Palm Springs Eternal -- Part One

Dahl was reclining in a lounge chair aboard the Alis, in the quarters she shared with Azur. She tapped her fingers on the arm of the chair and shifted her weight. She stared out of a port and into the depths of space, and the stars, like dust in a beam of light, which were more content to remain still.

Azur was asleep in one of the room's twin beds. Her back was to Dahl, but Dahl could see her lithe body move up and down with her rhythmic breathing. Dahl's own bed was still tidily made. She hadn't been able to sleep for the past two days of the five-day trip to star Beta 6-7-9.

An airy tone filled the air and a small green light came on above the room's one door. Dahl looked over her shoulder at the door and said, "Come in, but be quiet."

The door slid into the wall and Demi stepped inside, the shallow light of the outside hallway following her. Once the door had closed she smiled and whispered, "I thought I'd see if you'd fallen asleep yet."

Dahl shook her head and turned her attention back to the stars. "Nope. Between Elm's snoring next door and my nervous stomach..."

Demi sat on the edge of the untouched bed and put her hand on Dahl's knee. "Want to talk?"

Dahl sighed and tipped her head back. "Sure. Might do me some good, really."

Demi smiled and said, "So...what do you want to talk about first? I'm sure there's a lot on your mind. God knows there's plenty on mine."

Dahl was silent for a moment then said, "I feel conflicted."

"How so?"

"Since I can remember, Wren -- and you -- have instilled in me the idea that Algo's well-being is my mission. Wren used to always tell me that Azur and I are 'his hope.' There are days when I treasure that nearly as much as I treasure my life. It has always made me feel so special, and so important. But do you realize what a burden it can be, too?"

Demi frowned and looked down at the floor. "It is a thin line Wren and I have tried to walk with you and Azur, and with the others who came before you. We've always tried to balance the blessing and the burden. I'm so sorry, Dahl, if we've ever failed either of you."

Dahl smiled and took Demi's hand. "You haven't failed. It's simply an impossible task you've given yourself. The blessing is the burden. And vice versa. Anyway, I feel torn because my duty is to try to guide Algo along with its development and prosperity, yet here I am leaving the system behind. Demi, I personally am in charge of an entire planet! I have every confidence in the folks I left in charge of Palm II. They're some of my closest friends. I would trust any one of them with my life. But..."

"I do know how you feel," Demi said. "As you know, the survival and prosperity of Algo has been my duty for a very long time now. I have come to understand the...pressure. And now here I am, leaving Algo for the very first time."

Dahl nodded.

"But what you must remember now is that you are working to defend Algo. If Dark Force was ever allowed to return to the system..."

Dahl nodded again. "He would do everything in his power to destroy it, I know. But I can't help but feel that I should have stayed behind. I'm sure the rest of you could do fine without me."

Demi shook her head. "No, Dahl. We need you here. We all do. Surely you realize how all of the others look to you for leadership, for guidance."

Dahl smiled. "Really...?"

Demi nodded. "Your influence extends beyond Palm II, and even beyond the position your birthright has given you. You've earned your place of power, Dahl. And I know you will never abuse it."

"Then why do I feel like I'm betraying it now?"

Demi sighed. "Such is the way of feeling. Sometimes I almost think I can understand why Wren has limited his empathics capability so drastically."

Dahl said nothing.

Demi suddenly sat straight and looked back towards the door.

"What is it, Demi?" Dahl asked, also sitting up. "Has Mium contacted you?"

Demi took a deep breath, and nodded. "Wake your sister, Dahl," she said. "Mium tells me we've arrived."

Half an hour later, the entire party was gathered on the lower level of the Alis bridge. Demi sat in the chair at the center, the captain's chair which Wren had built for himself. Mium was at one of the navigation terminals in front of Demi, busying herself with the controls. Dahl, Azur, and Erol were all staring intently at the bridge view screen. Elm, wrapped up in his robe like a child in a blanket, sat at an idle computer and tried to stay awake.

"Here we are," Demi said. "This is the third planet of Beta 6-7-9. As you know, we've been keeping tabs on the progress of the Landale VII over the past five days. We are absolutely certain that Dark Force has landed it on this planet."

"It's beautiful," Azur said, admiring the globe on the monitor.

The others had to agree. In size and appearance the planet was similar to Palm II. Wide seas were dotted by islands and interrupted by large continents. Clouds swirled over the surface. The only thing which set the planet apart from others the party members had seen was that its seas had a decidedly green tinge to them. Still, they were predominantly blue.

