Miranda's Demons

by Ian Miller

  "Yes! Yes! Well done! Well done!" An even squeakier voice, from the ball-player. "But not whatevers!" he cried. "Call us dinosaurs! Terrible lizards!"

  Natasha turned in astonishment. "You two speak English?"

  "Our appreciation of this planet would be less than satisfactory if we did not."

  "But," Natasha spluttered, then recovered a little, "but why didn't you let me know? I could have killed you with this," and she pointed to the wand.

  "Not me," the larger one replied, "but this naughty Kazyn was supposed to stay safely back out of sight. When the ball led him straight at you, I thought that was it. I thought you'd panic, and kill him."

  "Well, she didn't," Kazyn chirped. "Anyone could see I was after the ball, and . . ."

  "If she were panicking, she could be forgiven for not working that out," the larger sauroid said, and waved its arms out in what Natasha thought was a strangely human gesture.

  "Then why didn't you explain when Kazyn first appeared?" Natasha asked the larger sauroid. "It would have made things a lot easier."

  "It would have spoiled the test. Since you had got so much right, and –"

  "A test?" Natasha shouted. She turned towards the Roman. "You set that whole thing up? You brought those M'starn –"

  "No! No to both!" replied the larger sauroid. "I set up the test, after the M'starn arrived. I shall have to explain."

  "Perhaps I should explain one or two things myself," the Roman interrupted. "But first, some introductions. Now, Natasha Kotchetkova, Commissioner for Earth Defence, meet Kuyrill Hadell and Kuyrill Kazyn. Hadell, and you may address them by their second name, is what you would loosely call an anthropologist."

  "You're aliens, studying us? Studying the primitives?"

  "It offends you?" Hadell asked.

  "I guess it shouldn't," Natasha answered. "I've a feeling I'm going to have to get over this idea that humans are so superior."

  "I think you have already demonstrated the ability," Hadell replied. "I'm sure you can find the will."

  "They come from a planet that's not that far away –" the Roman started.

  "Epsilon Eridani?" Natasha offered quietly.

  "So you do know about us," Hadell mused. "We thought you should, but you made no attempt to contact us."

  "Nor you us," Natasha countered. "We couldn't be sure how peaceful you were, and we were frightened of your power. Some of us thought it was the M'starn who came from there."

  "And who would think that?" the Roman asked.

  "Harry Lansfeld for one thought there was a possibility," Natasha smiled. "He saw them arrive, and calculated their trajectory. It'll be amusing to watch his face when I tell him he was wrong."

  "It was a fair calculation," the Roman shrugged. "The angles were close, and he had no means of getting the distance right."

  "The M'starn are not from our system," Hadell said quietly, "but this should not be general knowledge. I want your word that none of what you have seen here is relayed to any other human."

  "You have my word," said a puzzled Natasha.

  "Then if you extend that word, I shall tell you something else," the Roman smiled.

  "You have it."

  "These two," the Roman pointed to the sauroids, "are not entirely alien."

  "What?"

  "They have a life structure which fingerprints their origin to Earth, which in turn means their life requirements are so similar to ours that eventually the two civilizations have the potential to integrate on third planets."

  "That," Kazyn said, "is why you can call us dinosaurs. We are distantly related to your velociraptor." He paused, and added, "Truly, a terrible lizard!"

  "But how . . ?"

  "It is not entirely known," the Roman explained. "What some believe happened is that just prior to the great mass dinosaur extinction, a race of space travellers saw the inevitability of this extinction, and were also aware of the existence of the available planetary system, which indeed they almost certainly modified for their purposes. Anyway, the theory is that having a planet about to suffer mass extinction, and with a potential intelligent life form on the way, they transferred great masses of life forms, hoping intelligent life would evolve."

  "Which it did," Natasha mused.

  "Not at once," Hadell replied. "We have only had civilization for the last five million years."

  "Only!" Natasha laughed.

  "Yes. May I ask you a question?"

  "Of course."

  "You said you were frightened of us. Why?"

  "You must have so much power to be able to move planets. It would leave us . . ."

