Through the Singularity

by L. Frank Wadsworth

  “You've seen all of this before. You must know every detail, except perhaps for a few of the more recent additions.”

  “Yes. But I've never gotten to experience it. You're taking a huge risk hosting me here.”

  “Am I?” She laughs a little. “I suppose that depends on your point of view. When I last went to Earth and ran into you in Denver, I thought someone running around with my symbiots was such a huge scandal. Now? Knowing what I know, it was nothing. I'd magnified its implications far beyond their true import. However, not being able to meld with my essence? That has had lasting impact that led to a host of complications. Beltare getting a hole in her head, just to name one.”

  Achi grimaces at the mention of that.

  “Sorry,” she continues. “I didn't mean for that to sound like an accusation, just an event that stemmed from my lack of knowledge. So the way I see it, if you contaminate me here, at least I won't have any problems melding with my essence.”

  Achi laughs. “You've changed,” he says while flexing his arms to highlight her enhanced physique. “You've been really working out.”

  She blushes a little. “I think it prudent to be in top physical shape, to be prepared. But, that’s not all that’s changed.”

  “You’ve been through a lot, it must have taken a toll. You must have had so many questions, but you seem to have overcome it all.”

  “Absolutely,” she says with a touch of fierce firmness.

  Achi reaches out for one of the small, bird-like insectoid flying creatures that help pollinate the constantly blooming garden. It flies over and lands on his outstretched finger, eyeing him curiously as if to ask, 'what do you want?' Zaleria watches him, intently. Achi looks at her and raises an eyebrow. “I promise not to remodel anything while I'm here, at least, not without the host's permission.”

  “Thank you. That would be ill-mannered, and I would not want to trip over a new piece of furniture in the dark. That would put me in an ill mood.” She walks over to him. “But for now, let’s rejoin the others and have some refreshments. Uh, we don't kill and cook animals here, just so you know,” Zaleria reminds him.

  “You don't? Well, then I'll have to fashion a bow…” She frowns at him. “I know. I'm just joking,” he says with a smile. “And I also know the many different ways you substitute vegetable proteins that can be made to at least mimic flesh. Of course, I've never actually tasted any of these dishes, so I am interested to see what you've cooked up. Or do you make Traemuña do the cooking, to earn the free room and board?”

  Zaleria lightly touches his arm, as if to say slow down. “I suspect my lack of shared memories is very uncomfortable for you, because you know me far better than I know you. I don’t remember anything from the time we spent together, and only a fragment from, after. You are a complete stranger, yet somehow, familiar. Please, give me some time to get to know you again. I’m sorry.”

  “You're right; I apologize.” He takes a deep breath. “We were just companions, for a brief period. Intimate only in our shared memories. But we found we enjoyed each other's company, despite all the complications. I knew you wouldn’t remember. I don’t know why it feels so painful.”

  She pats his arm absently. “That is okay, I actually understand. I would like to discuss it more later, but for right now, please let me move at my pace.”

  He nods his understanding, then they head over to her home where they find Traemuña serving the others. Clive eyes him when he walks in, as Traemuña swings by to scoop up Zaleria to serve the remaining guests before she circles back to Achi, “Everything okay?” she asks. “She meant something to you, didn't she?”

  “She does,” he says, deliberately changing the tense of the verb. “But we never knew what was real and what was an artifact of sharing memories. All moot now.”

  Traemuña catches his meaning immediately. “The fact you each didn't run screaming is significant. Gravis and I shared a bond like that, as I'm sure you are aware, but only after millennia of getting to know each other through more mundane sharing. Few galan are ever able to bond that deeply in a relationship, to accept every stray thought that might come into your partner's head without judgment or jealousy. The fact you two could manage it without even intending to make the bond I find interesting.”

  “Thanks Mom,” he teases.

  “Don't worry, dear, that's what mothers are for,” she responds, drawing a chuckle from him.

  Everyone settles into one of several naturally grown seats within Zaleria's living room, or sits cross-legged on cushions she brought out to handle the large number of guests. After everyone has been served, Zaleria makes the final, formal introductions. “Elder Toshideor, this is Achi and his son, Clive.” She turns to Achi and Clive. “Elder Toshideor is our preeminent historian.”

  “We look forward to learning from you, Elder,” Achi says.

  “Please, call me Toshi,” he says in a rich, measured meter. “I also look forward to learning from you. I frequently find gaining a new set of perspectives to be particularly enlightening.”

  “Thank you, Toshi. I hope I can live up to your expectations.”

  Fandtha grunts a bit as he takes a long sip of nectar. “I think you have already had an effect.”

  Achi smiles. “Perhaps. I find Beltare and your minds are closed to me now; the others, not so much. Your adversary doesn't need to compromise all of you; just one or two would be sufficient to do untold damage, or sow discord.”

  Fandtha mulls this over. “What have you been able to achieve, uh, if you don't mind my asking?”

