by Paul Lucas
I frowned. No, not my own people. Not really. Yes, the Myotans of Llexa were the “mainstream Myotan population” of Lerner’s speculation, the mysterious larger group that my tribe had split off from about three centuries ago. But the generations of time since that splintering had created a vast distance between us. Their feudal society was as different from mine as the Humans’ industrialized one. Kalen talked much about reforms and freedom for all, but in truth from everything I had seen the common citizens were little better than farming fodder. They lived in squalid shelters not much improved over what the far more primitive H’rai had, toiling away most of their waking hours trying to meet the demands of their own shrunken bellies and the tithes demanded by their government.
After the Cephalopod’s startling offer, after I had lapsed into a deep silence contemplating it, Kalen had tried to talk to the ‘Pod representative about some of the reforms I had suggested to him. The creature would have none of it, rejecting the ideas as a remnant “corrupting influence” of the humans over me. Kalen had been obviously disappointed, perhaps even a little angry, but said nothing.
Kalen. He seemed a good male, but trapped by politics and circumstances. He and I had shared evening meals for the last several days. He had proven to be very charming and witty, and was never hesitant to compliment me.
I bounced a little on the mattress, and not for the first time fantasized what a wonderful experience love-making must be on such a bed. Only I did not always envision Lerner with me. Kalen was intruding more and more on my fantasies of late.
It was only natural, was it not, to be curious about a handsome male? It was not as if I had never fantasized about other males, even after Lerner and I were Mated. But they were only breezes of insubstantial imagination.
I could imagine Kalen's deep gray eyes piercing me as I slipped him out of his clothes, his rich baritone voice gasping and moaning as I explored his hard muscles, his broad chest shuddering against my bosom as he enfolded me in his wings...
I blinked away the fantasy from my mind's eye. Spirits, I was so lonely. Perhaps when Lerner returned to me, I would have much less need to think of other males.
If he returned to me, I had to remind myself.
After all, I had not spoken directly to the Others, only through the Cephalopods, so I could not tell exactly how trustworthy the invertebrates' promise had been. Their record with Kalen’s people had been dubious at best.
The Cephalopods had given them the means of casting off the tyranny of the old Autocrat, but the “freedom” that followed was strictly on the space scavengers’ terms. The Council and its underlings had enough ‘Pod-supplied high technology to hold onto its position of power and make a few token improvements, but not the underlying knowledge of how that technology worked. But the Cephalopods kept stringing them along with promises of better machines and better techniques, occasionally giving them dribbles of things like gunpowder technology, if the Myotans would keep supplying their clan with organic materials. By now the high tech machines were integral in both the Llexan power structure and economy; giving them up and thumbing their snouts at the ‘Pods would lead to disaster. Plus there was the fact of the ‘Pods subtle threats should the Myotans ever try to upset the balance.
It was a trap with few ways out. Much like the one I found myself in.
My friends and myself were prisoners, no matter how kind they had been to us since they discovered my ability to use the crystal. One of the ‘courtesies’ that had been extended to me as I tried to make up my mind as to what to do was that Louis, Amethyst and Cloud were officially upgraded to guests, though Cloud had already been spending a disproportionate time in Skel’s quarters for personal “interrogations.” I often overheard my own guards and servants (I was still very uncomfortable with having the latter) making dirty jokes about the Councilmember and her young barbarian toy.
Kalen arranged it so my companions and I could meet face-to-face for at least an hour a day during first meal. Louis was taken off drugs and all three of them were sworn to good behavior. The two humans were watched by especially wary guards. Amethyst was far stronger than even the biggest of them, and Louis was a known Mage whom they were convinced had cast that Shattersound spell by the helistat wreck. By silent consensus we agreed not to disillusion them to the fact. The longer they did not suspect I knew spirit-callings, the better.
