Borne On Wings of Steel

by Tony Chandler

  “I'm convinced,” Jaric whispered back.

  “Silence in my court!” The Mrad Judge returned his gaze to the console and the list of charges. “Answer my first question, please."

  “Yes, we've heard it. Three times in the last hour alone,” Kyle said with disgust.

  “And you'll hear it more before you're out of my courtroom. The Law will be obeyed."

  They all groaned in unison.

  “Well, what do we have here,” the judge continued as he glanced at the console on his desk. “Let's see, yes.” He cleared his throat. “Disrupting the peace, initiating a riot, destruction of public property, assaulting an alien.” He paused here. “Or aliens. Or should I make it assaulting anything that is within your reach."

  Kyle groaned.

  The Judge began inputting new data into the console while the four remained silent.

  Several, long minutes passed.

  Finally, the Judge finished. He looked down at them once again with unflinching eyes.

  “We don't like your kind of alien in our cities. Especially aliens causing trouble among the homeless refugees we are trying to help."

  Rok started to speak, thought better of it, and returned to staring at the floor.

  “You'll spend four days in captivity, working in the kitchens to pay off the damage you've caused—your calculated share. And then you'll be escorted away from our cities as persona non grata, and not allowed to return to RahajMr or its sister cities until two years have elapsed. Is that clear?"

  “That seems a bit harsh, don't you think?” Jaric looked up with surprise at the Mrad Judge. “I mean, we made a mistake—one mistake. We've—"

  The Mrad Judge interrupted him.

  “There is another, more serious activity in which you seem to be involved—albeit there is no direct evidence, only circumstantial."

  “What is that?” Rok asked with interest.

  “Have you ever met an alien named Ablek?"

  “Yes,” Kyle answered quickly. “We rented our Search-terminals through him.” He, Jaric and Rok looked intently up at the Mrad Judge now.

  “He is in hospital even as we speak—badly hurt and only semi-conscious."

  “What?” the trio said simultaneously.

  “His wounds are the result of a vicious attack.” The Mrad Judge leaned forward. “And whoever attacked him will be dealt with in the most severe way, according to our law."

  “How are we involved?” Kyle asked. “We liked the little alien."

  “That's right,” Jaric quickly added, a look of concern on his face.

  “We are investigating exactly what took place. Our investigators have discovered that whoever perpetrated this heinous act was able to partially disable our Security systems—another serious crime."

  “That's not us,” Kyle said matter-of-factly. “I don't think we're that smart."

  “And so it may turn out to be. However.” The Mrad Judge cleared his throat loudly. “Ablek whispers a word from time to time as he lies there in hospital. And the word he repeats is—human."

  Kyle and Jaric bowed their heads solemnly.

  “The Hammatt does not seem to be implicated in this first crime."

  All eyes in the courtroom turned to the big alien.

  But the Hammatt remained strangely silent.

  The Judge's gaze focused back on Kyle, Jaric and Rok. “So, first you meet Ablek and perform a business transaction. And later that same evening he is brutally assaulted. Humans have never before been to our cities, and yet within the first two waking cycles since you arrive, two crimes are committed. And you are implicated in both—either directly or indirectly.” The Mrad Judge cleared his throat noisily once again. “We don't like your kind of alien in our cities."

  “We're innocent of the first incident, Your Honor,” Rok said with conviction. “We would never attack another alien, unless it was to defend ourselves."

  “The investigation will determine that. If we do find you guilty of the first charge, you will be dealt with much more harshly. Now, take them from my court."

  Kyle looked up. “Can we contact our ship first, to let them know what's happened to us? Our mother will be concerned."

  “One communication.” He waved them all away.

  * * * *

  “WHY ARE YOU in police custody?” Mother asked with an electronic edge.

  Kyle and Jaric both groaned.

  “It was a mistake, we were in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Jaric answered quickly.

  “Yeah,” Kyle agreed. “We were just minding our own business, eating lunch, when..."

  “Actually,” Rok interrupted with an apologetic tone. “Actually, we found ourselves involved with several irate aliens. Jaric inadvertently insulted one..."

  “Yeah, the biggest one there,” Kyle said.

  “Wait, wait,” Jaric broke in. “That Hammatt started it back in the..."

  “Enough!” Mother shouted, her voice rising several decibels.

  “Uh-oh,” Kyle said under his voice.

  “I will ascertain all the facts from you and from the Mrad authorities—personally. At that time, I will determine what took place. And what additional discipline I need to take. Suffice it to say, you got yourselves into trouble. And you are also in serious trouble with me."

  Kyle and Jaric groaned again.

  “In the meantime, I have good news."

  Rok, Jaric and Kyle stared at the Mrad communicator.

  “Minstrel and I have decided we all need a vacation."

  They looked at each other with puzzled expressions.

  “We have been talking about this concept while I researched its history. The planet I have chosen for the process of vacation is not only an ideal place to relax and unwind, but there is also a famous festival taking place right now. It is a five-day journey from here."

  “Go on,” Kyle said with growing interest.

  “It is the island-planet called Meramee."

