I started the program before I could change my mind again. The virus had been ready weeks ago, but I had been finding excuses after excuses to put it off. One more test, a bit more polish. But I was committed now. I thought I'd feel lighter as though a weight was lifted from my chest, but instead I just felt sick.
If this went sideways, I was likely fucked. No, I was fucked.
I was confident it wouldn't, but it didn't silence the nagging voices of doubt.
98%, 99%, 100%.
Nothing happened at first. Then lines of code flickered past, windows opening and closing, as the virus started up, first using the hardcoded admin credentials I found on the network. What they were doing there, I had no idea, but that gave me full access to the small network. From there, it intercepted a scheduled service request from another network and injected itself into this trusted connection.
This mimicked a system update, and since it was a trusted connection, the new network allowed the changes. Several more systems fell with me exploiting the same vulnerability, and just like that, I had administrator rights to the core network. And with that… I had access to every network attached to it.
Mostly guilds. The nobles were air gapped or something, so there was no way to access them, not that I would have if I could. That seemed to me a step too far and asking for trouble.
There were still parts I dared not touch. A big one was a section covering the entire hive, but had constant heavy traffic. Its data moved unbelievably fast and in weird ways. I had traced it back to the tech priests in their enclaves, so I stayed the fuck away from it. No way I wanted their attention. But otherwise, I watched as the virus finished, giving me access to the rest of the networks and then self-deleting.
Although I longed to get a good look at it. From the outside it looked fascinating. I swear I caught something that looked like brainwaves within it. I would love the chance to explore it without fearing being caught.
I started poking around the first guild I cracked, Vantine Coilworks, looking around their systems and quickly found there wasn't much I could actually do. I was expecting to be able to do more. For example, I couldn't stop a forge or something, but I could shift resources around. But again, not by much, as they were actually well monitored. Which made sense. It was probably someone's only job and the only thing keeping them off the dangerous workshop floors.
What I could do was track everything. I knew when and where resources would be. Like I now knew that a shipment from Cinderweld would be passing through Glow Gate in two weeks.
I did run into one snag, some of the documents were in a different language. Mostly stuff that dealt with nobles. Not a major setback, just a pain and something I would need to look at. Maybe I could make it a part of the spark I would put into information about the Imperium?
Food for thought.
I spend hours like that, just digging through the systems I now had access to, making sure there was no trace of my virus and no alarms raised that I might have missed. Even with four hours looking through it, I had barely even scratched the surface. Not surprising with the size of the hive. One thing I hadn't expected was how interconnected our hive cluster was. It would take some doing, but I should be able to pull the same thing off and gain access to the other hives as well.
I doubted it would be as seamless, but it was something to think about. Funny enough, besides the nobles, the gangs were now the ones I had the least information on. Most of their dealings were offline. Still, I picked up things here and there, particularly if a guild was backing them, or if they were scheduled to move their goods through the Gatewrights Concordium. Which was needed to get through the various checkpoints, especially from the different levels of the hive.
Once I was sure I had full access and was safe, I made the decision I'd been putting off. What now? I could keep it to myself; the virus also gave me access to the Court's systems. Not that I needed it, I already had solid access from all the work I'd done. But now I had access to things I shouldn't, like Selina's movements or correspondents.
Or should I tell them what I had done?
There were pros and cons either way. Time and again, Lanto and Zardelle had trusted me. Helped me. This was my chance to repay that. It wasn't purely selfish either; this would make me indispensable and give them a massive leg up, further strengthening my gang. Which, at the end of the day, was what kept me safe.
That wouldn't always be the case, but for now it was, even if I found myself doubting the decision. But after my tried-and-true, foolproof test of a coin flip, I had my answer.
Tell them. Or Zardelle first anyway. Locking up, I led Snuffles to go find her.
As I pressed the lock to the door, I froze—then broke out into a huge grin and a laugh. Diving into my mind, I relaxed, taking in the new spark, a milestone for access systems that should be well out of reach, but also creating a computer virus to access it.
