Weathering Storms Read online

  “You’re not the only one with codes you shouldn’t know,” now his snout wrinkled as his lips curled up in a smile. Even with some pointed teeth indicating a carnivorous nature, Sesha wasn’t afraid. Even if he were real she wouldn’t be as the Venvens were solidly committed to peace in the Alliance.

  Silence reigned a few minutes as the girl kept wiping tears and drinking the special fluid; combined with the wafer it was the nutrients of a full meal geared to replenish any being.

  “Gem?” when Sesha did break the silence, it was quietly, eyes down as she was still ashamed of the wet that kept coming.

  “What, darling?”

  “Can… I ask you something?”

  “Anything, you know that.” His finger traced a soft line on her cheek, so she looked up.

  “I… never asked, when I acquired your program… are you just a Compilation or a Realistic? I mean… if you want to tell me. If not, I’m sorry that I’m being nosy and,” she stopped when his finger laid over her lips.

  “It’s all right, Sesh, and I don’t mind. I was a Realistic, my mind downloaded the instant before death. I chose to become a program.”

  “Tell… tell me about you?” even though she knew the hologram form was using extra power to feel real, Sesha needed the feel of a body, the comfort of being held and a distraction, for now.

  “A Venvenagium, of course… Seventh Continent, mountainous region. City of,” he spoke the word without the translator and it was a range of notes, almost. “High Reaches. We were the foremost space-going area despite the region.”

  “I know it, been there. Your histories told how the early stages used the winds to bring in the shuttles and optimize fuel,” again Gem stopped her.

  “Rest and just listen, Sesh dear. My name is,” again the notes, “but you can call me Shni. Don’t ask, it’s a cultural meaning blend. You know us Vens rose from flesh-eaters; packs. When forebrains developed, we began farming animals, incorporating vegetation into our diets as well, which began changing not just teeth shape but thinking processes as well. By the time I came along, our world had made application to the Alliance; our continent was ready and other species on our world desired our aid to advance as well.

  “I,” he shifted Sesha a bit, feeling her discomfort lying on the hard shuttle floor, “was a Communications Specialist during this exciting time. We were to be the seventh world in the Alliance and High City was filled with Ambassadors, Presidents, oh, all sorts of people from all the other Alliance worlds as they aided with our determination. I had a wife and three children,” turning up his palm, a separate hologram rose; a female Ven and three childings. “See the black and white one? A throwback in coloration genes and Ek’a was a handful. The boys were all ready to train for space work on the new Station and my wife was expecting our fourth, so she was not allowed to work. It was a cultural thing, give the mother every benefit.”

  “Wow, and ahead of cultural evolutionary scale too.”

  “Yep. Anyway, the Alliance was doing the mind downloads – you’ve had them too – adding to the database of knowledge. I was one chosen to wear the recorder while working, which was fine. One of the Ajjakerians translators went down as I was passing their group in the hallway so I gave him mine and fixed his on the spot. He was so impressed that he requested my attachment to his Embassy as their own communications people were having difficulty. Of course A’aa was thrilled… higher position, more pay, she was ready to house shop right then so the nursery would be ready. For a newborn Ven, that means strong fences and a lot to chew on. We’re born with a full set of teeth that fall out in a week, after which the mother can start nursing.”

  “That I didn’t know,” the tears had finally stopped, to Sesha’s relief.

  “Let’s get you up now, yes, I’ll keep talking but I want you down for the night.” Not technically able to help he slid back into holo stream and watched as Sesha carefully rolled to her hands and knees. She crawled to the chairs and manually worked the screws underneath, tilting it until Gem said stop. The other seat was adjusted as well, and Sesha settled into the Pilot chair, her legs comfortably tilted in the other. Gem settled his holoform, looking for all the world like Sesha’s feet were nestled in his lap, his arched around hers in her lap.

