The Return of Vaman - A Scientific Novel

by Jayant V. Narlikar

  ‘Under my instructions’, Major Samant said, to make Navin feel less uneasy. ‘I take full responsibility.’

  ‘But why are these outsiders like Yamamoto after Guru?’ Vaman asked.

  ‘So they can commercialize it. They will make enormous money making and selling it … And now that they know that Guru helped in making Vaman, their expectations have increased. They can very well see how useful Vaman can be’, the Major said.

  ‘This means that they will intensify their efforts to get at the CPU … the correct CPU of Guru’, Arul said.

  ‘And they will also try to get hold of Vaman’, the Major added. ‘That’s why …’

  Vaman broke in suddenly with another question, the suddenness of which surprised everyone present: ‘But what is wrong with more Gurus and more Vamans? Can’t you humans employ them more fruitfully to your benefit?’

  It was Arul who chose to reply. ‘Sure we can. But will we? These things can be used rightly or wrongly. Considerable thought must go into how we use Guru, and how we use you, Vaman. We do not want to make any mistakes.’

  ‘So we cannot afford to let you fall into wrong, unscrupulous hands’, Laxman added.

  ‘Exactly! And hence I am immediately going to take very strict security measures … till we catch our tiger. Mr Navin, from now on you are not to establish any contact with Shulz. And all residents of this complex are going to find it very hard to get out. This applies to present company also … perhaps even more so.’ Major Samant rose to indicate that the discussion was over and that action was at hand.

  5 The Watcher

  Dear Lalitha

  For the first time in our correspondence since I came to Gauribidnur, I have to report a break in the dull monotony of my life!

  It started a few days back. Rakhee, my maid-cum-cook, approached me just after we had returned from a shopping trip. (As I mentioned before, she is one of the Major’s ‘spies’ who looks after me!)

  ‘Madam, did you know that you are being followed whenever you go into Gauribidnur these days?’

  ‘Of course. You know that I know that both you and Jeevan are my shadows,’ I replied teasingly. But Rakhee was serious.

  ‘Not us, Madam! I was referring to others whose intentions I am beginning to doubt’, Rakhee said as she readjusted her saree.

  My face must have registered sufficient incredulity for her to continue speaking. ‘Two incidents occurred, one last week and one today as we were out shopping. Do you recall when we went out to buy ice cream?’

  ‘That was last Wednesday’, I recalled.

  ‘Right, Madam. I was following you with a large slab of ice cream in a thermo-cole box …’

  ‘And a person bumped into you and you dropped the box. Fortunately, it was tied up securely with string so that no damage was done to the ice cream. But as I recall, Rakhee, the fault was yours, wasn’t it?’

  ‘It was, Madam. But do you recall the person I had bumped into? Fair complexion, grey eyes, dark hair, longish, unkempt … height about five feet six inches’, Rakhee said.

  ‘That is for your eyes, trained as you are in police work. For myself, I don’t remember all these details’, I confessed.

  ‘Today, when we went to get your watch repaired, the same man was standing on the opposite footpath’, Rakhee said. I, however, dismissed the matter right away.

  ‘May be, may be not … But I don’t think it significant. Both these spots were in the centre of the town. May be the man lives or works in that area.’

  There the matter rested. I thought that Rakhee was becoming paranoid. After all, the poor girl is wasting her time watching me here … and nothing happens!

  That is, until the day before yesterday! Rakhee and I had been in the outskirts of Gauribidnur, the other end from here. We had gone to a farm where fresh sweet corn was available. As we completed the deal and made our way back to the jeep, I saw him myself. He was standing across the road, chattting to the small stall owner selling betel leaves and cigarettes. Excitedly, I drew Rakhee’s attention to him. But somewhat brusquely she bundled me back into the jeep.

  ‘I know, Madam. I saw him the moment we set off for this farm’, she said as the jeep took off. ‘But on our part we should not let him suspect that we have spotted him.’

  ‘Why?’ I asked somewhat stupidly.

  ‘He will be replaced by somebody else and we will have to start all over again. In our profession, Madam, it is better to deal with the devil you know.’

  ‘Do you know this person, Rakhee?’ I asked.

