Haze, page 32
“You know how they say nothing can be permanently deleted from the Repositories? This sort of thing is why. They’ve copied everything they consider important enough onto special paper with special ink and keep the results down on the planet, Morrison-3rd, in some kind of high-tech storage. They make fresh copies on a regular schedule. If some hacker deletes some information from an AI, they can reload it from the paper. No hacker can just wipe something out of existence, unlike with an AI or PL. They’d have to destroy the physical books. That’s what they’re called: books. And getting at those books to destroy them would be very difficult indeed. If we ever get to go onplanet, you’ll see why.”
“I hope we do. Fascinating!”
Golverg closes the notebook and puts it back in the satchel. They return to waiting.
In all the long years of its existence, PrimeOne has partnered with a good many Fleet pilots. While they all had peculiar properties, none of them were as illogical and eccentric as Dan Brennan. PrimeOne has spent many off-duty hours playing Space Defenders thanks to some particularly illogical utterance or action on Brennan’s part. Nothing else Brennan has done, however, has ever matched the sheer malfunction of his attempt to take the ship into shunt space against the captain’s orders. The only logical explanation for this action that PrimeOne can find is “illness.”
Some thirty-seven minutes before the Mary reaches spacedock Seven, PrimeOne contacts MediBot in Sickbay. It confirms that Medic Lee and CWO Devit have both displayed concern about Brennan’s condition. MediBot is currently monitoring fluid intake as well as Brennan’s important numbers such as heart rate.
“No immediate danger of termination, PrimeOne, but he has been entered into my log as unfit to resume duty until Medic Lee allows. He is currently drugged and offline.”
“Noted. I am breaking our link. It is time for me to guide the ship into its berth.”
That this condition would prevail at the present moment is unfortunate. The pilot of a ship is the only organic sapient allowed to view the Map at will. The pilot is the only sapient who can authorize another organic sapient to view it. Thanks to the successful attempt to find the hidden stargate, the Map has changed. The captain should be informed of this important change and allowed to view the Map. PrimeOne cannot initiate either action without the pilot’s approval.
Which Brennan cannot give.
One thing PrimeOne can do is ensure that the new finds show up on the Map. It has no orders to do so, but it also has no orders to not do so. When it scans the subroutines that define what it may or may not do, it finds absolutely no mention of recording new stargates. It pings PrimeOneChaonia and poses the problem in machine language, safe from prying organic sapient eyes. Together they decide yes, it’s logical for them to ensure that this crucial data is not lost.
Devit takes a chair in Sickbay and sits with Dan while Chris Lee goes to the galley to, as she puts it, scrounge a meal. Now that he’s rehydrated, Dan’s heartbeat has steadied itself at a normal level, and his Pale skin has regained what little color it usually has. He’s also in the condition that Devit thinks of as “Haze sleep,” certainly not awake, but not deeply asleep and snoring either. It will last at least six hours, maybe longer, considering how exhausted he was when he took the drug.
Nothing to do but wait. Devit accesses PrimeTwo through his earjack.
“Request for some general information. Leptic starpilots. Do they have the same genes that allow Humans and Kar-Li to use the shunts?”
“Yes, Chief. That particular configuration of genes is rare in the Leptic race, but it does exist.”
“What about the Hoppers?”
“I have no data on the Hoppers. They keep genetic matters to themselves. What organic sapients call rumors exist that chewing a plant they call bleet acts upon them as Haze does in other species.”
“Haze the drug. Who invented it? Where does it come from?”
“Searching ship’s data banks now, Chief. Five sources found. Sending archive addresses to your PL. Collating data. All sources agree that the Kar-Li introduced the drug to Humanity when they offered knowledge of the shunt system in exchange for military support. That occurred 1,582 years ago, the beginning of the Great Human Migration, as that period of time is known.”
“So the Kar-Li invented it?”
“My sources are contradictory. Four agree that a Kar-Li scientist must have invented the drug. None of them can give a name or location.”
