The Inclusion

By Mark T. Skarstedt

Gyle Vrantley, an investigator for the government of Bloo Cluster, a galactic state, has made an arresting discovery: a mysterious inclusion in the DNA of the Deng-Twi, a population of humans living on the Xundt, a primitive world. Falmuth Cluster, a Collective state and rival of Bloo Cluster, actually discovered the Xundt, but in accord with Galactic usage has invited the Bloos to share in the exploration of the planet. Gyle is asked to work with his Falmuth counterpart, Onell iss Trova, a scientist he met once before at a general scientific conference.
During a visit the two make to the surface of the Xundt, iss Trova, at great risk to herself, discloses some thoughts she has had about the planet, and together they reason far into the meaning of the inclusion. When the astounding implications for all humans become apparent, Barlon ved Greff, iss Trova's Ideological Monitor, demands that the information be suppressed. Colonel Ayzik Judd, leader of the Bloo expedition, rejects the demand as nonsense. When ved Greff tries to enforce suppression, steps are taken by an unexpected third party.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark T. Skarstedt
• Release date: Jul 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476226323

Mark T. Skarstedt

Mark T. Skarstedt spent his childhood and undergraduate years in California. After graduation from UCLA with a B.Sc. in chemistry, he joined the army as an infantry lieutenant, and while serving as a platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division in Viet Nam, was twice decorated for valor, once by the U.S. Army, and once by the South Vietnamese government (which insisted on using the word 'gallantry' rather than 'valor' in its citation). He also received the purple heart, having unfortunately been trapped by a booby-trap, which would seem to make him a booby. Sorry about that. Upon returning home, he earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry (cellular and molecular biology) and, as an unrepentant Viet Nam veteran and fan of the hard-fighting South Vietnamese people, was probably the most unpopular graduate student in the Western Hemisphere. He followed up with a pair of two-year post-doctoral fellowships, one at Imperial College in London (H.G. Wells's old alma mater), and one at the State University of New York in Brooklyn. He then took up a research career in the medical diagnostics industry, managing to develop some products and bring his paper trail in the scientific literature up to 23 patents and publications. In his sparse spare time he worked on honing skills in a lifelong love: the crafting of hard science fiction. Mark and his gorgeous wife Decia, married now for some 43 years, have brought up three magnificent boys, all of whom have established independent households with children of their own. He now teaches college chemistry, an occasional class in securities licensing, and continues to pound away at science fiction. He will soon have more of his books and stories available on Smashwords.

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The Inclusion

By Mark T. Skarstedt

Copyright 2012 Mark T. Skarstedt

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The Inclusion

Unexpected Visitors

Gyle Vrantley, about to enter Conference Bay 3 of the Bloo research vessel Swahir, paused in the corridor at the incomprehensible sound of melody. It was the choir, three bays over, practicing for the ship's Christmas Program. Vrantley cocked his head at the noise, but had to shrug as usual. It sounded like nothing more than rhythmically changing frequencies and groaning, maudlin speech. He wondered again if other people really liked the stuff, or if they were just putting on an act for each other.

Inside the bay, the group forming around the board, save for Vrantley, consisted of technical department heads. As Vrantley took a place near the foot of the table, he wondered why he, a mere field scientist, was here. Like all shipboard meetings, this one was prompt, fully attended, and came straight to business.

Colonel Judd, ship commander, called the meeting to order. Interesting development, he said. It was easy to forget that the rasp in his voice came from wounds received in the field, and not from personal bad temper. The Falmuth end of this expedition suddenly wants to send a delegation to board us. Comments.

Surprise was immediate. Almost in unison, those present glanced out the viewport at the dim point of light that marked the Dong-Whi Victory, the Falmuth vessel. The huge globe of the planet Xundt spread its seas and continents before them in the light of its star, Follwo. The Dong-Whi Victory was near the far edge.

Eyes came back aboard. How big a delegation? asked the geochemist Feldenn Sheffer, and why?

Two people, said Judd, and ostensibly to follow and assist with the anthropological end of our work.

Nollo Kletty, the Technical Officer in charge of scientific operations, spoke up. Excellent! We should welcome them aboard!

I am so inclined, said Colonel Judd. They sent names and résumés, and for a wonder, we have something on them in our own files. He projected two photographs onto the wall behind him: one face was that of a fierce-looking male in his fifties, graying at the temples. Vrantley looked at the other, a plain, intelligent female face, and could hardly contain his surprise. So that was why he was here!

Judd indicated the female. This is Onell iss Trova. Gyle Vrantley has met her. She came to our attention at the Biological Code-Forms Meetings in Arm 3 a couple of Earth years back. Some ambitious character assembled a file on her.

Judd indicated the other photograph. The man is Barlon ved Greff. He's what's known as an Ideological Monitor.

You're kidding! said Booth Kushmin, delighted.

I wish I were, said Judd. Miss iss Trova's job will no doubt be technical. His will be to protect her from corrupting influences.

Piffle, said Kletty. That's one of the stupidest misconceptions around. Ideological Monitors merely. . . .

That will do, Doctor, said Colonel Judd. His voice, though quiet, was dangerous.

Not on your life, said Kletty, unabashed. Stupidity of that sort invites the. . . .

Did you hear me? Kletty stared, momentarily shocked by his tone. We use courtesy in these meetings, said Judd. In particular, you will use courtesy with the commander of this vessel.

Or what? sneered Kletty. You wouldn't dare . . .

Dr. Kletty! Kletty blinked and subsided. We are outside Bloo Cubic, said Judd. I am required by law to operate this vessel accordingly. If you contravene the Mutiny Provisions, which you're skating, you will be shipped home in disgrace.

There were gasps. Judd and Kletty locked eyes until Kletty's finally dropped. Always the jerk is my beloved boss, Dr. Kletty, thought Vrantley.

Judd continued. ved Greff will probably keep a pretty tight rein on Miss iss Trova, but that's her problem. Gyle, tell us about her.

Vrantley was prepared for the question. I met her at those meetings two years ago, to my personal regret.

Why to your regret? said the Colonel.

Vrantley shrugged. It's possible I'm being unfair to her. Her data was of special interest to me. I questioned her at a poster session, then invited her to lunch. She accepted, and as we were walking to a restaurant, a couple of OPS goons started following us through the streets. They were so obvious it was insulting, so when we were seated at our table, I got up, walked over to theirs and challenged them. One of them showed a card of some sort, which meant nothing to me. The other made a peremptory gesture at Miss iss Trova; she got up and left with him. The first had the effrontery to follow me back to my table. He actually sat down and tried to lecture me about something. I was too mad to listen and may have spilled some water in his lap.

Judd snorted. According to the follow-up report, there was no 'may have' about it. Fortunately, you were outside of Falmuth cubic. Tell us about when you saw her again.

Twice more at the meetings, but she looked through me as if I wasn't there. I wrote her off personally.

What about her work? said Judd.

Good stuff, said Gyle. Better than good. I think she's onto something big, but I don't know what it is. It looks as if their government is orchestrating her publications.

Can you work with her?

"If required? Of