by Karl Morgan
“Other than G17?” he asked. “That’s what Master Eon has always called me.”
“And you call me Mistress Lini,” she noted. “From this minute on, please call me Lini. I am not your master. I am your friend. Now go ahead and pick a name.”
“I have no idea how to do such a thing. Will you help me, Mistress?”
“Only if you stop calling me Mistress,” she frowned.
“Lini, will you help me?”
“Of course I will. Maybe we should use a name that starts with the letter G. That way it will be easily for us all to remember,” she began. After a moment of thought, she said, “How about George, or Gerald, or Glen, or Gene?”
“How about the name, Galat?” he said. “He was the man who created the first android robots on this planet.”
“Perfect, Galat,” she replied. He did not reply, but instead looked up and to the left. “Uh oh,” she gasped. “Galat, what’s going on? Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry, Lini,” he said at last. “I was communicating with H96, the ferry robot. He said some sea creatures have arrived and are asking for you.”
The color drained from her cheeks as she absorbed the information. Could it be Zula, she thought. She jumped to her feet and shouted, “Lead the way, Galat!” The two rushed out of the house and toward the perimeter fencing, while hundreds of other robots stopped what they were doing and began to discuss G17’s new name.
Seconds later, Dave Brewster and Odo Pak appeared in the kitchen of Eon’s house. “She was just here!” Dave shouted. “Where did she go?”
“Dave, please sit and calm yourself,” Odo said. “She will return shortly. Look, her salad is still here half-eaten.”
“Is she even on the planet anymore?” he asked.
“As far as we know, yes. If she is gone, I’m sure someone from the tekkan Hive will arrive to notify us.” As if on cue, a blob of light appeared in front of them and began to morph slowly. After ten seconds, the light image of Loni Arrak appeared and smiled at them.
“Loni, is Lini still on this planet?” Dave asked.
“Yes, Dave. She is close by. I’ll let you know if anything happens. But I am here to talk to the Elder if you don’t mind,” Loni said. She turned to face the old man. “Elder Pak, I’m afraid I have bad news. Your wife, Ila, is gravely ill. I am prepared to take you to her now.”
“Oh my God,” Dave sighed. “You must go to her, Odo. Lini and I will do what we can here.”
“Yes, thank you for that. Please do not leave the house until Lini returns. The androids will think you are a thief or worse without her here,” Odo said, his eyes moist with tears. “Let’s go, Loni.” The two disappeared, leaving Dave alone in the kitchen, sitting in front of Lini’s lunch.
§
The massive fleet of black planetoids shot through space at incredible speed. All the smaller Friends were housed inside the planetoids as they did not have the speed or food supply to transit to the spiral on their own. Vanda was again in full control of his planetoid and The Accord. He had reprimanded thousands of his Friends for their actions during his unconsciousness, and had asked the senior Friends to work on new procedures to avoid such insurrection in the future. Vanda’s mind reach out, “Opala, may we speak?”
“Yes, Master Vanda,” the other replied.
“I have sensed Dave Brewster on the planet Stit again,” Vanda said.
“Yes, I have sensed him too. What is your plan, Master?”
“To be sure, I do not wish to delay the invasion,” Vanda began. “However, he is an enticing target. After all, he was in my liquefier at the time of the explosion. Yet, now here he is, alive and well on Stit.”
“Master, it is your decision,” Opala replied. “We can all travel with you to Stit, or we can wait here or continue our journey. We will do as you command.”
“I need to capture Dave again. I need to know what he knows and how he brought the weapon into my station and escaped. It will take me three days to arrive at Stit and three more to reach this location again. You and the rest should continue toward the spiral, but do not invade the first system unless I tell you to do so.”
“Yes, Master. We will do as you command. I wish you well on your journey to Stit,” Opala said as Vanda’s planetoid began to slow down, left alone in the emptiness of space while the others raced toward Lubna.
