by Hylton Smith
Yamamoto continued, “What are the characteristics by which we humans would distinguish them?”
Red seemed pleased. “A very advanced radio interferometer would be useful in detecting relevant phenomena.” Yamamoto’s parting query was a shot in the dark. “Could local impending cataclysmic events be influential, if they were close enough to the formation of a wormhole? For example – the three gas giants’ instability causing the destruction of the entire 55 Cancri system?”
“That is a fascinating scenario. It could, in theory, if concurrent with a wormhole creation being the detonator for a chain reaction which would register concern with the Progenitors.” Red would remind himself to inform Alex 2 that Yamamoto was one of the most promising of his species.
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Carvalho conferred with Xiang and suggested that they should nullify any further renegade behaviour of Radmanov by confronting him with what they knew. He would be told they knew he was to eliminate the Eisentrager sisters, and as such he would face this charge when he did come back to Earth. If he was prepared to admit the charge that their witness had confessed, they would count his enforced stay on Mars as his penitence. He would be expected to be under the most severe probationary scrutiny in order for this to extinguish the charge. They both felt this was the best compromise. Evading the Russians was his problem; Beijing could not speak for them. He was not to be told of Ledovskaya’s request.
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Although the Echus Chasma site was not actively manned now, there was the occasional visit to check if the communication device had received any reply. It was negative, and therefore the assumption was made that it was the same technology as the automatic one which went from the screens in Pandora’s Rift.
With the re-allocation of manpower to the other projects, life became routine but very efficient. The forest lake was completed and added to the mini-ecosystem which now covered almost 13% of the planet surface. Road connections between the explored sites were complete and fabrication robots had been assembled to boost the infrastructure drive.
Chapter 33
Transition
Although Mars was gradually acquiring an atmosphere, there were no clouds to camouflage the Rabo ship hovering above the forest. It was a moment of profound destiny and apprehension; it was being filmed for onward transmission to the blue planet, which was invisible to the human eye, but within the grasp of the imagination. It was a moment of almost unbearable tension. This did not strictly apply to the Symbiants, yet there was a tangible aura of anticipation, displayed by their unusually animated technobabble. All of the spectators on the ground felt privileged to be present. The spectators numbered more than seventy now that Colossus had delivered the first lifetime colonists. These people had been chosen to forge social and infrastructure advances. Unfortunately it had thrown together conceptual plans without sufficient social research. The ‘plumbers, farmers, nurses and the like’ could not relate to the Symbiants. They appeared aloof, as they only really spoke when spoken to, and there was not much overlap in their conversation. They also were not inconvenienced by management of synthetic food, and many of their programmes for ‘growing’ Martian food had been unsuccessful. The lack of insects had proved more difficult than expected to overcome by genetic manipulation. Management of human waste was beginning to be a concern – the Symbiants were blissfully free of such primitive requirements. Their ability to walk around with impunity in relation to atmospheric constituent was an irritant rather than a marvel.
The human ‘project team’ did not fare much better. They had finite contracts and could therefore contemplate returning to the relatively pleasant ‘rat race’ culture on Earth. They were viewed as the middle class citizens. These factions were simmering despite the common purpose they shared. This moment of the Rabo arrival was one of temporary unity. As the senior human presence in both rank and experience, Carvalho wanted to harness the occasion to recover the pioneer spirit which was so evident just a year ago.
The separation of a descent module cracked the silence on the ground as they followed its trajectory to a carefully prepared site between Marineris Central and Utopia Planitia. The site had been encircled by fabricated Rabo symbols to welcome the caretakers and offer these landing coordinates.
The Symbiants had constructed learning programmes for the humans in the recognition of Rabo symbols, but as the language was based on values from which the symbols were derived, it was a cumbersome transfer of semantic capability. The fluency of the Symbiants in this respect was disturbing to those who simply could not grasp the principle of a language which was not really open to ambiguity. Because even the most able humans were barely capable of constructing phrases in a time frame which permitted a dialogue, this would have to fall to Alex 2.
The module had landed with the anticipated precision. The exit of the visitors was initially obscured by dust which had not yet settled, and it added to the air of mystique. There were five in this first party which advanced toward the hosts. They stopped some twenty metres short of the ‘Martians’ as if they were inviting spokesmen from the new inhabitants of this familiar outpost.
The gesture was anticipated and three Symbiants – Red, Pascal 2 and Alex 2, were joined by Carvalho and Nielsen.
The marsupial-like features of the visitors did not betray facial expression or body language, but the colour of their eyes was changing subtly and in concert with clicking noises. A welcome book, which opened with the confession that they had not yet mastered any of the Rabo spoken language, and they would have to begin with written exchanges, was offered. Building blocks would emerge by talking and pointing or drawing. Alex 2 had tried to assure them that this would develop quickly. The book very briefly charted human evolution and the reasons for the colonisation. It also listed all the discoveries they had made so far about the Rabo. It apologised for referring to them in this way, explaining Red’s rationale in choosing the term. It then politely asked how they would like to be referred to in future. The very first point concerning the spoken language produced a kaleidoscope of eye colours within the group of five and this time they were very different from one another, almost as if this were a conversation.
