by Hylton Smith
Kinsey had been correct; the ring on Mars led him to the head of the snake. The Caracas hub was operating out of Panama. Closing down the consortium eventually involved some two hundred and thirty personnel there and the five members of the Martian ring were deported back to face trial at the same time.
The changes on both planets were only a prelude to what lay ahead. This was as much due to the differing objectives of the Martian species as it was to the transference of Earthly ailments to Mars. The rapid population growth had brought harbingers of disease hitherto controllable on the now predominantly green planet. Just as the ecological trends had presented a favourable environment, the migration levels synchronously delivered the necessary fuel. There were budding colonies of insects and microbes appearing ‘out of nowhere’. They soon demanded deliberate import of predators. Only humans thought they had the divine right to manipulate the laws of natural selection in this way and be intransigent to their own increasing desire to outstrip any need to adapt.
The next election confused the other species, especially the Axis. They only expected their leaders to change if they had done something seriously wrong or died. The fascination for a new broom because of a perceived need for change was new to them. Carvalho was pretty sure the opinion polls were indicating such a crossroads. The fact that he was expecting to welcome a new family member into Martian life began to predominate his thinking. Discussing it with Stella, he decided to step down. He still wanted to be involved in the sciences, particularly propulsion, and he felt he had earned extra leisure time to enjoy life, in this rather pleasant place to live, in which he had been a key figure during its creation.
The research on MDVs had been quite a success story. The DNA overlap with the Axis was encouraging, and the study of the successive generations had indicated promising transference. Compared to the control group which had been unmodified, the mitochondrial population from the female with the code change had striking differences. There were obvious behavioural trends, but most interestingly there were clear signs of the ‘mutations’ progressively mimicking some inorganic architecture. Pascal 2 firmly believed that this would ultimately mean the function of engineered advances would be ‘absorbed’ into the organic structure. The parallel experiments with the ‘super stem cells’ with higher adaptability quotients had begun. They already indicated a compounding effect with offspring of the same female. It was time for Axis volunteers to have a Pascal 2 modification and to accept MDV reproductive marker cells plus super stem cell grafts. This would test out rejection criteria and feasibility of kick-starting recovery of their own damaged system. The super stem cells in this case were cultured from their own nodes.
All of this fermentation of physiological and social change dovetailed with the information about Nexus and QSD advance. The three way communication with their brethren resulted in new hope. They would work toward building a vessel, capable of taking those who wanted to return to the Homeworld.
Yamamoto had waited patiently for a ‘box implant’ but now that there was a call for volunteers from the Axis for fitting of Pascal 2 genetic codes, he wanted reconsideration of his own request. He also wanted it to be while Carvalho was still in office.
After many sessions with legal people, who seemed to breed quicker than the MDVs, it was sanctioned in a very convoluted form of words which basically said only two things. First there was no reverse procedure, and the understanding that this was a one-off concession, no further procedures could be granted until there was thorough evaluation of benefits and side effects. This was spelled out in legal jargon, employing four lawyers and 8,400 words.
This was rendered redundant after Pascal 2 had convinced the bureaucrats that the code approach was not only better, it was reversible. He claimed that as medical Symbiant he had retained the human physiological designs and data, although he did not employ them himself. He had developed a hybrid form of code which offered compatible insertion of Symbiant ‘genetic framework’ with the human nucleotide/codon counterpart. He claimed this would have more potential than the box and would have the additional advantage of transference to offspring. The procedure was set up. The Axis had many volunteers and proceeded without the need to consider red tape documentation.
The candidates to take over from Daniel Carvalho added to the declared intent of the Symbiants to concentrate efforts on the Axis. Torsten Kohler was one of the aforementioned lawyers and, Hendrick Koole had been the social director for Mars/Earth, continually travelling back and forth. He had only migrated permanently to the planet eight months ago to head up an entertainment chain. This was where his previous experience had been. The Symbiants could only interpret this as more bureaucracy and less progress. The new polls put Koole ahead.
Sabine and her mother had now started their journey back to Earth. She was not yet twelve but had prodigious talents in languages, music and science. Her father was sure the two years had dulled any lingering antagonism toward the ‘elite’ treatment, but encouraged her musical ability – he was still thinking as a politician.
Two Axis volunteers were chosen, for each procedure of cerebral and reproduction code enhancement, and Yamamoto was scheduled immediately afterwards. Stella had been asked by Pascal 2 to document the latter. Doc and Mac would do likewise for their citizens. Scillacci had a more general interest and would watch all three. There were no complications and recovery of total consciousness from the milder anaesthetic was remarkably quick for the Axis. Yamamoto took much longer. There was a lot of interest from the populous and the media were already gathering to transmit to Earth live updates with the new speedy ‘Galaxy’ communication system.
