“Admiral,” he said, nodding.
Nogura crossed the room, extending his right hand in greeting. “Lieutenant Xiong, isn’t it?”
“Yes, sir,” Xiong replied, and Nogura noted the dark circles under the other man’s eyes.
“You look tired, son,” the admiral said. “When’s the last time you slept?”
Xiong smiled. “What day is it, sir?”
“We’re all a little behind in that department, Admiral,” Marcus said, “but I think it’s been worth it.” She indicated the Tholian with a gesture. “With Nezrene’s help, Mr. Xiong has made what we believe is a major breakthrough with our efforts to understand Shedai technology.”
At the mention of her name, Nezrene turned to face the group. A string of indecipherable clicks and chirps echoed in the small room before her native language was converted to Federation Standard. “Greetings, Admiral. I have not yet had the opportunity to extend my thanks to you for continuing to allow me sanctuary here.”
Nogura nodded. “Ambassador Jetanien spoke most highly of you. I appreciate everything you’re doing to assist us.” Looking first to Xiong and then to Marcus before smiling, he added, “Though I must confess I’m not at all sure that I understand just what it is you’re doing.”
“That’s what you have us for,” Marcus said. “Mr. Xiong, why don’t you show the admiral what you’ve come up with?”
“Of course,” Xiong replied. “Admiral, as you know, we’ve run into several obstacles while trying to understand the Shedai artifacts we’ve found. One of the theories I’ve put forth is that the unique crystalline nature of their physiology is a key component to interfacing with their technology. I believe this lends itself to a form of biometric interface, though of a sort far beyond anything we’ve developed. I think the Shedai are able to access their versions of electronic pathways directly, with the physical-equipment components acting as little more than interface conduits. For all intents and purposes, the Shedai are able to channel themselves directly through their computers and communications.”
Marcus said, “Mr. Xiong’s theory was given some weight after Dr. Fisher’s examination of a Shedai body brought back from Erilon. It was the doctor who also discovered the ancestral link between Tholians and the Shedai. It’s this similarity that allowed the Shedai Apostate—that’s what Nezrene calls it—to utilize several captive Tholians while on Jinoteur, including Nezrene, and force them to interact with Shedai technology on that world.”
Nogura asked Nezrene, “You understand this technology?”
“To a very limited degree, Admiral,” replied the Tholian. “While under the control of the Apostate, we were forced to operate within very stringent parameters. We were portals for the Apostate, our minds acting as surrogates for his thoughts, rather than exercising any independent control.”
“I don’t think I like the sound of that,” Nogura said, his mind conjuring various unpleasant depictions of what such an experience might entail.
Nezrene pointed to the equipment she had been working upon when Nogura arrived. “We have been experimenting with this console, which we found in one of the underground chambers on Erilon.” The component was approximately one meter in length and about half that in width. It was only a few centimeters thick, leading Nogura to believe that it was merely one piece of a larger piece of equipment, perhaps too large to be transported.
“Based on what we’ve already learned from previous expeditions to Erilon and Ravanar IV,” Xiong said as he crossed the room toward Nezrene, “we’ve been able to make very limited inroads into understanding their technology. However, if my theory about a biometric interface is correct, then we’re going to be limited by our very physiology in making real use of such equipment. We may be able to fashion an artificial substitute, but I believe that will only get us in the door. After that, we’re still lost.”
Marcus pointed to Nezrene. “However, Nezrene’s Tholian physiology is much closer to that of the Shedai. Nezrene’s been able to interface directly with this piece of equipment, which we’ve linked to our testing stations here in the lab in such a way that we can record various responses as power is fed to it.”
I like where this is going,Nogura thought.
“And you’re able to comprehend what it is you’re experiencing?” he asked Nezrene.
The Tholian replied, “Somewhat.” She indicated the console with one appendage, which Nogura noted had been free from the confines of Nezrene’s environment suit. “This interface contains several points of access embedded in its surface. They mean nothing to beings with physiologies like humans, but for my species, they are easy to ascertain, and they provide a natural port of entry as far as accessing the equipment is concerned.” Demonstrating her point, she reached out and touched the console, which immediately flared to life. Nogura was able to make out several graphical displays, none that made any sense to him.
“Remarkable,” he said.
Nezrene continued, “As I have explained to Lieutenant Xiong, the experience is much like what I endured while under the Apostate’s control, but without him forcing me to certain paths and actions, I am uncertain how to proceed once I am integrated with the console.”
“Integrated?” Nogura repeated.
“I become one with the machine,” Nezrene said.
Xiong said, “Based on her descriptions, it sounds like an outof-body experience.” He pointed to the alien console. “On some level, she’s actually insidethat thing.”
Nogura frowned, trying to wrap his head around this idea. “So, your theory of them somehow projecting themselves into whatever it is they call their version of a computer network is correct?”
“Possibly,” Xiong said. “Or it could simply be a case of using telepathy and psychokinesis to operate such equipment, rather than actual physical contact or even voice commands. Whatever it is, it’s centuries beyond even our most advanced experimental computer systems. Imagine the possibilities of instantaneous, seamless integration between computer and user.”
“I don’t have to,” Nogura countered. “I’ve read the reports of the Shedai attacks on Erilon, Gamma Tauri IV, and Jinoteur.” What could the Federation do with technology on this scale? More important, what would their enemies do with it? Looking to Marcus, he said, “I bet I can guess where this is going.”
“We have to go back to one of the Shedai planets,” Marcus replied.
Xiong added, “We can only do so much from here, Admiral. To make any real progress, we’ll need to conduct hands-on research with equipment like what we found on Erilon and Ravanar. Those computer systems are integrated into the entire planet, and if we’re to believe just some of what the Shedai can do, they’re capable of establishing networks between those planets and all of the others they once controlled.”
“They may still be out there,” Nogura replied, crossing his arms. “We’ve seen what they’re capable of. I’m not sure I want my people exposed to dangers like that again.”
“Sir,” Xiong said, “we’re talking real-timeconnections, Admiral, across dozens, perhaps hundreds of light-years. The uses for that kind of technology are countless, and if the Shedai are able to project themselves into their computer conduits, then we’re talking about an ability to move between worlds the way you and I cross a room. We have to understand it, if only as a means of countering it. What if the Klingons, or someone else, learn to manipulate it?”
An interesting observation, Nogura decided, coming from someone who by all accounts was driven first and foremost by the quest for knowledge for knowledge’s sake. Of course, Nogura thought the young man’s experiences on Erilon and Jinoteur likely had changed his outlook about what understanding the Shedai meant from a scientific standpoint. Reality had a way of doing that.