Abduction (28 page)
Authors: Robin Cook
Tags: #Fiction, #Suspense, #Onbekend, #Unabridged Audio - Fiction, #Suspense & Thriller
tell you, as someone who has gone through the process countless times, I have been strongly influenced
by each essence from each body. It is definitely an additive process." "It seems like a rationalization," Suzanne said. "But I'll try to keep an open mind." "I hope you do," Garona said. "I'm sure Arak plans to return to this issue in the didactic sessions. Remember, today's outing was not to explain things thoroughly but rather to help overcome the usual disbelief with which our visitors initially struggle." "I'm aware of that," Suzanne said. "But it is true I tend to forget. So thank you for reminding me." "My pleasure," Garona said.
"You're a sensitive, beautiful man, Garona," Suzanne said with all sincerity. "It is a delight to be with you." She found herself wondering what it would be like to walk with him on the beach at Malibu or to drive on Route 1 around Big Sur. One thing that Interterra lacked was an ocean, and as an oceanographer, the ocean was central to Suzanne's universe. "You are a beautiful woman. You're extraordinarily entertaining." "Thanks to my alluring primitiveness," Suzanne said. She guessed Garona imagined he was complimenting her, but she would have preferred a word other than
entertaining,
especially after Donald's complaint.
"Your primitiveness is endearing," Garona agreed. Briefly Suzanne entertained the idea of letting Garona know her response to being called primitive, but she resisted. At this stage of their relationship she wanted to be positive. Instead she said, "Garona, there's something I want you to know about me." Garona pricked his ears.
"I want you to know I don't have another lover. I did, but that ended." "It doesn't matter," Garona said. "The only thing that matters is that you are here this moment." "It matters to me," Suzanne said mildly hurt. "It matters to me a lot." CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The morning of the secondary humans' second full day in Interterra began similarly to the first day. Suzanne and Perry were offhand with each other about their previous evening's experiences and eager for what the day was to bring. Donald was less enthusiastic and a touch morose. Richard and Michael were tense and silent, and when they did talk, it was only about leaving. Donald had to shut them up when Arak made his entrance.
After bringing the group back to the same conference room they used the day before, Arak and Sufa launched into an educational session that dragged on for hours. This was mainly a scientific discussion that included the way Interterra tapped the earth's geothermal energy; how the Interterran climate was maintained, including the mechanism used to generate the nightly rain; how bioluminescent technology
by each essence from each body. It is definitely an additive process." "It seems like a rationalization," Suzanne said. "But I'll try to keep an open mind." "I hope you do," Garona said. "I'm sure Arak plans to return to this issue in the didactic sessions. Remember, today's outing was not to explain things thoroughly but rather to help overcome the usual disbelief with which our visitors initially struggle." "I'm aware of that," Suzanne said. "But it is true I tend to forget. So thank you for reminding me." "My pleasure," Garona said.
"You're a sensitive, beautiful man, Garona," Suzanne said with all sincerity. "It is a delight to be with you." She found herself wondering what it would be like to walk with him on the beach at Malibu or to drive on Route 1 around Big Sur. One thing that Interterra lacked was an ocean, and as an oceanographer, the ocean was central to Suzanne's universe. "You are a beautiful woman. You're extraordinarily entertaining." "Thanks to my alluring primitiveness," Suzanne said. She guessed Garona imagined he was complimenting her, but she would have preferred a word other than
entertaining,
especially after Donald's complaint.
"Your primitiveness is endearing," Garona agreed. Briefly Suzanne entertained the idea of letting Garona know her response to being called primitive, but she resisted. At this stage of their relationship she wanted to be positive. Instead she said, "Garona, there's something I want you to know about me." Garona pricked his ears.
"I want you to know I don't have another lover. I did, but that ended." "It doesn't matter," Garona said. "The only thing that matters is that you are here this moment." "It matters to me," Suzanne said mildly hurt. "It matters to me a lot." CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The morning of the secondary humans' second full day in Interterra began similarly to the first day. Suzanne and Perry were offhand with each other about their previous evening's experiences and eager for what the day was to bring. Donald was less enthusiastic and a touch morose. Richard and Michael were tense and silent, and when they did talk, it was only about leaving. Donald had to shut them up when Arak made his entrance.
