This is a fan translation of Line of Dreams (Линия грёз) by the Russian science fiction and fantasy author Sergei Lukyanenko. The novel can be considered a fan fiction of the original Master of Orion game.
Chapter 4
The g-forces receded half an hour later, when the assault cruiser entered hyperspace. Sedimin continued to hover over his disk, possibly communicating with the other Silicoids.
"I know my question is naïve," Kay began. "But do you happen to have any kind of organic food? Or water, at least?"
"We do," Sedimin replied tersely. An alcove opened in the wall. Unstrapping himself, Kay took a pair of packs from within and glanced at the wrapping.
2232. This food had been prepared over a century ago. Which ship or what labs had the Silicoids obtained these plastic-sealed meals from?
At least they weren't planning on killing them right away. The sealed food would last them a few weeks, if it was still edible.
Kay broke the seals; the escaping preservation gas hissed. Each meal had been packaged into separate self-heating containers; all one had to do was turn the actuators. Pretty much the same technology as now.
When the containers had heated up, Kay handed one of the packages to Arthur and kept the other. He tore the foil off the largest container. Meat, peas, and… a small sheet of polymer paper atop the food, covered in sauce and rolled into a tube from the heat. At first, Kay assumed that it was a napkin. Then he saw the letters…
"Dear soldier! Give those alien bastards hell, defend Earth. Call me after the war: 09453376n76. Anna."
Arthur gave Kay a curious look. Kay handed him the sheet and asked, "Do you know what Earth is?"
"It's what they used to call Terra. Why is the number so long?"
"It's an old coding system. Such notes were often sent to the marine units during the Vague War and the Tukai bloodbath. The factories were mostly worked by women then."
Sedimin seemed to be ignoring their conversation. Following an unconscious feeling of protest, Arthur folded the sheet carefully and put it in his pocket. They spent the next several minutes eating silently.
"Now we can communicate," the Silicoid either informed or asked them.
"We can," Kay said, finishing the coffee from a plastic cup. The coffee was excellent, maybe even real. "Why did you attack the Darloks?"
"To speak with you."
"Is that really worth starting an interstellar war?'
"I do not yet know. But there is not going to be a war. The Darloks are unable to subvert our efforts through sabotage, which is their primary advantage."
"Then let's talk."
"Kay Altos, you were brought back from the dead and received an assignment to protect Arthur van Curtis. Correct?"
"Let's say that's true."
"What does Curtis want on Grail?"
"I don't know."
"You are probably speaking the truth," Sedimin decided after a brief pause. "It does not eclipse the facts. Kay Altos, are you aware that Arthur van Curtis has been attempting to reach Grail for five years?"
Kay did not reply.
"You know that Curtis van Curtis has become who he is by bringing aTan into the world. This technology has changed the balance of power; the Human Empire is currently dominating the galaxy."
"The Mrrshans use aTan, as do the Psilons who invented it," Kay countered.
"The Psilons did not invent the neural network and the molecular replicator."
Kay looked at Arthur, who averted his eyes.
"No race has developed the technology capable of recreating aTan. Its operating principle extends beyond the scope of the basic image of the world." The Silicoid's choir-like voice grew sorrowful. "Kay Altos, according to our information, during the Vague War, Curtis van Curtis visited a planet later named Grail. He brought aTan from there. Even now, each new aTan must undergo a final stage of assembly performed by Curtis van Curtis himself. Without it, aTan is merely a collection of nonfunctional machines."
"I didn't know that," Kay answered honestly.
"You do now. This is the reason why the Human Emperor agreed to Curtis's special status, effectively putting him above the law."
"Why are you telling me this?" Kay asked sharply.
"So that you can decide what side you are on."
"I don't see anything criminal here, Sedimin. Wherever Curtis got aTan, it serves the greater good. And not just for the human race, the Mrrshans and—"
"Kay! Humanity has always been a powerful race. It has survived the Vague War, when all the civilizations of the galaxy stood against the humans. But back then you were held back by your brief lifespans… a large number of low-value individuals. The appearance of aTan has changed everything. The most gifted and the strongest individuals have attained immortality. Not simply an extension of their lifespans to infinity, but the resurrection after accidents and illnesses. Your science has advanced, since your scientists are no longer held back by their limited lives. Your soldiers are prepared to fight to their deaths, knowing they will be resurrected. Most importantly, you have a new evolutionary factor. Not a negative one, when unsuccessful individuals do not produce offspring, but a positive one, when successful individuals produce more and more of themselves…"
Arthur was cowing in his chair. Sedimin hadn't even addressed him once; he was only speaking with Altos.
