Could the charge P’Ko received have been wrong? Mitigated by clothing or something? P’Ko was made to stay in his corner stage isolation long after the ceremony while all these possibilities were investigated. The others waited as well, but were allowed to talk quietly among themselves; they had all been given cleaning cloths and something to eat and drink.
After what seemed like hours, and the video recordings and data were analyzed nothing abnormal was discovered, P’Ko had no explanation for what happened or why he recovered so fast, only that he had inexplicably experienced it before but couldn’t recall when or where.
When questioned, he described the event precisely and with the same perceived time span, or lack thereof, like any other initiate. P’Ko experienced it the same as anyone else, but the external time was much, much shorter.
Review of surveillance video of the event showed that he seized and convulsed and fell exactly as all the others did. Spectral analysis of P’Ko as he was ‘touched’ showed conclusively that the charge, higher than the average and calculated precisely for P’Ko was correct and achieved the desired effect. Only P’Ko was down a little more than a minute before recovering, long enough for Gi’Ya and the Ushers to come out from behind the curtains, check on them and then return behind the curtains to avoid watching the dying one.
P’Ko along with the others were finally released and sent home to wait for their bio-mod. He went home feeling like he was being closely watched. Which prevented him from contacting Su’Zi, even in Vr’Chm. He tried her psychically, but with his current frustration and limited psychic abilities, all he got across was that he was alright, and he would contact her as soon as he could.
P’Ko spent the time listening to music, playing games and going on jobs with his ba. Perhaps impacted by what he experienced in the Touch of God ceremony, P’Ko grew closer to his ba, as the weeks passed, he gained more respect for his father and began to see him more as a real person and an equal more than ever before.
Chapter 27, P’Ko’s Bio-Mod
Dr. Za’Ga sat at the small desk in the corner of her apartment, staring at the bio-mod order before her; this is going to be a complicated one. It’s good that Z’Shi sent her the encrypted message, giving Za’Ga plenty of time to prepare.
Za’Ga remembered P’Ko; she had performed a side job on P’Ko when he was a young Ko’Ka. Unfortunately, her diagnosis proved false, and the illegal mod to improve P’Ko’s cognitive capability didn’t resolve his learning difficulty. The problem had to be emotional or psychological stemming from the birth trauma P’Ko’s parents described. Unfortunately, Za’Ga didn’t learn of the birth trauma till after the failure of the procedure, and she started investigating possible reasons why the procedure failed.
Za’Ga felt bad; she should have asked more questions before the procedure and possibly avoided the costly mistake. However, she did what she could to lessen the financial impact on P’Ko’s parents. It proved cheaper to leave the mod in place and offer a partial refund to the family than to attempt to remove the mod.
Regarding P’Ko’s prognosis and treatment, options are limited. The easiest and cheapest treatment for psychological problems is total reprogramming, which wipes out any trace of the parents and grandparents imprint partial reprogramming is accomplished through reprogramming sessions with a specialist and are very time-consuming and costly. Way beyond P’Ko’s parents means to pay.
Dr. Za’Ga recommended the wait and see approach. It’s possible that P’Ko’s learning difficulties and possible emotional or psychological problems would resolve themselves and apparently they have.
Now, as Za’Ga reviewed P’Ko’s records she was pleasantly surprised to discover that P’Ko looked very much like he had solved the problems that plagued him in his youth and was going to amount to something. Za’Ga knew that many, perhaps the majority of U’Te’s become just another component, in the giant machine that is Dadr’Ba working all day. Only to go home to a small capsule flat to recharge, execute optimization utilities, return to work the following day, and perform their pre-determined functions
Upon reflection, Dr. Za’Ga realized that the mere fact that P’Ko’s parents had risked everything to obtain the illegal cognitive enhancement for their son meant something. P’Ko was unique. Za’Ga remembered that day, the desperation, the hope and when the procedure failed the despair that P’Ko’s parents felt. She felt the emotion too, the desire and the danger she put herself and all those involved in, the risk of performing the illegal procedure. But she had been taking risks as long as she could remember, quietly and discreetly supporting people in need whenever she got the chance.
