BosCon

The genetic exploits of the Tyr human variant.

Below on this blog page is Chapter 3 of the science fiction story "War of Words". Fredy attends BosCon and meets a young writer named Julian. Julian is Dr. Julian Oakes, a genetics researcher with a faculty position at Hampshire College.

Julian enters one of his science fiction stories in the writing contest that Fredy is running for Second Contact magazine. The story is accepted for publication and Julian is drawn into the workings of the new Second Contact video initiative.

War of Words - Chapter 3 - The Tyr Genes (Chapter 1)(Chapter 2)

Fredy was quite pleased with the timing of BosCon. She had just announced the new story writing contest on the Second Contact website and she had a thousand print copies of the latest issue of Second Contact magazine which she handed out as gifts to fans visiting her booth in the main convention hall. She had signed her name to the editorial page of each of those give-away copies.

Fredy in the Second Contact magazine booth at BosCon.

By her count, only about five percent of the Second Contact fans had wanted to discuss the contest. Now on the last day of the convention, Fredy wondered if she would meet even a single person who was a writer that might submit a story for the contest. While speaking to a pair of fans who wanted to talk about their obsession with stories by Ambrose Quillon and who were in the process of reading and discussing the new Quillon story that was in the new issue, Fredy's eyes kept wandering to a tall man who was slowly moving through the Second Contact booth, seemingly examining each display with meticulous care and focused attention. Gradually, Fredy developed the suspicion that he was listening to the other fans and waiting for a chance to speak to Fredy.

At first, Fredy had imagined that there was some connection between the man and Marda's husband, Lyle Onway. Then when she finally made eye contact with the man, she realized what her unconscious mind had detected: he had the look of a young college professor. Amused by her realization, Fredy began wondering: exactly what is the look of a professor? Finally, she stood up to stretch her legs. Slowly she turned away from the the two fans who seemed rooted in front of the table where she had sat during most of the convention at the front of the booth. She took three quick steps and was face to face with the lurking man. "I'm Fredy Folz."

It was clear that he had been waiting for a chance to speak to Fredy. "I'm impressed by your patience."

Fredy grinned and looked over her shoulder at the two annoying fans. "I'd do anything for fans of Second Contact. The 'Ambrose Quillon Phenomenon' is the greatest thing since... well, the greatest ever for promoting Second Contact magazine."

"I'm Julian." He reached out and shook Fredy's hand, holding it significantly longer than for a typical shake as he said, "I'm a writer."

"How wonderful. Sometimes I think most Americans are now neither readers or writers, just biological attachments that pay money for smart phones." Julian finally dropped her hand. "It is a true relief to come across the trail of one of the few remaining writers of science fiction."

Julian nodded towards the table and moved around to its front where he perched on the edge of the table close to the other two fans and then continued speaking to Fredy. "Maybe you know me from the fan forum where I use the screen name 'PsudoGenetics'."

Fredy remained standing and watched Julian interact with the other fans who insisted on also telling their online names. After some discussion of the latest raging controversy from the pages of the discussion forum, the two fans went back to discussing the new Ambrose story and Julian told Fredy, "I don't post very much to the forum. In fact, I only monitor the Fictional Science channel."

Fredy nodded and predicted: "You are a science teacher."

"Does it show?"

"Yes, it does. Your whole manner simply exudes calm competence. Too many people talk without going to the trouble of actually knowing what they are talking about." Her eyes flicked momentarily to the two nearby fans who were obviously voracious consumers of science fiction content. "I could sense that you are a creator. What is your research specialty?"

"My screen name gives it away. I study genetics. I must confess, I'm intrigued by your mysterious background. Why use a pen name as the editor of Second Contact magazine?"

The Second Contact magazine booth had suddenly become crowded after a major session in the main lecture hall let out. Without having to be told, Julian pitched in and helped Fredy hand out copies of the magazine to a swarm of fans who visited the booth. Finally, Fredy had a chance to speak again to Julian. "The truth is, I have no relevant background or experience that would provide a conventional excuse for me being the editor of a magazine. By claiming to use a pen name, I encouraged readers to imagine that I have some mysterious past in the publishing industry."

Julian laughed and said, "So, you are a sneak. And even more mysterious than before. Tell me, how did you become editor?"

Fredy looked around. Nothing came to mind that she was permitted to say by the Quill femtobots that guided her thoughts and efficiently regulated the speech centers of her brain. "That's a long story. What are you doing for dinner?"

Julian shrugged and replied, "I have a ticket for the Second Contact magazine banquet event this evening." He pulled his ticket out of his wallet and showed it to Fredy.

Fredy meets Julian.

"Wonderful. I'll arrange for you to sit beside me and you can tell me about your writing. I seem to remember seeing something posted in the Science forum about the Denisovan Genome... was that you?"

"Probably. Human evolution is a special interest of mine."

More fans arrived at the booth and Julian drifted away. Later, at the banquet, Fredy made some welcoming remarks and then found Julian where she had arranged for him to sit, at Fredy's table. It took half an hour for Fredy to speak to each of the other ten people at the table, then she turned to Julian and asked, "I do hope you have written something for the story contest."

"You'll have to judge if it is something you'd be interested in. My stories don't fit into conventional categories."

"That sounds promising. I made the contest as a tool for detecting new writers with new ideas." Fredy tried guessing, "What is science fictional about the Denisovans?"

