A Matter Of Trust

The year was 2574 by the old standard calendar, although few had used that calendar for almost four hundred years.

Chiron knew what would happen to him if he were late to this meeting. He would be exiled to the Reef of a Thousand Caves. When you were sent to the reefs, there was no coming back. Chiron thought gravely about the events of two tides ago. The incident occurred while Chiron and his assistant were studying two of the bipeds that lived on a nearby island. The bipeds, being less adept at swimming than Chiron and his subordinate, had been caught by the strong current and were being pulled out to sea. They would have drowned if Chiron hadn't acted to save them.

When he arrived at the Hall of the Elders, the massive coral structure was swarming with spectators and reporters.

"This does not look promising." Chiron said to himself worriedly. "The only time they allow spectators into the Council Chambers is when there will be either a banishment or death sentence announced.

As he entered through the back portal, he thought back on the summons he had been given that morning. Elder Diam, the newest of the elders, came to his home to deliver the summons personally.

"I'm sorry to have be the one to tell you this, my friend," Diam said as soon as he was in the sparsely decorated main room. "The Council is summoning you on a very serious matter. More than that I cannot tell you. As a Council member, I am forbidden to discuss the matter with anyone. But, as you friend I will tell you this. There are those in the council that are so dead set against change they would rather die than accept it. Then there are those of us, mostly the younger ones, that understand that change is necessary if a society is to continue. The High Lord has tried to keep the two sides together through compromise, but the older council members are starting to distrust him. Some have even gone to the point of calling for his dismissal. They argue that his 'radical policies' are endangering our way of life. They were the same ones that opposed his appointment in the first place. They think that a scientist as High Lord would try and change everything that has kept our society going for the last 1200 Cold Tides.

"They can't or won't see that our society is stagnating. They ignore the fact that our children are killing themselves because they can't find a reason to continue living. They don't see the horrible melancholy that has pervaded the populace. Our bodies have never been healthier, since the Rise increased our hunting grounds, but our minds are decaying. There has not been any new ideas brought forth in the last five Cold Tides."

He paused, which gave Chiron time to offer food and drink. "No thank you. I can't stay long. Forgive my ranting but you know how strongly I feel about this. But, to the reason I came to deliver the summons. Those same Council members plan to use you as an example to other scientists. I fear they mean to use this to stop any further scientific inquiry."

"Then this is about the Shallows Incident." Chiron said angrily. "Why shouldn't we have saved them? If we had let them drown we would have been set back at least sixteen tides. That was the first time we actually came close to communicating with the bipeds since we started these experiments."

"I see your point, but most of the populace won't." Diam replied. "They've been taught all their lives that bipeds are dangerous. They were taught that the biped caused the Rise. Most of them weren't born then but some were. They tell the young ones about the Rise. About how many of our people died before the tides settled again. They tell of the starvation when the fish could not be found."

"But how dangerous can two bipeds be?" Chiron shot back, still angry about the whole affair. "What could two of them possibly do to hurt our civilization?"

"According to your report they were a male and a female, right?

"Yes. But what difference does that make? They're still just two bipeds."

"They can breed." Diam replied, desperately trying to control his anger. Some scientists can be incredibly stupid at sometimes; they only see one aspect of their experiments. They never seem to see the wider situation. "There may have been only two then but at the rate they breed there could be dozens in only a few Cold Tides. Then they would start fighting and destroying again. We just can't take any chances when it comes to them."

"I still say they're a lot smarter than any one thinks. Chiron said chagrined. "If I'm right, and I know I am, They could be taught to control their violent tendencies. Taught to stop fighting with each other. Besides, there are probably more of them than we realize. They can survive in areas we can never reach. What do you think would happen if a whole bunch of them got together and decided that they could tolerate each other? At least long enough to eliminate their common enemy, us."

"You give them to much credit, Chiron. The only specimens we have ever found are little more than wild animals. And that is the way they have to stay if our planet is to survive."

