by S A Pavli
“Well,” she said “I know of course my Mother and her partner, and I have two brothers, because I am the oldest of my Mother’s children.”
“How do you live your life?” I asked. “Do you go to work each day?”
“No , the Hianja do not work each day. Work is something we do for enjoyment. Machines look after all the basic requirements of life, from growing food to building houses and other machines and equipment for everyday use. Of course we need to supervise the machines and decide the priorities for them to work on, but they are largely self maintaining. Hianja are managers, supervisors and decision makers. Also, scientists like me, and engineers. But mostly, Hianja do nothing but enjoy their lives. They are artists or musicians, thinkers and philosophers.”
“That sounds jolly nice,” I said enviously. “Humans still have a pretty sorry life compared to you. They have to work, and still have little time for enjoyment.”
“But why?” she asked. “Are your machines not advanced enough to look after all these basic and tedious tasks?”
“Oh yes,” I said. ‘The machines are more than capable. It’s just the way we do things. We believe that if we make things too easy then people will become soft and lose the ability to understand and control our technology. We can’t leave everything to our machines.”
“So humans continue to do unnecessary and tedious jobs, because it‘s good for them?” I laughed at her obvious sarcasm.
“Since you put it that way, it does seem daft. But Society is like a machine with built in inertia. It takes time to change direction. I guess eventually we will arrive at a similar system to yours.”
“Is that why you are an explorer?” she asked. “To get away from the everyday routine of life on Earth?”
“Oh...partly. It’s more complicated than that. More like to get away from some people.”
“What people?” she asked. “Enemies?”
“No, not enemies,” I laughed. “Friends, well Lovers actually.”
“You want to run away from your Lovers. I do not understand,” she exclaimed.
“Have you had Lovers Manera?” I asked.
“Yes, I suppose so,” she replied enigmatically.
“You suppose so? What does that mean?”
“I have had sexual relationships,” she replied “But no relationship serious enough to be called love.”
“I see,” I replied doubtfully. “So there was never any problem when the relationship ended?”
“No problem,” she replied, and then added. “What sort of problem?”
“Like the other partner did not want it to end?”
“I see...,” she replied thoughtfully. “But, how many ...er partners did you have problems with?” she asked.
“Well, two actually,” I replied cautiously. “They both got to know about each other.”
“So you are saying that, for Humans, a relationship with more than one person at the same time causes...er...difficulties?” she said.
“I am afraid so,” I replied. “We tend to be mostly monogamous,” I explained.
“That seems very restrictive,” she replied.
“Well that is exactly what I believe,” I replied earnestly. “That is actually what I said to these young ladies but unfortunately they were not as advanced and liberated as you, and they reacted ..er , well, rather badly I have to say.”
“How distressing for you,” she said sympathetically. “And here you are, far from home with a stranger instead of with your two lovers. That must be very hard for you.”
“Being with you is not at all hard Manera. In fact, you are a very easy person to be with. You are very kind and sympathetic.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “Tell me Paul, by Human standards, how do I appear to you?”
“You’re appearance is very human. If you were on Earth you would pass for a human female. A little exotic and remarkable but no one would suspect you for an alien. Well, except a doctor,” I added. “And how about me?”
“Well… you would not pass for a Hianja,” she said slowly. “You are far too hairy and your shoulders are far too big and broad. But you have a nice face,” she added “although your bone structure is all wrong.” The quirk of her lips revealed that she wasn’t serious and I smiled back.
“You have touched on something. Why are we so alike? Surely the odds of evolution throwing up two identical species must be astronomical.”
“Yes, one would think so,” she replied. “It will be very interesting to see the extent to which our DNA matches.”
Despite the fascinating nature of the situation, and the discussion, sleep was claiming me and I managed a grunt and a muttered goodnight before warm darkness embraced me.
That night I dreamt that I was a piece of DNA trying to match myself to an alien piece of DNA. However hard I tried, our edges and corners just did not fit.
Chapter 12
Alfred’s Report :
When my long range sensors detected the Hianja flyer separating from the Mother ship and descending rapidly into the atmosphere, I accelerated at full power into the air , attempting to gain as much altitude as possible before any engagement. I had a plan of sorts, but like all military plans, it was flexible. It was also risky, I calculated a more than even chance of failure. But it was a difficult calculation because I had no way of assessing the Hianja’s military ability. It was possible that they were very inexperienced, in which case my chances would be substantially improved. So far I had not gained a very high regard for their military ability. They had arrived at Omorphia, knowing that there appeared to be some sort of armed threat, with a weak and inadequate force. They had not deployed their forces well, and as a result had lost one ship and a number of personnel. These poor tactics indicated unbelievable incompetence, and I was not going to believe it! Paul and I were convinced that Smetronis was playing an “underhand game.”, to use a colloquial expression. The current events confirmed this. Therefore, I should not assume that they were militarily incompetent, in fact, I should assume the opposite!
