The Hesperian Dilemma

by Colin Waterman

  Atherlonne:

  To pass away is not the end of being. Our inner selves swim to another place. It’s happened many times to each of us.

  Geoff noted the surprising similarity between the ways Thiosh and humans dealt with grief. His own emotions were confused. He welcomed the opportunity to understand how others felt, especially regarding Leona. But, at the same time, he felt impatient. ‘Ask about the dolphins,’ he said in Maura’s ear.

  ‘Wait a minute,’ Maura told him, typing without a pause.

  Maura:

  Kai shared with me what happened in Xizang. The robo-troops had defeated the human armies, but then they fought amongst themselves. Please tell me, what made it happen?

  Atherlonne:

  I do not know in detail what occurred. The dolphins have a paranormal power, greater than any living species known within our Solar System or beyond.

  Geoff read the amazement in Maura’s green eyes.

  Atherlonne:

  While they had no desire to interfere, they could no longer stand aside when Earth and all that live here were in deadly peril.

  Maura:

  That’s fantastic. Are you saying the dolphins saved humankind?

  Atherlonne:

  I realise you’re not aware that once the dolphins had advanced technology. The risk of war became so great that they resolved to fully deindustrialise, and live the life that nature had intended. Although their mental strength could boil the sea, they had not used their power ever since the age of ice twelve thousand years ago. They had no wish to intervene in wars caused by the greed and wickedness of humans.

  Maura:

  But they changed their minds? Did you persuade them to get involved?

  Atherlonne:

  I had to share with them for many tides before we reached a common point of view. I became convinced a natural life is not a hopeless dream but vital for us all. Provided that the dolphins stopped the war, I promised that the Thiosh would give up their technological society. This is a promise that we have to keep. It’s our conviction you must do the same.

  Maura:

  I don’t know about this. The benefits of technology seem obvious to me: plentiful food, medicines, even weapons for self-defence. But then there are the weapons of mass destruction, and they’ve got totally out of hand.

  Atherlonne:

  We’ll try to show the path ahead for you and humankind to live another way. The dolphins carried out what they’d agreed. United, they made waves of energy to scramble rebel Thiosh minds’ control of robo-troop battalions, east and west. They could not fully see the consequence: the self-destruction of the robot troops. No doubt this was fortuitous for us, for all the robo-troops have been destroyed in every place, on land and in the sea.

  Maura:

  We thank you for what you did, and particularly for saving our friend Kai. I do not know how to react to the news about the dolphins, or what you are suggesting for the future of humankind. The implications are incalculable. But, for the first time in many years, there is peace between Hesperians and Khitans, and the Thiosh have eliminated the threat to their own society. The Virtuon Shetani was the most corrupt being ever, but Leona destroyed him. At last, all sentient beings on Earth can look forward to a better future.

  ‘Progress, Major?’ asked Flannery as he poured the Bourbon. He chose the largest glasses in his drinks cupboard and filled them leaving just enough room for the ice.

  ‘The report’s due any hour now, suh,’ said Breckenridge. ‘The team have been workin’ on it all night.’

  ‘Come now, Major’. There was a hell of a fire-fight, wasn’t there?’

  ‘Yessuh, that’s right. There were skirmishes the whole world over, synchronised like, but they only lasted a matter of minutes. It looked like the robot armies were usin’ some new super-weapon. The Thiosh didn’t even have to use their satellite gamma lasers. It must’ve been a complete walkover for the aliens.’

  ‘That’s clear enough isn’t it? What’s your problem?’

  ‘Well, suh, since then we’ve heard a lot of radio broadcasts about a new world order, and such like. No details about what really happened, just a lot of happy gibberish. I don’t understand it.’

  ‘Oh, Major, it’s as clear as a cavalry bugle. Don’t you see? Humankind has given in – at least, they have on Earth. It’s a sure sign they’re collaborating. I was fortunate to have a good education. I studied a lot of history. I don’t suppose you’ve ever heard of Vitchy France?’

  ‘No, suh.’

  ‘Well, don’t worry about it. Just realise what you’re hearing is fake news.’

