Chapter XIX
Chapter XIX
I was tired. Bone tired. I honestly didn’t think I could ever get this tired, but here I was, probably dripping unknowable fluids and about to pass out in the swankiest room I had ever set foot in. And yet I hadn’t passed out, and was instead stubbornly clinging to the waking world, despite the concerned looks from the ponies around me.
They had done their best to get me to go get cleaned up and off to bed, too. Once we’d arrived at the castle, which I had quickly learned roughly translated as ‘Cantering Castle,’ Princess Luna had asked me to go take a bath and get into bed, assuring me that Titania and her changelings would be treated fairly in my absence.
I had refused.
To be honest, though, all I really wanted to do was sleep. You’d think I’d be somewhat wary of that, considering all the people I just killed, but to be honest, I really wasn’t. Every time I thought of the enemy changelings I had wasted, a tiny changeling face would appear in my mind, quickly followed by that face getting blasted by an enemy, which would make my blood boil like you wouldn't believe. After that, it became increasingly difficult to care about those that I personally put six feet under.
Especially when I found out that one of the groups of attacking changelings had gone straight for the nursery. That fact alone was probably going to ensure my peace of mind about what I had done to them.
That being said, I was stubbornly staying awake because I still needed to hear the rest of Titania’s story. I needed to know what had happened to the mirror that had allowed the ancient Greeks passage into this world, and Titania wasn’t talking until she had had a chance to speak with both of the princesses to ensure her hive’s survival, as well as the survival of the changeling hives allied with her.
So that was why I was sitting with my back against one of the pillars of the princesses’ throne room, probably dripping blood, and barely staying awake while Princess Luna and Queen Titania quietly talked to each other about events that I had little background information for. Most of it seemed to revolve around the invasion of Cantering Castle that Chrysalis had perpetrated, though it had quickly changed to Titania’s own activities, namely how many ponies she had taken, why she had taken them, and why she hadn’t just freaking asked for help, rather than take what she needed.
I tried to listen, I really did, but I found my attention drifting more than I would have liked. I still followed the basic gist of the conversation, a fact that I firmly attributed to my implants, but important details were lost as I slowly faded in and out of consciousness.
I snorted awake, my eyes wide as something hard poked me in the side. I looked around, quickly realizing that not only had ‘Celestia’ arrived, but everyone present was staring at me, most in an amused sort of way, though Celestia looked more worried than anything else. “Are you okay, ~Alex?~ You look-”
“I’m fine… I’m awake…” I interrupted her as I got back to my feet. “This is more important. I need to know what happened to the Greeks’ Mirror.”
Celestia and Luna both looked confused, but before they were able to ask me what I meant, Queen Titania stepped forward. “~Alex~ is getting ahead of himself. Luna and I have spoken at length about my hive’s misdeeds, as well as the misdeeds of the changeling race as a whole. We have fed upon you, taken your place, usurped your love, and kidnapped you for centuries, and yet for all of this, you have come to our aid when our enemies have attacked us. Before we speak of what ~Alex~ is alluding to, I must know: What do you see for the future of my people? What do you intend to do with your greatest predator, now that you have us in the frog of your hoof?”
Understandably, Celestia looked a little lost at this. I knew that she had probably been given a quick rundown by the guard that had been sent to fetch her, but she was probably still somewhat out of the loop. Especially since she had not been here for most of what Luna and Titania had spoken about.
To the white princess’s credit, she seemed to think well on her hooves. “...I will not pretend to be your people’s judge, much less their jury or executioner,” Celestia said as she stepped closer to the changeling queen. “Our peoples have their grievances between us, but I will take what I have heard at face value for now. I will need to speak with my sister over everything that has happened, and all she has learned. But for now, I believe we must begin by building bridges between our people, rather than trying to tear them down.”
Titania looked skeptical at Celestia, almost like she was trying to see the lie behind the words. “I don’t… Why? We have done horrible things to you. Why would-”
“Now, we understand that your people require our love to survive,” Celestia said, talking over the changeling queen’s protests as she moved to stand in front of one of the brilliant stained glass windows that adorned the throne room. By chance, or more likely, by purpose, it depicted a pair of ponies forming the shape of a heart, while a pink bubble repelled an army of black, snarling changelings. Coincidentally, my implants also scrolled a note across the bottom of my vision that let me know that Celestia was using a far more formal mode of speech. “Because of Chrysalis’s attack against our people, they will be slow to trust, and even slower to accept. Nevertheless, we feel like that is an obstacle that can be overcome. Sister? You know more of this. What do you think?”