§
Lini arrived at the river’s edge with Galat. She could see several sets of blue eyes on stalks out in the middle of the river, and smiled. She walked out into the water and sat down. After a minute or two, several of the Zula began to approach. She reached out to them very slowly and they stopped. “Please let me touch you so we can communicate,” she begged. Lini could see the eyes looking at one another as though arguing about this strange person calling out to them. Gradually, one of the Zula began to swim toward her. The other Zula looked concerned and afraid. It was almost close enough to touch when it stopped. “I can’t talk to you if I can’t touch you!” After another tense minute, the Zula moved forward and her hand touched it. “Hello, I’m Dar Lini of Zulanan.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know that place,” the Zula thought back. “Why did you call to us? Are you one of the machines that stole the people from this planet?”
“No, not at all. I am a Nan, just like the ones who used to live here. I’m trying to find out if this planet is a natural Hive,” she said.
“Wow! We haven’t heard of a Hive in many generations. Unfortunately, there is no Hive here,” the Zula said. “By the way, my name is Ulook.”
“That’s a funny coincidence,” Lini laughed. “I know another Zula with the same name. She lives on my home world, which is a natural Hive. If this planet is not a Hive, why are you here?”
“It’s an old story that’s been passed from generation to generation, Lini. It is said we were originally from a nearby planet that the Nan called Skee Lotho. The Nan there never used the Hive and forgot about it and us for a long time. Then the machines came. They began to round up the people and use them for food. It was horrifying. We stayed at the bottom of the ocean in order to protect ourselves. Eventually though, our ancestors were discovered. The machines created other machines that could dive in the ocean to capture us to feed the Nan. We reached out to the Source, but heard no reply from the other Zula worlds,” Ulook reported.
“That’s awful,” Lini gasped. “Then what happened?”
“This part of the story is too outrageous, and most of us no longer believe it,” Ulook continued. “As the fleet of diving robots was approaching, a single Nan man walked into our city. He walked into our city at the bottom of the ocean. He had no pressure suit or oxygen tank, but nonetheless, he walked in like he was on the surface. Imagine that! He said his name was . . .”
“Bandopaz Niderak,” Lini said.
“Yes, that’s right. How did you know?” Ulook asked.
“Please continue. I’m sorry for the interruption.”
“So this man, this Bandopaz Niderak said he was going to take us where we would be safe. He warned us the planet was not a Hive, but our lives were too precious for him to ignore,” Ulook said. “Within the blink of an eye, we were here, with our city intact and all. But there were no robots. We were saved.”
“That’s unbelievable,” Lini gasped.
“That’s why most of us don’t believe the part at the end.”
“Why didn’t The Accord come here to get you? They took all the people here and ate them too,” Lini said.
“According to the legend, the machines consumed the people here before returning to Skee Lotho to take those people. They assumed this planet was still barren and never returned, until you arrived today,” Ulook replied.
“But I am not of The Accord, Ulook,” Lini argued.
“Yes, but we can sense a false planetoid not far from here and another headed this way. Perhaps you have told them about us. Why would you do such a thing?”
“I would never do that, Ulook,” L
ini said. “I want to help you too. The Zula on my planet are our friends.”
“If you are our friend, please stop the machines from killing us, or have Bandopaz Niderak take us to a safer planet,” Ulook said angrily.
“I’ll do what I can,” Lini promised. Ulook and the rest of the Zula swam away. Lini stood and walked out of the river, where Galat wrapped a large towel around her and they headed back toward the house.
“Were the fish able to help you, Lini?” Galat asked.
“No. In fact, I think our job just got more complicated,” she replied.
Chapter 23
Odo appeared on the porch of his home on the planet Zulanan. He rushed through the building until he reached the master bedroom. Ila was lying quietly in bed, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. High Priest Obu Neela stood in a corner reciting prayers in a hushed voice. Odo walked through the crowded room, touching and hugging his family. All eyes were visibly moist. He sat softly on Ila’s bed, took her fragile hands in his and kissed her lips. “My darling, I am home.”
