Gateway Beyond The Stars: Book #2 of "Saga Of The Lost Worlds" by Neely and Dobbs

Book #1 of Saga of the Lost Worlds

Prologue # 2:

Historical Background Note

The TransSpace Exploration Agency’s expedition to Saturn’s moons in Earth year 2180 resulted in a stunning discovery.  At a distance of 25,000 miles— 0.26 Galactic hours prior to planned insertion into Saturn's orbit— faint unmodulated signals in the low frequency radio spectrum were detected.  Direction-finding equipment soon indicated the signal originated from the surface of Iapetus, one of Saturn’s moons.

Landing near the source, the team found a pyramid-shaped structure, constructed of smooth blocks hewn from the moon’s native rock.  Inside the structure’s single entrance, the exploration party found multiple rooms.  The central room had curious slotted openings in three of its walls.  On the floor, beneath one of the slots, lay a scroll of paper–like material.  Although two centimeters of dust covered the room’s floor, the scroll was virtually dust free, indicating that it must have been a very recent addition.

Unrolling the scroll, the team’s scientists found more mysteries.  The scroll was found to have multiple sections, each printed not in modern English, to be sure, but still decipherable.  Linguistic experts have established, from contextual syntax and usage idioms, that it is the English used on Earth (Sol–3) in the central part of North America during the late 19th to early 21st centuries.  The scroll’s contents seem to imply contact early in the 20th Century between an unknown alien civilization and inhabitants of Earth.

This scroll’s existence poses some fascinating questions:

•  When was it created, by whom, and for what purpose?

•  Is it a factual documentation of historical events?

• If its account is not historical documentation, what was its author’s purpose?

• If factual, then what lessons and implications does the account hold for us?

• Should the advanced civilizations described in the scroll revisit our galactic sector, how prepared would we be to meet them?

The investigation into these questions have proven to be extremely controversial. No final consensus or resolution has been reached concerning these contentious issues, and the intense debate is ongoing.

The scroll's first section was presented under the title Mission Beyond The Stars. It is hoped that the publication and distribution of this additional section from the scroll, with the title Gateway Beyond The Stars, will stimulate further discussion and accelerate the potential resolution of the intriguing questions raised by this remarkable document.

In publishing the scroll's contents, the material has been offered virtually intact, although some linguistic terminology has been modified.  English terms have been substituted where their equivalents for alien objects, processes or time units could be identified.  However, in the cases of alien names for individuals or unknown locations, the original terminology has been retained.

The remainder of the scroll is currently being studied, transcribed and translated to establish the significance of its contents.

Dr. Meltan Jorausky, FSAC

Sub–Director, Space Artifact Division

TransSpace League Exploration Agency

Sol 3 Date:  Nov. 18, 2186

Galactic Date:  5518.639

CHAPTER 1:  Belshimitar

Admiral Jazon Ozier spoke tentatively into the air from his suite on the thirtieth floor of the Plaza Towers hotel.  Has this solar system moved?

The voice of an Artificial Intelligence Data Device replied.  Unknown, Sir.  Power surges during the recent disturbance knocked most of our sensors and monitoring equipment off-line. Repairs are currently being made, and we will attempt to determine our current status as monitors are restored to active operation.

He had recovered from his dizziness.  Except for the curiously dancing tube and the startling visual effects, did anything really change?

A few moments later, the robotic AIDD's voice returned, "We can report some initial findings, Sir. No communication can be established with Kepren or any other Alliance world.  Numerous subtle changes have been found by instruments tracking this system’s gravitational interactions and orbital motions.  The most critical of these disturbances is on Kerbish, the mining colony moon. It has experienced a strong gravitational shift, and the preliminary data shows after-effects are increasing.  Its ambient temperature has risen sharply and it has rapidly increased several magnitudes in brightness in both visual and infrared spectra.  Although no definitive explanation is yet available, current probability analysis suggests that Kerbish will be devastated by widespread volcanic activity."

Is Kerbish visible to the naked eye from my vantage point? Jazon asked, feeling a strong need for the bracing night air.

