Greener Green I: Where Does the Circle Begin

by Peter Sowatskey

They nodded, so I said, “See you in a week.”

  They put on painful smiles and walked out talking a mile a minute.

  Molly, Sally, monitor them, and expedite matters, please.”

  A short time later M.Verdai came into the dining room after hanging her uniform vest in the foyer. She was loosening her cuffs when I spoke, “I’m expecting Niken any moment.”

  She continued unbuttoning and rolled the sleeves up a few turns while saying, “He’ll just have get used to half undressed junior officers. I’ll bet he’s seen a lot of them, probably undressed a few himself.”

  “But none whose chest goes so far out and so pleasantly rounded.”

  “Well, do something to it. Why the hell is Niken here anyway? Never mind, I’ll get it from Molly. I’ve been working with Betty and she has my preceptics far enough up to receive telepathic data streams. Give it to me, Molly.”

  Her eyes glazed over, but shortly cleared. “You’ve been stirring, quite deeply, haven’t you? Damn, it is a broad stride, isn’t it?”

  “That’s for sure. When Thelma has a plan, she gets everyone a crackin’.”

  Niken came in after a light knock, “Greetings M.Verdai, I think I found it, XO. It was from some civilization so far advanced it didn’t have anything to do but go around looking at things. They looked at some risky things. Of course, they were backed up on their Med Deck also. It’s a very sturdy five times redundancy cruise liner with halfway serious armament. The decider is that the Landers they had were ten times redundancy and so overpowered to be ludicrous, most of the time. It carried 100 of those from 100 feet in length to 1,000 feet in length. That 1,000 foot one must have been for VVIPs. But that’s what I’ve decided we need. Can you see to it?”

  “It’s as good as built. We’ll try to work out trainers for it. Maybe you should send a few of your staff in with Klinster. They’ll be in time drop four months. One week here.”

  “Good idea. I’ll be looking forward to the ship.”

  “I’ll send the manuals over tomorrow. You can get your people working on them. On second thought they’ll not fit in your quarters. I’ll have a corner of the nearest Mess Hall set aside.”

  “Good show, good show, boy that bunch sure knew how to live. Later.”

  I said to my trusty FO, with the show time chest, “Won’t you see that he has whatever he needs about the ship he has in mind. Thelma will build it out in the Asteroid Belt using a Time Drop Bay. She has people who know how, probably already on it. (Molly, are they already on it?”)

  She stuck her head into the dinning room, said, “Yes.” and was gone.

  “That’s that. You just need to bother yourself about the Operational Manuals.”

  “Yeah, the manuals for a dozen different sized ships. But it does sound interesting. I may have one built for our honeymoon, that’s your custom. The Rangers are ship builders too. As I remember, I just ask for the builders package.”

  “True. You’re cleared for access. Have at it. Tell your Ranger friends to make it useable in the next Universe. If we lose our fight we’ll need another Universe to retreat to.”

  “Too true. Can I get undressed now?”

  “Not yet. Have Stalorne put something cold out and tell him he’s free to go swimming. Then I’ll help you take your clothes off. Deal?”

  She said, “Always promises,” over her shoulder as she left the room.

  I carry through on my promises.

  When I got back to the dinning room the next morning my in box was full. The top memo informed me that Niken and his staff had persuaded the seed ship to make them a flight simulator. One that changed to all of the Lander models. So he and his staff had gone to the Time Drop Bay along with Klinster and his Battalion. I felt I should have said Bon Voyage at least. Done is done. They would all be better people and better soldiers for the experience.

  M.Verdai had gone off to the tailors with her Reg twins, Til and Talle. Who knew what custom that result would break.

  I studied the readouts until I knew Marshall Jason Dillard as well as he did himself. That he was forced to leave his young family after feigning his death, to keep them safe, must eat at him every day. I was sure it would eat at me. We would have to put a protective cordon around them. (Molly or Sally, see that request is sent to Thelma. Also see if we can manage for the inheritance of a large ranch in the Sante Fe area. It has to be inspected by all three of Jason’s original family members before they can claim it.) They would be kept safe easier in the west. With them on the scene, J. Dillard could do whatever his conscience dictated. By mid- afternoon I knew the other characters in the Santa Fe area well enough to understand what motivated them. Except the Chinese person, Suzy, whose motives weren’t clear. Who did she report to, or maybe she reported only to herself. The report said that she gave spiritual advice. M.Verdai, and her would have to have a long conversation about her possible knowledge of the non space which overlaid all space. What the hell had they named it? Couldn’t remember for the life of me. No matter, M.Verdai would know.

