Wendy's Avente Adventure

cover art by Ronald Walotsky

In my previous blog post, I suggested some changes to the story of how Kirth Gersen defeated the first of the five Demon Princes. In my fan-fictional imagination, the events described by Jack Vance in the five novels of his Demon Princes series were inspired by actual events that took place in the Asimov Reality. In order to compare the "actual events" in the Asimov Reality to the fictionalized events that Jack Vance described in Star King, Wendy was sent into the AR Simulator several times. Below is the sequel for a story (called "Reality Simulation") I wrote back in August about Wendy's first experience with the AR Simulator.
Related reading: "Planet of the Dryads"& "Star Queen"

Note: the following story is fan-fiction. You should read Star King by Jack Vance before trying to read about Wendy's adventures in the Asimov Reality.

Inspector Wishwell
Inside Grean's workshop, Wendy was growing tired of talk. She had been designed for action and too much verbal sparring with Grean made Wendy nervous. She said, "Fine. I've had my little vacation. It was fun." Wendy tried, rather unsuccessfully,  to push to the back of her mind the emotions that had been stirred up by that fun. Telling herself that it was time to get back to work, Wendy asked Grean, "Now, what is my next mission on Earth?"

Grean pointed to the Onmiviewer and a new, odd-looking "planet" appeared. "Look at this, my girl... since you performed so well during your first mission Beyond, I'm thinking that you should return-"

"What?" Wendy's shout was strong enough to surprise both herself and Grean. Moderating her tone, she continued, "Don't you think I should get back to my work on Earth?"

Grean said nothing. She worked the controls of the Onmiviewer, zooming the image down towards the surface of the strange "planet".

Wendy could not pull her eyes from the images being shown by the Onmiviewer. The planet that Grean was showing to Wendy looked like no other world she had ever seen. Unable to restrain her curiosity, Wendy asked Grean, "What planet is that?"

Wendy

Grean replied, "Actually, in a technical sense, it is not a planet; it is a star remnant. It has a neutronium core from an ancient dead star with a younger layer of accumulated conventional matter around the outside."

The view of the planet was shifting. A pair of volcanoes receded into the distance, plumes of angry ash loomed above the horizon. Now Grean zoomed the image once more, focusing on a small crater where an artificial dome sealed off the interior of the crater, enclosing a volume of breathable air.

Wendy could see several neodome structures scattered across the crater floor. She asked, "Everything seems blurry. Does this world have an atmosphere?"

on Dasce's secret planet

Grean explained, "What you see here is an extrapolation of the planet surface created by the AR Simulator. This image is based on low resolution telescopic images collected from an orbiting ship. What I really need is a volunteer to visit that crater and report back to me what happened down there. All I know for sure is that Hildemar Dasce died there... a small detail that Vance did not include in his writings." Grean did not bother to mention that her certainty about Dasce's death was based on information obtained from a nanite tracking probe that Wendy had previously carried into the AR Simulator and implant in Gersen's body.

in the Ekcolir Reality
Original cover art by Frank Freas

Wendy asked, "Who is Hildemar Dasce?"

"An evil creature that lived in the Asimov Reality. Luckily, he had no analogues in later Realities." Grean looked sternly at Wendy and complained, "If you would read the works of Jack Vance then you would know such things."

"I don't know why you obsess over events in this past Reality. Who cares about this Dasce, particularly if he has no analogue in the Final Reality?"

Grean sighed. "I could give you many answers. Some knowledge is valuable just for its own sake. Ethnography is a fun hobby and I'm fascinated by all human cultures. But all that to the side... I can tell you this much... my concerns do not center on the beastly Dasce. What I want to discover is the fate of a woman known as Pallis Atwrode." Grean pointed at the image being displayed by the Onmiviewer. "Pallis briefly visited this world and the mystery of her fate seems linked to Dasce." Grean changed the settings of the Onmiviewer and showed Wendy an image of "Beauty" Dasce.

Artist's concept of Dasce
cover art by Edmund Emshwiller

Wendy gasped, "My word, what..."

