Toni jumped into the conversation; “Fat chance of that. These people get all tense just discussing genetic evolution, let alone DNA modification. It’s almost as if I practice Black Magic as far as they’re concerned.”
“Would you pass the salt, please?” Dr. Spelini pointed.
Julie said, “Every culture has its phobias, or at least I would think so, but that’s more your area Mark.”
Dr. Decker said, “Of course they do but we’re talking about an advanced society here.”
Dr. Sullivan added, “Well, I’ve noticed it too. They have some prohibition when it comes to genetic enhancement.”
“We’re not advanced enough,” said Dr. Mom. “Check out my interview on the subject; you can search it under the keyword: origin. Unless a civilization has attained spaceflight and created viable off-planet colonies they don’t consider the society mature enough.”
“Toni, I think everyone’s seen the recording of your interview,” said Julie. “If these Chextigans really did violate law or custom by messing with our DNA don’t you think they’d be willing to make an exception and explain to us exactly how it happened?”
“Of course I tried that approach,” replied Toni. “But they were inflexible.”
Dr. Decker said, “I think you’re giving up too easily. Now, trying to get one of the Ito twins to eat red meat; that’s the definition of inflexibility.”
“You’re just upset because Hiromi wouldn’t have dinner with you,” Toni quipped.
“She wouldn’t?” Anzio asked. “I mean, we all eat together anyway don’t we?”
Grinning and in a teasing voice, Julie explained to the table that Dr. Decker had invited Hiromi to a ‘private’ dinner in his room.
Anzio said, “Ahhh…”
A red-faced Dr. Decker exclaimed, “Oh for god’s sake! I’m inviting everyone to dinner. I think it’s important we get to know each other on an individual basis.”
Several ‘Uh huhs’ mixed with laughter were heard around the table.
“Where is Captain Hiromi anyway?” Anzio asked.
In a teasing voice Julie said, “You haven’t invited me to dinner.”
Dr. Decker said, “That’s because it would be pointless. Unless of course you’d really like to…”
“No thank you,” Julie said quickly.
“Anyway,” Dr. Sullivan picked up. “There’s definitely a proscription on talking about genetic enhancement.”
“Would anyone care if I were to eat the last chicken wing?” Anzio asked.
“Go for it.”
Dr. Sullivan continued, “I mean it just doesn’t add up. These guys are opening up about their society in so many areas yet they play dumb when it comes to DNA by design.”
Dr. Decker interrupted sarcastically, “Yes and there was a second gunman on the grassy knoll and the entire Obamacare episode was just a ruse so the Federal government would have to step in and nationalize the healthcare system… really, you’re too smart to believe in conspiracies.”
Anzio said, “Mark, you’re being quiet. What do you think?”
Dr. Sullivan continued his back-and-forth with Dr. Decker, “We just had 300 people murdered by an alien civilization and you think we should automatically trust the next group that comes along simply because they’re more advanced than we are? I just think that’s a little crazy.”
Mark finished a wing and interjected, “I don’t think we should trust the Noridians, I think Obamacare was a ruse, I find the twins to be very flexible, and I think our own Dr. Mom did an incredible job getting the information out of the Noridians because I think Dr. Sullivan is right- they’re holding out on us. Also, are there anymore wings?”
Dr. Decker added pointedly, “I’ll tell you what crazy is. It’s making judgments on a people when their thinking is light years ahead of us!”
Julie said, “Anzio, are you ok?”
“Did he just snort beer through his nose?” Toni asked.
Dr. Sullivan asked Dr. Decker, “Are you serious? You think that just because their technology is ahead of ours, it makes them superior to us ethically and morally?”
“Anzio, what’s so funny?”
“This is going nowhere. Mark my words…” Dr. Decker was interrupted when everyone’s attention was suddenly taken by the noise of the house speaker system turning on…
General Nesbit was standing at the front of the room and started talking into a hand-held microphone. “Hello everyone. I didn’t plan on addressing you tonight but since it looks like everyone is here it might be a good time.”
“I know there has been a lot of rumors and speculation going on and it can be exhausting worrying about what’s true and what isn’t. Washington hasn’t exactly authorized me to confirm anything or release any information but I think this group represents the best and brightest our planet has to offer, and I want you to know as much as I do.
“First of all, there is no reason to think that any of your loved ones that you might be leaving behind aren’t safe or won’t be safe. It is true that the fact that we are in communication with the Noridians, and the fact that we are preparing to send a team to their world, has leaked. The world’s population has had mixed reactions to this news. There have been protests in many countries but by far most of these protests have been peaceful and nonviolent.