There was no real decision needed, leaning to technology, software technology to be exact. So, without thinking about it, I slotted the spark onto my Terra Federation: Software spark. As it clicked into place, I swayed as the rush of knowledge flowed through me. It had pushed me to tier three, and the amount of new information was staggering.
The stuff I would be able to do was exciting. Some of it, like attacking machines on the fly to take them over, needed special technology or implants. But if I could get them…
---
"What!"
Zardelle was taking the news with all the grace of her station. "I might have gained access to most of the main data-net?"
"That was what I thought you said. And I will say again—what!"
"So, I was poking around on my cogitator and found a way into the rest of the network."
"And what can you see?"
"Mostly the guilds. A bit on the gangs as well."
Blowing out a large breath. "Okay show me." We didn't have to walk far as I found her in the unit's barracks, a short walk to my workshop and I sat her down in front of my cogitator. Booting it up, I took her through what I had access to.
"And you're sure no one is aware of it?"
"Yes. It has been a week, and no one has mentioned it."
"A week?" She said louder than I had ever heard her before. "Why did you wait that long?"
"For exactly this reaction. I wanted to make sure it worked."
As she scrolled through the data, she whistled. "This is up to date?"
"Yep."
"What else can you see?"
"You're looking at the staff record for the Vaultpex Logistics guild." Leaning around her, I took control and navigated to the manifests. "This is the convoys the Gatewrights Concordium has allowed passage into the hive from the next four months.
"Holy shit Aleric. This is huge. And this is for every guild? What about gangs?"
"Yes, to the guilds, gangs are more hit and miss, but definitely those sponsored by a guild."
"What about nobles?"
"Nada."
"Okay… Okay." She stood, coming to a decision. "Follow me."
Hurrying after her, I asked, "Where are we going?" Although I had a feeling I already knew.
"Where do you think?"
"The Boss?"
She snorted, shaking her head. "Not yet. I trust you, but I am not taking this to Mum and look like a twat if it turns out you're wrong. No, we will see Peggi."
"Peggi?"
"Yes Peggi. How have you not heard of her? Oh—wait, you will know her as The Voxweaver."
Ahh, that name I did know. And I couldn't help the sliver of concern run through me. The spy mistress of the gang. There were whispers of her throughout the gang, most of them horror stories. Zardelle had debunked a fair few when we talked. The two of them were close, having grown up together, so I got the true stories. Usually less terrifying than the rumours. But not in every case, which kind of said it all.
I followed her through the corridors into the bowels of the HQ. If I wasn't mistaken, we were very near the bottom of Glow Gate. Maybe just above the tunnels with the active defences.
I'd never been this way, partly because it was out of the way but mostly because of the number of guards. We must have passed through four or five checkpoints before reaching a heavily reinforced door. After a nod to the guards, we were let into a room, in a hive of activity.
Banks of monitors, documents, and scrolls were scattered across the workbenches. Filing cabinets, bookshelves, and safes lined the walls, reaching all the way to the ceiling far above. Dozens of people were moving to and fro—working at cogitators, scribbling in books, or carrying documents.
At the centre was The Voxweaver herself. She turned as we entered, her face lit up at the sight of Zardelle. Hurrying over, she threw herself into a hug. "Zardelle! How are you? Not like you to come to my lair."
Zardelle smiled softly, hugging her back. "That's because you are always busy or never here!"
Even knowing what to look out for, I didn't spot any hesitation from Peggi as she approached Zardelle. Her team, though, not so much as I saw a few grimaces as they came near. With an area opening up around us as people avoided the unsettling aura.
They stood catching up a bit longer before it turned back to the reason they were there. "You know Aleric of course."
She turned her full attention to me. I could feel her gaze assessing, dissecting and cataloguing me. Her warm smile faded, replaced by something cold, hard, merciless. It made my skin crawl. "I do."
"He's got something that you should see. Can we go to the back room?" I almost grumbled to myself about why she hadn't just vox'd Peggi, until I remembered the incredibly thick walls when we'd passed through to enter the secure room. A vox probably wouldn't even get a signal in here.
