Now it appeared they had miscalculated. Either the Syrax were infinitely more thoughtful in their planning than the Colligatarch and its human associates had ever imagined, or else this Eric Abbott had returned for reasons still unknown, in which case, as they said in Monte Carlo to the south, all bets were off.

Instead of having vanished, the problem had reappeared, cloaked in unknown intentions and an infinitely more unpredictable set of variables. As a basis for a course of action, they had only a hysterical report from the commander of GATE City Security and a far more reasoned one from Dhurapati Ponnani.

“I don’t think we have any choice,” said a tired Anira Chinelita from her chair. “We have to order the destruction of GATE Station, as the commander suggests. We can’t allow the secret of the GATE to fall into the hands of the Syrax.”

“We have no evidence that this Abbott is operating under the control of the Syrax,” Oristano quietly pointed out. “He continues to insist on his humanity. For our sake, it’s well that he does.

“By now you’re all familiar with the incredible details of this business, which, I might remind you, some of you dismissed rather casually when the Colligatarch first brought it to our attention.” A few irritated mutters sounded from around the table. “You know how, against all odds and despite every precaution, Abbott succeeded in boarding GATE City in the company of the Lure artison Lisa Tambor. You have seen the reports which describe how the Syrax have likely manipulated him mentally and physically during his years on Earth, manipulated him into believing he was truly human. Personally, I am not afraid of this Abbott. I cannot fear what I pity.”

“Your compassion is legendary, Martin,” said Siakwan impatiently, “but does us no good now. Commander Rasmusson mentioned offering general amnesty. What do you think the reaction would be among Abbott’s associates?”

“I think they would follow his lead, whatever he decided to do,” Oristano replied. “They have more reason to trust him than any representative of WOSA. These are extremely intelligent people, remember. People like the colonists don’t forget when they’ve been lied to.”

“What bothers me,” said Dr. Novotski softly, “is that this unexpected reappearance may all be a part of some more elaborate Syrax plan. Their work is so subtle. Suppose Abbott’s return, while supposedly free of their influence, is in fact only part of some greater deception in which he is playing an unwilling and unknowing part? Not only is Abbott familiar with the GATE’S design and operation, he has taken physical control of it.” Worried expressions appeared on the faces of his colleagues as the implications began to sink in.

“To what end?” wondered Oristano aloud. “And why return with colonists? Dr. Ponnani informs us that the GATE is in use and probably has been ever since Abbott’s friends took control of it, yet to every outward appearance GATE Station is unchanged. If the intent of some mysterious, convoluted plan was to deliver it boldly to the Syrax, why does Abbott wait and invite possible destruction? I’m sorry, Alex, but your theory doesn’t hold water.”

“They’re doing something with it,” said Isabel Jordan tightly. “It would help my decision a lot if I knew what.”

“Dr. Ponnani is reporting an unusual amount of flux in the field,” Oristano reminded her, “but she can’t determine what it signifies. Neither can the machine. Needless to say, Abbott’s people aren’t being terribly informative.”

“Rasmusson says they mentioned “toying” with it. Could that be true?” Froelich wondered.

“I think it unlikely they would risk annihilation without something stronger in the way of motivation,” said Siakwan dryly. “What I would like to know is how this creature managed to compel the people of Eden to do his bidding.”

“I don’t see it that way,” said another member. “We have no evidence any form of coercion is involved. We’ve had ample demonstration of the creature’s physical abilities. Might he not also be capable of some form of mental mass control?”

“I don’t think so,” said Oristano.

“Nor do I. Dr. Davidov is correct. They appear to be cooperating with Abbott of their own free will.” It was the first time the Colligatarch had addressed the table since the beginning of the conference, and the members shifted about in their seats while maintaining a respectful silence.

“It is clear that if this Eric Abbott were capable of such mental control, he would have exercised it by now while keeping his physical abilities a secret. At the same time he would already have been able to deliver the GATE into the hands of the Syrax. He could simply have taken over GATE Station when he and Lure Tambor series four arrived there.”

Siakwan persisted. “I still say he must be exercising some form of control over the Edenites.”

“Indeed he is, Doctor. There is no lever so powerful as truth, and that is a commodity which circumstances regrettably have forced us to deny to our colonists.”

“We can debate motivations later,” Novotski pointed out. “Right now, tovarishch, we must decide how to regain control of what we have lost, since Abbott shows no sign of relinquishing control of the Station. It must be brought back under human control.”