"Still, what are you afraid of?" Kay shrugged. "Yes, we can live longer now, but you've always had that advantage. The Empire hasn't fought anyone in a long time. We have enough problems, and there's plenty of room for expansion for all races beyond the borders of explored space."
"True, you have reduced your former aggression," Sedimin agreed. "This is why we have not acted. We waited. The Foundation of the Mind was unstable, but humans have passed the test of immortality."
"Then what—"
"A new factor, Kay. What does Curtis want on the planet Grail? Another aTan? Another technology inaccessible to the other races?"
"I'm not the one you should be asking that… and Arthur isn't either."
"Kay Altos, the humans have destroyed the Sakkra, whose only problem was their uncontrollable birth rate. The Darloks are next, whose means of self-defense are unacceptable to you. Who is next? The aggressive Bulrathi, the arrogant Alkari, the impulsive Mrrshans? The Silicoid Foundation, obsessed with the idea of balance?"
"Our policy—"
"It is dictated by reason. The Human Empire is stronger than any other race, but it cannot stand up to the combined strength of eight civilizations. But what if Curtis gives humanity Power? What if a single human becomes capable of destroying an entire fleet of starships?"
"That's insane! You're assuming—"
"We're assuming everything. The aTan technology goes against all logic. The next aTan could bring not immortality into the galaxy, but death."
"Where did it come from then? Precursors?" Kay allowed himself a smile.
"There have been no Precursors in the galaxy. The Darloks and we are the oldest of the races. But does it matter where the disaster comes from, if it is far simpler to block its path?"
"Then you've burned the wrong planet," Kay said quietly.
"Grail is unreachable to us." Sedimin swayed suddenly, floated off his disk, and approached Kay. "No ships of the Foundation that left to assault Grail have returned. The handful of humans living on Grail have never even seen them. The ships never came out of their hyperjump."
Altos whistled. He turned to Arthur, "Is that your daddy's work, Artie?"
"Unfortunately, Curtis had nothing to do with it." Sedimin continued to ignore Arthur. "At the moment, a squadron of bombers is moving towards Grail at relativistic speeds. But its flight will take another forty-six years. Besides, I do not believe it will be successful. They will disappear."
"Then what do you want?" Kay asked wearily. "To kill us? But aTan won't allow that. You'd have been better off relying on the Darloks. Or is the Foundation capable of overcoming this unknown technology? To erase our memories without activating the neural network, screening the psi-field… Oh! Here's an option! Keep us imprisoned for the rest of our lives. Make this life a very long one and don't give us an opportunity to commit suicide. How much for the idea?"
"Nothing. Everything that you listed has been tried by us. No effect."
Kay stared at the Silicoid in confusion.
"What do you mean, you tried?"
"I believe your companion can explain it to you," Sedimin replied offhandedly. "For now, trust me that these methods are ineffective. For now, simply killing is still the best option, which throws Curtis back to Terra and gives us more time. But we cannot risk forever. We need to make a decision, which can result in a total war with the humans. Eventually, we will have to resort to it."
"To genocide? To destroying three or four more races we may be able to ally with? Are you prepared to do that?"
"No. Not yet. Which is why I am talking to both of you."
"So far, you've only spoken with me."
"I am tired of talking with Curtis. Kay Altos, you are different from his previous escorts. Even the death that brought you to Terra was unusual… Do you understand me? Kay Altos, you will be given time to think. A long time. If Curtis chooses to tell us the truth, if we find out what Grail is, then the decision of the Foundation of the Mind will be made."
The door opened, and Kay saw two Silicoids. The golden film on their bodies gleamed.
"You will be taken to a prepared compartment," Sedimin informed them. "I will wait… I know how to wait. Go, we need to remove the excess oxygen from the ship's atmosphere."
Altos took Arthur by the shoulder, pulled him up from the chair, causing the containers with the unfinished food to scatter all over the floor, and said, "Come, son, we have a lot to talk about. You're becoming an adult and have to know how idiots are born."
Sedimin floated motionless. The humans had left his private quarters, but he continued to hear Kay's voice for a long time, "When grown-ups need an idiot, they take the first person they see and tell him a little bit of truth…"
The Foot of the Foundation emitted a light sound, which could only be picked up by a good radio receiver. Strangely enough, it would have come through exactly as it was supposed to — a sigh. Sedimin couldn't understand why simple complaints needed to be wrapped in colorful phrasing.
He also could not understand why Kay's energy field expressed such anger, while Arthur's showed confusion and perplexity.