Besides, our trying to brute-force our way out of the situation had little merit. Even if we did blast through all the overwhelming firepower at the stronghold with spells and whatever weapons we could scrounge up, escaped the city, and evaded all pursuit, where would we go? The Llexans had explored their small section of the MegaShard up to about ten thousand kilometers in all directions. Except for the H’rai and a small community of elephant-like Trundles near the edge of a desert called Desolation’s Heart, they had encountered no other civilized settlements. Three tiny outposts of civilization in a territory equivalent to one of old Earth’s hemispheres.
Of course, any chance of having an unmonitored conversation was near nil, with all the guards possessing Myotan hearing, and our use of a Known Nations language would have looked too suspicious. So we settled for conversations that would more or less meet the expectations of our listening captors.
That is not to say the conversations were innocuous.
“Gossamyr, you can’t do it!” Amethyst shouted earlier that morning. “Handing something like the crystal to the Cephalopods is insane! Who knows what they’ll do with it?”
“Treat us better,” Louis grumbled, his eyes still wearing the heavy bags of his days of sedation. They took him off the drugs three mornings ago and he still looked hung over.
The Orc shot Louis a murderous look. The male human shrugged. “We have nowhere else to go. Say Gossamyr does what they want and eventually they let us go. It would take us, what, at least ten years or more to reach another viable civilization, if there’s another one within reach of our natural lifetimes. And if we do, the chances are they’d be as primitive as the H’rai or worse. Finding another enclave in the Outlands as advanced as these Myotans is a one-in-a-million chance. If we can get on their good side by sucking up to their ‘Pod friends, then I say we should do it. Besides, if the ‘Pods don’t want to show these people things like plastics or alcohol fuels or flush toilets, what’s preventing us from doing it? We can barter our technical knowledge for a decent life here. They trade occasionally with nomads, including humans, so you and I should be able to find dates once in a while, Amethyst. Hell, its public knowledge that Cloud here already found a partner.”
Cloud glowered. “Enough, Louis.”
“I’m just saying that these are your species, Cloud. I can’t imagine it’d be hard for you and Gossamyr to settle down here, have families if you wanted.”
Amethyst crossed her massive arms and shook her head. “It’s still too dangerous to give the ‘Pods any kind of cooperation, no matter how it may benefit us. If that crystal really is a ‘remote control’ for Builder artifacts, maybe they can use it to take over KN ships, or invade the Spaceport under Malachon!”
Cloud tore at a flatbread. “I do not think so,” he said, chewing. “Remember what the ‘Pod said. Only Gossamyr can use the crystal. She can probably bargain that she will not use it for the ‘Pods that will any way directly harm the Known Nations. Or their allies.”
“Allies like your people at the Tower?”
“Of course. I have never liked our association with you humans, but even I realize that it is now pretty irreversible. What protects the KN protects we Myotans in this case. Anyway, such a bargain would not be unreasonable.”
“What if they use torture to force her to use the crystal the way they want?”
“That would be foolish. Damaging her in any way would jeopardize their use of the crystal.”
“They could threaten us with harm to force her,” Louis mused. “Or her, ah, ‘friend’ Kalen.”
“True,” Cloud said. “But that al
so may make her balk. No. It would serve them much better if Gossamyr was their willing ally rather than a reluctant slave. I think that is what they are playing for. Right, Gossamyr?”
“Hm?” I had listened to them, but with only half my attention. My mind was aswirl on other subjects.
Amethyst smirked. “Thinking about Kalen?”
“No.” I said matter-of-factly. “I have held this back, unsure what to make of it, but I--I need your advice about what to do about it. The Cephalopods--or, more accurately, their allies, the Others--have offered to restore Lerner and Sunset to life if I help them.”
A heartbeat of stunned silence, followed by a long, sustained explosion of shouting.
“You cannot seriously believe--!”
“How could they possibly--!”
“Spirits of Sky and Light, if they really--!”
