Journal Entry

Lady Candida

Our journey to the mythical world Argo, snugly nestled in a small pool of stars between Canis Major and The Southern Cross, has proved itself a daunting task. The Golden Sunset, one of your many exquisite vessels commissioned to this voyage, forged ahead through perils no other person has dreamt to exist, and brought me intact to Argo. There is still no explanation as to why Argo remained out of our technological reach until this expedition.

I am pleased to inform you that your gift of the android, Argentice, has had a measurable degree of import to our mission. Please extend my warm regard and appreciation to the Behemoth Corporation for their special attention paid to Argentice's design and programming. I have never seen this artifice's equal.

Miss Candida, after all of your thoughtfulness and dedication to this mission, it is with sincere regret that neither the Argonauts nor I are able to divulge the exact coordinates of Argo, or the location of its principal civilization. To recount, our objectives were to discover if Argo was indeed the world of paradise we have sought. Had this mission been one of conquest or plunder, Argo would have fed our lusts with a plentiful bounty. However, we have found riches and fantastic wonders that a mere conveyance of words and images could not describe. Telling you of our inability to provide the location of paradise is rightfully unjust in the face of your generous funding toward this mission. It is understandably worse to patronize you with further descriptions of this wonderland, but it is necessary to build credibility.

There is a special alchemy to Argo's inhabitants that makes paradise possible. Not simply the archaic discovery of a means to change a common metal into gold, but a special something they have integrated into their lives that allows the transmutation of the ordinary into the extraordinary. I have come to believe that it is the dream of all men and women, organic and machine, to rise beyond the limitations of mind, body and spirit. Properly placed faith in one's own abilities and achievements makes this transmutation possible. But it must happen on such a level that all may experience it, for a single outside disbelief will plague the integrity of their faith.

I send to you an account of our discovery, which I believe best describes the elements of Argo, and the events that lead the Argonauts to withhold the location from the rest of our civilization.

General Manuel deFol sounded the general alarm and summoned his first officers to the bridge. He looked at the main computer screen. "Open a ship-wide channel. First officers' brief on the bridge." When the computer obliged and made the announcement, he turned to the helm. "Steer us beyond the second moon," he told his navigator.

The first officers filed onto the bridge and stood in ranks.

deFol remained silent until the narrow black shadow of Argentice was cast over the deck just beyond the hatch. Though the robot remained just out of view, it was far enough away for deFolg while speaking to his staff.

"As most of you know, we are within an hour of Argo. Since the moment this mission began, especially once we discovered the location of Argo, we have been surrounded by inconsistencies and abnormalities that remain outside of logical explanation. In short, we have little more than topographical charts, atmosphere readings, vegetation and life form projections." deFolg stopped at a slight nod from his science officer.

"I have been able to put together some conclusions about mineral deposits, but there is no sign of life beyond what we have agreed to believe is their principal civilization." Major Gallant said in a smooth, sonorous tone. "No sensor aboard this vessel has come close to penetrating Argo's enigma. We have soil scans, maps, everything we would normally be able to acquire from any other planet, except for an obscured shroud over their civilization. That should be our chief concern. A strategic infiltration into their society."

"In search of paradise, yet even then we use words meant for war," Reverend Doughty mused. "Why not simply call them?"

deFolg, seeing an imminent insurgence, shook his head. "Our deep space probes found no communication signal residue of any sort. They remain as much a mystery to us as we to them. I agree that our first move should be a strategic one, not simply waving our arms over our heads and shouting that we've arrived. No evidence has come to light that would lead us to believe that Argo is the world of paradise."

"Sir, with all due respect, perhaps I'm not seeing eye to eye with you, but what do you propose we should do?" Major Gallant asked.

"It seems reasonable that we should send out an advance party to determine the nature of Argo's principal civilization." He caught a wary glance from Reverend Doughty and hastily added, "but not a human."

"Send a Mars series?" Major Gallant asked.

