The threat of the Maw was bad enough, he supposed.
The rumblings from below had subsided again, but L'Kell had been unable to establish contact with the city. In the absence of information, they were trying not to speculate too much on what that might mean. It was possible that the comm failure was simply due to acoustic interference from the Maw's muttering stomach.
"On your world," L'Kell said, breaking Bandicut's reverie, "where do your spirits go when you die?"
Bandicut grunted, taken by surprise. "Well, I—don't really know. I don't know if they go anywhere. There are lots of . . . beliefs . . . among my people. About God, and Heaven, and so on. They vary pretty widely."
"Yes? And your own beliefs?"
"Well, I . . . never really decided which I thought was right," he confessed, suddenly embarrassed by such indecision, or ignorance.
/// I have wondered myself
why you seemed so unsure. ///
/Why?/ Bandicut asked in surprise. /Do you know the answer?/
/// Not in the sense you mean.
I of course believe in
the immortality of the spirit.
But I suspect that holds a somewhat
different meaning for me. ///
Bandicut frowned. /Yes, I suppose it might./
"Well," said Li-Jared from farther back in the cockpit, "we know where our spirits go. We see it in the sky every night, at home."
"Yes?" asked L'Kell.
"We call our world Home with Green, Beautiful, Perilous Sky—among other names. It is not like your night sky, L'Kell. It is filled with highly energetic, nearby stars and gas clouds. It is indeed perilous, and beautiful."
Bandicut looked back at him. "And?"
"It is the belief of most Karellians that our spirits ascend into certain of the clouds or energy pathways that coil through the sky of Karellia. Some of those energetic clouds contain extremely complex holographic patterns." Li-Jared made a soft, thoughtful, gonging sound and added, "The Astari are not too different in their beliefs. I spoke with Harding on our journey to the surface."
"What did Harding say?" Antares asked. She was hunkered in the back of the compartment with Li-Jared.
"Well," said the Karellian, "the Astari know they came here from the stars. That they are exiles here. Many of them are certain that their spirits return to the stars at the end of life. Harding believed this, also."
Bandicut thought of Harding's death, and wished that they could have found a way to pay greater respects. But would it have made any difference to Harding? Was his spirit now floating among the stars somewhere, exploring the galaxy? Or riding the great wheel of existence, waiting to step off on the next plane? Or awaiting his entry through the gates of Heaven?
/// An interesting question. ///
/Interesting, yes. But I haven't a clue to the answer./
/// Or rather, you have many clues.
You just haven't figured out
how to read them. ///
/Maybe that's it./
"They return to the stars as we return to the sea," said L'Kell, and he somehow seemed satisfied with that notion. He reached to try the comm again.
This time he got an answer, scratchy and indistinct. Bandicut couldn't understand a word of it, and neither could L'Kell. But someone was still down there, transmitting. L'Kell tried again. This time he got no answer at all.
*
They finally got a signal, abruptly clearer, just as the lights of the undersea city were beginning to appear out of the night-gloom of the depths. ". . . Send Tandu and the other sub to the nursery complex . . . need tools and patching equipment . . ." And then it faded, just as abruptly, to a hiss.
L'Kell focused intently on his piloting. "That wasn't for us," he said, but there was satisfaction in his voice. "It was local communications, scattered through the water. The sound-carrying channels must be scrambled by the turbulence and aftershocks."
Soon they were in sight of the outer habitats. They were relieved to find that the city was still there. Even so, Bandicut was shocked by the sight of several habitat bubbles partially broken from their moorings—swinging alarmingly, or jammed up hard against other habitats. L'Kell finally got through on the comm and was asked to make best speed to the main hangar. No time to make a survey sweep of the damage.
As they surfaced in the hangar pool, Bandicut had the feeling that they had returned to a city that had just survived a typhoon.
*
"No contact at all from the factory?" Bandicut asked Ik. He looked around at Neri hurrying about on various missions of damage control. Their resources were strained, and everyone in the city was hard at work.
