by Tony Corden
“What do I do in the meantime?”
“After taking the various drugs and supplements, I need time to work on your shoulder. You have compression fractures to your clavicle and scapula, and extensive damage to the skin, muscles and ligaments. The carbon fibres have held the shoulder together, but I’m working on the programming of various nanites to help realign the bone fragments and clear out some small blood clots and other detritus. To help with this, I would like to attempt bringing you to NREM3 sleep for three hours. This is one of the easiest neural manipulations, and it would allow your system to rest and give me an opportunity to work on your shoulder. You’ve also some damage near your eye which needs treatment.”
After Leah agreed to the suggested steps, Gèng opened the Pod. Leah found Mrs Sperry waiting inside the room. Before Leah could say anything, Mrs Sperry hurried to the Pod and after looking at Leah for a moment, said, “Just wait a moment dear. I don’t think I can hold you on my own. I’ll get some help and be back in a moment. Do you need anything in particular?”
“I need to use the bathroom and then take some medicines before getting back in the Pod. I should be able to make it with a little help.”
“More than a little, I suspect. I’m not going to risk it. You wait until I get back.”
Mrs Sperry hurried to the door, opened it and stepped outside. Within a minute she was back. She said, “Mia Lee is here helping to watch your mum. She’ll be here in a minute to help get you to the bathroom.”
There was a knock on the door, and Mrs Sperry let Mia in. Mia was one of the self-taught healers who did basic home nursing in the Switch. She stepped toward the Pod and stared at Leah. After a few moments, she said, “You need a doctor, Leah. That isn’t simple bruising. There is probably internal damage.”
“It’s OK Mrs Lee. The Pod was able to run tests and give a diagnosis. It can deal with the trauma. I just need help to the bathroom and then back into the Pod after a bite to eat.”
“What have you taken for the pain?”
“Nothing yet, although I will take something to reduce the swelling. Once I’m in the Pod and lying still the pain is mostly manageable.”
Mia and Mrs Sperry helped Leah to the bathroom and left her alone while they waited in the main room. After a few minutes Leah called out that she’d finished, and Mrs Sperry came back with a robe. She said, “John’s outside and wants to talk for a moment. Let me help you with this, then Mia and I will help you back to the Pod.”
Once Leah had the robe on and had taken a seat, Mrs Sperry opened the door to let John in.
John kept his eyes on Leah while asking the two helpers if they would wait outside for a moment. After the two had left John said, “Leah, everyone says you’ve major injuries. What is Gèng’s diagnosis?”
“Compression fractures to the clavicle and scapula, also damage to skin, muscles and ligaments. Some damage to the zygomatic arch, bruises over the torso, neural swelling, and something growing near the PAI chip filaments which are disturbing the signals. She hopes the problem can be solved with a software filter. I thought we were going to keep my injuries secret. How is my mum?”
“Lin is still sleeping. Both Michael and I have done some research. We also asked Gèng to introduce us to Dr Roberts. We won’t know much until we get her in a Pod. We think the memory loss is most likely enemy action because it’s so specific. As soon as we can get her in a Pod, we want to have her chip scanned for malware. The healers suggest we wait another twelve hours at least before she goes in a Pod. Enough about her, Marie and Lacey needed to sleep and you know we can trust Mrs Sperry and Mia. What are your plans for the next few hours?”
“Gèng wants me to have some deep sleep while she works on healing the shoulder. I’m hoping they’ve worked out a way to fix the communication blockage by then. I feel I need to be on the Annoyance at twelve, and the first Merkize contest starts on Sunday. I’m not ready for it yet. Did the other teams make it back OK?”
“No one was killed. Several were injured, the two most serious being Martin and Robyn. Everyone is home except for one of the loaners from the Vale. The cops nabbed him as they were retreating. It’s unlikely he’ll get more than a few years for B and E, and I’ve made arrangements to look after his family.”
“Will he give his team or us up?”
“I doubt it. I was careful when picking the volunteers. He had a little sister who you rescued from the mine. I doubt they can get him to do anything that might hurt you.”
“Any other fallout?”
“Aker said you promised to talk with her. She wants to leave soon but is hanging around, waiting and asking questions. What do you want me to do?”
“We paid for the ‘never talk to anyone’ package. Remind her that asking questions violates that package. Show her my armour and tell her I’m recovering and will discuss things when I’m better. If we have the material, tell her we’ll pay for her to fix my suit or make another one while she waits. If she is unwilling, she can go home and come back when I’m feeling better.”
“OK. I’ve also heard some chatter that the police have some questions about undesirables being seen in the better parts of town. There is some talk of them sending officers to talk with people they believe may have the influence to prevent this happening again. Both Jimmy and you are on that list.”
“Me? Why am I on that list?”
“Because the cops aren’t stupid, Leah. Look, I know Jimmy warned you about this, you are a catalyst. What do you want to do?”
“If they come here I’ll have to talk to them I suppose. When do you think they’ll arrive? Would it be better to meet virtually?”