Getting ready to leave, Diam turned to his friend and said sadly, "You're on your own on this one I'm afraid. The High Lord had to agree to a deal with the other Elders to keep his position. If any of the newer Elders or I try to speak on your behalf we will be removed from office. If not by the other Council members then by our constituents. I'm sorry, but there is nothing I can do. Farewell my friend." He left quickly, not wanting to see the crushed look on Chiron's face.

Thinking about it as he entered the Council Hall, Chiron realized that Diam had been right on most of his points. The people would never accept that the bipeds had intelligence. It would raise too many questions that were better left unanswered. But that thought didn't ease the pain as you watch all your hopes and dreams dashed in a single stroke. Looking around the small chamber set aside for those to go before the Council, Chiron saw his assistant huddling in the corner.

"Any idea why we're being called before the Council?" Trenish asked worriedly. "All I was told was to come before the Council. They said that if I didn't come I would be executed on sight. What's this all about?"

"I'm sorry you had to be involved in this my friend." Chiron replied. "I'm afraid it's about the Shallows Incident."

"What do you think they'll do to us?" Trenish asked worriedly. "I've been hearing rumors of a possible execution today. No one seems to know who might be executed but they're saying it's to set an example. I'm scared. What if they're planning to execute us for the Shallows Incident?"

"You should know not to listen to rumors. There hasn't been an execution in more than a hundred Cold Tides. There won't be one today. If we're to be banished, at least we could continue our work to some extent."

"But no-one has ever survived banishment!" Trenish shot back, shaking.

"Nobody can say that for certain, Trenish. Chiron answered slowly, bothered by his friends willingness to give up so easily. "Just because they don't come back doesn't mean they're dead. And regarding the stories of monsters in the Reefs," He continued, anticipating his friend's next objection. "That's all they are, stories. Don't worry. We'll get through this.

Just then they were escorted into the main chamber of the Council of Elders. They were led to an ornate dais that filled one end of the room. Behind the dais, a carefully grown framework of living coral held a huge drum. When they were a few feet from the front of the dais the escorts left, telling them sternly to stay where they were.

Chiron had no intention of leaving. He wanted to explain why he had saved the bipeds. Even if he couldn't get them to listen to his suspicions, they had to understand why his actions had been necessary.

After letting them go through the arduous task of staying in one place in the constantly shifting water, the Elders finally deigned to acknowledge their presence. The High Lord looked at Chiron gravely and said, "Chief Scientist Chiron, you and your assistant have been called before the Council for aiding an inferior and dangerous species. You were seen saving the lives of two bipeds two tides ago. Such actions are against the code we have followed for a thousand Cold Tides. How do you answer these charges?"

"Guilty, My Lord." Chiron answered quickly. "With an explanation."

"We will hear this explanation." The High Lord said over the murmurs of protest from several council members.

"Thank you My Lord. The actions we took to rescue the bipeds were done solely to preserve our experiment. The deaths of those bipeds would have resulted in the irrevocable loss of much time and effort. Before the incident occurred we were getting tantalizingly close to understanding their primitive symbology. If they had died it would have set us back at least ten tides trying to get another pair to trust us. We could not afford that kind of setback. Thus we acted to save their lives. We did what we did for purely scientific reasons and I for one would do the same if the need arose again."

"Very well. We will retire to consider the appropriate response to this situation." With that the Council left the huge chamber. As he was leaving, Elder Diam shot Chiron a disapproving look. When the Council returned, the High Lord waited until all the Elders were settled before giving his verdict.

"Chief Scientist Chiron, as a scientist I can understand your motivation. However, your actions cannot be condoned. The bipeds are an extremely dangerous species. Despite the fact that they made the world more hospitable to us, they still have the potential to make it completely unlivable. Therefore, I have no choice but to sentence you to immediate exile in the Reefs of a Thousand Caves. Scientist Trenish, as his assistant you were obligated to follow his orders. However, for failing to report the incident to the Council you too are sentenced to exile. This Council is adjourned. With that the High Lord slapped his great tail on the drum behind him. As the sound of the drum echoed in the huge chamber, Chiron and Trenish were led out under heavy guard. Nobody really expected two to fight, but they were worried that an angry population might try attacking them to teach them a lesson.

