Chapter 20 Cyber Soul

Chapter 20

Cyber Soul

  As I follow Tim I notice that floor is color of black olives, it even has the same spongy texture probably about as tasty too, not a fan of olives, not sure why I chose that color unless it was biased me making a snotty comment about olives. In any case, we step on the rather roomy but gentle incline, which corkscrews to the left. It immediately whisks us up around, holding us in place with in an envelope of artificial gravity. The black olive floor is of course a gravity generator, a vast improvement over an antiquated clunky lifts of the past.  

   Suddenly it branches off to the right levels and deposits us right front of a panel marked Ad Core. Its’ blood red lettering really sticks out against the dull white of the entry panel and stands for Administration Core.

  Tim and I are standing shoulder-to-shoulder mere inches from the door but we both easily enter at the same time seconds after a bright blue laser suddenly streaks down on Tim, unlocking the door, which abruptly vanishes.

   On entering, I notice an oval shaped highly polished mahogany table taking up half of the floor space of the fifteen by twelve foot room. Five high back mahogany chairs sit equally spaced around it complementing the light wood grain walls.  

  Tim pulls out an end chair offering it to me. I sit as he takes a seat in the nearest chair to my right. Comfortably situated he presses his right hand on the glossy table -top. A foggy gray hologram suddenly appears two inches above the center of the table; it is the head and shoulders of a middle-aged black man with thinning gray hair.  The fact that his is wearing a black suit coat, white shirt and narrow black tie makes me think of the Company but I know this man, Carver Hines is no Company man. He is in fact one of the most capable decent men I could have picked to head up my Exodus project.

  “Kian, how are you?” Carver asked as the image turns toward me.

 “A bit embarrassed, I’ve stuck you all in steam bath; don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “Not to worry, I take it you have a new location in mind.”

  “Not exactly, but this jungle will never do.” I notice Tim twisting in his chair, “Tim here has suggested the eastern plains. The soil is fertile, plenty of open fields.”

  Tim lifted his hand a few inches from the table. I nod.

  “But then that’s Chimeran Territory,” he says, “but I think we can adjust to their ways, surely we can find some sort of mutual accommodation.”

  “You’re talking about their vegetarian way of life,” Carver adds. “Food is certainly not a problem; we’re talking tastes and opinions, no major hurdles so far as I can see.”

  “I need to talk to the Chimerans before we discuss options,” I say, “sure wish they were a technological people, we could all be having a conference call right now.”

 “There are some among us,” Carver interjects, “a few mind you, but some that do not consider the Chimerans people at all.”

  “Are you sure,” I ask, disheartened, I thought I had good sense of the Lunans’ mind set, apparently I don’t, so glad you brought that up, that actually makes me think it would be a very good thing to settle your people closer to them rather than farther. I want to head any regionalism as soon as possible.” I hesitate, knowing there is another important issue I need to bring up, “There’s another matter we need to discuss as well. You’ve heard nothing about the Terrans have you?”

  Carver’s looked over at Tim, both looked mystified, “It seems you have ancient relatives hiding underground, their technology rivals yours’ but they pose no threat, so far as I know. However, there are some in their number who wish to rid the planet of Chimerans. The Terrans told me these intolerant fools have no authority and pose no credible threat. But I can’t tolerate any kind of threat to the Chimerans, the Lunans or the Terrans. I hope that doesn’t sound too harsh, but Earth belongs to all her people.”     

  They smile, but both men looked worried by the news of yet another group of people they have to accommodate.

  “You are sure these Terrans are not Company people are they?” Carver asked as Tim turns toward me.

  “Oh no just the opposite, in fact they have been hiding from the Company for generations. If I hadn’t destroyed the Company they would still be hiding.”

  “So you set them free?” Tim asked his features tense with concern.

 “Yes, yes I did, but I’ve met two of them and they only want peace.”

  “Just two Kian,” Carver asked, “How can you know they speak for all their people?”

“Well, I, I can’t, but…”

 “But you don’t know,” Tim injects.

 “These Terrans don’t sound like rustic pacifists like the Chimerans.” Carver said, giving voice to Tim’s concerns. “We must meet with them face to face.” He said as his brow furrowed with concern.

  “Yes of course, I’m sure they would be eager to meet with you as well. In the meantime, please take your ships east. The Company has decimated the Chimeran population, so there is plenty of open land in the far -east. In fact, I would love to see your people help the Chimerans reestablish their community. They have been, well humanized for a lack of a better term, so in some ways they are no longer completely Chimeran. All of them have experienced modern technology so I’m sure your presence won’t be as impactful as you might think. Share. Teach. And allow them to teach you. Both of you have much to gain from the other, remember that.”

  “And you will arrange a meeting with these Terrans?” Carver asked, rather insistently.

  “Of course, I’m leaving now to meet the Chimerans and tell them you are coming. A sky full of giant silver cigars will probably scare the living snot out the of them.”

  “What’s a cigar,” Asked Tim.

 “Living snot,” asks Carver.

  “Sorry guys sometimes I forget what time it is. In some ways I’m still a few thousand years behind the times.”

  “Maybe,” Carver replies, but in the ways most important you’re right on time.”