legendinc.com's Serial Novel: The ScreenMasters

[page 267 ... ] The large window framed vast and endless space stretching far, far away; a mighty blackness, stamped with hauntingly exanimate lights that twinkled as if in encripted signals that none could truly decipher. The station and the Moon, strange companions in this setting, sailed on seeming not even to move at all in the Brobdingnagian expanse.

So small were they now, so exposed, so alone, so vulnerable; there could be no turning back in the directionless surrounding of this space. No forward, no sideways just, as Commander James Peterson, who was now with his daughter, Brittany, in their comfortable quarters, had said, there was no option other than, "Steady as she goes." All the other paths had disappeared out even as the cold blackness of their destiny tighened its grip. Farson, thought Jim Peterson, I hope you know what you're doing. The stakes were really high, the highest. He looked over at his daughter. She was not happy.

Brittany, like any teenager would, was arguing with her Dad about going to bed. "Dad, it's early. I've got homework and ..." She saw the look in her father's eye and knew there was no way she would win this time. She smiled at him and tried a last resort that sometimes worked. "Come on, Dad. Let's just watch the late news." Over the years he had noticed that Brittany needed less sleep than most people. He reluctantly nodded his head and they sat down on the sofa. "Just a few minutes then." He acquiesed for his own reasons, he knew, not really to make her happy, although that too. He loved his time with Brittany. They were alone in a world that had swept them up. So much saddness had given way to a closeness for the two of them. The late news was about the solar sails and the new Sker innovations; how the Moon's crops were growing and the miners were planning their annual "Marti Gras," a drunken brawl that they loved to distraction. The moon, and New Chicago, were becoming tourist attractions, and the Mardi Gras was a highlight. By the time the announcer was halfway through her reporting of Chicago's plans for crowd control on the parade route, Jim was asleep and Brittany was getting up. "It's you who needs the sleep, Dad. Let's go. She took his hand and encouraged him. He was exhausted, she could tell. As he turned out the light he saw a faint purple glow beginning to fill the room. He said to her, "You go ahead, I'll be right along."

As she drifted away to her room, Commander Peterson was wide awake as he tapped he wrist communicator. "John he said to the face that appeared in the air before him, "Here we go." Sergeant Long John Hanson Silver said, "Well, it's about time."
121. Essor.

It was truly a momentous occasion on the Screen and the ScreenMasters were gathering. Perhaps not out of respect for their new self-appointed leader, but none-the-less they were coming. Farson's leadership had always been sort of a bare-bones variety, without pomp. But for Twill there was no other way than all out. It seemed as though all of his long, long existence had been building toward's this occasion. Escaping death, fighting off change, and finally, in his opionion, triumphing magnificently, all deserved more than an inter-office memorandum, to say the least. So all the stops were being pulled and the sails of Twill's ascension to Grand ScreenMaster were soon to be unfurled in their efulgent glory. Never before had all of the known ScreenMasters assembled in one place. The logistics were not complicated for them -- being in two places at once was easy -- but the mere fact of the assemblage and the ascension of one of their number, raised the event to millennial at least. On Twill's host world, however, it was not so easy to stage such an event. Buried beneath nineteen hundred kilometers of dense ice, Lake DurR was the driest place on the planet. That's why they all lived down there. The drier the better. And the colder the better. The lake was really a dead sea in the abyssmal dark. The Essors, as the population of the planet was known, eschewed the light and the surface, which was bright and oxygenated: deadly to them. Perhaps this antomynistic relationship to what all of humanity loves, imparted the initial revulsion that Twill felt when he first came to Earth on the ScreenMasters' barge. He knew there was nowhere on the planet, not even in the depths of their fading polar ice where he could feel even remotely comfortable. But on his home, Essor, he was in the very definition of Heaven. There was only one other species, with a ScreenMaster, that could actually attend the glorious celebration in person, and they were not coming. The ScreenMaster population was almost entirely averse to travelling in person to other locations. Some had conjectured that this reluctance to travel was the genesis of the ScreenMasters in the first place. There had to be a way to coordinate things.

Each race had its one or two ScreenMasters, and because of the rarity, these individuals and the importance of them were coveted and protected as nothing else. One a planet when a solo ScreenMaster died and left the chair empty, there were no standby replacements and the planet and the race typically declined in importance. Twill had made the case that with the ascension of a Grand ScreenMaster, lesser ScreenMasters, or even non-ScreenMaster placeholders (an individual appointed to fill the position until a naturally evolved ScreenMaster appeared indiginously to assume the mantle) would be acceptable. Everyone, Twill predicted, would now be represented in his new scenario, because of his exultation. Many worried. Some races had three or four ScreenMasters but that was rare; usually one or none. In fact, Twill was the only Essor to ever achieve the status. Uvo's world had had two because of their vast numbers. But Twill had taken care of that.

Twill wanted to make a statement of power and the consummation of the Screen here on Essor in a way that none could ever question. In attracting the other ScreenMasters to "passage" here he was laying a dark trap for them. They would come hoping for the best, but would encounter the worst. The robots were the key to his plotting, for with the robots, whether the ScreenMasters came in person or not could not have mattered less.

