by Pam Uphoff
"It's not funny Charlie. We're making ourselves awfully valuable. We need to find a way to take control over at least our professional lives, even if we are slaves."
"We are not slaves."
"Semantics, Charlie. Do you prefer 'disposable lab rats?"
"Umm, I thought 'patented genetic creations' had a ring to it."
Rebeccah smiled in spite of her determined efforts. "Chou called us 'constructs,' as if we weren't even alive. What we need is to figure out how to open a gate to a really nice world and get all of us through it."
"Ah. Now you're talking. The problems is, how do we get the last eight-or-three through?"
"I think I could hold the fusion bottle while walking. The only question is, would the bottle go as soon as I stepped in? Is there a lag time between the power disappearing and the gate collapsing? Is the lag enough for the last three to get through?"
"And would the fusion bottle explode? That would be a fitting gift to leave behind."
"Good thing it's dinner time, you sound hungry."
"I'm going to have wet dreams tonight about a three kiloton fusion explosion as a farewell gift."
"The magnetic bottles were designed for fusion reactions, but that's not what's going on in them. As you know. Although losing the bottle suddenly does cause a nasty lightning bolt type of effect. Pity it was only techs, not managers that got fried that first time."
"You two are disgusting. Hurry up." AK was tapping her toes at the corner of the admin building. None of the women walked past there alone if they had an alternative. Rebeccah tried to stride out, to look confident instead of bone tired.
Behind them, Isobel was hand in hand with Phillip, and still hurried to join them as they crossed enemy territory to their—so far—safe cage of the dormitory complex.
The cafeteria was nearly silent when they walked in, all faces turned the same direction. Apparently the news had caught Dieter Sloan, the Orange team supervisor, at lunch. He had his phone to his ear, and was pulling at his short hair. He was hissing a bit and had lost control of his voice volume. "You can't just call and tell me you've lost thirty-five people! Yeah, right. Sure. You'll get them right back! I believe you, you've done so well retrieving rats and rabbits, haven't you? What the hell did you do! This was scheduled for after lunch. Why did you move it up without telling me? So you could risk my kids?" He paced furiously around the staff's tables as he listened. "Oh, yeah? Well I got news for you. You just lost nearly half the females, what's that going to do for your future breeding program, eh?" More stomping. "Ha! Not the Number One Kids. Two of the women thought they were pregnant." He held the phone away from his ear. "Why? It's not a disease. I told them to make appointments with the doctor." More squawking. "Don't be stupid. If the world is as nice as you say, and if you can find the right place, they'll still be long gone. You'll have to send guards to capture them and drag them back. You are going to be honest with the guards about the likelihood of your finding the same place a third time, aren't you?" He hit the button, and then became aware of all of the 'students' watching him. And the off shift guards, frowning. "Well, they sent through an exploratory party, then lost the gate. The air was breathable, there was a forest. That's all we know, and all we'll know until we try again in three days."
Charlie's grip was tight around her arm. "They weren't sterilized? Damn. I hope to hell some of them have some survival skills. They could have their own world."
"Yeah. You know, we need to make a concerted effort to get Dr. Heath on our side. She gives me the creeps, after what happened to . . ." she cut the rest of that off, and studied their little group. "Jason, could you stand to turn that pretty grin and poetry loose on her?"
Jason flashed the pretty grin. "With the greatest pleasure. But do you think I ought to?" he glanced at the door. Dr. Heath was escorting a rather pale Mercy in. "She's not like the airheads I've been getting information from."
"Yeah. But she's a doctor, a surgeon. If we could escape, we'd need her, umm, I suppose it would be better if we could talk her into reversing our blocks before we get ourselves away, rather than after.
They all considered that, as Mercy walked across to them. Chauncey and Rob met her halfway and hovered protectively.
AK nodded slowly. "I think I'll lay some charm on Harry. See if I can pick up news and information."
Mercy smirked. "Bet you I can beat you to him."
Rebeccah shivered. Mercy was collecting men like flowers attracted bees, but she wasn't letting any of them touch her. The amateur psychologists among them talked about subconscious telepathic compulsions. But not where any of the staff could hear.
