by Tony Attwood
To his left was Vila, sleeping peacefully. To his right Korell, at the same stage as Avon in assessing the current situation.
Across the table sat three well dressed and apparently unarmed gentlemen. They were busy discussing matters in low voices, paying scant attention to their prisoners. Avon turned his head to check the exit routes. Still no restraints. To his right a range of windows looked onto a massive lawn. It was impossible to tell if they were plain glass or reinforced in some way. Straight ahead a door slightly ajar led into what appeared to be a corridor. To his left another door, wider open leading into a lobby. Behind him a door was almost shut. He seemed spoilt for choice.
One of the three captors opposite noticed his movements; the low conversation stopped. The table was touched and monitors appeared, rising from the surface and yet leaving the wooden appearance apparently unbroken.
'Welcome to Ghammar, ' announced the one sitting opposite Avon. 'Under the constitution of the fifth regency I have to inform you that you are free to go at any time. However, aliow me to try to prevail upon you to stay of your own free will. We would welcome the chance to discuss matters with you. Will you tell us your names?'
'Before I tell you anything will you tell us who you are and how you got us here?''The suspicious nature of a Terran, ' replied the Ghammaran. 'But without the mindless threats that are bred within the Federation. '
'There is no point threatening what you do not know, ' said Avon tersely.
'A logical position to take. We are three members of the Council of Representatives of the island of Shara occupying our position by the grace of the prince Ghasri of Xlendi, in the northern hemisphere of the planet Ghammar. I would tell you our names but you will find them unpronounceable. Local culture dictates that if you wish to be polite you will call us 'Representatives'. If you do not wish to be polite you need not. ' Avon noticed the almost musical quality that existed in the voice of the Ghammaran. It gave him his first recollection of what he had just experienced on Revenge.
The voice continued as if following Avon's own thought patterns. 'We brought you here through simple hypnosis. Your race chooses to distinguish between hypnotic sounds and non-hypnotic by calling the former "music". It is an old technique - one that your peoples had a thousand years ago but then outlawed for fear of the power it brought. You piloted your craft into land yourselves. '
'Why have you brought us here?' asked Koreli.
'To learn more of you, to offer to show you our way of life, to exchange technologies... '
'This all sounds very generous of you. '
'Not at all. Experience over the years has proven that merely inviting people of your race here is a waste of time. They either do not come at all or come so heavily armed that war is inevitable. So now we make the invitation a little more real, a little more personal. Simply, the logic of your situation suggests that firstly you should verify your position, by leaving; then you should return because there is every chance that an exchange of views and knowledge could benefit you. Take a look at our society, our civilisation, our culture. You will find we have some things to offer you, but at heart we are a simple rural people. '
'Forgive me if I seem ungrateful or ungenerous, ' said
Koreli, 'but that is not the logical situation. If we attempt to leave and put our ship in orbit you can always bring us back. We will not learn of the validity of your claim until we take the ship totally out of orbit and away from the influence of your music. And besides, rural environments can be dangerous. ' She looked at Avon.
'A wise analysis, ' replied the Representative. 'You have the choice to make. '
A sound came from Avon's right. Vila had woken up, and caught the gist of the conversation. 'Let's leave. '
'No. ' Avon was emphatic. 'At least let us ask a few more questions of our hosts. ' He turned back to those sitting opposite. 'Do you have space travel?'
'A good first question. Yes, we do. But we do not use it as you do to fly across the Galaxy. We have no Empire. Even our own planet is divided into many states, each independent of the others. We travel only to secure raw materials and basic food supplies from uninhabited or sparsely inhabited planets in the vicinity of Ghammar. '
'Do you have teleport?'
'No. But if you have, then we could start our exchange of technologies. '
'We do not have teleport on our current ship, and we need certain raw materials to build the system. Do you have ships capable of making voyages over several hundred light years rapidly?'
'Yes, we have that technology. You may also like to note that we have an anti-gravity field that links with your own type of fusion reactors as used in the ramjets of your space craft. '
'Is that good?' whispered Vila.
'The speed generated by the ramjets is determined by the amount of interstellar matter that can be picked up as the ship travels in deep space. That matter is used to feed the fusion engines. So there is a finite limit to how fast a ramjet fusion engine can go - time distort 12 is about the maximum. Liberator could go much faster, but we never had a good enough engineer on board to work out how they did it.But an anti-gravity device could push the limits up considerably. ' Avon, warming to his theme through his explanation to Vila, turned back to the Ghammarans. 'We could do a deal. You secure the materials and we build the system. '
'Avon... ' Vila whispered urgently. Avon chose to ignore him.
'I shall prepare you a list of materials we need - there is not much - and then direct the building of two systems, one for our ship and one for you. In the meantime, we shall return to our ship. '
'A rapid deal, well arranged, ' said the Representative. 'My colleagues here will show you the way. '
The way shown was out through the left hand door, into the lobby, down three stone steps and through a magnificent old wooden door out into the cool evening air under a bright orange sun. They walked along a gravel path, with the large stone building on one side and hedges and bushes obscuring the view of the other. The edge of the building was reached, the corner turned, and Revenge was standing on a large concrete apron. A buggy took the crew across to the ship. They boarded, Korell thanked the buggy driver and closed the airlock doors. 'Straight up, no orbit, ' said Avon as they reached the control room.