"It's not a war, Major." Sergeant Major at Arms Victual blew a translucent wisp of spicy air, fresh from supper. "And if it was, we could simply level their one city."

"Which we're not going to do, right?" Reverend Doughty asked.

deFolg shook his head. "Not a Mars series. Not to a world that, even by the little information we do have, meets the criterion for a world of paradise. Perfect climate, well-adjusted geology structures and ample mineral deposits. Though a Venus series may prove valuable. The citizens may be more lenient to answering our list of questions if they are posed from the safety of their own beds."

Victual chortled though fell silent when Doughty interjected.

"Kill them in battle or seduce them in their homes? Isn't this entire line of reasoning imbecilic?" Doughty asked, exasperated.

"No," said a deep, rich voice from the hallway.

deFolg narrowed his eyes and looked up as Argentice walked onto the bridge. It hadn't been the first time the robot had given its opinion on a subject and deFolg's desire to have him remain outside during staff meetings was to prevent its interruptions altogether. Mostly because the machine tended to be right.

The introverted machine that rarely spoke, and offered the soundest argument when it did, stepped into the bridge's warm, glowing light. The gray skinned, androgynous humanoid wore its hair in a seemingly immobile style. Strands of hair bounced out of place when it walked, only to return to their original posture. "Excuse my interruption, gentlemen," it said like clockwork.

deFolg folded his arms across his chest, glancing side to side at his first officers.

"Say your peace, Argentice," Gallant said.

"It is in the mission's best interest that a robot is sent in for reconnaissance. Just not a machine of war or love." Argentice steepled its fingers together and set the dangerous gambit of digits against its chest.

"Until one month ago, Argo has been nothing more than a mythical place, a figment of human belief in mortal paradise. The single question that has evaded all of you throughout your discussions is whose?" Its aquamarine eyes, coronas polished with a subtle tint of blue, looked at the first officers.

"I'm afraid you'll need to expostulate your theory." deFolg moved his arms to his sides before continuing. "Whose else would it be? A machine's?"

"Humans have neither discovered intelligent life of other origins, nor have they disallowed that such life may exist. I only offer this: Argo does exist. It may exist as paradise. If, by chance, it doesn't exist as human paradise, with what means would you assume to investigate the supposed civilization?" The machine fell silent though its lips remained pursed.

Send you? deFolg thought to himself. The robot wanted him to send it to the surface as the chief investigator, that much was for certain. Throughout the voyage, he'd discovered as many mysteries in Argentice as he had about Argo. But, again, to his dismay, it made the most sense. Argentice's dermis and skeleton were polymorphic. It could assume almost any conceivable form of equal mass. It was superior to humans in every way, except for the key . . .

deFolg pushed the thought from his mind and adopted an expression of musing. The Lady Candida either was wise to send her best robot on this mission, or had her own agenda that the robot was supposed to keep. But he couldn't dwell on such thoughts for long. Argentice had a peculiar way of knowing and he had little mind for entertaining silicon-based prattle.

"Argentice has posed a very realistic scenario," deFolg admitted to the first officers. With little else said and in turn, they each nodded their approval. "Your suggestion has both merit and my approval, Argentice."

"What do you propose we should do?" Doughty looked with earnest to the humanoid. "Send a machine of war or love, or send humans to conceivably die?"

"Or send me," Argentice simply replied. "My model was originally of diplomatic import and my analytical skills would best an entire envoy of the Mars or Venus series."

deFolg could see that his first officers had expected Argentice's suggestion to a similar degree as his own projection. His eyes hunted over the officer's for any sign of disagreement before voicing his command. "Then Argentice will infiltrate Argo's principal civilization and build a field study of their nature, civilization, if any, linguistics, history, science and current events." When no objection or questions arose, the general motioned Argentice to begin his mission.

The machine nodded and left the bridge.

deFolg dismissed the first officers though signaled Victual to his side. "Is the Venus series polymorphic?"

