Biosymbionce

Biosymbionce

By Joseph Philbrook

copyright 2020 Joseph A Philbrook III

Smashwords Edition

Revision 9

Smashwords Edition License Notes This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. All characters are fictional. Any resemblance of any of the characters to actual people, living or dead, is purely an unintended coincidence.

The following contains mature subject matter.

It's content has not been censored. It may not be suitable for all readers.

The story is about a complex future. Where expensive highly technical solutions exist for nearly all diseases, including sexually transmitted ones. A future where some biological solutions have also been discovered. In both cases, the lack of medical consequences for promiscuous behavior, can eventually lead to a change in what is perceived as moral behavior.

The bawdry, often explicit, occasionally humorous and sometimes even erotic concepts found in this story are not the point of the story. But they are part of it.

To those offended by such content. You are hereby warned. It's in there!

Table of Contents

The following contains mature subject matter

The Darkness Within

Chapter 1 : Underground

Chapter 2 : A Painful Awakening.

Chapter 3 : Food For Thought

Chapter 4 : The Renegade's Report Files

Chapter 4 Part 1 : A Call For Help

Chapter 4 Part 2 : No Rest For The Weary

Chapter 4 Part 3 : Hysteria

Chapter 4 Part 4 : Monsters

Chapter 4 Part 5 : A Small Spark Of Hope

Chapter 4 Part 6 : A Sad Return & A Hasty Departure

Chapter 5 : The Interior Lake

Chapter 6 : Zeroday

Chapter 7 : An Urgent Revamp

Chapter 8 : A Shaky New Beginning

Chapter 9 : The Splittree Home

Chapter 10 : A Blossom’s First Bloom

Chapter 11 : Sudden Departures

Chapter 12 : A Gathering Of Friends

Chapter 13 : Target Practice

Chapter 14 : Battle Rage

Chapter 15 : Compassion

Chapter 16 : The Hunt Begins

Chapter 17 : Life Bond

Chapter 18 : Dark Secrets

Chapter 19 : Of Dreams And Waking

Chapter 20 : The Word Is Magic

Chapter 21 : Poetic Justice

Chapter 22 : Hard Choices

Chapter 23 : Adoption

Chapter 24 : Marching Orders

Chapter 25 : The High Price Of War

Chapter 26 : Another Sacred Tree

Chapter 27 : Of Wenches And Warriors

Chapter 28 : First Flight

Chapter 29 : Of Lesser Evils

Chapter 30 : For The Sake Of Love

Chapter 31 : Concluding Some Terms

Chapter 32 : Firestorm

Chapter 33 : Return Of The Thornmaster

Chapter 34 : The null-Diver

Chapter 35 : Subspatial Jump

Chapter 36 : Fledgling

Chapter 37 : Home

Chapter 38 : Bounty Killer

Chapter 39 : The Guild Council

Chapter 40 : Home Again

Appendixes

About The Author

Galactic Standard Units of Measure

Authors notes

About The Names In This Book

The Darkness Within

There was an old wound, hidden deep inside his heart. It never quite healed, no matter how much time went by. He hid it from himself. Wrapped it up with what good times he could find. Yet deep down the pain festered. He covered it over with the many satisfactory accomplishments of a long and purposeful life. But every time he dared to look., the blackness in the center of his being was a little bigger.

He took much solace from those occasions, when he had been able to put an end to the power mad schemes. With which some of the strong, were wrecking evil upon the weak and defenseless. But inside, he still felt hollow. So he filled what was left of his heart, with love and kindness for his friends. And he made many more friends than he did enemies.

But the darkness within still grew. It slowly ate away at him. Each time he took note, he found less pleasure in fewer things. Yet he clung to his purpose. He spent much time fooling himself into thinking he was happy. But try as he might, he could not avoid the bittersweet memories. Of the good times he had had with those dear ones that were forever lost.

And when thoughts of their loss came unbidden into his mind. He could do nothing to hold back the tears. He would cry until he could cry no more. Then for a time, he would embrace the sadness. And seek once more to atone for the evil events in his past.

He was well aware, that few of those had ever been of his own doing. But he would pay for them all, nonetheless. For he knew that when he gave himself fully to this task, his heart would be for a time, at peace once more.

He also knew however, that all too soon the sadness would again become too much. And he would seek shelter from it once again. He would lock it away deep inside his tortured heart. And pretend to be happy. It was then, that the darkness within did grow.

Chapter 1 : Underground

The nanosymbiont stepped through a gap in the grate over the ventilation duct, into the dimly lit service corridor. To all outward appearances the nanosymbiont was a middle aged lady dressed in dingy, outdated clothing which easily identified her as one of the homeless vagabonds. Who seek shelter from the elements in the city's infrastructure of ventilation, drainage and service passageways.

She knew that her use of this particular passageway would not pass unnoticed for long. Yet she didn't hurry. She wanted them to locate her tonight. She had already set up a ruse that should cover her disappearance. In such a way, as to convince both the authorities and her less legitimate pursuers that she was dead. That way they would stop looking for her.

It wasn't that she was worried about them catching her. She just didn't want to destroy her base of operations. Or sever all of it's concealed connections to the planetary communication and data networks. They would be very useful, whenever she got around to returning to Quavin. The odds of the locals finding it while she was off planet would be drastically reduced. If they stopped trying to find her and the only chance of that, was if they believed her death was real.

She only needed them to chase her into one of the undertube's seldom used maintenance stations. At precisely the right moment for them to see her step into the path of a passing tube car. She carried a pouch with just enough simulated DNA to make a convincing smear on the nose section of the tube car. Even the very best of Quavinian forensic technology would be unable to distinguish the simulated DNA from actual Quavinian DNA. And in any case, it would match the authorities file samples for her.