After bringing the group back to the same conference room they used the day before, Arak and Sufa launched into an educational session that dragged on for hours. This was mainly a scientific discussion that included the way Interterra tapped the earth's geothermal energy; how the Interterran climate was maintained, including the mechanism used to generate the nightly rain; how bioluminescent technology
was used to provide even lighting both indoors and out; how water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide were
handled; and how photosynthetic and chemosynthetic food plants were grown hydroponically. As the image on the floor screen faded and the general illumination began to return, the only two secondary humans paying attention were Suzanne and Perry. Donald was staring off, obviously absorbed in his own thoughts. Richard and Michael were fast asleep. As the lighting reached its apogee both divers revived, and they and Donald tried to make it appear as if they had been listening all along. "In conclusion for this morning's session," Arak said, seemingly mindless of certain parties' inattention, "I'm sure you have a clearer idea of why we have remained here in our subterranean world, that is, in addition to the microbial issue. In contrast to what transpires on the earth's surface, we have been able to construct a perfectly stable environment with no climatic fluctuations such as ice ages or other weather-related disasters; essentially limitless, pollution-free energy; and a completely adequate and replenishable food source."
"Is plankton your exclusive source of protein?" Suzanne asked. She and Perry remained fascinated by all the scientific revelations.
"The major source," Arak said. "The other source is vegetable protein. We used to use some fish species, but we stopped when we became concerned about the ability of larger sea animals to be able to replenish themselves. Unfortunately, this is a lesson secondary humans seem unwilling to accept." "Particularly with whales and cod," Suzanne said. "Exactly," Arak said. He looked around the room at the others. "Any more questions before we go back out into the field?"
"Arak, I have a question," Donald said. "Of course," Arak said. He was pleased. Donald had thus far shown very little interest in participating. "I'd like to know why we were brought here," Donald said. "I was hoping you had a question about what we have been discussing," Arak said. "It's hard for me to concentrate on technical matters when I don't know why I'm here." "I see," Arak said. He bent over and conferred in a hushed whisper with Sufa and the Blacks. Then, leaning back, he added, "Unfortunately, I cannot answer your question completely since we have been specifically proscribed from telling you the main reason why you are here. But I can say this: one of the reasons was to stop the attempted drilling into the Saranta exit port, which I can happily say was accomplished. I can also assure you that today you will learn the main reason. Will that suffice for the moment?"
"I suppose," Donald said. "But if we're going to learn, I don't see why you can't tell us now." "Because of protocol," Arak said.
Donald nodded reluctantly. "As a career naval officer, I suppose I can accept that." "Any other questions about today's presentation?" Arak asked.
handled; and how photosynthetic and chemosynthetic food plants were grown hydroponically. As the image on the floor screen faded and the general illumination began to return, the only two secondary humans paying attention were Suzanne and Perry. Donald was staring off, obviously absorbed in his own thoughts. Richard and Michael were fast asleep. As the lighting reached its apogee both divers revived, and they and Donald tried to make it appear as if they had been listening all along. "In conclusion for this morning's session," Arak said, seemingly mindless of certain parties' inattention, "I'm sure you have a clearer idea of why we have remained here in our subterranean world, that is, in addition to the microbial issue. In contrast to what transpires on the earth's surface, we have been able to construct a perfectly stable environment with no climatic fluctuations such as ice ages or other weather-related disasters; essentially limitless, pollution-free energy; and a completely adequate and replenishable food source."
"Is plankton your exclusive source of protein?" Suzanne asked. She and Perry remained fascinated by all the scientific revelations.
"The major source," Arak said. "The other source is vegetable protein. We used to use some fish species, but we stopped when we became concerned about the ability of larger sea animals to be able to replenish themselves. Unfortunately, this is a lesson secondary humans seem unwilling to accept." "Particularly with whales and cod," Suzanne said. "Exactly," Arak said. He looked around the room at the others. "Any more questions before we go back out into the field?"
"Arak, I have a question," Donald said. "Of course," Arak said. He was pleased. Donald had thus far shown very little interest in participating. "I'd like to know why we were brought here," Donald said. "I was hoping you had a question about what we have been discussing," Arak said. "It's hard for me to concentrate on technical matters when I don't know why I'm here." "I see," Arak said. He bent over and conferred in a hushed whisper with Sufa and the Blacks. Then, leaning back, he added, "Unfortunately, I cannot answer your question completely since we have been specifically proscribed from telling you the main reason why you are here. But I can say this: one of the reasons was to stop the attempted drilling into the Saranta exit port, which I can happily say was accomplished. I can also assure you that today you will learn the main reason. Will that suffice for the moment?"