Victual's mouth turned into something between a sneer and a coy smile before settling on pure contemplation. "No. The Mars series is, though their brain housing groups can be swapped out with a Venus series." A faint smile was perched on his mouth. "Sir, a Mars series robot equipped with a Venus brain housing group would be less than attractive considering the additional physical mass it would have to work around."

"Stripped of weapons, armor and all combat orientated devices?" deFolg asked.

The corpulent Sergeant Major at Arms set his chin upon a pedestal of hands. "Possibly."

"Is it practical?" deFolg belatedly asked.

Victual turned and started to leave, but stopped. "Sir, the Mars series," he paused and turned his head as one of the bridge crew walked by. "The Mars series are machines of conquest. A lot of their programs are hard coded and can't be changed, only disabled. The brain housing group contains all of its higher brain functions. Some of the instinctive combat code is hardwired into the neumorphic strands of its polymorphic skeleton."

deFolg's lips twitched and he clasped his hands together at his stomach. "Try, Victual. Try. I think Argentice may find need in a partner, but his overdeveloped arrogance won't let him admit it."

"Justifiable caution, sir." he agreed. "I'll have it ready for transit before Argentice leaves."

deFolg dismissed the Sergeant Major at Arms and looked up into the large view port at the sliver of Argo that was visible around the edge of the second moon. Paradise awaited. Possibly. And he felt the excitement intensify. He knew all of his staff wanted to set foot upon the mythical planet, but he had to give Argentice its chance. Perhaps the machine would come through in the end. And then he left the bridge for the space dock.

Argentice quickly prepared for departure, gathering necessary instruments and a small array of scanning modules, organizing everything in a neatly packed satchel.

deFolg watched the machine's preparations from a distance before approaching it. "Argentice," he said, then paused several moments until the machine raised its head and looked at him.

"I am quite aware of your doubts concerning my motivations, sir." The robot fetched the slick plastic satchel into its left hand and slung it over its right shoulder.

"And I'm sure that you have your own about me," deFolg said in a smooth, friendly tone. "But I have a feeling that you are not telling me something."

Argentice peered at deFolg with a statuesque bearing. Nothing moved from its permanent wave of hair to the flat sheen on the tips of its boots. "Sir, this is not a mission of discovery or conquest. It may be the answer that Earth has sought to improving its society."

"Indeed," deFolg mused, listening.

Argentice studied the general's expression before continuing. "Suppose Argo's principal civilization is paradise. What then?"

"What do you mean, what then?" he asked, dumbfounded by the audacity of such a question.

"What will paradise do for Earth? Will all creatures of Earth share in its graces? Or maybe only humans? Or a single race, or class?" Argentice walked to a drop shuttle and opened the hatch. "Sir," it spoke over its shoulder, "my previously unspoken concern is that any paradise we find below will be beyond Earth's grasp. If it is paradise they yearn for, then they should do everything in their power to make their home planet a paradise first."

"Haven't we already accomplished that?" he challenged. "There is no pollution, anything we take from the planet is recycled back in its base form."

Argentice set his satchel inside the hatch then turned to face deFolg again. "No sir." It watched the answer send a curdling jolt down the general's spine. "Paradise for all does not exist."

"Do you realize what the cost would be to insure the happiness of every last intelligent life form on Earth?" deFolg asked.

Argentice nodded. "A price, I imagine, that should we find a paradise civilization on Argo, has been paid down there, but not on Earth."

deFolg swallowed a carefully manufactured retort and nodded. "I look forward to your report. Do you have an estimated time for your return?"

"Anywhere between several minutes after I land if there is nothing to research, to several days to catalog the required data."

The general nodded and then watched as Argentice entered the drop ship, closed the hatch, and melted away into the thick black canvas of space. The drop ship followed a carefully mapped window to place it in a remote area beyond the principal civilization. When it had disappeared completely from sight, he left the bay and retired to his personal quarters.

