ABLE (Jim Able: Offworld Book 1) by Ed Charlton (the first e reader .TXT) 📕

can tell it from dirt!

If we need the machines of audnir, why are we different?

Rest in Beauty.

mardrewVlartuVregde1Vapp

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misquuerVappquuerVregde99Vapp

Greetings, guest of Jiir.

Perhaps the esteemed Mardrew Lartu is correct, and I am corrected.

Then if we take the machines of audnir, we are the same as audnir.

Unless, of course, our ways with these machines are different.

Unless, of course, our thoughts about them are different.

Unless, of course, our desires are different.

Unless, of course, we know Beauty.

And in that Beauty, we can make the things that are not Beauty, because of their origins, into Beauty, because of their use.

angaraVmyournVregde1Vapp

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There were more lines of conversation in a similar vein. One message, in the midst of the minor storm he had started, almost went unnoticed.

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misquuerVappquuerVregde99Vapp

Greetings, guest of Jiir.

I have come to think that any audnir machines that can enhance our appreciation of Beauty are not only permissible but should be actively sought out.

The reason for our very being is to worship Beauty. Anything that enhances our worship can be brought in from the outside.

dlaviVherucVregde3Vopp

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Two things struck Jim about the message: one was the open sentiment; the other was something he remembered. Madhar had said they worshiped Mainworld. Dlavi said they worshiped Beauty. Were they the same thing? He felt this was important. Who can I ask without seeming a complete idiot?

A quick message to Madhar brought the answer.

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aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

Greetings, Jim Able.

I knew you would find your way in.

Yes, they worship Mainworld. They refer to it always as Beauty.

If you can find out how an otherwise rational section of our population can do this, let me know.

You’ll be a television sensation in three days’ time.

madharVnectVlatsinVux

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Time for a leap of faith, Jim thought.

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dlaviVherucVregde3Vopp

Greetings, Dlavi Heruc.

I am from a curious people.

We wonder how an infrared scanner can help the worship of Beauty.

I earnestly wish to meet with you, solely to gather some information.

aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

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It was several hours before the reply came.

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aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

Greetings, guest of Jiir, of a curious people.

I know little of these matters. I have other concerns than these.

This I know. My friend is a holy and good person.

This I know. He will be glad to give you all the information you require.

This I know. I have but one part of the audnir device installed in the roof of my house.

This I know. My friend has assured me no heresy hides in its shadow.

You may find him at sophaVlucaVregde3Vopp.

May you and your people rest in Beauty.

dlaviVherucVregde3Vopp

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“When a direct shot doesn’t connect, a ricochet will do,” Jim spoke to the screen, sighing with relief. He brought out the communication prepared for the occasion by Liz Curacao.

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sophaVlucaVregde3Vopp

Greetings, Sopha Luca.

Greetings, Edward of Turcanis.

I wish to consult with you.

When a people who have no dealings with others undertakes a trade, it is in the interests of all parties for the circumstances to be clearly defined.

Did the trade represent one of a future series of trades?

Was the trade an unhappy experience that the trader does not wish to repeat?

The suppliers of the goods may be in a position to advise, both on its use and on the use of other devices, which may, as yet, be unknown to the buyer. Devices, perhaps, that can assist the buyer in his religious practices and observances.

I am not a trader myself but rather an officer of information. I am not a police officer, nor has any crime been committed.

I wish to meet with you to discuss these matters. Please consider this request in the spirit of open friendship in which it is offered.

aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

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Jim liked the religious part, which was his own improvisation.

It was a day—a long day—of waiting before the reply came.

Chapter Four

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aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

Greetings, traveler.

I am impressed by your investigative success.

I have no need for more information, nor trade, nor advice, nor another device, nor contact.

I do not think you know enough of our religious practices and observances to have any basis for further discussion.

sophaVlucaVregde3Vopp

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“Bastard!” muttered Jim as he read.

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sophaVlucaVregde3Vopp

Greetings, Sopha Luca.

Perhaps I was not clear in my previous message.

I request a meeting. A short meeting. At this meeting I wish to discuss with you the future of relations between the people of your world and the people of the wider galaxy.

You have become, intentionally or otherwise, the first ambassador from your planet.

aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

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aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

Greetings, traveler.

Your first message was clear.

There will be no further contact between the people of this planet and the people of the wider galaxy.

There will be no meeting between us.

sophaVlucaVregde3Vopp

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Jim felt his mission slipping away from him. How could he have come so far and be met with such blanket resistance?

He drafted several angry replies—and erased them all. He stared at the picture of Sopha. He tried to imagine the blue-cloaked figure writing these messages. He tried to imagine what else Sopha was doing. What were their religious practices? How did they worship a planet?

“Damn you for being right!” Jim said to the picture.

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sophaVlucaVregde3Vopp

Greetings, Sopha Luca.

I have meditated upon your replies and our current situation.

You are correct; I know little of your ways.

I know the Regdenir are a serious and thoughtful people. I doubt you made your purchase on a whim.

I will leave your system shortly and perhaps never return.

I understand from my contact among your audnir cousins that images of me will soon appear on their television system. I was interviewed by a scientist. The interview will be transmitted, I think, tomorrow.

Perhaps this will bring about a renewal of interest in space travel among them.

Perhaps the people of your world may yet explore their own system and then explore, with us, the rest of the galaxy.

My name is James Able. I work for Sol Earth’s Office of External Affairs in the Department of Extra-Solar Activities.

Please contact me there if you ever need to.

I have one last question. Why do you call your main planet “Beauty”?

aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

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aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

Greetings, James Able.

Then you are from Earth. I met several of your race and found them to be reasonable people.

Is it in your power to prevent the transmission of which you write?

sophaVlucaVregde3Vopp

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sophaVlucaVregde3Vopp

Greetings, Sopha Luca.

Why would I wish to do that?

aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

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aaaaVjiirVregde99Vapp

Greetings, James Able.

Prevent the transmission and I agree to meet with you.

sophaVlucaVregde3Vopp

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madharVnectVlatsinVux

Greetings, Madhar Nect.

I have traced