Mary turned on him. "Okay, before you go volunteering again I say we draw straws or something." She turned to look at the others. "Listen. Since Hugh risked his life to join us, he has taken all the risks. Let someone else have the honor of being a hero this time."
"And who would you recommend, my dear?" Stanley asked. "Martha? Or perhaps you'd rather see me do it. You're so keen on removing the responsibility from this soldier, whose job it is, why don't you do it for him?"
While they argued, Balaji stepped aside. Opened the cover to the extraction button, turned it, exhaled all he could and pressed the button. He had failed to remove the helmet first so he could not reach his mask to remove it. Though oxygen had been injected into his lungs he could not take a second breath.
Chapter 18
Over their COMdes they all heard the choking and struggling. Hugh bounded over and quickly pulled Balaji's helmet off and removed the mask. Balaji fell to his knees, gasping for breath. Hugh knelt beside him, and placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. When Balaji had calmed, he stood up, faced them, and smiled.
Hugh reached up, disconnected and unlatched his helmet then started the EverBreath extraction process. With that done, he removed his mask, and then began to cough as he looked uncomfortably at everyone.
Everyone followed suit and soon all were standing in this remarkable place deep below the Moon's surface—breathing.
Mary looked up at Hugh and said softly, "Incredible."
As the general coughing subsided, Stanley asked, "How is this possible?"
"We are faced with a number of questions here," Balaji submitted. "Where does this light generate from? What is this vegetation, and how did it get here? Why does this gas not escape into space through the aperture we passed through? What generates the warmth we are feeling? And I'm sure you've noticed how humid the air is, where does the water come from? What powers all of this?"
"Well, a question I had has been answered," Hugh said.
"What is that?"
"Where did our little blue friend go?"
Everyone looked up, and there, high above them, stationary and rather dim, hovered the blue light.
"Should we follow it?" Bob asked.
"No," Mary replied. "It's not leading, it's observing."
Hugh took off his backpack and sat it down. "Before we do another thing let's all have some food and water. Here." He handed everyone a food ration.
Martha took a ration and a bottle of water and moved over to a moss-covered rock to sit. As she lowered herself, the moss quickly moved from the rock.
"Everyone stop!" Bob shouted.
"What is it?" Hugh asked, very much concerned with the tone of his exclamation.
"Look at Martha's rock. Notice that the rock she is sitting on is the only one not covered in moss. I saw the moss move itself off that rock as she sat."
Martha jumped up.
"That's ridiculous," Stanley proclaimed.
"Stanley," Balaji calmly stated, "you have recently used two words that are now obsolete: impossible and ridiculous. It is time you recalibrate your vocabulary." Balaji then walked up to a large stone and gently ran his gloved hand through the moss, it did not move. However, when he jabbed a finger at the rock, the moss cleared an area around his fingertip.
"I've never seen anything like it," Stanley said, sounding shocked.
"Here is my concern," Balaji continued. "This plant reacts with a high degree of sophistication. A gentle touch sees no obvious response, but a more aggressive act causes the plant to withdraw from harm's way. This is an act of defense. What if this simple moss is capable of a more aggressive defense?"
"You mean it could be dangerous?" Larry asked.
"I suggest we make no obvious hostile acts against the moss. What was impossible this morning is quite likely now."
"All I did was sit on the rock," Martha responded.
"It is okay Martha. I do not think we need worry about simple acts of locomotion. Observe." Balaji walked a bit forward. As he did, the moss cleared from his path. He then approached a stone and took a seat, and the moss again evacuated the rock in deference to him. Slowly, the others sat down to rest, eat, and drink.
As everyone drank the water, it acted on them like a balm.
"Drink slowly," Hugh urged, "don't guzzle."
After several silent minutes Balaji asked, "Hugh, are you not eating?"
"Oh, I'm done already, Doctor. I was famished. Listen everyone, if you're finished, stow your trash and let's keep moving."
Stanley shook his head. "I can't. Balaji, are you feeling it? Martha?"
