Universal Language (6 page)

 

*****

Chapter 15

Jalila figured out the numerical values first. They were simplest, since only a single digit separated the date coded in the first flower's ester from the date supplied by the second flower.

Jalila located quarks with abnormal color charge configurations in chains of carbon atoms in the ester molecules...specifically, atoms of carbon-12, an isotope with six protons and twelve neutrons, each containing three quarks. In the first carbon-12 atom in each chain, seven of the protons and neutrons contained trios of quarks with identical red color charges; this matched the first digit of the date, seven. The next carbon-12 atom included four trios of red quarks, matching the second digit of the date.

The third atom in the chain had three trios of red quarks...but the difference between the scent molecules from the two flowers appeared in the fourth atom in the chain. In molecules from the second flower, the fourth carbon-12 atom had one trio of red quarks; the same atom in molecules from the first flower had one trio of
blue
quarks...which Jalila took to represent zero.

Looking at the results of her analysis, she could clearly see that the scent of the first flower was tagged with the number 7430, and the scent of the second flower with 7431.

Jalila
felt a rush of pride and elation. Finally, she had found the key to the Garden of Yesterday.

Now, the question was, would she be able to use it in time?

Though numbers were coded in a relatively simple way, applying the trinary system to language phonemes would be more complicated. At least
Jalila
had a place to start: the names of the years
--
Tolera Vosh and Culan Vosh
--
shared multiple phonemes
. B
y comparing the two in trinary code, she would quickly be able to spot the differences between them and assign consonants and vowels to specific quark color combinations.

With Oric
'
s help,
Jalila
would
then
identify Vox phonemes in the scent molecule
s of other flowers. Once she'
d assigned quark values to each basic unit of the Vox language, she would construct a conversion matrix that would enable her to read and record data from any flower in the garden.

So she had a plan of attack
...
and in that regard, was light-years ahead of where she
'
d been
before
...
but it would take time to execute.
Jalila
didn
'
t know how much time she had to do the work, but she worried
it would
n
'
t be enough. She worried that the situation on the planet
'
s surface had already deteriorated past the point of no return, and by the time she
'
d get back to
Major
al-Aziz
, he would be as dead as Folcrum.

T
he fate of the world was in
Jalila's
hands
...
and time was racing away from her.

 

*****

Chapter 16

"You want the truth? Here it is!" Those were Major al-Aziz's words when Jalila threw open the doors of the ministry building.

For a moment, Jalila stood in the doorway, flanked by Oric and Giza. They'd just raced back from the Garden of Yesterday, and her heart was pounding.

Jalila looked around at the scene in front of her, trying to piece together what had happened while she'd been in the Garden. Though she'd caught glimpses through the ministry's see-through tinted walls while running toward the place, only now did she have enough of a close-up view to get the full picture.

al-Aziz and Farouk stood in the middle of the vast hall. They were surrounded by Vox, including Regent Ieria, the ministers, and armed soldiers.
What drew Jalila's attent
ion
most
forcefully
, though, was not at ground-level.

Alien creatures floated above everyone,
rippling in midair. They
looked like New Mecca's ocean-dwelling manta rays, except for the tiny arms on their bellies.

Like rays, the beings were delicate, rubbery wedges with gracefully undulating wings. From wingtip to wingtip, they measured between three and four meters. The dorsal surface of each invader's body was steel gray; the underside, visible with each ripple of a wing, was the color of cream. Each creature had a long, prehensile tail with a forked tip, and each tail was wrapped around a rod with a glowing golden sphere on either end.

One of the manta-like beings reared back with its wings spread wide. The creature's belly was covered with elaborate designs, a mix of swirls and lines and polygons. Were they some kind of ritual markings, like the Vox's tattoos?

Or...

Jalila gasped.

Or were they characters? Were they some kind of
language
?

"Jalila!" al-Aziz marched toward her, waving. "We've been expecting you!"

On a wall, Jalila saw the same characters, projected and enlarged. Rearranged, too, and changed. Some were completely different from the ones on the manta's wings, yet clearly in the same linguistic family.

"Meet the Mazeesh," said al-Aziz.

Jalila typed on her Voicebox, and the device spoke her words. "You're communicating with them?"

"Yes we are," said al-Aziz. "As you can see, they use a biologically generated written language. We've been scanning it into a Voicebox, using the Voicebox to translate, then translating our own speech into their written language. We cobbled together a projector using gear from the barque, then hardwired a Voicebox into it so we could put the text on the wall for them to read."

"You make it sound easy," said Jalila.

al-Aziz winked one piercing green eye. "Sure it was."

Jalila typed on her Voicebox. "Where do we stand?"

"Let's just say you couldn't have come at a better time." al-Aziz bowed and gestured for her to come with him. "We need airtight evidence of what really happened here. Absolute truth."

