Hippie Dippy Overmind
Many times before, I have written about the difference in the personalities among the various Overminds. No two people are exactly the same so there is no reason to believe that Overminds would be the same. Many of their personality traits are shaped by the size of their communicants, their mission and, in the case of the Overmind of Helome, their environment.
The Overmind of Earth was first. It was rather imperious (as Overminds often are) and ruled with an iron fist. It was the most powerful because it was made up of the most people. We actually spoke to it one time, near the end of Rome’s Evolution and while it was powerful, it did appear to have a modicum of wisdom.
We never got to speak to the Overmind of Tabit but we do know that its mission was discovery so it was more flexible and open to change than others. It allowed Rei's Ark to be rescued and through its agent Commander Ursay, it eventually came to understand that even the Essessoni had value.
The Overmind of Helome was a completely different animal. We never spoke to it directly but through its agent Virga, we discovered that it was very much concerned with the environment and strongly influenced by the overwhelming beauty of that gorgeous planet. The cities of Helome deviated from the normal Vuduri plan. I'll let Rome and Rei tell you the differences in the The Ark Lords as they approached the capital city also named I-cimaci:
They entered a west-to-east orbit and MINIMCOM implemented the swooping and arcing of the Bessel function used to aero-brake their way into the atmosphere. They circled around the planet coming up on the squarish-shaped continent Rome had indicated earlier from the western side. Most of the vegetation was a deep shade of teal with sporadic patches of emerald green. Regardless of its color, the growth was lush and dense over the entire landscape. The only exception was the circles-within-circles shape of a typical Vuduri city.
As they descended, Rei shouted out, “Look at that. Somebody actually deviated from the Vuduri master handbook.”
Rome looked where he was pointing and saw the twin towers rising up from the center of the city. Every other Vuduri settlement she had ever seen only had one.
“I see it,” she said. “No one ever mentioned that. I wonder why they built two towers. And look at that!” Rome said, pointing to the curling paths of verdant growth, snaking their way throughout the city. “Typically, the Vuduri did not tolerate vegetation within the city limits. This is very interesting.”
Tomorrow, more ramps and apparently no guns but don't be fooled.
Entry 4-308: October 30, 2016
Welcome to Helome
Yesterday, Rome and Rei arrived at Helome only discover there were many differences between this new world and their home world of Deucado. The Vuduri there seemed to have developed along different lines than your regular, run-of-the-mill Vuduri. Still, after all the bad experiences Rei has had when traveling to new places, you wouldn't blame him for being a big suspicious of the greeting waiting for them:
“Uh, Rome,” Rei asked as they unbuckled. “Did you happen to bring the Deucadon’s invisibility cloaks?”
“They’re in the back. I had placed them in MINIMCOM’s storage compartment for safe-keeping. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. Do you think we have anything to worry about?” Rei asked, trying to see around the sealed airlock arch.
“I don’t believe so. What would make you think that?” Rome asked as she freed herself from her harness and stood up.
“It’s just that over the last three years, experience tells me every time we visit some place new, there’s always something nasty waiting for us.”
“I wouldn’t worry,” she said, pressing the stud to open the cockpit airlock arch. “There have never been any reports of anything unpleasant on Helome. Quite the opposite. It’s supposed to be very peaceful here.”
“OK,” Rei said. “I’ll take your word for it. MINIMCOM? We’ll be in touch.”
“I will be here.”
Rei followed Rome down the corridor leading to the cargo compartment. Rome pressed the blue stud to open the hatch and lower the cargo ramp. The golden light streaming in from Aleph was very bright and Rei had to hold his arm up to block it until his eyes adjusted.
Waiting for them at the bottom of the ramp were three women. One of them, a petite blonde with short hair and tight curls stepped forward to greet them. She raised her hand and spoke in Vuduri.
“I am Virga,” she said. “Welcome to Helome.” Her hair sparkled in the blazing light of Aleph. Rei looked around. Everything was sparkling, even the gold highlights in Rome’s hair.