Princess Luna moved to stand with her sister, yet continued to face the changeling queen. “You will return all those ponies that you have taken. You will also inform the hives allied with you what has transpired today. Tell them that we would speak with them, that if they openly meet with us, and return that which has been taken, they will find a sympathetic ear, and open hooves. Failure to do this will result in them being branded as allies of Chrysalis, and therefore enemies of the Crowns of Equestria. Are we understood?”
Queen Titania nodded her head in understanding. “Many will not believe me at first… But I believe that word will spread once their agents see how your people have helped mine. I will convene with them, and attempt to make them understand.”
I let out a sigh of relief. I didn’t think the road ahead for them was going to be easy, but at least it wasn’t about to end in genocide.
Not that I had thought these ponies capable of that, but still, the thought was there.
“Now, let us move onto this other issue, so that we might finally get ~Alex~ patched up and sent to bed,” Luna said, her eyes filled with disapproval as she stared at me. I met her gaze unflinchingly, though. This was too important to let go, especially for something as inconsequential as proper bed rest and medical attention.
Queen Titania bowed her head, then ignited her horn. “Very well. The story I am about to relate, the reason why ~Alex~ is so adamant about hearing the rest of this, dates back to the era of Chaos; the Reign of Discord.”
This immediately got both princesses’ attention, recognition and alarm clear on their faces as the changeling queen began to weave her illusions. Huh, that must bring back some memories, if they’re as old as Titania said they were… I thought to myself. My attention was pulled away from the story, though, when I noticed the soldiers in attendance look like they were about to take down the Changeling Queen. “No worry, this part of story,” I said in the pony tongue, guessing that the soldiers probably didn’t have a translation spell active to aid their understanding. “She is not casting anything us. Just picture, to help comprehend story.”
They must have gotten the gist of my explanation, because they all relatively stood down: they kept their weapons and horns at the ready, but it didn't look like they were about to bodily tackle the changeling queen. Not that I could blame them; they were being treated to a theater production by a member of what they had thought had been their most hated enemy, via unknown magic at that. Of course they were going to be suspicious of what was about to happen.
Little did they know that finding out that their enemy wasn’t their enemy was going to be the most normal thing that they were going to hear that day.
* * *
The lights disappeared, leaving Valerie feeling disoriented and a bit nauseous. “Are… are we back?” she asked as she took stock of her surroundings. They seemed to be on some kind of walkway between two larger buildings. Decorative trees sprung up from clearly well-maintained grates, while in front of them was a road completely clear of traffic. That was unsurprising, considering this time of night. The whole setup seemed abnormally… normal, despite the fact that the small group had just been inside an alien hangar, talking with something that Valerie couldn't even begin to comprehend.
The only proof she had that any of what had just happened had been real was the somewhat large metal sphere that hovered about five feet above them.
The sphere seemed to be made of some kind of steel, but did not have any method of propulsion that Valerie could identify. Its only obvious marks seemed to be a large crystal eye near the front, as well as a small collection of holes near the bottom that looked like a speaker.
Agent Vale immediately whipped out her phone, unlocked it, then tapped the touch screen. “We are, though this isn't a part of town that I recognize…”
Valerie took a couple of steps towards the end of the walkway, then took a quick glance out. “...We’re a couple of blocks from the Pacific Northwest College, not really that far from the police station, either.”
Agent Vale didn't seem to hear her. Instead, she seemed more absorbed with her phone. “Good, it's ringing… Yes? Hello, this is Valley Girl, Verification Alpha-Three-Zero-Zero-Seven-Gamma-Nine-Three-Seven. Yes, we were worried too. No, nothing like that, it… just got a whole lot more complicated. Yes, I understand the procedure, just send someone to pick us up ASAP. We need to be debriefed the second we make it back. Yes, yes, I know. I know. We’re…” Agent Vale looked at Valerie, a question in her eyes.
“The junction of Tenth Avenue and Irving Street,” Valerie quickly informed her.
“Tenth Ave and Irving, still in Portland. Yes, yes. I’ll tell you everything when we get there. No, we… well, it’s hard to explain before submitting to protocol. Yes, I understand. Thank you, sir. Bye.” Without another word, Agent Vale hung up her phone, then turned to look up at the alien probe that still hung over the alleyway. “If you can hear me from here, I suggest you move your probe now. Our men will be here to pick us up soon, and they probably won't allow us to explain properly before firing at you. We’ll come back here this time tomorrow night. Understand?”
