Bloom and the Intergalactic Incursion by Jeff Gaba

Bloom and the Intergalactic Incursion by Jeff Gaba

1.

          Bloom was dirty, itchy and horny. He sat back, scratched as many places as he could reach, and stared at the green goop that was his dinner. Not for the first time, he cursed the extension of his grant funding that allowed him to continue his research for six more months. The planet, Binos 4, was no one’s idea of a summer getaway, but now Bloom was stuck here during the painfully hot period of the planet’s summer. Bloom was an anthropologist and had studied the culture of sentient lifeforms on eight planetary systems during his career. Not for the first time, he cursed becoming an anthropologist.

          Bloom had arrived on Binos 4 one year after First Contact with the local sentients. The “Binosans” had welcomed Bloom into their society, and he had lived in one of the many villages that existed on the planet. Bloom liked these sentients. They were friendly, peaceful, and, unlike most non-terran sentients, very funny. Some of their humor was at Bloom’s expense (think Terran whoopee cushions), but he appreciated the effort. The Binosans, as was the case with most sentients in the galaxy, were largely humanoid in structure and appearance, and, through a combination of excellent linguistic skills and a translation implant, Bloom was able to communicate. Even with the best software, their jokes were still sometimes lost on him.

          One otherwise uneventful day, Bloom was in his hut making notes on his latest observations of Binosan culture when Grail dropped by. Grail was a rather unreliable individual, but Bloom had obtained a number of salacious observations about Binosan mating rituals from him. If nothing else, his visit broke the monotony.

“G’day, Bloom,” said Grail with the oddly Australian phrasing to which Bloom’s translation software had apparently defaulted. “Hello Grail,” replied Bloom. “What brings you around?” Bloom had noticed the bag that Grail was carrying, and he wondered what particular wonder Grail had brought around this time. Grail had occasionally brought Bloom unusual Binosan artifacts that he was willing to trade for some of Bloom’s precious homebrewed alcohol.

“I have no idea,” said Grail, “but it is something weird I found in the outback. I know your interest in weird stuff, and I was sure you’d think this valuable,” Grail said eyeing Bloom’s still. “Crickey,” Grail said, “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s certainly worth a snort of your plonk.” Grail again looked meaningfully at the still.

“Let’s take a look,” Bloom said noncommittally. Grail dumped a small metallic cube on the table. The cube was about 10 centimeters per side, and when Bloom picked it up, he was amazed by its weight. It was an effort to lift it. Shoeing Grail out of his hut with the promise of a later drink, Bloom began an analysis of the cube. He immediately measured its density and was stunned to find that it was denser than any material he could identify in his data set. He was further stunned when he measured its dimensions. The lengths of each dimension of the cube were so precisely identical that they exceeded the limits of his measuring device. The length of each dimension could not vary by more than a few angstroms.

Bloom’s first reaction was to take a drink of his homebrew. The cube was obviously an artificial construct, and it was equally obvious that its construction was beyond the technology of the Binosans. Bloom wondered if any identified sentient civilizations in the galaxy, including Terra, had the capacity to produce it. Faced with the stunning implications of the cube, Bloom’s second reaction was to take another shot of his homebrew.

Bloom documented the results of his tests, and then raced to find Grail. “Show me where you found it,” Bloom demanded.

“I don’t feel like going walkabout,” replied Grail, “Not while I’m that thirsty.”

“We’ll get drunk together when we get back,” promised Bloom. “Drink now, walk later,” was Grail’s reply. A few snorts later they went off on their trek.

After an hour of trudging up and down the hilly countryside, Grail stopped and pointed to an opening in the hillside. “There,” said Grail. “I saw a glint of light and saw it just inside the hole. Now let’s go back.”

Bloom glanced sourly at Grail, and headed for the opening. Getting on his hands and knees, he peered into the dark hole. He was so intent on looking into the darkness that he did not hear Grail come up behind him. Nor did he hear the loud “swack” that echoed off the hill after Gail hit him in the head with a large rock.

