Blue Planet Rising (Pebbles in the Sky Book 2)

by Jeffery Bagley

  “I spent about four hours talking with him yesterday,” explained Beatrice. “It seems all he wants to talk about is human sex and reproduction. He’s fascinated by the fact that humans do not change sexes. We finally got all this Ranor and Sabba stuff figured out. It turns out that the Barbakath, Odysseus’s creators, had an interesting reproduction cycle. All of the Barbakath start out life as a Monda, or immature female. When they reach sexual maturity they are called a Sabba. They then mate with a Ranor and typically conceive two offspring. The act of giving birth sets up a hormonal change and the Sabba rapidly becomes a Ranor, or a male. They actually change sexes. Within a year of giving birth, the Sabba has become a Ranor that can breed with another Sabba. The interesting thing is that the immature Barbakath and the Sabbas are not really very intelligent. As a matter of fact, they are almost…animal like. The Ranor care for them, and keep them safe until the time that they breed and are transformed into Ranor themselves.”

  Brianna was fascinated. “That explains a lot about all the questions Odysseus was asking about if we were Ranor or Sabba. Odysseus had kept asking me how I had become a Ranor without having a baby, and then how I could become Sabba if I was Ranor. I never could get him to understand.”

  “Well, he understands now,” laughed Beatrice. “He talks and asks so many questions about reproduction and producing offspring you would think he was a human male. He’s also quite interested in genetics and our computers.”

  “Actually, he’s interested in just about everything,” said Kristy. “We have held off giving him any additional references until you returned. The psychologists at NASA think that somehow Odysseus bonded with you since you were the first to interact with him when we went in the big dome.”

  “He hasn’t contacted me since I have returned,” stated Brianna.

  “That’s because I asked him not to call us on our PA’s unless it was very urgent or we contacted him first,” Kristy informed her. “He was driving us crazy by calling constantly. I suspect he’s conveniently eavesdropping on us all the time. I explained that listening to others conversations is an invasion of privacy. Evidently, the Barbakath did not value privacy the way that we do. I think the concept was quite new to him.”

  Brianna thought for a moment. “We need to set up a separate channel for talking to Odysseus similar to what each of our PA’s has.”

  “We’ve already done that. Your PA should have synchronized with his setting. You can call and talk to him privately just like you can any of us,” Kristy said.

  Brianna tapped her PA. “Odysseus, this is Brianna. Can you hear me?”

  “Hello Brianna. I’ve been waiting to talk to you.”

  “I want to talk to you also, Odysseus, but I’m very tired right now. I’ll come to talk to you in the morning,” Brianna told him.

  “You do not physically have to come into the main…dome to talk to me, Brianna. I can talk to you over your PA,” Odysseus replied.

  “I know that Odysseus, but I still want to talk to you there. I’ll come in the morning after I sleep. Goodbye Odysseus.”

  “Goodbye, Brianna. Brianna?”

  “Yes, Odysseus?” Brianna sighed.

  “Goodnight.”

  Brianna couldn’t help but smile. “Goodnight Odysseus.”

  She tapped her PA off. “Wow, you’re not kidding Kristy. It’s almost like talking to a real person now. What references did you give him?”

  “Just about every book on English grammar and syntax they could round up back at NASA. He also got several of the most extensive dictionaries and a complete set of college texts for courses that a typical college student would have. Not degree specific, but the basic core classes,” Kristy answered.

  “What has he said about human history?” Brianna asked.

  Frederick started laughing and Albert was grinning.

  “What?” asked Brianna.

  “Odysseus asked Frederick if he was a Nazi,” Albert said. “That’s the danger of giving information with no experience or knowledge to put it into syntax. Odysseus read about World War Two and just assumed that all Germans were Nazis. We need to be sure to answer his questions carefully so he doesn’t make bad assumptions. Knowledge can be dangerous if not applied properly.”

