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The Mind’s Eye

posted by Blake at 11:37 PM, October 13, 2004 | Filed under : Fiction | Comments and Followups

Prior to Corwin’s return…

The Mind’s Eye:

The sound of breathing could barely be heard as the ruby laser played across the crystal’s facets, dispersing itself onto the darkened cabin walls opposite the light source. As the laser penetrated the diamond’s interior, and struck the central blue discoloration, the light dispersed again. On the opposite wall a collage of multi-colour fragments played across the cabin wall, a captivating display though Jerod knew from Merik’s exhalation that he was frustrated.

“It’s pretty.” Jerod says, a neutral tone in his voice as Merik turns off the laser and retrieve the crystal, tossing it to Jerod before moving to put the support stand and laser emitter to one side.

“It’s junk.” Merik replies, retrieving a cigar from his jumpsuit breast pocket and lighting up while Jerod inspects the crystal in the comfort of his quarters. The soft bleat of the life support computer protesting the increase in carbon dioxide is quickly silenced.

“Oh?” Jerod asks. “Most women wouldn’t agree. I’m reasonably certain that the Imperial Geological Survey would be interested too. You don’t find 800 carat diamonds very often that have a singularly unique central flaw, even when you’re zipping around in the vastness of space. And that thing’ll kill you.” pointing to the cigar.

“Nah. I’ll just get another lung.” Merik says, taking a puff. “And you’re right – you don’t find many rocks this big. Once in a lifetime. That’s why most people would think this is a real catch. Even a bunch of bureaucratic numb-nuts at the IGS. But it’s not. You tell me why you think this would be valuable and I’ll tell you why it ain’t.”

Jerod frowns, looking at the diamond again. “Well, hardest known natural substance barring neutronium. Formed from internal planetary processes from stellar carbon. Crystalline structure is a face-centred cubic with the molecules maintained through co-valent bonding. That gives them meta-stability making them more kinetically than thermodynamically stable. Found on pretty much any world that has any sign of volcanic activity barring gas giants. A necessity in several industries and apart from competition with Terran canines it’s arguably a girl’s best friend.” he says, tossing the diamond back to Merik before continuing.

“This one has an internal flaw so it means it’s not a synthetic. Manufactured diamonds are only suitable for industrial use in very specific circumstances because of the abundance of natural diamonds. Some people will make them just to prove they’ve got the cash to do it but there are more fashionable ways to prove you’re stinking rich so very few go that route. And no one has figured out yet how to manufacture synthetics with internalized flaws.”

“All correct, except that this one is a fake.” Merik says, watching Jerod closely.

Jerod snorts. “Bullshit. If someone had pulled that off, they’d have patented it and pushed it on the market.”

Merik shakes his head. “Maybe, but not for this diamond.”

“Why not? What’s so special about it?” Jerod asks curiously.

“Ever hear of the Corgan Conundrum?” Merik asked.

“Emperor Corgan’s Conundrum? Sure. Who hasn’t?” Jerod says with a slight frown, noting the change in topic.

“I wasn’t sure how much you had heard in this Amber you’re from, wherever it is.” Merik says, the question sliding in obliquely.

“It’s a bit off the beaten trail.” Jerod replies drily. “A lot of worm-jumps.”

“Uh huh.” Merik says, unimpressed with the response but comfortable enough after a month of Jerod’s company to know when he’s not likely to get an answer to a question. “Anyway, the Emperor’s Conundrum. How do you ensure your line is the one true line and that the person sitting on the throne is actually entitled to it? The question that has plagued rulers for millenia.”

“Glow in the dark name tags?” Jerod says, the vague hint of sarcasm creeping into his voice. “Mystery cultist handshakes. Maybe the special Secret Agent decoder ring?”

“Close.” Merik says. “How about an object that was keyed to your DNA? Something that lights up when you hold or use it.”

Jerod purses his lips. “A neat trick but it doesn’t rule out a clone. That’s why smart-guns have to be re-programmed periodically.”

“That’s at a general level. Basic amino replication.” Merik counters. “I’m talking something so specific that a clone wouldn’t cut it. The equipment to produce a clone can make an almost precise duplicate down to the amino base pair combinations, but not absolutely exact. There are EM variances that are caused during the process because of the equipment that has to be used.”