He was right. Fatigue was setting in.
"Hugh," Larry called out, "we need some rest. We need sleep."
Hugh took a moment. "You're absolutely right. We've been without rest a long time. Let's get some sleep, right here. I'll take the first watch. Remove your equipment, make yourselves comfortable and I'll wake everyone in five hours."
Mary noticed his error. "Hugh, how are you going to take the first watch and wake us? Who has the second watch?"
"Just get some sleep, will ya?"
"You will be of little use to us exhausted," Balaji pointed out to him.
"Don't you worry about me, just get some sleep."
As they lay down, the moss started growing back. Again, it covered the floor and rocks. It also grew under each of them. At first they were alarmed. "Don't move!" Hugh implored everyone. It grew very thick under each person forming a padded surface, and then the light in the cavern dimmed.
"What's going on here?" Mary whispered.
Hugh looked up at the blue orb. “Hospitality,” he responded. Hugh tossed the blue light a casual salute. "Thanks, buddy."
****
Hugh was not conscious. This didn’t mean his brain wasn’t functioning, even though nothing was disturbing him; no light, no sound, no sensations whatsoever. Still, his mind was calculating, crunching numbers; he had come to the conclusion that despite this discovery, despite their ability to eat and drink, their odds of surviving were not dramatically improved.
He wanted to share his secret, but first, he wanted the opinion of someone he trusted.
He detected a pressure on his left shoulder which activated his senses. He could now clearly hear Balaji's voice. "Hugh? Hugh, are you asleep? Hugh?"
Hugh jerked his head up and looked at Balaji. "I'm sorry Doc, must have dozed off there."
"Doc? Hugh, this is the first time you have referred to me as such."
"Such as what?"
"As 'Doc' rather than Doctor."
"Really?" Hugh was genuinely startled by this revelation.
"Indeed. Perhaps we've put a crack in your military armor?"
Hugh smiled. "Yeah. Ah...are the others still sleeping?"
"Yes, I think we should wake them soon. I awoke feeling wonderful."
"Me, too, Doc. I always did like to sleep in on Saturdays."
"Is today Saturday?" Balaji asked.
"Yes."
"And what time is it?"
"Zero eight twenty."
Balaji narrowed his eyes. "How long were we asleep, Hugh?"
"Seven hours and ten minutes. What's this all about, Doc?"
"Hugh," Balaji stepped in close and lowered his voice. "Tell me, how are you able to keep track of the days of the week, time of day, and lapsed time without a watch?"
Hugh paused, lowered his head, and then looked over at the others to ensure they all still slept. "Ah, Dr. Sharma, you've worked on some highly classified government projects haven't you?"
Balaji looked at Hugh suspiciously. "Hugh, if I had, I could not talk to you about it."
"I know; but you see, I am privy to a project that you worked on, and you don't even know about it."
"Then perhaps we should not discuss it?"
"I'm sorry, Doc, I have to talk to you about it. And as my friend, I hope you'll listen. Doc, do you remember that biotronic brain you helped design for that artificial intelligence project several
years ago?"
"Yes, I do recall. A rather hush-hush project. I never heard of any results from it."
"Yeah, well...that simulated brain was designed for a SUB."
"A brain on a submarine?" Balaji asked. "Designed for incredible depths, I suppose?"
"No Doc, it's a play on the acronym C.E.U.H.B. Cyberneticly Enhanced and Uploaded Human Beings."
"Cybernetics?" Balaji was astounded.
"The brain you worked on was never designed to contain an artificial intelligence; but ultimately, it held elements of the human brain. It is a substitute support system for actual human intelligence.
"The procedure is called a whole-brain emulation. A subject's biological brain is mapped in minute detail and copied by a computer located at the JPL known as The Novumcortex.
"This computer runs models so absolutely true to the original that they behave in exactly the same way as the original brain. This brain emulation is in effect the actual consciousness, personality, memories, the very essence of the original subject. The HBE is then up loaded into the sim-brain which contains key elements of the original biological brain.