The conclusion of the colour changes resulted in the assumed leader clicking an instruction to a colleague on his left. A tablet was handed to him or her, and the leader began to summon up symbols from a parabolic subsection. Red translated for the humans. Their first offering was to refer to themselves as ‘Axis’. This was followed by a brief notation explaining that they too had headed the evolutionary pyramid in 55 Cancri, specifically their home planet known mathematically as Nexus. The second offering was a request to learn the language of the ‘Martians’. When Alex 2 explained that there were two possibilities and the difference between them, the Axis leader consulted the others and the colour flashing recommenced. The leader then pronounced that the technobabble was more complicated for them so they would prefer the human ‘symbols’. This provoked a question from Carvalho through Alex 2. “Are the colours we see in your eyes different from the symbols you use when clicking?”
The reply described a strange but rather elegant dual means of communication. When expressing feelings the colours varied in hue, intensity and dimension. Beginning from the left, the order was to convey how they felt about criteria. The clicking was related directly to the symbols and was used more for execution of agreed criteria. This was a very rough explanation and its actual sophistication was too complex for now.
The leader explained that they thought this time would never come even though they had continued the maintenance of their outposts. They were overcome with joy and again the colours emphasised this with a dazzling orchestration of considerable length. When this was transmitted to the whole gathering there was respectful waving of arms. Quite what they made of this was not yet certain but it caused another spectral concerto.
The leader explained that they were not completely suited to the radiation le
vels and atmosphere, so they would need to retire soon. Alex 2 explained that they might be comfortable in one of the giant domes. This was acknowledged by colour; then the clicks denoted that they would go back to the module for a short period before returning with the rest of their party. There was a lot to achieve and all of their kin would be permitted to participate.
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The transmission that went back to Earth could not capture the drama and details such as the colour displays, yet it was spellbinding - as shown by the view ratings. Xiang and the executive were aware of the uneasiness which had preceded this long-awaited contact from both sides, and were relieved that it went so well. There were all kinds of suggestions put forward by consultants, psychologists, and internal executives for a remedy to the apparent rifts in the Martian population. They seemed to overlook the obvious in favour of the esoteric and complicated alternatives. Just as important as the social situation was the next scheduled colony transport to the red and green planet. Delay announcements to this would equate to terrible P.R. Xiang was nearing his threshold of tolerance with some of the ‘committee’ approaches to a faraway problem. He was to deliver an ultimatum and for this he wanted Carvalho’s help. He had primed the Commander to expect a personal request for him to construct a visual analysis of the situation from all groups’ point of view. The recommendations should be simple, clear, and endorsed by representatives of each group.
Mike and his friends were hardly noticed at all when returning to China to look for more crystal.
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The second meeting of the Axis people and the multicultural Martians found the former more relaxed with the protective dome as the venue. The happy colours were reflected around the hosts.
One of the first items the Axis were anxious to relate was the fact that in all of their travels since the exodus from Nexus, they had never met or seen evidence of any sentient life form other than when they observed Mars and Earth nearly three million years ago. It was poignant insofar as Earthlings had dreamt of such contact, and initiated SETI programmes, but this race had journeyed colossal distances in search of company and a new home.
The burning question on the minds of the human race, which inhabited Mars and Earth, was how they escaped their solar system and the implications of outside help. There was a keen eye on the colour exhibition as the question was delivered by Alex 2. It was quite a long phase and tended towards anxiety. The clicking was however, very short and they proceeded with the tablet.
The leader said it was very difficult at times for them to definitively discriminate between ‘recorded history and myth’ when studying their heritage. Even the former had content which was flavoured with interpretation. Technology or, more precisely, the lack of it, compounded the grading of veracity. The commonly held belief was now confined to those of the species who had opted to leave Nexus and then continue the faith that the alteration of their physiology was acceptable. There were some who had since then chosen to ‘die’ although they had basically subscribed to the historical consensus. The Master of Fate was believed to have encountered the life form which called itself the Continuance. In the succeeding centuries, rapid developments had been welcomed by the populous. The dichotomy of leaving their homeworld and one of interfering with their inherited intelligence conspired to the extinction of those remaining. When the first interstellar ships were launched, there was hope and yet within a short period the expertise of the designers was lost. They knew how to operate the ship, just as their medical people knew how to construct the spheres and carcasses. However there was a gap in the fundamental principles leading to the entire era.
Despite the human clamour to ask what amounted to leading questions on this explanation, Alex 2 insisted on staying with a pure Axis recollection of events. He asked, “Did your people locate a wormhole with the first ship?”
