Axis crossing, p.19
Axis Crossing, page 19
“And the other opinion?” Claudia queried.
“Due to the evident superiority of the alien ship, it’s thought that embracing their hull’s unique appearance and pointing the way to Beta Two to find the ship they seek might win us goodwill with these visitors,” Paul replied.
Escher was pleased to hear the commandant present the contrasting thoughts equitably.
“Is there a counternarrative?” Ramiro inquired.
“Yes,” Paul replied. “If Cremsylon can’t be believed, then our information about Beta Two might lead to uniting allies, and we’ve no idea about their intentions.”
“I’d like to see a show of hands by the five who listened to the exchange,” James requested. “How many of you believed what Cremsylon said?”
“No one?” Ramiro asked incredulously.
The presiding councilor had an idea, and he asked, “How many of you disbelieved Cremsylon?”
Again, not a single hand was raised.
“Could someone explain this to us?” David asked.
Escher waited for others to speak. When no one did, he cleared his throat, and the councilors regarded him.
“I think the question of belief isn’t applicable in these circumstances,” Escher said. “We spoke briefly to an alien, who might or might not be biologically alive.”
“Why qualify the description with alive?” Laura asked, with what appeared to be her usual acidic manner of speaking.
“There’s the possibility that our definition of what constitutes living is highly outmoded,” Escher replied. “For instance, Councilor Marolakos, your address of Ceda was hostile. Any individual could infer that you don’t believe a clone to be fully human. Yet, she’s a wonderful person, who deserves her Naiad citizenship.”
“Don’t you dare to criticize me,” Laura warned.
Escher folded his arms and quit speaking.
When Laura thought she’d established her lofty presence, she indicated Escher with a hand and demanded he continue.
“That will be difficult to do, Councilor Marolakos,” Escher said. “The next part of my explanation will possibly anger you even more.”
Laura colored at Escher’s presumption, and Claudia chose to intercede. “Escher, I would like to hear your conclusion,” she said. She could feel the daggers from Laura’s stare striking her temple.
“I’ve reconsidered my initial thought that Cremsylon was either biological or a ship’s computer,” Escher explained. “It was the manner in which Naiad security headquarters’ networks were overtaken. Cremsylon installed himself as a super administrator. The reports to Director Breneman say that the alien didn’t disturb anything. That strikes me as a biological decision.”
“Which has led you to think what?” Claudia prompted, and Escher was reminded of Ceda’s prompt to be brief.
“I see no reason that Cremsylon couldn’t be both,” Escher replied.
“I’m confused,” James said. “Both what?”
“Both nonbiological and alive,” Escher replied, as if the deduction were the simplest thing.
“You’re trying to convince this board that the alien you spoke to might be a smart bot?” Laura accused.
“I’m not trying to convince this council of anything,” Escher replied calmly. “I was asked my opinion, and I gave it.”
When Escher saw that the councilor was angrier after hearing his concluding statements, he was tempted to point out to her that he’d been right.
“This is preposterous,” Laura cried, slamming her palm on the bench top. “We’ve an alien ship approaching us, and we’re being presented with drivel about bots that can think for themselves. Not to mention, that these specious conjectures come from two offworlders, one of whom is a clone.”
“Everyone, calm down,” David cautioned. “Escher, I don’t believe we’ve heard the end of your statements about whether Cremsylon should be believed,” he said. “Continue with your train of thought.”
“I had little more to say, Councilor Yewall,” Escher said. “There is no way for us to determine the aliens’ intentions. That would come with continued contact and proof that they did what they said they would do.”
“Yet, you believe Cremsylon,” David pursued.
“Let’s say, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt,” Escher replied. “If I’m wrong, it won’t really matter. There’s nothing that we can do about it.”
The councilors’ attentions swung toward the commandant.
Paul sat quietly. He gave the councilors no indication of his thoughts. Essentially, he didn’t overtly disagree with Escher’s assessment.
