Sonata in Orionis (Earth Song Book 2)

by Mark Wandrey

  Minu nodded her head. She did understand, on some levels, On a deeper level the full truth eluded her. Either that or it was just all crap and they were playing a grand joke on the non-scientist. Pip and Ted waited patiently while she thought it all over, neither seemed in a hurry to force her to come to any conclusions. "Are you sure they aren't just trying to keep young species down?"

  "Oh, some of it certainly is," Ted agreed, "like restricting computer data and access to advanced weaponry. The nature of the portals makes empire wide computer networks problematic at best so as you’ve no doubt learned each world has a node of the bigger network, a sort of library extension, which is updated regularly with data deliveries from other worlds. Kind of a hive mind. Our branch was a limited database, and the others know that and don't supply any more information than we already have. The only way to extend the data is by the Tog providing authorization, or our finding it somewhere. The only full time Tog resident is Z'Kal, the data librarian in the Tranquility Chosen complex. Hse guards access through the Concordia data network like a mother hen, and as the sole permanent representative of our Concordia masters; hse power is total."

  "Doesn't seem fair."

  Ted shrugged and smiled. "This is how they have exerted control over young species forever. This much of history, at least, we've been allowed."

  "How much are we missing?" Minu wondered.

  "Compared to a higher order species like Tog or T'Chillen? I'd say we have maybe one percent."

  "That's it?"

  "Maybe less, who knows?" Minu whistled. "We owned even less, but your father put hands on a partial copy during a scrounging operation years ago. He gave it to me and I quietly washed it into our database. It took more than a year to trickle it in under the Z'Kal's very perceptive radar."

  "They're monitoring our local network?"

  "I know it for a fact. When I was a young scientist, long before you were born, we brokered a deal and got a legal database copy. Those in charge were so beside themselves with glee that they quickly uploaded it into the branch. We only got a glimpse at that amazing data before it disappeared and Z'Kal demanded, through official channels of course, the original."

  "And you gave it to them?"

  "Sure did. We didn't dare even try to copy it. It was so much data that the only way to make a copy was to use a main branch computer. It was just so many petabytes, there is no other way. If we tried to copy it we risked being fingered by our own computers. We learned a hard lesson that day. In the end we were at least made aware of how closely we were being monitored. When Z'kal did what hse did, it showed one of the Tog's hold cards. We're a lot more cautious now of any 'obtained' data."

  "We have three branch computers now," Pip bragged, "only two are linked into the main network."

  "Where is the other?"

  Ted pointed at the floor. "A few thousand meters down." Minu nodded in understanding. "It could be linked in an emergency, and it better be one big ass emergency to risk that. The data we've loaded in there is probably way off limits. Even after that, we only have a microscopic fraction of what we'd like to have."

  "I have to say, you've certainly given me a more dynamic view of the universe."

  "If I have at least accomplished opening your eyes and widening the view, then I have to consider this day productive." He went to turn back to his work then stopped, turning back to look at her out of the corner of his eye. "Your father was the best leader of the Chosen to date. I have high hopes for you."

  "Leader, me?" She unconsciously fingered the four gold stars on her collar. Ted caught the motion and grinned. She blushed and pulled her hand away. "Maybe you didn't notice, but I'm a woman."

  "Oh trust me, I noticed." He leered and Minu blushed even brighter. "And what does that have to do with the price of tea in the Boglands?"

  "There has never been a female first. Shit, there hasn't been a single woman to hold two stars!"

  Ted laughed and shook his head. "You talk like the Chosen have been around for thousands of years. Only a hundred years is a time span so short as to go unnoticed by all but the shortest lived species. Besides, maybe the right woman hasn't come along? As we mature from wards of the Tog to partners and eventually to equals, a great many things will change. Chriso oversaw a lot, your generation will see much more. Now if you'll excuse me?"

  Ted didn't wait for her leave before he went back to his reading. Pip took her sleeve and she let herself be led out of the lab. "Quite a guy, huh?"

  "Yeah," she agreed, still shaken by the notion, even an implied notion, that she could be First Among the Chosen.

  "He likes you."

  "He either likes me, or wants to have sex with me."

  "Probably both," Pip admitted as they walked and Minu chuckled. "Don't get caught alone with him. Most of the female lab staff won't work with him, he's incorrigible. I saw a girl the other day who said he just didn't know how to take no for an answer."

  "Would a broken collarbone suffice as an answer to that question?"

  "I suspect it just might."

  Chapter 11

  December 22nd, 515 AE

  Science Department, Chosen Headquarters, Steven’s Pass

  In her new position Minu found herself with more freedom than she knew what to do with. At first she was bored to tears. Aside from morning planning meetings, weekly progress reports, occasional disagreements between her staff (much less common than she expected with Mandi on her team), and supply requisitions, there was little else to do with her days. For a while she would hang around the lab and watch over their shoulders as they worked. That annoyed one and all and Pip eventually asked her to stop before she lost someone out of frustration.

