Betty said, “I have things to catch up on, so we’ll cover my part in this first and I’ll be on my way. Then you can go over the technical data, which as you can see is voluminous. Marion is quite the scientist. Among other things which might not yet be fully plumbed. What we have plumbed, quite extensively, is her gift, which is her access to a space, that’s not a space, but we have no other word for what it actually is. So we’ll use space. This space overlays Positive and Negative space. In this space there is no resistance, and perhaps a slight pushing/pulsing motion because something, a thought, put into this space is pushed to the most opportune recipient. There is no sentience in this space, but it contains an evaluative property that forwards messages to the intended receiver if the initiator has no idea of who the message should go to. That, inexactly, is what Marion has access to. Since no sentience is involved Essences would not react to this space. We Essences will confer about this and establish an exact definition and extrapolate about the possible tactical use. I see one use now but I’d prefer to not speculate. On a personal note, this knowledge has come at a high price for Marion. I’ll leave you two to come to some payment, if payment is possible, for the damage caused. It has been a definite pleasure working with you Marion. We’ll do some more on your Back Track tomorrow. XO.”
She stood, bowed slightly, and left.
I sat back down and made to speak, but Marion interrupted me and said, “Let’s go over the technical achievements first. I’ll mention them in no particular sequence of importance since all of them are of value. First I’ve had your Techs mix Ranger spectrum visibility with your force field screens and we’ve came up with a mix that protects while it hides. That’s this pile. Secondly we’ve taken Erlo’s Right Angle Space and made many improvements on everyday items. That’s that huge pile over there.”
I interrupted and asked, “Tell me you haven’t put in a swimming pool?”
“Only a hot tub. Let me guess, Hortimer?”
“Yep. And Gina’s library, and who knows what else. I was afraid to go in his ship.”
“I can imagine. Can you imagine magazines which one loads every month during sustained combat? Same for ship missile supplies etc. All sorts of situations where there was a limit on possible storage of any kind of items. Thirdly we reviewed your encounters with the reptile ANNU KI and their equipment. Very first generation, but sturdy. From that we came up with a variance of their personal battle force field, which are two fields revolving in opposition to each other. You can imagine how effective they are. We didn’t have the range capability so they’ll have to be tested. Along those lines we took their single shot Plasma Rifle and added sequential magnets along the barrel to 10X the velocity, and made the whole stock a Right Angle Space storage cell. If you’ll listen it’s still firing, every two seconds. It’s been firing for 3 weeks. We also kicked it up from 20 W to 100 W. That will hurt anything in the known universe.”
“Let’s hope the enemy doesn’t get inventive also.”
“From observations made in 1885 as opposed to 1585 they haven’t. To go on, from the force field tech we developed a Force Knife. The optimum effective length was 18 inches, but it will cut through anything organic without any hesitation. There will be a clamor for them in the open market. Erlo has channels to put them out.”
“You’ll get the benefit.”
“Not me, me and my 100. They are a gifted group and we meshed without strife. We should do this again. Who knows what we’d come up with? But I’m not done. Rangers have communication relays all over space. Evidently the Elders established their own. We’ve combined the technologies and developed a relay with a power source which will last forever. That’s just on RAS hydrogen cell storage. We started on an improvement of the Cold Fusion reactor which has 3 elements instead of the usual 2. That’s not done as we did not have in chamber the dust compaction refractory. But the drawings and the theory are done. It just needs put together. Some other minor things are here on this table. I’ve produced, my Techs have produced, and they were happy that they could. Me too. But I’m no happier personally than I was to start, which means I’m damn unhappy. What are you going to do about it? Other than toss and turn beside me because I won’t let you put your tool in my receptacle?”
Before I could open my mouth to bite my tongue off Paula came into my mind. MOLLY HAS COPIED THELMA ABOUT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. SHE SAYS INVALUABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS. DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO, TO MAKE IT COME OUT RIGHT. SHE’S BEHIND YOU, NO MATTER WHAT. GOOD LUCK, AND THANKS FOR RECOGNIZING MY CONTRIBUTION. THEY ARE A POTENT TEAM.
