Conception Page 2

  Kannick grinned. “Not a problem. I have similar restrictions. I should tell you, though, that there are probably no secrets on your world to which we do not have access. We have thoroughly scanned your computer systems, including your most secret research projects. We did this only to gain knowledge and insight about you. We are not a threat to Earth.”

  Greg felt himself squirming. To make matters worse, he knew that someone outside the room was aware of it and that they were probably interpreting his reactions wrong. Then his skin felt like it was crawling. He started itching his neck. “Uh . . . Kannick, you’re telling me that we are not only being recorded, but that people are actually watching us right now?”

  “Yes, that’s what I’ve been saying. We have immense curiosity about you.”

  “Okay, uh . . . that’s fine. It makes a lot of sense, and I’d probably do the same thing if I were in your place. Who’s watching?”

  Kannick shifted on his chair, seemingly uncomfortable all of a sudden. He peered hard at Greg. “Do you really want to know?”

  Greg shifted his gaze to the picture across from the foot of his bed. Arlynn had said she never lied. Did Kannick? It was time to test him.

  “I do.”

  Kannick sighed. “In addition to specialists, a number of our leading professors have joined us because you are finally awake. Besides them, most of the hierarchy of the Exploration Service is watching. The World Council is in session and observing. You’ll learn more about them later should you so desire. The Council is headed by the Atee. She has taken a personal interest in your welfare, and she personally gave me my final briefing before you woke up. If it makes you feel any better, the Atee informed me that the project surrounding you is her number one priority right now.”

  Greg’s eyes lost their focus as his thoughts turned inward. He felt like he was laying prostrate in front of the whole world. His face grew warm. He knew it was turning red, but there was nothing he could do to stop it. Then he heard a rushing sound in his ears, and he grew lightheaded. His surroundings became distant, removed from himself as he lost control, then he was only aware of feeling cold and numb. His perception narrowed to a tunnel without definition.

  He heard Kannick from a great distance. “Greg, relax. We are not judging you. You’ve already proven yourself to us. We know you just woke up from a long illness and are not completely yourself, but surely you understand our curiosity. These are intelligent, friendly people, all of whom wish you well. They just want to get to know you.”

  Then, distantly, he heard a low buzzing sound. Greg did not know it, but Kannick looked down at the side of the bed, then he excused himself. He left the room, but he returned shortly with a troubled expression on his face.

  “Atee,” he said into the room at large, “we have an objection from Medical. We’re going to ‘record only.’”

  Kannick waited a long time for Greg to come back to his senses. When Greg was finally able to focus on him, he said, “We’re alone now. Except for your doctors, anyone who wants to know what is going on in here will have to watch a recording later. Are you okay?”

  Greg still felt light-headed and weak. He took a few gulps of air and closed his eyes to concentrate. “Wait a minute,” he said weakly. He concentrated hard on getting back on an even keel, then he looked up at Kannick and around the room. He could not just lay here and do nothing. As much as he hated to, he had to face the problem.

  “Arlynn warned me not to ask a question I didn’t want the answer to. Thanks for being honest,” he said as he held his head in both hands. “Where’s the camera?”

  “They’re all over the place.”

  “Okay. Turn things back on for a minute. I’d like to address our audience.” He looked toward the picture on the far wall, but he concentrated more on what he was about to say than on what he was looking at.

  A minute later Kannick nodded to him.

  He took a deep breath, focused outward, and began. “Atee, and everyone else, you caught me by surprise. No harm’s been done, and I’m fine. Know that I want this to work just as much as you do, and I think we’re off to a good start. Thank you for taking such good care of me. I just need a little more time to get adjusted. I hope you’ll eventually give me the opportunity to meet each one of you. Just give me a little more time. Please.”

  He looked back at Kannick who said, “Record only,” then Kannick walked to the foot of the bed and looked sheepishly at Greg. “Sorry about that,” he said.

