“All of us understand the potential risk, but we are well grounded, and the risk is known, so I think it is therefore manageable.”
“The final issue then is what status should you have within the collective,” Zhirtanh says, “And you have admitted this is our affair to manage.”
“It is. I suspect this also involves my relationship with Zaleria,” Achi states.
“Indeed, it does,” Virunnã agrees.
Zaleria rises and joins Achi before the elders. “Our symbiots were shared by accident; he is my bond mate by choice.”
“That is your right to choose, but you have also taken liberties in providing extra galanen technology to Achi—in particular full augmentation as is provided all galanen. In this, you did not consult the collective; nor did you have the authority to act on behalf of the collective,” Zhirtanh accuses.
“It is as you say, but I did not provide anything he did not already have access to through me. I saw no harm in ensuring better efficiency given the circumstances. I believe it was justified.”
“You did this for personal reasons and are only now claiming the expediency of the circumstances to justify your act,” Virunnã accuses.
“So? Does it make any difference? The only way to cut him off from the collective is to cut me off. I am prepared to accept such an outcome if that is what the collective desires.”
“That is not the only way,” Raghénor says.
“He shares my symbiots. Can the collective differentiate us?” Zaleria asks, becoming angry.
Achi touches her arm, gently. “I think he was suggesting I can always voluntarily give up your symbiots.”
She nods. “Right. We've explored this. To be sure, we can create a unique set of our own design at this point, if we deemed it necessary, but we are satisfied with the way we are. Does our present state create an insurmountable problem for the collective?”
“In fact it does,” Zhirtanh states. “Achi has no standing in the collective; he is not, what is the human word? He is not a citizen. He currently has all the privileges of a galanen but none of the responsibilities. He does not answer to the collective yet enjoys full access to all it can provide. We cannot allow this to continue. His actions can be interpreted as sanctioned by the galanen even if they are not.”
“What are our options, then?” Achi asks.
“I think that is fairly clear. Either submit to being cut off from the collective, or voluntarily remove galanen technology within you; clearly separate yourself as an evolved human from the galanen,” Zea says. The other elders nod their agreement.
Achi and Zaleria, being completely synced up, are about to jointly say something when Achi feels a hand on his shoulder. It is feminine, but not one he is accustomed to. He turns and sees a visibly agitated Jevelle standing there. She whispers, “I got this…“
She walks in front of them and regards her peers. “I cannot believe what I am hearing from you!” she projects, loudly, using her surprisingly powerful voice as a whip to lash her colleagues. “What has this pair of beings ever done to the collective to warrant such disrespect? They have suffered much, sacrificed much, all in service to the people who inhabit the world you see below us. Zaleria lost her home. Achi lost his son. And these are the choices you offer?!! You have skipped over the most obvious of solutions!! Make him part of the collective!”
Zhirtanh shakes his head. “I wish it were that easy. By his own word, he is not galan, and the collective is only for the galanen.”
Jevelle glares at them. “But we are the same species. What is the issue?”
“He identifies as human. This is not just a matter of semantics. To be galanen is to be inculcated within the collective. It starts prior to birth, and yet we still see cases like Stelarosa.”
“And we deal with them,” Jevelle quips. “What are you really afraid of?”
The elders look at each other before Virunnã speaks. “Those closest to him are unlikely to provide an adequate guarantee of his acculturation into the collective. Traemuña will likely soon cross over, and Zaleria is compromised; she is essentially the same being as Achi. Her defiance practically radiates from her.”
“Really, that's it? All this crap boils down to you want to make sure someone can help raise this man properly as a galanen?”
“Essentially, yes,” Zhirtanh says.
“I can do that, if he is willing.” She looks at them, “Just as Achi adopted a kid in need off the street to raise as his own son, I would be happy to adopt Achi within the collective. Does anyone here doubt my ability to raise him properly?” She challenges the room.
Zhirtanh regards them for a moment before silently consulting with the others. “Achi, Zaleria, what say you to this?”
They regard each other. “My only concern, is that were I to become galanen, I would not want to be held accountable for things I did prior to becoming galanen. I have proven I am evolved now, but I was not always such and did terrible things. I do not intend to share this, but many details are known to a few within the collective. Also, I see no reason to alter how I am. Zaleria and I are happy with the status quo. I recognize this is not standard within the collective, but I would ask to remain as I am, unless I decide to change it later.”
“Let all of us take some time and consider this,” Zhirtanh says. We'll reconvene in an hour.” He and the other elders stand and depart to private chambers set aside for their use.
Jevelle turns to regard her friends. “So what have you been up to that you want to protect? Do I want to know?”
“Nothing that affects my ability to stand before the gatekeepers and have a very long discussion with them, as much as it made my head hurt,” Achi replies.
“Oh, and what did you learn?”
“I'm not the one on trial here.” He watches Jevelle's face closely for a reaction.
“You're serious, aren't you?”
Achi nods. “It would not be the first time our ancestors fell from grace.” He lets that sink in. “And thank you, for your offer. Does your mate even know?”
