Fantasy The People Makers

"She's dead?" said Abner Dune

"Apparently she fell over the railing in the Entertainment Sphere," said Frog.

"Wait a minute," said Roland Miller. "You want us to believe that Jeremy Quills just happen to fall over the railing in the reactor room right before his first partnering, and now Kathy Fereman did the same?"

"In the Entertainment Sphere, yes," said Frog.

"We have a killer on board," said Donnie Burch. "There's no other explanation."

"Why... why would someone want to kill anyone here?" Abner Dune asked.

"Eliminate the competition," said Roland.

"Use your brain... if you have one," said Haggis, his voice dripping with contempt. "A man and a woman have apparently been killed. If the competitor is a man he might have killed the man. If the competitor was a woman she might have killed a woman. But competition is no reason to kill a man and a woman."

"He's right," said Susan Shinn. "Haggis, what do you think is going on here?"

"I think we have a killer in our midst," said Haggis. "One who likes to kill for either more random or more complex reasons."

"How... how could the Federationistas let a killer roam among us?" Marion Kelly asked, holding her arms tightly as she shivered.

"How indeed," said Haggis.

"There is nothing I can tell you, Haggis O'Leary."

Frog was in the large observation room, staring out at the stars.

"I haven't asked anything. Yet."

"I have been chided by my colleagues for my... exercises of initiative... in the past," said Frog. "I cannot intervene now."

"I think you can," said Haggis. "Of all the Federationistas, you're the only one who I've seen who genuinely cares about what happens to us. Can you really just stand there and watch us die, one by one?"

"You will all die soon enough anyway," said Frog, still not looking at him.

"What?"

"The Experiment is ending in a few short months."

"What will happen then?"

"We will restart our efforts with a new race of beings."

"And what will happen to us?"

"This particular Experiment will be... terminated."

"I see," said Haggis. "Is that's what's happening to us now?"

Frog paused. "Some of my associates have lost patience. This Experiment has been running for nearly seven of your years without positive results. I believe one of my associates may have taken an initiative to end it sooner."

"Without the approval of the Federationistas?"

Frog was silent.

"They know about it, don't they? They know that one of your own is sabotaging the Experiment and they just don't care," said Haggis.

Frog finally turned and faced him. "How your race deals with killers in its midst is considered by some to be a test of your survivability."

"And what do you consider it?"

Frog turned away again.

"You know it's him. You know he's going to kill again."

"I am powerless to intervene," said Frog.

Haggis strode to the exit.

"Where are you going, Haggis O'Leary?"

"To intervene."

Haggis and Marla were sitting in his quarters. While Haggis had at one time simulated the Scottish Highlands, at the moment his quarters were simply a claustraphobically small austere room with a bed and a chair, its natural state of being.

"Simulation established," said Ship.

"Good," said Haggis. "Now, pretending that I have access to all your databanks, realistically answer the following queries, using data from your own databanks to make this simulation as realistic as possible."

"Understood, Haggis."

"Did Kathy Fereman die in the Entertainment Sphere?"

"Yes, Haggis."

"Is there a holorecorder in the Entertainment Sphere?"

"Yes, Haggis."

"Show me the recorded events for that timeframe."

"I cannot, Haggis."

"Let me guess. That information was deleted."

"Yes, Haggis.

"By whom?"

"That information is not available, Haggis."

Haggis exchanged glances with Marla. "The man who calls himself Michael Taylor. Has he ever killed anyone?"

"That information is not available, Haggis."

"Ship isn't saying the information is erased," said Marla. "It's simply saying it's unavailable. It's so odd. It's answering some questions as if you have full access, but avoiding other questions as if you don't. How can that be?"

"This is supposed to be my simulation within the Ship computer," said Haggis. "But maybe it's something else."

"What else could it be?"

"Perhaps a Federationista simulation prepared specifically for me," said Haggis. "To give my simulation the illusion of reality without being too real."

"Why?"

"As a test. They permitted me to briefly escape once, and I'm not altogether that that wasn't a test either." He paused, frowning. "Ship, you have holocameras recording every room, every chamber, correct?"

"Correct."

"Can you show me the holocameras right outside the Entertainment Sphere right before Kathy Fereman was killed?"

"That information is not available, Haggis."

"Of course it isn't," said Haggis.

"This is pointless," said Marla.

"Is it? The Federationistas set the rules of this game. But maybe I can think of something they missed," said Haggis. He frowned again. "Ship. Do you record power usage on a realtime basis in every room of the Station?"

"Yes, Haggis."

"Is that something you can show to me?"

"Yes, Haggis."

The schematic of the Station suddenly appeared, with numerical entries by each room and corridor. "This is a map of the current energy usage on the station. Historical data is also available at your request."