2.

The first thing Bloom was conscious of thinking was, “Curious creature. The first Terran I’ve encountered.” The thought was sufficiently outlandish that he wondered why he had thought it. On second thought, he realized he hadn’t. The thought was from another entity echoing in his consciousness. Realizing that, the thought was not outlandish but terrifying. “He’s aware,” muttered the voice in his head. And Bloom again collapsed into unconsciousness.

“Dr. Bloom, I presume.” As Bloom roused himself back to consciousness, he immediately knew that this was an alien thought. Fighting panic, Bloom mentally replied, “Indeed, I am Bloom. With whom am I thinking?” Bloom heard a “chuckle” in his head, and then a stern voice. “You, sir, are a great inconvenience.” Bloom’s panic threatened to overwhelm him with full-blown terror. “Not my intention, I assure you,” was all Bloom could muster in reply.

Bloom’s fundamental curiosity fought his fear. Curiosity won, as it had on many other occasions. “Inconvenience does not excuse bad manners. Would you please introduce yourself,” For Bloom, immobilized and unconscious of his surroundings, this was the only counter he could summon. “You’re an interesting organism Dr. Bloom; most species I have encountered in your galaxy would not be capable of any response. I’m sorry I will not have an opportunity to explore you in more detail.”

Curiosity was again challenged by fear, and this time curiosity won by the smallest of margins. “One should always take time for exploring, don’t you think,” thought Bloom. This time the reply was not a chuckle but a laugh. “Bravo,” the entity thought, “and I quite agree, at least in most cases. But as I said, you are an inconvenience.” Curiosity at that point was vanquished.

”You may be surprised to find we have a great deal in common,” said the voice.

Only Bloom’s invariable sarcasm allowed him to reply, “I will put it on my list of surprises for the day.”

“By gad, sir, you are a character. There’s never any telling what you’ll say next,” said the voice.

Bloom almost reached his limit when he realized that the voice was doing an impression of Sidney Greenstreet in The Maltese Falcon. “Other than a similar taste in old Terran movies, what else do we have in common?” Bloom fought to keep the entity engaged, fearing the alternative.

“We, my dear Bloom, are fellow scientists. I am what you would call an anthropologist of sorts. My life’s work has been the study of alien organisms.” The voice chuckled again, “and given my lifespan that has included the study of many, many organisms. It is just a stroke of luck that we both happen to be studying the Binosans at the same time. But perhaps ‘luck’ is not the correct word. Your mind is quite a tangle. So many words to choose from.”

Questions roiled through Bloom’s head, but one question predominated. “You said you studied “alien” lifeforms. Where is your home world?”

“Ah, Dr. Bloom, like a good anthropologist you inspire strangers to talk with you. But, as I said, you are an inconvenience… and a profound dilemma. The protocols of our experiment suggest an answer to this problem, and, as a fellow scientist, I am sure you will agree, the validity of our work requires strict adherence to protocol. Indeed, I had Grail lure you here to implement the required steps. Lure? Yes, I’m sure that’s the correct word. If I could experience Terran emotions, I would be deeply grieved by your passing.”

“Protocols be damned,” Bloom shouted out loud. He could sense that the entity was growing impatient and that implementation of the “protocols” meant his imminent death. Desperate, Bloom tried another tack. “I’m sure you are familiar with the famous line by our Terran philosopher Nietsche.”

“Yes,” the Entity replied, “but I’m afraid Dr. Bloom, this experience will not make you stronger.”

“No, no,” replied Bloom. “Nietsche wrote that ’Against boredom, the gods themselves struggle in vain.’ Wouldn’t you like to share experiences with me. Grail and his fellow Binosans can’t have been that interesting. Why don’t we discuss where you come from and why my presence is a threat to your ‘experiment.’ I’m sure we have much to learn from each other.”

