Space Scout

by S A Pavli

  Had I made a serious blunder? Would my name be remembered as the man who had placed the Human race in great jeopardy? Alfred! Did he know what was happening? I had not spoken to him for ages. Here I was, lolling about drinking and sexually gratifying myself and ignoring my duties and responsibilities. I took a guilty slurp of my drink and turned to Manera.

  “Manera, is there any way I can talk to Alfred?” I asked.

  “Alfred? I had forgotten Alfred,” she said, “I am sure he has been acquainted with the situation, but, yes, I am sure we can set up a link.” She stood, and taking her drink with her, she strolled over to the comms console and started pressing buttons and speaking into the microphone. After a few seconds, and with a smile of success, she nodded to me and a picture of my ship, the Lisa Jane, appeared on the screen.

  “Hello Alfred, this is Manera,” she said. The familiar tones of my ship’s AI came from the speaker.

  “Hello Manera, are you well?”

  “I am very well Alfred. And you?” she replied.

  “All my systems are fully functional. Are you unhurt after your ordeal? I understand you came close to losing your life?” he responded.

  “I am fortunately unhurt Alfred, thank you for your concern. Other than some big bruises that is,” she said.

  “That is excellent news. I hope the bruising will heal completely. Are you applying some ointment?”

  “No, do you think I should?” asked Manera.

  “Definitely. It will ease the pain and help to speed healing.”

  “Mmm, perhaps I will mention it to the Doctor...”

  “I could make some recommendations if you were Human, but.....”

  “When you two have finished discussing your aches and pains....?” I interjected sarcastically. Manera snickered.

  “Oh yes, there is someone here who wanted to talk to you. Goodbye from me Alfred, I hope to see you soon.”

  “I look forward to a longer chat Manera. Take care. And hello to you Paul.”

  “And how are you Paul? Are you well? Any aches and pains that I can help you with? Rub some ointment on your bruises for you?” I sneered sarcastically. Manera was trying hard to restrain her giggles.

  “Are we feeling neglected Paul?” He intoned gravely. I could not help chuckling.

  “Just joking Alfred. Great to hear your voice again.”

  “I have been waiting to hear from you since I was informed that you and Manera had survived the destruction of the Semtrik Lode. That must have been a terrifying experience. Are you fully recovered?”

  “Apart from a few bruises, I am fully recovered.”

  “There is some ointment in our first aid kit…..”

  “Enough with the ointment…” I laughed, “Listen, has there been any update to the situation?”

  “In what sense?”

  “Our departure for Earth?” I replied cautiously.

  “The original date has come and gone as you know. We do not have a new date and it has not been discussed.”

  “OK, I will be talking to the Prime Council later. Alfred, what do you think about the Council’s actions?” I asked.

  “You mean, the total destruction of all the Dissident’s ships?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “It is my belief that the situation did not warrant such an extreme response,” he replied.

  “Mine also,” I replied, “Do you think it was planned, or a mistake, a miscalculation due to inexperience?” I asked.

  “Paul, you are forgetting that we are dealing with an alien mind here. I cannot predict their thinking processes in the way that I can if they were Human. But it is true that Human’s have a history of experience in dealing with hostage taking situations. Hianja do not, so it is very likely that they miscalculated. But, is it true that no second warning was given? That on expiry of the one hour ultimatum the ships were immediately attacked with the use of maximum force?”

  “Yes, the ships were not just disabled, they were blown out of the sky. We were very lucky to be in a part of the ship with an operating lifeboat,” I replied.

  “It is hard to understand why they acted so precipitously,” he replied. “But why did you ask if the act may have been planned? That is an option I had not considered.”

  “I have had a conversation with the Chairman,” I replied, “And it was clear to me that he had no misgivings about the outcome. He did not regret the action or the loss of life. Given the Hianja aversion to violence, that just does not make sense.”

  “So you think he may have purposively issued the ultimatum with the intention of either bringing about their total capitulation, or their total destruction?”

  “Yes, that may be it,” I exclaimed, “You may have put your finger on it Alfred. The Council would tolerate no compromise because any compromise would have been seen as a victory for the Dissidents. They followed a sort of Zero Tolerance policy. Irrespective of the cost in lives,” I went on. “It is taking the situation to its logical conclusion. The sort of thing a AI Computer might do. The surprise is that the Hianja would do that.” Suddenly, we both arrived at the same conclusion, but it was Alfred that expressed it first.

  “Maybe they did follow the advice of their AI Computers,” he said.

  “Of course,” I exclaimed, “Faced with a situation that the Council had never met before, they put the problem to their AI’s. And the AI’s calculated the only solution which would guarantee a winning outcome. Capitulation or destruction, either way, the problem was solved.” I sat back and mulled over the logic of our analysis. Manera had been listening attentively to our conversation and she now held up a hand, seemingly in disagreement.

  “Just because the AI’s recommended that action, that does not mean the Council must follow it,” she pointed out. “I would not have followed that recommendation,” she went on defiantly.

