by Peter Wood
What was he doing? It almost looked like he was turned into a statue, motionless and staring at the screen as Mirri’s greeting sounded. The clip finished and when he still didn’t move Mirri looked at him in puzzlement. Jarra wasn’t puzzled, just surprised at seeing such a strong reaction. They were both startled, though, when Jarara came to life and leapt at Mirri, enveloping him in an impulsive huge hug. Mirri returned the hug because hugs were important, then looked to Jarra for guidance about this man who wasn’t acting the way most people did. Jarra was smiling, though, so it was all right.
‘Mirrigan, you are a spirit from the Dreamtime.’
‘I am Mirrigan.’
‘You speak to eagles with the music of your voice.’
Mirri looked to Jarra once again and Jarra took over.
‘Mirri, would you make three juicies for us please? It’s time we all had a drink.’
Ever since he’d been told that juice drinks from fruit and vegetables were good for Jarra’s muscles he’d loved making them and he nodded eagerly now and headed off.
‘He didn’t understand your behaviour and what you were saying, and because he likes you it was worrying him. Metaphors are hard for him.’
‘I haven’t upset him, have I?’
‘No, playing your music for him and watching his activities has already made you part of his world, so if you say or do anything unusual from now on he’ll just accept it as what you do.’
‘Jarra, I was overcome. His race song was wondrous but this is even more so. Alira told me he sings to other animals. Does that happen very often?’
‘He loves animals. The very first day we met each other he sang to a stick insect.’
‘And you have the recordings? Your aunt said you’ve been collecting them.’
‘Yes, she’s been insisting we archive them into the house InfoSystem every time it happens. We’ll transfer the whole file to your InfoPad if you like, though some of them aren’t very good because the ComPatches were obscured or facing the wrong way.’
‘But the sound and the situation will be there?’
Mirri arrived with the juicies and while he happily explained to Jarara what the different ingredients were, Jarra made the copy to the InfoPad.
***
‘And they’re certain it was sabotage?’
‘Absolutely. If it wasn’t for the legacy of Durrebar’s improvements to our main Intelligent Systems we would have had a disastrous breakdown. The primary transport controls were disabled and the automatic backups as well. If there hadn’t been a third level of redundancy designed in, movement in the Community would be crippled.’
Alira was back from the emergency Council meeting and answering Jarra’s insistent questions.
‘Do they think it was connected with Yirgella? You said it might be.’
‘We know it was. Reports appeared all over the InterWeb saying our lift system had broken down and linking it with our uncontrolled AI.’
‘Yirgella doesn’t control the lift system.’
‘And the system didn’t break down, but the reports were fed into the InterWeb at the same time as the incident occurred, so they were obviously preprepared with content of what was expected to happen.’
Jarra was quiet for a moment.
‘They’re going to keep doing things, aren’t they?’
‘We believe so. The project has become a nightmare we’re not sure we can manage.’
‘… What? … What are you going to do?’
‘We’re not closing it down, Jarra. After the talks we’ve had with Yirgella no-one on the Council will even consider that, but it does mean we have to implement a whole range of new security functions to protect both Mparntwe and Alkere. We didn’t even think of action against the general community as a possibility when we started the project, and that’s meant we’ve had to ask for any outside assistance we can rely on.’
‘Does that mean Carnarvon and the other First Nation Communities?’
‘It does, but less than we’d like because Mparntwe is more advanced in most things. Darwin is sending an elite team associated with the big defence establishment there and Carnarvon is sending some specialised surveillance equipment from their manufacturing facility, but because this was a malicious act against Australian citizens our biggest protection will come from the Australian OverGovernment. I’ll be in Canberra tomorrow talking to them.’
Alira gave more details about the the emergency meeting then asked what had happened with Jarara.
‘He’s in the guest room and I think he’s watching every single recording of Mirri singing. When we showed him the eagle meeting he said Mirri was a Dreamtime Spirit speaking through music.’
‘He did? That’s wonderful. I knew it was a good idea to invite him here when he contacted Burnu. Does Mirrigan like him?’
‘Of course he does. They spent half an hour on Mirri’s activities and then Jarara taught him a little tune on the soundboard. Will he make more songs like the race one?’
‘I expect so, Jarra, though I have no idea what form they might take. His talent as a composer is regarded with a degree of awe in the music world but the unusual approaches he occasionally takes with his works are sometimes very disconcerting to the more conservative critics.’
Jarra laughed.
‘He disconcerted Mirri and me when he turned into a statue.’
‘A statue?’
‘He didn’t move the whole time he was listening to Mirri’s Eagle Song, then he jumped at Mirri and hugged him.’
‘I wish I didn’t have this other worry. I think you’re going to have an interesting time while he’s here.’
Chapter 10
Five days later Jarara left Mparntwe and the time had indeed been interesting. Karmai took over the hosting because Jarra’s ComPatch project with Yirgella was close to the prototype stage and too exciting and demanding to miss, but for the whole of the visit there was music and laughter as Jarara joined in with everything that was going on.
