LOST AND FORGOTTEN: BOOK THREE - ENIGMA

by Maurice Barkley

  “She’s silver, but soft—seems okay,” he said, “but I can’t even think of a question to ask her.”

  “Who or whatever you are,” Alice said, “you come as quite a surprise. Why don’t we just listen to what you have to tell us?”

  She had a very attentive audience. “I must first tell you of the nature of this place and the deadly danger it represents. Each being that approaches, whether alone or in a group sees what you have seen. If you had gone closer, you would have lost the ability to retreat and would have encountered the figure in the small building. The figure would be you. Not a mirror image or a twin, but you. It would have your exact personality, all of your memories and all of your wants and desires.

  “Think of this. It will know your deepest secrets—your lies, your deceits, the cruel, the dishonorable and the cowardly things you have done or even considered doing. Perhaps you think you could just ignore this thing, but no one ever has, and the experience can shatter one’s mind. This is why you must leave this place and bar all others from coming here.”

  “But why is it here?” Amy asked. “What purpose does it, or did it serve?”

  “This place was made for those few who commit an unforgivable crime—a being that deserves more than death. It has not been used very often. I also believe that the pink saucers that inhabit the pond area are a last resort for those tragic individuals. Once trapped by the narcotic, death will soon follow, but it is easier when one is engulfed with that euphoria.”

  “Do you have any control over this place?” M1 asked. “Can you turn it off?”

  “No. I know about many places here, but I control nothing—not even the big facility where you left the former Lonesome Joe, has that ability.”

  “We understand and thank you,” M1 said, “but I’m sure you have much more to tell us, like who are you and where did you come from and why did you say the former Lonesome Joe?”

  “I will explain everything, but we should leave this place. I will talk to you on the way.”

  “Good idea,” M1 said. “Let’s go, folks.”

  The little robot picked up her story as we walked back under the trees. “I have a surprise for you,” she said. “It may startle you, but be assured, it is a good surprise.”

  “Okay,” Alice said, “we’re used to surprises, so lay it on us.”

  “First,” she said, “I am not actually a human woman, I am a robot—or to be more precise, an android. My name used to be Lonesome Joe. Perhaps you should have named me Lonesome Josephine.” We all stopped short. “I know, I know,” she continued, “even I was confused at first—until the controlling entity of the large facility gave me the knowledge.” Her waving index finger targeted Amy. “Remember that it was you who decided I was a male. I had no reference or cause to dispute your reasoning. For all practical purposes it did not matter. The controlling entity manages a birthplace for robots, therefore she is female. Every self-aware unit she produces is also female and the reason is just because and don’t ask. That is all that I know.

  “The entity revealed that when I entered her domain it was a great surprise because I was changed in ways I am still examining. You know I have emotions—feelings that I think you would consider to be human. As we examined each other she could not resist acquiring that ability and now we both have emotions. Her future is uncertain because everything is so new. I expect that at some future date she may take some form and leave the facility, but for now she remains in that vast building.”

  “Welcome back to us... Josephine,” Bebe said. “If it was Joe who rejoined us, I was expecting Ricardo Montalban, not a very pretty Audrey Hepburn.”

  Our silver lady resumed walking as she answered. “She who controls the facility, in essence, gives birth to robots. I am okay with her choice. And, if you like, you may call me Jo. It may ease the transition for you. Oh, and she also chose this form because it is small and non-threatening.”

  We reached the edge of the plateau and began to clamber down. M1 suggested we delay further questions until we were back in Manheim and could have a proper sit-down with Jo. On the way, M1 checked in with Fran, but she didn’t need a report as she was tuned in to our radios. The Colonel was with her and was very interested in our adventure. I was sure he would join the party as soon as we got there.

  Bebe leaned in and said in a low voice, “I wonder, James, now that Joe is a woman, are there things you regret saying to him—things you regret talking about?”

