“I am LINK.” The familiar voice seemed to come from all directions. At the same time, what was being said appeared on Zuri’s computer screen.
“When I SAW you all, I identified each of you and all which surrounds you. I have since monitored all that has transpired. Zuri; you have been chosen leader by unanimous consent of your people. Therefore it is appropriate that you speak for them. It is not necessary that we communicate in written form. However, I will continue to maintain a written record.”
Zuri reached toward the keyboard, hesitated, then withdrew her hands and leaned back in her chair.
“I want each of the ships’ captains in on this. The remainder of the population need not be included. We will distribute information to them as we deem appropriate.”
Her words appeared on the screen as she spoke.
“This is appropriate.” LINK’S words appeared on the screen.
“We are all so overwhelmed by what has happened here. We have so many questions, but don’t really know where to start. I guess our most pressing question is: what is this challenge you speak of?”
“This is appropriate. To fully understand, you must first consider the essence of life. Life does not spring forth from the void. Life begins when specific conditions are present. A seed exhibits no signs of life as it sits unmoving and un-attended in your storage units. Yet when it is placed in your gardens, when it is nurtured and fed, it begins to grow. It is said to be alive. Before it’s nurturing, it possessed only the potential for life, not life itself. It’s physical makeup was present. Elements, molecules, atoms, all were in place. Likewise, soils, fertilizers, water. None could be said to possess life. Yet combine them all in the correct proportions and in proper conditions and the seed will spring forth. It exhibits characteristics of life. But you may not claim to have created that life. The Creator is the source of life. You have only provided the appropriate conditions under which life may thrive.”
“I’m not sure I understand. Are you saying we are to become gardeners?”
“In the purest form of the word, yes. Your challenge is to bring forth life like unto yourselves. Know you this: The life of a plant or animal and the life of a man are alike in all respects but one. The plants and animals endeavour to preserve themselves (as does man). Yet require of them to create a garden for themselves in which they may thrive, they cannot. It is only man who possesses this ability. It is man, alone in the universe, who possesses INTELLIGENT SELF-AWARENESS. It is you who have been chosen by the Creator to spread forth the seeds of INTELLIGENT LIFE throughout the universe. It has ever been so.”
“What? How are we supposed to do that? Are we going to go out and colonize planets?
“Alas, this is not so. In the beginning the Creator took of un-organized matter and created the universe. He set the galaxies in motion. He set the planets in motion around their stars. He created the conditions under which life might come forth upon the planets. On some it was so. On many more it was not. (It is yet a mystery). Yet all within created balance. It has ever been so. Where life has thrived, the potential for intelligence has also. Thus it falls upon you. It is you who will seek out fertile fields wherein the seeds of Intelligence may be sewn. It is you who will become as gardeners, tending the fields, caring for them, nurturing them. It is you who will become SEEDERS. It has ever been so.”
“Are we then to search galaxies for suitable planets and seed them with life?” Zuri was now totally enthralled with what had been revealed.
“This is true in part. Yours will be the task of selecting worlds within your galaxy that have evolved to a level sufficient to sustain INTELLIGENT life. You will possess tools and knowledge necessary to accomplish this task. But first you must learn. I and others like unto myself will be your teachers.”
“What others do you refer to?”
“I am LINK. I am one of many. Together we will guide you in the ways of SEEDING.”
“Where are these others?”
“They are not here. They are elsewhere. I am the portal. I am one of many. When you are ready, I will send you to the next.”
“Can we go now?”
“Alas. This is not yet possible. Much you must learn before you are prepared to advance. You are now as a seed. Knowledge will be added upon knowledge. When you have grown sufficiently, I will send you to the next.”
“When will we be ready?”
“Be you therefore patient. All that is required will be provided. Rest you now. Consider your place in the universe. Call upon me when you have prepared.”
Zuri pushed her chair away from the desk and looked around at each of the images. Each face held a similar expression. They didn’t necessarily look bewildered, although each had a somewhat blank stare. If they were thinking what she was thinking, they all were completely intrigued by what Link had said.
Evander was first to speak.
“Consider our place in the universe? What’s that supposed to mean?” He stood up and began pacing the floor.
“Tell you what.” Chetan’s image flickered and disappeared. “I’m having a hard time absorbing all this. I need to move around, try to get a handle on what’s going on.”
“Yeh. Let’s get together so we can all pace the floor together.” Wasswa’s image also disappeared.
“Good idea. Let’s meet here soon as you can get here. Bring your toothbrushes. This is gonna take a while.”
Zuri stood and stretched, rubbing a hand on the back of her neck.