It normally would not be, Sir. However, the changes it is now undergoing should make it visible to you.  Despite that increased brightness, it will be simpler to locate the large, brilliant red star precisely at the zenith.  Kerbish is twelve degrees due east of and sixty-two degrees below that star.  We are unable to provide the name of that star.  It is unknown to the skies of this system.

Unknown… or alien?  He raced onto the verandah.  From his position high above Aairon's Plaza of the Worlds, he instantly recognized that the sky was totally alien.  Directly overhead, he saw the bright red star.  Below it was an angry orange disc.  Kerbish was obviously unstable, its brightness pulsating and continuing to increase.  It flared garishly and even more brightly as shattering gravitational forces split the moon's mantle, exposing the molten core.  The furious energy expenditure exposed bright crevices and broken segments. It looks like it's actually breaking apart!  The light slowly dimmed, then— in a horrible moment of violently dazzling pyrotechnics— Kerbish exploded.

Although the moon’s colony had been evacuated, Jazon was stunned that such a massive and valuable satellite—a place where people had laughed and worked— could be reduced so suddenly to random dust clouds and drifting chunks of space debris.  He watched in shock as the light dimmed, the after-image faded, and all visual signs of the moon’s  existence faded.

Kerbish was no more.

Jazon finally found his voice and anxiously inquired, Have any of other planets or moons in Plathymiir's system been damaged or destroyed?

Current findings reveal nothing severe, Sir.  However it is probable that Pao underwent an orbital shift sufficient to create planet-wide gravitational tides.  Moderate damage to the planet and some of its infrastructure may be expected, with the most severe risk to its coastal areas. Plathymiir itself appears to be fully stable, with only minor increases in sun-spot and solar flare activity

Jazon focused again on the clear night sky.  Dramatic, even shocking changes now assaulted his sense of rightness.  The dominating sight of the neighborhood spiral galaxy and the cluster constellations that had been such familiar and beautiful companions were now totally absent.  The entire sky was splattered with unknown stars and formations.  A huge, but distant, elliptical galaxy occupied the eastern sky— where none should exist.  The dominant nearby stellar cluster was clearly an older, globular cluster, rather than the younger open cluster of Kepren.

High in the western sky, Jazon discovered a row of lights— pearly points in an unnatural, almost perfect, straight-line symmetry.  What an unusual constellation… like a necklace of celestial pearls.  After a few minutes, he realized it could not be a star formation; the lights were perceptibly separating and moving in different directions.  They must be relatively close to display such apparent motion.  A short time later, their movement caused them to lose their appearance of being associated. Had he not seen them earlier, Jazon would have never made that connection.

He was now certain the Plathymiir system had shared the fate of the Alliance’s vanished systems.  This system has unquestionably been moved, somehow... but not in any natural sense.  No known technology can move such huge masses— yet it seems this mass has been moved to some distant place almost instantly.

Mass?  An entire planetary system has been moved!  It seems impossible… but seeing this alien sky, I have to believe it.

Get with it, Jazon!  You’ve explored throughout much of the galaxy.  You should recognize at least some familiar features, no matter where you are in the universe!

This new, unknown galaxy must contain hundreds of millions of stars— maybe billions.  If that elliptical galaxy or that globular cluster had been present in any of the many skies I’ve seen— or that I've ever studied— I’m certain I would recognize it.  Yet there they are… totally unknown features dominating Belshimitar’s sky! Where in the Nine Creations am I?

Have I made the right decision?  Have I allowed myself to become stranded… for no reason?  What did I really expect?  To come face to face with the Invader?  To fight it out? Jazon returned to his room and dropped miserably into a chair.  No, I can’t allow myself to believe I’m uselessly stranded.  I must not forget Hoga’s promises.  He predicted this… and he said I would find an answer.  He assured me I would learn through direct experience by whose hand the Wasp was… will be?… saved.  But what do I do now?  Should I return to my cruiser?  For what purpose?  Where would I go?  What do I look for?

He spoke briskly into the air.  Have measurements been taken of Belshimitar’s atmosphere since the disturbance?