“So a DNA pattern that produces a unique field, one that can’t be duplicated in nature. And a device that screens for both DNA and the EM body field that would be created by it.” Jerod says. “Nice trick. Might work too. What’s that got to do with the diamond?”

“It’s the answer to the Emperor’s Conundrum.” Merik says. “Or rather, a fake answer.”

“You want to elaborate on that?” Jerod says, getting up from the g-chair to collect a pair of drinks from the food dispenser. “Synth-alcohol sucks, you know that.” he adds, putting a drink beside Merik before sitting down.

“It’s cheap and it’s easy to produce.” Merik replies off-handedly. “Anyway, Emperor Corgan was defeated after the Battle of Keldor Prime and the Regency took charge to look for any offspring who might have survived the rebellion. Everyone knows from the histories that Regent Harris has little intention of looking for anyone to succeed Corgan and is more interested in securing his own line. Over the last two centuries, Regent Harris’ line has done things well to ensure his own stability and produce economic growth. But there is still a large segment of the population that is loyal to the old family and would unite to demand that the Regent fulfill his obligation and restore the rightful line to power.”

“All a moot point unless a successor is found and proven.” Jerod says, “Assuming they survive the assassins too.”

“What if I told you a successor was already found.” Merik says quietly, taking a drink from his glass.

Jerod looks over the rim of his own glass at Merik. “I’d say you’re not halfway to the throne but you’re more than halfway to getting killed if you tell the wrong person. How do you prove it?”

“The Conundrum.” Merik says, pointing to the diamond. “Emperor Corgan’s family had found a diamond over 800 carats in size that glowed with a vibrant blue light when it was worn by the Emperor.”

“The Imperial Star?” Jerod asks as Merik nods. “That was destroyed at Keldor Prime on the Emperor’s flagship.”

“Lost, not destroyed.” Merik says. “How hard is it to blow up a diamond.”

Jerod’s focus narrows. “You’re saying you found it.”

Merik shrugs. “I thought I had found it. That was supposed to be it.” he says, pointing at the diamond on the table.

“But instead it isn’t.” Jerod says, thinking. “And there are not likely to be two 800 carat diamonds floating around the quadrant with a unique internal flaw.”

“The odds are not good for that, no.” Merik agrees.

“So why do you think someone made it. And who?” Jerod asks.

“The Regent.” Merik says simply.

“Why?” Jerod asks, his drink ignored for the moment.

Merik finishes his drink. “To smoke out the real contender. I think they figured out there’s someone out there and they’re trying to eliminate them. And it would explain why someone might make a synthetic and not market it. The Regent couldn’t let it be known that such a technology existed. Not yet. We’d be suspicious when looking for the Conundrum.”

Jerod’s expression darkens. “That means whoever you got that pretty rock from is going to be bringing some friends with them. You’re already blown.”

Merik shakes his head. “Not yet. The low-life who connected me to it isn’t around to tell anyone who he sold it to. Though I’m not dumb enough to believe that I won’t get found out so I’m definitely on a short list as far as time goes. I need to find the real thing.”

“So where’s the real thing?” Jerod asks.

“I was hoping you could tell me.” Merik says hopefully.

“Me?” Jerod says, looking surprised.

“You’re good at finding things.” Merik says.

“It’s a gift.” Jerod replies, the dryness returning to his tone.

Merik shakes his head. “It’s more than that. You can find stuff whenever you want to. I’d say it’s almost supernatural.”

Jerod is silent for a moment, his face a bland expression that hides any trace that irritation may be contemplated. “I can find general stuff. You’re asking for something specific. I’d have to have seen the real thing, studied it in detail to be able to go after it.”

“I can show you pictures, detailed analysis of the Star.” Merik offers hopefully. “There’s a lot of specialized information available.

“Not good enough. I’d need the real thing. I need to hold it, to be able to see it and feel it. Extrapolation doesn’t work well.” Jerod says. “And where would you get information about what should be considered a state secret.”

“Past life experience.” Merik says, a hint of desperation in his voice now. “How about the object the Star was meant to identify?”

“You mean the contender for the throne?” Jerod asks, thinking. “Go after the Star in reverse?”

