Chapter 12

F R E E   on   the   S E A

ARKON CH-12  Babylon, First Weeks

Babylon, WK-1, Wednesday, 2230

On the way back to their cabin Robin said, "Oh Karl, I'm so happy." "Me too," he replied, "It's been nearly a year with no contact."

Once back in the cabin Robin tuned in some music and turned it up a little bit loud to cover their conversation. Karl asked, "Do you think they suspect something?" "It doesn't really matter," said Robin, "They are the first ones who have stayed to continue a conversation. Of course we will have to be careful." "They seem more intelligent," said Karl, "And have more worldly experience." "It's been such a long time," said Robin, "Remind me again of our plan, heh."

"First, there are 10 of us on Babylon," he said, "Who figured out through reading in the library, curiosity, and old movies, that we were created by design and not natural born."

"Second," he continued, "We don't have a specific plan right now, other than to find out why we can't sustain a long conversation with normals, heh."

Continuing, he said, "I have no desire to rule the world, have zillions of creds, or have hundreds of sex partners. Mostly, I want to be free to travel and satisfy my curiosity, with you by my side."

Babylon, WK-1, Thursday, 2330

Karl and Robin were preparing for bed when Robin got an excited call from Sophie, who said, "We need to come over for a nightcap, is that okay?" "Sure," said Robin I'll put some hot water on for coffee."

Ten minutes later Zak knocked on the door and he and Sophie came in, visibly agitated. "Calm down," said Karl, "I'll put on some calming rythm from our little machine here." "We made contact with two recent arrivals from Monterey," said Sophie. Robin and Karl looked at each other, and Robin said, " So did we. Last night in a small employee bar." "That means some organization is aware of our existence," said Karl.

"We agreed to meet them again next Thursday night," said Zak. "And we agreed to meet our contacts next Wednesday night," said Karl. He then repeated the thoughts he and Robin had discussed last night.

"There are six others on the Babylon who are aware," said Karl, "So tomorrow Zak and I will inform them and ask them to think about building our own Island or other solution for a couple days, and this Sunday afternoon we will come by for their ideas." "Then we four will meet in a noisy crowded restaurant at 2000 and discuss a plan."

Babylon, WK-2, Sunday, 2030

After the waitress seated them in a corner booth at the Rusty Rooster, Zak said, "I was surprised they all considered a small floating island as a good solution. One even suggested we get El Lobo and Boss Chako, who own Babylon, to invest as a good business venture." "Would that really be a good idea?" asked Robin. "Well, we wouldn't have to sneak around and try to keep secrets," said Karl. "Lets share our secrets with the Monterey Mob this Wednesday and Thursday," said Sophie, "And have a meeting here on Friday night."

Babylon, WK-2, Wednesday, 2010

Stakka and Renka arrived a little early at the Two-Toed-Turtle and secured a quieter corner booth. Their drinks arrived just as Karl and Robin showed up. They ordered rum and coke, with a cherry on top. "We're celebrating being together one year," said Robin. "How romantic," said Renka, "We've been together nearly 11 years." "For us this is very unusual," said Robin, "We've never been together with anyone longer than 2 weeks in our whole lives." "And after studying old books and movies in the library we think we figured out why," said Karl, "We are not normal; we are different than you guys." "We would like you and your organization to help us confirm it," said Robin, "We think we're clones." "Since Robin and I met we've always felt comfortable and attracted to each other," said Karl, "But we can tell you feel a little bit uncomfortable around us." Stakka glanced at Renka and said, "Well, this is a surprise. I bet you're wondering how we detected you." "Yes," they answered in unison. "Every time we asked about your childhood or early youth, there was a micro hesitation before your reply," said Renka. "Plus, our organization told us to be looking for clones," said Stakka.

"I'm not sure how we can help you," said Stakka, "We could take samples of your fingernail clippings and hair clippings and a buccal swab back to Monterey when we go on shore leave and have the DNA analyzed." "Our organization was set up to do climate research and promote better crop yields," said Renka, "We took on the task of looking for illegal clones at the request of a sister organization. You have no blame in this and now you have a place in society and a job, which is more than many normals." "We are concerned that whoever created you may have some sneaky plan to take over the world with an army of super clone soldiers," said Stakka, "Or something else of an evil nature."

"This is what I told Robin last night said Karl, "I have no desire to rule the world, have zillions of creds, or have hundreds of sex partners. Mostly, I want to be free to travel and satisfy my curiosity, with you by my side." "Our friends Zak and Sophie, whom your friends met, talked over possibilities with us. One idea we came up with was to get investors to help build a smaller floating island, maybe Arkon Delta, halfway between Babylon and Arkon One." "My earliest memories," said Robin, "Are waking up in an orphanage dormitory with other girls my age and going to school in a small village in Kazakhstan. After one year of general education a recruiter supplied us with passports and escorted us by bus and plane to Babylon. We've been here 5 years now. I'm not sure how we could help you find who created us." "Another puzzle piece," said Karl, "Is in casual conversations with other clone workers we have not detected any curiosity or dissatisfaction with their status quo. There are only 10 of us out of 1,000 who sense we are different." 