“As I say, most of these protests have been peaceful but not all. Two days ago what are suspected to be state sponsored terrorists were interdicted trying to smuggle a nuclear bomb into the Israeli city of Haifa. Unfortunately, the bomb was detonated before it could be neutralized.
“Three hours later, in response to what it considers an unprovoked act of war, Israel launched two nuclear missiles; one each at military bases in the Syrian cities of Damascus and As-Suwayda.
“For the handful of our team members that live or have immediate family in that part of the world please rest assured that our State Department has already confirmed that your families are safe and unharmed. If any of you that don’t live in those areas have solid reason to believe that family members could have been traveling in those areas you are authorized to file a safety verification report on your Smartpad and we will do everything possible to confirm their safety before our departure tomorrow.
“It is the government’s belief that this situation will not escalate although I’d be lying if I said that things aren’t still volatile.
“There is a rumor that our sudden departure is because the Noridian’s didn’t want to stick around and get caught up in a nuclear war – I can personally confirm to you that this is not the case. I was informed a full 36 hours before our mission leaked that the Noridian ship was ready to receive us and to prepare for departure. Our government has asked us to accelerate that departure by a few days in the hopes that our leaving might lower tensions.
“We all owe a big thanks to the Head of our Diplomatic Mission, Ambassador Quentin Rutledge. Ambassador Rutledge was able to get the commitment from our government that in the unlikely event that hostilities do escalate to other regions all earthbound family members of this mission will be moved to safety on a priority basis. I’m guessing he probably had to twist some arms to get a concession like that but I think it’s important that we can focus on our mission without having to be overly concerned about those we leave behind.
“And this brings me to the important part of this impromptu discussion; focus. I don’t have to remind you how important this mission is. To say that it’s historic would be an understatement. Mankind is at a nexus; we can find a way to be respected, to contribute, and to bring something unique to the galactic table or we can settle into a second-class existence and possibly lose control of our own destiny.
“We need to understand the situation better. Every single member of this mission is not only important for your ability to understand what they show us but also as a set of eyes and ears that can gather information and help us understand what they don’t show us; what they might need, what they might hide. R
emember, as awe inspiring as their advanced technology is every culture has its ugly side. Yes, we want to make friends but as they say in the real world, this is business.
“I know that all of you will find a way to put personal fears and professional differences behind you. I believe that each and every one of you will perform at your very best and place the mission’s success as your first priority. I believe that when our grandkids one day learn about us in grade school, they’ll be proud of us.”
Chapter 14
Summary
Noridian Interview Blogcast #647
Security Classification: Ultra Secret Black Diamond
Access Authorization: Broken Star Personnel Only
Operational Priority: Level 1
In Attendance:
For the Noridian’s: Hemyet
For Earth Team: Dr. Steve Smith - PhD, Information Technology, programming specialist
Subject Tags:
Implant
Database
Data retrieval
Internet
Network
LAN
Summary:
Dr. Smith accurately guessed that the Noridians are constantly linked to their own Local Area Network (LAN). The physical range of the LAN is not known.
This network functions on a frequency or type of carrier that is unknown and currently undetectable by us.
They each access this network via bioware – nanotechnologically grown augmentation in the brain and surrounding the optical nerve. It is unclear if the bioware is organic, inorganic, or a combination of both.
Apparently the same or similar augmentation is prevalent in all advanced galactic cultures.
The software interface is via thought process and can convey coherent language as well as high resolution images. In effect, the Noridians can silently communicate with each other and record or share real-time images.
This technology allows the Noridians to literally control their machinery via thought control.
According to Hemyet their ship contains one (several?) processing nodes for the LAN.
The most startling revelation however has to do with data storage. According to Hemyet their processing nodes have real-time access to quantum data stores that could be physically located anywhere in the galaxy.
Chapter 15
Dr. Mark Spencer
I pulled out some chicken wings that I’d commandeered before we’d left the mess hall and passed some of them to Anzio.
“Anzio, I just realized what’s been bugging me,” I proclaimed as I sat at my desk and absentmindedly chewed a wing.
We had left Julie to finish her conversation with Dr. Sullivan and had walked back to my room. I wasn’t sure if General Nesbit’s speech lightened the mood or made it heavier – people seemed a little less frantic but more self-absorbed and churlish.
“Does it have anything to do with an alien species that I cannot bring myself to trust?” quipped Anzio.
“It’s the music. When Dr. Bell and I went to Jaki’s apartment, or VIP quarters, or whatever they’re calling it there was music playing in the background until we sat down.”