  The next day she decided to go to school. It happened after trying to read one of Alijah's progress reports and having to spend a couple hours looking up term after term on the network. "This is fucking nuts," she finally admitted after looking up what 'gallium' was used for. Putting aside her management work she accessed the planetary network and logged into the University of Plateau. Distance learning was an innovation of the reborn digital age on Bellatrix and Minu found it to her advantage. About a third of the classes were available for distance learning, and that was a start. She uploaded her transcripts from the Keepers Academy and requested admission. The next day she was denied. "Unsatisfactory Delay in Admissions from Academic Career" was the rationale.

  Minu emailed the dean of admissions for an explanation.

  Ms. Alma,

  As the preeminent institution of higher learning on Bellatrix, we must be very particular about the students we take on and under what circumstances. While your academic achievements at the Keepers Academy were sufficient, we find your delay in continuing your education to demonstrate a lack of commitment to higher learning. Opening a slot for you, even in the distance learning program, would therefore be a misappropriation of resources.

  We would cordially invite you to apply for admission to a small local college. Perhaps after a year of academic progress your situation can be reevaluated.

  Yours Truly,

  Harold Osmond, Dean of Admissions.

  University of Plateau.

  "Asshole!" she cursed in her empty office after reading the letter a second time. Who the fuck did he think he was? It wasn't like she'd been flipping kloth burgers at a restaurant while deciding what to do with her life. That was when she realized he probably had no idea what she'd been doing. She wrote back to him right away.

  Mr. Osmond,

  I respectfully request you reconsider your admission policy in my case. I think if you consider my background since graduation and the career I am pursuing, you will realize that there is no danger of a lack of commitment or follow through if you chose to assign me a position.

  Yours in service to the Tog,

  Minu Alma, Chosen (4C)

  She added the 4C as an afterthought, knowing that it was highly unlikely the academic would know what it meant and would take some time to find o
ut. She was mistaken, his reply arrived in minutes.

  Chosen Alma,

  I am sorry for the earlier misunderstanding. Had you mentioned that you were Chosen we would have immediately made all due arrangements. Any classes you wish to access are open to you, including distance learning and accelerated programs.

  It has always been our policy to welcome any current or past member of the Chosen and would be honored to have you in our student body.

  With Respectful Appreciation,

  Harold Osmond, Dean of Admissions.

  University of Plateau.

  Minu laughed at that last. Yours Truly turned to Respectful Appreciation. Being a Chosen did have its advantages. Of course they'd do whatever they could to make her happy. Who would want it to be known you'd denied a Chosen anything, much less a chance to better themselves?

  Attached to the email was a student ID pass code which she used to see what sort of classes there were. The university offered a dazzling spectrum of choices. After a day of considering, and another email from Harold Osmond hoping she hadn't changed her mind, she contacted Pip and asked for advice.

  "Are you serious?" he asked.

  "You bet."

  "How serious? Do you want to become a scientist, or just be less confused by those that are?"

  "How about somewhere in between?" He smiled and began giving her a list of classes. "I want to understand what we're doing here, and how best to direct our efforts." Pip nodded as he looked over the list. "And I want to be able to figure out if Ted is right." Pip looked up and gave her an appraising look.

  "Okay," he said and added more classes.

  "How many classes have you taken since graduation?" she asked as he wrote.

  "Well, I earned my first bachelors before the Trials, I'm on track to finish a double PHD by this summer."

  Minu shook her head. “You were all of fourteen during the Trials! And with all the work now, how do you have time to sleep?"

  "Who sleeps?"

  Minu started her classes the next week and in a few days she was beginning to miss all that free time. Her decision to begin classes came several weeks after the semester started. She was forced to work three times as fast and get used to academic classes again. When she missed her first assignment deadline because of a Chosen planning meeting, she found a terse email from her professor.

  Chosen Alma,

  You must be aware that your status as a member of the privileged Chosen will provide you no slack whatsoever. If you do not meet your academic requirements I can and will flunk you. Don't waste my, and my associate professors’, time by taking classes you don't have the time, desire or knowledge to complete.

  Katherine Diego, professor of Science.

  First she was mad, and then she was embarrassed. While she resented being called 'privileged' (this professor Diego had no idea what she'd gone through to have the right to be called Chosen) the professor did have a good point. Minu got into college by pulling strings and using her position to her advantage. To not do her best was to not honor her position. She stayed up late that night to finish the current assignment, and the next one. She was never late again after that, even when duty called her off world.

  After only a few weeks her newly acquired knowledge began to pay dividends. In a meeting of her team she noted that Terry was trying to isolate how they might better mitigate signal loss from a Concordia optronic circuit through their own less sophisticated gallium/arsenide integrated circuits.

  "Have you tried a doping compound of metal oxide?" she asked. Everyone turned to look at her in surprise, all except Pip who just smiled. "There's been some luck using it as a catalyst to impede signal degradation."

  "That's a good idea," Terry said with a nod while Mandi scowled. Minu just kept a straight face and went on; inside she was smiling ear to ear. They wouldn't dare underestimate me now.