Firstly, I was certain that Smetronis’s plan required that both Paul and Manera should die, and that I should also be destroyed. Thus all evidence of his duplicity would disappear I was also sure that he would not assume that Paul and Manera were on board the Epsilon. For Smetronis, the one person that must not survive was Manera. She is the one who would destroy all his plans (whatever they were?) if she lived to recount the events of the last few days. The Hianja may not believe me or Paul, but they were bound to believe Manera. The first part of the plan therefore was to divert attention from where Paul and Manera actually were and to point Smetronis’s forces towards a false direction. I was sure that they had the Epsilon under observation, so I determined to divert them. I therefore accelerated to my maximum ground level velocity, keeping very low to avoid detection in order to ‘lose’ both the flyer and the Mother ship. I could not do this for long, but a few seconds out of sight was all I needed. I headed inland, looking for one area in particular, an area of broken country, hilly and rocky and heavily wooded. Ideal country for hiding out in.
I could not keep the Mother ship under observation while flying so low and erratically, but I am sure that they were able to track me, but because Epsilon was so low and flying erratically, I hoped that they could not keep it in sight continuously. Finding a suitable spot, I set down the Epsilon quickly, risking a smashed undercarriage due to the rocky ground. The Airlock cycled open and ‘Sushimar’ (Surface Ship Maintenance Robot) bounded out and headed into the woods at maximum speed. I closed the lock immediately and took off again at maximum power. I had re-programmed ‘Sushimar’ for her new task; to be a ‘hit-and-run’ guerrilla, delaying and diverting the Hianja forces in their hunt for Paul and Manera. I was banking on being observed doing the ‘drop’, and thus causing the Hianja to believe that I had dropped off Paul and Manera. If it worked, it would be a useful diversion to buy us time. If not, nothing has been lost.
The task now
I believe is to avoid being trapped between the Mother ship and its Flyer. The obvious strategy for the Hianja is to use the Mother ship to track Epsilon and attack from above, while their flyer attacks from below. I assume that both the Mother ship and its flyer are equipped with missiles, but the flyer would be the weaker of the two because Epsilon has greater speed and manoeuvrability in atmosphere. But the Hianja flyer has the advantage of receiving up to the second positional information from the Mother ship. They know exactly where I am, but I will have no idea where they are until they are ‘on top’ of me. When the enemy has a weapon or advantage that you do not have, you must choose the battleground to nullify that advantage. Thus I must be in the position where I can also see them coming. Somewhere flat for miles around with a central peak where Epsilon could land and maintain a watch. And I knew exactly where; We had named it Mount New Fuji, a huge extinct volcano on a tiny island in the middle of the Central Ocean. The extinct caldera would make a good hiding place, providing cover until I sight the Hianja flyer and can attack them on equal ground. It is however more than 500 miles away and at maximum velocity I will need ten minutes to make it there. I have to hope that they will not intercept me until I achieve my objective.
Chapter 13
The next morning I awoke before Manera and took myself down to the stream for my ablutions and to find a convenient place to perform my natural functions. Camping had never been a hobby of mine and this experience was not changing my opinion. But our situation was so serious and unique that physical discomfort was the least of my worries. Survival was the issue, and our survival may have consequences for our two races far beyond the value of our two individual lives. Returning to the tent I found Manera sunning herself on a rock and deep in conversation with Sundance.
“Good Morning,” I said “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes,” she replied. “I was very tired.”
“Well, you look refreshed and ready to go this morning!” I quipped.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Oh, we are not going anywhere, It is just a colloquial expression.”
“I was discussing language with Sundance. I think I would like to learn English,” she said. “Sundance can teach me.”
“Ah, very good,” I replied. “I guess we should both find something to keep us occupied during the next few days.”
After Breakfast we had a meeting to discuss strategy, Manera , myself and of course Sundance, who was a recognised member of our band. He may not have the ‘brainpower’ of Alfred, but he could provide facts and figures to back up our plans. I began the discussion.
“It is likely that Smetronis ‘gang’ will search the coastal area around the base. Manera, what sort of machines and equipment do they have for this purpose?” She paused for a few moments looking thoughtful.
“We have artificial gravity powered vehicles, normally used for day to day ground transport, but very useful in rough ground like this,” she said, waving her hand to indicate the surrounding area. “They can fly at any height, although they are slow and not very stable in high winds.” Manera went on to explain, after some questioning, that the sleds, which were called ‘Tanseh’, were about the size of an Earth family car, could carry 4-6 people and were not armed. They were enclosed and pressurised, but she guessed could be easily disabled by a projectile.
“Where is the most sensitive spot, in order to disable them?” I asked.
“At the central axis where the Gravity generator is,” she replied.
“May I speak?” asked the deep resonant voice of Sundance.
“Of course Sundance, you do not have to ask to speak.”
“Thank you,” he replied politely. “I was briefed by Alfred . He has a plan divert attention of Hianja from our party. He has programmed ‘Sushimar’ the Ship’s external Maintenance Robot to act as diversion. Robot will be dropped in area far from here to make Hianja maybe believe us there. This gain us some time.”
