Aurora

by Mark W. Tiedemann

  "Let me know," Derec said. 'And Thales

  "Yes, Derec?'

  "Don't act on something like this without consulting me again. This is important to me. I would have appreciated being involved.

  "I intended no disrespect, Derec

  "I understand that, Thales. I'm amending your definition of priorities in relation to work that's important to me. I'll tell you in the future when I don't wish to be bothered."

  "Very well, Derec. Amendation logged and in process. It will not happen again."

  'Thank you." Derec paused at the door. "You may continue."

  Instantly, the four robots around Bogard began moving. They moved in a blur, shifting rapidly from one task to the next, so fast Derec could not quite see what was happening. They made almost no noise. Only the faint whisk of rapid movement and the nearly soundless whir of tools within Bogards torso came to him. Silent, swift, and utterly certain of their movements, Derec watched the ballet for nearly a minute, amazed- It had been a long, long time since he had witnessed robots working like this. Their restriction on Earth meant that not only were there few of them, but those allowed even in the Spacer precincts worked at attenuated levels as prescribed by Ten-an regulations. Here, unconstrained by legal fear, robots operated at their full capacities, and Derec found it hard to look away.

  Finally, though, he dimmed the light and returned to his bedroom.

  Clin had rolled onto her other side, but otherwise had apparently not stirred. Derec straightened the sheets carefully, drawing them up over her hips. He slid in alongside her. He did not sleep for a long time.

  'Am I to understand that I have passed-7 Bogard asked

  "You will be required soon," Thales said. "Events are moving faster than originally anticipated on Nova Levis. The Council is meeting even now to discuss how Senator Eliton is to be tried.

  "Clar Eliton?' Bogard asked- "He is on Aurora~`

  "Yes. The Auroran authorities arrested him when his ship docked- He is currently being confined, awaiting a hearing."

  "May I see him?'

  "For what end?'

  "There is still a priority program concerning his safety," Bogard said. I cannot ignore it for long. May I see him?'

  Thales looked to his right and raised a hand as if to summon a servant. The air nearby seemed to grow denser, grayer, and suddenly filled with a view of a man in a large, comfortably appointed room.

  "Senator Eliton has been assigned a constellation of extensions," Thales explained- "He is under constant observation."

  Another patch of air darkened, overlapping the first image. Biomedical stats scrolled through it, showing heart rate, blood pressure, EKG, and a dozen other vital readings.

  Thales looked at Bogard. "Satisfied?'

  "Yes," Bogard conceded. The images vanished. 'How does he relate to the Nova Levis situation?'

  'Through association. He is connected--circumstantially~-to Alda Mikels and Gale Chassik. Both were involved in the original Nova Levis research lab on Earth. Chassik was Solarian liaison to the original Settler group that leased Cassus Thole from Solaria. Solaria agreed to received Eliton as resident ambassador just prior to Chassik's recall."

  I continue to register an imperative to defend Senator Eliton."

  "We are working on that. You may for now take it as given that your primary responsibility is to Derec Avery and Ariel Burgess. Both of them are about to be subpoenaed- There is some suggestion that both may be arrested for collusion with Eliton. The charges are groundless, but peripheral circumstances suggest that they are a threat to Aurora."

  I see. And if I must defend them against Aurorans? How am I to do that and remain dedicated to the Three Laws?'

  Thales hesitated- "You have already made observations pertaining to certain definitional problems which may allow you broader freedom of action in that regard As the situation resolves, we will provide you with further data relevant to those observations.

  "When will I be fully operational?'

  "Soon. Be patient."

  Ariel walked down the promenade, overlooking a spun-glass-enclosed plaza that splintered sunlight to create a dazzle of jeweled reflections over the Aurorans and their attendants. She only now felt a degree of comfort wending a path through these people with their electron shells of buzzing extensions. A few Aurorans carried with them so many of the little spheres that it became difficult to see the people clearly through the orbiting whirl of their devices. If the sphere acting as her guide did not glow a distinctive chartreuse, Ariel might easily have lost it as it moved unhesitatingly through the outer perimeters of other extension shells.

  She was not, however, sure her instructions had been understood- The sphere had brought her to, if she understood it correctly, a hospice center. She recognized the traditional white tunics of medical personnel now that she neared the apartment section of the complex.

  The sphere led her around a turn and into a long corridor. Out the windows lining either side Ariel looked across the expanse of Eos City. She tried-and failed-to imagine cities on Earth so airy and bright Even shorn of their roofs, Earth's warrens seemed too cramped and cloistered, ingrown and claustrophobic to approach this beauty.

  She entered the lobby of the apartment section. The sphere stopped before a broad desk. A woman looked up inquiringly.

  "Request visit with Benen Yarick," the sphere intoned- It drew closer to Ariel. "Do you wish this unit to wait for return escort?'

  "No," Ariel said. "I may be here some time."

  "If required, a new unit will be made available."

