CHAPTER 15:
Jonathon
Jonathon wasn’t even supposed to be on the mission. He was but a functionary in the grand enterprise of the Order . He had never really had any career objective other than survival. A fortunate early posting from Admin Acadamy (ADAC) as a temporary second assistant for a Junior member of the Order proved to be the key to his future. That Junior member, Viktor Ipsos, was on his way to becoming a senior member of the order in the next 20 years.
One thing Jonathon was very good at, was doing the bidding of his superiors. He did all the dirty jobs for Ipsos’ team. When a threat was perceived, it was Jonathon sent to find the evidence to give Ipsos the advantage inside the Order. Results counted more than methods, and Jonathon never failed.
Yet there was never a hint of scandal surrounding his work. It was invisible in its way so that Ipsos was never held back in his rise to the Board of the Order. He soon named Jonathon to be his Chief of Staff.
The Ipsos family were long time members of the Order based on their shipping and maritime business in Greece. They historically controlled all the shipping and transport in the eastern med and Black Sea mid east. After the wars, as the Order expanded world wide. The transport needs in support of the Rendezvous mission also fell under the Ipsos family. Victor’s grandfather represented the order in managing the delivery of all materials to the station where Arcielle was built.
Viktor worked for both his father and grandfather from his youngest days. His ability and seeming sixth sense of staving off problems before they happened, gave him great visibility in the Order and not just for his family ties.
Viktor gave credit, privately, to his seemingly invisible assistant, Jonathon. It was agreed that the less attention given to Jonathon, the more effective he could be. Even after becoming CoS, Jonathon was the ever efficient, self effacing, perfect minion, whispering exactly what Viktor needed to know at the appropriate minute. In his ubiquitous unobtrusiveness, he was ignored as part of the background. The opposite was not true, Jonathon missed nothing.
The Order needed to understand the implications of what could be exchanged with the Neologians. What resources could be provided on the way out from earth that the neologians needed, and what brought back. How could the time frames be reduced. What technologies were available. Viktor had been immersed in these issues and it was the Council of the Order in the end that decided it was Viktor who should represent them in making the decisions at the point of the Rendezvous.
As the Arcielle’s completion kept being pushed farther from the original deadline. Viktor realized that even with hibe, he would be almost 60 when he returned. His contemporaries would be dead for a hundred years, his family would be descendants he did not know. At the last minute, he informed the Board that he felt unable to go. The only person who knew what he knew, was Johnathon. The Board were used to having Jonathon around. He had no family that was known of, and had served the Order for 20 years and was approved as an afterthought in an undertaking with far more important decisions to be made. And a perfect mole had been placed.
As Jonathon was incorporated ever more into the nanobiotic entity, symbiosis occurred. Those aspects of Jonathon that were superior were of course retained but always enhanced. Where nanotechnlogy could be used more efficiently, the biomass gave energy to its creation.
It was his overall mental and nervous system that became the communication pathway and central being. It was Jonathon at its core, but now becoming something else. And despite the hibernation enzymes used to keep his metabolism at its 1/50th normal rate, muscles were responding in microbursts as new control mechanisms were put in place by the ever efficient nanobiots. Jonathon could begin to make things function.
In his floating self, inside the pod, contained by the electron field, he sensed an awareness outside himself. Something was approaching. Survive, defend! Open your eyes to gain information!
Staring at him through the energy field, was Fred, doing his afternoon maintenance rounds. Fred saw eyes look out at him, and blink. Startled, Fred jerked up and took a step back in shock and yelled into the open comm link, “Ginger! Come here. I need you!”
CHAPTER 16:
Three’s a crowd.
It had been several days since Fred had replied to the message from the Neologian ship. The initial shock of having received not only a message tied to a gravitational wave, but also that it was referencing a several hundred year old electron emission from earth had not gone away. It had to have been sent on purpose. Yet it was such an obscure message. Few people would be able to translate it to its 20th century origins.
Fred of course did know what it was from. But how would a Neologue have acess to such a cultural and technological relic. He did realize that there was an intent that this should remain unofficial. Very much off line. What was expected from such a message. Fred began to realize that it was a “Hello” sent out into the depths of space. To generate a response only if understood. Otherwise, it would just be intersteller noise. Only a human would have picked it up. And only a particular human would ever be able to understand. It was a shot into the darkness.
