"Klera, you cannot seriously believe that FM is controlling the flares?"
"I do, Rudney, and there is much evidence to support this."She looked at Killa as if requesting her support."I believe that the FM has developed intelligence-a bizarre form, to be sure."She pointedly ignored Rudney's crackling snort."Its vision and sensory systems would be electric and magnetic fields, ions and electrons.Its pain would be changes in the strengths of those fields and their threat to its existence when the solar flares are especially violent.Until recently-well, recently in solar terms-it has been the sun which has manipulated the planet's environment, and therefore it tries to control the sun by emanations of its own thermoelectric fields, making sunspots come and go as needed.Our geologist has noted that the planet has had more than its share of magnetic pole changes, many earthquakes, and some major readjustments in consequence of the polarities.You might say it's attempting to avoid 'pain'.But it follows that the FM is intelligent, because it is attempting to adjust its environment.Only intelligence seeks to do this.I also think," she added, shooting a repressive glance at Rudney, who kept opening his mouth to interrupt, "it is capable of reproducing itself by asexual fission in order to increase its ability to control the sun.We have monitored a steady growth in all FM units…"
"How many levels do they go now?"Killashandra asked, suddenly remembering that part of their investigation.
"FMs with crystal nubs receiving the mixed diet have descended nineteen levels," Klera said, as pleased with such growth as a doting mother."Those without crystal do not make significant progress and…" She faltered, glancing nervously at Rudney.
"Food plus crystal means growth?"Killashandra asked.
"And intelligence," Klera said emphatically."The FMs with crystal nubs exhibit more thermoelectric activity than those deprived of crystal.Who knows what progress could be made in measuring FM intelligence if they were all equal in opportunity?Or if they had undamaged crystal!"
That sentence came out in a rush-and the purpose of their visit became clear to Killashandra.
"We've tried," Rudney said, his tone nearly apologetic, "to obtain a modest budget from the Solar Investigative Society to cover the cost of small pieces of undamaged Ballybran crystal…" He trailed off lamely and raised his hands in appeal.
She glanced at Lars's bland expression, not sure if she was amused or annoyed with him.When he was trying to put the Guild on a more solid commercial basis, how could he entertain what was clearly an appeal for a donation of crystal for these scientific types on a project that had nothing to do with the Guild?It seemed to her that Lars was seriously contemplating this request.Why else had he invited her to the conference?
As the silence lengthened, Rudney turned redder inside his protective suit; Klera just kept running her finger up and down the seam of her sleeve.
"I gather that no more deaths have resulted from contact with the opalescence?"Killa asked.
"Of course not," Saplinson-Trill said, flicking away that consideration with his fingers as he resumed his professional manner."We follow a strict regiment of decontam and weekly med checks.We are extremely careful not to touch the FM with anything but the instruments kept in the cave for that purpose which have been made of a special alloy that FM does not melt."
"The lapses certainly haven't proved fatal," Klera added candidly.
Rudney smothered an oath as he glared at her.
"What lapses?"Killa asked, covering her delight with a bland, inquiring expression.
"Nothing fatal, or even producing physical discomfort," Klera said quickly.
"What sort of lapse?Memory loss?"Killa remembered that both she and Lars had spent long moments admiring the brilliant, shifting coruscation in the caves.Like a very sophisticated fractal, it had been beautiful to watch, almost mesmeric.
"What Klera refers to," Rudney told them, the rasping edge to his voice communicating clearly his wish that she had not spoken, "are periods when the FM displays the most thermoelectric activity.Several of our team members experienced what, ah, I suppose, could be termed time lapses…"
"The Jewel Junk's shifting patterns had a certain hypnotic rhythm to them when we were there, didn't they, Guild Master?"Favoring Lars with a quick glance, Killashandra began to perceive another reason why he had wanted her in on this meeting.
"Yes, they did," he agreed amiably."While the Guild does not make a practice of assisting outside research in crystal applications, it just happens that there are some useful shapes and colors available from apprentice cuttings that could be released to you.They are now unflawed crystal, having been retuned, but not of the size, color or warrantable stability of pitch to be offered for commercial sale."
Utter relief flooded Rudney's face.Klera, after giving a squeak of delighted surprise, covered her mouth as if afraid she might say something wrong and compromise the offer.
"However, the Guild requires that a singer install the crystal," Lars said, "and right now, the Guild needs all experienced singers in the Range.We can't spare one for the time it would take to make the trip."
"But, Guild Master, we've the services of a B-and-B ship," Rudney surprised both singers by saying."That's the only way we, as leaders of the FM Project, could justify our absence."
"A brain and brawn ship with a Singularity Drive?"Lars asked, expecting a negative response.
"Yes, indeed, Guild Master," Rudney said."Archaeological and Exploratory are exceedingly interested in the FM Project and put a ship at our disposal for this important mission.The BB-1066."
"How very convenient," Killa said, twitching an eyebrow at Lars."I'd be tempted to take the assignment if only to see Brendan and Boira again."
"You are, C.S.Ree, one of my most experienced singers," Lars began repressively, and Killa wondered why he was glaring at her.Surely he was merely priming the pump to haggle a good fee for her services.As he had the right to do.The Guild had a reputation to maintain-especially right now.
"I am due some relief time away from Ballybran," she said.
To her surprise, Lars frowned."This really isn't the time for you to be away from the Ranges, C.S.Ree."
He spoke so firmly that she was uncertain how to proceed now in this interview.She was also peeved at him, for she really could use some time off-planet.And who else had previous experience with the Jewel Junk?As Guild Master, he really couldn't leave Ballybran but she could.Muhlah!
"In that case, I shall plan to return to my duties tomorrow," she said stiffly and, bowing courteously to the scientists, marched out of the office.
"Well?" she asked Lars as he entered their quarters much later that evening.
"Well, what?" he said, scrubbing at his hair with irritation and fatigue.
"Did you give them crystal?"
"You heard me.FM, indeed," he muttered.She had ordered Yarran beer and some light snacks, which she served him."Thanks!"He sighed with gratitude as he tipped the recliner back.
"So, how much did you get?"
"Hummm?" he mumbled over a long pull of the beer.
"How much for a singer to install the crystals, and whom have you chosen?Because I insist on going."
"Sunny, I need you here…" he began.
"You can do without me for the eight-ten days it'll take by way of the B-and-B.And frankly, I could use the break."
"Not when you're cutting crystal every time you go out."
"Aren't Tiagana, Borton and Jaygrin?"
"Of course, but-"
"And anyone else you can talk into this direct-line approach to cutting, I'm sure," she said."I thought that was why you had me sit in."
"I had you sit in to see how much you could remember," he said.He gave her a quick grin."You did better than I expected."