***

Guy was pleased with his good fortune. The first place he checked for this evening's shelter was not only warm and dry but one of it's public data stream terminals was an older model. He would be able to access his accounts without submitting to a biometric scan. It was getting harder every day to avoid using the new biometric scanners.

Tonight however, while he slept in the comparative comfort of the seldom used Lunchroom in an undertube maintenance station. The programs he'd stored online under a pseudonym would be slowly buying vendochip credits. They would do this in several small transactions. Each of which would appear, to all Omni-net monitoring systems, as if it had been processed at a different location.

As he settled in for the night Guy hacked into the maintenance station's security computer. He set up a few virtual screens to display certain access ways into the station. He wanted plenty of warning, if anybody approached.

He was quite perturbed when he saw a woman entering the station. She hadn't registered on any of his ‘early warning’ screens. The corridor she was using couldn't fail to trigger an intruder alert signal at the nearest undertube security station.

He kept tabs on her, as he began shutting down his vendochip purchasing scheme. He was going to have to settle for just enough vendochips to eat well for four or five days. If this fast moving woman hadn't tripped the alarm, he would have netted enough to feed himself for over a hundred days even after he got some new clothes. It would have been a gross understatement to say that Guy was disappointed as he made his way to an access corridor located on the other side of the station.

He needed to move quickly. While he timed his presence in the corridor to coincide with his alarm suppression program. Which he had configured to self erase after it provided for his undetected departure from what was soon to be a thoroughly scrutinized undertube facility.

He entered the corridor that led to an easily hacked exit into an unmonitored access way. Which in turn led to a nearby passenger station. As he did so he looked back. That's when he saw the woman running towards the tracks from the other side of the tubeway. She was being chased by some tough looking men. Then even as Guy told himself that it was none of his business, the woman jumped down onto the tracks. She began running at an angle towards an emergency exit at the far end of the station.

Guy had always been able to calculate trajectories in his head. So just before he closed the door to the corridor, which he needed to use quickly he realized that the woman was going to be in the active trackway. When the next express was scheduled to pass through on it's way to a passenger station on the other side of the city.

Since nobody was supposed to be in the maintenance station, it was unlikely that the system would detect her presence. At least not in time to prevent the express tube car from running her down. He almost wished that he hadn't automatically calculated that he had just enough time to knock her out of the way of the tube car, if he started running immediately.

Because he had however, instead of sealing the door and continuing to make his escape. He ducked back through it and began to run for all he was worth. He would have to run down the length of the spare tube car. Which was mothballed on the inactive track on his side of the maintenance station. Only then, could he start on his own path across the active tracks. If he was quick enough he would be able to knock her out of the way. Just barely in time, for them both to fall clear of the path of the express. Which was nearly due to pass through.

After that, if he was real lucky, he might still have enough time to escape through the storm drainage system.

***

The nanosymbiont wasn't worried about the incoming tube car. Her nanites were up to the task of protecting her from the impact and of helping her cling to the car, just below the window, while she smeared her prepared pouch of gore all over the vehicle's nose.

Then when she reached her pre-prepared exit point, she would jump through the portal. Which would briefly open in front of the tube car.

Once she was back on board her cloaked ship it would be child's play to dump enough of the simulated DNA under the tube car to offer a tidy explanation for the lack of solid physical remains.

The timing would have to be perfect however, if the locals were to be fooled. Behind her she heard the sound of the rapidly approaching incoming express. So she activated the preprogrammed nano-defense shield sequence but even as her nanites focused an attractor field on the nose of the tube car, she felt an unexpected soft impact from the side.

She had of course, detected the running man on the other side of the tracks but she hadn't expected him to actually jump in the way of the oncoming tube car. In a foolish attempt to save her life.

The timing couldn't have been worse. The attractor field pinned him between her nano-armored body and the fast moving tube car. The resulting impact broke several of his bones, and split his skin open. Leaving a smear of his DNA on the forward window of the tube car. The passengers had a brief view of the side of his face hitting the window. As the impact split his head open.

She had tried to extend her nano-shield to protect the would be hero. Unfortunately there hadn't been quite enough time to prevent the extensive damage to his central nervous system. She had however, been able to collect enough bioscan data to reconstruct him. Though the damage to his brain was so extensive, that she would have had to send her personal nanites in to do the repairs. The same way ‘the Questor’ had once saved her. Such extensive repairs to his neuropathways would require some long term maintenance to prevent the repairs from regressing. This was however, beyond the scope of any standard nano-med packet.

That might not have been a problem for her personal nanites. Except that the hazards of becoming an unplanned, unprepared and unsanctioned nanosymbiont had prompted her to include a safeguard which prevented that very thing. When she had, long ago, successfully upgraded her nanites.

So she hung onto his broken body, as she jumped through the portal into her ship. Then to buy time, she stuffed him into a medical stasis chamber. If his cells didn't begin to decompose before she could prepare a bio-symbionce facilitation process, tailored to his bioscan data, there was still a chance she could save him.

The process was so experimental that he would be the first test subject. She would need a few biologicals and some very advanced medical equipment. All of which was readily available to her on a certain planet. Which just happened to be located on the other side of the galaxy.

Since her clean exit plan had failed it was too risky to leave her concealed Quavinian base in place. Because they would now be looking so hard to find her, that it was almost certain that they would find it. So she transmitted the deconstructor code. Then she set course for the most sentient daggerthorn tree in the galaxy.

The nanosymbiont was not happy. All she had to have done was to live up to the version of her reputation that the guild published to everyone they did business with in any of the three surveyed galaxies. Then she wouldn't have put Quavin in danger of becoming the focus of a guild interdiction order. All because there was now no way to prevent the local guild cargo agent from suspecting that advanced off world technology was involved in the tube car incident.

