by Jim Laughter
“And all of that knowledge could be locked up in this thing’s memory banks,” Delmar said. “Do you think anyone will ever be able to access that information, Professor?”
“I really doubt it, son,” Angle answered. “These components are so old, and we have no way of knowing the power requirements, or even how to save and interpret the data if we could access it.”
Just as Professor Angle was about to instruct the students to service and stow away their clean suits, the room filled with a loud rumble emanating from the ancient computer. The noise level from the machine was almost deafening. A sound like rocks rolling down a metal roof emitted from the ancient machine, stunning the class by the unexpected noise. Another noise that sounded like a swarm of bees filled the air, then without warning a deep bass voice boomed from the main console of the artifact.
“Greetings, Delmar Eagleman, EX235612445.”
A stunning silence gripped everyone in the room even as the echo of the Horicon computer’s outburst reverberated around the lab. Several things happened in the next instant. The meters, consoles, and monitors of the ancient computer simultaneously came to life. The printer clattered an empty response.
Snapping orders with quiet efficiency, Professor Angle directed the students to man various monitoring consoles installed in the lab. He told Cornelius Wed to load the printer with paper. Zorina stood by an auxiliary control console in anticipation of orders but Angle told her not to touch the controls.
Delmar remained frozen where he stood while Stan quietly moved closer to the main console of the ancient machine. In the background, Delmar could hear Professor Angle direct someone to activate the visual and audio recording equipment. Delmar kept himself focused on this machine that had decided to invade his existence.
“Greetings, Delmar Eagleman, EX235612445,” the computer repeated in the same deep bass voice. “Please respond.”
Delmar continued to stare at the machine for a full minute before he finally found his voice.
“How do you know my name?” he asked in a raspy whisper.
“I acquired the knowledge from a small computer connected with this lab,” the computer replied. “Is there something wrong with your voice? It is not in your normal audio frequency.”
Delmar swallowed a few times and cleared his throat. “There’s nothing wrong with my voice,” he responded in near normal tones. “It was affected by strong emotion.”
Delmar heard a whispered discussion behind him and turned to see someone bringing him a piece of paper from the professor. Delmar quickly scanned the hastily scrawled questions and looked up to face the computer. He started to open his mouth when it interrupted him.
“Do not touch the controls on your left, Stan Shane,” the computer ordered.
Delmar glanced over to see Stan in front of the original main console of the ancient machine.
“Moving the third switch from your right on the top row will activate my holographic projector. Please do so now.”
Stan complied with the instructions and immediately a holographic image of an octopedal creature formed in the space between Delmar and Stan.
The creature had eight long, thin legs with barbed protrusions above and below its triple knees. It used six of its legs to stand on while two of its legs resembled long arms extending from either side of the creature’s spideral body, each having a forward and backward-bending elbow.
The creature’s small head, or what appeared to be its head, was perched on a thick neck. Two stalks with an oversized eye attached to each dangled at odd angles from either side of its head. Its body was covered with thick, coarse black hair.
The body seemed to have no bone structure, only dense cartilage. Must be why they found no Horicon skeletal remains, Professor Angle thought excitedly.
Exuding both calm and clarity, Angle helped his students competently handle this sudden and unexpected development. While they watched, the holographic projection appeared to survey the room, showing apparent surprise at the appearance of the bipedal creatures in front of it. It turned from side to side, skittering soundlessly on a raised platform Angle could only assume represented an alien workstation. After seeming to study the professor himself, the image turned its attention back toward a hapless Delmar.
“It appears that you wish to address a question to me, Delmar Eagleman, EX235612445,” the projection said in a quieter, more modulated tone.
“B-but you’re supposed to be inert,” Delmar stammered.
“Inert. Non-operational,” the projection said to no one in particular. “Obviously, I am operational, so if I am not inert, that would make me ert.”
“You mean your name is Ert?” Delmar asked incredulously.
“You may address me as such if you wish,” the projection answered. Delmar looked down hastily at the note in his hand.
“How are you able to operate after all this time?” he asked the image.
“As for why I am able to operate, I can only surmise that it is due to a combination of excellent construction and favorable environmental conditions,” Ert said. “I have a gap in my chronological memory of approximately eighteen thousand, five-hundred and thirty-four of your time cycle known as millennia.” Delmar multiplied the figure the apparition in front of him quoted. That’s over eighteen million years, Delmar thought
Delmar looked again at his note. “How are you powered?” he asked.
“Originally, I was connected to fusion power sources that were external to my operation chamber. These had apparently failed by the time your archaeologists found me. I also have an internal emergency power cell that is still marginally operational. Presently, I am tapping power inductively from conduits buried in the floor of this lab.”
“When did you awaken?” Delmar read from the note in his hand.
“My first recollection since being active on Horicon occurred approximately eight of your months ago while I was in transit. A self-diagnostic revealed that a crystalline component in my main power circuit had fractured about the same time of my last active files of Horicon. This fracture was moved into proper realignment by environmental conditions while I was being transported.”