"When we leave here why don't you update your friends and we will update ours," said Stakka, "And let them have their meeting tomorrow night and discuss what businesses could be set up on Arkon Delta to make it a financial success." "Oh, and for your safety," said Renka, "Let us open the conversation with Boss Chako about a business opportunity after we come back from shore leave."

"That's a good plan," said Karl, "Then we can meet at 2000 Sunday night at the Rusty Rooster for dinner and discuss the next steps."

Back in their cabin Stakka said, "Turn on the hot pot and break out a Red Zinger." Renka took out her Como pod, called Tengo, and said, "Can you guys come over for a nightcap?, we have a surprise."

Ten minutes later Dingo was knocking on the door. Tengo started making their coffee and said, "Could you give me a toke of that Zinger?" "So," said Dingo, "What's the surprise?" "They guessed with our long conversation and yours, that they were found out," said Stakka, "And tonight they decided to share a lot of information with us."

After relating the details of their conversation, Renka said, "So go ahead and have your meeting tomorrow night and discuss what businesses could be set up on Arkon Delta to make it a financial success."

"This is getting interesting," said Dingo, "We'll give you a call tomorrow night after the meeting."

Babylon, WK-2, Thursday, 2020

The O!-zone bar was noisy and crowded but Dingo and Tengo found a booth near the back. They ordered drinks and waited for Zak and Sophie to show up.

Ten minutes later Sophie and Zak showed up and a waiter came for their order. "Here's some thoughts and observations I pulled together that may help your team," said Sophie. "When I'm on Goldfish Bowl duty, where we strut around in bikinis behind a glass partition, I have observed that we are mostly three basic heights: 1.4 meters, 1.6, and 1.8. I probably noticed this because I'm 1.8 and there aren't many other females this tall. Also, the 1.4 meter workers tend to keep to themselves. In talking with a few of them they seem to have been mentally arrested at a ten-year-old level as well as the physical shortness. Finally, I would say 10% are 1.4 meters, 85% are 1.6, and 5% are 1.8 meters." "I'm sure that will be helpful said Dingo, as he looked up from taking notes." "Here's a business idea I thought of," said Tengo, "Create chickens and other livestock that use chloroplast to convert sunlight to energy." "I have a plant idea," said Zak, "Make avocados and other high-protein plants that grow and mature faster and tolerate cold climate."

"We've heard Arkon One is focused on anti aging and health rejuvenation for older people," said Dingo, "We could offer genetic tune-ups to boost strength, or boost reflexes, or something, and not be in competition. Our focus would be on younger people, say 20 years old or more, after they have quit growing." "Good idea," said Sophie, "Like, Take control of your OCD and ADD: This gives you Divergent and Convergent thinking for maximum creativity." "Wow," said Tengo, "You should be in marketing or advertising." "Sign me up," said Zak. "How about enhanced vision for night work," said Dingo, "Or enhanced hearing or smell for hunting."

Babylon, WK-3, Sunday, 2015

In a corner booth at Rusty Rooster the Clones and Normies planned their next steps ...

"Robin, Sophie mentioned the 1.4 meter females seemed to stop maturing about age 10," said Renka, "Was that your impression also?" "Yes," replied Robin, "Why do you ask?" "Well, said Stakka, "We heard about a snuff film online three or four years ago with a short female redhead, and wondered if you recall one going missing at that time?" "Oh my god," exclaimed Robin, "One didn't show up for work about four years ago, and we were told a rogue wave swept her overboard. Her friends missed her terribly." "This is the sort of thing we'd like to stop," said Stakka.

"Please don't share this snuff information with the others," said Renka, "It would upset them unnecessarily and possibly call attention to us." "I understand," said Robin, "Just knowing someone may help us has them smiling more than usual." "I think an informal weekly meeting with the others will help them relax," said Stakka, "Maybe you and Karl and Zak could meet with a couple of the others each week and exchange information." "Everybody could keep thinking of business possibilities," said Renka, "It would keep them focused on something external and positive." "That's a good idea," said Karl, "I'll fix up a little schedule." "One thing I keep forgetting to ask," said Stakka, "Is how many normals are working in your trade groups?" "When I got here," said Karl, "The bodyguards had a high turn over but after 6 months they were all clones." "Sex workers are the same," said Robin, "After about one year there were only clones left and we have nowhere to go back to." "So that is another business reason for clones," said Stakka, "Let's meet again here next Sunday, if that's okay." "Good idea," said Robin, "We'll see you then. Bye."

When they got back in their cabin Renka said, "Let's call Tengo and Dingo and plan for the next two weeks." "That sounds good said Stakka, "I'll put on some water for coffee and find a Red Zinger."

Fifteen minutes later Dingo was knocking on their door. "Come on in," said Stakka, "We've got coffee and zinger for a planning meeting."