“You are a clever organism, Dr. Bloom. I have few weaknesses, but you find one of mine with apparent ease. Yes, yes. Let’s talk. After all, I have nothing to lose and you have nothing to gain.”

3.

          Bloom crawled over the rough landscape unsure of where he was or where he was going. His head pounded with a painful headache, and a touch of his scalp identified sticky blood. He felt fear, close to terror, but he could not identify why.

          Bits of memory began to assault him: a strange cube, walking with Grail, a dark hole and blackness – he jerked himself upright – a voice in his head, an entity from another world. Another galaxy!! The memories had almost returned, and he understood the source of his fear.

          Bloom glanced around looking for anything threatening. The surrounding scrub land mocked him quietly. The formless entity that had spoken in his head had told a story that forced the focus from his mind and turned the landscape surreal. The entity had told him of a universe-wide experiment, of formless entities seeding different forms of life in galaxies to study the evolutionary development of the seeds. And each galaxy being observed by a different “scientist;” each monitoring the lifeforms and occasionally making interesting “tweaks” in the naturally evolving genetic material. Each scientist was also responsible for ensuring the one premise of the experiment was maintained: lifeforms in each galaxy must remain ignorant of their source. For reasons known to the intergalactic entities, such knowledge would distort the experiment. Protocols in that case were clear – the elimination of all life in that galaxy; sterilization of the contaminated petri dish.

          Bloom slumped with the implications of the story. The Milky Way had been seeded by “entities” from another galaxy and by the chance of experimental design they had assigned a carbon-based, DNA information-based seed to grow and evolve on the different worlds of the Milky Way. He had the answer to the riddle of his species! He had the key that could unlock unimaginable new knowledge if he could escape this world and tell his tale. Or he had the knowledge that could lead to the destruction of the galaxy if he escaped and told his tale.

He had heard the story; of that he was sure. But was it real or the product of the blow on his head? And if real, why had he been released with the knowledge he had been given?

          A rock thudding in the sand next to him broke his revery. Looking up, Bloom saw Grail approaching with another rock in his hand. “G’day, mate,” Grail shouted. “Time to die, ya flammin’ galah.” Bloom dodged as another rock was sent his way. Bloom was in no great shape, but he was a match for a clumsy Binosan. Bloom leaped up and slammed his head into Grail’s belly, sending Grail flying. A right fist to Grail’s jaw left him motionless.

          Another piece of the puzzle became clear to Bloom. The entity had not set him free; he had been released to be hunted and killed by the Binosans under his control. With Bloom dead, the experiment could continue and life in the galaxy preserved. The story was real.

4.

          After dark, Bloom crept carefully back to his lodgings, watching for any waiting Binosans. Surprisingly, none were there, and Bloom retrieved the few items he needed: his notes, some preserved food, and the small stun weapon that anthropologists usually carried on newly investigated worlds. The cube was too heavy to carry so he stashed it in the cupboard with other Binosan artifacts he had collected.

Returning to the dark outback, Bloom headed for his next location. Secreted in the bush were his four emergency “flicpods,” his only means with communicating with the rest of the galaxy. Principles of relativity prevented the effective transmission of information over the vast distances within the Milky Way, but flicpods bypassed the limits of relativity by allowing instantaneous jumps or “flics” within galaxy-wide distances. The same technology had brought Bloom to Binos on a ship powered by a flicdrive.

Flicpods and flicdrives utilized distortions in space-time produced by mass, and thus could not operate in the largely massless void of intergalactic space. The entity’s apparent ability to undertake intergalactic travel was as shocking as its story of the origin of life in the galaxy.

Searching through the shrub he looked for the flicpods through which he could, as a last resort, send a distress message back to Terra. He knew his search was hopeless when he saw that others had already trampled through the shrub. Scorched earth and three smashed pods confirmed his fear. The smashed pods were useless, and the scorched earth indicated the launch of the remaining pod. Obviously, the entity had sent Binosans not only to destroy the pods but to send a message to Terra. What message and why? Bloom soon knew the answer when the found the small control console that programmed and launched the flicpods. From the console he retrieved the message that had been sent on the flicpod.