“Find it by knowing what it is meant to interact with, and then extrapolating the Star’s location.” Merik says.

Jerod is silent for a long time, thinking. “It’s possible. It’s not LIKELY.” he stresses. “It certainly wouldn’t be easy. We’re not talking about a set of data coordinates here. We’d be searching for a trail to find the Star.”

“I’ve got the ship and the resources.” Merik says. “You’ve got the skill. And we should have just enough time.”

Jerod nods, thinking. Then he reaches over to a drawer in his desk, pulling out a bottle of real scotch. “Then I think you’d better show me your contender.” Jerod says, pouring a new set of drinks.

****

The planet was a baleful image, the dark red verging in some cases to near black from the oxidation in the surface soil. High winds filled with acid components and ammonium compounds rounded out an unpleasant place to be. Jerod shook his head as he raised his gaze from the scanner port to look at the larger bridge screen onboard the Persephone, hiding several AU’s out in the planetary debris field. Medgar was not a nice place even for a mining outpost.

“This is it.” Jerod said finally, the sound of silence deadening in his ears.

“Are you sure?” Merik asked. The bridge crew went about their business with military efficiency but even then Jerod knew everyone was listening to their conversation.

“As sure as I am about anything.” Jerod replied, turning in his chair to face the captain. Verisa was standing beside Merik and Jerod looked her over once more. He had been unimpressed with her when Merik had brought her in, claiming her as the rightful heir to Corgan’s throne. But the past three weeks of worm-jumps had taken the edge off of his initial derision. As a companion she was certainly capable he noted and she was smart enough to view both sides of any situation carefully before making a decision. Whether she had what it took to be an Empress was another matter, Jerod noted with a chuckle. Sort of like his own situation, he reckoned, son of a Prince and all that.

“We’ve been jumping for three weeks.” Verisa says. “Barely more than a few hours stop in a system before you say it’s not right and head us off in another direction. Why here?”

“Because it feels right.” Jerod says blandly.

“Feels right?” Verisa asks, disbelief hinting in her voice.

“Yes, feels right.” Jerod says. “That’s why Merik brought me along.”

Acid drips from her words. “Feelings won’t tell us that the Star is here.”

“No, but a deep radar pulse does.” Jerod replies. “And that’s what Persephone’s tells me now.”

“How so?” Merik asks, cutting off Verisa before she could speak. She looks at Merik for a moment before staying silent, recognizing perhaps that anything ascerbic at this point would not help matters.

“High resolution chem scanners are able to detect the Star given its chemical make-up, even at great distances. That much compressed carbon stands out like a sore thumb.” Jerod says. “So if you had it you’d have to shield it. Part of me wonders why the Regent simply just didn’t destroy it when they recovered it in the first place.”

“Because if the Regent could figure out how it responded to the Corgan line, he might be able to synthesize a way to reproduce its effect and then reclaim the Star as his own, cementing his line further.” Verisa says.

Jerod nods. “In any event, he’d have to keep it secret. Putting it on a military or government installation close to home wouldn’t help either. Enough old guard Loyalists remain in key positions that sooner or later, it would be discovered.” and Jerod’s gaze roves around the bridge crew to make his point, noting the number of former Imperial officers serving with Merik. Merik smiles when he sees Jerod doing this.

“So he’d have to hide it and in such a way that should someone come along with a former Imperial survey ship, loaded with an advanced sensor suite, they wouldn’t get a reading on the carbon lattice that was off the scale. And that’s exactly what he’s done.”

“How?” Verisa asks.

“Stasis field.” Jerod says. “It prevents any form of external scanning. You can’t even detect it’s existence with conventional sensors. But a deep radar neutrino pulse will bounce off the stasis surface.”

“And you found one?” Merik inquires.

Jerod nods. “About 800 metres below the surface of what is supposed to be a small, unimportant mining operation studying geo-thermal energy pockets on an otherwise useless piece of space rock. A space rock that just happens to be within eighteen parsecs of an Imperial depot.”

“One worm-jump away.” Verisa notes.

“Exactly.” Jerod says.