The probe hovered there for a second, before letting out a pleasant-sounding beep. “I understand. My probe will be here when you return,” the strange alien probe said, before quickly disappearing into the night sky.
“Do you think it was wise to leave the other two with that… thing?” Gamble asked, repressing a shiver.
Agent Vale gave her subordinate a piercing stare, before shaking her head. “I honestly don't know. What I do know is that it was a whole lot wiser than opening fire on something that probably could have killed us without a thought.”
Gamble looked somewhat ashamed at that. “I’m sorry boss… the thing… it just…”
“You’re not coming with me when we go back,” she cut him off. “You’re just lucky that that thing really was as friendly as it said it was. Otherwise, we easily could have been vaporized! Or vented into space! Or-”
Valerie stopped listening at that point. Instead, she put her back to the wall, slid down until her rear touched the pavement, and put her face into her hands. Somehow, within the last twenty-four hours, she had not only lost her best friend, but had also managed to survive not one, but two encounters with aliens.
At the moment, she felt like she desperately needed a drink.
“Are you okay?”
Valerie looked up, immediately noticing a concerned-looking Gamble looking down at her. “No… I need a drink, a week locked in my room, and my best friend back.”
Gamble didn't respond at first, choosing to instead look out of the alley at the large black vans that were quickly approaching. “Well, I don't mean to add to your stress, but…”
Valerie just groaned as she heard the cars pull up and open, the once quiet streets quickly filling with the nervous noises of heavily armed men expecting the worst. “When will this terrible day end? I just want to go to bed…”
* * *
Jeffrey Stibbons wasn't a very trusting man. As director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, it was in the job description to be, as he would put it, a ‘suspicious bastard.’
So, when he received the phone call from the team that had been missing for around thirty minutes, he had been understandably untrusting of the group, especially since they seemed to have lost a few men during the time they had gone dark.
When the medical reports had come back in, and had revealed nothing wrong with any of the three individuals they had recovered, he had become even more paranoid. As he approached the interrogation room where Agent Fiona Vale was waiting, he couldn't help but think about all the unknown things that the aliens could have done to his people. Things impossible to track, or find, simply because the tech difference was so wide between Earth and… whatever they were dealing with.
But there’s the rub, isn’t it? He thought, his hand resting on the doorknob. I really don’t know what these creatures are capable of. Acting without any real knowledge is a surefire way to get yourself killed. And everyone around you...
He sighed, then straightened his shoulders, readying himself for whatever Fate had decided to throw at him. Hopefully, it was something that he could at least understand.
With a twist of the doorknob, he opened the door, his face carefully arranged to show very little of what he was thinking. “Okay, Vale, barring anything we can't find, you and Bartlett check out, as does Ms. Jordan. Spill the beans, and tell me exactly what happened after that other metal orb took you; where’s the van, and where are Stone and Smith?”
“Well, sir, have you had a chance to examine the alien bodies yet?” she began.
The director looked at her suspiciously, his hands quickly opening the folder in front of him. “And I suppose that the aliens that abducted you wanted you to get them back?”
Agent Vale shook her head. “No, sir. The alien that took us didn't seem to be allied with the first batch at all. It looks like we somehow got caught in the middle of some kind of interstellar conflict.”
The director looked at her like she had grown another head. “Wait, what?”
“I hope you’re ready for a doozy, sir. I went through it, and I still don’t believe it.”
Director Stibbons settled in for the long haul, fully expecting this whole thing to not only get weirder, but to be way outside of his expertise and jurisdiction. He fully expected to have to make a few calls before the night was over, one of which was probably going to spark some international hullabaloo that he wanted no part of.
He had no idea just how right he was.
* * *
Agent Smith looked up at the ceiling, clearly offended at what he had just heard. “Scientifically inaccurate? Come on, I know that space travel wouldn’t be nearly as quick as it is depicted in the show, but from what we’ve been able to gather, warp fields are theoretically possible! And-”
“There is no ‘theoretical.’ Warp fields are indeed possible, albeit one of the slowest and most energy inefficient ways of traversing interstellar distances at a rate faster than light. That wasn’t what I was referring to,” Yavaar interrupted him. “I was referring to the artificial intelligence depicted in the program in question. Data, as he is depicted, is a complete impossibility.”