Bloom stared at the screen in resignation:

“Keep Away. Deadly pathogen to humans.

Watching the progress of the disease confirms inevitable death.

The consequence of contact is clear.

Skies will fall if you return to Binos.

I repeat.

Keep Away. Deadly pathogen to humans.

Watching the progress of the disease confirms inevitable death.

The consequence of contact is clear.

Skies will fall if you return to Binos.”

          Bloom walked slowly from the console and then stopped and returned to read the message again. Its odd language had presumably been taken and twisted from Bloom’s own brain. But the message was clear enough. Terrans who received the message would respect the warning and stay away. Bloom displayed a strange, resigned smile – well perhaps not all Terrans.

5.

          After three months of hiding, Bloom was close to despair and tormented by the dilemma he faced. He frequently wondered whether a leap from one of the high cliffs might not be the best way to preserve the galaxy. “Fuck that,” he also frequently thought.

          The snap of a breaking branch roused him from his distress, and a broad and unmistakably happy smile crossed his bearded face as a short Terran woman in a military uniform stepped from out of the bushes. “What kept you, Admiral Gaunt?” he asked.

          Gaunt replied to her communications link. “I have contact. Maintain perimeter.”

Turning to Bloom, she said, “Report your status.”

“I’m happy to see you too,” he said. Memories of his previous missions with the stern and ruthless Admiral came to him quickly.

          “I need information, Bloom. I have a ship in orbit ready to blow this planet to dust. Explain your message. I’m assuming there’s no pathogen.”

          “Clever girl,” said Bloom to the Admiral’s annoyance.

          “Fortunately,” she said, “I know how deeply your subconscious is riddled by ancient Terran science fiction movies and books. A simple cypher composed of the first word of each sentence. ’Keep Watching the Skies’, indeed. Didn’t take me long to crack that one.”

“Well,” Bloom responded, “we are in fact faced by a Thing from Another World.”

In complete seriousness, Bloom looked at Gaunt and said, “Admiral, we are all in great danger, and I need to talk to you in complete privacy and preferably far from this planet.” Reverting to form, he added “By the way, I could use a bath, food and some companionship.”

“Unless I get answers very soon, all you will have is the use of is our brig.” She gave an order in her communication link, “Withdraw and rendezvous at the shuttle.”

6

          Settled in the privacy of the Admiral’s stateroom on the Starship Kurofune, Bloom told her the story he had learned from the entity. The fundamental origin of human existence did not seem to interest Gaunt. “You believe this fairy tale you heard after a blow to your head?” she asked. “I do,” he answered, “if only because I was suddenly attacked by zombie Binosans.”

“Why didn’t this entity just kill you or wipe your memories or some such alien nonsense?” Gaunt pressed. “Don’t know,“ said Bloom. “But it didn’t. It does apparently have limitations. I did not observe it physically manipulate any object on the planet, and, although it apparently could control the behavior of the Binosans, it at no time controlled me. It also hasn’t apparently controlled you or any of your crew.

“Further, it appears to be extremely intelligent and susceptible to human logic and psychological manipulation. I got it to “talk” with me, after all. I’m not sure what further discussion with the Entity might reveal or whether we could change its mind about sterilization of the galaxy.”

“Let’s get to the point, Bloom. Do you think there is a credible threat that these entities will destroy life in our galaxy if this story were known?” “A credible threat – yes,” Bloom replied.

“So let me confirm that I have this all correct,” said Gaunt.

“One, we do not know if the story is real or a product of a knock on your head.

“Two, we do not know if these “Intergalactic Entities” actually have the power or intent to destroy life in the galaxy.

“Three, we do not know if your recovery from Binos might not already have triggered a response by the entities even if we do not otherwise reveal their secret.