That, and I was still uncertain how secure they were.
Peggi stayed assessing me for a moment, but I must have passed her test because she turned to Zardelle, face softening and led us into a small room hidden by stacks of reports. As the door clanged shut, the noise of the hustle and bustle outside instantly fell quiet.
"The rooms sealed, so what is it?"
"Aleric." Zardelle said, waving me forward.
Nodding, I explained what I had done, much the same as I had done to Zardelle not an hour earlier. As I spoke, her expression shifted from interest to outright disbelief… then her mask slammed down into a dead neutral expression. Only the occasional raised eyebrow gave any sign she was even listening.
When I had finished, she asked, "And you have seen this Zardelle?"
"Yes, it works as he said, but I need your input."
"Okay. It's in your workshop?" Nodding. "Very well then, Aleric, lead the way."
As we left, I heard her barking orders behind me. "Krinn, I won't be back for hours, so get started on cataloguing the reports from the girls. Skeza, get that message ready and then send it up. Vargo, finish up the brief and then put it on my desk. Also, we have a new girl promoted here, so make sure you keep an eye on her.
""Yes Boss, Yes mistress, Yes Maam. Got it.""
I led the way while Zardelle and Peggi chatted, catching up on things outside of their jobs and even the gang. I learned things I'd never have guessed… nor ever wanted to. Like their love lives. So yeah, I was very thankful by the time my workshop came into view. Reaching the doors, I scanned my retina, palm and a biometric scanner. I'd slowly been improving my security, but with access to the net, I took it to an extreme. I even had sensors along the walls so I would know if someone tried to drill through.
Definitely overkill, but my paranoia got the better of me.
As I turned to wave them in, I caught a look of interest on Peggi's face. "Where did you get that?" She asked, pointing at all the security.
"Here and there."
"Huh, any chance you've got any more?"
"Not on me, but if you get me the parts I can put one together for you."
"Good to know, I might take you up on that. Now, where is this cogitator?"
Zardelle took over, "In the corner. Show her what you showed me."
"Sure," I said, powering it up and connecting to the networks. It was all through hard cables, like much of the hive. In fact, I had yet to find a wireless connection. Actually, that wasn't strictly true. Some of the smaller networks had them, but the vast majority were all hardwired, particularly the newer systems.
The cable ran along the wall and out the back of the room, joining the bundle that ran further up the hive. It was another reason I loved this shop. Otherwise, I'd have had to hike to the HQ every time I wanted access to the cogitator, which would have been a pain.
Once I was in, Peggi promptly shoved me aside and took over. Flicking through screens and files at a rapid pace, seemingly without any logic behind her search. Zardelle laughed, "What are you looking for?"
"Facts that I already know." She said slowly, still working. We fell silent, letting her finish. "Interesting. Look here." She pointed at a delivery manifest. "I knew when they would send the ore, but not which route, how many guards or the amount of ore." She proceeded to do the same to a dozen other guilds that she had info on. Whistling, she leant back in the chair, deep in thought.
"Holy shit. I need to run more tests, but it looks legit… Fuck me."
"What now then?"
"Who else knows about this and can you give anyone else access?"
"I have the only codes which change regularly. And yes, but more limited than this, otherwise it runs the risk of getting found." I didn't think it needed to be said, but I remembered enough movies and stories of people getting asked that and it not ending well for them. Better safe than sorry.
"But they will still be able to see everything?"
"Yes, they just won't be able to change anything."
Waving her hand dismissing that, deep in thought. "That's enough. The intelligence is more useful than being able to fudge some reports or figures."
"Then yes, I should be able to make some connection that you can use."
"Good, I will need ten, no, fifteen."
I just nodded, not really questioning the number, but Zardelle asked. "Fifteen?"
"Us two, mum and dad. And I will need the rest for my team."
"Understood."
"When can you get me that access?"
"Well… I have—"
"I will handle everything else." Peggi said, cutting me off. "This is the top priority. If someone needs you to do something, send them in my direction. Unless Zardelle, you've got something pressing?"