“Yes? Well, we all have the ability to make playlists and pipe music into our rooms so does it really surprise you that the VIP quarters can also?”
“No Anzio. That’s just it,” I said. “Neither Jaki or Zeke turned anything off – at least not mechanically. They had to be controlling it through their bioware. It was their equipment.”
“Mark, I know it has been a long day and we are tired but my friend you are not making any sense,” Anzio said as he plopped down at his usual spot at the foot of my bed.
“So what if they had their own equipment? For all we know she could have a 10,000 watt amplifier and speaker system in her left earring – if she wore earrings – and we’d never know it.
“Does it really make any difference?”
“I don’t know if it makes any difference or not Anzio but what bugs me is not how she was playing it, it’s what she was playing; it was The Beatles.”
“The Beatles?”
“Yeah, the Beatles.”
∆∆∆
“Well, I suppose if they’ve been monitoring our culture it’s not unusual that they’d find some music they liked,” said Julie.
We were at breakfast the next morning with Julie and Dr. Mom when Anzio described my preoccupation with what must surely be an unimportant detail.
Anzio responded, “More like monitoring our elevators.”
“No, that’s the thing,” I interjected. “It wasn’t an elevator remake without lyrics; this was the original stuff – I recognized Paul McCartney’s voice.”
“Earth to Mark, earth to Mark,” called Julie. “I think even an addlebrained history professor like you could realize that we have more important things to think about than their taste in music.”
Dr. Mom laughed and gently chided Julie by singing, “Oh Julie, let him be. Let him be. Let him beeeee. Whisper words of wisdom (by now the whole table had joined in), let him be, let him be.”
Dr. Decker had been about to sit down but without a break in his step had veered away from the table – which of course only led to more laughter. Maybe it was all of the tension we were under but the laughter was a needed relief.
“Well, it’s good to see that some of us are having fun,” Major Reagan said.
“Major Reagan! Please sit down,” at least two of us said at the same time.
He didn’t have a tray and since I was getting ready to grab a second carton of orange juice from the buffet line I asked him if he needed anything?
“No thanks Dr. Spencer, and actually I just came over to speak to you. It’s going to be all over the base soon so I don’t see any reason to keep it private from your tablemates…”
I paused halfway in the act of getting up and sat back down. The military mindset was hard for me to relate to but Major Reagan was a really decent sort and this sounded important enough to delay the seconds on OJ – besides, Hiromi had just sat down with her tray and I absentmindedly reached over and grabbed hers. Probably not a smart thing to do to someone that could rip out your heart with their little finger but I was fortunate that she had developed a tolerance for me which kept her lethality at bay.
“I know that you and Dr. Bell were told to stay away from Jaki and that further interviews with her would be conducted by the diplomatic group and Ambassador Rutledge, but as it turns out Jaki has requested you by name. This might be a great opportunity for the mission and Jaki appears to trust you but I’ve gotta let you know that it’s not scoring you any points with the command staff.”
“Way to go Mark!” and “Good job Mark!” came from Anzio and Dr. Mom.
“Anyway, this evening after we’re boarded and squared away you’re to meet with Ambassador Rutledge and his people to let them brief you on what questions to ask. Then tomorrow you’ll interview Jaki again.
“Oh and Mark, for whatever it’s worth I trust your instincts on handling Jaki but with the Dips… play nice.”
Chapter 16
Major Mathew Reagan, US Army
I never saw the outside of the Noridian ship, at least not so well that I could describe it. We were given embarkation orders that had us boarding by Platoon so my four squads along with my staff gathered in the warehouse structure at the top of the elevators, boarded a bus and took a short ride into the belly of… something.
My four squads and staff were each escorted to one of five elevators that were spaced equidistant around the circular bay. I thought there was a problem at first because there was no sense of motion, but when the doors opened my staff and I walked into a different room.
It was roughly circular with 12 ft. walls and a slightly domed ceiling. The floors and walls were seamless and I have no idea what they were made of. All of the doors would slide open and closed in the blink of an eye and without the slightest sound. The center of the room was a sunken living area given over to tables, chairs and couches whi
le the outside walls were taken up with a circular walkway and doors, hallways or view screens (that were currently showing empty desert).
One door was for the elevator we had just exited from and another two revealed office and briefing accommodations. The other five were each marked with the names of myself and my staff and revealed spacious personal living quarters complete with small dining and sunken living areas, video screen, shower and a larger than expected lavatory as well as a small walk-in closet that held the equipment we had labeled ‘Immediate Access’ (we later learned that the rest of our equipment was stored on the floor below us).
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