“Please, Senlar," insisted Denn, in anguish.
Senlar's anger was on the increase. The man felt betrayed and fooled. As he progressively went over the facts in his head, the more absurd he found the situation.
"The captain died here, Denn. He was almost a father to me. He would still be alive if it hadn't been for you."
That remark managed to cause tears to run down Denn's face.
"You don't have to tell me that, Senlar. I've felt guilty right from the start. But I had to try to prevent what I had seen."
"Everything you're saying is absurd. You're living in a fantasy in which you are the hero trying to save the universe, but in real life you are a villain. You condemned us all to this place."
"I understand you being angry, Senlar, but you must know that it was never my intention for anyone to get hurt. I was only trying to stop the Colonisers. There was no other way."
Senlar got up furiously from the bench. He was starting to become convinced of Denn's madness.
“Don't you realise how illogical all this sounds, Denn?"
"It's the truth, I assure you. I know it is. In a parallel universe, the robots attacked the Solar System and the Primary Systems. I saw it."
Senlar scrunched up his face. For him, what he was hearing was irrational, and with every new word, it was becoming more absurd.
"You've lost your mind ..."
"It's true, I swear."
"Even if you were telling the truth, and in another universe the Colonisers did do this thing you're saying, there's no reason for it to also happen here. I told you many times: what occurs in one universe has no reason to happen in another.”
"It's going to happen. I've checked it again and again," he said to Senlar, who was looking at him, incredulous.
"You checked? Through C0? Can you not see how irrational this is?”
"I checked, and it's not just C0. There are many things."
"Alright then, Denn, tell me which ones."
“It began a little over a year ago with my convergence. I saw what I saw, but I didn't tell anybody. I was worried they would take me out of the Tau Ceti army. But I couldn't just sit on my hands; I had to do something. I researched convergences, and understood everything better. I needed to make sure that what I had seen would not happen in this universe. In the memories that I received, there were many people who were used to facilitate the arrival of the robot forces. They were semi-humans."
Denn was talking about a special union between humans and machines. A technology created by A-Corp. For some time, such procedures were very accepted. People wanted to change their bodies with the aim of being stronger and more intelligent. They were able to connect themselves to the databases, and download into their brains any information they wanted.
Such modifications would have been implemented in all humans, if it weren't for the fact that some vulnerabilities of that technology allowed, in the year 2215, for a few people to take advantage of them, causing thousands to find their minds compromised. In the least serious cases, only personal information was lost; in the most severe, some semi-humans lost control of their actions.
A-Corp tried to solve the security problems, but it was not enough. This time the sanctions were huge. The Union prohibited humans from ever being modified again. Nevertheless, the technology was not lost. People were modified clandestinely, both inside and outside of The Union.
“Semi-humans, you say?”
“The Colonisers have many under their control. They’re undercover in posts in The Union. I still don’t know how, but I’m going to find out.”
“How do you know this?”
“In the other universe, the person who connected with me knew of someone. I searched in this universe to see whether that same person existed, and it was true. He was a semi-human controlled by the Colonisers. When I found him out, he tried to kill me.”
“He tried to kill you? And what did you do, Denn? Did you kill him?” Denn remained silent. He was not managing to convince Senlar, but rather the complete opposite. “...It can’t be. I don’t know who you are.”
“He was going to kill me, Senlar, I couldn’t help it ...”
“I don’t understand why you didn’t talk to anybody, Denn. If anything of what you’re saying is true, the semi-human was the perfect proof. They weren’t going to ignore you once they found out.”
“You don’t understand, Senlar. The Union has been infiltrated. I can’t talk to anybody because I don’t know who could be being controlled by the Colonisers.”
“I’m sorry, Denn. You made a grave mistake. It’s a Class A crime. You’re a criminal, and none of what you’re saying is making sense. I can no longer trust you.”
Neil was listening carefully; the confidence that Senlar had in Denn was now gone.
“Please, Senlar,” implored Denn, “you have to believe me. Maybe if you read the diary we found, you’ll believe me; it won’t take you more than a couple of hours, and you’ll be able to see that they are planning on attacking. I know that doesn’t justify me having got all of you into this, but at least you’ll know that I’m not lying. Then you’ll be able to make a decision.
Senlar hesitated; he now believed that Denn was probably a danger to him and to all of the survivors. He had to go out and search for food, and he was not going to take him with him. He no longer trusted him, but, at the same time, he did not want to leave him in the fort unguarded. It was a risk he did not want to take.
“And what am I supposed to do with you until then? I don’t plan on taking you with me, and neither am I prepared to leave you here. I don’t think it’ll be a good idea for you to carry on with us.”
“You can take me with you, Senlar, I’m harmless. I’ve risked my life for these people many times. I always looked out for the wellbeing of every of them. Think about it, my friend, you know that’s how it’s been. I’ve never tried to do anything other than to help. When I went to S4-07, I was only looking to escape. I was going to leave the station and hide in some un-guarded system. I never wanted this to happen.”