  “Not that I can think of,” I replied, “but my big problem is not to think of her as a guy. This will take some time.”

  CHAPTER 27

  Back at Grand Central, Jo created quite a sensation, but other than marveling at our revised companion we learned nothing new. Colonel Brockway interrupted the show by reporting on his testing of Camila. “Sorry,” he said, “but the test never happened. What with that little woman showing up, we’ve been busy right here. If you have the time, maybe you could take her up to that patio and see if she can take you to Pinocchio.”

  It was close to twilight as we hustled her up to the courtyard. She touched the white ring, but it didn’t work.

  “This is where we ask ourselves for ideas,” Alice said.

  Amy was the first to respond. “Maybe the DNA has to be an exact match or maybe Camila must be a close relative to Bebe.”

  “Are you and Bebe blood relatives?” Alice asked her. “Do you know?”

  Camila frowned. “Our common ancestor is at least ten generations removed.”

  Alice wasn’t finished. “If a first or second cousin exists, can a DNA test make that determination?”

  “I’m sure it can,” she said, “The challenge is to find that particular person and the hunt is on.”

  “How about you?” Alice asked her, “Is it back to the lab?”

  “Not if I can help it,” she said, with a determined look. “And the Colonel said he’d like me to stay on. This is much too exciting.”

  “I wish to conduct an experiment,” Bebe said, “if it is agreeable.”

  Alice made an open-hand gesture. “Please do.”

  “My idea is it may well be my DNA and not Bebe as such is the trigger. With the help of James, I would like to make a test.”

  I was ready to volunteer, but she didn’t ask. She took my right hand, held it out palm up, bent her head and deposited a dribble of saliva in the middle. I went to the post and placed my wet palm on the circle.

  “Shazam!” M2 exclaimed. “That did the trick.”

  And it did. The clouds returned and the arch was open.

  “That’s great,” Amy chirped. “All Bebe has to do is give Camila a bag-o-spit and she’s good to go.”

  “Actually,” Camila said, “all I need is a blob on a piece of paper. I’ll let it dry then trim off a chip and sandwich it between strips of tape. Come to think of it, I could make up a bunch and sell them for a million bucks each.”

  Alice was curious about Camila and she willingly treated us to a mini biography that became more interesting when Alice asked her about the blood she was analyzing.

  “The labels,” Camila said, “indicated they were all of Peruvian origin except for two samples that arrived separately.”

  “Anything unusual about the two samples?”

  “Not really,” she said, “The names were a bit unusual, but not extreme.”

  “What were they?”

  “One was Lamont Lantern and the other was Shan Doah.”

  “What were the results?”

  “I couldn’t determine their race but other than that, their DNA was normal.”

  “Regular human DNA?”

  “I don’t understand. What else could it be?”

  “I don’t know how much you’ve been told, Camila, but you must have realized that what you have seen on Nexus and Enigma were not built by people from Earth.”

  “Logic tells me that, but I’m new to all of this and my mind can’t keep up. I suppose I knew I was seeing alien landscapes, b
ut until right now, the reality was out of focus.” She paused for a moment, her brow wrinkled in thought. “Are you telling me those two samples were the blood of aliens? What do they look like? Are they like the small female you just rescued? Do you have a picture?”

  Alice reached to place her hand on Shan’s shoulder. “Better yet, let me introduce you to Ms. Doah. She and Bob, over there, are our resident aliens. You’ll meet Lamont eventually.”

  It was forgivable that Camila stared wide-eyed at the two. “But you both look like regular humans. Your skin is more a golden color, but not that far from Hawaiian.”

  They both just smiled at her.

  “Well,” Alice said, “it’s not surprising since you just told us about their DNA. I guess they must be human.”

  “I agree,” Camila said, “but that raises a whole big bunch of other questions. In a way I’m a bit disappointed because I wouldn’t mind meeting a Klingon or a really different being.”