She smiles. “Marfan? Of course! We share all that I do—you and Zaleria aren't unique in that regard.” she wrinkles her nose a bit. “I can't wait for all of you to meet. I think we'll be building our family soon—probably sometime in the next several thousand years. So you can be our starter. It was that or a puppy.” She reaches out to embrace him and whispers “I could think of no better way to honor Clive. I have learned so much from both of you; it is time I give something back.”
She excuses herself to chat with her colleagues, so Zaleria and Achi seek her parents. They look rough. “It will be good to put this matter to rest,” Traemuña says. “I think they are on the correct path. Does this solution concern you?”
“We have stated our concerns,” Zaleria says. “We will not change how we are, and the collective cannot force us to do so without violating their word. If they accept us as is, great. If not, we will not be changed by their decision. If cut off from the collective, we will continue to live our lives and travel where we desire; the collective does not have a veto over that. We will just have to be self-sufficient, something my mate excels in. We have made preparations, just in case.”
“You would give up the collective for him?” Gravis asks, just to verify her resolve.
“I will not give up on the collective, just as Achi will never give up on humanity. But we recognize the collective may give up on us. We are satisfied we are as we are meant to be.”
“Then we hope your union is happy and fruitful,” Traemuña says. “As I'm sure you know by now, we will be taking our next step soon. It is too painful to remain here for us. We just want to make sure you are settled, and to be honest, we also feel the rightness of your pairing.”
After the hour is up, the elders return and call everyone back. Zaleria and Achi resume their place before them.
Zhirtanh addresses everyone assembled. “We agree on most issues. We are satisfied that Achi is an evolved human th
at recognizes his obligations to a primitive race. We reaffirm the conditions of the alliance galanen elders made with Achi. We are willing to welcome him into the collective of his own volition if he agrees to learn our ways from Jevelle and Marfan. However, we hold that all who are part of the collective join as individuals. We are willing to provide symbiots tailored to Achi so that he can be a full member. If this is not acceptable, then we will have to sever Zaleria's access to ensure we protect the collective.”
Zaleria steps forward. “Elders, friends, it is an incredibly strange road that has bought us to this place. As we look back upon it, we are struck at how highly improbable it all is. Some of you know this tale, but I will recount it now—that those who do not may understand. When Achi was killed and my unitary was destroyed, we stood before the Being of Light, together. He was overjoyed at our union and told us [Cherish your bond]. This is what feels right to us. We thank you for your offer, but with sadness decline. We must be who we are meant to be.”
“So be it. You are unwilling to take even one step to compromise.” Zhirtanh frowns. “Then with sadness, Zaleria, your rights as a member of the collective are hereby suspended.”
Both Zaleria and Achi feel the constant background noise of their connection to the collective suddenly grow still.
Zhirtanh continues, “You may not directly interface with the collective, nor form a local connection with anyone with access to ensure they do not willingly or otherwise act as your proxy. You may still communicate with members of the collective by other means. You are not, however, cast out. You are still expected to fulfill your obligations to the galanen, but we cannot permit Achi to access the collective in your currently paired state. This would naturally likewise affect any children you may have—something I hope you seriously think about. All of this is reversible if you change your minds. Human, our alliance still stands, as long as you continue to wish it so.”
“I do, galan. I think it best we coordinate our efforts on Earth. Who will be your point of contact that I should work with.”
“Beltare will resume leadership of our efforts on Earth; we defer the matter to her. She can also arrange transportation,” Virunnã says.
“That won't be necessary,” Achi reminds them.
Zhirtanh stands. “Then we will take our leave. We wish you both well,” Zhirtanh says, to close out the meeting.
Zaleria and Achi go separately through the room to say their farewells before heading home to Perxephsis. Their decision to stand back from the collective will have no real effect on the development of their home. Achi has, from the beginning, been working with their little friends to develop his own strand of nanotechnologies. In some respects, his efforts are less refined; in others, he has found ways to make substantial improvements over standard galanen machines, especially by linking them into their symbiots.
Jevelle confronts her. “Why?” is all she asks, genuinely confused.
“It is difficult to explain. Achi and I expected the galanen to eventually seek us out to resolve these matters, but we did not anticipate the speed and urgency. So we did some digging. A lot, actually. The galanen are changing and not for the better. We decided it would perhaps be best to stand outside the collective to provide a different perspective. Did you not notice how willing some of our elders were to go back on their word to Achi? Did that not trouble you?”
Jevelle doesn't say anything for a moment but gives a slight nod of her head. “It did. Achi told me the galanen were on trial here.”
“He did not lie. He is incredibly perceptive, one of the reasons I adore him so much,” Zaleria sighs and reaches into her pocket to take out a small oval object—a small broach. “We would like for you to have this. It will allow you to contact us anytime you want and will let us reach you. That is, if you want it. It will only pass voice—no data.”
Jevelle narrows her eyes, looking at the device. She examines it with her symbiots and notes its unique design. “You anticipated this outcome.” It is a statement, not a question.
Zaleria shrugs her shoulders and gives her a hug. “We will never forget what you did for us here, today. We may very well take you up on your offer some day, but we feel we must walk this path now. We don't know where it may lead, but we hope you remain a part of it.”
