The noblest experiment i.., p.1
The Noblest Experiment in the Galaxy, page 1
THE
NOBLEST
EXPERIMENT
IN THE
GALAXY
by LOUIS TRIMBLE
a division of F+W Media, Inc.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Prologue
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
Also Available
Copyright
PROLOGUE
i
REPORT: Pogany, Head, Special Investigations Division, Anthropol, to Chief, Anthropol.
Subject: Defection of Eight Officers of the Galactic Military Forces of the Intra-Galactic Military Forces of The Intra-Galactic Federation.
Background: Eight missing Gal-mil personnel (see Appendix A for names and ranks), assigned for disciplinary reasons to the recently discovered planet Bilduk, apparently defected from their posts at 17-30 hours, Sol 17, 2934 Post-Inundation (adjusted to Earth-based galactic time). Also missing are two Federation supply ships, one Anthropol study team ship, and one Galactic Military armed light cruiser, all in orbit around Bilduk at the time. Found dead at the Federation’s Bilduk base camp were six members of an Anthropol study team and twelve nonranked members of the Gal-mil protective force. Missing are the three ranking Gal-mil officers. The dead were all apparently killed by an attack from a Bildukian tribe encamped near by. One Federation employee, a member of the Anthropol study team, survived. His account of the events is given below.
The eight missing Gal-mil personnel were temporarily demoted in rank and assigned to the garrison on Bilduk following an abortive attempt on their part to infiltrate the policy-making echelon of Gal-mil Command. Their purpose in this infiltration was, by their own statements, to return the military to its former policy of using immediate and total force to solve galactic problems. Bilduk was chosen as their disciplinary post as it is a newly discovered planet inhabited by nomadic, warlike people, and it is isolated from the mainstreams of galactic traffic. It was claimed by the Gal-mil Discipline Board that such isolation under virtual battle conditions would make the dissidents realize that force was not always the most satisfactory solution.
Investigation and Results: The personal account of the surviving Anthropol study team member is as follows: “The shuttle from the Federation supply ship landed at 17-12 hours. As it was unloading, eight Gal-mil personnel of officer rank appeared from their quarters and took charge of a large crate. Opening the crate, they removed a weapon I could not see clearly as I was stationed at the other end of the encampment. Also immediately, the Gal-mil building disappeared and the roof collapsed, pinning me beneath the wreckage. I lay under a protective layer of rubble listening to a charge from the Bildukians camped near by. It was at this time my fellow Anthropol team members and the nonranked Gal-mil personnel guarding them were killed. (I learned this only after the rescue ship came and released me.)”
Under questioning, the survivor insisted that his use of the word “disappeared” was correct. To quote: “One moment the Gal-mil building, containing the three ranking officers, was there; the next, it was gone. I believe that I felt a surge of heat, but I cannot be certain as I was stationed well over a hundred meters away.” From this, it appears that the dissidents were able to destroy their fellow officers and the buildings through the use of an unknown weapon. A check of Anthropol files indicates that weapons with similar abilities were outlawed some three centuries ago and all existing models as well as the prototype were outlawed and destroyed. Since no such weapon was presumed to exist none of the missing ships had defenses against it.
How this weapon came into existence and how it reached the dissidents are matters under Priority I investigation.
The route taken by the dissidents and their current whereabouts are also under Priority Investigation.
Conclusions: It is apparent that someone still high in Gal-mil interceded for the dissidents in having them placed on Bilduk rather than having them sent to a detention planet. There is no other way to explain why eight officers with such aggressive attitudes would be assigned to a highly sensitive area. An examination of the records show that all eight were recommended for treatment of Frissart’s Syndrome—that is, the Hitler-Khan complex. This aberration was noted to be particularly strong in the six officers with rank of major or above. It is recommended that these facts be placed before the appropriate committee of the Intra-Galactic Federated Worlds Council.
It is further recommended that this investigation be given the highest priority. The possible existence of even one outlawed weapon with such destructive powers poses a threat not only to the Federation but to the stability of the entire galaxy.
ii
Memo: Pogany, Head, Special Investigations Division, Anthropol, to Chief, Anthropol.
Subject: Audio-video Tape Received in Space by Message Pod.
Background: While I was between exit from By-pass and orbit around Bilduk, a message pod was drawn to my ship by homing in on the frequency of my propulsion unit. My probes picked up no indication of a nearby vessel, nor did the pod or its contents contain any clue as to its origin.
Comments: The enclosed audio-video tape contains information possibly pertinent to my investigation of the eight missing Gal-mil officers.
Conclusions: I suspect that the tape—and pod—are gifts from Chloe Helos of Jondee. I further suspect from part of the contents of the tape that we are being told that this is one of those rare situations when Jondee wants to cooperate with Anthropol—as usual, for its own protection.
iii
REPORT: Chief, Anthropol, to “File on Dissident Gal-mil personnel.”
Subject: Contents of Audio-video Tape Received in Space by Pogany.
Background: The attached memorandum provides our total knowledge as to the donor of the tape.
