by A. K. DuBoff
“Haven’t we been over this?” Jason’s head swam. He could have sworn he was somewhere else a moment before, but he couldn’t remember where.
“Daydreaming again?” Curtis raised an eyebrow.
“I dunno. Guess so.” Jason tried to shake off the feeling of déjà vu, but he’d been trained to listen to his instincts, and his gut told him that something was off.
The other Agent folded his hands in his lap. “Well, let’s get back to the Lynaedans and what to expect.”
“Right. How they distrust us unmodded people.”
“What you may find interesting is why,” Curtis continued.
The echo of a conversation flitted through Jason’s mind along with a flash of light. He couldn’t catch any of the words, but there was something familiar there. “Are you sure we haven’t been over this?”
“Information can take on new meaning, depending on your state of mind.”
“All right. What’s worth hearing again?”
Curtis repositioned in his chair. “When you hear about a group that’s distanced itself from the rest of the civilization, what would you expect to be their motives?”
“Could be anything. In a general sense, I’d wager they don’t like the other very much—whether it be ideological differences or something else,” Jason replied.
“What about this case with the Lynaedans, knowing their stance on technology?”
Jason shrugged. “The people on most Taran worlds prefer to remain in our natural forms, for one societal reason or another. I’d guess that those who seek extensive augmentations probably consider everyone else weak.”
“No, that’s not it at all.”
“What, then?”
“The Lynaedans’ distrust of un-modded people doesn’t have anything to do with our physical forms. It’s related to the level of connectivity in our minds.”
Jason frowned with confusion. “Us Agents can form telepathic links as effectively—or more—than they can.”
“But our methods of doing so also make us exceptionally good at concealing our inner thoughts. Their form of interface, coupled with their augmented senses, make deception extremely difficult. They’re guarded against outsiders because it’s our nature to withhold information and mislead, whereas their culture values being able to take a statement at face value. Anyone outside of that open, shared network can’t be implicitly trusted the way their own people can be.”
Jason took a moment to process the revelation. “Wait, so they can’t lie to each other?”
“Not in the way we can. When minds are constantly linked and cybernetic sensors can reveal nuanced information about a person’s physical state, it’s much more difficult to be disingenuous—moreover, it’s counterproductive. The rest of the Taran worlds, though, rely on providing just enough information to get by in any given interaction. Finding common ground between such different perspectives is a challenge.”
“The only way is through honesty,” Jason assessed.
“Yes, but when dealing with Agents, whom have such control over their physical state and mental faculties, a Lynaedan’s normal measure of honesty becomes unreliable. In their shoes, wouldn’t you be cautious of someone like you, too?”
“I suppose I would.”
“So, have fun navigating all of that,” Curtis said with a slight smile. “Your innate telekinetic gifts and intelligence have gotten you this far, but it takes more than that to be a true leader.”
“I’m here willingly. I want to learn.”
Curtis smiled. “Good. I’ve always valued that trait in your family. It’s been a relief to know that your grandfather has the respect of the other High Dynasty leaders, given his inside knowledge of the TSS.”
“You know that, but I worry that not everyone will agree with generation after generation of Sietinens having command of both the TSS and Tararia.”
“Your family is in a unique position, no doubt.”
Jason stared out the viewport at the swirling blue-green light of subspace. “I guess that’s why it’s important I prove myself now.”
“It’s not a matter of proving yourself, Jason,” Curtis said in a fatherly tone. “Think about it, instead, as the best way to make your mark. No one doubts the strength of either your abilities or character. The question is how best you can use those skills to the greatest benefit.”
“That sounds like something my grandfather would say.”
“He’s a wise man. Guess that makes me pretty smart, too. You should listen to me.”
Jason rolled his eyes. “Like I said, I’ll keep an open mind.”
The older Agent turned serious. “You should. You never know what you might learn about yourself by looking at things from someone else’s perspective.”
Something about the sudden change in demeanor caught Jason off-guard. “Finding common ground is what we’re here to do.”
Curtis’ relaxed posture had gone rigid. His gaze was fixed intently on Jason. “You seem so willing to keep technology from the Lynaedans. What happened to equal sharing among the Taran worlds?”
“Whoa, what do you mean? I never said that.”
“But you’re thinking it. The High Dynasties, the TSS. Really, what use are the Lynaedans to people with such connections?”
Jason hesitated. “Haven’t we been over this? The Aesir tech isn’t something to take lightly.”
“Yes, the Aesir. They’ve been kept under wraps, too. Even if the tech from their information repository comes to light, I doubt anyone would say where it came from.”
“Curtis, what’s going on with you? We’re on the same side here.”
“We are, but not in the way you might think.”
None of this is right. Jason took an unsteady breath. “What’s going on? You don’t seem like… you.”
The other man chuckled to himself. “Remember how I said you can learn something new when you look at the same information in different ways?”
Jason nodded.
“Well, you have made quite an interesting specimen to study.”
