Miranda's Demons

by Ian Miller

  "Very good," Gaius said with approval. "So, how do you get around it?"

  "Transmit phase numbers?" Harry said finally, after considerable thought.

  "See, isn't it easy?" Gaius laughed. "The Ulsian would call that the Certainty Principle, because he would know that the action that generates the matrix of phase numbers are precise integers, and not only that, in general he knows what they are, and these will determine the product of the positions and momenta exactly. For the individual variables, you don't have to worry about what value they'll take, because it doesn't matter. In fact it's impossible to know, from your way of looking at it. The point is, you don't have to. Nature has very kindly made the simplification, and all we have to do is find nature's secrets."

  "There's more to teleportation than that, though," Harry remarked. "Surely you don't just sit down and transmit numbers?"

  "Of course you don't. That was merely an example of a theoretical connection you have to make before the underlying approach can even be discerned. But while there's a lot more to doing it than recognizing the possibility, you're hardly likely to get started until you at least do that. Now, my question."

  "I'll try to answer," Harry replied, "but I can't be sure I can."

  "I'm sure you can," Gaius laughed. "I was wondering how you were getting on with your young Brazilian woman?"

  "Marisa!" Harry snorted. "You must be asleep, or always somewhere else. She's going out of her way to rub my nose in everything she can."

  "I rather thought she liked you."

  "Once upon a time, maybe, but no matter what I do now, wham!" he paused, then muttered, "I don't quite see why you're so concerned . . ."

  "You will in a minute," Gaius said more firmly. "A commander has to look towards a number of things the troops don't see. Now, why didn't you invite her to your party?"

  "She had an invitation. She wouldn't come."

  "Really? You know that?"

  "She had no intention of coming," Harry said emphatically.

  "Did you invite her personally?"

  "Well, no," Harry admitted. "But she wouldn't have come anyway. She was out on the town with somebody else, whoring around."

  "What on Earth makes you think that?"

  "I saw her when she came back," Harry sighed. "God, she looked a mess. She had this dress, which someone had literally torn off her. When she came home, all that was stopping it falling off was a pin and three pieces of sticky tape. And that dress was far beyond her pay. It must have cost over a thousand fecus."

  "Actually, it was three thousand," Gaius said enigmatically.

  "Three thousand! She is expensive! Wait a minute. How do you know that?"

  "Had you bothered to invite her personally, she would have given a clue as to why she couldn't accompany you," Gaius said, with a totally straight face. "I don't suppose this has occurred to you, but like our physics example we've just discussed, the problem might look a lot different from another point of view."

  "I can't see a lot of . . . " Harry started, then he stopped, looked at Gaius and asked, "I don't suppose you'd give me a clue?"

  "Of course," Gaius replied. "That's the whole point of this conversation. Look at this from her point of view. She couldn't come because while you were carousing and generally enjoying yourself with whatever woman would fall into your arms, and I've got nothing in particular against that, she was on a mission. I can't tell you what that was, but I can tell you with absolute truth and authority that if what she was doing comes to fruition, that will be the most single significant contribution to our eventual victory."

  "Oh," was all that Harry could say.

  "There're a few things I should add," Gaius went on. "The first is, you were correct in thinking things got fairly rough for her, but it didn't get any further than that, and it wasn't something she enjoyed. Normally, this wouldn't be any of your business anyway, but I'm telling you because Marisa has to continue with this work, and it's absolutely imperative she does so without interference from the likes of you. We'll give her a little more protection, and there shouldn't be any more physical involvement for her. She didn't want to do this in the first place, because she thought you'd find out, and it would turn you off her even further. I persuaded her anyway, you did, and it did."

  "I never thought –"

  "There was no reason you should have," Gaius shrugged. "Now, keep looking at it from her point of view. How much encouragement do you think she's received from you?"

  "With her the way she's been, there hasn't been a lot of opportunity," Harry replied quietly, "and for all I knew, she'd have bitten my head off if I'd tried."

  "Only figuratively," Gaius laughed, "but now you know she won't. The question is, now you know, what are you going to do about it?"

  "I must go to her, to explain," Harry replied.

  "That is exactly what you will not do," Gaius countered. "Her very life will depend on her being able to convince others that she is being despised by you and your comrades. I am ordering you and the rest of alpha squad not see her again until after the big set piece battle we're planning. At the end of the battle, I'll give you a chance to get together before any further damage is done. Try to think of something sensible to say when you meet again."

  "Why are you doing this?" Harry asked.

  "Two reasons," Gaius replied. "The first is that Marisa must complete her mission, and it is my job to see you don't get in the road. Do not even mention this to anyone else in alpha squad, and if there are any further suggestions of squad parties, kill them until after the main battle. That's an order. I simply cannot afford Marisa to get into an impossible situation and getting killed through your bumbling around. Here's another order. Stay away from her."

  "Yes sir," Harry said in his most formal tone.

  "Not even asking about the second reason?" Gaius challenged.

  "I thought one reprimand was –"

  "It's not a reprimand," Gaius shook his head. "I know you'll want to keep Marisa alive too, but I have to make sure you know how serious things are."