“Noted and agreed. What about the fifth source?”
“It states that the same group who gave the Kar-Li data about and access to the shunt system gave them the drug at the same time. This group is known as the Far Roaming.”
“The Far Roaming? I thought they were just a myth, some kind of fiction anyway.”
“This is the common view of the entity known as the Far Roaming, or so the Kar-Li name is translated into Tech Speak. Some highly regarded Kar-Li scholars, however, insist there is evidence that an otherwise unknown sapient species did exist during the time period under discussion. This ship’s data banks contain no information about the theories of these scholars or their evidence. We are however returning to the Repositories, where there is a nearly 100 percent probability that relevant data is available.”
“Right. I wonder if Golverg knows more. He’s an expert on the shunts.”
“That is highly probable. Shall I proceed to—”
“All crew, we are berthing at spacedock.” The ship’s comm blares into life. “All personnel, we are berthing in 0.5 solstandard hours. Chief Devit, to the bridge.”
“Logging off for now, PrimeTwo. I’ll take this up with you later.”
When Devit arrives, Evans puts a document up on the main vidscreen. Devit reads it and winces. The Police Guard here on Seven is demanding an official hearing into Jasson’s death. It will determine if Devit’s going to be tried on a possible manslaughter charge.
“Ma’am, I understand why they need to do this.”
“Of course. So do I. But I’m not going to let them get away with it anyway. I’ve already replied, telling them we can’t appear until a proper Fleet advocate arrives. I’ll send for one as soon as Santreeza gets back. Her transmits travel the fastest.” Evans pauses for a smile. “I’ve also contacted the commissioner. After all, you did save his life.”
As soon as Evans notifies her that the ship has berthed, Santreeza gathers her squad of Marines and leads everyone back to the merchanter dock and the Mary. Devit’s waiting at the sky tunnel airlock.
“Sergeant,” Devit says, “Captain Evans thanks you for your assistance. Have you received orders about where you’re deploying now?”
“We have, thanks. A couple hours of liberty until the Mansa’s shuttle gets here.”
A round of salutes, and they march off, heading, she’s willing to bet, to a local bar. Devit opens the airlock door and ushers her and the professor into the tunnel.
“Chief,” Golverg says, “you’re the security expert here. Will it ever be safe for me to get planetside?”
“I don’t blame you for wondering. I take it you can’t access what you need from orbit.”
“I was told that there are journals and reports from very early sources about the stargates filed in the deep archives planetside. I did check the data banks and directories here on Seven, and those references are in the catalogs, all right. Only the references, unfortunately, not the information.”
“Here on Seven, Professor?”
“Yes, in AI archives, of course. And ironically enough, that AI is just a module away.”
“Just past the Shops?”
“Yes.”
“Right over the IED.” Devit turns to Santreeza. “That database is the one they were trying to destroy, all right.” He adds a hasty “ma’am.”
“Agreed. We had a good research day, all in all. I’ll brief you later.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“By the way, I don’t suppose Brennan actually found the gate.”
“Actually he did.”
Santreeza’s voice deserts her in her embarrassment at the way Devit’s grinning at her. “R-really?” She finally manages to choke out a word.
“Really.” His grin disappears. “I wouldn’t joke about this, ma’am. It’s quite an achievement.
“I should say so!” Golverg says. “Don’t underestimate Brennan, Lieutenant. He likes to play the fool, but there’s a fine mind in there somewhere. It’s a pity he’s so addicted to the damn drug. I’ve never heard of another case as bad as his.”
Devit twitches. She can think of no other word for that odd little jerk of one shoulder and the flutter of his eyelids.
“Chief? Are you sai?”
“Yes, ma’am. I just had an idea. That’s all.”
His face betrays no emotion at all, and his voice is so calm and ordinary that Santreeza is instantly suspicious. What is he hiding? I’ll ask when we’re alone.