  “Don’t be. I’m the one who’s sorry. Whew! I’ve never been one to get stage fright, but that’s some audience. I asked the question, and you gave an honest answer. What more can I ask?”

  “I had hoped you would not ask that particular question,” Kannick commented dryly, but he soon brightened again, and laughter showed in his voice. “I don’t want to make light of a near disaster, but you must see the humor here.”

  “Uh, no, not exactly.”

  “Greg, Arlynn programmed the ship to record everything you did from the moment you came aboard. I watched the entire recording, all in real time, and I watched your every expression. You faced the guns of a whole fleet of Harbok ships, but I never once saw you as scared as you just were in front of a camera.”

  Greg laughed too, weakly, but he added, “If you didn’t see the fear there, you missed it.”

  Kannick sobered. “I did not say I saw no fear. I saw plenty of it. I also saw you overcome it in every case. I never once saw your mind stop calculating as it did here a few minutes ago. But enough of this! The others are gone. They are wonderful people, but they’re gone now.”

  “I’m sorry. I think I’m getting back to normal. I’m curious about something. Was the buzzing I heard the method the staff here uses to call you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Hmm. With all your advanced technology, I’d think you’d have something a little more sophisticated, like a miniature receiver in your ear or something.”

  Kannick brightened as the topic shifted to something less sensitive. “We do have implants for people who need them in their work,” he said, “but most of us avoid them. We take pleasure in improving life by natural means, but using mechanical constructs strikes most of us as an unnecessary violation of our bodies. By the way, lunch is ready. Are you still hungry?”

  “Not really, but bring it in. We need to eat sooner or later.”

  Kannick went out into the hall and reappeared moments later pushing a wheeled cart. Greg was again disappointed. Here he was on an alien world far advanced over Earth in technology, and everything he encountered was just like back home. His expression must have been obvious.

  “Does the food disappoint you?” Kannick asked.

  “No . . . I don’t know,” he said shrugging off the question. “I just keep waiting to see signs that I’m on another world. Everything around here is so mundane.”

  “Then our craftsmen did a good job. Your words will please them.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  Kannick explained as he set silverware out on the table. “Arlynn told you that life here developed differently than on Earth. For you and your people, technological advancements have taken place over a comparatively short period of time. Here, development has been much more sedate. Consequently, our sciences of the mind have kept pace with technology. Psychology is not just an art here, it’s a science. Psychologists frequently get involved in projects, and the project we refer to as Greg Hamilton is no exception. Your bed, this room, and your bathroom resemble what you would likely find on Earth, right down to the shaving cream and razor you brought with you. We copied the clothes you wore on your ship, and the food we serve you will be familiar.”

  “Quite a throwback, huh?”

  “Not at all! Our craftsmen worked hard to prepare your room, and they are proud of the results. Are you disappointed?”

  “No, it’s too soon to be disappointed about anything. It’s just not what I expected. When do I graduate to the real thing?”

  “Uh, I think you graduated the moment Arlynn took the Cold Sleep medicine, Greg. Very few of our people have flown a spaceship. More important, none of us have won an engagement with the Harbok. If you want a new room, we’ll move down the hall.”

  “Kannick, I don’t want to appear unappreciative, and I certainly don’t want to force someone else out of their room.”

  Kannick coughed into a closed fist, then smiled. “We have a number of vacant rooms here, Greg. The whole hospital wing is vacant for the duration of your stay. Arlynn is the only other patient.” Greg tried to object, but Kannick held up a hand to stop him. “We’ve carefully thought this out. Our plan calls for acclimating you to our world in small stages, hence I am the only contact you will have for a day or two. We will then introduce Doctor Llambry to you. He heads your recovery team and is anxious to get you started on your physical rehabilitation program. We’ll bring in others only as the situation warrants until we are confident you’re ready.”