"And...." Haggis paused. "Do you also have heat sensors, which can track the motion of individuals?"

"Yes, Haggis."

The schematic changed, to show a series of yellow dots all over the station.

"Can you identify each heat dot, who it is?"

"Yes, Haggis."

"Identify which dots are me and Marla."

Two of the dots were circled, both in a small cramped crew quarters.

"We have him," said Haggis.

The men were sitting around a table in Bermuda.

"Who could it be?" said Dickie Weymouth. "To think that one of us could be a killer."

"It could be anyone," said Captain Taylor.

"Actually, it's you," said Haggis, joining the conversation, followed by Marla.

"What?" said Taylor. "What did you say?"

"It's you," said Haggis. "You're the killer." He saw all their shocked expressions, including Taylor's. "Would you like me to say it again?"

"It's not funny," said Taylor.

"It's not meant to be," said Haggis, giving him a cold stare.

"Haggis, what are you saying?" said Roland. "He's a Survey Service Captain. If anyone is innocent, it must be him!"

"He's no more a Survey Service Captain than I am," said Haggis.

"Oh, so you finally remember what you did on Earth," said Taylor.

"Yes," said Haggis. "I dealt with nuisances. Tell me, Captain Taylor, or whatever your real name is, where were you at 1800 hours Station time yesterday?"

Taylor gave a nervous smile. "This... this is ridiculous. I don't have to answer your questions!"

"But, why don't you?" Marla asked. "Unless you have something to hide?"

"All right." Taylor took a deep breath. "1800, let me see... I was in my quarters. Yes, my quarters."

"Ship. What was the energy usage level in Captain Taylor's quarters at 1800 Station Time yesterday?"

"The energy usage level was zero, Haggis."

Taylor shrugged. "I went to sleep."

"At six o'clock in the evening?"

"I was tired."

"I'll bet you were," said Haggis. "Tell me, Captain, even if you did go to sleep at six o'clock in the evening, did you enter your quarters without once even turning the lights on?"

Taylor felt the stares on him. "This is ridiculous. This proves nothing."

"Ship," said Haggis. "Show us the heat signatures of everyone on the Station at 1730 hours Station Time yesterday."

A schematic appeared of the station, filled with little yellow dots.

The others murmured aloud.

"Hey, I didn't know it could do that!" said Donnie Burch.

"Ship, put a square around Captain Taylor's heat signature."

A circle appeared around one of the yellow dots.

"Ship, put a circle around Kathy Fereman's heat signature."

A square appeared.

"They were both in the same place," said Abner Dune.

"That's the Oregon Lounge," said Haggis. "Just minutes before Kathy was killed. Curious that you never mentioned that you were the last person to speak to her, Captain."

"I... I don't know that I was the last one."

"We'll get to that. What did you say to her?"

Taylor wet his lips. "She... she just told me that she had selected Bruce Kincaid. I... I wished her luck."

"I'm sure you did," said Haggis. "Ship, replay the recording of the movement of the heat signatures from that time frame forward, speed, times two."

Then, seeing they were moving too slowly, he said. "Times three. Times five."

They watched as the yellow dot with the square around it moved through the station. It entered a large chamber.

"Ship, what room did Captain Taylor's heat signature enter?"

"The Entertainment Sphere, Haggis."

There were gasps and more than one jaw dropped open. They watched as the yellow dot with the circle also entered the same room. And then, a few seconds later, the yellow dot with the circle winked out, while the yellow dot with the square around it remained visible.

"Ship, what was the significance of Kathy Fereman's heat signature disappearing?"

"Her body was no longer generating base level amounts of heat, Haggis."

"Because she was dead?"

"Yes, Haggis."

"There you have it," said Haggis. "Our gallant Captain was in the room with her when she died. Care to amend your story, Captain?"

Taylor felt all eyes on him. For a moment he sputtered, looking around wildly. Then he said, "This... this is all conjecture."

"No conjecture. These are the real logs of the Ship."

"How do we know that?" Taylor said. "How do we know you didn't fabricate or falsify them?"

"That's impossible."

"Is it?" said Taylor. His confidence was starting to return. "You all know that in our quarters we can recreate any environment, any environment we like. Who is to say that the ship won't generate a simple heat map saying whatever we want? These... these yellow dots" he waved his hand dismissively, "prove absolutely nothing. Nothing!"

Everyone at the table looked puzzled, confused, and uncertain.

"Did... did you do this, Michael?" Roland asked.

"No, of course not! I'm a Survey Service Captain! I've spent my life saving people, not destroying them!"

The others looked uncertain.

Abner Dune spoke up. "If... if you think Captain Taylor is guilty, why don't you go the Federationistas with this evidence?"