Ik, who had met them at the first level above the hangar, rubbed his chest with his fingertips. "We received a single transmission from Nabeck, saying that there was a lot of bottom instability. Then the transmission was lost—not cut off sharply, but gradually blocked, perhaps by interference."
"That's encouraging, then."
"Yes. But we also heard from Kailan and Elbeth that they had picked up signs of crustal movement close to the factory— which is not." When Bandicut winced, Ik tipped his sculpted blue-white head. "But they weren't sure enough of their readings to know how bad it really was."
Antares spoke up. "Is there any way to find out, short of going down there?"
"I don't think so. Unless they transmit, somehow."
Bandicut saw L'Kell returning from a quick trip to report to Askelanda. "What did he say?" Then Bandicut saw the Neri behind L'Kell, and he drew a sharp breath. "Lako, is that you?"
L'Kell stepped out of the way to let the second Neri move in front. "I am feeling much better now," said Lako, bowing his head slightly before Bandicut. "I have come to offer whatever help I can." As he raised his head, Bandicut could see some scarring on Lako's face where the blisters had healed. Lako's eyes looked clear, and while he seemed to be moving with some difficulty, it was a miracle that he was moving at all. "And to say thank you," Lako added.
"You're welcome. You're our first success story."
"But not," said Lako, "your last. When you have time, I know Corono would like you to come visit the ward—to see how many are recovering. Ik has been continuing your work, in your absence."
"I would love to," Bandicut said.
"Askelanda will want to talk with you first, I think," said L'Kell. "He was pleased to hear that we were back. But damage to the city is barely under control right now; he can't even spare a sub immediately for the factory. But as soon as he can, he'll approve a scouting and rescue expedition." L'Kell paused, taking note of Bandicut's troubled expression. "We're all worried, John. Let's just hope your robots and our people and our subs are okay. We can't afford to lose any of them."
Bandicut nodded agreement. And from Antares, he sensed, Patience. Have patience, and faith. And he knew that she was just as worried as he was.
"John, we just heard from S'Cali," Ik said. "He's on his way back here, but there are still Neri needing help inside the shipwreck. And also injured Astari. I believe that's a place where I might be of help."
Li-Jared spoke for the first time, bonging softly. "You want to return to the starship?"
Ik's black eyes gleamed with inner light. "S'Cali is going to go back with the cargo sub, to load whatever materials the Astari can provide, as well as the remaining injured. I would like to assist him. By the time we return, perhaps you will have your answers about the factory, and how to make contact with the Maw. And with luck, we will have the materials you need." Ik cocked his head. "Lako intends to go, too."
Bandicut was startled.
"To help the Neri and the Astari," said Lako.
Bandicut saw L'Kell's silent approval, and thought, Lako might make a fine good-will ambassador, as one sorely hurt who now wished to help build bridges. Bandicut knew it made sense to divide up their energy and resources; and yet, something made him wish that he could keep his company together right now. He had a feeling that that could
be important, in the near future. But he could hardly object to the plan. "Be careful," he said.
"Indeed," Ik murmured. "But come. Let's not keep Askelanda waiting."
*
Askelanda listened intently as they described their meeting with Morado. He seemed genuinely saddened to hear of Harding's death. But he responded with surprising grace to the agreement with Morado: the Astari would help the Neri gather materials needed by the factory, but the Neri would otherwise refrain from further salvage efforts on the ship. "Fair enough, if they are true to their word," Askelanda said. Apparently some of Harding's peacemaking efforts had had their effect on the Neri ahktah.
Their discussion was interrupted at that point by word that a sub had returned from the factory—not the sub carrying Nabeck and the robots, but the one that had been stationed to assist them. The sub's young pilot, Gilleum, was brought in to give his report. He was so nervous and exhausted that he had to repeat himself several times before everyone understood.
". . . yes, that's right. The ledge over Nabeck's sub just seemed to crumble when the quake hit. I backed away, but Nabeck couldn't. We were able to stay in voice contact for a while, and he seemed okay. But then when the silt cleared—" Gilleum looked around in apparent confusion.