ABOVE ALL DON’T AGREE TO KILL HER WHICH IS WHAT SHE WANTS
I thought and decided Paula was telling me what she was telling me, and not hinting about what I should do, so I said to Marion, “We’ll discuss that receptacle when we’re in bed. For now here is what I offer. You can’t be Marion NR2. So become M. Verdai Dunn, First Officer on ARK IV. In addition to the ship you fixed, which I want a tour of, you’ll have available the First Officers ship. You’ll start a new life with us just like many others have done.”
Marion answered, “I’m not like any others. I didn’t come to you for a new body. You took me prisoner. I can’t change that fact, nor can you. But First Officer has a nice, pleasant ring to it. Also that’s a special name you’ve picked out. I’ll go you one better, M. Verdai Dunn Berger. What do you think about that?”
I understand turmoil. I can say turmoil in at least a dozen languages. In Basic Language the actual word produces turmoil, but this was beyond all of that. In the end, about ten minutes later, I could only say, “Yes, if you don’t mind joining the Mormon faith.”
“Never heard of it, but faith is faith, and a good thing. I’ll join.”
“What kind of a ceremony do you want?”
“I don’t do ceremonies, or ask permission of any higher authority. We will seal our pact with a kiss. Whoever gets to Ranger HQ sooner will wait for the other so we can go forth again together. Agreed?”
“Yes.”
We walked to the end of the table and sealed our pact with a light emotional kiss.
When we parted she went to a locker and took out two gun belts. They were almost like the Ranger ones, but they weren’t exactly. She said, “Take these to our quarters. I’ll explain them later, very special, individual project. Now I have to go shop for uniforms.”
“Keep in mind that if you change the color, everybody else will have to change.”
“Might be time to do just that. We’ll see.”
There was a spring in her step when she left the bay.
‘Molly, message to Thelma, Get a Book of Mormon.’
Chapter 38
Rafe
I glanced at the clock on the wall, 1155; damn I had a meeting onboard my ship. I raced down the hallway and got in the first Express I came to and made it with a minute to spare. They were sitting around my dining room table. They already had coffee and I hoped Stalorne had the sense to get them some food. Of course he had. I said, “Damn fine coffee isn’t it?” and sat down not even winded.
“General Niken I know but I haven’t met you gentle folk in person yet. Too much happening.”
The only person in the room I didn’t know spoke, “I’m Colonel Adrons Klinster MI, and that happy fellow is Centler Berda Linsei, our humble Regs commander. I understand you have some questions about what happened yesterday.”
“No, I don’t actually. I think you both, and general Niken did fine jobs. You don’t like my Kenyan coffee?”
They all allowed they did indeed like my coffee. Sandwiches came and I got around mine and asked for a second. I was going to need my strength.
Stuffed I commented, over the third coffee, “The group that attacked must be an old group to not have anyone out to latch onto. I spoke with Erlo and Walter. They seemed to know who was involved and weren’t overly concerned. You might have turned someone, had I given you more time. That was my fault.”
Adrons said, “We might have. There’s no w
ay to tell.”
Berda observed, “It’s always better to have a safe landing zone, but then we would have had no chance to show off our routines. The routines will be immediately changed somewhat to not become predictable.”
General Theodore Niken, Ted summed it up, “I was satisfied. Sure more time for intelligence to develop is always better, but the very fact that people are asking questions dampen activities.”
Adrons added. “This Joshua has control of a huge city block. When he comes back it might be better to drop him on his rooftop. Or quietly far away. He should have his own pathways to here and there. News people always have another avenue open.”
I said, “I’ll ask him. We’ll do whatever he says. To show even the slightest worry will tell the wrong tale.”
Ted observed with a far away look in his eyes, “First chance I’m going to suggest to Thelma that we establish a Diplomatic Corps and send a legation wherever anyone will have us. MI can follow, on their own and the Diplomats will be in place to support them. There will be talk about Regs everywhere. Security requests will follow. Berda was saying before you came in that it’s easier and more profitable to do Security work for diplomats rather than front line combat. From what Thelma said about you XO, I expect you can relate to that.”
