“Please state the reason that you requested an appointment.”
“I’m seeking support for an expedition.”
Hari Yagyasan leaned back in his chair. “This is the urgent matter that Padeedah Bano contacted me about?” He looked at the computer screen for her message and read aloud. “Please meet with Jal Jomari as soon as possible. Ask him to provide you with a copy of the report he submitted for his Eighth –Year Project. I am certain that the content of it will be of great interest to you. He must be stopped.” He looked at Jal. “You are asking me to support an expedition and she is saying you must be stopped. Please explain why she thinks this must be stopped.”
“Luminary, I came to seek the Protectorate’s support for an expedition. I’m not able to explain what Padeedah Bano is thinking.”
“Tell me about this report that Padeedah is referring to.”
“The students attending the Stafriez Academy are required to complete a project the final year of primary school. I chose to research and discuss two of the biomes on the continent of Shifos.”
“Stop. Jal Jomari, you are seven years old. Padeedah Bano has indicated that you wrote a report for an eighth-year project. Please explain.”
“The Academy’s program is self-paced. I do the lessons, just as everyone else does.”
“How many other seven-year-olds are in the eighth-year material?”
“I have no idea. I just do my lessons.”
“Jal Jomari. You were born here at the Protectorate, according to your records.”
“What does that have to do with this discussion?”
“You are a businessman. A student at the Stafriez Academy. You have achieved the rank of Third Secretary at the Peace Foundation. How is this possible?”
“How is what possible?”
“You are seven years old, and you are a Third Secretary?”
“Luminary, what does that have to do with with this discussion?”
“Jal, I am trying to learn your background and what you might potentially hope to gain from an expedition. I would like to know why a Stafriez Academy instructor believes you need to be stopped. Please explain how it is that you are an academy student, how you achieved the rank of Third Secretary, and simultaneously are a businessman.”
Jal spoke slowly. “My name is Jal Jomari Ridali. This is Sage Jan Elvan Ridali. It is my father. Sage Elvan is a Master Diplomat who works at the World Peace Foundation. I have achieved the rank of Third Secretary because I’m Sage Elvan’s apprentice. Sage Elvan has encouraged me to learn a second craft. I am a journeyman with Master Jasper Neve, a potter from Nik. I have a small business and sell some of my wares on Iragos Peninsula. I am here seeking support for an expedition.”
Pap Janos spoke, “Luminary, it’s 14:10. This appointment is over.”
“Change the schedule, Pap. This appointment is not over.”
“The person for your 14:10 appointment is waiting.”
“Ask her if she will wait or reschedule her for a different time.”
“Luminary, she has been waiting for quite some time.”
“Why has she been waiting? Her appointment is for 14:10. Override the schedule, Pap. Extend this appointment. Inform the next person that her appointment time is delayed or reschedule her appointment.” Hari Yagyasan looked at the computer screen. “Jal Jomari. Why are you here seeking support for an expedition when Padeedah Bano wants me to ask you for a copy of a report about Shifos?”
“The report is an extensive scientific study of two biomes on Shifos. Instructor Padeedah gave me a top score on it. If you read it, you can learn about the plants, environment and people of north central and northwest Shifos.”
There was a long pause as the luminary stared into space. Jal’s and Sage Elvan’s eyes met. "There are no people in north central and northwest Shifos. Your report contains false information.”
“Perhaps you should read the report before you make such a declaration,” Jal suggested.
“Please give it to me. You may sit while I read it. That way if I have questions while I am reading, I can ask them.” Jal opened its backpack, took out the electronic tablet and opened the document.
***
Two days later, the Luminary closed the report and posed his last question. “If the Protectorate supports an expedition on Shifos, what will we get in return?”
Jal had thought about this for a long time. “While we’re on Shifos, we’ll begin to confirm the information obtained in the scans from the satellites and probes. We can look for natural resources and mark a passageway through the territory that can be used by vehicles. When we get to the enclaves, we can evaluate the conditions and document the areas that need to be repaired. The Protectorate will then be able to make repairs, staff the enclaves, and provide services to the people of Shifos that have not been receiving the support they’ve needed since the Stafriez came to Zuphreon.”
“Provide services to the people?”
“That is what the Protectorate was created for.”
“You are mistaken.”
“Oh?”
“The Protectorate was created so that it might maintain order. We oversee a security force that protects us from invaders from other planets, evildoers who steal our planet’s resources, and facilities where we isolate residents who harm themselves and other people. The Protectorate controls information regarding current events and scientific discoveries and maintains historical records. We collect currency which is used to support the manpower in our facilities and the orbital defense system."
Jal looked at Sage Elvan. Neither knew what to say. Jal’s mind raced. It was painfully obvious that the Luminary was a very old android. At times, it seemed to have a difficult time accessing and processing information.
Jal thought about the old books that it had read about the Protectors and how a temple had been built for each Protector. “Excuse me for one moment, Luminary.” Jal opened an older tablet, looked through the index of books and located a quote it had marked.
