Notes from An Alien

8 ~ Perfection

Chirzt and Laiy were sitting in one of the new, open-air eateries that were springing up on both Worlds. Chirzt had ordered a bowl of soup and Laiy was getting just a drink. As the server left the table, Chirzt laid a packet of papers down and said:

"Here are the names and locations. Look at it later."

"Right. What have you heard from the others?'

"Rapiul and Gecul are working to locate more sympathizers on Anla and Jerul is working with me here. I told them to make sure the leader types were promised power and the rank and file folks got money. I think we need to be careful to profile them into two main groups, Independents and Dissatisfieds. I'll organize the Independents, you take the Dissatisfieds, right?"

"Sure. What about a name?"

"No. We need dedicated people or those we can make dedicated but we don't need any of the normal group identifiers. We have to stay flexible and respond to change. Names just lock people into assumptions."

"Right. Think we'll eventually establish ourselves on that new World?"

"Absolutely. It will take time but they seem to be moving pretty fast to clear it for mass settlement."

"I think they should wipe out that new life form."

"Really? What if it's on our side?"

Laiy remained quiet as the server placed their orders on the table. After he'd left he said:

"I heard it can take over a person's mind."

"It's all rumor until more people get exposed to it. Time will tell..."

"So, what about the new Aklan Council of Justice?"

"Don't think they'll be a problem. It's only for Aklans."

"But, it seems pretty obvious the structure of the Worlds' government was taken from Aklan beliefs."

"Yes, and more and more Aklans are weaseling their way into consultation positions but most people don't want a religion ruling the Worlds."

"They're not weaseling, they're being invited. Plus, the consultation they're offering isn't actually political; but, one thing we really need is someone on the Worlds' Council."

"I think we should shoot for something even better. Delva's going to announce that she's staying on Angla and turning her duties over to an elected board of mediators."

"How do you know that?"

"I have friends you don't know."

~~~

Morna was analyzing Delva's latest communication with the new entity. A thousand more scientists and techs had been dispatched to Angla-Palli and it appeared the life form had one mind distributed over the countless aggregations of molecular strands. It definitely used the planetary plasma to form connections between remote presences and it definitely wanted to communicate.

Delva was the only person to have ingested a portion of the entity—now named Anglana—but others had experienced a form of communication from mere skin contact. The contact communication was limited to a person's urge to taste the entity. Instructions were firm—do not swallow it.

Morna's analysis had reached a point where she could give Delva some feedback:

"Strong probability that you are reaching Anglana with your movements."

"I'd say it's a certainty, Morna. I do have part of Anglana in my body."

"Yes, but we've yet to determine if a biological containment of some strands severs certain modes of communication. Your movements may be registering in Anglana's mind through the ambient plasma."