Senlar did not know what to say in response. A silence lasting several seconds descended upon the place. For a moment, he was on the verge of taking out his weapon and taking Denn prisoner. Just before he could decide, he was interrupted.
“Leave him with me. I’ll keep an eye on him.” It was Neil, who came out of his hiding place, to the astonished gaze of Senlar and Denn.
Denn was already fairly unsettled, and as if that were not enough, he now had another worry to add to his thoughts. He had never trusted Neil, and he knew that he was dangerous. Now that he knew his secret, he was most likely in serious trouble.
“You’ve... heard everything?” Denn asked him.
“I have. There’s no reason to hide anything.”
Senlar brought his hands to his head; the situation had become more complicated.
“You want me to leave him with you?”
“Only while you decide what to do. As you know, today we’re securing the main entrance. Bornew will be able to help me there for today. That will give you some time to make a decision.”
Senlar remained thoughtful; what Neil was proposing, as strange as it seemed, was fairly reasonable. In spite of everything, he wanted to give Denn an opportunity. Senlar would read the diary they had found, and would have some time to have a better think about things.
“All right. You'll stay with Neil," he said, addressing Denn. "It's the best thing I can do for you... Let's go to your cabin to collect the diary."
Denn breathed in relief, Neil had bought him a few hours. Immediately, the three of them left the cabin. Outside were waiting the soldiers, who usually accompanied them on their excursions outside of the fort. Among them was C0-UN1.
"I'll be back in a moment," Senlar said to the men.
"I'll stay helping Neill, C0, so I won't be going with you all today," Denn said to the robot, taking advantage of the moment. He did not want him to be worried at not seeing
him coming with them on the journey outside the fort.
It was a pretty embarrassing walk. Nobody said a word. Those silences probably made Neil feel comfortable, but Denn was not enjoying it at all. Senlar’s seriousness bothered him. When they entered the cabin, Senlar took the diary. He took Neil aside to say a few things to him, and left without saying goodbye. He was very upset. He no longer trusted Denn.
Neil returned to Denn and spoke to him:
“We should also be going."
They both set off towards the entrance, to begin their work.
"What are you plotting, Neil?" asked Denn, suspicious.
"Nothing. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm helping you."
"That's what's puzzling me. It doesn't make sense. I thought you would seize any opportunity you had to discredit me."
"Perhaps this might be a good moment for that, right? The truth is that I don't like you even one bit, Bornew, I imagine you already know that..." Neil was silent for a moment whilst they walked. His face had changed, it almost seemed as if he empathised with Denn. "I know what it's like to have people call you crazy after a convergence, I'll simply give you the benefit of the doubt. The one who will decide what to do will be Senlar."
Denn could not believe it; the man who had been against him for so long was now trying to help him. It was not so ridiculous; he did not know the details, but he knew that Neil had been marked after his convergence. Perhaps his help was sincere.
They got to the main entrance, just behind Senlar's group, which was already leaving the fort. There, they were beginning to install both a system that would automatically control the doors, and a turret system of electro-magnetic waves that had been brought from the station, and modified by Wallace and Olyr to work in the fort. They had wanted to install it for weeks, but up until now, they had not had the opportunity. The turrets would not be lethal, but they did produce a sensation of unbearable heat on their target; they would be a good defence against any animal that came close. They had already tested a similar weapon that one of their vehicles carried, and they turned out to be effective against the creatures of the planet, shooing them away in the process.
The day was long for Denn. He turned the matter over and over in his head repeatedly. He knew that if Senlar did not come to trust him again, his situation would become very complicated. They would imprison him perhaps, or maybe banish him, it didn't matter; what bothered him the most was losing the affection and confidence of the people who had come to be so important to him.
That was not the only thing on his mind; since he had spoken with Dani, he could only think about how everyone was condemned to living there until the day of their death and it was going to be in vain; he was not going to achieve preventing the Coloniser invasion if he didn't get off this planet.
When the system was finally installed, Neil ordered Denn to adjust the functioning mechanisms. On a panel near the gates to the fort, he adjusted the energy levels and configured the mechanism that controlled them.
"It needs password to be set up!" Denn called to Neil from afar.
“You choose it!" answered Neil.
The task completed, Denn returned to them.
"Everything’s ready," he said. Immediately, Neil made a signal to a woman who was waiting, seated in the tower.
"Test it!" he ordered.
"What do I test it on, sir?" asked the woman.
"On us!" replied Neil.
"What? Are you joking, sir?"
"I gave you an order!"
"Don't worry," said Denn, trying to put the soldier’s mind at ease. “You can test it out on me. That weapon isn't lethal; the only thing it does is emit heat, but it doesn't leave permanent damage. Our bodies could withstand even more heat and more radiation without being hurt."
"Then what's the point of it?” asked one of the others present. He was not familiarised with the weapon.