“Good plan.” I nodded. “Let’s hope it works. Did he say how he intended to protect himself and the Epsilon?" I asked.
“No, but if unable to defend, Alfred say he will attack and attempt disable of Hianja forces,” replied the Robot.
“Manera, how do you think Smetronis will proceed?” I asked.
“It really depends on what Smetronis is trying to achieve here,” said Manera and she looked perplexed and confused, her hands were making vague gestures. So human, I thought, confusion manifests itself in similar physical symptoms.
“I don’t know for sure either Manera,” I said. “Maybe Smetronis wants to save his career and reputation. His mistakes caused the destruction of your shuttle, the death of six crewmen and two scientists. He believes that I am in league with the attackers, you are too sympathetic towards me and that you will testify against him. That is why he wants you out of the way.”
“But making mistakes is one thing,” she protested. “He will not be punished for that although you are right that his reputation and career will be damaged. But to purposely set out to murder me in order to cover up a mistake? That is just unbelievable. No Hianja could behave in this way believe me,” she said vehemently.
“It does seem an extreme reaction,” I conceded. “Is it possible that he is not sane? Is there any previous evidence of unstable behaviour?”
“I do not know Smetronis personally,” she replied. “He is from Vasmeranta, and this colonisation of Omorphia as you call it was a joint effort by our two planets. That is why much of the crew are Vasmerantians. But it is not possible for a Hianja to harbour psychotic illness without being detected.” I was not convinced, but had to concede that there was much about this situation that I did not understand.
“Paul,” continued Manera. “I think that I should surrender to Smetronis and try to persuade him to wait for the full expeditionary force to arrive. He cannot continue to believe that you have kidnapped me.”
“Manera, he must know that I have not kidnapped you,” I protested.
“There is a chance that all the communications have broken down and he did not receive our transmissions,” she said, almost pleading to be believed.
“But why should he assume that you have been kidnapped simply because he has not heard from us? Surely the simple thing would be to send down a shuttle to investigate?”
“Maybe that is what he is doing?” she asked.
“But why is he demanding that I release you? What is that all about?”
“I do not know! I do not know!” she exclaimed.
“Manera, I know it’s hard for you to believe that a Hianja has either gone mad or is plotting something and is capable of murder, but for the moment these seem to be the only two explanations. You cannot place your life in his hands. We must try to remain free until the Expeditionary force arrives.”
She sighed and bowed her head .
“Then, going back to your question of what I think Smetronis will do, by your logic he must clearly kill me at least. I think he will not attempt to destroy the Epsilon first because this is the most dangerous part of the exercise. If he fails and his only remaining shuttle is destroyed, then he has no way of capturing us. So he will attempt to capture us first. I think Alfred’s little stunt with ‘Sushimar’ may delay things but it is more likely that he will divide his forces and send a search party here as well.”
“Yes that is a good point,” I agreed. “How many AG Sleds does your ship have?” I asked.
“Four,” she replied. “And one sled can cover a lot of ground each day.”
“I am hoping that they will have no idea which direction we took. They will have to search up the coast, down the coast and inland. If they find us, they still have to take us and we are well armed,” I pointed out. Manera seemed to shudder.
“Paul, I cannot use a weapon to kill or injure one of my own race,” she said. “Or any other race,” she added.
“That’s OK,” I said. “You leave the fighting to me and Sundance.” I suddenly had a te
rrible thought. “Do you have any robots equipped with weapons?”
“No. We have no weapons of any kind on my planet, except very small arms for self defence when exploring dangerous country. In fact, all the weapons on my ship were supplied by Smetronis, and the only people trained to use them are his own men.”
“Ah, very interesting. So why do the Vasmerantians have weapons and you do not?”
“I was not aware that the Vasmerantians had weapons until the attack upon the base on Omorphia, when they offered to accompany our ship and bring weapons with them.”
“How about the ship’s missiles?”
“They also were supplied and fitted by the Vasmerantians,” she said.
“How did the Vasmerantians explain their possession of military equipment?” I asked suspiciously. “Particularly advanced guided missile technology?”
Manera frowned before answering. “They explained that they maintained this Technology in a sort of museum, for academic purposes. There was also the argument that one day we may come up against a hostile race and we should not lose the capacity to build such weapons for self defence.”
“But the Vasmerantians were able to fit the shuttles with missile technology very quickly?” I asked insistently. “Which means they must have them in production, not just in a museum?”
“Well, our Robot factories can produce anything very quickly,” she protested.
“The Robot factories can produce anything very quickly from ready made components,” I said “I know because we have the same technology on Earth. But if the product has new and different parts, not used anywhere else, this would take longer.”
“Yes,” she replied thoughtfully. “But, if the Vasmerantians have missiles and weapons in production, it must be for a purpose...,” she tailed off, her face taking on an expression which seemed to be a mixture of confusion and disbelief. The situation seemed to be taking on wider and wider implications, as if it was not bad enough already. We both looked at each other, at a loss for words. I shook my head, dismissing the ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ for now.