  Joshua knocked, “Have a moment?”

  “Sure, come on in, just gathering cobwebs.’

  “Resultful pastime, occasionally. Want to talk to you about Earth space and what I, we, are going to be doing there?”

  “By we, I take it you mean Gina and Throckmorten. God, he should change that name, but I’m not going to tell him.”

  “Nor me. Your answer is yes. We’ve become a team.”

  “My plan for your team, just mine, Thelma may have others. And you may have other ideas. But my plan has you going to the time and space Ranger Captain Prestrillo is in. Just follow him until you get the lay of the land. That will probably take some time. When you have developed a theory to explain why the Phaeton people did what they did, you’ll be given whatever you need to test that theory. How does that sound?”

  “I promised Adam and Eve I would look into the Germanic infiltration onto Earth. Other than that we are on board.”

  “Tell you what. Take Adam and Eve with you. They will be interested in the Space Stations evolution. That very evolution may have a meaning to them which we would not see. Can you live with that?”

  “That would be splendid.”

  “Molly, run that by Thelma, please.”

  Joshua stood. I waved him back into his seat and said, “This won’t take but a moment. While we’re waiting, there’s something you can do for me. Take a message to Adam and Eve. Not right now, but when you see them later. Ask them to have lunch with me and my FO tomorrow 1200 hours. She and I may stumble across something in conversation with them, or not. Tell them it’s just a social meeting.”

  “I doubt they understand ‘social’ , but I’ll see that they get here at that time.”

  Molly came in with a note. It read, ‘Whatever it takes, Thelma’. I handed it to him. “Here's your blank check. Use it as many times as you like.”

  His eyes misted over. He stood and said in a slightly strained voice, “You won’t be sorry.”

  “I’m sure. Keep me copied.”

  “Will do. See you at the rendezvous.”

  He left. I thought, ‘I’m going to have to go to the movies someday. Everybody escapes to the mountains but me’.

  Molly came in five minutes later and laid a play disc on the table and indicated a slot in the wall to insert it. Damn we were going, ‘a beaver trapping this evening.’

  M.Verdai came back with her charges. I got to judge different outfits, all form fitting with rows of ruffles down both sides of the front, which barely hid the three pairs of breasts. I never realized what heavier gravity did to buttock muscles, wow. (Molly and Sally you both have off until 0800, go play, stay and play, you're off duty.) The fashion show continued, thoroughly entertaining. They both stayed for dinner, huge appetites, but mannerly. Their parents would be proud of them.

  I learned, over dessert, a part of M.Verdai’s plan. They were to spend time with both M.Verdai and me, alternating to see how it was done in Thelma
’s world. What could I do but smile and sit carefully.

  The next morning I rolled out of bed and looked at a note on the night stand, ‘Be back 1200, M.Verdai.’ What was she was up to this time? When I got to the dining room, breakfast was already on the table, fruit. Who the hell took my bacon and eggs away? Probably M.Verdai.

  Stalorne came in at 1130 and placed a disc on the sideboard beside my in and out boxes. He said, “The tests of the walking stick-plasma rifle. Wicked thing. You can look at it later. Right now you have to go to the living room, and let me set up for lunch. I understand these people have hearty appetites. I prepared extra."

  I rose and on the way out, said, “Prudent, I’m sure. FO, back yet?”

  “No, but she called and said she’d be here by noon.”

  I paused by the door and made sure the recorder was on. If we came up with anything I didn’t want to trust my memory. But my recall was getting better by the day. I was sure a lot of other people were benefiting from our removal of the Reg world ANNU KI. Their mentally numbing broadcasts were no more.