If she had only been willing to just let the stupid man die. She could have just added enough of her simulated DNA to his actual remains. That nobody would have given the tragic double fatality a second thought.

It wasn't like she never let people die. Yet if she had let him die, for the sin of risking his life to save hers, she wouldn't have been able to live with herself. The only good thing about it was that there was no way the guild would actually suspect that she actually was a renegade nanosymbiont. They simply would never believe that any nanosymbiont would ever have been so clumsy. At least they wouldn't, if they didn't detect her ships departure.

She had three choices. She was partial to subspatial jumps. Because so far, nobody had devised a way to detect the destination point of a subspatial jump. Just as long as the ship activated it's stealth systems before it returned to normal space.

Yet it was the departure point she was trying to protect and if any guild vessel happened to pass within 50 lightyears of Quavin at anytime within the next two cyclets, they would detect the ripples of it's energy signature. She could just use her guild design inverse temporal dilation field generator. While hoping no guild vessel passed within half a light year of the first 1,000 linear light years of her passage. Within the subcycle of real time it would take for the particle void of her wake to fade.

The third choice, was to risk opening a sidereal portal to a parallel universe. Then hope, for just the tenth of a subcyclet she would need to keep the portal open, that no guild vessel within 100,000 light years was actively scanning this particular star system. Here, or within the target sidereality. Then, of course, she would have to risk one of the first two choices there.

She wasn't happy with the detection risk of any of the three methods but maybe she could get creative.

If she reprogrammed the inverse temporal dilation system, commonly known as a guild stardrive. To work more like it's antiquated predecessor, the stardrive of the old guild. Then there wouldn't be a particle void in her wake. Because, she wouldn't be scavenging the energy potential of all the cosmic particles her ship's path intersected with. Trouble was, the newer stardrive wasn't designed to run that way. Using it to create the linear virtual wormhole wouldn't be very efficient. It was going to require a massive initial energy investment. Even with her ship's enormous synthuel reserve, she would only have enough power to generate the resulting virtual wormhole once.

Then she would return to normal space time, having traveled less than half of the way to her destination. With so little power left in her energy sinks that she would need to scavenge energy from some nearby star. Until there was enough juice in her ship's energy sinks to reinitialize the guild stardrive. At least she would then be able use it's normal energy scavenging operational mode, to accumulate enough power to finish the last leg of the trip with a subspatial jump. From some location where it was very unlikely for the guild to detect the jump's inception. At least that plan would absolutely preclude, even guild technology, from detecting her departure from Quavin's star system.

Chapter 2 : A Painful Awakening.

He felt like he was on fire. It wasn't just his skin. His insides, his head, and especially every bone in his body was screaming at him in agony. At least that's what it felt like until he woke up. Then, it felt even worse. Because it also hurt to think and he couldn't stop thinking. He remembered jumping in front of a tube car in a vain attempt to save the life of a stupid frightened woman. Who hadn't enough sense to stay out of it's way. At least he thought he remembered it. It didn't feel like some half remembered dream. No, he was certain the memory was real.

That posed a problem. Because he remembered botching the rescue. He remembered being hit by the train and he distinctly remembered, feeling his skull split open from the impact.

That might explain why his head hurt so much. Except that not one single thing explained how he could possibly be alive enough to feel it but feel it he did. He also felt a gentle cooling breeze slowly move across his skin. It was excruciating. He couldn't understand why that hurt more than the burning sensation. It still hurt too much to think. Yet he couldn't help himself. He wondered why he felt the cooling breeze everywhere. He even felt it flowing through the crevice between his buttocks and around his scrotum.

That's when he realized that he couldn't feel anything else touching his body, anywhere. It was like he was floating in water. Except that whatever it was, he was breathing it. It was so dark that he couldn't see anything. Though he could hear a soft slow beeping sound and if he wasn't imagining it, he could even hear that gentle breeze. Both sounds hurt his ears and his brain throbbed with every beep. There were other noises that hurt even more. The very sound of his own breathing seemed deafening but the worst pain of all, had to be the beating of his own heart. Not only did he hear it but with each pulse a fresh wave of agony followed the surge of his blood though his body. He could feel his blood vessels expand and contract painfully, as the life sustaining fluid was pumped throughout his body.

Slowly, very slowly, Guy began to feel less pain. The sound of his breathing was becoming tolerable. Nonetheless, when a very gentle voice spoke his name so softly that it almost qualified as a whisper, it sounded like thunder.

Mr. Smitters, the voice said. Please pardon me for intruding. I know the very sound of my voice must be painful at this point.

The thunder of the intruding voice had smoothed into a dull roar and Guy began to notice that the softly spoken voice sounded feminine.

After a brief pause the voice continued.

I do hope that the sound of my voice is becoming less traumatic for you, the voice said. "As your neuropathways become more functional they will hurt less and quickly adapt to normal stimuli. So by now, my voice should no longer hurt. At least not the way I'm speaking so gently.

I don't know how much of the accident you remember Mr Smitters. Or would you rather I call you Guy? There was a slight pause in which Guy almost remembered how to speak. Then the voice continued. According to your ID, your name is ‘Guy Smitters’. So unless you tell me which name you prefer. I think for now I shall call you Guy. In any case, you were in a very serious accident Guy. You almost died. And you certainly would have. If it wasn't for the special treatment you received here.

I'm sorry about the pain you feel as your sensorial neuropathways regain functionality. But Guy, the thing is we need to work on restoring some of your other senses now. Especially your vision. You have been surrounded by total darkness. For as long as I dare wait. I will be turning on a dim light behind your head. It will not be bright. But at first, it will feel something like coming out of a dark cave. And then suddenly finding yourself staring directly at the sun. No, actually Guy, it will probably hurt much more than that.

