Bardolomy

Professor Tadat had attended the ceremony. He approached, and we sat under a tree behind the stage, which offered shade from the burning sun. I was lightheaded from drinking too much corn beer earlier. "What do you think of the colonists?" "They still desire a leader. A governor you call it?" "Yes." "I hope in time they can be their own masters, as you said." "I'll try to keep the misfits from bothering your people. After all this generosity, what can I offer you?" He thought for a moment. "Do you have any iridium?" "What for?" "We are running out of water. Our scientists are looking at ways to produce water." "What's happening to the water?" "It's slowly evaporating into space. Every time we get close to Little Brother, the gravitational force pulls some away." "You mean the red dwarf?" "Yes. Our scientists tell me iridium may be useful as a catalyst in certain chemical reactions." "Sorry. We don't have any, but my computers can analyze the problem, once they are fixed." "I'm also looking for medicine to treat our unusual diseases." "I'll ask Noam my medical doctor to get in touch with you." I finished the bottle of water and grabbed another. "I was wondering if you could help me with a problem." "What problem?" "Many systems on my ship cannot be repaired with the materials I have. I need certain types of metals. Where I come from they are called precious metals." He thought for a moment. "We have aluminum." "Anything else?" "I am not an expert on metals. Varaluk may know." "Who is Varaluk?" "Har! Who is Varaluk? Why nothing but an iconoclastic bombastic bully!" "You don't like him?" He frowned and pointed to the south. "See that big aluminum house on top of the mountain over there?" "Yes." "He is an inventor. He produces aluminum products. He also invented the timm." He tapped a device on his belt. "What's that?" "Temperature sensor." "An accomplished individual." "Har!" He grunted. "Be wary of him. He thinks he owns the mountain." "Why?" He seemed reluctant to elaborate. I changed the subject. "You told me the automatics are maintained by the Council of MOA. I assume it can produce circuit boards. Can I talk to the Council?" "Certainly, but I don't think they have produced any new automatics in my lifetime." "I want to talk with the members. You told me they manage water diversion and thermal energy systems, practically the entire infrastructure of Baktun. They'll be able to help me." "They also conduct medical research." '"Where do I find them?" "They live inside Mount Magna." "That's where my sick colonists were taken. Where is it?" "Far away." He pointed north. "Will you show me how to get there?" I sipped some water and studied his face. He seemed to be in a somber mood. "I will tell you." "Good. It's very important for me to repair my ship. Some of the colonists have already expressed concerns about living on Baktun, and may want to leave." "I am sorry to hear that." "I will need to make circuit boards to repair the electronics. I need tantalum. I also need polymers." He nodded. "I will help you." "I would be grateful." "Look." He pointed to the ground. "A foraging ant, cousin to the ones I am studying." It was a black ant, one of the largest I had ever seen. It held a cactus spine in its jaws. "Are you an expert on ants?" His eyes brightened. "I never told you I am Professor of Entomology at the university. My current research is on the foraging habits of the metallic ant of the deep desert. Did you know they can survive temperatures up to 165 degrees?" "I didn't know." "Amazing creatures. Their navigational abilities are astounding." "How so?" "They integrate earth cues, namely landmarks, and celestial cues based on the position of the sun and the polarization of light in the atmosphere. They use both methods simultaneously to produce a weighted average directional sense." "Sounds fascinating." I was growing impatient. My concern was in repairing the ship. I had no idea where to obtain tantalum, a critical component of stasis machines. He continued his rambling. "We must all adapt to survive. If you study the creatures on Baktun, you will discover their wonderful adaptations. Life is so full of mystery." He seemed lost in thought. "When will you give me directions to the Council of MOA?" His head slumped, and he placed his hands on his knees to steady himself. "It is all moot. I must tell you something." He grew serious. "What is it?" "It is with a sad heart I tell you this. You cannot stay longer than Bloom. If you stay longer, you will all die." He rose, and walked slowly toward his vehicle. I followed. "What? Wait a minute-" "Yes?" He stepped into the driver's seat. "How long is Bloom?" "There are twelve trimonats in Bloom. You are in the third. You have to leave by Last Chance, which is number ten, so you have seven more trimonats." He had explained the Soverin calendar to me, once. I made the mental calculations. Thirty-seven days to a week, four weeks to a monat, and three monats to a trimonat. My head was spinning. The duration was 3,108 days. "What happens after that?" "The Burn." "The Burn?" "You won't survive it." "But what about the colony?" "You must tell them." He smiled and drove off. I stood frozen on the trail unable to comprehend the words Tadat had spoken.