  "Why are you so sure they've been moved?" Kazyn interjected eagerly.

  "Kazyn!" Hadell said harshly. "You, Natasha, just stepped into one of our great debates. We did not move them; the question is, did anyone else?"

  "Almost certainly," the Roman nodded.

  "Perhaps. And that opens up the second debate, because anyone who could move planets could avert the extinction, and indeed they may have caused it. Anyway," Hadell went on, "please do not fear us. At least not yet. I hope we can be friendly. I shall show you some images of our planet some time, perhaps."

  "I'd like that," Natasha said. "May I enquire what you were studying here?"

  "Oh yes, of course. We were studying the vanity of your race."

  "And how do you do that?" Natasha asked curiously.

  "We watch all these rich and famous come to Gaius' clinic," Hadell replied calmly. "There's plenty of vanity going through there."

  "I suppose that's obvious," Natasha said slowly, "although not all is vanity. How do you tell the difference?"

  "We, the Ranhynn, which is what we call ourselves, do not have this preoccupation with irrelevancies like breast shape . . ."

  "Probably because they don't have them," the Roman interrupted, "but they have been known to preen their feathers."

  "Possibly. Anyway, Natasha, once we saw your skin, we lost interest, because it was hard to describe your wish as vanity."

  "It's repulsive," Natasha remarked.

  "Actually, we find it less repulsive than other humans, who just look squishy to us," Hadell replied. "Anyway, once we saw that you were prepared to forgo your life for your planet, you had triggered a possibility. When the M'starn arrived, Gaius commanded me to save you, but there was no particular hurry. I was observing, and would have killed any M'starn that looked like killing you. But when you defeated the M'starn leader and the other two fled, a certain possibility became quite real, so I quickly arranged the final test, which was quite simple. In the most primitive part of your brain, and probably originating from when sauroids ruled your planet, mammals have an intense fear and hatred of our shape. The test was whether you could overcome that fear and reason. That you ended up communicating was an excellent result."

  "For whom?"

  "For you, perhaps," the Roman said. "Possibly for me. If you accept the opportunity, definitely for your planet."

  "Why did you run out on me?" she asked, turning accusingly at the Roman.

  To her surprise, he almost looked sheepish as he explained, "There were two reasons. The first involved the situation. When these M'starn burst into the room, I thought they must be after me, so I thought they'd follow me. As Hadell told you, you were under constant observation and hence were in no particular danger, and I thought that since you were unarmed, and presumably they had no idea who you were, they'd ignore you."

  "Well, they didn't!"

  "No, and that's the puzzle. They ignored me! More than that, when they elected to flee from you, they fled towards me. They thought they were trapped, so they followed my escape route. That can only mean one thing. They had no idea who I was, and they actually came here for you."

  "Me? How'd they know I'm here?"

  "That is exactly the question! Who did know?"

  "Only the Federation Council, and a couple of very trustworthy officers at Tashkent. You're not saying . . ?

  "Yes, I am
," came the grave reply. "Somewhere in that group you have a traitor who is not only communicating with the M'starn, but is considered sufficiently important by them that they're prepared to take quite some risk to dispose of you, even though that is of no benefit to the M'starn themselves."

  "Risk?"

  "Oh yes. They know of their inauspicious occupation on Mars, and they know why they're in this planetary system. I would imagine they view their situation with about as much enthusiasm as you view yours."

  "I have some evidence there is a traitor on the Council," Natasha mused.

  "But you don't know who it is?"

  "I shall find out," Natasha promised. "I may have a witness, if I can locate her."

  "Fair enough."

  "You said there were two reasons you fled?" Natasha asked.

  "The second one is a bit more embarrassing. I was once given a prophecy," the Roman said, "and to fulfil it, I had to leave you because that was ordained."

  "Ordained?"

  "Yes. Or required for a very desired outcome. I don't know which, but I may tell you more in due course. Now, Hadell, since you set a test, what do you recommend?"