“Yes, exactly, but either way can get you dead.”
Ted agreed, “Rather the diplomatic way, but if all goes bad on Earth, or not, we’ll be pushing out. Better to know where to beforehand. Only one thing. The ARKs are too big to be diplomatic. We need a smaller ship of the line. Or maybe not of the line. Maybe a seemingly tourist vessel, with bands and dancers. Make people lots less worried. That’s all up to Thelma.”
“She’ll as a matter of course be notified of our deliberations.” I reminded them. “Let’s think a little about tomorrow. We have to get the Brenesi down, out of suspension and breathing with no snags. Can any of you think of any potential problems?”
There was a pause for deliberations but no responses. After a while Berda said, “Our leader First Reg Torme Realle would like to talk to you in his palace XO. I don’t know his sorrow but he has said much about too many battlefield deaths of his people. Will you spare him the time?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll pick you up in a Wagon after the Brenesi are down. Too many peaks for much else.”
“I‘ll need two seats. My new First Officer will be along.” They waited for an explanation. I didn’t give them one.
We broke up shortly after that. I told Adrons that his men were welcome in Central City. The Regs preferred to stay to themselves and had all the conveniences Central City had with their own dimensions. Sally assured me the meeting minutes were on their way to Thelma. Sally was going to stay for Molly’s free week. I was going to put the both of them on 12 hour shifts one after each other. I, after all was XO. And the Avian DNA was tugging at my mind waiting for me to pay attention so it could say something. The Mission plan to the Avian world was ready.
The Do notified me of a call from Ike on ARK III. I told him to put it through on a wall screen. There was my dining room with Ike setting in it. We both laughed. He said, “Best damn place on the whole ARK. I get more stuff done here than anywhere.”
I said, “Me too. You’ve been copied on our adventures no doubt?”
“I get copied from everywhere. I have two aides sorting it all out.”
“Odd, I must be getting what you do. Maybe it just doesn’t get to me. In that case more power to me. I’m getting along just fine the way it is. Baby coming along as per plan?”
“No trouble there, aside from usual women things. The reason I threw a stone at your tower is I got copied about your visit to the palace tomorrow. I’ve had this Realle fellow on board more times than I can count. He’s been recently elected by the Council and will be in charge for ten years minimum, if someone doesn’t kill him for cause. It’s an odd system but it’s theirs and we just have to live with it. But to the point, he wants to arrange the society so the Battalions don’t have to go off world so much. It’s all a matter of food. Think back to Colorado. These people are trying to farm dry upland valleys. It didn’t work there. It doesn’t work here. So they starve. Or go off to die. This Realle survived, got smart, came back, and wants change. He is going to ask you to reproduce the ARK’s farms. He wants to grow all his food here, on the planet. Actually under the planets surface.”
“Damn, how many people does he have?”
“That’s a state secret. They want to give the impression of much man power.
I said, “Sally, get a hold of the Hydroponics Officer In Charge and his counterparts from Stores and Construction. Bring them up to speed on what Ike and I are discussing. When they’re briefed have them join in. Maybe you’d want to do the same Ike.”
I waited while he got assurance from somebody off camera that his OIC’s were being contacted. When I had his attention again I said, “You realize when I’m on the surface, or under the surface you’re in charge of both ARKs.”
“Yes, I expected that. I’ll put both Dos in the same loop. It’s a long, long chance some one will bother us here.”
“That’s true and the reason to be ever more vigilant. We know that for sure.”
“That we do.”
I started getting more faces on wall screens. Ike did too. When we had six in all I said, “You’ve been given the problem gentlemen. I’m sorry I haven’t had the opportunity to meet all of you in person. I hope to have that chance when we get back to Earth. Meanwhile, I need to know whether, when I’m asked, ‘can you grow enough food for all of the Regs’ I’ll say sorry we can’t do it, or where do you want the farms. I’ll need to know that before tomorrow afternoon. If you don’t have any questions you can just cut Ike and me out of circuit and get on with it.”