Yes, Admiral.  No change has been noted, but we are continuing to monitor the atmosphere and many other factors.  Shall we notify you of any atmospheric changes?

"Yes!  Also closely monitor both nearby and distant regions of space.  Advise of anything out of the ordinary."

Admiral, such monitoring is already being done. The Astrogation systems are back on-line, but have totally failed to yield any meaningful results. No nearby stars or constellations or galaxies have yet been identified.  However, so many changes of so many kinds have been noted that it would require several hours to update you.  Since none of those changes show signs of being life-threatening, they were not of high enough priority to report them to you.

A surging premonition caught his breath.  Changes?  Other than the totally alien sky?  What changes?

Though all communication with the Kepren Cluster were lost approximately 38.3 minutes ago, antenna arrays have picked up significant transmission noise at erratic intervals.  Random frequency and modulation signatures suggest equipment similar or identical to that of some of the vanished Alliance systems.  We are now executing a standard spiral search pattern to determine in what specific directions the signal strength increases.  One particularly strong signature has been identified with high probability as that of the Zythlen system.  Estimates indicate 21.36 hours will elapse before the full spiral search can be completed, the antennae realigned, and voice communication attempted.

Zythlen… The third vanished Alliance system!

Jazon thought furiously, attempting to assimilate this vital new information.  Any other significant signal signatures?

Yes, Sir.  Seven additional emanations, all with signatures which could potentially be coming from vanished Alliance systems.  Also, powerful emissions— in both the extremely low frequency and the extremely high frequency ranges— were registered during the anomalous event.  Those emissions dispersed quickly and lingered only briefly after the event. Although the signal was strong, it was so pervasive that precise coordinates could not be determined before it ceased.  Field strength measurements were inconclusive and all instrumentation readouts peaked beyond our maximum scale.  However, tentative interpolation indicates maximum power on the order of ten to the twelfth Selkri at peak emission, emanating from a spread field over 175.000 miles wide.

Jazon was stunned.  The entire Alliance, working in unison, could not collectively exert anything near that stupendous level of focused power.  He berated himself for not having interrogated Belshimitar’s overseers on these points immediately after the event.

Still, things could be worse.

Then he realized that they were.  His own presence had caused the AIDDs to redirect their main focus toward protecting him, and—as a result— they had placed far too low a priority on any changes that did not constitute an immediate threat to his life.

He frantically barked out orders.  "Confine activities to the following areas, in the priority order given:  Keep a close watch for any unusual and unidentified emissions from space.  Report any unusual occurrence or space travelers within a radius of two light years.  Immediately refocus half of the communications antennae on the highest probability Alliance communications signals.  Also extend the Astrogation programs to search for and identify our location anywhere in the known universe.  He paused, considering the implications of the severe limitations of his orders.  Beyond those areas, maintain standard security and search routines.  Acknowledge and execute."

Acknowledged.  Executing.

He felt sure his instructions could be improved upon, but for the moment they would suffice.  However, the question remained: was an alien intelligence involved in manipulating this overwhelming event?  Their analysis had indicated a high positive probability.  If so, was that intelligence hostile?  If communications could be re-established with Zythlen, which had disappeared over ten years before, the answer might quickly be found.

Suddenly, he went from fearing the involvement of an alien intelligence to fervently hoping for it.  If no alien force is involved, I may be marooned here forever!  But if a non-hostile alien force is somehow involved, there is at least a chance I will eventually be able to return home.

Based on Hoga’s tantalizing hints, Jazon believed he had a high prospect of eventual rescue.  Still, the primary problem remained unsolved.  Stellar systems would almost certainly keep vanishing until the cause was found… and Hoga implied that I would find it.

His head bobbed involuntarily, suddenly very heavy. and his eyelids insisted on closing.  His adrenaline rush had ceased, his body’s supply temporarily exhausted.  Even if I am the Fleet Admiral, I have to get some rest.  It’ll be hours before direct communications can be attempted.  Besides, collectively, the hundreds of AIDDs have their orders and are far more capable of doing what is needed.

Jazon wearily rose from the chair, took four shaky steps and literally fell across the bed, unable to expend even the minimal effort of removing his uniform.