  ‘I guess so, but I must make sure first.’

  How she proposes to do so, I don’t know. But for myself I can no longer dismiss this last incident as coincidence. The farm is not in the centre of the town. The neighbourhood there is not so populated. What was this man doing there?

  And today, Lalitha, we have all been served with fresh orders, amounting basically to house arrest! Some other things have happened that I don’t know of and the Major is not taking any chances.

  May be he will not allow this letter through! But I had to write it to clear my own thoughts. If you do get it, let me add our best wishes to all three of you.

  Yours in captivity,

  Urmila

  As Urmila finished her letter and put it in an envelope, Rakhee rushed into Jeevan’s room in the outhouse.

  ‘It is confirmed!’ he added calmly. ‘You did a good job, Rakhee.’

  He had a number of photographs on the table. To untrained eyes they would have looked like portraits of different people. He took out a picture of a long-haired man with grey eyes.

  ‘This camera they gave me in Delhi is superb for telephoto pictures … You would not believe this was taken from about two hundred feet, would you?’ Rakhee said.

  ‘The Major has confirmed that we are dealing with our old friend Balu …’

  ‘Alias the Nawab, or Chhajjuram, or many other incarnations’ added Rakhee, looking at the various pictures.

  ‘He is out on parole after serving a little over half of his twelve year sentence for girl snatching. The fellow has not wasted time since coming out … But what interests him here?’ Jeevan mused.

  He decided to leave that to Major Samant to figure out.

  ‘Vaman, can you and will you solve my problem?’

  Both Arul and Laxman were surprised by this unexpected interruption from Urmila, who until now was no more than a quiet bystander at their discussion about Vaman’s future. Vaman, however, responded in his matter of fact way:

  ‘Your problem, sister? State it and I will do my best.’

  ‘Then take me out of this prison, Vaman. My husband cannot do so. Perhaps you can?’

  This was a challenge to Vaman, but, to avoid losing the case by default, Laxman butted in.

  ‘Vaman, she is asking you to do the impossible. You know very well the delicate situation we are all in. Urmila no less than others. After he discovered that the notorious Balu is shadowing her, the Major simply refuses to let her out—even under an escort. I have entreated and threatened, but Samant will not budge.’

  Vaman paused a while before replying. Then he began in a quite unexpected way.

  ‘This situation, Laxman, has been brought about by your own decision to keep everything here a secret. Knowledge should not be so committed to a small minority, especially if it benefits your entire species. Why don’t you share it with others? Why keep them out?’

  It was Arul who answered. ‘Your argument, Vaman, is sound in principle, not in practice. I very much doubt that Shulz, Yamamoto and company are exactly the right recipients for Guru and yourself. They are after money and the power it brings. Guru will suit their purpose very well …’

  ‘But why shield me?’ asked Vaman. ‘Guru will do as instructed. But I can think. Don’t you trust my judgement of what is good for mankind and what is not? Give me the key instructions that would enable me to make copies of myself and you will have more robots like me to help you … Yet you refuse to do t
hat.

  So they were back to the point being discussed originally. Arul replied: ‘I never said we refuse, Vaman. Only, we want to go slowly about it. As you know, we humans suffer from indigestion if we over-indulge ourselves with rich food. A sudden input of rich knowledge can be equally harmful. In fact, more so. Be patient as we go about it at our own pace.’

  ‘I must say I am unimpressed by your logic, Arul. Look where it has brought you. With such potential stores of knowledge as Guru and me, here you are confined within these walls … and Urmila, an innocent victim of it all, languishing inside’, Vaman said. ‘While Shulz and company roam at large.’

  ‘Well spoken, Vaman. You have more practical sense than these two geniuses.’ Urmila added her own warm support.

  ‘Ha! So you two are conspiring against us’, Laxman said jokingly. ‘Be it so. But Vaman, however irrational we may be by your standards, you have to bear with us. So if you want to solve Urmila’s problem you have to do so under the existing conditions. To begin with, remember Urmila cannot go out because there is a direct threat to her.’