  "You may explain the situation," Hadell replied. "I am prepared to make the most positive recommendation. Particularly since, under extreme pressure, she worked out what this imbecile," and she pointed at Kazyn, "was up to."

  "There was no risk of panic," Kazyn grunted irritably, "was there?" he roared, and turned towards Natasha. Again, Natasha flinched visibly.

  "Kazyn! Stop that!"

  "She is very clever," Kazyn said with approval. "She knows I won't hurt her."

  "You are very very fearsome looking, though," Natasha said to him. She had intended to support the mother's viewpoint.

  "You think so?" Kazyn's eyes widened. "You really think so?"

  "Definitely," Natasha said. She was now wondering where this was taking her. To her surprise, Kazyn retreated, his head lowered, and he appeared to be deeply in thought.

  "You have given him something of a problem," the Roman whispered to her. "In his culture, such a compliment must be returned. On his own planet, the least he could do is immediately praise the curves of your tail, but that seems to be inappropriate. To compliment you on our overall beauty could be taken as an outright insult."

  "Kazyn," Hadell said slowly. "Without wishing to insult the Commissioner, she is a mammal, and . . ."

  "She is a planetary Lord of War," Kazyn replied in a slow but very serious voice, "and she has saved my life. Honour seems to require only one response."

  "Whatever you do, don't flinch," the Roman whispered in her ear, then backed off.

  Natasha stood, wondering what would happen next. Suddenly Kazyn lurched forward, his arms grasped her shoulders firmly, his great open jaws closed about her head, stopping with his teeth lightly but firmly on her flesh. As the hot breath poured over her face, Natasha was wondering what would happen next, but equally suddenly the jaws retreated, and the sauroid stood, with neck exposed, immediately in front of her. Natasha paused, unsure of what to do next, but as the neck did not move, she advanced, pushed apart some feathers, and placed her teeth into the position which was the nearest she could manage to the precursor to a large bite. She stood there for what she thought to be about the same time as Kazyn's teeth had been around her, then she retreated.

  "Welcome," Hadell said to Natasha, and held out a hand.

  "Thank you," Natasha replied. It seemed a silly thing to say, but she could not think of anything better. Instinctively, she knew it would be wrong to ask directly what had happened.

  "Kazyn has formally recognized you as a nestling," Hadell explained. "He must now defend you with his life, and if he fails to save you, he must avenge your death. As his mother, I must also protect you. You are now a Kuyrill."

  "It might be better if I explained a few things," the Roman intervened, "but this has been a rather full day for the Commissioner, and I think she might appreciate a little more comfort and relaxation. Natasha, may I call you that?"

  "If you give me a name to call you."

  "Oh yes," the Roman laughed. "You can call me Gaius."

  "Gaius? You take this . . ." Natasha paused, then continued, "You're really . . ?"

  "Let's make your next surprise more pleasant. Say goodbye for the time being to your new family, and please, follow me."

  Gaius waved at the two sauroids, Natasha indicated she had little choice in this matter, and Kazyn gave a roar, which Natasha took to be friendly but it was difficult to tell, then Gaius led Natasha along a further tunnel. They seemed to walk for some time, then they climbed to where a hatch was. Gaius checked a screen, to see whether there was anybody else present, then they climbed, and Natasha found herself on the side of a rather rocky escarpment.

  "Over here," Gaius indicated, as he climbed carefully over some rocks, then he paused. There, in front of him, was a ladder.

  "I might have guessed," Natasha muttered. "A ladder to nowhere."

  "You go first," Gaius grinned, "then, when it falls over, you'll fall the farthest."

  "Never let it be said that I was afraid of unsupported ladders," Natasha muttered, and she began to climb.

  "You can stop climbing," Gaius said, after she had climbed a few rungs. "There's enough room for me now."

  Natasha stopped, then found the ladder was being retracted, but to where? Then she noticed that the sky was not correct, the ladder was shortening, and . . . Suddenly a hand shot out and took hers.

  "Welcome aboard. Please take a seat."

  "Right, Marcellus," Gaius said, as he too boarded. "Make sure the inertial lock works on Natasha, then let's get going." He turned towards Natasha, and asked, "How's the headpiece?"