  Once she was caught up and even ahead, Minu found she time available again so she took full advantage of the accelerated curriculum offered to her. The year changed, then summer came around and, as promised, Pip added his first two Doctorates to his cubicle. Minu tacked up an Associates of Science degree in Physics. Pale compared to his accomplishments, but deep down she knew her father would have been proud. Regardless, it held a prominent place on the wall of her tiny office. The deans were pleased, noting that earning a two year degree in six months was a loud statement of the caliber of the Chosen, and she wasn't going to stop there. After over a year of mostly physical challenges, the classes reawakened her mind in ways she found both surprising and delightful.

  The problem Minu began to deal with was monotony. Get up, have breakfast, meet her team, lessons, afternoon meeting, lessons, dinner, lessons, and finally bed. Not what she'd hoped for from being Chosen. That first exciting mission into the frontier, while catastrophic in ways, gave her a taste of what it could be like. She found herself proposing field research missions to Bjorn with increasingly outrageous goals. While Bjorn might arguably have been more than slightly crazy, he was a damn good coordinator.

  "Are you this desperate to get out of that lab?" Minu looked up from her coffee to see Bjorn standing in the doorway of her office, his white hair as wild as always and with no malfunctioning anti-gravity devices in evidence.

  "Sir," she said and stood. He held a data chip in his hand and she knew it was her most recent attempt to propose a field mission. "Desperate? I don't understand."

  "You don't, eh? Nine mission proposals, one per week, each one more outrageous than the last. I know you've been taking classes and have earned one degree with plans for another. I'm encouraged that you're taking your position seriously, but, aren’t that and your duties keeping you occupied?"

  "Occupied, yes. Challenged, no."

  "Hmm," he said, and she prepared to be chewed out. "Okay, I can understand that. Even though I was never a scout, I can recognize cabin fever.” He held up the chip in his aged fingers. “As amusing as this last proposal is on the surface, it has some teeth to it." Minu thought quickly to recall her most recent request. She must have looked confused because he laughed and shook his head. "I thought I was the absent minded one around here. You wanted to go back to GBX49881 for a follow up mission and check out the species designated as Squeen."

  "Oh, right, sorry. I'd love to lead that mission."

  "You'd love to lead any mission,” he mumbled as he dug in a pocket and Minu did her best not to grin ear to ear, the excitement already building in the pit of her stomach. "So you have a go, scheduled for next Monday and approved by Dram in planning."

  "Thank you, sir."

  "No problem. I want to know more about that species which shouldn't be there. See what you can dig up."

  * * *

  Julast 9th, 516 AE

  Squeen Archeological Dig, GBX49881, Galactic Frontier

  Minu found being back on GBX49881 more than a little surreal. The world was unchanged, a sand filled blast furnace bereft of almost all water and home to the ruins of what may once have been a regal city. This time she had twenty scouts, a logistics man (woman really, Cherise as usual), and in addition to her own science team was another five man team of archaeologists. This was a full blown field operation, and she was in charge!

  The archaeologists made it evident that they were unhappy with being uprooted from a 'very important and historically significant dig' on Bellatrix and rudely taken into the field. Minu began to understand her being assigned a command in the science was a sort of punishment. I just wonder who wants me out of the way, and if it has anything to do with my name being out of order on the monument wall?

  Still, once the new science group was on the frontier and fully briefed on what they might find, the leader of the archaeologists, a middle aged five-star man named Sam Cordova, realized there was a potential discovery in the offing. Of course that hope melted like an ice cube in the afternoon sun on GBX49881 when they discovered the Squeen encampment was gone.

  "Are you sure this is the right locatio
n?" Cordova asked as they walked through the scant remains of what had clearly been a modest sized camp, not the tiny town Minu and her team remembered seeing.

  "Without a doubt," Pip confirmed. Cordova might have tried questioning Minu, but Pip was a fellow scientist. He nodded his head.

  "See what you can find anyway," Minu ordered them so they set up and began working it like any possible find.

  Unlike the previous mission, they were better equipped for the climate. Cherise used several scouts to set up a series of solar screens to shield the camp and provide extra power. A medium sized EPC was made ready and in no time there was power, water, and cool air. As long as they didn't over use the cooling units, the solar shields kept the EPC charged and absorbed the worst of the solar radiation. Minu helped out as much as possible but soon the grunt work was done the scientists got busy with their specialties. The scouts set about creating a defensive perimeter. As the commander she had the least to do. As usual she began to make a nuisance of herself until Pip quietly asked her to stay out of the way.

  With a sense of disappointment she retreated to her sleeping area under the sun shields and started going over her coursework from the university. Every so often someone would stop by with some information or a detail that needed her attention, other than that there was plenty of time to study. It was a comfortable place to spend the days as outside the screens the temp was toping fifty five at mid day, even warmer than the last trip. Minu began to think their previous trip was during the cold season.

  Nights were a different matter as the temperature plummeted to less than ten degrees. One very clear night it was five. Luckily a few wispy clouds helped retain some of the planets daytime heat. Pip and a pair of scientists improvised a thermal battery using banks or rocks baked in the sun during the day to provide heat in the tents at night. It worked well to conserve precious power for instruments instead of heaters.