Page 34 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga
P. 34
Resolving the Mechanalog Ambiguity
conjectured that a radical change in the gaseous components
of the atmosphere brought about the extinction of all life
forms on the planet. This brings us to the central problem of
PJ9-87-62, or Mazinoza, as it is known locally. Although we
could not detect living organisms anywhere on the surface,
there were nonetheless signs of highly complex technology
at work. The landing party found a city-like area of large
metallic structures of various design; some of these were
inhabited by intelligent machines, with which contact was
made.
According to these mechanisms, they had been designed as
analogs of the former organic species which dominated
Mazinoza. They had seen the impossibility of survival as
their atmosphere became increasingly polluted by effusions
of poisonous gases from suddenly-active volcanoes. They
had not developed space flight, so there was no physical
escape. They were, however, quite advanced in cybernetics;
therefore they opted to transform themselves into
mechanical form. Each of the intelligent beings still living
when the project was completed had its entire brain mapped
onto the circuitry of one of these machines. In this way they
survived the destruction of the aspirosphere.
We interviewed several of the robot-like entities, which we
have termed Mechanalogs, for want of a better name; each
gave the same story, though with individual variations. The
problem, then, for the PKU, is to determine whether or not
Mazinoza is inhabited by intelligent life. If the Mechananlogs
qualify, then we must negotiate with them; if not, the planet
should be treated as one whose resources we can exploit
without any deal being made.
The subject of trade was discussed with the Mechanalogs as
a matter of course by the leaders of the exploratory mission.
Aerial surveillance revealed the presence of several mineral
deposits of interest to the PKU network, most notably
grizlon, owatanite, and bintillium. For their part, the
Mechanalogs expressed interest in our organically-derived
32