Page 8 - Tales Apocalyptic and Dystopian

The Stars Impel

“Of course I am. But you have the advantage of me. Please have a
seat.” He indicated an improvised bench in front of the desk.
Yarsis moved gingerly into the sherbet stall and sat down. Minu
remained on guard at the counter after placing sensors several paces
distant up and down the mall. Yarsis set up a ComPort on the desk.
“Do you know what this is?” she asked.
Jay barely glanced at the device. “Of course not. I’ve forgotten
what a pencil-sharpener looks like.”
“It doesn’t matter. I will interpret what is essential. You are
probably the last one alive to practice the superstitious art of
astrology. Obviously, we would not be here if our problem had
already been resolved by our own methods.”
Yarsis touched the ComPort, and a holographic image sprang into
the space directly above it.
“First, some background. I assume you are unaware of the
Agency’s activities, both here and elsewhere in the galaxy.”
The man behind the desk shifted his weight, indicating some
nervous tension or physical discomfort. He squinted at the three-
dimensional model of an alien solar system floating inches from his
face.
“This is not Earth’s environment,” he said.
“You may also be the only person on this world able to recognize
that fact,” replied Yarsis Onfar, working the ComPort console with
both hands. The model swung around, revealing the orbits of several
planets and their satellites. “This is the Arcana system in Sector P342-
970-A34. It is the site of the first human extraterrestrial colony,
established about fifty years ago.”
Jay Trovu blinked.
“I—I didn’t know you’d gone that far. I thought you still were
stuck on that—”
Yarsis truncated his confusion.
“In general, the Agency’s activities are not publicized on Earth. I’m
sure you understand that needless suffering and frustration would be
engendered by making information like that generally available here.”
“But even the hopeless can enjoy a vicarious feeling of triumph
and progress.” The astrologer shook his grizzled head. “You have no
pity, no empathy for us.”

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