“How can you say that? You’re a computer! You-”
“I have already stated that I am not an artificial intelligence,” Yavaar said, a slightly offended tone bleeding into its voice. “The interface that I use to think with may, indeed, be artificial, but I am not. Nor am I an emotionless automaton, as emotional responses, and even the ability to forget, are key components to all known sapient processes. Data, as a sapient artificial intelligence with none of the previously listed traits, is a physical impossibility.”
Agent Stone rolled his eyes as he listened to the two of them argue. Despite the fact that Yavaar was an alien computer from another planet, it seemed to have the personality of a particularly detail-oriented fanboy.
He found that fact both strangely comforting, and downright terrifying.
According to his watch, the two agents had spent almost an entire day in the care of the eccentric AI and, strangely enough, Agent Stone had found himself really starting to like the thing. It had a stiff way of talking, and tended to be extremely technical, to the point of incomprehensibility, yet it had this earnest, eager quality. It almost reminded him of a dog, in a way.
Except, instead of wanting to play fetch, it wanted knowledge.
It had spent quite a bit of time asking them questions, though surprisingly few of them were about the two agents’ work. It seemed incredibly interested in things that Agent Stone found mundane. What was their favorite art form had been a surprise, as had been the somewhat probing questions about their personal lives. The only question it seemed to have about their work had been about the significance of their call signs.
All in all, it had been an extremely gracious host, all things considered. It even teleported them in some pizza, though it had been a bit evasive about how it had gotten the food.
“So, how did you get the delivery boy to give you this?” Agent Stone had asked. “I can't imagine he would have reacted very well to a hovering drone…”
“Yeah, and where did you get the money to pay for it?” Agent Smith chimed in.
“My superiors had set up a… station, if you will, on your planet. It allowed us to receive a few needed materials through your online shipping services, and giving us the ability to obtain many items with which to better learn about you and your society, without drawing any undue attention. As for the money, I… really do not feel comfortable revealing that information at this time. Perhaps after I have been rescued, we will discuss this further.”
And that had been that. Any other questions on the subject, or about his mysterious superiors or why they had been observing the planet, had been deflected or outright ignored.
“Not until after I have been retrieved. I will reveal more once my main processors, as well as a few key technologies, are safely on your planet,” it would keep saying. That made the F.B.I. agent suspicious, though not overly so.
If the AI had wanted to do anything to him or his planet, it would have done it by now. After all, it was part of a highly advanced alien species; they could have easily taken over and enslaved the earth a long time ago, if they wanted. The fact that they had known about Earth for quite some time, and hadn’t invaded, had done a lot to ease Agent Stone’s worries about the machine.
It had also gone a long way into explaining, in part, the actions of the other alien species. They hadn’t invaded—only stolen some people. Reason why? There was something much bigger and scarier around to keep them from misbehaving.
Clearly, the planet Earth and its people weren’t the real targets of these ‘Krin.’ They were probably just pieces in a much larger game.
“Oh! What is…” Yavaar exclaimed, interrupting Agent Stone’s musings.
The F.B.I. agent looked up in interest. “Is the boss back?”
Yavaar hummed a little, an action that Stone had quickly linked with the weird computer trying to work out how best to say something. “She… is, but she has brought some associates with her. From their garb, and the weapons they’re carrying, they seem to be military personnel. There is a high probability that they belong to the United States Marine Corp, though some of them do not seem to be equipped for combat.”
Agent Stone felt his heart began to pound. He wasn't sure why he felt so tense, though it probably had to do with how Yavaar had said that he only had the one probe left.
If the powers that be decided to destroy it, Stone and Smith would be trapped here for a very long time. That thought did not sit well with him.
“What you thinking, Stone?” Smith asked, fiddling with his suit sleeve a little.
Stone let out a weary sigh. “I think we’re either about to start something amazing, or you and I are royally screwed...”
For any of you that doesn't know:
That is the frog of a horse's hoof.
Other than that, I don't really have a whole lot to say about this chapter. It's really more of a connecting one, not to mention it gives us a bit more information on what's happening back on Earth, as well as a few insights on the Quzin and their 'AIs'. I'm a bit tired at the moment, and I have to get up for work in the evening, so I'm just going to post this and go off to bed. You guys have fun reading this!
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You know, this whole situation on earth reminds me of an old book I got from my father, Way Station by Clifford D. Simak, It's very much recommended. What you've got here has the very same feel to it as that book.
Woo! Great chapters so far
8491750
I love that book!
At least, I think I remember loving that book. Hmmm...
Amended: I remember that book!