After leaving the city, they swam for several hundred miles to the place of exile. Leaving the prisoners with the small garrison at the entrance to the Reefs, the guards turned and headed back to the city. Without a word, the garrison guards led the two prisoners to the entrance. As he entered the Reefs, Chiron looked back to see the guards range themselves at the entrance to prevent any thought of returning.

Making sure that Trenish was following Chiron began exploring his new home. He didn't know what he was looking for, but felt sure that he would know it if he found it. Trenish followed numbly, fully resigned to his fate. To die in disgrace, alone and forgotten. After a few moments they found themselves in one of the old cities. Following one of the buildings upward, Chiron found that it continued on well past the surface of the water. He could barely see the top of the imposing structure as it poked through the clouds in the unreachable sky.

Suddenly, a great commotion rent the silence of the ancient city. Turning towards the source of the noise, Chiron saw half a dozen strange looking objects dart around a corner and charge straight at them.

Fearing for his life he immediately dove under the water. When he was several hundred feet down he realized that his friend had not followed. Turning nimbly on his tail, he shot for the surface. When he hit the air he was going too fast to stop and jumped several feet above the water. When he regained the surface he looked around frantically. His friend was nowhere in sight. Confused and scared, he didn't hear the soft approach behind him. By the time he realized he was not alone, it was too late. There was no away to avoid the net that was flung over him. He struggled futilely for several minutes before giving up. Then he saw the crude symbols on the side of the strange thing nearest him. Searching his memory, he realized they resembled the symbols he had seen in his studies of the bipeds. Suddenly a loud noise came from the floating object and it started moving. Not knowing what to make of this he allowed himself to be towed along after his captors.

Soon, he saw where he was being taken. It looked similar to some of the structures in the ancient city, though they were above the water rather than below it. Shortly, he learned what the structures were for as his captors moved up to one of them and stopped. Then he found out that his captors were bipeds. Several of them climbed out of the noisy thing and proceeded to drag the net and him into an alcove to one side. Once there they released him and closed a large gate, effectively barring any escape. In the enclosure, Chiron saw his assistant to one side looking very dejected. He swam over to check on him and was shocked to find that there were almost a dozen others in the prison. Most of them were in poor health and one was obviously dead.

Chiron decided then and there to attempt to communicate with these bipeds. At least to get decent food and living conditions. After a brief examination of his accommodations, he pried a moderate sized rock from the bottom. With this and a smaller piece for a stylus, H began to draw a small fish. He could only hope that they would understand the message. He took the rock and after several tries managed to throw it onto the land. Exhausted after all that had happened, he fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Awakening some time later, he found dozens of fresh fish either swimming or floating in the pen. The others were already stuffing themselves so he grabbed the nearest fish and started eating.

When the fish were gone, Chiron and Trenish, Trenish after a bit of prodding, began to pull as many of the flattest rocks from the bottom as they could. Chiron took one and began to draw furiously. As he finished, he noticed that there were several bipeds by the edge of the water. When they saw him looking, one of them jumped in. It stayed by the edge, watching Chiron closely. The others hovered near to help if needed. Chiron slowly swam over with the rock. When he was close enough the biped grabbed it and passed it to the others. It then jumped out of the water. They crowded together to look at the pictures Chiron had drawn.

It was obvious to Chiron that these bipeds were intelligent, but he was amazed at the level of intelligence they showed. The ones he had studied had never shown anywhere near this much understanding and initiative. Soon one of them moved to a small ledge where it grabbed small stick and began to draw. When it was done it put the stick down and lifted what looked like a thin flimsy rock from the ledge. It turned and approached the water's edge. Once there it turned the object towards Chiron and looked expectantly at him.

