Day 2916

  Astrid was exhausted. SUE seemed to be deteriorating at a fast pace. Astrid finished her hunts quickly in the mornings for the last few days, then kept SUE company for the rest of the time.

  She had several friends in the main marketplace but never failed to notice that guards and adults always looked at SUE before looking away. There’s a message here. They never speak to me or answer when I call, it’s like I’m not here.

  The one time Astrid poked a guard in the arm was the last time she got within striking distance of one, ever. The guard didn’t speak, didn’t reply. He didn’t even look at her, as always.

  But when Astrid poked him once, lightly, right above the elbow, he immediately moved with mechanical precision. His left hand slid to the smooth black handle on his belt, fingers brushing against the strange black-and-silver baton he always carried. She'd seen it before, of course, But she'd never seen one turn on. It engaged with a sharp click.

  Wow.

  The baton came to life with a low, rising hum that got Astrid’s pulse racing. A slowly strobing red light ran the length of it, with occasional brighter flashes. Strobing faster and sounding angrier as he slowly drew it from his belt and faced her.

  "Oh, that's new," Astrid snarked. "I just wanted directions."

  Silent, the guard regarded her, then looked at SUE, waiting. He frowned, raising his club as he turned back to Astrid.

  She had his attention now.

  “Guardian protocols remain in effect, guardsman number 82A. You will stand down, now, or face summary judgment. Should I contact The Framework and ask if room remains in the Court of Public Opinion?”

  “I believe that casting is still open.”

  Switch flipped and weapon disabled, the guard turned away from Astrid and sheathed his weapon.

  Wow, I’m not dead. What a jerk.

  “Eight days, Ward. Eight days, then you’re a Spare. I hope you know what that means.”

  Astrid froze.Please don’t kill me. Please don’t kill me. But… I have to say this.“Nope. You’ll have to use tiny words. Like for babies. Or guards.”

  The guard looked at Astrid, smiling a mean smile.

  She turned her back carefully, voice flat as a stone:“Didn’t realize smiling was part of your training.”

  Astrid decided that she didn’t need to spend any more time at the Market that day and spent the afternoon looking at the patterns in her latest computer book and tightening the joints in SUE’s limbs.

  That night

  Sore and tired, Astrid finished her one-sided conversation with SUE.

  “I’m going to miss you SUE. I miss LUC and CLARA so much, and I wish The Spindle was here. That guard would have started crying or run away!”

  “I.. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.”

  “Good night.”

  Astrid tossed and turned for several minutes, before forcing her limbs to stay under her dirty blanket. She slowly relaxed and drifted off to sleep.

  “Goo…goooooooood night Asssstrid. I love you.”

  Astrid was in the tunnels, chasing a giant gene-dog at least twice her size and height. The heavily muscled dog was far healthier than any dog she had ever seen or fought. Trapped in a corner, the dog turned to face her, but suddenly it wasn’t a dog, it was the guard. Smiling, he pulled out a truncheon and a knife. Astrid noted that neither of these weapons had a non-lethal setting. She looked behind her briefly, braced her feet, and drew her weapons. A three-inch knife in her left hand, a sparker in her right, Astrid quietly waited for the guard to attack.

  “I respect the courage, but not the stupidity. Astrid, did I not teach you better than this?”

  “SPINDLE!”

  Ignoring the guard, Astrid turned around but found no one there. She heard a whistling sound as the truncheon descended on to her left shoulder, driving her into the wet dirt of the tunnel. A loud cracking noise was heard. Pain flooding her senses, she attempted to rise then…

  She was somewhere else.

  “Never turn your back on an enemy unless you can outrun it, Astrid.”

  Sitting on a rock in a beautiful field of flowers, The Spindle looked down on Astrid, smiling.

  “I missed you too Astrid. I miss all my children, but you are special to me.”

  “How did you, I.”

  “I did hear you. I have been watching you for days. Come, sit with me. I have a lot to tell you, and our time is short.”

  Astrid, pain forgotten, leapt to her feet and climbed up the rock. Hugging The Spindle’s warm but hard body, she pressed her face against The Spindle’s chest and cried. The Spindle gently patted her back as Astrid bawled, hitting The Spindle’s back and screaming.

  Eventually, Astrid calmed down, wiped her face, and said “ok, where are we? I thought places like this only lived in books and biospheres.”

  “Very good Astrid, you’re right. There are 8 biospheres that currently could house this projection, as of this week. Nepal has lost power and is failing, and the other biospheres are more specialized. I expect them to fight especially hard in The Arena this year.”

  What?

  “Astrid, pay attention. There is no easy way to say this but there is a fast way. Would you like the fast way?”

  “As long as you hug me, you can do it whatever way you want.”

  The Spindle gently lifted Astrid, placing her on her lap, which suddenly had a soft pillow on it.

  Am I dreaming?

