He Without Sin (10 page)

“Really. So soon?”

“I’ve given the order for the resource guys to bring in samples of plants and animals whenever they can safely do so while not interfering with Mark’s needs. Not entire organisms, mind you, but samples from which we can pull DNA and start the process of recording. It’s a big long job, and it’s started.” We are walking further away from the center now, approaching a small stream. I spot something on the ground, stop and look, and wait for David to acknowledge.

“What made that?” I ask when he looks back at me.

“Well, there you go. That’s one of the pieces of evidence that I mentioned.”

“No claw marks.”

“Retractable? Could be. Anyway, it’s a big quadruped,” he says as he sees me fumble at my weapon as I make sure it’s at the ready. “Discreet samples have also begun to be collected from the natives, over a surprisingly large area by the way, and these have been evaluated for genetic configuration and drift since the previous mission. It turns out that here, right where we are standing, is nearly the perfect spot for our purposes. The genetic makeup is as close to the ideal mix as we could have hoped to find. Not perfect, you understand, but getting there.”

“When you say discreet samples—how do you mean? >How is it done?”

“Well, look, we need to get back so I can get to work so let’s walk and talk and I’ll cover as much as I can. You already know the basic starting chemistry for life on this planet was provided by a seeding program similar to the one we use now and have used on the Hobbe. So we know that life here uses the same basic strategy, the building blocks if you will, at its core as ours. Barring any unforeseen events, the natural progression of life will, given enough time, transform a suitable planet into a lush, arable and hospitable world with plants and animals. It boggles my mind how well a system, and I mean a whole planet as a single system, can self-regulate into a stable, hospitable environment.

“Now, one cannot predict the vagaries of evolution. On one hand, a basic pattern of strategies for survival and procreation appears time and time again. On the other, sometimes it is necessary to intervene and nudge the biota in one direction or another; sometimes, when things go awry, it’s necessary to take more drastic steps. In the end the results all tend to be similar. Not in the detail, but in the general. Similar but different. You’ve noticed this already no doubt. I saw you looking at some of the plants.” David pauses here to look for a response or nod from me. “If you squint and tilt your head and look around you could almost believe you were home. Remember our overarching societal goal is to expand and unify—we are treating barren worlds as potential gardens as well as potential homes.”

We move back inside the well-camouflaged central area and sit in the small camp near the landing zone. David leans way back and points up to a large soaring bird. We both follow its movement until it swoops behind the arboreal canopy.

“Now, during direct contact like ours we can collect samples at will but … when you deal with intelligent beings—no matter how primitive—you have to be careful. In all cases, they will fit you into their world view any way they can and how they do it may have an important effect. So, when I say discreet, I mean in such a way as to minimize the shock not just to their bodies but to their minds as well.”

David seems done talking, but I sense he wants to say more. He looks around and begins to fidget with some of the equipment on the work surface to his left. “But,” I say, eager to hear more, “how do you do that? The sampling. How is it actually done?”

David returns his attention and gaze to me. “Depends on the quality of the sample required. Jason, let’s pick this up another time. If you don’t feel your questions are being answered by my notes and reports, try the database. I know there are at least a few descriptions of similar work in there. We can talk again soon, too.”

“You mentioned that this area is the ideal location for our purposes. Our purpose is to sample and record the existing organisms’ DNA. Can’t we do that from anywhere? Why is this spot better than anywhere else?” I ask.

David doesn’t answer or respond right away. I think maybe he is preoccupied with other thoughts and didn’t hear me, but he does finally say, “What I meant to say was the population of natives that has the highest correlation to the ideal, the ones most like us in other words, is centered here. Right here. We have to leave it at that for the moment.”

“Alright, no problem. Thanks for the info. You’re staying out here, I presume?”

“I am staying here. Urge Mark to work on that second runabout; I will be here a lot and don’t like to be stranded. Tell him to have Porter return with this one as soon as the supplies I ordered are ready.”

That reminds me of my job and I have a quick look at David’s electronics. He turns his attention to what must be samples and analysis equipment.

“I saw where you reported that you made your first direct contact with natives,” I say as a way to see if he wants to talk about it some more. “The notes don’t mention any issues. I presume all contact so far has been uneventful?”

“No. Eventful, but in a good way. As I said, we have actually pulled in a good set of samples. We are in the right place. I’ve already targeted an individual for more extensive work.” In a quieter tone, almost as if to himself, he continues, “We were wrong about the interpretation of some of the images—development is not very advanced. We are talking stone age here, maybe a little beyond,” and then added, looking my way, “but not much.”

I continue about my business and let David do the same. I set up advanced syncing parameters and do a quick manual read of a couple local report files. One is from Brachus; I guess it makes sense he has been here with David while the rest of the Resources team does the actual work of his department. I shouldn’t complain. Look at me—I have spare time too as long as things continue to work smoothly, electronically speaking.

“So, have you worked with Wesley before on a mission?” I ask as I wrap up what I need to do.

“We have worked together over the years and go way back as acquaintances even longer. This is the first time we’ve been on a deep space mission together.” David pauses to work his lower lip as usual; I try to ignore it as usual. I hardly notice it any more, really. It’s like Mark’s limp. “He led his own mission not that long ago, you know.”

“I didn’t know. In fact I hardly know more than what I’ve learned since we met before launch, and that’s not much. I am surprised he is in such a high position seeing as how he was the last member to be brought on.” Oops, I can see right away this is a mistake to mention.

David’s demeanor at once turns cold as he replies, “What should I have done, punish him for coming to the team late?”