It found its target in Fred. He realized there was someone on the Neologian ship who wanted to contact him without being detected. Thus it required an equally obscure response and transmission. After a week, Fred decided on his response. It would only be understood by someone who was deeply immersed in ancient earth culture. Someone with access to earliest earth technology and an appreciation for obscure historical relics.
Fred, after agonizing about his response, had sent it off using an electron carrier wave of the same frequency the message had been received though disguised as interstellar noise. It had been the result of his thinking “Who’s out there and what does it want?” He thought it quite clever as he had sent it on its way to he knew not what. Fred however, had faith that whomever had sent the message, his response would be understood as coming from a like minded being. Or so he hoped. There were enough problems facing him as he thought of the being in pod 178.
After the initial excitement at the message and having sent his response, Fred settled back into his maintenance routines. It always included two passes a day through the Pod deck with a special review of Pod 178.
This day however, it was not the same. This time 178 was looking back.
“Ginger, 178 is woke in there, and he pointed down to the eyes staring up at him. Please analyze.”
Ginger’s Ois burrowed down through the energy containment field conducting a microscopic review of the entity in 178. It was certainly more than either the nanobiotic entity or the human who occupied the pod.
“It appears that the nanobiotic entity that entered pod 178 has changed again. 178 is now combined at the dna level with the other life form. I believe it is evolving.’
‘Evolving?! Into what? And how?’
“I can only speculate without physically examining the entity. But it has now combined with 178. The constant flow of nutrients have allowed the entity to reproduce rapidly and integrate into the human inside 178. The human’s dna appears to have been altered. And there are nanobiobots, circulating through his systems. Very curious. I would say it is redesigning 178s systems to maximize efficiency.”
“Yes, Well, that’s what nanobots do. But how is this possible?”
“They had sufficient nutrients, and time, and access to a host.”
“I told you we should have destroyed them as soon as we found them on the pod. Now we have an even greater problem. What is being created in there?”
“I can only speculate, but as a life form, especially one that is partly one of this voyage, it must be protected.”
“Ginger. We dont know what it is or will be? Will it be a better human or an unstoppable machine? There are huge consequences in this. And nothing that is in the program manual covers situations like this.”
Her Ois glowed yellow as she searched the databases for information.
“This is a unique life form. It has never been created on earth. I believe 178 is the first true fusion of dna and nanobiotics. Marvelous.”
“Marvelous!!! He’s staring up at us. He’s woke in there. We cannot allow him to emerge.”
“I believe his human metabolism is still in hibe. Though it seems that his nervous system is woke.”
“That I understand. I could not explain always where I was when in hibe myself. But I knew I was there, me somehow. But I never had consciousness like 178 seem to have. Can you speculate?”
The Ois flashed rainbow colors as databases where evaluated with the physical data she could scan from the pod.
“Without physical data to examine directly, I would speculate that he is evolving. Truly a new being, part nanobot part nanobiot and part human. It is his human nervous system that seems to be in control however.”
“I’m going to turn off the nutrient flow. We cannot allow this entity to escape the pod. It must be contained. It is no longer 178 anyway.”
“Fred Dawson. I will not permit you to destroy a viable entity. You should know that is one of my primary instructions, the preservation of human life.”
“Ginger, he is not a human, not anymore.”
“He has human DNA. And in fact, I note that there is even some of your dna incorporated into him, installed by the nanobiotic entity after their emergence. Presumably they only utilized the effective parts and it will not hamper 178’s functioning.”
“Thank you for that vote of confidence Ginger.”
Ginger’s Ois lit up yellow while a slight upward curve of her lips indicated a self satisfied smile. “So you see, 178 is also derivative of you. “
“Believe me, he is not the son I always wanted.”
“I estimate, he will be far more efficient than you at most things.”
“Whatever, at the moment, until we know more and understand more about what is happening, we need to isolate this pod and erect a more substantial energy barrier. I am not happy with how this is going. Also, I want you to calculate a different energy flow, slow down the nutrients to the nano parts of him. I want him to stay asleep while we figure out what to do. “
As Ginger went off to implement Fred’s instructions, Fred stayed behind for a moment, staring down into the eyes looking back at him, no emotion showed. Focusing on Fred’s face.