"I'll do my best," said Jalila.

al-Aziz walked her to the middle of the room. "Fellow beings!" He put a hand on her shoulder. "Allow me to introduce Corporal Jalila bint Farooq bin Abdul Al-Fulani. She is a bringer of truth."

Ieria did not look happy to see Jalila. As for the Mazeesh, Jalila still found them unreadable.

One swooped down to hover in front of her. At first, she could see no eyes on it, just a snout consisting of a comb of tightly packed fibers between two horn-like knobs. Then, the creature reared up.

From a few centimeters below the snout, two tiny obsidian eyes stared back at Jalila. Twin arcs of what looked like breathing holes were arranged below them like halves of a necklace. Two spindly limbs flexed from the creature's belly, ending in fragile-looking three-fingered hands.

As Jalila watched, dark threads flowed over the creamy surface of the creature's underside, mixing and fluxing and separating...resolving into patterns. Among the patterns, Jalila saw discrete groupings of symbols that might be words; in some places, the text seemed hopelessly jumbled, but in others, she could make out what she thought were divisions of lines and breaks in phrasing.

She thought it was completely amazing.

Farouk, who was standing nearby, scanned the symbols on the Mazeesh's wings with the Voicebox, which produced an audio translation. "
What truth does she bring?
"

"The truth about what happened during your first visit," said al-Aziz, "and which of your peoples has the right to rule this world."

 

*****

Chapter 17

The patterns on the wings of the Mazeesh shifted. Farouk continued to scan and translate the creature's words with the Voicebox. "
As we have said
,
o
ur people came here long ago in peace.
The savages of this world
hunted, killed, and devoured them.
"

"
And as
we
have said
," said Ieria, speaking through al-Aziz's Voicebox, "
these monsters murdered us! They cracked open our skulls and ate our brains! They named us
mazeesh--
filth, excrement, lowest of the low!
"

al-Aziz gave Jalila a sideways look. "We seem to have reached an impasse."

"
We have returned to eradicate
this menace forever
," said the Mazeesh.

"
We will fight to the last Vox to destroy you!
" said Ieria. "
Better to die with the truth in our hearts than live with a lie on our tongues!
"

al-Aziz squeezed Jalila's shoulder. "So now you know where we stand. No video or audio recordings exist of the events in question. Since the Vox don't have a written language, they have no hard-copy historical records. Which is where you come in."

Jalila nodded and typed on the Voicebox. "I understand."

"Are you ready for this?" said al-Aziz.

"Yes," said Jalila.

al-Aziz smiled. He radiated confidence, not doubt, as he met her gaze. "I know you are." al-Aziz turned to the Vox. "Guess what?" He spoke into his Voicebox, and his words came out in Vox multi-language. "Your people have historical records after all."

"
I don't know what you're talking about
," said Ieria.

"Your records are kept in the form of scent signals in a secret garden," said al-Aziz. "A garden tended by
Lexicons
."

"
I've never heard of it
," said Ieria.

"It exists, all right," said al-Aziz. "For centuries, the Lexicons have stored your history there...and now Jalila has tapped into it." He glanced at Jalila, and she gave him a quick nod of confirmation. "She has brought back the story of the first coming of the Mazeesh, as told and recorded by the Vox people themselves."

"
Not possible
," said Ieria. "
The spoken word is our only record of the past
!
"

"
As masters of the spoken word, we
Lexicons
recognized it was not enough
," said Oric. "
We started the garden to document our own persecution, to ensure it would not be forgotten or revised.
"

"
What do these supposed records say?
" said a dark-furred minister.

"We'll let you hear for yourselves," said al-Aziz.

"We also have samples of the original scent signals," Jalila said through her Voicebox. "With your advanced sense of smell, you'll be able to translate and verify the records yourselves."

Impressed with her thoroughness, al-Aziz smiled and nodded. "We'll simultaneously translate for the Mazeesh," he said, "so everyone's on the same page."

Ieria waved a hand dismissively. "
We don't need to hear these
so-called
records
," she said. "
We already know what happened.
"

"Then what can it hurt?" said al-Aziz. "Unless you're in a hurry to sacrifice your lives and finalize the destruction of your planet."

Ieria glared at him. "
All right
," she said coldly. "
We will listen to your trickery.
"

 

*****

Chapter 18

As the Vox leaders listened to the translated account of the first coming of the Mazeesh, Jalila noticed that their reactions followed a pattern.

At first, every one of them seemed skeptical and impatient...but as the story progressed, they listened with increasing interest. When the account diverged from their accepted view of history, they grew irritated and muttered to one another; further on, when the tale implicated their species as the true authors of the atrocities, annoyance turned to disbelief and outrage.

But after a while, as the extent of the Vox's crimes was recounted in gruesome detail, they settled into a pensive silence. Some of the ministers looked around at the hovering Mazeesh with fear and regret; others hung their heads and stared at the floor.

