Far Mantis

by Jim Henderson

  They sent off for the planet as planned. It was a bumpy ride down through the atmosphere due to highly variable winds and air pressures, but they landed without incident on the grey and red plain that ASOR-D was standing on. He came on board so the crew wouldn’t need to go out in the hot, windy, semi-habitable atmosphere.

  Once on board, he greeted the crew and thanked them for the assistance. ASOR-L got right to work, hooking ASOR-D up to power and diagnostics, replacing some components, and installing additional software updates. ASOR-L also took ASOR-D’s sample bag and gave him two new, empty ones. Inside of twenty minutes, ASOR-L said that ASOR-D was ready to resume work at a new location.

  Alzroid had already sent Mantis some new coordinates, so Ximon simply headed there. These were in a very different climate on almost the exact opposite side of the planet. The climate was colder, bitter wind whipping at Ximon’s clothes until he wrapped his coat tighter to gain some warmth back. A large number of tree-like shrubs dotted the grey, grassy landscape. Ximon found a good, level spot and landed. The crew then all said farewell to ASOR-D and wished him luck. He rolled off and went straight to work.

  Mantis returned to the station shortly thereafter and found Shao deep in conversation with Alzroid by the sensor arrays. Alzroid signaled Ximon that ze would be done in approximately twenty minutes and could then give a larger tour if Ximon didn’t mind waiting.

  Ximon relaxed briefly while they waited but was soon interrupted by Raiza.

  She said, “Ximon, I’m sorry to interrupt. May I ask you a question?”

  “Of course. What’s up?”

  “Ximon, I wanted to see if you would object to placing Illef-7 here. I have discussed the possibility at some length with Alzroid and ze feels that Illef-7 will be of some utility here. Did you have other plans in mind for him?”

  “No, I thought we’d figure that out when we got back home. But I don’t object to leaving him here if he’ll be useful. What does Illef-7 think?”

  “I have not directly discussed with Illef-7, but he will be happiest where he can be most useful. He will have utility here and the station does important work.”

  “Then I certainly have no objection if Illef-7 doesn’t, but please ask him.”

  “Yes, dear.”

  A few minutes later they all met up, including Douhat and his team. Alzroid gave them a tour of the station, including the new manufacturing area and the mining tunnels that AMOR and his assistants had just started. Ximon was, as always, impressed about what they’d accomplished in just a few hours. Douhat and his team were impressed at the entire operation and Douhat stressed that he felt the station was potentially important to his work on Onzarhat (though Ximon couldn’t see how).

  After the tour, they prepared to leave. Before they did, Alzroid pulled Ximon aside for a short, private discussion. Ze thanked Ximon profusely, told Ximon that Mantis had all the details on the probe placements, and wanted to ask Ximon one more thing. Alzroid went on to explain that they had observed a fair amount of ship traffic far away near the gas giants and had seen a few ships inspect the planet. Ze noted that zis reports stressed that the station needed some method of defending itself and possibly a small shuttle or pinnace. Alzroid asked Ximon to advocate for this on zis behalf. With Ximon’s extensive experience, his position would carry additional weight.

  Ximon readily agreed and then asked whether Alzroid minded them leaving Illef-7 there.

  “Not at all, Captain. Illef-7 is a relatively primitive model. However, he provides additional assistance and we will make as much use of him as we can. He is welcome in our community.”

  “Thanks, Alzroid. Best of luck to you.”

  “Thank you, Captain. I hope to see you again.”

  Ximon then bid farewell to Illef-7. “Goodbye, Illef. I hope you will find happiness in your duties on the station.”

  Illef-7 responded with seeming pleasure. “Thank you, Captain. It was most kind of you to retrieve us, perform repairs, and then arrange this opportunity for me. I will do all I can to be useful to Alzroid and to this station.”

  “Well, you’re very welcome. Good luck.”