Swimming closer to see what was on the rock Chiron saw a drawing of a biped with five symbols beneath it and a drawing of Chiron with seven symbols beneath it. Thinking furiously, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration. Could these bipeds have a language? Could they be trying to communicate with him? Maybe that group of symbols under the picture of the biped represents their term for themselves and the group under the picture of him is their term for his species. This was confirmed when the biped pointed at the picture of the biped and then at himself, then at the symbols and then himself. Then it followed that by pointing at the other picture then at Chiron, then at the other symbols then at Chiron. Slowly swimming to the edge of the water, Chiron thought about how he would show that he understood. When he reached the side, the biped moved closer. Moving slowly, it brought the pictures closer to the water. When they were close enough Chiron moved one flipper and touched the picture of the biped. Then he pointed the flipper at the biped in front of him. After repeating the process with the other picture, he did the same with the symbols. The biped's face changed abruptly, and it fell to the ground, stunned. It turned and started gesturing and making noises at the others.

After that the two species began the slow process of learning the other's symbols and terms. When they were finally able to communicate more complex ideas, Chiron brought up the idea that had been bothering him lately.

"I think the time has come to prove to my people that you humans are not the great evil they think you are." He wrote nervously. "They must be told of how much you can help us."

Dave Simmons, the human who had first showed Chiron the pictures, read this thoughtfully. Taking the waterproof marker and board, he began to write. "You may be right, but how can we do it? According to what you've told me, once you're exiled you can't return."

"I think there might be a way. The Law doesn't actually say that one can't return. It's just that none have ever done so before. I think that when they were exiled, all the others just gave up and let themselves die. My assistant Trenish is a good example of this.    He lost hope and was willing to let himself starve to death. If I hadn't been here he very well may have succeeded."

"So you're saying that we can just go right up to this Council and present our case?"

"I'm afraid it will much more difficult than that. Many on the Council are scared of any kind of change. They may not listen no matter what we say. The key will be to convince the High Lord. We must find a way to show him that your people are no longer a danger to us or the world."

"Will it be enough just to show how much help we can be? Our medicines alone would be invaluable to your people."

"It's possible." Chiron wrote thoughtfully. "The High Lord is a scientist. But that assumes that the one who exiled me is still the High Lord. I suppose that is a chance we will have to take. Now, here is what we have to do."

After several hours of writing and gesturing, a plan was agreed upon. They would leave at dawn the next day and travel to the entrance to the Reefs. There they would surrender to the guards and demand to be taken before the Council of Elders. The rest would depend upon who was the High Lord.

Starting out before the sun rose, the small group made their way through the maze of buildings that made up the Reef of a Thousand Caves. The group consisted of Chiron, Trenish, four of the strongest of the dolphins that had been in the custody of the humans and three humans. The humans included Dave, as the Head of Oceanography, and the two assistants who showed the best command of Dolphin writing.

They stopped when they neared the entrance of the Reefs. As Dave and the other humans strapped on the air tanks that would sustain them during the following ordeal. The each had one main tank and two spares to hopefully last them long enough to conclude the business before them. When they were ready, they slipped into the water where Chiron and the dolphins were waiting. When all was ready they dove under and swam straight to the guard shack nearby. To give them credit, the guards were waiting for them as they arrived. Chiron went right to the Captain and demanded to be brought before the Council.

"You have a lot of nerve, Chiron." The captain replied. "What makes you think the council would want to see you again?"

"The council will want to hear what these Bipeds have to say. They have come of their own free will, in the hopes of starting a beneficial dialog between our species. Either escort us to the Council or dispatch a guard to inform them we are coming. Either way, we are going to see them."

The Captain, unsure of his position, reluctantly agreed to escort the unusual group. He left two guards at the entrance and ordered the others to form a cordon around the new arrivals. The now larger group began to swim in the direction of the city. They stayed on the surface for the benefit of the humans. Each human was pulled by a dolphin in order to speed their progress.

By the time they had reached the city, the news had spread and the entire population had turned out to see the returning exiles with their unusual companions. Soon they were before the Council. Chiron noticed with relief that the High Lord was the same one who had exiled him. That gave him some much-needed hope. Dave and the other humans were amazed to find that the chamber was filled with huge pocket of air. They were even more stunned to find that the air was continuously recirculated. Dave turned to Chiron to find out how, but more pressing matters intervened. The Council of Elders had chosen that moment to enter the chamber.

