by T. R. Harris
He picked up the rectangular device from the table. “This is a field monitor. With this I will test your external influences, as well as study the strength and effectiveness of the link between the Gift – the unit, I will call it – and your thought patterns. There should be nothing in the cabin or in the surrounding area that can cause either of us harm, even though you will soon come to learn that the influence of Mislin and Sufor is with us always, even when no actual electronic devices are present.”
“You mean like static electricity?”
Trimen paused, looking into Adam’s eyes with impatience. “The translation is close enough. If that is what you must use to better understand, then so be it.”
Adam nodded quickly, while sending an innocent, puppy-dog-like look at Trimen. “I can’t pretend to understand all the complexities of your religion,” he said, “but I do respect them. However, it might be easier for both of us if we just used basic scientific terms during the training. The last thing I want to do is insult you even more than I already have.”
Almost instantly Trimen’s expression changed. He stared at Adam for several long seconds before nodding back. “That is reasonable. I know we come from divergent cultures and share different religious beliefs, however you appear to have a very basic understanding of science which can be our basis for commonality.”
What?
“I will dispense with the religious connotations during the training, if you agree not to demean them any further.”
“No problem; whatever you say.”
“Good, now we can begin.” He picked up the field monitor and pressed a button just below the small display screen. “This screen will provide a graphic representation of the electric fields within the room. Once you activate the unit, you will notice a substantial change in its configuration. This will be your unit scanning for all electric fields and control processors within range. The unit does this constantly.”
“Arieel was able to detect approaching flash weapons,” Adam stated. “Will I be able to detect them, too?”
“That will come later. The unit can detect all such devices. With time and skill you will learn how to interact with it, receiving information, rather than simply giving commands. But that will come much further into your training, and not something we will cover during the time we have together. Now, please activate the unit.”
Adam’s heart began to race; this was the moment of truth. Would he be able to control it, or would the unit control him? He reached behind his back and felt for the hidden nub. He winched with pain when he pressed the button the first time, but then he gritted his teeth and bore through two more quick presses of the button.
But nothing happened.
Adam sat up straighter and blinked several times. “It’s not working. Either the switch is broken or it’s the unit.”
Trimen smiled ever so slightly. “It is working, Adam Cain. See here.” He turned the monitor so Adam could see the screen. The red circle in the center was now pulsating and changing color as it did so to a brilliant – and appropriate – electric blue.
“You are more in control of your thoughts at this moment than you were when unconscious during the operation. This is good. The unit is now ready to receive input.”
“What input? How does that happen?”
“Your unit must build up a very substantial database of corresponding brainwave patterns. For example, when you think of the monitor, you produce a very unique wave pattern based primarily on your visual impressions of the device. This pattern will be stored in the memory of the unit. Now when you think of the monitor again, whether you think visually or more abstractly, the unit will recognize the pattern and seek to assume control of the device.”
“It can do that … I mean take control that easily? Can it do it for just about anything?”
“That is how it works, so of course it can, especially if the device it seeks to control has a control processor or computer module. And even when it doesn’t, all electronic devices and circuits are still emitting an electric field, which the unit can also influence. And now, the first test.”
Trimen placed the monitor on the table in front of Adam. “There is a small light above the monitor screen. Turn it on.”
Adam reached out to pick up the monitor but Trimen stopped him by intercepting his hand with his own. “No, do it with your mind. This is the most basic function of the unit.”
Adam pulled his hand back and then stared at the monitor. He could see the clear crystal globe that was the light, but it was still dark. Adam stared hard at the light, chanting to himself turn on, turn on. But still it remained dark.
Trimen smiled. “There is a process that must be followed, Mr. Cain. First you must essentially register the light in the database of the unit.”
“How do I do that?”
“Just as you did with the monitor; look at the light, concentrate, and think light.”
Adam followed the instructions, but still the light remained dark. He was already growing frustrated.
“Now imagine the light being on. A command is often the same as an image in most cases. Try it.”
In his mind’s eye, Adam could see the light come on, and then through his visual awareness, he noticed it was. He sat up straighter and smiled. This was his first telepathic command! He could see the light.
“Very good,” Trimen said with genuine admiration. “Since males utilize the left side of our brains more – the visual side – you may find the process of cataloging the images of various electronic devices to be rather easy. Even now, the unit is reading your brainwaves and associating them with all the various items you see throughout the room, even non-electronic objects.”
“So the unit will know when I think of a table and chairs, even though I will have no influence over them? Doesn’t that take up a lot of memory?”
“The unit can accommodate the data,” Trimen said smugly. “Our science is much more advanced than even others are aware. Long before the Speakers were blessed with the Gift – forgive me, it will be difficult for me not to let such terminology slip into our conversations. But even long before the Speakers, Formilian technology in the field of electronics and electricity was far beyond anything else in the galaxy. I might equate this to the Humans propensity towards weapons development, which although primitive by Expansion standards, still appear to be very sophisticated for the age and technological level of your race. If you were given another thousand years to perfect your instruments of war, how efficient would they become?”
