Common Purpose

[Hydro]

Common Purpose

Masterbuilder and I started our 4th PBEM dialog game back in July 2002. This time MB set up the world: large, average everything except abundant fungus, and limited pod scattering (I think MB got tired of me grabbing all those juicy pods in our last game, and racking up 20-30 techs that way by cashing artifacts). He chose the Gaians for me (sigh…) and he chose the Cult. The other factions were the Hive, Spartans, University, Peacekeepers, and Cyborgs – a split of military and development factions. All factions were made more ‘aggressive’ during game setup. One critical difference is that we couldn’t talk before we actually met, which was a change from previous PBEMs we have done. MB thought that it gives us too big an advantage since we can trade tech and maps while the poor AI can’t. We are also required to, whenever possible, stay with our faction agenda and use our faction ideology to guide our actions – role play them, in other words. We were allowed very few mines, and no boreholes and no eco pollution since these are not Planet-friendly items. MB wanted the Gaians to have no or few forests, but I demurred on that one – I view Gaians and not being complete fanatics, after all. The idea was to see how these two Planet-friendly factions would learn to cooperate.

These types of MP games continue to be interesting for us, even as SMAC/X is four years old. Neither of us plays SP anymore, but we will gladly spend an hour or two every day playing our turn and then writing our observations and dialog. To be honest, I can’t wait to get home (or hotel if I am on the road), breathlessly logging on to see if MB has sent his turn to me. At the time of this posting the narrative at MY 2250 is approximately 300 pages long. We hope you enjoy it. I know MB and I have!

Hydro

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2101

Deirdre Skye pushed back and errant strand of hair, wiping her brow at the same time. It was another hot day and, even though the days were short – just shy of 18 earth hours – they seemed to stretch on forever at times. This was one of those days. Yet another of the irreplaceable wheat hybrids had inexplicably failed despite all coaxing and a liberal sprinkling of prayers. Everything looked favorable for the proliferation of all earth plant life, especially considering the super-abundance of nitrogen. It was exasperating since it was impossible to know in the mere four months since crash landing on Chiron what factors might be working against them. Were there parasitic or hostile microorganisms that attack some of these plants during critical portions of their life cycle? Or were some subtle conditions just not quite right? Dee didn’t know, and at this point she knew she didn’t have time to worry about it. She delicately plucked the shriveled stalks from the potting soil and placed each in a tiny vacuum compartment. These dead plants would not be wasted, oh no. They were far too valuable even when dead - Their DNA would be preserved since every specimen was a vital bit of diversity that simply had to be conserved.

As she finished the fabric of the fragile greenhouse started to shudder and Dee looked up. The winds in this area could be severe, but Dee had few worries about a breach that would threaten their valuable seed stores, which in many ways were their future. More care had gone into the greenhouses than had gone into the greenhouse than had gone into any other structure, so if they failed she knew her people would have much bigger things to work about. Hopefully they would never find out.

The pulsing of the fabric subsided and Dee turned back to work. There was much going on, and the few resources of her settlement was going into completing a group of vehicles that would allow the land around them to be made more hospitable to human habitation. The land was surprisingly favorable, the vast expanse of xenofungus not withstanding. Gaia’s Landing was located on a river, providing extra energy which was always welcome. A short distance away they had found a nutrient lode that was providing a huge influx of food, far in excess of what their valuable seed store could ever provide. A short way away was a rainy bit of potential farmland that would provide even more resources in the future. The braver souls of her pod had argued and won the day that two settlements were better than one, and a good number of the surviving members of her Unity pod was making their way up the river from Gaia’s Landing. They would settle there and in a few years they would be able to take advantage of these boons.

There were had been some amazing encounters with native life, too, and almost immediately after landing they had found and successfully communicated with a native form of life that had been labeled a ‘mindworm’. These were nothing like anything every seen on earth, and each mindworm were a collective of sub-sentient organisms. Dee wished she could spend more time with this mindworm, but there was much to do and that task had fallen to her old friend Lindsay.

Moreover, these strange mindworms communicated directly with humans by a means not understood at all. Dee wished with every fiber of her being that she could talk to her old colleague Zakharov, since she was sure he would have insightful observations. That was not to be. There had been no contact with any of the Unity pods that had fallen from the stricken Unity so many months ago. Dee thought about earth, Unity, and the sad fate of humankind every day, of all the lessons learned and not learned. She fervently hoped they survived, but the silence screamed. Dee didn’t want to hear screams anymore.

*!*!*!*

Cult, MY 2101

The last of the suns rays were melting away beyond the horizon making the temperature more bearable by the minute. Cha Dawn walked steadily on toward the hills to the north, leading the first group of colonists to their new homes. It had been a brutal choice to make, to seek higher ground that offered fresh water, rich soils and it was also closer to the fungus. The fungus, everything now depended upon their need to reach this area. The second group had been ordered to go west to seek more fruitful lands, more fungus. It had been a shock, a nightmare for all of them those first months after landing. Within days of landing the worms had swarmed the camp and killed almost a third of the survivors. The leader at that time ordered the remaining pod survivors to fashion whatever weapons they could to stop the attacks. However, Cha Dawn, a relatively minor chemist and botanist had understand almost instinctively that the mass of fungus was alive, was sentient! Smiling to himself as he plodded along what was more amazing was the he somehow knew which people in the group would somehow be able to "link" with the living mass of fungus. He could see on some level, some psychic level, that which person might be able to communicate with the creatures. For some reason he could not but he could sense where the worms would be and who had the ability to communicate with them. During an attack that killed the leader of the group and several of the other co-captains Cha had pulled aside the most likely candidate and pushed him into the front of the group. Within seconds the worms swarmed over the man but left him unharmed, alive! After several days the man was able to learn a great deal from the worm and a bond had formed that allowed him to become a trainer, a guide. Since none of the leaders were left it had been so simple to take control of the survivors to offer them a new vision for the planet and for themselves, of one being in harmony with the planet. In a month order was restored and a new plan was put together. The mere presence of the mind worm seemed to have a calming effect on the people and there was no need for the complicated rules that had been laid down by the colony pod leader. The only rule now was to become one with the planet....

*!*!*!*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2102

Lindsay came in last, carefully sealing the exterior hatch before activating interior portal. The console to the right flashed green and an autoservo activated, and pumps labored to remove the native atmosphere with earth-standard pressure and composition. Only when a second green light flashed did Lindsay remove his nitrogen scrubber mask and, as he did so, the interior hatch cycled.

Warm light filtered into the small portal as the iris completed its dilation. Lindsay stepped over the metal of the iris carefully. As with everything, the portal was jury rigged from scraps from the Unity pod. This particular piece had probably come from the minute bridge of the pod, or what had survived from the bridge. All these fragments were valuable, even irreplaceable. There would be no high-tensile polymer steel manufactured at Gaia’s Landing for a very long time, not when there was business like mere survival to consider. Food and basic necessities won over grand visions.

“Ah, Lindsay,” Colin stated. “Come in. Sit. You are the last, and we have much to discuss.”

Lindsay nodded to the others in the Council room: Terry Hathaway, Colin Marless, Mali Sanchez, and of course Deirdre Skye.

“Sorry for being late,” she said as she made it over the oversize iris valve. “We had a problem in hydroponics, and I lost track of time…”

“No, no. Don’t apologize. You weren’t the only one who was late,” Colin said as he looked directly at Dee. “Now, let’s get down to business. We have finally accumulated enough resources to consider what sort of resources we will pursue. We have many options, all of which offer certain advantages. Certain technologies related to military advancement were summarily dismissed in our previous meeting, and our choices are between Biogenetics and Social Psychology. Both can be useful. Opinions?”
“Yes.” Mali interjected. “Biogenetics will allow us to progress in our understanding of genetics, which will be key to figuring out the details of the native life. It will also give us tools to better use earth resources.”

Colin nodded. “Others?”

Lindsay motioned, and made eye contact with Colin. “I agree with Mali. Biogenetics enhances what we already know, and plays to our strengths. I will be happy to offer my skills, such as they are. I will be happy to work with Dee, too.”

Terry started to fidget. “We’ve been over this before, and we don’t have time for arcane rules of order. I have work to do, and several tardy members of the Council already delayed me. Let’s get this vote over with.”

Colin’s face pinched briefly, then relaxed. “Very well. By voice. Those for Biogenetics?”

Terry, Lindsay, Mali and Dee all gave an “Aye.”

“I vote yes, too” Colin said. “Now lets adjourn and get some sleep. Shall we, Dee?”

Colin offered Dee his arm, and she took it. Then Dee offered her had to Terry, Terry to Mali, and Mali to Lindsay. As a human chain the carefully walked over the dilated iris and they crowded into the antichamber. Each put on their nitrogen scrubber, and then they activated the autocycle. After it closed the lights in the Council room dimmed and then went out.

*!*!*!*

Cult, MY 2102


Cha Dawn looked out over the new base that had been built on the lush green hills but his eyes always seemed to drift to the crimson fields to the north and south. Their was the source of power and life that was key to survival on this planet, he knew it, like an absolute truth. He turned from the small window and looked at the reports piling up on his desk, so many inconsequential items. There were only four of any value, of meaning. The first was his order to the few scientists that remained from the attacks setting a goal to discover the means to recycle all material at the base.

The key to preserving the planet and enhancing their meager resources was to re-use every molecule of material they had. The second, was a report giving the status of the second colony pod. It was working westward each day but still no sign of any viable colony site. The third was a summary of a communication with the guide for the mind worm named Alpha. They had scouted the fungal patch to the south, their original landing site and were now working eastward to see what lay beyond. The fourth was a status report of the colony's resources and colony manpower. So many key people were needlessly killed in those first days. Of the surviving members only 20% of them had any advanced training and only 10% more had any technical skills of note. leaving 70% of the population with the basic worker skills and talents. Very poor indeed. All of the highly trained scientists and technicians were among the other pods leaving the "lesser" to fend for themselves. However, it seemed that all of the people he had selected came from this pool of lessers to merge with the worms, interesting. Cha turned away from the papers and glided slowly across the floor to pass into the next room, the conference room. The next batch of colonists, four men and five women, were entering the room for inspection, for testing. So far nine people had been selected as candidates for merging with the worms.

Several had already been sent out to meet up with Alpha and its guide to hopefully merge with more worms, to merge with the planet. Cha released the catch from his robes and allowed them to drop to the floor. Testing was easier when he could touch the candidate, to feel the candidate, to become one with them. The worms are the key to power on Planet, the guides are the means to control the worms and Cha was the mind, the soul behind it all...

[Hydro]

Fallow Time, MY 2103

Colin made a sour face. “Ah,” he said, pausing to catch is breath, “that was good.” Lindsay filled up his hand crafted pottery ‘goblet’ with another dose of fungal gin as Colin looked on ruefully. His eyes got bigger as the level of what these alcoholic butchers called gin got higher.

“Drink up!” Lindsay sauntered off to find some other likely victim of her latest invention. Colin looked for some discrete place to dispose of the noxious substance, although he reflected that in this greenhouse it was likely that it would kill any poor plant he graced it with. He decided to suck it in and try to enjoy the concoction. He took another sip, and his face screwed up again. Nope – it wasn’t getting any better.

He knew how much this gin meant to Lindsay, so he decided to nurse it all night. After all, this was the first real party the colonists had reason to have since landing on Chiron. They had finally, after three long years of toil and tribulation, found and established the second colony: Fallow Time. Colin never understood how the colonists come up with such an odd name for their second settlement, even though some of them had tried to explain. Frankly, he got lost when they wandered into a detailed explanation of 5th century Buddhist philosophy, and he had no idea how that hand anything to do with their newest settlement. His tactics at that point had been simple: have what he hoped was an earnest look on his face and nod frequently, and hopefully at the right times. Eventually it had worked since the enthusiastic colonist had wandered away and Colin knew he was none the wiser for it.

Looking around, Colin knew this settlement wasn’t much to look at. It consisted of a motley collection of pre-fab living quarters, power station, basic vehicles, and rudimentary fabrication facilities that had been split off from Gaia’s Landing. The accommodations at Gaia’s Landing were just barely Spartan and Colin didn’t envy these rough-and-ready colonists. Still, he could not fault their drive and dedication for one minute, and he was very proud of them, each and every one.

Colin finally found something to give him a moment of amusement. Lindsay had cornered Dee. He had been watching her trying to edge away behind a knot of colonists, but she had failed. Lindsay firmly grabbed the goblet she had, drained it of its contents, and then filled it with her fungal gin. Dee had a sick smile on her face. Evidently she knew all about fungal gin, and she should since she was one of Lindsay’s closest friends. Lindsay made a motion that was obviously ‘Drink up!” and she wandered off again. Her jug was still at least half full, so she would be busy for a while. It was even likely that she had a few more jugs of the vile substance squirreled away somewhere. Colin vowed to be safely asleep somewhere before that horrid occurrence came to be.

Gin aside, it was a grand party, the best he could remember in a long, long time.

*!*!*!*

Cult, MY 2103


Cha Dawn slammed his small fist on the plas-steel table with all the force in his small body!

"Are you telling me that we might be on a very small island with next to no room to expand!"

"I am afraid so Prophet" replied the senior cartography. " All indications at this time lead us to believe that we are very likely on a very small island, very small." The cartographer pulled on the map they had and laid it on the table. Barely a seven by seven sector piece of land. "Perhaps Alpha, my Prophet, will have discover a small isthmus that may lead us to a large tract of land". The second map maker chimed in.

"Leave me!"

Cha Dawn wrapped his small arms around his body and hugged himself tightly. Why, oh why, did fortune not grant us more land, more fungus. The second colony team leader desperately wanted to set-up his colony since food supplies were all but gone. They could not hope to begin another stretch for a better spot. Damn!! There was simply not enough supplies to sustain the group so that they could keep looking for a site that was equal to the one they had now. No, next turn, for good or evil the colony must put down roots.

Cha Dawn's fingers traced along the blurry outlines to the east. Please, please let Alpha find more land, in the east...

*!*!*!*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2104

“I have to say I am impressed.” Terry looked out at the Commons of Gaia’s Landing. It was filled with a motley collection of vehicles, some of which were obviously scavenged from their Unity pod. One ungainly tracked monstrosity, which had to be a transport of some sort, had the barely legible words ‘Emergency Hatch. Pull To Activate’ emblazoned in UN blue upside down on its left flank.

Terry turned to the engineer that had been chosen by her team to present their secret project to the Council. “Now, I understand it is a terraformer. But what exactly can it do?”

Sarah pulled out a couple of cartoon-like sketches and laid them on the table. “Well, lots of things. First I should explain that the terraformer is more a crew of vehicles and operations than a unit. They operate in tandem to do whatever needs to be done, and I estimate that only 40% of the crew and their vehicles will be needed at any one time. These surplus vehicles and personnel will be cycled into the limited reserves of Gaia’s Landing.

“The basic terraformer operations are primarily building and modification. Building includes roads, farms, solar panels, warning sensors and leveling land. We can also plant forest or, if necessary, remove fungus. Each of these tasks has various levels of difficulty, and each will take years. Some tasks, such as building a road over flat land, will take a year or slightly less. Fabricating and placing a farm will likely take four years, as will planting a forest. All of these are worthy projects, and all we ask is the Council’s blessing and we can get your authorization to begin.”

“This has so much potential, Sarah. I heard suggestions that this was possible, but how did you get this done so quickly, and without us knowing about it?” Terry asked.

“Well, technically it isn’t’ done,” Sarah said. “We are missing some critical elements that we can’t scrounge up, and even if we had these elements it would take at least two years to complete without additional resources. Our team wanted to show you this prototype to let you know this is serious, and that the design work is done. All we need if a formal blessing so we can get a few restricted parts. We could be done in a year if we had more help.”


“I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t support this project,” Dee said to the Council. “How much of our reserves will completing this project take?”

“About 60%, at the most. That will buy us an extra year of terraforming, which is a road, or a quarter of a forest or a farm.”

“Then I motion that we authorize all the resources needed to complete this terraformer immediately, and I call for a voice vote,” Dee stated. “All in favor, say aye.”

A chorus of ayes followed.

“Nays, or abstentions?”

Silence.

Dee smiled and she turned back to Sarah. “It looks like you have your authorization, and our thanks. Be sure to tell your team how grateful we are, and what a service they have provided for us. This will benefit not only us, but our children’s children. You can be very proud of that.”

Sarah beamed, and she turned around and gave a thumbs-up to the expectant crew of the prototype and incomplete former. When this crew saw their cheers echoed through the gardens of the Commons.

*!*!*!*

Cult, MY 2104

Prophet Cha Dawn moved among the colonists, or pilgrims as they now called themselves, slowly almost as if he were gliding. He reached the end of the crowded meeting hall and slowly raised his arms.

"We have received good news, our second colony pod has been established moments ago at the site that was selected. The colonist will soon start building machinery to allow us to build roads to connect our two bases. The task for this base will be to complete as quickly as possible a new colony pod to start a third colony to the east. Alpha's guide has reported in and he has found more land to the east!" Cha Dawn was drowned out at that point by the applause and cheers of the people, the pilgrims.

"Alpha is leading the way, we must follow! The planet is our provider, our mother, our father. We must preserve her in all her forms and mysteries. Return to work and always remember that we can not fail, for we live as one with the planet."

Cha Dawn moved back through the crowd and into the hallway, his advisors gliding silently behind.

"In order for us to complete the colony pod all resources must be focused on completing the pod as quickly as possible." quipped one of the aides.

"I understand. Issue orders in my name to monitor ALL energy consumption by team leaders and focus all gathers to harvest as much nutrient bearing crops as possible from the greenhouses. We can build the pod quickly but without nutrients to boost our population the vehicle will sit empty for many years." replied Cha.

Cha continued to exert as much muscle control as he could, as he could withstand. He wanted to scream in frustration at how chance had thrown him and his people into the most poor and desolate area of this planet. Little to no free nutrients were available and without them the colony would not grow fast enough. The spartan life of most of the colonists left little for recreation. Solitude was Cha Dawn's only luxury, enjoyed only by him, since all others slept in the communal barracks. Solitude was what he needed the most now...

*~*~*~*

Wastelands south of Gaia's Landing, MY 2105

Tiger's mass drooped a little, and he formed a pseudopod to form a 'head' and looked back at Lindsay, who was plodding behind him. All around the land was rather featureless and brown with some hints of green. There wasn't a stalk of xenofungus in sight for kilometers.

"Yes, I know you don't like it here. You've said that every day for the last year! And, no, I don't know where there is more 'home'. The xenofungus we left if by Gaia's Landing, and I have no idea where more might be."

Lindsay tried valiantly to hide her irritation. Dealing with Tiger was like trying to reason with a four-year-old human sometimes. All Tiger knew was what he wanted, but not necessarily how to get it, and he, or it, viewed Lindsay as having answers to such things. She knew that all she could do is be patient and try not to snap at him. Tiger did not react like a four year old would, he was much less predictable than that.

Lindsay sighed. In a few minutes Tiger would be asking where the xenofungus was again.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2105

Cha Dawn read the report that was handed to him and then after a moment
handed it back to his aid.

"Are you sure this is correct?" asked Cha.

"I am afraid so. It was confirmed by several prospective guides that had
not approached with the others. It seems the rogue worm mass formed and
moved toward Alpha and the prospective candidates. Then it attacked.
Luckily Alpha under the direction of its guide was able to slay the rogue
worm with little damage to itself." replied Ivan.

"I suspect that the reason it attacked was the lack of candidates to choose
from. From this report only three candidates presented themselves to the
worm mass out of fifteen. That is not acceptable and I will issue orders
that in the future all candidates will be required to make themselves
available, on pain of death. You are dismissed."

Ivan bowed, with deep reverence and backed out of the room slowly leaving
Cha alone once again. The program he had instituted was beginning to have
an effect on the people of the colony, even his trusted aid Ivan. Many now
had begun to fully accept the program he had finished several turns ago .
Living in harmony with the planet, learning to unlock the secrets of the
planet so that as a people we could find food, clothing, shelter and
protection from any outside or inside threats. The small cadre he had
formed, the rangers, who were tasked to teach the people about the wonders
of the planet were quickly becoming more a religion than their original
purpose. Since assuming control of the colonists and becoming the leader
their had been no demand for any "councils" or "elections" to be held. It
had been Cha's abilities that had saved the remaining colonists. It had
been Cha's leadership that had guided the remaining colonists to safety. It
had been Cha's teachings about the planet and living in harmony with it that
had spared them any further attacks. Now it seems that it will be Cha
himself that will live in their souls...

*~*~*~*

Gaia'a Landing, MY 2206

"There, Tiger. I told you so. You are home."

Tiger's flank pulsed slightly, and Lindsay thought it might be his equivalent of excitement. She was never quite sure, however, since it was an alien life form, and an associative life form at that. It was clear that the mindworm did have a very clear sense of now, and a vague sense of the past. When asked, Tiger was very confused and could not answer questions about the future. This was the main argument that a Rob's factions used to show that the mindworms were not sentient at all, but just a very smart animal, much like a chimp or dolphin. After all, both dolphins and chimps could talk, after a fashion, and they certainly possessed the skills to transmit complex messages to humans and other chimps.

At this moment Tiger was in his 'now'. Lindsay could sense a pulsing in his electromagnetic field that kept his constituent mindworms properly placed. Or, she reflected, it could be his physiologic reaction to getting a chance to feed for the first time in several weeks. Lindsay thought that mindworms also liked being in the fungus, much like humans liked being in a forest or dappled meadow, and the reasons were likely similar. Both would be stimulating.

Tiger was starting to do his 'dance' now. His dance was a series of gyrations of his body mass, and he always did this when starting to prepare to enter the fungus. Lindsay had no idea why he did this and, when asked, Tiger was unable to explain in any way that was helpful. He would say nonsense words like 'fungal resonance', or 'manifold strings', as if that explained it all.

Still, it was fun to be with him.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2106

Juan sat quietly at the small desk and listened intently to the speech that
the Prophet, Cha Dawn, was giving to small group of engineers. Juan Sanchez
was a legal clerk by training but he had been recently transferred from the
agricultural work team to become the chronicler of the Prophet. It had been
determined that like other prophets like Mohammed, Cha Dawn would have his
life recorded for posterity. Juan had a very precious recording device and
with it a palm to take notes so that the events surrounding the recordings
to be recorded as well. Juan had felt very honored for such a task and was
overwhelmed by the gifts of the two devices since such items were in such
short supply. But, more importantly, Juan was awed by the task set before
him, to record the very words of the living embodiment of the planet, Cha
Dawn.

Cha finished the last of the speech and the assembled guests started to rise
to leave the room, except of one. This had been a group of bio-engineers,
agronomists and geologists who are working on the recycling tank program and
the terra-forming project. One of the geologists who still wore his Unity
uniform that had his name on the pocket, Anderson, spoke.

"Cha Dawn, I understood everything you just said but you still do not seem
to "grasp" the problem. Our technology currently and for many decades will
not be up to the task you have set for us. We will have to remove the
fungus to harvest the resources that the fungus uses to sustain itself. I
understand you have some knowledge of botany and genetics and surely you can
see that the fungus must go." With the last word spoken every person frozen
in mid-step.

"Geologist Anderson, I understand your concern but the planet will provide
for us and we will not remove the fungus. It was here before us and it will
be here with us and beyond. I had thou-"

"Cha, I do understand very clearly and I agree with your statement, the
fungus will be here after us because we will have perished in the not to
distant future from lack of resources! Anderson had stepped closer to the
Cha Dawn's desk and had begun to lean over it.

"Geologist Anderson, you fail to take into account the simple fact that I
understand the planet far better than you do. What you fail to account for
in your calculations is the "human element". We will thrive because we will
live in-"

"You are an IDIOT!" screamed Anderson, and he turned and stalked from the
room.

Cha slowly sat down at his desk and the remaining guests left the room.
Ivan Ivanovich, Cha Dawn's senior advisor and chief of the rangers, moved
across the room and slowly knelt next the Cha. The two quietly began to
talk, quietly enough that Juan could not hear them, but the recorder would.
Ivan rose and quickly left the room.

"My Prophet, is all well?" Juan almost whispered the question.

"Yes, Juan, it will be soon." replied Cha. "It is time to leave me for
awhile, I need rest."

Juan quickly picked up his things and began to leave the room. As he passed
out of the doorway Ivan stood waiting for him. He snatched the recording
device from his hand and then removed the tape.

"This we be returned to you in a while. I will review it first and then
have an "edited" copy returned to you for logging into the base data banks."

Juan said nothing but turned and left wondering if the fields might have
been better than this....

[Hydro]

Council Chambers, Gaia’s Landing, MY 2107

“With our second terraformer complete and deployed we can no longer put off a decision on terraforming objectives. Our first former created a road through the flats between our two bases, and now it and the new former need orders. We do have many options, which we have discussed at significant length in the past. All we need is to form this into a policy to present to the rest of the colonists. You all should know that I have gotten a great many unsolicited suggestions on what we should do. Some want radical terraforming, while others want almost none. Most tend toward the middle and are cautious of severe terraforing, and most of these cite the tragedies of Earth.”

Deirdre leaned forward and placed her open palms on the conference table. “With that in mind, I’d like to forward a motion that 1) outlaw extreme terraforming at least until we fully understand all its implications, 2) terraforming focus on basic non-invasive infrastructure, and 3) that the introduction of Earth biota be limited and intensively studied so that we can comprehend the impacts of the interaction of Chiron and Earth life.”

Colin made a florid gesture. “Well said, well said. I second the motion. With no revision.”

“Motion made and seconded,” Dee noted. “I call for voice vote for the record, unless there is some objection?”

Deirdre’s question was greeted by silence.

“OK. All in favor say ‘Aye’”

A chorous of ‘ayes’ followed.

“Nays?”

Silence.

“Abstentions?”

Silence.