“Thank you,” Rome said. “I am Rome and this is Rei.”
“We know who you are,” Virga answered. “You are quite famous. You were the ones who destroyed MASAL and saved Earth from Asdrale Cimatir. All Vuduri should be grateful to you. It was shameful how they banished you from the Earth.”
“Huh,” Rei said in English. “Gratitude from a Vuduri? Will wonders never cease?”
Wow. Beautiful world. Beautiful people. A pleasant greeting? What could go wrong? As Rei says, there's always something nasty waiting for them. And he's right.
Entry 4-309: October 31, 2016
Ramps but no guns?
Yesterday, we saw Rome and Rei arrive at Helome under what appears to be benign circumstances. Every other time in every other book, when they walk down a ramp, somebody is waiting at the bottom with guns or knives or something else aggressive and non-benign. Sadly for Rome and Rei, this trip is no different. Every time Rei has to shield his eyes until they get used to the sun, bad news is coming:
Rei followed Rome down the corridor leading to the cargo compartment. Rome pressed the blue stud to open the hatch and lower the cargo ramp. The golden light streaming in from Aleph was very bright and Rei had to hold his arm up to block it until his eyes adjusted.
Waiting for them at the bottom of the ramp were three women. One of them, a petite blonde with short hair and tight curls stepped forward to greet them. She raised her hand and spoke in Vuduri.
“I am Virga,” she said. “Welcome to Helome.” Her hair sparkled in the blazing light of Aleph. Rei looked around. Everything was sparkling, even the gold highlights in Rome’s hair.
“Thank you,” Rome said. “I am Rome and this is Rei.”
“We know who you are,” Virga answered. “You are quite famous. You were the ones who destroyed MASAL and saved Earth from Asdrale Cimatir. All Vuduri should be grateful to you. It was shameful how they banished you from the Earth.”
“Huh,” Rei said in English. “Gratitude from a Vuduri? Will wonders never cease?”
Rome turned her head, looking briefly at Rei with one raised eyebrow.
“Not to be impolite,” Virga asked as they descended the ramp, “but why are you here?”
“We would like to examine the artifacts you preserved from the Essessoni Ark that landed here one thousand years ago. When I was in the Overmind, I remember seeing the storage chamber very clearly. There are certain items we are looking for. Is this acceptable to you?”
“Of course you may see them,” said Virga. “Do you require any food or drink first?”
Rome looked at Rei who shrugged. “It is not necessary,” Rome said. “Where are the artifacts stored?”
“Not far from here,” Virga said. “But it would be more convenient to travel by cart.”
“We do not wish to impose but would you mind taking us there?” Rome asked.
“It is no imposition. Of course we will take you there,” Virga said walking toward Rei.
Those two women accompanying Virga are, in fact, armed, by the way. Just not noticeable. I suppose being armed could be construed as their way of being prudent but like everybody else in the 35th century, they have an agenda. We'll get a hint of it tomorrow.
Entry 4-310: November 1, 2016
Hands off?
As I mentioned several days ago, the Overmind of Helome w
as quite different and distinct from its brothers on Earth and Deucado. The Overmind of Helome was more into physical beauty and preserving the environment. So it makes perfect sense that it shaped its communicants into a higher level of beauty. Further, this strain of Vuduri could also appreciate physical beauty in a way that those on other planets never could.
Rei noticed this right away as Virga, the petite blonde with curly hair, also the leader on Helome, was quite overt in her observance of him as a physical specimen:
“Where are the artifacts stored?”
“Not far from here,” Virga said. “But it would be more convenient to travel by cart.”
“We do not wish to impose but would you mind taking us there?” Rome asked.
“It is no imposition. Of course we will take you there,” Virga said walking toward Rei. She put her hands on his chest and ran them up his pectorals then along his broad shoulders and down his arms, taking time to squeeze his biceps. For a Vuduri to initiate physical contact was very odd indeed. Rei was so stunned; he couldn’t back away from the unexpected gesture.
