by Neely Dobbs
CHAPTER 49: Alliance
He had spent only a couple of hours in the library, studying some of the preliminary information he had found on time-travel theory, when ADIZ’s voice sounded in the room. “Admiral, I have just received new information from Hoga.”
Suddenly anxious, Jazon asked, “ADIZ, how close are you to the Science Library?”
“Just under six minutes away, Sir.”
“Are you engaged at a duty station?”
“Sir, I am monitoring the replacement of the Wasp's Number Five and Six outer compartment doors. VSDI 473 is assisting and could readily complete the operation while I meet with you. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes, ADIZ. Please come immediately.”
What now? Jazon exhaled frustration as he tilted back in his chair. My encounter with Hoga is all too fresh on my mind, yet I'm still not sure how much I profited by that visit. There's nothing new with the Wasp, and the SD problem isn't solved. At least, since no Kepren time passed while I was on Cronul, less than a day was lost. This whole time-travel concept is strange and the implications are staggering! But how else could recent events be explained?
Hoga promised me further assistance and guidance, but he gave no discernible hint of what specific form that support would take. What's he going to throw at me now? Definitive answers? Hints at answers? More riddles? Or could this new message be about the “other problem” that he’s expecting me to deal with?
He slowly shook his head from side to side, then tried to knuckle the fatigue from his eyes. A few moments later ADIZ arrived. Jazon looked up and nodded absently. “Have a chair, ADIZ.”
“A chair, Sir?”
Jazon was certain he had heard emphasis added to “chair” and mused that if the AIDD had eyebrows, they would have shot up in alarm. Both were inconsistent with ADIZ's accustomed behavior. In fact, it would be surprising for any AIDD. Still, it was consistent with some of ADIZ’s recent perplexing behavior.
“Sir, you must remember my weight— that is to say, the weight of this body which I currently occupy. The chair may break!”
ADIZ was not trying to be funny but, hearing the AIDD's almost emotional emphasis and seeing the pathos of the situation, Jazon laughed in spite of himself. Then he sobered, reflecting on the words “this body which I currently occupy.” He cautiously decided to defer comment.
“These chairs are strong, ADIZ. And, for some reason, I find myself curious to see what you look like sitting down. Please humor me.”
ADIZ looked about the room, secured an extra chair cushion and added it to the chair Jazon had indicated. Then he gingerly lowered himself. The chair voiced a sharp creak of complaint as the robot cautiously brought his full four-hundred pound weight to bear, but it held.
Jazon suppressed a perplexed frown; had ADIZ 's eyes dimmed in anxious expectation of impending calamity? When he was completely settled, the chair was visibly bowed but still intact. He seemed more at ease.
Jazon prompted seriously, “You have new information from Hoga?”
Without preamble, that unmistakable voice issued from the robot. “Jazon, we have said we will assist in furthering your education and training. This we will do. Oh, yes!
“We strongly recommend you embark on a personal journey to the planet Belshimitar, in the Plathymiir system. It is vital that you be there within four days. You should quarter yourself in the capital city, Aairon, near the pavilion known as ‘Plaza of the Worlds.’
“Your time of temporary residence there will not be long. No, not long at all! For, in no more than six of your days, the Plathymiir system will be taken, allowing you to gain direct knowledge of the process you call system disappearances. We are confident you will find this opportunity for direct experience to be enlightening. Oh, yes! Most enlightening!”
Jazon sat thunderstruck, unable to speak. In spite of exercising every calming technique he had ever learned, his pulse continued to race. Tendrils of panic flared, infiltrating his thoughts.
Does Hoga really believe I would agree to this? How can he expect me to place myself directly in harm's way? I'd be a sacrificial lamb, submissively offering myself for summary execution! It's like sentencing me to solitary confinement while I count down the few hours of life left remaining to me.
He shook his head harshly, as if to dispel the frightful thoughts. He refused to succumb to his fears.
No! Hoga could have killed me at any time. He could have obliterated me during my visit to Cronul. Surely he wouldn't have tortured me with convoluted schemes then, only to destroy me now. So, here I am. No satisfying answer, but at least he has finally offered a specific recommendation.
Jazon rubbed at his sweating palms. “Recommendation" my eye! I've been in the military long enough to know an order when I hear it! The words Hoga spoke on Cronul returned to mind: We will arrange for you to learn through direct experience what is happening to your star systems.
He rose from his chair, shaking. What a fool I was! I thought that was a promise of an experience I could welcome!
“ADIZ, accompany me to the viewing room.” the moment they reached it, he ordered, “ADIZ, display Plathymiir…”
Before Jazon could finish, much of the room was transformed into a holographic display of the current configuration of the Plathymiir system.
“Display the system at the maximum size which will permit the icons for all of the planets to be visible. Also, display side-bar markers and current coordinates, plus summary details on the settled planets.”
The size of the star in the display began to shrink rapidly while the relative size of the planets gradually enlarged. Finally, each planet was clearly represented by a small disk that— except for Plathymiir's greatly reduced size— was proportionally correct to its neighbors. When the expansion stopped, light indicators flickered on sequentially from planet to planet. Separate lists quickly appeared in individual boxes in the information sidebars. Each box was line-connected with the planet it described.
