Seymore's Interlude

by Franci Neale

  Chapter 24

  Placements

  Nolan and Valentino stood leaning over the railing at the area where terraformations were created and managed. Nolan was able to understand the nature of what was happening and explain it with both ease and enthusiasm. He was thrilled to be here with the Prime Administrator but still didn’t know exactly why. Valentino listened and asked questions and extracted opinions from the young assistant. He was taken with Nolan’s full appreciation of the process and understanding the variety and purpose of creations that were needed to meet the needs of the transitioners. And his enthusiasm was consistent and well tempered. It was abundantly clear that Nolan was enchanted with terraforming.

  For Valentino this was good news. So he made his offer, “Would you move next door to Seymore’s office and help the three gentlemen who are auditing the image logs so they can be useful to ES360?I think they are more than half finished, and I am quite sure they will be moving on when their audit is complete. You will need to learn what they did and how they did it, all the details of the various categories besides the technical coding and maintenance. In the beginning it’s going to be a big job and you’ll need to coordinate with Lyric and Celic and probably Geralty.

  “It makes sense to keep a good team together so I have a temptation for you. I know that management of the log will eventually become routine, and when it does, I would like for you to go to Orientation classes that pertain only to terraforming. I want you to be prepared to be Seymore’s assistant when he returns.” Valentino stopped and waited for a response.

  Nolan remained silent and then in a small choked voice said, “Thank you. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am.” He stood and gripped Valentino’s hand with tears in eyes that looked out through great sincerity. Valentino put his arm around his shoulder and congratulated him. They walked back to the offices where Valentino planned to make a few announcements and reveal a few surprises.

  When they entered the office, everyone looked up. Valentino signaled to Geralty and Celic to join him with Nolan and Lyric in the assistant’s area. He stood for a moment to survey the four talented personalities who now composed a team that was well matched and effective. He thought Seymore would be pleased, he certainly was.

  He began, “We have accomplished a great deal and I need to know from each of you what needs to be done to wrap up your part of the project and what questions you have. ”He waited for a response.

  Geralty said, “Celic and I have checked and rechecked the hologram transport system and it appears to be perfect. We won’t know for sure until we make our experiments after I return to ES360.” Lyric added, “The Mercury band is all set and just needs the message from ES360 to hook up. I’ve set up logs for messages and plans for expansion of the system if we need it either here or at the station.”

  Valentino smiled is approval and said, “Good. I would like you all to gather and pack everything for Geralty so that it will transport. Nolan and I have a small meeting to go to and when we get back we will have a few announcements and some pleasantries. ”Nolan and Valentino went to the interior door that led to Seymore’s office. Nolan opened it for Valentino and closed it behind them. The three remaining looked at each other wondering what that meeting was about. Geralty thought he knew.

  The Meddlers were engrossed in their work and didn’t look up. They all had displayed tremendous powers of concentration while at Middle Mind. Their task was tedious but they all seemed to find being focused and having a sense of accomplishment calming. During their time on the job they had been industrious and patient. Valentino had placed them in just the right job to contain their meddling ways. Valentino wasn’t sure that any of them were fully aware of what a large contribution they were making. Until their critical eyes had started establishing order and continuity to the images they had been generally useless. Telling The Meddlers that the work was for Seymore and ES360 had also inspired them. They all seemed to have an attraction for the experimental station and its creator. Valentino said, “Gentlemen, I have some news that will please you. I don’t believe you have met Nolan, one of the fine assistants who has been assigned to Seymore’s protégée while he has been here on station business. I know it is a place you have visited. Seymore continues to change and improve the station and I think you’ll be glad to know that it continues to succeed.

  “It has not gone unnoticed that the effort you have all given to the ordering of the image log has been both excellent and helpful. It has been so well done, that I would like for you to begin to transfer all of your knowledge and expertise to Nolan so he will be able to maintain the high standard you have set. I think it is nearing a point when we all could benefit by take advantage of your talents in other arenas.

  “Seymore’s protégée is preparing to return to ES360 and Nolan will begin working with you when we have seen him off. I am hoping that the four of you can wrap up this part of the hologram project shortly so we can all move toward new endeavors. There are wonderful potentials on the horizons. Is there anything you would like to ask or add?”

  Einstein said, “Valentino, I have quite enjoyed this auditing project and have learned a great deal about the physics of image. And I thank you for the opportunity. That said, I am definitely interested in pursuing new avenues. And, on another subject, could you arrange for us to be referred to as something other than The Meddlers. After reviewing all these images, I realized that my current image and attitude is just not who I am and I would like to begin to shift to something more in keeping with my highest self.”

  His two companions nodded in agreement and both expressed their thanks for the challenging work. It was clear they all had enjoyed not being at loose ends and were beginning to appreciate their own incredible talents which until now had been lost in the shuffle of constant change and uncertainty.