Yeah, definitely not right. Jason tried to bolt from his seat, but he was unable to move. He detected none of the telltale electric tingle of a telekinetic vise or any telepathic control, which was even more worrying than the prospect that the other Agent had somehow overpowered him. Though he tried to struggle against the invisible restraints, Jason was trapped.
“Who are you working for?” he demanded. It seemed impossible that Curtis had turned against his TSS family after decades of service, but he wouldn’t have been the first to defect.
The other Agent shook his head, laughing. “And here I thought we were getting to know each other! You really think such a loyal family friend would disregard you so easily?”
“I don’t want to think that, but you—”
“Think about everything you’ve been thinking and feeling, Jason.” Curtis looked at him levelly. “What explanation makes more sense?”
Jason thought back to the sensation of déjà vu earlier and his sense that he’d been elsewhere before the conversation began. Why can’t I remember where I was?
There were a number of potential explanations, ranging from straightforward to absurd. It was possible Curtis had been taken over by someone, or maybe even that Jason was being mind-controlled himself. But, as he considered the possibilities, a more plausible scenario came to the forefront.
“I’m in a simulation,” Jason stated confidently, though it was only an educated guess.
The other man gave a slight nod. “An over-simplification, but that’s close enough for the sake of discussion.”
The confirmation did little to relieve Jason’s mounting anxiety about the situation. He remained unable to move from his seat, and his companion was clearly not the longtime colleague with whom he’d thought he’d been conversing.
A wave of panic washed through him. What have I said?
They’d discussed the upcoming negotiations with Lynaeda. His family. The TSS
. And the Aesir tech.
Shit! What have I said about the Aesir? He ran through the conversation in his head, remembering what details he could. To the best of his recollection, he hadn’t given away any specifics about what technology, only that it required a level of bioelectronic interface that the Lynaedans were best equipped to bring to scale. Stars, and they might still be trying to read my thoughts!
He quickly closed off his mind—as best he could, not knowing in what manner he was being observed—and returned his attention to figuring out how to get out of his present predicament.
“Who are you?” Jason asked his apparent captor.
“I am a representation of your colleague formed from your memories,” the Curtis-facsimile replied.
Great, so they can view my memories. Perhaps the sensitive information related to the Aesir had already been discovered, even without direct discussion. For that matter, there were a number of highly classified details about the TSS’ operations that could easily spark a new civil war if the information fell into the wrong hands.
Jason swallowed. “What do you want?”
“Our intent was to get to know you,” the other man replied. “The real you—not the one you presented to us. We hoped that exploring your recent memories would offer more insights than we could otherwise glean.”
“Yeah, that’s not how we go about building a friendship where I’m from.”
“You were so guarded. We didn’t know how else to quickly determine if there’s good potential for us to work together.”
Jason scowled. “Whoever you are, you can consider that chance destroyed. We couldn’t possibly work with anyone who’d violate someone’s mind like this. It goes against our deepest moral codes in the TSS.”
The Curtis-facsimile studied him. “Members of your organization have done much worse than this.”
“In times of war, when entire planets were at risk, perhaps. But us, right now, we’re not enemies. At least, we weren’t before you trapped me here.”
“You’re not trapped.”
Jason flexed his arms, still unable to move. “I beg to differ.”
“You’re still under the influence of the simulation. You haven’t come to terms with the information before you.”
“Come to terms with what?” Jason demanded. “You’re speaking in riddles, and I still have no idea who you are.”
The Curtis-facsimile made an all-encompassing gesture with his hand. “You were here, before you arrived to speak with us at Lynaeda. You discussed everything we’ve talked about here with your colleague, but at the time, you didn’t hear what needed to be understood. You keep thinking about us as some adversary that needs to be won over. That isn’t the case at all.”
“Really? Because this interaction hasn’t given me an ‘old pals’ vibe.”
“We wanted to explore your thoughts about us, just as you would have a chance to re-examine your opinions. We placed you in this open simulation to allow your mind to construct a stage through which you could act out your thought process. As you developed the scenario, we exerted measured control over the avatar representing your colleague to offer a perspective that would challenge your preconceptions. The first run-through hit a block, but we tried again, and already you are more open than you were before.”
Jason wasn’t sure whether to be horrified or impressed that the Lynaedans had such abilities. These aren’t people we want as enemies, that’s for sure. Since he was there as an official TSS representative—and the real Curtis was nowhere to been seen—he’d need to find a way forward, despite his personal feelings about the mental violation. For as unethical as the Lynaedans’ actions seemed, he didn’t sense malicious intent.
“What is it you wanted me to see?” Jason asked.
“We’ve already told you. But you need to believe it.”
Jason revisited the recent conversation once more. “This is about how the Lynaedans don’t trust other Tarans—because our minds aren’t networked the way yours are.”
The Curtis-facsimile nodded. “We’ve given you ample opportunities to be honest with us. Why do you keep holding back?”
“I don’t know you. Trust is earned.”
“Why take that approach? It’s so much easier to assume the best of someone.”
“Right.” Jason scoffed. “When does anything play out that way?”