Mirri took it into his head that Jarara had to see the Eagle King for himself and after a great rush of organisation the group, with Karmai taking Alira’s place, set off on a repeat visit. There was no close eagle encounter this time, though two pairs of Wedge-tails and one individual provided plenty of interest. Karmai did discover a thorny devil lizard at the edge of a rock pool, though, and when Mirri picked it up for a close look Jarara had his first experience of a singing event. The grotesque little creature stayed completely motionless as Mirri, ever so gently, caressed its spikes and lumps with accompanying sounds of wonder and appreciation.
On the last evening of Jarara’s stay, Karmai, prompted by Jarara’s Dreamtime references, arranged for Alira and the whole family to gather at the campsite under the stars for a time of music and storytelling. Mirri, excited by the combined atmosphere of campfire and soundboard, sang as he and his brothers danced the story of the kookaburra, the kangaroo, the local giant caterpillars and other Dreamtime favourites, and when Jarara left he took a number of his own experiences of Mirri’s sounds with him.
***
Mirri rushed to give Karmai the biggest hug. He’d been happy and excited talking with him and sharing dolphin stories and information from the InterWeb for the last few weeks, but standing at the airport departure area brought the realisation that one of the most important people in his life was going away, and happy and excited was definitely not his frame of mind. The lump in Jarra’s throat thickened as he watched.
The news that Karmai’s application for his longed-for job of working as a ranger in the Shark Bay Marine Reserve near Carnarvon had been successful was wonderful, of course, but it also meant an upheaval in the close-knit family structure. No more idolised big brother to help with everything. No more happy rough-housing in Mirri’s action room when Karmai arrived home from his studies. Jarra didn’t want him to go almost as much as Mirri. Well, they’d be in contact through the InterWeb and there were plans to visit when his routine was established. T
hat was all they could do.
The departure door opened and the whole family swamped Karmai for a final farewell.
***
Jarra was feeling very pleased and rather excited. Durrebar was with him in his project room and they were talking with Yirgella about the prototype ComPatches he and Mirri had worn the day before on their expedition to show Yirgella the bird place. It had been very special, really, because as well as showing that the concentrated effort of the last four weeks was successful it also marked Yirgella’s first direct experience of the world beyond the confines of Alkere.
‘Mirri wants to wear his new ComPatch all the time and he’s coming to talk to you tomorrow about the hollow tree with the baby budgerigars.’
‘He loves his exploring more than I understood and I hope you both wear them. You can be my eyes and ears outside of Alkere.’
Jarra nodded. He’d thought about this.
‘The range isn’t very good. We’ll have to do something to improve it.’
‘I have several designs for you to experiment with but a better alternative is to utilise the ordinary ComPatch transmission system.’
‘That’s not possible. You’d open yourself to electronic infiltration. The whole point of your project was to build an independent and totally secure system.’
Jarra agreed with Durrebar.
‘With suitable modifications the transmission centres could operate both systems simultaneously. There would be no crossover and the necessity for duplication of resources would be obviated.’
‘Yirgella, are you practising language skills?’
‘I find it interesting how different speech modes need to be used according to both the audience and the situation … You could save time and money by making simple improvements.’
‘Without any security issues?’
‘Our new ComPatches would not be compromised in any way,’ said Yirgella.
‘That’s a clever idea. I’ve been wondering how we could set up new transmitter-receivers without drawing attention.’
‘I also recommend updating the protocols of the general ComPatch system, as its current security is quite low level.’
‘The whole ComPatch system? Using the protocols you’ve developed with Jarra?’
‘Standard chest units are incompatible with ours, Durrebar, and would have to be completely redesigned. I have developed a module, though, which would be effective immediately.’
Jarra and Durrebar exchanged glances. This was quite significant.
‘It’s ready now? How effective is it? Does it compare with the prototype?’ said Jarra.
‘It doesn’t compare, but it does improve the security level from low to medium. Let me show you.’
Durrebar and Jarra were quickly convinced that Yirgella’s module should be implemented throughout Mparntwe and they discussed the best way to go ahead.
‘If I recommend it formally to the Council it will go through all the usual procedures and take months before anything happens. Could you talk to Alira and try to fast-track it that way?’
‘Our next walk with her isn’t for another five days, Durrebar, and that’s only if she’s back from Canberra. I’ll send a message asking her to make contact as soon as possible. That will let her know it’s important.’
Yirgella interrupted.
‘I would prefer a meeting with the full Council. I can quickly demonstrate the value of the ComPatch module.’
‘The full Council? It’s not that important.’
Jarra agreed with Durrebar.
‘There are serious issues facing Mparntwe and Alkere and I have numerous ideas and proposals which would be of mutual benefit. I believe a full Council meeting is appropriate.’
Jarra watched Durrebar’s reaction with a feeling of excitement. This was something new.
‘Which issues?’
‘Primarily the danger my existence represents for the people of Mparntwe and the staff here at Alkere.
