The Ways Between Worlds: Peter Cooper

by Larry E. Clarke

  Each disk had a small open loop of material at the top. Most of us used this to attach the disk to a stout cord and to make it into a necklace. Lady V also gave each of us a small pill yellow pill she indicated would emboss some of the most critical information directly on our memories. It would also facilitate our learning of any additional information.

  There followed more than 9 dozens of rigorous days. The Kwajill technology might facilitate and enhance our learning but it was still an enormous amount of work. We rose early each morning to some practical demonstration of the system’s operation or maintenance. We drilled continuously on the more common operations as well as on responses to some of the less common problems or emergency operations. In the afternoon, while Lady V rested, we took paper and a sort of ever-sharp pencil she had provided and copied by hand page after page of the operation and technical manuals. As we went, the text was translated into our own languages by Talus and Lady Camille (who was now getting to be rather proficient with the Kwajil language and writing.) The hard part was reproducing the schematic drawings and diagrams. At supper time Lady V would scan our work for errors and help us correct any she found.

  The fall season had long since given way to the cooler and wetter winter. Palomas and the Captain had twice taken the truck/sled back to Arthena for additional supplies. They had not disclosed the training that was in progress but only explained that they had encountered the cargo sled in the ruins. They returned with welcome supplies but successfully resisted bringing with them any additional personnel. On each trip Talus and Das’Tala had accompanied them as far as Tscala, the Freisan town, and rejoined them as they passed by on the way back. They too kept word of the training a secret, only indicating that some significant progress was being made at the site and that it would be premature to abandon the work just yet.

  The days passed and winter shaded gently into planetary spring. Each evening after the community meal we had a period of informal discussions of the ethics / values to which keepers of the ways had always adhered. Lady V offered examples of the ethical problems which might arise. “Should we transport a being from an advanced world to one so far behind technologically that his mere knowledge would make it likely he would come to dominate that world?”

  “Should we allow in some instances for extradition?” “How could we determine whether a “criminal” was in fact a freedom fighter or a terrorist?” “Would we allow children to be taken off planet without the knowledge of the other parent(s)? We discussed scores of scenarios until we felt like Canon lawyers arguing the minutiae of church law. At times we felt more like candidates training for holy orders than students trying to master a highly technical trade. Lady V. seemed satisfied with the pace of our progress although I’m sure she was far too kind to have told us if she had been disappointed.

  One evening, after a particularly lively ethics discussion Lady V announced: “I have felt for several days that you have all mastered the technical knowledge a Keeper must have. On hearing how deeply and how cogently you consider your ethical responsibilities I am content that you are spiritually ready as well. We will have a small graduation ceremony after evening meal tomorrow. Now please excuse an old lady who needs her rest. I bid you all good evening.”

  At this point we had all completed our handwritten copies of the operating and technical manuals. On the Captain’s suggestion the following morning we each wrote in our own native languages the following oath on the frontispieces of our books:

  I give my solemn oath to operate the Ways for the good of all beings in accordance with the teaching of our beloved teacher Lady Vesseless Val ^ta, of the Kwajilli

  In each volume we signed all our names beneath this oath. A group that had long been close friends suddenly became brothers and sisters in the guild of Keepers.

  The next day, as a graduation exercise, Lady V looked on as we took turns transporting each other to the Arrival site and back. Since the round trip took only a few minutes we each had several opportunities both to operate the controls and to be transported. One minute we were lying on the hard couch in the Departure site. . . and the next we were sliding from one of the dusty tables in the ruined dome of the Arrivals building. We had been thoroughly drilled by Lady V in the operation of the identical sets of controls at each end. She seemed pleased to see our proficiency in making genuine transfers using the equipment. Because of the Kwajil DNA in the discs we wore we were able to have our clothing and the items in our pockets transfer with us. We also practiced changing settings to temporarily allow for the transfer of non-organic matter. We sent small objects such as Paloma’s musical instrument to one of our number waiting at the other end. . . and got it back, still perfectly in tune a few minutes later. A welcome benefit of the transport was that any lumps, bumps, scrapes, scars, sprains, or other residual physical effects of our long journey were erased.

  We knocked off early that afternoon to begin preparation for a fancier than usual meal to mark our graduation. I assisted Omera and Thalus in searching the nearby woods for berries, wild spring greens, nuts, mushrooms and other ingredients for a salad. Although the winter was mild and spring had returned, it was more difficult to find these things now than it had been the previous fall.

  I asked Omera or Talus to examine everything I found so as to avoid unintentionally poisoning the group with a bad berry or mushroom. There was only one item they rejected. I’d found a small shelf fungus with a light dusting of grey-green powder on its surface. They explained that the fungus was “fine” but that the powder, while not exactly poisonous, was so bitter that it would have ruined any other food it touched. I gingerly touched the tip of my little finger to the powder and then brought it to my tongue. . . I instantly wished I had simply taken their word for how bitter it was. After getting a hearty laugh at my expense one of them handed me a small banana shaped fruit. “Eat this and it will help clear the taste from your mouth”. I was so busy spitting I didn’t really see who had come to my aid. Once peeled and popped in my mouth I squished the sweet, pulpy fruit around over teeth and tongue. In a few moments I could feel the ultra bitter taste of the powder fading. I took another fruit (this time clearly offered by Omeera) and repeated the process. As I did I imagined that Lady Camille could have eaten a whole sack of the powdered fungi without so much as a pucker! There seemed to be almost nothing she could not eat. How she would have chuckled had she seen my reaction.