“It fits with an intelligence summation I received.” Merik says. “Depot 23 maintains four battle squadrons on worm-jump readiness at all times. Standard procedure is for three to be deployed. They could have an entire squadron in this system in under two hours. Too little time for an intruder to recharge their jump systems in order to escape.”

“It could still be just what it seems though.” Verisa says, playing devil’s advocate. “An unimportant mining post conducting government research. What else?”

“It could. But that wouldn’t explain the deep radar return pulse I got.” Jerod says, pointing to the console screen. “Only a stasis field could produce that. And they’re too expensive for storing anything other than high value items. Conventional quarantine pods can handle anything else but wouldn’t stop the scanners we’re using.”

“So what’s next?” Verisa asks.

“Verification.” Merik says and Jerod nods. “We’ll need to figure out how to get down there without being detected. Scout out the facility and prep a plan on how to get in undetected.”

“Sounds like a plan for adventure.” Jerod says. “We should…”

“Sir! Sensors are detecting a worm-hole formation.” the science officer interrupts.

“Location?” Merik asks.

The helmsman looks over. “1.4 grids bearing galactic south-west by two-zero.” she says, giving the spatial coordinates.

Merik curses. “Too far. Damn. Ready weapons. Helm – get us into range quick or we’re cooked.”

Jerod watches as the crew flows into action, readying the weapon systems for use. The emergence of the communications scout from the wormhole is followed thereafter by a short, one-sided battle as the converted freighter overwhelms the scout’s limited defensive systems before obliterating it.

“Did they get a message away?” Merik asks, turning from the scattering debris on the view screen to look at the communications officer.

The comms officer nods. “Yes sir. Short pulse distress signal through the wormhole. The computers are unscrambling it now.”

“Did they include a configuration of this ship?” Verisa asks.

A pause as she filters the computer audio report. “Yes ma’am. Intruder configuration is part of the message contents.” she confirms.

“Then they’ll be coming.” Verisa says. “They’ll know it’s us.”

“We have to get out of here.” Merik agrees. “Navigator, prepare for worm-jump.”

“Hold on.” Jerod says. “If we leave, they’ll either move the Star or destroy it once and for all.”

“You’re not seriously suggesting we stay and fight?” Verisa asks. “Even if they send only one squadron, that’s twelve Gallant class battle cruisers. We couldn’t stand against one, let alone twelve.”

Jerod frowns. “I’m not suggesting you fight.”

“What are you suggesting?” Merik asks.

Jerod looks back towards the view screen for a moment, having been silent while the battle occurred, fascinated as always by the wormhole and its formation. The glimmering of an idea that took seed during the battle and has continued to grow now shows itself to him and he smiles. “I’m suggesting that we change the odds a little. You trusted me before?” he says, looking over at Merik who nods. “Then trust me now. We’ve got two hours. Move us away from the planet. At least five AU’s. I want you to adjust your forward deflectors to emit a polarized electron beam towards the aperture where the wormhole will be forming. And hold onto your seats.”

****

The vapor from the rock dissipated as the cutting laser stopped, the slab of material now cut falling away to the floor of the cargo bay. Jerod sat watching from the port catwalk as the crew worked diligently, slicing off slabs from the giant fragment they had recovered before clearing them away. He would have come down to help but that would just make the crew agitated. They had become nervous around him since the destruction of the mining output and the Imperial attack squadron. Few except for Merik would come near him willingly.

Jerod sighed as he realized it was time to go home. Siren Station was the next port of call for Merik’s ship. He could make it home from there. Just get this job done and he’d be done his business.

“How’s it going?” Verisa asks, stepping into the cargo bay.

“It’s proceeding. They should have the magma debris removed from the stasis pod in a few hours.” Jerod says. “Then Merik can crack it open and see if you’re really the one.”

“Let’s hope I am.” Verisa says. “Otherwise a lot of people died for nothing.”

“Seventeen thousand, four hundred and thirty nine dead if conservative estimates are accurate. That would not be good.” Jerod says.

“No, it wouldn’t.” she says, a long pause inserting itself between them as Jerod watches the crew work.

“So what are you going to do now? Any plans?” she asks, turning her head to look at Jerod.

Jerod returns the look briefly. “I’m thinking it’s time to move on.”

