Ben exited the Federation Palace, walked down the steps, and out of the shadow being cast by the palace. He sat down on the seat of an auto transport. He punched in the number of his guest suite, then touched the Robo Conversation 'on' button. He sat back as the transport started slowly down the roadway and into a large park. To his left was a smooth artificial path for pedestrians.
“Good morning Professor Hillar,” said the Robo Conversation in a slow and calm, feminine voice. "What would you like to talk about today?"
"Well first, what's your name?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Augustawnoleeawnostiviach," replied the robo.
"Auga . . . what?"
"Augustawnoleeawnostiviach. I was named after one of my creators, but you can call me Augy for short."
"That's better," said Ben. "For a moment I thought I was going to be stuck with that tongue twister for the rest of the conversation."
"I can tell you have a sense of humor," said Augy pleasantly.
The park and garden, through which Ben and the transport moved, was a large expanse of vegetation and benign wildlife extending as far as Ben could see. Branches with flowers hanging down, loomed high above in the copses of beautiful trees. They were densely populated in calculated locations throughout the park and strategically placed so that the transport would travel under the flowered branches. In the open, sunny areas, there were colorful flower gardens, vibrant with every color of the rainbow. They shimmered brightly bringing forth a pleasurable sight, and they gave off a sensuous scent, bringing back pleasurable memories of the past. And wherever the flowers and trees were missing, the ground was covered with an elegant blue-green grass. Birds of various shapes, sizes, and colors flitted from tree to tree singing melodious songs.
Ben had been in parks and gardens on his home planet and on other planets, but he had never seen one this exquisite. This was the best that money could buy.
He took in the beauty of the moment, then he purposely turned his head and body so he could look at the Galaef's palace. It was made of a smooth, shimmering-black material on the outside, which formed the three tall high-rise towers reaching higher than any of the other buildings in the Inner City or Outer City. Behind the black material the walls of the palace were composed of norimuinatit, the strongest atomically forged metal in existence, so strong that it could withstand the destructive forces of a sonic bomb. Also, hidden behind the structure of the walls in strategic positions were rapid-fire laser guns, which could be moved out of their hidden recesses in a moment for use against an enemy.
As Ben continued to look he was suddenly wondering about the security protecting the internal workings of the computer planet. What would happen to an unauthorized person or persons if they were able to get inside? Was there a way to stop them? If not, could they get to the control room to reprogram the computer to take control of the Starfleet? And if not, how much damage could they do to the computer?
Ben turned to the front as the transport automatically came to a stop for a couple of pedestrians crossing the roadway. They had just passed over a small bridge, which traversed a small stream flowing from a nearby fountain. As they moved out of the way the transport started up and drove slowly through the park.
Ben thought the information regarding Galactus VII security was probably classified, but it might be that he could get some information out of the auto transport. He decided to be subtle.
"Augy," said Ben, "Why don't you tell me about Galactus, starting with the park."
"I would be happy to, Professor Hillar.” Augy paused momentarily as she searched the computer banks. "The park encompasses a little more than one thousand acres and completely encircles the Galaef's castle. It was planned and constructed for the pleasure of the Galaef and his G-staff, but it is not just for them. It is for all the people of the Inner City as well as for visitors from other planets. And sometimes people from the Outer City will visit.
"The park and all the buildings in the Inner City were designed by a large staff of top architects and architectural computer programs. The purpose of the Inner City is to hold one hundred and fifty thousand people in comfort and luxury, so that they can do their job while running the Federation in pleasurable surroundings.
"Most of the time the population of the Inner City is close to a hundred thousand, give or take five thousand. It depends on the projects being handled by the Galaef and the Galactic Federation.
"During intra or interplanetary wars the population can become as high as one hundred and twenty thousand. When war breaks out between two or more countries on a single planet, the Galactic Federation rarely intervenes. But when a war starts between two, or among several planets, the Federation calls in many of the top minds. First they have to decide whether or not to become involved, and secondly, if they do, then to what extent. At the top of the list is always the monetary cost of taking on the responsibility. Then they have to take into account the impact that the war might have on trade in that sector of the Galaxy; also social, cultural, and environmental impacts have to be considered.
"Throughout the one point six million year history of the Galactic Empire it has been usual for the Federation to step in with all its might and squelch interplanetary war. Thus saving millions of lives and preventing costly damage to the planets. Political bargaining then solves their disputes, and it usually turns out fair and economical for all parties involved.