‘Also:
‘I wish to contribute to the resources of Mparntwe.
‘I wish to clarify the situation with regard to my independence.
‘I wish to develop a construction and research facility.
‘I wish to develop alternative personal energy sources.
‘I wish to develop an economic presence in conjunction with Jarra, Mirri and my project staff.
‘I wish to facilitate the commencement of the AI projects at Carnarvon, Darwin and Normanton.’
‘Stop! Stop! Take us through one thing at a time so we can keep up. We need to understand what you mean.’
Jarra nodded his agreement. Everything he’d heard so far needed more explanation.
‘What do you mean about the danger? We’re aware of it and doing everything we can. Alira is in Canberra at this very moment arranging with the OverGovernment for Mparntwe to have higher alert levels and security, and the equipment and personnel from Carnarvon and Darwin are all functioning.’
‘I can do more, Durrebar. Since the sabotage attempt against the lift system I have worked to build my understanding of security methods and how they can be applied to all our systems. I’d like to manage Alkere Security myself and I also have modules prepared for every aspect of Mparntwe security if the Council wishes to use them.’
‘More modules?’ asked Jarra.
‘Seventeen, in fact, all with significant improvements.’
Jarra didn’t know anything about Mparntwe security and wondered how Yirgella did.
‘Do these modules need you to monitor them?’
‘No, they are completely independent and will remain so unless the Council requests otherwise. If they should change their mind we can quickly establish properly secure links.’
‘And are they as effective as the ComPatch module?’
‘Some more so, some less.’
Durrebar turned to Jarra.
‘Jarra, send that message to Alira right now. The existence of seventeen significant improvements to Mparntwe security does warrant an immediate Council meeting. What was your next proposal, Yirgella, about resources?’
‘I have been a drain on the resources of Mparntwe and I wish to completely reverse that with a range of joint ventures the Council might like to undertake. Part of the information you gave me about the Intelligent Systems shows the purchase of construction materials is the single greatest cost to the Community and after looking into it I have a proposal for making all construction materials ourselves.’
‘We’d have to build a special factory for that,’ said Durrebar.
‘I have been simulating designs for a range of materials factories, and with suitable scaling we could not only become self-sufficient for all our building materials but also enter the world export market with a 17% advantage on the current prices.’
‘The world market? Are you serious?’
Jarra had to smile. Durrebar asking Yirgella if he was serious sounded funny.
‘The great demand for strengthened building materials has only just started. My calculations show that within three years we could generate an income matching that of Alkere Energy.’
There was a pause while Jarra and Durrebar took that in. It made sense because the demand for the specially strengthened materials used to build Communities, especially underground with the need for protection from earth movement or earthquakes and tremors, did exceed the current supply and, with the world population of thirty-one billion expected to triple in fifty years, would be relentless.
‘That’s … That’s astonishing. The Council won’t believe it,’ said Jarra.
‘I have other proposals if they don’t, though not quite as effective.’
‘Yirgella, they will believe it. I meant they’ll be astonished. Where does the huge advantage come from?’
‘I have redesigned a functioning materials factory 22,784 times in my simulations to achieve the advantage.’
‘Twenty-two thousand times? How long did that take?’
Yirgella smiled. We
ll, his image did.
‘About half an hour, Jarra. My new bank of processors is very effective.’
‘Where did you gain the knowledge about advanced materials? I don’t remember it as one of your data inputs.’
‘I pieced it together from the world science modules Professor Allerton has been checking through security for me. They are my main source of information until I gain access to the InterWeb.’
That caught Jarra’s attention. The InterWeb was one of Yirgella’s great priorities.
‘The InterWeb? Is that happening soon?’
‘I’m almost ready. Our work with the ComPatch prototype has shown me a number of ways to secure myself, and using strong filters I could access any open database.’
‘What filters? I haven’t heard anything about them.’
‘I’m still refining them, Durrebar. The Security team will receive the specifications this afternoon.’
‘We shouldn’t have installed those new processors.’
‘I don’t understand. They are vital to my performance.’
‘I’m joking, Yirgella … They’re so effective I can’t keep up with you. Almost every statement you’ve made this morning involves a striking new development we haven’t considered.’
‘Oh! I see. Should I make proposals in a more measured manner? I don’t wish to be confronting to the Council.’
‘Yes, you do. This is exciting. They’ll be as amazed as we are, but they will listen. A proposal to double the income of the Community in only three years can’t not be listened to … What do you think, Jarra?’
Jarra glanced at his InfoPad.
‘I’m sure they will but Alira will tell us that when she answers my call. How many proposals do you want the Council to look at?’
‘Two hundred and seventy-eight at the moment, but that is steadily increasing.’
‘Two hundred and seventy-eight! … Is that all?’
‘I believe that was an expression of irony? Yes, Durrebar, most are straightforward and can be sub-categorised like the seventeen Security modules, and I believe their value will be self evident. Others will require major discussion about my independence and ability to develop and utilise appropriate resources.’