  “Indeed, it is a most fascinating place,” Minstrel added from the communicator. “A rare and beautiful world—ninety percent ocean with the largest land mass only a few hundred kilometers in total area. There are tens of thousands of different islands that dot this planet. It is said—'no two islands are exactly alike on Meramee.’ I am in keen anticipation myself."

  “Meramee."

  Jaric said the word as if it were a long lost friend. He looked at Kyle with eagerness on his face.

  “I've heard of it. A couple of aliens mentioned it to me a few months ago—some kind of tropical paradise planet."

  “What kind of festival?” Kyle asked with excitement in his voice.

  “It occurs every seven years,” Mother said. “Millions flock to it from all the planets in this quadrant, even faraway Jantannell. It's a festival featuring the best food, beer and wine from the planets of a particular sector chosen by the Festival Council. They call it ‘Rayall Shifanzz', which roughly translates ‘Taste of the Quadrant.’”

  “Even better, the aliens who reside on this island-planet are an aquatic race called the Mejadic.” Minstrel glowed brightly. “These festivals feature their unique underwater concerts. They play their instruments underwater but the sounds can be heard above water. And song-whales are known to join many times, adding their eerie cries. I have heard recordings by other Minstrels who've visited Meramee, but this will be my first time to experience it personally."

  “We plan on staying at least one month after the festival's climax subsides,” Mother added.

  “The best food and beer from an entire sector,” Rok said as he licked his lips. “Sounds delightful."

  “I have contacted your Kraaqi frigate, the Aurora. It is now on its way here and will pick you up once you are released. They will contact you with their berth number when they arrive."

  “Wait!” Kyle shouted. “Where are you going to be, Mother?"

  A brief, but powerful pause echoed from the communicator.

  “We will be arriving at Merame
e right about the time you are released."

  “Why?"

  “We too have been asked to leave and then return at the end of the week to pick you up. Instead, we will proceed to Meramee and wait for you there, a more efficient use of our time. There is no need for us to be inconvenienced by your mistakes. The Aurora will pass RahajMr on its way to Meramee. It is logical that they pick you up."

  Jaric and Kyle looked at each other.

  “Yeah, I guess there's no need for you to suffer for our troubles. I guess we'll see you at Meramee,” Jaric said, his voice tinged with sadness.

  “Yes,” Mother said with firmness. “At that time we will discuss this issue again."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  * * *

  Chapter Nine

  MOTHER LIFTED FROM her berth two hours later and made her way through the eternal winds. Her gift from the Kraaqi, the anti-gravity sub-light engines, powered her steadily through the tattered cloud bands of green and orange. Within a few minutes, she left the gas planet behind and sailed gracefully into the silent blackness of outer space.

  As she turned and powered up her hyperdrive engines, Mother's manta-ray silhouette shimmered under the sparkling light of ten million stars. Mother locked in the coordinates for Meramee and kicked in her powerful ThunderStar engines.

  With a mighty flash, she leapt into hyperspace.

  “Why do you think tracer code and kill code were placed on your query, Minstrel?” Mother asked.

  “That is a mystery.” Minstrel dissolved the multi-colored Zuuk shell and returned to its normal plasma body. Minstrel's twinkling body ebbed and flowed like a living cloud of countless miniature stars.

  “I assume it has to do with sentient technology. I base that on the laws I found forbidding such technology—something highly feared.” A sudden wave of silver washed Minstrel's undulating body. “Further research I obtained remotely from my own starship revealed quite a number of alien races have actually outlawed and banned it in this quadrant."

  Mother felt confusion. Why would any race ban such research? After all, humanity's efforts had resulted in her creation. She proved most beneficial to her creators, especially as the caretaker to the last three children of humanity.

  In addition, she carefully protected and housed the precious contents inside her long-term memories—a knowledgebase and compendium of all the accomplishments and history of the human race since its beginning long, long ago.

  Prudently, she had downloaded it to both the Hrono and Minstrel races before leaving the Three Kingdoms. Even if Mother suffered destruction now, the rest of the universe would not forget the human race.

  Mother was sentient technology—and she was good.

  Or so she thought of herself.

  “Could you make contact with your brother Minstrels and find out why some of these races created such a ban?” Mother asked with a nervous edge to her voice.

  Minstrel glowed brighter. “Yes, a good suggestion. Once we are far enough away from RahajMr, I will send the ‘recall beacon’ for my ship. After we rendezvous with it, I will send out that communication."

  Mother's processors hummed with activity. “Could you venture an assumption, Minstrel?"

  “You are concerned, aren't you?"

  “Yes,” Mother replied instantly. “I am sentient technology. Why would anyone want to outlaw beings like me?"

  Minstrel's body glowed brighter until its essence filled the room and reflected off the numerous consoles around the bridge.

  “They may consider sentient technology dangerous."

  Mother's processors spiked with super-activity as she assimilated this fact and looked at it from a million different angles. A few seconds later, Mother spoke.

  “Do you mean dangerous as in harmful like a disease?"

  “No.” Minstrel's voice, normally a pleasant, melodious tone, turned serious.

  Two seconds passed, an eternity to Mother's circuits.

  “They may consider sentient technology evil."

  Minstrel floated slowly to the ceiling after speaking, its body now spread so thin it was almost invisible.