Grean said, "That is Hildemar Dasce, known to his fellow criminals as 'Beauty'. As Vance wrote, Dasce would boast that he could paralyze dogs with a single glance in their direction."

Wendy could not conceal her dismay, "You want me to go into the AR Simulator and meet this hideous creature?"

Grean chuckled. "Dasce is a murderer and rogue, but remember, there is no actual danger to you. Even if you 'die' while inside the simulation, you will be returned here to Reality, safe and sound."

Wendy suggested, "Why don't you get someone else for this mission?"

"My dear Wendy, you are perfect for the task."

"Me?"

"Yes. This new mission will take you back to Smade's Planet and you are the expert on that world."

Smade (source)

Wendy had just visited Smade's Planet and she could not imagine why Grean might want her to return to that world. "Back to Smade's Planet? What for?"

"A small detail... a tiny task that you could not accomplish during your previous visit to Smade's Tavern. In order to complete your new mission, your investigation of Pallis Atwrode, you will need to obtain some missing information about Malagate the Woe. Dasce is one of Malegate's henchmen. When you last visited Smade's Tavern, you were busy with other concerns and missed your opportunity to meet Malagate and see Dasce."

"What more can I learn about Malagate? I thought Vance wrote an entire book about Malagate and the Star Kings."

"Well, not really. In fact, there is some doubt about the veracity of some details of Malagate's life as described by Vance. It seems to me that someone took pains to ensure that Vance did not know the whole story of Malagate's adventures. For example, Vance described Malagate as being an alien living among humans and disguised as a man, but other reports suggest that that Malagate sometimes took the form of a human female. How was this possible?"

Wendy suggested, "Maybe Malagate had access to sophisticated nanotechnology and could morph his/her body form."

"Yes, Maybe. So, you see, this is a simple matter that you can quickly resolve by returning to the Tavern and spending a few more hours there." Grean altered the controls of the Omniviewer, bringing into view a pretty blue planet. "However, before I can send you back to Smade's planet, I want you to meet Pallis. She was born on the planet Ys, but then moved to Alphanor."

Wendy watched the image of Alphanor expand in the Omniviewer as Grean zoomed in on Avente and the South Shore Hospital. The scene became frozen, centered on a woman who was entering the Hospital's main entrance. Wendy asked, "This is Pallis?"

Inspector Wishwell

Wendy shook her head. "No, this is Police Inspector Ryjyl Wishwell. Watch this." Suddenly Inspector Wishwell disappeared from in front of the Hospital. Grean pointed to the teleportation chamber.

Wendy saw that Inspector Wishwell had been teleported into Grean's workshop. She stuttered in confusion, "Wait... you can take people out of the simulation?"

Grean opened the door of the teleporter, took hold of one of Inspector Wishwell's hands and pulled her out of the chamber. Slightly disoriented, Ryjyl Wishwell said to Grean, "That was interesting." Ryjyl nodded to Wendy and said, "And here you are, again."

Grean introduced Wendy to Ryjyl then explained to Wendy, "Ryjyl just spent two week with you, helping you learn how to speak and act like her."

Ryjyl told Grean, "I still do not understand why you want Wendy to take my place."

Grean held up both her hands, trying to forestall a barrage of questions from both Ryjyl and Wendy. "Please, Jyl, all will become clear." Grean made another adjustment to the Omniviewer settings. "Ryjyl, darling, you will be able watch what happens when I send Wendy to Alphanor. Wendy has an important mission to accomplish in Avente." Grean pointed to the image being displayed by the Omniviewer. Grean told Ryjyl, "This is Kirth Gersen, the man who you were going to question just before I brought you here. Now... watch this..." Grean turned towards Wendy.

Wendy's body suddenly morphed into an exact duplicate of Ryjyl. Ryjyl exclaimed, "Amazing! How did you do that?"