“Is the image we’re seeing your original form?” Delmar read from the note.
“Of course not!” the image seemed to laugh. “I am as you see me now. The image is similar to that of my original builders. This particular image is a holographic projection of my last caretaker.”
Professor Angle was overjoyed that they had an actual image recording of a Horicon being. Now if they could just preserve the image without causing damage to the ancient computer.
The professor spoke from behind Delmar. “Is this fractured component likely to become misaligned again?” he asked. The image turned toward him.
“I cannot predict when the fracture may reoccur,” Ert replied. “It could happen at any time.”
“Do you think we might be able to effect repairs to keep you active?” Professor Angle asked.
The image appeared to freeze for a minute then blurred. A static charge emitted from the holographic display as if an errant current of electricity was disrupting the flow of electrons from the projector.
“Stand back, Delmar,” Angle ordered.
“Upon review of files I have available of your primitive technology, I have determined that it is possible,” Ert answered, seemingly unaware of the disruption in its power flow. A printer began to clatter in a corner of the lab.
“These are the design specifications and instructions to make a replacement component and to affect repairs.”
The professor went over, examined the printout, and nodded. “We can make this easily enough,” he said.
“That would be most acceptable,” Ert replied.
“What can we do to keep you active?” the professor asked as he rejoined Delmar.
“First, you can provide me with a direct tap to a power source,” the image said. The printer chattered again.
“These are the spe
cifications for current and voltage, and a pattern to match my external hookups encased in the panel you labeled 17-C. Next, you can affect the repairs as I have outlined and provide me a direct tap into your lab computer.”
Delmar flinched at the last comment.
“Are you the one who used my code to access the computer net here on campus?”
“That is correct,” Ert said. “While in your computer net, I encountered several other simple computers and affected improvements where I could. I also caused the malfunction of your library computer and triggered the security program of your school files. If this has caused an inconvenience, please accept my apology.”
Delmar just stood there and stared at the image. Stan looked over at his friend and smiled.
“I must enter standby mode,” Ert announced. “I am unable to maintain this projection much longer. Please make the power hook-up and repairs soon.”
The image of the creature faded with a static flash of light and the instruments on the exterior of the ancient computer blinked once and went dark. For a heartbeat, the lab remained silent and then everyone erupted into wild applause.
∞∞∞
The week and a half since the Horicon computer came back to life proved to be hectic for both of the boys, Delmar in particular. The weekend of relaxation the whole class had been looking forward to had washed away with the reactivation of the ancient computer. Delmar and Stan spent the entire weekend and most of the next week in the research building, only taking breaks or any time off for meals. Now they were on their way to Port Mulvey for a much-needed break to visit the Sender for a few days.
Every time Delmar closed his eyes, the holographic image of the quadruped creature from Horicon played across his memory. Before the first night was out, Professor Angle had notified the Mican authorities and ordered the institute electrical shop to get busy making the necessary adapter to feed power into the ancient computer. The next morning a number of computer experts were present when the power adapter was connected. The holographic image reappeared immediately to report on the success of the hook-up.
After the first week of the Horicon’s reactivation, the class was removed from the project by the Mica Science Museum who had final jurisdiction over the computer. Museum and institute authorities questioned Delmar at length as to why and how the Horicon computer had accessed his student computer. They were also curious why the machine had chosen to speak to him first. It had taken considerable effort, but Delmar finally convinced them that he did not know.
Since that time, the class had only heard about the Horicon computer second hand or through the news service. In short order, it had been repaired and hooked up to the lab computer. Professor Angle convinced it to help repair those computer systems still down. Within an hour, it had the library system back online and running at almost a dozen times its previous normal capacity. Ert repaired and upgraded other systems as well, and the school board of regents quietly dismissed the case they had built against Delmar.
Delmar’s aptitude test results came in as well, and they clearly showed that he would be well suited for generalized exploratory work. The registrar pulled Delmar out of the computer class at the recommendation of Professor Angle. In addition, the professor arranged for Delmar and Stan to get an extra two days leave for their trip to Port Mulvey via the scenic, but more expensive surface rail line at institute expense.
“Hey, Delmar,” Stan said, interrupting Delmar’s musings, “read this.” He handed Delmar a starmail that had come from the Hassels. When it had arrived earlier in the week, Delmar was so overwhelmed that he just tossed it to Stan to take care of. Now that they were enroute to Port Mulvey, Delmar finally had the energy to read the letter. Taking the envelope, he removed the page and began to read.
From: HasselFarm>gss.bv.er
To: Sshane>gss.mcti.mi
Subject: you’ve been busy
Dear Delmar and Stan,
We were shocked by the report we heard over the news channel. It sure looks like you’ve been busy. Everyone has been calling or coming by to ask us all about it. All we could do was tell them what they already knew from the news until Stan’s letter arrived. Thank you for the explanation. It helped us put a lot of rumors to rest.