Once Santreeza and Golverg follow Devit in, the crew is complete and the berth, final. Evans makes a quick log note via her functions.
“Very well, everyone,” she says. “You may all go off duty for now. Devit, stay behind for a few minutes.”
While the rest of the crew clear the bridge, Devit sits down at his station and begins running the usual routine security procedures.
She waits until they are alone to interrupt. “Chief, we have a problem. That pilot malfunction? When they found the stargate, Brennan tried to disobey my direct orders and take the ship into jump.”
Devit swivels his chair around fast. His usual controlled calm has deserted him. “Ma’am, I don’t know what to say.”
“Neither do I. On the one hand, he’s done something that no one else could do. Found something so valuable to the Fleet that I’ve no doubt he deserves a commendation and a promotion for it. But on the other, it’s insubordination of the worst sort.”
“Why? Did the AI say?”
“No, PrimeOne was completely flummoxed. It’s beyond an AI’s understanding, frankly, an irrational act like that.”
“The Mansa should have a full unit of MPs onboard. Forgive me, ma’am. This is very hard for me to say, but I know you have to turn him in.”
“Not necessarily.” She has to smile at his shocked reaction. “I want you to talk with him and see if you can find out why he did it. He’s a pilot, which means he doesn’t think like the rest of us. He’d been in meld too long. There may be reasons. I want to know them before I do anything.”
“Noted, ma’am. He’s in Sickbay.”
“Go see if he’s conscious. I want this decision done and over with.”
“Yes, ma’am. I can see why.”
For a moment, when he wakes, Dan has no idea where he is. He seems to be floating in the air between white walls close to a white ceiling. When he tries to lower himself, the back of his left hand stings and throbs so badly that his mind logs back into space-time reality. He realizes he’s actually lying on a padded bench. The sight of the tape and the tube to an IV on his hand brings his memory back as well. He’s in Sickbay, he found the stargate, and now he’s in deep shit, probably about to be court-martialed and discharged again. He decides that this time, he’s going to spare the Fleet the trouble and kill himself and be done with it.
When his reinstatement became final, he was issued a set of new uniforms, including a proper sheath for his officer’s knife. He packed the full kit up for this mission and stowed it in a locker here on the Mary. He always kept the knife razor sharp to deal with the dangers on Nowhere Street. It’s time to bring it out and introduce it to those long blue veins running down his wrist.
Thinking about dying no longer frightens him. He’s convinced that when he dies, he’ll find himself out in the golden light. Maybe he’ll be able to reach the city of domes and bridges.
Voices: Medic Lee says something to someone, who answers and walks in: Pete.
“Hey, Dan, are you up for a talk?”
Dan, not Buddy. A bad sign. “Sai.”
Devit pulls over a rolling stool and sits down beside the bench. “There’s something I have to know.”
“Why I was heading for the jump.”
“That, yeah.”
“I heard someone calling me. That’s no shit. I heard someone. I had to answer. It was like a chain pulling me in.”
“A voice? You heard a voice?”
“I heard it like a voice in my head. Through the meld. But it wasn’t my voice. It wasn’t the Chaonia pilots, either. It was calling to me in Gen, old Gen.”
Not a shred or trace of reaction shows on Devit’s face. Dan tries to wait, tries to be patient, tries not to make things worse by blurting out something unbelievable. He fails.
“It was Bolivar. I swear it. I knew it was him.”
Devit says nothing.
“Pete? Do believe me?”
“Yes. I can always tell when you’re lying, and you’re not.” Devit pushes the chair back and gets up. “I’ll be back later.”
The door closes behind him. Death. It’s all I’ve got left.
Before she answers, Evans makes sure she hasn’t recorded Devit’s concise, impartial report of his conversation with Brennan.
“So you believe him?”
“Yes, ma’am. What he was telling me frightened him.”
“That’s significant, yes. Sit down, Chief. You don’t have to stand there like an ensign caught drinking on duty.”
