Adobe .pdf - Notes from An Alien

8 ~ Perfection
Chirzt and Laiy were sitting in one of the new, open-air eateries that were springing up on both
Worlds. Chirzt had ordered a bowl of soup and Laiy was getting just a drink. As the server left the
table, Chirzt laid a packet of papers down and said:
"Here are the names and locations. Look at it later."
"Right. What have you heard from the others?'
"Rapiul and Gecul are working to locate more sympathizers on Anla and Jerul is working with
me here. I told them to make sure the leader types were promised power and the rank and file
folks got money. I think we need to be careful to profile them into two main groups, Independents
and Dissatisfieds. I'll organize the Independents, you take the Dissatisfieds, right?"
"Sure. What about a name?"
"No. We need dedicated people or those we can make dedicated but we don't need any of the
normal group identifiers. We have to stay flexible and respond to change. Names just lock people
into assumptions."
"Right. Think we'll eventually establish ourselves on that new World?"
"Absolutely. It will take time but they seem to be moving pretty fast to clear it for mass
settlement."
"I think they should wipe out that new life form."
"Really? What if it's on our side?"
Laiy remained quiet as the server placed their orders on the table. After he'd left he said:
"I heard it can take over a person's mind."
"It's all rumor until more people get exposed to it. Time will tell..."
"So, what about the new Aklan Council of Justice?"
"Don't think they'll be a problem. It's only for Aklans."
"But, it seems pretty obvious the structure of the Worlds' government was taken from Aklan
beliefs."
"Yes, and more and more Aklans are weaseling their way into consultation positions but most
people don't want a religion ruling the Worlds."
"They're not weaseling, they're being invited. Plus, the consultation they're offering isn't
actually political; but, one thing we really need is someone on the Worlds' Council."
"I think we should shoot for something even better. Delva's going to announce that she's staying
on Angla and turning her duties over to an elected board of mediators."
"How do you know that?"
"I have friends you don't know."
~~~
Morna was analyzing Delva's latest communication with the new entity. A thousand more
scientists and techs had been dispatched to Angla-Palli and it appeared the life form had one
mind distributed over the countless aggregations of molecular strands. It definitely used the
planetary plasma to form connections between remote presences and it definitely wanted to
communicate.
Delva was the only person to have ingested a portion of the entity—now named Anglana—but
others had experienced a form of communication from mere skin contact. The contact
communication was limited to a person's urge to taste the entity. Instructions were firm—do not
swallow it.
Morna's analysis had reached a point where she could give Delva some feedback:
"Strong probability that you are reaching Anglana with your movements."
"I'd say it's a certainty, Morna. I do have part of Anglana in my body."
"Yes, but we've yet to determine if a biological containment of some strands severs certain
modes of communication. Your movements may be registering in Anglana's mind through the
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