  “There. Anyway, I wanted to wait just a bit more, after all, Governmental paperwork takes a long time no matter what kind of Being you are.” Sesha smiled at the truthful statement. “A week later I discovered a van’t worm had gotten into a hair follicle right on the base of my spine – hurts real bad – so work sent me to Medical. They stuck the mind-corder on me again, wanting to record the nerve impulses going on while it burrowed and what all happened as it was extracted. The docs numb you, of course, but it was an unhappy time as the damn thing was a female and laid three eggs so I lost a patch of fur. Had to shave it off and the docs removed the skin. Would get a graft later.”

  “That’s why sometimes your image has that patch just above your butt?”

  “Yep. Went right home; the ‘corder would be removed the next day. I had gotten off the transit, walking to my yard. Ek’a, as usual, was tearing towards me; she’d jump and get 10 standard feet in the air and I’d catch her. There… was no warning.” Now the Shni construct paused, blinking almond-shaped eyes. This was the difference between a Compilation and a Realist program; the Reals were continuing to live in the program. New experiences, emotions, everything except a real body. The memory of what happened was almost too much for him.

  “You don’t have to, Shni,” Sesha started, but he shook his head.

  “No… unless you don’t want to hear it.”

  The eyes of the Venvenagium man were translucent but the soul was there and Sesha looked at him as if he were fully living. “No… go on. I should have gotten to know you better a long time ago, Gem… I mean Shni. I’m sorry I didn’t, that it took this crap to learn what a good companion I have. And friend, I hope.”

  “As long as you live, Sesh,” he blinked back tears and sucked in a breath. “There was no warning… all of a sudden the underground power lines blew, taking a whole living segment at a time. I saw my wife and sons just… dissolve and Ek’a had just reached her jump’s highest point when the blast blew her so high up I lost sight, but then, of course, I was flying backwards too. Was impaled on the top of a Comm pole seven units distant and hung there. Rescue arrived, of course, a worker was suspended to cut the piece I was on. I asked him to take off the ‘corder. The next thing I remember was a voice telling me my body didn’t survive; did I want to become a program or be deleted entirely? I chose program.”

  “Was I your first?” Sesha didn’t know what to say about the man’s tragedy.

  “No… the Ajj Ambassador found me, we were together for years. Turns out the explosions were an act of terrorism from a Subspecies on the small 12th Continent, their way of protesting Aliens invading the world. They were shipped off world to an asteroid prison, of course, the Alliance helped rebuild but several hundred, including me, my wife and sons and unborn baby were dead.”

  “Ek’a?”

  “She’d landed on a tall building roof over three standard miles away, still alive. At the hospital she heard a doctor say we were all dead and despite almost every bone in her body broken, she bit through the line giving her blood and bled to death before anyone noticed. The doctor was reprimanded as a mind’cord was going to be done to see what could be kept. I was told that if that had happened, she would have been attached to my program.” Words done, he just shrugged and Sesha found tears rolling again.

  “I’m so very sorry, Shni. I… I’m sorry,” never having dealt with issues like this, the woman was at a loss. Violence, while mostly weeded out of all worlds still occurred but she’d never experienced any. Shopping for the Ultra-Rich tended to be exciting, some glamorous, sometimes argumentative when shopkeepers were determined to price-jack if they found out whom the merchandise was for. Otherwise, Shoppers were treated as if they were Elite, well-tended,
fawned over and as such saw entertainment of all types. Seen on screen, in historical re-enactments, read, however was a far cry from seeing and feeling violence.

  Now Gem was under her in her seat, his neck, head, arms and looped legs solid for hugging. “I thank you, Sweet Sesha. Feeling your emotions helps heal the wounds more. And I love you for it.” She felt the kiss on her temple. “Now you sleep; I will too. Tomorrow we plan.”

  “Tomorrow we plan how to help both sets of people,” Sesha affirmed, “maybe in freeing those who wish from the madman will heal your hurt more.”

  “Kind of enabling me to do what I desired back then, save my family,” he agreed. “Good idea.” Reaching over, the program shut the already low lights off and went back to his small form standing on the Gem pad. “Goodnight, Sesh.”

  “Goodnight, Shni.”

  The morning brought a germ of an idea.