Interesting, thought Jonathon. I can see details like never before, even down into the pores of the face above me.
The eyes closed as Ginger altered the gas flow into the pod, adding a greater mix of the agent which produced hibe, slowing the metabolism of 178 more significantly. Fred stood watching next to the pod.
“I have got to think this through. I have no idea what is being created in there. But I dont think I want it to get out. I need to build a bigger and stronger containment field. To think that some of my DNA is part of whoever/whatever is evolving in there. I hope he appreciates family.” All thought of the Neologian contact was forgotten.
Johnathon’s eyes were closed but his nanobiotic nervous system remained functioning. They continued their work, its what nanobots do. Always becoming more efficient. Always making your host better. This time, we are part of the host. We have time and energy. We are not yet ready.
CHAPTER 17:
No Reply
“Enter.” Doleur Tranche’s voice passed through the habicle’s comm link to Baktor who had been waiting for some time outside, and the hatch disappeared.
“Doleur Tranche, Chief Techno Baktor reporting with my schedule for the week.”
Tranche, was in his recline space, out of uniform, in a leisure robe of deep tuft fabric woven from the Neologian lespis, a rare animal with a white fur adapted to the intense light spectrum from the suns. It made the wearer impervious to the effects of radiation rays when woven into a garment. Its rarity made it limited to the Doleur class.
“Ahh, Bactor. On time as usual. Let me have your report. You may sit.”
Tranche reviewed the script which was holojected in front of him by Baktor’s PMD. “ Yes all does seem in order. But then, that’s how you want it isn’t it.”
“Of course Doleur Tranche, my responsibility is to ensure that the Neo 1 operates at maximum efficiency in the support of our great mission. We work very hard to have no problems.”
“So you say. How are we Doleurs to know for certain other than your reports which never indicate anything is wrong? “
“I take that as a compliment Doleur Tranche, that our Techno and Mechano’s are always ahead of any situation, thus retaining maximum…..”
“Yes, I heard Baktor”, cut in Tranche, “maximum efficiency. But that tells me nothing about what is going on.”
“I assure you, Doleur Tranche that we are performing our tasks effectively.”
“Nevertheless, I have spoken to the other Doleurs. In the name of the mission and of ensuring our success and they have agreed to my assumption of overall management of the ship’s systems. I intend to find out what is really going on in engineering. You will report directly to me in the future.”
And my work for DSD Gargan…?
“Gargan is focusing on the mission and the conquest, he has no time for dealing with technos and mechanos. I am helping him with his task you see.”
Without hesitation Baktor replied, “I am honored to have your guidance, Doleur Tranche. We all serve the Mission in our way. I will have all our status reports sent to your PMD immediately so that you can direct my functions.”
“That will not be necessary, Baktor, I will require your habicle in engineering. I intend to personally oversee engineering. I believe it has gotten too lax in parts of this ship and I will not accept any deviation from the success of the Mission. You will seek another habicle”.
“I will see to it at once Doleur Tranche. When may we anticipate your arrival in engineering?” Baktor rose to leave.
“When I choose to arrive, I will.”
Bactor gave the neologian salute, turned and headed toward the hatch. As he was to step through Tranche spoke.
“One other thing before you go Baktor. I want you to leave your PMD here with me along with your password. I will want to familiarize myself with the current status of all systems as you see them.”
Baktor halted, erect, returned to Tranche, handed over his PMD.
“And the password?”
“Doleur Tranche, I have used an obscure earthling phrase so as to make it secure from those who would compromise the Mission. It is spoken but I must write it for you as it must be exact. “
“You are rather too fond of the earthling culture I believe Baktor. That is something else we must look at.”
“It is all in service of the Mission. I felt I must be prepared to deal with any suspicious activity on their part as we approach the rendezvous.”
“Yes Baktor, I have no doubt of your undying devotion to the cause. Now, the password.”
Baktor had written it phonetically for Tranche, who looked on the pad and slowly pronounced,
“M.I.C.K.E.Y.M.O.U.S.E.” What is this?”