"I suppose," Donald said. "But if we're going to learn, I don't see why you can't tell us now." "Because of protocol," Arak said.
Donald nodded reluctantly. "As a career naval officer, I suppose I can accept that." "Any other questions about today's presentation?" Arak asked.
"I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment," Perry admitted. "But I'm sure I'll have questions as the day
progresses."
"Well, then," Arak said. "Let's begin our excursion. With what you have heard this morning, where would you like to visit first?"
"How about the Earth Surface Museum?" Donald suggested before anyone else could respond. "Yeah!" Michael blurted enthusiastically. "The place with the 'Vette out front." "You'd like to see the Earth Surface Museum?" Arak questioned with obvious bewilderment. He glanced at Sufa. Her reaction was the same. "I think it would be interesting," Donald said. "Me, too," Michael said.
"But why?" Arak questioned. "Pardon our surprise, but with all the things we have been telling you, we're mystified that you would rather look back than forward." Donald shrugged. "Maybe it's just a touch of nostalgia." "Seeing what you have chosen to display might give us a feeling for your response to our world," Suzanne offered. She wasn't as interested in seeing the museum as the other sites Arak had been describing, but was happy to support Donald's request. "Very well," Arak said agreeably. "The Earth Surface Museum shall be our first stop of the day." Everyone got to their feet. For the first time Donald acted eager, especially when they got outside. He asked Arak to show them how to call an air taxi, and Arak was happy to oblige. Arak went a step further and had Donald place his palm on the taxi's center black table and give the destination command. "That was easy," Donald said as the craft silently and effortlessly rose, then shot off in the corresponding direction.
"Of course," Arak said. "It's meant to be easy." All of the visitors found the air taxi rides mesmerizing. They never tired of the vista of the city and the surrounding area. With craning necks they tried to take in everything, but it was difficult; there was so much to see and the vehicle was moving at an astounding speed. Within a few minutes they found themselves hovering at the entrance to the museum, a half dozen yards from the barnacle-encrusted Chevrolet Corvette.
"God, I loved that car," Michael said with a wistful sigh as he climbed from the air taxi. He paused and gazed longingly at the monument. "I was dating Dorothy Drexler at the time. I don't know which had the better body."
"Did they both need an ignition key to get them started?" Richard asked with a smirk. Michael took a swipe at his buddy with an open palm, but Richard evaded it with ease. Then he danced
progresses."
"Well, then," Arak said. "Let's begin our excursion. With what you have heard this morning, where would you like to visit first?"
"How about the Earth Surface Museum?" Donald suggested before anyone else could respond. "Yeah!" Michael blurted enthusiastically. "The place with the 'Vette out front." "You'd like to see the Earth Surface Museum?" Arak questioned with obvious bewilderment. He glanced at Sufa. Her reaction was the same. "I think it would be interesting," Donald said. "Me, too," Michael said.
"But why?" Arak questioned. "Pardon our surprise, but with all the things we have been telling you, we're mystified that you would rather look back than forward." Donald shrugged. "Maybe it's just a touch of nostalgia." "Seeing what you have chosen to display might give us a feeling for your response to our world," Suzanne offered. She wasn't as interested in seeing the museum as the other sites Arak had been describing, but was happy to support Donald's request. "Very well," Arak said agreeably. "The Earth Surface Museum shall be our first stop of the day." Everyone got to their feet. For the first time Donald acted eager, especially when they got outside. He asked Arak to show them how to call an air taxi, and Arak was happy to oblige. Arak went a step further and had Donald place his palm on the taxi's center black table and give the destination command. "That was easy," Donald said as the craft silently and effortlessly rose, then shot off in the corresponding direction.
"Of course," Arak said. "It's meant to be easy." All of the visitors found the air taxi rides mesmerizing. They never tired of the vista of the city and the surrounding area. With craning necks they tried to take in everything, but it was difficult; there was so much to see and the vehicle was moving at an astounding speed. Within a few minutes they found themselves hovering at the entrance to the museum, a half dozen yards from the barnacle-encrusted Chevrolet Corvette.
"God, I loved that car," Michael said with a wistful sigh as he climbed from the air taxi. He paused and gazed longingly at the monument. "I was dating Dorothy Drexler at the time. I don't know which had the better body."
"Did they both need an ignition key to get them started?" Richard asked with a smirk. Michael took a swipe at his buddy with an open palm, but Richard evaded it with ease. Then he danced
briefly on his toes like a professional boxer before taking a swing of his own.
