Read Online He Without Sin by Ed Hyde - Free Book Online Page B

chance to prepare.”
    “Right, ok. Later then. Don’t worry about it now Mark,” says David.
    “I can tell you the image recognition software looks for patterns based on previous experience, and it’s very reliable,” David continues. “For example, we have three strong indicators in one small area that’s located pretty close to the base site Mark pointed out earlier. First, we have images of some sort of structures laid out in loose geometrical patterns. At the scale of these images, when you start to see regular geometry, something’s up. The structures themselves are small but we can make out that their shapes are sometimes geometric – rectangular and circular. Hard by these images we see what look to be signs of primitive agriculture including what are almost positively small sets of irrigation ditches. Last, there are more than one of these ‘settlements’—let’s call them settlements for now—and between them are what may be trails or primitive roads. Taken all together, the conclusion is clear; although I have to emphasize that nothing is certain from up here.
    “As I started to say before, until we know more, we cannot predict exactly what we’ll find, but our best guess right now is that there is or recently was some form of intelligent life at an apparently low population density living quite near our projected base camp. ImRec also picked up a handful other potential sites scattered across the globe.”
    “What does this mean for our mission?” asks Mark. “I mean, isn’t this what we expect to find?”
    David takes a moment to work his unconscious mouth habit before answering, “Last question first: Yes, this is what we, the royal ‘we,’ are hoping for in the big picture. Although ours is not the first mission to this site, it’s very difficult to predict the paths that evolution will take. So we can never predict exactly what we’ll find. The basic building blocks are there, and the last mission reported no unusual or potentially dead-end scenarios.
    “As to your first question, it simply means that we have a lot of work to do. The bio area will be interesting, and I myself expect to be hands-on in there. Mark, your ground-based responsibility changes very little. We are going to be here for quite some time to repair, refit and replenish—I know you’ve heard those words before—with or without this confirmation. Some contact with the natives will likely be required for the mission, of course, to collect the data we need, but beyond that, we will have to wait and see what we find. The thing to keep in mind is this: Go by the book if there are any doubts. Please review the guidelines that all of you have received.”
    Grigor apparently cannot resist saying, “Let me get this straight; seeding has worked so we are for sure farmers here to tend the crops, evidence shows some kind of aquatic and probable terrestrial animal life…”

    Mark throws in, “Yes, by the way, some of the supposed trails or lanes that are not connected to those so-called settlements are very likely migration pathways for terrestrial herds.”
    Grigor continues, “Ok then, farmers first and we are shepherds as well, tending to the flocks. And now I hear we are to be baby sitters for some primitive population. Let me do a quick inventory of my hats to see if I have enough.”
    Sometimes it’s hard to separate humor from sarcasm with Grigor and this is one of those cases. David looks at Grigor for a few seconds but declines to comment. He takes a few more questions, but the team is generally satisfied that all is as it should be and the meeting breaks up. A few, including myself and Dylan, hang with Mark to see the ImRec hits.
    ______
    “So. What do you think?” I ask, directing my question to no one person but to both Mark and Carol.
    Dylan overhears and says, “I think it’s fantastic. I am really looking forward to this. I know we’ll be busy but what else are we going to do out here? I for one