“Yeah, so?” Bill retorted.
“So,” Levi continued, “You all know there were plenty of people on Earth who were treated unfairly for centuries and who only started to get fair treatment from their governments after we became a global power. Ten years is nothing! And on Searth, we are the ones who must change! The human species is getting a second chance to escape the bondage of bigotry, favoritism and lust for power. We cannot take that baggage with us. Humans must live with the flow of the universe and not try to mold it to our will.”
“What if the flow of the universe is a universe without us?" Gunter quipped. "I don’t think you know human nature very well. Our history is not pretty, but it is what keeps us alive. Maybe in a thousand years we can afford a more compassionate civilization. Until then, we are just trying to survive.”
The captain shook his head. “You can’t turn off aggressive behavior when times are good and turn it on when times are bad. Gunter, don’t you see? All of you listen. Civilizations are an evolutionary thing. On Earth, civilizations perished because they could not adapt. Sometimes they could not physically adapt, like smallpox and the Indians of North America. Sometimes it was failing to see the big picture of their culture, like the Aztecs. But in many cases, civilizations failed because they failed to change their attitudes toward others. Those cultures stubbornly clung to their old customs and ways and could not see beyond them. We will perish if we do not learn to respect others, our own people as well as those on other worlds. I don’t think I should have to remind you we are an endangered species. We can’t go picking fights. It certainly would not be wise at this juncture; to make myself clear on the subject, I will not tolerate any of those plans.”
David from the Intrepid raised his hand. “Whoa there, Levi. I think that with so few planets are able to support life for us, they are concerned with the idea that our little band of humanity might have to leave a potentially good world for something worse. What if this is the only one?”
“Humanity thought for thousands of years that Earth was the only one,” Levi countered. “Now we know it is not. Are we going to puff out our chests and pee on some trees to stake out our claim? Or are we going to take it slowly and diplomatically? Sometimes help comes when you least expect it. And if not, we are capable tool makin’ chimps, aren’t we? We will figure something out.”
“Maybe you were a chimp, Levi, but I happen to think humans were meant for better," Gunter mocked. "But, I hear what you are saying. Perhaps we need to help our people find the right perspective.”
Levi felt a little more relieved. “Well, it’s a start. Hey, you two,” indicating Bill and Gunter, “why don’t you haul your flesh over to the Atlantis and meet us at Chuck’s diner down-spin from here? I’m buying.”
Bill joked, “Yeh, I know the place. I call it Up Chuck's. We aren’t going to eat any shmeat burgers there, are we?”
“Hey,” Levi said, a little hurt. “I like that place! Good pie. Chuck doesn’t do a bad job with the cultured synthetic meat either. You comin’?”
Bill’s hunger overrode his suspicions about synthetic meat. “Be there in half an hour. Are you coming, Gunter?”
“As long as food is involved. I’m hungry, as well.”
“Sort of,” Bill kidded Levi again.
Gunter checked his watch. “I’m in. Meet you at the docking bay. I am less familiar with Atlantis than you.”
A thought occurred to Levi. “Well, I didn’t think I would have to say it out loud, but you all have an open invitation for coffee at my quarters anytime you need to chat, or get beaten at cards, or something else.”
David had missed breakfast and wanted to quench his hunger. “Sure thing, Levi. Now can we go? I’m starving!”
“Absolutely. Gentlemen, see you in a few.” The two virtual captains vanished, and David and Levi left the conference room to catch an auto.
Bill met Gunter at the docking bay a short while later. “What’s the matter, you get lost?”
Gunter pushed the jab aside, “No, I had a little trouble getting away. Is their cultured meat as good as they say?”
“Is anything synthetic as good as the real thing? It won’t make you sick if that’s what you mean,” Bill answered.
“You are not encouraging me a lot here. My bar is set a bit higher than norovirus outbreaks. I haven’t sampled any real meat in a couple of years.”