“Then the ‘Ayes’ have it! Colin, will you draft this protocol for distribution please? Kindly submit it to the Council members for review, as usual.”

Colin puffed up a bit. “Of course, my Lady. I would be more than happy to!”

Dee suppressed a note of irritation. Colin had started this ‘Lady Skye’ business a few years ago and it looked like it was going to stick. Worse, he seemed quite proud of himself and used the honorific whenever he could.

Dee was diplomatic. “Thank you Colin. Now, any more business?’’

“Yes. Let’s get this damned meeting over with so I can get back to work.” Terry was in a particularly sour mood today. He was the opposite of the outgoing sunny Colin, and the two seemed at odds even though they liked each other. Colin occasionally asked Terry if his constipation was clearing up, and Terry responded by asking Colin about the ‘special’ fungal mushrooms he ate so much of. It was an ongoing and rather stale joke, but now it bordered on tradition.

“Noted. Meeting dismissed.”

Colin and Mali remained seated and they started chatting about her research, which always got her going. Colin had a way of drawing people out. Everyone else made a b-line for the airlock, either for bed or to get back to work.

*!*!*!*

Cult, MY 2207

Over the past year Cha had been working night and day and with the help of his recorder, Juan, he had completed the first installment of his book, his philosophy, his religion. This book would be the foundation upon which the new world he wanted to bring forth on this planet would be based on. Cha turned to Juan who had dozed off again, it was nearly first dawn and they had worked through the night to complete it. Cha smiled to himself thinking how fortunate he was to be given this chance to prove his theories, his dreams. Back on earth and especially on board Unity his work had been ridiculed by Professor Zakharov as absurd, unscientific. Only a minor assistant to the great Zakharov showed any interest in his work, Deirdre Skye. Deirdre had lead the agricultural/biology team and seem to at least grasp what he was trying to say. She did not seem trapped by the rigid code of the scientific method. Now he had to the opportunity to put into practice his methods of uniting man and his environment into one purpose. He was sure if Zakharov had survived the disaster of the Unity he would be working to become the master of this world by brute force. If Deirdre Skye had survived he was sure she would be attempting to find ways to harness the resources of the planet but would not take the final step, the most important step, the great step that he planned. Cha would remold society so that they existed as servants to the planet, nothing more. The planet would be the master and he would be its slave....

*!*!*!*!*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2108

“Wow,” Lindsay said to herself, “that is beautiful!”

Tiger perked up his ‘head’ and looked toward her and projected an interrogative.

As smart as he was Lindsay wondered what Tiger really saw, and what her perceived. Did he understand simple concepts like friendship? Lindsay considered Tiger a friend, especially since they had been linked for almost six years. Was this sort of bond to be one way only? He had never offered anything to her that he wouldn’t offer an acquaintance and there was no real evidence that there was any bond, from his point of view at least. Or did he even have a point of view? Was a collective intelligence capable of understanding humans and all their foibles and surprising strengths.

Could he even see the landscape around them? Or how beautifully the morning sun was playing among the multibrachial fungal growths, or how the low angle sunlight highlighted the deep reds and purples? Even now there was a gentle fog in the valley to their north that was literally flowing toward them, looking like a slow moving silver river?

He seemed oblivious. There was nothing in his behavior that suggested he was aware of this part of his surroundings.

Lindsay wasn’t sad yet. After all, there had been only a handful of years for them to study mindworms and she found it hard to believe that even a fraction of their secrets. She also mused that it was possible that the mindworm was studying her, too.

That brought a smile to her face. Maybe he was just as ambivalent as she was, and searching for some link that she just couldn’t comprehend?

Now that was an interesting thought!

*!*!*!*


Cult, MY 2108

In a small room just down the hall from Cha Dawns chambers was the command and control center. Usually this room could hold only about eight people but now it had fifteen and they were all crowded around the central map table. The map table was one of the rare finds in a cargo pod that was attached to their escape pod. The map table had the ability to project dazzling realistic holographic projections and it was currently showing a map of the planet, or more importantly the map of the "known" areas of the planet.

"As you can see my Prophet Alpha continues to uncover more and more territory to the east that we can use for colonization. Alpha's guide has asked to leave the fungus to search for more land mass." reported Ivan to the murmurs of the other "guests".

"No, have Alpha continue to search the fungus. I want another worm under our control!" barked Cha Dawn.

Cha turned to leave and began to leave but could not do so since the command and control room was packed with onlookers and aides.

" MOVE! " Screamed Cha summoning as much force as his frail body could command.

The others parted for him as he left the room, in silence. Many of the group could not believe their ears to actually hear the "great prophet? actually scream seem to wake the others from a dream.

As Cha glided down the hall he realized that without the support of the "cadre" and his "rangers" it would be difficult to rule but as long as he had worms, the mere site of them struck terror into the hearts of all hair army....

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2109

“Tiger and Lindsay have surveyed an amazing amount of territory,” Terry said as he waved his hand over a old-fashioned paper map, which was covered with symbols and color coding. “Here, here, and her,” he continued, “they have found nutrient lodes, although two are covered by fungus. Here is a likely mineral outcropping that is next to a very inviting rainy area. In fact, the land here is surprisingly friendly, considering it is an alien planet and, by rights, it shouldn’t be friendly at all.”

“Why haven’t they explored this area?” Colin asked, pointing to a shaded area along the western coast.

“Well, there’s no fungus there, and Tiger can travel three times as fast in the fungus than he can in open land. That and other strips of land will have to wait for human exploration since Tiger has not even begun to determine the boundaries of this landmass.”

“So, are we to place our next colonies without exploration? That seems…rash, and dangerous,” Colin stated.

Terry looked over at Colin, “That depends on what you consider to be ‘unexplored’. Over 90% of the territory has been investigated, and I suggest we live with the uncertainty. I’d rather take a small gamble and survey more territory, which will tell us much about our surroundings.”

“And if any other factions survived,” Dee interjected.

The rest of the Council, including Colin, nodded in agreement.

“Any objections on Tiger and Lindsay continuing to explore using their current search patterns?” Terry asked.

Each Council member shook his or her head.

“Fine. Issue resolved. Now, the next topic is a biodegredation problem with the autocyclers, the dreaded ‘poop problem’. Here is a diagram….”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2109

The terra-former crew looked backwards and as far as they could see was the first road on Planet. Orders had been issued to begin planting the tree saplings that had been sent forward last week. They were being stored in the green house just to the south. The tree saplings had been about the only thing that grew so far that they had found in their meager stores of seedlings. It had taken the best organic scientific minds and the help of the Prophet to adapt them to live on the planet. It would take more time to plant the trees and establish the irrigation system than it did to build the road. Many of the crew members wanted to continue building the road but orders were orders. By planting the trees it was hoped that they would send their seeds to the adjacent sectors. However, orders from the Prophet were very clear, no fungus was to be destroyed unless he authorized it himself. The fungus was already providing much of the colonies with food and raw materials, the Prophet was very clear that the long term prosperity of the people, their future rested in the fungus.

[Hydro]

Fungal Fields south of Gaia’s Landing, MY 2110

Lindsay stood up. Blood was streaming down her head and she could barely see. She croaked something unintelligible and, with a trembling hand, wiped some of the blood away from her ears and nose. It did not make her feel better, and that mere movement caused another piercing wave a pain to lance through her body again. She shut her eyes to block it out. It didn’t work.

Beside her Tiger was consuming the remaining bulk of the mindworm he had found and destroyed. His body pulsed quickly and rhythmically as it moved over the quivering wormlets of his conquered foe. The wormlets were still alive, and no longer attached to the wild mindworm. As he passed over them he activated their collectivization instinct and they joined him, adding to his mass. It was a slow and methodical process and he had been at it since he the feral mindworm had exploded in a mass of pink and gray goo during his last attack a few hours previous.

Lindsay opened her eyes again, and her vision was finally clearing somewhat. Her mind felt like it was filled with cotton candy and her thinking was slow. She could feel Tiger’s primal thoughts, and she could sense that he was growing. That was the problem. She had been turned ‘on’ to Tiger during the attack, which had come without warning. As a result she had been taken on a wild third person ride of alien aggression, and she had been a helpless participant to every electromagnetic feign and parry. The battle itself lasted only a few minutes but that was more than enough, and she knew that the disjointed memories of irrational hostility, death, and what seemed to be exhultation by Tiger would remain with her forever. She shut her eyes again and her small body trembled at the thought.

Without knowing why Lindsay knew that Tiger would be here a long, long time as he incorporated the mass of mindworms into his own bulk, and that he would be stronger for it.

Already her clarity was returning, at least a little bit. She drew out a rare transmitter from her sparse gear, activated it, sent a ‘ping’ and got a positive link. Then sat down on a partially dead clump of fungus.

“Lindsay to base,” she said, her voice cracking at the end. “I have just been part of a mindworm attack on another mindworm. It seems that mindworms are aggressive toward their own kind, and sort of cannibals. No, that didn’t make any sense.” She paused and took a deep breath. “The incident started…”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2110

The land to the east was almost 80% covered in fungus. Byram Sung looked all around his feeble camp and saw nothing but the rose colored fungus. Apart from his tent several meters away lived the small group of "candidates" that were standing by to make a bond with any worm mass that happened to presen itself. Byram still remembered the day that the Cha pushed him into the center mass of the worm that attacked their camp that night. Byram at first thought he was dead, that his head was exploding but after a few minutes the pain ended and he was forever linked to Alpha.

Byram quickly turned his head to the north and scanned the horizon, Alpha was returning. He did not like it when he wandered off for so long but Alpha "communicated" to him that he needed to get nourishment and a source of it, a rich source, was to the north.

Byram turned and went back to his tent, alone. Even though he was constantly linked with Alpha, always, the effects it seemed to have on him, his personality made he become an outsider to his human counterparts even more. Tonight he would pray again for relief, he needed to have another person to share the dreams that he would have at night, about the strange aliens the filled his mind at times.

*~*~*~*

White Pines, Northwest of Gaia’s Landing, MY 2111

A shriek pierced the air, followed by peals of laughter. The lower branches of the white pines trembled and then erupted as three 8 year olds burst out of hiding. A younger boy, who might be 6 or 7, yelled something incoherent and immediately gave chase, holding on to his breathmask as he ran. The two girls and boy shrieked again and ran away. Their shouts faded a little as they ran deeper into the woodland.

“I wish I could do that, or have as much fun doing it again,” Colin said. His eyes followed the children until the last traces of their fleeting game was gone.

“Have you tried?” Terry asked in a detached tone. Colin didn’t answer.

Colin and Terry continued their walk through the woods, enjoying every minute. This was officially their day off, but there never really was a day off. There was always to much to do, and this downtime was being spent inspecting the newest and most exciting achievement their little settlement had had in the last 5 years – the establishment of a stable woodland ecosystem on the alien planet. It wasn’t hard to grow trees, or even a corpse of trees, but a whole self-sustaining ecosystem was another matter entirely. This was their achievement.

Moreover, the woodland of white pines enhanced the nutrient lode that Gaia’s Landing had been using since the Landing. The boon of raw materials the managed forest was already providing was most welcome since every resource was scarce.

“Damn masks,” Colin said. “Can’t even smell the pine properly.” He took his off and took a deep breath and was dissatisfied with the result. A look of mild irritation crossed his face and he stomped over to a nearby pine, took its lower branches in his hands, and sank his face into it. Then he inhaled, deeply.

“Ah!” he said, his voice slightly muffled.

“You’re going to get sap all over your face,” Terry observed, waiting for Colin to finish. “You have about 10 minutes before the onset of nitrogen narcosis. Are you done breathing yet?”

Colin straightened, and he looked at Terry with a slightly giddy look. “Yes, I am done. I should have done that a long time ago.” He replaced his breathmask and followed Terry back to the bus, which would arrive within the hour.

“Had enough?” Terry asked.

Colin sniffed. “Never, never.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2111

Cha Dawn raced down the corridor into the command/control center. Ivan was standing by the table map holo/projector talking with several of his lieutenants.

"Where is it?" asked Cha as he approached the table while Ivan and his lieutenants bowed their heads in recognition.

"It is here my prophet. Just two sectors to our southwest. Reports from our scouts indicate it will be moving toward either our headquarters here or to the terra-former unit to our west. The worm mass is almost the size of Alpha and all indications is it is moving at a very good speed." Replied Ivan as he manipulated the controls on the table to show the immediate area and the approximate position of the worm mass.

"Excellent. I knew planet would respond to our calls for more aid. I knew it, I could feel it. I will need to have some more candidates prepared to send out with our garrison units, just in case." Cha turned from the room and made his way out, while the room remained quiet with heads bowed.

Ivan began issuing orders that would be transmitted to garrison commander and his troops. A rover/transport was put on alert to take the "candidates" to the expected site that they would confront the worm mass. Ivan had a lot of belief, even faith, in the powers of the Prophet but what he knew was that the mind worm threat was most likely triggered by the terra-former crew and their work. However, such "spoken" thoughts were to be heard and certainly not within earshot of the Prophet.

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2112

“I wish you well, Aki. I’m glad your people are doing well, and I hope the technology we exchanged will benefit us both,” Deirdre said.

An impassive and starkly beautiful face, framed with white-blond hair and glaring metallic implants, nodded slightly. “I am sure the technologies and world maps will assist each of us in our efforts to prosper on Chiron.” The barest hint of a smile crossed Aki’s visage. “I am sorry we do not have the comm. links to any other surviving human Unity survivors, and it is unfortunate that you have none to give us. We shall have to rely on each other, and on our treaty of friendship.”

“I’m glad we came to an understanding so quickly.” Dee leaned toward the old Unity data screen, pressed into service as a holo transponder. “You can’t imagine how delighted I am to know others from Unity are alive, Aki. Please, feel free to call us any time. We will do what we can for you. All you have to do is ask.”

Aki nodded to acknowledge the pledge. “I offer you what the Consciousness can provide. Our societies have much in common, and together we are stronger than we are apart.”

“I agree completely. Take care, Aki. Call any time.”

Aki’s image winked out.

Dee took a moment to think, and then she noticed that her comm. link was chirping. The files on Information Networks and Applied Physics had already been received. A second light told her that Aki had received the files of Biogenetics and Centauri Ecology that she had sent. It would have taken decades to research these technologies, and Aki was more than willing to share what she had.

For the first time in many years Dee felt truly happy. The fledgling Gaian communities were no longer alone. Thank heaven for that communication channel in that Unity pod!

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2112

The remains of the mind worm mass that had nearly reached the gates of the second colony seemed to mock Cha. Prophet Cha Dawn had come to power with the belief that he could "commune" with the planet and bring it under his control. Now twice worms had attacked the colonists and even though they had been destroyed before any harm had been done the end result was that they failed to become part of the new Cult of the Planet he had been building. Now, questions seemed to be popping up all around questioning his authority, his right, his rule.

Slowly Cha walked away from the remains of the worm that were even now dissolving under the glare of the sun.

"Store the energy jewels in the colony's main store room for future use. Post more sentries and alert command if any worm sign is spotted." Cha strode away from the colony leaders and his Rangers and moved to enter the speeder.

Cha closed the hatch and locked the system and polarized the windows. His head bent he began to cry again. Why had Planet forsaken him? He knew the new hybrid tree saplings would alter the landscape he had grown to love but without the resources that these forests would offer there would be no colonies in the future. Why had Planet forsaken him?

*~*~*~*

South of Gaia’s Landing, MY 2113

“So, what the geniuses at Gaia’s Landing told us to do now,” Marlin asked as he thumped a polyrhythm on the front console of ‘his’ terraformer.

Mary gave his a cross look, which she did quite frequently. She tapped in a few commands on her touchscreen. “The coordinates are just coming in now. It looks like the specifications for a road.” She paused, and spun the schematic around to orient it. “Yes, here it is,” she said. “Approximately 30 kilometers from us. It’s to be more or less straight south of the settlements.”

“Brilliant! Let me guess – they want a roadway to foster commerce!” Mar stated as he puffed out his chest. He deflated theatrically. “Oh, but wait. There’s no one to have commerce with, since this Aki character is across the sea, and we don’t even have a boat. I should call Landing and let them know since they haven’t figured that out yet!”

Mary switched off the display. “Try to use that bit of gray matter that passes for a brain for once. This is for expansion. A colony pod will be competed at Gaia’s Landing in a few years, and these roads will at least triple its movement rate. And it will aid in defense.”

Mar was silent, which Mary took as a grudging acceptance of her observations.

“It will be a cakewalk, though. The land is nice and flat. No hills to grade, or massive amounts of land to clear. It should go in within the year, assuming you can hike this thing up to get there sometime this month.”

Now it was Mar’s turn to give her a cross look. Ever since the ‘boulder incident’ she had ragged him at every opportunity about his driving. The left wheel well was still missing, and that didn’t help since every time they went on recon they noticed the damage. Mary would make not so subtle comments about it needing ‘just a little paint’, or a bit of wax. In reality it needed a few tons of sheet metal, which they weren’t liable to find so far from home. All he could do was accept it with as much grace and silence as he could muster. He just wished he could get something on her to even the score, even a little! But, oh no. Mary didn’t make mistakes!

Time for a different tactic – change the subject. ‘So, what’s for lunch.”

Mary looked up at him. “Don’t know. How ‘bout a fungus burger?”

“I got gas for days after the last one,” he commented. “I don’t mind, but can the air cyclers handle it?”

Mary made a face. “No. Scratch that until we have a base set up. So, how long til we get here?” She pointed out some coordinates to him.

Mar did some mental math. “Maybe 12 days. The terrain isn’t very friendly, even if it is more or less open. Is the pinger set up?”

“Ya. Landing should know we got the orders and are on our way. Maybe they’ll send a glider full of hydroponics like they did a week ago!”

“Maybe. Then we won’t have to have fungus burgers for a while.”

Mary nodded. “We can only hope.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2113


Cha looked at the new plans for the recycling tanks and was pleased. With these plans he could improve output of nutrients, energy and minerals at each base and reduce the damage on planet. He quickly keyed in an order to have both bases begin building these recycling tanks as soon as they completed work on the second terra-former and colony pod. Once the tanks were done more colony pods could be built but without more worms, worms loyal to him, loyal to his cause, he worried about how would he continue to enforce his will....

*~*~*~*

Uranium Flats, MY 2114

Lindly looked around at the bleak landscape. It was flat, and it seemed to go on forever, and it was rather radioactive. The levels weren’t at anywhere terminal levels, and the deposits appeared to be natural, thank goodness, not that ‘natural’ radiation had any more respect for fragile tissues than artificially concentrated or altered man-made radiation sources.

Still, it was an important resource – and no resource, no matter how repugnant, could be ignored. Eventually there may be colonies in this area, sad as it was. She did not envy those colonists, not one bit.

It was time to go. Orders had come through that they had seen enough, and since more than 80% of this area had been mapped. In Lindly’s humble opinion it was a massive waste of time. There wasn’t a stitch of fungus in sight, and that slowed Tiger down immensely. He was also getting hungry again, and that very particular need could only be sated in the fungus. It was not good to get Tiger overly hungry, she had learned, since his ‘dreams’ became increasingly disturbing. Well, more disturbing than alien dreams were normally.

“Come on Tiger, let’s go,” she said as she turned north. Tiger knew before she said the words, but she was in the habit of talking while thinking, if only to keep her speech abilities intact. The only other talking she did were her occasional reports to Landing, which were one way. It was lonely out here, and Tiger was only a little help.

Tiger started surging at a slow pace, literally rolling toward the north. Lindly followed on foot and, for once, was able to keep up.
*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2114

Cha sat in quietly in a lotus position surrounded by nearly fifty other people. They were all mediating and focusing their energy towards Cha. Only a select few were honored to attend one of these sessions with the Prophet. They had been sitting for nearly 56 hours and many were nearing the end of their stamina. Only a few had collapsed during the trial as Cha had begun to call it. Those that made it to the end would be honored with the new title of Ranger. The Rangers had now become the administrators, the educators, the priests and the police of their new society. Their ranks were still small but they were all loyal to the dream Cha had seen and written in his book of the Planet.

Cha was beginning to loose focus again as he sat. The disappointing news just prior to the ceremony was that Alpha had yet to find any new land. It was quickly becoming reality that there were only two more areas yet to be explored that might offer any new source of land. As it stood now the colony could only expand to upwards of five bases. Very poor indeed. There would be good resources to support the other colonies to the west, nutrients and minerals but land was at a premium. Cha shook his mind free of the doubts and put his mind at ease. Planet would provide all....

*!*!*!*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2115

Dee was both happy and sad. Gaia’s Landing had finally accumulated the resources and population to form the nucleus for a third colony. It was quite an investment, and everyone on the Council agreed it was a huge risk. But still, Colin, conservative stodgy Colin, had persuaded the Council that not diversifying and setting up different settlements was an even bigger risk. His arguments had won the day, and so the colony pod was now on its way. It was heading for rather bleak and semi-explored territory that was rather dry. It was adjacent to a rare Unity pod, and it is hoped that they would be able to investigate it after they were established. Already the population was bouncing back, and the fledgling city would be back to ‘size 2’ by next year.

Fallow Time was doing very well, even if it wasn’t as well endowed with resources as was Gaia’s Landing, and their ‘colony pod’ would be ready in four or five years. By then the road system south would be firmly established, and the colony would be set up in record time – a year or two instead of three or four years. The former crews might even have time to build a sensor net, but that was a lower priority.

The last of the motley assortment of pre-fab buildings and ‘movers’ finally rounded finished plowing into the fungus (mercifully, without incident). Dee waved goodbye. There were many friends that had insisted on going with the new settlers, including Colin. Who would have guessed that the old curmudgeon would have it in him? Maybe it shouldn’t be too surprising. After all, he did leave Earth for Alpha Centauri!

Dee would miss all of them.

[Hydro]

Cult, MY 2115

Alpha turned once again seeking direction quivering with anticipation and worry. The worry came from his guide, Byram Sung, who deep down dreaded the news he was about to transmit.

"Headquarters, this is Byram Sung, over?"

After what seemed to take forever, a voice reported back.

"Byram this is the Prophet, what news do you have?"

"My Prophet, I beg to report that the area we hoped to have some land bridge turned out to be just a small isthmus connecting a very small island to our larger island. No extra land was found."

The link stayed quiet for an eternity.

"Byram, proceed north to the last area yet to be search, perhaps there we can find our land bridge, Prophet out!"

Byram turned to Alpha and issued commands for them to begin their search northwards. He waved back at the small band of support people that "tagged" along with him but were really future guides-in-waiting. The collective groan that rose over the comm-link told him all he needed to know. They were all tired except for Byram who had Alpha to help him, carry him and sustain him. But what Alpha could not do is lessen the weight of dread he carried that he knew somehow deep down that there would be no northern access.

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2116

“Gentlemen, we must stay true to our principles. A recycling tank at Gaia’s Landing will provide critical resources, and it will lessen the impact we have on this world. It is worth the investment,” Dee stated.

“No. A recycling tank is shear lunacy,” Terry said. “We must expand our presence here on Chiron, and that means assembling more resources for another colony. We are already at size two, so we can barely spare the population. As much of a stretch as colony is, a recycling tank is more. Do you realize that it will take us a decade to complete? A decade is a long time, especially when we have been here for only 16 years.”

Colin looked in alarm to see that Dee was gritting her teeth, and that Terry’s temples were throbbing. This Council meeting had gone terribly wrong and he could see that damage was being done, and that even if they didn’t agree that it was imperative to have a working relationship. That required diplomacy and compromise, which was in short supply right now.

“Ahm,” he said, clearing his throat. “Isn’t it true that we have a few years before the decision will result in wasted resources?” Colin directed his comment to Terry, who was the de facto administrator of Gaia’s Landing.

“Yes.”

“Well then, we can change our allocation if things become critical and another colony or some other project is needed. Even if we pass this mark we can still change and few resources will be wasted. So, how about we keep producing the recycling tanks and, if we deem it necessary, we change production if the situation changes? Hmmm?”

Terry thought it over and then nodded. He did not look at Dee.

Dee sat down and nodded too to indicate her agreement.

“Now that is settled let’s have some of that improved fungal gin!” Several Council members groaned. “It isn’t that bad,” Colin said, “I hear that Lindsay sent an improved formula to take some of the acidic edge off. Here, I brought a bottle with me.”

He had their attention piqued. A bottle appeared from under the table, and he fumbled with some hand fired clay goblets. Pretty things, and fragile – much too good for this ‘gin’, he thought. Colin made a show of pouring the gin, putting an extra flourish on tipping up the carafe at the last moment and not spilling a drop. Finally he handed out the gin to the members.

Colin lifted the goblet, and took an ‘appreciative’ sniff.

How ghastly! he thought, even as he made his face show delight. He sipped. Turpentine!

The rest took a sip, including Dee and Terry. A few faces pinched, but the rest at least tried to appreciate the taste.

He put down his goblet. “What was the next item on the agenda? Oh yes, ferrocrete allocation. The towers are starting to take form, and we need a bit more to complete the first administrative complex. So far the project is 16% over budget, but considering this is the first substantive pressurized structure we’ve made that isn’t bad. I suggest we authorize the overrun and divert resources to the team. Second?”

“Second,” a distracted voice said.

“OK, next item…” Colin surreptitiously looked around. Both Dee and Terry had calmed down, and the rest were absorbed in the minutia of their flimsies. Colin smiled to himself. Distraction and diversion – works every time!

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2116

The terra-former crews looked back at the newly completed road and then back to the east where the last stretch of road was to be built. They had been away for nearly 3 turns and the stress was getting to them all. Just last week one of the crew members went off her birth control pills so that she could be re-assigned from the crew.

Life was hard and terra-formers had the hardest lives of all...

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2117

“Those idiots and their high-and-mighty Council,” Rupert slurred. “Boss me around will they?” He slugged another batch of home made brew back, not even bothering to taste it. He was far beyond tasting anything.