“For my studies at the sanctuary in Ebonbell, the Spirit Guardian required that I read this book. The identification number is 201-00. According to Meizei Jasef, Vitos directed that the sanctuaries were to be created for the world residents to communicate with the gods, who would visit each sanctuary regularly and reveal themselves to those who gathered for spiritual communion and meditation. In this book, Holy Conversations, Meizei Jasef wrote down what the duties of the Luminaries and the Enclaves are. Vitos provided a job description and expectations.”
“No. That’s not true.”
“If it’s not true, then what are the duties of the Protectorate? What are your duties? How do you decide how to spend your time?”
“My days are filled responding to the requests that come in my electronic mail and from my aide.”
“Surely you have specific things that you oversee.”
“No, Jal. My days are filled with meetings with people who often have nothing to say but want me to listen.”
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“May I read this to you? Perhaps it will refresh your memory.” The Luminary agreed to listen. “Luminaries in charge of the enclaves will ensure that a well-rounded education is provided for each child, continuing education is provided to the adults who desire it, and advanced medical training is available to all doctors in general medicine and their choice of specialties. Enclaves will oversee the collection of data and provide it on a worldwide computerized system that can be accessed by all the planet’s residents. Vitos repeatedly emphasized to me that all members of the races that the Protectors have made agreements with are to be provided a safe place to live and grow, adequate food, protection from the elements such as homes and clothing, and access to appropriate medical care.’”
Hari Yagyasan looked from Jal to Sage Elvan. “Why are you reading this to me?”
“I’m reminding you that it is not your job to simply listen to people talk. The Protectorate needs to provide services to the people who are living on the northern and central parts of Shifos. The Protectors made promises. The Luminaries were put in charge of the Protectorates to help keep those promises.”
“We are doing our best.”
“No. The Protectorates are not doing their best. The Protectorates need to repair the enclaves that are on Shifos. Staff members need to be in the Enclaves so they can provide care for the people who need it.”
“How is an expedition going to change that?”
“We will examine the enclaves, document the damage, and send it to this enclave so that the Protectorate Luminaries can determine how to fix it.”
“I need to discuss the matter with the other Luminaries.” Jal tiredly rose to its feet and picked up the tablet from the Luminary’s desk. “What are you doing? I need that!” He stepped to the door of the office. “Pap!”
The aide came running. “Yes, Luminary?”
“Contact the other Luminaries. Tell them that we are meeting.”
“What day and time?”
“Right now. Have someone copy this document onto five other tablets.” Jal and Sage Elvan rose to their feet. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Home to Ridali Tower.”
“No. Jal Jomari, you are needed here. The other luminaries will read your report. You will stay and answer their questions. Sage Elvan, you are the father of this young man. The two of you will stay in the enclave until this matter is settled to my satisfaction.” The two Stafriez sat down.
Hari Yagyasan returned to his desk. He faced the computer. A moment later, he was speaking to Padeedah Bano. “I received your urgent message. I have some questions for you.”
“Yes, Luminary.”
“Explain to me how well you know Jal Jomari.”
“He’s one of my students. I work with him regularly.”
“Do you know his background and training?”
“What background and training?”
“Do you know who Sage Jan Elvan is?”
“I’ve met him, yes.”
“I want to know why you have a problem with this report. Jal developed a reasonable thesis, collected a great deal of information, and clearly documented the sources. Why do you want me to stop Jal Jomari? What do you think he will do?”
“Jal’s research project will make the rest of the Stafriez children aware that the information that we are teaching them is not true. If they realize that we have been lying to them, they will begin to question the rest of our teaching. They will tell their parents. It will be the end of the Stafriez Academy.”
“How have you been lying to them, Padeedah?”
“We’ve taught for years that there is no life west of the mountains of Shifos.”
“What did you think I was going to do about this?”
“You must order Jal’s termination. That document must be destroyed.”
“You would have a student who completed a student research paper terminated? Have you lost your mind?”
***
Jal and Sage Elvan joined the six luminaries in a large conference room. Hari Yagyasan stood at the end of the room and introduced Sage Elvan and Jal, giving a brief background for each of them. Hari explained that Jal had written a report as a school requirement, and it had been brought to his attention by Jal’s instructor and several of the Protectorate staff.
“I would like for each of you to read this report. As we go through it, we will discuss any questions that arise.”
“Three hundred and sixty-eight pages, Hari?”
“Two hundred and sixty-four pages, Sozan. The rest is documentation.”
A silence enveloped the room and the five readers went carefully through the material. Hari pushed the group through the report, section by section. When they reached the final section, several of them stopped and looked at Jal in disbelief. Hari urged them to continue reading. When they were finished, they looked at Hari expectantly.
“Why did we read this?”
“Jal has requested our support for an expedition that will cross Shifos.”
The leaders turned to each other, their voices filled with amazement and skepticism.
Hari summarized the discussion that Jal and he had and opened the floor for comments.
“We’ve done just fine without those enclaves!” Devram Lalit, from the Nacturis enclave, exclaimed.
“There are more people living on Shifos! It’s our job to provide care to all residents, not just the ones in the south and east,” Badri al-Riaz countered.