"The sub was just gone?" L'Kell asked. "Or buried?"
"Buried, I thought at first. Except that there wasn't really that much debris piled up. And a lot of it had fallen away from the spot, not onto it. The only thing we could guess was that Nabeck's sub had gotten swallowed up by the factory. But that seemed crazy."
"But you still had voice contact?" Askelanda repeated.
"Just for a few seconds. It was very scratchy and hard to understand. He said he was all right, but blind. I thought he said his lights worked, but he couldn't see anything. Or say what had happened. But I thought he said, 'There's no seawater outside the sub. There's a yellow fluid.' " Gilleum raised his hands in bewilderment.
Bandicut looked at L'Kell. "Is that possible? Could he have been taken into the factory itself? You've got all of these amazing membranes—"
"I have never seen it happen," said L'Kell. "But the factory certainly had docking ports, and various ways of loading cargo submarines, when it was functioning."
"But did it take subs right inside?"
L'Kell looked at Askelanda, who said, "Long ago, I believe it did. But in my lifetime, it has only allowed subs to dock with it." Askelanda spread his finger webs in uncertainty. "It may be that the obliq has information on this."
"So really we need to go down and see, yes?" Bandicut looked at L'Kell, thinking of the unspoken part of the question: if Nabeck and the robots weren't inside the factory, then they must have been swept over the ledge and into the abyss.
Askelanda conferred with L'Kell. "The subs are all being recharged. When one is ready, we'll go."
Bandicut sighed with impatience, despite his own bone-weariness. "How long can Nabeck last, if he's really trapped in the factory? Don't your subs extract their air from the water?"
"Yes, of course," L'Kell said. "But—oh, I see. If the sub is no longer in water, he'll be on reserve air . . ."
The elder Neri said, "He's alone, so he can last awhile. Maybe two days, maybe three. But it is no good going before the sub is ready. Or you are ready. Now, you must rest while you can. We will get you when it is time . . ."
*
Bandicut tried to sleep, but couldn't get over a feeling of cold and loneliness. His friends were all elsewhere, planning their next activities. Antares and Li-Jared would be going to help Kailan. Ik would be leaving shortly with S'Cali; the Neri had reported that many of those still in the sunken ship needed help, and soon.
Bandicut tossed and turned under the Neri blankets, even after Char tried to help him relax. After a while, Li-Jared came in and sat in a corner of the room, staring silently into the night of the sea. He seemed troubled, and didn't engage Bandicut in conversation; but his presence was like a storm cloud, silent and brooding. A little later, Antares came in, carrying her blankets from the room where she had slept previously. She spoke softly for a moment to Li-Jared, then spread her blankets out near Bandicut and lay down.
He looked at her questioningly. "He's thinking about Harding," Antares murmured. Bandicut nodded, and after a minute closed his eyes, blanket pulled around his neck.
This time he went to sleep almost instantly.
*
When he awoke, it was to the sound of urgent conversation. He focused on the sounds before he opened his eyes. It was Antares and L'Kell—Antares telling the Neri that she could feel that Bandicut needed more sleep. "Is it urgent enough to wake him? I know it's important, but will it make any difference if he learns just a little later?"
" 'S okay," Bandicut mumbled, rolling over. "What is it?"
"Contact from your robots!" L'Kell cried, his voice rasping with excitement. "A recorded message."
"What? Where? How?"
"On the comm. Askelanda sent a scout-sub down, and they're picking up transmissions and relaying them. Do you want to hear what they're saying?"
"What do you think?" Bandicut got to his feet with a groan. Antares had been right; he definitely needed more sleep. He realized that she felt chagrined for trying to stop L'Kell, and he reached out to touch her arm. "Thank you, really. You were right. But I wouldn't miss this for anything."
As the three walked together to the communications room, he asked, "Why'd Askelanda send someone else?"