“Yeh!” Rent said as he slammed his crock to the table, spilling his brew over its rough-hewn top.

“Ditch detail! Then ‘waste management’ detail! They mean **** detail! I deserve better than this! I was a psych assistant, third class on Unity! Now I shovel ****!” Rupert’s face grew red, and his temples were throbbing. He took another gulp.

“Yeh!” Rent said, again.

“Well, I’ll show them! If they want ****, I’ll give it to them!” Rupert stood up, and started cycling the airlock that lead to the commons, grabbing his breathmask as an afterthought. Rent didn’t bother – he liked the narcosis, especially when he was drunk.

“Are the toady troopers gone on another worm hunt?” Rupert asked in a muffled voice.

“Yeh!” Rent said.

“Good. We’re in business! Go get Winny, and I’ll get Marlo and Race. We’ll have a party, and this time there won’t be anyone to stop us. We’ll see how much **** they get me to shovel this week!”

“Yeh!” Rent said, with even more enthusiasm than usual.

Both men went outside, not bothering to cycle the airlock closed and leaving their hab open to the insidious Chiron atmosphere. When the narcosis set in their bedmates would soon be very happy, and then delusional - just as they planned.

Within hours their ‘party’ turned into a riot, the first at Gaia’s Landing.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2117

The Prophet glided into the room and quietly took a seat at the head of the conference table.

"Ivan, what is the report from Alpha?" the Prophet asked in a voice that was calm and quiet.

"My Prophet, Alpha's guide reports that the last stretch of land was scouted and," Ivan quietly shuffled some papers in front of him and took a quick drink of water. " And it seems that there are no more land bridges to be found. Alpha is returning to the deep fungal fields to the south to search for more worms as you directed upon the completion of the mission."

Ivan sat down quickly and scanned the room quickly taking in the disbelieving reactions of the Prophets advisors.

"Ivan, I have read your plan for the concentration of our resources and research into the field of transportation technology and I approve them. Once we complete our network node research we will switch our emphasis to discovering the means to master the seas and who knows perhaps there are sea worms just as their are land worms." The Prophet strode up and left the room to return to mediation leaving the council of rangers alone.

"You have heard the orders of the Prophet. Prepare your departments as directed and we will begin as quickly as possible our research into new forms of transportation." Commanded Ivan.

The other rangers rose and left the room leaving Ivan alone. The conference room was by far the largest room in any of the colonies and it also become his office. Many people came to see him in groups or by ones and twos and it had just become more "convenient" to stay here and work. Ivan moved his chair back and got up and walked to the windows and looked into the dark night sky of Planet. The Prophet had been so right about so many things.
He had given the people a new direction a purpose but now what hope was there if they could not expand beyond the three additional colonies that the land could support. Also, in order to build these three colonies much fungus would have to be removed and that in turn would lessen the chances of capturing more worms. What were they going to do....

*~*~*~*

Virgin Soil, MY 2118

Deirdre sipped at some non-alcoholic starfruit concoction, appreciating its flavor. It was really quite good, which was amazing since it required Herculean efforts to neutralize the alkalides to make it both palatable and useful to the human metabolism. It almost, just almost, tasted like a slightly off combination of peaches and grapes.

Most of the festivities were winding down now. The newest Gaian base, Virgin Soil, had been formally established for about a week. Actually, the elements and construction crews had been working on it for the last five years, but all of its functioning pieces were now in place and a migration of several thousand people from Gaia’s Landing could take place.

The territory was not as advantageous as might be hoped. It was uniformly arid, with swaths of fungus between Virgin Soil and Gaia’s Landing. Everyone was thankful there were no worm incidents while it traveled through the fungus, but now that it was established the worst was past. Next year a terraformer would be ready to deploy, and its first order of business would be to create a farm on the only moist bit of land in the area. After that it would likely create some roads, and maybe a forest. The land to the south and east was unexplored, so it would be interesting to see what was there. More likely it would be arid, since it was on the ‘lee’ side of the landmass, which were almost always dry to prevailing winds.

Dee knew she had to return to Landing in a few days, and she savored the enthusiasm of the intrepid colonists. It was so alive out here, with real problems, not administrative headaches that sucked the life out of her and the rest of the Council these days.

One more sip and her starfruit drink was gone. She went to get another.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2118

Cha slammed his fist down hard so hard that he left it numb from the hand to his elbow.

"WHY WAS THE MERGING NOT COMPLETED AS I HAD ORDERED!" Screamed Cha.

"My Prophet it seems that the candidate who nearly mad contact with the mind worm panicked at the last moment and fled. The end result was the worm mass broke free of Alpha and killed the candidate. Once again Alpha and his guide were barely able to defeat the rogue worm mass and claim the planet pearls. It also seems from the report that Alpha himself has grown from the encounter and has incorporated the remains of the worm into himself," replied Ivan.

Cha stared down at his desk. His head bowed with frustration and anger. He knew what must be done. Perhaps it was what should have been done ages ago it seems.

"Ivan I leave in the morning. Send a signal to Alpha's guide to meet me at these coordinates. And before you start, NO! I will not stay here. I must go out and help the transition as I had done with Alpha's guide." Cha turned and began to leave the room.

"Ivan, you will be in charge. You will have instructions in the morning as to how to proceed while I am gone. Do not fail me." Cha spoke as he walked away from Ivan and closed the room to his private area.

Ivan stood for some time, motionless. If the Prophet should die while traveling or during an encounter then he would be in charge. He mulled the possibilities over in his head. He would not make any moves while Cha was gone. He was loyal in that regard and also cautious. If Cha returned with several worms in hand no military force they had or would have would be able to stop them. The last attack by a rogue worm had taken the entire garrison and every volunteer they could find to defeat the worm mass and it still left nearly a hundred people all but dead and that worm had been tiny in comparison to Alphas current condition. No, he would have to trust to
fate....

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2219

Colin had a bewildered and slightly angry look on his face. “You can’t possibly be considering this…proposal. It’s indecent, and wrong. I don’t care what the Cyborgs offer, and I don’t care if they offer to Pact with us, Prohkor Zakharov never did us any wrong and there is NO reason why we should declare Vendetta against him!”

“This is a diplomatic proposal, and we have to consider it,” Terry said. ‘We also have to consider our relationship with the Cyborgs, who may be disinclined to continue our Friendship treaty if we decline. There is also the matter of technology. Aki specifically declined our offer to trade Social Psych for Planetary Networks. After the discovery of Social Psych our scientist told us it would be 31 years before we can expect another breakthrough. She also refused to trade us Zak’s communication link, so we are in a box.”

“I propose that we decline Aki’s offer,” Dee said. “Zak was my boss for over 5 years, real time, and we got along fairly well. He was difficult at times, but many brilliant people are. He was a decent person, though. War is wrong, and I see no reason to open hostilities with anyone at the moment.”

“Here, here!” Colin said. “I second the motion!”

“We have a motion, and a second. Call for a vote.”

A chorus of agreement came from the Council members, including Terry.

“Well, it is unanimous. We will decline Aki’s offer. I propose that we offer a counter-proposal to Aki after she has some time to cool off: offer her Social Psych for Zak’s communication frequency. That way she gets something more valuable, and we get access to the Prokhor.”

There were nods from most of the Council members.

“Second,” Colin said.

“Motion and second. Call for vote,” Terry said.

A chorus of ‘ayes’ sounded.

“Very well. We’ll leave it in Dee’s hands, and give her the authorization to call Aki up when she sees fit to give her the counteroffer. Any other business?”

Silence.

“Seeing that it is 1:00 am I move that we adjourn. Second?”

Someone said second, followed by a quick series of ‘ayes’. Terry dutifully recorded the motion even as the other Council members were heading for the airlock.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2118

New orders began to blink onto the screen, move eastwards to new coordinates and begin clearing fungus. Both crews stared at the screen in disbelief. How could they remove fungus? This was completely against the teachings of the Prophet. The site was near the new colony site and it had well above normal nutrients that could be harvested except of the fungus. The orders ended and were signed by Ivan Ivanovich.

"So Ivan the Terrible is ordering us to remove fungus and not the Prophet, interesting. So it must be true what I read on the net, the Prophet has gone into the wilderness to seek more answers and help from Planet." Snorted the lead terraformer captain.

"You had best be careful how you "put things" Roger, you never know how others might take things or take things OUT of context." replied his survey team leader.

"Well, we won't build up this planet by just planting forests and everyone knows that I am not a believer as some of the others are so what's the difference."

Roger turned and relayed the orders to the second crew and the two terraformers began to move out as fast as possible. The river allowed them faster travel than normal but it would still take several turns to get there. Roger sat back down into his command chair and punched in his reply
to the orders.

*~*~*~*

Virgin Soil, MY 2120

“What are we going to do with this?” Jed said as he poked at the contents of the Unity pod.

Ang gave him a sidelong glance. “Don’t be a complete idiot. We’ll use it for exploration. This rover moves twice as fast as a ground pounder, and almost as fast as our mindworm explorer. I’ve already told the governor of Virgin Soil about the find, and she’s already given us the OK to start exploring the southeastern portion of our island, or what is probably and island.”

Jed paused. “Oh,” he said. “I guess that’s right.”

“Of course its right. I said it, so it is true. Once you understand that your life will become much easier. Now open that hatch so we can familiarize ourselves with the controls. Then we head out.”

Jed nodded, then stopped. He’d just been zinged. Again. Oh, well. That happens all the time.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2120

Cha sat in the fungus patch and listened for the harmony that the small tendrils seem to play against his skin. It was going on 36 hours and he was nearing the end of his endurance but he was beginning to think that Planet was sending him a message, north go north. Cha remained motionless for some time, perhaps a few more hours but then he rose, it was now night.

"We move north in the morning. Have Alpha ready to lead the group out. I intend to talk to the candidates at length in the morning. I suspect we might at last have some good news." Cha slowly walked away from Juan who had been forced to travel with the Prophet. Juan turned the recorder off and walked back with Cha, minding the respectful distance. Their were no rangers out here for their was Alpha to provide security. Even though Cha was not linked to the worm mass it seemed that the worm knew him and responded to his actions and commands. Their was something there...

[Hydro]

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2121

Dee looked very sad, and the rest of the Council was in shock except, of course, for Colin.

“But how could Zak do such a thing? Why would he declare Vendetta! What did we ever do to him? All we did is find his damaged scout team and identify ourselves! And he declared war! Just like that!”

“The last 20 years must have been very hard on him,” Dee said. She didn’t sound like she believed it.

“It must be the Cyborgs,” Colin said. “Maybe he was offended that we have a treaty with them? But is that worth a vendetta?”

Terry was getting annoyed. “This pontification is all well and good, but the salient question is what do we do?”

No one said anything.

“It is clear what we must do, but all of you are afraid to say it,” Terry continued. “We have to prepare ourselves for war, and at least defend ourselves. We have to expand, and prototype the laser weapons we got from the Cyborgs, and we have to do this immediately. Our mindworm was damaged when it destroyed the University scout, but it can’t do the job alone. We have to have other options.”

Quiet descended on the Council room. No one was happy, but no one said a word against what Terry said.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2121

Ivan walked amongst the trees and shrubs that made up the new forest sector just to the south of the command base. The river flowing through the sector added to the beauty of the scene along with the hydro-generating plants that harnessed the energy. Ivan wondered if they might be wrong to not to try more terra-forming to turn Planet into a more hospitable, more earth like
planet.

"Ranger One, the Prophets latest communication has arrived." Reported one of Ivan's aides that had jogged back to the group form the transport.

Ivan took the message and looked for the most relevant section, the Prophet would remain in the wilderness. The stories that were being created about the Prophets struggles and trials were becoming the most popular form of entertainment amongst the new colonists. It had been hard to screen the applicants for the new colony pod that would depart in two turns. Many people just wanted to go into the wilds, as if the current area was some tame backyards lot. Only those that had skills that could contribute to the survival of the colony would go. They would have help, the two terra-formers for one. Ivan had ordered them east to begin building the sensor array and then clear the fungus patch from the nutrient rich sector. Ivan had also issued orders to build a farm. Only the terra-former crew leaders knew of the plan, all the better for now. The Prophet had been reluctant to build anything, even the forest projects and he doubted he would approve of the farms but the surge in nutrients would be mind numbing. Projections by his computer lead him to believe that just that sector alone could produce more food than all of the other areas currently under production COMBINED!

"All is good with the Prophet. Issue my latest version of the Prophets trials in the wilderness, you will find it under file name 1Z1999V2." Ivan ordered.

"Understood Ranger one." And the aide turned back to the transport.

The Prophet did not understand the full complexity of propaganda yet and it was his job to fill in the "blanks".

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2122

Colin had his head in is hands. “But we can’t just slaughter them. We just can’t.”

“Zak declared Vendetta against us, and has vowed to exterminate us,” Terry stated for the hundredth time. “We can’t allow his colony pods to establish a city two sectors from our fourth colony! It would be tantamount to suicide. The pod either leaves immediately or our scout will have to destroy it. It is that simple.”

Dee put her hand on Colin’s shoulder. She could feel he was trembling.

In a quiet voice she said, “We have to do this. We’ll give as many of the colonists a chance to surrender as we can.”

Colin didn’t respond. “I know it’s hard. But we have to survive and we don’t have the luxury of half measures,” she said.

“Fine,” Terry said. “I motion we remove the University colony pod immediately, and that we give any colonist in the pod a chance to surrender before we destroy it.” Terry was looking at Colin.

Dee said, “Second.”

“I call for a vote. In favor?”

A series of ‘ayes’ sounded.

“Nay?”

Silence.

“Abstentions?”

Silence.

“Motion carried,” Terry said. “I’ll call the scout and give them their orders. Meeting adjourned.”

The Gaian Council members got up to leave, several placing sympathetic hands on Colin’s shoulder as they passed by.

Colin cried softly to himself.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2122

Ivan looked over the plans that the Prophet had sent back with his latest communication. New plans and new goals for the scientists. No longer would the goal be to conquer the seas but to conquer our minds. It seems the Prophet had a breakthrough will working with Alpha and he know thinks he has the means to enhance the power of our minds to defend ourselves and expand our understanding of the planet. The poor scientists they must be mad as hell. Many of them despised the Prophet for his unorthodox methods but he did seem to "cut corners" when they would take years to understand a problem. But their bluster would soon turn to nothing. His gift to them was the new network node that was slated to begin construction next turn. With that in place the scientists would have adequate computers to work with to aid them in their research. It had come at a price, almost the entire energy credit reserve was used to complete the recycling center at their second colony well ahead of schedule. With the added energy, minerals and nutrients the work on the node should proceed quickly.

Ivan slowly got up and looked out of his window down in the main assembly area and their stood the new colony pod, almost ready to leave. The terra-formers were almost to the new site and would begin work on the sensor array. Ivan glanced back at the table and saw the final list of new colonists. An impressive list but a list of people "loyal" to him. Should anything ever go wrong Ivan knew he had a hole to duck into now and people he could count on. Not that it would needed but one never could know for sure.

The Prophet was going to remain in the wilderness for more time. He would not return unless he had a worm to take him back. Well, who knows perhaps their would be no more worms. Either way Ivan would remain, he would prosper.

*~*~*~*

Virgin Soil, MY 2123

“This is the most stupid idea that has ever come out of Landing. A laser infantry squad?” Nels said, throwing the schematics on the worktable.

“Stop your bellyaching. We have near the best mineral production, and we don’t have the population to form a colony pod. We are the natural choice. Plus, we need some defense when the University forces come knocking, don’t you think?” Inan stated.

“Well, yes. Still, it is very expensive – the same as a colony pod!”

“It can’t be helped. Get your crews on it right away.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2123

Ivan slowly walked across the room and gently pushed the hair away from the young girl who was asleep in his bed. It had been an interesting evening, now it was back to work. He pulled his robe around him and walked into the a joining room, the main conference room, his office now. He sat at the head of the table and sorted through the last batch of communications that command had received. The terra-formers were in route to the new colony site. The colony pod from headquarters will leave at the end of this turn, excellent. The recycling tanks were on line at base #2 and the new network node was started. All was well....

*~*~*~*

Open lands, south of Virgin Soil, MY 2124

The rover rocked violently. Again. Ang gave Jed an acidic look.

“Is there an obstruction or hole that you haven’t hit?”

Jed was focused. “Orders said to get there ASAP. That’s what I’m doing.”

“Then do it without leaving my spleen in pieces, and kindly leave the rover’s suspension in more than tiny fragments spread out between here and Landing, hmmm?”

“Yah,” Jed said. He was ignoring her carping, as usual.

Ang noticed this. “At least stop so we can survey this territory. We can give the cartographic info as a squirt, so slow down for a bit.”

Ang had the satisfaction of noting that the rover was slowing down, or at least the bone-jarring jolts were becoming fewer. She started tapping away at the old fashioned but durable touch screen, giving it orders to take and download the data, then do a data dump to the nearest base.

She drew out the maneuver as long as possible so that her compacted spine would get some rest. Jed really didn’t need to know that she could do this without him slowing down, but that was his price to pay for being an idiot.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2124

The terra-former crews stepped out of the machines and surveyed the ground. To the south was the great sea and to the north the great wilderness as it was called now. The wilderness covered an area equal to the western island that the two main bases called home. The wilderness was one giant fungus field and somewhere out there they all knew was the Prophet.

"All right, enough sight seeing for one day," yelled the Master Chief in charge of the crews. " Get the sleds unloaded and get the equipment sorted out for the sensor equipment. We need to get things started as quickly as possible since we have orders to enter the wilderness and begin clearing some of the fungus."

The master-chiefs words produced a collective groan. Many of them still remembered the horrors of the fungus during the first turn on Planet. Each one said a prayer that the Prophet would protect them.

*~**~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2125

“So, they are all dead. Not one surrendered?” Colin asked.

Terry shook his head.

“All those University colonists. Dead. Is our scout team hurt?”

“They suffered no damage. Slaughtering civilians isn’t hard,” Terry replied.

Colin shuddered. “And the mindworm? In University territory?”

“They are exploring, very cautiously I might add. They don’t want any surprises, and I expect they will receive no mercy if caught. Dee has been in direct contact with Lindsay, who is not at all happy about her assignment. In fact, Dee said she is royally p*ssed off.”

“I don’t blame her. Is the sensor in place?”

“Yes, thank god. Now there will be no more University forces sneaking up on us. It can see three sectors from our nearest base, so it will give us substantial protection,” Terry said.

There was a brief silence.

“Does Dee know about the colonists yet?”

“No,” Terry replied. “I have to tell her.”

“Some of our friends from Unity probably died in that pod, you know.”

Terry shook his head. “I know.” Then he turned, cycled the airlock, and left.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2125

van stormed into the control room moved quickly to the main base command console and turned off the claxon.

"What has happened!"

"Ranger one, a rogue worm almost destroyed our new colony pod but the leader of the expedition returned to base. All reports indicate that the worm is heading after the pod." replied the duty officer.

"Open a channel to the Prophet!" roared Ivan.

Within a few minutes a comm-link began to crackle and hiss but shortly there after the almost child-like voice of the Prophet could be heard.

"What is the problem" The Prophet asked in a very irritable manner.

"My Prophet, this is ranger one. A rogue worm is making its way towards command. Can you intercept the worm before it reaches the gates? I am up linking all current telemetry,,,, now." Fired back Ivan.

"Understood, I will push Alpha as fast as possible. Prophet out!"

Ivan turned away from the comm-console and looked at the holo-board. The worm was a large one, nearly as big as Alpha. Orders were already being issued to all base citizens to prepare for attack but this time they would not have the Prophet leading them. This could be trouble.

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2126

“Fine, then do it. Dreams of Green is much closer to University territory, and in fact it will be the first city they hit. Virgin Soil can start a recycling tank,” Terry was talking to himself now, “they won’t have enough population for a colony pod. Yes, a recycling tank is the only answer.”

Colin looked over at Dee, who grinned. Terry sometimes got so absorbed in his world of thinking that he tuned everyone else out. That generally wasn’t a problem, except for times like this when the Council was meeting.

“Ahem,” Colin said to get his attention.

Terry looked up. “Oh.” He looked down at his flimsy. “Next item on the agenda. Lindsay and her mindworm have found the first University city, which is called Climatic Research. It is surrounded to the south and east with fungus, which conveniently is toward us. A single rover guards it, and there is a terraformer nearby. Lindsay currently has orders to keep on snooping, and making sure nothing enters the fungus without us knowing about it. She understands that any military units have to be destroyed. No attack is planned now, but we have to consider options in the future.”

“Any questions?” he asked.

There were none.

“OK. Research is improving, but still dismal. Our efforts at a breakthrough in the Secrets of the Human Brain will take another 15 years, assuming there is no more grown or resource improvement, which there will be. It is likely that we will have a breakthrough in 5 to 10 years. At that point we should consider a pure military technology.”

Terry looked at the group. Some, including Colin, were fidgeting.

“That’s it for the agenda. Do I have a call for adjournment?”

“Yes,” Colin blurted.

“Second,” came another voice.

“Called and seconded. Meeting adjourned.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2126

Ivan turned off the last viewer at his desk and sat in the darkness, brooding. The Prophet had returned, like the second coming of Christ himself. For all intents and purposes it had been the second coming in the eyes of the people of the Planet. Ivan could still remember the event as it was just yesterday, in fact, he made sure that every recreation channel carried an "edited" version almost every hour. The worm mass was less than 3 kilometers from the outer portions of the command base, Dawn of the Planet. The worm mass had been gaining speed as it had approached the city, using the river to aid its approach. Ivan had organized the city garrison and as many Rangers as he could to hold the makeshift barricades they had built. Some of the troops had begun to "slink" away as the worm approached, unable to withstand the pre-psionic attack that the worms seemed to have. Then out of nowhere Alpha appeared with the Prophet and his guide riding into combat. The garrison cheered in jubilation and the high pitched cry of the Prophet ordering the forces forward came like a command from God himself. The troops rushed forward with their shredder rifles in hand but by now Alpha had turned and stopped about a kilometer in front of the troops as they rushed forward. The Prophet dismounted from Alpha, he stood and gazed at the surrounding scene as if he were in a trance, completely disregarding the advancing worm behind him. Then in a voice loud and clear, even for the Prophet, he called forth and pointed at one of the sergeants from the city garrison. Alpha turned and raced back to pick-up the man and brought him forward. Then as the rogue worm almost reached the Prophet Alpha deposited the man next to the Prophet who grabbed him and thrust him forward. The worm mass engulfed the sergeant but there was no scream, no mind curdling assault on the brains of those who watched. The worm mass seemed to expand then contract and expand again but after a few minutes it pulled back and the sergeant stood standing, naked to the world. His eyes were filled with tears of joy and in a loud voice he cried.

"I am john Miller, guide to Beta!"

The Prophet approached the man and hugged him, the two locked in an embrace that looked strange indeed. The Prophet was hardly tall by any stretch of the word and John Miller was nearly 6 feet 5 inches and who also happened to be naked. The worm mass, Beta, ingested the clothes and weapons and every other particle of man made material and left only the bare flesh behind.

There had been much rejoicing and the Prophets mystique, his cult, gained even more power from that day forward. Now many people began to think of him as something more than a man. People were actually volunteering to becoming guides now rather than the forced approach that had to be done in the past. There had even been a movement to start a new corps within the Rangers, the Guides. Ivan moved quickly to squash this but the Prophet seemed to support it so for now he could only try to guide events as best he could and hope that the Guides power did not become equal to the Rangers.

Which triggered Ivan's next bout of brooding. Ivan had begun to worry about his decision to "play" on this event. He had ordered his cadre of propaganda experts to "punch up" the tape and add effects and other things and he had ordered it played every day around the clock. Now, nearly a ½ turn later it was still the most popular thing on the net. Perhaps he had gone too far with this, perhaps. What seemed to add even more to the event was that the Prophet had ordered Alpha and Beta to return with him to the wilderness and continue their works in the fungus fields. The Prophet had issued only another set of brief orders and seemed to not even care about the endless details that Ivan had thrown at him. The Prophet only cared about one thing, more worms. With more worms he could send Alpha back to serve as a garrison for the two main colonies and as a un-official police force.

But the one thing that worried Ivan was how, if need be, do you kill a God?

[Hydro]

Dreams of Green, MY 2127

“Tell the former crew their next assignment is…here,” Lu Ling said, pointing to a sector southeast of their city. “Their orders are to start a road toward the small bay, which is likely attached to a larger city. And..”

“Ma’am,” one of her technicians said. “Excuse me for interrupting, but our former crew’s report is overdue, and they haven’t answered the pings I’ve sent them for the last day. They aren’t ‘missing’ yet, but I thought you should know.”

Lu stopped, her concentration broken. “Overdue? That isn’t like Wendell. He can be an officious bastard, but he is an efficient officious bastard. Send out a crew to find him. Immediately.”

Her tech nodded to acknowledge his orders and he left the room.

…three days later…

“It’s confirmed. All we found is wreakage. What might have been bodies were pretty far gone.”

Lu Ling asked, “Was it the University? Have they gotten some troops by us? Not that we have much defense besides Lindsay’s mindworm right now.”

Steve shook his head. “No, it wasn’t the University. They couldn’t have done such a thorough job, and they certainly coulnt’ have eaten away the metal. It looked like swiss cheese. It had to be some native life form, likely a rogue mindworm.”

Ling pursed her lips. “Call in the rover crew to investigate. If it’s a worm it’s a threat to us all. The crew deserves some R&R here at Dreams anyway.”

Steve left to gall the rover crew. Ling was privately happy that the rover crew was relatively nearby, and even happier that she would have an excuse to have some defense at Dreams for a while. Her scout ‘defender’ didn’t give her any confidence at all…

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2127

John Miller, guide to Beta, rode quietly along side the huge colony pod as it moved eastward. His first assignment was to escort the future third colony pod to its location and stay with it for several turns providing needed security for both the colony and the nearby terra-formers. The Prophet was none to happy to hear from Ranger One that the terra-formers were out there on the fringe of the wilderness but the site they were at was so rich in nutrients it was too tempting not to develop that site.