"What's the point of it, you say...? Use it on him first!" ordered Neil, annoyed.
The soldier, somewhat nervously, aimed the weapon at the man's arm, and activated the system.
“Ow!” cried the guy, and in one jump he moved from his place.
"That hurts!" he said, rubbing his arm, causing an uproar of laughter from those there.
"Look at the little cry baby,” said one, as they laughed.
"Give it to them too!" ordered Neil, obnoxious as always.
The woman shot all of them who, just like the first man, cried out in pain. They all laughed at seeing each other complaining. It was an impressive weapon. It did not appear to cause any injury, but it was definitely effective.
"Impressive. Where did these turrets come from?" asked one.
"We were very fortunate," replied another. "They were on the station ready to be sent to Neeve before we drifted, but a delay on the ship that was going to collect them meant them ending up here."
"That's enough," scolded Neil, incapable of allowing anyone to enjoy anything. "Don't be so content. Today we've spent a long time on these two turrets, but now that we know how to do it well, we'll have two install three on the north side and three on the south tomorrow.”
“What's the matter with that guy?" asked Denn in silence to one of the men he knew the best.
“That's Mr Neil for you. You'll get used to it eventually."
"Do you think he is a trustworthy person?" he asked him, taking advantage of the moment. He had a lot of curiosity regarding the sudden change that Neil had had with him.
"I have worked for a couple of years with him on the station. He's always been a hateful person, but he's very responsible with his work. Or at least he's very strict giving orders," he said, and laughed as silently as he could.
Now that the turrets were being installed, they felt much safer. When all the turrets were installed, it would no longer be necessary to have so many people on guard for the night shift.
“You two will operate the turrets today. We'll decide later whether you'll do it permanently," said Neil to two soldiers, who accepted the order with pleasure.
Denn was looking somewhat calmer. He went up to Neil and asked him:
“Don't you want me to tell you the code I've put into the system for the doors?"
"The fewer people who know it, the better. When Senlar comes, tell it to him... We've finished here now, Bornew, come with me. The rest can go for today."
They both headed towards the river where Neil would always go to eat a snack when the afternoon came. He carried with him, in a little bag, a few fruits and refreshments.
"Senlar must be about to come back, Bornew, let's wait for him here,” he said to him, and they sat down on some rocks, facing the river. Neil took what he'd brought and shared it with Denn, who looked surprised. He never thought that man would be able to show friendliness.
"Thanks, Neil."
"Forget it," he said, uncomfortable, as if he hated to be thanked.
Neil watched the water as it ran, without saying anything, whilst he ate. Denn wanted to say something, but he did not really know what could interest Neil. He would have to improvise.
"Do you really not want me to give you the code to the security system?" he insisted, for lack of something better to say, and saw what looked like a small indication of a smile on Neil’s face.
“You really are special, Bornew. Senlar could throw you out of here, and you’d still worry over simple stupidities... I have the reboot code for the system; if we can’t remember the security key, I’ll only have to restart it.”
“But if you reboot the system, all the settings I made will be lost.”
“Let it go already,” scolded Neil, “I’ve told you I have the reboot code, I don’t need anything more. You giving the key to Senlar will be enough. We’re not even going to use it; I don’t think we’re going to want to turn off the systems ever.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
The uncomfortable silence returned, this time more extensive than before. Denn was trying to resume the conversation, bu
t nothing was coming to him. It came as a surprise to him that it was Neil himself who continued:
“About your convergence... what you said...”
“What about it?” asked Denn.
"I believe you."
"Really?" replied Denn, surprised. "Why do you believe me? I mean... I know it sounds strange, but why do you believe me?"
"Because I've seen it too. The Colonisers are going to attack the Solar System and the Primary Systems."
Denn’s eyes opened as wide as they could. He was astonished. He got up from where he was and approached Neil.
"Honestly? But... How?"
"I just know."
"You have to help me! We might be able to do something! Tell me what you know!"
"Calm down! It makes no sense for you to be carrying on with that, Bornew. You can’t change destiny. One way or another, it’s going to happen. Believe me.”
“No! I refuse to accept it. There has to be something I can do.”
Neil was very serious. He looked at him with total certainty of what he was saying.
“Don’t be naïve. Look what happened, Bornew. You intervened in destiny only a little bit and you ended up in this place. It's the way in which the universe repairs the changes made. Now you're trapped here, and there is nothing you can do. Sure history changed a bit, but the end result will always be the same."
"Not while I'm still alive. I will avoid it, by any means necessary, one day I'll get out of here and be able to carry on with what I started. There's still a long time to go before it happens. I know."
"You can be as stubborn as you want, Bornew, but time will prove me right. You'll see. You ought to forget about that and get used to living in this place; there's no way we can get out of here."
"At least tell me what you know, Neil. Please."
"I will, I promise, but it'll have to be later; here comes Senlar."
Convergence: Genesis Page 17