  The little ball stopped glowing and shot off, out of the lobby, on a new en-and. Ariel blinked, bemused, and turned to the woman behind the desk.

  "Benen Yarick?' she asked.

  "Yes," Ariel confirmed. "I was given to understand that I would be brought to her residence ... ?'

  "She is a resident," the woman said, rising. "But. . ." She shook her head, puzzled" May I ask who you are and the nature of your visit?'

  "I'm Ariel Burgess, from the Calvin. Ms. Yarick was a member of a diplomatic mission to Earth during my tenure there."

  The woman's eyes widened briefly. "I see. And you want to consult her concerning that mission."

  Ariel felt her patience fray. "Is there a problem with my seeing her?'

  "No. You may certainly see her." The woman frowned. "In fact . . .- She pressed a contact on her desk. "Dr. Jinis, please."

  'This is a hospice center, then?'

  "Wait one moment, please."

  A minute later, a tall, white-haired Auroran came into the lobby, three extensions hovering above his left shoulder. He glanced at the attendant

  "Dr. Jinis, this is Ariel Burgess, from the Calvin. She was on Earth during Benen Yarick's visit. She's requested to see Ms. Yarick.,,

  Dr. Jinis studied Ariel for a long pause. "I see. Yes, that might be instructive. I'm Benen's physician, Ms. Burgess. Would you come with me?'

  Not waiting for a reply, he spun around and headed back the way he had come. Ariel hurried to catch up.

  "Physician for what?' Ariel asked- "Or am I about to be used to test something'

  Dr. Jinis almost smiled, but he said nothing. Ariel resigned herself to receiving no answers until she had served whatever function Jinis had in mind for her. She kept on his -fight, away from the extensions, which lagged half a meter behind.

  He took her up two floors and down another long corridor. It was quiet, even by Auroran standards. Ariel shuddered briefly. She had never cared for medical facilities, not since ...

  Dr. Jinis stopped abruptly. "Her condition has improved. She's past the worst of it But if I say to end the visit, you will listen to me."

  "Of course."

  He opened the door and let Ariel in first.

  It was, with the exception of the state-of-the-art biomonitor unit against one wall, an ordinary, though well-appointed, apartment. Broad windows let in the warm Tau Ceti light.

  Ariel recognized the woman sitting
by that window, gazing out. Recognized her until she turned her face toward Ariel. Then there was a disjointed moment in which Ariel knew she had made a mistake, that this was a different Benen Yarick, followed by another wherein she saw that the face was nominally that of Benen Yarick, but something was wrong, it had been changed

  Ariel took a step forward- The woman stood and came toward her, a frown tugging at her brow even as she made a polite smile. Her eyes flicked toward Dr. Jinis.

  "Doctor? I'm..."

  "This is Ariel Burgess, Benen," Dr. Jinis said. "From the Calvin Institute."

  "Yes ... ?'

  "Ms. Yarick," Ariel began. 1-Do you recognize me?'

  "No. Should P`

  "When you were on Earth."

  Benen Yarick started, then laughed- "I've never been on Earth, Ms. Burgess. You're mistaken."

  'I see. Yes, I suppose you're right. I must be thinking of someone else."

  Benen looked mildly distressed. "I apologize. Did I-Doctor? Is there something I should know about this?'

  "No, Benen," Jinis said- "We thought-2'

  "You thought I might remember something. I see." She looked at Ariel closely. "Earth. That might explain a few things. Was I on Earth, Doctor?'

  "Yes."

  "Perhaps that's where it happened." She narrowed her eyes at Ariel. "But I don't remember. It might as well be someone else. I'm Sony."

  may I ask, though," Ariel said, quickly, "if you know Tro Aspil?'

  Benen shook her head. 'Would he have been on Earth, too?'

  'At the same time you were. Yes."

  "No."

  Ariel nodded. "I'm Sony to bother you."

  "You may come back and visit, thou" Benen said quickly. "I don't know very many people anymore. It would be nice to add to the list."

  "If I can," Ariel said, "I will.

  'Thank you."

  "I'll see you later, Benen," Dr. Jinis said.

  In the hall, Ariel rounded on him. "Mnemonic plague?'

  "End stage. She's through the fever, well into recovery now."

  " 'Recovery.' I always thought that was an overly-optimistic label for it. You never recover, Doctor. You never get your life back."

  Jinis looked at her. "You?'

  'A long time ago. Long enough that I now have a life to remember, so it doesn't affect me the same way anymore. When did she become symptomatic?'

  'About three months ago."

  'Then---2'

  "She did not contract it on Eart1k no."

  "How many cases have there been in the last year?'

  "Fifteen. The year before that nine. Before that, none. All originating here, on Aurora. But we haven't been able to trace the vectors. This is not public knowledge. I'm relying on your discretion as a public servant, Ambassador Burgess."

  'Are there any common factors?' she asked, ignoring the implied threat.