“Oh, don't worry, I won't want to miss any of it. You are always welcome to visit.”
“I'm sure we will.” Zaleria says, before taking her leave to speak with more people.
Achi seeks out Beltare, who is sitting quietly on the edge of the room. He hands her a broach, which she takes without hesitation. “Well, you were right. I'd hoped it would be otherwise, although I still believe you two are over thinking this.”
Achi nods. “I understand, and to be honest, we might be wrong. We can always change our minds.”
She laughs a bit. “I would be surprised if that occurs.” She turns more serious. “I'll continue to act as your window into Earth. Please don't make my life more difficult than you already have.”
“We trust you to do the right thing. And, you know, nobody said you couldn't come visit. You will always be welcome—poker will be easier to play, at least.”
“I'm not sure I could do that right now, without Clive…,“ She trails off. “I'm sorry, I guess it is to his credit he touched so many. His loss affected many of us. But you will always be welcome here as well, at least for as long as I am here. I'm sure we'll be in touch soon.” She gives him a hug, then watches him walk off, frowning. The more she learns about her people, the more disquieted she becomes. Perhaps this is why her former mentor, Traemuña, shares so little?
Achi and Zaleria say their farewells, hand out a few more devices, then escort Zaleria's parents back to their home. They join hands as Achi opens the portal into D-Space with a twisting flash, and then they are gone.
Cloufen, with Rialle and Zargus, both recently recovered from their wounds on Earth, come over to Beltare. “I don't understand what that was all about. Why would they not want to bring their union fully into the collective?” Rialle asks, concern on her face.
Beltare regards her for a moment, easily reading the conflicting emotions playing across her features—many of which she is not sharing. More of Achi's training, Beltare thinks to herself. Rialle is so young, by galanen standards, but has a very promising future. Her experiences over the recent past are weighing heavily upon her. “I honestly do not know. They have shared experiences far outside what most galanen will ever encounter. It could be they are still trying to deal with that trauma and don't want to change any other variables at this moment. But when it comes to that pair, you can never tell what they're thinking. Individually, they are probably two of the most perceptive beings I have ever encountered. Together? They are probably already several steps ahead of the galanen.” She shifts her footing, sighs, and turns to look at the rest of the galanen departing the common area. She catches Fandtha and Jevelle watching her little group. “But, for whatever reason, they have decided to not share with the galanen what worries them. I'm sure all will be revealed in the fullness of time.”
∞∞∞
Cheryn approaches the clinic, absently rubbing her enlarged belly; she is six months pregnant. She closes her eyes, afraid she has waited too long. Despite all that has happened since the asteroid strike, this clinic has remained open. How many people, fearing for the future, have opted to not bring a child into this mess, she wonders? She walks toward the entrance. At least with all that is going on in the world, there don't appear to be any protesters. She isn't in the mood for that right now. She can't deal with all that has happened. Clive's death was the final straw. It is all for nothing; people suffer, and those who can do something about it do nothing. She wants to get away from it all, find some place to lose herself, and
just try to find whatever happiness she can. She can barely take care of herself; she certainly can't deal with the little monster growing inside of her…
“Please reconsider. Where there is life, there is hope.”
Cheryn whips around to see where the quiet voice came from, but there is no one there. That's strange; she swears she heard someone. She shakes her head and turns to head to the clinic and stops cold. An old man stands there, not blocking her path, but just standing there, looking at her. Great, a protester. She doesn't know how she overlooked him, but she isn't going to stand there and argue with him. “Get out of my way; I've made my choice,” she grumbles in a low, threatening voice as she tries to move past him.
“It is all about choice, isn't it?” the old man continues, in a calm, patient voice. “Each person chooses whether to embrace the light or hide from it. There is no hope in the darkness. Have a little faith.”
She stops, suddenly chilled to the bone, and looks at him, trying to discern his features. “Who are you?”
“Who I am is not important. What is important is who you are,” he replies, in the same annoying, calm voice.
“Yeah, and who is that?” she says, getting angry.
“That is what you will choose,” he says.
She feels the 'little monster' kick, a strong poke just under her rib cage. She glances down, reflexively, while thinking of something nasty to say to the old man, but when she looks up again, he is gone. She looks all around. There is no way he could have gotten out of her field of view so quickly. A cold shiver goes up her spine, as she recalls her conversation with the gatekeeper. It told her she didn't know who she was and could only learn that on Earth. And here she is, at the defining moment. The little monster moves again, so full of life. “She is as human as you are…” Achi's words come back to her unbidden. Suddenly, she is overwhelmed by emotions. She thinks about what the old man said and recalls what happened to her after the explosion. What Achi would always tell her, what Clive would echo—she always has a choice, even when they are all bad. She remembers the depth of sorrow Achi shared through their connection, all the pain he had experienced, and his concern. His concern for the choices he knew she faced, and where that could lead her. Back, back to the place of darkness. The old man echoed his words back to her, how? “Where there is life, there is hope.”
Through the Singularity Page 57