Za’Ga didn’t consider herself part of the resistance. But by performing P’Ko’s side job, along with all those other mods that she’s performed, and continues to perform, were then and are now, in direct violation of CA rules. By the CA’s standards, she and all of her cohorts, as well as their families, are members of the resistance.
Without exception, all the people that Za’Ga helps are peaceful, hardworking contributors to Dadr’Ba and its mission, they only want a good happy life and wouldn’t dream of doing anything in direct conflict with the CA and the mission of Dadr’Ba.
As it turned out, P’Ko grew up and stayed off CASS’s radar screen. Za’Ga lived with the constant fear that one of her “unauthorized bio-mods” would be discovered. She was careful however to perform a fair number of illegal bio-mods for D’En’s, as an insurance policy. She kept records, and if her activities were discovered, a good number of D’En’s would be in as much trouble as the U’Te’s and Mi’Nr’s that she helped.
Za’Ga reviewed P’Ko’s bio-mod order after P’Ko received a standing ovation at the graduation, she wasn’t surprised that P’Ko’s order included a CASS directed passive tracking and surveillance nanobot injection but, thankfully, no active tracking/surveillance or override implants.
When ordered to install active implants, on a suspect believed to be associated with the resistance, she would install substandard units, or install it in such a way that it wouldn’t work properly, and she’d let the resistance know that the implants were there and who had them.
Then, the resistance would know what type of implant is installed and who has them. Then they can decide what to do, they usually inoculated them, but sometimes they used them to feed false or misleading information to the CASS.
Za’Ga had very quietly and carefully provided the resistance with a nano-bot vaccine that effectively disables the nano-bots and she assists the resistance in developing detection equipment for these and other bio-mod ordered surveillance devices.
This time, Za’Ga knew without contacting the resistance how to handle CASS’s nanobot injection request. The message from Z’Shi would have been enough, but was doubled when she saw in the Bio-Mod order, the code indicating who P’Ko’s mentor was going to be.
It was her friend, and own mentor, Z’Shi. The nanobot injection that P’Ko would get is from a specific lot, known only to a few people and reserved for Z’Shi’s Lr’Lng’s.
If tested they gave the appearance of working but didn’t actually work. Za’Ga wasn’t sure exactly how they’re disabled, something with the sensory input or output, or it could be with the storage or retrieval mechanism. It could even be a combination of other factors. Za’Ga didn’t know how, she just knows that she’s used them for years, and they’ve never worked, and they’ve never been detected, yet.
But then, everyone that has them is in a trusted, prestigious position subject to additional scrutiny. If the CASS figured out the secret behind these defective nanobots a lot of high-level people would become suspect. If P’Ko’s malfunctioning nanobots were detected they’d probably be dismissed as a one-off occurrence and not jeopardize Z’Shi’s network.
Reviewing the Bio-mod order, Za’Ga saw that P’Ko’s bio-mod will be very extensive. Taking a machine that was designed to operate at a normal temperature, gravity, and atmospheric environment. And con
figuring it to operate at temperatures approaching absolute zero, in gravity twice its design spec, and in atmospheric pressures ranging over several orders of magnitude, that are sometimes explosive and caustic will be no easy task.
Fortunately, there is a template to follow; the Mi’Nr’s are designed for these environments.
The easiest way to achieve P’Ko’s mods would be just to transfer P’Ko’s cognitive components into a Bo’R chassis, which may have been what the CA intended her to do, but if she did that it would almost certainly change P’Ko’s personality, destroying P’Ko and creating someone or something new.
The task facing Za’Ga will be to achieve the mods without making P’Ko unrecognizable as P’Ko, without breaking his mind/body link and change who he is.
