by Ken Pence
“What will happen if we refuse?” said the being.
“Earth will get a nice empty world to colonize but will lose a potential trading partner,” Lee Post said.
The alien blinked several times rapidly and then closed its eyes for a long thirty seconds. “We accept your terms. Do you want the food now?”
“We do not need food,” he said and several more progeny came out of the ship and starting walking in pairs to different points around the city. Lee Post turned and reentered the ship. The ship rose into the sky to rendezvous with the Hasta.
***
Lee Post sat down with DiCarlo and Ratnaike. “Let me give you my impressions of the meeting. They tried to use the coercion technique against me. I could sense what they were collectively trying to do and I was able to analyze their technique. It was then possible for my team to apply a stronger force at them in response. They did not like it but they were unable to stop it. We, the progeny, have now hardened ourselves against similar attacks and will transition back to Earth to spread the technique.”
“How can we do business with these people? Won’t they try to exert their influence whenever they can? Can we block their influence some way?” Captain Ratnaike asked.
“I left several progeny on the surface. They will gather technology and monitor construction of the trade facility. One of that team must accompany any human on the planet to detect and prevent any coercion attempts. I recommend we keep frequent contact so I will leave a communication system here for updates. We may be able to adapt a design of the current screen technology to protect humans on the planet from mental assaults. That particular screening capability should be included in every suit we make. This technology should be shared across the fleet,” Lee Post said.
“This ability would be handy at budget hearings,” DiCarlo said.
Ratnaike looked at her reprovingly and Lee Post said, I wouldn’t even joke about it. It is similar to talking about suicide bombings at a launch facility.”
She looked sufficiently chastised though the captain knew her contrite expression was only for show.
The captain turned to Lee Post. “Will you report back on any of your recommendations and copy me? I think this is only a temporary solution, as we will need methods to detect influence and protect us from that mental influence. How long do you think it would be before you could develop a workable protection?”
“I do not think it would take long. Our lamlee work telepathically already and it would be a matter of adapting some existing structure. I am not sure if that is possible but we will see. The progeny have changed so much due to human influence – we have made more technological progress since our rebirth then in millennia previously. You have a certain…” Lee paused which was very unusual. “…a certain out-of-the-box expertise. You think in tangents, melding several disparate thought streams together. We like it and respect you.”
“I hope you can respect us when you see our horrible mistakes and flaws,” the captain said.
“You respect us and have from the start. We appreciate how humans do not think they know all the answers and ask our knowledge. Humans work hard – side-by-side with the progeny if need be. You give us strength to explore our capabilities and treat us as sentient beings. We never were considered sentient before.”
“Enough of the chest thumping guys,” DiCarlo said. “I’m sure you two are about to start singing kumbaya around a campfire next. Captain, we have to plan our next hop.”
“Kumbaya?” Lee asked.
“It is her derisive way of saying – get back to work. It used to be a peace song some say meant for god to ‘come by here’ or something like that.”
***
Desiree explained to her husband, Tod the physicist. “The progeny in the New Mexico enclosure have made some breakthroughs with the mental coercion barrier.”
“How did they test it?” he asked.
“The Hasta, with Lee Post, transitioned back to Earth. First thing they did was train, all the progeny to use the coercion technique and then how to block application of it if used against themselves.”
“Doesn’t that pose a risk against all humans near them? They are currently allies but that might change.”
“Maybe but my gut tells me they are loyal. The offer of citizenship after service is the key for them I think. Treating them as sentient beings even though they were self-assembled masses of lamlee was a stroke of…I was going to say luck but it’s just how we think. They then developed a modification for all our personal fields that blocks the effects of coercion. It uses some modulation variance.”
“Again Desiree…how do we know it works?”
“We had single progeny attempting to influence a human test subject. We had the test subject draw a sequence of geometric shapes. The progeny would alter the order sequence the test subject was drawing from a position near but out of view. They could alter the order in 90% of the cases. We tried men and women. Then we applied a stressed space field. Still had about the same effect, except it went up to 92% as the progeny got better at it when coercing the same subjects. Before you ask – yes, we are singling out those subjects with a high resistance factor for future missions for Omega Sagittarii and scouting assignments.”
“…and then…”
“Don’t push it big boy…I’m getting there. Then we used their modulated field and manipulation effects went to 0% -- every time. We tried multiple teams of progeny and different blocking field strengths. Anything more than 20% field strength blocked the effect.”
“Was there a way to block the coercion effect without using a field – that seems a pretty limited way to handle it.”
“Yes – you are a bright boy aren’t you,” Desiree said teasing Tod’s collar with her finger. “Getting distracted…the progeny concocted an injection of lamlee designed to block the effect of coercion. It gave 100% protection in all the tests they could devise.”
Tod sat there staring off into space while he too had reached out and played with Desiree’s long hair. “Could they also use that same lamlee insertion method to enable personnel to talk with each other without conventional electromagnetic transmissions. It seems that would be another use of that technology even if it was short range?” he asked. “Could humans develop the coercion ability too?”