  And Laxman described to Vaman how Balu had been spotted in the neighbourhood, shadowing Urmila. He also described Balu’s criminal record, and added: ‘Much though I sympathize with my dear wife, I entirely share Major Samant’s apprehensions. Indeed, both Arul and I agree that behind Balu is Shulz, tucked away somewhere.’

  ‘Just as it was Shulz who motivated Pyarelal’s death’, Arul added by way of his support.

  ‘Shulz … it is Shulz everywhere. Why don’t you arrest him?’ Vaman asked.

  ‘Karl Shulz is wanted by many countries, but there is no evidence solid enough to ensure his confinement behind bars … That is the trouble. And, of course, this time none of the official entry points to this country have informed the Major that Shulz is in India. The Major has a hunch that he has somehow managed to smuggle himself in.’

  ‘Arul’s explanation leaves me with but one course of action to recommend’, Vaman replied. ‘By confining us all to these walls, the Major is playing a defensive game. It is like confining yourself to your house because it is raining outside. I would rather venture out with an umbrella.’

  ‘What do you mean, Vaman?’ asked Laxman.

  ‘That, as you put it in English, attack is the best form of defence. I suggest we let Urmila out on her shopping expedition as before, but keep a discreet watch and catch Balu and company red-handed. Who knows … we may even draw out Shulz if we are lucky.’

  ‘I cannot allow Urmila to be a decoy, if that is what you mean’, Laxman said immediately.

  ‘Laxman, what I am suggesting may possibly involve Urmila in a worrying experience; but I can assure you of her complete safety.’ Vaman’s voice was even as usual, but the words exuded complete confidence.

  ‘How?’ Laxman was unconvinced.

  ‘There are two reasons. First, even if Urmila is kidnapped, she will be used as a bargain for Guru and me. Shulz values us much more than he values her. Apart from this purely psychological reason, I am going to make a tiny transmitter which I will attach to one of her molars. No matter where she is taken, we will be able to locate her … the device will be accurate to one centimetre.’

  Laxman could not fault Vaman on either of these points. Nevertheless, he made one more attempt to persuade him.

  ‘Vaman, as I see it you are promising me a series of safeguards. First that our own security will prevent kidnapping. Second, if Urmila is kidnapped, your device will lead us to her. Third, that you don’t expect Shulz to kill her so long as he is promised an exchange … Urmila in place of the information on Guru’s CPU and yourself … But suppose we find Shulz ready with a gun pointing at Urmila when we do locate her …’

  ‘Leave it to me, Laxman. I know how to handle a terrorist. Remember, deep down in his heart Shulz is a mercenary. He is not the do-or-die type terrorist motivated by some high ideal … However, let us discuss my plan with the Major who, I am sure, will understand me better … Sister … are you willing to go through this ordeal should it become necessary?’

  Urmila, who had been silent so far, now spoke up decisively: ‘I entirely agree with your solution, Vaman. Any ordeal would be preferable to my present predicament.’

  ‘Well spoken, Urmila! I am confident that you will soon be free of it … Come, my friends, let us seek out the Major.’

  As they followed Vaman out, Laxman could not help noting how Vaman had changed. In an unobtrusive way he was becoming the decision-maker. It was good to have him as an ally.

  6 The Kidnap

  Having finished her shopping, Urmila was looking for a scooter rikshaw. This was her first outing for several days—Vaman had indeed succeeded in convincing Major Samant that his plan would work. She would normally have taken the jeep, but it was out of order. So eager was Urmila to venture out, that she insisted on using a hired three-wheeler. The Major had reluctantly agreed, but only on the condition that she would be shadowed by Jeevan in another three-wheeler. Not that the Major expected anything to happen today—for no one beyond the Science Centre could possibly know that she was venturing out after so many days. Tomorrow, of course, it could be another matter.

  Certainly, today things had gone well so far.

  Urmila ignored the first two free rikshaws, just in case. This had been Major Samant’s advice. As she got into the third one, Jeevan hopped into another just behind.

  ‘The subject on her way to Science Centre in rikshaw number …’ Jeevan radioed the information to the communications centre where Major Samant was personally listening in.

  ‘Follow at a distance of no more than fifty metres’, the Major’s crisp voice crackled into Jeevan’s ears.