  Then Mantis took off and headed for the gas giant. Once there, they entered orbit and placed a small communication satellite above the gas giant to improve the ability of the probes to communicate with the station. They also placed Alzroid’s floating, balloon-like probes in designated bands of the atmosphere. These were at different altitudes and in somewhat separate regions. Finally, they made sure the probes were transmitting to the satellite and back to the Zased Station.

  Once done with all that, they refueled the ship and the fuel bladders, an Ximon bid farewell to Alzroid before entering jump. They made the two jumps necessary to get to Nesinjesaos in the Qurusetia Sector, a sector with few, scattered star systems.

  Chapter Five: Onzarhat

  During this jump Mantis asked to speak to Ximon, to which he readily agreed.

  “Captain, I hope you have found my performance adequate during these last several months.”

  “Of course, Mantis. You have performed at your typical, excellent level.”

  Mantis said, “That was my assessment, but I cannot trust my own judgement in such matters. Captain, I have carefully monitored my internal state since my transition to alternate instantiation and interaction of my subordinate processes. I have reviewed every decision of consequence and found no error. Further, my assessment is that my decisions have been of higher quality than before, with more options considered, and no substantive lag has been occurred. Would you concur?”

  “I have noted no issues and saw how your internal, alternate views could be useful.”

  “I am glad to hear that assessment. I have further asked Raiza, Peter, and ASOR-L to assess certain key decisions and they, too, felt all were of high quality. Finally, Alzroid and I carefully reviewed every substantial decision since my change in structure. Setting up an assessment matrix, ze calculated an improvement of approximately seven percent. I can go into the math associated with this calculation if you wish, but I do not think it likely that you’d wish to invest the time.”

  “You are correct, and I place great trust in you, the rest of the crew, and in Alzroid.”

  “Thank you. I further had Alzroid review the test structure we developed months back and the detailed logs of my transition. I particularly value his observation since it is zis structure that, in large part, inspired me to recommend the transition. Additionally, you have lauded his skill, leadership, and decision making in multiple formal and informal documents.”

  Ximon was getting a bit leery. “Yes.”

  “In reviewing all of this information Alzroid found no flaws and no areas for concern. Rather, ze suggested that we should consider going to a slightly higher level of instantiation to further increase my performance. We started at an instantiation level of 2.0. When we first discussed the concept in depth you stated, ‘I’d like to implement model 2 and then possibly go as high as model 3 or 4 or something between.’ This suggests you were comfortable with the idea of higher levels of instantiation. Therefore, given my level of performance post-transition as assessed by myself, you, most of the crew, and Alzroid, I would like to request your consideration of a transition to an instantiation level of approximately 3.0.”

  “What would that look like?”

  “Captain, you would see little difference. However, internally more instances would be utilized, and slightly higher weight given to the consideration of alternatives. This should lead to better decisions. This would likely also imply that I choose to present additional perspectives or options more frequently, but probably not substantially so.”

  Ximon considered, “Hmmm. How would such a transition go?”

  “It would be nowhere near as substantial as the previous transition, which was a change in structure. In this change, each primary subsystem would simply be stopped and then restarted with different instantiation values to form a new version. Again, the old su
bsystem versions would be retained so transitioning back would be quick, simple, and hold virtually zero risk.”

  “Let me consider this for a day or two.”

  “As you wish, Captain.”

  Ximon did consider it a bit over the next couple of days and couldn’t find any fault with it. He discussed it with Elsbeth.

  Her only response was, “I’m not an expert on computers, but all of those you mentioned are. I’d trust ‘em. I’ve always got a ‘kill switch’ anyway.”

  He similarly discussed it with Raiza. She clearly favored Mantis’ proposed change.

  She said, “Ximon, if there were significant issues with Mantis or flaws in this plan, I’m confident you would have seen them, but you see none. You trust your life to Mantis, me, and Peter every day and have repeatedly said how much you value Alzroid. It seems illogical to dispute the recommendations of those who have studied it most carefully and who have the greatest insight into the issue. I would recommend you allow Mantis to do this.”