Wearing a big grin, Bill clapped Gunter on the back. “Then, my friend, you have been properly prepared for our dining experience.” He pointed the way to their destination. “Shall we?”
Later at Chuck’s, the men enjoyed a rare relaxing conversation after dinner. “You know, that shmeat burger wasn’t half bad,” Gunter remarked.
“Well, you were never picky about food, Gunter,” Bill jabbed.
Levi beamed. “I noticed you were enjoying the parmesan chicken, Bill.”
“Yeah, it was decent.”
“You know, they culture the chicken meat like the beef, don’t you?”
“I know,” Bill replied sheepishly. “I think I speak for Gunter as well when I say that we are only raising fish and tofu on our ships beside a few other things. Atlantis really has a lot of food options! Chicken and beef, even if it is cultured in a vat, is not bad compared to nothing.”
Having a large ship did have its advantages. Levi felt sorry for the three smaller ships. “You know, it doesn’t have to stay that way. Before we leave, we can see some vats are installed aboard your ships, including the Intrepid, David. It won’t be enough for meat all the time, but it could be a welcome treat for your passengers and crew. When Atlantis leaves, we will not be around to produce the extra meat to export to the other ships. I’m not sure why I did not think of it earlier.” A moment passed. “I have sent the work requests to the engineers and notified the second in command on all three ships of your intentions. They will be contacting you shortly about this.”
David shook his head. “That enhanced brain of yours sure comes in handy,”
Levi dangled the carrot. “I have been told it is possible for each of you.”
“What do you mean, Levi?” Gunter spoke up.
“I mean Sonny has figured out how to make a human as totally enhanced as I am. He has made it safe for anybody, and not specifically conditioned persons like me. I believe it would be beneficial for each of the captains to be E-humans.” Levi dropped his bomb and waited for their response.
Bill had reservations. “I don’t know, Levi, that shit scares the hell out of me. The Valiant and the Wanderer included people who didn’t care much for the Council. None of our population has even used the Elixir! We don’t know what they will think of their captains becoming E-humans.”
“I understand,” Levi said. “However, I know firsthand that plenty can get accomplished. The four of us could communicate and plan things at the speed of thought—provided we are physically close enough to each other. It dramatically increases successful outcomes in crisis situations. I also want to make it clear your mind is enhanced to operate more efficiently, not to be replaced or reprogrammed.”
David saw the logic trap. “How would you know if you were reprogrammed?”
“That’s a good question. That question would be very important if everyone got enhanced simultaneously. There would be no point of reference. But there will always be non-enhanced people to determine if the machines are on the level. Am I different from before, David? I am the same Levi you know, just more efficient.”
“I believe you, Levi, I have known you a long time and you seem to be the same Levi Metcalf as before the enhancement.”
“Seem?” Levi was suddenly worried.
David clarified. “I mean, being enhanced is a big thing. You have changed since getting enhanced. However, these are changes related to the event itself, not a fundamental change in you. Any important event in someone's life changes the course of how you manage things in the future. Sometimes it changes who you are, but not always. The changes that can and
do happen are on a sliding scale. Could be a little or a lot. You have not really changed, Levi— not any more than expected.”
“Well, I wasn’t exactly anticipating any decisions tonight. I just wanted to point out that communications between the ships which enhancement would offer could be a real plus out here in space.”
Gunter spoke up. “We must think about it, but thanks for the offer, Levi.”
The four captains continued with lively conversation and drink into the evening before returning to their respective ships. Levi checked in with the commanders. He attended to a few thousand things on his to-do list and took his turn on the bridge for night shift. Levi was used to his relationship with the machines, but he was anxious to have similar relationships with his fellow humans now that this had become possible. He hoped the other captains would accept the carrot and become E-humans as well. Later, in the quiet time that happened more often on these night shifts, Levi’s mind wandered, and he imagined a world of E-humans.