“I have no idea,” she said “…but I think that’s a great idea and scary as hell. I’ll ask them. Can you imagine all the extremist religious elements getting hold of that technology? I shudder at the thought what they’d do…though I’d like to know what you are thinking.”
“My dear, you are an attractive female and I am male. Research has already detailed what males are thinking about most of the day and it isn’t muons,” Tod, the physicist said with a grin. “Would you disseminate that barrier field modification if you think it is stable enough.”
“Yes dear…oh…I can clearly feel what you are thinking about…” she said playfully touching him.
***
The expedition was preparing to depart as the field modifications to block coercion were applied across all ship and personal devices across the fleet. All active duty humanoid personnel were given the lamlee injections to prevent coercion. All the Toi received the injection as well as any of the Tros or Hllumff. ES personnel near Earth got the field modifications but not the injections – the Earth Regulatory Forces decided it would be a bit much to get acceptance of injections for all their Allies.
The injection of lamlee communication devices turned out to be more of a problem than anticipated…the devices worked after a fashion…too well. They indeed had a short range of twenty meters or so but they either dumped emotions, pre-vocalized words or visual displays to the intended recipients or they didn’t work at all. Leilei, Joel, Desiree and Tod got them as well as Andrew and Susan – several of the leaders of the military teams – Will Darby also. The original crew Junior and John Brattor were testing out the mental comms, but it was considered best to keep it a secret, if they co
uld keep from giving it away. Andrew and Desiree also received an experimental coercion lamlee nano-module, which Lee Post had crafted. It had failed to work yet but the expedition was scheduled to leave before it could be removed.
Tau Sagittarii – A Wet Bazaar
“So we’ll send in our scouts to Tau Sagittarii. We have four teams but they’ll need to coordinate through our progeny. I want Lee Post in charge. He has shown insight equal or better than the best humans we have and he is stable,” Commodore Williams said.
“Do you think that’s best?” Susan said. “You need to have a ceremony and promote him. It is the ceremony and pomp that made Napoleon remark that he could get men to die for a colored ribbon. It’s the same with religion – it's the learned ceremony.”
“Lieutenant Commander then?” Andrew asked. “That’s the equivalent of major.”
“That’s about right. You also need to make the members of original team into officers.”
“I’ve already given lieutenant status to Ling,” Andrew said. “Why the rest?”
“The team members are respected for their knowledge and have expertise and referent power but lack the legitimate power rank bestows. Most people would listen to them but others might hesitate in a crisis.”
“I think you’re right. I’ve been considering that very problem. Would you have the team assemble on the parade grounds at 1000 hours tomorrow? Have the humans go through the indoctrination training cylinders tonite. Advanced training too in the Enclosure. That will get them up to speed physically too. I will get Admiral Kyger and his staff. Get them into uniforms. I will do the rest. Get Lee Post and his ten best,” Andrew said.
***
It was 1000 hours when the assembled progeny were arrayed on the parade ground. A reviewing stand had been set up and a large contingent of visitors had arrived. Commodore did not know where the crowd had come from but it was there nonetheless. General-Admiral Kyger gave a short speech and called the assembled to attention. The crew of Starship One was aligned at the front of formation.
Commodore Williams administered the oath to the Earth Regulatory Force and it resounded over the grounds. The words massively reverberated as the assembled troops repeated it. Andrew felt the emotional impact. He then went forward and went through the rows saluting his troops and bestowing the insignia of rank. Lee Post received lieutenant commander and his ten best progeny received lieutenant status, as did Susan. Tod was awarded lieutenant commander status. The remainder of the crew was awarded ensign status, as were thirty of the Phafalotoi. The surprise was when Shiv, Rett, and LeiLei were designated as lieutenant commanders.
The aliens had evidently been contacted during the night and had agreed to join the Auxiliary services of the ERF. It was evident that Rett had been the most reticent but he was there with the rest. It was a strange sight to see a furred feline, a giant praying mantis and a Rhino-looking Tros obtain the insignia as an officer ending with a salute to the human general staff as they were inspected. They had evidently taken the training in military protocol also.
The ceremony ended with music being played by a band that had been assembled from…somewhere. Andrew and Brad could not help smiling when they were playing “Eye of the Tiger.” The troops then formed to pass in review. The troops came to attention at the order of Admiral Kyger and his welcome to the commissioned officers of the Earth Regulatory Force. Admiral Kyger nodded to Andrew and the troops were ordered to present arms. Admiral Kyger and Commodore Williams saluted and the troops returned the salute. The troops were then commanded to attention and were dismissed. It was not like a normal military review but it wasn’t bad. The progeny had obviously studied a military training cylinder of arms also. They looked like regular military but the rest didn’t look shabby.
***
LeiLei came up to Joel. “Hey Ensign, aren’t you supposed to salute your lieutenant commander?”
“Oh but I am,” said Joel.
“No,” LeiLei said exasperated. “…with your hand – not down there.”