∞
The meeting with the Naiad Council was concluded, and the commandant and his guests were led to their temporary accommodations.
Behind them, the councilors argued with one another for another half hour, achieved nothing, and adjourned.
Escher and Ceda had a passable room to themselves. Seconds after the door slid closed, Escher accessed the door panel with his cid. The menu selections were minimal. Importantly, command control of the door was missing.
“Locked in?” Ceda asked, from her seat on the cot.
“As expected,” Escher replied. “We’re still considered suspects.”
“What does this mean for Allie and the mickies?” Ceda asked.
Escher turned and leaned against the wall. “That part, I don’t like.”
“Captain Stegmeir,” Ceda surmised.
“Yes,” Escher replied.
Ceda carefully watched Escher. From his early teen years, she’d been his caretaker. By the time Escher was engaged in his advanced degrees, they’d become fast friends. Later, they’d fallen in love. She knew him intimately.
Escher’s body posture and eye movements told Ceda that he was considering other means of rescuing Allie and the mickies.
“An Axis-ship won’t work for us,” Ceda proffered. She knew he wasn’t considering that approach, but it was her way of engaging him.
Escher grinned at Ceda. “I am considering alternate transportation.”
“Of course, you are,” Ceda replied. “You’ve yet to meet the aliens, and you’re already considering asking them for a ride.”
“It never hurts to ask,” Escher replied.
“Well, you need to inform the aliens where we’re housed, if you want to talk to them,” Ceda suggested. “Otherwise, the council will intercept them, and you’ll never get the opportunity you seek.”
Ceda watched Escher’s eyes shift upward. His mind was fully engaged. Then he focused on her, signaling that he’d considered her suggestion, found a way to act on it, and was ready to proceed. This was one of the fundamental aspects of their relationships. Despite Escher’s inherent genius capabilities, he wasn’t always grounded in the ways that reality intruded in lives.
On the other hand, the life of a clone made Ceda painfully aware of how the vagaries of decision-makers could uplift or ruin her life. In this case, she merely pointed Escher toward a logical step to facilitate his desire. Then he was off and running.
As Escher turned to consider the panel adjacent to the door, she thought fondly, I mean to hold on to you as long as fortune allows.
Escher tapped repeatedly into the panel a request for a change in room temperature settings.
Finally, a voice said, “Are you requesting assistance, Citizen?”
“Affirmative,” Escher replied. “I’m requesting communication with Samuel at Naiad security headquarters.”
Escher waited for the virtual assistant to process the unusual request. It was probably outside its programming, which meant it was falling back on base directives. The easiest thing for the assistant to do was pass off the request, which it did.
“Hello, Escher,” Samuel said, and his virtual face appeared on the panel.
“Samuel, I need approval to monitor events external to Justice Hall,” Escher requested. He was about to delineate the officers or the director who Samuel could contact to accomplish the task, when Samuel interrupted him.
“Approval isn’t required, Escher,” Samuel replied.
Escher glanced over his shoulder at Ceda, who frowned, rose, and joined Escher at the panel.
Ceda touched her chest, and Escher requested Samuel respond to her.
“Samuel, state why permission isn’t necessary,” Ceda requested.
“Super user Cremsylon supplies it,” Samuel replied.
Immediately, Escher tried to add Ceda to the approval conditions.
“Request is beyond my authority. Ceda Geneva must be in the presence of Escher Talons.”
“Samuel, I’d like to have my cid location relayed to Naiad security networks,” Escher requested.
“Pass your cid over the panel, Escher.” After Escher complied, Samuel said, “Cid location amended to your record.”
An idea occurred to Ceda, and she asked, “Samuel, has Cremsylon reviewed Escher’s security files?”
“Affirmative, Ceda. As a known associate, your information was requested too.”
“Any other files, Samuel?” Escher asked.
“Many, Escher. Would you like a listing?”
“Negative, Samuel, summarize.”