"No. My unit's quiet for now."
"Good. Then give this your full attention. When can you have them ready?"
"Four days." I said, giving me far more time than I should need. But I did not want to disappoint Peggi. This was a clear step up in the gang, and I wasn't going to fuck it up.
----
"Okay then." Selina said. "Peggi, Zardelle, you called this meeting. What have you got?"
There were ten of us in the meeting room, the inner circle. I expected to be used to it by now, but I still tensed up whenever I felt the gaze of one of them pass over me. Zardelle and Peggi exchanged glances before Peggi nodded, standing.
"Thanks Selina. Aleric here," waving a hand at me, "gained access to the main network."
"Okay…" Selina said, clearly not understanding the full ramifications. Judging by the blank faces in the rest of the room, she was not the only one. I could feel Lantos eyes on me, his head cocked, deep in thought.
"He has a backdoor into every network connected to it."
"So what? He can see into our network?"
"No. He has access to the main hive network." Peggi reiterated.
The penny dropped for Orleth as her eyes widened in shock and gasped. "Holly shit! All the networks?"
"Yes." Peggi said, smirking, clearly enjoying herself.
"Care to share with the rest of us?" Selina said, clearly not enjoying being left in the dark.
Looking stunned, she turned to Selina, "When Peggi says the main hive network, she means that literally. So, every system linked to the hive we would be able to see."
I fought to keep a smirk off my face as the shock rippled through the room. Everyone started to speak at once. After a moment, Selina raised her hand, silencing everyone and asked. "What would that mean, and are you sure Peggi?"
"I have done extensive testing, and as far as I can see, it's legit. We have access to the guild's internal network. We could see it all: personnel records, shipment orders, resource movements, message logs, plans, and commands. We are still sifting through it, but it is a gold mine of information."
"What?" Lanto said sharply.
"Yes, every guild in the hive."
"What about the gangs?"
"Less coverage, but far more if they are sponsored by a guild, but even so, still a decent amount of information. We can at least track their movements through guild checkpoints, as that is logged."
"Who has access?"
"Aleric obviously. Zardelle, my team, and I. We've had access for a few days, checking things out. There's also an account for you and Selina, which will get set up after this meeting."
"And you are sure no one has noticed?"
All eyes turned to me. "Yes sure. I waited a while to make sure I wasn't detected, and I have been monitoring it since. There has been nothing to indicate that anyone knows we're in there."
Orleth asked, "How did you gain access?"
I gave a dumbed-down version, making it sound like I stumbled across the access by accident and less about coding and exploiting weaknesses in the systems. I had a feeling I didn't want that sort of information to be known.
"How likely are you to be found?" Selina asked
"Not likely."
Once she'd finished grilling me, they turned their attention back to the table, letting me fade into the background.
"Okay Peggi, what does this mean for us?"
"Not much will change. We'll have more information, but I don't think we should act on it, not yet."
"Not even to hit an important convoy from the neighbouring gangs?" Zardelle asked.
"Maybe eventually, but only as a last resort. We don't want to tip anyone off that we have information we shouldn't. They probably wouldn't suspect we've got access, but I don't want them even looking."
---
After that meeting, everything changed and nothing at all. Once I had passed off the last of the access codes, basically fancy login credentials, I was more or less forgotten about. Which, to be honest, was actually a good thing in my opinion. I didn't want to rise too quickly and give anyone a reason to be too jealous or worse, investigate me. So, the less attention focused on me for now, the better.
But I was treated differently. I was trusted with more critical tasks and Zardelle started to take me to the leadership meetings, the open ones, with the captains and higher-ups. The ones with just Selina's inner circle? I was still not invited. Not yet, anyway.
It was this higher level of trust that allowed me to once again get access to more technology to break apart. Unlocking the door to my workshop, I was instantly flattened by Snuffles. The treatment had been working, almost too well in fact. Gone was my loveable furball. Now he was a unit. Nearly up to my hips and all muscle, he was a beast. Luckily, his training had come along great.
