Cosmic Diplomacy And Organic Engines
written by John Appius Quill
The days were longer this time of year on the planet Siddamont. A blistering summer replaced a bone chilling winter in a matter of weeks. The intermediate season between the two extremes was known as The Indian Summer where the Sun shone brightly and the warm winds blew without humidity or any chill. It was during these intermediate seasons that Jack loved to hike the trails that weaved through the crystal mountains. He loved the way the Sun shone through the crystals and changed the landscape colors from reds to blues to yellows to browns.
However, things were different today. He was not going to hike all morning like he expected because of the urgent call from work. He was to meet a research team kilometers away asap. He quickened his space to a jog and found himself at the meeting site in under an hour.
A familiar face greeted him at the entrance of the robot guarded perimeter.
”Hey babe. You should have let us fly you here instead of showing up drenched in sweat like a wet sponge.” A curevaceous woman said before kissing him on the lips.
”I hate being dragged from my hike, Lou.” Jack said hugging his wife in a tight embrace ignoring the fact he was drenched his sweat.
”This is big Jack. We have The Sidd-Sci Institute fighting with the Sidd-Spiritual Foundation over this new find from space.” Lou said showing no sign of displeasure at her husband´s sweaty embrace.
”The SSI and SSF are fighting? Lead the way.” Jack answered.
They walked into a large tent and saw two people arguing in front of a large mass of a gel like substance. It shimmered in the light and pulsated in different places as if it had many hearts. On closer inspection Jack saw that it had the shape of a kidney on its side with blue veins.
”What seems to be the problem?” Jack said wiping sweat from his forehead.
”The SSF wants to block scientific progress through reverse engineering with a ludicrous claim. ”A portly woman said folding her arms in front of her.
”It´s not a ludicrous claim. We have to start taking all life seriously. It´s important to have a good cosmic reputation as a humanoid race spreading out in the cosmos. If this is alive we cannot treat it like a machine. That is slavery.” Said a small thin man from the Sidd-Spiritual Foundation who leaned forward as he spoke.
”Are you saying that this kidney is alive?” Jack asked inspecting the mass while rubbing his chin.
The portly woman laughed and the thin man rolled his eyes.
”This mass was the engine of a ship that can breach vast distances. It´s organic technology but it is not alive.” The woman answered.
”What makes you think it´s alive?” Jack asked the thin man.
”Forget the fact that we should respect all organic matter as possible life. It tried to contact us with a signal it is emitting.” Answered the thin man.
”A signal?” Jack asked.
”Yes, it is trying to communicate with us.” The thin man answered.
”It´s not communication if no computer can mathematically analyze this signal.” The woman interrupted.
”We found what it eats too. We bathe it in plasma and feed it regular food.” The thin man said casting a cold glance at the portly woman from SSI as he spoke.
Jack walked around the mass while running a hand on its warm, smooth surface. It changed colors with his touch and made his fingers tingle.
”Let´s hear that signal.” Jack said wiping his dry hand on his wet shirt.
The recorder played a signal that was a deep, drawn out whine with random thumps like the songs of whales only less melodious. Jack rubbed his chin deep in thought.
”Well you´re both right. We have to find out where this technology comes from and speak to its creators to see how sentient it really is. This is a piece of a living ship and we have to finally acknowledge now the value of symbiosis in space travel.” Jack said after a pause.
The SSI and SSF representatives sneared at each other. This was not the evaluation they wanted.
”Ahhhh. There´s just one more thing.” Jack said rubbing his forehead.
”Yes?” The representatives asked in unison leaning forward.
”You have to stop feeding this thing beans.” Jack answered as Lou cackled a loud laugh in the background.
FIN
John Appius Quill© Copyright 2017
(747 words)
This is my goodreads microstory submission for February2017
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