  Talk to me, darling, they’d gone back to mindspeak; not knowing if any planet occupants might be near enough to hear her speaking. Even though they’d not know the language, they’d look, find and probably kill her after lengthy torture. So it was stealth mode, both invisible and unheard.

  First, we need seawater to reactivate the computers, right? But the skies are clear now so taking off, landing, sucking up the hold full and leaving are way out. Tapping out a code, Sesha opened the tiny drawer and lifted out the whole pack of wafers. Then another compartment gave up four bottles of the fluid.

  You know, those are emergency rats, not daily. There is three days worth of food in the normal locker. Keep eating that and you’ll starve to death despite the nutrients.

  I know… but I have to minimize output too, Gem – sorry, Shni.

  Quit that. I understand.

  So… I can’t walk into the camp and ask for help because of the high level of violent behavior. I want to skulk around a day, maybe two and just watch. We’ll listen, you’ll translate and we’ll learn about the whole place, then figure what to do.

  What about first seeing how far off the ocean is from here? If it’s not too far, we can wait for storm or night, get back to the ship, refuel manually… ah, that’s just stupid.

  No, it’s good. At least there’s a germ of a chance to get the fluid easier if that’s so. We explore your idea first.

  The shuttle’s cover came first. Sesha hiked deeper into the forest and drug back bigger branches then kept most minimal computer power going for holographic disguise. Not as perfect as it should be but good enough.

  K, Shni… I went that way before, then that way so, Sesha waited and her Wrist Gem plotted a path towards the coast. Despite going around trees and such, the dot on her gem would keep her path straight.

  We have the direction of the camp from here, and the ocean on its southern side, so the Geography/Mathematics program has plotted three routes, Sesh. The first takes us very close to the camp but by the ocean, the second will be further away from the camp but it’s not certain if we’ll find ocean.

  Sesha tramped for hours, keeping her suit on light gravity. More than once she had to leap straight up into the trees for cover, unsure of what was being heard. Usually it was some kind of animal, most often a flying type. Another time a huge animal, black furred with carnivorous mien. It seemed to be following a scent, but not hers. It vanished in the direction of the encampment much more directly than Sesha was. To be sure of non-discovery, she jumped from tree to tree for a while, then leapt down. Each move hurt her back and thighs despite the assistance of the Aga but at least her energy level stayed good.

  K, Shni, we’re at the forest/ocean edge of the city. This isn’t a very busy place but that damn tower there can see for who knows how far!

  Yes, but the coastline arcs away. Just follow the laser light Sesh, we’ll go down a ways further. I want to try an experiment in the w-aters.

  You okay? Sesha felt alarm hearing another glitch.

  My power level’s down 15%. I’m arranging the most important functions first, of course. Don’t worry about me, I’m still okay. To shave power I’m shutting down my image but you still have my mind, dear. To which Sesha didn’t reply, just set off again.

  At five standard miles she stopped; they were now twice the distance land-wise to the shuttle.

  That idea’s out, Gem’s voice was a bit wry. If we follow this curvature we’ll either run into more settlements or get further away. Anyway Sesh, do me a favor?

  Anything, Gem, you know that.

  Turn off the cover mode dear… and stick your arm in the seawater, okay?

  Sure. Sesha sat down on the rocks. She was tired and this would be a good time to restock her nutrients too. A few taps on the gem pad and it vanished; then Sesha rolled the Aga Zero sleeve past the band. She dropped her arm into the water and yelled.

  “Great Demon of Z’narshni, that’s cold!”

  Hold on another moment… okay, pull out and warm up with the Aga, eat and I’ll explain. Shni waited while the shivering woman rolled the sleeve back down, donned the glove and started up her computer board. In moments the Aga Zero had become a solar panel, soaking up the warmth and ultraviolets Sesha needed.

  A little tech lesson here, dear… your arm band, me, the computer and such is part organic. But you know that. The band may feel firm but it’s actually somewhat spongy. While the tendrils that attach us grow from the band into you, the band soaks up sweat and other fluids, including tapping into your blood a little. So it’s not just a nerve conduit thing.