L'Kell looked at him as if he'd asked a stupid question. "You were sleeping quite soundly, my friend. As Askelanda pointed out, there are many here who are capable of undertaking a deep-water search, and summoning you if they found anything." L'Kell paused as Antares made a sound of a hissing chuckle. "He sent Targus and two others."
"And have they found the robots and Nabeck?"
L'Kell's breathing slits flared in excitement. "Not precisely, but they've located the area. Somehow the robots are getting their signal out from below the seafloor. Here's the comm room." They crowded in, and the Neri at the panel made the necessary connections to play the recording. The room was filled with a hiss of watery static . . . and then a robot's voice, in halting Neri:
"This is Copernicus. We are unharmed, and inside the factory space. Nabeck reports he is well, and finds sufficient oxygen in the fluid surrounding the submersible to maintain his breathing needs. He estimates power will last four more days at his present low rate of use, with reserve for return. Napoleon is presently in contact with the factory head, and is attempting to restart production of nano-assemblers and self-repair devices. Initial restart should be possible with materials on hand. However, the previously requested materials are needed as soon as possible. They need not be refined. Refining can be accomplished here, once self-repair is underway . . ."
The Neri operator cut off the playback. "Something new is coming in on the relay."
It was a Neri voice. "This is Nabeck. I hope you can hear me. I am well, and hopeful that the robots will arrange a way for us to leave the factory when they are done. It is very strange in here. We appear to be inside a large, flexible chamber. Ambient pressure is normal for this depth. I do not know the nature of the fluid surrounding us, but it is a clear fluid, with occasional swirls of a milky liquid. The robots believe that it is a transport medium for the invisible assemblers that make the factory work. I hope it is not harming the hull of the sub."
Nabeck's voice stopped, and Copernicus's came on again, in English. "We do not know if you are receiving this signal, which we are broadcasting acoustically through the wall of the factory. If you can hear us, you may be able to reply by inserting a probe through the outer membrane where we originally made contact. We will continue to broadcast at intervals, to assist you in locating the spot. We do not know present conditions outside the factory. During the last seismic disturbance, we moved approximately ten meters forward, drawn by a mechanism from inside the factory. We have had no further information fr
om the outside.
"A special note. The factory head's core programming contains numerous operating limitations. Certain of these might prevent it from performing nonspecified or abnormal activities, such as contacting the mechanism of the abyss. This core programming is isolated and protected, and cannot be altered by Napoleon. He is still examining this problem; however, it appears that direct interface with a responsible authority may be required to override the factory head's limitations. Nabeck is unaware of any Neri trained in direct interface methods. However, John Bandicut is so trained. You may wish to consider this question.
"If anyone is receiving this message, please respond . . ."
The message began again, this time in the Neri tongue.
The Neri turned down the volume slightly. "That will probably repeat several times. When the robot pauses, we can transmit back to Targus in the sub. Would you like to send a reply?"
"Tell Targus, 'Message received,' " said L'Kell. "Ask if they've located the entry point, and if they have attempted to establish two-way contact." L'Kell looked at Bandicut and Antares. "Anything you want to add?"
"Yes," said Bandicut. "As soon as you can get a message through to the robots, tell them, 'Well done, be careful, and come back out soon.' "
"Amen," said Antares.
L'Kell led them in search of Askelanda. The Neri leader was in an upper room pacing in conference with several others. When he saw L'Kell and his friends, he motioned to them to join in. L'Kell told Askelanda about the most recent message from Copernicus. "You have heard this transmission from your robots?" Askelanda asked Bandicut.
"Yes."
Askelanda peered at him with eyes that seemed dusty with age, and yet sharp. "And are you capable of making a 'direct connection' with the factory head, such as your robot spoke of?"
Bandicut felt a flashback welling up in him, taking him back to Triton, to the time when he'd just lost his neurolink ability, to the time of silence-fugues, to the time when a new individual in his life, the quarx, had made it possible to regain those kinds of connections. He reeled with the memory, and realized that Char was watching intently, learning, understanding.
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