"Guide Miller, this is colony pod commander William Orchid, OVER."

John's comm. linked buzzed him that the Colony leader was calling him. He still did not understand why the Prophet had begun to "rename" people but who truly did understood the Prophet. He had been terrified and so very angry that day the Prophet had thrown him into the maw of what he thought at that time was a terrible beast. John had thought he would have been re-named too after his bonding with Beta but it did not happen. It was considered a huge honor to be "renamed" by the Prophet but I am sure that commander William "Orchid" did not think so.

"This is Guide Miller. Beta reports now sensations of any other worms nearby you are now free and clear to make the last part of the trip to the colony site. We will remain in contact for a while until you get things sorted out. Good luck!"

John slid his hands over the sleek and surface the made up Beta in all its forms. The Alpha guide had tried to give him a crash course in worms 101 but he could remember little of it now. All he knew now was the Beta needed food and it would be found in the fungus fields.

"Okay, you big baby, lets go."

Slowly Beta turned and moved off from the Colony pod to absorb more fungus.

*~*~*~*

South of Dreams of Green, MY 2128

Angie shook her head, willing herself to focus. She felt sick and could taste blood in her mouth, and as she tried to open her eyes they felt gummy, as if they were stuck together. It was cold, and there was a slight breeze. There was a faint acrid smell. She put her hand to her face, and felt something soft and pliant on her face – her breather. When had she put that on? And why was she laying on the floor? What had that happened?

She carefully tried to wipe away some of the sticky substance, which was not much more than a tacky coating. It was over most of her face, and after a moment she had removed enough that she could pry her eyes open. The cab of the rover was dark with diffuse light from the front windows, and from the side. Why from the side? She sat up, and was immediately struck with a wave of dizziness and a piercing headache, so much so that she almost cried out.

The pain jogged something – the pain. She had felt that before. Before what? It was hard thinking, so slow.

Ang looked forward and saw Jed’s silhouette. He was slumped at the wheel of the rover. Has there been an accident? She got up, crawling along the small cab floor to Jed, who wasn’t moving.

“Jed?” she said, shaking him a little.

There was no response. He felt cold, and she searched for his pulse on his neck – nothing.

Now she remembered: the mindworm attack. It had come out of the fungus and totally surprised them. She could remember screaming, her mind filled with nameless horrors that pierced and shattered her otherwise logical mind, which had been reduced to tatters. The rover had lurched to the side, not away from the mindworm but toward it. She remembered screaming at Jed, yelling at him to get away. He hadn’t listened.

Now she understood. His literal mind had known instinctively what to do – attack, and ignore the visions. He hadn’t panicked, and she had. He had saved her.

She got to her knees and looked into his wide, lifeless eyes. The expression on his face was slack, expressionless.

“Oh, Jed,” she said in a miserable voice.

Ang reached up and shut his eyes. She hurt, but her inside hurt more remembering all the caustic jibes she had thrown at him, and how he had taken them all without complaint. Her eyes warmed but she forced it back, blinking away the tears. She had to get to work.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2128

The terra-former crews looked at each through their plas-shield face plates and new what each one of them was thinking. How on earth, or on Planet, could they report back to command that they just cleared an entire sector of land of fungus for nothing. After they had cleared the last of the fungus the lead agronomist on the team discovered that though the soil was very rich in nutrients it was too shallow for any use. The bedrock was too close to the surface here to allow plants or trees to send roots deep into the soil. Light farming could take advantage of those "pockets" where the soil was deep enough but for the most part large scale farming was out of the
question.

"Who wants to make the call?" Asked the crew chief of the second terra-former.

"Whoever does will not likely be here long, that's for sure. I am how can you do a "proper" survey with the fungus everywhere. How can we get blamed?" replied his counterpart from terra-former one.

*~*~*~*

South of Dreams of Green, MY 2129

Smoke curled around Angie. Her Unity rover was now well ventilated with multiple hull breaches, which was a good thing since atmospheric controls were now scrap or had been cannibalized to get the semi-mobile piece of junk moving.

It turns out that Jed hadn’t attacked after all – he had conducted an emergency and expert retreat. She had found out that the mindworm was not dead since its damaged remains had followed the rover out into the plain where Jed had reatreated. It was obviously hurt, but not as hurt as the rover. This time Ang didn’t have any hesistations, and she ignored the fleeting thoughts of panic that coursed though her brain. She attacked and barely killed the mindworm. Some had literally eaten the polymer steel of the rover, but she had eventually flamed them.

And now her precious rover was unencumbered of any known threat and free to go back to Dreams. There should be a glider arriving soon with a few critical spare parts. Those and her field repairs meant that the rover would very slowly but surely return to working order.

But there was no time for that. Ang had decided to ignore the repairs and head for Dreams, where she was needed. It would take a long time, but it would be worth it. Ang pulled off an access panel and manually engaged the engine, which sputtered to life. She was heading home.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2129

The new base was up and running and reports indicate that Planet Cult scientists might expect a breakthrough in a less than five turns. It would be sometime before a fourth base would be built since the population was too thin as it was. Perhaps in a decade a fourth colony pod could be constructed and sent into the wilderness. Ivan pondered all of this as he sat in his conference room going over reports. The Prophet had gone back into the wilderness with a vengeance and had ordered Beta to cover security at the new base until a garrison could be equipped and ready.

The question had been put forward at the last council of Rangers that the huge energy supply they had should be put to use and complete either the headquarters recycling tanks or base#2's network node. The question really turned on what project needed to get done but which one gained him more influence, more power. The Prophet had no wish to deal with these matters,
all the better for him. He would have to ponder this some more...

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2130

“Why, it’s beautiful!” someone said. The crowd obscured who it was, but there was a definite admiration in her voice. Dee looked around. The new recreation commons was definitely beautiful, especially after all these many years of frustration and deprivation. But, was it a luxury? Dee thought about it. No, it wasn’t a luxury. Landing was now so big that the population needed the space and facilities as a release valve. Already various administrators were reporting that efficiency was improving, and there was a noticeable decrease in unrest.

Now is the time, Dee thought. We can now start a grand Project! The Weather Paradigm!

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2130

Ivan walked around the large conference table and scanned the map again. The latest study on planned expansion had just been put on his desk and it was not good. Only two more bases could be built on the remaining land left unclaimed. Damn. The bases would have to be supported primarily by the sea once they were established. Damn. Ivan now regretted more than ever their switch years ago when the Prophet made his breakthrough on "trance" protection. It would only by 4 more years before the project was complete and the first prototype would be ready for production but in the meanwhile the reality of the situation was such that two bases would be it for some time to come.

Ivan slowly sat down in his chair and shuffled through the latest progress reports. The trees that the terra-formers had planted had not expanded beyond the first few sectors that were planted. Some of the scientists believed that more sites were needed before a cascade effect would occur. The terra-formers had completed a new road segment and had orders to plant more trees then continue the road project and link up the newest base with the oldest.

Reports by his advisors were conflicted as to the priority of project completions. Some of them wanted the new network node completed while others wanted the recycling tanks at headquarters done. Well, he would wait a few more days before making that decision.

*~*~*~*

Dreams of Green, MY 2131

“Look at that baby,” Sye said while running his hand over the burnished metal with long, loving strokes.

“Stop that. It looks like you’re jacking off, rubbing that big phallic symbol,” Margie commented. Sye looked up at the newly prototyped laser gun assembly and noted that it did look like a big phallic symbol and quickly withdrew his hand from its shaft.

“It’s just another example of how male engineers subconsciously try to exert their dominance over others,” she said as she pulled off an access panel and pulled out a probe. “The phallus has been used as a symbol of male oppression of women for thousands of years, and as a symbol of the male hierarchy.” She peered deeply into the innards of the laser, pushing in her probe when she found the right spot. “They have the ridiculous idea that ‘bigger is better’. Any woman can tell them that size doesn’t matter. What they are really doing is saying ‘mine is bigger than yours’. Idiots.”

“Are you done?” Sye asked as he ran a few diagnostics on a subassembly datapad.

“Not on your life. There are too many ignorant males to educate, you being among them.”

Sye smiled. Then his smile faded as he realized she might not be kidding.

*~*~*

Cult, MY 2131

Alpha seemed to quiver with anticipation as the rogue worm continued its approach. The Prophet stood still watching, waiting. Cha could sense the energy of the worm or more correctly, he could feel the level of energy it seemed to operate on. He turned to the line of candidates, some near terror others awaiting the rapture as it was called now. After the uniting of Beta with its guide and his studies of the mind he could now control his gift more. He scanned the candidates again and found the person who he knew would bond with the worm.

"YOU! Come here now and approach the worm!" The Prophet commanded.

A young girl, barely out of puberty, ran forward and stopped in front of the Prophet.

"Go forth my child, become one with the Planet. Rejoice in the new life you are about to embark on. You and the Planet will be one, now and forever. Guard Planet with your life, Guard the protectors of the Planet against all non-believers! Obey the commands of the Planet, hear only the voice of the Planet, forsake all others and all your earthly bonds and be reborn to a new life in service to me, the Prophet of the Planet! Cha turned and pointed towards the worm mass that now was picking up speed as it approached the group. It began to swell and grow and yet the small girl walked forward into the maw of the worm.

The worm rose and collapsed on and around the small girl and she was gone but the worm did not advance any further. It began to shrink then expand and then shrink again. After a few moments the worm mass retreated leaving the small girl behind, naked to the world with tears in her eyes.

"This is Delta and I am its Guide, Shari Moon!" The girl screamed at the top of her voice.

The Prophet walked forward and the girl dropped to her knees and wept. The Prophet approached her and took her up into his arms.

"Arise, Shari Moon, Guide to Delta. You are the now the fist of the Planet, its protector!"

The group of candidates began to sing the song of the Planet and others began to chant the name of the Prophet. Alpha and its guide moved away from the group and approached the Prophet.

"Guide Shari Moon, I am Byram Sung, Master Guide to Alpha and I welcome you to our order." Byram pulled out a green and orange colored cloak and robe and put it around Shari's shoulders and gave her a kiss on each cheek and a hug.

"We will begin with your training soon. There is much to talk about and for you to learn but for now you need rest."

The Prophet watched in silence at the greeting of the two. Byram had changed much since the earlier days. His sullenness and bouts of depression were gone. The cadre of people that had become to be know as the Order of the Guides had now become his life. No longer was he an outcast but the leader of this group, he now had friends and equals to share the emotions and experiences of being a worm guide.

Cha looked at his own hands in wonderment. The two tiny fists of his now commanded a mighty force in deed. There was no longer any fear of his plan falling apart. The Cult of the Planet as it now was being called had a will of its own, a power of its own and it was controlled by him, the Prophet of the Planet.

*~*~*~*

Virgin Soil, MY 2132

“So, is it any good?” Jonathan asked.

Atrea took a tentative bit, hesitating a little as the morsel reached his mouth. Then he opened up, placed the greens in his mouth, closed his lips and removed the fork. He took a moment before chewing, which he did with a deliberate care. His face was blank as he concentrated on his task.

“Well?”

Atrea took a few more chews, and then looked at John. “It’s not bad. It seems a bit like watercress with lots of crunch and not much taste. Hard to say it tastes like sewage.”

“It came from the new recycling tanks. ‘Reprocessed Protein Additive’ they say. Are you sure it doesn’t taste like ****?”

“Nope. Here. Try some,” Atrea said as he stabbed a wafer and wafted it toward John, who instinctively backed away. He gave the off white wafer a skeptical look, keeping a good distance between his face and the offending bit of organic matter.

Atrea enjoyed his discomfort, pushing the fork further toward him. John backed away again.

“Come on! It won’t bite!”

Summoning his courage, John reached and took the wafer from Atrea’s fork with his fingers. He gave it another glance, turning it over at close range to see its entire surface. Then he slowly opened his mouth and placed the wafer inside. He winced as he closed his lips and began to chew.

“There. That wasn’t too bad,” Atrea said as he turned back to his main course. “Guess what’s for dinner tomorrow?” he asked, raising his dark eyebrow as John continued chewing. “Oh, you can’t answer since your mouth is full. You’ll be happy to know RPA is going to be a quarter of our food supply. Isn’t that great?”

John didn’t answer, but he did grimace.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2132

Shari sank to the ground and ripped her mask from her face and began to retch. Delta began to consume the remains of the other worm leaving only the small energy nodules or planet pearls as they had become to be called. The feedback along the psychic link and the image of her Delta ingesting the rogue worm was almost too much for her too handle. She had been warned by Byram about this but it did not help her much, not much at all.

At last Delta had consumed the last bits of the worm and began to relax into state that could only be called rest, for a worm.

"This is Guide Shari Moon to base command, Over"

After a few minutes the link chirped back.

"Command base to Guide Moon, we receive your transmission, over."

"Command, I have encountered a rogue worm and have defeated it. I need transport for the planet pearls and a resupply as well, over."

"Received. The energy nodules could not have come at a better time. The Prophet has ordered preparations for the new trance module technology to be built as soon as the scientists can complete the last tests and adjustments within the next two turns, if all goes well. When they are done we can start our first prototype so we won't have to have you guides risking the worms anymore in defeating these rogue worms anymore, over."

Shari turned off her comm-link and turned back to Delta. For a while she stared at him and then realized he had nearly doubled in size in just the few minutes she had been talking to base. Byram had told her about this but she never knew it could happen so fast...

[Hydro]

Fungal Field near Climactic Research, MY 2133

Lindsay fumed. She was wasting her life sitting here in the fungus keeping an eye on those idiotic University researchers. All she had discovered in the last decade or so is that their base had a perimeter defense, a rover, lots of terraforming including a forest, and roads to the west. That’s it!

There was so much more of the world to explore and here she was, making sure there were no unauthorized University incursions into Gaian territory. It would be years before reinforcements arrived, and if they weren’t more worms then they would do little good in this blasted fungus! Even the new laser squad would be next to worthless due to all the fungus – only worms could fight or defend there.

Still, there was noting to be done about it. Lindsay knew that here worm was all that stood between the University and the next to defenseless Gaian bases. The folks at home could lead more secure lives due to her efforts, not that she got much thanks from anyone except Dee.

She looked up in time to see the sky darken perceptibly, as if in harmony with her mood.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2133

Cha was tired, tired beyond anything he had felt before. Byram Sung had driven Alpha day and night for nearly a week to get them back to Planet Headquarters. They had arrived only hours ago and had only taken a brief few minutes to get water, food and hygiene issues taken care of. The remaining time had been spend in preparation at the lab. The new trance device was ready for testing. It was a very crude device, huge in fact, but with more work it would be made smaller. The reason why they had to return was that they needed Alpha for the testing. They had chosen a subject for the testing, a criminal. He had murdered someone in a rage a little over a turn ago and by submitting to the test his prison term would be waived. Alpha had been needed to see if the trance technology would even work against the particular mind attack of the worms. The mapping of the human mind had opened up whole new areas of study that even on earth no one had even dreamed to discover.

"My Prophet, we are ready to test" The loudspeaker reported.

Cha got up and left the room that the subject had been brought to. He was blindfolded, his request, but all of the electronic monitoring equipment had been installed and the trance device was ready for testing.

"Begin the test." Cha ordered the lead scientist to begin the experiment.

The wall that separated Alpha from the test subject began to lower into the ground. In a minute it had fully retracted leaving only Alpha, Byram Sung and the subject facing each other. Within a few seconds even Cha could feel the pushing in on his mind as Alpha had begun his attack. The power indicators were now at their max. Alpha was pouring every once of his being into the attack. Some of the staff began to stagger out of the room, the shielding was not able to withstand the attack from even this distance. After what seemed forever the pressure began to subside and it had all took place within a matter of minutes.

"What is the result?" Cha asked.

"My Prophet, good news and bad. The good news is that the trance device did work and it protected the mind as expected. The bad news was that the neural feedback from the device itself killed the subject. It seems we did not think to buffer the shielding effect so that it would not feedback on the wearer. It is a simple thing to correct. The preliminary data does prove that the trance technology does work. Once we complete our study of the results we should be able to prefect trance technology. Barring any setbacks we should be ready to go to prototype within a turn. I also expect that much of the "spin off" effects of our research will aid us in other areas and all due to your early work in the wilderness." replied the chief scientist on the project.

"Excellent work. Do the autopsy on the man and see if there were any other effects not accounted for by the monitoring equipment. We need to make sure that once we go to production and begin retrofitting our troops that they will not be harmed in any other manner."

Cha turned and left the building and sought out his rooms, rooms that had not been used in nearly 4 turns. He was tired and he needed rest. Trance technology and the work on the brain would open new corridors of research but what worried him was that what if some of the others might have survived the crash. Could anyone else have seen the link that he had. Perhaps his superior Zakharov might. The man would have thought such research was beneath him in the past. If they had then the others might be on equal footing with his worm army. That was not a comforting thought.

*~*~*~*

Between Dreams of Green and Virgin Soil, MY 2134

A dozer removed the last symbolic pile of soil, connecting the long road between Dreams of Green on the west to Virgin Soil on the eastern coast. The visiting dignitaries from Dreams and Soil were there to participate in the event, since it heralded the connection of Virgin Soil with the other three Gaians settlements, which had been linked by roads long ago. Not only would this road lead to greater commerce, but it would also be a springboard for future colonization. Already the former from Soil was heading south, plowing a road to the next colony site. Next year a fifth colony would be set up along the western segment of the road, and more colonies would follow since two more colony pods were in production.

All in all it was a happy day, and everyone was enjoying the unusually warm spring weather. Above the merriment and backslapping was a cloud, though. To the west were the University settlements, lead by the unpredictable and unstable Zakharov. This road would connect the settlements and aid in their defense, but would it also be a path for a University conquering army? It was unsaid, but most everyone thought about it. War was a concept the Gaians were not well equipped to deal with, at least not yet.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2134

The new helmet sat on the desk of Ivan. He had sat in his chair for nearly four hours looking at it. With this device the colonies garrisons would not have to rely on the worms to defend them. It also gave Ivan his secret "ace in the hole" if he would need it. If the worms were under the Prophets control then the cities' garrisons were under his. Before the worms were no match for his troops, rogue or otherwise, but now, everything had changed. Of course he had used his team of specialists to hype the event over the video channels and show the people once again that the Prophet had provided for them. It was expensive technology and only one garrison would get them at a time. Ivan had persuaded the Prophet that the newest colony should get the technology first since it was farthest away and he had agreed. It was also the colony that the entire city garrison was loyal to the Rangers, loyal to Ivan.

Ivan sat up from his chair and cradled the helmet in his hands. This had been the first proto-type completed. Soon many more were made but this was to be his. He walked into his private quarters and closed the door. Next to his bed was a secret door and once through the door he entered his private control room. In here Ivan could monitor all the vid feeds along
with all of the surveillance cameras that he had ordered placed where he wanted them by his loyal Rangers. Ivan sank into the chair and punched up the feed on the Prophets room. He sat behind his desk, catching up on paperwork. Upon returning he had re-assumed control, and as such, direction of the Planet people. He had made many new sweeping changes. Once again he had turned his back on pursuing the means to expand beyond the current shores of the two islands. He wanted to continue to press the advantage he felt we had and ordered more research into brain and holographic interface with the mind. It was an intriguing plan, if it worked. Always the dreamer never the practical. Well, it had worked for him so far why not now. Many of the other plans made changes in production and terra-forming. No more
fungus was to be removed. The current projects were to be completed, the road linking the third colony with the main bases for one. That one was very important for both of them. With the road complete he had a quick escape route to his loyal base and if needed a path for troops to come to him. Ivan shook himself and continued his surveillance. There was no need now to "rush" into anything. The Planet people were expanding, growing and building. For now the Prophet was the guide and leader of the people.

*~*~*~*

Lily of the Valley, MY 2135

“So, what do you think?” Sara asked her daughter, who looked around their pre-fabricated apartment with a jaundiced eye. “A new apartment in a brand new town! Nice, huh?”

“It’s OK,” she said, feigning disinterest. ‘I’d still like to be at Fallow Time with my friends, though. I wish we hadn’t moved.”

“We’ll be fine here. We’re right by a nice lake…”

“There’s the ocean at Time, mom,” Marith reminded her.

Sara continued as if she hadn’t heard. “and there’s a forest right next to us. The school’s real nice, too. You did meet Mr. Gavin, didn’t you?”

“Yes, mom,” Marith said as she looked closely at the wall in her nook and then ran a finger over it. “Ewwww! That’s gross!” she said, holding her finger out for her mom to inspect.

Sara stopped her monologue and went over to inspect the proffered finger, which had a coating of tacky greenish gray material on it.

“Honey, the walls haven’t quite hardened yet. This apartment must be really new since the biomatter must not have set completely. Give it a few days and it will be just like our place at Time. You’ll see.”

Marith sat down, studiously avoiding the slimy wall as her mom moved a duffle bag of clothing into her nook. Marith looked on and noticed her mom avoided the walls and placed her duffle very carefully at the edge of her bed.

“Go get your stuff, please. We have to move in the futon next. Then we can meet some of our neighbors!” she said with a slightly forced excitement.

Marith dutifully got up after deciding it was too much trouble to put up a fight. She opened the door into the hallway and checked that she had her breathmask out of habit. It was clear to her she was going to hate it here.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2135

The Prophet had been working non-stop for nearly an entire turn trying to get back up to speed on the management of the colonies. Ivan had done a good job in his administration, excellent in fact. However, that was all based upon the data fed to him by Ivan. Some of his own sources of information contradicted his facts by a wide margin. Cha had thought long and hard about the evolution of the Planet Cult government. Ivan and his Rangers had assumed control over almost every administrative function in every base. Scientists were still under the direct control of the Prophet as well as the worms. However, base garrisons were under the command of senior Rangers. The new faith, the new life, Cha had worked to develop had taken root with the population faster than he could have hoped or believed.

The extreme uncertainties upon landing on Planet had made the people very susceptible to change. His book or the Planet Bible as it was being called now a religion to most people within the colonies. Many still followed the old faith, as it was called, but over half of each colony supported the new faith, the Planet faith. For some it was stronger than others, for others it was a means to an end. Ivan used the faith for his own purposes, that was for certain.

Cha got up from his lotus position and walked to his desk. He still wondered what he would do about Ivan. For now Ivan was an effective tool, nothing more. There was no need to throw a tool away if still worked as it should. If it should become broken, well, that was another story. Cha sat down at his desk and reached into his robes and pulled out he scramble device. The scrambler was a left over device from earth but it still worked very well in blocking, for a short time, any surveillance equipment.

Cha then opened a comm-link to Byram Sung.

"Byram, this is the Prophet. Over!"

After a few minutes Byram reported in.

"Byram, I need to bring you up to speed on a few things and should anything happen to me I need for you to do some things in order to preserve our way of life. I am appointing you as my chosen successor. Should I ever fall you are in charge. Should I fall, for whatever reason it will be most likely due to foul play. Here is what we need to do....

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2136

Terry was livid. “That is the most asinine idea you’ve ever had. The forest spread into the fungus, replacing it. This isn’t an example of an ‘ecological holocaust’ for heaven’s sake! These are Earth trees, and an integrated ecosystem, one that we’ve tried hard to nurture here on Planet, and to rave about them like they were about to wipe out the fungus is stupidity, shear stupidity.”

Now it was Colin’s turn to get mad. “The colonists that let rabbits loose in Australia thought the same thing, and look where it got them! Rabbits all over the place! All I am saying is that we have to be very, very careful, and that the unexpected spread of the forest into the fungal field south of Landing could be dangerous. Not will; could be. Now, I will admit that it exposed a huge second nutrient field that will be a great benefit to us all. We don’t know much about the fungus, or how fragile it is. The American colonists thought the forests would go on forever, and they did until they cut all the old growth down. We can’t let that happen again! We need to think, not react. That is all I am saying!”

Dee interjected: “This is getting out of hand. Colin, I want you to craft a resolution that states what you think we should do as a matter of policy. Terry, you too. Then we can debate this and decide what we want to do. I have to think there is some reasonable, neutral ground we can agree on. OK, Colin?”

Dee looked Colin in the eyes. He nodded to agree.

“Terry?”

Terry glowered, then nodded.

“OK. Now, you’ve gotten Lindsay’s latest report. It seems she caught a University former crew near the fungus where she is hiding and, before she could do anything, her mindworm destroyed it. She was pretty upset about it and, although she reported the mindworm was somewhat damaged, it doesn’t seem too much the worse for wear. While I don’t like destroying civilian units like colony pods or formers we are at war. Unless there is an objection I’m going to send a glider to Lindsay to tell her that she is to take out targets of opportunity as she can. I’ll also tell her that we’re sending our laser infantry to help, as much as they can anyway. Any objections?”

Dee looked around and noticed none.

“That was the last item on the table. Anything else?”

Silence.

“Meeting adjourned until next week.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2136

Three people sat in the private conference room of the Prophet, Ivan Ivanovich head of the order of the Rangers, Byram Sung Master Guide and leader of the Order of the Guides and Lance Thompson senior Planet engineer of Colony resource management. They had all been called here by the Prophet who had yet to make his appearance.

"Does anyone know why we are here?" Asked Byram.

"I for one was just asked myself. I had to move several meetings with my advisors to come to this at the last moment. It is very unlike the Prophet to do something like this without my knowing." replied Ivan who was beginning to have a very worried expression as the minutes dragged on.
Suddenly the door opened and the Prophet walked in. He circled the table placing his hands on the each of the people present thanking them for coming.

"I know you must be wondering why I have asked you to come." Cha sat down at the head of the table. "You should get used to it since I, no, we will do this each week from now on."