  When Greg just stared at him, Kannick added, “This is uncharted territory, Greg. I hope you’ll let us have our way for a while. It’s for your own good. On the other hand, you are free to walk out of this hospital as soon as the quarantine is over. If you do, you will have to face our people without preparation, a task I do not think you are up to yet. You are quite popular here. We have postponed numerous demands from the press and others to meet you.”

  “I’m not ready for that yet, not by a long shot, but I like your plan. Are you telling me I’ll get to see your world and meet your people, to learn something of your culture?”

  “Absolutely. We can begin right now. We can move to another room, I can have your lunch delivered on a floater, you can fumble around trying to use our showers and tooth cleaning sprays, wear
our clothes, whatever you want. Despite our best efforts, you know best. You are the final judge.”

  “In that case, let’s just take it slow and easy for a while. If the truth were known, I’m suddenly feeling tired.”

  “What you’re feeling is a normal part of the recuperation process. You will experience periods of deep fatigue for a few days, but they will pass. Do you still want lunch?”

  He really was feeling tired all of a sudden. He just wanted to curl up in the bed and close his eyes. “I hate to waste the food, but I think it’s nap time,” he said groggily.

  “It will not be wasted, Greg. I’m hungry! Go to sleep.”

  Chapter Two

  Greg awoke to find Kannick still sitting beside the bed. He stretched, then asked, “How long have I been out?”

  “A couple of hours. How do you feel?”

  “Hungry! Have you been sitting here the whole time?”

  “Definitely not. I just got back as a matter of fact. Your doctors judge these time-outs quite accurately. If you’ll sit up, I have your meal ready.”

  He sat up, and Kannick placed a tray across his lap that contained a bowl and a spoon. Greg looked at it in dismay.

  “Sorry. I know it’s not much, but remember, your stomach hasn’t had a lot of use during the last five months.”

  Greg lifted the cover from the bowl and a wonderful, meaty aroma assailed his nostrils. His juices started flowing painfully as he dug into the broth with relish. It was gone in no time, and he looked to Kannick for more.

  “Sorry. Maybe in an hour or so. What would you like to talk about?”

  “Where do I start? Uh . . . are we live?”

  “Alive?”

  “No, live. Are we on TV?”

  “No, we are not, though I would like to discuss returning to ‘live.’ The Council is no longer in session, but we have a number of people who, quite appropriately, want to be a part of this. If that presents a problem for you, we’ll insist that they continue viewing the recordings later, but they are persistent with their demands.”

  Greg considered the request while Kannick cleared the tray and cart from the room. He felt a lot better now and wanted to get up and move around, but the idea of living in a fishbowl was not appealing to him. In fact, the whole idea was so odd that he suspected he might be dealing with one of those cultural differences that he had to watch out for. It was reasonable for these people to have different concepts concerning privacy, and he certainly did not want to offend the scientists whose request he would be denying, so when Kannick returned, he was ready with a few questions.

  “If we go live, will the whole world be watching?”

  “No. The whole world was not watching earlier either, although it may have seemed so to you. We are just as concerned as you are about mistakes. You’re going to make some, as will I. We need to work through them without the whole world watching, but letting specialists be involved might, in the long run, improve the outcome.

  “Greg, we’re an open society. We’ve lived with instantaneous communications for centuries, and our people can inform themselves about almost anything they desire. In your case, we made an exception. Eventually, we’ll release the recording library we’re gathering here, but not until our people meet the real Greg Hamilton. In the meantime, a select group of several hundred will help us through any difficulties we encounter, provided you’re willing to let them monitor our progress. They are dedicated professionals, and they are anxious to help us make this work.”

  “Kannick,” Greg said carefully, searching for the appropriate words, "I have to tell you that the whole idea is pretty unsettling, but I don’t want to offend anyone. I recognize that I’m a guest here, and I want to cooperate in every way I can. I guess I’d like to talk to them first and make a statement of my position. Can you arrange that?”

  “If you insist, but why? Just close your mind to their presence and carry on as if we were alone.”

  Greg’s eyes narrowed. “You can do that?”