  "Do you mean in work, or where they live, or their associates? All of them had traveled offworld, but none of the destinations were the same--the times suggested no pattern."

  "Could I see their profiles?'

  Dr. Jinis frowned- "I'm not comfortable-2'

  'This could very well turn into a criminal investigation, Doctor. If you help me now, I might be able to circumvent major inconvenience to your patients. I suppose that you are handling most of the cases, since it hasn't become public knowledge?

  There could only be a very small pool of physicians working on this to keep it secret this long, and I imagine you're all sharing data."

  "I am head researcher, yes." He pursed his lips. 'I can arrange it Where shall I send the data?'

  "To Dr. Rolf Penj."

  Jinis nodded- "I'll see to it."

  ,,I . . .,, she sighed. I understand what you were trying to do, springing us on each other that way. You wanted a spontaneous reaction. I resent it, but I understand it. Burundi's Fever doesn't work that way, though. Once those pathways are closed down, it's forever. Thank you for your time, Doctor."

  Before he could say anything, Ariel turned and walked away. She had her anger under control by the time she reached the promenade.

  So, are you responsible, Tro? she wondered. Or whoever you are ...

  She emerged from the complex and started across the plaza to the walkways. A trio of Aurorans accompanied by four robots and a collection of remotes intercepted her near the gate.

  'Ambassador Ariel Burgess?' one of the Aurorans addressed her

  "Yes?'

  "I'm Investigator Lothas from Public Safety. I must ask you to accompany us.

  Ariel frowned at the robots, which did not move, and at the other two officers, who flanked her. 'Am I under arrest?'

  "No, not unless you refuse to come with us."

  Ariel smiled at the distinction. -What is this about?'

  "We must ask you some questions concerning Ambassador Clar Eliton."

  'What about him? I've filed a report as part of my ambassadorial office regarding him. There's not much else to add-2'

  Please, Ambassador. This has nothing to do with your report."

  "I'm an Auroran citizen. I have the right of disclosure concerning any public action directly involving me, am I connect?'

  Investigator Lothas looked uncomfortable. "Yes . . ."

  'Then explain to me what this is about or I'll make it difficult for you to do your job."

  'Ambassador," he said with evident reluctance, "Clar Eliton has been murdered. He was found dead in his apartment an hour ago."

  24

  Mia opened her eyes at the early brightening gloom. She assumed it was morning. Before her the landscape sprawled, a collection of low hummocks strewn with wreckage and a graveyard of unbroken packages. The night had passed in fire and panic and, finally, exhaustion. Now she fixed her gaze on the hulk of the shuttle fifty or more meters away, heeled over to reveal its split belly. Smoke coiled from beneath it. Patches of fire still flickered here and there, plastic and metal so hot it might be another day before it stopped igniting the brush that blew near it in the sporadic breeze.

  Someone moaned- Mia looked to her left, at the man beside her. Yalor. Half his face was a blackened wreck. She remembered dragging him away from the wreckage, putting out the fire on his legs, and preparing makeshift bedding for him. He had been unconscious through most of it, which, as far as Mia could tell, had been all to the good. He had broken ribs, ugly bruising on his lower back-which might or might not indicate a ruptured spleen or damaged kidneys-and both his legs were blistered by severe bums. She remembered searching the debris scattered everywhere for medical supplies, the fires from the crash providing uncertain illumination. Finally, she found a container of anesthetics, which quelled Yalor's screams. Later, she found another package containing hydrators, which she had pumped into him in massive amounts. She had dug an irrigation trench running downhill from his inadequate bed and catheterized him.

  Mia leaned over him and carefully raised his eyelids. Somehow, he had avoided a concussion. But he was running a high fever. Between that and the painkillers, Yalor would be insensible for a long time. She doubted he would live through the day, actually, but she prepped another injection of anesthetic and antibiotic.

  Her left wrist throbbed as she worked- Her right side ached as well. Mia was reasonably sure she had nothing broken, but she was stiff and bruised- After ministering the injections,. she got to her feet and walked toward the wreck. Movement was the only measure she had against incapacity right now. She had found no analgesics in the night search, no histamine recompilers, nothing that would ordinarily work to bypass normal muscle cramps and reduce the effects of deep bruising. She was resigned to being in pain for a few days.

  As she made her way through the shards and crates and plowed earth, she grew more amazed at the extent of her efforts from the night before. She paused near the tear in the shuttle and scanned the immediate area. Everything looked different now, in the light of the pewter morning. She vaguely recalled the impact. The lid of the coffin had fl
own open and all its contents-the gelpacks and her-had erupted through the interior of the shuttle, along with all the other dislodged cargo. She had not gone far, jammed as the hold was, until the final impact that had split the hull. She remembered a kind of montage of black and fire and containers right before a lung-deflating shock against her back.

  There. She staggered away from the shuttle to a deep impression in the dirt -twenty meters away. As she stood over it, imagining how her shoulders and waist fit the shape, she could not be certain. Here? Elsewhere?