But just as sounds are rapidly becoming less painful, as you listen to them. So will the images you see, as you begin to look at them. But speaking of sounds, did you notice that I'm now speaking at a normal conversational volume?"

This time she didn't even pause before she continued, Let me tell you. According to your bioscan data, my voice isn't causing you any pain anymore. That's how I know that your neuropathways will be able to adapt to this. As she said that a soft light enveloped the room from behind Guy.

In the dim reflection of this light, he saw a woman standing before him. She was wearing a form fitting white jumpsuit. Her arms were bare as was her exposed cleavage. She was, he couldn't help but notice, an attractive mature woman with long blond hair. Even as he noticed this however, Guy recognized the face of the woman he had risked his life to save.

All of this occurred in the first moment of sight. In the very next moment he noticed the pain. It felt as if white hot daggers were being shoved deeply into his eye sockets, and twisted. He screamed long and hard but he didn't quite pass out.

When the pain faded enough, that he could stand to look, he saw a single teardrop sliding down the woman's face. She was looking into his eyes.

I'm sorry this hurts you so much, she said. Her deep blue eyes seemed to reflect genuine concern.

Guy continued to notice the woman's appearance. Her complexion looked healthy. Her skin was well tanned. If the skin exposed by her jumpsuit's plunging neck line was any indication, there were no tan lines. Her jumpsuit clung to a curvaceous yet athletic figure. Then Guy noticed that the walls of the room were a pastel shade of blue, the ceiling was white and the floor was a metallic gray.

There was a control panel, of some kind, on the wall next to where the woman stood. At this point he noticed that he was floating in a clear cylindrical chamber. That felt like it was filled with water. Only it wasn't water. Somehow he was floating in a tube of air.

That's when he noticed a strange look cross the woman's face. As her eyes drifted slightly below his for a moment. Then he realized, that he wasn't wearing any clothes and that the physical evidence that he found the woman attractive, was plainly visible.

Going by the blush that has suddenly colored your cheeks Mr Smitters, the woman began. Then added with a slight grin, Amongst other indicators. You might be wanting some clothing. But since your skin's sense of touch isn't quite ready for that yet. The best I can do is to adjust the polarization setting. Turning the lower half of your isolation cylinder to an opaque shade of gray. As she said this, he saw the lower half of the cylinder lose it's transparency and he finally found his tongue.

Why bother? he croaked painfully.

He noticed that it didn't hurt so much to talk as he expected and as he continued to speak, the pain soon faded to a minor irritation.

I mean, it's not like you haven't already seen everything, he said in something closer to his normal voice. Though I must confess it feels a little unfair. Considering how little of you I've seen so far. He paused for a moment, as he made a point of staring at her cleavage. You also have me at another disadvantage. In that you know my name. And I haven't heard yours yet. Guy paused for half a heartbeat before continuing, But first do tell me, did you enjoy the view? As much as I enjoy the way your jumpsuit lets me see how good you must look without it?

Are you saying you would like to get even, by seeing me naked Guy? she asked. As she stepped close enough to the cylinder to peek over the top of the opaque section. Don't bother to answer that, She continued. Your, ahem, ‘body’ has already confirmed what you think of that idea. I think perhaps, that in the interest of fair play, I might even let you get a good look at mine.

She turned around and walked back to the control panel. Letting him watch the way her backside swayed seductively with each step. Half way there, she flipped her long hair over one of her shoulders. Revealing that her jumpsuit did little to cover her back. The two narrow straps, that looped over her shoulders, crossed on their way to her hips where they merged into the fabric from the front of her jumpsuit. As it wrapped around her posterior with a curving waistline, that hung just low enough, to reveal a slight gap at the very top of her buttocks.

When she got to the control panel she touched a few buttons and the cylinder became fully transparent again. An adjacent wall panel opened. From which a padded bench extended into the room. She faced him again and sat down.

In answer to your other question, she began. It pleases me greatly to see that your, um, ‘appendage’ is functioning well enough to respond to my appearance. But I'm afraid my interest isn't quite what you would hope. You see my taste in partners is a lot like yours. That is to say, I'm not really in to guys. No pun intended Guy. As she said this she removed her sandals.

But I know how I'd like a lady to move, she continued. If she was undressing for my pleasure. She stood up and slipped one arm and then the other out of her jumpsuit's shoulder straps. Then she slowly lowered the front panel of her jumpsuit, revealing first one breast then the other.

As to my name, she said. As she stood there tracing her finger around the areola of one exposed breast after the other. "Well, you can call me Dr. Peterson.

As it happens Guy, I'm the Doctor who designed the process that's restoring your neuropathways. Have you noticed, by the way, that while you were busy staring at my nipples the light level in the room slowly increased to a normal intensity? Or that the light source, which radiates from a thin strip at the seam between the ceiling and the top of the wall, now extends all the way around the room? I can tell you that for similar reasons, restoring your sense of touch will be a lot less painful. If your first major sensation is orgasmic.

If such a sensation is strong enough, the rest of your body's tactile neuropathways should resync, in the resulting climactic cascade within your synapses. That is why I included a sexual stimulation system when I designed your chamber. The sensations will start so softly that at first you will almost not even feel them."

As she said this and before Guy could start to complain about what she was suggesting, Dr. Peterson turned around making a show of bending over as she slowly lowered her jumpsuit to the floor. Guy had wanted to complain that he wasn't interested in any artificial stimulation but he was distracted by an intense erection. Which he could feel forming as he looked at her buttocks.

