Read Online The Softwire: Betrayal on Orbis 2 by PJ Haarsma - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: PJ Haarsma
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rule, made prior to arrival, has been interrupted due to Joca Krig Weegin’s misfortune. Despite what Odran has told the Trading Council, he
will
test the young Softwire because it is vital to the well-being of the Rings of Orbis and the many planets that rely on the crystals harvested from our moons. Since the Harvest of the Crystal of Life falls in this rotation, your assistance will be invaluable,” he finished, turning to me.
“But what does he have to do?” Max said.
“We want to see if young Johnny Turnbull can communicate with the Samirans,” Theylor replied.
“What?” I said.
Charlie nudged me and brought his fingers to his lips. “Shhh.”
“The Samiran language is far too complicated to be translated through the simple codec implanted through our neural port. The codec needed is too large to uplink into anyone’s cortex. We have tried many different techniques, but nothing has worked,” he informed us.
“How does he talk to him?” I said, pointing at Odran.
Odran slowly dipped his entire head into the snotty liquid within his container. He resurfaced, blinking his bloodshot eyes before he answered.
“I don’t,” he replied. “They have accepted the codec, and they understand my language. I have been with the creatures for so long that I’ve found other ways to understand them.”
“Then what do you need me for?” I asked.
“I don’t. You are unnecessary.”
A thunderous boom rattled the building. The Keepers looked over their shoulders into the darkness.
“Despite Odran’s efforts, they have grown restless,” Theylor said.
“And we
must
know why,” Drapling added, casting an accusing glance toward Odran.
“Isn’t there anyone who can understand the Samirans?” I asked Theylor.
“I am afraid not. Since the Space Jumpers have been banished, there has been no one who can understand the crystal-pullers’ language,” he replied.
“So no one has understood what they’ve had to say for a thousand rotations?”
“Exactly,” he said.
“Why can’t the central computer simply listen to them and print out a translation or something?” Max asked.
“It doesn’t work that way,” Theylor replied. “The central computer requires a living brain to assist with the codec. The language is extremely complicated.”
Odran smiled; it was almost evil. “Why don’t we simply remove his brain and be done with it?” he said, but Theylor did not reply to his remark.
They can’t do that, can they?
I wondered.
“How old are they?” Max asked Theylor.
“Samirans have been known to reach the age of three hundred thousand Earth years.”
“Enough! These questions are ridiculous. This will not work, Keeper.
He
is not a Space Jumper,” Odran spat.
“But he
is
a softwire,” Theylor’s left head said to Odran. His right turned and spoke to me. “And we were hoping you might be able to communicate with the Samirans and discover what is wrong. You and your friends would live here and help Odran with his simple duties in exchange for your work rule.” Theylor put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me slightly away from the crowd. He bent over a little and continued. “The Harvest of the Crystal of Life is extremely important, Johnny. This is a great opportunity for you to do another wonderful service for Orbis. It comes with great honor, and only you are capable of performing this task. You should take pride in that.”
I was excited by what Theylor was telling me. It made me feel important.
Could it be true?
I hoped so. This is what I wanted.
“I only need the Softwire,” Odran gurgled, the sludge thick in his throat.
“You take them all. That will be the arrangement,” Drapling said. “Do not argue this.”
Odran hovered back and spat against the glass again. “First we’ll see if he will even be able to do the job,” he said.
“He will,” Charlie assured him.
“We’ll see about that,” Odran replied, and spun the support glider about, slipping back
will
test the young Softwire because it is vital to the well-being of the Rings of Orbis and the many planets that rely on the crystals harvested from our moons. Since the Harvest of the Crystal of Life falls in this rotation, your assistance will be invaluable,” he finished, turning to me.
“But what does he have to do?” Max said.
“We want to see if young Johnny Turnbull can communicate with the Samirans,” Theylor replied.
“What?” I said.
Charlie nudged me and brought his fingers to his lips. “Shhh.”
“The Samiran language is far too complicated to be translated through the simple codec implanted through our neural port. The codec needed is too large to uplink into anyone’s cortex. We have tried many different techniques, but nothing has worked,” he informed us.
“How does he talk to him?” I said, pointing at Odran.
Odran slowly dipped his entire head into the snotty liquid within his container. He resurfaced, blinking his bloodshot eyes before he answered.
“I don’t,” he replied. “They have accepted the codec, and they understand my language. I have been with the creatures for so long that I’ve found other ways to understand them.”
“Then what do you need me for?” I asked.
“I don’t. You are unnecessary.”
A thunderous boom rattled the building. The Keepers looked over their shoulders into the darkness.
“Despite Odran’s efforts, they have grown restless,” Theylor said.
“And we
must
know why,” Drapling added, casting an accusing glance toward Odran.
“Isn’t there anyone who can understand the Samirans?” I asked Theylor.
“I am afraid not. Since the Space Jumpers have been banished, there has been no one who can understand the crystal-pullers’ language,” he replied.
“So no one has understood what they’ve had to say for a thousand rotations?”
“Exactly,” he said.
“Why can’t the central computer simply listen to them and print out a translation or something?” Max asked.
“It doesn’t work that way,” Theylor replied. “The central computer requires a living brain to assist with the codec. The language is extremely complicated.”
Odran smiled; it was almost evil. “Why don’t we simply remove his brain and be done with it?” he said, but Theylor did not reply to his remark.
They can’t do that, can they?
I wondered.
“How old are they?” Max asked Theylor.
“Samirans have been known to reach the age of three hundred thousand Earth years.”
“Enough! These questions are ridiculous. This will not work, Keeper.
He
is not a Space Jumper,” Odran spat.
“But he
is
a softwire,” Theylor’s left head said to Odran. His right turned and spoke to me. “And we were hoping you might be able to communicate with the Samirans and discover what is wrong. You and your friends would live here and help Odran with his simple duties in exchange for your work rule.” Theylor put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me slightly away from the crowd. He bent over a little and continued. “The Harvest of the Crystal of Life is extremely important, Johnny. This is a great opportunity for you to do another wonderful service for Orbis. It comes with great honor, and only you are capable of performing this task. You should take pride in that.”
I was excited by what Theylor was telling me. It made me feel important.
Could it be true?
I hoped so. This is what I wanted.
“I only need the Softwire,” Odran gurgled, the sludge thick in his throat.
“You take them all. That will be the arrangement,” Drapling said. “Do not argue this.”
Odran hovered back and spat against the glass again. “First we’ll see if he will even be able to do the job,” he said.
“He will,” Charlie assured him.
“We’ll see about that,” Odran replied, and spun the support glider about, slipping back
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