Joel saluted. “Is this better?”
“That works Ensign…at ease,” LeiLei said. “I said at ease Ensign.”
“Sorry sir…you’ll have to help me relieve this salute.”
“I think we can handle that Ensign. Come with me.”
“I shall sir…coming…yes sir.”
***
Shiv, their praying mantis-like member, had not said anything about her commission but she wore her insignia on her lower thorax/upper abdomen. She rarely gave commands but often had to repeat orders at first. Those crewmembers ordered to do something usually just stood there open mouthed until she lifted her upper arms or clicked her mandibles. They then jumped to do her bidding. She never gave spurious orders and soon earned the respect of all who worked with her – male, female of any species. They were soon calling her their mantis but never to her front.
***
Rett, their highest ranked Tros, was the only being who showed no signs that his elevated status meant anything. He wore his rank insignia when he wore a harness on his upper body but that was rare. He wore a tool belt and worked incessantly on a small shuttle in one of the bays of the Junior II. He used many of the language training cylinders as well as studying Allung maps. He worked with Steve upgrading the electronics and weapons of his small craft. He also absorbed several military training courses beyond what was required for all the promoted. Only Andrew seemed to notice any changes in the taciturn alien.
***
“The scout ships are at Tau Sagittarii. We have a relay back to here so we’re getting regular reports. It’s a water world with many small, landmasses. They found structures on many of the islands and something else on the largest,” Susan paused for dramatic effect. “Our scouts observed landing pads with many trade vessels on them of different designs. Ships were coming and going regularly. There is indigenous life. There is a huge bazaar run by the locals. Traffic control is non-existent. The locals are lysate, water-based life forms. They are like cephalopods with five arms. Two of their arms are stiffened with some type of support so they are able to walk, after a fashion, on land. The gravity is a bit less than Earth with more oxygen content. The seas are somewhat acidic,” Susan explained the latest report to Tod and Andrew.
“So they welcome off-world traders at this bazaar? We need experience with water-based, copper blooded life if we ever meet the Ylee. Were they any threatening signs? Did the scouts get a way to communicate?” Andrew asked.
“What races trade there?” Tod asked.
“So far we know very little but there are many categories of ships there,” Susan answered. “Scouts are trying to get language cylinders. They’ve reported no hostile acts.”
“We need to get this expedition out of here. We can travel back to Earth in a day at any point. It isn’t practical to do that until we’ve met some of the goals for this gig,” Andrew said.
***
The one hundred ships of the expedition were hard to get coordinated. It was like herding cats. All the ships now had jump capability – they either would make it or they wouldn’t. Communicating the intent to travel to certain coordinates was going to be risky just from navigation errors. Commodore Williams had all the ships in communication and they jumped nearly simultaneously with some practice maneuvers. It took a day before they jumped with any precision – with precision being that no one got lost. The first jumps resulted in civilian ships having to be located and returned – sometimes with an ERF team navigating. They were finally ready to jump near the fourth planet out in the Tau Sagittarii system. The scouts had named it Slosh but we’d have to learn the local name. Andrew had Ratnaike from the Hasta rendezvous with him. They were to meet and discuss the situation with Eugene Phillips.
Captain Ratnaike came to Commodore Williams conference room on board the planetoid – the Patton. The renovated, Allung battleship, Phoenix, was to be the expedition flagship. He saluted Andrew and was directed to a seat. Eugene Phillips c
ame rushing in and Andrew directed him to a chair beside the captain.
They exchanged pleasantries until Phillips chimed in. “When are we going to get this show on the road Williams?”
“Call me Andrew when we are in private, speak civilly always and we’ll get along Mister Phillips. I wanted you here to explain where we are going and give you the information that you wouldn’t have yet…if I was wrong to include you – set me straight and I’ll never call you again.”
“Sorry Commodore…Andrew…just pre-trip jitters. Thank you for calling me. This must be Captain Ratnaike…nice to meet you,” said Phillips turning on the charm. “Rajit…isn’t it?”
Ratnaike turned toward Andrew briefly and then shook Phillips hand.
“The Captain was about to brief us about his experiences on Slosh…go ahead, Captain. I’m sure Gene and I will chime in when we have questions.”
“So you heard our nickname for the place,” the Captain began. “We haven’t gotten the local name for the place pinned down. My partner, DiCarlo, is using the first language training system we could obtain. The locals aren’t really like cephalopods though. They do live in water but can move on land. They build structures out of a form of grapheme. One of our teams just happened to be observing a large area and there were some small structures on an island,” Ratnaike explained.
“They were able to see a team of creatures drag a hose out of the water and spray a path like a spillway except they moved up the spillway. They then built a small pond. Here’s where it gets really interesting. They brought up a small case and placed a spherical object about 15 centimeters across – this is just an estimate – and the sphere began to glow as they retreated. The object got blindingly bright, must have been several thousand degrees from the color, and it started to sink. It sank out of sight and in a few minutes they dropped in another and another,” he explained.