  M.Verdai, Adam, and Eve all arrived at 1145. I asked what they wanted, "Beer", so it was beer all around. The A-I s were finding ARK IV most interesting compared to their habitat. They couldn’t understand why more people didn’t sleep longer. As they did when not working. They didn’t know why people spent so much time learning. In comparison, each of the A I s knew all there was to know. We went next door to eat. Stalorne had expanded the table and laid out a king's feast. They were overjoyed and steadily proceeded to put it inside themselves.

  I said, between bites, “Someone named you after characters in our holy book. Some may take exception to that. Do not be surprised when they do.”

  Adam answered, “All civilizations with recorded history have first couple. I honored.”

  Eve said, “I honored. I have knowledge stream longer than you. Want to tell you what I know. Your language is mixture of many sounds with no logic. I try best to not make nonsense. I look in your records. I sit with your mentalities. I know what you know. Maybe know more. Much memory in many not known to them. You especially XO. Your problem. ANNU KI everybody problem. Good that they so strong because they not change. They have much knowledge about living things. I have knowledge about non living things, crystals. You not ever know more than ANNU KI about living things, I think. Crystals I know. I know how to grow them. Make them almost living. When combined with life, mine, makes much difference. Your mentalities know all. Your brains can not process what known, so it useless because it not realizable by you. Understand?”

  I opened my mouth, but M.Verdai said, “Yes. We know we can’t process what we know. Sometimes, in some, for moments the knowledge can come through. What is your solution? What did you do? Living matter can create only so many synapses.”

  Adam continued, “True for living matter, everywhere. Our brains mostly crystals. Makes higher current flow possible. You have computers. You have computers with organic interface to machines. I have more connections in my brain than all your computers on ARK IV, crystals. You have to learn crystals. I sat with your mentalities. I give knowledge to them. How they give to you, I know not.”

  Eve broke in, “I give knowledge. In knowledge is method, but method takes long, long time to change. What Adam says, I know not how to apply method now. Not that method not been given.”

  M.Verdai asked, “You are saying that you do not have a main computer. You are each the main computer?”

  Eve continued, “Yes. Also I activate machines with frequency combinations transmitted through here.”

  I watched as she indicated the reddish bulb in her forehead about three inches across.

  Eve went on, “You not need to be us. You can give commands like now but your way very slow. ANNU KI not slow. But you must have crystal use to even understand the ANNU KI. They use powdered gold to think faster and quicker and maximize personality. You, body, and brain, too small to do same, kill you to get one quarter way to ANNU KI speed.”

  We ate in silence for the longest time, each answering his own questions. The mood became somber. Eventually I said, “So the problem is the bridge. You have made a useable bridge with crystals. Have you ever come across anyone who has done it different than gold and crystals?”

  “No. Most when at that point discard body all together. Who knows where exist. It might be flow to find some and ask them?”

  Conversation dwindled off after that. I knew Molly had communicated with Betty. If no answer came back from her that suggestion couldn’t be carried out quickly, or at all.

  About 1500, after much desert, Adam and Eve asked to be excused for running away, because Joshua had arranged for them to do a lecture. They allowed they could come again tomorrow, and I heartily invited them.

  After they left M.Verdai looked at me and said, “Sobering news. It’s difficult to be in the role of the fly waiting to be swatted.”

  “Too true. I don’t like that role, at all. I’ll bet Thelma will like it even less. We’ll probably have definite orders by noon tomorrow. Ate too much, I have to go for a walk.”

  “Me too.”

  It didn't take until tomorrow for Thelma's reaction. When we returned to the dining room, Molly handed me a Memo, ' I am asking for volunteers for a very dangerous mission which could be our only hope for survival, Thelma'.

  "I take it everyone on board has volunteered." I said.

  "Only you two haven't, because you hadn't heard yet."

  "Then I think we should send the memo back saying it's unanimous. Don't you M.Verdai?"

  "Damn right. If she wants a few Rangers as well I can probably arrange that."

  Molly said, "I'll send it right away, with your comment, FO." She left.

  I asked, "M.Verdai, what do you think she has in mind?"

  "I'm no expert on Thelma, never met her, but it will be unexpected. She seems to think in leaps and bounds, not in some predictable sequence."

  "You've got her pegged. No sense worrying about it. We'd never guess in a million years. Let's consider this, separately, as to what kind of a task force we want overhead when we get to Sante Fe. Thelma said she needed that gold. So we will go in with a very much no nonsense attitude."