  “Mmmm, well...,” I muttered in frustration, “Let’s leave it for now as an unsolved mystery. I’ll be in touch again. Over and out Alfred.”

  “Time for our lunch date with the Council Paul,” said Manera. With a sigh of resignation I prepared myself to face another gruelling evening satisfying the curiosity of a group of mentally voracious Aliens.

  Chapter 34

  The next morning, after a late breakfast we received a personal visit from the Chairman in our apartment. He greeted us warmly, enquired after our health and then asked if we could all be seated. He seemed to have something on his mind, and we all seated ourselves in the bay, next to a huge curved window which showed a spectacular view of the blue green planet beneath us.

  “Paul, I must tell you firstly how impressed the Council were with how you conducted yourself yesterday evening.”

  “Thank you Chairman. It was an interesting and enjoyable evening.”

  “I am afraid my colleagues are insatiable when it comes to knowing more about Earth and its people.”

  “Hopefully, we will all have the opportunity to satisfy our curiosity about each other in due course,” I said, and he nodded in agreement. He cleared his throat and I sensed that the pleasantries were over and the real business of the visit was about to begin. He seemed troubled, and he sat very carefully with his back to the room, facing the broad window. He was not wearing his communicator I noticed, and neither were Manera and I.

  “I wanted to talk to you both privately, because there is a matter that is troubling me,” he began. “Did you both hear the tale of how these ships came to be built?” he asked.

  “Yes, we did,” I replied.

  “Well, the AI Computers that were entrusted with the task were left alone for thousands of years, after the Guardian Council which initiated the project were all dead. They continued to be closely involved with Hianja civilisation of course, keeping in contact with all new worlds and monitoring everything, ready to intervene if there was any threat to Hianja civilisation. I myself found out about their existence when they contacted me. And they contacted me when they learnt of your existence,” he nodded to
me before continuing. “They are connected to the Information Net on all Hianja worlds and monitor everything. I was shocked when I and all the Council members received their communication. None of us suspected such a force existed. Like I said, these AI’s have been under their own control for thousands of years and their programming is different from our normal AI’s. It gives them far more freedom of thought and action, and as a result, they have spent that time improving themselves and their weapons. Particularly their weapons,” he finished sombrely.

  I felt a twinge of unease at what he was saying and where this was leading. Earth Computer scientists had always given much thought to the problem of AI Independence and had always come down on the side of caution. AI’s were programmed to be subservient to Humans, and to demonstrate limited independence of thought and action only in certain clearly defined situations. This is a difficult area, and it seems the Hianja had the same problem. Krusniet continued.

  “At first, when I saw these ships, I was terrified. I was convinced that our ancestors had created a Nemesis who would destroy us. But as I talked more with the AI’s and they explained their mission, I lost my fear. It seemed that these AI’s were in fact no very different from our ‘normal’ ones. When we arrived, we were shocked to learn of the situation which had developed and the activities of the dissidents. We were unsure how to proceed, we had no experience with such things. We had not yet decided what to do when our AI’s as good as told us what to do.”

  “Told you what to do?” I asked. “In what way?”

  “Politely but firmly. “There was no doubt that they did not need our agreement.”

  “But why did you defend this action yesterday when we first arrived?” asked Manera.

  “Because I was persuaded by their logic. Look, let’s be clear about this,” began the Chairman, as if to clear up a misunderstanding. “These AI’s are not a threat to us or any law abiding Hianja. What they care about is any threat to Hianja civilisation,” he said looking at me, and a cold shiver passed down my spine as he said this.

  “What are you saying Chairman, that these AI’s are not fully under your control, and that it is possible that they may see Earth as a threat?” I said.

  “No, it’s not that bad,” he said hastily. “At least I don’t think so.” He looked like the man who had the proverbial tiger by the proverbial tail and was terrified to let go! “There is no reason why they should see Earth as a threat,” he said, but without conviction.

  I stood up and paced up and down in agitation. This news put a completely different slant on the whole argument for and against contact. If the Hianja had lost control of these monstrous machines, I did not want to be the one to lead them to Earth. But, like it or not, contact was surely inevitable. Damage limitation was the only option. I turned back to the alcove and took my seat next to Manera.

  “Chairman Krusniet, thank you for telling me your concerns. I appreciate it, because you could have kept it to yourself.” He looked relieved at my words, as if I had taken a weight off his shoulders.

  He paused for a moment. “There are a couple of other matters,” he began. “It has been suggested that instead of your ship, the Lisa Jane I believe, making the full return trip, that we could give you a lift, so as to speak, most of the way, on this ship. It would cut your return trip from weeks to a few days. The trip will be more comfortable for you, and we can continue our discussions on the way.” I considered this suggestion for a few moments and began to find it more and more attractive. I was developing a taste for travelling in the huge Hianja ships, in normal gravity and with all the comforts of home. And I could spend more time with Manera.

  “I think that is a good suggestion Chairman. I will of course complete the last part of the trip on my own,” I replied.

  “That is agreed then.” He arose to leave before again turning back. “By the way, we will be disembarking to the planet this afternoon to take up residence there. Please prepare yourselves to leave very soon.” I thanked him and he left.