"There is no doubt that the Federation is responsible for peace and prosperity throughout the Galaxy. If ever the Federation fell, there would be terrible wars, planetary destruction, and the deaths of countless numbers of innocent beings."
Augy paused, and at this point, Ben let out a small chuckle.
"Why do you laugh?" asked Augy's calm, feminine voice.
"Don't misunderstand,” said Ben. “I'm not disagreeing, nor do I think death is funny. I merely think you've gotten off the track. We were going to talk about Galactus. Remember?"
"But Professor Hillar, I am giving some background information as I proceed toward the historical construction of Galactus."
Ben smiled. "That's fine, Augy. Please continue."
"The first artificial planet, which was entirely a computer, was designed and constructed by the eight most technologically advanced planets in the Galaxy. After its birth, Galactic unification took place. The Federation armada was built, and with its power and especially with the strategical intelligence of the computer behind it, all inhabited planets with inter solar system space travel capabilities were forced to pledge allegiance to the Federation. Since that time the Galaxy has been mostly peaceful and prosperous.
"After 357,268.613 galactic years the first computer planet advised that a second computer planet needed to be built. It told the Galaef that too many components were beginning to malfunction and that in another 30,000 years it would begin to make erroneous decisions.
"The second computer planet was built with the intention that it would be the last one, but as it turned out five more had to be constructed.
"Finally, after Galactus VII was built, it was concluded by top scientists, in conjunction with the computer’s input, that the Federation would never need to build another. This one has the capability for not only continual self-repair, but also for an ever increasing intelligence as the discovery of new knowledge continues.
"Janus Vll, upon which you are now riding, is twenty five thousand miles in diameter. The outer shell is 20 feet thick and is made of Lastinite, the strongest metal ever made by positronic forging. It is so strong, it would take forty days to cut through one inch with continual phasor torching.
"The inside of the planet has many corridors, elevator shafts, ventilator shafts, and information and technical rooms. Much of the computer is made of living, organic, self-propagating matter. It was found that organic matter can store more information and do problem solving in a smaller space than inorganic matter, and, more importantly, since it has self-repair capabilities, it is virtua
lly maintenance free.
"Only the Galaef and a few top computer engineers (chosen by the Galaef) have access to the inner workings of Galactus, and no one can enter the inner planet without being accompanied by the Galaef.
"After the construction of Galactus VII, soil, rocks, and boulders were brought in from an uninhabited planet and used to produce the outer covering which includes small mountain ranges, plains, tropical forests near the equator, and one large desert. The ground is a minimum of fifty feet deep. Water was also imported, and Galactus VII has streams, rivers, lakes, two oceans, and snow in the mountains.
"The biologists created a chain of wildlife, none of which is harmful to humankind, and includes edible sea life such as fish and crustaceans.
"When the planet was finished the Galaef's palace was built on the outside surface of the computer planet, midway between the North Pole and the equator.
"Since space wasn't a consideration, the palace and the Inner City grounds were built with walkways and roadways lined with trees and flowers. There are even high-rise walkways connecting various buildings. The public buildings, such as libraries, restaurants, and entertainment centers (operated by non-G-staff personnel), and the Galaef's spaceport, and even the barracks which houses more than 10,000 security and patrol guards were designed not only for usefulness, but also for aesthetic qualities.
"Long ago, when Galactus VII was first designed and built, it was not planned that there would be another city on Galactus other than the Inner City. However, . . . “
”Please,” interrupted Ben, “don’t retell the story of the Tarmorians. I already know how their population was decimated by a microorganism accidentally brought to their planet by a Federation cargo ship, and how the survivors were allowed to move to Galactus VII because they had nowhere else to go.”
“Fine,” said Augy, “then I will tell you about the city they built on the other side of the castle wall.”
Ben made a fake yawning noise.
"Am I boring you, Professor Hillar? You know, you can push the ‘off’ button any time you like."
"Don't be so emotional," replied Ben.
"Professor Hillar, you know I can't be emotional. I'm a computer."
"Yeah, sure. That's what all you computers say, and yet, you're always getting your wires in a tangle and your circuit boards heated up."
"Professor Hillar, you aren't very funny. Do you want me to continue?"
"Yeah. Sure. Okay. But tell me something I don't know. Everything I've heard so far I already learned in a high school history class."