  Valentino said, “I am very glad we are on the same path. From now on we will refer to you as the individuals you are and use whatever names you choose. For now, Nolan is your new assistant and our plan is for him to eventually be assistant to Seymore when he’s back at Middle Mind.” He smiled and shook hand all around and thanked all three gentlemen. Nolan did the same and told each one that he was honored and looking forward to working with them.

  All in all it was a very good meeting, much easier than expected, and both Nolan and Valentino were cheerful and smiling when they returned. Valentino went to his desk and made a few notes. He turned and asked everyone to join him at Geralty’s desk in the corner. When they were all together, he announced. “I am so glad to say that all three of your assistants, Geralty, are going to remain here after your return to Seymore Place. “Lyric, I want you to take care of the Mercury Band, answering and sending all messages as well as keeping it clear and in good repair. You will also monitor other uses for the band and make sure it is not abused. I will call on you from time to time to help me with special projects as well.

  “Celic, you are a natural to continue working with the new system you have created to manage the holograms. Your creation is excellent and we will need you to operate it and keep it in good working order. I also may call on you for other creative solutions to the technical problems we encounter so you will never be bored.

  “And lastly, Nolan is going to be assigned to understudy all the fine work that the three gentlemen next door have done and will be in charge of the logs when they have moved on to new projects. In addition, Nolan will soon be attending classes in terraforming at Orientation and will eventually be an assistant to Seymore when he returns from Seymore Place.

  “And Geralty will, of course, remain in his position as protégée to my beloved brother Seymore and must, I am sorry to say, return to Seymore Place. Each of us in our own way will say our good byes to you but I would like you to know that you are always welcome here. You are a part of our team and we look forward to many opportunities to enjoy your company. Being optimistic we have a small gift for you th
at could contribute to your return. ”He motioned to Nolan and Celic who moved to pick up Geralty’s office chair and turn it over.

  Valentino said, “Geralty, we have created a personal transport marker for you. It will always be attached to the bottom of your office chair so you can visit us any time. Besides Seymore, you are the only one to have a marker here and we’ll take good care of it for you. We have the match packed with the other equipment you’ll be taking with you. ”He stepped to his desk, quickly returned and said, “Here is the message for Seymore. As I said he will be glad to have it. Be sure you give it just to him as soon as you arrive at Seymore Place. ”Geralty nodded indicating that he would and Valentino continued, “We have more than enjoyed having you with us and are pleased that all of the efforts we have made together are working out well. We’ll look forward to knowing about you and the station through the Mercury band. I’m sure your new friends want to wish you well, so I’ll be at my desk. Let me know when you’re ready to go.” He embraced Geralty and returned to his desk.

  Nolan began, “Geralty, we’re going to miss you like crazy. You have helped to put things in a better place for me than I ever imagined. I am really grateful. I hope you’ll come just to visit but business would be OK too. ”His presentation was humble and heart felt and Geralty gave him a sturdy hand shake with a big shoulder hug.

  Lyric and Celic looked at each other and Lyric said, “You go next Celic.”

  Celic said, “Geralty, if it hadn’t been for you I’m not sure I would have been able to fully grasp the import of the system I made. It is going to be a real treat to continue to work on it and help you and Seymore with your work at ES360.We all know it’s one of the most innovative and experimental projects ever undertaken. And to have a small part in its success is just great. We’ll miss you and hope you come back soon.”

  Lyric walked up close to Geralty and said, “You have honored us with your generosity and kindness and have left all of us better for having met you. We will work diligently to do our part to make sure that the band and hologram systems work perfectly. I would love to work on other projects with you and hope that happens. We will miss you. Thank you for being here and I’m sure we will meet again. ”She reached out and hugged Geralty and he hugged her back.

  Geralty was really moved. These were quality individuals who had done a splendid job on their end of the communications projects. He hesitated and then said, “I really had no idea what to expect when I first arrived here. You have all made me feel welcome and the tour was fabulous. I am pleased no end with the work you have all done to support the station and it will make a big difference. I am especially glad that you all will remain together because we are a first class team. When ES360 is finished and completely operational, I’ll be sure to come back just to visit. I look upon each of you as a friend. I will speak for everyone at Seymore Place and say thank you very, very much. ”After some affectionate back slapping and lots of big smiles, Nolan went over to Valentino and said, “Geralty’s just about ready to go.”

  Valentino went to the door and opened it. “Geralty, be sure you have the package that’s on your desk. It’s packed as small as we could get it and will transport easily, but we are going to take Seymore’s marker out to the campus and send you off from there just to be sure you don’t hit an obstruction with the gear. They all left through the door and Valentino followed.

  They gathered on a large open space near the entrance, exchanged in the last expressions of thanks and good wishes and Geralty was gone.

  They all looked up as if they expected to see Geralty’s departure and then looked at each other. They were silent and didn’t share any thoughts or opinions about the departure as they returned to the office. Valentino walked ahead and was actually jaunty; the others seemed much more subdued.

  In the office they took little while to get back to their work, but shortly they were talking about their recently increased responsibilities and wondered when the Mercury band message would arrive to activate communications and when the first test of the hologram transport system would happen.