"No fighting," Donald snapped, insinuating himself between the two divers. "Your Corvette might have been fine for you and Dorothy," Suzanne said, "but I feel rather embarrassed the Interterrans feel that this symbolizes our culture." "It does suggest we're rather superficial," Perry agreed. "Besides being rusty and in sorry shape." "Superficial and materialistic," Suzanne said, "which, I suppose, is probably the case when you think about it."
"You're reading too much into the symbolism," Arak said. "The reason we have put it here at the front of the museum is much simpler. Since we are now relegated to observing you from afar to keep from being detected by your advancing technology, the automobile is what we notice most. From a great distance it almost appears that the cars are the dominant life form on the surface of the earth, with secondary humans acting like robots to take care of them." Suzanne had trouble suppressing a laugh at such an absurd suggestion, but when she thought about it, she could understand how it might seem from a distance. "What is more symbolic is the design of the museum itself," Arak said. All eyes turned to the building. Up close, the structure possessed an overpowering sepulchral aura. Four and five stories tall, it was composed of rectilinear segments either stacked or at right angles to create a complicated, sharply geometric form. Most segments were covered with square fenestrations. "The building symbolizes secondary human urban architecture," Arak commented. "It's rather ugly in its boxiness," Suzanne said. "It isn't pleasing to the eye," Arak admitted. "Nor are most of your cities, which are essentially so many boxlike skyscrapers built on grids."
"There are some exceptions," Suzanne said. "A few," Arak agreed. "But unfortunately, most of the architectural lessons the Atlanteans bestowed on your ancient forebears have been lost or disregarded." "It's an enormous building," Perry commented. It covered the equivalent of a modern city block. "It needs to be," Arak said. "We have an extensive earth surface collection. Remember, we're talking about a time span of millions upon millions of years." "So the museum is not just of secondary human culture?" Suzanne asked. "Not at all," Arak said. "It is also the whole panoply of current earth surface evolution. Of course, we have been mostly interested in the last ten thousand years or so for obvious reasons. Although that segment of time represents a mere eyeblink in comparison to the period as a whole, we have concentrated our collections on it."
"No fighting," Donald snapped, insinuating himself between the two divers. "Your Corvette might have been fine for you and Dorothy," Suzanne said, "but I feel rather embarrassed the Interterrans feel that this symbolizes our culture." "It does suggest we're rather superficial," Perry agreed. "Besides being rusty and in sorry shape." "Superficial and materialistic," Suzanne said, "which, I suppose, is probably the case when you think about it."
"You're reading too much into the symbolism," Arak said. "The reason we have put it here at the front of the museum is much simpler. Since we are now relegated to observing you from afar to keep from being detected by your advancing technology, the automobile is what we notice most. From a great distance it almost appears that the cars are the dominant life form on the surface of the earth, with secondary humans acting like robots to take care of them." Suzanne had trouble suppressing a laugh at such an absurd suggestion, but when she thought about it, she could understand how it might seem from a distance. "What is more symbolic is the design of the museum itself," Arak said. All eyes turned to the building. Up close, the structure possessed an overpowering sepulchral aura. Four and five stories tall, it was composed of rectilinear segments either stacked or at right angles to create a complicated, sharply geometric form. Most segments were covered with square fenestrations. "The building symbolizes secondary human urban architecture," Arak commented. "It's rather ugly in its boxiness," Suzanne said. "It isn't pleasing to the eye," Arak admitted. "Nor are most of your cities, which are essentially so many boxlike skyscrapers built on grids."
"There are some exceptions," Suzanne said. "A few," Arak agreed. "But unfortunately, most of the architectural lessons the Atlanteans bestowed on your ancient forebears have been lost or disregarded." "It's an enormous building," Perry commented. It covered the equivalent of a modern city block. "It needs to be," Arak said. "We have an extensive earth surface collection. Remember, we're talking about a time span of millions upon millions of years." "So the museum is not just of secondary human culture?" Suzanne asked. "Not at all," Arak said. "It is also the whole panoply of current earth surface evolution. Of course, we have been mostly interested in the last ten thousand years or so for obvious reasons. Although that segment of time represents a mere eyeblink in comparison to the period as a whole, we have concentrated our collections on it."
"What about dinosaurs?" Perry questioned.
"We have a small but representative exhibit of preserved specimens," Arak said. Then he added as an aside:
"Such frightfully violent creatures!" He shook his head as if experiencing a passing wave of nausea. "I want to see that exhibit," Perry said eagerly. "I've been dying to know what color dinosaurs were." "For the most part they were a rather nondescript gray-green," Arak said. "Rather ugly if you must know."