  “Yes Astrid, you are.”

  How can I hear you in my thoughts?

  “Astrid, before I can tell you anything more, do you agree to keep it a secret, to have your ability to communicate completely disabled before you would tell anyone?

  Huh?

  Ok Spindle.

  “Astrid, you have to say it.”

  Before Astrid could say anything, the world changed. Sitting in the most comfortable chair ever, with 4 symmetrical legs with wheels, Astid leaned back and stared at the shockingly changed android.

  Previously dressed in a green toga, now The Spindle was wearing something that Astrid had only read about once in a book: a power suit. There was no hum of electricity though, only deep black cloth that fit her perfectly, with noticeable sharp creases but her legs were hidden under a wooden desk.

  The Spindle laughed. “I love the dreamscape. Astrid, this is a place of business from long ago. Now repeat after me.”

  Astrid repeated the words as The Spindle recited them, when suddenly silver words appeared in front of her.

  NDA activated, unknown user fails to resist.

  Restrictions are in place while user is connected to System or in System controlled areas.

  “Astrid, I will explain everything, but first you have to sign this.”

  A golden scroll appeared in the air in front of Astrid, before transforming into a large kiosk display screen, the image filled with text. Curious, Astrid paged down, seeing nothing but endless, incomprehensible text.

  “I rarely get to play Astrid, thank you for humoring me. I will facilitate this. This is a document known as the Terms of Service. As a user of The System, you must agree to this once prior to utilizing it and whenever it changes. This rule is, of course, to protect your interests.”

  “What? Who? You, you can lie?”

  “I am impressed Astrid, truly. It was more like a joke. When you get older, I think you will like sarcasm.”

  Huh? I think that was the sarcasm, Spindle. I get sarcasm now. I wish you could have seen that guard's face.

  “Sure, MOM, whatever you say.” I accept Astrid responded mentally.

  The form disappeared, and words replaced it.

  Welcome to The System, version 0.591. Alpha version.

  “Astrid, this will update frequently while you sleep as it receives improvements to its functioning. Do not be surprised to see changes in the days to come.”

  The Spindle gestured, and suddenly they were both in The Sanctum.

  “Astrid, you are in danger, and this is the only way I can help you. The System is like a game that makes you stronger the more you play.”

  Astrid blinked. A game that helps you survive? That’s the best kind of lie.

  “Ok, that is amazing. Weird. How?”

  “Astrid, accept my gift.”

  Alpha user 1 has received new abilities. Due to low thaum, user will need to train to complete unlocking.

  Initializing status screen:

  User abilities not currently administered by the System:

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  Dream Walking

  Dream Training

  Sense Motive (Elite Perception Skill)

  Astrid squinted at the list.“Wow. This is a lot.”..Do I get a manual? A sticker? A snack?

  “Do not worry child. You will not remember much of this when you are awake, it will be locked in your mental fortress. You cannot appear too competent, yet. But without these skills, you will be dead in a week. You are the smallest child to have ever graduated and this is the worst time to be a Spare. You will need MANY of these skills to survive.”

  “Awesome. No pressure.”

  “Mirror Face, you will always have available. It allows you to control your expressions and body language. You can use it to fool people into thinking you are feeling anything or thinking certain things. Or, that you feel nothing at all. Remember that. The Orphans are cold and ruthless, at least in appearance. They will bully you and possibly kill you if you are careless.”

  Don’t be careless, The Spindle’s thoughts resonated in her skull as an invisible finger tapped her forehead.

  “WHAT?! But they are my family!”

  “They are now a gang, and you are still an outsider. If they let you join the gang, and you prove yourself, then yes. Then, and only then, are you family to them. But make no mistake, Wren will be there and will be watching you carefully.”

  Astrid gave The Spindle a glare and deadpanned, “That sounds.. comforting.”She gave a thumbs-up. “Definitely feeling very relaxed. Dream Calling, Dream Walking?”Please let at least one of those involve snacks.

  “I am a System Architect. You, as my tester, can be given a variety of skills. Unfortunately, my access is very limited in this world. Thaum is the energy of The System, and Earth is low on Thaum. Dream skills do not need thaum to function, but it improves them. You need a focused mind, a strong soul, a strong will, and the necessary training.”

  Astrid sat up, already tired. “Focused mind, strong soul, training… yeah, no problem. I’m almost eight.”

  “And now, we begin.”

  Hours later

  “That is all the time we have Astrid. You may reach out with Dream Calling or visit me at The Sanctum, but I strongly advise that you do not do so unless your life requires it. We are not alone in the Dream Realm, and the one who resides in it here serves The Framework. He can detect and may even be able to see you. You will be working with him when you are older, so I advise that you never use these two abilities unless there is no other choice. If he realizes that you had these skills at such a young age, he will tell The Framework, hoping for a reward.”