"Do we know how long it's been since Dark Force landed?" Dahl asked.

"Our best guess is about three hours," Mium answered.

"Do we know where on the planet he's landed?" asked Erol.

Demi shook her head. "We aren't certain. All we know is that he's landed in the southwestern hemisphere. The largest of the four continents is there. More importantly, our observations of the planet have confirmed that the southwestern continent is heavily populated by an industrialized society. You can't see them now that day has broken down there, but just a short time ago that whole continent was awash with the lights of cities."

"Just on the one continent?" Elm asked. "Are you saying the rest of the planet is empty?"

Demi nodded. "It appears so."

"This could get messy," Azur said. "Algo has never had contact with any civilization on this planet. Hopefully the people of this world will know one of the languages of one of the cultures we have contacted. Otherwise, communication might be a problem."

"Perhaps we should avoid contact with the people of this planet altogether," Erol said.

Demi shook her head. "I disagree. I suspect we will need help from the people of this world in order to find Dark Force. My fear is that Dark Force is somehow familiar with this planet. If not, how would he know to come here? And why would he choose this world and not one that is closer to Algo? Or perhaps further from Algo..."

Dahl nodded. "I was thinking about that myself. It makes you think there must be something special about this planet."

A loud beep filled the bridge. Mium turned around and said to Demi, "Ummm... The planet is trying to contact us!"

Demi turned to Erol, who nodded and sat down at the controls for the communications system. Azur sat beside him.

"Alien planet," Erol said. "This is the Algoian vessel Alis. We seek permission to land."

For a moment there was static, and then a male voice replied, "A vessel from Algo, did you say?"

Everyone on the bridge exchanged curious looks.

"You speak Palman?" Erol asked, perplexed.

"Yes. Yes, we speak Palman!" the voice replied. "Alis, are any agents of the Mother Brain government aboard your ship?"

"What?" Dahl asked. "Is he serious?"

Mium looked to Demi, her eyes wide. "They've just trained several heavily-armored satellites on us!"

Demi returned Mium's stare. An agent of Mother Brain... Demi's eyes hovered on Mium for a few seconds, but then she returned her attention to Erol. "Tell him no," she said.

"No, planet," Erol said. "None aboard whatsoever."

"You are a civilian vessel?"

"I...guess you could say that, yes."

"Very well then," the voice replied. "You have been given permission to land. I am sending to you the coordinates for our spaceport. A reception will be there to meet you. Over and out."

Elm stirred in his seat and said, "Things just got a lot more interesting."

Mium took a deep breath. "Yeah. No kidding..."

In a few moments the Alis was soaring above a grand city that stretched on and on for miles. Sparkling white needle-like towers reached for the clouds amid myriad domes of all shapes, colors, and sizes. A few box-like buildings were scattered throughout, all deep blue in color and with markings that denoted their various purposes. In the streets a few bubble-like cars could be seen, but most of the people visible to those aboard Alis were traveling on foot. They appeared to be Palmans.

Mium stared at the view screen, content to let Demi and Erol pilot the ship the rest of the way, and she sighed deeply. Dahl caught the wistful look in Mium's eyes and asked, "Mium, what's the matter?"

"I think I know," Azur said.

Dahl looked to her.

"This city..." Azur said. "It looks almost exactly like the cities of Algo prior to the Great Collapse. It's like we've suddenly jumped three thousand years back in time."

Mium shook her head. "I can't believe it. I... I feel like I've come home."

The spaceport was at the center of the city, in the courtyard of one of the square blue buildings. This structure was the largest of all; Demi guessed it to be at least sixty stories in height. Each side of the building was over a kilometer long.

Mium stood up and walked even closer to the view screen. "This is astounding," she said. "This building here is an almost perfect replica of Palm Control, the headquarters of the pre-Collapse puppet government."

"How can this be?" Erol asked. "How did all of these Palmans come to be on this unknown planet?"

"I don't know," Demi said. "But we're about to find out."

The Alis hovered over the courtyard of the massive building and made a vertical landing. The courtyard below consisted of a single landing pad surrounded by a landscaped park. Demi and her crew could see a group of roughly twenty Palman-looking people standing in the courtyard, in front of a double door that led into the blue building. One man dressed in a dark blue carbonsuit was standing at the crowd's front, facing the landing pad. The other people were all dressed in the same manner as he, be they male or female, and all of them had the same short, nearly buzzed haircut. The women were completely unadorned, and in some cases it was difficult to pick them out from the men.