  Achi takes a moment to collect his thoughts and frame his comments. “If I am within local range, I can decipher the thoughts of an individual galan communicating with their symbiots, and after enough time, mimic their brain patterns to send commands of my own. I can do this while preventing a connection to my own symbiots. As an example, I was able to instruct Beltare's symbiots to render her unconscious. I was also able to elicit her personal passcodes for various systems. If I had wanted to, and frankly I had seriously considered it, I could have taken the waverider to the D-ship holding in Luna orbit and gone to Juruele to seek Zaleria's aid in delivering my message to Traemuña. However, I calculated that if I had done so, I would be quickly tracked and detained, assuming the gatekeepers even let me pass. I could only mimic so many galanen at once, and you would eventually figure out what I was doing and cut them off from the collective faster than I could find new hosts. Also, I would not want to bring such trouble to Zaleria's home.” He finishes with a slight nod in her direction.

  He hears several sharp intakes of breath around the room. Fandtha seems exceptionally curious, taking mental notes. “Hmm, what else were you able to achieve?”

  “Well, from you I was able to gain access to the separate channel you set up for this group. I have been reviewing the data. I have a lot I'd like to add, including several theories and some assumptions that should be examined, but not until security is improved. As far as that, I have several suggestions that I'd like to go over with you.”

  Beltare flushes and seems about to say something, but Fandtha just waves a hand at her. “Relax, he is doing what we asked of him. What else?”

  “There are several things I'd thought about trying, most of which would have left traces. So I'd not actually used them, saving them for an emergency, such as if I'd been forcibly moved to Luna base or some other location. One thing I think is particularly worth knowing is I believe I can hijack a galan comms implant. The easiest way would be to render the galan unconscious, and then directly access the comms package via their symbiots. That would give me access to the collective and any allies within, without revealing my identity. I also considered the potential of leaving packets of symbiots to execute pre-planned commands under specific circumstances, such as the packet I'd put into Beltare once I'd learned from her that she was in frequent contact with Traemuña. I think I also discovered a way to find such packets, if they exist. It could set them off, however,
so I recommend extreme caution. I'm happy to share my thoughts on these issues, as soon as we can address the lingering security concerns.”

  Fandtha nods his head. “I had considered several of these attack pathways, but, ah, you've thought of a couple I hadn't explored. I think our first priority should be to secure this group and our shared thoughts. Then we can start, uh, moving out from there.”

  Achi nods his head, but also adds, “Consider every device you have that uses some form of symbiotic technology. If Gravis' shell can get inside a galan connected to the collective, he now has access to a wide range of information pathways—any of which could be compromised to listen in on communications, block communications, or inject false information. It will be nearly impossible to block every potential access, so you will have to choose which ones must be protected.”

  “However, no one has ever won a war concentrating on defense. So one of your next priorities will be to put this thing on the defensive. Make it spend its time and energy defending itself. You only need enough defense to ensure you have freedom to bring your superior resources to bear when and where you want without its discovering the move far enough in advance to counter it.”

  Toshi looks at Achi, curiously. “You sound like you have done this sort of thing before.”

  Achi raises an eyebrow. “I have never dealt directly with a rogue galan. But war? Too many times. From Zaleria’s memories, I know the galanen are beyond war, but has anyone here experienced any kind of military campaign? Any battles?”

  Jevelle speaks up. “Some of us have experienced limited engagements. Raids, skirmishes where violence was unavoidable. But the galanen have not experienced war since we became an evolved race.”

  “Enviable,” Achi sighs, before continuing, “However, the principles of war are universal, from my experience. Technology ensures the principles are manifested in new and usually increasingly horrific ways, but the core principles appear fairly constant. I know war, and that is what concerns me. This shell will also know war. It has been on Earth longer than I have. It has limited resources compared to the collective, so it is likely to prosecute a guerrilla war, or war by proxy. But there is much it can hold at risk that we value. However, the real problem, the one I can't find a solution to, is once we find its home, how do we kill it without losing humanity in the process. That is where we need the galanen. If we can't find a solution to this, prosecuting a war would be pointless.”

  Traemuña looks at Achi with growing admiration. He is everything she sensed he might be, and perhaps more. She looks around the room. Beltare looks horrified, probably for many reasons. Zaleria is hanging on his every word, having spent a lot of time trying to solve some of the very problems he has identified. Toshi and the other elders are deep in thought, considering next steps, priorities, resources, logistics.

  Their group will need to keep the decision making under tight control, but they'll eventually need to bring in others. They can't risk losing the few galan that know what is going on. Even humans would never be stupid enough to send their generals and admirals on raids or missions; that is why humans created marines. But the galan do not have any soldiers. She smiles at her own preoccupation; she is now also lost deep in thought, just like the others.

  “Achi, thank you for speaking with us about these matters,” she says, before addressing the group. “I think there are a multitude of mutually entangled and competing components to this problem we must carefully balance. We must see to security first, then develop a strategy, make plans, and marshal the resources needed to implement. Each component will have many challenges. Fandtha, I think, would be best suited to tackle security issues, and I hope Achi is willing to help him. That gives us more time to think of the other issues. Thoughts?”

  Fandtha nods his head. “I agree. I'd also like Beltare to assist.” He looks over at Achi.

  “I'll help however I can.”

  “As will I,” Beltare echoes, while frowning in Achi's direction.