  “Of course. Everyone does. It’s how we achieve privacy.”

  “I don’t have the foggiest notion of what you’re talking about, Kannick. Is it some form of meditation or something?”

  Kannick sat back in his chair with narrowed eyes, then he got up to pace. When he stopped, he faced Greg from the bottom of the bed.

  “Will you excuse me?”

  “Sure, is something wrong?”

  “Maybe. We appear so similar on the surface that it’s easy to forget we are truly alien beings meeting for the first time. You just reminded me. I’ll be back shortly.”

  He was gone for quite a while. Greg decided he needed to go to the bathroom and that now was as good a time as any, so he carefully swung his legs over and sat on the side of the bed. It felt good, so he stood up. His legs responded well to the strain, though he found he had to move carefully. He did not feel dizzy in the slightest, but keeping his balance was a real problem. Was it the small motor control Kannick had mentioned? He moved one leg carefully, then the other, pleased with himself despite the wobbliness.

  Then, with sudden realization, he discovered that his damaged hip was not hurting as much as it usually did. He started experimenting with it, but running footsteps in the hall diverted his attention. A pretty, brunette female skidded to a halt just inside his door. She suddenly seemed unsure of herself.

  “Hello!” he said. “Are you Doctor Llambry?”

  “No, I am Doctor Brimak. Doctor Llambry is in a meeting with Colonel Kannick. What are you doing?” she demanded.

  “I’m going into the bathroom,” he replied innocently. “Is that a no-no?”

  “It is definitely a no-no, Mr. Hamilton. You are not to be out of that bed without assistance. We have other procedures for what you want to do.”

  “Ah . . . look, I’m perfectly capable of going to the bathroom by myself.”

  “No, you are not. We haven’t gone to all the trouble of repairing you just so you can fall and injure yourself. Besides, we’re still retaining your urine and feces for analysis. I must insist that you return to your bed.”

  He was leaning from side to side, but he was not about to give in. “I appreciate your concern, Doctor. If you want to help me into the bathroom, that’s fine, but once in there, I intend to shut the door and have some privacy.”

  She bit her lip as she visibly worked to control her disapproval. “Please, Mr. Hamilton,” she said, “I am probably as familiar with your body as you are. Let me help you.” Then she blanched as a new thought struck her. “Do you have a cultural . . .” He could see her struggling for the right word, and she soon found it, “. . . taboo against my helping you?”

  He decided a little deception was appropriate. Working hard to keep a straight face, he said, “Some people on Earth have very strong taboos against such things.” Surely, somewhere on Earth someone had such customs?

  Just then more footsteps sounded in the hall and Kannick entered the room, followed closely by another man. The other man instantly took charge.

  “Leena, what’s going on here?” he demanded. Without waiting for a reply, he walked over to Greg and took his arm, then forced him to a sitting position on the bed. “What are you doing out of bed, Mr. Hamilton?”

  “Are you Doctor Llambry?” he asked sheepishly.

  “I am. It’s an honor to meet you. Awake, I mean. Now, will you please explain yourself?”

  Greg looked to Kannick for help, but Kannick was just staying in the background trying to hide a smirk. “Uh, I need to go to the bathroom, Doc. It seems that’s against the rules here.”

  “Nothing is against the rules where you are concerned, Mr. Hamilton. We are making the rules as we go, but we have procedures for this.”

  “I’m sure you do, and I have a pretty good idea of what those procedures are. There are only so many ways this can be done. Look, I . . . ah . . . I’m really trying hard to cooperate, but I’d at least like to keep a little dignity about myself. Is that too much to ask?”

  Doctor Llambry stepped back, contemplating him with a piercing look. “I understand dignity, Mr. Hamilton, though we in the medical profession tend to look upon such things differently. That does not change the fact that what you are trying to do is dangerous. You do not have sufficient control of your muscles to move about unassisted. We were going to get you up and moving around soon anyway, so if you will permit me, I will assist you to the bathroom.”