CHAPTER 2:  Alliance

Silence reigned during Kyell and Sabanda’s long ride to the surface far above the underground complex of the Mathlen Science Center.  It was their first venture to the surface since Jazon’s departure for Belshimitar.  Even the slight chill of the Autumn-like weather— as cool as it ever got at Aairon— was losing its hold, and it was their intention to visit a small fountain in a nearby sheltered area.

Once there, Kyell said, "Sabanda, we mustn’t give up hope.  The Plathymiir system is gone, but Jazon must be OK.  Our best analysis shows some unknown intelligence must be behind the disappearances, taking planets and their suns together as a way of preserving planets and protecting life.  And remember, Hoga promised Jazon would personally discover how the Wasp was saved.  He’s got to be alive to do that."

Sabanda managed a smile, only moderately forced.  A very concise and logical analysis, Commodore Trandic. She took his arm and squeezed affectionately as they walked toward the fountain.  "And thank you for cheering me up, Kyell.  I am worried about Jazon… and more.  If… if he shouldn’t return, I would need to assume his responsibilities… but I don’t know if I'm up to the challenge.  Another system disappearance, Jazon gone, and we're still no closer to the solution!  She paused, twisting an auburn curl uncertainly.  What I mean is that we… you and I… are still in the dark and— other than Dr. Dristane— we're the only living, breathing people awake on Kepren.  So, whatever Jazon may have learned, you and I will be the ones who have to make any critical decisions. And it's likely we'll have to make those decisions without whatever new information he may have gained." Her eyes misted over.

Kyell ached at the strain in her normally calm and comforting voice, and said confidently, "He’s coming back, Sabanda.  I don’t know how. I don't know when. But I know he is coming back.  Jace leads a charmed life … he’s the miracle man!"

"But there must be something we could do, Kyell!  I feel so helpless... useless.  None of the Plathymiir recons survived.  And the system’s communications were cut off just as abruptly as in all the other System Disappearances.  And our investigations of the SDs say there’s absolutely nothing there to investigate!  How can we possibly help Jazon?"

Kyell felt her acute distress.  It does no good to make rash decisions, he said seriously, so let’s not make any major decisions today, Sabanda.  We've been dealing with the SD problem for years, so ten days isn't likely to make a big difference in what we find on our own, one way or the other.  But, by then, we might have heard from Jazon and have new information to base our decisions on.

It's so hard to simply wait, she sighed, even though I know you’re right.  OK. Remind me when the ten days are up.  I do appreciate your advice, Kyell— especially now— but, if you don't mind, I’d like a little time to myself."

He squeezed her hand, smiled his understanding and reluctantly returned to the lab.

CHAPTER 3:  Coalition

The tension aboard the ship heightened even further as Lord Ptoriil Briin, unable to hide his incredulity, asked, "Are you absolutely certain?"

Yes, Your Grace, replied Officer Restaan curtly.  Recognizing the Regent's tone of anxious discomfort, the young aide wondered how Lord Ptoriil would judge his role in the perceived handling— or possible mishandling— of carrying out the unprecedented levels of close reconnaissance of the newly captured system.

Ptoriil, by virtue of his role as Regent Supreme, had ordered close approach by an automated scout— a clear violation of the dictates of the Regency Coalition's ruling council, the Mutual Advisory Committee.  Among the several technological advantages of this action was the fact that, even if detected by the newly captured alien civilization, the probe would almost surely be perceived as a meteorite, especially since— after tight beaming whatever information it gleaned— the craft would convincingly incinerate upon entering the planet’s atmosphere.  Also, employing the probe with and its self-destruct method avoided the potential problems caused by the fact that all Coalition registered ships automatically logged an on-board record of all close approaches to objects in space.  Although such evidence could be tampered with by expert technicians, Lord Ptoriil's self-destruct orders provided a simpler solution that avoided being confronted on that issue by the Lords Regent.

Now, keeping the secret of the probe's deployment no longer mattered.  The data transmitted from the probe had revealed the electrifying evidence of current habitation by a sentient being or beings.