  Alice reached to place her hand on Blue’s head. “Blue here belongs to Shan and he is a true alien.” She looked at Blue and asked, “Blue, what would you like for dinner?”

  “Spam,” Blue replied.

  Camila’s eyebrows shot up while her jaw shot down.

  “He’s a very intelligent mimic,” Alice told her, “but as far as we know, he’s more like a dolphin than a Klingon. Thing is though, one never knows about these aliens.”

  “Are there any native life forms here?” Camila asked.

  “You’ll see some tonight,” Alice replied. “Also there are animals that live beyond the city limits. We’ve found a few very interesting creatures in our travels, but that’s about it. Weren’t you told of any of this?”

  “No,” Camila replied, “I think the people back at the university are as ignorant as me.”

  “It’s getting late,” M1 said. “We should get back to Grand Central.”

  CHAPTER 28

  We went directly to IHOO to simultaneously eat and have a meeting. Fran, Camila and the Colonel squeezed in around our crowded table. Our silver robot created quite a sensation and we had a constant stream of troopers finding some excuse to stroll slowly past our table.

  Another modest surprise was when Jo requested a Spam sandwich with mustard and a cup of coffee. “Before you inquire,” she said, “since I am now essentially organic. I sleep, I breathe air, drink liquids, eat food and perform excretions the same as you.”

  “Do you have taste buds?” Amy asked,

  “Yes, I have all five senses. I hope you all do not feel bad when I tell you they are almost as sensitive as those enjoyed by Blue and the cat named Jesus.”

  “We don’t feel bad,” Amy said, “just envious.”

  Jo turned to her food and we did the same although eating did not stop the conversation.

  “What are your plans for this little wonder?” Colonel Brockway asked the table. “I’m sure you realize the importance of the former Joe.”

  “Good question, sir,” Alice answered. “Like so much of our adventure, things happen and we just wing it. I wonder though, Jo, are you able to leave here. Can you go to another planet?”

  “I anticipate no difficulty,” she replied, though her words were muffled in a very human manner by a mouthful of sandwich.” I am fully separated from the facility and, as you can see, my power requirements are being fulfilled as I speak, oink, oink.” she grinned and held up her sandwich.

  “Do you know of a Control Center for Manheim?” Alice asked and we all perked up.

  “It is logical there be such a place,” she said, “but if it exists, I was not informed. I am not integrated at all with my mother, the controlling entity. She may know, but I doubt it.”

  “That’s interesting, Alice,” M1 said. “I think we should put locating it on our list, somewhere near the top.”

  The Colonel stood up. “When I first arrived here, I said this was the dawn of a new age, but this is another dawn of another new age, my friends. I must go now to make some preparations. I was just informed that tomorrow morning, a delegation of about fifty political types from a variety of nations will arrive here, led by the director’s adjutant. You can just imagine how things are right now on Earth.

  “Now, they understand they are tourists—observers if you will. They will have cameras and millions of questions. I’m fully aware of your time crunch so dodge them if you are so inclined, but the director says they were chosen carefully and are good people. My staff will greet them and give them a mini tour of Manheim, but not beyond the city limits. Nothing will be said about the other portals. If you are here, The Dance Band will meet them later for dinner at IHOO. Afterward you can shepherd them to the roof of HQ for the snewel extravaganza. Again I say— if you are here. The Red Ball Express will assist the IHOO staff during their visit. The director’s request to you is to try to make their short stay here memorable because a favorable view of the Dance Band may help in the fight to extend your deadline. They will be here for two days and one night. Camila will assume control of the group tomorrow and she, along with my staff will take them on more extended tours of Manheim, the Dormant Chamber and parts of Pinocchio. All other places will be off limits. There will be an afternoon concert at... By the way, Amy, why haven’t you given the site a name?”

  “How about Olympia?”

  The Colonel paused while we applauded, then said, “My dear, you are a treasure.”

  When he saw her flaming cheeks, he just smiled.