  ‘So can we start the fight back, suh? Launch some nukes?’

  ‘Nope, I don’t want to start another ice age. It’s too long-winded. I want to see results quicker than that, Major.’

  ‘So do I, suh, so do I.’

  ‘I’ve had some encouraging news from Research and Development. They’ve almost finished the gravity bomb. It’ll be so powerful, it’ll make our nukes look like fireworks.’

  ‘Wowee – that’ll be some baby!’

  ‘It’ll be awesome, and all the components can be made on Europa. The only snag is – it’s too dangerous to test. At least, not this side of Mars’s orbit.’

  ‘Oh, that’s a cryin’ shame. Can we try it somewheres else – shoot it into Venus, d’you think, suh?’

  ‘No, we don’t have to do that. The first test’s going to be on Earth!’

  Virtual Reality

  Geoff and Maura were in their new ‘lab’ – the room where they’d researched a cure for the radiation sickness affecting the Thiosh. Maura pointed excitedly to a message which was appearing on her viz-box.

  Atherlonne:

  I have good news for you. Chen is alive. I’ve sent a rescue team to bring him here.

  ‘Thank Jaysis!’ said Maura, meeting Geoff’s eyes.

  Maura:

  Can this be true? How did he live through that holocaust?

  Atherlonne:

  He will explain when he arrives, although you need to know, his auditory sense was damaged when your rocket-sledge blew up.

  ‘Does she mean he’s deaf?’ asked Geoff. ‘That doesn’t matter too much.’ He felt elated Chen had survived. He hadn’t realised, until now, how much he’d missed him.

  Atherlonne:

  Kai’s shuttle suffered damage in the war but now there’s freedom in the air again. The Khitans have the means to bring him back, a winged machine that uses air to breathe.

  ‘An aeroplane, yeehah!’ said Geoff. ‘This is wonderful news. We must celebrate.’ He reached for the water jug and filled two glasses with water for a toast. But the Thiosh had more news, her words appearing spasmodically on the screen.

  Atherlonne:

  OPDEO’s voice transmissions . . . speak of new weapons . . . more terrible . . . than nuclear bombs . . . in rockets . . . they intend to . . . fire . . . at Earth. Their type . . . is one I do not . . . recognise . . . But I have heard . . . their name . . . gravity bomb.

  Geoff dropped his glass and it smashed on the floor.

  Geoff and Maura waited in the transport bay for the new arrivals and the two Khitans passed through the airlock at the same time. The reunion should have been a joyous affair. Indeed, they greeted each other with much hugging, kissing and excited chatter. However, Geoff couldn’t shake off his sense of foreboding. Kai had already received the news from Atherlonne. Only Chen was unaware of the latest development, and he was preoccupied with his own problem. He was clearly worried by his deafness. They all made an effort to put him at his ease and, as long as he could see their lips, he understood what they were saying.

  Geoff led them to their messroom and programmed the omniprinter to make coffee. They congratulated Chen for surviving the robo-troop attack. He explained he’d been detaching the stern restraining ties from the rocket-sledge when it blew up. He’d set the rocket engine working at low power in reverse thrust, because of the strong tailwind. The explo
sion had been very close, but he’d been shielded from most of the blast by the hydraulic bucket doors, used to reverse the hot gas stream.

  Chen didn’t know how long he’d lain unconscious. When he’d come round, the site had been deserted. All the other survivors of the explosion had departed. Much of the accommodation block had been demolished, but he’d been able to uncover some food and light a fire. During the following days, he’d searched the site for items to help him survive. These included a radio which he converted into a transmitter to send simple pulse signals. These were picked up by Wally, who’d been monitoring the site via the unmanned astronomical station on the Moon. Wally transmitted the news via a message in 8105 code, and it was picked up by Kai who informed Atherlonne by telepathy. They realised the signals had almost certainly come from Chen. Consequently, Atherlonne sent the whale-bot, equipped with a robot search-dog, to find him. Chen finished his story and they lapsed into thoughtful silence.

  ‘Does anyone know anything about gravity bombs?’ asked Maura, abruptly.

