Page 31 of Argurma Warrior (The Argurma Chronicles #1)
K aylar worked quickly. As much as he hated to abandon Meg alone in their bed, he calculated that the doctor would still be sleeping at the hour, providing the perfect opportunity to investigate the lab where they found Doctor Ryder now that the room was unsealed. His mandibles clicked rhythmically as his internal systems hooked into the primary mainframe ran out of that room. It was distinct and separate from the secondary mainframe set up in the controls room on the main floor, with only a small back door access through which the AI could provide limited manipulation of the secondary system that controlled the upper floors.
This one, however, controlled the lower floors below ground and all the research rooms and laboratories contained within it. It explained why he had been unable to access that part of the laboratory from the main floor. He never had access. But he had it now.
Every room contained multitudes of data from environmental controls to projects being worked on and systems regulations for those assigned to those work spaces. Three floors of data codes for rooms that appeared, on the surface to have very different studies and security access.
Kaylar grunted as his consciousness skimmed the files stored in the primary mainframe. Although he had security access to unlock every room and access every port from there, there was nothing consequential stored directly on the mainframe which was odd. He would have to access each room’s data system individually and that would take many rotations to complete. He frowned as he attempted to access what appeared to be a blank database. Were there other floors even lower than these labs? For some reason that he could not process, he could not directly access them even from there.
With each attempt he received a security clearance failure warning demanding terminal verification. A rattling growl raised in his throat as he narrowed his eyes, focusing inward on his ties to the mainframe. What terminals? The elevator only indicated three lower level floors and the schematics of the laboratory indicated the same both from the secondary mainframe and the primary mainframe. There was nothing lower than LL3, but the large blocks of inaccessible data forming blank spots within the mainframe indicated two unmarked floors.
With a hiss, he disengaged with the system and ignored the mechanical arm that dropped down beside him.
“Non-human life form. You do not have security clearance to be in here,” it objected as its vocal system snapped and crackled as they faded in and out.
His mandibles clicked. It would be logical and more expedient to simply disable the AI system. It would likely not be capable of returning to function, but with the state of the laboratory, that was a predictable outcome. It would be a simple matter to terminate its connections within the mainframe, effectively shutting it down. It was an ideal solution except that he was unable to calculate with any degree of certainty whether or not he might still need it. He had no choice but to delay termination unless the AI gave him no other options.
“What is your designation, AI unit?” he replied instead.
The mechanical arm whirled beside him as the AI processed his question. “AI Survey Assistant Gamma due to being the third-generation survey assistant for this facility,” it explained amid bursts of static and the occasional, random warping of its vocal system.
His lip curled. This AI was of questionable usefulness. Third generation. It was beyond primitive. As far as he was concerned, it was little better than a talking processor. It possessed no ability to access and use complicated logic to reorganize information on its own to look for what he needed, not without being fed very specific searches and key codes, which he did not possess. It was limited to extremely explicit instructions, from which it would not deviate, and that was both unfortunate and inconvenient.
“Gamma, input security clearance ‘Kaylar.’”
“Non-humans lifeforms are not permitted security access,” it repeated dutifully, and he gritted his teeth. “Access will have to be provided by Ultrakor Lab’s mainland access or directly from Doctor Beverly Ryder as the only human on Xeno Island possessing top secret clearance level.”
“Does that give Doctor Ryder access to all parts of the laboratory?”
“Affirmative. Top Secret is the highest level of clearance and one designated to the few who have complete access to Project Xeno. You have obtained illegal access to the general files of the primary mainframe that is prosecutable under the CFAA, section A3. Doctor Beverly Ryder’s clearance is required to provide further access.”
He chuffed. He required nothing of the sort.
With a swipe of his hand, he brought up his system connection once more and went directly for the staff resources information block. There were files upon files and names and photo identification of males and females who had long since terminated but he was not interested in those. He was solely intent on the singular core of the block that contained the security clearances attached to the files. Ruthlessly he ripped into it even as his ears were filled with the warning shrieks from the AI as its arm spasmed and withdrew to the ceiling in a violent retraction. He ignored it, shifting through files with greater speed and determination. He needed to complete this quickly before Doctor Ryder was alerted to his presence there.
Drawing the electrical units and data coding to formulate the necessary information within the system, Kaylar manipulated them until he produced a new security file with his recorded designation and system signature, registering his top-secret clearance. It locked into place among the other files and an electric spark, became permanently codified with other clearance files recorded within it. Now the AI and all of the mainframe systems would recognize him. He calculated that even the terminals would recognize his clearance if he could locate them.
Kaylar disengaged from the block’s core, withdrawing back into full awareness as he disconnected from the mainframe.
“Gamma, verify security clearance for designation ‘Kaylar.’”
“Confirmed. Welcome, Kaylar. How may I assist you today?”
“Have I uploaded all data from Room LL1A?” he queried.
“Affirmative. All files have been transferred. Is there anything else I can help with?”
“Delete all record of my presence for the last 89.7 minutes,” he replied. “That is all.”
“Acknowledged.”
Turning, Kaylar left the room, the numerous computing devices linked the large viewing screen on the wall opposite of the stasis unit blinking sedately as he passed them. He did not slow as he made his way through the corridor and directly onto the elevator. There was nothing more than he could reasonably do for the time being. It would simply take time even with his upgrades to his processors that worked quicker than fully organic brains. He calculated that each room would take a full day of processing as he attended to other matters. For now, however, he had little interest in anything other than returning to his female. He processed that the file for LL1A was stored carefully within his database and would be there still when he was ready to delve into it. It could wait a few hours. As the elevator ascended, he redirected his attention instead to the virus he was crafting deeper in his databases where a cursory scan from his handler would not readily find it. There was no trail to even suggest what he was doing. He was proceeding with the utmost caution.
He was so focused on it that he walked blindly forward as the elevator doors opened on the residential floor and collided with a soft bodied human. Stilling, he reached out instinctively to stabilize the female before becoming fully aware that the cloying scent she exuded was not the familiar sweetness of his female. Its unfamiliarity was unpleasant alone but more so that it was pressed so closely to him, tainting the scent imprint of his female upon him. That he did not like. His nostrils flared in distaste, and he dropped his hands away as he retreated a step.
“My apologies, Doctor Ryder,” he grumbled.
She gave a breathless laugh. “No harm done, Kaylar. I’m afraid I was in a bit of a rush. A system’s alarm went off and I was just going to check on it when it stopped. Still, it doesn’t hurt to take a peek if you would like to accompany me. I would feel a lot…safer… traveling down there with a strong male at my side, if you wouldn’t mind. Truly, Meg is a very lucky woman,” she murmured, her gaze trailing over him in a way that made his vibrissae raise defensively.
“Regretfully, I am returning to my room. I descended briefly to inspect where we will begin salvaging tomorrow within the lab where we found you. If that set of any alarms, then my apologies.”
She blinked up at him, her smile slipping very faintly. “You are salvaging in my lab?”
He dipped his chin. “It is rich in metal and necessary parts for repairs. You did wish to leave the island quickly, is this correct?”
Shoring up her smile, she nodded quickly. “Yes, of course. You’re right. I definitely want my ride off this island.” She pursed her lips for a moment. “Are you sure you don’t wish to accompany me? I don’t bite. In fact, you’ll see that I can be quite friendly,” she added. “And I can provide you with a bit of stimulating conversation that you’ve probably not had in a while.”
He scowled, his mandibles clattering in agitation as he skirted her. “Negative. I’ve been away from my female too long. Enjoy your night, doctor,” he spat out as he stormed away from her, her throaty laughter following him.
“That Meg is definitely a very lucky woman.”