  "If you want to know, itchy."

  "You'll get over it," Gaius shrugged. "For what it's worth, I had one on much much longer than you'll have to endure."

  "Locks are valid," Marcellus called out.

  "Fifteen g please," Gaius called, then turned to Natasha. "Don't worry. This acceleration is the least of your worries."

  The next few minutes should have overwhelmed her, she thought, but as it eventuated, she was quite bored with proceedings. If she had to describe it, she would have said that she sat in a box and waited for something to happen. Apart from a few judders, nothing did. Then she was told that they had gone into space, then she was told that they had docked. She had felt nothing, and all she had seen was a small cabin, the chairs and the two people. Then she was led onto what was clearly a larger ship. The walls met both the floor and ceiling in smooth curves, and the corners were similarly curved. The surfaces had a light glow, giving the room a soft blue colour at the ceiling, and a soft green colour on the floor. The floor was delightfully soft.

  "Where am I?" she asked in puzzlement.

  "On the battleship Actium."

  "Named after a naval victory?" Natasha asked.

  "Quite correct," Gaius smiled. "How do you feel?"

  "Since you mention it," Natasha muttered, "I feel heavy."

  "The force you feel simulates Ulsian gravity, and that's about twelve per cent more than Earth's. Now, I must ask you to follow Marcellus. He will take you to a small room where he will insert a needle. We need a sample of your DNA."

  "What for?" a bemused Natasha asked.

  "If we're going to offer you a completely healthy body of Natasha Kotchetkova, we have to know what Natasha Kotchetkova should look like." He paused, then added, "You'll forgive me, but just looking at you, it's not exactly obvious."

  So Natasha was escorted away, she was placed on a bed and some form of scanner was placed above her, a needle was inserted into her, without any particular apparent targeting, and then it was withdrawn.

  "Not a lot of good stuff there," Marcellus noted wryly, "but I think we have enough."

  She was led back to Gaius, who indicated that she should sit in a large chair. "Marcellus will get you a drink, or something to eat, if you like, and meanwhile, I had bette
r start explaining.

  "First, as you must have gathered, there's more than one alien life form who have reached this solar system. There is a confederation of life forms that have reached a certain level of space technology and of sociological development, and they ensure that all sentient life forms have the chance to develop free from external influences until they reach a minimum level of space technology. This is really for the benefit of the developing civilization. You can guess what would happen if a more developed race comes into contact with one that is more primitive?"

  "The more developed one takes over," Natasha replied.

  "More than that. The less developed one either loses its drive, its purpose, its creative energy, or it gets violent. The superior race can't help but remind the other who's superior, and the inferior one is so convinced it is inferior that its culture degrades until it is guaranteed to be inferior.

  "Accordingly," Gaius went on, "in normal circumstances there is a total inhibition on gifting new technology, which, if it happens could tear apart your social structure. The easiest way to do this is to prohibit contact with the developing civilization. They think they are alone, they aim to find out all about the universe, and eventually go into space."

  "Where they get somewhat disillusioned," Natasha observed.

  "But it's not so traumatic," Gaius shrugged. "Now, in the normal course of events it is possible that someone such as you can meet with alien representatives, learn something about their societies, and perhaps help guide your people in their attitudes. Such persons are, however, forbidden to use that knowledge to gain power for themselves. In your case, in the normal course of events you would be able to live on Earth and meet aliens, but if you wanted to be part of Earth's government, you would have to do that without alien help."

  "Have any Terrans met these aliens?" Natasha asked curiously.

  "As it happens, yes. First contact was made by an expedition under the command of Grigori Timoshenko on Mars."

  "So that's why he started that research program on . . . propulsion systems," Natasha muttered. She had been about to say weapons, but she thought better of it.

  "Hadell told you of a test," Gaius continued. "That is to determine whether you're fit to receive certain information, whether you have the honour, the intelligence, in our case what we call the humanity, and the judgment to be permitted to have contact with more advanced civilizations."