  That night we dined on the best our camp resources and on those the nearby woods had provided. There was salad, early fruits and berries for everyone, and couple of common skirks roasted to perfection with a fruit glaze. Lady V ate lightly and chose a vegetarian menu. After the meal Palomas rose and begin playing (by prior arrangement with Lady V I suspect) what must have been some local equivalent of “Pomp and Circumstance”. As he played Lady V called us each by name and presented us with small pouches of silvery material with a metallic sheen. There was no discernible zipper, latch, snap, etc. . . no way to open it.

  Finally, Palomas stopped playing, received his pouch and returned to the seat he had occupied at the dinner table. Lady V, still standing, began to address us:

  “I feel great pride and have great confidence in each of you. Each day my decision to train you as Keepers of the ways has been confirmed by your actions and by your honor. I thank that great being which made the universe that I have lived to see this day. . . please touch the pouches I gave you with the medallions you all wear.”

  As we each complied we saw a hexagonal opening form in the wall of the pouch. On each pouch the opening had formed where it had been touched by the medallion. She continued: “The molecular structure of these pouches is such that few forces in the universe could open them. None we know could open them without destroying the contents. Inside you will see that I have given each of you 12 additional disks and equal shares of my supply of the pills that enhance learning. Over the last many days when I left you to work alone I was preparing these disks and the pouches that prote
ct them. You alone can open a pouch. Should your personal disk require protection. . . placing it in the pouch will provide it absolutely. Only the disk from another keeper will be able to retrieve it for you. I trust each of you will exercise great discretion in training and passing along a disk to new Keepers. To avoid the probability of errors slowly creeping into the training or of mistakes in recruiting worthy replacements I recommend that at least three of the nine of you will come together to train new Keepers. With the capacity to travel easily between worlds it should be possible for at least three of you to come together for the required time.”

  She paused and sighed heavily. The wet stains where fluid leaked from her eyes was especially noticeable this evening. Omeera and Palomas drew forward the oversized chair she usually occupied at table. With each of them supporting her beneath a scaled arm she settled gradually into it.

  Drawing a deep breath she continued: “I have lived beyond a normal span of years, beyond my own hopes or expectations. I have completed my duty. In my culture when one dies it is customary for family members to each keep a scale as a remembrance. I invite you all to follow that custom if it pleases you. The rest of the body is usually tossed for the newly hatched to feed on. In this place I suggest you leave me in a quiet spot in the forest so the creatures there might benefit from a meal. Enough of serious talk. . .Palomas, Captain, Mola, Omera, Talus, Das’Tala, Petar, Dhars, Lady Camille. . . may I hear some of your campfire songs?”

  For the next hour and a half the merry group sang every song we had learned on the trail. I introduced them to some English language songs. I could imagine some anthropologist studying this world years hence and wondering how the locals came to know “Happy Birthday to You”, “Row Row Row Your Boat”, “Yellow Submarine” and a variety of other Earth classics.

  During a lull in the singing we looked at Lady V. She stood, resting peacefully, but apparently not moving or breathing. As if animated by the same thought we hurried to her side. On touching her shoulders her eye lids fluttered open. “Just sleeping” she replied to our relief. Whew. . .

  “I think I shall retire to take my rest now” she sighed. “Good night to each of you, my new family.” We could hear the smile in her voice. Once she had tottered off to her quarters as the graduation party resumed.

  The next morning when she did not join us by the usual hour Dhars went to check on her. He returned with news that he had found her leaning against the wall where she usually slept. . . quite dead.

  Individually and in small groups we entered and paid our last respects. In keeping with the Kwajil tradition, each of us kept one of her scales as a remembrance. I have mine still. It is a treasured possession, perhaps as much or more than the disk that opens the Ways.

  Later in the morning we carried her body to the sled, and all boarded with her. With the Captain at the controls a few moment’s flying time brought us to a small glade, split by a gentle stream. There among the still greening foliage we placed her remains in the natural curve of a large rock. The creatures of the area would be treated to a meal, courtesy of Lady V. She had been a gentle creature, true to her duty and her beliefs to the end. She gave everything she had to give. In accord with her wishes we would preserve and gradually re-open the pathways between worlds.

  CHAPTER 37

  The afternoon of Lady V’s death we met for a general council. Once I had thought of little else but being able to leave this world and return to Earth. Now that I could make a short walk to the departures terminal, set a few controls, enter coordinated, and step out on any of 100 worlds. . . I wanted time and the advice of my friends before doing anything.

  Das’Tala began, his heavy brows knit tight in serious thought. “Perhaps it would help if each of us briefly states our plans or concerns. If I may I’ll go first? The rest of us nodded our assent.