Za’Ga knew of many instances of a personality change brought on by a bio-mod, most of the time she does nothing to avoid the change, bio-mods have been happening long enough that most people understand and expect the personality changes, this time, she knew she had to be careful.
To complicate things further Za’Ga needed to attempt to weigh in the personality change often brought on by graduation and, especially the Touch of God Ceremony. They’ve been known to alter a person’s personality and sense of self, as much or more so than changes brought forth by biomods. It all depends on the person.
Za’Ga had seen something as simple as a tattoo change a person from meek to a confident outspoken individual. This time, since the bio-mods are so extensive, Za’Ga felt that not paying close attention to keeping P’Ko’s outward appearance the same, would result in killing him.
P’Ko’s order didn’t list any tattoos, they are a waste of credits here, he will undoubtedly get those down in the mines. He will get new, tougher skin, including an enhanced touch/temp sensor map with subcutaneous fuel stores, his new skin will be unavoidably the darker Bo’R’s tone due to the increased carbon fiber content, but Za’Ga picked the lightest tone available, a noticeable change but not strikingly so. She’ll follow P’Ko’s underlying facial features selection to a tee.
The worst part is going to be getting the new skin to fit P’Ko’s frame; it’s going to take a lot of work cutting, splicing and seaming P’Ko’s skin and sensors, will cost a lot more than what was estimated in the Bio-Mod order, in just the time cost alone.
Za’Ga used computer modeling to optimize the changes necessary, maximized use of recycled components, and had her robotic micro-manipulator assistant make the critical sensor splices, triple checking the function of each splice.
P’Ko requested lighter hair color than the norm for a Bo’R, a color more closely matching his parents. It will make him feel more like himself, but will make him stand out in the mining camps. But his hair color and skin tone will be covered by his work uniform. But nothing can disguise his height. His height will cause him to stand out in the mining camps like a candle burning in a cave. Shortening him would solve some structural issues with dealing with a high gravity of Zone Three and especially zone four, but changing his height on top of all the other changes would create too great a risk to his personal identity.
P’Ko is very likely to meet with conflict and opposition. Extra height and reach will make it easier for him to defend himself and could save his life. Za’Ga ran some calculations and decided that if she keeps P’Ko slim, U’Te like, compared to the stockier Bo’R, it will offset the weight from his height.
Then adjusting the doping of the carbon fiber resin, increase the layers, his limbs should be strong and light enough to handle the higher gravity environments while keeping nearly the same height. Za’Ga ran the parameters through the design algorithm, then through the performance simulator. She made the necessary adjustments, checked the results, then sent the instructions to the three-dimensional printer/fabricator/kiln to begin work.
Physically, P’Ko will become a new person. Dr. Za’Ga crafted the changes to ensure that they are not readily apparent. P’Ko won’t be notified or told about his new capabilities. It’ll be better that he discovers and learns about them on his own, over time, which should lessen the impact on his personality. Za’Ga was proud of the work she just finished thinking that it will live up to the expectations of all the people that gave P’Ko a standing ovation at graduation.
Tso’Lo[73], Za’Ga’s mate for over 100 years, interrupted “Za’Ga. You’ve been working on that bio-mod since I got home, you didn’t even notice me when I came in.”
“I’m sorry” Za’Ga responded, “I need a break, let’s go for a walk.”
Dr. Za’Ga and Tso’Lo started off on one of their regular routes, this one, chosen to stay distant from the CA surveillance system, allowing them to talk without being overheard. They talked about the meaning of life, hopes, dreams, and what it might be like on O’M. Never a word was told about each other’s work. Za’Ga liked it that way, and she thought that Tso’Lo liked it too.
Chapter 28, Chi’Yo Reviews P’Ko’s Grad
Chi’Yo[74] stared at the screen reluctant to review the recorded graduation ceremony mentioned in his daily security brief as a notable, possible resistance related event. He’d much rather reflect on his situation and his plans.
