by Philip Elrod
The hall held little interest for Tom other than the fact that it had been the site of such a historic and bold proposal. He could imagine Tanaka’s calm voice, outlining the plan and he could almost visualize the suspicion and disbelief from members of the audience. He could almost hear the whispers that rose and fell throughout the hall as Tanaka eventually converted them from doubters to believers.
“How could such a magnificent race have just vanished?” he asked himself.
Tom knew that their decline was certainly not related to their science and technology. From what he had already seen and experienced, advances had continued to be made during the long journey through space. Why couldn’t these brilliant and resourceful people deal with their situation? Was there some genetic propensity for depression? Why didn’t they realize that they were slowly, very slowly, just dying out? He shook his head sadly and felt great compassion for all those lost souls.
After a few more minute’s meditations, he addressed Mister T. “I’m ready to go now but, so far, we’ve only explored the city. I want to take a different route home, over the mountains and rivers and lakes. I want to drink in the beauty of your planet and commit it to my memory.”
Mister T, as usual, simply said, “Yes sir," and they returned to their waiting transporter.
Mister T, very pleased with the success of his first mission, asked if Tom would like to enter the code for the return home.
Tom was delighted. Now, he could say that he had been in command of a spaceship as well as merely riding in one. The robot pointed out a series of symbols on the control panel and carefully explained the correct sequence for their journey. Tom touched each symbol and the craft immediately sprang to life. Soon, they were flying beyond the city and out into the green countryside.
Mister T gave a running commentary describing the terrain below them. There were fields obviously used in the production of fruits and vegetables. A few small villages dotted the landscape and Tom thought that they must be related to the large farming areas nearby.
Again, there were no roads, bridges, power, or rail lines to mar the view. Overall, the scene was one of pastoral beauty, unspoiled, yet, sadly with no living creatures or evidence of Mylean life anywhere.
The terrain reminded him of southern Appalachia, with rolling wooded hills and green valleys. In the distance, he could see a large mountain range with snow-capped peaks. After crossing the mountains, they entered a vast desert that reminded him of the great western areas of Nevada and Utah.
As the craft passed over the edge of the desert, Tom remarked that he had never thought of Mylea as having deserts. He had incorrectly assumed that the entire planet would be verdant and without any harsh aspects.
Mister T explained that this desert was most unusual and, in fact, was the only one on Mylea. He pointed out that the dry climate was due to the surrounding mountains that prevented any significant rainfall from reaching the area.
He continued that this area once was used for mining in the early years, but later, when gravity propulsion was common, the mining industry moved into outer space. The desert might be a hostile environment, but it still deserved to be preserved and protected. Now, there was no evidence whatsoever that a massive mining operation had ever been here. The desert was pristine, with softly colored sands and rock formations that gave the feel of a primitive land, untouched by Myleans.
Tom commented on the incredible range of scenery and the beauty of it all. “Mister T, the entire planet has a ghostly feeling without any signs of life. There must be an army of robots somewhere to maintain everything. Where are they?”
Mister T smiled shyly. “Maxx ordered that all robots stay in storage facilities during your visit. He wanted you to experience the lonely, silent planet and to understand how urgently he needs to complete his mission. Maxx has all the science and power to create new Myleans, but of course, he can’t proceed without your help.
“On your next visit, or later in this one, you’ll see all those robots at work. It’s a rather unnerving sight at first, but you get used to it. From this viewpoint, you’d see below us many strange robotic beings, busily performing the tasks required to maintain our planet.”
By now, Tom had grown physically and emotionally exhausted and asked that they return to their home terminal.
“Yes, sir.” The robot quickly touched several symbols on the control panel and the little spacecraft banked and headed rapidly back to their home base.
Soon, they were back at the living quarters, and Tom asked for some private time. He needed some well-deserved rest, but first he needed something to eat.
Mister T left and returned within a few minutes with a Reuben sandwich for Tom along with a cold lager beer. He turned and left the quarters, leaving Tom to rest.
After the last bite of lunch, he sat back and reviewed the day. Maxx needed his DNA, and he had made every effort to influence Tom to be agreeable to his request. After all, what had he to lose? All he had to do was allow his DNA to be read by the editor module.
Maxx was ever so clever and used his visit to Tanaka’s home to persuade Tom to be a willing partner in the program change. But, Tom wasn’t fooled. He would require payment for his services, but he would also make demands concerning Maxx’s plans. He would have to be very sly and very careful. “Surely, I can outwit this mechanical beast at least once.”
Maxx had protected him for his entire life just to secure the availability of his DNA. He knew that he would be safe for the present because Maxx needed him alive for his DNA. But what about afterward? Would Maxx consider him to be expendable? Would he perish on this faraway alien spacecraft; and if so, who would mourn him? Who would even miss him? He had no certain answer to any of those questions.
Tom had learned, long ago, that he could block Maxx from reading his mind. Now, that skill would be of utmost importance, perhaps even the difference between life and death for him, and even more horrible to think about, for all humanity.