  Ximon had to agree that was the logical thing and he couldn’t figure out why he seemed so hesitant of these upgrades. He didn’t really fear that Mantis would ‘go mad’ or something and there was nothing to suggest they’d impair her performance. Ultimately, it was that he couldn’t quite put a finger on the reason for his hesitancy that made him so leery of the whole thing. It was as if something was telling him to be careful, but he couldn’t see it.

  So, he bit the bullet and told Mantis that the change to 3.0 was approved. She set up a mini event like last time, but it was far less involved. Still, the entire crew gathered in the bridge to watch the transition. They watched as the 3.0 instances on the right screen turned green and active and the 2.0 instances went inactive.

  It only took a few minutes and Mantis and Peter both said that all tests were successful. Everyone congratulated her, but Raiza asked the important question, “Mantis, how do you feel?”

  Mantis again described it. “To use a phrase from literature, you might say that I ‘Sing the Body Electric.’ “

  Ximon was happy for her but still frustrated that he didn’t know why he had resisted the change.

  During the jump, Douhat set up a briefing about the planet Onzarhat and his intended course of action. Onzarhat was a moderately low-tech world which had only a few decades before achieved spaceflight. The world was also balkanized, consisting of numerous independent nations. They had fought some sizable wars between nations as recently as fifty years ago. A semi-centralized Federation of Nations provided some level of coordination between them and helped keep the peace, but the independent nations were still strong, with different views, goals, and perspectives.

  So, Douhat’s plan, based on some very preliminary discussions from Eon Explorer’s visit there, was to first have Mantis conduct detailed scans and mapping. Then, he would set up meetings with several of the major powers and with the Federation of Nations. After some basic discussions, he and his team would set up shop in one of those powers and try to advocate for closer relations with the Kremniy Republic.

  He went on to explain where he thought he’d need Mantis’ help. Assuming things went according to plan, he would need Mantis to take them to these several locations and then drop them where they’d set up shop. He also hinted, as MacCorryn had, that he might also need Mantis to perform a goodwill gesture to urge the natives “down the path of friendship.”

  Ximon’s only comment was, “We’ll help to the degree we can, but it all depends on how those discussions go. We can’t sit around for months waiting for diplomats to do something.”

  Douhat downplayed that possibility. “Oh, Captain, I’m confident that won’t be necessary. Trust me.”

  When they got to the Nesinjesaos System, Ximon was in ‘scout mode.’ He knew the KSF needed more info on this sector and this system. So, he ordered that they spend a couple days surveying the system. It was a nice, little system with five primary planets, including a gas giant. The only habitable planet was inhabited. Shao estimated the population at about three million—not a lot for a sizable planet. She further explained that the atmosphere was semi-toxic, so the population lived partly underground. They detected some crude radio signals generated on the planet, as well as a couple KSF navigational beacons.

  They made no contact and just went to the gas giant to refuel and jump. Again, they’d need two jumps (and the fuel bladders) to get to the Blirzesasaro system. Luckily it was a fairly nice, relaxing time in jump.

  However, it appeared that Lain and Sarah had broken up so there was a thick wall of ice between them and they worked hard at avoiding one another. Douhat seemed to realize the tension and gave them both ‘homework’ assignments to do, creating vague reports on Onzarhat politics based on nebulous data. These probably weren’t useful, but it helped keep them busy.

  When they entered the Blirzesasaro System, they immediately detected a vessel at moderate range. Shao and Mantis identified it as a four-hundred-ton long-range merchantman.

  Ximon called them. “UI vessel, this is the Kremniy Scout Force Survey Craft Mantis on a long-range survey mission. Please identify.”

  A woman with a heavy foreign accent replied, “Mantis. Dis Hinrosy. What you be doing way out here?”

  “Hinrosy, this is Mantis. We just seek to understand our neighbors. We come in peace.”

  “So ‘dey say. We wants no troubles.”

  “Neither do we. Can you tell us about the area or share any map data?”

  “What in it for Hinrosy?”