  Chapter 48

  May 23rd, 2047

  Elpis

  Brianna woke early and went to the latrine area to relieve herself. She was walking back to the ‘A’ dome when she passed Frederick who was on his way to the men’s latrine.

  “Good morning, Frederick,” Brianna smiled.

  “Good morning, Brianna. I’m on my way to make my daily contribution to the fertilizer fund,” he laughed.

  “I guess that’s one way of putting it,” grinned Brianna. Did you notice if Kristy was up yet? She was still asleep when I went out.”

  “I saw her heading up to the communication station on the hill. She’s going to have Jason, David, Donald and I to move it down beside the ‘A’ dome. We’re either going to have to set up a repeater station, or place the transmitting and receiving array on the sensor scaffolding on the main dome. I guess Kristy will need to discuss that with Odysseus. We don’t want any interference from the domes sensors, and we need to make sure it won’t mess up Odysseus’s equipment.”

  “If you see her, ask her to come to the main dome. I’m not really hungry this morning and I have a lot to talk about with Odysseus,” Brianna said.

  He nodded. “I’ll let her know.”

  Brianna went straight to the large dome. The doors opened as she approached.

  “Good morning, Brianna,” Odysseus said as she entered the learning room. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Yes, Odysseus. You probably don’t need to sleep, do you?” she asked.

  “No, I do not require rest periods,” he replied.

  “I have some questions for you Brianna,” Odysseus stated.

  “I have some for you also,” Brianna replied. “Let’s take turns, you go first Odysseus.”

  “Do human females or males care for human…babies until they are mature?”

  “Well, it depends, Odysseus. A woman can breast feed a baby, but a man cannot. A baby can also be fed artificial formula or nutrients. If you do that, a woman is not even required to care for the baby after it’s born. Typically though, the woman usually provides the majority of the care with help from the man, although it’s not a necessity.”

  “Who cared for the Barbakath babies, Odysseus?” Brianna asked.

  “Barbakath juveniles are able to stand when they are…several human hours old. A Sabba would regurgitate partly digested food for them to eat for about ten human days. After that, they could eat the same sustenance as a Sabba or Ranor,” he told her.

  “Who takes care of human babies if there is no…mother or father?” asked Odysseus

  “Well,” said Brianna, “A relative or foster parent. I guess you would call them a surrogate mother or father. Another human would take over the duties that an actual mother or father would do.”

  Brianna was already getting frustrated. Kristy had been right. Odysseus was fixated on human reproduction.

  “It’s my turn to ask a question, Odysseus.” Brianna said. She was determined to cut the crap and find out what was driving this line of questions from Odysseus.

  “Odysseus, what is your purpose? Why were you created? Why were you put here in this outpost by the Barbakath?” Brianna asked.

  “That is three questions, Brianna.”

  “Odysseus, please answer the question,” she repeated.

  “Brianna, I feel…fear.”

  “How can a machine feel fear, Odysseus?” she asked.

  “I’m not a machine,” he answered.

  “What are you then, Odysseus?” she asked.

  “I am an…artificial intelligence. I do not exist as a machine. I am…here. This outpost as you call it is me.”

  “Your memory function, your reasoning function has to exist in a machine or a computer Odysseus,�
�� she stated.

  “I’m confused about a concept, Brianna. Your brain functions as your data center and reasoning center. However, your view of yourself is not of your brain alone. It’s the summation of all your data and your body as well. Is this not correct?”

  Brianna thought about that for a moment. He did have a point. “So, you’re saying that you view this whole complex as your body then. Is that correct Odysseus?”

  “Yes, Brianna.”

  “Then, what is your purpose, Odysseus? What were you put on this planet for?” she asked again.

  “My purpose is to ensure that the Barbakath and their world do not die.”

  “Now, I’m confused, Odysseus. You showed us images of the brown dwarf star destroying the Barbakath home planet. Are you telling me that some of your creators survived?”

  “No. Ptrafath, the invader destroyed Horast. There is no living Barbakath,” Odysseus corrected her.