The following introductory and concluding remarks attached to the tape are audio only and are obviously a computerized voice; therefore, no identification is possible. The contents of the tape itself are included without deletion.
Introductory Comments: The following tape was made by the sender “tuning in” on a meeting held on a small ship stationed at the very edge of the galaxy. This ship was obviously a rendezvous point for eleven smaller ships magneto-attached to its hull. The sender picked up the destination on an audio scan and followed the eleven ships through a little used By-pass. Further background information is not necessary.
Tape: The video reveals a long, narrow room well filled by a table. Ten men are at the table, four seated on one side, five across from them. The tenth man stands at the head of the table, in front of a drawn curtain. He is speaking.
“… the chance that anyone will discover us here is virtually impossible, thanks to our screens. Therefore, you may speak freely. As chairman of this conference, allow me to first review our position.
“We represent the ten largest and most powerful companies in the metals fields. Our products are vital to the continued operation of the galaxy and to its prosperity. The Federation shows its gratitude by imposing heavy tax burdens and heavier operating restrictions upon us. Our taxes support those very activities designed to keep us from making our legitimate profits, from operating in the free competitive manner we see fit. In other terms, we are paying for our own ultimate destruction.
“For it is axiomatic that we cannot live unless we expand. However, the rate of expansion permitted us under the so-called mutual protection code of the Federation is too limiting. It allows the development of competitive organizations; it denies us the right to form mutually advantageous combines; it refuses to allow us to rid ourselves of unwanted competition. The entire concept of free enterprise is thus threatened. Today, we are met here to end such threats to our survival.”
Number 2, on the chairman’s left, rises. “Central Galactic Mining and Milling here. Please be more explicit. All of our efforts to modify the Federation’s restrictions have met with failure. Our lobbyists are ignored. Our sub-rosa policing forces are discovered and disbanded.”
Number 4, right, stands up. “I represent Pan-Galactic Refining. I concur with Central. Counting our sub-rosa subsidiaries in nonaligned and anti-Federation systems, we control many planets politically and financially. We are the economic lifeblood of millions—billions, perhaps—of people and humanate aliens. There is not one Freebooter system, not one anti-Federation Corporation system that does not depend on us in great measure for our raw materials and processed metals. Yet with all this power we have been unable to gain concessions from the Federation.”
Number 3, right, stands. “Federated Mining and Milling here. I take exception to Pan-Galactic. There is one Freebooter system we do not control, nor can we expect support from them. I refer to Jondee.”
Number 1, left, rises quickly. “Universal Metals Processing here. I agree. We dare not take Jondee lightly. Although on the surface it appears to be a tenuous union of seven planets scattered in five systems, it has the highest level of technology in the galaxy. It has shown its cleverness by doing what we cannot do: outwit the Federation. Its leaders, the Baron and his so-called girl Friday, Chloe Helos, are undoubtedly the most able and daring of those who refuse to abide by the rules of the Federation. I wish to say that despite its anti-Federation bent, Jondee would take the attitude that a threat to the Federation is a threat to it.”
Number 5, left, gets up. “I wish to correct the terminology of Federated Mining and Milling. Jondee does not regard itself as a Freebooter system. Its members consider themselves Privateers, licensed—to quote the Baron—by the right of freedom to plague the Federation. However, I wish to agree also. Without the Federation, Jondee would have no group strong enough to play its game of gadfly against. If we were in control, it would turn on us. I suggest that any plans made for the Federation’s destruction include the destruction of Jondee as well.”
The chairman holds up a hand. “Your doubts will be answered by one who has come the width of the galaxy to address us. I give you Ralon Gloque, Director of the Galactic Institute for Sociological Perfection.”
The curtain behind the chairman parts. A small, brisk man steps forward. He smiles and a tangible warmth emanates from him. He looks around with eyes that seem to be constructed for seeing in any degree of light. He bows, showing an amazing flexibility of bodily muscles. He speaks in a clear, pleasant voice with no trace of any discernible accent.
“Thank you for your attention. You are all aware, I am sure, that for the past two years and a bit more, each of your organizations has contributed financially to the Institute I represent. I shall refer to it for convenience as Gal-Soc. I wish to inform you that no further financial contributions are necessary at this time. I do request, however, your cooperation. In exchange I offer you freedom from bondage.
“The purpose of Gal-Soc, as you all know, is to study social structures under controlled conditions in an effort to determine which cultural factors create the most harmonic and productive environments for humans and humanate aliens to live and work within. To that purpose, I have set up a number of small experimental cultures throughout the galaxy—with Federation approval and, I might add, supervision. Lately, the Federation has been less insistent on direct supervision, having accepted my Institute at face value.
“Now that the Federation is less concerned with me, I have one more experiment to perform. From your point of view, this may well become known at some future date as the Noblest Experiment in the Galaxy. For, gentlemen, it will not only free you from the Federation’s restrictions, it will put you in the position that the Federation is now: rulers of much of the inhabited galaxy!