“But it is under human control,” Oristano argued. “The Edenites are in charge as much as is Abbott.”

“Under government control, then. It amounts to the same thing.”

“Not in this case,” said the Colligatarch quietly. “In any event, it seems to me that there is no reason yet to take the drastic step proposed by Dr. Chinelita. Three days have passed since Abbott and his followers took over. They have as yet made no demands upon Station personnel or upon the government. Quick work has suppressed news of the takeover and kept it restricted to members of the scientific community and the Station staff. We are still permitted the luxury of caution.

“I need not tell you how long it would take to rebuild the GATE, not to mention the cost. An extended delay in shipment of supplies could cause a great deal of hardship on both colonies. The need for total destruction has not been proved. We are not reduced to the final option.”

“I disagree, but your points are well taken,” admitted Chinelita.

“What do you recommend we do?” Oristano asked. “Sit and wait?”

“No. We must, of course, take action. Anything short of destruction of the GATE itself is open to consideration.”

“Eric Abbott, if the reports are all accurate, has already overcome the effects of massive dose of drugs and limited physical attack. The only thing that’s had any effect on him is morphoresene, a narcoleptic gas,” Oristano pointed out.

“And he no doubt is prepared to deal with a repeat of such an assault,” the machine added. “I therefore propose that we utilize the only weapons which have proven really effective against him so far: psychological.”

One of the members let out an openly derisive snort. “I see. We’ll just talk him into opening the door and letting our people in.”

“Not immediately, perhaps, but he has displayed a willingness, even an eagerness, to talk about himself and his situation. He is confused about the matter of self. We must build upon that uncertainty.”

“He doesn’t strike me as acting in a confused or uncertain manner,” said Jordan.

“First,” the machine continued, ignoring her, “we must have more information about what is happening inside the Ståtion. We have one advantage on our side, and we must make use of it.”

“What’s that?” asked Davidov.

“GATE Station can operate during periods of emergency indefinitely under its own power until machinery begins to break down, but its stored atmosphere will suffice without recycling for only a week. Three days have passed. Three more and the air in the Station will begin to grow foul, one additional day and we will truly be able to open the door and walk in. Certainly we should not wait a week, but at least we know this cannot continue indefinitely.

“And there is something else that has not been mentioned during this discussion. We all know what the Syrax stand to learn if they regain control of Eric Abbott. I must remind the table that we stand to learn a great deal if we can regain his loyalty. He represents the ultimate in Syrax biological engineering. Think what that could mean to biology research here on Earth. He could be as valuable to us in his own way as the GATE.

“And that. Dr. Chinelita, is still another reason why I oppose taking any extreme action against the Station.” Oristano was drumming his fingers on the table. “Abbott hasn’t been handled very tactfully by domestic enforcement groups. What makes you think he’d be willing to donate a thimbleful of spit to the Authority, much less willingly cooperate?”

“He is human and yet he is not. He considers himself more human than Syrax. Certainly he has managed to persuade many Edenites of this, else they would not be cooperating with him. He seeks an identity. I believe we can offer him more than his creators.”

“Then we must work to win him over, not destroy him,” said Oristano. “Ladies and gentlemen, this conference is dismissed. I will entertain suggestions from each of you within the next twenty-four hours. All other regular assignments are suspended until the crisis has been resolved. Thank you.”

They filed out of the room, already considering possibilities and alternatives. As usual, Oristano was the last to leave, and when he did so a nagging thought tagged along with him.

The Colligatarch had not proposed a firm course of action for dealing with the problem. Was it really waiting to consider what its human associates could come up with, or was it stalling because it couldn’t decide what to do?

It was not a comforting thought to carry back with him to his office.

XX

Lisa had delivered another meal to Eric and, more importantly, was watching to make certain he ate it. He’d been monitoring the main console for more than seventy-five hours without sleep. His eyelids did not flutter, and his hands were steady on the controls. As steady as the monotone in which he gave instructions.

“Ready … step through. Ready … step through.”

By now the Terminus resembled a well-oiled machine, and it functioned in comparable silence, each man and woman doing their job efficiently and without question.

Now and then he allowed himself a recreational thought.

They’re confused, he told himself. They can’t figure out exactly what we’re up to, and they’re afraid to attack because the Station will suffer. So suggestions are moving up and down the chain of command, and will continue to do so until someone garners a consensus for their favored course of action.

“Eric, tell me something.”

“Ready … anything I can, light of my life … step through.”