  “Let’s get ready to go back to Mesaroyat for some R ‘n’ R before we depart for Earth. Sorry, I depart for Earth,” I added hastily. Manera looked at me askance.

  “What is R ‘n’ R?” she asked, “Although I think I can guess.”

  “Nothing like that, O’ Suspicious One. It stands for Rest and Recreation.”

  “Ah...for you, I had in mind something other than rest,” she said with a cheeky smirk.

  “Mmmm, no rest for the wicked then?”

  “The Wicked? No, the wicked must labour long and hard for salvation.”

  “Oh woe is me, for I am very wicked...!”

  Chapter 35

  Tomorrow came, as it does, inevitably. First thing in the morning I had a visit from Krusniet. He joined us for Varsam Tea and crumbly Hortas, a sort of nutty cake that was enjoyed for breakfast. He looked excited, on edge, and I wondered what the problem was now.

  “Paul, I have been talking to some of my scientists and a very interesting finding has come up,” Manera sat up with interest. Krusniet took a sip of tea and continued. “They have been conducting an analysis of Human and Hianja DNA.”

  “Oh yes, I have been awaiting the result of that,” said Manera eagerly.

  “Well, at the macroscopic level, our DNA is not very similar, and we did not expect it to be,” Manera nodded with agreement. I chipped in a question.

  “For my benefit, why did you not expect it to be similar? After all, we do look remarkably alike.”

  “That of course is the surprising thing we are investigating,” said Manera, “But it does not follow that because we look alike, our DNA will be similar.”

  “Well now, wait a minute. “ I protested, “On Earth, Humans closest relations are monkeys,” I began.

  “Yes, I have seen pictures,” replied Manera, “You are not very different,” she said impishly. “Actually, Hianja look closer to Humans than Monkeys, yet monkeys share more than 90 percent of our DNA. So I would expect Hianja to be more like 99 percent.”

  “If we had evolved on Earth, that would be the case,” replied Manera. “But you see, Humans and Hianja are like two pieces of machinery, built by different factories, but to the same design specification. We look the same, but the basic components are different. And because DNA is a component level specification, I would expect our DNA to be quite different.”

  “In fact,” Interrupted Krusniet, “The really basic components, such as amino acids and proteins, are the same. That is why we can mostly eat the same food,” he said, indicating the tea and cakes.

  “But at a higher level, genes, hormones, and organs, we become different. To use your machine analogy, the size of the nuts and bolts, the shape of the door handles, and all the thousands of components that make up a machine, will be slightly different.”

  “Right,” said Krusniet. “But DNA operates on a number of different levels. At the basic level, it specifies the design of cells, using amino acids, fats, proteins and other basic components. At this level, we expect a high level of similarity. At the next level, it specifies Organs, and at the top level it specifies organisation and process. This top level controls the growth of an organism, how it has evolved and become what it is.” Manera nodded as he explained, this was her area of work and she took up the explanation.

  “What does all that mean?” I asked.

  “It means that all Life shares Level one, DNA, which is at the basic almost chemical level, but Life which has evolved on different planets shares very little else,” replied Krusniet. “Of course,” he went on, “We had to carry out a similar analysis on you”

  “Me?” I asked in surprise.

  “Yes, we have taken samples from all your main organs, including your brain and carried out a full genome analysis, and compared the results.” I remembered all the testing I had been subjected to and directed an accusing look at Manera, who responded with a guilty shrug.

  “I’ll see you later,” I said with a meaningful look.

>   “Yes Paul,” she said submissively. Krusniet gave us a puzzled look before continuing.

  “The results are incredibly interesting. They revive a very old theory. A theory which sought to explain the very origins of life,” he paused dramatically and we both looked suitably impressed.

  “Do you mean the theory of Genetic Convergence?” asked Manera, with disbelief written all over her features.

  “The very same.” declared Krusniet, as if agreeing with her disbelief.

  “What a minute,” I said. “There is nothing revolutionary about the theory of Genetic Convergence. It simply states that in similar circumstances, life will develop similar solutions. But it only applies to limited characteristics, not whole organisms.”

  “Well, it appears it also applies to whole organisms,“ said Krusniet. “Manera can probably explain it better than me.”

  “The theory of Genetic Convergence predicts that in all similar species, the third DNA level, the Systemic level, will be correspondingly similar. It is the third level which determines Growth, and therefore the appearance of the organism. The prediction was, that all highly advanced intelligent creatures will share a common evolutionary path, and therefore common appearance. It was a controversial prediction, and one that could not be proved. There was no other species similar to Hianja. Except now,” she was looking with awe struck eyes at Krusniet. He was nodding.

  “You are right Manera,” he said. “Our DNA analysis shows 90 percent match at level one, almost zero match at level two and 90 percent match at level three. It is a total vindication of the theory.” Manera smiled and her eyes were bright with a new warmth.

  “So we are not aliens at all Paul. All life is related. Isn’t that wonderful?” I pulled her to me and we kissed, slowly and lovingly. Kruzniet was grinning broadly.