Colossus

by John Ricks

  Susan sat down, and I stood up. “Let me rephrase that last request. I need a volunteer to test out a wonderful new machine. It’s true that the person could possibly end up a little off course, and it’s true that she may not be in an environment friendly to human life, but she will be wearing an untested belt that should take care of the issue. Any volunteers?” I used the most upbeat voice I could manage, but I heard heavy breathing and nothing else. I turned around, saying, “Well, I guess that’s one we’ll have to let the army test for us.”

  Susan said, “Good idea.”

  Denise yelled back from the cockpit, “Landing in three, two, one.” She sat us down smoothly and quietly in the center of a large island in the South Pacific. The place chosen on the island was a valley with an open area large enough for the camp, with fresh running water and plenty of shade. The hatch opened, and the girls quickly became professional and scouted the area with scanners. Some had the helmets on and were using them to look around. The jungle was just that—an impressively tall, deep, dense mess of tangled vines, trees, and bushes, causing the floor to be nearly dark. Every bird—and there were a lot of them in every color of the rainbow—was screaming at us or yelling out warnings. One of the girls yelled back at the shuttle, “Hey, this helmet has infrared!”

  I yelled out to her, “It has seven types of visuals. Choose the ones you like, and report if there are any issues.” I had to yell, as the area was very noisy with all the birds upset. I thought an island jungle would be quiet. Not so. It had all kinds of life, and everything seemed to make noise. The girls started clearing a place for the tents, and then tents went up quickly. Unpacking was accomplished within minutes. The cook was already starting lunch before I had my tent finished. My tent. I designed it myself. It was on a gravity sled, so I didn’t have to lift a thing. Good thing too, as it weighs a ton. I touched the panel, and it followed me out of the shuttle. I picked a place and asked Susan, “Is this a good place to put my tent.”

  She said, “Yes, but ensure the front flap faces this way to keep the smoke from the cook fire out and allow for easy access.”

  I turned it around so the opening would face the way everyone else had theirs facing, and then I pressed the button. It immediately started unfolding. The looks I received from the girls said it all. When it finished unfolding, I had a nice little tent that was thirty feet wide, forty feet long, and ten feet high, with a front door, a rear door, two windows in the front and two on each side, a generator, powered lights, air conditioning, heating, the computer system, scanners, and pumps for water. I had to manually run the hose for the water, but now I had a working toilet and shower.

  One of the girls came over and said, “I thought we were roughing it, Freddy.”

  I looked back and asked, “This isn’t roughing it?” I went inside and set up the table and chairs. There were all kinds of bugs outside, and so I turned on the air for a nice positive air flow to keep flying insects out. Also, the air conditioning made it comfortable, as the temperature outside was easily in the nineties, and the humidity was horrible. I had plenty of work to do; I’d brought most of it with me in my portable tent.

  Next, I checked the bedroom to ensure I remembered the linen, and then I checked the closet to ensure everything was still hanging up. Everything looked fine. I was in the walk-in closet when Susan came in.

  “Freddy? Where are you?”

  “I’m in the closet, checking my clothing.”

  She came around the corner with three of the team, looking disgusted. “Freddy, this looks just like your bedroom and office space back home. And it appears that you brought a lot of work with you.”

  “Yes. Nice, isn’t it?”

  Susan took my arm and led me outside. She said, “Go to it, girls.”

  I stood there in shock as the team took my clothes, toiletries, and my portable computer and placed them to the side. Then Susan said, “Freddy, close it up.”

  “Why?”

  “Just do it.”

  I quickly ran inside and came out with two items, and then I reached over and pressed the button. It automatically shut down the generator, drained out the water, reeled in the hose, and folded up on itself. Within seconds, my tent was packed up and floating two feet above the ground, waiting for me to set it up. Colleen put a hand on it, and so it followed her back into the shuttle.

  Susan pointed and asked, “What are those?”

  “It’s a hammock and my repair kit for the belts and helmets.”

  “Fine.” Then she made a hand gesture, and a tarp, tent, and bedroll were dropped at my tent site. “You are here to rest and learn about nature. You are not spending all your time in a tent that is more like a luxury hotel, loaded down with work. I am sure you can figure out how to put this tent together, Freddy. Good luck.” She went off to finish getting her nest in order.

  It wasn’t difficult to put the tent together properly. After all, I am somewhat intelligent. I simply watched Maggie put hers up and then did the same thing. I had the barbaric tent up in less than ten minutes. I also found a good place for the hammock and put it up. When I was finished, I went over and helped Julia put her tent up. She seemed to be getting frustrated. The team was going to put it up for her, but she insisted on doing it herself.

  Aggie, Julia’s mom, said, “When they said ‘roughing it,’ I did not think they truly meant roughing it!”

  “Don’t worry. You’ll be well taken care of. Good food, clean water, that sort of thing, but don’t expect a SEAL team to be gentle. You’re guests, so you won’t have to do any more than you want to. Me, I’m going to enjoy myself, do something of everything, go exploring, help in camp, go fishing, make a campfire, and check out all the life. This is going to be fun and very restful.”