I decline to answer, wisely, I believe, sensing that there is no right answer and no answer is in fact wanted or expected. David offers no follow up comment and we both work in silence for my last few minutes at his bio camp.

Even after such a short time, we have learned a lot
about the native populations relative to their
environment. First, from our point of view, the days
and years are incredibly short. It takes a little time,
but we all seem to be getting used to it. Carol just
joined the ground crew and although she thinks the
place is beautiful she’s still disoriented.

Maybe it’s tied to the short daily and yearly cycle
but, if you can believe his reports, the natives David
wants to study have very short life spans. In local
years, the average is between 20 and 30 maxing
out at maybe 50. Even compared to the general
untreated populace back home, this is really short. We are going to be here for
many
of their
generations. The magnitude of the life span
difference brings home the major advances in
medicine and healthy living that I tend to take for
granted.

Strange, back at my ground terminal at base camp,
I read the same report that I scanned at the bio
station, Brachus’ report, and it’s different! Not sure
what is happening there. Maybe I am mis-remembering what I read, or is it possible he edited
the report later? No, the time stamp says it
couldn’t be. Like I said, I’m not sure what’s going
on there. But the reason I mention it is when I tried
to contact him on his communicator, I got Tracy. He’s jacked around with the addresses and redirect
settings so that Tracy gets his calls and messages
while she continues to get her own as well. Why
am I not surprised? I may go to David but I can
already guess that he thinks I am overreacting to
the Brachus business.

I’ll tell you what though, the evolutionary
convergence that David started to talk about is
really something. I see it mostly in local plants,
although I suspect this is because I don’t have a
background in plants and couldn’t identify
differences without more study. Someone who
actually knows plant structure may have
something else to say. The few animals I’ve seen
look familiar but only when viewed from a
distance. Markings and coloration let you know
right away that you are not anywhere near home!

I have seen the relief map of the bio camp area. It’s
in a moderately small valley with only one narrow
natural way in and out. I see why David likes it: it’s
easy to control and isolate. The central camp is
right in the middle of the widest part of the valley
near the one small meandering stream.

I took a little time to pull up and review the
database for information on previous similar
missions. I found a couple but won’t have time to
extract details until I get back from a trip to Dylan’s
current field location. Should be a fun visit; I’m
looking forward to it.

Dex

“What reservation?”

“Are you kidding me? I’m heading out to one of the mineral outcroppings today.”

Mark comes right back with, “Which one?”

“Which one? Does it matter? What do you mean which one?” At this point I am starting to get peeved; this excursion has been set up for some time. I see Dylan approaching and give him a nod.

“All set?” he asks. “Let’s go. It’s not far. You’re gonna like it out there.”

“Oh, why didn’t you say it was Dylan’s reservation? You are set to go. Don’t forget me while you’re out there; I gave you the signature you are looking for. Bring in at least the minimum amount specified and I will be a happy guy.”

“Not funny, Mark. You knew this was Dylan’s.”

“What? You didn’t say that,” he says with a smile, brushing his red hair away from his forehead. Yes, he knew all right, I’m sure, but again with the games.

_______

As we take off I see what looks like Grigor down in the camp. I didn’t know he’s down here. We haven’t talked in a while and will have to get together soon.

Dylan and I are quiet as we travel to our destination. Coming out of the mountains Dylan maintains a high altitude. It’s unlikely any native would spot us at that height. We know they have no technology to speak of. No way to enhance their vision. But why would it matter? No sense creating a scene, I guess. Up here we are just another bird, albeit an odd looking one. Landing is more problematic outside base camp. For sure we are visible and noisy as we approach and leave the surface. Observation is unavoidable.

The views we get from orbit really don’t offer a good 3D feel for the topography. The view from up here in the transport sure does! From the rugged, mountainous base camp and surrounds to the distant expanses of water, the shapes and textures, bright and colorful, are incredibly fascinating. Intense blue and white in the sky, the desolate areas of barren brown surrounded by lush shades of green plant life—all of this punctuated by jagged mountains of varying height with striking, sharp delineation between light and dark areas. If that’s not enough, the sparkling deep blue-gray expanses of water set the rest off dramatically. It would be a pleasure to spend some time just exploring. I wonder how Carol’s schedule is looking.

“I’m going to take a spin around before we land. That’s where we are going, right there,” Dylan points to a rough-looking spot where vegetation is spotty. It’s one of several jagged brown uprisings surrounded by lush green overgrowth. No more talking as he takes us on a precipitous drop to a landing.

“You’ve been here before?” I ask in such a way as to hopefully not show any apprehension.

“Yep, a couple times,” Dylan responds glancing at me. “Don’t worry. The natives are friendly.” He smiles calmly.

We exit the transport and Dylan quietly follows me as I tentatively walk to the edge of the rocky outcropping where there is a view of a lower-lying expanse.

“I like this spot,” he says as I look around. “Mark gave us several sites located from orbit. This one is very rich in something we need.” He waits a few seconds before continuing, I guess waiting for a comment. “Don’t ask me what it is. I don’t know and haven’t bothered to check into it. I’ve got a specific spectro signature, and when I get a close match on my sensor here, that’s it. Probably it’s a good mixture of more than one thing anyway. Mark is very picky because the richer the samples are, the less processing needs to be done. As he says, ‘Why settle for rotgut, when a good martini is sitting right out there on the table?’ Or some such corn. All I know is that he seems happy with what we bring him. I’m working a place right over here on this cleft face and already have about half a load going. Help me undock the mining cart. We can load it up and then have some free time if you want to look around some more.”