I held up my hands, pleading for silence. “I have thought upon this long and hard, and I honestly do not know if they can do what they say or not. I have read about human science, and I know things like clones are possible. If it were only that, I would have no hesitation in saying no. But these Others command Builder technology, something that is little understood even by the Known Nations and their best scientists. Everything we know that the Builders have accomplished is something all of us would call miracles. If such science could build worlds larger than stars and create the tools that became magic itself, then why would such a tiny miracle like giving my husband and child back to me be beyond them?”
They digested that for a moment. Finally, hesitantly, Amethyst said, “Gossamyr--no. If these Others have Builder machines, then maybe they could create a perfect genetic duplicate of Lerner. Maybe they could use an artifact or a Matrix spell we don’t know of to plumb your memories and give that neo-Lerner a personality close to the original. But it still wouldn’t be him. His soul, his spirit, has moved on, beyond anyone’s reach.”
My eyes narrowed. “But how do you know that? How can we ever know what the Builders were capable of doing? How do you know their sciences did not include studying the ways of the spirits and the life after life? Perhaps they have a way of reaching the realms beyond our own, to call spirits back.”
Louis rolled his eyes. “Gossamyr, come on. That’s superstition.”
Amethyst crinkled her flat nose as if she had just stepped into a pile of manure. “Your atheist beliefs are no secret, Louis.”
“That doesn’t mean they’re any less valid. I don’t believe in souls and stuff. We just are who we are. Physics, chemistry, and biology are miracles enough to create and sustain life without adding make-believe supernatural powers to the mix.”
“But look at how many people believe in souls.”
“A billion people believing in a delusion does not make it any less a delusion.”
“Enough!” Cloud snapped his wings loudly for emphasis. “What you two believe about the spirits is irrelevant. So is what I believe. This is Gossamyr’s decision, and it is her beliefs that matter!” He turned toward me, piffing away a stray head hair. “Humans.”
I regarded the former chief hunter. “And what do you think I should do, Cloud?”
He thought about it. “Truthfully, I do not know. I always resented Lerner for taking you away from me, but lately I have begun to think that perhaps I never had you to begin with.” He seemed to shrivel ever so slightly, his shoulder slumping as his large eyes swept the floor. It was the first time he had ever admitted such a thing, perhaps even to himself. “But I do know you were happy with him, and you deserve happiness if you can have it again.”
“Cloud, are you--okay? You do seem different, lately”
“Skel is a special female. This is not easy for me to say, but she has opened up feelings in me I had long since thought dead and buried. I know many people think she is just using me, but it is not like that. She tries to maintain a certain image in public, but when we are alone she is wonderful, kind, funny--” His words trailed off as his mind wandered to thoughts of her.
“If that is true,” I said, “then I am happy for you, Chief Hunter.” I tentatively reached out a tool finger and brushed his shoulder, a gesture of friendship.
“There was a time I would have given anything to have you touch me like that,” he said, mimicking my gesture. “But I thank you just the same, Shaman-to-be. As for my advice, think on this. Say these Others can restore Lerner and your child--your child as he was meant to be--back to you. Maybe they can even recall their spirits from beyond the Shards. But would their spirits want to come back?”
I started. I had not thought of that. Both my Mate and my son would now be in paradise, flying endlessly free. It would be torture to tear them away from such joy. But there were also many tales in our legends of spirits who haunt the world of the living, spirits who coveted life that was cruelly torn away from them too soon. “I killed them,” I said very quietly, so that only Cloud could hear. “No matter the circumstances, it was still me who ultimately ended their lives. If they have a chance to live again, I have to give it to them. If their spirits decide not to come back to me, I--I will understand. But I have to at least try, to give them the chance.”
“So you will accept the Others’ offer?”
“I think so, but with the provisions Amethyst and Louis suggested. Nothing I do with the crystal can harm the KN or our people, and freedom and advantages for us personally.”