'Blake, I want a silent replay of the events leading to our landing on the planet. Re-run from the moment there was the first interference. '
On the screens reappeared the patterns of stars as the ship approached its present location. The action was eerie in its silence, the voices of the crew, like the music, unheard. The replay told Avon little but that the ship was clearly guided down by Korell, presumably under the influence of the sounds that had affected all three of them. 'Report on the nature of the interference. '
'I don't know what it was. ' said Blake.
'The machine is correct, ' said Korell, checking her own data. 'The interference got at the computer as well as at us.
In fact it looks from this data as if the interference actually came via the computers. '
'Madam, if I may disagree, not all the computers. ' Everyone turned. It was the voice of KAT.
'Since when did you start giving advice that wasn't asked for?' said Vila.
'Since the moment my abilities started to be maligned, Sir. The interference you speak of was a simple radion transmission picked up and amplified through tarriel cells. Any computer, including the ship's master computer which you refer to as Blake is bound to be affected. I did try to counter it with a wave emission of my own but we were too close to the source by then. '
'And you are not affected by the sound, ' said Korell, joyfully accepting the irony of the situation, 'because you are not based on the tarriel cell. And Avon knew all the time. That explains a lot. '
'Not to me it doesn't, ' said Vila.
'Korell is absolutely correct, Sir. Which is why, I presume, you so rarely consult my data banks. Not that that is a concern of mine, since it leaves me free to consider wider aspect
s of some of the finer substances invented by mankind. But on this occasion... '
'On this occasion you felt the need to point the error out, ' said Korell. 'And if you felt that this was the time to point something out it follows you have something else worth pointing out, that reveals your inestimable value. Fire away. '
'Madam you have the advantage of me, ' replied KAT with an air of humoured indignation.
'Give us your replay of the interference, ' said Avon.
KAT's replay included sound, and was projected through Blake onto the ship's main screens. In itself it told the crew little, although Korell noted that Avon had deliberately not consulted KAT immediately, even though he probably already knew about the tarriel cell link with the sounds from Ghammar. The only other point of interest was that the replay also showed that Avon still retained an interest in that strange something called MIND. Avon certainly seemed to be trying to argue with KAT about it as he lurched in and out of consciousness before the ship landed. Koreli looked for an explanation.
Avon, however, chose to be evasive. 'It may exist, ' he said, 'but here and now it is nothing of importance. And certainly nothing to do with this affair. '
Koreli on the other hand chose the moment to develop her enquiries. She addressed herself to KAT.
'Explain the use of the word "MIND" in Avon's comments during the interference, ' she said, precise as ever.
'MIND is reputed to be an entity. Madam, there have been rumours for several years that someone or something exists which is touching on human affairs, and in some way controlling them. MIND is a legend, but a legend with a difference. There are two normal types of legend. First legends which come from events long long past, such as the legend of Hister who attempted to destroy the Earth a thousand years ago. Then there are legends based on a degree of truth surrounding recent events, such as the legend of Blake's 7 which is now spread throughout the Galaxy. It is based roughly on truth but there are certain differences in important matters. For example
'All right KAT, ' said Avon. 'I think we have a fair idea of what the Blake's 7 legend is all about. '
'But MIND is different, Sir. MIND is said to exist now, although no one knows what it is. And yet people believe it exerts a presence, an influence. '
'I never took you for the suspicious type, ' said Koreli, 'But I can see why you consult KAT on the subject. If MIND does exist then it exists separately from the omnipotent tarriel cell. Which means it is free from interference by Orac. This begins to explain things. '
Avon remained silent; KAT answered for him. 'Sir, if I may speak? Madam, Avon feels that MIND has been attempting to influence him - communicate with him - for some time. '
Koreli reviewed the facts. 'MIND is supposed to be some sort of highly logical being taking an active part in himan affairs, right?' There was no reply. 'So why do you feel it is getting at you?'
Avon became irritated but he refrained from taking further refuge in silence. 'Events have taken place during the last few years which I have sought to understand. I have examined all possibilities, including the existence of the legend of MIND. I do not believe that MIND is purely influencing me, any more than I believe that MIND is some sort of pure energy force of intellect floating around the Galaxy, which is what the popular belief says. Matters remain to be explained. From time to time I look for an explanation. '
Koreli was by now totally fascinated, and would not let go of the subject. 'KAT, give me a run-down of episodes in Avon's recent life which may be put down to the influence of MIND. '
'No, ' shouted Avon. 'This is a pointless waste of time, when we have to decide what to do about Ghammar. '
'Are you afraid of something?' suggested Vila, hoping at last to have found some sort of chink in Avon's seemingly impenetrable armour.
'I am simply telling you that there is more important business at the present. KAT is needed now to solve the problem of Ghammar, because if the Ghammarans attack again KAT is the only computer we have which can withstand the attack. If you start taking up our time debating why I happened to say one word during the last attack we might as well surrender now. '
'Very well, ' said Koreli. 'Let's put MIND in abeyance for the moment. What do you plan to do about Ghammar?'