When Dr Peterson turned around she sat down facing Guy. Then she spread her legs open far enough that he could see her hairless crotch.

While this is happening, she said. There will be a holographic avatar that looks just like me. As she said this her body was briefly enveloped in a blue shimmering light and a holographic duplicate of her nude body appeared to step out of her as it stood up. Then the very lifelike avatar started to approach him.

The avatar, Dr Peterson continued. Will appear to be causing the sensations involved. And as a bonus, if you like, I will be presenting a live show for your viewing pleasure.

Meanwhile, the avatar knelt before him and it blew on his erection. Then it licked it's lips seductively. Guy couldn't believe how real the sensations, of what an holographic avatar appeared to be doing, actually felt.

According to the biofeedback readings, the sensory cascade has thoroughly synchronized the rest of your existing tactile neuropathways, Dr Peterson said when it was all over. Then she reach up and touched a few more buttons. As she did so, the wall panel on the opposite side of the door from the control panel opened. To reveal a large concealed closet full of well stocked clothing racks.

Out of this closet she selected a few items which she placed on a smaller rack. Each time she selected one, she would first look at something on the control panel. Then she'd look closely at his nude body and either wink or grin before selecting the next item.

After she selected the last item she pushed the small wheeled clothes rack over next to Guy.

I've selected a few items for you, she told him. These are all made of the most comfortable fabric you will ever wear. If you don't like my selections, we can get you any outfit you do like. Then as she picked up a folded pair of what looked like a fancy style of men's underwear. She stepped closer and continued. "My computer made some suggestions based on it's analysis of your preference patterns.

But I made a few adjustments to the suggested outfit. And I'm pretty sure these will be your style." As she said that, she bent over and reached through the side of the cylindrical chamber in which he floated. She gently grabbed his leg to slide his foot through one of the leg openings. Guy didn't like the idea of being dressed like a baby. So he tried to resist but his muscles wouldn't cooperate.

Perhaps I should have mentioned, she explained. You're in a medical float chamber, which includes some neuropathic inhibitors, designed to keep you from hurting yourself. You will regain full control of your body when I shut it down. And by the way, the only thing your medical float chamber's forcefield affects, is you. To anybody and anything else its just an holographic projection.

By this time, moving slowly, she had gently pulled the undergarment up. Until he could feel her slide the fabric over his genitalia. He noticed that she managed to do so without directly touching him. When she finished pulling the waistband up she picked up a mirror that had been hanging from the rack and used it to give him a good look at the brown trimmed garment. Which was covered with geometric patterns in flamboyant shades of red, purple and blue.

Over this she slid on a pair of what looked like a kind of rugged cotton work pants. That for reasons lost to antiquity, were usually dyed a dark shade of blue that rapidly faded with laundering. Except that it couldn't be cotton. It was far too comfortable for that. Then Dr Peterson selected a light purple, pullover style, shirt with short sleeves, three buttons leading down from the collar and a pocket over the left breast. This she gently slipped over his head and manipulated his arms into the sleeves.

Next came a sleeveless vest made of the same fabric as the pants. As she fitted the vest to him, Dr Peterson first fastened all four of the heavy looking metal buttons. Then she shook her head.

No... I think maybe... she said as she undid the vest buttons with a smile. There is also a matching hooded jacket for outdoor use. But I think you'll like these... Then she slipped a pair of sandal like shoes on his feet. Just before she finally straightened up.

computrol: Shutdown medical support system. compudo: she said abruptly. All visible trace of the floatation cylinder vanished instantly. Then the sensation of floating in warm water quickly faded as Guy's body lowered to the floor. Dr Peterson handed him the mirror. I hope you like the outfit I selected, she said.

Guy couldn't believe how much it resembled something that he would have worn years ago before he moved off the grid. What he said was, I must admit, I like the look. But I'm not so sure it's my style. However, as much as I like the view. Don't you think it's time you got dressed too?

Well yes and no, she replied. I will take care of that shortly. But first, now that your synapses are sufficiently recovered, there are a few things we need to talk about.

There sure are, he replied. I was going to wait until you were dressed. But I'd like to know how a primly dressed vagabond suddenly becomes a seductive medical genius with access to advanced offworld technology?

Good question Guy, she said. And one that I think I shall answer. But it's a long story. And I'd like an answer or two myself. Admittedly, I wasn't quite what I appeared to be when you tried to save me from the tube car. Why did you do that, by the way?

Oh I don't know, Guy replied. I think it had something to do with the fact that I was certain that I could. And I knew that I'd have to live with that knowledge if I hadn't tried. But please don't change the subject. I wanted to know what you're doing with this technology. Which is so advanced that I'm surprised it doesn't have Guild trademarks all over it. And for that matter, why would anybody spend such expensive technology on a Quavinian such as myself?

Now who's changing the subject Guy? Dr Peterson asked then continued without waiting for an answer. As I said, I'm not who I appeared to be. But then, neither are you Guy. For some reason, my computer seems to think that you're some computer technician named ‘Thomas Coggerson’... Now where do you think it got that idea?

That said, she looked him in the eyes and actually waited for an answer. After a slight pause Guy shrugged his shoulders and sighed.

Perhaps your computer has access to Tom's bioscan data? he inquired.

My computer also said you were intelligent Tom, She replied. I can call you ‘Tom’ can't I?

I guess it doesn't matter anymore, Tom replied. But you still haven't answered my question.

True enough, she said. I will explain it to you Tom. But it is all part of a very long story. So long, that much of it will have to wait till after we have diner.

At the mention of food, Tom suddenly realized that he was famished but before he could say so Dr Peterson continued.