Yamamoto was still drowsy the next morning but said he was fine. He could hear clicking in the next room. He remembered about the Axis and asked how they were doing. Pascal 2 said, “Ask them yourself.” He ushered them in. They displayed their colours and said they hoped he was feeling good. They told him that they had already had new sensations. “The first one was a realisation that we spoke to each other in your language. That does not normally happen; we revert to clicking between ourselves. This was no effort. We normally have to think about everything in your language. Pascal 2 says this is due to better data organisation.” The second volunteer added, “I am aware for the first time that my sphere is under-utilised. This is not a consideration I have come to, I actually feel it. It is very strange but not unpleasant.”
Yamamoto said he hoped he would also experience these changes in perception. Pascal 2 reminded him that the human brain was even more under-utilised than the Axis sphere. They wandered off for their first battery of tests.
Yamamoto was able to have visitors. The whole team arrived and was allowed to see him as a group as long as he promised to admit when he was tired. Nielsen simply said, “Well?”
“I honestly don’t yet feel what the Axis boys told me to expect, maybe it takes longer for us.” Red nodded and Yamamoto smiled. “I guess that is a bright yellow, in Axis colour code Red.” The Symbiant returned the smile.
Evander asked him when he was to be released. The patient replied, “They’ve told me there is a mountain of tests to do over the next couple of days, so we’ll see then.” Sevicek could not resist testing him with a memory-checker from a previous disagreement they had. Not only did he recall it but repeated it word for word and still insisted he was right. Sevicek was astonished.
Dan asked if he had slept well with the changed code, which could demand activity. He was about to reply when the Axis returned and were clicking as they entered. It was his first feeling of change, he understood snatches of it and he had given up trying to learn it over a year ago. The retrieval of things he already knew felt effortless. He now had higher expectations of being able to understand new concepts which had eluded him previously.
The group left him in good spirits and he kidded the two Symbiants that their secret language of technobabble was about to be exposed.
Chapter 29
When Carvalho came to the counting of the votes he was quite emotional about the handover process. His association with Mars had started three years before the historic Copernicus launch in 2033. It was all he had known for most of his life. It was not a case of retiring in the normal sense; he was just starting a family. He knew that there was basically no sentiment in politics, but this was Mars not Earth. It made him reflect on what had really been achieved here. Of course there was the technology and the pleasant red and green backdrop. The landmark discovery of not one but two new life forms was an experience to treasure, but one of them was contemplating moving away again and the other was likely to follow. He could not help feeling that just a little bit of the Axis decision reflected concern over the abstract imports from Earth. It became one of those ‘what if’ introspective moments for him. He hardly heard Koole announced as the new Guardian. He realised he was feeling sorry for himself and at least was able to wipe the self-indulgence away by recalling the reaction of the Axis people when they were invited to come and live on Mars. Next to the moment when he knew it had to be Stella, it was his favourite time on the planet. They were times of innocence and selflessness. They were the culmination of the pioneering of terraforming the planet, now they appeared to be terrorforming it.
He managed to get through an impromptu speech instead of the one he had prepared. When he shook hands with Koole it felt like he was asking him to cut the ribbon for the opening of a new supermarket. The emptiness would subside at a similar rate to grief at the passing of a friend.
Stella was aware of this and yet could not really help; it was an intensely personal thing. She knew that there were other ways in which she could encourage his energy and talent to fill part of the vacuum.
The leader of the Epsilon Eridani Axis was frustrated at his technical organisation’s lack of progress to a testing date for the QSD vessel under construction. This was especially annoying when the Gliese fraternity had already performed this with success. The latter had reported a desire for over sixty percent now intent on a return to Nexus, with such a safe means of propulsion. This in turn produced a trumpet call for the Martian Axis. They had only prepared for some twenty-six individuals for the first trip, now they were inundated and the number had passed four hundred.
Alex 2 met with Carvalho and confirmed that the dome demolition had commenced and that the Symbiants involved would be responsible for transferring and guarding the crystal. “I also wanted to let you know that all members of the Continuance are saddened at your withdrawal from the leadership of your people on Mars. It is the closest interaction to friendship we have known. You have always demonstrated the promise we first encountered when Alex Redgrave was replicated, and you have always defended our position to your own species. It is doubly difficult for me to have to inform you that all Symbiants prefer to go with the Axis when they leave. I need not elaborate again on the criteria considered which led to this conclusion, but they are different when compared to the choice afforded to some of us when Copernicus and Darwin returned to Earth. Back then it did not seem to matter and we willingly complied with your suggestion. This does matter and it is a decision we hope you will respect.”
Carvalho had suffered a lot of emotional turmoil in recent days and yet he was always consoled by the presence and future plans for his family. This was somewhat different. The affinity he had forged with the Continuance would leave a more significant gap than merely ‘retiring’. “I’m for once lost for words. I suppose when I got used to you having been around for billions of years before you woke up to us, I expected you would always be around during my lifetime. All of a sudden the achievements on Mars which you have been largely responsible for, seem less important if you are going to leave them behind.”