“Before I go into detail, I wish to explain that the apparent complexity of the experiment I am about to discuss is to insure the Federation’s acceptance. Their watchdogs must be sufficiently intrigued to the point where they will send undercover agents to make certain they are not being hoodwinked. The agents will become so involved with obviously safe—from their point of view—minutiae that I will be able to fulfill the true purpose of the experiment under their very noses, as it were. By the time they realize they have been turned into a maze, it will be too late. Our position will be consolidated; our success will be assured.
“You are now going to witness demonstrations of new mind-programming techniques, of new audio-video projective techniques, and of the inner workings of the plan itself in sufficient detail for you to realize that within a few months the Federation will be nothing more than history. The galaxy will be yours!”
The audio-video ends in a wild cacophony of jamming sounds and eye-shattering lines and colors.
Concluding Remarks: At this point the screens on the meeting ship apparently adjusted sufficiently to react to the monitoring probes. In light of the contents of the tape, it is suggested that Anthropol study carefully the words of Ralon Gloque and then ask its computers to attempt to relate them to the missing Gal-mil officers.
iv
MEMO: Chief, Anthropol, to Pogany, Head, Special Investigations Division, Anthropol.
Subject: Audio-video Tape Received by You in Space.
Comments: I do not agree that the tape comes from Chloe Helos of Jondee. Despite your occasional working relationship with the young lady, I cannot imagine the Baron turning aside from a chance to wait out a galaxy-wide battle so that he can step in and pick up the pieces. Further, if Chloe Helos had found the tape, I’m of the opinion that she and the Baron would have used it to blackmail us into giving them amnesty for the “crimes” we have recorded against them.
Conclusion: The source of the tape is immaterial. Action will be taken based upon its contents.
MEMO: Pogany, Head, Special Investigations Division, to Chief, Anthropol.
Subject: Your Last Memo.
With all due respect, you don’t know Chloe! I’ll bet my next vacation—double or nothing—that she sent the tape. Who else in the galaxy but Jondee is capable of not only stealing Federation technology but making it sophisticated enough to get through a screen such as that meeting ship must have put up? I’ll bet your next vacation that right now she is trying to get herself personally involved in Gloque’s experiment.
On the assumption that she will succeed, I suggest that we send as many top agents as we can spare.
MEMO: Chief, Anthropol, to Pogany, Head, Special Investigations Division.
Subject: Chloe Helos of Jondee Succeeding in Infiltrating the Experiment.
Comment: Caveat Gloque!
I
The door bore the impressive title of Head Programmer, Data Analysis Section, Field Agent Department. Beneath the lettering was a drawing of an eye with three pupils: the symbol of Intra-Galactic Investigations, Incorporated — or Eye-3 as it was commonly known.
Behind the door was a three by five meter office that somehow managed to find space for a desk among wall to wall electronic equipment. Standing in front of the desk and glaring down at its comfortably neat surface was Zeno Zenobius.
This was Zeno’s office and he had come to work at ten hundred hours expecting to spend a happy five hours in it, working with some knotty problems left over from yesterday. “That,” he said broodingly aloud to the mini-computer within reach of his desk chair, “is my job. Problems.” Because the computer was, in his view, a friend, Zeno opened its oral circuits and repeated his statement.
The computer muttered a moment and then said metallically, “Specifically, your responsibilities are to see that the data fed into headquarters by the field agents are properly programmed and fed into computers to be synthesized, analyzed, collated, digested, and regurgitated so that you might examine the results to eliminate dross and find hidden relationships, if any.”
Zeno glared at the lighted eye on the computer’s face. “Why remind me?” He picked up the sheet of green flimsy that threatened to spoil his day. It was the only thing on the desk top.
He read to the computer, “‘You will report to the Top immediately.’ There is no signature. The color of the paper is green. What is the likelihood of this summons coming from Londres?”
The computer thought through the problem. “A probability of point nine-oh,” it said. There was a pause, while Zeno waited hopefully. Then it added, “Londres is a shtik tinif.”
Zeno was pleased. He wished that someday Londres would come down from his eyrie and give his name to the computer; he might be surprised at the things Zeno had taught it to call him.
Zeno disliked Londres. Among the employees scattered in the 237 levels that stretched from his office just below the Spire to the buried computer section Zeno inhabited, Londres was known as the Eyelash — the man who protected the big boss himself, Samuel Marlowe, the Big Eye. It was Londres who had bullied Zeno into leaving his job as research programmer to take on the responsibilities of a department head. And, Zeno always suspected, he had done it because he hoped that the responsibilities would make Zeno resign. Unfortunately, Zeno discovered that his insistence on doing well anything he undertook had doubled the department’s efficiency during his short tenure.
Zeno said, “Why is the probability that Londres sent this only point nine-oh?”
“Green is the summoning color from the Top,” the computer said. “Therefore, the possibility exists that Samuel Marlowe sent it. However, the probability of that is low.”
“Mathematically obvious,” Zeno said dryly.