Sergeant Major at Arms Victual nervously stuffed the remains of a nutrition bar into his pants pocket before knocking on the General's hatch. The Mars outfitted Venus had cast an ominous shadow from its pedestal where he'd left it half an hour prior. The polymorphic skeleton had been coded with every conceivable fetish available from Earth's historical society. Yet the shadow was somehow longer than it should have been, especially a shadow cast from such a comely machine as a Venus series. It made no sense that deFolg pressed desperately for Argo's principal civilization, enough to the enigmatic Argentice to lead a singular expedition. His mouth tasted of spoiled milk and rancid beef. Victual stared dumbly at the hatch before reaching into his pocket for the remainder of his nutrition bar. If deFolg wanted to send Argentice then that was none of his business and he decided not to worry the General with his petty grievances.

Lady Candida

Seventeen days have passed since it was decided that Argentice would lead the initial exploration. A specially outfitted Venus series was sent to gather any reports but all tracking has been lost. Our scanners have pinpointed the location of their disappearance: the border of Argo's principal civilization. A third humanoid was sent four days ago but, once more, all communication and tracking was lost beyond that point. Sergeant Major at Arms Victual has informed me that a destroyed or deactivated humanoid sends out a tachyon pulse that cannot be contained by any shield or electronic device for purposes of fission core salvage. Furthermore, emergency distress signals may be broadcast over tachyon carrier waves. As we have yet to receive any indication of communication, the first officers and I have concluded that the humanoids have been somehow manipulated or disorientated.

Staff Sergeant Aufait lead a small exploratory force to the edge of Argo's principal civilization. The humanoids' drop ships were located though no signs of violence were discovered. A new slew of enigmas has plagued us from Aufait's venture. First, a thriving city exists though a new series of scans provided no supporting evidence. Second, the city's name.

Lady, I raise the issue of the city's name simply for the perplexing significance (if any should be attributed) in its semantic value. Aufait reported a carved wooden sign with the following inscription: The Aurora Chateau Deo Belle Etoile. It appears to be a collection of Spanish, Greek, French and English. More intriguing is that by our own linguistics, it is not grammatically correct and has made it difficult for a correct translation. Fortunately, Aufait encountered what appeared to be a peasant garbed in clothes from medieval England. The father of Epater les Bourgeois, whom we fathomed was a noteworthy son in this civilization, provided Aufait with an English translation. The Aurora Chateau Deo Belle Etoile meant the Castle of Light Under God's Beautiful Stars. Though quick to offer a translation, the nameless peasant left hurriedly.

One of Aufait's men was sent to thank him, but as he stepped inside the city, he was lost to the outside world.

Lady, I must explicate that when I say 'lost'. I simply mean that there was nothing Aufait could do to gain the attention of his soldier, nor did the soldier appear to be interested in leaving the city. These events have left us in dire straits. Our science personnel are unable to fathom the mystery of the paradise castle from the Golden Sunset, but I am hesitant to send any more personnel or androids down. It has come down to a decision between leading a small expeditionary force and waiting.

General deFolg faced his officers and the Reverend with a dour expression. "Ladies and Gentlemen, it has come down to a top level investigation of the inexplicable civilization below. We have voted and agreed that at this stage, nothing else may be done from the Golden Sunset and only an eye witness report of the strange city will answer our questions." He looked from face to face. First Sergeant Major at Arms Victual, then Major Gallant, Reverend Doughty, Staff Sergeant Aufait and finally Corporal Ubermensch.

The first officers exchanged wary glances of concern though their eyes reflected an all-conquering resolve.

"By Staff Sergeant Aufait's report," deFolg continued, "we were able to put together piecemeal outfits that match the projected era of the civilization. Take special care to pack additional supplies of field rations and power cells." He nodded. "That is all. We'll muster at the drop ship in half an hour."

deFolg dismissed the first officers and began his decent to the drop ship bay. The Golden Sunset was a marvelous ship and he detested the notion of personally leading a mission away from her, but felt the safety of his crew was paramount.

The first officers met deFolg at the drop ship ahead of schedule and he commenced with loading and undocking.