The answer was affirmative as evaluated by probability of historical research. Alex 2 continued, “Is there any description of the resultant energy as a consequence of the spatial distortion?” The answer was again in the affirmative but without quantification.
“Did your people at that time have concerns about this energy and the deteriorating stability of the gas giants?”
The colours were ablaze. The clicks were very loud. In their vivid recollections, they overlooked the Symbiant’s current inability to decipher the spoken language. However, symbols stressed that the reports by those still on Nexus described a pandemic of fear. Extremely graphic descriptions of unparalleled, volcanic activity and earthquakes were said to have occurred simultaneously with the spatial distortion. They carried on for many days and terminated over four million Axis citizens. Many more were seriously injured. The hope turned to misery. It was possible that this event was responsible for the loss of knowhow.
“Did this accelerate the collapse of the gas giants?”
Another conference took place. The considered view was that it would have, as the pressure to avoid a repeat was not only based on the carnage of the citizens, but on strings of cosmic calculations, which have never been found. Alex 2 asked his last question for now. “Do you know what those calculations were supposed to predict?”
The eyes darkened. They turned black, with the tablet symbols indicating a chain reaction of such annihilation potential, that the effects may even have been noticed on the planet they were standing on now. The more social aspects continued for several hours and everyone agreed to begin the mutual effort to learn the other’s written or spoken language. The Axis leader suggested that humans would benefit from beginning precise interpretation of the colour sequences of the eyes
Chapter 34
Carvalho’s transmission to Xiang was brutally frank. “The sociologists and psychologists may be patting one another on the back for doing a thorough job in vetting colonists. Let me tell you that thoroughness is only effective if it is correctly targeted. These voluntary ‘Martians’ have been badly let down. Of course they knew that there would be a honeymoon period, after which it would become a hard, monotonous existence – without end. There has been a serious lack of consideration concerning leisure time. This is much more critical than on Earth. Far too much emphasis has been applied to the objectives, the grandiose scope of colonisation - their place in history, team ethic, and individual contribution. This is the stuff of sports psychology and it may be useful to a point. By comparison, too little attention has been given to the medium of ‘enjoyment’. It has been wrongly deduced from the reports on the science mission personnel that this aspect did not register prominently on their boxes to be ticked. However those individuals had finite lengths of time to consider, and achievements to be completed within that reference. In addition, they were largely dealing with the unknown – so the fascination factor kept resurfacing. The colonists are basically doing what they did on Earth, but under stressful conditions. In short we need data streaming for news bulletins, cinemas with latest releases, interactive programmes from Earth in which Martians can participate. We need to consider appointing a social advisor here to work with one there who has no other responsibility. I can promise you that they will be inundated with ideas and requests. I believe if we expect people to eventually have children here, this aspect needs a high ranking, dedicated officer, making sure we hit these far reaching comfort zones. The Symbiants and the mission project humans do not need such focussed social networking but it would still be beneficial, and help avoid enclaves developing in future. My colleagues here beside me have discussed this proposal with me and agreed that it is critical to address this prior to more, valuable colonists arriving and believe me, they are urgently required.”
The Symbiants and colonists not only affirmed their support but volunteered to be active in organising the entertainment complex. Xiang knew he could rely on Carvalho to ‘shake the tree’, and he was delighted to see the concern on the faces of the theorists watching the transmission with him.
He had also received reports from Mike that vir
tually all the Chinese sources of antimony they had found were too contaminated to be used or occur in the red crystal. He said that after conferring with Finn and Dane, they believed most of the remaining accessible sources would now be at the bottom of oceans or seas. At present these locations were considered to be virtually impossible to explore, detect and mine.
Xiang recalled them and said they were needed on Mars again and would go as soon as possible. They would pilot Newton as soon as the refit was finished. Three additional engineers and a new director of social programmes for Mars would be aboard. Further replications on Mars were under temporary embargo until the social cracks were repaired.
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After several cross-tutorials and more integration events, the Axis members were more comfortable with ‘mingling’. Between their tasks to inspect, repair and maintain their various refuges on the planet they had fastidiously progressed in human language, whereas humans had not achieved the reverse. The Symbiants ascribed these asymmetric achievements to the nature of the languages, not to relative Axis/Martian abilities.
Despite this, more exchange of information had occurred. The leader made it clear that he only held that title among the caretakers – those who had chosen not to renew or exchange spheres and carcasses. The overall leader was back in their main domain. Alex 2 had incorrectly assumed from the information found on Mars that this domain would be in either the Epsilon Eridani or Gliese system. That perception was corrected. “No, we only communicate with our race in those locations, we do not see them.”
Curiosity flourished and Alex 2 pressed. “Why is that?”
“The disastrous opening of the wormhole which allowed four of our ships to enter had multiple exit points. We decided during the time we were travelling through it on conventional thrust that we should explore more than one exit. This was to increase our chance of finding a new home and spreading the risk of not doing so, if we could not open the wormhole again.”