"They already know," said Haggis contemptuously. "They've always known." He gave them a hard stare. "If you value your lives, stay away from THIS MAN." He pointed an accusatory finger at Taylor.

The following morning, Haggis immediately sensed the change in atmosphere. Taylor sat at the head of the Men's Table in Algeria once again, looking smug and pleased with himself as everyone chatted around him. But all the chattering stopped when Haggis arrived.

"Good morning, Haggis. Did you sleep well?" Taylor asked pleasantly.

Haggis glanced at the men. "What's happened?"

"Nothing much, really," said Taylor. "We've just uncovered the identity of Kathy's killer. The true identity."

"Really?" said Haggis.

"Really," said Taylor. He looked upwards. "Ship," he said in a commanding voice.

Haggis froze.

"Ship, replay that little holorecording you showed us earlier, time index 17:48 from two days ago."

"Yes, Captain."

A holoimage of the Entertainment Sphere appeared. Kathy Fereman was already there, and Haggis O'Leary approached her.

"No," said Haggis softly. "This isn't real."

"What did you want to see me for?" the holoimage of Kathy Fereman asked. "I'm going to be late with Bruce."

"I'll bet," said the holoimage of Haggis. "I brought you here to tell you that you're partnering with the wrong man." Behind him, the brown, yellow, green and blue energy waves dances around the giant chamber, each with their own musical tones.

"Really? And who would the right man be?"

"Me," said Haggis. He grabbed her and kissed her roughly.

She pushed him away strongly. "Get away from me!"

"I'm the one you should be partnering with," said Haggis. "I want you, Kathy, and I always get what I want."

"Not this time," she said. She turned to leave but Haggis grabbed her from behind. "Let go! Let me go!"

"Your wish is my command," said Haggis.

She screamed as he tossed her over the railing. Her scream was suddenly cut off as a colorful energy wave cut her body in two.

And then the holoimage faded.

Haggis looked at them. "You can't be serious," he said. "You can't seriously believe that's me. Has any of you ever seen me pursue a woman like that?"

"Men can act very differently when they are alone with women," said Taylor.

"You would know," said Haggis.

"The holo evidence is clear," said Roland Miller.

"Holos can be forged," said Haggis. "Only yesterday he was saying the heat records were forged. Why not holos as well?"

"It's real enough," said Taylor. "You can see it with your own eyes. If I were still in the Service, I'd have you arrested and put on trial."

"How fortunate that you aren't with the Service, and you never were," said Haggis. He felt the tension rising as the men around the table gave him dark glances. Donnie Burch the wrestler cracked his knuckles and Dickie Weymouth gave him a hard stare.

And then suddenly Hot Dog and Hamburger appeared. "Hey everybody! How are you doing today?"

"We're all doing exceptionally well today, Hot Dog!" said Haggis. "How are you?"

"Quite fine, and thank you for asking!" said Hot Dog. "Haggis, Graylor would like to see you in the Council Chambers!"

"He'd like to see you right now!" said Hamburger.

"What about?" Haggis asked.

"mur*er. He wants to see you about the woman you murdered," said Taylor.

"Then they should be asking for you, Captain," said Haggis.

"Haggis, would you please come with us now?" said Hot Dog, jumping from foot to foot. "We'd hate to restrain you."

"We really don't want to restrain you," said Hamburger, also hopping from foot to foot.

"That makes three of us," said Haggis. "All right, primary food groups. Lead the way."

Haggis sat in a chair as he was interrogated by Graylor, who paced around him frantically. Along the wall stood Bessie, Frog, Hot Dog and Hamburger.

"Why did you mur*er her?" Graylor asked.

"I didn't mur*er her," said Haggis.

"The holorecorder clearly shows you tossed her over the railing," said Graylor.

"Yes, a lovely piece of animation," said Haggis. "Just like these." He indicated Hot Dog and Hamburger.

"Did you want her for yourself?" Graylor asked.

"Haggis, if you confess, it will go easier for you," said Frog.

"Really?" said Haggis. "What is the penalty for mur*er on the Station? Is it confinement... or execution... or a blue ribbon?"

"You're not taking this seriously," said Frog.

"Quite right," said Haggis. "Not only did I not kill Kathy Fereman, but you are fully aware that I did not kill Kathy Fereman. Why are we doing this charade?" He stared pointedly at Graylor, as he pronounced the word "Sharad".

Graylor stuck out his forked tongue and hissed at him. "The Administrative Body will have to convene to decide what to do with you."

"Good for them. Can I expect swift justice?" Haggis asked.

"The Administrative Body only meets periodically," said Frog.

"So I guess the answer is no," said Haggis. He stood up abruptly. "So I am free to go... to go and not to mur*er again and again?"