Briin noticed the officer’s obvious nervousness, but made no mention of it.  He merely replied, Very well, Restaan.  Return to your duty station and await further orders.

Thank you, Your Grace, the officer replied, then hurriedly made his exit.  He displayed such obvious relief at being permitted to leave the Chief of State’s presence that Briin couldn’t restrain a sour smile. Restaan thinks it’s his career on the line… If he only knew!

Briin turned, muttering, Life-force emanations… low field strength… no more than one or two people!  He nervously shifted in his pentaform before addressing the only person remaining in his compartment— his First Science Officer, Laytonn Eebri.  "Well, despite the obvious physical similarities, this capture obviously is not following the normal transition pattern.  For the last several years, we've captured only totally evacuated planets.  Now this!"  He waved his arm toward a baffling place he could not possibly see, then paused, expecting Eebri to say something.

She remained thoughtfully— conveniently— distracted.

Briin continued gruffly, "If there had been several thousand armed troops on the planet, ready to do battle, he grimaced, we wouldn't have been happy about it, but at least we could know what their intentions were.  But just one or two people?  Why only one or two?  A couple of inadvertent stragglers?  Or one lone, remarkably courageous emissary?"

Eebri let the silence stretch out, again hoping to avoid answering Briin’s puzzling questions.  It was to no avail; this time he stubbornly waited her out.

"They wouldn’t need an army, Briin, if they're only attempting to make contact with us."

He looked confused.  Could they possibly know who we are?

"Unlikely. At least, not specifically.  Still, they must logically have surmised that some intelligence is involved, in some way, since only unsettled planets have been left behind to suffer destruction.  So it’s probable they’ve deduced the likelihood of our existence.  They’re certainly not simplistic savages, you know."

Briin smiled.  You must be right.  But then, you usually are… which is why you’ve earned your high office.

She smiled and gave a slight nod in acceptance of that truth.

Briin signaled again for Officer Restaan, who quickly arrived. His face and posture revealed that he was still anxious and uncomfortable.  Briin asked about preliminary indications of planetary defense.

Your Grace, we have detected generators for both defensive force field domes and light amplification weapons systems.

Anything we can’t handle?

For the first time, Restaan smiled faintly and said, "Well, Sir, of course we’re still at long range for accurate detection of every form of weapon.  Also, it’s possible they have the ‘X’ weapon…"

Which is…? Briin prompted.

The aide’s smile tightened slightly. Any weapon, Sir, of which we have absolutely no knowledge or understanding!

Unsmiling, Briin sternly queried, What would you say the odds are of that 'X weapon being there in our present situation?"

The officer’s smile ebbed.  If it were my gamble, I’d bet we wouldn’t be surprised by anything they might have.  Fortunately, I don’t have to make that wager… but, Your Grace, we’ll never know unless we test the odds, will we?

Well put, Officer Restaan, Briin responded immediately.  It is my call.  So here are my orders: Have all non-essential personnel transferred off this ship. Then set course for the planet, and ground as close as possible to the life-force signs we’ve detected."

Restaan smiled approvingly, saluted smartly, turned and left. Briin sucked in a deep breath and looked to Eebri for her response.  She returned his gaze levelly, nodding fractionally.

Briin said, Now I wish I hadn’t brought you along.  By taking this action, I’m risking both your life and your career.  If you would prefer, I’m willing to delay the landing until you can transfer with Aalteea to another ship.

Not on your life! she countered sharply.  Aalteea and I are both military personnel sworn to your service.  In addition, I am one of your few staff-level officers, and the only one currently on board.  Besides, she said saucily, tossing a taunting wink, "you can claim no personal responsibility for me… yet!"

Briin winced theatrically.  "True, Eebri… but I suspect that you know I could readily be convinced to remedy that!  Changing tack abruptly, he continued gravely, Somehow I’m sure there is one solitary brave soul down there who is there by deliberate choice.  They must have known exactly when this transition was going to happen.  Seeing Eebri’s arched eyebrow, he explained somewhat defensively, Don’t ask— I have no rational explanation other than the sheer strangeness of the situation.  I just feel it!  Call it a hunch if you want to… after all, females aren’t the only ones with the capacity for intuition!"