There are however, she said. One or two things I need to clear up. Before, I get dressed for dinner. To do that I need to know, if you know, what a nanosymbiont is?

Tom was staggered by the question. Even on a backwater colony world like Quavin. He had heard more than a little about nanosymbionts. That was the technical term describing the most exclusive group of elite Guildsmen.

He had heard many stories about their depravity. By all accounts they were incredibly wealthy, dangerous and virtually invincible individuals.

What, you mean like, as in a ‘questor’ or something? He asked.

Actually I was thinking of something more like ‘The Questor’, She said. But you don't look so steady on your feet. Why don't you sit here, and I'll stand for a while?

Just thinking about questors made Tom feel weak in the knees. So he took her suggestion and sat down.

I met him you know, Dr Peterson continued. A long time ago, when like you, I was foolish enough to risk my life for a stranger. I should have died that day. But the stranger turned out to be a questor of the Guild. And he used his nanites to save me. At great personal expense I might add. Thing was, it wasn't like some nano-med pack. His nanites moved in to stay.

Tom snorted.

Now that, if it were true, he said. Would have turned you into a nanosymbiont also.

Dr Peterson just smiled.

Tom thought this sounded crazy but he couldn't really think of a better explanation for the offworld technology she had at her beck and call.

Are you seriously claiming to be a questor? he challenged.

Not exactly Tom, she explained. I'm the one that got away. Perhaps you heard of me. Some guildsmen still call me the ‘Renegade Apprentice’...

Tom looked at her like she had three heads. She was now actually claiming to be the most dangerous nanosymbiont there ever was. The Renegade Apprentice was said to have single-handedly wiped several thousand inhabited star systems out of existence...

So then perhaps you can explain why it is, Tom sarcastically rebutted. That every story I ever heard about the ‘Renegade Apprentice’, including the bawdy ones, all indicate that he's a guy?

Dr Peterson smiled at him for a moment before commenting.

And those stories would be right about that, she confirmed.

Tom just stared with an incredulous expression until Dr Peterson continued.

If you heard half the stories that I've heard while on Quavin, she said. Then you know that like any of the guild's questors, he can use his nanites to transform his body to survive in almost any environment. A nanosymbiont can, for instance, sprout gills to breathe underwater. Or change it's appearance to look like somebody else. In his case, given enough energy, his nanites can even affect his apparent mass. So that he can appear somewhat larger or smaller.

As she said this Dr Peterson's body started to swell and she appeared to get a little taller. Then her facial features began to blur. As did the rest of her body. Her hair seemed to grow backwards until it was as short as Tom's own. During which process the Doctor's hair color darkened from blond to brown.

By this time Tom was quite aghast, though not completely surprised, to see male genitalia sprout from the doctor's crotch, replacing the feminine parts. Body hair sprouted in the pubic area, chest and underarms.

When Tom's incredulous eyes lifted, he saw that the stoutly built ‘man’ before him had brown eyes and a well trimmed beard. Which connected with an even better trimmed, mustache.

My first name is Jake by the way, explained Dr Peterson. In a much deeper voice. When I needed to assume a new identity. for my activities on Quavin a few years ago. I chose the image and behavior patterns of the love of my life. Her name was Cindy Kincade and I miss her terribly. Then, as a look of horror distorted Tom's face, Jake added, It might help for you to know that I wasn't, personally, controlling the avatar. There's an old recording of Cindy's sexual activities that the computer used to govern the avatar's behavior.

As he said this, Jake quickly dressed in an outfit similar to Tom's. Except that the shirt was black and the base color for the heavy cotton outerwear was closer to purple than blue. The only other difference was, that Jake didn't bother with the underwear.

Now I think, Jake said. It's time to explain something else that you haven't noticed.

And what might that be? Tom replied.

For an answer, Jake touched another control. Then the surface of an entire wall panel became as reflective as any mirror.

You didn't seem to notice it with the small hand held mirror, Jake said. But if you look closely at yourself, in this larger mirror, you should notice something.

Tom looked but it took a few moments for something about the familiar image to register. The brown eyed face that looked back at him, was the same familiar image he had seen many times in the mirror before. Yet it was also one, he hadn't seen for years. He looked like a young man again. Gone were the lines that creased his face. Gone was the slight bald spot on the top of his head. Gone too, were the gray highlights that had begun to speckle his shaggy blond hair.

Tom was speechless.

Shall we go to the galley? Jake asked. He didn't wait for an answer before he added, My autochef makes a mean lamb stew.

Wait a cyclet, zap it! Tom exclaimed. Ok, for the moment lets say I figure that, either I'm hallucinating or maybe you really are a questor...

No! Jake interrupted firmly. Not a questor. To hold that title I'd have had to have actually joined the Cosmic Sailor's Guild. And that became impossible, when I took instead the oath of a member of the fraternal order of the ‘Free Spacer Alliance’. But like the questors, I am a nanosymbiont.

Tom still didn't know if he believed that Jake was the infamous Renegade Apprentice. Who as legend had it, had been responsible for the death of a hundred thousand stars systems but he couldn't think of any other possibility that could explain the doctor's transformation.

OK Doc, Tom said. I'm still not so sure if you're him or not. But I'll allow that you're certainly, maniacal enough. So for now, lets pretend I believe you. At least long enough to chow down on something. Where is that lamb stew you mentioned?

This way, Jake replied. As he opened the door and stepped out of the room. Tom followed him into the corridor.

Chapter 3 : Food For Thought

The corridor was four arms wide with dull red walls. Like the room they had just exited, the corridor's floor was gray. It's ceiling was white and the light came from a narrow band, separating the wall from the ceiling. There were doors of various colors, staggered four arms apart, on alternating sides of the corridor. There were four doors on each side. At each end, there was a heavy metallic looking door. One of which appeared to be made of silver. While it's counterpart, at the other end looked more like gold. Jake led the way to the green door, next to the golden door.