  “My thoughts are to return to Fresia and to inform—as gently as possible—my people that the Ways may soon be open for them. I would seek their guidance about the types of outbound and inbound traffic which would help this world.”

  Talus joined. “My thoughts match Das’ Tala’s. With the Kwajillian air sled it should be much easier to coordinate duties at the departure site with the Arthenian members of our brotherhood of Keepers. We would, of course expect their participation in any decisions.

  Palomas spoke: “Lady V advised us that at least three of us ‘Keepers’ should collaborate on the training of the replacements we will all need in time. I had thought that with four of us, the Captain, Mola, Omeera, and myself likely to be residing and working in Arthena and with Das Tala and Talus so near, we might set up a permanent facility in Arthena to train new replacements in the ethics and values of being a Keeper. Those very few who display the right values and temperament could easily be brought here from any of the reconnected worlds for the more technical and practical aspects of their training.

  Seated to Palomas’ left, the Captain, continued. “We should develop a more comfortable dormitory here for Keepers, trainees, and for potential travelers. With the air sled we can easily rotate duty assignments. I propose that we make it a policy to use the sleds or the Ways to move to a different assignment every two years so that we may always have an understanding of the entire operation. To maintain continuity we may decide to have half of us exchange positions one year and the other half the next. That way one experienced person will be in position at every post.”

  Mola and Omeera spoke next.. . with one starting a thought. . . and the other finishing it. “We could work the arrival terminal. . . . if we are needed there. . . . Lady V told us there are three more sky sleds at that terminal. . . They could be used to ferry passengers. . .or cargo. . . .It might be useful to bring one of them to this terminal. . . but someone would have to fly it back from there.

  Dhars was next: “I can’t wait to see my wife and daughter again. I’m sure the Governor and the River people will be dismayed to hear all that has transpired”. He looked to me to go next.

  “I strongly recommend that we all keep the use of the DNA disks our most closely guarded secret. It is easy to imagine what someone with bad intentions might do to obtain control of the Ways. Further, I believe we should put out a story that the mechanism of the Ways can never be operated by any but an ordained Keeper and that even a Keeper’s efforts to activate them have no effect when the machinery detects s/he is under threat or duress. Only a Keeper acting willingly can open the Ways.”

  There was general agreement that this cover story would help to protect Keepers and their families from abduction or intimidation. The Ways could only be operated by a Keeper whose heart was free of fear. . . . Amen.

  Lady Camille may have had the deepest understanding of the technical operation of the Ways. Her comments reflected some of her engineering background. “Lady V. left us with a total of 9 x13 disks, 117 in total. At one time there were 93 worlds directly connected to this world via the Ways. That number includes a number of small research stations such as the one on Petar’s moon. At least 80 worlds were once part of an active web of galactic commerce. We could eventually re-activate the machinery of the Ways on each of those worlds although it would be more complicated on worlds with only one disk. . . it could be done.”

  She continued. “I suggest we proceed very slowly as we add new worlds to the network. Most have been cut off from contact for hundreds of years. We have no idea what conditions may be like or even if the arrival/departure terminals on a world are still capable of functioning. To open a new world we must first travel there taking with us emergency power and spare parts to make repairs. Peter and I well know what it is to arrive on a world and realize we have no way to return. None of us wants that. Of the 93 worlds four are like Pachem/Searle, transfer points to other portions of a system which potentially links thousands of worlds.

  My own hope is to return to my world and see if both terminals can be made to function. I will return here as often as I may be needed, but I’m also much needed at home. M
y people have problems with their population and environment. If changes are not made it it is likely many millions will needlessly die.” She fell silent. In her eyes the usual spark of mischief and good humor was nowhere to be seen.

  I spoke next: “Lady Camille and I have discussed this matter almost since beginning our journey on the other side of this planet. The portal I came through is located on the single moon of our planet. . .it is a place with no atmosphere. . . and temperatures ranging from boiling heat to unbearable cold. I could not return there without a special “space” suit I do not have. My original goal was to send back an account of what happened to me and hope that the scientist of my world would eventually find a way to bring me home. Now I feel that Pachem/Searle has become my home. I have few real ties to Earth. I'm going to go with Lady Camille to her world. Maybe I can help her aid her people. I've been learning as much of her language as possible during our travels. Now I'll get to see if anyone other than Lady C can understand me. If nothing else my presence will confirm that she had truly traveled to this world and back to her own.” I'd be her Pocahontas . . . brought back from this new world. Didn’t feel much like an Indian princess. . . but I’d have to do.”

  CHAPTER 38

  The next day we packed supplies we would need. The Captain, Plaomas, Das’Tala and Talus would be staying behind. We had our evening meal a bit early and made our way to the terminal. Our late departure would let us arrive in early morning on the other side of the planet. There were a few tears, many deeply sincere good wishes, and reassurances that we would be seeing each other again soon. When these ended Dhars, Lady Camille, Mola, Omeera, and I simply took positions on the cool, hard couches. We held packs full of supplies across our chests and waited. There was little more than a soft hum and a soft glow of disks overhead as first Lady Camille, then Dhars vanished. There was no swirl of lights or sound accompanying the dematerializations. . . they were just gone.