Grean casually told Jyl, "Wendy is an artificial life form; she can morph her body into any physical form." Grean turned to Wendy, gestured towards the image of Gersen inside the South Shore Hospital and explained, "When you get inside the Hospital, you will interview Mr. Gersen. He was attacked by Hildemar Dasce and is recovering from a savage blow to the head. Take his evidence, but more importantly, implant a nanite tracking probe inside Gersen's body. While you are talking to Gersen, IPCC Special Agent Pallis Atwrode will arrive; please plant a second probe inside her."

Wendy asked, "What is wrong with the probe that I already planted inside Gersen during my visit to Smade's Tavern?"

Grean Explained, "I made use of that probe, but I have now reset the AR Simulator. Remember, in the Asimov Reality, nobody named Wendy Larsen ever met Gersen at Smade's Tavern. You must again implant Gersen with a nanite probe.... and also Pallis"

"That's it? Why do you need me to perform such a simple task?"

"I want you to actually meet Agent Atwrode, and you have expertise working with nanites."

Ryjyl asked Grean, "And when Wendy is done, then I will be returned to Avente?"

Grean replied, "Yes, you will be returned. I thank you for training Wendy for this mission."

As a police officer, Ryjyl was intent on ending the criminal career of Malagate. She pressed her inquiry, "And it will lead to Malagate being captured?"

Grean said with conviction, "Have no fear, Jyl, Malagate will die on the planet of the Dryads, as I told you before." Grean turned back to Wendy and told her, "Just step into the Omniviewer."

"Wait! I've received no training for this mission."

Grean pointed to the teleportation chamber where a duplicate copy of Wendy now stood, solid and unmoving like a statue. "Ryjyl just spent two weeks with your teleportation duplicate. When you step into the Omniviewer, the duplicate's memories will be merged into your mind. I've looked into the future, so I know you will successfully complete this new mission. Just relax and enjoy your visit to Alphanor."

Wendy asked, "Can't we test the memory merger before I enter the simulation? Jyl has a very distinctive accent that will be tricky for me to duplicate."

"An accent which your duplicate has already learned to mimic." Grean hugged Wendy tightly then stepped back. "Trust me, Wendy, the merger will work perfectly." Grean gestured towards the Omniviewer. "Go ahead on in."

Wendy did trust Grean, but she preferred to be fully briefed before starting new missions. She was tempted to ask for more information, but had long experience being told by Grean that too much information could often reduce the effectiveness of her time traveling agents. Wendy stepped into the Omnivewer.

Wendy entered the front lobby of the Hospital and went to a directokiosk. Effortlessly speaking with Jyl's voice and displaying her Police badge, Wendy asked about Kirth Gersen and she was immediately directed to Gersen's room. Wendy could tell that she now had access to memories of having worked closely with Ryjyl to learn about the methods and procedures of the Avente Police.

Entering Gersen's hospital room, Wendy heard an orderly say, "Please, Mr. Gersen, get back in bed. Here is the Inspector."

Gersen sat on the bed and looked unhappily at Wendy. Wendy set her 360 degree video recorder on the small table beside the bed and said, "I'm Inspector Wishwell, Avente PD. Please state your name and tell me what happened to you this evening."

Gersen gave his name and described what little he knew, naming Hildemar Dasce and Sivij Suthiro as the two men who had attacked him. Gersen said, "When attacked, I was with Kate and Nova Prekus, two students at the University." He asked Ryjyl, "Are they alright?"

Ryjyl said, "Kate is dead." She used her communicator to report Nova as missing and presumed taken by Dasce and Suthiro. Returning her attention to Gersen, Inspector Wishwell asked, "What is your address?"

"I have no local address. I just arrived on Alphanor; my spaceship is at the Avente spaceport." Gersen provided Inspector Wishwell with the registration data for his ship.

Inspector Wishwell ran a routine check of the spaceship registration code through the vehicle registration database. "You work for Sea Province University, the Department of Galactic Morphology?"

Model 9B spaceship. (see also)

"No." Gersen tried to invent a reason for why he was in possession of Teehalt's spaceship. "When I was Beyond, I met a man named Keelen Tannas. We traded ships: nearly identical model 9B."

"Traded, you say? Is that what theft of a spaceship is called in the Beyond?"