I told the others of my decision. Louis and Amethyst grumbled, but they understood my decision. Amethyst said. “Just be careful, okay? You’re heading into very unknown territory with this deal.”
In the long flight, that turned out to be quite an understatement.
SIXTY
Only a week later, the Cephalopods showed me my husband.
I was shocked that they were able to do so so quickly. I thought it might take them years to recreate Lerner. But the Cephalopod envoy who met us at the entrance of the relic Builder ship explained that with the nanotech matrix, assembling an object--even one as complex as the human body--was simple when one could build it molecule by molecule.
No, the invertebrate explained, the difficult part would be reassembling his mind, to give me back the Mate I remembered.
"But what about his soul?" I asked.
The Cephalopod blurbled as the large robotic walker trundled beside me as myself and my armed escorts walked through the narrow corridors alongside the spaceport. The docking bay leading to the Builder ship was lined with many ports and airlocks. The one we were in now had a transparent roof, through which I could see the immense curve of the cylindrical Builder vessel. It was large enough to dwarf even the explorer-class helistats of the humans, its silver-black metallic hull gleaming in the spaceport’s sterile lighting far overhead. "I am unaware of what the Others are doing in that regard. It is unknown to us if your new genetic exchange partner will contain the old one's soul or if like the rest it will simply be an extremely sophisticated copy."
"I am surprised your kind knows about spirits and souls."
"We have inherited records of the Builders as extensive as that possessed by the Known Nations, including their widespread belief in the existence of souls. We have never seen any empirical evidence for their existence, but neither had the Builders, and the belief systems which endorsed them survived and proliferated up until our latest records."
"And what do you believe, personally?"
"I currently operate within Optimizer Kaa'Kree'ek's dominance umbra, and he is under the impression that we possess immortality on a spiritual plane superior to all other species and clans."
"But what do you believe personally?"
He blurbled for a few moments, perplexed by the question. "I operate within Optimizer Kaa'Kree'ek's dominance umbra," he said, content that that explained all.
We were silent as we passed through the spacious cubical airlock and entered the ship. A small corridor led to a much larger and open one, apparently running along parallel to the hull. The walls were sl
eek and clean, the UTSite bulkhead covered over in a soft-white plastic material. Doorways and access panels--some undulating with the telltale sign of Q-tronic circuits-dotted the corridor at regular intervals.
"The entities you call the Others are in communication with me," he announced as we cleared the large airlock. "They urge me to warn you to expect a surprise."
"What kind of surprise?"
"You have been cloned."
I goggled at him. Of course I was familiar with cloning; the KN scientists who were going to help me and Lerner conceive youngsters were essentially going to clone us. "What? Why?"
At that moment we ushered into a large side chamber filled with many strange machines. At the far end was an array of large bio-augmentation tanks similar to what I had been put into for Sunset's conception. We approached and I could see that three of them were operational and occupied.
"The fractal dimensional interface crystal is keyed to a number of genetic markers unique to your DNA. The Others possessed your genetic blueprint from their operation on you at the Gravitic Resonance Construct where your tribe nests. It seemed logical to the allies of my Clan to simply recreate you biologically and use an agent to manipulate the crystal that they can control directly."
The Cephalopod blurbled. "Unfortunately, your genetic duplicate could not access the crystal's functions. The allies of my clan are unaware why this is so. Something is still missing from the equation."
"I have no idea what that could be."
"The allies of my Clan anticipated a high probability of your ignorance, given your background. Still, they seek to study you in depth in order to duplicate mental or other parameters which can be induced in your clone to allow her to access the crystal's functions."
"You're awfully up front about such a devious plan."
"The allies of my clan instruct me to say that they do not attempt to deceive. Their logic is straightforward. They wish to have a back-up system for accessing the control crystal. They have your cooperation and can use the crystal through you. However, as a biological entity you are fragile in many respects, and your loyalties may shift despite the rewards cooperation may give you and those in your umbra. Hence, they wish to create a redundant control system."