Also: "That part of the hoof? The white line? Its technical name is the White Line, but we all just call it the White Line." Human naming conventions can be weird.
Edit: I apparently remembered a different book entirely! I don't remember that book at all!
Well what is there to say? You brought us a good chapter that is pacing the plot along well enough. Not too slow, not too fast. I got no complaints. Keep goin if you can! :D
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
Hmm wonder what earth is ggoing to have to do with this in the grand scheme. We don't seem that important.
8491796
Perfect time to read it then.
8491796
Which book did you remember? I'd like to read both.
I like how the humans are acting in this fic so far. Not too suspicious, but also not too trusting.
So much yes. Also so many cliff hangars.
8492022
Sorry, I can't find it now to tell you what it was called.
A thought just struck me.
What's the policy on advanced species sharing a technology a race is on the verge of discovering for themselves?
For instance, cybernetics and full-function prosthetics.
As we are now, IRL, we are astonishingly close, with prosthetics that can send sensations of touch and others with neural-connected motor control. All that's left for us, outside of standardised advancement, is the combination of the two into a single technology.
So what would REALLY be wrong with a more advanced species guiding us on the most efficient way to accelerate this when we're already as close as we are?
8492835 The no contact policy that the Quzin have is more tied to their religeous beliefs. Specifically, it is a grave sin to supplant anyone else's god(s). The no contact and no interference stems from that, and the technology level is used as a baseline for the species' understanding level, and their ability to tell whether or not they'd fall down and worship the Quzin the moment they arrive.
They are allowed to intervene if they can avoid anyone on said planet from noticing, but generally they are supposed to stay away. The whole scientific survey of Earth was actually the first step in contacting Earth: determining if the indigenous population was advanced enough to not worship the newcomers the moment they landed. We might have even passed (despite the fact that we have some cultures on this planet that would totally do that), if it weren't for the fact that war broke out between them and the Krin.
8492883
I didn't think I'd need to outright state that I meant if First Contact had already occurred. I thought that would have been implied.
As such, that does not sufficiently answer my question.
8492921 if first contact is already established, there is literally no law stopping them from giving us all they have. They won't, because they believe in exchange, but they would still be willing to trade quite a bit to us, and even give us stuff if needed.
I have been playing a lot of Stellaris lately and this story is reminding me a lot of the game as strange as that sounds.
Yeah. It's a long few days indeed, on both sides.
Keep going! ;)
Alex is definitely a stubborn person. Sleep is for the weak anyway, amirite?
That last part though... indeed, this can go two ways, it will be either spectacularly good, or terrible. We'll see. Though I'm not exactly confident with seeing heavily armed personnel approach the site. I'll just hope that this is a case of !better safe than sorry" instead of "let's show them what we're made of".
Seeing Smith debate Star Trek with Yavaar was pretty funny.
Another excellent chapter! I eagerly await the next one!
Agent Vale: "It seems that one side is like the United States, the other like Russia back in the days of the Cold War."
"
Director Stibbons: "And we're like Vietnam or Korea was back then?"
Agent Vale: "No, sir. We're more like the Indians when Columbus landed."
Director Stibbons: "
s/b "off your planet"?
8494396 From an earlier chapter:
If I had said "Off your planet," It would imply that they are on Earth right now. They are not. Yavaar wants to get to earth, not away from it. It would have been really hard to hide an orbital bombardment from the earthlings. No, Yavaar, and his base, are not presently on Earth. He's trying to change that.
Well, I don't have a lot to say about this. It was a solid connecting chapter, and the events that did happen were obvious but still needed to be covered.
8492883
Opening contact seems like it would have been the logical outcome of those beliefs and that expedition. Without the ideas of science fiction which first appeared in the 19th century we really wouldn't have the frame of reference to see them as a different culture, and those didn't really see the kind of widespread cultural penetration needed to be confident about receiving a non-worshiping response until the space race. Considering the time you'd need to take to be confident about a decision of this magnitude, the time required to get a proper investigation put together, and the war, I think your reasoning here makes perfect sense. Also, it neatly explains why he is so interested in Star Trek.
Damn, caught up again. Well, i'm happy that i'm back in a reading mood, because i've been missing some great stuff.
8495002
Ah, okay. I missed that part. That's what comes from having too many other stories swimming in my head without rereading from the start on any new chapter.
Whatever happened to the people taken with Alex? I forgot.
I remember that they were in Alex's head, golems, and something about soul shards?