“Fourth, if we report this information there is at least a chance we can prepare a galaxy-wide defense, but if you and I stay silent we are certain to remain defenseless.

“Fifth, if we report this information, there is, in your view, the possibility of new scientific insights of extraordinary significance, including the potential for intergalactic travel.”

“That’s about it,” said Bloom. “But let me add another. There is the possibility, however remote, that if we report this information, we may be able to communicate with the entities and change their minds.”

“So what do we do?” asked Gaunt with uncharacteristic indecision.

“So what do we do?” replied Bloom.

7

Bloom sat upon the ground and felt as relaxed as anyone might feel who might possibly be responsible for the death of all life in the galaxy. After a moment contemplating the situation, Bloom noisily threw up. Bloom felt entitled to his moment of release given what he had been through in the last few months.

          “Get a grip, Bloom,” said Admiral Gaunt as she directed the platoon of Terran marines to establish a perimeter around Bloom and his pile of vomit. “We’re back on the planet and we don’t have any idea of what we are going to do if we make contact. This is not a situation I find tolerable.”

          “What are we going to do?” Bloom replied. “Well, you could join me, and we could sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the death….”

“Belay that,” barked Gaunt. “If I had left you here, we would not be in this situation. Interesting question as to what I would have done if I had known all you have now told me. It’s only your survival that has created this threat.”

“Remember,” replied Bloom, “I did not launch the flicpod. I’m not sure if I would have. Staying here and dying alone would clearly have been the smart course to take. On the other hand, your company is welcome and, on the whole, I’d rather not die here.”

Bloom waited impatiently within the tent the marines had hastily erected within the guarded perimeter. Gaunt simply waited. Their wait was interrupted by a shout from one of the marines. “Admiral, some guy is approaching waiving a white flag. No weapons visible.”

“What’s he look like,” Bloom shouted back. But before the marine could answer, the “guy” shouted his own reply. “Hey Bloom, you old bludger, let me in. It’s me, Grail.”

Gaunt eyed Bloom, “Well?”

“It’s what we’re waiting for. Let him in,” said Bloom.

Grail and Bloom sat in the tent and stared at each other. Gaunt waited outside to leave contact to Bloom as they had previously arranged. Inside the tent, Grail broke the silence when he said to Bloom, “You gave me quite a wallop on our walkabout, and I’m a bloke who holds a grudge. But all’s even, if you brought some brew to share.”

“Grail, you bastard, you wacked me on the head with a rock and left me to the mercy of our intergalactic friend. And some brew is the last thing you’re getting from me. Now tell me, where’s our friend?”

“No brew, no talk, no friend,” replied Grail.

Grail hadn’t changed, thought Bloom. Unless, of course, he had changed and the Entity was controlling him and either playing for time or playing with him. “Enough of this,” yelled Bloom. “Grail, you can’t have any beer, and Entity I want to talk with you now.”

Bloom’s mind filled with a bodiless chuckle and the thought, “Good to be with you again, my friend.” Bloom loudly spoke, ”Good to hear you in my head again, ‘my friend’.”

“You don’t have to shout to alert Admiral Gaunt,” the Entity calmly spoke in his head. “Why don’t you invite her in so she can share in our conversation.”

“Let’s leave her out of this for the moment,” Bloom silently replied in this head. “We have some things to commune about.”

“You’re very tetchy,” the Entity replied. “But I understand. As I advised you at our last meeting, you are a very great inconvenience. It was Grail that originally alerted me to your presence on Binos 4 and, quite unknown to you, I entered your consciousness while you slept in your hut. It was quite a shock when I realized that Terrans had the capacity for interstellar travel. I was even more shocked when I realized that, although I could ‘read’ your mind, I could not control your actions.”