Except for Ieria. She stood stiffly throughout the playback, the expression on her face a rigid scowl of disgust.

After playing the recording, Jalila described the technique she'd used to decode the information...and no one asked questions. She offered to let the Vox test the scent samples she'd brought, but no one took her up on it. Everyone seemed to accept the truth of what they'd heard...except Ieria.

"
How ridiculous
," she said. "
What a sham.
"

"We've presented you with proof," said al-Aziz, "documented by your own people. I think it speaks for itself."

"
You can make that device say whatever you
want
it to
," said Ieria.

"But we didn't," said al-Aziz. "You're welcome to go to the Garden and examine the original records yourself."

"Anyone
could have created those records. We only know
when
they were created and
by whom
because the records
themselves
tell us these things.
"

"
As
Lexicons
, Giza and I vouch for the authenticity of the records
," said Oric.

Ieria snorted. "
As
revised, discarded
Lexicons
,
your word is meaningless.
"

At that moment, one of the Mazeesh caught Jalila's attention, floating toward her with a fresh message on the underside of its wings. Farouk scanned and translated the new text with the Mazeesh-attuned Voicebox.

"
You
and your people are
free to go
," said the Mazeesh. "
You have presented the facts fairly, and we are satisfied that you are not complicit in the Vox's crimes.
"

al-Aziz stepped in to answer. "We would like to stay. We want to help you resolve this crisis."

"
Unnecessary
," said the Mazeesh. "
There is no crisis.
"

"We would like to help the Vox make amends for their past mistakes," said al-Aziz. "And we would like to help the Mazeesh find an alternative to genocide."

"
The Vox are a disease
," said the Mazeesh.

"The Vox are a sentient species," said al-Aziz, "and not one of them who participated in those acts is alive today."

"
It must never happen again
," said the Mazeesh, "
to our species or any other.
"

"Agreed," said al-Aziz, "but isn't that what
will
happen if you eradicate the Vox? Isn't the genocide of billions of beings a
greater
crime than what
they've
done?"

After a long moment, new symbols appeared on the Mazeesh's wings. "
They must be punished.
"

"Why not benefit from that punishment," said al-Aziz, "instead of putting the deaths of billions of sentient beings on your conscience?"

The symbols on the Mazeesh's wings shifted. "
What do you have in mind?
"

al-Aziz turned to Jalila, raising his eyebrows. "Any ideas, Corporal?"

Jalila's heart pounded. Her mind raced.

Days ago, she'd been on the verge of being drummed out of the service. She'd been disgraced after making a critical mistake that had led to the death of a diplomat and the failure of a peace treaty. She'd never dared imagine she'd be given a chance to redeem herself.

Yet here it was.

Jalila had survived many travails on the planet Vox, and that was
one
thing...but having Major al-Aziz turn to her for answers was another. Having him turn to her for a key idea in the midst of a crisis was extraordinary. It wasn't something he routinely did with disgraced officers on the verge of being drummed out of the service.

It meant, plain and simple, that he was giving Jalila another chance. If she could come up with a dazzling solution, perhaps it would mitigate her disgrace. Perhaps she could yet retire with honor.

If only she could rise to the occasion.

Jalila wracked her brain, considering the possibilities. She felt the planet turning around her with all its billions of people depending on her answer.

How could the Vox be punished in a way that would benefit the Mazeesh? Better yet, that would benefit
both
species? Jalila looked from the Vox to the Mazeesh, struggling to come up with an answer. She looked at the Mazeesh language projected on the wall.

And that was when it hit her.

Perhaps the Vox, like Jalila, could redeem themselves with language.

Energized with inspiration, Jalila went to Farouk and reached for his Mazeesh-attuned Voicebox. He handed it over with a skeptical look on his stony features.

With a few tweaks, Jalila wirelessly linked Farouk's Voicebox to her own. Thanks to the link, she could type on one Voicebox and covert her words to Vox spoken language and projected Mazeesh text simultaneously.

When the setup was done, Jalila pushed her glossy black hair behind her ears and started typing, addressing the Vox and Mazeesh. "I propose that the Vox work off their debt," she said.

"
How gracious of you
," snarled Ieria.

Symbols flowed onto the Mazeesh's wings and became words on the Voicebox's display. "
What kind of work?
"

"The Mazeesh have no spoken language," said Jalila. "This can be a disadvantage in trade and exploration."

"
You dare call us disadvantaged?
" said the Mazeesh.

"Not at all," said Jalila. "However, speech is the primary means of communication for most species we have encountered. Lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings, which can lead to conflict.

"Perhaps you can limit these undesirable outcomes," said Jalila, "by employing
translators
on your ships...say, the members of a multilingual,
speech-focused
species."