Dahl was the first to disembark from the Alis; she did so as soon as the ship had docked. And when Dahl stepped out into the warm sunlight she looked up into the sky and took a deep breath. For her tastes, she had been cooped up in the ship entirely too long. Not since her days on Zelan had she felt so confined. Dahl noticed at once that the sky, like the planet's oceans, was slightly green. Also the planet, like all planets, had a distinctive smell in its air. It reminded Dahl of candy and overly ripened fruit. It was not an unpleasant aroma; it was simply impossible to ignore.

Dahl then looked out over the people who had gathered to meet her and her companions. She could read the shock on their faces. Apparently they had never seen a Numan before. Still, despite their curiosity, they did not whisper amongst each other, nor did they point. Dahl was grateful for that.

The next to emerge was Azur, to whom the people reacted similarly. After her was Erol, and the Elm, who seemed to startle the crowd even more greatly than the Numans had. Next was Mium, who didn't appear to elicit any reaction at all. And then finally, there was Demi, who once again had the Elsydeon tied to her back.

The man who was at the head of the crowd stepped forward. He was an older man, somewhere near fifty, but Dahl and Azur both thought him handsome. He was fit and had deeply tanned skin. His hair was thinning and gray, with whiter streaks at the temples. His eyes were as blue as his uniform, and trimmed by faint crow's feet. The man stood only meters away from Demi and the others, and he bowed to them very deeply.

"Greetings, ones from Algo," he said. "On behalf of all of my people, I would like to welcome you most graciously to our planet of New Palm."

Mium blinked several times. "Your planet is called New Palm?"

"Yes," the man said, nodding. "And this city is our capital. It is called Leneopolis. We here before you are the councepolis, the governing body of New Palm. I am the head of the councepolis."

Demi looked from one of her companions to another, and they all looked back at her. All of their faces revealed one emotion: utter confusion. Demi cleared her throat and said, "Forgive us, but we have many questions. Until today we had no idea that any civilization existed on this planet, let alone one that is of Algoian origin. Can you explain?"

"Absolutely," the man said. "And we will. Are you the captain of this vessel?"

"No," Demi said. "The true captain of the Alis is my master, Wren, the Protector of Algo."

The people in the crowd began to whisper to each other. The man who spoke for them frowned.

"This Wren is the master of Algo?"

"He is my master, and he works to better the lives of the people of Algo, but he does not rule over them. The people of Algo govern themselves."

The New Palmans whispered even more fervently than before.

"Then Mother Brain no longer exists?" asked the man.

Demi shook her head. "No. She was taken off-line nearly three thousand years ago, and just recently the remaining wreckage of her was destroyed."

The crowd fell silent. The speaker considered the information for a few seconds, blinked, and then said, "Please, come inside. You have many questions to be answered...and so do we. Oh, and please call me Rie, as my friends do."

The man smiled again and turned around. Demi and the others followed him. They passed through the flustered crowd, which parted for them, and they entered the giant blue building through the great double doors.

Inside the building was a cavernous chamber forming a three-story crossroads. The center of the room was open except for a single towering pine tree. The second and third story balconies, which wrapped all the way around the inside of the room, were clearly visible. Passages led off to the north, west, and east on all three of the floors. Few people seemed to be around, but the ones that were visible were all dressed in a manner similar to Rie. Gently running water could be heard somewhere not far off.

Dahl thought the place looked like a glorified Zelan. The walls and floors, as well as the columns on either side of the transtubes leading to the third and fourth levels, were all made of fine gray marble. However, terminals and keypads were scattered everywhere, on walls, on doors, and in doorways. Active monitors flashed scenes from throughout the complex and across the planet. Buttons and switches flashed and glowed.

Once everyone was well inside the chamber, Rie turned and faced the group again. "Welcome to Key," he said, with a clap of his hands. "This is our house of government. The controls for all of our planetary systems are also located here."

"Planetary systems?" Dahl asked.

"Yes," Rie said, nodding. "New Palm was a habitable world to begin with, but since we came to this planet we have extensively modified the environment. Some of our technology is kept classified, of course, but I would be happy to share all of our unclassified technology with you. Consider it a token of friendship!"

"Our thanks!" Erol said. "And might I add, that tree is incredible." He pointed to the spire-like pine growing in the center of the chamber. It rose nearly to the chamber ceiling. Erol guessed it to be a good twenty-five meters in height. "I've never seen one like it alive before. Only in history books."

"I've seen them," Mium said, cautiously stepping forward and looking at Rie. "They were plentiful on the planet Mota, a very long time ago."