"Before you all start in here is what my plan is. At this moment my latest order is being transmitted to the entire Planet people so I suppose you should know too."

Ivan seemed to be getting even more agitated as he scanned the room. Byram sat still, unmoving as if in a trance and Lance Thompson looked stunned.

"My plan is a grand reorganization of labor, material and knowledge. From now on the Rangers will be responsible for garrison security, base administration and the continued work and instruction of the people in our new way of life. The Guides will be responsible for our general security, scouting and reconnaissance. They will also play a role in helping the Rangers, if need be, in their role as defenders of the colonies. Our newest member Lance Thompson will be setting up a new corps, the Planet Caretakers. The Caretakers will control all terra-forming operations and administer all operations in areas that have been terra-formed. The details of my plans will be in your offices for you to review. Also, each colony will be administered by a council of three people selected from each of your groups to serve as the leaders. There will no longer be a "governor" position. Lastly, I want to make one thing clear: administration is your role, policy is mine. During these meetings we will discuss any plans or initiatives each of you wish to make and then I will decide. Afterwards, I will meet with each of you privately to discuss any issue you might have. Aside from this time I will be involved with my scientific research, observations on planet operations and working with the people." Cha strode up and went to the door to his private chambers.

"We will meet in one week. I have downloaded to you each of your terminals guidelines on how we will conduct each meeting. You will need to submit a list of items to be put on the agenda. Prior to each meeting each of you will update the group, as a whole, on the operations you administer, problems or boons you might have in your respective areas. We will meet again in one week at this same time, good day."

The Prophet closed the doors behind him leaving the three men in the room again. Byram Sung was the first to reach across the table and shake Lance's hand. Ivan quickly followed suit. Byram and Lance stood up and left the room talking about protection of the terra-former crews leaving Ivan alone. He sat there for a long time pondering this newest move. Check! Pure and simple, the Prophet effectively checked the expansion of the Rangers powers. By keeping the Rangers from controlling all aspects of the military they could never truly gain control of the government by force of arms. Also, by splintering off the terra-formers and the administration of the resources of
those developed sites he would lack the means to supply his forces. What good does it do to control the cities if you can not feed them, or cloth them or keep them with a good supply of air, water or fuel. Damn, the Prophet had out maneuvered him and he was now just one leg in a chair, a three legged chair. But perhaps he had not been that smart after all. Ivan still had the strongest force within the Planet Cult society. His Rangers were the police and priests of the society. He controlled the streets, and hearts of each citizen of the Planet. Perhaps, in time, he could also subvert one if not both of the other members of the council to his way. Even by gaining the support of one he would be able to control even more. Ivan stood up and walked to the door with just a slight spring in his step.

[Hydro]

Lily of the Valley, MY 2137

“A tiny suburb in a small town was bigger than everyone on Planet, you know,” Steve mentioned.

“Yah, but look how much we’ve grown?” Rog replied as he adjusted the autobrake on his former servo. “We had one colony, now we have five with more on the way! We had only 1000 colonists, now we have 9000! That is a pretty impressive growth rate, let me tell you, and we’ve done it on an alien world! Not too shabby, not shabby at all.”

“That University base already has a perimeter defense, from what I hear. I imagine that we’ll be seeing an invading army before too long, with all that technology that Zakharov is supposed to have gotten from Unity and his army of researchers.”

“Stop you bellyaching!” Rog said. “Lindsay should keep us safe until we can get some better defenses. Her mindworm does a great job in the fungus, and the University will have to plow through a huge fungal field to get to us. Eventually I suppose that we’ll have to form an army and go to him to set things right, not that I’m happy about it.”

Steve was undeterred. “The Council should have done better! Just given Zak whatever he wanted to keep the peace. They could be the warmongers, did you consider that? Being so high and mighty up there at Landing and all.”

Rog gave up and let Steve grouse and noticed he hadn’t finished his rather limited tasks, as usual. “Sure, sure. Just get your work done.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2137

Cha walked into the nursery and looked at all the small children with bright and shiny faces. They all rose at once and gave a awkward bow, for many it was the first time they had seen the Prophet. One of the things Cha liked best was visiting each colonies nursery and meeting the children. It also had a second more secret purpose for him, to find another person who seemed to have the ability to see the link between Planet and humans.

The nursery leader gathered the children in front of Cha and he kissed each one on the head, a few, he would stop and rename them. The "renaming" had become quite a status symbol for many and as he reached the second row he stopped in front of one small boy.

"Your new name is Zion Needlethorn, be welcome into the new world of the Planet, Zion!" The small boy began to cry and the other children oohed and ahhhed, except for one that caught Cha's eye.

"Young boy, come here!" commanded the Prophet.

"My Prophet,,,," Answered the boy as he walked over.

"Why do you not rejoice in the renaming?"

"My Prophet, Chad is my brother, I mean Zion. I was just jealous, I suppose."

"Come children sit, let us exam, this feeling together." The children all circled about Cha and sat down.

"Jealousy, is the most dangerous of all emotions. It makes us want to "covet" to "want" and such wanting will lead us to do bad things. On earth such jealousy forced nations to ravage earth for resources and tear her heart out. We will not make that mistake. Our colonies are small, as our wants are. We need to preserve our new home with the utmost care and devotion or it will strike back at us. We will expand but within our means within our hopes within our hearts. So young brother to Zion Needlethorn do you know what I am going to do to drive jealousy from your heart?"

The small boy shook his head no.

"Your new name will also be Zion Needlethorn as well! Whatever is yours is your brothers and the same for him!" The children clapped their hands except for the small boys.

"What is wrong now?" Asked the Prophet.

The oldest one replied. "But, my Prophet, what if our parents call for one of us will not both of us come?"

"Yes, and I will also call all of you one day to the great task ahead and you will all have the same name then, the same purpose, the same calling, to preserve Planet, to protect Planet, so for you two this is just the beginning of what is to become for all of us!"

Cha stood up and walked out of the room to the clapping and cheers of the children. The Rangers were working miracles with their programs of re-education and indoctrination....

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2138

Colin turned off the holo emitter. “Well,” he said, “what do you think of that?”

“I think the idiot finally came to his senses and decided to see the barest bit of reason,” Terry replied.

“It was a rhetorical question,” Colin said, looking sharply at Terry. He didn’t appreciate his tart sense of humor sometimes. “But, do we accept?”

Dee spoke up. “Of course we accept. Zakharov has offered us a truce and we will accept it. He has lost far more than we have since we were forced to destroy his colony pod and terraformer, and we have Lindsay’s mindworm posted right outside Climactic Research. They have almost no defense against him.”

“But why did he offer,” Terry interjected. “We need to look at motives…”

“No, we don’t,” Dee said. “We can accept his truce offer with good grace. It may even lead to a greater understanding. I never like the idea of being at war, especially when we all have so much to lose.”

Dee looked toward Terry. “What to we have to gain by ignoring or rejecting his offer?”

Terry thought for a moment. “Not much.”

“Anyone else?” she asked.

Silence.

“I’m going to call Zak up right now and let him know we accept. I’ll even offer to trade technology to let him know we’re interested, and as a show of good faith. Plus, you never know what he’ll accept.”

With that Dee activated the ancient holo screen and tapped in a few commands on the touch screen. After a few moments the connection came to life.

“Please put me through to Prokhor Zakharov,” she said.

“Very well, Ms. Skye. He’ll be right with you…”

Dee waited, and was satisfied that the war was finally over.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2138

Cha sat in his chair listening to the exchange between Lance and Byram over terra-former security. A fourth colony pod would be leaving soon and Lance wanted to build a sensor array before the colony pod would arrive at the site. However, crossing the wilderness without escort, especially for a terra-former meant certain attack.

"Then it is agreed, Byram will issue orders to have a worm protect the terra-former to the site and after it begins its work the worm will race back and escort the colony pod and by the time it arrives the sensor array will be on line." Lance said as he wrote down notes on the subject.

"Also, I need to broach one other subject. The need for farms." Lance looked around the room and studied the faces. The Prophet was motionless but still project a state of calm. Byram was agitated but still was calm. However, Ivan had the look of a man who just saw his enemy slip in a race and was about to claim the grand prize.

"Please explain your reason for a farm system." Asked the Prophet.

"Yes, well, here is the problem in a nut-shell. We are not growing. We are well below the curve at which we should be expanding and I do understand that is not all together bad but without more nutrients are colonies will never be able to expand as needed. What I suggest is a modest system, a very modest system to begin with. Each colony will have one sector of farms each with solar collectors installed to provide energy for the farms and any surplus can be used for colony use. In time we will learn to harvest the fruits of the sea but what concerns me is the lack of control in a sea environment. We still have some kelp seeds that are being worked on for adaptation to our seas but kelp grows and grows quickly and it could expand beyond our control. Our land farms can contain and limit the ecological damage to the Planet." Lance ended his speech with another look around. The Prophet and Byram were still calm but now Ivan looked like he was about to pounce on a wounded animal.

"Begin at once with your plan Lance. One sector only for now, now more. Understood. I too worry about sea farms and the lack of control we would have. I also know that without more Cultists to support our cause to support the Planet what good can we do?" The Prophet sat back in his chair and folded his arms.

"Thank you my Prophet."

*~*~*~*

Fallow Time, MY 2139

The holo channel to the Cybernetic Consciousness winked out, and the Gaian Council was slightly stunned.

“You know, for a emotionless cyborg she sure seems to always be in a foul mood,” Colin said. “Aki’s insults were gratuitous, and patently untrue. Why would we vie for world domination? It is ridiculous at its face value! We can barely defend ourselves, much less take over the world, assuming we knew where it is!”

“Colin,” Dee said as she rested a hand on his shoulder, “don’t take it personally. We have no idea what it is like in Cybernetic society. Give them time. Zak has come around, and maybe we’ll get better relations with Aki one day.”

“Not bloody likely,” Terry interjected. “She’s at war with Zak, and has been for as long as we’ve known either of them. How rational is that? Two researchers at each other’s throat? For what? All that matters is that we stay out of the way, and profit if we can. At least Aki agreed to trade Secrets of the Human Brain for Doctrine: Mobility. So even if both the Consciousness and University are daft we can advance a bit.”

“I hope it is more than that,” Dee said, trying to sidetrack another one of Terry’s pontifications. “Maybe through our example they will both see reason.”

Terry snorted.

From that back of the room Hoi said, “Specs coming through, as promised. Sending Secrets now.”

“Good,” Terry stated. “I’m turning in. Talking to all these warmonger logical types gives me a headache.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2139

Lance looked at the latest report and began to worry. The forests to the south of Dawn of the Planet had spread, and spread quickly. For a forest it had grown quickly, much to quickly for Lance's liking. For all the energy Cult engineers and technicians put into expanding their resources the same amount of energy had to be put into keeping an ecological balance with Planet. He had already issued orders to the terra-formers should the forests expand further east into the great wilderness that they would have to burn them down and restore the land. However, the first farm was under construction at colony two which is where he was heading the following day. The Prophet wanted to inspect the farm and he also wanted to see the new network node that was just completed. The node would allow Cult scientists to run complex models to try and understand more fully how Planet worked, its life and climate cycles. Plans were already on the drawing board for another node at Dawn of the Planet but not until the great project was done. The Prophet had been working more and more on helping the scientists unlock the secrets, the blue prints to our DNA. He knew that Cha wanted to begin designing humans so that they could live in better harmony with planet, breath its air, and be sustained by the native life. It was a good dream.

Lance closed the portable computer and put it into his carry-all and sat down to begin his meditation. Lance cleared his mind and as he was instructed he formed a picture of planet in his mind, embracing the beauty of the fields of fungus, the rolling hills of the wilderness began to form in his mind. Then the serene and calming face of Cha came to his mind and he knew he was near the point of deepest mediation...

*~*~*~*

Open terrain west of Dreams of Green, MY 2140

“So, explain to me again why we are building a road toward the University? Weren’t we at war with them a while ago?” Saul sipped at his coffee, and his eyebrows went up in pleasant surprise. A good hybrid! Finally!

“Well,” Muhammad said, “as near as I can tell it is a land grab. The Unis haven’t penetrated the fungus since we had to eliminate their colony pod, and they aren’t likely to with Lindsay’s mindworm on patrol. Also, if you look at the map,” he said, pausing to punch up a map of the area and then swiveling the display toward Saul.

“See this thin strip of land? It is all that connects our territory to that of the University. It is a choke point, so to speak. If we control it, then we control access to our lands, just in case Crazy Zak decides to declare war again. We also will have advance warning to prepare. Also, this will be a way to bridge the northern and southern seas if we ever get the infrastructure and resources to build a navy. Think of it as the Panama Canal of Planet.”

“Hmmm,” Saul said as he digested this information, and sipped his coffee again. “It’s going to take while to get everything in place, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it will. We have to build the road, a sensor, and some basic terraforming. Unless we get help it will take at least a decade, likely longer. But it will take longer if we don’t start! It will take a while to pull together the resources for another colony pod anyway, and hopefully we will be done by the time they are on the way.”

“OK. Where do we start?”

“A road from that links up the road from Dreams,” Muhammad said, pointing to a rolling sector just west of them. “It should only take a year or two.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2140

The terra-former crew stopped walking when they reached the banks of the river. All around them small tree saplings ranging from three feet to fifteen feet had taken root and had grown. Grown where they were not supposed to, in the wilderness.

"Master Caretaker Thompson will not be pleased when we report back to Planet command." Chief Argyle commented.

"No chief, I doubt he will, not in the least." replied one of the men.

"If I were the Master Caretaker I would leave this sector of ground alone. There is still plenty more wilderness out there that has tons of fungus on it. This is a perfect spot for a forest, better than some of the places we planted before, the river and the coast give it a beauty I wish all the
places in Cult territory had." The chief turned his back and walked back to the rover unit. They would drive back and return to the terra-former in a day or two.

The chief quietly sat and composed his message to the Master Caretaker. He did not want to burn that forest down, not one little bit. So he worked up what he thought was a very positive assessment of the situation and hoped against hope that he would be right. Anyway the terra-former was hard at work building the solar collectors just north of colony three and once that was complete it had to race across the wilderness to begin building a sensor array for colony four. How in the Planet would they have time to burn the forest down and replant it with fungus. The chief was a follower of the new way, the Cult of the Planet, and he did not want to see the Planet despoiled anymore than the next Cultist. But, time was of the essence now and resources were scarce as it was. The other three terra-formers were at colony two building the new farm and solar collectors there to improve life for the citizens there. So perhaps the Master Caretaker would see the logic of the situation and leave it for now, reclaim when the Caretakers would have more time. The chief had to believe that eventually things would settle down and then you could go back and take care of these things.

The chief completed the message and sent the send button and then waited....

*~*~*~*

Song of Planet, MY 2141

All in all Dee felt pretty good. The quarters here at Song of Planet were Spartan, but then every new colony’s accommodations were Spartan at the start. In addition to being the southern-most Gaian base, it was at the northern edge of the strange Uranium Flats, which boasted impressive energy potential, if it could be effectively utilized. The terrain was potentially productive since it had a small river and a mineral lode, but it would take a lot of work.

Even more exciting was that this was the second base christening Dee had the pleasure of hosting. The first was just a month ago along the eastern coast. Flower’s Preach was also in potentially productive territory. Right now a former crew was working to remove the fungus from a nutrient lode, and that would take time but it would be well worth the effort. Meager resources from Gaia’s Landing had allowed the new colony to finish a former this very year, and it would help with terrain improvements.

From a tenuous start Dee reflected that the Gaians now had seven bases, and they were no longer under the threat of extinction if some calamity were to befall one of their precious holdings. The ‘war’ with Crazy Zak was over, and they had a tense peace with the Cyborgs. At this point their science rate was flagging, but that would be fixed by a reasonable expansion. Dee knew there would be space for at least six more bases without putting Zak out too much. The base planned on The Spit might annoy him, but the land was within Gaian territory so he wouldn’t have grounds to gripe too much.

Yes, it was a good year.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2141

Master Caretaker Lance Thompson sat in the Prophets private quarters waiting for his arrival. He had asked for the special, one on one, meeting with the Prophet to go over the report from the Master Chief of terra-former number 3.

"Master Caretaker, I hope you have not been waiting long."

The Prophet had entered without his knowing due the distraction of the moment.

"My Prophet, I feel I need to bring something directly to your attention, I seek your guidance."

"Yes, go on..." replied the Prophet as he sank into a chair opposite Lance.

"My Prophet, the latest reports from the Master Chief of terra-former 3 are in and thy are both disturbing yet exciting. It seems that the river system just north of colony three is nearly seven sectors long and each one of those seven sectors are rich in nutrients, water and minerals. However, they lay in the heart of the wilderness. One sector has already been
claimed by the new forests and per your orders we should begin to destroy it but the question is when. Currently all of our terra-formers are committed to projects that will last for nearly a decade and to stop all of that now to destroy one forest sector would upset time tables for some time not to mention our plans for expansion." Lance stopped there. He knew he had already talked too much. The Prophet liked much simpler and clearer summations of the problems.

"I am aware of the situation. For now let the forest stand. A colony pod will be ready in just 6 turns and the sensor array must be on line. Order the terra-former just north of colony three to build roads to the edge of the wilderness and proceed across the wilderness when done and begin the sensor array. Then work back, along the western coast building a road and improvements. I will sanction one more fungus field to be raised in order to connect colony three with four, but no more." The Prophet stood up which was as good as a command without saying so for Lance to rise.

"Go forth and do good work on Planet, do no harm. In time we will restore balance and all that was destroyed will be replaced a hundred fold."

Lance bowed and wondered how on Planet could they even begin to repay the Planet even two-fold.

[Hydro]

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2142

“Witness,” Professor Watkins stated, “the flowering!” His voice boomed as he dramatically raised the beaker of clear liquid in front of his class so they could all see. Then he slowly brought his other hand up, placed his index finger against his thumb, aimed it at the beaker with deliberate slowness, and then flicked the beaker with the fingernail of his index finger. A high ringing filled the air, and the class watched attentively.

At first they saw nothing, then, a mote of red. This mote grew outward at an ever quickening pace, the fractal arms radiating outward, reaching toward the edge of the beaker. In a few seconds the clear liquid had been partially replaced with a crystalline beauty, a red flower that was a combination of hard spiky crystal and soft and pliant ‘petals’ of wafting red and pink.

“The color and the material, class, are derived from the xenofungus you see every day. The crystalline matrix it that forms the exquisite ‘flower’ simply houses the pigments and organic material. Anyone know what caused it to form?” he asked, looking out at his generally attentive students.

A few hands went up. He selected the quiet young lady in the back. She never raised her hand.

“It is a super-saturated solution?” she stated, her hesitation turning her answer into a question.

“That is correct Xia,” he said. The young lady glowed, one of the first time he had seen her genuinely happy. “This super saturated solution was created by adding an extract of the fungus to the water. All it took was a moment of kinetic energy to set it off. But that is not the amazing thing, oh no. Part of the energy was derived from the organic matter itself, which seems to be self-organizing even when separated into its components. The possible uses boggle the mind, as do the hyper complexity of the organism itself that could form such compounds. We can’t even begin to unlock the DNA, not yet, but it seems to be ‘super-packed’, with much more information that what would be required to form these complex compounds. No one knows how or why the information is there. Is it left over junk, a wasteland of evolution? Or is it an as yet undiscovered coding that serves some purpose or ability?”

The professor snapped back and looked out at his class. Most had a slightly lost look to them, either that or a glazed look that indicated they had lost any modicum of excitement they might have had. There was one, however, that had a thoughtful look that radiated a deep concentration – Xia.

Watkins was pleasantly surprised. It was always the quiet or the unlikely that were likely to ‘get it’. He continued his lecture, slowing down for those that were not quite quick enough. But he tempered his lectures to make sure he fed morsels to the quiet Xia. She never said much, but he enjoyed watching her grow. And he liked her increasingly difficult questions even better.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2142

Cha sat at his desk studying the two men on the other side, Master Caretaker Lance Thompson and Chief Scientist Emile Wulfmueller. Both men were talking two each other discussing some minor issue that had come up.

"Gentleman, can we please concentrate on what I asked you here for. In just a few years we will complete the work on holographic neural interface and computer networks. At that time we can either change our emphasis of work from the genome project to the virtual world project. What I need to know from you too is should we do it?" The Prophet waited for their responses.

"My Prophet, I think there is no doubt in the minds of our scientists that the virtual world project has to be our primary goal. With it our people will have unlimited horizons for recreation which will have a tremendous impact in maintaining harmony within the colonies. Also, the network can be used to boost our productivity as well thus eliminating vast amounts of drudge work that someone would have to do." Replied Emile. " In addition, I might add, with the added productivity it will make our work all the more easier in completing the genome project. With the building of each network node at each colony we essentially get multiple uses from it."

"My Prophet, I can not agree more. The genome project has tremendous long term implications but the virtual world, when completed, will give us immediate results." Lance chimed in.

"Then let us agree then. Make the preparations now so that when we complete the research in a few turns we can re-allocate the resources we have already accumulated for the genome project to the virtual world. It should take decades off of the time needed to complete, thank you for coming."

Both men got up and left. Cha also had discovered something else about the virtual world. Everyone person who entered it and used it created a window in his mind which allowed for the opportunity for someone to "look in" and see what the person was thinking. It was not all together clear as to how accurate or how deep the information could be retrieved, not at this level
of research and not without a working prototype. The scientist on the team who was working on this aspect of the research was under Cha's personal guidance. He had granted him full access to the network node at colony two and had given him alpha level clearance so that no one, except Cha, could look into his research. The last thing he wanted was Ivan finding out about this and getting control of it. Cha had already began building a special annex to his tower for the monitoring equipment to be installed. This technology would be his...

*~*~*~*

Dreams of Green, MY 2143

“Well, it seems Crazy Zak is wanting to expand,” Lu Ling commented as she pointed toward the representation of Climactic Research on her map. “Lindsay reports it has decrdeased in size, and it is clear there is no famine due to the farms and forests we know are in the area. The question is, where will this pod go? We have already claimed territory here,” she said, pointing to where the former crew was building a road and a sensor. “They can’t build a base there anyway since there is a huge wall of fungus between Climatic Research and our territory.”

“They could go south,” Sven said. “There is a small connection of land here,” he said, pointing at a small isthmus west of Uranium Flats. “He could send the pod there, and there are a few places where a colony could be created.”

“Could he take the Flats from us?” Ling asked.

“No. Song of Planet has establishd our hold, but he could poach some territory along the western side of the Flats from us.”

“Can we do anything about it?” she asked.

“Not really,” he mused. “We don’t have any extra scouts, and our colony pods are already allocated. We won’t be expanding into that area for a good long time. My only concern is that he might poach twice by placing a colony, then another further into our territory. Then he might be able to take part of the Flats.”

“We can’t allow that,” Ling said, frowning.

Sven only nodded, even if he had no idea what they could do about it without war.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2143

Ivan walked down the main street of the Dawn of the Planet. Beside him and behind were his cadre of aides or personal guards. He had decided to look in on the research being done by the scientists at the main labs. Cha had been spending more time each month as the research begin to reach a breakthrough. He had tried using the net to access the project files but some, in fact, many had been locked out under alpha clearance. Only Cha had alpha clearance so what was he hiding. Byram and Lance had been dead ends or so they said. But Ivan suspected the Master Caretaker of knowing more than he said. Since taking control of Cult resource management he had quietly and effectively reorganized the system and imposed a very efficient infra-structure, one that Ivan had to admire. Many of his loyal supporters found themselves thrown out leaving him little influence to no control at all on the day to day things he once controlled. At one time that control had gained him a lot of power and influence when the Prophet was in the wilderness and now the Master Caretaker had it all. Ivan turned the corner and reached the lab entrance. At the entrance stood a guard.

"Move aside I have business inside." Commanded Ivan.

"I am sorry Ranger One, but on the Prophets order only those on my list are allowed access into the labs. In fact, your name is on the restricted list of people who are not allowed." Replied the guard .

"Let me see!" Ivan snarled back.

Ivan snapped the clipboard from the guards hands and scanned the names. There were eight names on the access list and the only name specifically listed on the restricted side was his. Damn the Prophet!

Ivan throw the clipboard back into the hands of the guard. What made it all the more humiliating was the fact that normally security was handled by the Rangers but the guard was a Guide, under Byram Sungs' control. Damn, Damn, Damn! He knew now for sure now that both The Master Guide and Master
Caretaker had lied to him.....

*~*~*~

North of Flower’s Preach, MY 2144

“So, how long have we been out here?” Faroque said.

“Four years,” Marlin grunted as he wheeled the terraformer about to remove more of the rocky outcrop.

“Good thing the newbie former crew from Preach showed up. It’ll speed up gettin’ this rock pulled out a lot. This nutrient lode is almost uncovered now, isn’t that great?”

“Yup,” Marlin said, longing for a silence that he knew would never come.

“Now, what did the Landing tell us we were supposed to plant here?”

“A forest,” he said, as he had said several thousand times – in the last week.

“Well, that aught to be nice!” Faroque said as he turned a few of his remotes to tackle a particularly difficult granite formation in sector 23, and a few haulers to process soil and from the valley and rock flower from the crushers.

“Where’re we going next?” he asked after a very brief pause.

“Don’t know,” was the simple reply.

There was a short pause while Faroque thought of something else to say.

“Say, want to see my boil?” Faroque asked.