"Bodies are also constructed that are so similar to the original that the only way to know the difference, externally, is the lack of obvious flaws such as birth marks, moles, and scars. The brain is then joined with the body and the subject awakens a new man, a better, stronger, faster, quicker-thinking man."
Balaji studied Hugh a moment. He squinted and asked slowly, "What has this to do with our current situation, Hugh?"
"Bal-ah-gee, I...I am a SUB."
Balaji was quiet a moment. "That explains a lot," he responded as he reached out, took Hugh's hand in his, and examined it closely.
"I like you and consider you a friend," Hugh said. "And, as you've figured out, I've fallen in love with Mary. I haven't said anything before this for two reasons; one, my status is highly classified, and two, in my experience, since I became what you see now, no one who has known ever thought of me as anything more than a machine. I repulse most people altogether. Ball-ah-gee, it's still me inside here, and I'm as human as you or Mary. I feel, I hurt, I know joy and sorrow, loneliness, and despair. I have known everything but love. Ball-ah-gee, I know you know how wonderful it is. Do you know the pain of facing a future without it? My love for her has given my life meaning I didn't have before now. I want to save her life if I can, but I honestly don't...my calculations of the odds are, well, they're not in our favor. And Ball-ah-gee, I don't want Mary to know about me—not just yet."
"Why are you confessing to me?" Balaji asked.
"Because, I figured of all these scientists, you are the one who would figure me out first. I want you on my side."
"Hugh, you must tell Mary. You know this. She is developing an emotional attachment to you. If this information is going to affect her negatively, then it is best to speak to her now, before the pain of such information damages her."
"I know Doc. I know she's likely to reject me like everyone has. Like I fear you will."
Balaji took a step toward him. "You are a very poor judge of character if you think that. It is my friend I see sitting here before me. I do not see a soldier in the LCDD, nor do I see a cyborg. I see Hugh Pacherd. And if you ever accuse me of bigotry again, I will strike you very hard indeed."
Hugh smiled. "Thanks Ball-ah-gee. And, ah, we don't like the name cyborg—we're SUBs."
"We? How many SUBs are there?"
"I was the first, but dozens are coming online every month. There were forty-nine on JILL as of the last shuttle arrival."
"My friend," Balaji put his hand on Hugh's shoulder, "this is one confidence I will most assuredly keep. I will not, however, stop urging you to tell Mary."
Hugh and Balaji woke the others and found everyone was telling the same story, all felt wonderful. They were well rested, and alert. Abused muscles that were so painful when they fell asleep, now felt fine.
"Hugh, look!" Mary pointed out into the cave. The spirit light was now at the far end of the gallery, flashing steadily.
Hugh stood. "Okay, everyone grab a wafer and some water for breakfast. Attach your helmets to your packs, make sure you're not leaving anything behind, and let's go."
The regenerative bio filter and power packs were easier to carry worn, so everyone donned them. Before they had gone to sleep, everyone had removed their gloves, some even their boots. It took them about twenty minutes to pack and don their boots, but they were on the trail again. Balaji pointed out to everyone that the moss had already cleared a path for them.
****
Mary looked at the exposed stone path leading off into the distance. "I feel like Dorothy."
Hugh glanced back at her. "Who?"
"You know, Dorothy, from the Wizard of Oz."
"Oh yeah, she was accompanied by a brainless scarecrow, a cowardly lion and a...a tin man without a heart."
She noticed the expression on Hugh's face change to one of dejection. He briefly glanced down at Mary's feet then turned away and increased the length of his stride leaving her behind.
"Hey, what's the matter?" she called to him. He just kept walking, so Mary cinched up her backpack and jogged forward to catch up with him.
"Hugh, what's the matter, what did I say?"
"Nothing. It's okay," he said, but his voice betrayed him.
"Hugh, I wasn't trying to upset—"
"Mary, it's okay. I should concentrate harder on our survival."