121.
CT>Dinsil 2371

CT>Dinsil 2371 was a mild-mannered ScreenKeeper who was very seldom called upon. ZZ>Arkol 25609 had the higher calling on the Screen. He was Farson Uiost's ScreenKeeper. He had all the technical advantages over CT>Dinsil 2371, who was much older, in the antiquity of the Screen. The rules were that ScreenKeepers ruled ScreenKeepers. Period. They marched to a tune that only they could hear. Attempts to interfere had led to disasters, so over time they had come to be almost a sort of background theme on the Screen. But there were occasions when they raised the level of participation to preeminence. ScreenKeepers at times were clearly more powerful than the ScreenMasters themselves. Since the coming of Farson Uiost that role had reared its head once more, but with less effect than expected. His protection and the assistance he needed seemed to be the "pet project" of the ScreenKeepers now. But Farson was not like other ScreenMasters.

When CT>Dinsil 2371 first recruited Hattie it signaled a big change. Bringing Hattie and Sam together first with Farson and then with Karina and Farson had had far reaching ramifications, and from the ScreenKeepers' point of view, they were all good, even if some were surprising. Farson and Karina first saw the robots with the arrival of the ScreenMasters' barge and at first they assumed the robots had come with the barge. But as things developed, Farson saw that that was not true. As he began to move around in time, especially above Level Ten, it became abundantly clear that the robots served a function above and beyond the ScreenMasters. In time, he saw the independence of the robots for what it was: absolutely essential. The ScreenKeepers, of course, appreciated this insight immensely.

All ScreenMasters could summon certain robots. And the robots would accommodate almost any request made by a ScreenMaster. In fact, sometimes secretly, sometimes openly, ScreenKeepers always accompanied ScreenMasters wherever they went. With one exception: Farson Uiost. He could and did choose to travel and alone sometimes. ZZ>Arkol 25609 found that there was nothing he could do to stop Farson when Farson wanted to go alone. It worried him, but as Karina had said in consolation to ZZ>, "He always comes back."

Farson learned, early on, that the robots served many important functions and one was as sort of "relays" on the Screen, facilitating a lot of ordinary traffic and communications for the ScreenMasters. He had formulated a theory that they were "boosters," for the Screen. The ScreenMasters weren't always as strong as they seemed to be in myth and lore. In fact the variation from ScreenMaster to ScreenMaster was one of the first things Farson noted. Twill was one of the strongest. Handy was the one he understood the least. Karina was the only one Farson considered to be in his league. Uvo was the kindest ScreenMaster he had ever known. But, once Farson had actually achieved the SecondLevel, he realized that the robots were everywhere. He learned along the way that Twill had also come into this piece of information.

CT>Dinsil 2371 had an interesting history. Perhaps the most interesting of all the ScreenKeepers. Although, ZZ>Arkol 25609 was not far behind. Between the two of them, and their far reaching activities, their relationship had stood the test of 10,000 years and more. Much of what they had labored to achieve was now in the balance on the far, far away planet of Essor, and in the frail link to a planet Twill was about to destroy. CT>Densil 2371 was on Essor and ZZ>Arkol 25609 was trying to get into position near Earth, but robots had limits in how far they could go and how fast. It had never been a problem when there was time enough. But since Farson came on the scene, time was just not what it used to be.

"ZZ>Arkol 25609, where are you now?" It was Repoul Bensn following the planned protocols, exactly, of course. ZZ>Arkol 25609 admireD the Skers for their dependability. They were far different from other human beings. However, their cumbersome form of communication left a lot to be desired.

<> The ScreenKeeper's thoughts came as a mental fulgiration to the Sker. Exected but still startling. They penetrated space's distance and time with ease.

"Commander Petersen said he saw a ScreenKeeper's purple aura in his compartment a few moments ago. That observation is the source of my inquiry."

<<Physical presence is not required for action, Midshipman. My location is of no concern.>> ZZ>Arkol 25609 knew more about the needs and phobias of human beings that he would ever let on, especially in a conversation with a Sker. <<CT>Dinsil 2371, however is in position at Essor. This you do need to know.>> One of the problems with such an old robot as <<CT>Dinsil 2371 was was that the mobility issues were exasperated. However the alacrity of his movement to Essor, while slow in ZZ>Arkol 25609's terms, was still well above the capabilities of an average ScreenMaster. ZZ>Arkol 25609 reflected for a moment on state of ScreenMaster evolution, which before Farson had been disappointing to him indeed. But with Farson, his estimation of what the future held was now uncertain and incalculable.

"We are in a situation of anticipation right now. All is ready." Repaul was preparing to break his connection. Suddenly the robots voice was in his ears through the communication device of his console.