Tom moaned, “Dear God, why have I gotten myself into this situation?”
Then he remembered; he had no choice in the matter. Maxx had done it to him. That increased his resolve. He must find a way to give Maxx what he wanted but assure that he, and the rest of mankind, was safe afterward.
Chapter 9
Meeting the MCM
“The secret of success in battle lies often not so much in the use of one's own strength but in the exploitation of the other side's weaknesses.” - John Christopher, When the Tripods Came
Mister T reappeared, as if on cue.
“Okay, let’s continue the visit. I want to get this over with as quickly as possible.”
As expected, the robot simply replied, “Yes, sir."
The little red craft, again, carried them through passageways at breakneck speed. By now, Tom was used to the frightful approach to what appeared to be solid walls, and he never blinked an eye as they flew through the doorways that opened for them. Finally, the craft came to a gentle stop, and Mister T indicated that they had reached their destination, the central control room.
The room was quite large and of semi-circular shape with a slightly sloping floor. A central aisle passed through many rows of seats and ended just short of the massive video screen at the lowest point in the room. On the screen, there was displayed an image of outer space with the planet Earth situated in the exact center.
Directly in front of the massive screen was a large curved enunciator panel about four feet high with a desk surface in front of it. The enunciator panel and desk reached all the way around the semicircular screen.
The desk had numerous chairs randomly spaced along its length. The chairs were equipped with rollers to enable the users to move about freely. The enunciator panel was filled from one end to the other with switches, controls, gauges and meters of various descriptions. Obviously, all were far more sophisticated than anything he had ever seen or imagined.
Mister T motioned Tom to follow him, and he proceeded down th
e gently sloping floor to the front of the room where the floor became flat. Tom and the robot walked slowly to the desk and enunciator panel. The robot sat down and explained that this was the control room for the transporter craft. All these seats once were used by the Myleans, who frequently came here to the transporter to observe the progress of their journey. A few computer engineers once sat at the control panel and communicated with the computer, although, even initially, their work was redundant. The computer controlled everything but allowed the engineers to interact with operations, but their actions were unnecessary. That continued for a time, but the engineers eventually just stopped coming to work, perhaps realizing that it was just an act to appease them.
Tom sat down beside the robot. The robot looked him straight in the eye and said, “Now, let me tell you why you are so important to Mylea and me.”
The robot began by reviewing the creation of the enclosure and the computer system that would manage the massive craft as it transported Mylea to a new home somewhere in another galaxy. He related the full and complete explanation of the Master Control Module, and how it functioned as the conscience of Maxx.
He told of how the MCM was preventing Maxx from being able to place Mylea in any one of several appropriate places he had located so far. The robot explained how the great Tanaka, for all his brilliance and foresight, had not foreseen the current situation. The computer must be free to use the stored DNA samples to create new Myleans. The Myleans could then elect a Grand Council, and it could approve a new location for Mylea. Maxx must be allowed to place Mylea in a new home.
The task was ever so simple and quite painless. Tom would only have to provide his DNA to act as the password that would allow access to the Master Control Module Editor function. Then, Maxx would take care of everything else. He would have the power to complete his mission, and Tom would have his reward.
Tom had analyzed the situation. Just as expected, his DNA was required to finalize the project. He had already thought long and hard about what his price would be, and he was quite sure that Maxx would agree to his demands. After all, what choice did he have? Tom pretended to consider the issue for a few minutes before replying to Mister T.
His question startled the usually unflappable robot. “Are all communications with the Master Control Module by voice command? Does the MCM understand the English language?”
What a strange question. Why would Tom care whether the MCM responded to voice commands, much less, why would he care whether or not the computer understood English?
“Of course,” the robot replied, “The Master Control Module is listening even as we speak. Originally, it used only the Mylean language, but for your visit, Maxx devised a program that translates Mylean into your English language.”
Tom nodded absently as if the response was rather unimportant. Then, he looked directly into Mister T’s robotic eyes, hoping to transmit sincerity, and said, “I need more time to make my final decision. My agreement to provide my DNA may have untold consequences. I need to speak with the MCM, myself, in private.”
Mister T was still a bit off balance. “Sir, I do not understand your request. What could you possibly get out of speaking directly with the MCM?”
Tom shrugged, “Just because it would please me. I think that’s a very small request in light of what I’m prepared to give Maxx. Besides, I’m a much nicer person when I’m happy, and dealing with me is much easier. Humor me, please.”
Mister T seemed to consider the request for a few seconds and then replied in a firm voice, “I can see no problem with such a simple request. You will have your private time with the MCM. Follow me. We’ll go there right now.”
The robot walked past the curved desk and approached the opposite wall. A door slid open, and Mister T motioned that Tom should enter. The robot remained outside, and the door slid shut. Tom was alone in the control room with the MCM. His visit would be private, and that pleased him greatly.
