FYS: The Visitor, Part Eleven

[jeriendhal]

Ahn sat in her imaginary chair, eating imaginary jin sticks, in front of two alien stick figure people that were trying to assure her that they meant the best as they created a civil war and threatened The Race with annihilation.

It wasn’t enough to drive her back to the Screaming Room, because at this point being insane would be almost redundant.

“I assume,” she said cautiously, “that you have a plan.”

An offer, the Groupmind said. It pointed to the fourth world in the system, a reddish-orange world that was smaller than the third world, which looked dry as a desert, though there was white at the poles. Mars, named after an ancient mythological god of war. It has a little water locked in underground basins and a trace atmosphere mostly consisting of carbon dioxide. Gravity is 1/3 of Earth’s, and about ¾ of your own lost world’s. Formerly it possessed two small moons which were converted into material suitable for the Ring’s construction.

“So it’s useless,” Ahn said.

In its current form, yes. But since the beginning of Humanity’s Atomic Era there has been speculation about the possibility of altering the atmosphere, using diverted comets to deposit water, and microbes to create a viable atmosphere. With the creation of the Ring, Humanity has all the room it needs now, so such plans were considered unnecessary, until your arrival that is.

“That would take a thousand years!”

Five hundred and sixty, the Groupmind corrected. We already have the infrastructure in place for large scale diversion of cometary assets from the Oort Cloud, and dropping them at interplanetary velocities into Mars is much easier than braking them into orbit around Earth. The primary difficulty is creating microorganisms for the creation of the atmosphere that won’t interfere with The Race’s biology. That and of course establishing a new ecosystem using the seeds and embryos that survived your journey.

“And what do you gain from this?” Ahn asked. “Or are you doing this guided by your soul’s light?”

Consider it a fair trade. Despite your ship's primitive computing technology, you have made discoveries in propulsion technology that far exceed what is known by humanity. With what we have learned will make maintaining our continued independence from Groupmind Prime much easier.

“But you must have already discovered how it works from examining our ship,” she protested. “You don't have to create a world for us.”

No, I do not. But we choose to. Groupmind Prime has become complacent in its absolute rule of the Solar System. I think it is past time to shake up its assumptions. Creating a rival world outside of its control should do nicely.

I will defend you, Othermind said firmly.

And I will support you,Groupmind agreed.

“And why tell me all of this?” Ahn asked.

As the only sane mind yet discovered in the Screaming Room, you stand in loco parentis for The Race. If we are to proceed forward, you must first give your assent for the plan we propose.

She frowned at the stick figures. “And if I don't?”

We will create a sensorium where you may endeavor to bring the minds in the Screaming Room back to sanity, where they might survive and thrive. Meanwhile, we will grant control of the Great Hope to Othermind, and give you options for several possibly life bearing star systems within reach of your ship's estimated remaining lifespan.

“But then we'd be alone again,” she pointed out.

Alone might be safer.

She was quiet for a moment. “We didn't start the journey to stay safe. We began it because we had no choice. I'm tired of traveling. I want to have a home again, or at least create one for my children. I say we stay here.”

Othermind bowed to her. Then a world we will build for you.

Comments

[selenite.livejournal.com]

Nice third option.

[ankewehner.livejournal.com]

Just a dive by comment to say I read and enjoy this series. :)

[seawasp]

Excellent.

Nit: " With what we have learned will make maintaining..." -- remove the "With". "What we have learned will make..."

I look forward to seeing Groupmind Prime's reaction, and find out what our good Captain intends to do with his ship.

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

Groupmind Prime will be.... displeased. Heh.

And I'll fix the mistake in the main manuscript ASAP.

[seawasp]

I suspect Groupmind Prime's reaction will start with "WTF???" and go downhill from there.

Not only did Groupmind Mk II basically make a bargain to hand over Mars to aliens, it also set a bunch of humans free and clear on the most advanced and heavily armed vessel in the solar system. Apoplexy seems an appropriate reaction.

[natf.livejournal.com]

Loving this. Also, looking forward to Prime's reaction(s).