“Odo, my dearest, you should not be here,” she sighed. “The universe is in great danger, including our friend, Dave Brewster.”
“Dave will take care of the universe for now, sweetheart,” Odo smiled. “How do you feel?”
“I feel tired, and yet amazingly content with my life, our life,” she replied. “Do you remember how my parents did not want you to date me? My father was so stern. I can still see the grimace on his face when you met him for the first time.”
Odo chuckled and said, “I understood and accepted his doubts. You were a young girl, and I was already almost six thousand years old. I can’t believe we’ve been married over three thousand years, my sweet.”
She laughed. “I know. Most Nan feel fortunate to live to be one thousand years old. I have lived at least three lifetimes.” A tear slipped out of her eye and rolled down her cheek. “We have seen so many Nan be born and die, and yet, we continue along. My biggest regret is leaving you alone now. I don’t want my death to hurry your own, Odo. There is still so much you can do for the universe.”
He kissed her hands, and tears fell from his eyes now as well. “God tells each of us when our tasks are complete, Ila. If He chooses this day for me to rejoin Him in the Source, it will be my honor to do so. But don’t be so solemn. You aren’t going to die today, darling. We will have many more years together.”
“Tell me about our future, darling Odo,” she said.
“Once the Friends of The Accord are defeated, we will help the surviving Nan within their vessels to settle on their home planets in the Clouds, or we can bring them to other planets like Nan. They have lost their faith, and it will be our honor to help them recover that. You will teach them the time honored rituals and help to educate their children. I will introduce them to the Source. We will build new generations of elders and scientists, starting a renaissance for the Nan culture,” he said.
“It sounds so magical,” she replied through half-closed eyes. “Please continue.”
“When I met Dave Brewster, we all thought this was the only Nan planet in the universe. Now we are finding new ones on a regular basis! Can’t you see? The Nan are finally finding their proper place in the Free Society. We have gone from servants to the religious leaders of all humanity. We will teach the Nan and other races what we know about the Source and lead humanity into new galaxies! My darling, the future is so bright that it shines like a supernova!” Odo exclaimed.
Ila did not answer. She had passed away happily listening to the vision of the future and holding her dear husband’s hands.
§
Dave saw it all. He had dozed off, sitting at the kitchen table of Eon’s home. His string of light had shot across thousands of light-years of empty space to stand at the foot of Ila’s bed. Everyone was bereft and crying. Obu was chanting an ancient prayer to aid the spirit of the departed to join the Source. Odo’s head was down and his family were touching him and crying for their mother. Dave felt a tingle and turned sideways. A pink string of light was floating next to him, also looking down on the scene. “We will miss you, Ila,” he said at last.
“Thank you, Dave. Thank you for loving me and especially for taking care of Odo. He will need you now more than ever,” Ila’s string replied.
“How do you feel?”
“That’s an interesting question, Dave. I feel very connected, if that makes any sense to you,” she said.
“Good. It makes complete sense to me. That’s a great answer. I swear I will do all I can to protect Odo.”
“Thank you. I think you should return to Stit now. Lini is about to come back into the kitchen. Take care Dave, always remember that I love you and please tell Odo that I’m okay now. Goodbye,” Ila said as her string of light shot out of the room.
He heard a doorknob being turned and opened his eyes as Lini and Galat stepped back into the kitchen. “Dave!” she shouted as she rushed over, pulled him to his feet and kissed his face over and again. “You’re here! You’re safe! Thank goodness! I was expecting to find Odo, but you’re much better!”
Lini talked nonstop about the plan to help Mantarcus transcend and about Galat the robot and how Odo and Bandopaz Niderak had visited the planet. She told him about the robot holding her in the air and how Loni Arrak had attempted to take her back to Tak-Makla. Dave had heard it all before, but the opportunity to listen to her sweet voice and see the excitement in her eyes and face was too precious to ignore. She was so excited that she kept switching languages from Nan to Gallicean to English. He had to concentrate hard to catch everything that was said. Galat had cleared the dishes and began to prepare dinner, and still Lini chatted away. When dinner was almost ready, Eon entered the kitchen and walked over to the cupboard, removing a snifter and bottle of brandy. He assumed Lini was talking to the robot and did not even notice Dave at the table, until he turned to sit with her and almost dropped his glass.