"Let's go inside," Sufa suggested.
The group trooped into the entrance hall. It was an enormous room sheathed in the same black basalt as the exterior. Shafts of bright light came from apertures in the high ceiling. They crisscrossed in the general dimness like miniature searchlights to illuminate displayed objects in a dramatic fashion. Multiple corridors emanated from this central hub.
"Why are there no people?" Suzanne asked. In every direction she looked, all she saw was empty, marbled hallways. Her voice echoed repeatedly in the sepulchral silence. "It's always like this," Arak explained. "As important as this museum is, it is not particularly popular. Most people would rather not be reminded of the threat your world poses for us." "You mean threat of detection," Suzanne added. "Precisely," Sufa said.
"This looks like a place where it would be easy to get lost," Perry said. He peered down some of the lengthy, dimly lit, and silent corridors. "Not really," Arak said. He pointed to the left. "Starting here, with blue-green algae, the evolutionary exhibits are chronological." Then he pointed to the right. "And on this side we have secondary human culture starting with the earliest African hominids and extending up to the present. At any given location in the museum one could determine how to find the way back here to the entrance hall by following the direction of progressively older specimens." "I'd like to see the exhibits depicting our modern times," Donald said. "Certainly," Arak said. "Follow me. We'll take a shortcut through the first five or six million years." The group followed Arak and Sufa like schoolchildren on a day trip to the museum. Suzanne and Perry found it difficult not to stop and view every display, especially when they reached the halls devoted to Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts. Neither Suzanne or Perry had seen anything quite like them. It was as if someone had stepped back in time with free rein to pick the choicest objects. Suzanne was particularly enthralled with the period clothing tastefully displayed on life-sized mannequins. "You'll notice there is a marked quantity difference in our collections," Arak explained. He had remained with Suzanne and Perry as the others wandered on. "We have comparatively little modern material. The farther back in your history, the more extensive the exhibits are. A very long time ago we used to make
"We have a small but representative exhibit of preserved specimens," Arak said. Then he added as an aside:
"Such frightfully violent creatures!" He shook his head as if experiencing a passing wave of nausea. "I want to see that exhibit," Perry said eagerly. "I've been dying to know what color dinosaurs were." "For the most part they were a rather nondescript gray-green," Arak said. "Rather ugly if you must know."
"Let's go inside," Sufa suggested.
The group trooped into the entrance hall. It was an enormous room sheathed in the same black basalt as the exterior. Shafts of bright light came from apertures in the high ceiling. They crisscrossed in the general dimness like miniature searchlights to illuminate displayed objects in a dramatic fashion. Multiple corridors emanated from this central hub.
"Why are there no people?" Suzanne asked. In every direction she looked, all she saw was empty, marbled hallways. Her voice echoed repeatedly in the sepulchral silence. "It's always like this," Arak explained. "As important as this museum is, it is not particularly popular. Most people would rather not be reminded of the threat your world poses for us." "You mean threat of detection," Suzanne added. "Precisely," Sufa said.
"This looks like a place where it would be easy to get lost," Perry said. He peered down some of the lengthy, dimly lit, and silent corridors. "Not really," Arak said. He pointed to the left. "Starting here, with blue-green algae, the evolutionary exhibits are chronological." Then he pointed to the right. "And on this side we have secondary human culture starting with the earliest African hominids and extending up to the present. At any given location in the museum one could determine how to find the way back here to the entrance hall by following the direction of progressively older specimens." "I'd like to see the exhibits depicting our modern times," Donald said. "Certainly," Arak said. "Follow me. We'll take a shortcut through the first five or six million years." The group followed Arak and Sufa like schoolchildren on a day trip to the museum. Suzanne and Perry found it difficult not to stop and view every display, especially when they reached the halls devoted to Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts. Neither Suzanne or Perry had seen anything quite like them. It was as if someone had stepped back in time with free rein to pick the choicest objects. Suzanne was particularly enthralled with the period clothing tastefully displayed on life-sized mannequins. "You'll notice there is a marked quantity difference in our collections," Arak explained. He had remained with Suzanne and Perry as the others wandered on. "We have comparatively little modern material. The farther back in your history, the more extensive the exhibits are. A very long time ago we used to make
actual trips in isolation suits to collect for the museum. Of course, we eventually had to stop that practice
for fear of exposure once your forebears developed writing." "Arak!" Sufa called from several galleries ahead. "Donald, Richard, and Michael are moving quickly, so I'll go ahead with them!"