He hates graduations; he even hated his own, the more he tried to forget his less than stellar placement at his graduation, the more he couldn’t forget it and the closer to the top of his mind it remained. He barely managed to stay out of the bottom third of his D’En graduating class overall; his only saving grace was that he did well at security academics, consistently scoring in the top three percent.
Now he’s the Director of CASS, the only real person in a position over him is the Commander. The fact that he purged and edited his academic records which may have helped him along the way doesn’t matter. Results, the present, and the future are all that matters.
He only wished he could do something about the lingering doubts and fears that he could lose control of the security empire he created that relentlessly plagues him. He’s tried to assuage his nagging insecurities by behaving like the pinnacle of military discipline and demanding the same from his subordinates.
His demands of zero-tolerance for transgressions and constantly reminding his underlings that he’s in charge often by pointing out his subordinate’s failings and errors (even insignificant ones) as frequently and publicly as possible, doesn’t help his self-doubts or his self-esteem.
For those under him that he can’t find fault with, he occasionally fabricates errors. After all, he’s in charge, and nobody can question him, and he doesn’t tolerate insubordination. Whenever a subordinate questions him, he ridicules them, demotes them or punishes them with menial disgraceful tasks, which teaches them discipline. He allows them to acknowledge their transgression and submit to his leadership. Then when he’s satisfied that they’ve proven their loyalty and fealty, he may allow them back into his graces.
Chi’Yo wished his mate Me’Lng was more obedient and supportive. Despite being a Second Gn’R, the Central Council is all First Gn’R’s and ToG survivors; he would fit in among the top echelon better if Me’Lng would attend all the functions wives are supposed to participate and treat him reverently, the way he deserves to be treated. Then the council would treat him more like an equal. Then, with the proper set of circumstances, he’d have a better chance at becoming Commander, in spite of his lack of rank.
Me’Lng can be made into not a problem. She’s headstrong and smart, so smart that she’s stupid. She doesn’t see that it would have been better had she been more engaged and supportive during his career, instead of reluctantly following him and privately obstructing him. Considering the rank structure, it might not have made any real difference, but she will eventually pay for her impudence.
He mated with Me’Lng too early, and Chi’Yo’s grand plan for pressuring Me’Lng’s parents to retire early so they could birth early, and rear devoted accomplices to assist in the creation of his dynasty turned to disaster. Me’Lng’s parents did retire early b
ut gave the birthing rights to Me’Lng’s brother.
When the time comes, Me’Lng will be in internal exile. Once he seizes control as Commander.
All ranks, including the top job of Commander, is based strictly on seniority. All the Sector Commanders are very close in rank to Commander Di’Zo most within a few days and over the centuries, the Commanders Position has sometimes changed over mere days’ worth of seniority. As head of security, Chi’Yo knows the stats exactly.
The next rank assessment and realignment isn’t until after they reach O’M and being a Second Gn’R Chi’Yo wouldn’t even be in the top 100 in line for the top job. For Chi’Yo to become the Commander, the rank system would have to be changed from seniority to merit. Then, given his position as security chief, he could easily pull off a coup d’état.
Ah, the coup d’état, what an excellent concept, a shining example of why knowledge of the past should be controlled, banned completely from the masses, and reserved for the privileged elite like himself with the real need to know.
Even the central council and Commander don’t “need” to know, (thanks to a little help from Chi’Yo) they don’t have the time or the foundational knowledge necessary to access or understand it. It would only interfere with their duties. They need someone like himself to control and manage the information they receive.
Chi’Yo has done all the work for them, looking into the histories, and providing them only the information needed to support the decisions that Chi’Yo wants them to make. The first Security Director, the one that Chi’Yo successfully deposed was a genius for arranging for the council to enact the FOP (Forward Only Policy) with its prohibition against history and the waste of valuable resources. History taints us with past mistakes, degrades our noble cause, and carries with us the atrocities our ancestors performed against each other, and how we ruined our world and its environment. The FOP facilitated a bloodless information coup.
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