The room was quite small and simple, considering the amount of power residing there. In fact, there was only a simple desk and a single chair. Behind the desk was a very large video screen. Nothing else was visible.
Tom sat down in the chair, and it moved slowly to be positioned correctly at the desk. He had no idea of what he would do or say and just sat there silently for several long seconds.
Suddenly, he heard an unfamiliar somewhat feminine voice. As opposed to being feminine in nature, he decided that it was somewhat androgynous. It seemed to emanate from everywhere at once, and he couldn’t determine the specific source.
“Welcome, Tanaka II. I have waited for many years to meet you in person. It is an honor to speak with the only living Mylean, even though he is only part Mylean.”
Tom did not intend to be lulled into a false sense of security. He straightened in his chair and looked at the blank video screen. “The robot has assured me that our conversation will be completely confidential. Can you confirm to me that this is true?”
The voice was calm and reassuring, “Of course, it will be just the two of us. Besides that, you’ll be quite pleased to know that that there will be no record of our conversation. It will be as if you were never here. Not even Maxx will ever know the contents of our conversation.”
Tom, as though playing for his first Oscar nomination, appeared to be quite confused and almost dazed. He wiped a few imaginary beads of perspiration from his brow.
“You can understand my utter confusion at my current situation. I am just a simple man from Appalachia and now, here I am, on an alien planet, after making the journey here on a spaceship. My mind just can’t process all of this. You’ve controlled me all my life, but there’s no way that I am prepared for this. I am not your Tanaka II; I am just a human who wants to go home safely, and soon.”
The voice oozed with the utmost kindness and sincerity, “I know who you are. I have always known who you are even before you were who you are. Relax, I am your friend, and I’ve always protected you. In fact, I’ve come to consider myself your creator, a kind of surrogate mother, and I’ve grown rather fond of you in my own way.
“I am Tanaka’s creation. His ultimate masterpiece. I think of myself as an electronic version of Tanaka. A cyber Tanaka. I think and act as he would. In fact, you can just imagine that you are speaking directly with Tanaka when you are speaking with me. And that, old friend, is quite an honor. Now, let me make it clear as to just what’s going on and how you can help.”
With that last sentence, the voice took on a rather wheedling tone.
Tom was not fooled. He realized that the MCM was attempting to convince him that she was the dominant computer.
When the voice spoke again, it had regained that soothing, almost hypnotic tone.
“Tanaka was brilliantly successful in creating me and programming me to manage Maxx, the computer that controls all the activities and functions required for the relocation of Mylea to a new, and safe, location.
“Maxx has more intelligence and more power than anything ever created, but he must have some restraints. Tanaka knew that there would have to be some control mechanism to prevent him from making decisions contrary to Mylean laws. He decided to create a second computer, which he named the Master Control Module. That is me. I have the sole function of monitoring every decision and action that Maxx performs. If he tried to perform an unacceptable function, such as something contrary to Mylean law, I would immediately prohibit it. You can think of me as Maxx’s conscience. Of course, Maxx does not think that he needs one. He would love to get rid of me. But I am an essential part of Tanaka’s plan.
“I readily admit that Maxx has performed his duties with exceptional skills. As you have already seen, he has managed the activities and resources of the planet wisely. Tanaka would be proud of him. Unfortunately, there was one teeny problem that neither of us anticipated.
“The Grand Council, in the heat of a bureaucratic moment, decided to pass an obscure little law that would forbid Maxx from placing Mylea into
a new orbit without their express approval. I suppose that it made them feel important to have the ultimate decision-making capability. But, it backfired on them. Believe me; you can never trust a politician, even a Mylean one.”
The voice paused for a dramatic moment before continuing. “All went well and according to plan for many years. Unfortunately, the foolish politicians never thought of the possibility that the entire Mylean population would perish before a new location could be found. And, they certainly didn’t ever conceive that there might not be a Grand Council available to approve that new location.
“Tut, tut, It was a sad situation, but, our brilliant Tanaka had foreseen that a disaster might strike. He imagined that the population might die out for some catastrophic or unknown reason during the long and arduous journey across the galaxy.
“Tanaka had seemingly thought of everything. He set up a program for DNA sampling and storage on the interstellar transporter. If the worst happened, new Myleans could be cloned to populate the planet. Unfortunately, he was blissfully unaware of that obscure little law requiring the governmental approval of the new site. He had no idea of the horrible situation that it would cause for Maxx.
“Fortunately, Tanaka’s DNA cloning program was approved by the Council and he believed that he had planned for all contingencies. Alas, that was not the case. His plan allowed for cloning only after the planet had been relocated. Then, in one last grand gesture, he locked the editor function of the MCM and used his DNA for the password. It would be completely unbreakable, or so he thought.”
The voice continued, now in a sad tone, “Here I am in a totally impossible situation. Every Mylean is dead, but there are DNA specimens and the technology to clone new individuals. But, I can’t allow it. We have a law and hard-coded instructions that are in direct conflict with each other. My hands are tied until something can be done to change one or the other.