“That’s a scary thought, Trimen. They’re already pretty efficient at what they’re designed to do.”
“Just be assured that the technology given to us by the gods – or that we have developed – is sufficiently advanced. I believe you will be amazed as your training continues. The unit you carry within you can achieve some truly magical feats, and even to this day, the Speakers are discovering more.”
“No shit? You mean even they don’t know all that the unit can do?”
“It is not so much that, but rather what more they can do with it. There appears to be a level of individual ability associated with each Speaker. Some have been basically competent with their implants, while others have been truly extraordinary.”
“So skill does come into play? And how does Arieel rank among the Speakers? Is she up there with the greats?”
Trimen smiled again. “You spent time with her on the journey from Uniss to Formil. What do you think?”
Adam was taken aback by the question – he had no idea, nothing to compare it to. “Hell if I know. She seems able to do some amazing things – when she gets past her incredible ego and arrogance.”
Trimen nodded. “Yes, those are traits often associated with our Speakers. This is understandable when you realize they are born into their status and know of no other reality. But to answer your question, Speaker Arieel is of common skill, as was her mother. We have not had a truly exceptional Speaker for nearly three hundred yea
rs. But still their purpose is served, and Arieel performs her duties efficiently.”
“Yeah, but she’s such a bitch.”
Trimen’s smile grew even more, until he almost revealed the whites of his teeth. “I do understand the translation and the connotation, Adam Cain. You are correct, and that is also an unspoken reason why there is only one Speaker at a time.”
It was only after Trimen and Adam had shared a genuine, male-bonding laugh – at Arieel’s expense – that Human and Formilian were finally able to get past the awkwardness of their situation. From then on, the atmosphere in the small cabin was much more relaxed and congenial.
For the next three days, the training went exceptionally well, with most of the time spent with Adam going through visualization exercises using the monitor of the hand-held device. Images of hundreds of electronic devices were shown, creating a series of mental imprints that Adam’s unit faithful stored away. Simply looking at images, rather than having the real thing in the room, was the safest and quickest way to register the devices. Otherwise the unit would have sought to gain control of each of them – at least until Adam learned how to manage that aspect of the unit’s functioning.
Chapter 22
On the morning of the fourth day, Adam came out of his room, unshaven, groggy and mentally exhausted from all the paces he’d been putting his mind through these past several days. He could see from the open door to Trimen’s room that the Formilian was not in the cabin.
After heating up a cup of what passed as coffee on Formil over a small gas flame, Adam sat at the table and attempted an exercise Trimen had been trying to teach him the day before.
Since it was a good bet Trimen carried the black monitor with him outside the cabin, Adam sought to reach out with his mind and detect the device. Until now, all Adam had been doing was feeding the unit with information. It was time to see if he could get a little back. He pressed the button three times.
It came first as a very strange, almost tingly sensation toward the back of his head. He sensed something, something moving. He closed his eyes and the sensation grew stronger. Adam had been told that closing his eyes didn’t really enhance the operation of the unit, but it did help him concentrate. Yes, the object he sensed – the object he visualized in his mind – was moving. It was now behind the cabin, but moving to Adam’s left side and heading for the front. Adam got up from the table and moved to the front door. The object was getting closer … it was now right outside the door.
With flair and bravado, Adam whipped open door, a wide, satisfied smile coming to his face when he found Trimen standing on the small porch, holding the monitor device. Once the initial shock of Adam suddenly opening the door had past, Trimen smiled back.
“Very impressive, Adam, I was hoping you would use this opportunity to test your skills.”
“I could really feel it – almost see it – moving outside. It was amazing.”
As they both reentered the cabin Trimen said to Adam: “The skill of perception, or tracking, usually is not developed enough in a young Speaker until after two years or more of training, depending on the person. The visual acuity of the Human male mind is quite remarkable.” Adam then noticed the look of joy fade somewhat from Trimen face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, truly concerned. Adam felt that he and Trimen had become friends over the past few days.
“Unfortunately, I have had the rare opportunity to witness an alternative to the traditional uses we’ve had for our Gifts – our units. The Speakers have always been female, and always will be….” His voice trailed off at the end of the sentence.
“That’s some dangerous thinking there, Trimen. What are you getting at?”
“It is just that we may be missing out on some truly remarkable advances in this technology, at least in the uses of it. I’m not saying males are better suited for operating the unit, it is just that we’ve never really had the opportunity to study the alternatives. I have helped guide and train many a Speaker. They communicate with our gods, and are trained to manipulate their powers, essentially to become one with them from the understanding of their ways. I just feel we may be missing out by keeping it exclusively in the bloodline of the Bols.”