“Lini, who is your friend?” Eon asked.
“Oh, I’m sorry. This is Admiral Dave Brewster,” she replied.
Dave stood and shook the man’s hand. “I’ve heard all about you, Eon.”
“And I have heard much about you too, Admiral,” Eon smiled. “Would you care for a drink?”
“Yes, please, but call me Dave.”
After he poured two more glasses for Lini and Dave, he joined them at the table and raised his glass for a toast. “Here’s to new friends,” Eon said as they touched their glasses together. “So, what brings you here, Dave?”
“You, actually,” he replied. “Elder Pak and I want to help you convince the Friends to transcend as you have.”
“Is he here too? I met him on Fistnan, and perhaps elsewhere as well. I need to ask him a question about that,” Eon asked.
“He was here, but had to leave quickly.” He took Lini’s hands and continued, “I’m afraid his wife has just passed away.”
“Oh no,” Lini gasped.
“Please offer my condolences to your friend, Dave. I hope to speak to him later,” Eon replied. “So, what do we do now? Lini has been trying to help me for some time, but I guess I just don’t know what to do. I’ve even been visited by Bandopaz Niderak, but still I don’t understand what he’s talking about.”
“A great question for which I don’t have an answer,” Dave admitted. “From my own life, I have found that I accomplish the most when the situation is desperate. So, in a way, I think I may be the bait.”
“So you’re the reason my brother, Vanda, has turned around and is headed in this direction! I was wondering what caused that. What did you do to him?” Eon asked.
Galat began setting plates of food in front of them. “Thank you, G17,” Eon said.
Lini touched Eon’s hand and said, “Oops! I forgot to tell you. We’ve given G17 a new name. He is now Galat.”
“Galat? Okay, if that’s what you both want,” Eon replied. “Please go on, Dave.”
“I know I pissed him off. With
Odo’s help, several of the Friends have reverted back to human status,” Dave began. “Of course, there was the bomb, but I didn’t do that.”
“What? None of that is possible. Their bodies are long gone. What kind of witchcraft does this Odo possess?” Eon gasped.
“I’m no expert on these matters,” Dave replied. “But I saw Nostu changed from a brain in a jar robot into a normal human. The Source is really providing the bodies, I guess.”
“But won’t Vanda just chop them up now?”
“No, they are more than two million light-years away. We all went to Lagamar Ulu in the Andromeda Galaxy,” Dave replied.
“You’re making this up, right? How is that possible? Is this Odo a transcendent man too?”
“No, he is just a man like me,” Dave said. “But somehow he is more than that. He has lived more than nine thousand years, protected by the natural Hive on his home planet. I have to admit I’ve never met anyone else like him.”
“He sounds like a remarkable man,” Eon replied.
“Odo is the best. He’s always trying to help me to build my connection to Universal Power. He and his friend, High Priest Obu Neela, have told me that I have a unique connection to that energy, although too often I doubt myself.”
Lini squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek. “Dave, you are such an amazing guy,” she began. “You have friends from all different planets and species. I don’t think I could have done one quarter of the things you’ve done already. The people on every Nan planet that has been discovered outside the home galaxy felt they were alone. Now, they know they have friends like Odo and you to help them.”
“Thanks, Lini, but I had a lot of help,” Dave said, “including yours.”
“If I may interrupt your reunion, could you please tell me about the bomb?” Eon asked.
“First, Lini, you can see me and I am really here, but what happened was not pleasant,” Dave started. “After Odo and I helped some Friends regain their human form, Vanda was mad with anger. He immediately sent me and two friends to the liquefiers. Odo had told me he would not fail, but when the doors opened and the spinning blades approached, I felt our lives were over.”
