Part 19 (1/2)
”Just switching to alien bodies doesn't sound like it would be harmful to others. Freedom of physiology has already been granted to individuals wanting to live in regrown or android bodies,” Cilreth said.
”This technology highly unbalancing to Terran society,” s.h.i.+ny interrupted.
”How so?” asked Magnus.
”Supersedure target possesses enhanced physiology. Transfer endows subject with artificial gains.”
”How do you know? Maybe Konuan are just fast and strong.”
”Trilisks enhanced host bodies. Faster, stronger, greater intellectual receiving capacity. Likely increase in longevity of host.”
”Wait. By how much are we talking about here?”
”Potentially infinite, limitless, immortal.”
Telisa and Magnus just stood thinking it through. Cilreth was the first to respond aloud.
”We can't sell even one,” Cilreth said. ”They could be adapted to put a person into a fake human body, stronger, faster, and immortal. Wait. I need the d.a.m.n thing!”
Magnus lifted his hand. ”Let's not get ahead of ourselves.”
”s.h.i.+ny, how old are you?” Telisa asked.
”Fifty-two Earth years. In antic.i.p.ation of next question, Vovokan lifespan expected over three hundred Earth years.”
Cilreth s.h.i.+fted uncomfortably. ”So you mentioned a Trilisk. What if...that Konuan has a Trilisk in it?”
”What?” asked Magnus.
”That would explain so much. Like how there's only one Konuan left. How it killed off so many. How it had wors.h.i.+pers who said it was amazingly wise.”
”Agree, a.s.sent, concur. Anomalies detected on surface quite probably align with movements of Konuan hunter. Urge priority of capturing it.”
”How can we find it? Can you detect it?”
”Possible on planet surface,” s.h.i.+ny said. ”More difficult within Trilisk complex.”
”Don't we need to take these artifacts and leave?” Cilreth asked.
”Loading machines can complete process,” s.h.i.+ny said. ”Trilisk specimen more valuable. Trilisk possess keys to understanding. Be notified: Terran approaches from southeast. No violent intent indicated.”
”I'm here to see Magnus,” she told the sphere. It reacted almost immediately, moving to one side. Another sphere appeared on her left.
I guess I just keep moving forward.
She walked along an ancient street between two old buildings, then into a wide patch of native plants. When she emerged, she caught sight of a couple of the scientists ahead. Large alien-looking machines were working on a dig. A person came forward. Magnus.
”Please don't shoot. I would like to speak in peace,” she called out. She waited a moment, then walked forward with her empty hands held before her.
”Oh. It's you,” Magnus said.
”Who? Is she Arakaki?” the younger woman said. Her voice held an edge. Arakaki guessed she was Telisa.
”Captain Arakaki, UED. Ex-captain, I guess, considering the state of my unit and United Earth Defiance.” She stood straight and extended her hand.
Telisa stared at Magnus, waiting for an explanation. An older woman with silvering hair and dark eyes appeared on her right. Arakaki was surprised she hadn't seen the older one. She berated herself silently, then stepped forward to accept her handshake.
Ah. She's wearing a s.p.a.ce force stealth suit.
”I'm Cilreth,” she said.
Why didn't she divulge her rank? No reason to let the enemy know, I guess, even a defeated enemy. Or she's been out of the force for a while.
Arakaki nodded stiffly.
”It's probably no use turning yourself in to us,” Magnus said. He hesitated. Telisa looked angry, but she wasn't saying anything on any link channel Arakaki could hear.
Those two are having a disagreement over my sudden appearance, Arakaki thought. I'd love to hear that link channel.
Arakaki smiled. ”Oh? So you were telling the truth about not being s.p.a.ce force, then?”
Magnus nodded.
”You're very powerful for an independent,” she said. Organized crime? With an alien on their side, no less.
”We're after the Konuan. It's a Trilisk,” Magnus said.
No way. No way. ”Come again?”
”The Konuan we killed was actually Telisa here. She used Trilisk machines to switch bodies. I know. Impossible. But so is half the other stuff the Trilisks can do. Anyway, the Konuan that's been hunting us might be a Trilisk.”
Arakaki s.h.i.+fted uncomfortably.
Perhaps I was knocked unconscious by hallucinogenic gas?
”So you guys came for these artifacts? What do they do?”
She's not sure whether to believe us, so she changed the subject, Telisa thought. She wondered if Arakaki wondered if they were a legal operation.
”We don't know everything about them. At least one transfers your...consciousness into another creature. In this case, it put me in a Konuan.”
”A simulation.”
”No, it was real. You killed me.”