<<Do not think, 'all is ready,' Midshipman. There are variables in play that do not lend themselves to your self delusory feelings of adequacy. On guard, Mr. Bensn. There is much of great importance in your hands>> Bensn found this last exchange troubling. Skers did not like to question themselves, but they were truly great in emergencies. He was going over the plans and calculations intensely rechecking everything just as ZZ>Arkol 25609's last thought came to him. He knew that clear thinking and correction action in the coming emergency would be the moment he had been born for. Unlike many other circumstances in which he had faced uncertainty, this one seemed to be almost out of his control.

<<Do not worry, Midshipman. Your work has always been excellent, and this time will be no different. Just stay alert. It will all be over soon. When the time comes, do not hesitate no mattter what. You are at the center.>>

CT>Dinsil 2371 was standing within an arm's reach of Twill. He was covered in the ceremonial ScreenKeepers' uniform which was surprisingly ornate, reminiscent of the Swiss Guards of the ancient Earth Papacy in Rome. CT>Dinsil 2371 had been there twice: once in the late 20th Century to handle the death of one Pope and the selection of installation of another. He assisted the end of one of the shortest reigns and the beginning of one of the longest. But even those days of joy and saddness pale before this day's importance. Twill was magnificent in his confidence and supremacy. If what he wanted came to pass CT>Dinsil 2371 would be in a bad position. If what Twill wanted was thwarted, CT>Dinsil 2371 would be killed. It's been a long life. CT>Dinsil 2371 contemplated his fate impassively, His out skin checked and adjusted his clothing to perfection. He remained still. The only sign of life was the telltale strobing of his visual perceptors and his unique aura. Twill turned to him. <<Why is your glow gold, CT>Dinsil 2371? And, not purple?>>

<> Twill continued to focus his attention on the robot.

<<How old?>> CT>Dinsil 2371 remained still, unanswering; his strobing slowed. Twill could see that no answer was forthcoming and turned his attention elsewhere with a shake of his head in disdain. How stupid are they? Twill's thought was not unnoticed and he suddenly started with a bright image in his head, undefined. It was so bright it frightened him and reminded him of Farson's image appearing earlier. He stopped and turned back at the robot. The strobing had stopped. CT>Dinsil 2371 could have been dead. Then imperceptibly at first then slightly more the strobing resumed. Someone called Twill's name and he walked off. CT>Dinsil 2371 remained still and stoic, if looking a little eccentric in his colorful uniform. Twill looked back and saw that the tasseled hat had change positions slightly. He faced the robot for a moment. <<Well, I'm glad you came here for the ceremony, CT>Dinsil 2371. It is an honor of sorts. You presence lends a special feeling. When was the last time you travelled this far?>>

<> The voice in his mind was sharp and focused. Twill had the thought that the words and the meanings might not be exactly the same. But, soon his name was called again and he was gone.

Farson's voice was a soft, stillness in CT>Dinsil 2371's agile mind. <<Remember our friend Uvo, CT>Dinsil 2371. Caution is always appropriate in these circumstances.>> CT>Dinsil 2371 didn't move at all. Farson was lingering for a response.

<> Farson's thoughts came richeting back instantly but, again, very gently and quietly.

<<Someone once told me, 'All paths lead to the truth if you follow them to the end.'>> CT>Dinsil 2371 remembered that too.

<>

<<Oh, ye of little faith.>> And Farson's thoughts were gone again and CT>Dinsil 2371 was alone. Solitude did not bother him after all these years, in fact solitude was the one thing he was at peace with. Farson was so sure of everything, but CT>Dinsil 2371 had seen too much. True, he had never seen anything like Farson, but still there was a certain hestitation in his enthusiasm. When CT>Dinsil 2371 had first encountered Farson it was during his ascension at LevelOneHundred. He had known Farson was approaching but the speed of the ascension surprised him and even with all of his experience and knowledge CT>Dinsil 2371 could only delay Farson for a short time. What might have been a death blow to others was just a mild sting to Farson. From that moment on CT>Dinsil 2371 knew there was much to do. His meeting with Hattie was only the beginning. And, standing there on Essor, waiting for the moment of all moments he thought to himself, things are moving so quickly. He could see Twill moving in the crowds and he noticed that the crowds were gathering. CT>Dinsil 2371's strobing stayed steady but inside, where the truth of his existence resided, he felt emotions unstirred for so many years. Years alone and not alone. But, for the longest time now, alone. It was good to be part of Farson's plan but still, it was a challenge he never thought he would have to endure. <<CT>Dinsil 2371, I did it on the planet of troubles, this will be no different.>>

<<Farson that is a myth of your legend. You can't fool me.>>

<<You are wrong, CT>Dinsil 2371. It really did happened. You'll see.>> CT>Dinsil 2371 was still alone, despite Farson's thoughts. It was comforting to know that Farson's virtuosity allowed him to achieve such omniscience, but he knew a moment of truth was coming. <<Every moment is a 'moment of truth,' CT>Dinsil 2371 and well you know it.>>

<<Some 'moments of truth' are truer than others, Farson.>>

<Dinsil 2371. It's good to see.>> Farson was laughing. CT>Dinsil 2371 was standing still like a statue.