Marlin would have screamed if it would have helped.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2144

Shari Moon had traveled for several turns with Delta and believed that she knew all that one could know about the native life of planet until she saw "it". Delta had become agitated as they moved southwards over the wilderness and as far as Shari could tell for no reason. The small team of candidates and support people followed behind at a discreet distance. The more time Shari spent with Delta the more she only liked to spend time with other guides so it suited her just fine to have them back there. However, as they crested a small hill and began to go down Delta suddenly turned and moved northwards in a circular pattern and as Delta rounded the hill that is when she saw "it". It was so alien it made a worm mass seem normal. It was circular at the base with small tendrils at the base that could only be called feet. The creature had a solid form, unlike the worms, and at the top it sprouted what could only be called tubes that were flaying about. Delta moved forward and Shari felt the pulse as Delta began to summon its power to attack the creature. The creature began to tremble and pulse and moved to attack as well. The problem with all of this was that the small group of support people had set-up camp, since it was getting late in the day, and were now in the middle of the creatures attack path. Shari knew she could not re-call Delta so she keyed her comm-link.

"Get out you fools, RUN!!" She screamed into the link. She began to run to try and keep pace with Delta who now was at full speed and firing psychic blasts at the creature. Suddenly, one of the cooks began to scream in horror while jumping up and down. Shari slowed a bit to see the man suddenly run towards the creature and fall in front of it on his knees.

"Stop, please stop DELTA! Your are killing Gorm!" He cried at the top of his lungs.

Shari picked up the pace again and ran till she reached the spot where Delta had stopped only a few feet in front of the cook and the creature. The creature had settled and seem to have shrunk and the hose like tendrils at the top were caressing the man.

"Shari Moon, this is Gorm. He is my friend." The cook said.

Shari stood for a few more minutes and then reached for her comm-pad at her wrist and punched in the code to signal Byram.

"Byram, this is Shari Moon, over!" After a few minutes the comm-link barked back.

"Shari, this is Byram. What is the situation."

"Master Sung, I think you had better link the Prophet in on this because I doubt either of you will believe me until you see what I am looking at now...

*~*~*~*

Dreams of Green, MY 2145

Sven toggled on an overhead display, which winked to life. It showed a schematic of the eastern portion of University and the western portion of Gaian territory. Climatic Research with its perimeter defense figured prominently, and to its east was the Great Fungal Wall, the eastern edge of which marked the beginning of Gaian lands. A former was working there to build a road for a new colony site. Southwest of Climatic Research was formerly unused land. A new icon showed up there – a city called Mandelev College.

“Well,” Sven said to Ling, “they did it. Lindsay reports that Crazy Zak has built his new colony about where we thought he might.” He pointed to the new city.

Ling bent closer to examine the city, and then touch activated a detail display that pulled up some of the survey data they had on the area.

“Not a great place for a base,” she said.

“No, but they can fix that. There is at least one terraformer in the area that is building farms and roads. They’ll have the city up and running in no time.”

She touch activated a time index to see where the natural borders between the Gaians and University had been before and after the base had been constructed. “Hmmm. Didn’t change as much as we thought.”

“Right. What it did do is give Zak the ability to build a base here,” he said, pointing to the western edge of the Uranium Flats. “If they do that they can claim a third of the Flats before we can post a base there.”

Ling looked up from the display at Sven. “Any evidence they are moving a colony there?”

“Not yet. Lindsay is keeping an eye on it, but she can only do so much. This new base also opens up our territory for infiltration since we have no resources east of Mandelev college. That could be a problem.”

“When can we fix that?” Ling asked.

“Not any time soon. We are finishing a recycling tank soon, and Landing has told us our next project will be a colony pod or maybe a laser speeder. It all depends on the tactical situation. Regardless, we can’t get any resources down there.”

“Too bad our Unity speeder was destroyed by mindworms,” Ling said, almost to herself. “Would have been useful now.”

“Yes, it would have. Who would have thought it would fail in its attack on a worm? A damn shame,” Sven replied.

“I’ll bet we regret that bad luck soon.”

Sven nodded, and they both returned to the strategic display to look for angles.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2145

Cha was monitoring a lecture given by a new professor. He rarely watched these but the topic was too intriguing for him not too, "Planet older than we think". The lecture was nearly over when the young academic seemed to break from the prepared speech and switch to something new.

"As I have stated, Planet is much older than we expected. Our science is not complete on this subject but from all indications so far it could four to five times older than earth, perhaps even more. What is most intriguing about this is some rare fossil samples that I have uncovered indicating the possibility of a life form, possibly a sentient life form. If this was the case how far did they evolve. If they did become a dominate force on the planet why did they not use up the very abundant resources found on planet.

What is most striking from the sites I have studied is that some of the mineral and nutrient areas look to be as old as the planet. So how could a civilization ever prosper without tapping into these resources. These are just some of the many questions my feeble research has brought up so far. I wish now to ask you to turn to page 114 of the hand-out and..."

Cha turned off the feed and thought about this for a long while. Could there have been a previous society and civilization on Planet. If so, what did they use instead of the naturally appearing resources that seemed so abundant.

Cha hit his comm-link. "Ivan, I wish to have Professor Markus Flower transferred to my staff effective immediately. He is to be given the space in the new annex to the network node at colony two. He will have gamma computer clearance and report only to me from now on. Prophet out."

If this man was correct the secrets to building a greater society, a society in harmony with Planet, might be locked away some where on planet waiting for him....

*~*~*~*

Dreams of Green, MY 2146

Sven was smiling. “They finally approved it! Our proposal went through!”

Ling looked up. “Really? When are the credits coming?”

“Within a few weeks! Then we’ll be able to trade the resources to finish the recycling tanks! This moves our production schedule ahead at least four or five years, not to mention the bonus that time and the extra resources the tanks will give us. We’re in business!” he said.

“That complicates our lives, you know,” Lind commented.

“Oh?”

“We don’t have the time to figure out what to propose for our next building project. The nutrient lode to the north has finally been stripped of its fungus, but it won’t be productive until there’s a forest planted. So, until that becomes available we still have a pretty limited resource base. What do you suggest?”

“Another former?” he said, skeptical of his own answer.

Ling thought about it. “No. We already have seven formers working since Time replaced the one destroyed by worms. They’re always busy, but we only have so much room to expand. What about another laser infantry?”

“Pretty useless. They can’t go anywhere, and they really couldn’t defeat anything or take a pounding since they have no armor. I like the idea, though. Maybe a laser speeder?”

“Hmmm. I think we can convince Landing of that since our Unity speeder bit the dust. Too bad we can’t convince them to invest in some military or defensive technology – they are so high-minded. If they were on the front line against Crazy Zak like we are they might change their mind.”

“You might be right. Still, I wonder if they don’t have a big plan,” Sven said.

“Maybe they do. I can’t see it, though.”

“Me either. Dinner?”

“Sure,” she said as they walked out of their cramped ‘tactical’ room, that also served as den for them.

[Hydro]

Cult, MY 2146

Cha walked into the lab with Ivan, Lance and Byram following a few feet behind. Cha had asked them to join them today to see the completion of the work on the advanced network/holographic interface.

"As you can, the work is done. We will switch the resources we have already accumulated next turn to the completion of this new project, the virtual world. Colony two will take up the challenge of the human genome project in a few turns once they complete their recreation center next turn and then a colony pod. I wish that we could do both projects here but that would be unwise and impractical." Cha said as they reached the center of the room and stopped in front of the prototype device.

"My Prophet, what does it exactly do?" Asked Byram.

"Master Guide, it will allow any person to create any world, any environment, any situation they would like and through the neural interface it will seem that you are actually there. For example, if you wish to create a program in which you are walking in a park back on earth the computer will generate it for you and then when you step into the chamber and place the interface helmet on it will transmit the images directly to your brain. Once inside the virtual world you can then continue to create, to add to the program by interacting with it. Once you are in the program your actions will cause the computer to continue to add to the program. Also, the more you use it the virtual world will begin to anticipate your actions and add events, people or situations to the program. It will give our people a recreational outlet unprecedented in history and it will also have tremendous scientific capabilities as well. Scientists or engineers will be able to upload their work into the virtual world and from their directly access the data. Imagine the engineer working on a new vehicle design, such as the ships we anticipate on building some day, the engineer can build the ship in the virtual world and walk inside of it, run it, test it on the open ocean and collect valuable date before it is even built!" Replied Cha.

"A masterful achievement by Prophet." Ivan said as his hands touched the chamber.

"Byram, it will be important for the duration of the project that a mind worm and its guide remain at Dawn of the Planet always. The people here will be asked to work long hours to build the working models that will be sent to each base and all of the computer equipment it will need. Until the virtual world is built some of the people might become stressed and cause problems. With the presence of a mind worm about I am sure the people will be reminded of their duty and not fall into making trouble." ordered Cha.

"My Prophet, your command will be followed. In fact, I had been thinking of stationing Gorm in the new colony being prepared now in the east. The pod should arrive in two turns and then it will only take a turn after that to get it set-up. If the colony did not have to build a garrison right away then they could devote their resources to a terra-former or even a recycling tank. Gorm's guide is nearly 50 years old and is having trouble trekking the wilderness." Byram turned to the Prophet awaiting his answer.

"That is fine Byram, very good indeed. Master Caretaker, what is your suggestion? What should be built first at colony four?"

"Terra-former, no doubt in my mind, my Prophet. Colony four will have access to both a high yielding nutrient lode and a mineral one as well. Also, as you commanded I have prepared the plan for the replacement of the fungus. The plan will replace fully 2/3 of the fungus already destroyed by forests, farms or roads. I have also worked with Master Sung and Ranger One Ivanovich so that the placement of the fungus will serve as a barrier to any possible invaders should they try to land on our islands. The fungus will prove to be an effective barrier to stall any invaders long enough for Master Guide Sung to deploy his guides and worms and Ranger One to alert the colonies garrisons for an attack." Replied the Master Caretaker.

"Excellent, most excellent. Now it is time to go and get to work."

*~*~*~*

Fallow Time, MY 2147

Terry sat down in the impromptu Council chambers at Fallow Time.

“For the record,” Terry stated, “all Council members are present: Skye, Booth, Sung, Ag’dre, and Henderson. This meeting is called to order.”

Terry paused as the other members were settling themselves in the rather small meeting room that the governor of Time had given them. They also each gave special attention to the treats and snacks the governor had thoughtfully placed there for them. Colin in particular seemed to be enjoying himself as he delicately munched some lemon sprinkles, being careful not to let to many crumbs escape from the brittle pastry. Terry didn’t partake.

“The meeting agenda is on your flimsies,” he said. A few members, including Dee, picked theirs up and gave them a quick glance. “The first order of business is a matter of discipline. It seems the trance scout stationed at Flower’s Preach has deserted their post for the better part of a year, and they have been reported derelict of duty on at least 12 occasions. The Governor Plathkee is quite beside himself, and the AWOL group has not even tried to answer calls on regular occasions. As a result, the governor has asked for a formal reprimand and that the scout group be disbanded and reconstructed. In fact…”

“They went into the fungus east of Preach, didn’t they,” Colin said between munches.

Terry looked up, annoyed at having been interrupted. “As a matter of fact, that was their last reported position.”

“That small fungal field hasn’t been explored yet, has it?” Colin asked.

“No,” Terry responded.

“Do you know if they found anything?” he asked as he carefully put the remains of his fifth lemon sprinkle on the table.

Terry’s brows furrowed. “No, I don’t”

“I do,” he said as he casually examined his fingernails for crumbs. He let the pause continue for a while.

“Out with it Colin. We don’t have time for these games,” Terry said.

“I just got a squirt from Michelle, who is a great friend of mine. She hates that officious idiot Plathkee, you know. Always butting in and giving orders,” Colin said as he looked pointedly at Terry. “Anyway, it seems they ran into a mindworm.”

That got everyone’s attention. “Was anyone hurt?” Dee asked. Her face was full of concern. They had lost a former crew and their Unity speeder in the not too distant past, and mindworms were always a threat.

Terry looked over at Dee. “Well, I don’t think so. It turned out to be rather friendly, you see, and bonded to Michelle. Isn’t that amazing?”

The news electrified the Council, and Colin put up his hands defensively as questions were hurled at him: Where are they? What did Michelle have to say? How big is it? When are they coming in? Were there more mindworms out there? How much fungus is left that we haven’t explored?

Terry sat amid the happy confusion. He muttered to himself, “You could have put that on the agenda.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2147

Byram Sung, Ivan Ivanovich and Lance Thompson walked into the council chamber single file and began to take their seats when they realized that their was now a fifth chair. They all stood their watching each other then glancing at the fifth chair, why? The doors to the Prophets private
quarters opened and Cha walked in followed by a person they had never seen before.

"Greetings my Prophet" Chimed each of the three council members.

"Welcome, pleased be seated. I want to introduce the newest member of the council, Master Seeker Evans. I am re-organizing slightly the distribution of responsibilities and duties. The Seeker Guild will be responsible for all communications and intelligence for the Cult of the Planet. His people will be responsible for maintaining lab, communications and military secrets. I know that this is a change but I am sure you all will handle it and it will work out for the best for us all." Cha said glancing around the room but his eyes always seemed to go back to Ivan.

"My Prophet, have you found dis-favor with the way the way that the Rangers have handled things?" Asked a very nervous Ivan.

"No, Ivan. But this will allow you to concentrate on your more important duties. The Rangers, the new religion, base operations. These are more important right now more than ever. The Rangers will still operate the public vid-channels they will only be monitored by the Seekers, as a
precaution, that's all." Replied a very calm and serene Cha.

"By your will, my Prophet." Ivan was clearly unhappy. Cha always seemed to make Ivan become "unglued". Always for everyone else Ivan was the rock, the blank slate, but when Cha was around it was night and day, he seemed to be always on edge, worried.

"Resources will be dedicated soon to building a strong Seeker Guild to support the Master Seekers duties but for now we need to concentrate on some other issues. First, the virtual world project has been started. We should complete it in 30 to 40 turns depending upon how soon the new bases we build can add to the resources we are already committing to the project. I have also made the following decision. With the help of the Master Guide and our scientists I now believe that we have the technology and resources to build biological labs to raise our own mind worms!"

With the exception of Byram Sung, all of the other council members were stunned by the announcement.

"It will take us time and more study, perhaps another 12 years. But at the end we should have the technology in place to begin building biological labs to raise our own mind worms. Also, a very clever scientist, whom I have rewarded with a lavish gift, has also made some very intriguing discoveries into telepathic communication! By studying the minds of the Guides who have worms under their control some very interesting areas of the mind were charted so that we can now use our minds to communicate. With the enhancement of our trance technology these same people could also "stretch" their minds out across this planet and see if there are other survivors from the Unity."

"My Prophet, surely this must be our top priority! With the discoveries we have made perhaps these others might have made other breakthroughs as well. We can exchange informa.."

"My Prophet, I am sorry to interrupt but lets not be too hasty here." The Master Seeker leaned forward over the table, "Let us gather more data before any discussion should be raised about exchanging information at least not until we have a fully developed intelligence agency to protect our secrets."

"Agreed, we are still talking of the distant future for now. Nearly 30 turns by my best calculations. So let us turn to your group reports." Cha replied. " Master Caretaker, what is your report?"

"My Prophet, I will be brief. The sensor array at colony four is nearly complete and will be on-line when the colony arrives. A new road is being built and a sensor system will also be installed for colony five that is planned to be built just south and west of Dawn of the Planet. Once the sensor systems is complete at colony four the terra-formers will remove three fields of fungus to uncover rich nutrient and mineral sectors, the third sector will be a road sector with a forest. Plans are prepared to restore two sectors of fungus to the east and west of colony four in
accordance with the master plan of fungus preservation and defense." Lance ended his report with a nod to the Prophet.

Cha waved his hand at Ivan.

"My Prophet, the new recreation center is complete at colony two. Colony two is also expected to reach population index three in several turns but when the new colony pod is done it will transfer some of those people to colony five. Dawn of the Planet is building the virtual world project and we hope to complete that in 40 or so turns. Colony three is still working on the recycling tanks and then they will also build a network node in accordance with your master plan for the virtual world. Also, fully 2/3 of the population now are members of the Planet Cult and attendance is climbing at our weekly meetings. No reports of any disturbances or problems at any of the colonies." Ivan ended his report with the customary nod of the head as well.

Cha waved his hand at Byram.

"My Prophet, Alpha remains here at Dawn of the Planet and seems to be enjoying himself very much. Last week we attended several children events to foster a greater understanding between the planet and us. By the end of the visit they all wanted to become Guides, I am proud to report." Byram's face beamed with pride.

"You have also been very busy with some of the young ladies as well, it seem our Master Guide plans on filling the ranks with his own sons and daughters." The Master Caretaker ended is reply with a hearty laugh.

"Ever since the Prophet in his wisdom many years ago ended the institution of marriage and promoted the program of communal life and interchange I am as free to spend my time and my energy with as many women as I like." Byram had turned a slight shade of red. " Now, back to business, Beta and Delta are still in the wilderness, a shrinking wilderness," Byram gave a quick stern look to Lance," Gorm is protecting the new colony pod on its travel to site for colony four. As I have agreed to Gorm and his Guide, Anderson, will stay at the colony and provide security. With Gorm's ability to attack at a distance by using his deadly spores coupled with the long range sensors of the base it should be the most secure base we have." Byram ended his report with a nod to the Prophet.

"Excellent. I will now meet with the Master Caretaker first then Ranger One then the Master Guide, I have already met with the Master Seeker earlier." Cha got up and turned to return to his private quarters.

Ivan watched them leave as well as the new Master Seeker who also seemed to be watching him from the corner of his eye. Damn the prophet to hell! Ivan got up and began to walk out wanting to catch up with the Master Seeker but when he left the room and entered the hall he was gone. Ivan looked all around and the only person, other than himself, was the Master Guide.

"Where did the Master Seeker go?" Asked Ivan.

Byram looked up from a note he was reading.

"Why, he was just here a second ago, he must have hurried off somewhere" Byram went back to reading the note.

DAMN!

*~*~*~*

Fallow Time, MY2148

“But we’re not ready yet! We just finished the rec commons, and we need to get a recycling tank on line. We are resource poor, and we can’t efficiently handle a project like the Human Genome Project! Landing has over twice the industrial output that we do. They can start any Project they want and hope to finish it. It will take us almost 50 years to get the Genome Project done!”

“Calm down Joel. Landing knows we’re resource poor, but they also know that we will grow our way out of that problem. Working on a recycling tank will take us a very long time, and the Council has decided it would be better to put those resources toward a worthy goal like the Genome Project. I might be inclined to agree with you, but I put my faith in the Council. They saw fit to start the Weather Paradigm a while ago, and now it is near completion. Everyone will benefit. The same is true with the Genome Project.”

Joel was quiet, and he looked over at the elderly Marilyn. She was a lander, one of the original settlers from Earth. Not all the landers had her calm outlook, but they certainly did have a reputation of being worldlier. Marilyn pulled a lot of weight here at Time even though she had retired from the governorship long ago.

“OK. I’ll play. The orders will go out today. I hope the Council knows what they are doing,” Joel said.

“So do I. They can’t know everything, but they have done pretty good so far. Anything else, Governor Witherspoon?”

“Nothing important. Want to help me with the paperwork?” he asked with a hopeful lilt to his voice.

“Again? No, that is one of the reasons I retired. Your assistant Bill can help. He’s young, but he’s anything but stupid. One of the first lessons I learned: delegate, delegate, delegate. You’ll have to train him, but that is your job. After all, I trained you, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did. Damn you! You set me up, that’s what you did!”

Marilyn chuckled. “Finally figured it out, eh? Took you 15 years? Maybe you’re not as bright as I thought.”

“Hmph. I got paperwork to do.” Joel got up, cycled the airlock and left.

Marilyn watched him leave, then turned her attention back to her chamomile tea, which was cold now. She sipped it anyway. No use wasting perfectly good and expensive tea.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2148

Shari Moon had just gone to sleep when the attack began. The psychic link between Delta and herself caused her to almost jump out of bed with terror and anger. Another worm had somehow been able to sneak up on the camp and now it was attacking. Some of the candidates stood their ground but the mind numbing terror forced many to flee. Shari ripped open the tent door seals and grabbed her face mask and stumbled out into the darkness. Now she could see what she already knew from the link with Delta, a rogue worm attack.

Shari could see only a little from the feeble light cast from the various tents around the perimeter. She knew where Delta was, she could sense where he was, and she began to run. She stumbled over some loose baggage that had been left carelessly on the ground and as she began to pick herself up she looked straight into the oncoming mass of the rogue worm. It was only about
20 meters away and it was gaining speed as it now seemed to be locked on her. Delta was moving to close but in the seconds for her to take all of this in she knew that Delta would arrive the same time the rogue one did. Shari closed her eyes and began to concentrate on the rogue worm, forcing her mind with all the power she had to halt the rogue worm. In seconds it hit her full on just as Delta arrived. However, the worm did not kill her. It enveloped her just like Delta did and another link was formed. Gamma was his name! Of all the wonders. The worm, Gamma, began to push on her and ingest her clothing then it explored every inch of her body, just as Delta had. Gamma entered her mind with a flood of love and devotion. How could this be, two worms with one guide? Shari reveled in the contact and soon she felt Delta joining in. The two worms joined and briefly became one and the bond was overwhelming. After a few more seconds both worms pulled back and left Shari standing their naked to the world. Shari turned and quickly ran for a tent. The night air was freezing beyond belief and she needed air. Once inside the now empty tent she found a comm-link left behind and opened a channel.

"Command, this is Shari Moon, I need a link to the Master Guide ASAP!"

[Hydro]

Song of Planet, MY 2149

“I have to say I’m impressed. Who would have thought this forest would thrive in this uranium-rich rather arid ground?” Carlisle said as he fingered some soil through his fingers. He didn’t mind doing so since he knew the dosage from this batch of soil was not especially harmful. The same could not be said for the more enriched areas.

“Mark my words. Song of Planet will be a top energy producer for us one day. We may be small now, but we can only get bigger!” his companion said.

“Cut the marketing crap. You know as well as I do that we won’t be getting much bigger any time soon. Our food production is low, and Landing has asked us to start accumulating the resources for another colony on that inviting nutrient lode southwest of here. Imagine – nutrients and an energy bonus, all in one area? My guess is that we will create the colony that will be the biggest energy producer. Technically we’re not in the Uranium Flats. We can only take advantage of some of the area.”

“Fine. Rain on my parade,” he said as he stalked off.

Carlisle called after him. “Move to the new colony. Then your statement will be true!”

Carlisle watched him leave, and didn’t envy him one bit. Being the youngest son of Lady Deirdre Skye was not what it was cracked up to be. Everyone expected so much in terms of intelligence and leadership. Jonathan had hints, but at 17 he need a bit more polishing. In fact, he needed a lot more polishing.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2149

Cha sat back in his chair and watched the screen intently. It was the map of the world as he knew it. Four colonies made up what could be the only humans that survived the disaster that befell the Unity. Dawn of the Planet, Light of the Planet, Mind of the Planet and Song of the Planet. Soon there would be a fifth colony and then a sixth. There could be no more until the learned the secrets of building ships, had the resources to build ships. Cha shifted in his chair slightly. He was now starting to feel his age, something his doctors were about to take care of, a special tissue and cell replacement therapy. The test subjects had survived the process and had show remarkable effects, aging had either reversed itself or halted depending on the age of the subject. He needed to continue his work on planet. Cha had made sure that it was not possible for him to fertilize any women. It was crucial to his master plan that no pretender could rise and change the direction of his vision. No, he saw the path, he was the path.

Cha looked back at the screen. The Master Caretaker had made Light of the Planet headquarters for the caretaker guild. The Rangers claimed Dawn of the Planet as theirs. Mind of the Planet was the guild headquarters for the guides. As for the Seekers he had still not been able to get the Master Seeker to divulge the whereabouts but since the organization, if it even had one, lacked a headquarters it most likely was operated on a ad hoc basis for now. In time, Cha would demand that the Master Seeker set up shop somewhere but for now he just appeared then disappeared. When Cha asked him last time if he needed any support staff Master Seeker Evans just laughed and said all he needed was credits, that's all. So far the Master Seeker had done a fantastic job, his reports on the workings of all the organizations of the Cult were detailed and complete.

Cha slowly rose and left the room, it was time for the first treatment...

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2150

“Lady Skye?”

Dee looked up from her reading, adjusting her bifocals down so she could see Herm, her assistant. She had objected that she didn’t need an assistant, but the rest of the Council had overruled her. This was one issue it was easier not to fight. The glasses were irritating, too.

“Yes?”

“Just got word. Our eighth base, Greenhouse Gate, was officially opened today. In record time, too, I might add!”

“Come in, Herm. Sit down,” Dee said as she put down her old-fashioned fungus fiber book. She patted a spot on the padded couch she was sitting in, beckoning him to take her place by her.

Herm stood for a moment as if unsure what to do, then walked over and sat down. His posture was straight and formal with his hands clasped in front of him.

Dee saw this and grinned a little. “Loosen up. I won’t bite!”

“Yes, Lady,” he said, his formality getting the best of him. I was hard to think of Lady Skye as a real person instead of a legend.

Dee signed. Herm would need some work.

“Can you tell me about Greenhouse Gate?” she asked. She’d already gotten a squirt on it, but wanted the opportunity to talk to her new assistant and thaw him out, as it were.

“Well, I haven’t been there, but I know it on the southeastern coast. It’s liked by road to Flower’s Preach and Virgin Soil along the eastern coast, but the roads west aren’t finished yet. Not much to say about the territory, and nothing except the road has been terraformed yet. It will take a lot of work, but I’m sure it will be great base some day!”

“Yes, I think you’re right. I’d like to visit it soon. I’ve visited all the new bases within a few months of their official opening, and I’m not going to leave Greenhouse Gate out. Could you arrange that with the officials at Greenhouse Gate? I’d appreciate it. And make sure to make arrangements so that you come too. I can always use your help.”

“Yes, Lady,” he said as he started to get up.

“Oh, Herm?” she said.

Herman turned around.

“Call me Dee. Everyone does.”

“Yes, La…Dee,” he smiled, turned and left.