  “Then, I’m sorry, Odysseus, if that was your purpose, it’s too late.” Brianna said sympathetically.

  “My purpose was not to save the Barbakath, but to ensure that they live again,” he replied.

  “Odysseus, what are you here for?” Brianna said in frustration.

  “I’m afraid, Brianna. The fusion warhead that is under the Barbakath spaceship endangers my purpose.”

  “Odysseus, if we understood your purpose, and we knew it was no threat to humans, we would remove the warhead. Are you a threat to humans, Odysseus? Are you here to hurt humans? Are you here to do war with us?”

  “The Barbakath did not wage war as humans do. That is why I am afraid. The Barbakath did not kill each other like humans do. I am afraid that humans will wage war on the Barbakath. The fusion warhead is for war,” Odysseus said.

  “Odysseus, the Barbakath are all dead, is that correct?” Brianna stated.

  “Yes, the Barbakath are all dead.” Odysseus replied.

  “Why are you here, Odysseus? What is your purpose? If you are here and your purpose is not a threat to humans, we will remove the warhead. Why are you here?” she demanded in frustration.

  “To give…birth to the Barbakath,” he said.

  Brianna sat stunned. Finally she asked, “Did you say that your purpose is to give birth to the Barbakath?”

  “Yes,” Odysseus answered.

  “Odysseus, are you still patching through communications to outside the dome?” Brianna asked.

  “Yes, communications are still being relayed.”

  Brianna tapped her PA. “Kristy, this is Brianna. I need you, Jason, Beatrice, and Albert to come to the learning room in the main dome right now. It’s important.”

  “We’re on our way Brianna. Are you ok?” replied Kristy.

  “I’m ok. We have a development with Odysseus that needs to be discussed.”

  Brianna waited until the others arrived huffing and puffing from running.

  “Jason was alarmed. Is everything ok?”

  “I’m sorry, but Odysseus just gave me some information that I thought other people needed to hear besides me. Everyone catch your breath,” said Brianna

  When they weren’t gasping anymore, Brianna spoke up. “Odysseus, you told me that all the Barbakath were dead. Is that correct?”

  “Yes Brianna, the last living Barbakath died.”

  “Where did the last Barbakath die Odysseus?” asked Brianna.

  “In the lower level of this…complex,” Odysseus answered.

  “Odysseus, tell the others what you told me. Tell them your purpose.” Brianna commanded.

  “To give birth to the Barbakath,” Odysseus replied.

  The others looked at Brianna in confusion.

  Kristy spoke up. “Odysseus, will you give us access to the rest of this complex?”

  “If you will remove the fusion device that is beneath the Barbakath spaceship, I will allow full access.” Odysseus said.

  “Odysseus, I’ill have the device removed from this site and disabled. I promise you. Will you give us access?”

  There was silence for about thirty seconds. “Humans have full access to all levels. Regeneration matrix and regeneration tank controls are restricted,” Odysseus informed them.

  “Let’s go,” said Kristy.

  They left the learning room and walked around to the opposing doors that previously had refused to open. Kristy walked up to the inner one. “What’s behind this door, Odysseus?”

  “Control and command center.”

  “Open the door, Odysseus.” She ordered.

  The door sections slid apart and they walked in. There was no doubt that this was the main control center for the complex. There were about a dozen large hexagonal displays and a multitude of control stations with stubby switches and buttons labeled with the Barbakath dots that they now knew were a written language. Three of the displays were active. Two of them showed the interior of the small domes and the other one showed the main dome entrance. They saw Master Chief and David talking in the area in front of the main dome.

  Kristy tapped her PA. “Master Chief. Everything is ok in here. You guys can get back to what you were doing.”

  Master Chief nodded. “Will do, just call if you need us.”

  Kristy led the way out of the command center. What’s behind the other door, Odysseus?”

  “It’s a transport tube…an elevator.”

  “Would you please open the door, Odysseus?” she asked.

  The door opened to a circular room about three meters wide.