“So you are an actual Essessoni,” she said. “I have never seen one in real life. Are they all as big as you?” she asked.
“Most of them,” Rei answered. For some reason, he blushed slightly.
“Your musculature,” Virga said. “It is magnificent. No wonder you were able to vanquish MASAL.”
“I had help,” Rei said modestly.
Virga looked into his eyes for a moment longer then turned away.
However Virga might have appeared to be employing an artist's eye for Rei's physical stature, her true mission was far more sinister. Remember, most Vuduri were just mouthpieces for the Overmind and this particular Overmind had a problem that it perceived only Rei could solve. Most men would have been envious of his position but then most men were not married to Rome.
Entry 4-311: November 2, 2016
Crayons and soybeans
As I mentioned several days ago, Helome is a stunning world, more beautiful than Earth. Everything about it is beautiful and there is a strange quality within the light emitted by Aleph that makes things appear even more beautiful. I wanted to stress this in the beginning of The Ark Lords so that when the underlying ugliness is exposed, the contrast would be even more striking. I also couldn't help myself by giving a shout out to Silas Hiram from the Ark I who was growing his soybeans over one thousand years earlier. At least they survived the Piranha Rats:
Rome watched the scenery fly by. Large, individual tree-analogs were co-mingled with bushes and wildflowers. Even though the tops of the trees were various shades of teal, their trunks were every kind of color imaginable from deep red, to yellows to blues. The trees did not have leaves proper. Their sun catching surfaces resembled clumps of moss but the effect was the same.
As she watched the riot of colors flashing by, Rei tapped her on the shoulder and said, “It reminds me of a box of Crayolas.” Rome furrowed her brow but did not comment upon his observation. She squinted her eyes and the colors blended, forming a shimmering rainbow. It was so beautiful.
They flew on, passing lush green fields of variegated plants and shrubs. The light of Aleph made each shimmer and glow with an emerald green that was richer than Rei had ever seen. Eventually, they came to a rural area organized into large rectangular plots of distinctly different crops.
“Are those soybeans?” Rei asked, pointed to a deep green field to their left.
“Yes,” replied Virga. “It is one of the few crops your people planted here that has survived and actually thrived. We use it in many ways, not just for food.”
Rome looked back and forth. “Virga, I cannot even begin to tell you how beautiful it is here. Just everything!” she remarked. Rei was relieved to know it was not his imagination. Aleph really did make things seem prettier.
“Yes, it is,” Virga said, twisting in her seat to look back at Rome. “The Overmind here has developed a great appreciation for the bounty and the beauty this planet has to offer. It is too bad…”
“Too bad what?” Rome asked.
Virga shook her head and turned back to face forward. “Not everything is as idyllic as it appears,” she said over her shoulder. “We are having some problems. However it is nothing you should concern yourself with. The solution is very nearly at hand.”
The solution, of course, is to kidnap Rei and extract his genetic material to right the evolutionary course of the Vuduri on Helome. Not the greatest of situations for our hero.
Entry 4-312: November 3, 2016
Super Carts
Yesterday, we saw Rome and Rei climb aboard one of the ever-present Vuduri flying carts. They joined Virga and two guards to head off to the Vuduri archives in the capital city of I-cimaci in the beginning of The Ark Lords. However, this particular cart deviated slightly from the normal design. Although it is not particularly detailed, here is Rei's observation as they were climbing aboard:
Without a word, one of the two other women left the group and quickly returned with one of the ubiquitous Vuduri flying carts. This particular aircar looked a little heavier than the ones Rei had seen before. It had a substantial roof held up by four posts, one at each corner. Also, Rei noticed a slight breeze flowing from underneath. Normally, the EG lifters that powered these carts were recessed in the undercarriage. On this particular cart, Rei could make out the bottom of their outline.