Son, Stan also explained the circumstances leading up to your change of training. From what he tells us, it sounds like a good decision for both you and the service. Please keep us posted.
Stan said you boys are going to visit the Senders at their home. It will be a lot different than the first time so long ago. We wish we could be there but we can’t get away right now. Please give them our regards and best wishes.
That’s about all from here. Dad and I are doing well and it looks like the fields will be producing a bumper crop. The Sabeti’s are doing fine and little Del-Robert is walking and getting into everything now. Take care and keep in touch.
Love, Mom and Dad Hassel
Delmar looked up from the letter and stared out at the passing scenery. It seemed that everywhere he went he ran into reminders of what had happened to him with that crazy Horicon computer. He chuckled to himself and handed the letter back to Stan.
“Guess I better get used to it,” he muttered to himself.
∞∞∞
Sherry paced back and forth again while Jake watched her. They arrived early at the rail station to intercept the boys, and she was not taking the resultant wait especially well.
“They won’t get here any faster by you pacing a rut in the floor,” Jake said as she passed him again.
“I’m not pacing!” she snapped. She turned and started back on her return pass. “I’m just stretching my legs.”
Jake chuckled. “You stretch’em much more and you’ll be eight feet tall,” he said. Sherry cast a sidelong glance at her husband sitting patiently on a bench, his legs crossed in that easy, relaxed manner of his. Drives me crazy him not being nervous, she thought.
A moment later a room speaker squawked in the background announcing the arrival of the train from the capital city. Sherry immediately leaned over the handrail and stared down the track. If Jake figured the electric train’s speed correctly, they would not be able to see it until it was almost to the station. The look on her face when she returned to his bench confirmed that it was not yet in sight.
Sitting down next to her husband, Sherry tried to pretend that she wasn’t anxious for the train to arrive.
“And how are you today, Mrs. Sender?” Jake asked mockingly. “Anything special happening today?”
“You’re just full of it today, aren’t you?” she answered. “Here I am a nervous wreck and you sit there like a bump on a log.”
“Different genes, my dear,” Jake said. “Different genes.”
Three minutes later the sleek form of the train pulled into the station. Sherry jumped up as a surge of passengers exited the cars. Jake just waited patiently. Within a minute, the first crush of people was gone and it was easy to catch sight of two figures clad in Axia black.
“Delmar! Stan!” Sherry waved and called out as soon as she saw them. Jake stood up and joined his wife. Delmar and Stan pushed their way through the crowd toward the Senders. Each of them carried a duffle and uniform bag. Changes of clothes for the next few days.
“Jake! Sherry! What are you two doing here?” Delmar asked as everyone embraced.
“Oh, we got a call from someone at the institute telling us when your train was getting in,” Jake said. “We thought we’d save you the cab fare.”
Stan looked over at Delmar and grinned. “The professor again?” Delmar nodded his agreement.
“What are you talking about?” Sherry asked.
“Oh, it’s just that Professor Angle seems to have gone to a lot of trouble arranging this trip for us,” Delmar answered.
“When he called me, he said he was incensed at the regents,” Jake said. “He said he was going to even up the score about the accusations against Delmar.”
“It’s only right!�
� Sherry said sharply.
“Let’s get out of here and get these boys home,” Jake said to change the subject. “Then we can do some poking around.”
Delmar and Stan took the hint and turned toward the concourse, sweeping Sherry along with them through the station and out to their ground car.
∞∞∞
The four days they had to explore Port Mulvey had been as refreshing for the Senders as it was for the boys. Jake had to physically drag Stan out of more than one bookstore as he found book after book that whetted his appetite. Delmar, on the other hand, was more restless.
“What are your after graduation plans, Stan?” Jake asked as they sat in the Sender’s living room drinking coffee.
“I’m not exactly sure,” Stan answered. “I’m interested in computer decryptography.”
“That sounds pretty specific to me,” Sherry said, weighing into the conversation.
“Not really. It involves quite a broad spectrum of specialties, especially if you work with the emerging technologies from the closed and independent planets.”
“Sounds like you might want to consider applying to the Observation Corps,” Jake suggested. “That’s right up their alley.”
“I’d never considered that,” Stan said thoughtfully.
The fact that Delmar had been unusually quiet had not gone unnoticed by either Jake or Sherry.
“And what are your plans, Delmar?” Jake asked. Delmar’s eyes came back into focus as the question found its mark.
“Don’t really know either,” he replied. “I haven’t given it much thought.”
“On the contrary,” Sherry interjected. “I think you’ve given it too much thought.”
“What were the results of the aptitude test?” Jake queried.
“They showed that I have good aptitudes in a number of fields,” Delmar said, trying to duck the question.
“I happen to know something about those tests,” Sherry said. “What were your scores in the Interests and Specialties section?”