“That’s just the scientist inside you speaking. Your society has functioned quite well for a very long time just the way it’s set up.”
“And yet what if one such as you were—”
“Don’t even think about it!” Adam scolded. “I know you didn’t mean me specifically, but if Convor heard you talk like this it could be very bad. I’ve grown to call you a friend and I’d hate to see anything happen to you.”
Trimen smiled back at Adam, not a happy smile, but sad. “I appreciate your concern, Adam, but I am only musing. As you say, it is the scientist in me who always seeks to push the bounds of knowledge.”
Trimen suddenly slapped the table and stood up abruptly, a new spring in his step. “Adam Cain, our time here is almost done. We should not waste it on speculation and wishful thinking. During these next few days we will build upon the knowledge you’ve acquired, hopefully to the point where you can then design a training program of your own for the future. You have many years of learning ahead of you, but I truly believe that once the time and energy has been put forth, you could be one of the most powerful and skilled users of the Gift we have ever seen.”
“I appreciate your belief in me, Trimen. But right now, I just want to get back to my base without killing myself – or anyone else.”
Trimen grinned broadly. “I am very adept at the training of Speakers, Adam Cain, but I am not able to perform miracles.”
Later that day, Trimen used the monitoring device to call his support staff. They showed up an hour later bringing with them a variety of small electronic devices. The couriers dropped off the equipment and then left, while Adam hid in his room. The Formilian did want any of his kind to raise questions concerning Adam’s present in the cabin with the Number Two person in The Order of Light.
Among the equipment brought was an MK-17 bolt launcher, the ubiquitous handgun of choice within the galaxy. Being a military man, the concern of whether or not he could control this device was paramount on Adam’s mind. Trimen set the weapon on the table and told Adam to activate his unit.
Over the past few days, Adam had come to expect the surges of input the unit would provide him with each time it was activated. Unlike the Speakers, whose units were constantly scanning the surrounding area, and only providing input when new items were introduced, when Adam would reactivate his module, the device would go crazy scanning everything around him and sending an incredible amount of data into its queue. Eventually, he knew he would have to keep the device on constantly, but until he learned more control, he would only activate the device when needed and deal with the consequences.
“The MK-series of bolt weapons is a completely solid-state electronic device. As I’m sure you’re aware, it operates by consolidating the bolt charges in the power pack into balls of positively charged electricity which are then accelerated through a negatively charged mini-rail system. Flash rifles have a longer rail system, which gives them more range and firepower. But the hand-held weapons are very effective at short range.”
Adam was fully aware of the capacities of the MK. He knew the weapon had four energy settings, ranging from a weak stun at level-four, all the way up to a certain kill at level-one. The operator would set the weapon at a particular level based on the number of bolts he wished to have available per charge pack. Most beings kept the weapon set at level-two, which gave the operator ten bolts per charge pack. At level-one, only five bolts could be fired.
What Adam did not tell Trimen was that anything less than a level-one setting was non-lethal to Humans. Sure, a level-two bolt hurt like hell, but it would not kill him. This fact had helped spread the rumor of Human physical superiority throughout the galaxy. In reality, it had more to do with skin thickness than anything else. Most the creatures in the galaxy had
thinner exo-coverings and their nervous systems could be disrupted by the absorbed electrical charge from a bolt. The Human nervous system was tougher than most, as well.
“Can you detect the power module within the weapon?” Trimen asked.
Adam could easily decipher the odd feelings he now received from the device, but it went even further. The device knew what it was scanning, and it had the capability of translating this information into audio signals. Yes, the unit could talk to him. If he had the time and inclination, he could hear within his mind the English words: MK flash weapon. With just a little push of his will, the device would also give the exact location with half a mile, which was beyond the effective firing range of the weapon. Theoretically, Adam should never again have an alien with an MK take him by surprise.
But now he would go beyond simple detection.
“Yes, I detect the power module,” Adam responded.
“Now instruct the unit to sever the connection between the power source and the control processor.”
“Done.”
Trimen lifted the weapon, aimed it at a far wall of the cabin and depressed the trigger. The weapon did not go off.
“Very good, Adam!” Trimen beamed. “You achieved this with your very first try. Impressive. In addition, you could have drained the power pack to also disable the weapon.”
“I saw Arieel produce an overload in flash rifles, causing them to explode.”
“This can be achieved by unloading the power pack into the weapon while its control processor is disengaged. The energy from the bolts has nowhere to go, and the effect is multiplied by the rail accelerator. I can see how the resulting explosion could be quite powerful.”
“It saved our lives on Uniss-3, even if it nearly killed Arieel.”
“What do you mean?”
“She was standing within twenty feet of the shooters when the rifles exploded. I tackled her and kept her from being blown away, too.”
Trimen smiled. “You thought she would be killed?”