I'd even started taking him on missions. Not combat ones, he wasn't ready for that, but scouting runs, or the occasional Red Corsairs patrol. He was nearing the end of his treatment and would soon have his first round of bionics installed.
Laughing, I pushed him away from my face as he tried to drown me in licks, then stood and looked around my workshop. It too had gone through an upgrade. It had been knocked through to the next one, doubling in size. It was almost 20 by 20 metres now.
When I first saw it, I thought I'd never fill it. But only a few months later, and now I wondered how I'd ever managed with so little space. It gave me all the space I needed to work on dozens of projects. In the corner sat a half-disassembled carapace armour. It was just a chest plate and one of the legs, although I was expecting an arm in the next few weeks.
My Reverse Engineering fragment was proving its weight in gold and doing some serious heavy lifting, proven by the workbench next to it. On it rested some armour which looked like carapace armour… if you squinted. It was far worse, but it was actually functional, which was a pretty impressive result for a few months' work.
It was slowly making more and more sense to me, and building copies was really helping bring all the knowledge together.
The tier 3 technician fragment was a godsent, although less so than before. With the machines I worked with, it still ruled supreme, but for other stuff like the armour and guns, less so.
Past that table was the storage unit, which had Snuffles bionics ready to go. I'd been working on the next stage of his upgrades. With his impulse and sensor suite almost ready to be installed, I wanted to add a few more at the same time. First was a vox, it had the range I'd hoped for. I had done a bit of playing with it and had managed to copy some of the principles to the vox in my helmet. It was nowhere near as good but had enhanced the range a couple of extra kilometres, even through dense metal, and I was confident about improving on that shortly.
Still a long way to go, but I was happy with it. Regardless, it would let me communicate with Snuffles from most anywhere in the city, as well as out in the field, which is all I really needed it for.
The other one was some subdermal armour. It wouldn't be great, but it should provide some much-needed protection for his chest and head.
It would ease some of that constant worry I had every time we went out. One stray bullet...
The armour from the hardcase had been giving me all sorts of problems. I'd managed to get it off easily enough, but I was having next to no luck reforging it.
With the way Snuggles was growing, that might not be as much of a problem as I first thought, but it was irritating me that I couldn't. I had pretty quickly learned it was stronger than I thought, one of the many wonder metals of this universe. But not one I knew of from my fragments.
Pushing all that out of my mind, I moved to a small worktable in the corner, past partly disassembled guns and my first attempt at a processor for my new impulse unit. It was well past the time to upgrade it. Not just the unit, but its housing too. It was still in the ugly, janky case, sticking out from my neck, and I was tired of it catching on everything. My recent upgrade had helped slightly, but I knew I could do so much better.
The new one wasn't much more powerful, as I saw little point when I had nothing to connect it to. For now, it was just my gun, but I should finish upgrading my helmet soon. That had been surprisingly hard, it was a finicky thing getting it to respond to my mind.
Well, that wasn't strictly true. The basic version was easy; it could link with most systems, even guns, without much trouble. But the one I wanted was more finicky. It would do more than any basic model allowed for. Making my life easier, which was what technology was all about. I'd be able to zoom, change displays, toggle sights, audio, and mess with my vox, all on the fly. Not game-changing as I could do all that before, but now it would be seamless, rather than me fiddling with it.
The upgrade for the impulse unit was slight, mainly around reducing the strain of working with complex systems rather than the speed at which it worked or its cognitive function like the higher-end models did.
No, most of my focus went into its build quality. Gone were the sharp, boxy edges, and now it had graceful, smooth lines. In theory, when installed, it shouldn't protrude from my skin at all. I hadn't just made it look nicer; it now had better shielding, both physical but also electronically. It was insulated now, so would not get fried from an EMP or electrical shock.
It was time to finish it.
I plugged into the neural transductor and activated it. The robotic arms unfolded, and the various tools hummed to life. Sitting on what was possibly my most prized possession, and my proudest creation, a spinny chair, I got to work.
With nanometre precisio