  ‘Ha! I know some of the theory,’ said Geoff, ‘and I thought it was only theory. It’s been postulated that if you make a perfect void, it will act like a lens to focus dark energy.’

  ‘I don’t know any of this stuff,’ said Maura. ‘Where does the dark energy come from?’

  ‘It is everywhere,’ said Kai. ‘It is sixty-eight per cent of the total energy of the universe. A gravity explosion could change the Earth’s orbit, shift its rotational axis or even rupture the whole planet.’

  ‘Oh, my Jaysis!’ said Maura.

  ‘Kai’s right,’ said Geoff. ‘Military scientists have been researching how to make space–time singularities trigger black holes. The lunatic fringe in the Hesperian High Command suggested the principle could be used in a bomb. But it’s an extrapolation of human madness. I can’t imagine why OPDEO would want to fire one at Earth – it’s utter insanity.’

  ‘We must stop them,’ said Kai. ‘According to General Watkins, a remnant of the Septagon High Command is in hiding. It includes a couple of Hesperian Army Five-Star Generals. In theory, they have authority over OPDEO. Can we get a message to them?’

  ‘I can contact Wally in Oztralia,’ said Geoff. ‘He’s the expert in communications. He may be able to get a message through.’

  ‘Have the Hesperians still got any long-distance missiles?’ asked Maura. ‘Could they intercept the bomb, perhaps nuke it?’

  ‘I’m afraid that would be difficult,’ said Geoff. ‘OPDEO’s nuclear warheads are designed to separate into dozens of individual units, each on a different course. If OPDEO has done the same with its gravity warheads, it won’t be easy to intercept them all.’

  ‘Could we negotiate with OPDEO?’ suggested Maura. ‘Maybe they just want to scare us into giving them something.’

  ‘They’ve never conceded anything to anyone in the past,’ said Geoff. ‘Remember our last attempt at negotiation?’

  ‘Let’s get Atherlonne on screen to see what she thinks,’ said Maura. ‘She could give us advice.’ She began to type with two fingers onto her com-pad.

  Maura:

  Can I ask, please? OPDEO’s gravity bomb. Have you any idea how we could stop it?

  Atherlonne:

  I do not have to tell you what to do. You know already what is necessary.

  ‘That’s strange,’ said Maura. ‘She’s not usually so abrupt.’

  Geoff racked his brains. He knew there was a solution, but something seemed to be blocking his line of thought. Could he break through to the answer? He closed his eyes and bowed his head while the others waited for him to speak.

  ‘Sorry,’ he said, after a few minutes. ‘My mind’s blank. We can try Atherlonne again, or she could talk to her friends the dolphins, but I think it would take a Virtuon to stop the gravity bombs.’

  ‘What did you say – a Virtuon?’ said Maura. ‘That’s it. I must become a Virtuon!’

  ‘Hang on,’ said Geoff, gripping Maura’s arm. ‘I don’t know if it’s possible. In any case, it would mean you’d leave your body. You haven’t thought this through.’

  ‘I must do this,’ said Maura, shaking off Geoff’s hand. ‘It’s been my life’s work to find an alien species. Since we found one, it’s been my absolute priority to protect it. If OPDEO are bombing the Earth because the Thiosh are there, then I must save them, and the human population. With respect to you all, I claim the right to finish the job I began.’

  Geoff was appalled. Was Maura, his passionate partner and lover, prepared to break up their relationship to become pure artificial intelligence? But it was her passion that motivated her, he told himself. He knew he wouldn’t want her any other way. And yet . . .

  ‘Maura, on behalf of us all, I thank you for your offer,’ said Kai. ‘But, with respect, I feel I have a greater claim to be transformed into Virtuon state. But not one with unrestricted power. I believe it may be possible to be a Virtuon with safeguards to prevent abuse.’

  Geoff suspected Kai had known all along Virtuonisation was the answer.

  ‘As you know,’ continued Kai, ‘I have been party to ignoble actions, which have threatened the Earth with disaster. Actions which led to the death of my friends.’

  ‘But it wasn’t your fault,’ said Maura.