Jazon focused on the sun's fourth planet.
Belshimitar: Largest of the three settled in-system planets; densely settled across all temperate zones, but entire population currently evacuated; now occupied and maintained only by AAIDs. Capitol: Aairon, located in the central equatorial-belt. Primary spaceport: Aairon. Other major installations and coordinates: Bukaloz Defense Station...
A long list of additional information and statistics followed in neat, orderly rows.
Jazon digested the information with growing resignation. However inconceivable it is, I may have to go through with this. But why has Hoga dumped this mission on me so suddenly? Well, that's probably for the best. Having more advance notice would only mean more time to fret. If I thought about it too long, I might decide not to go. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, releasing both anger and fear. No….I have to go! Hoga did the right thing…no time to become mired in agonized indecision.
“ADIZ, download the technical information on the Plathymiir system and make all necessary arrangements for my personal craft to be fully prepared for departure tomorrow morning. Also, arrange for a tunnel at the necessary phase level to arrive in about three to four days— but keep it under Phase-10.”
ADIZ clearly hesitated a moment before replying, “Acknowledged. Sir?”
Jazon lifted a quizzical eyebrow, wondering if his AIDD questioned the directive.
ADIZ responded to the look as if permission had been verbally granted. “Sir, I request to accompany you and act as your pilot. Although I am confident Hoga would not intentionally place your life at risk, I would be more…comfortable…being available to assist if you should encounter exceptional difficulties.”
“Permission denied. Sorry, ADIZ. I'm fully capable of— and re-qualified for— piloting my own craft on this hop. and…it's possible I may not be coming back."
ADI
Z's nod of acceptance seemed somehow regretful, and Jazon quickly added, “Besides, ADIZ, I have an important assignment for you. You must return to your duty station at Sanctuary-1 as soon as you have completed my transport arrangements. I want you to personally oversee to the final stages of Dristane's awakening. We may still have need of him.” He nodded to ADIZ, dismissing him.
ADIZ turned to carry out his orders, paused as if about to say something to Jazon, then left the room.
Jazon was struck by the oddity of ADIZ's behavior— and his own. Twice now I have barely nodded to him, and he has accepted it as a command and acted accordingly. But what prompted me to assume he would accept those as commands?
He wasn't certain. Still, it seemed that recently he had issued a number of non-verbal directives that clearly should have been outside the range of any AIDD's recognition/reaction capabilities. Nevertheless, ADIZ had responded, and each time the response was appropriate— if not machine-like. Why have I begun to treat him more like a person? He growled at himself. There's no time to dig into that now. But when I get back…if I ever get back…I'll have to look into this.
Reluctantly setting the question aside, he elevated his voice slightly. “Vice-Admiral Ozier, are you near a com-link?”
Only a moment passed before Sabanda's voice sounded in the room “What is it, Jazon? I was just preparing to…”
“Sabanda, I…” The suddenly choked emotion in Jazon's voice carried vividly over the communication system.
“Jazon! What's wrong? Has something…”
“I have to…” Not over the com-link! “Please, just meet me in our quarters. I should be there in four minutes.”
“Jazon? What is it? Can't you tell me….”
“Sabanda…please…just meet me as quickly as possible. You won't believe…I don't know how I can believe… Please! Just meet me! I'm on my way.”
He shambled automatically through the familiar corridors toward their quarters, examining his feelings. I need to gather my scattered wits before I meet Sam…at least get them into some semblance of order. But I feel so hollow…as though my insides had suddenly shriveled. Even my joints feel like they've become stiff with age. It's as though my brain needs every iota of my energy just to cope with this ghastly idea. Could anyone deal normally with the enormity of this threatening event?
He tried again to marshal his fear as the door to his quarters loomed ahead on the right. He entered and found her waiting, raw concern in her eyes. And probably in mine. She didn't speak, but her questioning look was eloquent.
“Sabanda we've been…well, I have been contacted again by Hoga. According to his instructions, I am to go to the Plathymiir system…” He swallowed roughly. “So I can be on Belshimitar when it is taken in the next SD.”
She gasped and reeled as though she had been struck. Then she appeared to calm herself so quickly that the suddenness of change alarmed Jazon. “How and when did you receive this message?”
“Just a few minutes ago. Same as before— through ADIZ.”
Sabanda's face reddened and her words raced, " Hoga's too cowardly to show up in person, huh? Or maybe he knows that if he were here now, I'd..."
Jazon stopped her. "That's not important now. The message he sent is."
Neither spoke for a long moment. She groped behind her for a chair and dropped ungently into it. “Jazon, must you do this…alone?” There was a pleading in her voice. Her words said one thing; her tone cried out a deeper meaning.
“It really is better that way. I'm not even taking ADIZ.” A chilling thought crossed his mind; he tried but couldn't dismiss it. “And I especially must not take you with me, Sabanda. The Alliance needs you more than ever. You must take command while I'm away.”