  Traemuña nods and looks over at Zaleria and Toshi. “Perhaps we should start focusing our thoughts on the end game—how to destroy this thing, utterly. Once that is known, the strategy will then become how to implement it with minimum collateral damage. Does that make sense?”

  Achi clears his throat. “You are going to need ground troops. Clive and I can help train them on small unit tactics, and guide their developing unique galanen capabilities. Might be worth starting with an elite group, probably no more than a dozen, who can then spread out and train others.”

  Jevelle nods her head slowly. “I think this is an area where I can help out.”

  Toshi nods his head in Traemuña's direction. “Thank you, Elder. You remind me of older days, when I learned much by your side.” He stands and turns to face the rest of the group. “Any other suggestions?” He looks around and smiles. They self-organized and developed a plan in short order, without any infighting. He considers that significant progress. “I believe we are in agreement, yes?” He hears general assents all around. “Good. Then let us socialize for the rest of the evening and get started on our tasks first thing in the morning.” The group gets up and fragments into smaller clusters.

  Clive finds himself facing Jevelle, a smaller galan who looks like a 'wee bonny lass' from Scotland, but who is undoubtedly older than human history. “I look forward to learning from you, Jevelle.”

  “Thank you. What do you specialize in?”

  “Human tactics. It is unlikely that the Gravis shell will risk itself when it is easier to act through proxies, which will be humans. I've had some of the best training a human can receive and will help the galanen understand how a lower technology race will fight you—assuming they know your people and your limitations.”

  Jevelle smiles at that comment. “And what limitations do you think we have?”

  “Several. You will only wage a limited war that minimizes collateral damage and doesn't risk exposing your presence to humanity at large. That provides a distinct advantage to those who hold no such scruples.”

  Jevelle frowns. “Do you believe our moral codes are a weakness?”

  Clive laughs. “I'm not making a moral judgment. What I am saying is that your moral codes limit what actions you might take, making you predictable in many circumstances. Humans fighting you that lack the same moral codes can use that to gain a tactical advantage.”

  Jevelle furrows her brow. “Are you suggesting we abandon such limitations?”

  “Not necessarily. What I'm saying is that you can anticipate many of the ways they might try to use those against you and be prepared with tactics that mitigate negative consequences. Eliminate their ability to use your morals against you. Barring that, thinking about all the potential consequences can provide a framework for examining the ethical dilemmas that might arise. For instance, if limiting human casualties ultimately prevents you from defeating the Gravis shell, all of humanity might fail. Would that make you reevaluate the moral implications of your actions, or in this case, inaction?”

  Jevelle thinks upon what he has just told her and slowly shakes her head. “How old are you, if you don't mind my asking?”

  “I'm thirty-three.”

  “I am 136,756 Earth-years old, yet you have given me something to ponder. The fact that I am surprised by this has given me something else to ponder.” She tilts her head toward him, as a show of respect. “I look forward to learning from you.”

  Clive shakes his head. “Thank you, but it's really Achi's influence.”

  “I understand he raised you, even though he is not your father?” Jevelle asks.

  “My biological father, I now know, is a soulless monster. Achi never tried to be my father, and I never wanted to be his son, but yes, he raised me. I tried to steal his wallet when I was a kid. He could run a lot faster than I thought, so he caught me and turned me in to the police. I never knew either of my parents and was being raised by strangers who worked for the state. But Achi, he checked up on me a couple days la
ter and took pity. But not in a bad way. He gave me the opportunity to make something of myself. You'd have to ask him why, but I don't get the sense it was to make himself feel good. Some people are like that; they help people just to make themselves feel good, but they don't usually stick around to see how it turns out. I think Achi just didn't want me to waste my potential, as funny as that may sound. Turns out, he was a great father, even though I never wanted one.”

  “Thank you for sharing that.” Jevelle marvels, “It is clear you will bring a very unique perspective.”

  “Can I ask you a question?” Clive asks.

  “Sure.”

  “How do you keep from getting bored when your lives are so long?”

  Jevelle laughs heartily, much deeper than her slight frame would suggest she is capable of. “What a great question! As you may suspect, a galan of only 33 years is still considered an infant, even though physically we develop as fast as you. But you can only pack so many experiences into such a short time. There are about 10 billion galanen scattered across the universe, though most are in our local group of galaxies. The universe is vast, and the number of intelligent species is, likewise, vast. However, each develops at its own pace, and life is highly variable. There is no way to understand it all, even during a galan's extended lifespan. It is the wide variety of life that keeps us busy, as well as developing our homes and other similar projects. Humans, for instance, are a constant source of unpredictable behavior.”

  Clive laughs. “Yes, I suppose that is one way of putting it.”

  Achi, meanwhile, seeks out Zaleria. But he sees that Toshi, Zaleria, and Traemuña are each locked in conversation, leaving only Fandtha and Beltare open. Fandtha approaches. “I think it will be good to start plugging holes in our security. I want to thank you for, uh, agreeing to work with us.”

  Achi smiles at him. “I really didn't have any choice. Given the adversary we face, I lack the technical ability to destroy it—although I can think of at least one way to do it. Even still, I lack the ability to implement it.”