  I guess my enthusiasm was helpful, as they both started relaxing and enjoying themselves. I heard a loud squawk and turned to see a colorful bird land in a tree nearby. I believe it’s called a rainbow lorikeet—blue head, red beak, green back and wings, bright orange chest. I instinctively put my arm up and mentally called it to me. It flew down and perched on my arm. It weighed less than four ounces and was about eleven inches from top of head to tip of tail. I petted it and talked quietly to it as I checked it out. I had it open its wings so I could look underneath and check the wing span. When I was finished, and Julia had a chance to pet it, I rewarded it with a large insect that was slithering across Julia’s foot and let it go. It took the insect and flew off into the nearest branch.

  Julia said, “You just called her to you, and she came?”

  “Almost. I use my mind to influence her into knowing that I will do her no harm, and then I let her know that she will be happy if she comes to me. I always reward the ones that do. It’s their choice, you know. I would never force them into coming to me. That could be very traumatic for them. This one nests here and does not like us invading her space. I simply informed her that I would share all my insects with her. She is happy now.”

  “You can talk to animals?”

  “Not really. But I can place ideas, pictures, feelings, and sometimes needs into their heads. At the same time, I can feel their emotions, needs, wants, and fears … and I can calm them and know exactly how to treat them correctly. Specials like me are going to be very important during first contact with another sentient species. At least, there will be far fewer mistakes with specials helping.”

  Susan came over and said, “Double-check the zippers on your tents. Make sure they’re fully zipped up and stay out of them as much as possible. There are a lot of insects in this area, and that way they won’t be inside your tent when you go to bed tonight.” Aggie, Julia, and I all rushed to our tents and checked the zippers. I went over to the shuttle, pulled out three belts, and walked back to Julia. I handed one to each and put one on myself, saying, “If you have a problem with bugs, simply ensure they are off you, and press the green button.” I presse
d it, and I was now fully shielded. Then I pressed it again, and I was unshielded. Julia pressed hers, and so did Aggie. Both left theirs on.

  I had a great Idea and asked, “Julia, want to test out an armband?”

  “No!”

  Oh well. It was worth a try.

  Green said, “I’ll test out an armband.”

  Red said, “So would I. However, I’d have a Purple test it first.”

  Black said, “Flying, teleporting, communications at a distance, automatic housing, and seeing in several modes. Don’t you see? These are all ground troop support. We use these, except for the teleporting, in all our ground and ship-to-ship encounters.”

  Gray said, “I bet his are better than the pathetic things the Greens palm off on us. However, I don’t like that ‘vampire’ idea. It sounds nasty. What is a vampire?”

  Red said, “They have a bat they call a vampire. It is a flying mammal that eats insects. They also have a sect of humans that are vampires. They are few, and we have only caught two. They have a disease that causes them to need fresh blood. These were living off cattle. One bit a Green, and we had to kill the Green and the creature.”

  I thought, Now that we have scanners, people are going to find them. Besides, I can fix that with my AD.

  Little Yellows must have picked up my thoughts. “We do not believe that the rest of the humans know about the vampires. This one was thinking he can fix the disease with his AutoDoctor.”

  Red came over to me and asked, “Little Red, can your AutoDoctor fix any disease? Can you program it to heal our kind?”

  I reached up a hand and touched one Little Yellow, reading her entire body. “Yes.”

  Red turned and said to the Body Proper, “This race is needed desperately and as friends, not slaves. When are our reinforcements arriving? We may need to show them that we can and will win this war unless they agree to an unconditional surrender.”

  A voice came through Little Yellows, saying, “We will inform His Majesty, though he is not in the mood at this time to listen. A Great Ship is on the way and will be here in eighteen hands. At that time, he is going to transfer to the Great Ship. He is fully planning to destroy this species as they have embarrassed him by destroying half our fleet.”

  I asked the great computer intelligence on this ship, “Body Proper, when are my reinforcements arriving?”

  “Which wave?”

  I smiled. “Tuned into our communications, I see. I’ll let them know. The first and second wave, please.”

  “The first wave is due in one hand; the second will arrive in sixteen hands, or hours, in your terms.”

  “Thank you.”

  All the colors were looking at me.

  Red asked, “He can communicate with the Body Proper?”

  Little Yellows said, “Not really. The Body Proper was communication through us, and so he was attuned.”

  Red looked relieved. “I am glad that was all. Green, please continue.”

  I smiled and thought, Little did they know. I warned the fleet about the Great Ship.

  Chapter 27

  Tampering

  After lunch, Susan had the team assembled in belts and helmets and set them to exploring the island. Everyone in camp wore belts and helmets, including Julia and Aggie. Even the cook was wearing them. I asked Susan why.

  Susan said, “If they are stuck in an unfriendly place, then they will know they can do the simple things like cooking, eating, cleaning, mending, sleeping, and standing watch. Everyone will be wearing constantly and will be observed by us at the base. I am very glad to see that Aggie and Julia are wearing and using the survival belts already.”

  “Thanks, but that was to help them with bugs. Julia and Aggie are wearing perfume. The bugs really like them.”

  Susan smiled. “Yes, they would. I’ll try to school them about camping. They don’t need helmets as long as we are watching them with scanners.”