Rie nodded. "I promise you, I can and will explain everything. Please follow me to the conference room." Rie resumed walking at a brisk pace, leaving all but Mium working to keep up with him. They passed through the northern doorway, which lay on the other side of the tree. At the end of the ensuing hallway, which was long and lined with at least twenty doors, there was another set of double doors. And beyond that was a very small and intimate conference room.

The conference room was scarcely larger than the crew quarters aboard the Alis. The floors and walls were still the same gray color, but were now made of plastics and foam carpeting instead of marble. The lighting was concealed and subdued. A small cart containing glasses and beverages was propped against a far wall, with a potted plant on the opposite side. In the center of the room was a small, rounded table. And on the far wall was a breathtaking portrait of Alis Landale.

She was holding the head of a woman in her hand, which was raised triumphantly, in a sign of victory. She was standing on rocks, with golden light streaming from behind her. The body of the beheaded woman was curled up under the boots of Alis. It was clad in a toga and sandals, in a fashion like what had been common on Palm a thousand years before the Alisian Age. Wrapped around the body was a sash that read Pal Fana, Palmalatin for "Mother Brain."

"The Heroine," Azur whispered when she saw the painting.

Rie laughed. "Indeed! I am glad to see that Algo has not forgotten its queen. Please, sit."

There were seven chairs around the conference table, just enough for Rie and each of the others.

"We had these special chairs brought in here just for you. I think you'll find them very comfortable. They contour themselves to fit the shape and position of your body. It's the latest thing around here."

"Mmmm, amazing..." Elm said, sitting back and closing his eyes.

"I'm glad you like them. Would anyone care for a drink?"

Everyone shook their head no except for Elm, who raised a furry black hand and said, "I would."

Rie snapped his fingers and a small drone robot similar to a Whistle entered the room. Using its attached work arms it generously filled a glass from the cart with some lime green liquid, handed it to Elm, and departed.

"Very well then," said Rie. "Let us begin. As host, I will allow you to ask questions of me before I ask any questions of my own. But first, I thought we might all introduce ourselves." Rie looked to Demi.

"I will go first," she said, nodding and smiling politely. "My name is Demi. I am an android constructed by my predecessor in AW 1960 as a caretaker for Nurvus, the environmental control system of planet Motavia."

"AW?" Rie said. "I see that Algo still uses the traditional SCAW calender, as do we. Oh, my apologies! Forgive me for interrupting."

"It's quite all right," Demi said. "Since that time, I, in partnership with my master Wren, have worked to better the lives of all Algoians. However, as I said, we do not rule over the people of Algo. Since the beginning of our work we have interfered as little as possible in their government and culture, caring only for their survival."

Rie nodded. "Fascinating. Then you were not created by Mother Brain?"

"No," Demi said.

"And your predecessor?"

"The design used to construct him originated with Mother Brain, but he was extensively rebuilt by Wren."

"And what of Wren himself? He is an android, too, correct?"

"I am sorry, but I do not understand why the issue of who was and was not created by Mother Brain is relevant. As I mentioned, Mother Brain has not been a player in events in Algo since SC 352."

Rie took a deep breath. "You're right. Please forgive me. We New Palmans have almost a superstition about Mother Brain, you must understand."

"And why is that?" Dahl asked.

"I will explain it all to you, but first, may we complete our introductions?"

Dahl nodded. "Certainly. My name is Dahlia Mallos. Allow me to confound matters further by stating that I am Director of an artificial planet that has been constructed in Algo. The name of that planet is Palm II."

Rie shook his head. "Astounding! An entire planet made by man?"

Dahl nodded. "Its construction has stretched over many centuries already."

"Forgive me for asking," Rie said. "But your race does not originate in Algo, does it?"

"Allow me to answer," said Azur. "I am Azura Mallos, Dahlia's twin sister. We are of a construct race known as 'Numan.' We are genetically enhanced Palmans."

"This is all most intriguing." He looked to Erol. "And yourself, sir?"

"I am Erol Grant, a biologist in charge of cultivating Palm II's artificial climate."

"I am Elm Dubaray," Elm said.

"You are...a Motavian?" asked Rie. "I... None of us have ever seen a real Motavian before. Please forgive my staring..."

"It is all right," Elm said. "I'm used to funny looks." He smiled. "Oh, and I'm a biologist and zoologist by profession."

"And I," Mium said, "am the Mieu-type android Mium. My job is to assist Dahlia, Azura, and Erol in their work on Palm II. And, although I wish I could conceal this fact, I must tell you I was designed and built by Mother Brain over three thousand years ago."