“I expect them today. You’ll either be first on the list or last. So sometime after breakfast or late in the afternoon. They won’t want to meet virtually because they want to intimidate more than anything. Will you be able to move on your own?”
“I’m not sure. If Gèng can work out how to communicate with me, then she can block some of the pain, and I should be OK. If not I’ll need some pain-killers and I'll have to suck it up. I’ll need something to hide the bruise on my face so can you have someone bring some makeup? Preferably someone who knows what they are doing, because I have no idea. Just in case Gèng isn’t able to block pain, it might be good to also have Mrs Lee strap my shoulder before I see anyone.”
“I’ll arrange that. Now you get back in the Pod and have as much rest and recovery as you can. Do you need the helpers?”
Leah levered herself out of the chair and took a step. The pain from her shoulder and down her spine brought tears to her eyes, but she took another step and said, “I should be OK but ask Mrs Sperry to come in just in case.”
John left and when Mrs Sperry returned. She helped Leah disrobe and get into the Pod. As the Pod closed Leah heard Gèng’s voice from the speakers, “Leah, Dr Roberts has contacted Dr Marsden, and he will meet with her soon. Dr Roberts agrees that NREM3 sleep should be possible. Are you ok to have me induce this?”
Leah closed her eyes and said, “Sure, let’s give it a go.”
That was the last thing she knew for the next three hours.
2
December 14, 2073 - Part 2
REAL WORLD
Leah woke to see the Pod cover still closed. Gèng’s voice came from the Pod’s speakers, “Leah, you’ve had three hours of NREM3 sleep. John contacted Stephen and was put in touch with a solicitor who specialises in criminal law. The solicitor is en route and should be here soon. Mrs Sperry is waiting in the room with Mrs Lee. Are you ready to exit the Pod?”
“Almost. What happened while I was asleep?”
“The nanites have begun working on your injuries. Dr Roberts talked with her colleague, and he was interested in consulting on your case. I considered your verbal statement to be an assent to the consultation. Stephen helped to draw up a non-disclosure agreement. As soon as that was signed, they began working on a solution. They have only just finished analysing the data from both the previ
ous scans and the new ones I ran while you were in deep sleep. Dr Marsden and I are discussing his research, and I believe we will have a trial algorithm within the next few hours.”
“So what do they think is causing the communication blockage?”
“A combination of factors relating to the density of the neural material, specific electro and electromagnetic receptors, increased connectivity and sensory overload. Dr Marsden thinks a major cause is that the changing neural landscape is severely distorting the signal. Also, the new receptors are causing a multiplication of the signal with the complication of different signal speeds. He suggests that you would eventually be able to understand the signals but has proposed several modifications to minimise the distortion and make better use of the new receptors.”
“Good. Can you help with the pain?”
“To some extent, but I would like to limit my influence as much as possible. I suggest you have your shoulder strapped and only if it’s unbearable will I intervene. You should also take an energy supplement and something more for the pain.”
“If that’s everything, then please open the Pod, and I’ll go see what the lawyer suggests.”
“One more thing, you have a message from an unnamed source.”
“What does it say?”
“It says, ‘Not only time erases memories. Café Florian, Ascendant, 10 am AEST. Death comes in many forms.’ In a line underneath is a link to Ascendant and a passcode.”
“What is Ascendant?”
“Ascendant is one of the Premier Club Worlds, membership is by invitation only. The fee schedule is unknown but rumoured to be several thousand platinum annually. Members are only permitted to invite guests to several public areas of the Club, and the Café is one such area.”
“Let Dr Roberts and Dr Marsden know they have a 9:45 deadline. I need to be back in the multiverse by ten. I hope the police hold off until this afternoon.”
The Pod opened, and Mrs Sperry helped Leah to the shower. After Leah was dry Mrs Lee wrapped Leah’s shoulder to stabilise it and then helped Leah dress in cotton slacks and a long sleeved shirt. Mrs Sperry used makeup to hide the bruises on Leah’s face and neck. Leah took a supplement and medication as suggested and then slowly stood before heading out of her room. As long as she walked slowly the pain was manageable.
John was waiting in one of the smaller meeting rooms with the solicitor, Ms Goodwin. Ms Olivia Goodwin looked to Leah to be about her mother’s age. She was slight of build and had Eurasian features. After clarifying Olivia’s expertise and credentials, Leah said, “Ms Goodwin, please don’t take my next comments as a reflection on your capabilities, but I have been out of the loop for a few hours and haven’t had a chance to talk with John about why we need a solicitor.”
Turning to John, she said, “As far as I understand it, the police are likely to turn up here to ask questions about a series of events which took place in the city last night. Shouldn’t I simply meet them at the gate and say ‘no comment’ numerous times until they go away? It’s unlikely they have a warrant of any sort.”
“Stephen suggested we ask Olivia here to deal with the police on our behalf. He reasoned that you have a tendency toward sarcasm and political incorrectness when you’re attacked verbally. He also said that your desire for truth, justice, and fair play are pretty close to the surface and you find it hard to hold back when people you care about are being maligned.”