“You Terrans are a unique species, and your possible discovery of our experiment, together with your capacity for interstellar travel, has created too great a risk of your knowledge spreading throughout the Milky Way. When I communicate with my civilization, they will certainly terminate all life in this galaxy. It is nothing personal, of course. I enjoy your mind and will miss our conversations. But experimental protocols being what they are, I fear I must now send a report to my fellows.”

“And please remember I tried to avoid this predicament by having the Binosans kill you and end the risk of your knowledge spreading. I now see that the message I sent was an error. The arrival of your Admiral Gaunt now forces my hand. Although, of course,” the Entity added chuckling, “I do not have hands… but perhaps you do not appreciate my little witticism.”

Bloom, trying desperately to keep the Entity from peering too deeply into his thoughts, asked, “And what if I assure you that neither I nor the Admiral have communicated with anyone about what you revealed to me. And assure you that we never will.”

The voice in his head actually sounded regretful, “I’m sorry, my friend, but the risk is too great. I fear I must advise my fellows that information about what we have done has infected the Milky Way, and it is now necessary to execute our experimental protocol. But don’t worry, it will take some time for my message to be received and the sterilization of your galaxy accomplished. So I see no harm in releasing you and your friends to enjoy the remainder of your lives. I hope that provides comfort to you.”

“Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts,” Bloom thought.

“Perhaps,” the Entity continued, “you could now provide Grail with a little of your beer he craves. He seems a little restless, and that makes me a little restless as well.”

“Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts,” Bloom thought.

“My dear, Dr. Bloom, you seem to be losing focus,” the Entity said.

“Sorry,” Bloom replied, “but this is all quite overwhelming. And you are right, I’ll arrange for something to drink for Grail. We need to converse without interruption.” Bloom stood and walked to the entrance of the tent. “I’ll be right back to continue our ‘talk’.”

Outside the tent, Bloom whispered to Gaunt. “Stay back and let me keep talking to the Entity. And have one of the marines leave a shit load of beer at the door. That’s something marines usually have access to, I understand.”

8

Back in the tent, Bloom continued his mental dialogue with the Entity while Grail snored noisily among a litter of empty beer cans.

          “I don’t understand,” Bloom began, “why knowledge that your civilization seeded life in galaxies requires our destruction. It is, of course, extraordinary and will change the nature of our culture, but it is not inconsistent with our understanding of the physical universe. A meeting and exchange of ideas with our ‘parents’ would potentially benefit all parties.

          “Besides,” Bloom continued, “no life in the Milky Way is capable of communicating, let alone traveling, outside our galaxy. We are simply no threat to you.”

          Bloom thought he heard a snoring sound in his head before the Entity replied, “You make excellent points, my dear Bloom, but as I have said before, I am constrained by our protocols. To tell you the truth, I am what you might call a ‘research assistant.’ I monitor and take certain directed actions on species within this galaxy, but I myself do not have a clear understanding of the scope and purpose of our experiments.” The voice in his head actually giggled. “This beer that Grail drank is actually rather good.”

“Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts,” Bloom thought.

          “Would you stop thinking that,” the Entity answered, “it is very irritating.”

“Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts,” Bloom thought.

          “If you keep that up,” the Entity replied angrily, “I am likely to activate the Cube and send my message now. Using Grail, I can get to Cube quite quickly. But your words are so confusing, and I must say your consciousness is quite disorderly.” Bloom thought he could detect another snore. “I’m sorry. What, what did I say?” replied a confused sounding Entity.

“Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts,” Bloom thought.

“STOP THAT!” the Entity shouted in his head.

“Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts,” Bloom thought.

And then he dashed from the tent.

Bloom ran to Gaunt and said, “Have your marines make sure Gaunt doesn’t leave the tent and make sure nothing sentient enters that tent. And we have to get out of here. Hurry!”

9

Five marines took station around a small hut in the village and pointed rather fierce looking weapons at a group of bewildered Binosans who stared at them from a distance. Inside the hut, Bloom looked around in frustration. Gaunt just looked.

