The Doctor and Alison entered the central structure of the tower. Each circular floor was situated around an immense pillar which was connected to each level via several long bridges.
"Where shall we begin" The Doctor waved an arm at the surroundings.
"I've no idea" Alison replied. An elderly man and a young woman in official looking gray robes brushed by them. "Doctor, who are they"
"Overseers, the guardians of Tremond, and just the people we're looking for." He approached them and tapped the man on the shoulder. "Excuse me, my friend and I are new here, where would be the best place to begin"
"Ah, welcome sir" the elderly man began "and you are"
"I'm the Doctor, this is Alison." Alison nodded to the Overseers.
"And I am Kasin, this is my Granddaughter Aril. What specifically were you looking for"
"Well I believe my companion is interested in history..."
"More specifically, the history of your world." Alison interrupted "I'd like to see how this whole system works."
Kasin beamed with obvious pride"A worthwhile endeavor" he turned to the Doctor "and yourself"
"I'd like information on transcendental numbers and their usage in standard and customized library file routines."
Both Kasin and Aril's eyes widened.
"Transcendentals" said Aril"Wonderful! they are one of my passions, I personally calculated pi to 500 decimal places without aid."
"Impressive" the Doctor replied "I've reached 1564 decimal places myself, but then I fell asleep."
"You can't be serious." muttered Alison.
The Overseers looked at Alison with confusion, but then turned back to the Doctor.
"Perhaps you can share with me how you managed it" asked Aril.
"Of course" said Kasin "but first, let us help them with their requests, then perhaps they shall join us for dinner in the main hall."
"Sounds delightful" said the Doctor.
-
The Overseers led them into the heart of the complex. As they walked they passed several rooms"seeker rooms" Kasin had called them. Inside the Doctor could see rows of people accessing the data core.
"These rooms seem to be full" said Kasin "but not to worry there is always a space somewhere."
"What's that man doing" Alison pointed to a young humanoid whos head seemed to be connected via cables to a small alclove in the wall.
"Ah" said Kasin "he is interfacing directly with the source."
"Is that wise" said the Doctor.
"Well it isn't the most effective method of information retrieval, most forget the knowledge they gained within two hours after the experience. But many of our guests choose it just the same, they say it's quite awe inspiring."
"Then you haven't tryed it" asked the Doctor.
"I never saw the need." replied Kasin.
"Grandfather" Aril called from two rooms down "this room is empty."
"Good" said Kasin "then perhaps you might help these two get acclimated, the terminals are both touch and voice activated..."
"Actually" said the Doctor "I think my search can wait, I'd much rather have a tour of the facility" he turned to Kasin "if that's possible of course."
"Of course" said Kasin "I'll take you myself, Aril can get your friend set up, and when we return from the tour we shall dine."
-
Aril showed Alison to a panel that was covered with various symbols, she pressed several and activated a vertical, opaque field before Alison's eyes. After some time and instruction Alison was able to use the panel with little difficulty.
"There, you seem to have it now" said Aril "what do you think"
"It's brilliant, I should be able to learn the system quite fast, thank you."
For a moment they sat in silence as Alison brought up various images in the field.
"I was wondering" Aril said suddenly "tonight when we dine, Grandfather will most likely seat you and your friend together."
"Will he" said Alison, never taking her eyes from the field.
"Yes, and I thought perhaps... that is, if it didn't bother you..."
Alison finally looked up, realization hit her and she smiled.
"You'd like to sit next to the Doctor"
"Only if I'm not intruding."
Alison looked the girl up and down, she could not have been more than seventeen by human standards, and she was made even younger looking by the fact that she was blushing.
"Not at all, I'll just sit on the other side." she laughed.
"Wonderful, my thanks... well as long as you no longer have need of me I'll be going now, but I'll return in an hour to show you to the dining hall, great learning to you."
And with that Aril turned and left the room.
"Well at least there'll be entertainment with dinner." Alison giggled.