Deliberate compulsions, now . . . They were all practicing them in private, and especially practicing shielding against them. Rebeccah wasn't about to trust some of the men. Tellies or not, some were not well socialized. She was willing to bet Mercy wouldn't get anywhere with Harry. He was older; more experienced and more controlled.
The conspicuous absence of orange in the cafeteria was emphasized by the circle of empty tables everyone left in the center of the room.
When Jack Kelso and Harry Murchison entered together the background chatter dropped. Jack-the-Ass headed straight for the nearest empty table. Harry shook his head and walked over to Gisele's table. Jack looked back indignantly. "Don't be a prick, Harry."
The mocking voice that answered in Harry's stead could only be one of the twin terrors. "Yes, Massa. Sorry, Massa. Issa jist a bit bilious over mass murder—or is it the mass escape that has you upset, Massa Harry?"
Harry ignored it and sat down ramrod straight. "Well, I see our new Congress has managed to play games with the budget already. Science research is getting the shaft again, in favor of increased social service bonuses." The room was quiet enough for everyone to hear him.
Dr. Heath nodded. "Just when you think it can't get any worse, they elect someone like Lee."
Pax snorted. "The only thing wrong with Lee is that he doesn't understand genetic engineering. His desire to treat everyone equally, everyone in the entire world, is laudable. One system of laws, one interlocked economy, one government."
"I didn't realize you were such a warmonger, Pax." Jason polished off the last spec of gravy with his roll and popped it in his mouth.
"Some people you can lead to peace, some have to be shoved."
Wolfgang slid in, loaded a tray and joined them. "I stayed to listen to the grand finale: Mueller trying to explain it all to Chou in the way least likely to get himself canned. He’ll be flying out west to explain it to the Board of Directors in three days, after the next trial that does, or doesn’t, find the Orange Team." He smiled wickedly. "This was a totally unexpected and glorious day. May I kiss your fainting feet, Miss Green?"
Mercy glared. "Only if you want your teeth kicked in."
Jack-the-Ass turned and glared. "This is probably your fault, did you coach them in how to fail, baby killer?"
"No, but I taught them plenty of survival skills, and made sure they always had a minimum of tools and food with them. Congratulations, you’ve colonized a new world!"
Rebeccah shuddered as she heard Jack’s teeth grind.
"Bullshit. They weren’t carrying anything. They’re as good as dead."
"Gah. I'm out of here." Rob grabbed his tray and headed for the exit.
Close to a third of the Tellies finished quickly. Their spontaneous meeting and group argument got nowhere before the guards were sent to break it up. There was some shoving and insults, and some of the Tellies were looking a bit unfocused. Rebeccah unfocused, herself and reached out mentally to the most uptight looking of the guards close to her. :: Relax, it's just kids having a bit of fun. Normal teenagers, just send them off to bed. Relax, relax. :: The guard relaxed, looked positively mellow. She gulped and tried to reach another one who looked overeager. He was looking at AnnaKarina—and remembering. She shouldn't . . . his mind was so hungry.
:: I am a monster, I will kill myself. I am a monster, I wil
l kill myself. :: Rebeccah wrenched away, unable to stand any more contact, and walked stiffly away.
The crowd broke up with a few stubborn types getting prodded and shoved around a bit. Wolfgang was nowhere in sight. Impossible to know where he might be.
The next two days she concentrated on school work. For what little good it would do her, she'd graduate with a bachelor of arts in symbolic logic in a few months.
The next trial found nothing that looked familiar.
Dr. Mueller was promoted to President of the South American Division. His predecessor had been kidnapped and murdered. He resigned. Shao Kennedy was named Director of the Dimensional Interface Program. A nephew of the Chairman.
Chapter Twenty
NewGene Experimental Facilities
Wisconsin, North American Union
20 August 2115
Rebeccah was not eager to try again. Even though they were going back to a single explorer. Stranding someone alone seemed almost worse.
