ENCOUNTER Hep Aldridge (best autobiographies to read .txt) 📖

way you understand weapons. Ours are more defensive. The power of our offensive beam weapons is such that we choose to use them only as a last resort. We have created shield technology that can protect us, our ships, and our cities at such a level as to make an unprovoked aggressive attack unreasonable.”

“So, you haven’t created offensive weapons other than this beam thing?” Dimitri asked.

Jeannie laughed, “When your adversary’s weapons cannot inflict any damage to you whatsoever, it becomes evident that attacking you is a useless endeavor. We learned thousands of years ago that an impenetrable defense is a strong offense.”

Dimitri chuckled, “That sounds like a Sun Tzu quote straight out of the Art of War.”

Jeannie smiled, “He was a cunning strategist.”

Dimitri nodded, somewhat surprised, but approvingly, “Truth.”

O’Reilly asked, “What about those cube devices the guys found on the shipwreck? What are they?”

“From the information I have gathered, they are ancient devices, out of use for over a thousand years, but much like the ones used to repair the power lintel. We have improved on their function and capabilities, reduced their size, and increased their power.”

“So, they’re kind of like antiques?” O’Reilly asked.

“Yes, you could say that, although they are still functional. They are just missing the additional pieces needed to make them operational.”

“We know that different gems activate them, but what were they used for?” Joe asked.

“The red stone operates a cutting device. The blue stone, a cloaking device, the green stone controls water, and the clear stone is a transportation device. You have already discovered the anti-gravity device activated by gold.”

“Whoa, so we have devices with all those capabilities, and they’re still operational?” Doc said.

“Possibly, but none will function without the companion parts,” Jeannie answered.

“Do you have the parts needed?” Joe asked.

“I am afraid not,” Jeannie replied, “they are so old; we have not always kept parts for such things. However, I will have to consult the library to answer definitively.”

“Well, if you do have them, will you allow us to take them back with us?” Dimitri asked way too excitedly.

Jeannie paused and, after a minute or so, said, “I must reflect on that. A civilization must be ready for powerful advances in technology, or the dangers may outweigh the good. Please, be patient and thoughtful.”

I started to speak, but Jeannie held up her hand and stopped me, “I believe that is enough for now. We shall continue this conversation after you all have had time to reflect upon and discuss what you have just learned.” And with that humbling statement, she disappeared.

Chapter Thirty-Three

We spent the waning hours of the afternoon revisiting the library and wandering the aisles, making discovery after discovery. At our evening meal, the discussion centered around Jeannie and her willingness or possible lack thereof to provide us with useable technology we could take outside of the Citadel. The knowledge we had gained was overwhelming, and much of it beyond our comprehension. It would require experts in the fields of astrophysics, quantum mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, medicine, and who knows what other areas to really gain an understanding of and usable information from what was available in the massive archives of the library.

“So, what do you think, Colt? Will Jeannie think we are worthy stewards of sharing some of her advanced technology with the world outside the cloak?” Dimitri asked.

“I don’t know. I’m not even sure I have a clue as to what to ask her for, to be honest with you.”

Doc said, “I agree, Colt. I’ve been grappling with that same question. I never dreamed we would be having this kind of problem, certainly nothing of this magnitude.”

Joe said, “Well, from my perspective, I don’t believe Jeannie is going to make us leave empty-handed. But I’m darn sure that she will be the one—not us—to decide exactly what knowledge we leave with.”

“That’s something we need to be thinking about. We need to be leaving soon. We’ve been here two weeks, and from what we’ve seen, I can’t say prolonging our stay is going to be more beneficial. I mean, I think we have reached our saturation limit on what we have been shown and exposed to.”

“I agree,” O’Reilly said, “there’s only so much you can absorb. Look at the breadth of what we have seen: science, technology, history, anthropology, medicine, alien races, and space travel, my God, how can anyone comprehend all of that at once?”

“Not to mention our run-in with the Brotherhood and the Vatican mercs. What kinds of repercussions are going to come from that?” Reggie asked.

“It’s like we have two sets of problems, one from the real world and one from the unreal world, and we are going to have to figure out ways to deal with both,” Doc added, “and soon.”

We all sat in contemplative silence before getting up and heading to our campsite. On our way, Joe asked, “And where has Eduardo gone? We haven’t seen him for two days now.”

“I’m sure it’s got something to do with his Watcher training. Lithel has been absent too,” I said.

“That’s right, and Jeannie did say Lithel would be taking part in his training, whatever that entails,” Doc said.

“I guess you’re right,” Joe agreed. “I’m just a little protective of the kid; that’s all.”

“I don’t think you have a thing to worry about. I can’t imagine any safer place there could be on this planet than right here. Besides, he’s got a five-hundred-pound saber-toothed tiger protecting him,” I added laughingly, “or whatever she is.”

Joe chuckled, “Yeah, I keep forgetting about that, Colt.”

We finished our walk in silence, taking in the beauty of the Citadel as the sky darkened and the city lights came on. What a magical sight, I thought, not a bad place to be, not bad at all. Little did I know that Jeannie had been tuned into our worrisome conversation and would help us resolve our challenges without us ever even knowing she would invisibly intervene on our behalf.

The next day’s session began with Jeannie showing up late.