Alex 2 smiled and tried to reassure him that they would still be able to contact one another. “Maybe some of the human population on Mars will want to take a step into the unknown with us. I have heard that Yamamoto is already talking to the Axis about this. Is it something you would consider?”
Carvalho took a deep breath. “If I was in Yamamoto’s position I certainly would, but that isn’t the case. Stella is pregnant and I must put her and Fernando first. I can’t see her wanting to take our family off on a forty something light year trip in such a confined environment. What kind of childhood would we be offering them? As exciting as it might be for all those like Yamamoto in our species, I must rule it out. I must also confess however, that I would have liked to see first-hand how the Axis procreation programme will end. It would in a strange way give me more satisfaction to see that restored than all of the technical ‘miracles’ we’ve presided over here.”
One of Hendrick Koole’s first actions was to announce a major overhaul and investment in the entertainment ‘industry’. He didn’t specify what he meant by the word investment. It was difficult to think of it within a meritocracy in any other way than equating to effort and expertise. The numbers of migrants to fulfill his claims would be at the expense of continuing to tackle the deficit on accommodation and infrastructure of essentials. Entertainment was important for the social welfare and that lesson had been learned decades ago; it was not quite as important as getting the balance of skills right. He hadn’t figured the loss of the Symbiants into how many humans would be required just to match the current workload. It was worrying that it was such a popular policy.
Yamamoto had asked to see Evander for a one-on-one prior to his discharge from hospital. The two of them talked about the Axis plans to leave and the implications for transport. Evander updated him. “The communications from their other domains have claimed reliable evidence of radio wave output from Nexus. They are convinced this means that there were survivors from the cataclysm three million years ago. If the orbits of all planets in 55 Cancri are as stable and accurate as the Gliese telescope ring suggests, it could well be true. The desire to return there from all three locations is now nearing unanimity. All Martian Axis will go, and the few remaining undecided in Epsilon Eridani look like following the trend. There is more reluctance from Gliese but we are still talking over ninety percent. Fav believes the clincher for total abandonment of all outposts will be success of the procreation programme. They feel that would make the long journey one of new purpose as well as closure over the historical miscalculation.” Yamamoto was keen to know more. “How will they transport them, many small vessels or a few bigger ones?”
Evander seemed edgy. “They are considering building an interstellar town.”
“What?”
“They believe, and that means all three communities, that they must treat this as a minimal social need. It is a strange argument but they say all the technical achievement over the last three million years has brought little lasting satisfaction. There is no other cause than correcting the errors of that time which could galvanise the species again. They will not listen to my concerns about scale – they accept my calculations, they just say they will be overcome.”
Yamamoto laughed. “You’re winding me up, right?”
“Not at all, the plans are serious. They have set a five year timescale and all locations have agreed to launch probes triangulated to Nexus. This will begin immediately and report back necessary information on obstacles where QSD dropout would be needed. The succeeding launches will be to give us an accurate means of determining the best departure time in terms of minimising the number of stops – a time dimension planner. I can’t get them to accept that if it isn’t possible to reach that scale of transport, five years or five million would make no difference.”
“So have you given up?”
“There are calculations which suggest the concept itself is valid, but the accuracy of the components and control mechanisms are out of reach. Building the town with its social amenities and artificial gravity is actually the easy part. It is similar in a way to Einstein’s difficulty being with the infinitesimal rather than the infinite.”
Yamamoto asked, “Could I see these calc
ulations?”
“You don’t believe me?”
“No, of course I believe you; I’m fascinated by the challenge and I’m also keen to see if my decision to have this operation will prove to be the right one.”
The Axis volunteers (both female), who had been subjected to the MDV marker transplant and the super stem cell graft were under continuous monitoring for even the slightest change in data. After several weeks the stem cells had achieved improved compatibility levels with the marker and no problems were reported with their link up to the node. This pattern was expected to accelerate to a point where hormone treatment could begin. One of the females’ translated name was unusual, even for the Axis, ‘Pre-Sphere Cleric’ indicated her profession and it was then explained that they always changed from their given name at birth to one of their choice at reaching a maturity stage of life called the ‘Pssarr Vccejjk’ - for which there was no known translation. The Axis had chosen females with stringent criteria, as they were free to mate with many males but have a lasting relationship with only one. This was introduced long before the radiation scourge, because of an increase in male infertility related to a particular type of infection, for which there was no preventative medication. This was subsequently remedied - also well before the radiation damage. The period between the successful increase in birth rate and the Age of the Sphere was not long enough to foster a return to true monogamy, and the issue became irrelevant when the planet-wide radiation surge neutralised the species. They had experienced thousands of years of this ‘polygamous crusade’ and it had become an established social freedom. Scillacci said, “It would have been helpful to know this before we started the programme. We would have asked for more initial procedures to be considered, and especially males.”