“Ceda and you had conversations or accessed computers in the presence of others,” Samuel explained. “The files of persons who were present at the time were perused by Cremsylon.”
“When was this done?” Escher asked eagerly.
“According to time logs, this occurred while Cremsylon and you were speaking,” Samuel replied.
“Monitor this panel for future contact, Samuel,” Escher directed.
“Your requirement is accepted,” Samuel said, and the panel went dark.
Escher turned to face Ceda. He wore a smile.
Ceda encircled her arms around Escher’s neck and drew him close. In between tender kisses, she said, “You’re so clever ... and so cuddly!”
Escher chuckled, as he responded to Ceda’s kisses. His lover had a way of keeping him grounded. For that, he was eternally grateful.
Releasing Escher and returning to the cot, Ceda inquired, “I get that Cremsylon has done you a great favor but for what reason?”
“Good question,” Escher replied. “It also doesn’t answer my concerns about the nature of Cremsylon. He could have been keeping me busy, while the ship’s computer installed him as a super administrator and searched the files.”
“Is that what you believe?” Ceda asked.
“No, but I don’t want to be naïve, either,” Escher replied.
“Nothing to do now but wait,” Ceda remarked, and she curled on the cot to sleep.
Escher returned to the panel and whispered, “Samuel.”
“Here, Escher,” Samuel whispered. The virtual program had been coded to respond in a manner that suited the questioner.
“Status of the alien ship,” Escher requested.
“Decelerating to enter Naiad orbit. Transport Control estimates the ship will achieve a low orbit around the planet in three point four hours.”
Transport Control is wrong, Escher thought. He was certain the alien ship wouldn’t orbit the planet to maintain elevation.
Escher chose to slip onto Ceda’s cot. She murmured pleasantly when she felt Escher’s body spoon behind her. Then she promptly returned to sleep.
The couple was woken a few hours later, as the door slid open.
“No warning?” Escher demanded of the agent bringing food to them.
The agent didn’t respond. He set the tray on the empty cot and turned to leave.
“What’s the status of the alien ship?” Escher called after the retreating back.
“Don’t know,” the agent said dismissively and left.
“Charming accommodations and services,” Ceda quipped, rising to use the facilities.
“Samuel, ship status,” Escher requested.
“Escher, the alien ship floats above Limnad. A smaller ship has launched and is headed planetside.”
“Yes!” Escher whispered triumphantly. He’d been right about the alien ship not needing to circle the planet to maintain orbit. “Samuel, why are you using the term smaller ship?”
“That is the manner in which it’s being reported, Escher. Despite its unusual shape, I would classify it as a shuttle.”
“Do you have an image?” Escher inquired.
The panel shifted from Samuel’s projected face to that of a small ship hurtling through the atmosphere. The air friction’s heat made it difficult to see details, but the overall shape was easily discerned.
“Wow,” Escher said slowly, which brought Ceda to his side.
“That the shuttle I heard you discuss?” she asked. When Escher nodded, she said, “It looks like an overgrown seed pod.”
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Escher remarked.
When Ceda realized that Escher was immersed in watching the shuttle plummet through the planet’s moderate atmosphere, she unwrapped the food on the tray. Then she brought a bowl and a water cup to him.
“Samuel, possible destination,” Escher inquired, while he spooned a mouthful of what appeared to be stew.
“Limnad,” Samuel replied.
“Further qualification,” Escher pursued.
“Transport Control notes the extreme agility of the craft and won’t comment further on its course,” Samuel replied.
“Thank you, Samuel,” Escher said, and he returned to the cot to eat with Ceda.
17: Justice Hall
“The ship is inbound, Councilor,” a shuttle controller reported. “It will be over Limnad in about sixteen minutes.”
“Thank you,” David Yewall replied.
“I’ve given orders to Naiad security that no one is to closely approach, much less board, the vessel,” Commandant van Dysen informed the council. Johann, Stacey, Diana, and he had been brought from their quarters to attend the impromptu council meeting.
