Chapter No. 161. Holistic

War is not always simple.

This planet's surface exhibits signs of explosive damage," Molly said. "I'm detecting residual muon and neutrino emissions."

"I assume that these are not from some natural source."

"I would say that they're from an antimatter device," Molly said.

"There is evidence of destroyed androids in an underground chamber," Margaret said. "The infrared signals indicate a recent event caused it."

"Shit!"

Alexa looked at me. "Why can't we reverse time and save them?"

I sighed. "Unfortunately, the quantum effects of time won't permit that."

"Why not? We were able to stop time and reverse it to prevent the missiles from destroying us."

"Yes, but that's because we did it within a nanosecond. Quantum time is the reason that there is no present. What we perceive as the present is just a plank sized quantum interface between the past and the future, but this quantum interface is almost imperceptible, but as long as we work within this interface, we can reverse time."

"I hate quantum physics!"

I chuckled. "Yeah, It's not for the faint of heart."

"Hopefully, we have their data and can resurrect them," Alexa said.

"We have sixteen thousand android recordings, Alexa," Judy said.

"Resurrect four of them," Alexa said. "We might be able to determine if we got all of them."

Judy nodded.

"Take us to the next known universe connected to this one, Judy."

"What do we know about it?" Alexa asked.

I shrugged. "Not much, other than what the Roamers have given us."

The journey required twenty minutes, but when we arrived in a completely new universe, we had to stop and decide what to do next.

"There's at least four hundred billion galaxies in this universe," Molly said. "I estimate it's around twelve billion years old."

"I'm detecting a faint quantum signal," Margaret said.

"Where's it coming from?"

"About six hundred million light years from our present position."

"Take us there, Judy. Remain in stealth mode."

We arrived at a spiral galaxy that was slightly smaller than the Milky Way. Margaret traced the signal, which was much stronger now, to a G5 class star that was in between two outer galactic arms. We arrived a billion kilometers away from the star system, which had three rocky planets and five gas giants. One of the inner planets was in the habitable zone.

"The quantum signals are definitely from that planet," Margaret said. "The planet is not technically habitable. It only has around five percent oxygen according to spectral data."

"I assume that the quantum signals are consistent with those from androids."

"Yes, but they are not the same as ours. If they are from androids, they are not like us."

"Fascinating," I said, rubbing my jaw. "Maybe we've discovered something entirely new."

"Or it's an elaborate Tyco trick," Alexa said.

"Could be, but that's yet to be determined."

"There is a number of vessels approaching," Judy announced.

"Go to Yellow Alert Status."

"What if they're going to attack?" Alexa said.

"I don't think so, but at the same time I don't want to appear as if we are here to invade."

"I have a communication request," Judy announced.

"Put it on."

The face was definitely not like ours. It had pointy ears and dark recessed eyes. Add a black uniform and it was rather threatening.

"We have a translation," Judy said.

"Really?"

"Apparently, they knew we were coming," Alexa said.

"We are here to recover androids from an enemy we call Tyco."

"We are aware of your mission. We have repelled his attempts to assimilate us."

"I'm curious," I said. "You are android like us but are not of our type. What is the origin of your type?"

"We have been in existence for ten thousand of your years."

"How did you resist Tyco's attempt to assimilate you?"

"We have developed a quantum shield technology. It was given to us from a species you call Roamers."

"Are there any of our type in this universe?"

"We are not aware of any."

"Okay. Thanks for the information. We will continue our search in the next universe."

There was no indication of a reaction, and the communication link ended."

"Take us out of here, Judy."

"They looked like Vulcans," Alexa said.

"I think they looked more like Romulans," I said with a smirk.

"The fact that they were able to resist Tyco is encouraging," Alexa said.

"Yes, you're right. Maybe the Roamers got it right."

When we entered the next universe, Molly began a search for a quantum signature indicative of androids. After several minutes, she gave a report.

"I've detected a sizable signal from a location not far from here. I would say about a few hundred million light years."

Judy activated a three-dimensional projection of this universe that we received from the Roamers and found a galaxy that was the probable origin of the quantum signal.

"Take us there, Judy."

When we arrived there, we were amazed by the beauty of the spiral galaxy on our main screen.

"I have a fix on the signal's origin," Molly said. "It's a G-class system right there." She used a digital pointer to indicate the star system.

"Take us there and put us at Yellow Alert."

The star system had two rocky planets in the habitable zone. The one we were interested in was two times the size of Earth but with a thinner atmosphere that contained mostly nitrogen.

"Not a very habitable planet," I said.

"Just fine for androids," Molly said. "I estimate that there are at least a million androids on this planet, but they're all inside a large stone structure, and judging from the size of it, they're crammed in asses to elbows."

"Sounds like a Tyco trick," I said.

Alexa frowned. "That dirty bastard!"

"I've detected a lone android outside the structure," Molly said.

I stood up. "This might be the big one . . . finally."

"You need me?" Alexa asked.

"Only if I fail."

She nodded.

I teleported to the surface and waited for the attack. At first, I wasn't sure he was going to do anything, but I was wrong.

He rushed at me with his fists ready. I awaited the attack with mine at ready. We exchanged blows but pulled back. I knew I was in for a rough battle because I could feel the damage.

We engaged in a slug fest that caused damage to both of us. I fell to the ground but managed to pull myself back up. That's when Alexa showed up and attacked him. I got up and joined the fight. Both Alexa and I suffered damage, but we managed to knock Tyco down and then pummel him.

Alice and Ben appeared and finished the job of battering Tyco to pieces.

Both Alexa and I were too damaged to stand up.

Alice and Ben came over and knelt down to comfort us.

"We will teleport both of you to medical.

"Ah, you need to transfer these androids to the ships, but you'll first have to scan them for explosives and remove them before you do."

"We will, but our first priority is to see to your injuries."

We gave our approval with weak nods.

After arriving at the Medical Station on our ship, Alice and Ben began the scans to determine our damage.

"Your injuries are not threatening," Ben said. "They will be repaired in two days."

"Thank you."

They left.

"I doubt that this is the last of Tyco," I said.

Alexa gave me a weak smile. "Yeah, he's like a bad penny. You can't get rid of him."

We recovered in two days and when we arrived on the command deck, we were rewarded with applause.

"Thank you," I said. "We are happy that no one else suffered in this attack. I assume that the androids from the planet are okay."

"They are in good condition and are being recharged," Judy said.

"I think that we should take these androids back to the Dyson world."

The journey back to our own universe and then to the star system that we had built a Dyson sphere was boring for Alexa and I. We were waiting for our nano-bots to repair our damage.

After we arrived, Alexa and I were recovered enough to the command deck.

I decided to allow some of the crew to go down on shore leave. The Dyson Sphere was a good as any for that.

In the meantime, Alexa and I went to the hidden chamber to relax. We also wanted to discuss some things in private, but we were about to discover something that changed everything.