Leah stared at John for several seconds as she thought through what he said. She was about to respond when Olivia interrupted. “Miss Carroll, if I might interrupt. Your pause indicates you believe John was correct, while the length of it suggests you think he and Stephen had no right making this decision based on your nature without discussing it with you. The tensing of your jaw leads me to think that while you agree with their analysis, you don’t see these attitudes and attributes as negative and you are slightly hurt that they do. Finally, you gave a slight head nod before beginning to respond, this suggests that you had come to the conclusion that they might be right but felt that you have the ability to hold your tongue if necessary. Is my analysis accurate?”
Leah was silent for a moment before responding, “Disturbingly so.”
“Please don’t think everyone can read you like that. I can because it’s my job to read people. The more I know of them or their background, the more I can read them. I grew up in a negative-tax family and have similar ideas about truth and justice. I’ve also spent the last twenty years learning to give little or nothing away unless I want to. Many of the police are good people who just want to get the job done. They are charged with upholding the law rather than some ideal that’s called 'Justice'. They can and will use words to trip you up. Your small hesitations and movements might not give them the justification to bring charges, but they will give a direction for deeper investigations.”
After another long pause, Leah said, “Ms Goodwin, I appreciate your candour. I accept your points and agree that I need your assistance. Please call me Leah. What’s next?”
“Leah, I’m Olivia. I’ve accepted you as a client based on Stephen’s recommendation. He is someone I trust implicitly. I suggest you tell me everything that’s happened that has led to the police wanting to question you. I assume you have something to hide and I promise not to reveal it to anyone. Normally I’d add the caveat, ‘unless there is ongoing harm to children or innocents’, but Stephen wouldn’t recommend you if that were the case.”
Leah nodded and said to John, “You tell the story while I rest a bit.”
“How much detail, Leah?”
“Everything pertinent to last night, include facts but at this point leave out the stuff only you and I know.” Turning to Olivia she said, “Ms Goodwin, I don’t want you to be blindsided at any point, but there are some issues that I wish to be kept secret. If you need more information, then tell me, and I will reconsider these exemptions.”
John nodded and then began with Leah’s receiving her implant and entering Dunyanin. He talked for almost twenty minutes, giving a brief yet detailed summary of the last four weeks. He named names and described the actions of the previous evening without explaining how Leah had done everything he described. When he had finished, he sat back with a sigh and said, “I think that’s everything important. Is there anything you need to have clarified?”
Olivia turned to look at Leah and said, “I understand now why Stephen insisted I have my personal space inspected two weeks ago. I thought he was being overly cautious. I do have a thousand questions, but I think I have understood the basics. It’s not enough that we answer their questions, we also have to ensure they have no grounds to get a warrant. If they do, then it is possible they could ask to review a sample of your AI’s records, and I’ve enough information to know that would be unwelcome.”
Leah winced as she sat up straighter and said, “I’ve always thought that all PAI records were protected by international laws and treaties. To review them would violate an individual’s right to personal privacy.”
“That’s generally true, but in some circumstances a judge can order them independently assessed. This ruling can be appealed, and any such assessment cannot be used to bring a charge against an individual. Even so, I imagine even a cursory assessment might lead to unwanted questions and accusations. If they ask for a warrant, then all the different government departments will start looking at you closely and begin to share information. If that happens, who knows what they will deduce? I’m certain there is more going on than you’ve told me. John kept to the events of last night, but there are gaps in the timeline. I’m comfortable with not knowing about things that don’t impact on last night, but I assure you that if they start digging, they’ll find everything.”
The three talked for another half-an-hour before John said, “I think that covers everything for now. Olivia, we have an unused Pod if you would like to spend time in the multiverse until the police turn up. Leah needs a break before Gèng tries to communicate with her
again and I need to check on security and make sure any evidence of last night is safely hidden away.”
Olivia accepted the use of a guest Pod and Leah headed slowly back to her room. She wanted to see her mother again but wasn’t ready for any questions that might come up.
Back in her room, Mrs Lee unwrapped Leah’s shoulder and helped her with a shower and then into the Pod. She also shared with Leah that Lin was waking up and they might get her into a Pod for diagnostics earlier than expected. As Mrs Lee left the room, Marie stepped in and said, “Leah, John’s asked me to stay in here while you’re in the multiverse. Is that OK?”
“I suppose. I don’t think it’s necessary while I’m inside but make yourself at home.”
As Marie took a seat, the cover descended.
Leah lay still with her eyes closed as Gèng’s voice came from the speakers. “Leah, Dr Marsden, Dr Roberts and I have come up with what we think is an appropriate algorithm to deal with the changes we’ve identified. The three hours you were in NREM3 sleep helped us deduce the most likely parameters needing adjustment. Dr Marsden suggests we start back at the very beginning, with implanted speech. Once that is correctly tuned we can move onto text and images in two dimensions. Only after that will we bring you into the multiverse. Do you have any questions?”