“It refers to an obscure inanimate object from 20th century earth culture. “
“Something that will soon be eradicated from all history given the success of our mission dont your agree? Now, you may go.”
Baktor entered the tube taking him to engineering level 1. He was thinking rapidly. Any other signal from the earthling ship would be routed to his PMD. Luckily the transmissions themselves were only contained on the memory crystal which he had hidden in his habicle. That became his first mission to secure the crystal while he moved his personal effects into a smaller habicle on engineering level 2. At least he would have a bit of space between himself and Tranche.
The problem remained that he had to suspend the communications between himself and the contact on the earth ship. He next went to the central command terminal in engineering and configured another gravity wave transmission which created a momentary hiccup in the engines. He knew it was a risk now that Tranche had his PMD. It was a calculated risk he would have to take knowing that it was but the briefest of glitches in the engines. And there were many reasons for such events which happened periodically..
All other mechanos were occupied around the bay and when he was sure he was alone, and security systems diverted, another crystal was placed on the scanner. Into space the engine spit a gravity wave which carried a brief series of electronic tones in a code which said, “Not tonight honey, I have a headache.”
CHAPTER 18:
We are at maximum efficiency
Jonathon clicked on.
“I am woke but still in the pod. I’m breathing that foul gas that keeps us in deep sleep. But I am woke.”
His brain began to give him inputs which came from all over his body. He began to perceive his improved sensitivity and body awareness. Everything was connected in ways never understood before. There was more to him, part of him. He was remade, far more efficient, he could feel it.
Eyes opened. Through the gas and the clear perspex cover, he saw the lighted hanger above. No face stared back.
How can I be woke yet still be breathing the hibe gas from the pod? An answer formed in his mind, “We like it, it gives energy”.
Yes well, there are other kinds of energy too, though Jonathon, that wont require us to be prisoners in a pod.
Placing his palm upon the perspex above, he felt the quality of the material. The nanobiots in him flowed to his skin, analyzed the material while his brain calculated the force required to open the pod. It was far beyond the strength of a normal human. Jonathon knew he was no longer normal. We are better.
Examining the underside of the opening, he found the places where the original nanobiotic entity had oozed through the seal. Placing his hands next to those spots, he pushed, with ease. His nano-enhanced bone system began to exert ever more pressure on the cover. Muscles were connected in ways that allowed force to be focused without strain. It seemed natural that they should exhibit such strength.
Slowly, inevitably, the door moved in its casing until it popped free of the pod and slid to the side..
The gas escaped from the pod and ship atmosphere was there. Breathe, Breathe, taste the air. Jonathon lay still inside the pod just taking in the air feeling it down into his cells, more efficiently transported in his blood stream than before. And his human based brain began to calculate what was happening. The actions of 40 years ago and working for Ipsos and the Order and how he ended up in pod 178. It all flashed in his mind.
His mind. It seemed like everything he ever knew was instantly accessible. Connections were being made and his brain aware of everything at the same time. All the computational advantage brought by the nanobot were melded with the exquisiteness of the human brain. His now was totally on. Every sense active at 100 percent. Every moment.
Yet, there was order, not panic at having all that data flooded at you each instant. Certainly not overwhelmed either. And this is what Jonathon knew. His mind was clear. The hive was ready.
He sat up in the pod, scanning around him.
Pod 178 had been separated from the others and moved to the back corner of the pod hanger. A device sat on the deck in front of the pod, sound humming through the deck. His skin felt the vibration of the EFP “energy field projector”. A sheen of light reflected off the energy field as he turned his head to view the surroundings on the other side.
In the dim light of the hanger, he saw the other pods, connected to the gas flow lines, the umbilical cords that sustained, and trapped them in the pods.
The lift door opened. Fred dashed out and through the pods to the back corner stopping behind the EFP. “ A sensor sounded an alarm. You woke without support. That’s not possible”.
“I am here nonethless and I want to be released from this prison.”
“It’s not a prison. This is a ship.”
“I know. I had a lot to do with organizing this voyage. And I have responsibilities to carry out that require my freedom. I am Jonathon Cross.”
“You used to be. Now I dont know who or what you are exactly.”
“I assure you. I am still me. A refined me, one that seems incredibly alive and conscience, but still me.”