No, Eebri responded with a giggle.  "They’re just the only ones who don’t feel they must defend themselves when they act on their intuition."

As Briin scowled, Eebri shared a surreptitious wink over his shoulder with an obviously amused Aalteea.  She had entered the room only moments before, but clearly had heard and enjoyed the recent intuition exchange.

Briin glanced back quickly, but caught only the smug remains of Aalteea’s swallowed laugh.  He shrugged, acknowledging defeat, and resumed speaking as if comfortable with— or at least resigned to— being so thoroughly subdued by these two women.

"As I was saying, it would take tremendous courage for one person to chose to stand alone, directly in the path of a force that rips away entire planetary systems.  Whoever it is, I think that I like that person already.  Let’s go find out if I'm right."

The ship followed a graceful curve downward toward its final destination.

CHAPTER 4:  Alliance

Sabanda sat on the ledge next to the fountain, dipped her feet in the chill water and felt the cool mist from the spray.  After Kyell had left, she had spent several minutes basking in the freshness of the morning light. Then she had taken some additional time for herself, simply enjoying the beauty of the park-like grounds of Aairon, which offered so refreshing a change from the underground environment of the Mathlen complex.  She sat quietly, twirling an auburn curl of her wavy shoulder-length hair around her finger, absorbing the peace and natural beauty of the lush setting. letting it restore her inner calm.

Wiping away the last of the tears she had allowed to fall while alone, she admonished herself, Buck up, Sabanda. It's time to get back to work.

She recalled that Jazon had urged her to follow through with her idea of contacting Talir Brovean. Lifting her head slightly, she spoke, CLIO.

The voice of the Communication Liaison Intelligence Operator program responded immediately, Yes, Vice-Admiral?

Please advise if Talir Brovean is…  She had started to say awake but realized she didn't know if Talir ever slept, since he was a life-essence—one of the people whose intelligence continued to live on in protected storage after their bodies, through accident or old-age, had ceased to function.  "If past-President Brovean is available, please tell him that Vice-Admiral Sabanda Ozier is calling and ask if it is convenient for him to speak with me."

Vice-Admiral, the President has left priority instructions that if either you or your husband originates a call, he is to be summoned from quiescent mode at once. Also, Vice-Admiral, please be advised that the President can present himself anywhere communications can reach, on or under the planet’s surface. he has now prepared himself and is ready to meet with you.  Is your current location acceptable?

Yes, certainly, if it’s convenient for President Brovean.

The familiar figure past-President of the Kepren Cluster Alliance suddenly manifested some little distance away, walking toward her.  The uniform was identical with the one she had seen in the holo-recordings they had viewed on the ship while returning from Earth… it seems like a lifetime ago!… when she and Jazon and Kyell were all still in mask.  Brovean's projected image, considerably more life-like than that of the one in the shipboard recording, spoke when it drew near.

 Vice-Admiral, I am at your service.  To what do I owe this high honor?

Thank you, Mr. President, but the honor is mine.  And if you’ll call me Sabanda, I would be pleased to call you Talir… or would you…

"Dear lady, I shall feel especially privileged to address you as ‘Sabanda.’  And feel free to call me whatever you like.  If I may, I wish to express my sincere regret for the circumstances which have forced this current separation from your husband.  I hasten further to say that it is both my deep belief and my fervent prayer that he will return to you— to all of us— healthy and unharmed.

With that understood, Sabanda, how may I be of assistance?

Well, she began a bit uncertainly, "When I last spoke with Jazon, he agreed it would be wise to contact you for help and advice.  He felt that since your… uh… untimely demise, you may have had more opportunity to give further thought… Oh, Talir, I’m so sorry!  I’m afraid I’m not saying this very well. I feel so awkward."

On the contrary, Sabanda, you have addressed the issue accurately and forthrightly.  How could I possibly be offended?  His eyes twinkled faintly and his cheeks crinkled at their corners.  "But, considering how many years I had lived beyond the century mark, my ‘untimely demise’ actually was long overdue.  However, I indeed have had significant opportunity for deep reflection.  Being in constant contact with those communications to which I am privy, I keep remarkably abreast of many significant events, almost as they occur.