“Well,” Gaunt said. “You said it was here.”

“I stored the cube Grail gave me in this hut,” Bloom replied. “The Entity must have directed someone to take it. I don’t know where it is now. Son of a bitch! I should have thought of this.”

“What information do you have about the Cube and its composition,” Gaunt said to him.

“I have detailed notes of the readings and measurements I took of the Cube,” Bloom replied. “I already provided all that data to the Science Officer on your ship when you rescued me.”

Gaunt immediately began communicating with the ship. She soon turned to Bloom and said, “If the Cube is on the planet, they’ll find it.”

Moments later, Bloom yelled in happiness when he found the Cube laying under a pile of dirty clothes in Grail’s hut a hundred yards away.

“I’ve got it. Let’s get out of here,” he shouted.

Soon their shuttle had lifted off, retrieved the Marines guarding Grail, and returned to the Kurofune.

10

          “So the Galaxy is saved?” Liu, captain of the Kurofune, asked. “I appreciate your finally informing me of the threat from these intergalactic beings. Obviously, what you have told me is stunning, but, frankly, it all makes very little sense. A fuller explanation would be appreciated. I’m receiving flicpod messages from Terra on a regular basis asking for a report since Terra was advised that we rescued the Anthropologist.”

          “I think it is evident,” Gaunt replied, “why no one on this ship was advised until now of the information the Entity revealed to Bloom. I trust you are not lodging a complaint, Captain, about being deprived of that information.”

          Captain Liu visibly blanched. “Of course not, Admiral. But if, as you imply, the threat to the galaxy has been eliminated, then I submit that I can safely be provided more information. It would certainly help me perform my duties.”

          Gaunt looked at Bloom and nodded.

          “Is the galaxy ‘saved’?” replied Bloom. “No, that is not the word I’d use. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the galaxy has been granted a reprieve.”

          “How?” Liu pressed. “When you and the Admiral returned to the ship, all that I am aware you did was immediately launch a flicpod to an uninhabited rock in a distant arm of the galaxy. That was sufficient to counter the threat from the entities?”

          “Don’t forget we tied up Grail before we left,” Bloom said. “Grail was a fierce opponent, at least while sober.”

          “Explain the situation, Bloom, and try to withhold your customary attempts at humor,” the Admiral growled. And this time it was Bloom’s turn to blanch. “Of course, ma’am.”

          “There were elements of the Entity’s behavior,” Bloom continued, “that did not make sense to me or the Admiral. And there was information we absolutely needed in order to understand the threat. Most pressing was how the Entity communicated across intergalactic distances and whether he had already advised his people to exterminate the galaxy. We also needed to understand the limits of his “telepathic” ability to read minds and control actions. We could not formulate a counter-strategy without, at least, that information.”

          “And so the Admiral and I, and a platoon of marines, returned to the planet on an information gathering mission. In other words, we sat around and hoped the Entity would show up. I must say I was impressed that the Admiral relied on hope as a strategy for saving the galaxy.”

          A glare from the Admiral was enough to get Bloom back on track.

          “Two things quickly became clear to me after I began ‘conversing’ with the Entity. First, the Entity, despite his “telepathic” abilities is actually quite naïve about Terran capabilities and behavior. He was easily manipulated to reveal information by my flattery and his curiosity. Second, the Entity is influenced by the emotional state of certain sentients with whom he is in close physical proximity. Grail’s anxiety made the Entity nervous. And the beer we provided to Grail made the Entity a little drunk. An inebriated subject is useful in an interrogation. It’s a trick I have frequently used as an anthropologist talking with subjects, both human and non-human.”

          “And so, a naïve and drunk intergalactic entity gave you the answer to how to save the galaxy?” Liu asked.