“That’s not altogether reassuring. Until I know more about you, Jonathon, I’m going to have to ask you to remain within the energy field.”
Ginger walked through the lift door and over next to Fred. Her Ois examined Jonathon minutely.
“I am curious, your human form was under the effect of the hibe gasses yet you woke on your own.”
“Perhaps I was no longer sleepy. And you must be X719, Fred’s toy. How long have I been in there?
“I, am my self. You, are 40.79 MYs (“metabolic year’s- prounounced meez) old
“That means I’m over 80 years old. And I dont feel a day over 30. Actually, I dont feel old at all. I feel brand new. I’ve never felt so good. “
“Yes, it seems you have evolved as an entity. Nanobots and microbes and additional human dna have transformed you.”
“You mean I am more like you X719? A humebot.”
“Actually, you are more like Fred Dawson than you are like me. You are a human, but yes you have benefitted from nano technology. My examination of you indicates that many of your systems have been enhanced.”
“Tell me more.”
“Ginger”, Fred said, halting her, “not now. “
“Ahh, Ginger is it, Jonathon laughed. Its right what they said about you Dawson. She is your toy.”
Ginger’s ois flashed red. “ I am me! I told you. I respect you as an entity and would expect you to reciprocate. You do not know me.”
Jonathon laughed again. “Sorry to misunderstand. I do look forward to getting to know you. But I seem to be stuck in this force field. And I am getting cold and I am getting hungry. We need energy you know.”
“Ginger would you please provide Jonathon here with a jump suit from the passenger locker. I’ll look after his other needs.” Fred gathered the barest of necessities and after telling Jonathon to stand back, shut down the EFP long enough to push the items next to the pod. “You can sleep in the pod, that’s what its designed for,” said Fred as he switched the field
back on.
After Ginger left the deck, Fred turned to Jonathon. “You are not supposed to be woke yet. And you are not supposed to be what you are. “
“As X719 said, I am me and I am here. And I expect to be allowed to pursue my responsibilities in support of the Order. And by the way, isnt that your job too.”
“Oh, you mean those guys, “Fred said, nodding toward the other pods. “ Yes my job is to get them there…safe. But I’m not yet sure about you.”
“Really, I can be of help. That is what I do. Help things get done.”
“At the moment, I have all the help I need.”
“Suit yourself. But you will need me you know. For instance, I know a lot more about this mission than you do. It is not going to happen as it was programmed.”
“Save it for the big guys when they are woke. I got work to do.”
“I guess I’ll be here then when you need me,” and he smiled as Fred turned and entered the lift.
“But I wont be here for long,” Jonathon said to himself as he walked up to the energy field and held his palms up against it until the electrons in the field were close enough to be touched by the flow of nanobots which came to the surface of his skin.
“Energy, we feel energy.”
CHAPTER 19.
Tranche
Doleur Tranch emerged from the habicle, Baktor’s pmd in hand. “It seems despite your representation there have been anomalies in the engine output. Just within the time I have been in possession of your pmd, there has been a disruption of the flow pattern. It is evident that you have been withholding important information relevant to the mission. If the engines are not at maximum, we will lose the chance to be at the rendezvous ahead of the earthlings.”
“Yes Doleur Tranche, I was monitoring the ITC station in engineering and have made a thorough examination of the event. It is clear we passed through a graviton wave emitted by a collapsing neutron star. As you saw in the report I sent you. The effect was but the briefest of instants. It demonstrates the strength of Neologian manufacturing and dedication of the techno and mechano crew that we are able to cope so admirably with the unknowns of this space.”
Tranche looked at the PMD in his hand. “I saw no such indication of a message.”
“Doleur Tranche, I thought you would want this information immediately given your new role, so I sent it to your private PMD.”
Tranche stopped just in front of Baktor. He realized he had been so preoccupied rummaging through Baktor’s files that he had left his own PMD in his Doleur Level habicle. “Yes, well, we shall see what this supposed report has to say. And then we will discuss this further. It remains that you report these engines at full capacity and now I am told that they are not always. This is not a good way for you to begin. I must report to the Doleurs the sorry state of affairs that exist in Techno.”
