Darkworld: Earth

42.

Captain Anders sighed, cursing the decision to integrate the Yonohoan communication devices into the operational command structure. It was necessary to maintain connection with the Yonohoans after the removal of the deep space antenna for use during the science mission, but the device didn’t have an ‘off’ mode, and while it had a ‘silent’ or a ‘do not disturb’ mode, his rank as a military figure meant that the AI’s involved would sometimes overwrite those distinctions if they determined the situation met certain criteria.

Which was not exactly the situation with the report he was receiving now from Liu Wei, he was simply frustrated that he was constantly being interrupted by holographic people appearing in the bridge or, in this case, in his bedroom.

“Sorry captain. I told the system to alert me as soon as you were alone because I had sensitive information to address, I didn’t mean to cut in to your downtime,” she apologized.

“It’s fine,” he assured her. “Tell me, how are the patients adjusting to the facility?”

“It’s fantastic down here, Captain. Really top notch facility. There’s a park to wander around in. Apparently they’ve been exposing Diego to all sorts of pollens and allergens without his being aware of it to make certain that Earthlings wouldn’t go into shock from any of their common plants and flowers. The park is beautiful, and a lot of the patients enjoy going for walks and feeding the ducks,” Liu answered.

“They have ducks?” Anders asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Alien analogues. They’re not really birds, but I don’t know what sort of animal to call them. We were told not to eat them. The Yonohoans can, but apparently they have several proteins that we can’t digest without adding enzymes to our digestive fluids and bacteria to our guts, which they’re not recommending at this time,” she explained.

“I’d love to see some pictures of them,” he suggested.

“I’ll make sure you’re sent some.”

“So. Report on the medical status of the more advanced cases of Tunnel Exposure Syndrome from the former crew of the Seeker of New Discoveries , officer,” he requested.

“Yes sir. The Yonohoans think they have a drug cocktail which will keep the neural degeneration from getting worse on its own. I recommend immediately placing all members of the crews of both the Seeker and the Keeper on this cocktail immediately if they are not on it already,” she said.

“That’s fantastic news. And reversing the damage?” he inquired.

“There’s no reversing brain damage, captain. But there might be healing. It’s not going to be easy. It involves triggering neural growth and establishing a new phase of neural plasticity. We’ll effectively be shocking the brain back into what it looks like as a child and then allowing it to prune itself again. The Yonohoans have said that this has been used for a treatment of other neural degenerative diseases which were not caught in the early stages. It sounds like the alsheimers gene was pretty widely spread for a while. Or a family of genes much like it, at least.”

“So there are options,” Anders said, feeling relieved.

“There are options. The problem is that they don’t magically repair the damage and return the person to who they were before. There are personality differences. They may lose some skills that they’ve worked on their entire lives, but suddenly become interested and proficient in other matters. It’s a complex treatment for a complex disorder. I believe that it is in our patients’ best interest to try, but several patients have been reluctant to engage in it due to the possibility of personality changes or other concerns,” Liu reported.

“We can’t force them. Not ethically.”

“Yes sir. And the truth is that proceeding with treatment on the volunteers while waiting to see how they respond is a prudent course of action for both ethical and scientific reasons. If the treatment does not go well in the experimental cases, then alternatives can be sought for the patients who were placed on the holding medication,” Liu explained.

“Understood. This is a difficult situation, Ms. Wei. If their family were in reach they would likely be required to provide consent for this treatment. As it is, we’re the closest thing that they have to family. We have to keep their best interests in mind and make certain that they’re treated ethically.”

“I am aware of those facts, Captain,” Liu said.

“Yes ma’am, I know you are. Is there anything else?”

“That’s all I have for now,” she said. “Get some rest.”

“I’ll try,” he agreed. Liu’s hologram vanished, and a moment later the communication device, his was shaped like an egg that could fit in his pocket but was currently floating in the air nearby, beeped.

“Incoming communication request from premier Osantos of the Yonohoan senate,” the egg beeped.

Anders cursed. “Please let them know I require a moment before securing the connection,” he told the device. It beeped in confirmation, and he rushed over to the mirror, pulling his shirt back on and checking his uniform for wrinkles.

After he was confident in his appearance, he turned and requested the connection to be sent through. An old man with a prominent forehead, gray balding hair, and a slightly slouched posture, appeared in his quarters.

“Thank you for the honor of contacting me, Senator,” Anders said.

“Please use my given name rather than my title. I understand that in your society it is often considered more respectful. However, in mine, it implies that you are so insignificant that nobody will remember your name once you have passed from this world,” Osantos explained.