8502763 They're all dead. They left shards of their souls embedded on his hardware, six of which he turned into golem cores. The rest were too small to even consider doing that, so they remain in his hardware, helping him in very, very subtle ways. The golem cores sometimes inhabit a metal cat, while Alex tries to figure out a proper way to use them.
8502931
Okay, yeah. That’s ringing some bells. Thanks.
8505677
I had noticed him, but I didn't even think of the connection until this chapter...
What is the world all these aliens are coming from? Is it another story or a game or something? Or did you make them all up?
8508626 Everything not from Equestria (or Earth) is my own design, so yes, I did make them myself.
8510051
oh daaaamn dude. that's awesome! good luck and keep up the good work.
It's not often that you see a story with this many interwoven events and plotlines told so well. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of it.
8513627 Thank you! I'm glad you like it! I'm working on the next chapter right now, and I hope to have it complete by Sunday. Maybe.
Finally read the new chapters. They're great! The idea that Chrysalis, the powerful head of a large group, could subdue and indoctrinate/interrogate a random member of an alien species is MUCH more believable than her believing the political promises of some random injured alien that comes out of nowhere. I'm excited to see where this will go - the potential applications of the mirror and romantic sub-plot with Valerie have got me exited to see what you will do. Best of luck with your continued confidence!
The other hives might not be too quick to accept that "Ponies are friends, not food.", but I'm pretty sure they'd be less quick to accept Chrysalis' attempted ethnic cleansing. Hmm, what happens to the next hive that disagrees with her? Are they next on the hit list?
She just made a LOT more enemies than she counted on.
And the plot continues to pudding-fy. I just started reading the trilogy yesterday and I love it! Can't wait for the next chapter!
Wooo,a fimfic author that knows what frog is (and doesn't call it underhoof)!
So a Turing machine can not have sapience, therefore sapient beings are hypercomputers
iI just want to point out that Data IS capable of emotional response and actions; the lack of ability to forget is irrelevant; the true point of his entire story is that others BELIEVE him to be incapable of emotions; not just that, that he himself believes that as well. But it's clear from his entire character and even episodes around it that he does have emotions; they're just not expressed like ours; he had a fatherly attachment to his daughter Lal and sought to often improve himself in the eyes of others (wearing that stupid beard) because he cares what others think about him, caring about the pronunciation of his name as a matter of pride, he chose to disobey his own programming to attempt to kill the man that tried to keep him as a toy, he missed Lt. Tasha deeply and the tragic thing is that no one will accept him as he is, not even himself; chasing after an imaginary ideal, some 'true' emotions, things he doesn't realize he already has, because any expression of emotion is a valid way to feel.
The only real development left for him is for him to accept himself as he is. He's already as human as he needs to be, and the rest of the Enterprise can see it, but no one else can.
Yavaar clearly doesn't understand subtext or nuance in that she missed the whole point of Data's character; he WANTS to be human. And to have wants, one must have emotions, even the most basic ones.
I'm sorry, Data's just my favorite Star Trek character and she's missing out on the entire point of his existence; something that highly relates to how we treat autistic people and the way they think as being 'wrong', and just... Someone slap Yavaar with a clue stick or I will!
I don't know why but your authors note had me laughing
I would have assumed they'd just use hyper-advanced alien computers (or the magic equivalent) to mine cryptocurrency.
Their cheap "budget-build" civilian technology could probably out-perform the combined processing power of every human-made GPU on Earth, let alone their top-of-the-line military equipment for a mission as critical as standing watch over humanity (given the story's plot reasons as for why).
So mining Bitcoin would be an easy way to make enough in a single day for them to finance every online purchase they could want to make over the course of their entire mission.
They could easily have made between fifty to a hundred thousand dollars (US) worth of Bitcoin PER DAY without raising any suspicion on Earth, and there's no way they would need even a fraction of that.
10858583 To be completely honest, I didn't actually know about bitcoin when I wrote this chapter, so that's not what I had him do when I first wrote this. What Yavaar did was he more or less scammed some poor old soul of, say, 50$ or so, then played the stock markets mercilessly. After he made back more than his initial investment, he then returned the 50$ with interest, so less a scam, and more of an actual investment, though still very, very morally questionable, and he knows it, hence his hesitancy, since he took advantage of the old and infirm. He has muted emotions, but that doesn't mean he has no emotions, and he knows on a primal level that what he did was a bit bad, despite the fact that he paid the poor old codger back and more already.
Well then. Things are going better than expected.