There were no questions evidently as Ike and I was once again alone. I asked him, “Any idea how long you’ll be on station?”
“Probably forever. Or at least until we attack the ANNU KI. I’m set up on Med Deck for Regs and humans.”
“Just a vague thought but maybe you could ask your Med Deck OIC if avian body structure is reproducible. Also you probably should set up for Brenesi too”
“I know those ‘thoughts’ of yours. I get them a crackin’. Have to go now. We’ll talk tomorrow. I’ll have a continuous feed back on you. Count on it. Out.”
I knew I could count on it. Sally came into the room and said, “13 Avian body types.”
Who knew? Not me.
“Sally, get me Jill, or Tilda.
Tilda came on the screen, “Jill’s with Junior. She’s had to keep him sedated. Too many Brenesi in his mind. They have a Genetic Track linkup which goes beyond instinct. Question is whether from long years, or maybe they always had it. I’ll find out before I leave here.”
“That may not be day after tomorrow. I know Joshua has to get back, sometime, but a Ranger is needed in this space. I don’t know what deal you had with Erlo but I don’t think he would stand in your way if you wanted to relocate.”
“I’ll think about it. Maybe I’ll go to Earth.”
“Either way is fine with me. We’ll talk after tomorrow.”
“We will. I’ll tell Jill you called. She sometime thinks it’s her against the world. Out.”
All the business done which I wanted to bother myself with today I went to the bedroom and took the two gun belts out of the closet. They weren’t leather and were twice as wide as my revolver belts. They had two automatics, slung low, with extra tubes along the barrel. I could see a selector switch so they were capable of full auto. I didn’t trust her well enough to take them out of the holsters. ‘Her’ just wasn’t going to do it. What the hell was I going to call ‘her’? I lay down on the bed next to the belts. It was going to have to be M.Verdai.
I must have dozed off because I came awake when an object bounced off of my chest. M.Verdai was standing just inside the bedroom door. The lights had gone low and I couldn’t see her ex
actly in my sleepy daze. I felt around on the bed and found what had awoken me, a name tag. The lights brightened a bit and I could read it, black letters engraved into a silver background, about 3 by 5 inches. It said ‘First Officer-ARK IV. Below that it said, M. Verdai Dunn, below that in larger letters it said Berger.
I said, in what I hoped was an approving tone, “Nice workmanship. I hope you got a half dozen at least.”
“A dozen, being delivered tomorrow. Do you like the uniform?”
I had to survey her bit by bit. She hadn’t changed the colors from brown but it was like no uniform I’d seen. Brown zip up boots with slight heels. Then pantaloons so cleverly cut you didn’t know whether it was a skirt or pants. Then a lighter brown blouse with ruffles up the front, long sleeved with lace on the cuffs. Over that she wore a decorative waist length vest with small outside pockets. She had short hair under a round flat beret. I stood and pinned the name tag above her right breast. Naturally the name tag tilted a bit upward from the bottom but you could read it plainly. In the subdued light the letters gave off a luminance. Whoever was quite an artist.
I said, “The uniform suits you, woman, officer, and warrior. I don’t know what we can do about the scientist part. Have to think about that.”
“I can feel your sincerity Rafe. If you ever lose your high regard of me, tell me and I’ll be gone the next day.”
“I can’t think of anything which would make that happen.”
“You may undress me. But be careful. The other eleven won’t arrive for a few days.”
I did, quite slowly. Later we used the hot tub. Never did get around to the Gun Belts. I put them back in the closet.
Chimes, what the hell, oh, Bridge calling, “What is it DO?”
“It’s 0600, destination reached. ARK III has moved around the planet, 180 from us. Ready to commence put down on your order.”
“Commence! I’ll be there in a half hour.”
I started the process of disengagement but M.Verdai wouldn’t let me go. Slowly the conversation with the DO sunk in and she released me.
Greener Green I: Where Does the Circle Begin Page 27