"I see. I'm the one who has become the distraction, is that it?" She smiled at him.
"Mary, you've been my one and only distraction, ever, from the very moment you arrived. You told me you have no place for me in your life and I respect that. It does not stop me, however, from an intense and personal desire to save your life. And I promise you right now that I will do that, or die trying." With that, Hugh sped up before she could respond.
Mary slowed her pace. "What the hell was that?" she asked herself. She watched as the soldier strode off, leaving everyone behind.
Balaji came up beside her. "Hugh seems in a great hurry," he mentioned.
"Yes, I guess he is," she said in a low voice.
"Is there trouble?"
"He just promised he'd save my life."
"Well, of course, he's—"
"Or die trying. Balaji he said those exact words. Or die trying."
"I told you, Mary, he cares a great deal for you."
"He told me I was the one and only distraction ever in his life."
"He has admitted that to me, too."
"Balaji, wouldn't a man have to love you to be willing to die for you?"
"Yes, Mary, I believe that to be true."
She became quiet. Balaji slowed and Mary walked on alone.
Love, she thought to herself. Just like his paper flowers, he never said the word.
Men had told her they loved her before, particularly in college. But she knew they had ulterior motives.
Richard was the only man who ever really meant it. He'd offered to spend his life with her. He had proven it with a ring then flew off to—
Hugh had not offered her a ring, but he had offered her his life. She could have refused Richard's ring and promise of marriage. She knew nothing would dissuade Hugh from his promise.
Chapter 19
Mary walked slowly now, with her head down. Her mind was elsewhere as her companions passed her.
Eventually, she found Stanley walking at her side.
"I take it the bloom is off the rose?" he said quietly.
"What?" She looked up, her brow knitted.
"I saw your little tiff with our Commander-in-Chief up there. I gather you are starting to see the light. You understand his motivations now. We are the scientists, not he. He wants all the glory, the fame, the prestige, and the wealth that will come from being cited as the leader of the expedition that made this discovery.
"He wants to cheat us—to cheat me. Do you understand? I am the senior scientist here. I was
picked by the IIEA to lead this team. This discovery is mine!"
Mary realized that the Doctor had succumbed to the stress. She nodded. "Don't worry, Dr. Whitmore. We will ensure you receive what's coming to you, if we make it back."
Mary looked at him. He was a contemptible man, but she felt sorry for him. Obviously, all this had been just too much for him.
She walked up ahead next to Balaji and told him of their conversation.
"Balaji, I'm worried about him. I think he's a candidate for a nervous breakdown."
"Mary," Balaji said, "Dr. Whitmore has been special, and deferred to, all his life. He has always been praised and revered. Now, he finds himself in a situation he is singularly unprepared for with people who have lost their respect for him. His fall from grace has been too great, and he cannot cope. The stress of our life-and-death struggle and his inability to lead in this emergency has compounded his embarrassment. I'm sure he feels his loss of dignity more than a less prideful man. This is why he has become so reclusive and defensive. It sounds to me, based on his comments to you, that his view of reality is becoming clouded."
****
They followed Hugh down the path cleared by the moss and soon approached the location of the orb, near a cliff face. The path just ended in a solid, stone wall. Upon examination, it was found that, despite the obvious technology they had seen thus far, what they had encountered here was a simple example of camouflage. What appeared to be a fold in the stone was actually a narrow entrance. So narrow, in fact, that Hugh instructed everyone to remove their equipment in order to squeeze through.
The chamber on the other side was dark, and the air was stale. Hugh had his equipment back on quickly and switched on his lamps so that the others might see. Once everyone was on the other side with their equipment on and lamps blazing, they began a survey. Just beyond, a massive metal door frame seemed to grow directly out of the rock. It was equipped with an overhead door that slid up into the roof of the cavern. It was open, and seemed to have been that way for centuries. The door measured about six meters wide and ten meters high. Odd, given that the entrance they had just passed through was so tiny. However, oddities were quickly becoming commonplace.
Dark Moon Rising Page 14