The green door opened silently as they approached. Behind it was a large circular room, about 16 arms across. With a collection of empty chairs around a circular wooden table. Or more accurately, the wooden part of the structure was a ring shaped table. Which looked to be eight arms wide.

The middle of this table consisted of a hole, which was about five arms across. The hole was filled with a silver colored metallic pedestal. The top of which extended about a subarm higher than the table. Only the outer edge of the silver pedestal's top surface was exposed. It's center was covered by the edge of an exposed golden cylinder. That extended another subarm above the exposed silver ring. On top of the golden cylinder, there was, a holographic display tank. On which a panoramic view of a mountain was displayed. Jake walked up to the table and pulled two chairs out from the tables edge. Then with a gesture, he suggested that Tom sit in one of them. As he sat down in the other.

computrol: Deliver two bowls of lamb stew. compudo: Jake said. Immediately the silver ring in the center of the table, lowered below the edge of the table. While the golden center was raised up until the exposed edge was nearly half an arm tall. Then a concealed panel, facing Tom's chair, slid open. Out of this slot a metal tray slid onto the wooden table surface. The pedestal rotated until the open slot faced Jake, where another tray was dispensed.

On each tray, there was a large ceramic bowl of hot stew. Beside which there was a spoon and a thick slice of fresh crusty bread.

We don't stand on ceremony around here, Jake said to Tom. Not when it comes to dinnertime anyway. Then, with obvious relish, Jake started spooning stew from his bowl into his mouth.

The smell of the stew, as much as seeing Jake eating it, reminded Tom that he was very hungry. So he decided that any questions could wait a little bit longer. He took one taste of the stew and stopped thinking until the bowl was empty.

When Tom looked up Jake was holding his spoon in midair, halfway from his bowl to his mouth.

Told you it was good stew, he said with a grin on his face.

Then, while he waited for Jake to quickly finish the last few bites of his stew, Tom nibbled at his bread and tried to think about what things he really wanted to ask Jake about. Along with which things, he'd really rather not ask. He thought about the fancy autochef table and wondered just how many galactic standard lightyears from Quavin he'd have to be, to find anything like it.

That's when he noticed, that nothing seemed to be quite as heavy as he thought it should. He decided that Jake's claim to being the most famous nanosymbiont in the galaxy, was starting to sound like a plausible explanation. For most of what had happened over the last few subcycles. Unless of course, he was being delusional... When Jake lowered his spoon, Tom began.

OK, so lets just say that I haven't gone insane, he said. And that you actually are who you say you are. And that somehow my apparent youth, isn't just an illusion. That still leaves two questions, that I just gotta ask. ‘Where the slag am I?’ and, ‘Is it really true, that you actually mooned the Guild Council?’.

Jake sighed and muttered Steve was right. Then he explained.

OK Tom, if you must know, Jake said. "you're aboard an old shuttlecraft of mine. Which is buried under the mountain that's depicted in that hologram. The Mountain is located on an officially uninhabitable planet. Who's human inhabitants call ‘Gudjeon’. Which happens to be located on the opposite end of the galaxy, from Quavin.

There was a time, when the council thought that they had rendered me completely helpless. And then they treated me so shabbily that, yes... I did in fact moon them."

Jake spent the next two subcycles telling Tom a few more of the details. On how he had become an unplanned for nanosymbiont and how that led to his becoming the most powerful exile in the galaxy.

Why am I here? Tom asked suddenly.

Because, Jake answered. I decided not to allow an attempt to save my life, be the end of you.

Thank you, Tom replied. But that's not what I meant. Tom took another bite of his bread. While he considered his next words. Look, you already told me a little about how the questor you call Steve saved your life, under somewhat similar circumstances. But he didn't have to drag you to the other end of the galaxy to do so. What I was asking was, ‘Why am I on Gudjeon?’.

Oh that, Jake replied. Probably because it was here on Gudjeon, that I could obtain a suitable symbiont for you.

Symbiont! Tom exclaimed. I thought you said you hadn't turned me into another nanosymbiont?

I wasn't referring to nanosymbionce Tom, Jake reassured him. "I already told you that when I found a way to enhance my own nanites, I incorporated certain safe guards. Which would have prevented any of my nanites from deciding to take up permanent residence in you. Yet the damage to your body was far too severe, for any short term ‘nano-med’ option to be of much use. It was a dilemma. I couldn't use my nanosymbionce to heal you. At least not directly.

But I knew of a certain plant that could, with my help, potentially do so with a more organic form of symbionce."

Are you telling me, that you modified my genetic code with plant DNA? Tom demanded.

Not just any plant, Jake explained. "You see the daggerthorn tree was already a recognized symbiont. Between an unusual microorganism, that somehow survived a terraforming process, and a shrub.

Then I discovered, that at least some of them were actually sentient. One of which had deliberately cultivated another kind of symbionce, with some small mammals."

Sentient? Tom yelled. Then continued, in something closer to his normal speaking voice, You can't be serious. If anybody had discovered sentience, in a plant, every biologist in the galaxy would be making so much noise about it. I would certainly have heard something, even on Quavin.

True enough, Jake admitted. You would undoubtably have heard something. If that is, I had actually published my findings.

Tom just stared at Jake. The very idea of making such an incredible discovery, without publishing, was hard to believe.

Jake broke the silence.

You see Tom, he said. "The people living on Slowlane, the daggerthorn's home world, were not ready to accept the idea. They would most likely have exterminated the daggerthorn, trying to disprove my assertions. So I kept my mouth shut. Then some time later, long after I became infamous, I discovered that this world here was inhabited by the retrograde survivors of an old failed colonization attempt.