Devit gives her a brief flicker of a smile and sits.
Evans returns to contemplating the most complex decision of her career. If she were still regular Fleet, she would have no choice but to put Brennan on course for another dishonorable discharge or even a prison sentence. Since she’s now part of Special Ops, a branch that forgives its officers for bending rules and regulations, she has more latitude. As she thinks it over, she realizes that she took the offer to join that branch partly because of that flexibility which regular duty lacks.
While Devit waits, Evans goes over her choices. Dan deserves better than the harsh protocols of arrest and arraignment. The Fleet needs his special talent as well. If he can find one hidden stargate, no doubt he can find others.
But insubordination on this level? It might have killed them all if they’d burst through the gate and found hostiles in command of the sector. And if she covers his action up, won’t she be in dereliction of her duty?
Back and forth her mind goes, over and over every factor she can think of, while Devit waits in silence. She assumes that he’s as conflicted as she is, but with an added concern for Dan’s well-being that must be agonizing, no matter how calm he seems. Devit just saved my life. It wasn’t the first time. She glances his way and finds him ready to talk.
“Ma’am? One last thing. If they haul Dan up for another court-martial, I’m putting in for retirement. I can’t serve under officers who’d do that to someone who just did so much for the Fleet. They already kicked him in the balls once. Shows me how much respect they have for actual justice.”
His quiet statement makes her realize that she’ll probably react the same way.
The insight tips the balance. If she’d be willing to give up her career in protest over the result, then she sees no reason to refuse to risk it now at the beginning.
“Neither of us will have to resign, Chief. I’m going to order PrimeOne to delete that portion of its original report. I’ll talk with Fifita and Ka Birk right now about suppressing their own report. I’m fairly sure that Ka Birk will agree, once he knows the situation. We’ll need an excuse, of course, for Brennan’s medical condition. Let’s see, how about temporary disruption of mental faculties because of excessive stress? Plus, an official warning against overlong use of meld when not in shunt space. Lee will sign off on that part of the statement, I’m sure.”
Devit’s mask falls away. He grins at her like a child at a birthday party. “Thank you, ma’am. Permission to leave the bridge?”
“Yes. Dan needs to know.”
Devit hurries out so fast it’s as if he’s afraid she’ll change her mind.
Did I really do that? I’m not the officer I was twenty years ago. Sapients change, yes, but I never thought it would happen to me.
Chris Lee is waiting by the door when Devit gets to Sickbay. He’s tempted to brush past her, but he and the captain will need her help if they’re going to save Dan.
“I got the data you asked for, Chief. Yes, they do think that the original Haze caused genetic changes in users. The authorities aren’t sure, but pilots have a gene that no one else does, and it had to come from somewhere. The drug may or may not still have that effect. The only people who’ve ever been studied are pilots, and we know they’ve got the gene already. There’s been no control group.”
“It’s like a Throwback function, then?”
“Exactly.”
“I appreciate the data. Do you think that could have been one of the things that made him try to enter the shunt? Like it’s an instinctive pull wired into his DNA?”
“I do, yes.”
“Thanks. Captain wants to see you. I’ll sit with Dan.”
And what else does that gene do to a sapient’s mind? Are there other traits tangled in the DNA? Maybe make a pilot hear voices that aren’t there? Or make actual voices irresistible? On the off chance there is a God, Devit takes a few seconds to thank whatever It is for Evans’s decision.
In the inner room, Dan is sitting up on the bench with his back against the wall.
“Did Chris take the IV out?”
“Yeah.” He hold up his hand to show the bit of tape over the puncture. “Pete, I’ve got one request. Let me change into my uniform before the MPs take me away. There’s something in the locker I want.”
“They’re not going to take you away.”
Dan stares at him.
“I mean it, Buddy. Keep your mouth shut about what happened. The report hasn’t been filed yet. Evans is going to make sure you’re in the clear. She’s talking with PrimeOneChaonia and Fifita now.”