          “As it happens, yes,” Bloom answered. “In my first meeting with the Entity, he indicated that he was the sole member of his civilization monitoring the Milky Way, and that his discovery of me and, in fact, his discovery of Terran capacity to travel within the galaxy was a coincidence arising from both of us doing research on Binos 4. The Admiral and I realized that the Entity was the only member of his civilization who knew of the scope and capabilities of Terrans and other life in our galaxy.”

“When I spoke with him the second time, after a little prodding, he threatened to immediately convey the information to his ‘fellows.’ So, at that point, I knew had not yet done so.”

“All of that was useful information, but insufficient allow us to counter the threat. I confess that it was more his drunkenness than my skill that revealed the other critical piece of information. He blurted out, or at least blurted in my mind, that the alien Cube was a necessary tool for him to communicate with his civilization and that he did not have the immediate ability to activate the Cube. When he revealed that information, I knew what response we could take.”

“And that was…” Captain Liu asked impatiently.

Bloom ignored him and continued. “One of my biggest worries was that he could read my mind and identify and possibly counter any plan the Admiral or I formulated. Since the Entity could not, or at least did not, ‘invade’ my mind when I was not near him, I had suspected that his telepathic abilities were rather short-range. And so the Admiral and I agreed that she and the marines would keep their distance. When the Entity suggested that the Admiral enter the tent to join in the conversation, I was reasonably certain that the Entity could only read my mind when we were together.

“And my strategy for keeping him from reading my mind came from a very, very old science fiction story I once read. In Curt Siodmak’s ‘Donovan’s Brain,’ a scientist kept a telepathic brain from reading his mind by endlessly repeating a tongue-twister: ‘Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he see the ghosts.’ I kept thinking that phrase and it drove the Entity crazy. It also may have kept him from learning my plan. QED… the merits of old science fiction is thereby demonstrated.”

Suddenly the Captain sat up straight in his chair. “So it was that simple. You recovered the Cube and launched it in a flicpod to a distant location. And you believe you have trapped the Entity on Binos 4 without the capacity to contact his people.”

“I would not call it simple,” Bloom huffed, “but yes that’s our plan.”

“And now the problems with the plan,” Gaunt continued. “If we ensure that there is no contact with Binos 4, we can be reasonably certain he, the Entity, will remain trapped on the planet. But if he should escape, the information Bloom obtained suggests that there may be Cubes located on each of the planets where the Intergalactics originally seeded life. It was their way of maintaining contact with the development of species on those planets. We need to search out those Cubes.”

“Second, the Intergalactics are still out there and they, among other things, seemed threatened by our capacity for travel within our galaxy. Bloom and I think they are afraid that Terran knowledge of their capacity for intergalactic travel will spur us to solve the limits of the flicdrive and develop intergalactic travel ourselves. They must certainly believe we would be a threat to them. We must devote all of Terra’s resources to solving the problem of intergalactic travel.”

“Lastly,” Gaunt said, “we need to obtain all the information we can about the Intergalactics’ capacities and weaknesses. And that means leaving a trained observer and interrogator on Binos 4 to continue discussions with the Entity.”

“For that to work,” Bloom interrupted, “the person would have to be extremely brave and clever. Pity we don’t have anyone like that at hand.”

The Admiral simply looked at Bloom without commenting.

“You realize, Admiral,” Liu said, “the person we send could be stuck there indefinitely. We could not risk the Entity escaping if the person were extracted.” Both the Gaunt and Liu stared at Bloom.

“Shit,” was all Bloom replied. Bloom contemplated a very long period of eating green goop and sweating during the summers on Binos 4. He also contemplated an indefinite period of being dirty, itchy and horny.

Not for the first time, he cursed becoming an Anthropologist.

“All right, I’ll do it for the good of the galaxy. ‘And it’s a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done’.”

“Thank you, Bloom,” said Gaunt. “I think this once you are allowed an obscure quote.”

“Thanks a lot,” said Bloom. “But before I go down to the surface again, is there any chance I could get a bath, food, and some companionship?”

* * * * THE END * * * *
Copyright Jeff Gaba 2025