Gersen objected, "I'm no thief. You can believe me: my ship was swapped for that of Tannas."

"I'll have to report this 'swap' to the Department of Galactic Morphology."

"That's fine. When I arrived on Alphanor, I met with Warpweave, Kelle and Detteras, three top officials of the Department. They know about the swap."

Inspector Wishwell raised a skeptical eyebrow, but did not further press the matter of Gersen's odd background. "About the dead girl... Kate Prekus... what was your relationship with her?"

"No relationship. I met Kate and Nova by chance at the Sea Province University Library. I went there for information about the Department of Galactic Morphology. The two girls were working in the library and they helped me access information about the Department."

"And now Kate is dead."

"I believe Dasce and Suthiro are part of Attel Malagate's organization."

"You are associated with Malagate?"

"No. I recently met Dasce and Suthiro in the Beyond, along with a third man, Tristano."

"They followed you to Alphanor?"

"No." Gersen did not want to say more. Also, Inspector Wishwell's question has brought a new unsettling thought to Gersen: what had happened to his old model 9b spaceship? What if it were used during a crime and the ship's registration was tracked back to Gersen? He told Ryjyl, "They may live on Alphanor. I don't really know."

"Dasce and Suthiro could have followed you here from the Beyond if they planted a tracking probe in Tannas' spaceship."

Gersen fell silent. He rose off the bed and went to stand by the window. The first light of the new day was creeping into the sky. He knew that there actually had been such a tracking device in Teehalt's spaceship, but Gersen had detected the device and destroyed it.

Wendy watched Gersen, examining his muscular back. With a wave of her hand, she sent a nanite probe into his body. Now Grean, back in her workshop, would be able to track his movements using the Omniviewer. Wendy asked, "What are your plans, Mr. Gersen?"

With bitterness in his voice, Gersen replied, "I feel responsible for Kate's death. Worse, I've gotten Nova into a horrible situation. I need to find her."

"The IPCC is on the case. A planet-wide alert has been issued. You should remain here under police protection."

"No, Dasce and Suthiro had their chance to kill me, but they let me live... I don't need police protection."

"Why didn't they kill you?"

Gersen turned back towards Inspector Wishwell and gingerly felt the bandages on his head. "Don't expect me to explain the behavior of Dasce. He is a notorious man Beyond, regarded by others as being insane, but I only know him by reputation. Tell me, how did Kate die?"

Just then the door opened and IPCC Special Agent named Pallis Atwrode entered. She spoke to Ryjyl, "Hello, Inspector."

Inspector Wishwell and Agent Atwrode had previously worked together. Ryjyl nodded to Pallis and then quickly summarized Gersen's statement for Agent Atwrode. Pallis introduced herself to Gersen and told him, "Kate's body was found near your rental car. There is not a mark on her body. We have not found a cause of death."

Gersen said, "Suthiro is a trained master in the use of poisons. You may never detect the lethal agent that he used to kill Kate. Some Sarkovy poisons are destroyed by enzymes in the body within minutes, but not before they inactivate key metabolic pathways."

Agent Atwrode observed, "You seem to know a lot about poisons yourself, Mr. Gersen."

"I was born in the Beyond. I survive by knowing about such things as Sarkovy poisons." Gersen was tempted to mention that he has already poisoned Suthiro, but he remained silent and turned his gaze back out the window. Time was short. He wished that Agent Atwrode and Ryjyl would finish their questioning and leave.

Agent Atwrode walked around the bed and stood beside Gersen. She gestured out the window and said, "With what you know, where would you look for Nova?"

"The first thing I want to know is which world Dasce calls home." Gersen asked, "Tell, me... does Dasce live here on Alphanor?"

Agent Atwrode shook her head. "I can't tell you that. Don't get the idea that you can take revenge on Dasce and Suthiro. This is police business; on Alphanor there is no tolerance for techniques of the Beyond such as revenge killings."

Gersen said, "Dasce is no longer on Alphanor."