"Also, it is completely understandable how distressing your husband’s absence must be for you.  If I may be allowed to offer my feeble attempt to allay your fears, I would choose to address some pertinent facts about Hoga in particular, as well as the SDs in general.  The Admiral had not only courage, but also enough confidence in Hoga to follow his advice and go to a system he had so amazingly and accurately predicted would vanish.  And— as we both have abundant reason to know— the Admiral’s judgment is exceptional.  For these reasons and more, I am confident that the Plathymiir System, Belshimitar, and your husband are safe.

He moved closer and seated himself on a bench opposite and facing her.  She marveled at his life-like image:  unwavering, totally opaque, eyes tracking remarkably well.  When his image looked directly at her, his eyes seemed perfectly focused.  How much those eyes actually could see, she could not even guess.

Sabanda, please excuse my need to offer unsolicited opinions.  I do not mean to impose myself upon you with my self-prescribed remedy for boredom. Yet, you have indicated that both you and the Admiral has thought I might be of help.  Is there a more specific question or issue you wished for me to address?

Sabanda thought for a moment and said, "If such a specific question exists, neither my husband nor I have yet thought of it.  However, Jazon and I share a deep respect for you.  We feel the insights you’ve gained from your vast experience would, of themselves, offer assistance.

Also, in Jazon’s absence, I suddenly find myself in command...both militarily and politically.  These high positions of ultimate responsibility are not ones which I had ever desired to have, nor ones with which I am now completely comfortable.  Any advice or support you can offer from your own wisdom and experience would be greatly appreciated.

He graciously, gratefully smiled at her.  I see.  I believe perhaps I do see.  Well, whatever an old, expired ex-leader’s personal ruminations and private opinions might be worth, I shall be most happy to share any and all of them with you.  But I must ask you to promise me one thing.

She tilted her head, puzzled and slightly apprehensive.  Yes, Talir?

Sabanda, he confided, you may not be aware that, despite my liberation from my physical body, my movement—in some ways— has become very restricted.  The vast majority of the special resources I was privileged to access as President are no longer available to me. As a result, my grasp of current events and the situation of the living may not be nearly as good as I might… or as you might… imagine them to be.  The promise I request of you is simply this:  If, in fact, you come to realize at any time that I have little to offer in the way of any meaningful solutions to your problems, you will then continue our visits only if you have the time comfortably available for them, and if they are at least giving you some personal enjoyment.  Is that agreed?

Oh, Talir!  I could never find your thoughts and insights boring!  If I ever did, it would be my own wisdom I would question.  Despite differences we might have had in the past, I have always found you to be delightful company. So, please understand that I would enjoy meeting with you in any event.  But, please, rest assured that the value of your wisdom and insight are far more important than whether I might be enjoying myself.

Fair enough, fair lady, Talir said with a smile.  "I know that the SD question is, for you now, second in magnitude of importance only to that of your husband’s safety.  I, of course, have access to general communications and telemetry.  For example, even as we speak, I am aware— at least, to the limits of my access restrictions— that no additional information relating to Belshimitar’s disappearance has been received.

"There is one key piece of information I have gleaned from your previous roundtable discussions. That key issue in the matter of the SDs is the principle of mathematical probability, as applied to the simultaneous disappearance of a sun and several of its settled planets.  Since, on that occasion, it was determined that chance dictates that only one out of four hundred trillion such events would be simultaneous disappearances, we can consider it a virtual certainty that there must be some intelligent guidance behind them.

However dubious the motivations of that intelligence might be, or however reprehensible their actions may be, we can rest assured that the intelligence has made scrupulous efforts to protect the living from harm.  As a result, it is clearly evident that we have abundant reason to believe in Jazon’s continuing safety.

Sabanda offered a thoughtful nod of agreement.

