by Darrell Bain
There was no delay in exchanging information. For a time there was a line outside the ship of librarians bringing data chips of stored information, already converted to the correct format. Another group of engineers was always present, ready to be called on should their specialized knowledge be needed. Berlin worked to the point of exhaustion trying to convey engineering data to the Commonwealth which he only half understood himself and sometimes didn't understand at all. The only line he drew, and it was at Dan's command, was the transfer of knowledge needed to construct nuclear weapons. It was specifically forbidden. If the Commonwealth wanted that kind of technology they would have to invent it themselves.
Hawkins brought up a point no one else had thought of, and he conveyed it privately to Dan and Stacey. “Suppose they learn the engineering data we're giving them well enough to eventually construct spaceships. We might meet them again someday out in the galaxy—and we might not be so far ahead of them then."
“I don't think we have to worry overmuch, Chet. They didn't learn all that much about Pioneer simply because we don't understand how most of it works. Remember, the Termites spent over a century just building it. Anyway, the possibility is so far in the future it doesn't bother me; and besides, just think: by the time any sort of meeting of the two cultures might take place, each of them will have forgotten about the other. At best, the knowledge'll be in the realm of legends or myths. I think it'd be fun being around to see what happens when two human races meet again. Won't it be a huge surprise to both of them?"
“I guess. Too bad we can't live that long, isn't it?"
“Yeah,” Dan said, smiling inside.
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The Earth hung below them in space, greens and browns and blues more beautiful by far from a view port than all the pictures ever taken of the same vista. Pioneer receded from the globe, accelerating faster now that atmosphere had been left behind. Dan and Stacey took one last look then gave their place over to another couple. They walked slowly back to their stateroom, nodding at crewmen and women they met on the way.
Inside, with the door closed, Stacey put her arms around Dan's neck. They kissed a long time before she broached the question. “Dan, sweetheart, you've had that little secret expression on your face for over a week now. Are you ready to tell me what you're up to?"
He grinned and touched his lips to hers once more. “It's nothing, really; at least not yet. But I've been thinking. You know, Pioneer has a one track mind when it comes to protecting us."
“Yes. So?"
“So I was just wondering. With all our biological knowledge, plus all we downloaded from the Commonwealth, don't you think Pioneer will use that data to try keeping us young? Maybe forever?"
Stacey's lips parted. Her hands gripped his shoulders so tight it hurt. “Dan, when we married, everyone told me life with you would be interesting, but this is ridiculous!"
Then she smiled and Dan grinned back at her. Life was indeed interesting, more than they would ever have believed possible.
The End
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Author Bio
Darrell Bain is the author of about two dozen books, in many genres, running the gamut from humor to mystery and science fiction to non-fiction and a few humorous works which are sort of fictional non-fiction, if that makes any sense. He has even written for children. For the last several years he has concentrated on humor and science fiction, both short fiction, non-fiction (sort of) and novels. He is currently writing the fourth novel in the series begun with Medics Wild.
Darrell served thirteen years in the military and his two stints in Vietnam formed the basis for his first published novel, Medics Wild. Darrell has been writing off and on all his life but really got serious about it only after the advent of computers. He purchased his first one in 1989 and has been writing furiously ever since.
While Darrell was working as a lab manager at a hospital in Texas, he met his wife Betty. He trapped her under a mistletoe sprig and they were married a year later. Darrell and Betty own and operate a Christmas tree farm in East Texas that has become the subject and backdrop for many of his humorous stories and books.
Visit Darrell's web site: www.darrellbain.com/
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