"That's fine," Arak called back. "We'll all meet up in the entrance hall in about one hour." Sufa nodded and waved good-bye.
"Why were you worried about exposure to ancient peoples?" Suzanne asked. "They certainly did not have the technology to cause you any trouble." "Very true," Arak admitted. "But we knew you second-generation humans would have it someday, and we didn't want any record of our visits. It was enough to worry about the failed Atlantean experiment, although that was less of a concern since the primary humans involved had been posing as second-generation humans."
Suzanne nodded, but her attention had drifted to an elaborate, ancient Minoan dress which would leave the breasts completely exposed.
"There is one period in your modern history that we have a lot of artifacts from," Arak said. "Would you care to see?"
Suzanne looked at Perry, who shrugged. "Certainly," Suzanne said. Arak turned left and strode off through a side gallery filled with exquisite Greek pottery. With Suzanne and Perry at his heels he turned another corner and climbed a nondescript flight of stairs. On the floor above they emerged into a huge gallery filled with World War II materiel. The artifacts ranged from items as small as dog tags and uniform insignia to those as large as a Sherman tank, a B-24 Liberator aircraft, and an intact U-boat, with all sorts of objects in between. It was apparent that everything in the gallery was at one time submerged in the ocean.
"My word," Perry commented as he strolled between the displays. "This is more like a junkyard than a museum exhibit."
"It appears that our last world war contributed substantially to your museum's collection," Suzanne said. She and Arak remained at the head of the stairs. This was not an exhibit Suzanne was at all interested in. "A big contribution," Arak agreed. "Objects such as you see here rained down to the ocean floor for over five years. For the last few hundred years of your history, scavenging the ocean floor has been our only source of curios."
Suzanne glanced at the U-boat. "Did the explosive growth of submarine technology and operations concern you?"
"Only in regard to sonar capability," Arak said. "Especially when the sonar technology was combined with making bathypelagic contour maps. Such technology was one of the reasons we'd elected to close the entrance ports like the one you came through." While Suzanne and Arak continued to discuss sonar and its threat to Interterran security, Perry
for fear of exposure once your forebears developed writing." "Arak!" Sufa called from several galleries ahead. "Donald, Richard, and Michael are moving quickly, so I'll go ahead with them!"
"That's fine," Arak called back. "We'll all meet up in the entrance hall in about one hour." Sufa nodded and waved good-bye.
"Why were you worried about exposure to ancient peoples?" Suzanne asked. "They certainly did not have the technology to cause you any trouble." "Very true," Arak admitted. "But we knew you second-generation humans would have it someday, and we didn't want any record of our visits. It was enough to worry about the failed Atlantean experiment, although that was less of a concern since the primary humans involved had been posing as second-generation humans."
Suzanne nodded, but her attention had drifted to an elaborate, ancient Minoan dress which would leave the breasts completely exposed.
"There is one period in your modern history that we have a lot of artifacts from," Arak said. "Would you care to see?"
Suzanne looked at Perry, who shrugged. "Certainly," Suzanne said. Arak turned left and strode off through a side gallery filled with exquisite Greek pottery. With Suzanne and Perry at his heels he turned another corner and climbed a nondescript flight of stairs. On the floor above they emerged into a huge gallery filled with World War II materiel. The artifacts ranged from items as small as dog tags and uniform insignia to those as large as a Sherman tank, a B-24 Liberator aircraft, and an intact U-boat, with all sorts of objects in between. It was apparent that everything in the gallery was at one time submerged in the ocean.
"My word," Perry commented as he strolled between the displays. "This is more like a junkyard than a museum exhibit."
"It appears that our last world war contributed substantially to your museum's collection," Suzanne said. She and Arak remained at the head of the stairs. This was not an exhibit Suzanne was at all interested in. "A big contribution," Arak agreed. "Objects such as you see here rained down to the ocean floor for over five years. For the last few hundred years of your history, scavenging the ocean floor has been our only source of curios."
Suzanne glanced at the U-boat. "Did the explosive growth of submarine technology and operations concern you?"
"Only in regard to sonar capability," Arak said. "Especially when the sonar technology was combined with making bathypelagic contour maps. Such technology was one of the reasons we'd elected to close the entrance ports like the one you came through." While Suzanne and Arak continued to discuss sonar and its threat to Interterran security, Perry
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