Dee kept her smile as he left. Idol worship can be a good thing, but Dee was always perplexed why she was the fixture of so many as their idol. Everyone needs heroes, she reflected, but why me? All she had done was to escape from Earth, and survive for 50 years here on Planet.

By the time she finished that thought Herman had left and Dee turned back to her book: Treatise of the Bioaffinaty of Fungal Vectored, Systematic Symbiosis and its DNA Coding, by Deirdre Skye. Proofing and polishing her works was a labor of love, and she gladly spent her time off from the Council on her first love.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2150


Cha walked down the hall leading to the command center of the Planet Cult. The normal stares that usually accompanied a visit by the Prophet were now ones that held not only reverence but awe. The Ranger guards opened the doors to the command center and Cha walked in.

"Peace and good health to you all!" Cha announced as he entered.

The room was packed with all of the senior councilors and Cult administrators. The Master Guide, Seeker, Caretaker and Ranger One were all sitting at the conference table flanked by their deputies. Everyone looked on in stunned silence as Cha walked around the table and sat down. Cha had been a very young man barely into his twenties when he had been added to the scientific staff of Professor Zakhrov when the Unity mission was being planned. To this day Cha still did not understand how he got added to the list, perhaps Planet was calling for him through the vastness of space. When Cha sat down his reflection was caught in the highly polished black
stone of the table. The scientists had done a wonderful job. 30 turns of age had disappeared from his frame. His face was young and his body was no longer stiff with age. The faces of the entire command staff still held the wonders of the change.

"Please be seated, we have much work before us. As you can see I have recently returned from the rejuvenation center and much of the toils and hardships of Planet have been erased from my body. My mind is as sharp as ever and it is time to get back to work. Also, I have laid out a schedule for similar treatments for the senior command staff but it will not be as extensive as mine was. Suffice it to say some of you will see your great great grandchildren buried before you will return to the recycling tanks. The way of the Planet demands that I continue my leadership of the people. They will now for a great long time that Cha Dawn will guide them through the ages as we become one with the Planet." Cha finished holding his hands before him with his palms up as if in a blessing on them all.

Ivan continued to stare in disbelief at the Prophet. So this is where all of those extra resources had gone to. Ivan could have equipped the entire Ranger garrison units with the new trance technology in one turn for the amount of credits that had been used for Cha's rejuvenation treatment. At first he was angered but if too would partake perhaps it would not be all bad. However, those treatments were under the control of Cha, not the Rangers, making Ivan more dependent upon Cha. Damn.

"I have been told that the sensor array is complete for our fifth colony when it departs from Mind of the Planet in several more turns. How soon will we be able to have our sixth colony?" Asked Cha.

"My Prophet, it will be another decade at best. Heart of the Planet is still building a recycling tank but once the terra-formers uncover the rich nutrient and mineral deposits in that area the construction could move even quicker. However, we still face the issue that it will be the last colony we can build. There is no more room after that. Plain and simple. We need to have sea technology to move our people and colonies across the sea. To our northeast and south their is every indication from long range radar of large land masses, mountains in fact, that we can use for our purposes. But, how can we get their. We will soon complete our work on the research for the biological labs. In less than a decade it will be complete and then we can start the new guild you have requested, the Empath Guild, to be constructed. Perhaps then we can find or hope to find others that might have ship designs we can use." Lance Thompson ended his joint report of the senior command staff.

"Excellent, now I will hear from the rest of you since I will go over in more detail with the senior command staff later."...

*!*!*!*

Dreams of Green, MY 2151

“Crazy Zak did it. He extablished a base at the edge of the Uranium Flats,” Ling said, pointing at the map. “He’s encroaching on our territory.”

“Not only that. Look at this,” Sven said, pointing at the proposed Gaian base site along the land bridge between Gaian and University lands. “He’s built a road, which will link up our new base to their road system at Climatic Research.”

“Can we do anything about it? Isn’t Lindsay in that area?” Ling asked.

“Not without destroying the two University terraformers that are doing the work. I estimate that they will complete the road next year.”

“And we’ll be open to attack, overt and otherwise.”

“Yes. I’m afraid that Lindsay won’t do much good now. Most of the fungal wall is gone now, since University forests have grown through and destroyed almost all of the fungal fields.”

“Well, that puts us in a difficult spot. I hope Landing knows of this?”

“I squirted them the info this morning. They said they’ll take it under advisement.”

“They’d better. We’re defenseless, with no armor and now weapons except for a few mindworms. Who knows what Crazy Zak has cooked up.”

Sven nodded. It had not been a good day.

*!*!*!*

Cult, MYT 2151


The terraformer crew master stared out over the rolling hills that had just been cleared last week of the fungus. As a devoted follower of the new faith it had been hard, very hard for him to do what had been asked. To destroy the fungus. If the order had not been countersigned by the Prophet himself he would never had done it in a million years.

"Master Chief, new orders from the Master Caretaker himself. We are to build another farm on this sector, solar collectors and a road linking it back to the colony. When that is done, get this chief, we are to and I quote " proceed with all due haste to the sector just south of our present
location and clear the fungus from their. We are to build a road and plant saplings" end of quote. Can you believe it Master Chief? I mean the Master Caretaker must have gone out of his mind." the Master Chief's assistant sauntered over and handed him the orders.

Master Chief Williams read the message. His assistant had left out the last in which they had orders to move on after that and clear out a rich mineral load sector that was fungus covered as well. Then and only then would they re-plant more fungus to the east and south of the new colony. The Master Chief just looked at the message and then crumpled it up. He knew the computer would have the recording logged away but it did give him satisfaction to tear it up. The Master Chief and turned his back on the lush green rolling hills and looked on the scarlet beauty of the fungus. Some day, not in his lifetime for sure but some day his sons or daughter would see a planet covered in fungus in which they would live in harmony with the planet. He said a silent prayer to keep the planet pure and for it to protect the Prophet in all his work to make Planet and people of the planet one.

"Okay, lets go. We need to tell Master Chief Simmions that his crew has new orders as well. I am sure that tree hugger will be happy about the new orders. All of those earthers except for the Prophet love their old ways too much for my taste. I just hope that they are not corrupting the Prophet and giving him bad advice. Destroy more fungus, it just makes you want to cry."

Both man walked up the hill in silence.

*!*!*!*

Autumn Grove, MY 2152

Deirdre Skye was all smiles as she worked her way down the receiving line, which was very long indeed. The opening ceremony for the newest Gaian base Autumn Grove, their ninth, had spiraled out of control. Originally the planners had thought it would be a rather sedate affair, with dignitaries from nearby Song of Planet and the new leaders of Grove with a smattering of colonists from the new city.

But that was before it was known that Lady Skye was going to attend. Everyone knew she hadn’t been feeling well recently and was recovering from a trying bout of breast cancer. In the end it taken a rather severe form of treatment to eradicate the disease, and much of her lymph system had been removed.

Still, here she was, offering smiles and words of encouragement. She was rather wan and pale and thinner than was probably healthy, but her stature betrayed none of this. The citizens came up, one after another, to shake hands with the colony leaders. Dee took her place among them, and ended up forming her own impromptu receiving line as many of the colonists wanted to talk to their ‘old friend’ Dee, or just to wish her well.

At about 9:00 PM the city leaders of Autumn Grove had to rescue Dee from her admirers, so they cooked up a story about a ‘closed consultation’ they had allegedly scheduled with Dee. When they was presented to her Dee accepted the white lie for what it was. She was tired.

Saying a few more good-byes she left. Many eyes followed her.

The party went on without her.

*!*!*!*

Cult, MY 2152


Byram Sung walked down the corridor from his latest conquest. Garrison duty had been good to him, almost too good. The rejuvenation treatments had done wonders for him, just wonders. His stamina had returned along with many other things. He had become very famous for his claim in being the father of nearly 43 children. Of those 43 nearly half were enrolled in the Guide Guild and soon more to come. All the better. Byram continued to walk down the hall and as he approached the door he began to feel as if someone was watching him. His psychic abilities had become sharpened over the years and he now knew when he was being watched. He turned the corner and then jumped back only to see an empty corridor.

Damn. He thought, he now must be getting really bent from old age.

He quickly turned the corner again and there stood the Master Seeker.

"By the Planet you have got to stop doing that. I mean you nearly gave me a heart attack from that. I think I now know how Ranger One feels about your quick departures."

"I am sorry but I must be careful. I suggest that you go to the med-labs at once. I have every reason to believe that someone might be trying to kill you." The black clothed seeker remarked in a calm manner.

"What in the Planet are saying. I feel great! Never better." Replied Sung. He began to turn and circle around the Seeker when he suddenly started to feel sick. His knees began to buckle.

"Too late it seems. I just discovered myself that the women you slept with was hired by agents unknown to us to kill you. She must have transmitted the poison during your visit." The seeker braced the Guide up and began to help him down the hall.

"But why?" Croaked Byram.

“That is what I am trying to find out. I am sure your partner is already dead since I have had to help you rather than get to her."

"But why?" Byram began to slump. The Seeker hoped the poison would not work as fast as this. Suddenly the wall at the end of hall crashed in and a huge mind worm began to ooze through the crack. It stopped inches from Byram and began to wiggle under him and left him up.

"Byram if you can still hear me command your worm to go to the med-lab. I have medics on hand to help." Suddenly the worm began to thrash and moved out at high speed in the direction of the med-labs.

The Master Seeker stood their for a few minutes and keyed in some information that would be transmitted to the med-team. He walked back down the hall and opened the door to the room Byram had been in. Sure enough during the time he spent helping Byram someone had sneaked in and killed the women in a very sloppy but quick fashion. Blood was still pumping from the slash across her throat, she had only seconds now.

Evans kneeled down and asked the women who had done this.

"One" She answered and died.

A mystery, a puzzle but one he would figure out. This had been too sloppy, unprofessional, the mark of amateurs. They had not anticipated even the simple things something a professional would have caught right away. So, there were some kids on the block that wanted to play rough. Well, they would soon learn their lesson. Evans stepped into the hall and reached up into a dark space just above the door. He pulled down a small camera and pocketed it. He would see, he would see.

[Hydro]

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2153

“Our current population?” Colin asked.

“Over 13,000 and rising,” Terry responded. “All things considered, that is pretty extraordinary.”

“And Zak?” Dee asked.

“We don’t know. We can see two of his bases, which have a total population of 3000. It is not clear what bases he has to the west, and he hasn’t allowed any of our people to that area. To be fair, we haven’t allowed any of his into our territory either. It’s a standoff.”

“Until he sends troops, that is,” Hendrickson said. It was the ugly truth that no one wanted to say.

Terry didn’t miss a beat. “Dee, what was Zak’s last response to our overtures?”

“He declined to trade technology, and wasn’t interested in anything more than a truce. He did want us to declare war against the Cyborgs. Of course I declined.”

“Hmmm. Sounds similar. How about Aki?” Terry asked.

“She was much less hostile than she was in the past, but wasn’t interested in technology trades. She did want us to give her Secrets of the Human Mind for free. I declined.”

“Good. Seems we have rather unfriendly neighbors. Colin, how goes the Weather Paradigm?”

“Well,” he said, drawing out the moment, “we should be done in two years. Unfortunately, our technological breakthrough will be in three, so we can’t reallocate resources.”

“A shame,” Terry said. “Any other business?”

“No. I move we adjourn,” Colin said.

Hendrickson said, “Second.”

“Voice vote. All in favor?” Terry asked.

A chorus of ayes followed.

“Meeting adjourned. Same time next month,” Terry said as the others on the Council moved toward the airlock.

*!*!*!*

Cult, MY 2153


Cha walked through the nursery slowly and with the purpose. He looked out among all of the new born babies and could feel the surge he had long hoped for. He walked down to the end and looked into the eyes of a small new born baby. The card that was attached to the crib indicated the parents were both of the caretaker guild and this was their third child. Cha reached down and picked the little girl up and held her and in that second his mind exploded. Here was a kindred spirit a child of the planet! Someone else that could sense the bonds between planet and human.

"This child will come to live with me. Inform the parents that the child died of fungus spores that leaked into the nursery. Have the death certificate signed off and inform them that the body was taken to the tanks immediately. I will contact them myself and visit them to ease their grief. Take this child to the special room I had prepared years ago and inform no one of this. For now this is our secret." Cha turned and walked from the room and left.

Master Seeker Evans walked to the spot Cha had been standing in and keyed a message into his wrist pad. Within minutes two of his agents arrived and the Master Seeker explained to them what needed to be done. They quickly went about their work removing the tag and overriding the computer system records so that it all appeared as the Prophet wanted. The blacked clothed Seeker reached down and picked up the child and smiled at it.

The heir to the throne! It had taken over fifty years for someone else to be born with the special genetic trait that allowed a person to be in "tune" with the Planet. Evans knew already that the child would be groomed from now until the time came for Cha to pass on the mantle of rulership. Their would be no democracy ever for the people of the Planet. The new faith would bind them to Cha and this heir until the end of time. Perhaps what the Prophet did not know was that the Master Seeker would make sure that he would become this childs tutor, mentor, as Merlin was for Arthur, the Master seeker would be for this child. He turned and left the room with the child in his arms....

*!*!*!*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2154

The headlines read: Weather Paradigm Complete!

The major research effort, which was orders of magnitude larger than any other Gaian investment to date, had finally borne fruit – a deeper understanding of Planet and how it works. Benefits were likely to be immediate, and significant: rainfall condensers, raising and lowering land, faster construction of farms, forests, and sensors.

Already formers were on the way to do just that – make more land. The University had penned them in the west, and the sea had penned them in to the north, south, and east. The lack of land was no longer the issue, and it might even be possible to link their land to islands that might be possible in the uncharted seas.

But the question: what to do now? What research was needed? Technology to explorre the sea? Explore planet?

No. This triumph of understanding is followed by more mundane concerns – defending what the Gaians had gained. Orders went out – construct a Command Center at Dreams of Green, block University scouts in their territory, stationing units in University lands if need be, focus on prototyping needed hardware, and research military offensive and defensive technology.

Would it be enough? Time would tell.

*!*!*!*

Cult, MY 2154


The colony pod team was nearing their future home. Just one more sector to go and then they could set-up Dreams of the Planet, the fifth colony of the people of the Planet. The colony team leaders hoped that the would be given a Guide and a worm for protection as well but so far no response from the Prophet. This had begun to worry many of the colonists but the committee of
three reminded each person who brought it up that Dawn of the Planet and Mind of the Planet had Guides with worms just three sectors away, there was nothing to fear. Also, they still felt that the Prophet would employ the same strategy as before and station a worm at Dreams of the Planet first allowing them to build a terra-former first and military hardware second.

Life for those brave souls who dared to take the challenge and seek a new life was a wonder to behold. All of them had different reasons for leaving. For one family it had been the loss of their new born daughter to fungus spores that had driven them to a new life. Shortly after the loss of their daughter the Prophet himself had visited them and provided comfort and understanding for them. He suggested that they should make a new start, a new life and asked them if they would like to leave to get away from the loss of such a deep blow. They had agreed and the Prophet had given their family a new name, Windriders, and ordered that their old names and records were to be destroyed forever as a sign of their new beginning. It had been a momentous moment for them all. Especially when the Prophet had chosen new names for the children as well and offered each of them the choice into any guild that they wished when they came of age.

The Prophet was understanding, generous and loving.

*!*!*!*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2155

Colin leaned forward, and his voice was almost pleading. “I won’t accept that. We can be true to our goals and protect ourselves. We do not have to spend the next decade or so researching Impact weapons! Are we going to become a warlike society, one that spends its resources to intimidate and conquer its neighbors, like the Americans did just before and after they became a Christian fundamentalist theocracy? I say no. The University hasn’t made any aggressive moves against us…”

“Except that they stole territory from us at the Uranium flats, and the small detail that they declared war against us for no reason,” Terry said in monotone.

“Old history,” Colin said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “But what have they done lately? Nothing! Zak hasn’t been overly aggressive against us, and I believe that if we treat him fairly he will come around. We can spend our hard-earned research on development! And maybe help him out, to our benefit, since he loves technology so much.”

Angie Hendrickson sat with her arms crossed across her chest. “I’d like to agree with you, Colin, but a lot of ‘what ifs’ are going through my head, such as: what if Zak develops even basic weaponry and uses it against us? What will we be able to do? You may not have noticed, but we have no significant defensive – none! Our two mindworms will not be able to defend us against a concerted attack. Imagine a squad of impact speeders – what could they do against us? It isn’t difficult to imagine. Our scouts wouldn’t last long, and we would have to choose between submission and a futile fight to the finish. Think of University armies marching into Gaia’s Landing. No, Colin. We have to have some defense.”

Colin saw he had lost even Angie. His last hope was Dee, and he looked toward her.

Dee was slow to respond. “I appreciate your position Colin,” she said deliberately as Colin deflated. He knew what was coming. “But we have to provide for some defense. We can’t seem to get any armor on line, so we have to consider offensive weaponry. So I agree with Terry’s proposal to focus our research resources toward NonLinear Mathematics.”

Colin was defeated, and when the Council vote was taken he was the lone dissenter.



*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2155

Byram Sung knocked on the door to the Prophets inner sanctum. The Prophets aide had told him to go right in but he still knocked anyway before he opened the door.

"Come in Byram." The sweet voice of the Propet called him in.

Byram opened the doors and entered the inner sanctum of the Prophet. There was no furniture to speak of. Hundreds of pillows of various sizes all made from fungus cloth were scattered about the room. Byram walked across the room to where the Prophet was sitting in a lotus position and knelt before him.

"My Prophet, it seems Shari Moon encountered a worm in the wilderness but could not bring about a bond. She had her second worm Gamma with her and was able to destroy it but for the first time ever the battle was not so easy. Gamma was badly mauled during the conflict and is injured. Shari thinks it took nearly 50% damage before destroying the larger worm. After feeding on the destroyed remains Shari's Gamma doubled in size and the Planet pearls we recovered were double the usual amount." Reported Byram.

"This is troubling indeed. Why should planet react so. I have not received any feelings of pain or injury we have caused." Cha seemed to respond in a trance like manner.

"I have been told that the forests did spread again in the wilderness. The road was completed linking Heart of the Planet with the other colonies and the small forest to the south seems to have spread to their. I was troubled by this news. I know the plan is to reclaim some of the land, to restore it, but it can not come too soon." Replied Byram.

"We must stick to the plan. I know it is difficult but we must get the site ready for colony six and clear the two sectors of fungus that have the rich mineral loads. Also a few farms have to be built." Byram had begun to cringe even more at these words.

"Byram, you know of the plan, this is not new to you." Scolded the Prophet.

"I know, but still, it will be nearly 20 turns before we can begin to start the restoration of the fungus."

"YES, I know! But what would you have me do Byram!" Shouted the Prophet.

"I am sorry my Prophet. You of all others know the pain of Planet and the true dream for us all."

"And that is why, for now, we need to build these things. In time, and it will not be that long, it will pass in the blink of an eye. We will restore fully double the fungus we have cleared. The map you have worked out for the fungus restoration is fine work. And once it is restored the Master Caretaker has sworn to preserve it. But for now some areas have to be cleared so that in the future others can be restored." The Prophet rose and took Byram's head in his hands and kissed the crown of his head.

"Be in peace and serve Planet with all of your heart." The Prophets words were as a command.

"All praise to you my Prophet. Through the Prophet we will be become one with the Planet." Replied Byram and he rose and left the room.

Cha sank back down into the cushions and worried that perhaps expansion for the purpose of building a greater Planet people was beginning to take its toll. Six colonies was all they could build without massive damage to the planet. NO, they would find other means, other lands to colonize. The Empath Guild project was almost ready to begin. The resources already accumulated at Mind of the Planet would allow the completion of the project in a very short while. The Virtual world was only 32 turns away from completion now and perhaps sooner once Dawn of the Planet reaches 3000 citizens in just four more turns. The small earpiece that was linked to his child's room reported that Eve was awake and hungry. Cha rose and entered the secret room and walked over the crib that held the small child. She was very hungry. Cha reached into the small cabinet and pulled from it the bottle of worm milk. Actually it was an excretion from the worms that the Guides used to provide emergency food or energy when needed. Cha had ordered all worms to be "milked" and the juice to be sent to him. Many thought it was for him, a rumor he wanted to keep alive for now.

"How is she today my Prophet?"

Cha turned and saw his most trusted aide walk in, the Master Seeker.

"She is fine and has a fine voice today. I intend to work with her outside today in the fungus patch. Make sure all prying eyes are kept at a distance." Commanded the Prophet.

"By your will, my Prophet."

Cha turned back and fed Eve her bottle. Yes, working with her was very rewarding. Already she showed signs of her abilities far beyond anything he could do. Yes, she truly would be "Eve" in all things but first he must build her a paradise to live in, to rule in....

*~*~*~*

Dreams of Green, MY 2156

Governor Ling stepped out of the shadows and walked toward Deirdre Skye. She had an eager look on her face.

“Well, do you believe him?”

Dee thought about it for a second. “Yes, I do. I’m going to recommend to the Council that we agree to Zak’s proposal. I think its worth our files on the Secret of the Human Brain to get Sheng-Ji Yang’s communication frequency. They could be useful to Zak’s people, and I’d like to talk to Unity’s former head of security. I’m happy he still lives.”

Ling was impatient. “But what about his other proposals? You can’t agree to them can you?”

Dee looked up at Ling. “Of course I am. Zak offered us a treaty of friendship, and I’m going to accept. It could be a new beginning for us. I’m also going to recommend we pull our troops out of his territory after we cement the agreement as an act of good will. I know I’d be upset if University troops had been in our territory as long as we have been in his.”

Ling crossed her arms across her chest. “He wouldn’t trade technology, you know. He flatly refused, saying something about us ‘Stamping out all legitimate research’! What sh*t! He demands technology and refuses to trade in return? Is that the mark of a friend?”

“No, it isn’t,” Dee replied. “But the fact he is talking to use is better than before. Plus, did you notice he let a few other details slip?”

Ling was still obstinate, but her eyebrows arched a little. “No.”

Dee smiled a little. “He hinted his society was a planned democracy when he said ‘my ordered economy’ and ‘recent elections’. He is much more advance in that sphere than we are, and he will reap those rewards. He also bragged that his population was ‘an order of magnitude larger than we started’, which is a clear indication he has about 10,000 people in his care, or maybe a bit more.”

“We have over 16,000, so he shouldn’t brag that much,” Ling stated.

“He doesn’t know that,” Dee said. “And we have some advantages he doesn’t, although giving him Secrets may give him an overall edge. Still, it was worth it, and I’m sure the Council will agree.”

“Don’t trust him, Dee. Keep your guard up,” Ling said. There was a plaintive tone to her voice now, almost a pleading. “We have too much to lose.”

Dee stood up form the holo consol and looked Ling in the eye. She reached out and touched her hand. “I won’t. We’re researching military technology now, just in case.”

”I bet Colin had kittens,” Ling said.

Dee nodded, remembering his heart-felt pleas.

“Get it done soon. Our Command Center will be done, and ready when you give the order. If Crazy Zak gets out of line we’ll teach him a lesson.”

“I hope it won’t come to that. Maybe we’ll be friends.”

“Maybe,” Ling responded, “but a little insurance isn’t a bad idea.”

“No. Thanks for the hard work. Say hello to Lindsay when she gets in from the fungus.”

Ling nodded, and Dee got up to leave.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2156

Dreams of the Planet was the newest colony for the people of the Planet. It was rumored that the Prophet himself would come and hold a special service in the fungus fields to the south. The base was nearly a year old but the committee was well pleased with the work that had been done already. To the north a farm and solar collection station were being built but until it was built they would have to make do with what the forest to the north and what it provided and of course, the fungus. The planet people could be proud of their accomplishments. Over 9,000 souls made up the people of the Planet. They had five bases with a sixth base pod about to be set for construction. If it were not for the shortage of land, the people would have all that they want. The committee had been warned by the command council that the Prophet was only a few turns away from ordering a new transformation, a new beginning for the Planet people. The Prophet had worked up new laws and customs and with the aid of technology the people of the Planet would adopt a green economic model that would bring about a harmonious union with the Planet. The committee could hardly argue with the wisdom of the Prophet. When the Prophet had landed with the firsts they were all but wiped out by the vicious attacks of the mind worms. Of the nearly 1,000 people who landed with the Prophet fully a third of them were claimed by the planet. If it had not been for the wisdom, the guidance, the power of the Prophet they would not be here even now setting up the newest colony. All praise to the Prophet!

[Hydro]

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2157

“Excuse me. Chairman Yang, I trust you are doing well,” Dee said after her pointed correction by the stern faced figure facing her on the holo projector. He looked much like he had on Unity to Deirdre, with the possible exception that his eyes were more hooded and obscure, if that was possible. Dee trusted her instincts with people and how she dealt with them, but with this older Sheng-Ji she was unsure and her ‘gut’ didn’t tell her anything.

“I require technology from you, Lab Assistant Skye, to aid our workers in their struggles against this planet. You will give me Centauri Ecology, which I have been led to believe you are withholding from the rest of us,” the Chairman stated after Deirdre’s interrupted introduction.

Dee bristled a little at the contempt in his voice. So, he wasn’t going to be civil. Very well. She put on a sweet smile and leaned forward toward the holo emitter so that her vestige would grow. “I would be happy to give you Secrets if you will repay our trust with some technology of your own, such as Doctrine: Loyalty, which Zakharov mentioned you had developed. It would be…”

“Out of the question. The Hive cannot trust you with such sensitive information. You will turn over to The Hive your information at once, Assistant. You are putting the lives of hundreds in peril by your irresponsible actions. Do I make myself clear?”

“Very,” Dee said as she leaned away from the emitter. “I’m sorry, but I must take this up with the Gaian Council, and I very much doubt that they will agree to your demands. If you change your mind I am willing to listen. But consider this: your intransience is denying your people the technology to build and use terraformers, which we have found to be most useful. In 50 years they have partially transformed our land. I suggest that you take the interests of your people to heart.”