“You wouldn’t think of staying around for awhile? We’ve still got a lot to do before we can force the Regent to step down. A resourceful individual…someone with talent, could carve out a position of importance.” Verisa says.

“Someone with talent, huh?” Jerod asks. “Sometimes those kinds of people can be a bigger liability than they’re worth. They can be disruptive to the group’s cohesion.” and he motions to the crew below.

“Maybe. But sometimes that can be worth the disruption.” Verisa says. “And you’ve got talent. Enough to equal a hundred crews like this one.”

Jerod smiles, though Verisa realizes that the flattering does not touch him. “Oh? And what talent is that?”

“For starters, how about opening wormholes.” Verisa says. “And don’t waste my time with that silly mumbo-jumbo you threw at the crew about the deflector and the wormhole. Merik and I know better. It didn’t do squat. Something else caused a second wormhole to open at just precisely the same point in space-time as the incoming squadron’s wormhole was forming. It bounced the entire squadron through the second corridor and straight to its exit point, which just happened to be at the centre of the Medgar. And the resulting wormhole event horizon exit blew everything to pieces when a squadron of starships tried to re-emerge inside a planetary core and converted directly to energy. Except for one stasis pod and its contents which we subsequently retrieved from the debris field.”

“Now, wormholes can occur naturally or they can be forced.” Verisa continues. “But two together is statistically unheard of. It’s theoretically possible though. I’ve done the math. It’s just highly unlikely. Just like everything else on this trip, including finding the pod. So how could you have done it?”

“Perhaps I just visualized it. In my mind’s eye. Perhaps I knew that this universe could support the reality of two wormholes intersecting. A theoretical possibility that was within this realm’s allowed parameters and which would not cause a shift in it’s reality paradigm which ultimately would cause everything to break down.” Jerod says, looking over at Verisa with a slight smile.

“Or perhaps this was just your lucky day.” he says. “You got what you needed just when you needed it.”

Verisa is silent for a moment. “We might need more of those in the future. You could be very valuable to the new line. Would you at least consider it?”

“I have.” Jerod says. “It’s tempting, but that’s all. And I’ve been away from home for too long. It’s time that I was returning.”

Verisa nods a little, disappointed but not surprised. “I see. Well, if you wish to change your mind before you depart, let me know.”

Jerod returns the nod. “I’ll do that.”

Verisa rises from her spot and heads through the hatchway, nods to Merik as he enters. He pulls a cigar from his breast pocket and lights it before sitting down beside Jerod.

“That thing’ll kill you.” Jerod says.

“Nah. I’ll just get another lung.” Merik says. “You said no?”

Jerod nods.

Merik sighs. “I figured that. I told her as much but she needed to be sure.”

“Always a good thing to do.” Jerod says. “Making sure for yourself.”

Merik nods. “So what’s next? You going to stick around a bit or do you want me to drop you off.”

“After you get this out…” Jerod says, pointing to the pod. “Siren Station. I’ll head home from there.”

Merik nods again, pausing a moment before continuing. “You know…I’ve done some digging through the charts. There’s no Amber registered anywhere in the Galactic Survey. Not even variations on name themes. No outposts or colonies either.”

Jerod nods. “That’s certainly an interesting piece of trivia.”

“So where are you going?” Merik asks.

Jerod seems to stare off into space for a moment before answering. “Home.”

Merik looks at him, a realization of something bigger registering inside him. “It must be a long way away.” he says.

“You could say that.” Jerod says, coming back from…wherever.

Merik takes a drag on the cigar. “Are we going to be seeing you again any time soon? Or any one else like you? Come back in five or ten years, after we get rid of the Regent. You might be real famous.”

Jerod shrugs even as he smiles. “Might happen. I doubt it will be me though I suppose someone in the family might head over this way one day. If they do, perhaps I’ll tell them to look you up.”

“I’ll look forward to that day.” Merik says, going silent now as they sat and watched the crew continue to work, clearing the debris to uncover the prize.

Follow up: the trackback URL for this entry is: http://www.whiterose.org/MT/mt-tb.cgi/4453

1 Comments

monica
Oct 18, 2004 2:51 PM

Very cool! Sci fi is one of my favorite genres and between this and Solange's new thread, I'm just loving it! Great job as usual, Blake.

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