At the new director’s insistence, they were experimenting with mixed groups again. Mercy worked well with "her" men. Pax, Chauncey, Marty and Rob. With Mercy batting her eyelashes, Chauncey was finding running the power bottle within his competencies. AK and Rebeccah found Wolfgang easy to work with, but not when Mercy was also in the group. Or Pax. Serious antipathy, there. Jason, Charlie, Wolfgang and Michael of all people, made a good small group. Today they'd try adding AK, Rebeccah, Harriet and Zelda.
"I don't like the way Wolfgang is talking to Jason." AK growled. "When Jason says something, like or not it's Wolfgang's idea."
Wolfgang must have caught the last of that, because he grinned. "I was just telling Jason that if more than one of us worked at each of the three tasks, we could probably slide people in and out of the group without closing the gate, maybe that would be the way to keep it open longer."
"That might affect where we can attach." AK crossed her arms.
"Yes, but if we left Jason out, you could find the beacon, then we could hold the gate there."
"And how are you going to talk Jack-the-Ass into that?"
"Wasn't planning on telling him. I was going to do the withdrawing mentally, not physically."
AK scowled, but turned without speaking and led the way indoors.
They all got out their headsets and started sticking down the contacts. Then meditation.
:: We need to look over the whole of the multiverse. I see clumping, a sort of dark cloudiness to the blue. I think there are multiple worlds in each cloud. We need to peek and see if each cloud is a particular type of world. :: Wolfgang’s thoughts were crystal clear.
:: Peek?:: Jason sounded uncertain.
:: Peek. Get close but not touch down. Look at several, then head for AK's spot. ::
:: Oh, really. Look but not touch. :: AK sounded skeptical.
But the rings spun up and Rebeccah reached out for her snake.
Wolfgang was there too. Surprisingly sensitive and gentle. But the mental power flow wasn't flowing well.
:: Unbalanced. Zelda, soften your contact, step out mentally, but listen to us. :: Rebeccah watched the flow steady a little.
Wolfgang pulled slightly to the outside. :: Guys back here, women in closer. ::
The flow picked up, two currents twining around each other. Steady enough. Wolfgang slipped away from the mag and reached for the rings. Michael was there too, and they sang. AK and Jason reached and got nowhere.
Wolfgang's inner voice sounded amused. :: Can you see the cloudy areas?::
:: Those shadowy spots? More of a long streamer, when you study it. Yes, I want to go to that one. ::
:: No, this way. :: Jason sounded almost mesmerized.
:: Remember what I said. Look, don't touch. Let's see what Jason is pulled toward.::
They swooped down and she could feel Wolfgang put on the brakes, prevent an attachment. A sweeping glimpse of swamp, dinosaurs, rocky dead flats, creatures crawling out of the surf . . . then they were back in the fizzing blue.
:: So, down there we have several of the primitive worlds. Possibly all of them. Now, AK where do you want to go. Look first. ::
AK shot straight ahead for the thickest part of the biggest shadow. Wolfgang slowed them, they could see a progression, trees, plains, oceans. They focused on a rocky spot, sparse grasses and scattered trees.
:: Sunshine, for the beacon!::
A broad open area, sunny. They touched down.
Wolfgang withdrew a bit, leaned to help Michael keep the rings tuned. ::Harriet, relax, rest. Zelda, come in. Just let the power flow around and through you. ::
Zelda smoothed the rings, kept them singing as Wolfgang released them.
:: Rebeccah, how are you doing?::
::Tired. Cramping. ::
He reached gently and took the snake from her, not a flicker in the smooth production of electricity. Rebeccah stretched mentally, relaxed, re-centered and rested for a long moment. Then she reached in and took the snake. Wolfgang moved off, got Harriet back, and let Michael rest, then leaned on the gate with Charlie so AK and Jason could take a break. Brief. She knew it was all happening much faster than her mental impression of time elapsed.
"All right, the explorer is back, you can let it go." Harry's voice.