  Kai shook his head. ‘Man is shaped by circumstances and it is he who causes them. If I were to become a Virtuon and were able to save the Earth, it would compensate for the terrible wrongs I have done. The fact the Earth is in such danger is largely my fault. It is my duty to save it.’

  Then Chen spoke up. ‘Excuse me, I understand problem. I do not know if we save Earth. But if gravity bomb do not destroy us, there needs big change. Humans, Thiosh, dolphins and all other creatures must live together. You three know this best.’

  Geoff was amazed. He’d never heard Chen make a speech before.

  ‘You three must tell world,’ Chen continued. ‘For me, I am only bus driver in space. Where I come from, we do not speak proper Khitan even. Now I cannot hear too well either. But I can be Virtuon. Choose me, my weakness is my strength.’

  Everyone stared at Chen in surprise, all except Maura. She frowned and stood up, her hands on her hips.

  ‘I’m not going to let you men take this away from me! I will do this thing, whether you like it or not. But actually, if you think about it, it’s the only logical solution, as Geoff would say. We will need Kai to deal with the Khitans, and likewise Geoff to sort out the Hesperians.’ She thrust her hand out towards Geoff as if to cover his mouth.

  ‘And, though we love Chen, with the best will in the world, I can’t see him as a Virtuon. In any case, he has to stay human so he can help Geoff look after the baby.’

  All that could be heard was the air-conditioning system. Then Geoff spoke. ‘What baby?’

  ‘Yes, Geoff, I was going to tell you soon. You’re going to be a father.’

  ‘So you would desert our baby and me to become a Virtuon? Are you crazy, Maura?’

  ‘Maybe. We don’t have to discuss it anymore. I’m determined to do this.’

  There was silence. Everyone was looking at Geoff.

  Maura’s going to have our baby and she’s upset. She’s speaking in a high voice; her face is flushed and she’s drilling me with her green eyes.

  His memory flashed back to a time long ago, when he’d been with her in the Unidome sky gallery. She’d been angry because she’d thought he’d only befriended her so he could look for aliens. Her emotions had made no sense to him then, and they didn’t now. He stood and reached towards her, but she didn’t react.

  Geoff sat down again and shook his head sadly. ‘I once told you I always understood you, but it wasn’t true. I must have said it more in hope than reality. But, before you finally commit yourself, there are several things you should consider.’

  He got up, standing head and shoulders above her, and counted off the issues on his fingers.

  ‘One, this is new, untested technology. Any att
empt to defuse the bombs would be dangerous. Two, Earth and Jupiter will soon be aligned. Assuming OPDEO has a delivery system with a fusion ramjet, they could hit the Earth in no more than twelve months. Three, taking into account all our combined knowledge, we still have no idea how to make you a Virtuon.’

  ‘So we’ve got a year to find out,’ said Maura.

  Geoff met her eyes and she fell into his arms, burying her face and sobbing against his chest.

  New Life

  Maura was lying on the makeshift bed Geoff had set up in their lab. Her stomach was bare and rather shiny. Geoff had coated it with clear gel. ‘Zakristan is turning into a real star,’ he said. ‘This ultrasonic scanner has superb resolution.’

  ‘I know, the robot porters unloaded tons of stuff,’ said Maura. ‘Where did they get it all from?’

  ‘Zak just told me it was spare. It looks new, so it may have come from a supplier’s warehouse. He said he’d left plenty, so we shouldn’t be depriving anyone. Anyway, just look at this, he’s sucking his thumb.’

  ‘She’s sucking her thumb,’ corrected Maura.

  ‘Oh, you can’t see from this view. I’ll try and look from another angle. He should have all his bits now at twelve weeks.’

  ‘You mean all her bits.’

  ‘Well, maybe. Can you feel her move?’

  ‘I didn’t realise she’d be moving already. I can’t say I’ve felt her yet. It’s still too early. But isn’t she just beautiful?’

  ‘Yes, she’s a part of your body,’ said Geoff, emphasising the last word.

  ‘Don’t, please.’ She raised her hand to cut him off and change the subject. When will you have the neuromorphic circuits ready?’

  ‘They’re finished now as plugboards. We haven’t got time to make proper chips from them.’