The Dream of Aveire by Kris Schnee

Author:Kris Schnee [Schnee, Kris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2020-06-17T22:00:00+00:00

8. Opening Contact

Even before the mining ship left, Aveire turned its attention to the gift that Murad had given them. If they could get the device built before the launch window closed, it'd be possible to test the thing.

Members of the crew and other experienced engineers hurried to a lab deep in the Hull, where drones were scurrying to bring raw materials. Everen was there but Hani and Murad were only watching from nearby crew quarters. The builders were in a near-panic trying to hurry through the construction of the critical, secret components and plug them into a modified radio box. "So, how does it work?" Hani asked Murad.

"I'm no expert on it. My understanding is that it creates a sort of standing wave that can be sensed from anywhere... I'll let the experts try to make that make sense. But it's related to our sun's odd energy readings, and it's not that hard to build once you know how." He shrugged. "The point is that we'll finally be able to talk more."

"You could've revealed the blueprints a week ago."

"Back then I hadn't decided whether to hand them over. I think Aveire let me inspect the mining ship just to make me a bit more willing to comply."

"I'm not sure you appreciate how big a deal this tech will be. If we had a device like this back in our last star system... well, we have some people who'd like to talk with whoever is there now."

"We know it'll be important to you. We might as well start getting some benefit from it, to coordinate our mining and base-building." The ambassador glanced away from the screen showing engineers at work. "Tell me, Hani: is your AI loyal to people first, or to its art?"

"I don't think there's a difference."

"If our star system had been ugly raw materials, would Aveire have turned around and ignored us? Is our value to you, just our potential to get gardened? I wasn't able to get a straight answer from the AI itself."

Hani frowned. "Well... our focus is the art. But ultimately it's to serve people."

Murad said, "It looks like every star system you've visited, you've seeded with intelligent life. No completely mindless places."

"What brought this on?" she asked.

"I was asked to feel you people out for why you're doing all this. Your bottled world is beautiful; I'll be sorry to leave it."

"You don't have to!"

The ambassador sighed. "Yeah, I do. I belong back with my people. But maybe we can make my home a little more like yours."

A cheer went up from the other room. Everen sent, "We're ready to try turning the device on with the 'channel' for Seelie. Do you have last-minute advice, ambassador?"

"Play fiddle music for your first broadcast. It's an inside joke."

"Very well."

The music played, and thumps and cursing came over the return circuit. Murad laughed. "I know who's staggering into the room and tripping on things."

"Hello? Hello? Is this starship Aveire?" said a distant voice, too far from a microphone.

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