'There is nothing to do about Ghammar, ' said Vila. 'For once we have found a race of people who actually do not want to harm us. They don't have teleport, Avon knows how to build one, and they'll get the raw materials. Avon does the design work and we all get what we want, including a freighter that can go as fast as Liberator. What's wrong with that?''Nothing, ' said Avon, 'if it is true. But what if this is just another happy band of people working for the Federation - or working for Servalan? Servalan already has Orac and Caro - which makes for a large amount of computing power, even in the hands of a technological illiterate like Servalan. With teleport as well there is nothing she could not achieve. '
'I thought you said there was already nothing she couldn't get with access to the alternative universe through Skat?' said Vila.
Avon was emphatic. 'That knowledge gives her great power and a neat trick - a way of countering the Federation without having to match it with physical power, which she'll never do. But with the situation developing as it is the end will be messy. At some stage she will have to attack the Administration on Earth whilst still attacking the Command HQ of the Federation, and that will be her time of greatest weakness. It will also be the Federation's time of greatest weakness and our opportunity. But if she gets the teleport... '
'So why did you offer it to them if you think they are Servalan's men?'
'Because for a prize that big they will take risks. And they have risked letting us get back on the ship. ' Avon turned his attention to the small box. 'What defence can there be against another attack from the sound waves from Ghammar?'
KAT was clear. 'Sir, there is but one solution. As soon as the emissions from the planet begin, I can put out a counter pulse which will neutralise the sounds. Sir, they will render them harmless. Unpleasant but harmless, Sir. '
Vila was unable to restrain his delight that a machine he had discovered had proved to be so valuable. His only concern was that Avon seemed to be getting more 'Sirs' out of KAT than he was.
'Sir, I fear that I must add however that there is one condition. I feel, Sir, that such heroic work, and if I may say, such demanding and unpleasant work as this, requires
a little reward. Vila, Sir, you play with me - try out a little of this, a little of that. It is a load I have to bear, Sir for that is my function. But it is now so long, Sir, since I had a chance to partake of a little para-hyrene. The kind Avon gave me a little at the space station... '
'Avon gave it to you at the station?'
'It mixed well with the A and S. '
'A and S?' queried Vila. He feigned ignorance.
'Adrenalin and Soma, ' Korell patiently reminded him.
'Ah yes. I think I may have inadvertently given some to KAT once. Never touch it myself. '
'Sirs, Madam, may I suggest para-hyrene plus a little adrenalin and soma would be suitable reward for such tasks as you now require me, a poor humble kinesthetic analysis and transmission machine, to perform?'
'Vila!' said Korell with mock anger, 'you are harbouring a computer that is drug dependent. If it had ever happened before it would be a crime by now. '
'It wasn't me! Avon gave it to KAT. '
'Correction, ' said Avon. 'I gave it to KAT once on leaving the space station. You gave it to KAT once before, as we approached Skat. Remember the wall?'
'KAT's projection?' asked Vila meekly. He had been scared witless by the mental projections of a computer, and not just once but twice.
Avon turned to KAT. 'Very well, ' he announced. 'But you only get the reward after we are safely away from Ghammar. If you touch the stuff before then there's no telling what sort of counter wave you'll put out. Korell, lock up every drop of adrenalin, soma and para-hyrene you can find on the ship. I don't want
Vila consuming our chances of survival. No wait, Vila's the thief-he'll only steal it. Give it to me for safe keeping. KAT, I will hand it over when your tasks are successfully completed. '
'Sir, you are most gracious, ' KAT told him. Avon smiled broadly.Returning to establish a distant orbit from the planet, Avon gave orders to the Ghammarans for the raw materials he required for teleport construction. The details were received without comment other than an assurance that work would proceed forthwith. Avon then set the ship's computers upon a variety of tasks without a word to Korell or Vila, leaving each of them once again to their own devices. Eventually it grew too much for Vila and he wandered disconsolately down to Avon's cabin.
Avon looked at the thief with disdain. 'Vila, ' he declared, 'this is not the time for idle chatter. '
'It may not be for you, but it is for me. You deprive me of everything I need for medicinal purposes, I can't talk to KAT because it is on full alert, you've turned most of Blake off line because of Ghammeran interference, Korell won't speak because she's too busy trying to analyse logically what makes you tick - and she has to do it without a computer, and I still don't know what is going on. If the Ghammarans come up with the goods then what? Do we go back down, do we direct them from here?'
'Would it make much difference to you Vila whatever I told you?'
'It might. I might refuse to co-operate if I didn't like the scheme. I could leave the ship... I don't like being pushed around by you, Avon. '
'It would be bizarre if you did. Just keep out of my way until those people down there get back to us with a report. '
It looked for a moment as if Vila was going to continue the argument, but he felt dejected and uninspired and finally welcomed the interruption caused by the communication channel springing to life. One of the Representatives of the Ghammarans announced simply on all screens that all materials had been gathered and work was now ready to begin.