-
Kasin led the Doctor throughout most of the tower while explaining that certain areas were off limits to outsiders. After sometime exploring, they retired to the dining hall.
"How was the tour" asked Alison. She was already seated at one of several long tables full of Overseers and visiting guests.
"Very enlightening." the Doctor replied.
Aril presented the Doctor with a chair across from Alison, then she and Kasin took seats on either side of him. When everyone was seated, several young men in coal black robes brought in large platters of food. They placed them on the tables and shuffled from the room as silently as they had entered. Most of the food was unfamiliar to Alison, but the Doctor seemed to be having no trouble with it. When offered a platter of what appeared to be dried fruit she took a small amount and tasted it.
"Salty... not fruit then." Alison muttered.
"Is there any trouble at all" asked Kasin.
"Oh no, no I'm fine."
Most of the conversation at dinner inevitably centered around everyone's personal studies. Alison found it interesting at first but after an hour her interest began to wane. A half an hour later, when the second round of platters were brought out, it became apparent that meals on Tremond were very long, drawn out events. The Doctor seemed to be enjoying himself though, he had the attention of half the table. Energetically he explained to Kasin his own personal theory on antigravity generation and rotating white holes. He waved his fork, with what looked like a piece of potato on it, by way of visual demonstration. Just as he was finishing he made a quick, almost salute like gesture, and the "potato" went flying over the heads of four other diners.
"My apologies" the Doctor called down to the other end of the table.
"No need Doctor" said Kasin "enthusiasm is never frowned on here." He turned to the other guests "Please do try the wine everyone, it's one of my personal favorites."
The Doctor placed his fork back on the table and lifted the goblet. "Great learning" he said.
"Great learning" everyone answered.
As the Doctor sipped his wine Aril slid her chair closer to his. "I think your theory is fascinating" she said softly. She placed her hand over his.
The Doctor nearly choked on his drink. Alison deftly hid her smile behind her own cup and pursed her lips together to keep from laughing. "Well, yes, thank you." he responded, quickly moving his hand. He turned to Kasin "On another topic, there was something I wanted to ask you about."
"And that is"
"Well, on the tour you told me that there were over six thousand natives of Tremond working in this tower alone."
"Indeed, ten extended families run this particular facility."
"So you said, though I did find it curious that there aren't any children here."
Alison put down her wine"Now that I think on it you're right" she said "I haven't seen a single child here who wasn't a visitor."
"Ah yes" said Kasin "this is a recent development, the children are housed separately from the general populous."
"For what reason" asked the Doctor.
"Well as you know the mind of a child is far more malleable than that of an adult. There is a window of opportunity between the ages of five and ten were a childs learning potential is highest. We start the children on an intensive program of study at an early age, keeping them separate simply reduces unnecessary distractions."
"You mean they don't ever see their families" asked Alison.
"Oh no... they are permitted to visit their parents once every month" Kasin responded.
"And how long has this been going on" said the Doctor.
"Only in the last ten years" Kasin replied "so far the program has had phenomenal results. You see, we found that when the children interface directly with the source, they retain the knowledge for longer periods of time than adults. In some cases permanently."
"Some would say that children should be allowed to develop their own thought patterns" the Doctor said sharply "particularly during their formative years when they're just beginning to discover who they are."
"Doctor you worry for no reason, I have seen the children on their visiting days and they are as happy and healthy as any of the children on Tremond before the program was implemented. And just think, these children will never have to struggle with their studies. Language, history, mathematics, all knowledge can be instantly implanted without effort."
"I see, but as you said the program has only been active for ten years, the final results of this experiment are yet to be seen."
"I have every faith that the... "experiment" as you called it, will be successful. We are not barbarians Doctor. If for one moment we thought that the children were in danger we would end the program immediately. You must believe that."
"Of course." the Doctor stood up "Well, I think I'll step outside and take in some fresh air."
"I'll go with you." said Alison."
"Neither of you will be staying for the third course then" asked Kasin.
"No" said the Doctor as he set down his goblet" I think we've had enough for the night."
And with that, they left the dining hall.