  “Say, there is nothing poisonous, like snakes and spiders, is there?”

  “No. I researched the place. There are a lot of dangers here.” She looked around as if to emphasize all around us and then added, “But nothing deadly. The terrain is the biggest problem. You could be walking through the forest and walk right off a cliff or fall down a hole. Be careful.”

  “I will.”

  “Good. Tomorrow we’ll go fishing, and I’ll teach you everything I know. Which isn’t much, but Chief Donet will be able to help more in that area.”

  “Speaking of Betsy Donet, do you think it was wise to send her off alone? I mean, no offense, but I wouldn’t allow her in my shop without major supervision. She’s a klutz.”

  “Remember what she majored in?”

  “Um … forestry?”

  “That’s correct. It’s true she is a klutz at home but not here. This is her love. This is her normal environment. Here, she is home.”

  Susan walked over to talk with Julia and Aggie, so I picked up a command helmet to listen in.

  Colleen said, “This is command. Who just came online?”

  “I did, Colleen.”

  “Very well, Freddy. Listen in, but keep quiet. Test three, Henderson! Come down from there!”

  Chief Patricia Henderson yelled out, “This is test three. I can fly, Colleen. I can actually fly. It’s wonderful.”

  I checked where she was and could see and feel that Colleen was having problems with Patricia flying so high. Patricia was over twenty-five kilometers up and climbing. I put a hand on Colleen’s arm and said, “Patricia, I know that flying is fun, but you have left the troposphere and entered the stratosphere, and you are quickly heading toward the mesosphere. You’re making people nervous. Please come down.”

  “Oh, very well.”

  Scanners showed her returning, so I left it at that. To reassure Colleen, I said, “The belt should work fine out in space, but it is not tested there yet. No sense taking chances.”

  She toggled the private switch and said, “I agree, Freddy.” She placed the switch back into command mode and ordered, “Report.”

  “Lieutenant Uniceson reports all’s well. The system is working as advertised plus.”

  “Chief Darnel reports all’s well. System working 100 percent. You would not believe—”

  Colleen broke in. “Keep the chatter down! Continue reports.”

  “Chief Henderson reports all’s well. System working at 100 percent.”

  “Chief Swanson reports all’s well. System working 100 percent.”

  “Chief Donet reports all’s well. Um … I’ll turn the system on now.”

  Colleen broke in again. “Betsy, we are not here for your entertainment. Use the system, and test it out completely. Continue reports.” There was some snickering in the background from several of the girls.

  “Petty Officer Smith reports all’s well. System working at 100 percent.”

  “Petty Officer Parks reports all’s well. System helmet working 100 percent. Belt not working. I’m stuck on the top of the mountain. It’s a nice view.”

  Colleen said, “Stay there, and we’ll send you a backup belt.”

  Maggie Parks retorted in a lazy tone, “Oh”—big yawn—“I’m not going anywhere.”

  Colleen frowned and ordered, “Chief Henderson. Repeat: Patricia, return to camp and pick up a replacement belt for Maggie. Her belt is out, and she is stuck on the top of the mountain. She is in good condition but getting drowsy for some reason. I want her escorted back here immediately.”

  “This is Chief Henderson, on my way, Colleen.”

  Colleen ordered, “Continue reports.”

  “Petty Officer Denise Potter reports all’s well. System working 100 percent. I am headed up the mountain to check on Maggie. Will report if any issues.”

  “Petty Officer Pendelson reports all’s well. System working 100 percent.
I am also headed toward the mountain.”

  I placed a hand on Colleen’s arm and whispered, “One belt can carry two or three people, if she is truly drowsy.”

  Colleen ordered, “Petty Officer Potter. Repeat: Denise. Freddy tells me that the belts can carry two or three people. New orders. Pick up Maggie and bring her back to camp. Dorothy Pendelson, give escort.”

  “This is Denise. Understood.”

  “This is Dorothy. Understood.”

  “This is Patricia. Understood. Will report to command post and await orders.”

  Colleen turned to me and said, “I’m sure that Maggie is doing well, but please check her when she returns.”

  “I will.”

  “Good. The helmets are wonderful. Well thought out. Each one allows for complete silence, talk with command only, private with any other helmet, background chatter so you can hear what’s going on, notification when a channel is open, and emergency override to command on all helmets. We’re practicing not using the normal commands like ‘over and out’ just to see if it all works, and it does. Saves a lot of time if we know who is keyed up and ready to talk and who is not. Also, we know if two are keyed at the same time. Helps us know when a message was transmitted. And I love the wait-in-line mode. You key up and can’t transmit until you get a green light that tells you you’re connected. As command, I know how many people want to talk to me, and I can pick and choose which ones are priority. Right now, everything is quiet, but Maggie and Denise have priority as a possible emergency.”

  I placed a hand on her arm. “See this readout. Maggie is doing fine, though she is tired for some reason. Her energy is slightly drained.”

  “Yes, and that’s why I haven’t pulled in the big guns. I could easily have three ships here in a second to pull her out. We are not putting anyone in danger this time out. This is simply a test run of equipment.”

  “Good.”