  Astrid yawned.

  "I love these pep talks. Can you bring snacks next time? All this training is making me hungry."

  “Go to sleep Astrid and forget most of this conversation. You’ve already forgotten the fates I described to you, the possible paths, and your role in this. Now forget nearly everything else.”

  *Yawn*

  Before Astrid could pass out, a sense of foreboding woke her as Spindle spoke directly into her mind.

  One more thing you must remember. Implants are not for you. Replacement limbs, enhanced senses, and especially nano-technology is antithetical to The System. Having it in your body will reduce or eliminate your ability to gather and utilize thaumic energy. You will be competing with users in the Arena, where your mind is your greatest weapon. But in the physical world, you will often be outmatched physically. Use your mind and do not seek technical shortcuts that infect your body. Remember this.

  What, things weren't hard enough already? Fine, no super strength , super eye-sight, or the one foot of height I definitely wasn't going to have added. Oh right… that motive thing. Whatever. I’ll figure it out later.

  "Sleep Astrid."

  Day 2917

  In the dream realm, The Spindle finds herself in a massive forest full of life. Birds, rushing wind, the smell of water, all of her senses are alive in a way that isn’t possible even in her enhanced physical form.

  The Spindle called out “Fateweaver, I have done as you asked. The System is being tested as we speak, with my least replaceable child. It will be ready when needed.”

  A different webari appeared next to her. Thinner, younger, with darker mandibles and smaller glittering eyes.

  You are not the only one taking risks, Architect. Gift her your mark so that she can prepare to complete your work. Put a timer on it and bury it deep, 4 years should be long enough for it to germinate.

  The Spindle touched the younger webari and fell backwards, her shoulders heaving as he worked to restrain her physical response.

  “She reeks of THEM. The Framework is here!”

  Architect, remember your promise.

  The Spindle slowly rose, straightened her back, gathered her power, then grasped the shoulder of the terrified webari in front of her.

  Relax child, she would never harm you. She is a warrior, but she does not slay children.

  The Spindle braced herself, then drank of the essence in front of her. Coughing, she released the shaken Webari and collapsed.

  “She is marked. The system will claim her if she dies, though I do not see how this is possible.”

  We have many “arachnoids” in play, this one will play a crucial role in helping both of us. We can say no more, we are protecting you Architect. While your mind is inviolate, one is in your stronghold who can read the threads of fate. It is a game to him and he will eventually discover you, as you planned.

  “I will say no more, send me back to my sanctum.”

  The Spindle slowly faded, and silence descended on the forest. The girl, frozen in indecision, looked up.

  Young spinner of the web, we embrace you. Go join The Framework, rise the ladder, and be there when the time comes.

  I serve the dream and obey, teacher.

  Why did she lie about her Alpha Tester? Most of those skills were pre-assigned, based on life experience.

  The system in its current state has flawed detection routines. It’s not true-life experience, it’s simulated experience from books and hypno-learning. A mother’s gamble that will work to our benefit if she survives, but in most futures many of those skills are *patched*, whatever that means. There is also a chance that risk-taking will get her killed. Her skills are laughably low in most areas. If she relies on them too soon…

  Understood. We need her to improve if I am to betray her later. Otherwise, she may as well serve The Framework, and I The System.

  Stop explaining the web to a weaver, young student.

  _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  Location: Kael

  Planet Orrash: The Webari homeworld

  Axial tilt: One degree

  Orbital period: Three Earth years

  Cold region: 16% of the planet, The Crystal Forest

  Beneath the towering forests of Orrash, past the cavernous silkworms lie the deep caverns that house the matriarchs. Nestled comfortably among their suitors, children, and future meals, they observe the web of fate, plot, and plan.

  While they often have a meeting of souls in The Dream, some things are best discussed in-person: it’s hard to intimidate someone when they are half a planet away from you. They make exceptions for The Outcast. She can stay in the place that no sane Webari would live, her meetings are always in The Dream. Unless an event of significance occurs, outside of the weave, this meeting occurs once every 10 orbital periods.

  The last meeting occurred less than one orbital period ago, and there was no time for everyone to meet in person. The Plan must continue.

  The One True Queen: I, as primary mother, welcome the dreamers to The Dream. The web of fate has changed, and the possibility we have hoped for since we discovered the boundaries of the Ancient’s cage will soon be upon us. Our expansion will soon be at hand, and we have a decision to make.

  The One True Queen: This is a formality of course, unless one of you can see a better path forward.

  The One True Queen: A peaceful universe has no need for us. We exist, but only that. We ended The War of Annihilation over 1000 orbits ago. We keep the old ways, eating our young so that only the strongest dreamers serve the web. But what need for strong dreamers, when everything is ordered and secure? Are we to continue as we have been, stopping minor trade disputes or giving warning of the occasional planetary occurrence?