“This report is filled with misinformation,” Topo, the representative from the enclave by Nik spoke.
“That’s not true. It’s extremely well-documented,” Rup Dev observed. “Nicely done!” he said to Jal. “The scientists in Kop provide evidence notations like these.”
“Thank you.”
“What does a child know about things like this?” Sozan burst out. “The people from Zaletori would never believe this!”
“I’d say that Jal learned a lot,” Rup smiled at Jal. “My guess is that you accessed the science facilities at a Protectorate enclave, had a scientist show you how the satellites and probes worked, and you worked for hundreds of hours.”
“I don’t believe any of this!”
“I’ll bet I know why you’re saying that, Topo,” Rup said matter-of-factly. “It’s because you’re going to have to explain to all the people of Nek that they’ve been lied to all these years. We’ve all tried to convince the citizens that the Protectorate knows everything. We know what’s best. We’re the bosses, and we make the rules, and everyone’s supposed to fall in line. Well, guess what? We’re all human! We made mistakes. We weren’t paying attention when these enclaves were damaged! We didn’t know that two entire groups of people disappeared! We haven’t taken care of a huge group of people that we promised to support!” He stood up. “I support Jal’s request for our subsidizing and providing manpower to an expedition that will go across Shifos. I’d like to go along.”
“Sit down! You can’t go!” Sozan said heatedly. “Luminaries don’t do crazy things like this.”
“This is not crazy. It makes perfect sense to me,” Fial Bili remarked. “I won’t go on an expedition, but I will help repair damage to the enclaves, once the transporters are working.”
Devram shook her head. “I don’t think we need those enclaves.”
“How do you propose we move supplies around the globe?” Badri al-Riaz demanded. “Just because Nacturis is in the middle of a major shipping zone doesn’t make it okay for you to ignore a group of people who you believe aren’t your responsibility. Those enclaves need to be operational. I’ll help ensure that repairs are made to the structures.” Badri looked at Devram, “When those enclaves are operational, I’m going to remind you that you don’t need any of the natural resources from that area.”
Fial looked around the table. “Each of you have had residents who needed services from the Protectorate. Would you have turned people away?” There was a chorus of nos. “By not having all the enclaves on Shifos operating, we have done just that. We have not been available to residents who needed help. Sozan, you of all people, know the huge impact the Protectorate has made for the Zaletori. I should think you would be the strongest supporter of this request.”
“Quiet, please!” Hari tapped on the table. “Right now, Badri, Fial, and Rup believe the enclaves should be restored. Sozan, Devram, and Topo are against the process. I will cast the deciding vote.”
“Wait! I never said I was against the process,” Sozan said. “I said that the people from Zaletori will never believe that there are people living on the far side of Shifos. I will support Jal’s request for an expedition.”
“Devram and Topo, do you wish to support this endeavor?” Hari asked.
“No,” Devram said firmly. “I’m going to let you all make fools of yourselves.”
“I support this expedition,” Topo said slowly. He looked at Devram. “I’d rather tell the residents of Nek about these discoveries than have them find out about them on a random news report.” He looked around the table. “We need to figure out how we’re going to release this information to the public. Hari, are we going to talk about this now, or are you going to schedule another meeting?”
“Since I was the one who called for the meeting, as of right now, under Protectorate Order 22-A, I am issuing an order of silence on the content of this meeting. Please pass the electronic pads to this end of the table. You will not discuss the material reviewed or the decisions made at this meeting with anyone, including one another. Remove this meeting from your calendar, if you wrote it down. I will inform you when we will next meet. Thank you for your time.”
The Luminaries stood, and one by one, transported back to their enclaves.
“Jal,” Hari Yagyasan said, “we aren’t quite finished. Here is your electronic pad. You have created quite a stir, and it has only begun. You and Sage Elvan are both expected to remain silent regarding your report, and what was said and decided today.” Jal opened its mouth to speak, then closed it. Hari looked at him. “ I would like to know when you plan to go on this expedition.”
“I haven’t received permission from Sage Elvan to go on it.”
“I’m giving you my permission to go,” Sage Elvan said. “I’m coming too.”
“I have twenty-one months of school left. I need fifteen months after that to prepare.”
“So, a year and six months,” the Luminary said. “I would like to assign a member of the Protectorate staff to work with you on the preparations. You seem to have some friends here. Who would you like to supervise you?”
“Dr. Gyasi, please.”
“One last item of business. Your instructor. If she makes any comments regarding your report or your grade, do your best to deflect them and change the subject. Should she make threatening comments, I want you to report them to me, but no one else. Do you understand?” Jal nodded. “On the day you are supposed to present your project, you will contact Instructor Padeedah at the last possible moment, and tell her that you won’t be able to make the presentation. If she attempts to reschedule your presentation, make yourself unavailable.”
“Okay. Thank you for seeing me, Luminary.”
“You’re welcome. A word of advice, if you get another call from Pap in the middle of the night, you need to wake up and get here. I don’t call people in the middle of the night unless it’s extremely important.”