Seeing her frown, he quickly voiced his greater concern. “OK. That is true, but it's not the main reason. You're my wife. What kind of husband would I be to expose you needlessly to danger? I absolutely refuse to risk your being lost!”
She seemed to shrink into herself. Her face revealed the profound agony that she felt. “But it's all right to risk losing you? And I am just supposed to stand idly by while you take this on by yourself?” Her eyes glistened damply. “Jazon, you can't do this…I cannot allow it…I just can't!” Her entire body quivered, freeing a hot stream of tears.
He gently drew her up into his arms, enfolded her and cradled her shaking head on his shoulder. Very softly he said, “Yes, Sabanda, you can. You will stay while I go. There are two perfect reasons why this must be so.”
“Oh, Jazon, don't play some ridiculous game with me. She shuddered against him, her body racked with painful sobs. "What are you talking about?”
“Sabanda, the two perfect reasons are named ‘Gavin' and ‘Marlinyn'.”
She froze. The shudders immediately ceased. Jazon couldn't hear or even feel her breathe. Finally she exhaled a painful sigh. “Oh Jazon! We can't... What are we going to do?”
Her head remained buried in the wet crease between his shoulder and neck. He spoke quietly in her ear. “Why, Sabanda, we'll simply do our best. What else can we do? We’ll continue to do our best at all times, whatever the circumstances. You've known this all along. We've had good times. We've had rough times. Right now is one of the roughest ever. But could you respect me if I turned away from this?”
She could only respond in short gasps. “Oh, Jazon…I could…try! I didn't…know…it would… get this…” She quietly continued sobbing in his arms.
“You know, Honey, it could have been worse.”
She withdrew her head just enough to look up and whisper, “How?”
“Hoga might have asked you to do it!”
Sabanda almost— almost— smiled. He could feel her tension ease slightly. Finally he managed to force a gallant grin. “I understand completely. I'm afraid, too. And I have to keep forcing myself to think clearly... to remember what's at stake, of what could be gained. And, Sam, remember how it felt when we discovered the Wasp was out of danger?”
“Yes.” Her whisper was so quiet he could hardly hear it.
“Of course you do. It was wonderful, wasn't it? And as good as that felt, that feeling resulted from the saving of only thirty-five lives.”
In spite of her personal distress, Sabanda looked up, eyes flashing shock and disbelief, and shrilled, “Only thirty-five lives!”
Jazon gently placed a finger on her lips. “Sam, how many lives have been lost in the SDs?”
She didn't respond directly, but the fire went out of her eyes.
He continued, “For all we know, billions of lives have been snuffed out by the earlier SDs. What we do know— without a doubt— is that nearly a hundred billion more lives depend on what we do. There is no choice. I must do everything I possibly can to learn how to prevent any further disappearances.”
She nodded miserably. “Jazon…” She hugged him to herself fiercely while her eyes betrayed her anguished acceptance. Her voice remained very small, but no longer quavered. “When the time comes, Jazon, I'll do my duty as best I can…” Then a fearful new question struck her.
He answered the plea he saw in her eyes. “I will have to leave no later than tomorrow morning to comply with Hoga's order…uhh…strong recommendation.”
In a hollow voice, she repeated her earlier question. “Alone?”
“Better that way. Belshimitar has a fully operational complement of AIDDs. With the populace evacuated, they certainly are not overworked. And they can see to my welfare as well as any AIDDs I could take with me.”
“But why won't you at least take ADIZ with you?”
Jazon paused, unable to answer as blatantly as he had with ADIZ. “He already has other orders. He is needed at Sanctuary-1. He'll travel there as soon as he’s completed the arrangements to assure my safe arrival. I'll make it fine, piloting
my own personal cruiser to Belshimitar. Besides, you may have need of him later.”
“When will you... come back?” There was strained shudder in Sabanda's voice.
He held her close so she couldn't see his face. That’s my real concern. But I can't blatantly admit I may not be coming back at all. For her sake, I've got to make it light-hearted without sounding phony.
“Hey, sweetie, you know I've never been able to be without you for any real length of time without going crazy. So you can't have the slightest doubt that I’ll return to you as soon as I possibly can. But right now, we must trust in Hoga and his powers. Truthfully, what we’ve seen so far should convince us that his powers are quite impressive.” He paused, praying those powers would actually be enough to protect him in the coming days.
“Of course, it would be naive to deny there is danger involved. If it weren’t for the sake of the future and safety of billions of Alliance citizens, I wouldn't even consider doing this. But, Sabanda, we can take some consolation in Hoga's counsel that the system will be ‘taken.' I much prefer to take that word literally— that it will be ‘taken' somewhere else, transferred intact— than to think it might be destroyed. Surely he wouldn't promise to help us, then send me on a suicide mission! And remember that he said there is no ‘Intruder'. We both know that neither the trip to Belshimitar nor my time away are really intimidating. The real concern is getting through the transition, itself—if and when it happens.”
“Oh, Ja…!” Again her voice broke. She fought to restore her composure. Still struggling for control, she said, “Jace, I'm not letting go of you…not until I absolutely have to.”