02 Quetzals Flock

QUETZAL'S FLOCK
"Say again!"
"Infinite."
"Explain."
"In theory, the Ship's design permits it to achieve an infinite dimension. At the
moment, it has a dimension which will allow it to accommodate two thousand
personnel in comfort. It will adjust, under computer control, to accommodate an
infinite increase or decrease. Unless over ridden, computer control will initiate, within
ten earth seconds, a decrease to accommodate two passengers.
"Override!"
He hoped the unqualified response would be correctly interpreted. If
computer's could sigh, deep within their super-cooled cores - and he suspected they
could - this one would be resigning itself to a lot of clumsy handling.
"Maintain present dimensions until authorised to change. Explain the concept
of the Ship's structure - in simple terms."
The amplified voice of the Bole responded.
The Ship is insubstantial. The Ship is structured upon the concept of the interchangeability
of mass and energy. If additional dimension is required, whether by
Computer Control or by manual intervention, energy is converted into matter and an
expansion occurs. If a lesser dimension is required, matter is converted into energy
and dissipated."
"Where, in hells name, does all the energy come from?"
"From that which is found everywhere."
The answer wasn't an answer. Perhaps, it was too complicated to express in
layman's terms. The concept was almost beyond comprehension.
"I need to view schematic diagrams of the Ship."
"Computer Command will provide all diagrams to the Ship upon specific
request and will provide paths to your required destination within the vessel. The
miniature peripheral may now be disconnected. Computer Control has assimilated all
data available in its storage, including the Solari language. Computer Control IS the
Ship and is responsive to all requests at every location within the vessel."
Without a word, Kane disconnected the miniature peripheral and suspected
that it was wounded to the core. How the mighty had fallen. One minute, it had
described itself as a 'master computer', the next, it was demoted to a 'miniature
peripheral'. Oh! The ignominy of it all! Kane enquired solicitously.
"Are you capable of walking?"
"Affirmative."
He tried to detect a broken heart in the response.
"I think we'll shelve the idea of sleep and explore the Ship."
Hammadi nodded and gathered their possessions. They walked through the
wall into the outer chamber. The blank wall which had earlier restricted their passage,
was now wide open. It looked like a major thoroughfare through the heart of the Ship.
It was brilliantly lit, the walls radiated light. Kane was reminded of the Temple of
Taxila on Lynxe - and the chamber into which he had entered on Mars. The Ship was
pulsing with life.
The prospect of a ten kilometre walk through the Ship along the illuminated
corridor, was not appealing. Kane decided to test out the Computer Control.
"I want to access the Main Control Cabin."
A voice responded from thin air.
"Proceed to the elevator indicated."
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