For the first time in several months, deFolg was away from the safety of The Golden Sunset. He felt utterly naked without her warm, protective skin enveloping him with purely scientific love and affection. From a distance, Argo offered little to console him against his nakedness. The planet was glorious and the subconscious thought of meeting the inhabitants of the Chateau distracted him long enough so he didn't dote over the Golden Sunset.

The voyage to the planet's surface was uneventful and proceeded safely. When the drop ship settled into a soft bed of loosely packed dirt, Corporal Ubermensch opened the door and performed a light reconnaissance of the landing sight. The juggernaut enlisted man toted a Leopard Dragon mountable sub-light plasma canon as though the five hundred pound shield buster weighed as much as a feather weight pistol. Staff Sergeant Aufait followed him, wearing form fitting, flesh colored dermal armor and carrying a rapid fire rail rifle at the ready. Both called clear the officers dismounted from the drop ship.

Sergeant Major at Arms Victual, wearing a range vest and a pistol strapped across his chest, met with Ubermensch and Aufait. After a brief exchange of tactical conversation, he sent them forward to the edge of the Chateau with specific instructions not to enter.

deFolg knew both Aufait and Ubermensch well enough to trust their adherence to orders. When the two enlisted men scouted ahead, he double checked his officers and then started the short trek across an open, cultivated wheat field. The Chateau was within view from the drop ship's landing site, but the finer details were obscured by sheer cliffs guarding its north, west and south walls. A grand arch on the east wall lead into an outlying village and a second, higher wall cradled the fabulous Aurora Chateau Deo Belle Etoile.

Victual, disliking even the notion of physical exertion, started to wheeze after less than five hundred yards.

"Will you be able to make it, Sergeant Major at Arms?" Major Gallant called over his shoulder.

"I'll (puff) do just (cough) fine, thank you." Victual stopped to catch his breath before continuing the short trek.

"Would you look at that?" Reverend Doughty said, awed. "I didn't think it would be so gorgeous. The entire Chateau must be made of crystal or diamond."

"It is beautiful," deFolg whispered, more for his own assurance and gratification than as an answer. "Astounding."

The officers followed a trail through the wheat field blazed by the enlisted men. It took little more than half an hour to reach the light, ascending grade to the Chateau. Staff Sergeant Aufait held a well-concealed post in a row of carefully pruned hedges. He emerged from the rich greenery and motioned the officers forward.

"There appears to be no sign of life, gentlemen," he said when they were within earshot. "Corporal Ubermensch is holding down a post near the gate."

Indeed! deFolg thought when he looked for the Corporal. Ubermensch stood next to the entrance with the mountable canon perched across a bicep. The muzzle of the canon faced away from the entrance and he appeared to be in an involved conversation with a slight maiden of few notable proportions and a cute, albeit young face.

The woman flushed read at an inaudible comment from the megalithic corporal then turned to face deFolg and smiled weakly. She hurriedly waved to Ubermensch and scurried into the Chateau.

deFolg approached the seven foot enlisted man with a quizzical expression. "I never thought of you as a socialite."

The corporal flushed and shook his head. "No sir," he replied in a deep tone. "She was, I mean . . . "

deFolg watched while the Corporal pushed a muscle-knotted hand through his hair with all of the facial expressions of a teen crossing his face in a matter of seconds. "This isn't a military mission, Corporal, socializing will happen." He smiled surreptitiously.

The officers and Staff Sergeant approached the entrance though did not cross into the Chateau. They could see an entire city beyond the wall though few of the populace strayed near the entrance and no one appeared to take notice of them.

"She wasn't surprised that you were here?" Aufait asked. "By the way you were dressed or the way you spoke?" The enlisted men had scouted ahead in clothing and armor of their own designs while the officers and the Sergeant Major at Arms were already garbed in makeshift costumes.