FIVE
The Emissary
Not far from dome number two, a crevice in a large outcropping of rocks led to the main entrance to the Sce’Rood clan of the Te’Hat--tunnels made so many suns ago, nobody but the oldest of the Elders could recall their making. There were many entrances, for the Sce’Rood were numerous and spread out. Melon took one of the entrances and made his way to the Elders' chamber. Today was the most significant Elder meeting in Te’Hat memory. The Sce’Rood were telepathic, but they had not left speech altogether. They used it in ceremonies and for private moments. The Elder meetings were spoken for both reasons. He wondered if it had been like this in the beginning times when situations were riddled with change. Great danger and great opportunity lay around every corner.
News had spread about the historic Two-Legs meeting with Melon. When they had contacted other clans over the last few suns, they had found the humans had been spotted everywhere! It excited and worried him at the same time. So many paths lay before them. All of them were life-changing. Which was the right path? The Elders would collectively find a way.
Melon approached the Elders' council chamber where he met Karleen waiting for him outside. He was very fond of Karleen. He had mated with her most seasons. For the Te’Hat, it was common for a pair to settle in with consistent mating. She seemed agitated, as noted by the twitching of her dominant third leg.
Melon, my always, are you all right? Are you up to the challenge?
Chance brings us to change, but we will determine our own path.
She seemed to be settled by this positive statement. I only meant that after calling out to the Two-Legs, it would have been quite unsettling!
A little unsettling for the situation, but not for the calling out. The mind I exchanged with is as logical and intelligent as the Te’Hat. They possess vast power over things, and so we must proceed carefully. That is one of many things the Elders need to discuss.
Karleen had misgivings. Oh, Melon, my always, I have a wrong feeling about the future of all of this!
If I didn’t know any better, my always, I would think that you were acquiring the Gift.
Karleen was taken aback. You know only the males can be given the Gift.
Sometimes I wonder, my always. I must go now and make my mark for our clan.
Karleen understood what was at stake. Make it count, my always, she encouraged her long-time mate. See you soon.
See you soon, Karleen.
Melon reached out and affectionately touched her dominant third leg, as Karleen touched his. He then turned to enter the Elders’ chambers to see what fate had in store. The ceremonial guards opened the doors for him as he approached. The guards were unnecessary, since there has not been any conflict among his kind since before his clan came to these parts long ago. However, they reminded the Te’Hat of the importance and dignity of this place and were also there to keep the curious out.
Unlike the dusty passageways outside, the Elders’ stone council chambers were highly polished by the toil of many Te’Hat. Even the ceiling was polished. Melon and the rest of the Elders also had taken part in this duty. It reminded them they were not too important to take part in day-to-day living.
Many of the Elders were already here. There were groups of seven fourteens of the Elder class, corresponding to the fourteen legs on a Te’Hat, plus the Mat’Ma, the wisest one. Among other duties, he served to break a tie in the counting of marks when they made decisions, as had only happened four times in the history of the clan. He also had a special gift of uniting the Elders and helped point the way of his clan. It must be time, Melon thought, since the Mat’Ma had moved to the Speaker’s Place. The polished rock, the highest vantage in the chambers, allowed the speaker to see and be seen.
As the Mat’Ma took his place, he raised each of his third legs as a sign of friendship and a call for silence. The familiar whistles, clicks and hisses which began each gathering quieted as the Mat'Ma began to recite. “As it was in the beginning, as it is this day, the Elders toil to guide our clan through good times and bad times. Let us now renew our vow to uphold our duty to the clan.”
The response from the Elders: “To the clan, I do swear!”
“I am the Mat’Ma, to the clan, I do swear,” he said after the Congress of Elders had renewed their vow. “My friends, you all know why we are here this day. One of our order has called out to one of the Humans to warn them about the great tremor. We do not know the future of this calling out, and so we must decide what to do with the different outcomes. You have heard the stories of this calling out. To be sure what you have heard is the real story, I will have Melon tell all of you about his meeting with the Human.”