  Eww, Shni… that’s kind of gross.

  That’s why most Beings aren’t told that part. We’re like the Brains on the ships in that respect; smaller ones on the shuttles too although us separate components are connected by all types of signals. But we each need our own, um, juice to run on. Seawater is the perfect match – minus the junk – for the bigger brains, but it’s also a boost for me. I’m back to max for the soak, Sesh. If we can keep you from getting too weak, I’ll run fine without another soaking for a while.

  What if we could get some of this water to the shuttle? Think it would help the problem any?

  It would. Comps would run better, as the fluids on the shuttles are pretty weak too. You might be able to undo some of the boxes, seal them up tight and I’ll help you figure some kind of harness to carry them. Keep Aga set on as light as possible and the trips would be shorter.

  Yea… suppose we did this, feeling better Sesha rose and started walking down the rocky beach – hopping, actually – and the weather stays clear. Even if we take off at night those people, both types, are going to see enough to seriously freak them out. So we do that anyway, I find a new place to land and get water, wake the others and such… what will the impact of the Beings seeing the flying shuttle do to their evolution? I could seriously alter the history of this whole world, Shni. That would mean trouble with a capital T.

  So I take it that plan is a no-go. Frankly, I agree.

  7

  Sesha ate one of the regular meals upon gaining the shuttle; later in the night she had to evacuate and it was painful. Enough time had gone by without normal eating to cause problems; without asking, the Wrist Gem stimulated nerves and relaxed muscles to assist. After that, Sesha took off the suit, kept the small container out just in case and slept in the nude. Her computer raised her body temperature to prevent chill. When morning came, Sesha was still tired but she managed to get the Aga Zero suit on.

  Gem on – how’s my back and groin?

  Pretty bad. You tore a bunch of skin off when you took off the Aga last night, opened your internal rift when you last went pee. Do your best to keep the suit on, I’ll open just enough of a slit for anymore functions. Ready for camouflage mode?

  Let’s do it.

  She reached the settlement in a short time and again stayed on the edge of the woods just watching for a while. Her first decision was to follow children. All but one appeared to be prepubescent for this race, and that older one was the obvious leader. They entered a field of tall green plants and
the group stopped for instructions.

  “The job today, children, is to pick off the slugs from the ‘tatoes. Drop the nasty things in your bowl till it is full. I shall bring back a bucket of hot seawater and you will rinse the slugs into it. Then thou must push dirt over the potatoes so they do not burn from the sun.” The nice thing was he demonstrated, so Sesha and her Gem program learned almost every carefully spoken word.

  Sesha stayed until they were called back for a meal by the sharp ringing of metal on metal. The older boy heaved and pulled the now heavier bucket to a small enclosure. Opening the door he dumped the bucket in and carried it off with him as he too went to meal time. Sesha peeked in; it was a crude waste dump. Not a pit, but the beginning of what seemed to be a tunnel.

  She followed children all day long, even daring to get close to a group of babies and toddlers who were brought outside for a while. Here the women used very simple language and Sesha didn’t need the translation program to learn these words. The state of the few babies bothered her as they seemed slow and too thin. Two toddlers had a bad cough and a third refused to eat. The rest of the group of wee ones seemed more normal, active, short attention span and babbling as they played with crude toys. The women seemed fearful though, constantly alert to other people around them. Talk here was much more to the point, easy to translate.

  While everyone except the Tower Guards were assembled in the most ornate building of all, Sesha did building reconnaissance. Almost every door was open so it was easy to keep the camo program on low and do walk throughs.

  Homes, she and Shni agreed upon, a schoolhouse, work rooms, dining hall, common dorms – gender specific from the looks of it. I’m fairly impressed here! The level of construction is above the tools we’ve seen so far so there must be somewhere else with the machinery to make planks.

  And metals. Surely they couldn’t have hauled all the items needed in those primitive wagons we saw, Gem’s voice was a bit troubled, but he changed his tone. Night, Sesh. You really need to sleep.