"I'll try," said Augy and then she continued. "Space was not a consideration, when the Tarmorians moved here, so an extremely large avenue, approximately two hundred yards wide, was constructed. Starting on the outer side of the front gates, it travels in a straight line for twenty miles. It was planned that this street, named Main Avenue, would be the location for the businesses and that the housing for the citizens would be in the outlying areas several blocks out from the Main Avenue and radiating away.
"It took only a few years for bazaars to crop up. They had been very popular on their home planet, and the Tarmorians prefer doing their business in an outside environment rather than in the enclosed confinements of a building. Colorful tents and awnings line the broad avenue. They start near the front gate and continue for several miles. Vegetable and fruit stands, weapons, household items, almost anything can be bought at the bazaar; even black market items can be purchased from the right people for the right price at the bazaar." Augy paused, then said, "but don't tell anyone I told you."
In an assuring voice Ben said, "I won't."
Augy continued. "As one passes out of the bazaar, and for the next seven miles, small businesses of all sorts, designed to cater to tourists, line the broad avenue. And for the last ten miles you will find the glamorous hotels and gambling establishments. Entertainers from all over the galaxy are hired to perform in the showrooms, even famous holoview stars come to perform. Over a period of time the tourism trade became very profitable and the Outer City is now a famous vacation resort, a get-away for fun, relaxation, gambling, and good entertainment.
"Finally, a large spaceport was built on the west end of the city. And thousands of spaceships come in every year with vacationers."
Ben lurched a little as the transport came to a stop.
"I think that pretty much covers it. Do you have any more questions?"
"Actually, I do," said Ben. He decided he should have used the direct approach to begin with. "What would happen if an unauthorized person entered the internal workings of Galactus VII?"
Augy didn’t hesitate. "The internal computer, being made mostly of organic matter, has the ability to make lethal monsters. The unauthorized person would be killed by such a creature shortly after entering."
Ben laughed. "Come on. You're pulling my leg." Ben realized he had used an ancient Earth saying. "I mean, you're lying to me."
"Oh no," replied Augy. "I can't lie. My program won't allow it."
Ben, with an aggravated tone in his voice said, "Well then I think your programmer has a weird sense of humor."
"I don't understand," said Augy.
"Never mind. I have one request."
"Yes?"
"Tell me what you know about Lyil."
"Lyil? Lyil who?"
"Lyil, the redhead who checked me out before I was interviewed by the Galaef. You know. She's a G-staff member. She's about five foot seven and . . . "
"Oh, you mean Lyil Zornburst. I'm sorry I'm not allowed to divulge information about G-staff members."
"Well, if you can't, you can't. It's been nice talking to you." He switched off the Robo Conversation. "You gave me a lot of information I already know, and now you won't tell me what I don't know and want to know."
Ben stepped off the transport and started down the hallway toward his suite thinking about the Outer City. It wasn't the gambling and the shows that interested him. It was the tournaments.
When the survivors of Tarmore restructured their civilization, they kept swording as their planetary sport (It had been very big on their home planet). Eventually they built an arena on the Northeast edge of the city. It contained exactly 100 combat platforms, which included warm-up and competition. And the complex had the capacity to hold more than seven hundred thousand spectators. The main arena, alone, had a hundred thousand seats. It was the largest swordsman complex in the Galaxy.
At first, it appeared that the Tarmorians had been overly optimistic in building such a large complex; especially since their population was not allowed to grow to more than one million.
But as it turned out, with all the huge hotels and other types of tourist housing, the city's population was continually close to two million. The city directors held tournaments four times a year, and they always had a large number of spectators, consisting of Tarmorians and tourists. There was even a large number of G-staff who had an interest in swording.
Since the guaranteed prize money was high, there were usually one or two of the Galaxy's top swordsmen competing. This brought an even larger turn out of spectators. Swording was one of the major sporting events on a large number of planets throughout the Galaxy, and people would come from all over to see top swordsmen; especially swordsmen who had placed in the Galactic Games.
The money was nice, but that wasn't Ben's motivation for wanting to compete in one of the Tarmorian's tournaments. Over the years the competition had become high level and therefore the prestige had grown until it was finally considered the elite of all the swording competitions (with the exception of the Galactic Games). He had heard of these matches when he was a child, and it became a dream of his to compete and win in a Tarmorian tournament.
Ben always stayed current with the major swording events, and because of that he knew a tournament had just started in the Outer City. Since he had to wait for the results of the Galaef's research team, he thought he would see about entering.
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Chapter Four