  "Alright, we'll compare plans later. The most complex we'll adopt."

  I said, "That's a winner with me."

  Later we agreed we would need ARK IV nearby. Also we would need a Rail Gun Dock assigned to us. Walter's Landing Ship Transport would complete its second retrofit, based on the new technology, in a week. It was equipped with Grouper Wagons for half of its 200 landing craft. The rest we had left alone figuring we might want to make a gift to someone who might need to get off the planet quick. We agreed to not play nice. So we decided it might shake the ANNU KI cage, if we went out of the way to be bad.

  Betty was going to take the Captain's ship with the Diplomatic Legations, and the prisoners and slip down to Thelma's position between the Ice Ages. She was to drop them off and return. Maybe that would be the place for all of humanity, when we'd erased our enemy.

  We let the plans go around 2300 and tried to establish our own world. Maybe the Mayflower should have taken longer to arrive. It's all in the journey, don't you know?

  Adam and Eve were on time for lunch. I thought they might cancel. Everyone wanted to meet the first man and woman from the past.

  We got through the soup and salad and had a pause before the roast beef appeared. (Because I told Stalorne to drag it out.) Adam got on the subject of an ANNU KI ship being under Ayers Rock in Australia. How the hell he found that out I didn't want to know. So I asked no questions about their sources.

  He said, "No doubt ship there, collecting gold until last hour. Thelma's suspicions about another ship are well founded. After much trouble, she will find that ship, too, and congratulate herself and others. But you miss the whole point. The ANNU KI does nothing, if they do not do it in threes. You know Akkadian (language), Rafe. It once removed from ANNU KI. Think. T
here always is a 'hidden something'. A third ship will have been there, hiding long time. It will be the biggest ship and hold the majority of the gold. It may be in the deepest sea. Their molecular transmitters don't care about water, or ice. I understand one continent covered for a long time with ice. You have to destroy all three ships. After that the half humans who serve them will be manageable, barely. They convey strange powers on those who serve them well."

  Eve had her eye on the kitchen door. When nothing appeared, she said, "There is another point, greater than anything mentioned. No doubt you have noticed our language skills have improved. I learn quickly. I also learn about 'we'. I am Eve. He is Adam, or our designation numbers, no matter. The point is that 'we' does not exist as a concept in our culture. No 'we'. Before you say, 'that is a shame, those poor creatures', think a moment. Those that made us could have made us in any manner. They had no proscriptions. They left 'we' out because in 'we' is weakness. Exactly that, weakness, you pause to find agreement, and the opportunity is gone, maybe you along with. You make codes for some to break. You think it the only way. Without any written codes, you would be animals. Think a bit, the animals with their un-written, un-thought about, un-enforced; codes have smoother society than you. I insult you, not because your cook obeys orders to be slow, you are forgiven, you just wanted my time, but regardless I do insult you for a purpose. The ANNU KI have no 'we' either. Think about that. They have no hesitation to sacrifice all but one individual ANNU KI if necessary. Those sacrificed expect nothing else than that. Would execute a commander if he varied that concept. Now you come along and would defeat these people. You haven't the slightest concept what that will entail, not the slightest. Ah, the cook has awakened."

  I looked at M.Verdai. She was a Ranger. They worked alone with no one to answer to. But they had an organization, with codes, and expectations of proper conduct. Rangers would fall short of what Eve was saying. We humans hadn't the slightest idea.

  Adam looked at M.Verdai and spoke, "You Ranger, I know of Rangers, I gather information from all space, Rangers have some slight chance to achieve the mindset needed, very slight. Good beef, XO, good cook. Stalorne, his people knew what was required. They died, man, woman, child, before they went to the ANNU KI in Egypt to be slaves. Are you sure, XO Rafe, your people would do same? Even Regs make accommodations to be left alive. They would be better people. Live longer as race, if they did not. I have spoiled your digestion. I am successful. The Snake people are not the only ones in the Galaxy who like human flesh. When you defeat the ANNU KI, you face them. I speak no more of this. You must think long and hard. May I have a refill of beer? I think Eve would have some too."