 "Further, I have studied every scrap of information to which I have access about this mysterious Hoga.  Other salient information has come by way of silence, rather than through direct evidence.  For example, Hoga was able to command ADIZ from a distance.  This is no mean feat, considering the monumental precautions the Alliance has taken to preclude just such an occurrence.  The core design and meticulous construction of every Alliance AIDD includes the provision for automatic recording of any security failure.  Therefore, if outside control has been imposed on any robot— such as was the case with ADIZ— the time and date the event occurred would invariably be recorded.  Repeatedly, over more than a millennium of history and experience, that inherent technological capability has proven impossible to defeat… until the recent and startling performance by Hoga."

Talir shifted his position slightly and settled in more comfortably. Sabanda realized, with a little internal shock, that the move was a result of Talir’s well-honed theatrical sense.  The image was incapable of being truly uncomfortable, but the seemingly natural movement helped those near him feel more at ease.

"Sabanda, I must stress that last point rather forcefully.  The recording of the event and its time of occurrence depends on absolutely no outside control.  It invariably activates in the event the AIDD, itself, is no longer wholly in control.  Since no such report was found in ADIZ’s case, it is abundantly clear that Hoga possesses the astounding and unprecedented ability to circumvent our most advanced security programming— and, apparently, is able to do so with ease.

One final point might be considered to be obscure and fraught with complexity, yet is no less important.  However, before I proceed with it, I should ask how familiar you are with the learning processes of machine intelligences.

Superficial… proceed as if I know nothing at all.

"We have come to give little thought to the subject of our ever present AIDDs, other than to assume they will aid us. However, do remember that an AIDD is an Artificial Intelligence Data Device— a robotic machine. However, the reality is that any such machine intelligence’s programming is no longer— actually, has not been for many centuries— the subject of fixed and isolated set of pre-programmed instructions which its designer created in one exceptionally rare and lucid moment of inspiration, to remain forevermore unchanged.  Our AIDDs have long had the internal flexibility and adaptive capacity to modify their initial instruction set.  Their core programs contain highly sophisticated algorithms which constantly measure the machine’s performance against alternate methods of action and processing which might offer meaningful improvements in either speed or energy expenditure.  With such adaptive machines, a very rapid alteration, enhancement and expansion occurs within the initial instruction set.  Within a very short time, the bulk of an AIDD’s operational programming comes from its own experiential development.

"It therefore follows that Hoga could not, under any circumstances, have uncovered some hidden cache or secret external documentation of code specifications, so as to be armed with the extensive information necessary to reprogram ADIZ.

"All these points, taken together, should make it is utterly impossible to take control of one of our AIDDs. Yet, as we have seen, Hoga apparently did so with consummate ease.  Sabanda, that stark reality could seem frightening to us.  Yet I do not find it to be.

"My belief is that Hoga is— in fact— not our enemy, but rather is our valued ally.  We have been given ample reason to sustain an absolute belief in Hoga’s powers and purposes.  Now we must also maintain an unwavering faith that he is using his exceedingly advanced level of technological sophistication to assist the Alliance… and that he is continually exercising those exceptional capabilities to protect Jazon."

Sabanda sighed deeply, her shoulders regaining their natural softness for the first time since Jazon had disappeared.  Thank you, Talir... sincerely.  Our meeting today has been of immeasurable value to me, both as a distressed wife and as a troubled leader.  Now, if you will excuse me for just a moment, I have a duty to perform.  CLIO?

Yes, Vice-Admiral?

"Please record the following orders.

"From this moment forward, past-President Talir Brovean is to have complete and unlimited access to any and all communications, telemetry data, and intelligence information— past, present and future— gathered or created and maintained in or by any Alliance resource.  Further, any request made by him for any information is to be treated as a direct order from me, so long as I may serve as acting-President of the Alliance.

CLIO, ensure the directive's active status, and provide confirmation.

Recorded, Vice-Admiral.  Status change activation confirmed.

Sabanda turned back to Brovean’s image and spoke deferentially.  "Talir, please forgive me if I now impose or make you uncomfortable in any way, but… is there anything I can do to make your existence more interesting or enjoyable?"

"My dear lady, you are a truly gracious person who could never offend, even accidentally.  I am now able to experience more events… vicariously, many simultaneously… than ever