  I well know the time limits on you, so I won’t dictate your movements for their stay here, but I hope you can show up at least once. That’s it then. I’ll see you tomorrow and please stay in touch.”

  “Oh, jeez,” Harry groaned long and loud, “here it comes. I hear the floodgates opening and the pitter-patter of thousands of official tootsies. We had best think about leaving town. I’d rather not witness the changes that will be arriving.”

  “I hear you, pal,” M2 said. “We’ve uncovered a bunch of stuff here, but there are still some mysteries like the monument.”

  “Hey there, Camila,” Alice called out, “how goes it with Miss Bare Bottom?”

  “Right now she’s in a room at HQ,” Camila replied. “We first brought her here for some refreshment, but she wouldn’t stop eating. We dragged her out and parked her in a safe place. Fran’s babysitting now. Me, I’m bringing her a Coke. She’s as good as Blue at begging.”

  “Have you found out much about her?” Alice asked.

  “Not too much. The good news is the gray men have their own gray women. They are not related to her people. I took a swab for DNA. After she ate, she fell asleep until just a few minutes ago. The kid was exhausted. The naked business is a puzzle. We explained the meaning of naked to her, but she insists she is not and was never. As soon as we let her, she took off Harry’s shirt and has refused any other garments. She said her name in her language, but forget trying to pronounce it.”

  “So, she wears nothing but her belt and insists she’s not naked,” Alice said. “Very interesting. I think we should go and have a talk with her.”

  “Just the girls?” I asked.

  “No, everyone. We have plenty of time before the snewel show and this is a legitimate puzzle for the Band. Camila, can you go ahead and drape her with a sheet or something?”

  The room Camila led us to was on the second floor of HQ, partway down the hallway that Bob had taken on our first visit there. Someone had fitted new plywood doors to every opening and there were four of the pole lights on duty to banish the gloom. We waited while Camila went in to cover our little guest. As soon as she saw us, her face lit up and she jumped to her feet, which caused the sheet she was wearing to fly off to one side. Both Fran and Camila scrambled to grab the wayward piece of cloth while the rest of us watched in amusement.

  “Alice,” I said, “on the way here, I had an idea. Can I ask the pixie a few questions?”

  “Sure,” she replied, “and until Amy thinks up a name for her, Pixie will do qui
te well.”

  Amy made it official. “Her name will be Pixie, last name, Small. It’s perfect.”

  I approached the now adequately draped Pixie and stood close with my hands behind my back to allow me to lean a bit closer. She just smiled expectantly as I looked closely at her skin, especially around her mouth, nose and eyes. It was indeed a dusty lilac gray with a faint fractal-like pattern. Where her skin met her lips I saw a slightly raised ridge. Her nostrils and eyelids displayed the same phenomenon.

  “How may I call you?” she asked.

  “Call me James,” I told her.

  “You are Jay-ames.”

  “Close enough,” I said, “For now, we will call you Pixie. Is that all right?”

  “What does it mean, this Pix-ee?”

  “Small and very pretty.”

  The smile expanded so I asked my questions. “If you removed that sheet, would you be naked?”

  Her face became more lilac. “No, not. You are a male. Only females or my mate, when I have one, may see me naked. Is that not true for all of you?”

  “For most of us yes, but that’s a discussion for another time. Will you hold out your arm?” She did as requested and I touched her just beyond her wrist. “This is not your skin, is it?”

  “No, it is my arda. Do you not have such companions?”

  Great. This was a word, like Duula, we could pronounce.

  “We do not, Pixie. Will you tell us about it?”

  “I will show you, but the males must wait outside while I separate.”

  No one could think of anything to say, but the males in the group went, with raised eyebrows, out to the hallway and closed the door. The plywood was very thin, the door fitted poorly and so we could hear things almost as well as those in the room.

  After a short silence, we heard Amy say, “Eeuwww, eeuwww… That ain’t right. What the hell are you doing to yourself?”