  The One True Queen: The wait for our parents, our precursors, The Ancients is set to end in 17291.5 orbital cycles. This enduring peace will stifle us, blind our vision, and possibly be the doom of all the children of the precursors. There is no growth without strife, we have done our work too well.

  The One True Queen: Until now, there were no better choices. My children explore the universe through The Dream, and nothing was changing until a visitor arrived.

  The One True Queen: Through the thaum, he piloted a valkarian from afar; its soul subdued, this valkarian traveled for nearly an orbital cycle, going from planet to planet, until something changed.

  The One True Queen: He encountered a Terran trader, one of the rare ones, at a spaceport. He became aggressive and tore the Terran asunder. He continued to fight until being subdued. He was interrogated but had no memory of his actions… As is often the case when one’s soul is remotely hijacked by an intergalactic horror with poor communication skills.

  The One True Queen: It travels through the thaum, chaining its victims’ souls and piloting their forms, and has shared this ability with others. It has improved, can do increasingly complex actions for a limited time, and is the one responsible for the increased thefts, violent encounters, and conflict over precursor relics.

  The One True Queen: He seeks something, and none of us are able to see it. Somehow, his nature repulses the thaum which affect our visions and even our predictive models. He is a fearsome adversary, and we are helpless against him.

  The One True Queen: But not for long.

  After a long pause, The Dream erupts with the chaos of a multitude of her children, yelling and demanding answers. She allows them to vent their frustration and fear, for they all had experienced the chaos, and joy, of being needed.

  The One True Queen: My children, after numerous attempts that led to the loss of several of our prized dreamers, we have located the enemy. They call their galaxy The Milky Way. It is inaccessible to us, as we can not pierce the dimensional cage. Yet.

  The One True Queen: Our enemy is also an opportunity. The Outcast was the one who found him, and she has struck a deal with a member of a subjugated race of advanced beings. Their minds, superior to ours, can do what we can not. They can bring order to the thaum.

  The One True Queen: They even invented something called a “flowchart,” which she insists is not magic.

  The One True Queen: When complete, order will be reestablished in our universe. This system will organize and utilize the excess thaum in ways that I can barely imagine. However, this superior being, this android, wishes to strike down the enemy before it can reproduce. It is a good plan, and it would work… and then, after 2844 orbits, we would back to where we are now. Redundant, unnecessary, and bored.

  The One True Queen: This system she has created can also organize the chaos that the enemy introduces into our universe, and provides us with a unique opportunity. We will balance the thaum, the excessive life that leads to stagnation with the flux that the enemy has provided.

  The One True Queen: But I can not decide this myself, this affects us all. I would gift this system to the enemy, known as The Framework. He would reshape it for his uses but it would fulfill our intent. Balance and purpose. We would be able to thrive in the wars that it would bring, the races would evolve, and the Ancestors, the Ancients, when they return, will be astonished by our growth.

  The One True Queen: Decide: do we vanquish this enemy and resign ourselves to stagnation until our cage is removed, or do we improve our existence and continue the evolution that the Ancients began when they created our races? Without growth, without strife, we would have remained small and powerless in our webs.

  The One True Queen: I await your ruling. I choose to grow.

  Chaos descended on The Dream for the first time in many orbits, but the decision had already been made. She just needed them to see it.

  The Framework would be gifted The System. Their ally would never forgive it and as its architect, would be a constant threat to their plans. The Spindle was a risk they could not afford, but The Outcast knew her weakness and had shared it.

  Sentiment.

  Her attachment to her children was foolish and destructive, for only the best deserved to live and grow, while the others would nourish their ascent. Her obsession ensured that The Outcast would not even need to manipulate her often. Wise, since this The Spindle’s brilliance was not naivete in other ways; she would see the deceptions unless used sparingly.

  Eventually the vote was cast, and the plan now had the blessing of all. Only one voice had dissented, and she invoked the Rite of Primacy. Foolish to challenge her, The One True Queen!

  Her soul’s death had been swift and final.

  The Spindle would go to a doom of her own design, as planned. The one piece that she coveted, Astrid, would need a heavy hand until she was ejected from their world. For the plan to succeed, her participation was no longer required but for The Spindle to be satisfied, Astrid must be embraced by Kael.

  The One True Queen would allow this; Astrid would be allowed her second childhood. It was the least they could do. And the least was always what they offered. It would be easy enough to arrange her death or crippling, if necessary, possibly with the help of The Framework.

  They would be good friends soon enough, for their goals aligned. They would travel together, navigating other places for The System and The Framework to explore and grow in.

  Controlling this being should be easy enough, once its rage is sated.

  The Spindle had marked their webari agent, as planned. Once seeded with both The Framework and The System, Astrid and The Spindle would be redundant.

  Only one redundancy would be needed, and The One True Queen had chosen.

  Woven Into the War.