The Mazeesh's wings rippled, displaying an array of new symbols. "
You suggest we carry
murderers
on our ships,
and let them
speak
for us?
"

"I think you'll be surprised at how many qualified, good-hearted people you'll find on this world," said Jalila. "Think of the Lexicons, who not only preserved the secrets their ancestors tried to expunge, but bravely helped bring them to light."

A long moment passed before new text appeared on the wings of the Mazeesh. "
They have no experience with written language
.
They will not be able to read our words and translate them into speech.
"

"The Vox are able to carry on
three separate conversations
in
three different languages
at once," said Jalila. "I think they'll learn."

There was another pause before the next Mazeesh message. "
This isn't enoug
h.
There must be
an
admission of guilt. There must be penitence for the suffering they've caused.
"

"Once you've taught them to read and write," said Jalila, "work with them to develop historical records. Ensure that the true story of your people's first coming is available to everyone and never forgotten. When all Vox know the truth, there will be plenty of penitence."

"
What is to prevent what happened before from happening again?
" said the Mazeesh.

"Awareness of the truth," said al-Aziz. "Regret. And you setting an example by extending mercy to those who've hurt you instead of continuing the cycle of violence."

The Mazeesh hovered in place without answering, its unreadable stare providing Jalila no clue to its intent. At last, the creature flashed another message on its wings. "
I must consult with my brothers
," it said, and then it turned from al-Aziz to face the rest of the Mazeesh.

As the Mazeesh conferred, Ieria stormed over and snapped at al-Aziz. "
They can c
onsult
all they
want
.
We'll never give in to these monsters.
"

"Is that in the best interests of your people?" said al-Aziz. "Do you think they'd agree that
extinction
is preferable to
cooperation
?"

"
I speak for all of them
," said Ieria.

"Do you?" al-Aziz stepped around her, bringing himself face to face with the assembled Vox ministers. "What about
you
? You also speak for your people. Do you agree that they would vote for destruction?"

The ministers stood silently, meeting his gaze.

"If the Mazeesh accept our proposal," said al-Aziz, "you won't be asked to sacrifice much. If anything, you'll come out ahead. You'll have a written language, access to deep space, access to advanced technology...and if things work out, in the long run, you may end up with some pretty powerful allies.

"What do you think your
people
would want? All that...or the end of the world?"

Ieria threw herself between al-Aziz and the ministers. "
Promises, promises!
" she said. "
Why would they promise rewards to a species they believe slaughtered their ancestors?
To get us to
surrender
quietly! Care to guess how many promises they'll keep after we put down our weapons and get on our knees?
"

"Do you really think they care if you surrender?" said al-Aziz. "With the fleet they've got in orbit, they can wipe your planet clean without working up a sweat."

"
They'll never let us live
," said Ieria. "
They'll need to cover up the truth of what they did to our people...and if by some miracle they really do believe that ridiculous story of theirs, they'll be too afraid of what we might do to them.
"

"They believe it, all right," said al-Aziz, "but they might be willing to give you a second chance. Why not take it, if your only other option is total annihilation?"

"
Because we are the injured party here!
" Ieria shoved her snout in his face. "
We are the ones who should receive apologies and reparations!
"

al-Aziz pushed her away with the palm of his hand. "So holding on to a lie is more important than saving your people?"

"
It's too late for my people.
"

"You have the power to save them," said al-Aziz. "If you don't use that power, you'll be responsible for their destruction."

"
It won't be on
my
head!
" said Ieria. "
The same monsters
who
nearly drove us to extinction three hundred years ago will
be to blame
!
"

"You're sure that's what the people would want?" said al-Aziz.

"
It doesn't matter! I speak for everyone, living and dead!
"

Just then, Ieria was interrupted by a clawed finger tapping on her shoulder. She whirled to face a blonde-furred minister with brown markings.

"
Spoke
," said the minister.

"
Excuse me?
" said Ieria.

"
You
spoke
for everyone
," said the blonde minister. "
Past tense.
"

"
What are you talking about?
" said Ieria.

"
You're not fit to lead
," said the minister. "
We just had a bloodless coup.
"

Ieria snarled and bared her fangs. "
You can't do this
," she hissed. "
Traitors!
"

"
Somebody get a gag on her
," said the jet-black Vox. "
She's about to break some obscenity taboos.
"

Ieria howled and lunged at the ministers, but several of them grabbed hold of her and wrestled her to the ground. She was still struggling when the Mazeesh spokesperson glided over. The creature had an array of symbols on its wings, and Farouk scanned them into the Voicebox.

al-Aziz grinned as he read the translation.

"Ministers," said al-Aziz. "The Mazeesh agree to the compromise we discussed. Would you like some time to talk it over?"

"
Unnecessary
," said the blonde-furred minister. "
We are unanimous.
"

al-Aziz spoke into Farouk's Mazeesh-attuned Voicebox. "
The Vox accept your terms
," he said. "
With gratitude and humility.
"