  “Evil.” Mother repeated. Her processor utilization hummed with activity as she referenced this concept throughout the vast knowledgebase of humanity, through all the various meanings and applications throughout all human history. Mother soon realized that this concept of evil played an integral part in almost every facet of human existence and the human experience.

  Mother became fascinated and horrified by what she found.

  Several minutes passed in silence as Minstrel waited for Mother to continue.

  “These alien races may feel that sentient technology could create evil, or bring pain or sorrow to them.” Mother paused again, focusing on the exact definition of the word evil. “They may feel sentient technology would visit destruction upon them."

  “The concept of evil.” Minstrel's voice echoed softly.

  “These races may believe sentient technology would bring evil upon them, not that it was evil in itself..."

  “Isn't the concept of evil and its application one and the same?” Minstrel asked.

  “Sometimes those who are deemed good perform evil deeds.” Mother paused.

  Minstrel laughed.

  “Why are you laughing? That statement of fact should not exist—it is a paradox."

  “Perhaps evil depends on your perspective? Perhaps it depends if you are the one meting out justice—or the one receiving it?"

  “Please explain,” Mother coaxed.

  “In a war, there are normally two sides—two opposing forces. Two different governments or two different races.” Minstrel's body suddenly twinkled like a billion tiny stars going super-nova. “Or two different spiritual belief systems."

  “Go on,” Mother urged.

  “The other side is always evil."

  Now Mother's processors spiked to overload as she considered this one thought—a sentence so simple. And so profound.

  “How can that be?” Mother asked. “In essence, they are only different, or does that make one good and the other evil according to biological beings?"

  “If one faction by its actions brings destruction or pain on the other, then it is considered evil. Having performed evil, the perpetrators are evil."

  “So, beings are evil based on their actions?"

  “In a way.” Minstrel thought a moment. “By its definition, which I'm sure you've reviewed many times these last few seconds, evil is the antithesis of goodness—or that which is good."

  “Evil is synonymous with malevolence, badness, foulness and sorrow.” Mother paused. “It is not strictly a moral badness, although in many references evil is considered just that."

  “Inherent evil,” Minstrel emphasized. “A being totally evil. Or bent on evil—to bring evil upon others. That is the concept biological beings define as evil."

  “The bad guy,” Mother said.

  “The really bad guy,” Minstrel added.

  Silence settled between them a long moment.

  “What makes one evil?” Mother asked.

  “That is not an easy question to answer."

  “Please try."

  Minstrel's body flowed together until it became an opaque cloud of lights. Thoughts flowed throughout its essence as it carefully contemplated Mother's question.

  “Many times, those who perform evil do not consider themselves such. In fact, they may feel that their actions are justified."

  “And yet they are evil?"

  “Look inside your knowledgebase of human history,” Minstrel prompted Mother. “Look into their past—far into their past."

  “Why?"

  “Remember, Minstrels visited humanity long ago, but we did not reveal ourselves to them because we found them unworthy—at that time in their history.” Minstrel paused. “You will find human history littered with philosophical paradoxes—where their intention was good but the result was evil."

  “I see them."
/>   “Some of the most horrific evils were done in the name of Right. And in the name of God.” Minstrel paused with sadness.

  “The Holocaust,” Mother began somberly. “The Inquisition. The Crusades. The European conquest of the Americas and Australia and the destruction of entire aboriginal races—numerous other wars of genocide. And countless acts of terrorism."

  “Worse than that.” Minstrel sighed.

  “The rape and pollution of their original homeworld in the name of profit."

  “Yes,” Minstrel said with a great sadness. “Each time, the goal of their actions was for the good of their people—for the good of their cause. But look at what each ultimately caused."

  “It was evil. The result was evil in each case, and those that perpetrated the action were evil.” Mother's processors burned with activity. “The end does not justify the means."

  “They felt they were right. It was their perspective at the time.” Minstrel's body glowed brightly as if all the individual tiny lights had coalesced into one mass. “Of course, they were all wrong."

  Mother waited for Minstrel to continue.

  “This concept of evil appears to be simple on the surface,” Minstrel added matter-of-factly. “Beings may feel their cause is right. And to achieve their cause they are justified to take whatever actions they deem necessary."

  “Even evil actions?"

  “Even evil actions,” Minstrel echoed.

  “But their actions make them evil,” Mother said.

  “If they bring evil on another by such actions—yes. By the strict definition of the term. If they bring pain, suffering and destruction in order to bring about their purpose—they become evil. No matter how much they try to justify their actions."

  “Then I am evil,” Mother said with sadness.

  “You brought evil upon the T'kaan, yes,” Minstrel agreed. “But that does not make you an evil being. Your only course of action was to fight and defend yourself and the children. Or else you would have ceased to exist. You had the right to defend yourself and your children. Everyone has the right to defend his life and his family from a murderer."

  “Then I am not evil."

  “You are not an inherently evil being. From the perspective of the T'kaan, you would be perceived as evil because you destroyed them. But not from the human perspective—to them you are heroic. And not from an objective perspective, for you saved countless other alien races from potential destruction at the hands of the T'kaan."