Melon had spoken once before in the council chambers, so he was unafraid to speak now. He approached the Speaking Place and bowed to the Mat’Ma, who stepped aside for Melon to speak. Melon related the story of how he first met Anna Hauser and then later, at the consent of the Mat’Ma, had waited for his chance to call her out again. When he finished, he stepped back and deferred to the Mat’Ma.
The Mat’Ma paused on his way to the dais. “Wait here near me in case the council will have need of you.”
“Of course, Mat’Ma,” Melon replied.
The Mat'Ma turned back toward the crowd and called out, “There are many reasons to trust the Humans, and many more reasons to not trust them. It is worrisome to know what will happen since the Humans wield so much power. Until now, they have not harmed any of us. We do not know if that will continue. The Anna Hauser said the Humans mean us no harm on purpose. How much harm can come of an accident? Will they respect our culture? Will they make us do things against our will? We need more information to know where the best path lies. I suggest we have more meetings with the Humans to learn the purpose of their appearance and determine if they mean us any harm. Attend to your clutches, and then I will hear from one representative of each clutch.”
The Elders broke up into seven groups of fourteen. As the Elders discussed their plans, the din of the crowded auditorium was like music to the Mat’Ma. The hisses, clicks and whistles warmed the leader’s hearts each time the many voices of the Te’Hat became one. The Mat’Ma waited patiently until the cacophony had died down halfway, telling him most everyone had reached a consensus. Then he raised his third legs again to ask for silence among the brethren. After the Congress had settled down, he spoke again.
“The decision time is here. What say you?” He pointed to the first clutch, closest to his right. An Elder stepped forward and approached the Mat’Ma.
“We decide!” The representative of the clutch said to the Mat’Ma as he bowed. The Mat’Ma motioned for the Elder to step forward to the Speaking Place. “It is our decision to make Melon our clan’s representative to call out to the Humans since he has experience with them. He is well-respected and is trusted to decide rightly for the clan.”
He bowed again to the Mat’Ma on his way back to the clutch. One by one the Elders stepped up and voiced their clutch’
s decision on the matter. Various points were added, but they all centered on an ambassador of sorts to negotiate a beneficial relationship with the humans. Often, Melon’s name came up as that ambassador, since he'd had the unfortunate luck of meeting the humans first. After this general raising of ideas, the Mat’Ma spoke again.
“You have heard the suggestions put forth by the clutches. The time is near to make your mark! I will wait for a time while we digest our thoughts.”
The Elders milled freely about. Like a jury deciding the fate of a defendant, they discussed and argued their opinions about what had been proposed, and the options. Again, the Mat’Ma waited for the discussion to die down. This took much longer than usual. The Mat’Ma turned to Melon and said in a hushed voice, “It does not take the Shrim’ra to see what is happening, Melon.”
“Yes, I know, Mat’Ma.”
“You can call me by my namesake in private. I believe we are going to be calling out to each other a lot more often in the future.”
“As you like, Shreetaka. It does look like I will speak to the Humans for the clan.”
“It looks as if you have reservations about this task, Melon.”
“Of course I do! I think any Te’Hat would be shaking in their shells at the very thought of it!”
“I did not say I blamed you. I only ask if I can help you.”
“Forgive me, Shreetaka, I do what I must for the clan, but the possible outcomes are so dire that I am afraid of choosing wrongly and thereby hurting everyone.”
The Mat'Ma had a kindly way of helping his kind sort out their troubles. “You say any Te’Hat would be shaking in their shell at the very thought of doing this task, yet you were the one to summon the courage to take advantage of an opportunity that came your way. Later, you summoned that courage again at my request to risk calling out to the same Human. To show that you are not alone, if you are selected to speak for the clan, I will go and deliver you to the Two-Legs, and I will call out to them as well.”
The Journey of Atlantis: The Children of Earth Page 6