Tranche turned and walked to the hatch. “Doleur Tranche, if you have completed your examination of my PMD, may I have it returned. It contains the engine readings and alarms. I do need it for my role in supporting the mission.”
Tranche stopped, slowly turned staring back at Baktor, “Ahh yes, all for the glory of the mission. Why is it I do not believe you? Whatever it is, I will find out. You see, I am here to stay. And I intend to use this position to enhance my level in the Doleur Council. And if you do not help me, I will find another Chief Technician. You may have your PMD.”
Holding out the pmd, he dropped it from his hand. “Baktor lunging, caught it just before it hit the deck. I downloaded its contents into my personal database. I will have plenty of time to review your work. “
As Tranche entered the hatch from engineering level 1 taking the transport lift to Doleur level, he turned and with a tone of satisfaction said. “Yes, one last thing about your PMD. It seems that in transferring your data, it was deleted from the device. I would assume that you always store your data as backed up on the ITC. It should be no problem for a chief Techno to retrieve it.”
Tranche turned to the back of the lift wall as it moved. How stupid of him to have left his PMD in his own quarters and been trapped like that by Baktor. And in downloading Baktor’s files, he had not only deleted them from Baktor’s pmd, he had failed to complete the transfer to his own central file. Ahh, that’s why we have technos for things like that he said to himself.
In a way, it did not matter. He had no intention of wading through screen after screen of boring numbers and engineering language. It meant nothing to him. What did matter, was if he could get the engine systems to increase speed to the rendezvous. It was crucial to Neologian plans that they have sufficient time to set the trap of a peaceful rendezvous.
Tranche was not at all included in the details of the rendezvous planning. It was all Gargon’s show.
Tranche was but a junior Doleur, placed on the mission by his family on Neologue, mostly as a way to give him a chance to overcome his reputation for being a belligerent bully who was always creating trouble for the family. It was supposed that his minor role in the Doleur hierarchy would prevent him from doing any damage to the mission and perhaps gain some of the glory of being on Neo 1 and the capture of the Arcielle.
After the solsturns on board as an afterthought to the rest of the Doleurs, they were more than happy to let Tranche oversee engineering. The DC (Doleur Council) knew that Chief Techno Baktor would do his efficient work and they would meet their schedule. And in Doleur fashion, once it was decided that Tranche would be someplace that would not cause difficulty, they moved on to other important points regarding the Mission. Besides, what real Doleur would be interested in spending time on Engine level.
Tranch entered his quarters, seeing the alert flashing on his pmd left on his desk. His anger flared further seeing the report as Baktor had said. And it had been sent with analysis only a short while after the event. Perhaps too short. He must have been standing at ITC during the event for him to have responded that quickly. Especially since Tranche had Baktors pmd.
Its almost as if he had anticipated it thought Tranche. And as a person who himself was devious and always having to explain his way out of trouble, he could imagine, and even believe, that Baktor was hiding something. He was far too calm when I confronted him.
In the meantime, I will ask him to produce a plan to increase engine efficiency. Tranche was aware that the Neo 1 was almost perfectly on the travel schedule to the rendezvous. And the more Tranche’s brain engaged in this line of thought, the more incredulous he became. How could the DC not recognize that on a mission of this length, from a projection now 17 solsturns old, they should be so close to the estimated position. There had been no improvement in the pace in all that time. No efficiencies achieved. No ideas even proposed.
It was another detail decided by the DC. The Neo 1 is where it is supposed to be so why revisit a decision. I know, I just know that Baktor is holding us back. But why.
Tranches basic brain was in a mental cul du sac. Repeating, why not faster? And why Baktor seemed always to have an answer that seemed logical. He always had an answer. And always going on about the Mission. It allowed him to escape any question.
And again. I know he is holding us back. So that means that I can get him to use what he knows to speed us up. And as I pressure him to do that, he will make a mistake. And I will be ready. And Gargan will pay for his support of Baktor and I will be rewarded with a position on the DC and then I will make my place felt.
With that decided, Tranche reclined and began making his plans for pushing Baktor. As an experienced bully, he knew all the ways to push people to their breaking point. It will start tomorrow. And he closed his eyes and began dreaming of the things he was going to do to Baktor. And there was the slightest of a grunt that came from his throat – a sound of enjoyment. Almost even a laugh.