“I meant no disrespect, Osantos,” Anders apologized.

“None was perceived. We are used to dealing with cultures who do not understand the way that things once were, and you are from a darkworld. You are twice forgiven for a slight which was so minor that if it was an insect I would not swat it for stinging me,” the senator said.

“That is a relief to hear. To what do I owe the pleasure of hearing your voice?” Anders asked.

“I wish to inquire as to the state of the science in your world,” Osantos stated. “In detail. With the history of your advancement and, if possible, the genetic information of your great thinkers who have advanced the thought and understanding of your people.”

“What would be done with this genetic information?” Anders asked.

“It would be analyzed, but no children or clones would be created from it,” Osantos explained. “You must understand, we humans have a certain reputation in the universe. There is a show I once saw. A young boy once took an <> device and stuck it on a <> This resulted in a new way of <> which was revolutionary. When it came time to receive the credit for his discovery, instead of calling his name, the names of the company which produced the <> device and the <> were called up and received credit instead of him.”

“I believe I understand. You are attempting to secure a chain of evidence to prove that we have come as far as we have on our own, without outside influence,” Anders said.

“That is so,” Osantos agreed. “The fact that you mastered the use of any FTL device while in complete isolation and without historical records, wreckage, or relics to draw from is remarkable. I would like to provide the history of that advancement as proof.”

“This is unfortunately not a matter which I am able to resolve on my own authority, Osantos,” Anders admitted. “Much of the history of the development of the Tunnel Drive remains classified. I would have to get permission from several organizations on the planet Earth in order to fulfill your request. I do assure you, however, that we have been keeping track of at least the names of those who have contributed to the science of our world, if not their genetic lines.”

“That is a relief to hear. I must confess, I was initially opposed to giving you the fleet of Toormonda. I regret that I voted against it,” the senator stated.

“May I hear your reasoning why?” Anders asked.

“I did not want to taint your purity,” Osantos answered. “I am ashamed to admit that my colleagues were correct and that the gift was both extremely apt and necessary. Without the Toormonda that we gave you, you may not have discovered the injuries which you were causing yourself. It would have shamed the Yonohoan people to allow that to continue unabated.”

“We knew the risks when we signed up for this mission, Osantos,” Anders stated evenly.

“Yes. I am not questioning your values or your valor. They are admirable attributes for you and speak well of your society. Our reluctance to allow harm to come to you is a matter for our own ethics. We cannot force you to think as we do, and we would not try to do so. But we must enforce our own laws and regulations.”

“I understand. I would like to formally thank your government for the gift of The Keeper of Dreams , and the promise of nineteen more Toormonda to assist in our understanding and exploration of the universe,” Anders stated formally.

“It will be very interesting to see what you will do with them,” Osantos said.

“I also would like to formally thank the Yonohoan people for the medical treatment that has been provided to the injured members of my crew,” Anders added.

“We are obligated by our own laws to do no less,” Osantos said, dismissing the thanks with a gesture that implied the trouble imposed by the task was insignificant.

“We remain grateful all the same,” Anders insisted.

“If you choose to reveal to us the location of earth, we will send one of our level three hospital ships to it, as well as the supplies to build many of the clinics which your doctors have been so impressed by,” the senator assured him.

“That is a generous offer,” Anders said, his eyebrows raising in interest. “I would like to accept the offer out of hand, of course, but this is another matter which I must refer to my government. I would request additional details from your government about the scope of the aid you are offering.”

“I will have the information transcribed into a format your computers can understand so that you may carry it back with you to your government,” the senator agreed.

“Thank you for your offer and understanding,” Anders said.

“There is one more thing,” the senator said. He looked around nervously. “What I am about to say must never be repeated.”

“My lips are sealed, Senator Osantos,” Anders said.

“You may not realize the scope of what has happened now that The Last Son of Eodar has declared a brother,” Osantos began. “In some ways this event is as shaking to the foundations of peace as would be his death.”

“You are correct that I do not understand the full scope of Eolai’s actions,” Anders said. “I would appreciate it if you would explain any nuances which you believe are relevant.”

“There are two ways in which the Last Son of Eodar may disgrace himself in the eyes of the Yonohan people, Captain Anders,” Osantos explained. “One is that he might kill a Topokan. That remains true as long as the Topokans remain faithful to the ancient pact, which they have all this time. There were once many ways in which the Last Son of Eodar might disgrace himself, but most of those are no longer relevant in modern times. However, with the naming of a brother, a new option has become available once more.”

“I’m listening.”

“Eolai would disgrace himself if his brother was killed, and, acting as the last son of Eodar, he failed to avenge the death.”

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