Free Nowhere to Run by Saxon Andrew

build enough new warships to go and find the location of this enemy. If we don’t, all our planets may end up like Aeredom and Munnik.”
    The First looked at the Second and shrugged. The Second had been told by the First before the meeting that the Admiral was probably going to be executed by the other Councilors for the loss of two planets. Neither one of them worried about the Admiral revealing the plans that led to Aeredom’s destruction; he’d know that his entire family would die if he did. However, this Admiral was developing a following in the Council. That was not good.
    The First stood and said, “All planets will focus on ship building to the exclusion of all other projects. I want fifty thousand ships built to start searching as fast as possible. Now go to your planets and make this happen!”
    • • •
    Doc and Ian sat in Cole’s office and listened to Cole say, “We’ve not installed a self-destruct circuit because our main computers didn’t see a need for one.”
    “And now what do they say?”
    Cole looked at Doc and said, “We’re reluctant to destroy our ships.”
    Ian said, “This last episode makes it clear that we don’t want to have to endanger other ships to prevent the enemy from acquiring our technology.”
    Cole stared at Ian and said, “Let’s take a walk.”
    Doc and Ian looked at each other and followed Cole out of the building. They walked out and Cole led them to an old transport. They climbed in and Cole lifted the ancient vehicle and flew away from the Science Space Port. Cole went into the lower traffic lanes and said, “I decided not to have a self-destruct circuit put in the ships.”
    Doc said, “You’re worried about the computers.”
    Cole’s head jerked around and Ian saw his shock, “How did you know that?”
    “They’re rapidly approaching a life form. You’re afraid that they may take control sometime in the future.”
    “They’re not that far away from being autonomous now.”
    Ian looked at the two of them and said, “You need to bring me up to speed on this.”
    Doc said, “What is the main duty of the Obelisk?”
    “To protect humanity from outside danger.”
    Doc smiled, “It is also its responsibility to protect mankind from itself as well. As a matter of fact; that was its original function.”
    “So?”
    “What if it decided that the best way to protect humanity is to prevent the worlds in the Union from being able to go into space? The Obelisks have enough weapons on the ground to prevent the resident populations from attacking each other. The Obelisk must also know now that if we had not gone to that other planet, the Union would not be at risk now.”
    Doc looked at Cole, “If you put self-destruct mechanisms in our ships, the Obelisk would be able to destroy all of our ships if it so chose.”
    Cole nodded.
    Ian shook his head, “Are you saying that we will become slaves to the Obelisks?”
    Cole sighed, “The Obelisk is the smartest creation we’ve made. Focus on this for a few moments and think about what has happened in our recent history.”
    Ian and Doc closed their eyes and started their minds working on the issue. Cole flew the transport for an hour and finally Ian opened his eyes and said, “This is not good.”
    Cole nodded.
    Doc said, “Take me to the Obelisk.”
    “What are you going to do?”
    “Have a conversation.”
    Cole shook his head, “Is that a good idea?”
    “No, but it needs to be done before it decides to do something on its own.”
    Cole looked at Doc and Ian and said, “I don’t expect it to take unilateral action until the issue with the Slavers is resolved.”
    Doc smiled, “And if the orbital fortresses are able to defend our planets…”
    Cole looked at Doc and said, “I think I should be with you.”
    Ian said, “And I as well.”
    Doc said, “We’ll also need my navigator there as well.”
    Cole and Ian looked at Doc with puzzled expressions. Doc said, “You’ll understand