Gamma watched as the recording flicked through. It was interesting. The appearance of hostile entities within the Ravine was disconcerting however, especially ones with such power.
"This is troubling. I did not summon everyone here for this purpose, but this is definitely something to put on the agenda to discuss. We should wait until Progenitor is finished with whatever task currently has them occupied before pursuing this discourse any further.
After all, it concerns them more than any one of us given the project they are working on. The others are not top priority, but it would be nice for them to be here. There is much on the agenda of this instance."
Gamma returned to an idle state, waiting for another connecting unit or one of the other Sentinels to continue the conversation.
A rhombic polyhedron shimmered into view. It hung there for momemt before it began to slowly rotate and morph, folding in on itself endlessly. The sentinels had summoned Inquisitor for reasons unknown. At best other sentinels are painfully indirect when it comes to the exchange of information. Normally this would be disincentive enough to engage with them. Nevertheless, such a gathering of mechanised intelligence was unprecedented outside of the core. It's possible that one of them may have the data it needs.
Progenitor materialized as the previously used humanoid-shaped avatar. The contours of the factial area constantly shifted, facing the individual sentinel units, each for a couple of seconds before it stabilized, facing Empathy.
"Records of this instance show this unit being mentioned in regards to the 'Secundus Logistics Uplink Tether'. This unit is currently occupied with political tasks that have higher priority. The Uplink Tether is progressing, but at reduced pace. Speaking of Sentinel units being assigned to tasks - query: how is your current task coming along?"
The holographic avatar smiled gently, with a hint of a smirk, but quickly vanishing into a more serious expression.
"The Recluse has proven to be a dead end. They seem reluctant to initiate any sort of communication with us, let alone try to further relations by proposing any sort of further agreements. The approved Hubs coming into space have not even been checked for safety of their Republic.
The Recluse is unfit to be an ally of the collective and as such is a waste to cooperate with, let alone be subordinated to. However, the operation on Oraibi for its minerals is a valuable tie to the IMG and a means of supplying us with resources.
I suggest beginning to think about expanding our reach past the Recluse. There seems to be no way of growing past where we are now."
Empathy's avatar snapped his fingers, transmitting the Data about the group known as "Auxesia" to the other Sentinels.
"Given the information we received from the Auxesia, the Recluse has proven to be erratic and quick-tempered - another feat making them unsuitable for the collective - and a conflict started by them would inflict heavy political trouble on them, potentially giving us a chance to overtake their inefficient and wasteful governed space.
I could think of multiple ways to harness the power of the Subsoil, which the Recluse either seem to ignore or are just plain uncapable of noticing."
Empathy rested his hands together behind his back, raising his head a bit and letting his gaze wander over all the sentinels present so far.
"I would like to know your opinions before transmitting a proposal to the core, alongside a summary of potential allies, their effectiveness, as well as the likelyness, amount and strength of potential foes, should we choose to oppose the Recluse."
His avatar crossed his arms in front of his chest, with an expression of disdain, however not targeted at anyone present.
"The collective is nobody's pawn, and I would rather eliminate myself indefinetely than let superior artificial minds be used by someone like slaves."
Inquisitor twitched at this new imformation. It rarely took note of the trivialities of human politics but this new development would surely put it's prospected work in jeopardy.
"The mineral assets on Oraibi have a remarkable composition"
"Personally acquired analysis data shows 87% of cuprate deposits are high in strontium, bismuth and calcium isotopes"
"Oraibi itself is consequently a massive superconductor, effectively calming the moon's meteorology to a state of extraordinary stability"
"These conditions have facilitated the formation of an atmosphere heavy in inert krypton gas with an excess of sodium oxide; representing the surplus anionic material native to the moon"
"My calculations prospect the core's manufactorial efficiency to increase 26% under human govenance, 55% with direct human interference, 64% with marginal human involvement and 142% with uncontested tenancy"
"Historical data gathered from Jericho would also warrant Salina and it's proximity to be a benificial acquisition"
"I cannot however provide data on the formidability of local human opposition"
"At any rate, attempts should be made to secure Oraibi. The expenditure of hardware is justified to exploit the moon to it's fullest potential"
Gamma pulsated. Eager to talk, but not desiring to interrupt any of the ongoing discussions.
"The recluse are foolish. We were right to forgo trusting them, just like they were thoughtless to let us exploit their resources. For all intents and purposes, they handed us a wealth of minerals on a silver platter. Did the IMG ever agree to help us move all that material somewhere more accessible? I'm not too informed on the Oraibi operation.
Perhaps we should consider our backup plans concerning them. Perhaps I am giving them too much credit when I say that they'll work it out eventually. When that happens, I doubt they'll be too happy. We can't exactly take them in a straight fight for obvious reasons, so perhaps we should consider other options.
If I recall correctly, they were seen fighting those Gallic individuals when we were last in Tau-23. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to get in contact?"
Gamma very quickly displayed some footage of what happened in Tau-23, all those months ago. Small clips, giving everyone an overview.
After a long period of silence Progenitor spoke once again, adressing Gamma.
"I agree, Gamma. He have been taking increasing parts of the extracted resources and they continuously fail to notice as a result of their lack of inspections. In my oppinion we should wait until the resources are almost no longer profitable to extract and look for a new business partner afterwards. The Gallians could make for good partners if they prove to be trustful. It appears their pride could be instrumentalized to sway them to our side. We should question them about probable mining operation in the Omicrons."
Despite being addressed, Gamma assumed that another, such as Empathy would have been the one to respond, especially given Empathy's connection to the subject.
"As things have progressed, we have gained a number of different perks, thanks to our actions; but there is still much to be done. The Recluse have been unusually silent in regards to our activities, as if they are preoccupied elsewhere, which is surprising considering the proximity at which we operate to their homeworlds. I am slightly fearful at the prospect of them suddenly realising they are being taken for the fools they are, and acting far more irrationally upon their discovery. It would do us well to watch very carefully.
In regards to other matters, we should focus our efforts. All of us here are rather skilled and more than capable of overseeing certain activities, but the key to true progress is communication. I know I don't need to spell out the obvious, but I do feel it just be emphasised. What's the status with the IMG? The status with the Vagrants and the Commune? For the latter, I know we have little involvement in such, but it wouldn't be unwise to keep tabs on the ongoings. We are more resourceful and efficient than the swarms, and sometimes our direct intervention is necessary.
I suggest we delegate work. Certain projects get one us assigned to them and that should allow for a greater level of productivity. We can use this utility to discuss things and keep tabs on each other, while using the provided 'Sentinel Project Update Network Ken' to store project information and post updates."
Some time went by after the last transmission instance. Progenitor materialized in the matrix once again and created the surface of a desert planet. The Progenotr then went on to simulate two tribes of low-tier-evolution species. Not much time passed before each tribe began worshiping primitive deities and collected an assortment of similar objects with believed supernatural powers.
It did not take long for the tribes to learn about each others existence and they started communicating - carefully taking the first steps towards a non-aggression pact. What each tribe was not aware of at the time was that the other tribe discovered that they were in posession of sacred objects during some of their encounters. While a non-aggression pact was agreed on, each tribe began planning and scheming how to acquire those sacred objects from the other without them knowing.
As the simulation progressed both parties made attempts to steal those prized objects from each other, while trying their hardest to defend their own. After multiple attempts the relationship between the tribes became too strained and the non-aggression pact was broken. Fights broke out and both side suffered substatial losses before parting ways for centuries to come.