The Syncretic Order agent and theologian Bartholomew Silva and AI synthezoid Cyxeria strategized into the next day on how to best infiltrate the Xathos Epiphany compound and achieve their undercover mission.
"Based on our observations, there are regular visitors to the compound," Cyxeria replied to the Shepherd's questions.
"The residents of the compound are not charged per se for rent, food or services, however they contribute through work of varying types and often make donations, supposedly of their own free will."
"Once undercover, we can likely be floating about and have a degree of freedom, except of course for locations that may be secure or limited to certain personnel. "We can make contact with our internal spy and utilize him for assistance on the inside."
"Residents are dressed in their normal clothing. Formal Xathos Epiphany employees are dressed in subtle uniforms of certain colored button-up shirts, and the Guiders (what they call the priests) are denoted by their headbands."
"Building foot traffic varies by type, as denoted on the map. The residences have less traffic during the day. The storage facilities have little, the administrative and various functional building have more traffic. Buildings 6 and 13 contain computer networks of interest, through which we can gain access to the network for my purposes."
"We are assuming they have security systems at the fence and a localized aerial radar. We have seen no compound weapon systems. Some security personnel are armed with stun pistols. Heavy weaponry and armor has not been observed. Despite the state of autonomous hardware and remote observation methods, their IT system security requires inside access to penetrate."
Bartholomew expressed his misgivings about the mission.
"The potential reward is worth the risk," said Cyxeria.
"We will hopefully gain critical intelligence and set in motion viral and malware attacks that will be detrimental to their operation. It is our advanced technology and skills that will enable us to succeed."
"While I have no morals as an AI, from what I've gathered there is considerable moral wrongs. The Order has gathered considerable evidence and anecdotes that religious black market Shifts created by kults are detrimental to the Order's interests. If one believes in the infallibility of the Order, and of Faith, there is absolute justification for what we are doing."
Bartholomew considered the words of this AI synthezoid, what it said and left unsaid. He had not gathered direct evidence these past three days, at least locally. Cyxeria had reported little, yet she claimed now there was. Was she lying? Could AI synthezoid's lie? She was reporting only what the Order was supplying? What did that mean?
The Shepherd was recruited by the First Mind himself, his mentor in Bartholomew's early days. While his involvement with the Order has not been as active these past years, Bartholomew agreed to help his old mentor. But it appeared these were deep waters where things unseen turned under the surface.
As to evidence that black market religious Shifts are harming people, Cyxeria said:
"The Syncretic Order judges them to be harmful to life and soul. The kults indoctrinate, brainwash, take advantage, and exploit people. Some of this may not cross a legal line, but it crosses our line."
"Legally, Shifts are true memories not manufactured or fictional context. The kult's black market Shifts are thus illegal."
Bartholomew wondered: Did Cyxeria's certitude mean those Shift memories, such as experienced by Bartholomew himself, were pure fabrications? How did she know, or was it the Syncretic Order's belief that translated to illegality?
Bartholomew realized that the circumstantial evidence he gathered the past three days would not meet Pzion legal standards. Cyxeria was working by a different standard, with information gathered by many agents on various planets over two years. For whatever reason, it has not provided the totality of information to him. Had the Syncretic Order moved to a different place than Bartholomew knew, or had Bartholomew changed?
Bartholomew's time away from the Order's inside workings, his distant and varied travels, his exposure to the myriad of beliefs across the Plurality, have given the Shepherd a more skeptical perspective. Would Faith see him through, believing that the need-to-know information we was not privy to did indeed justify these actions?
Based on their discussions, the pair drew up plan potentials:
Mission: Infiltrate Xathos Ephiphany compound for undercover work including information gathering and inside data system penetration to get at intelligence that is not publicly available. Implant spyware and malware for future activiation, and other AI actions.
Point of Entry: Undercover via service contractor or delivery, or fence penetration aided by tech.
Method of Undercover Integration: Cover papers as new congregants. Make contact with internal spy. Determine lodging potential.
Computer Target Points: Inside building 6 and 13.
Buildings of Interest: Those with general information gathering potential - talk with congregants, learn the kult's religious secrets. Use black market Shift experienced by Bartholomew as point of conversation.
Exit Strategy: Over fence to nearby waiting truck with jump booth out.