  "I get the picture," Harry said. He paused a little, then curiosity finally got the better of him. "The second reason?" he asked.

  "Because I like the two of you," Gaius smiled. "Also, as an observation from my time, when young people are left to their own devices, they end up in all sorts of silly messes."

  "Well, thanks," Harry said caustically.

  "It's my pleasure," Gaius replied. "You'll see her soon enough after the battle, assuming you both live. Try to make up then. Now, enough of this. We both have work to do."

  Chapter 22

  "Welcome again to Chiron, Natasha Kotchetkova. Come in peace as an honoured guest."

  "I am honoured to be invited here," Natasha replied. She had formally acknowledged Gelempt, but she had also given a smile to Kazyn, who was standing near a door, and was clearly curious as to what would happen next. He was also clearly being restrained by Hadell.

  "I apologize if I am putting you in a difficult situation," Gelempt said. "As you know, we have a committee here that discusses the various races' strategies in this war, and it seems improper to continue without a representative from Earth. Gaius and Lucilla are members, but they hold high ranking positions in the Ulsian military, and hence do not represent Earth."

  "I understand," Natasha nodded. "Also, I have complete faith in Gaius and Lucilla to do what they can for us, and I am also aware of their numerical inferiority."

  "Which summarizes the problem," Gelempt agreed. "The M'starn must prevail unless Earth makes a major contribution, therefore Earth must be represented. On the other hand, its representative must not be placed in an inferior position."

  "Now I don't understand," Natasha frowned.

  "On a temporary basis, we are proposing to activate the mesh in your head. This will give you access to Ulsian technology, limited only by availability. We need your assurances you will not misuse this gift."

  "You have my word," Natasha replied in a slight
ly stunned tone. "I . . ."

  "Yes?" Gelempt smiled.

  "You said temporary?"

  "Yes. At the end of this war, you will have choices. You have earned the right to a senior position in Earth's government without any involvement with us, and we cannot take away that right. However you will not be permitted to use Ulsian technology and be a ruler on Earth at the same time, except in this special situation."

  "I see," Natasha said. "You trust me in the meantime?"

  "Yes," Gelempt said. "In doing this we really are placing great trust in you."

  "I understand."

  "You have studied our code relating to emerging civilizations, and understood it?"

  "I've examined it in detail," Natasha frowned, "although I'm not exactly comfortable with the responsibility of following it. There're situations which could make decision making very difficult, especially now when we're at war. Parts of it seem almost contradictory."

  "I know it could be interpreted that way," Gelempt nodded. "I also know it is possible to be so concerned not to do anything wrong that you end up never doing anything. That was the Ulsian disease, but that was not the fault of the code. The code is a guide, not a prescription, and if you follow its principles, you won't be faulted."

  "Yes but sometimes you do not have the luxury of fully analyzing what's going on. You have to do something, and it may not be clear what will follow. Remember, I'm trying to fight a war, and I may have to do things that you won't agree with."

  "The code is about intent, not outcome, and it's not about assigning fault in the post mortem. The Ulsian way is from the inner self. Your actions must be governed by your belief in our principles." Gelempt gave the Ulsian equivalent of a smile, then continued, "All we are asking is that when you defeat the M'starn, you do not use what we have given you in Terran society. We are not a cruel people. We are trying to maintain a system of justice. We give you such powers approaching those of a God, but it is criminal to exercise such powers without the corresponding wisdom. We do not claim to be inherently wiser, but we do claim to have a greater history, and our code is the distillate of what we have learned. All we ask is that if you are unsure of the outcome of a proposed action, seek advice. If, when at war, there is no time to do so, then we shall stand behind your judgment, as long as it is clear you are not wilfully disregarding the code.

  "Now obviously there can be grey areas, but do not be too concerned. You see, by giving you such powers, I have intervened, and hence must bear responsibility greater than yours. And I hope you understand the code itself does not prevent intervention as a matter of principle. We merely go to considerable lengths to avoid such intervention because except in special circumstances, perhaps like now, the unforeseen consequences are totally unfair on the innocent."

  "I promise I won't give any Ulsian knowledge to Earth," Natasha said, "and I most certainly will not use it to gain influence on Earth, not that I may not wish to have influence on Earth."

  "You have earned the right already," the Ulsian nodded. "That is yours, and we hope you have the wisdom to use it well."

  "I'll try," Natasha replied, "but what I was going to ask is, surely there must have been times when a significant intervention must have done more good than any bad that could possibly follow? I'm not suggesting that I have any –"

  "I can give an example of that," Gelempt said gravely. "Ulse once knew of a developing civilization on a planetary system too close to a blue supergiant. It was regarded as impossible for them to develop sufficient technology to escape the imminent supernova, yet they knew of their fate, and were at about your level of technology. What should we have done?"

  "Find them somewhere else and transport them there," Natasha offered.

  "That's what we should have done, but it was too much trouble. Instead we gave them the means of making the drives, and the inertial equivalence system, so they could build their own ships. We told them where to go, they built their ships, and they survived."

  "Why am I so convinced this is bad?" Natasha asked in a puzzled tone.