Dee terminated the unpleasant conversation, and had the pleasure of a brief flicker of surprise on Yang’s face as his image winked out. Evidently he was not used to being cut off.

Deirdre was in a sour mood. No one on Planet was friendly. The obscure Cyborgs were led by the erratic Aki, who was alternatively neutral or obstinate even with their friendship treaty. Zakharov’s first reaction on meeting was to declare war, and then have a cold war until recently. And now Yang was even more unpleasant than those two. It would be nice if at least one reasonable person lead some of the Unity survivors.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2157

Cha walked slowly down the line of Rangers that stood at attention. The last thing for him to do while visiting the new colony at Dreams of the Planet was a review of the garrison. This was no normal garrison though, each one had been fitted out with the latest trance helmets to protect them from mind worm attacks. The unit was still green but it was getting better, or so Cha was told by Ranger One. The investment in the new technology was minimal since production had caught up and the kinks had been worked out. Still, they were still behind in getting the other colonies garrisons equipped but with the mind worms also garrisoned it made the priority a bit lower since the worms could help in any defense.

"My Prophet, it has been a great honor for us with your visit, are you sure you must leave?" One of the Committee members from Dreams of the Planet asked.

"Yes, I have a very special project I have to attend to back at Dawn of the Planet. Something that requires my attention, so I am unable to stay for any length of time. We are only two turns from completing our research into a new field of study. From it we will be able to build labs that we can raise our own mind worms and I have plans to add a new guild, the Empath Guild. Also, we will begin our great work as a society to transform it into a green economic model. Which should bring all of us into a greater union with Planet." Cha replied.

"All praise to the Prophet." Chanted all three of the committee members.

*~*~*~*

Last Rose of Summer, MY 2158

“And with this I formally open our newest base, Last Rose of Summer! I have to congratulate all the engineers, planners, and colonists for their hard work. You are a credit to our people, and your hard work makes us all stronger! Congratulations to all of you!”

Colin raised his hands as the cheers from the crowd swelled. This was the tenth Gaian base, and with it the total population had swelled to 18,000.

Although he didn’t say it, Colin saw that this base was marginal at best. There was little land for development since it was at the southeastern edge of the Gaian lands. If it grew it would have to share resources with Greenhouse Gate and Flower’s Preach since they were only three sectors away from each other. It was likely that it would get most of its resources from the sea, and that wouldn’t happen for a long time since they didn’t and wouldn’t have any significant sea technology for a long time.

But those concerns were for the far future. Right now the colonists were celebrating, and there was plenty of land for all.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2158

Cha walked among the new saplings and stared in wonder. Just a turn ago this entire sector just west of Dawn of the Planet was covered in the soft, welcoming crimson fungus. Now the nearest fungus patch was over two sectors away. Tears started welling up in Cha's eyes and he began to cry. All gone.

"My Prophet, I am truly sorry this has happened." Master Caretaker Thompson said. " I assure you once we can we will burn out all of this and return it to its natural state."

The Master Caretaker was a few steps behind Cha with the some of his senior staff. They had been ordered by Cha to accompany him to this sector and review the devastation that the forests and brought. The Master Caretaker and the Caretaker Guild had learned a great deal about the planet, fungus and the ecology of the planet. It turns out that the tree saplings developed by Cha and his bio-engineers were too good. They had been able to adapt the earth seeds to their new environment and the ecology of the planet. What they had not anticipated was the rate of growth the trees could reach and the means by which they spread. It also turns out the fungus itself was very fragile in some respects. When the tree seeds began to land the seeds actually consumed the fungus and provided a rich growth medium for them. This had allowed rapid growth in those sectors that had fungus in them. This research had also been very important to the work being done on the plans for switching to a "green" or "Planet friendly" economic model.

"Master Caretaker I am charging you and your entire guild with the task to preserve the remaining fungus fields. THEY MUST NOT FALL!!" Commanded Cha who then turned and strode back to the land rover to return to command.

The Master Caretaker gathered up his deputies and herded them back to the land rovers. He had plans, important plans to begin.

*~*~*~*

North of Gaia’s Landing, MY 2159

Dee and the rest of the Council, and assorted dignitaries, stepped out of their speeders. It had been a grueling three-day ride over semi-improved land and forests but now they were here at the land ‘reclaimed’ sea.

Dietrich, the head engineer, secured his breather and then started talking. “The two formers completed the ground raising just three weeks ago using the insights we gained from our research on the Weather Paradigm. Four new sectors of land were created, three of which will be available to Landing. The last is too far north. That isn’t the only interesting part though. Look through your binoculars to the north and northwest. What do you see?”

The Council members dutifully pulled up their binoculars, which had been thoughtfully provided by the project team. One by one they scanned the horizon, sweeping back and forth.

Dietrich waited patiently with a grin on his face.

“Hey!” Colin exclaimed. He had focused in on something. “Aren’t those the two Unity pods we sighted in the ocean? They’re on land now!”

“Yes they are, and they’re now available for inspection, if the Council deems it prudent to do so,” Dietrich said. He seemed rather satisfied for himself.

“So,” Dee said slowly, “not only are we making new land available for colonization, but we also can investigate the Unity pods without having to have sea technology?”

“That’s correct,” Dietrich said.

“Let’s do it! Send a scout out immediately!” Colin said. He was getting positively excited at the prospect of finding what was in those pods.

“Wait a moment,” Terry interjected. “Let’s think about this for a moment. It would be better if we held them in reserve, and then investigated them when we could respond to any…unfortunate incident that might occur. These pods have been there a long time. They might be infested with mindworms, or something else even worse. I say we raise some more land, establish a new base next to the pods to survey them thoroughly, and then open them. It will take longer, but I thing the results are more likely to be positive.”

“I agree,” Hendrickson said, “they’ve waited for almost 60 years. A few more years won’t hurt.”

Colin was getting agitated. Dee noticed this, “Lets table this until the next Council.” She turned toward Dietrich. “You’ve done a tremendous job, and I want to congratulate you and your entire team. You’ve shown us we made the right choice in completing the Weather Paradigm instead of the Human Genome Project. I hope you can continue your efforts. Please present the Council your team’s recommendation on how to proceed. We’ll act on it immediately.”

Dietrich was clearly pleased. “We’ll get on it right away Lady Skye.”

“Dee,” she said. “Call me Dee. Everyone does.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2159

Cha stepped into the labs and walked up to the team of scientists that had been the leaders for this research project.

"Is it done?" Cha questioned.

"Greetings and all praise to you Prophet." chanted the group. "Yes, my Prophet, we are done!" exclaimed the lead scientist.

"Report!" commanded Cha.

"We will complete the research by the end of the turn. The candidates have all been selected for the special talents we need. In about 28 turns we should have a group of people, with the aid of the mind projectors, to scan the entire planet and search for anyone who is out there. Also, Professor Applewhite completed the work on the mind worms and we should be able to begin building a lab at either Heart of the Planet or Light of the Planet to raise our own mind worms." The lead scientist turned over the report to Cha and bowed.

"Excellent work. The planet will reward your work. I can also assume that the recommendations have been completed as well for transforming our society's economic emphasis into a "green" mode?" Cha asked waiting for the answer.

"Yes my Prophet. The study was sent to all of the command council and the Master Caretaker and Ranger One will be the leaders on it to make sure all aspects are put into place." Replied another scientist.

"Good. For now all aspects of the Empath Guild are to be sent to me and only me. I have a candidate in mind to head up the Guild but she is not of age yet or her mind trained enough to assume control. I doubt anyone will mind my temporary control of the Guild, do you?" Cha asked in a tone that indicated it would not.

"My Prophet, what is our next task?" Asked the lead scientist.

"I have not made a total commitment yet but we need sea power. We need to expand beyond our shores. We need to work towards that goal. However, I have been told that we need to prefect the means to move on the land first, at rapid speeds, so that will have to be our first goal. Not as ambitious our difficult so you should be able to complete the work faster than before. I have committed fully 60% of our energy to the labs and network nodes so that you can increase your speed. Currently our research is only yielding a breakthrough ever 12 turns or so. I need it under 10!" Cha ended his order with a strong emphasis on the goal of ten turns.

"My Prophet, until we build our sixth base our ability to do this will be restricted or until we get more labs up and running or another network node." Replied the lead scientist.

Cha walked over to the scientist who quickly lowered his head in deference
to Cha.

"We have 10,000 souls all working to the final goal of unity with the Planet. That is our ultimate goal. Get me the ships and I will get you more colonies to spread out the work!" Cha ended his reply and turned and left the room.

"Well, that could have gone better." Remarked the lead scientist as the others drifted away from him back to their work.

*~*~*~*

Memory of Earth, MY 2160

Colin was tired, and he drifted off to sleep on the visitor’s room in the central housing complex of the newest Gaian base Memory of Earth. It had been established in record time since roads were present from the origin base of Song of Planet to the south-central shores where Memory of Earth was located. It had only a sliver of land at the edge of the Uranium Flats, but the decision was made to place the base here to take advantage of the extra energy of the area and since the terraforming of farms and a forest was already complete.

The opening had the standard ribbon cutting and speeches, not a few of which were by an energetic Colin. But, after 18 hours, his strength had faded at last and he had to beg off the fourth party he had been invited to. A very nice buxom brunette had done the inviting, with hints of more to come, but Colin knew he wasn’t up for it and regretfully declined.

Colin smiled as sleep took him. It wasn’t every day that an 89 year old, no matter how well preserved, got propositioned by a 30 year old!

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2160

Cha walked into the room with a smile on his face, something he hardly ever did.

"Greetings to you all, may you all become one with the Planet." Cha said to the four men who sat at the table.

"All praise and honor to you the Prophet." Replied to the four men.

"Master Caretaker we shall begin with your report." Cha turned to Lance Thompson and pointed to him.

"My Prophet, the new laws and procedures are in place throughout our society. From now on our people will follow the way of the planet and all aspects of our society are geared towards preserving our planet, to become one with our Planet. The new way has, as far as I can see, only one slight drawback. With the restrictions placed on women as to the number of children they can have our population growth will be slow. But since we can only build one more base anyway this is hardly a big issue. The terra-formers have cleared the mineral rich sector east of Heart of the Planet and in four turns we should have a mine in operation in that sector. They terra-formers will move south-east to the final spot for our sixth colony site. They will clear one sector of land only and build a sensor array. All farms are in production at this time and we are storing more energy each turn due to the savings brought about by the changes in our society." Lance finished his report by handing out a more detailed report to each of the command members.

Cha then waved his hand at Ranger One.

"My Prophet, Heart of the Planet will soon complete its recycling tanks, in about 4 turns. Then they will begin construction of a new colony pod. Once the pod is completed an "official" garrison unit will be built at the base. As much as I know how effective our native forces our it still will not hurt to have a Ranger garrison there equipped with trance protection. I have also been contacted by the designers of the trance helmets and they have informed me that with the new discoveries you have made my Prophet they can alter the helmets so that they will act in the reverse. Instead of the helmet being a defensive item it can be changed to operate in an offensive capacity adding to the mind power of the attacker! This could be very important should we ever have to face an outbreak that our native forces could not handle." Ivan Ivanovich finished by handing out a report to each of the people sitting there.

"As of now continue with trance protection only. I see no reason yet to begin switching to an offensive stance. We want to be one with the planet." Replied Cha who then waived to Master Guide.

"My Prophet. I have little to report. Shair Moon has her two worms in the wilderness guarding the terra-formers who are operating there and she is also patrolling looking for more worms. The remaining mind worms and spore launchers are at colonies supplementing the Ranger garrisons." Byram ended by handing out his report.

Cha waved to the Master Seeker.

"My Prophet. All bases have now been ordered to prepare for construction a seeker unit at a date in the future that they can fit it into production. Some bases can begin as early as a decade or so, some later. Once the Seeker Guild is built at each base we should be able to keep a better track on what is happening." The seeker ended his report. The Master Seeker was the only person exempt from a written report.

"Thank you all. We have completed our greatest achievement. We have switched the resources from building the human genome project to the Empath Guild. We estimate the Guild should be done in under 25 turns. Quicker once the base increases its population to index level three in just 9 turns. The Virtual World project will be done in almost the same time period. We will start to collect and store energy in case we need to crash complete one or the other projects. I am currently leaning towards the virtual world. Lastly, we are researching land transportation and it will hopefully lead us to the ability to travel on the sea. This could take us 20 to 25 turns to reach our final goal. Our priority for the next thirty turns will be this. Research and obtain sea travel, complete the virtual world and then the empath guild and lastly improve each base by having as network node and a biological lab. These will be tough goals but attainable."

Cha stood up and raised his hands in a blessing over them.

"Go in peace and serve the Planet." Cha chanted.

"All praise to the Prophet." The four men replied.

[Hydro]

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2161

“We should have switched to a Green economy a long time ago. What ever happened to our principles?” Colin asked. He was in a sour mood.

“It isn’t practical. It will gain us no extra energy or scientific output due to the inherent efficiency of a Green economy, and the restrictions will be placed on our populous will be significant,” Terry responded. This was an old argument, but he wanted to get these points of logic in the record. “We won’t grow a quickly as we should, which means our resource base will be smaller. And while I like the idea of being in greater harmony with Planet, that doesn’t get us much of a benefit either. There isn’t any fungus to explore, and worms have been rare for a long time. I move we table Colin’s proposal to switch to a Green economy for this session.”

Dee looked on as their newest Council member Ling, formerly governor of Dreams of Green, quickly seconded. She was the official ‘hawk’ on the Council, and her move was not unexpected. “We can’t stop our expansion or the University will overtake us. They have a more advanced social and economic model than we do, and they are growing much faster even if they seem to have fewer bases. I agree with Terry. A Green model isn’t practical at this time.”

Colin glowered at her.

“But eventually I do think it would make a lot of sense, particularly once hostilities start with the University. I am sure a greater understanding of Planet will help our mindworm handlers in their task of defeating any University forces that might come our way. Then I’ll happily support such a proposal,” Ling continued, throwing a bone to Colin. Colin still scowled.

“Motion seconded. I call for a vote. All in favor say ‘aye’,” Terry ordered. There were three ayes. “Opposed say ‘nay’,” he continued. There was one ‘nay’ – Colin. He looked over at Dee in surprise, as did the rest of the Council. She was had been a big supporter of the switch. “Abstain?” Terry asked. Deirdre reluctantly said ‘aye’.

“Motion carried. Colin’s proposal will be tabled until the next meeting, which will be in a month. Motion to adjourn?”

A chorus of ‘ayes’ and quick seconds followed with the scrap of chairs as members moved to leave the room. Terry dutifully recorded this in the Council log while the stampeded of Council members surged out the airlock without him.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2161

Martin VanWimm was nearing the end of his days. His assistant helped him up from his chair so that they could walk over to the observation deck so that they could watch the trainees. Nearly 100 small children had been selected by the Prophet to become the "core" of the new empath guild. They had all been between the ages of 5 and 10 and all of them had some "spark" of telepathic ability. Now they were all cloistered away in a special barracks so that their training could be conducted without interruption.

"We lost two more children today. They could not cope with the loss of their parents and as such refused to continue in the program. It really is amazing to see such independence in a seven year old." Remarked Iman Sand flower chief assistant to VanWimm and project coordinator.

"Yes, well, not too surprising since that is one of the traits we need. This new guild by its nature will be small, I suspect if it ever has more than twenty five actual operatives then it will be at is maximum. Of course behind each operative there will be a host of support people who will take the data and record and catalog it but still. It will be hard to find the correct mix traits, talents and genetics." Replied VanWimm. " Already we have lost 20 candidates."

They both continued to watch the children work and train. The Prophet himself had devised some of the metal training exercises to help enhance their abilities. The Prophet would always stop in and visit the children each week to talk with them and review the progress.

"The report I have you should look. The Prophet has found more "yearlings" as he now calls them. He plans on sending them to us within a week. He suggests that we begin setting a schedule by which new candidates can be incorporated into the program." Iman handed VanWimm the report.

"Between you and me I have never understood the Prophet or even liked the Prophet. I know, I know, I should not talk so loudly and I also know it does offend your faith, if it were not for our friendship and the fact that the Prophet still needs me I doubt I would still be here. I should have been with Professor Zakharov in his pod. I regret each day that I live on this planet that I did not get assigned to his pod. There was a keen and brilliant intellect. A GENIUS!! Now I am working for a man who has taken this "cult of the planet" worship too far." VanWimm turned and walked very slowly back to his desk and sat down." Go on get back to your work. I am okay. Soon this will be all of yours. I doubt I will make it beyond this turn anyway, my friend, and soon this burden will be yours." Iman was about to argue with his mentor but VanWimm just waved his hands to shoo his friend out. Iman turned and chuckled and walked out of the room.

Behind a small ventilation grill a small remote camera unit switched back into sleep mode since it was only motion activated. Far away in the Capital city of the People of the Planet a man sat in a small room, dark except for the light of the various screens that showed people working, talking, eating from all of the Cult cities. The man dressed in black eased himself back into a chair and sat their quietly for a long time then he pulled out a small radio from his belt pack and keyed in a certain frequency.

"Agent 0045 this is Seeker command. I have a job for you."

*~*~*~*

Dreams of Green, MY 2162

“This is very wasteful. We could be spending these resources on development, like network nodes or biology labs. Why are we building scouts?” Andy asked as he prepared another trance subassembly.

“As far as I can see, two reasons” Winston stated. “It is cheaper to build new trance scouts than to upgrade existing scouts to have trance ability. The original scout grouping is then scrapped, and partially recycled. This also reduces the maintenance, and it has the side benefit that all the bases around us can have highly trained troopers from our Command Center.”

“Hmmm. OK. I’ll buy that. But why send the old scouts to Gaia’s Landing? It takes them a long time to get there. Why reassign and then scrap them there? Then the resources won’t go to the base that originally built them?” Andy asked.

Winston turned and pointed in Andy’s direction. “Exactly! That way Gaia’s Landing gets the resources! Do you know what they’re doing at Landing?”

“Kind’a. They’re building a special project, and they haven’t said much about it.”

“And you won’t hear much about it, except rumors and most of them aren’t true. That said, I hear they’re planning something that will knock your socks off.”

Andy moved closer to Winston and bent near him. “Any idea what it is?” he asked in a conspiratorial tone.

“Yes,” he whispered back, “but I can’t tell you.”

“Why!” Andy replied in a much louder voice.

Winston looked both ways, then motioned Andy to come closer. He put his head close to his and cupped his hand as he said, “Cause then I’d have to kill you.”

Andy’s eyebrows went up in alarm until Winston started chuckling to himself. Andy realized he’d be had.

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2162

Cha had traveled most of the turn to review the new site. He now stood on a small hill overlooking the mine, behind him stood the Master Caretaker and his Steward in charge of this site. Cha had reviewed all of the reports carefully while traveling here. The precautions taken to safeguard the Planet from ecological damage were enormous. It had taken fully 4 turns for the site to be built but the report itself on how to construct the mine and its operations took nearly the same amount of time.

"It is not as bad as I thought. However, it is still lucky that we do not plan on building more than one more of these abominations." Cha commented.

"My Prophet, I assure you that we do no more damage than any other site on this planet. Our mining operations are highly respectful of the Planet. I would even venture to say that we actually do less harm than the forests or farms. We are only mining ore, nothing more. The mine operations only occupy a small portion of the land leaving the surface in its natural form, with the exception of the fungus." Chief Steward Rameriez said. The Chief Steward was very proud of his mine. The mine was producing more minerals than any three forest sectors combined and with little to no impact on the Planet.

"Be that as it may. I am glad there will only be two and that you will be in charge of them both. I knew your father Chief Steward, he was a good man and a friend to the Planet." Cha turned and looked at the man.

"You are too kind my Prophet." Rameriez replied.

Cha put his hands on the top of the Stewards head and said a silent prayer for both him and the Planet.

*~*~*~*

Last Rose of Summer, MY 2163

“You see, this is the second land reclamation project we’ve finished. We’ve reclaimed three sectors of land from the sea, and the two formers will be moving out next year to build a road and then reclaim some more land, this time likely to be six sectors. As they expand outward they should have similar success,” the chief engineer explained as he waved his arms around in a rather general fashion.

The adults in the VIP tour group all nodded knowingly, with a few whistles and ‘oohs’ from those who were inclined to be impressed.

A little boy in the front had a confused look on his face. After a moment he bucked up his courage and asked, “Where did the land come from? Wasn’t it water before? Land isn’t water.”

The head engineer and most of the adults looked down at the child, who couldn’t be more than 10 years old. He was looking straight at the engineer with expectation on his face.

Pausing for a moment, the engineer addressed the boy and the crowd, “The formers are an amazing tool, and they can do a lot of work, especially in tandem. They possess the ability to move a great deal of earth, in addition to basic fabrication that can be used to put together the elements of solar collectors or farms, or roads. We’ve crisscrossed most of our territory with roads, and our forests are spreading nicely.”

“But mister,” the child asked, “where did the land come from?”

The engineer stopped again, and he patted the boy on the head. “Such a precocious child,” he said, looking up at the mildly embarrassed parents. “So full of questions, as only children can be.”

The child jerked his head away from the hand he thought was petting him. Adults always did that, and he didn’t like it. He was done being polite. “You don’t know, do you,” he stated.

“I explained about the former…” the engineer stared.

“But the land. Where did it come from?” he persisted.

Now the boy’s parents were shushing him and his father bent over to whisper in his ear. There were a few, “But Dad!” from him, but he lapsed in to a sullen silence.

That problem out of the way, the tour continued. The adults dutifully looked where the engineer pointed, and nodded as he explained the intricacies of terraforming and the plans for this area in a few decades.

While he did so the boy muttered to himself, “The land has to come from somewhere.”

*~*~*~*

Cult, MY 2163

Byram Sung looked at the report once again and still was amazed. Shari Moon's Delta was twice the size of his Alpha now while her Gamma was Alpha's equal in size. Amazing he thought to himself again. Byram turned slowly in his chair and looked out on the courtyard. People and transports were all hard at work building and expanding the central city of the People of the
Planet. However, he sat in his office still waiting. Alpha did not seem to mind at all, except for the fact that he did not have any fungus near the city anymore thanks to the those damn trees.

Byram could feel Alpha close by, he was returning from a patrol from the outer sections of the city districts. He could see children running to greet alpha and throw him "sweets" to eat but really they were fungus flowers. It was time that Alpha and he returned to the wilderness for awhile at least. Communications had improved so staying in contact with the Guild was now problem. Anyway it was time for Shari to take over for awhile in her duties as chief deputy and learn the politics of the job. The Prophet had thankfully agreed to the request so now he was free. Once the terra-formers reached the spot for the sixth colony Shari would order Gamma to move to Dawn of the Planet and then he and Alpha would head out. Once they reached the colony site Shari would head back. Byram had at least ten turns of freedom before he would have to return. Anyway ever since the assassination attempt garrison life lost much of its appeal. Byram leaned over to the comm. station at his desk and opened a channel to Guild
headquarters.

"This is the Master Guide. Send the message to Guide Shair Moon that I sent you earlier today. When she confirms it let me know so that Alpha and I can prepare to leave." Byram clicked the channel off. Yes, back to the wilderness again and freedom.

*~*~*~*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2164

Ling was annoyed. “Does he want to rub our nose in his intellectual superiority? Why does he do that?”

Dee didn’t respond. She just looked at the now deactivated holo emitter that had just displayed Zak’s irrational visage moments ago.

“I mean, why would he flaunt his possession of Intellectual Integrity, Ethical Calculus, and Doctrine: Loyalty and then demand that we give him Doctrine: Mobility?” she continued. “And then he out-and-out refused a trade? I think he is crazy. Crazy Zak, that’s what he’s called, you know.”

“I don’t know why he taunts us like that,” Dee said. “It is disturbing, though. I can’t help but wonder if all the faction leaders are as irrational as Yang, Aki, and Zak. And do we seem irrational to them? It’s worse than Earth.”

“I’m just glad we will be finishing Nonlinear Mathematics soon, and then can prototype some impact speeders. I sure wish we had Zak’s technology that allows his sneaks, though. We have to beware of those since we have almost no defense against them.” Ling had calmed down a little now.

Dee leaned back from the dead holo screen. “I’d trade a couple of your impact speeders to see what his cities are doing, and what he’s researching. That could give us valuable information on what his intentions are, and if he does plan to initiate some form of aggression.”

“Amen to that. Won’t Landing be working on that Project we discussed on Council soon?”

“Yes, I think so. It hasn’t worked its way through channels. But soon.”

Ling harrumphed. “Not soon enough, I’ll bet.”

*!*!*!*

Gaia’s Landing, MY 2165

“Anything new going on?” Colin asked between mouthfuls of penne pasta with a light garlic sauce. He stabbed a piece of new cheese with his fork between bites of pasta.

Terry looked on at Colin’s enthusiastic demolition of his third plate with a mixture of distaste and amazement. It was a wonder he could even move, considering all he ate and how much he enjoyed it. “Not much. Dreams of Green completed a new trance scout. Song of Planet has started a network node, as well as Virgin Soil a few years ago.”

“Node?” Colin asked as he slurped in a few more bits of penne pasta, with a few errant noodle whipping up and plastering on his upper lip with sauce.

“Yes. To increase the research capability of our scientists. Don’t you remember us discussing it at Council a few months ago?”

“Well, not really. I was more interested in our discussions of the Empath Guild. When are we going to start it?”

“Don’t you ever pay attention? In a few years,” Terry said. Sometimes Colin could be so dense yet be able to connect with people so easily.

Colin finished his plate, sopping up the delectable sauce with a last piece of Italian bread.

“Ah,” he said as he patted his surprisingly slim waistline. “Now, to dessert!”

Terry just shook his head.