"You are free to go... for now," said Graylor, hissing again.

"Lovely seeing you gentlemen again. I'm awed by the supreme irony of Federation justice," said Haggis, as he left the room.

An angry crowd formed around Haggis as he entered the Algeria lounge for lunch.

"Killer!" Jessica Fromm spat.

"You killed her!" said Angelika.

"Why did you do it?" said Dickie Weymouth.

"If you believe I did it you are even dumber than I thought you were, and that's saying something," said Haggis.

Dickie threw a punch at Haggis. Haggis deftly blocked him and punched him back, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Dickie rubbed his sore cheek. "Now we know why you never could remember your profession back on Earth! You were a professional killer!"

"Killer!"

"Killer!"

"Kill the killer!"

"Wait!" said Marla. "I know what he did on Earth! He told me!"

"Marla, no!" said Haggis.

"It's all right, Haggis!" said Marla. "He told me one night... in bed."

"This should be good," said Gavin. "Tell us."

"He... Haggis is a philanthropist," said Marla.

"Philanthropist?" said Susan Shinn.

"He donates millions to needy children around the world," said Marla. "But... he has this quirk... he always makes sure to give his gifts anonymously. He always wanted to be anonymous. That's why he never told us what he really did!"

She looked at the scowling faces all around her. No one believed her.

"Kill the killer, before he kills us!" Someone shouted.

Gavin Anson threw a punch at Haggis. Haggis blocked it, but then Craig Cobin punched him in the stomach. Craig, Gavin, Ardis and Dickie Weymouth ganged up on him, punching and kicking him viciously.

"Help, help!" Marla cried. She saw Hot Dog and Hamburger smiling broadly, hopping from foot to foot, watching, just watching. "Help him!" she cried again. But they just stood there, grinning from ear to ear, doing their little dance.

It was Hommed of all people who saved the day.

"Stop! STOP!" he yelled, pulling Dickie Weymouth away and then Ardis and Gavin. That left only Craig, who had been busy kicking Haggis while he was down. "STOP I SAY! IN THE NAME OF AJUBA!" Hommed roared. Craig reluctantly relented.

Marla ran to Haggis, who was bloodied and beaten. She helped him get up. "Haggis, are you all right?"

Haggis gave a bitter laugh as blood flowed from his lip. "What do you think?"

"Do not lay a hand on this man!" said Hommed, the High Priest of Ajuba.

"Why?" asked Dickie.

"It is not for you to judge him!" Hommed boomed. "Let Ajuba decide his fate!"

"It's true the Federationistas let him go," said Roland Miller. "Why would they let him go if they believed he was the killer?"

"It's survival of the fittest," said Craig Cobin, wiping a bloody scratch on his cheek. "If we don't kill him, he'll kill us."

"If anyone touches this man they will be struck down!" said Hommed. "Ajuba will drain their blood and immediately turn them to powder!"

There was a hushed gasp from the assembled crowd.

Marla saw the looks of doubt on their faces and decided the time was ripe to go. She put an arm around Haggis to help him walk. "Come on," she said, as he half walked half limped with her. As they walked through the field of accusatory stares, Hot Dog and Hamburger gave them friendly waves with their big white gloved hands.

"I'm so sorry this has happened," said Frog.

"No you're not," said Haggis.

"Please do not move," said the medical robot. "You have broken two ribs."

"Only two?" said Haggis.

"If you keep moving, they will not heal properly." A yellow ray extended from the robot's hands, shining on Haggis's rib cage.

"You're not sorry," Haggis repeated, looking squarely at Frog. "If you were, you would have done something about it."

"There is nothing I can do," said Frog.

"You are letting a known killer go free, while letting everyone think I'm guilty of his actions," said Haggis.

"This Experiment is about creating a durable society which will last a thousand years," said Frog. "Conflicts like this are inevitable. If you cannot resolve them on your own, then perhaps you are not worthy of saving." He turned and left.

Marla looked concerned. "Does it hurt, Haggis?"

"Only my pride," said Haggis, gingerly touching his bloody lip.

Haggis was ostracized. No one would talk to him. No one would look at him. Wherever he walked, people made way for him as if he were contaminated.

There was only Marla. She didn't fear contamination, openly sitting with him at meals, chatting him up, unafraid of the rest of society's disapproval.

She was in love with him, he knew that. And he was fond of her, quite fond of her, despite his best efforts not to be. Still, he couldn't help but be glad for her bravery, and her company.

"What's the plan now?" she asked, as Haggis painfully ate dinner. His jaw was still tender from a right hook.

"Learn how to fight better."

"What?"

"I have to learn how to fight better," said Haggis.

She laughed and hugged him.​