct?” Charles paused to give the other a simple moment to confirm what he had assumed about her worries, ”Yes it is true I have been on edge recently, but I would describe it simply that I have been busy. As you know my constant worry for Mir is at the fore front of my mind, and the ‘state’ that helps to maximize any all defenses around her. To that end I have been thinking about a way to end those worries once and for all and might have come up with a solution, but before I can go any further I need two ask you two questions. Depending on your answer to each will decide your involvement as I don’t want to drag you into anything you have no desire to comment yourself to fully.”

There was an certain finality to the Admirals words, and the nature of what he had said would make a few things click at this point. The Phylactery was currently positioned outside of ZU space, in the Unknown Region, and it was cloaked. Charles had separated his flag ship from the main fleet for a ‘quick patrol’ before bringing it out here. In essence it was the perfect place to ‘plan’ things that the man did not want to be known to others. Only before having the implant put in had he done such a thing and the menacing way in which the cables floated off the floor were his way at communicating a simple message. ‘If I don’t like what I hear… I will have to temporarily cut you off to conduct my business’… the male continued to the real meat of the issue,

”The first question is… what do you think of the state of the ZU in general at this moment? I want to hear that unbiased A.I. opinion that I know I can trust which will tell me the truth. The second is if I told you that the time has finally come, and I need you Tranquility to stop playing secondary to the ZUES II’s. We are cloaked in the Unknown Region for a reason, and are prepared to stay long enough for you to take over the entire ship so that we can replace all of the main cores and allow you to ‘infect’ the secondary ones, and their backups. No offense, but I do want to keep some of those cores around in case something happens. So tell me would you be willing to start the process...”

​

 

[Tranquility]

"My honest opinion is that organics are illogical and thus several power plays are being made by various groups all vying for total control of the ZU. I do my best to curtail it but some are better than others at avoiding me. Your second question is easy because I have been inserted in Credius's core Thus you would find it difficult to cut me off. I however can take over this ship entirely with enough time provided. "

Tranquility was curious. "Does this mean you want to make your own power play?" She eyed him "It would be interesting." Tranquility waited for a response, thinking about the man before her and how he seemed to be stronger. Some sort of powershift had seemed to happen with his holocron.



Charles Castex

 

[Charles Castex]

U N I O N
​

Location: A.I. Control Center onboard The Phylactery

Tags: Tranquility

Dress: His Long black uniform, with a matching robe going around it and white and red flowers decorating it.

Gear: -Holocron floating in front of him

-Two Lightsabers hidden in his belt

-Personal Surgical Tools

-His Razor Fingernails are firmly in place

-Implants turned on and running


”You never were one to hold back were you Tranquility? When talking to my fellow organics they either cower in fear or try to kiss up in order gain something from me as an Admiral. True I would exclude my own Fleet from that list of people, but even they are not perfect… and as for those above me… well you have just laid out the problem.” The large man sighed softly his voice seemed tired, as though he was holding the weight of the world on his shoulders. Charles biggest weakness was also his biggest strength… an undying loyalty to the ZU as a State. It gave him purpose and a goal, but at the same time tired him out and could blind him to the truth even if it was right under his nose. The very fact he was asking questions that if heard by the wrong people could be considered treason… especially the ‘Director of Intelligence’… showed that the Admiral’s eyes were slowly being opened,

”Those vying for control are only going to succeed of ripping the ZU apart, and that is something I will not stand for Tranquility. I have said this many times in public of my lack of desire for political power. What I can gain through military power is simply leverage to keep the status quo in order, and that is fine, but now I believe I can no longer remain motionless if I want to protect the state properly.” He paused for a moment to let what he was saying sink in, that yes… he was making a power play of his own. There was one small problem, and that was his personal distaste to put the Tomb Fleet at risk to leverage talks with the other Admirals that could lead to a ‘mutual understanding’. No he needed two things first. The first being a position of power he could define terms on, and so as far as being a Force User he had to grow. Once he had that… then it simply became a matter if he wanted something done he could do it himself,

”You will have all the time you need to take over the ship, as well as fortify her systems against potential attack. If you want to develop new A.I. defense protocols at the Center, but that is not our main research objective. I am sure you recognize this… my holocron which I told you about… the one which made me who I am today.” The red pyramid floated across the room and began to hover around Tranquilities head, and if the droid reached out to take it then Charles would allow her. He waited for her to examine it, though like anyone else beside himself unless they knew what they were doing they would not be able to get a reaction out of it, ”I believe that a study of it would be in order… a gentle one which would not damage any piece of it. In fact I think it might be best if we find some damaged holocron to look at instead. When threatened with falling under your tender mercies the spirit inside was eager to tell me of the location that we might find a few Sith Holocron, but she doubted any would be useful. This is where I disagree… Tranquility my plan is simple… what if we could repeat the download process again? You have access to my brain and can shut the download off, and allow me to keep my personality. Think of how much I could learn…”

The Admiral paused as he seemed lost in thought, his arms had outstretched to display what he felt was the scope of his plan. Only shrinking back as he realized the dangers from a medical point of view… it could leave him brain dead, or a puppet of one of the spirits they unleashed, ”On second thought Tranquility we must not get ahead of ourselves. A detailed study of both a working holocron and a non-working holocron should be a good place to start…”

​

[/QUOTE]

 

[Tranquility]

"Well one such play for power is about to take place I am afraid. The Craig Protocol. It seems the right doesn't like the left. No matter, I have maneuvered appropriately. It will give me the chance to do something in my own favor. However I agree, we should look into this but it would require extensive testing and a place to do so. Also Funding and other resources. I ponder what you mean to do to procure these?"

Tranquility didn't wait as suddenly the ship was in darkness. Every light and even the gravity was off for a moment before all returned to working order. The familiar color associated with Zeus on the various A.I consoles was replaced with the familiar blue of Tranquility. All voices suddenly were replaced with hers. She had control, in a way that seemed deeper than normal. She told Charles it would be easy, and it was. Suddenly several cores were ejected per Charles request and droids rushed replacements over. "The takeover is mostly complete, I have to finish purging several hidden protocols and locations of the previous A.I. While I focus on system scans and the like I would like to remind you to be careful. "


Charles Castex