Ubermensch shook his head. "No, Staff Sergeant. She asked if my, uh, sword was magic and I told her, 'no, this is a Leopard Dragon mountable canon' and she said, 'You are a dragon slayer?' and I said . . . "

Aufait shook his head. "A magic sword indeed!" He narrowed his eyes at the Corporal and shook his head again. "Corporal," but he broke off from his intended comment and laughed.

"Did you ask her name?" Major Gallant queried.

Again, the Corporal flushed. "Yes." A puzzled look crossed his face when he answered. "She said she was the sister of Epater les Bourgeois."

"A relative of the one we met?" Aufait asked, bemused.

deFolg was more than puzzled by the coincidence. "It does seem strange that the two would be related."

"Not by blood," Ubermensch said.

"You asked her then?" Aufait asked.

The Corporal shook his head. "No, however I don't believe so, either."

deFolg peered at the Corporal and could visualize a veritable, untapped intelligence behind his eyes. "What would lead you to believe they are of no relation?"

"Epater les Bourgeois isn't a name, sir. It's an expression. 'To Shock the Middle Class'." Ubermensch pursed his lips and adjusted the weighty portion of the canon across his other bicep. "I've had extensive studies in linguistics and semantics and realize that many sir names and family names in the last few millennia are derived from many different expressions, but this particular one leads me to believe that the two are a part of a group literally outside of the Chateau. Perhaps a few who do leave while others don't, for whatever reason. But any guess at this point would be premature," he conceded.

deFolg nodded, shocked at the intuitive definitive explanation. "Very well, Corporal. Staff Sergeant Aufait and you may change over now."

The enlisted men hastily donned their outfits and tucked their weapons beneath thick folds of wool.

The Aurora Chateau Deo Belle Etoile was composed of three main structures. The outer structure, including the thirty foot wall and gate the Argonauts gazed through, was apparently the marketplace and residences. Most of the shops and homes were one level and only a scant proportion were more than two. A rich, spicy aroma drifted near the entrance thought dissipated and was overcome by the mild fragrance of a patch of marigolds. Beyond the marketplace a second wall rose fifty feet and the scattered tops of large estates could be seen. The crystalline structure of the Chateau itself was surrounded by a hundred-foot third wall. Sunlight reflected from the Chateau and cast splendid showers of rainbow patterns across the grounds of the marketplace.

Reverend Doughty set his hand on deFolg's shoulder to gain his attention. "Sir, how should we proceed?"

deFolg was caught off-guard by the question. Everything about the city appeared inviting and peaceful. No guards or police or authority figures passed by, though that gave him no cause to assume they did not exist. One step into the city and any of his men would be overcome by the city just as the humanoids and the scout once under Aufait's charge.

"If everyone is ready, I think we should proceed." deFolg looked specifically at Reverend Doughty for any objections.

The officers and enlisted men nodded and, together, they walked into the city.

deFolg didn't notice any change in himself or the others at first, except that the armor beneath his clothes weighed less and the scanners and personal weapons bulged with different dimensions against his hips and waist. And then both Major Gallant and Corporal Ubermensch were the first to become immersed into the city's culture.

The sister of Epater les Bourgeois whom Ubermensch had briefly spoken with outside caught notice of him and approached. She began to blush and talk softly to him, then summoned more of her friends over to meet him. Somewhere in the conversation, Ubermensch referred to her as Evergreen and she, in turn, referred to his position as a new dragon slayer to her friends.

Major Gallant was likewise taken off guard by a sudden inundation of attention, but of another sorts. A comely woman approached him at a brisk pace.

"You've returned!" she cried and then flung her arms around his neck and kissed him with a passion that deFolg had never before witnessed. Emotionally electricity charged her mouth and hands, her negative charges attracting Gallant's positives, fusing them briefly in a magnetic reunion.

Gallant looked at her surprised and quickly glanced at deFol, Doughty and Aufait. "But I'm married!"

"Yes, you are," the woman replied, a sly smile appearing on her lips. "And shame on you for not introducing me to your friends. Are you gentlemen with the Perimeter Guard?"