The other man tilted his head. “What about in matters of love?”
“Pardon?”
“When starting a new romantic relationship, at least in those that work, both parties begin with open hearts and minds—even on a first date. They endeavor to share their inner selves. They either connect, or they don’t. But in either case, they get to see the other person in their true form, because that’s who ultimately needs to be accepted in any lasting relationship. Why should business matters be approached in any other way?”
The argument made complete sense to Jason, though it went against his innately skeptical and guarded nature. Why should intimate relationships be built on assuming the best of people while all others assumed the worst? What had become broken in society so long ago to have created such a divide?
“I can’t disagree. We should be more open with one another,” Jason conceded.
“May we begin our discussions now from that place of open honesty?” the Curtis-facsimile asked.
“After you twisted my memories like this and trapped me in my own mind?”
“To us, your intention to come here and use our technology without sharing your true motivations is a far worse crime.”
Jason’s own biases forced him to disagree with the sentiment, but that didn’t change the fact that the TSS needed to be on good working terms with the Lynaedans for the future benefit of the Taran Empire. Finding common ground started with him.
“Yes, I’d like to start over with you. Properly.”
The Curtis-facsimile inclined his head. “Remember what you learned here.”
White light, sudden and intense, blocked out Jason’s vision. A sharp buzzing filled his mind, deafening at first, but it quickly faded. As the ringing subsided, the light also diminished, and Jason found himself surrounded by a network of illuminated threads—a web he now realized represented his own thoughts and memories. The branches were more tightly knitted than when he’d witnessed the neural map before, evidencing his changes in perception over the course of the exercise. Though part of him had felt like he was simply playing along with the Lynaedans’ wishes for the benefit of the TSS, perhaps deep down he did honestly want to have another chance to begin their relationship anew, without omissions or deception.
The illuminated branches faded and fractured into blackness. After a moment, Jason realized his eyes were closed. His breath was once again his own, and he was free to move.
His eyes shot open and he bolted upright from a slightly reclined chair. “That was so real…”
Curtis was standing next to him, watching him expectantly. “I take it the interface was successful?”
Jason scrambled from the chair in the center of a white-walled lab, wanting to distance himself from any tech capable of putting him under. His heart pounded in his chest. “Maybe too much so.”
“Jason, what’s wrong?” the other Agent asked telepathically.
“It was a simulation of our journey over here. They pulled it from my memory.”
“Memory interface wasn’t part of our agreement.”
“I’m well aware.” Jason realized a Lynaedan scientist was standing behind the head of the chair, and he pivoted to confront the man. “Why pretend this was a test of the interface? It was never about that.”
“We reasoned it was the only way you would agree to a link,” the young scientist replied. He smoothed his white lab coat. “We wanted to get to know you—beyond what you would normally share with others. This technology connects us more deeply than the superficial interactions in which most engage. We needed to be confident that your intentions for using this technology w
ere pure.”
“By deceiving us?” Jason shook his head.
“Think how much you kept from us,” the scientist stated. “Are the deceptions so different?”
“You dug into my inner, private mind.”
“And you kept those inner truths from us while asking us to share ours with you.”
Jason could see his point. By the Lynaedans’ culture, the violations were on the same level. The only way forward was to accept their perception as a shared truth. “You’re right. That was wrong of us,” he admitted. “We’re not used to looking at autonomy and privacy in the same way as you are.”
Across the room, a smooth metal door slid open.
Ambassador Greggor stepped inside, accompanied by two companions. “And I wish we hadn’t needed to resort to these tactics to confront those differences,” she said, stopping several paces from Jason. “We’ve wanted to finally reconnect with the other Taran worlds, but little has changed since we began to pull away.”
“Was it you, seeding those thoughts in my mind?” Jason asked, fixing her in a piercing gaze.
“Among others,” she replied, as composed as she’d been in their simulated discussion. “We needed to be sure you’d be receptive.”
Curtis passed his attention around the parties in the room before coming to rest on the Lynaedan ambassador. “Your actions have only served to reinforce our initial caution.”
“Just as your deception justifies our measures to seek the truth,” Ambassador Greggor replied.
Jason agreed with the Lynaedans’ logic, just as he had in the simulation. Both sides had caught each other in deceptive means to achieve their own ends. He couldn’t very well condone the TSS’ behavior without suggesting an unfair double standard. Other diplomats may have no problem favoring their own side’s interests, but that wasn’t his style.
“My father suspected they’d employ these kind of tactics, didn’t he?” Jason asked Curtis privately.
“It wouldn’t surprise me.”
With the deeper issues behind the mission coming to light, Jason’s pairing with the older Agent now made perfect sense. Jason was, in fact, not there purely as a TSS representative, but rather was a liaison with the High Dynasties based on his family ties. Curtis was the true TSS—a respected officer, whose clout and position had been earned by years of service through wartime and the following peace. He had no claim to a title or riches beyond his own accomplishments, making him a fair representative for the naturally Gifted to contrast against the enhanced individuals the Lynaedans had made through their technological interventions.