"Chiron, I assume you know the penalty for returning from exile?" The High Lord began. What have you to say for yourself for this and for bringing these bipeds to the heart of our city?"

Looking at each of the Council members, Chiron noticed a few new additions. He was pleased to see his friend Diam still on the Council. "I do, my Lord. I have come on a mission of great importance and hope that you hear us out before imposing that sentence. If by the time we are finished you still feel it should be imposed we will submit to it quietly."

"We will listen. We admit that we are curious about these bipeds that accompanied you here. They appear to be as comfortable in the water as we are and that surprises many of us."

"They are the main reason I have returned, my Lord. They have proved to me that they are far more intelligent than even I ever thought. After my assistant and I were exiled we were captured by these humans, as they call themselves. While in captivity we began exchanging pictures, then writing, then finally ideas. Once they understood what we needed they were eager to provide it. Their medicine was often miraculous in curing our common ailments and they kept us extremely well fed. Once meaningful communication was begun they offered us our freedom. We declined in order to learn more from and about them. I finally concluded that I could not in good conscience keep this amazing discovery from my people, and I still consider you my people even though I have been exiled. For proof of their intelligence, I present Dave Simmons. Seeing as their vocal equipment makes it impossible for them to talk, we ask that any questions you have be written. For those who will think that they only mimic, remember that there is no way for us to know what the questions will be."

Chiron wrote quickly, explaining to Dave what the situation was to that point. Dave then swam forward and taking the stylus he wrote, "Greetings my Lord and Honored members of the Council. What would you ask of me to prove my friends words?" He then turned the pad to the Elders, smiling inwardly at the astonishment plain on the features of the Council.

"Clear the chamber!" The High Lord said immediately. When the spectators had been ushered out, the High Lord turned again to the group before him. "This will require a bit more study than I thought. Shall we begin the questions?"

After several hours of questioning, the Council left the chamber to discuss what had come to pass. They returned less than an hour later, much to Chiron's surprise. He had expected them to take much longer.

When they had settled to their places, the High Lord said. "Although we are convinced of the intelligence of these humans, we have doubts that they speak for the rest of their race. There is also the problem of how this situation will affect the rest of our race. A change of attitude this extreme could very easily tear our society apart. Therefore, any interaction between our races will have to be carried out in secret. Chiron, you are to return with these humans as our ambassador. A messenger will be sent every five tides to ascertain the progress in your communications. You will be responsible for all interactions between the humans and us. We of course will be watching very carefully. As for the populace, we will state that you are being taken to the outskirts to be executed. We will tell them it is to prevent the blood from attracting predators. We will prepare them for the change in stages that they can accept. This Council is adjourned."

When the vibrations of the great drum faded, Chiron and the humans were led out of the city under tight security. When they reached the boats that had been left at the Reef entrance, Dave climbed in and sat down, looking disappointed.

Moving to the pad tied to the side of the boat, Chiron wrote, "What is bothering you?"

After reading this Dave wrote, "I was kind of hoping for a better outcome."

"Actually, everything went pretty much as expected. It takes time to change opinions formed over a thousand generations. We can't expect full trade and communication overnight. We've made a good start and will keep working until we have achieved what we have set out to do. Don't tell me your people could handle so fundamental a change in the space of a heartbeat?"

"You're right. It does take time. What should our next move be?"

"The High Lord was right about more than the time frame for change. You don't really speak for your entire race. We must begin to convince them the same way we did for the Council." Looking around at the Reefs, Chiron decided that he could be quite happy there. Returning to the boat, he wrote. "I am going to stay in the Reefs from now on. There is much more room and more fish to hunt. Have a bell put near the water and either of us can ring it when we want or need to talk. This is just the beginning my friend. We have a long swim ahead of us. I hope we are up to it." Finished writing, Chiron turned and swam away. Reading what was written, Dave shook his head. It would certainly be a long road. Hopefully the destination would be worth it. He put the pad down and turned the boat toward home