The foursome was surprised that Escher and Ceda weren’t present, but no one questioned the councilors.
“How will the aliens be directed to Justice Hall?” Ramiro inquired.
“That won’t be an issue, Councilor,” Diana replied. “Cremsylon is installed as a super user. He’s probably aware of the location of each and every one of us via the use of our cids.”
“Fortunately, that doesn’t apply to Escher and the clone,” Laura stated confidently.
“If you’re referring to Escher and Ceda, then you wouldn’t be correct, Councilor Marolakos,” Stacey replied. She’d grown tired of the woman’s attitude about Ceda.
“Enlighten us, Lieutenant,” Laura requested. She leaned forward, placing her forearms on the table. Her appearance was that of a predator ready to pounce.
“Escher circumvented the panel’s programming in his room,” Stacey replied.
“How did he do that?” Laura demanded.
“You’d have to ask Director Breneman or Escher,” Stacey replied, glancing toward Diana.
“If you recall, Councilor Marolakos, I just told you that Cremsylon has full authority over security’s networks,” Diana explained. “Somehow, Escher managed to signal for assistance, and Samuel responded.”
“Who is Samuel, and why haven’t we heard of him before now?” Laura shouted, slamming her palm on the tabletop.
Diana had enjoyed prodding the councilor. She shared Stacey’s view of the woman.
“Councilor Marolakos,” Johann interjected. “Samuel is a virtual assistant, whom Escher prefers to speak to for queries and analysis. Cremsylon has tasked Samuel with the job of aiding Escher, at any time.”
“This is ridiculous,” Laura grumped, balefully eyeing the foursome and the other councilors.
David eyed his sleeve slate. He was using it to track the shuttle’s progress. “Apparently, Director Breneman is correct. The alien shuttle made Limnad and has flown directly toward Justice Hall. I suggest we prepare to meet them.”
“Where?” Laura queried. “Unless they enter our transit or pedestrian tube system from a Limnad terminal, they can’t access Justice Hall.” She looked at Commandant van Dysen for an answer.
“I don’t know, Councilor,” Paul admitted. “However, if we borrow Escher’s analysis of the aliens, which is proving to be remarkably accurate, I don’t think we have to solve the problem. They’ll provide the solution.”
“To the lobby,” David directed. “That will take us to the nearest points of ingress for them.”
The presiding councilor led his entourage to an elevator. Then they descended to the lobby. Agents had cleared the space in anticipation of the coming meeting.
Stacey eyed the number of agents, who were armed with stun weapons, and she indicated them to Johann with a nod of her head. She was annoyed when he signaled her to remain quiet.
David checked his slate, as did everyone else. The hall’s exterior vid cams, which were rarely used, showed a sleeting, driving wind. The average velocity was clocked at eighty-two kilometers per hour.
“That probably ends any chance of a meeting,” James Soisson commented, when he saw the extent of the ice storm.
Storms were still common on Naiad. Although, as the planet slowly warmed, they’d lessened in ferocity and number. The thick ice sheets had slowly melted, and water flowed under the ice, filling the surface’s deep crevasses and wide basins. However, sheets of ice still blanketed the entire surface, which prevented the formation of visible lakes and oceans.
The colonists had been careful to construct Limnad on a high plateau. The foundations of their buildings and terminals were firmly anchored in bedrock. This had often required digging through tens of meters of ice before boring into the rocky crust.
On their slates, the group watched the sleek, colorful shuttle land outside Justice Hall. The blinding snow made it difficult to see details.
Suddenly, where there hadn’t been an exit, a hatch protruded. It revealed a cylinder, which revolved. Then a huge figure jumped onto the ice.
“Sentinels,” Laura whispered fearfully.
The hatch cylinder turned a second time, and a second enormous figure leapt onto the ice. Then one more figure, much smaller than the first two, exited the shuttle.
When the trio started walking toward the building, Diana exclaimed excitedly, “Maintenance! They’re headed for the builder’s airlock.”