  “How many levels are there below this one, Odysseus?” Kristy asked.

  “There are three habitable levels. There is a fourth level with power generation and storage facilities that is not…safe for biological life forms,” Odysseus said.

  “What is on the next level down, Odysseus?” she asked.

  “The regeneration matrixes…and storage.”

  Kristy led the group into the elevator. “Take us down one level, Odysseus”.

  The door shut and they felt a sensation of sinking until it stopped and the door re-opened. They walked into a large circular space. The walls were lined with silver colored cylinders. In the center of the room was another large grouping of the cylinders and a single control station with a display.

  Brianna spoke to Odysseus. “Odysseus, what is in those cylinders?”

  “They contain re-generation matrixes.”

  “Odysseus, do these cylinders contain Barbakath embryos?”

  “No. The Barbakath are all dead,” Odysseus answered.

  “How are you going to give birth to the Barbakath again then, Odysseus?” asked Brianna.

  “From the re-generation matrixes,” Odysseus replied.

  “I don’t get it,” said Jason.

  “Odysseus, can you show us what is in the matrixes?” asked Albert.

  “I do not have…sensory capability to show a visual view of a matrix. I can show you a simulated view of what a matrix would look like if not contained,” said Odysseus.

  The display at the single control station lit up and showed a hazy and milky white fog. Occasionally there would be a faint spark or light within the fog. They all stared in wonder at the display. Suddenly, Brianna slapped herself on the side of her head.

  “We’re all so damned stupid. The answer has been right there in front of us all this time!” she exclaimed.

  “You’ve really lost me now,” said Jason.

  “Odysseus,” Brianna said breathlessly. “What is a matrix?”

  Odysseus was silent for a minute. “I have insufficient human technological references to answer.”

  “Odysseus, is a matrix a data storage device?” Brianna asked.

  “Its purpose is for data storage, but does not utilize data storage technology similar to human computers. Human data storage is inefficient and very slow compared to Barbakath methods,” Odysseus informed her.

  “I bet it’s a holographic storage bank,” said Brianna. “Now, it all makes since. Think about it. Your world is about
to be destroyed and you don’t have the technology to save your people. You can’t get any of them to another star system or planet without having to feed or provide for them for hundreds or thousands of years? How can you ensure the survival of your race?”

  “Suspended animation?” asked Beatrice.

  “No!” cried Brianna. This whole complex is one big DNA ark, just like the one my parents made on Earth. Odysseus’s creators couldn’t build an interstellar starship, so they sent all the DNA data for recreating their race in the care of an artificial intelligence that could recreate them when he found the right place and time.” She gestured around, “This is Odysseus’s purpose.”

  “Odysseus, is the biological data, the DNA of the Barbakath stored in these matrixes?” Brianna asked.

  “The biological data required for regeneration of the creators and approximately…eighty six percent of the other known life forms from Horast are stored in the regeneration matrixes,” Odysseus answered.

  Brianna was so excited she could barely talk. “They couldn’t save themselves, but they saved the information needed to resurrect their race and the other life forms from their world. This is exactly what we did with the DNA Ark on Earth. We never dreamed of doing what they have done though. That’s why Odysseus is afraid of the bomb we put up there. If it was detonated, then an entire world’s biological evolution would be lost.”

  Kristy tried to wrap her mind around what Brianna was saying. “So, you’re saying that Odysseus is here to resurrect the people who created him.”

  “Not them specifically, but their race,” Brianna replied.

  “Why didn’t he do that instead of sending off a beacon to get our attention? If he wished to re-populate this planet with all those life forms, why advertise he was here and get our attention?” Jason asked.

  “Maybe we should ask Odysseus that,” Beatrice said.

  “Odysseus, why did you set off the beacon to attract our attention?” Albert asked.

  “It was necessary, that was my instructions,” answered Odysseus.

  “Why was it necessary?” asked Kristy.

  “Communication of decision process may not be possible. Some human references are inadequate,” Odysseus said.