AK and Jason both relaxed. Charlie drew back, but Wolfgang barely budged. :: See the bright spot? :: He retreated slowly. The spot faded with distance into what she'd have called the upper left of the thickest part of the cloud. Back and back. The spot disappeared into the dark background. Stopped.
:: AK, reach for it now. Find it again. ::
AK moaned and reached. Saw the spark, then started collapsing backwards. Charlie and Wolfgang grabbed the mental projection and slid rapidly backwards. Power shunted to the capacitors, but they'd slowed the retreat enough to not be a problem. Rebeccah heard the ring whine and started shutting down the flow.
Then she looked at the people sitting or sprawled on the floor and nodded as she wobbled down to join them.
Someone pressed a soda into her hands and she drank.
"Why did that take so long?" Harry asked.
Rebeccah swallowed. "AK and Jason wanted to go different directions. Jason tried to soften his steering. Then afterwards, as we backed off, we could see the spark of the beacon. We backed off until it was invisible, then tried to go back in."
AK pushed herself up to sitting. "I found the spark again, but we were too whipped to connect. How long were we connected? It felt like a long one."
"Very close to five minutes. Mark had tons of time to orient and start the beacon."
Jack snorted. "Eight of you and you were barely better than three women together. What did Wolfgang do? Help or hinder?"
Wolfgang turned and scowled. "I backed them all up, took the load when they looked tired." He peeled himself off the floor and looked down at Jack. "There's a place for brute force."
Jason nodded. "He's not very deft, but he's got bags of endurance."
Jack scowled. "Remember. You step out of line, baby-killer, and you know who will get hurt."
Wolfgang eyed him thoughtfully for a moment, then turned and walked away.
They all got themselves out the door and over to the cafeteria for the usual post-gate snack.
Charlie started. "Once I was looking for them, I saw seven stringers of dark shadowy clouds. Close up I fixed on at least three splits in Jason’s primitive area."
AK nodded. "Far left and down was the Primitive worlds. There was a patch lower down, not as far left. Then up about level, three in a row, small, large and medium. The third one was dead ahead, and contained empty worlds. The next was down and slightly right, and down further and further right . . . They seemed to be connected, it looked almost like a tree, with the branches spreading out and big clumps of leaves."
Rebeccah smiled. "I like that, and it relates to splitting worlds, too. I wonder what the roots look like."
"I didn't seem to be able to turn around, see the whole space." AK
frowned. "Maybe we're looking up at the tree, and the roots are hidden down behind us."
Wolfgang nodded. "I didn't get any sense of progression, which cloud, or branch if you prefer, was coming from which. And I think there was one up high as well. So eight, definite. But is our world in a clump as well? Maybe we can only look out the closest edge of ours, can't look back at the close worlds. Like in astronomy. We can see other whole galaxies, but not our own."
Rebeccah stirred the remains of her soup. "I wonder if different groups can see the same view we had. We need them to start looking around too."
"I never have opened a gate to a city world. Anyone?" Wolfgang eyed them.
Harriet nodded. "With Isobel steering it leaps right to something close. I've never been in a group that has to push way out like this."
"When we lost the Orange team." Rebeccah searched her memories. "I think Robin stayed fairly close. Somewhere."
Wolfgang leaned back. "Next time we'll try approaching one of the other clumps, before we go where we're supposed to go. Perhaps we can figure out what each one is, why there are distinct clumps like we're seeing. Maybe take a guess at the numbers of worlds in each clump. If we can get back to the same ones reliably, then we can send people over to study the worlds."
AK looked at him in exasperation. "You act like we're in charge."
"To a degree, we are. They have no way of checking on us. They can only discover what we let them discover. And once we choose a world to be ours, we can keep everyone away from it. Better yet, we can wait and see if the government is actually stupid enough to try and exile all the genetically engineered people in North America. Then we can join them, an excellent start up with perhaps a million people to support a modern level of civilization, and all lacking prejudice against us."
Jason squirmed. "What makes you think they aren't listening to us?"
"Three years in Special Forces. I have all sorts of countermeasures, especially for the pathetic quality of the stuff they have in here." Wolfgang grinned. "Or it could be magic."