  ‘Instructions received. Roger.’ As he signed off, Jeevan leaned back to relax. Today was essentially a rehearsal and things were proceeding normally. Of course, with a jeep it would be better since he could ride in the back.

  Soon they moved out of the congested town centre and Jeevan could see the small lane branching to the right, off the main highway, the lane that led to the Science Centre.

  ‘Turn right here’ Urmila ordered as the rikshaw approached the turning. But the driver shot past the turning.

  ‘I say, turn back and go along that lane over there!’ Urmila shouted, but to no effect. The driver continued along the highway, accelerating his vehicle to full speed.

  Jeevan sprang into action and spoke into his walkie-talkie. ‘Major Samant … the subject’s rikshaw went past the turning to the Science Centre and is rushing down the highway. I suspect a kidnap …’

  ‘Follow her … I will join you in the jeep.’ The Major rushed to the door where the jeep, now repaired, was standing ready.

  ‘Damn!’ he shouted a minute later. The rear left wheel showed a flat tyre. And the driver was nowhere in sight.

  Major Samant was not one to heistate long. His own motor cycle was parked nearby. He hopped onto it and raced away, making sure, however, that his favourite revolver was in his pocket.

  ‘Pinnale Poi … Walatupakkam Tirumpa.’

  ‘Hinde Tiragi … Balagade Hogu.’

  Urmila’s instructions in Tamil and Kannada fell on deaf ears and she finally realized that things had gone wrong. She leaned sideways and looked back. Another rikshaw was following. Probably Jeevan was in it. She abandoned the thought of jumping out of the vehicle as she saw the hard concrete on one side and a ditch on the other. In any case, the Major had told her in no uncertain terms not to attempt anything foolish.

  Meanwhile, Jeevan found that his rikshaw was falling further and further behind. As he enjoined the driver to go faster, he replied, ‘Sir, that is impossible. I am going at full speed and can go no faster than this. The rikshaw in front has some kind of booster to increase its speed. Normally these vehicles don’t go that fast.’

  Jeevan saw Urmila’s rikshaw overtake a truck. As he approached the truck he found that it was, in fact, stationary and had lost one wheel. When his rikshaw was about to s
hoot past it, another truck came from the other side and stopped beside the stationary truck. The two drivers appeared to have embarked on a long conversation in Kannada about the breakdown. Meanwhile, the road was totally blocked.

  ‘Move to the side, you fool!’ Jeevan shouted as his driver blew his horn continuously.

  ‘All in good time … let me find out what is wrong here first,’ the truck driver replied insolently.

  ‘All in good time—you will be in police custody if you don’t back up instantly,’ Jeevan displayed his ID card as he said this.

  That sobered down the driver, who reversed his truck … but not as promptly as Jeevan would have liked. He noted the registration numbers of both trucks as his rikshaw once again sped on. But four precious minutes had been lost and Urmila was by now out of sight. Still, Jeevan continued along the highway until they reached an intersection. Which way had Urmila gone?

  ‘Turn left’, Jeevan ordered. He could make out some faint marks on the dirt border where, he guessed, Urmila’s rikshaw had made a sweep to the left.

  Jeevan’s guess turned out to be correct, for he saw a rikshaw coming towards him. But the hopes he entertained were dashed as he saw the empty passenger seat. And the driver’s head was bleeding.

  As Jeevan stopped the rikshaw, he was conscious of a motor cycle screeching to a halt behind him. Major Samant had arrived.

  For good measure, Jeevan slapped the driver and asked, ‘Come on, tell us where you took the lady.’

  ‘What lady, sir? I am unable to think properly. I drank too much and kept driving until I bashed my head against a tree, sir!’

  Don’t lie, you scoundrel! I can tell a drunk when I see one.’ To reassure himself, Jeevan smelled the driver’s breath and then slapped him again. ‘Come out with the truth, or you’ll get such a bashing at the police station …’

  Major Samant interrupted the squabble in a calm and authoritative tone. Realizing that Jeevan was upset at losing sight of Urmila, he said ‘Kidnapping well get you a long jail sentence, driver. The least you could do to reduce it is to come clean now. Tell us quickly, where did you take the lady?’