It didn't take long to find out that they had lost the technology. That had made it possible for them to survive here. And that, they no longer knew that they were descended from colonists. For which reason, they would have resisted any attempt to rescue them from the only home they know.

That's when I realized. That their best shot of long term survival was to replace their missing technology, with a biological solution. And so I convinced a certain daggerthorn, to let me bioengineer some of it's seedpods. So that they could form a kind of symbionce with the retrogrades. And together, not only survive here, but thrive.

One of the most amazing things about daggerthorn was their ability to actually pump water. They could selectively alter the water absorbency of their fibers. Rhythmically swelling with water and then rapidly contracting. Which moved the water to where the daggerthorn wanted it.

My bioengineering enhanced that ability, until the daggerthorn could regulate their internal hydraulic pressure. This let them use that pressure to selectively move branches, stalks and even roots. The improved daggerthorn could, with my help and a little cooperation from local people, create several much needed sheltered oases. And provide the people with certain medicinal substances.

But more importantly, the daggerthorn could share it's wisdom with them, by influencing their dreams. It worked. In fact it worked so well, that the daggerthorn clusters above and I discussed the possibility. As he said this part, Jake pointed at the holographic display above the table, where a wide stripe of vegetation on the side of the depicted mountain was now highlighted. Of using a further modified version of the daggerthorn's DNA to form a biosymbionce within the body of a human. We worked out the details of how it could be done. But the results were not certain. And we didn't find the idea to be very practical. So the discussion was tabled. Until I brought you here, in medical stasis of course. Obviously, I convinced the daggerthorn to try."

Tom thought that Jake's story was too bizarre to be believable and yet somehow, he was sure that Jake was telling the truth. That didn't bother him nearly as much as the fact that he wasn't actually frightened by it.

I'm not sure why I believe you Jake, he said. But I do. I find the idea of my body being infested with plant DNA very disturbing. But for some reason, it doesn't frighten me like it should. Can you tell me why that is?

Yes, Jake replied, I believe I can. You see Tom, the daggerthorn has the ability to sense emotions. This serves as a very good lie detector.

Tom snorted.

Like that would be of much use, he argued. If a nanosymbiont such as yourself, wanted to misinform me.

Good point, Jake acknowledged. But I was thinking of the fact that the daggerthorns above, ‘know’ that I've been telling you the truth. And it seems that you are already able to sense their feelings about it. And since they believe the process is beneficial for you, the daggerthorn in you senses that fact. Which would feel somewhat reassuring. Actually Tom, there is a lot I still need to explain to you. But right now, I think I'd like something for dessert. The menu includes ‘Strawberry Shortcake’ by the way, and I heartily recommend it.

After desert Tom continued his inquiries.

The fact that this amazing confection, made with those delicious... I'm not so sure that those actually were berries, was so tasty, he said. Doesn't alter the fact that you've told me next to nothing, about these ‘daggerthorn’. Which you say I can sense because of the daggerthorn DNA that you say you infested me with?

I think perhaps, Jake replied. that I should probably formally introduce you to them Tom. But I'll need to explain a few things first. Including some of the modifications I made to this particular daggerthorn super cluster. And that will be thirsty work. Yet, before I order a pot of my favorite tea, I'd like to know if you're familiar with asulrod tea?

Tom's eye opened real wide for a moment.

I've heard of a certain form of unobtainable herbal nirvana, he replied. But what I heard, was a reference to burning something and inhaling the smoke.

Yes, Jake replied. That's the stuff. But I find it much better to make a tea from it, than to fill my lungs with smoke. Would you try some with me?

Tom really wasn't sure if he wanted to, he had definitely heard of asulrod. But some of the tales of it's effects were aphrodisiacal in nature.

That depends I think, on the color of the asulrod involved, Tom began. I don't think I'd want to have anything to do with the black stuff around you.

If you mean without some willing females to share it with, Jake replied with a smile. Then I heartily agree with you Tom. But I was actually talking about the blue stuff. Of course if you prefer, the autochef can produce a pretty good ale. Or I could get you some wine.

No, Tom replied. I think right about now, I could use some of the calming effect that the blue leaves of the female asulrod are supposed to have on it's partakers.

Good enough then, Jake said warmly. I've got a teapot brewing next door now. Shall we go? As he said this Jake stood up and gestured towards the doorway.

You'll show me the way won't you? Tom asked as he stood up. Then they stepped back through the green door into the corridor. Jake led Tom to the heavy golden door at the near end. Then he pointed at a large illuminated button on the doorframe.

Would you mind letting the door scan your hand, so it can add your biometric data to it's authorized personnel list? he requested.

Which hand? Tom asked, Or does it matter?

Not unless, Jake replied. You program it to mean something Tom. The computer wouldn't care if you use your elbow, it just needs you to touch the button.

Will this do? Tom asked, as he pushed the button with the little finger of his left hand.

Bioscan data updated, An obviously mechanical voice, immediately emanated from behind the button.

Jake placed his palm on the button.

computrol: Update previous bioscan authorization level to ‘biosymbiont’ compudo: he said .

Authorization upgraded and access granted, the mechanical voice acknowledged.

Then the massive golden door, which proved to be two subarms thick, slid open. The room beyond resembled a cross between an office, a library and a museum. The side of the room near the door was carpeted with the same gray flooring as the corridor. The other half of the room had a wooden floor. The carpeted area had a number of holographic display tanks. A soft white light emanated from the top of walls, in the carpeted section and from a similar strip of illumination, between the white ceiling over the carpeted half of the room and the bare rock ceiling over the