Agent Atwrode asked Gersen, "How do you know?" Gersen did not reply. In fact, he did not know Dasce's location, but all logic said that he had taken Nova captive and departed from Alphanor. With Dasce's bizarre appearance, Alphanor was now too hot for him too remain.

Wendy looked at Gersen and Pallis where they stood together at the window. She sent a nanite tracking probe into the body of Agent Atwrode. After a long silence, Pallis spoke again, "Where is he?"

Gersen shrugged. "I don't know."

Inspector Wishwell glanced at her discree and the data being received from police headquarters. She said, "Nova is not at her home or place of employment. She has not been seen since the attack. Police are monitoring all the spaceports."

"You are too late. Dasce took her off planet. They are gone."

Agent Atwrode suggested, "Don't try to leave Alphanor Mr. Gersen. We are checking with the Department of Galactic Morphology to see if they agree that you are now the new owner of the spaceship that you claim to own; it is in our databanks as being registered under 'Beneficial Grant 291'."

Gersen nodded and left the room. Agent Atwrode told Rygyl, "You better follow Gersen."

Wendy wondered if this was all part of Grean's plan. She became aware of the fact that she now could follow Gersen's movements as he walked through the corridors of the hospital; part of her visual cortex was picking up images from the nanite tracking probe she had attached to Gersen. She told Pallis, "Very well. I already put a sticktight on him."

Agent Atwrode added, "Gersen knows more than he has told us. I'll try to trace his background, but so far we have found almost nothing about him in IPCC records. He is a real mystery man."

Rygyl used her communicator to report in to her office and informed them that she was going to change out of her uniform and begin following Gersen. While she spoke, Agent Atwrode nodded goodbye and left the hospital room. Wendy shut off her video recorder and put it in her pocket.

Now alone, Wendy tried to morph herself into a new bodily form, but she quickly discovered that within the Simulator she did not have her usual ability to shape-shift. She exited from the Hospital and returned to her police car.

Wendy knew that Inspector Wishwell kept a change of clothes in the car for those times when she needed to work without wearing a uniform. Wendy opened the trunk and pulled out a small bag. Closing the trunk of her car, she returned to the Hospital and dressed herself as a civilian. Wendy was annoyed by the drab clothing that Ryjyl seemed to prefer.

Returning to her car, Wendy was continually processing the data arriving from the nanite probe that was attached to Gersen. He had checked into a nearby hotel, so Wendy was in no hurry.

Wendy Larsen,
disguised as Ryjyl,
disguised as a tourist.

Wendy tossed the bag containing her police uniform into the trunk and started her car. Wendy's knowledge of Avente was minimal, but she drove down the street and by making use of Ryjyl's discree, she quickly found a clothier. The sign on the shop said Vandier Tourist Apparel. Wendy consulted with the shopkeeper, Mrs. Vandier, and soon she was dressed in civilian clothing that suited her own tastes and she had toned her skin a simulated suntan brown to match the current Earth fashion. Finally, Wendy put on a pair of UV light screening eye glasses that tourists always wore when visiting planets of the Rigel Concourse.

Now disguised as a tourist from Earth, Wendy drove to where Gersen had checked into a hotel. Information from the nanite probe tracking Gersen showed that he had taken a sedative and was sleeping. Wendy reported her current location to Police Headquarters then she reclined the car seat and prepared to wait. She watched the people of Avente going about their business as the bright light of Rigel beat down upon them.

________________________

in the Asimov Reality

The story above on this page is part 2 of a seven part story about Wendy's adventures inside the Asimov Reality Simulator.
1. (11,000 words) Reality Simulation
2. (3,500 words) Inspector Wishwell
3. (5,000 words) The Melnoy Heights
4. (7,000 words) Thumbnail Gulch
5. (5,000 words) Malagate the Woe
6. (10,000 words) Power of the Dryads
7. (5,000 words) The Maunish Mystery

Next (part 3): Gersen is forced to cooperate with the IPCC.

Related Reading: another adventure in the AR Simulator, "The Power of Pause"

visit the Gallery of Book and Magazine Covers