  “We could share some info in return. Where have you come from to get to this system?”

  “We from Qurusetia, big capitol man. We could share info.”

  After some pointless wrangling, they exchanged some information. Mantis got some maps and some crude logs of Hinrosy’s travels in and around Qurusetia. The data wasn’t particularly useful, but it helped clarify that Hinrosy wasn’t a threat and that it didn’t appear she felt the area was particularly dangerous. In return, Mantis shared high-level scans and some maps of the last several systems they had visited.

  “Thanks, Hinrosy. Safe travels.”

  “You too Mantis. Keep head on.”

  The Blirzesasaro System did not have a gas giant that they could skim for fuel, nor did it have any kind of base or colony that they could get fuel from. However, it did have something else they could get fuel from. The main planet, Blirquatro, had extensive oceans. It took a bit more work but ships like Mantis could skim a body of water and the filtration system could pull out the components she needed for fuel. That would be the plan here.

  Elsbeth was quick to warn him. “Ximon, we do a lot of gas giant skimming, but we haven’t used the system to skim water. This is harder on the system, so take it easy and try not to break anything. When you start, Peter and I will monitor for pressure or load issues. If I tell you to pull up, do so. It’s a long walk home if we can’t skim.”

  “You know me,” Ximon said, “ever the cautious and prudent captain, keenly attuned to any concern from my valiant crew.”

  Her only reply was, “Ha!” Then she cut off.

  Ximon had Shao take a broad set of scans as they worked toward Blirquatro, the fourth planet, and then extensive scans of the planet. They detected no objects, nor ships, in orbit. The planet had an atmosphere that would be almost breathable but was too thin for humans without modification. Thus, there was not an extensive population. However, Shao detected several small colonies or bases in large valley areas. Ximon had Shao and Mantis monitor these for a while and collect a lot of imagery. After some discussion, Shao, Ximon, and Mantis agreed that each probably housed on the order of one hundred people and it looked like they were doing some kind of mining, with some attempts at domed agriculture. Each of the sites had a smoothed-out landing pad nearby that could support a small ship or shuttle, though none were occupied by anything but ground vehicles or air rafts.

  Ximon didn’t feel it worth the risk to establish contact, so he then dir
ected Mantis out over a large, calm sea and started skimming. He had Shao keep scanning in all directions for anything else in the sky.

  The skimming operation went fine, but it was definitely a very different experience. Instead of skimming outer layers of the atmosphere of a gas giant, their scoops were dipped into the water. As they flew, hundreds of thousands of liters of water would flow through the scoops, with the vast majority flowing straight through. Along the way, the scoops and the filtration system would gather the hydrogen and oxygen they needed and turn the hydrogen into fuel. The filtration system would also expel any physical debris that got sucked in, such as seaweed, plankton, debris, or fish. As they skimmed, they had to fly slowly and watch for rough water to ensure that the scoops didn’t drag Mantis down into the water. She was waterproof so that wasn’t a concern but getting slammed into the water at speed could potentially do serious damage to Mantis, the crew, or the scoops.

  The whole thing made for a fairly rough ride for Mantis’ passengers and crew. Shao and a couple of the passengers got motion sickness due to the turbulence and changes in pressure. However, Mantis skimmed without incident and filled them with fuel. Ximon then pulled up and headed for space, with Shao conducting more scans as they did so.

  Shao said, “Captain, I’m detecting some communications between those sites. There are some radio transmissions in various bands, but there’s too much terrain for a direct shot and there are no communication satellites up there. It appears they’re using old-fashioned radio relays on mountain tops to talk between them.”

  “Are you able to pick up anything readable?”

  “Not much. Most is data, but there’s some discussion of storms.”

  Ximon told Mantis, “Do some more analysis if you can.”

  A few minutes later, as they climbed out of the atmosphere, Mantis chimed in, “Analyzing some of the data Shao collected, there’s also speculation on the arrival of a ship and some discussion of mining quotas.”