He shrugged and joined the others as they climbed aboard. Virga sat in the front next to the driver. The other woman, still silent, sat in the back next to Rome. The driver took them along a series of winding roads away from the city to the north. Once they were in the country, the road straightened and widened out. Their speed increased and the wind whipped through the cart. Rei glanced down and saw repulsor strips mounted on the seat back in front of him. Rei knew they were the Vuduri equivalent of airbags so he leaned back and relaxed.
So what were the major differences between these carts and regular carts?
1. They had a roof. Normally the Vuduri flying carts were open air.
2. Their frames were reinforced. They are carrying additional equipment which, up until this point, is hidden within the frame.
3. They have oversized EG lifters, more powerful than normal, so as to lift the heavier carts.
4. They have repulsor strips, the Vuduri equivalent of air bags.
So why are these carts different? They carry within them a complete safety cage which is normally retracted. But when the cage is extended, it is a heavy metal mesh that attaches to the roof to protect the occupants from something nasty. You'll see.
Here is Bruce's rendition of the cart, minus the roof and cutaway a bit so that you could see the interior more clearly:
Entry 4-313: November 4, 2016
Super Carts Explained
Yesterday, I told you that the Vuduri on Helome used a different kind of flying cart. The ones they were using had reinforced bodies, oversized EG lifters, repulsor strips and a canopy. Today I will reveal to you why those carts were different. No matter what you think, it is probably not what you expect. Here is that scene from The Ark Lords:
As they drove along, the number of tree-analogs increased in density from individuals to some small stands of trees which then gave way to some denser woods. The trunks grew a bit darker in color and a little less varied. Just before they entered the forest proper, the cart came to a halt and settled on the ground.
“What are we doing?” Rome asked.
A grinding noise issued from the roof of cart and a heavy-duty metal mesh screen descended along all four sides, inserting into slots made for that purpose.
“What are these for?” Rome asked.
“There are some vicious and cunning predators we call lurkers that live in the woods here,” Virga said. “This screening discourages any sudden attacks.”
“And I thought the Piranha Rats were bad,” Rei scoffed, pressing his hand
against the screen.
“The lurkers are just one thing to deal with,” Virga replied. “They cannot help their nature. In their own way, even they are quite beautiful, svelte and fast, fully devoted to their task. We just choose to not make ourselves a meal.”
“Is that the worst of them?” Rome asked.
“There are also batwolves,” Virga said, pointing up. “Also quite beautiful and extremely deadly.”
“Yikes,” Rei said in English, instinctively ducking and looking up and around. “Batwolves? This is kind of a scary place.”
“It is all under control,” Virga replied. “The Piranha Rats have shaped the ecology of this planet for over a million years. The creatures and plants have adapted. So have we. The last attack was sixteen years ago and it was easily dealt with. The next attack will not occur for another 64 years.”
“You know exactly when they are going to attack?” Rei asked.
“Yes. Beth is so bright, we do not have truly dark nights here but once every 80 years. When Beth is at periasteron that is when the night sky is the blackest. That is when the Piranha Rats emerge from their lairs and begin their sweep across the planet. We have eradicated them from this continent. We left the rest of this world the way it was.”
“So now you just have batwolves and lurkers to contend with,” Rei said sarcastically.
So there you have it. The carts become basically flying cages but cages to keep things out rather than in. If you ever read the story about Silas Hiram in The Vuduri Companion, you will see that the carnivores called lurkers and batwolves were around even when the Ark I first landed.
Entry 4-314: November 5, 2016
Starship Museum 1
About a month ago, I took the opportunity to take you back to the remains of the Ark II in the beginning of The Ark Lords to see what had become of it. To make the story more dramatic, I had the composition of the Ark in combination with the elements on Deucado cause the body to nearly rust out. On Deucado, the colonists had retrieved all of the contents leaving just a rusted out hulk.