Rie swallowed hard and said, "Our people know of the origins of the Mieu-type androids, but all of the original Mieus who came with us to New Palm forsake the Mother Brain's wicked orders. I am guessing it is safe to assume that all of your ties with Mother Brain have been severed as well, yes?"

Mium laughed. "Oh, yes. A very long time ago. Now, please allow me to be blunt and ask you if your people came to this planet aboard one of the four hundred Palman worldships. For you see, I, too was a passenger on one of those ships. My ship was Palman Sunrise, which suffered catastrophic failures soon after take off, resulting in the death of all Palmans aboard."

Rie nodded. "You beat me to the quick, Android Mieu. And you are correct. The people of New Palm are descended from the passengers of Neo Palm, one of the 'worldships,' as you call them, that escaped the destruction of Palm so long ago."

"Now it is my turn to be astounded," Azur said, shaking her head. "Since most of the worldships could never be accounted for, it was assumed that many of them left the Algo system. Yet I never would have dreamed I might actually encounter the descendants of the people from those ships."

Rie smiled. "It is a remarkable history our people have, and we are very conscious of it. We have also been conscious of our exile. I think our people will rejoice to have contact with Algo reestablished after all these centuries."

"You have never sought to contact Algo because of fear of Mother Brain," Demi said.

"Right. I find the irony rather bitter; to think that Mother Brain has been dead all of this time, nearly since our exodus began. Please let me ask you something else."

"Certainly," Demi said.

"Why is it that you have come to New Palm?"

Demi and Dahl exchanged worried looks.

"We have come to this planet seeking an escaped criminal," Dahl said carefully. "We tracked his vessel to this planet."

"Dear me," said Rie. "This is terrible! But...none of you seem to be in law enforcement."

"This is a very special case requiring our particular attention," Demi said. "Tell me, have any other ships passed through here?"

"None," Rie said. "We New Palmans do not trust space travel; it is an ancient superstition among our people. We travel the stars only when it is absolutely necessary, and it rarely is. Because of this, we have only one spaceport. If a ship were to land in our territory, it would have to come here, to this very complex."

"Which means the ship has landed outside of your territory," Erol said.

"I am afraid so."

Dahl bit her lip. "Then he could be anywhere."

"Unless he is seeking death, he would not have landed on any of the other continents," Rie told her. "As I said, New Palm was habitable from the beginning, but until the climate systems were put in place it was far from hospitable. The outer continents abound with deadly animals and poisonous plants. My guess would be that if he did not come here he landed in the far west, along the coast."

"Why there?" Azur asked.

"The coast is not quite as fertile as our inland plains, but it is habitable. However, it is nearly deserted. You may have noticed during your approach that a chain of mountains separates the west coast from the rest of the continent, and that all of our cities are east of the mountains. Only the Landians live on the western side."

"The Landians?" asked Mium.

"Yes," Rie said. "An ancient sect of fanatics. They have lived apart from our people nearly since we first came to this planet. You see, one of our most ancient traditions states that the western coast, beyond the Gora Mountains, is forbidden. Yet the Landians made that place their home, and refused to leave it. Our ancient laws demanded that because of that we distance ourselves from the Landians, and the laws remain to this day."

"Then we'll have to go in and search," Dahl said. "The criminal we seek is highly deceptive and very dangerous. We cannot allow him to roam free."

Rie took a deep breath. "This greatly complicates things. For you see, regardless of the circumstances, not one of my people may set foot over the mountains. If you go, you will have to go on your own."

"Oh dear," Demi muttered.

"But if you like," Rie said, "we can give you whatever supplies you might need for the journey. A landrover can certainly be made available to you. Despite the restriction on our activities, we New Palmans want only to make friends with Algo. We wish to rejoin the culture of our lost home. I only wish we could do more to help you."

Demi nodded. "We understand that your hands are tied. Your help is greatly appreciated, and I guarantee you that the Algoian leadership will be most pleased to hear of New Palm's existence."

Rie smiled. "I am very glad to hear it. I know you are all in a hurry, but would you consider staying here the night? There are still many questions we would like to ask, and there is much we would like to tell you. And if you are headed into the Landians' territory you will definitely need to be briefed on their ways. Besides, the other members of our leadership council will want to see and meet with you. However I do promise you that we will not keep you long."

"I think that staying for the night is a good idea," Demi said. "We have been traveling for five days now and I'm sure my companions could use a peaceful rest. You can accommodate all six of us?"

"Yes, most easily," Rie said. "It will be no problem. It will be a pleasure."