"Since we had good luck finding our clones so quick," said Stakka, "The next two weeks we'll have to spend role playing and not get caught." "That may be difficult," said Renka, "Now that we found the clones we'll be relaxed a little bit." "We can manage," said Tengo, "What did you find out from Karl and Robin?" "After hearing their update Dingo said, "That reminds me of what I read about slavery long ago in history." "It is," said Stakka, "Except for the snuff incident, these clones are being treated better." "But they have no legal rights," said Renka, "And we don't know about other venues where they've been sold." "How do we find the other venues?" asked Tengo. "And how do we find the manufacturing group?" asked Dingo. "And what about rights" said Stakka, "They are something that are controlled by the location you are in. For example, in Boss Chako's domain, his rights are the ones getting enforced. However, in El Lobo's domain, the rights maybe slightly different. Right here we have Babylon's rights. On Arkon One we have their rights; on Shanghai or some Continental Asian country we have their rights." "They may be broadly similar," said Tengo, "But the differences can be important to some groups." "So with no precedent for clones," said Renka, "Each domain may come up with a different policy." "As we see on the news, there are a number of places on the globe where Warlords are in charge and policies change suddenly," said Dingo, "Some allow slavery and some don't." "That will always be a problem," said Stakka, "But it highlights slavery is a modern problem, not just historical." "Actually indentured servitude between consenting adults has been legal since about 1850," said Renka, "Just think about corporate wage slaves, heh."

"It's getting late and we have lots to think about," said Tengo "We'll meet you here next week."

Babylon, WK-3, Wednesday, 2015

Stakka, Renka, Karl, and Robin meet at a corner booth in the Two-Toed-Turtle. "As part of our plan to keep free time from getting tense, we would like to have everyone walk around the low-cost tourist areas and observe how the tourist act," said Renka, "Do they walk hand-in-hand. Do they laugh and joke a lot. Do they stop and stare at objects." "This would be like studying tourists so we could act like one believably in a stage play," said Stakka, "And maybe even when we buy a ticket and get on a seaplane to Monterey, heh." "That sounds like a fun assignment," said Robin, "So for 2 hours on 3 different days, maybe in a different sector, everybody practice being a tourist." "Also, at least twice during the next two weeks, go by the sea plane incoming and exit terminal," said Renka, "And observe how they do things without being obvious or getting too close to the exit door, which could make the guard nervous and call attention. Look at what the tourist are carrying back home. Do they have a little suitcase or a backpack or what."

"Our Zinger supply is getting low," said Stakka, "Do you guys have a preferred ganja shop on Babylon?" "Yeah, we have two shops, replied Karl, "Ganja Goodies, which is mostly edibles, and Sativa Diva, which is mostly different brands of smokes. That's the one we go to." "Could we go by there after dinner?" asked Renka. "Sure," replied Robin, "It's on our way."

At the Sativa Diva Renka bought two packs of Red Rockets and one pack of Blu Rockets. "Come look," said Stakka, "Green Rockets. They are 50/50 Sativa- Indica with a nice mint flavor." "Go ahead and get six packs," said Renka, "We may not have another chance."

Babylon, WK-3, Thursday, 2015

Dingo, Tengo, Zak, and Sophie met again at the O!-zone. After ordering drinks Sophie said, "We are having a lot of fun playing tourist. Our biggest problem is walking a little bit slow and casual, not going in a hurry like to some specific place." "Something I never noticed before," said Zak, "Is there are a number of tour groups moving through Babylon. They are usually small, maybe 5 to 8 people plus one leader."

"The tour groups might be a good cover," said Tengo, "Did you notice anything else about them? Do they all have the same shirt color or a lightweight jacket with a logo on the back?" "Actually, we saw both kinds of group ID," said Sophie. "That's great," said Dingo, "We could have two small tour groups and charter a seaplane to Monterey sometime in the near future."

Babylon, WK-4, Sunday, 2015

In a corner booth at Rusty Rooster the Clones and Normies planned their next steps ...

"Next Sunday about 0600 we'll be boarding a seaplane for Monterey," said Stakka, "The tourist study groups are looking good, so if you want to slow them down or stop, it should be okay." "Okay," agreed Karl, "But they are having fun anyway, so we'll keep doing that once per week." "If something unusual comes up and we need to leave in a hurry, I have a plan," said Robin. "It's always good to plan ahead," said Renka, "What did you have in mind?" "First we get 5 blue tour group jackets and 5 green jackets made at a cheap tailor shop away from the tourist area," said Robin, "Then we book tickets or charter a seaplane to take us to Monterey." "That would work," said Stakka, "But don't even order the jackets until the emergency comes up so there's no warning." "Have you ever tried the Green Rockets?" asked Renka, "I brought one. There are 63 main terpenes and over 100 secondary ones. Depending on the ratios, they have different effects on the body. These Green ones seem to have a mild awakening alert effect but not too strong a buzz compared to the Reds." "Lets try it," said Karl. "I like it," said Robin, "It's very smooth."

"We shouldr be back a week from this Sunday," said Stakka, "Why don't we plan on having dinner here about 2000 that night?" "Okay," said Karl. "Have a good flight," said Robin.

Saturday midnight ended their first four week tour. Sunday 0615 they take an early seaplane flight to Monterey.

(expect posts Sat 8 am EST)

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