  "The technology was uneven. They wanted the missing bits, and they didn't want to invent them themselves," came the cold reply. "You know of them. They are the M'starn."

  "And you fear that helping Earth defeat the M'starn could create an even worse problem later?"

  "There isn't necessarily a correct solution, but the fact you understand the problem is very reassuring. I can simplify the situation for you: thou shalt not play God; thou shalt not play Prometheus; thou shalt not bully."

  "And there's no problem about fighting this war?"

  "As long as you do not get a blood lust, and kill for the sake of killing when the war is over," the Ulsian replied. "Now, you have two options. You may take upon yourself the obligations, and if you so choose, you should go through that door over there. Alternatively, you may decline, in which case, you should return to Earth without penalty or obligation. Choose!"

  Natasha bowed slightly, then walked towards the door.

  "Wait!"

  "Is something wrong?" Natasha asked apprehensively.

  "No, of course not," chirped Kazyn, "but before you go in there, there's your wand to sort out."

  "But I don't have a wand," Natasha protested.

  "Yes you do! Yes you do!" Kazyn chirped.

  "Kazyn!" Hadell growled.

  "But it's one of the exciting bits," Kazyn protested.

  "Now you have accepted us, it will accept you. It is now on the table beside you," Gelempt said, "but it has to be personalized. Place your hand on it, and leave your hand there until it tells you to take it."

  "What?" Natasha asked in amazement, then turned her head. There, on the table that previously had been bare, lay a shiny Krezell wand. She looked at it, then placed her hand on it. Immediately there was a surge of power through her, as if she had grabbed an electric cable. At first she instinctively tried to pull her hand away, but she could not. She looked down, and saw her whole body was glowing. The power continued, then ebbed, and she thought this was the sign, so she attempted to pick the wand up, but it remained fixed. There were two similar surges of power, then suddenly, to her surprise, the wand gently lifted her hand up from it, then it flew to her hand.

  "You may place it in the locker," Gelempt said. "Always remember, the Krezell wand is not inherently a weapon. It is your means of communicating with the Ulsian technology. That wand will accept and obey your thoughts, provided it is capable of doing so. Again, this is not magical; it does so through the implant in your head. It will refuse for three reasons only. The first is if it is physically impossible, the second is if it would obviously violate the code, and here, you see, you have a warning device. The third reason is more mundane. There must be an Ulsian power source capable of executing your wishes nearby. Normally, that would be your own ship, but in your case, you do not have one. Chiron is too far away from Earth, so your wand will only operate while Gaius' or Lucilla's ship is nearby."

  Natasha nodded, and placed the wand in the locker. She closed the door, then realized she had no key and there was no keyhole. She stared at the door, and tried to reopen it. Nothing happened.

  "When you want to reopen it, think to the wand," Gelempt said. "It will open the lock, and, as an aside, only it will open it, and only you can command it."

  Natasha was a little perplexed, but she thought of the wand turning the lock, opening the door, and coming to her hand. Immediately the locker door flew open, and the wand flew through the air to land in her hand. She thought again, this time for the wand to be in the locker, with the door closed, and again the wand flew, this time into the locker, and the door closed.

  "That's better," Gelempt said with a tone of approval. "Remember, this is not telekinesis. The wand itself will use the energy of a ship, or in this case, Chiron, to generate very powerful and very localized fields. It can modify an inertial field, and indeed if you wanted to hide it, so as to appear unarmed, you could think it to be embedded in solid
rock. It would excavate a hole and place itself in it, using what is, in effect, a virtual image. Also, the wand will only read your thoughts over a relatively short distance. You can extend this with practice."

  "Just what can it do?" Natasha asked.

  "Essentially, concentrate or disperse energy or momentum, hence it can carry out mechanical operations, even though you cannot visualize them. Opening a lock is one of them."

  "I presume there are few locks on Ulse," Natasha smiled.

  "That is partly correct," Gelempt replied, "but not for that reason. The wand will not open a lock without its approval of the reason. Opening your own locker is automatic, but it would not open another person's, unless it fully understood and approved of the reason."

  "You mean it has its own consciousness?" Natasha gasped.

  "No," shook his head. "But the ship that powers it does. Oh, and that reminds me. You can use the wand from a power pack, but then it is more or less limited to transmitting energy. I shall leave you with a set of instructions and exercises that you can practise. Now, let us go."

  Natasha was taken through a section of rooms largely occupied by a variety of machinery, and she gradually accumulated a number of items. Of particular interest to her was the provision of clothing. She was fascinated by the chameleon suit, but even more so by the provision of social attire. She was asked what she would like, so she described what she thought was a desirable dress. Immediately an image of her body was projected into the room, with the dress in question on it. When she said it would look better two centimeters longer, in a flash, the dress was two centimeters longer. The image walked around the room, and Natasha tried some alternative designs, which were immediately visualized. When she finally decided she had the ideal, and a range of colours had been tried, she was invited to feel the image. To her total surprise, it had texture. She played around with that for a minute, then decided she liked it. The image disappeared, there was a sequence of strange noises from another machine behind her, and there was her dress. She was invited to return later, to select a more complete wardrobe.