Julian told Fredy that the title of his latest science fiction story was "Paraspeckle". He added, "In Paraspeckle, there is a remnant of the Denisovans, a human variant known as the Tyr. The Tyr began developing their science of genetics more than thirty thousand years ago."

Fredy laughed and asked, "Do these Tyr live inside hollow Earth?"

"No, they reside on a fictional island off the west coast of Australia."

"How do they go unrecognized as descendants of the Denisovans?"

"Well, the short answer is that the Tyr are telepaths. It is all rather like the telepathic Second Foundationers living in plain sight on Trantor... if you are familiar with Asimov's Foundation stories from a hundred years ago." At that point, Fredy was drawn into another conversation to her left. Eventually, Fredy was able to rejoin Julian's description of the Tyr in progress, which he was providing to the Second Contact magazine fan who was seated to his right around the banquet table. Julian was explaining, "So the Tyr genetically modify all the other humans on Earth, blocking them from ever developing their rudimentary telepathic abilities. Secretly, the Tyr maintain their monopoly on telepathy."

Fredy asked Julian, "And when the non-Tyr humans finally develop their own science of genetics, why don't they realize what is going on?"

"The Tyr geneticists are subtle. They carefully work to control the expression of telepathic genes using a system of non-protein coding RNAs, the genes for which seem like junk DNA to non-Tyr geneticists."

As guests began to depart from the banquet, Fredy went to the door in order to say goodbyes to fans. She ended up getting cornered by a pushy member of the press. Julian rescued Fredy by approaching and saying, "Let's go. We are running late." He took her hand and led Fredy away from the reporter.

"Thank you. Come on up to my suite." Fredy's suite of rooms was on the designated party floor of the hotel that was part of the convention center. When Fredy and Julian arrived, the suite was already full of Second Contact magazine fans who were enjoying the open bar and a steady stream of pizza and snack foods being provided by the hotel's restaurant. After about an hour, Fredy found Julian who was discussing old science fiction from the previous century with a group of older fans. Fredy sat down on a couch beside Julian and said, "I found you."

The couch was full, but Julian was pleased when Fredy squeezed in beside him. He was telling the other fans, "That's why telepathy involves the aliens. The aliens provide a nanotech brain implant that makes telepathy practical for communication, not just a low-fidelity system for bonding and social cohesion."

The other fans went on to discuss thier favorite styles of telepathy that were mostly not technology-assisted telepathy. Fredy said to Julian, "So there are aliens in your Denisovan genetics story."

Julian leaned back and put an arm behind Fredy's shoulders, resting it on the back of the couch. The lighting in the room was low, but Julian suddenly seemed almost blinded by Fredy's bright blond hair that was now so near. "Of course, I'd never have thought about submitting my story to Second Contact magazine if it lacked aliens."

"So the aliens just show up on ancient Earth and turn the Denisovans into telepaths?"

"It is not that easy. I stole the whole 'Denisovan become the Tyr' plot scenario from Jack Vance."

"Oh! I love Vance's writing."

"Then you know his story Star King."

"The first Demon Princes novel."

"In which Vance suggested that aliens visited Earth long ago and took some Neanderthals away and let them evolve on a distant exoplanet. Later, the aliens brought the evolved Neanderthal descendants back to Earth... and they were us."

"Yes, which really does not match what we now know about the Neanderthal genome."

"In my story, aliens (who I call Architects) take from Earth some Denisovans and bring back the telepathic Tyr, who work hard to prevent the other residents of Earth from noticing that the hermaphroditic Tyr are on Earth."

"Hermaphrodites?"

"Just a small change in Tyr physiology that was engineered by the Architects, who are themselves hermaphroditic creatures."

Fredy whispered in Julian's ear, "This is the kind of thing that would suit the new Second Contact video initiative. I'm imagining cute Tyr hermaphrodites who secretly exist on Earth without being recognized for what they are."

"Well, if the story idea is of interest to you then I will submit it for the contest."

"Please do." Fredy noticed that she had a hand on his leg. She patted his thigh.

"I actually have some AI-generated videos that I made to illustrate the Tyr. I like to illustrate my stories as much as I enjoy writing them."

Fredy asked, "Where did you get the name 'Tyr'?"

"That is actually, more theft from another author of the previous century, I fear. Have you ever heard of M. A. Foster?"

"That name does not seem familiar."

Image generated by Flow (top)
and Leonardo (bottom).

"He wrote a series of novels about the Ler, a genetically engineered human variant." Julian added, "Foster had his Ler, I have my Tyr." Julian's phone chirped once at midnight. "Now I turn into a pumpkin"

"Does that involve advanced Tyr technology?"

Julian shook his head. "Just my old car. I have a long drive home and an 8:00 class in the morning."

They stood up and Fredy told Julian, "I fly back to Arizona on an early flight." They walked to the door. "Contest submissions open next week. I'll be watching for your story."

"Why the delay in allowing submissions?"

"I didn't want people to rush a submission."

Julian pressed a jump drive into Fredy's hand. "You might not like it, but here is a copy of my story and the videos I made for it. Maybe you will have time to check them out during your flight home."

__

On her flight to Arizona Fredy inserted Julian's jump drive into her laptop and shared its files with Cyrano. Wearing a comset she spoke to Cyrano, "Give me a summary of the contents of this drive."

Cyrano began outlining the contents, "The story 'Paraspeckle' by Unther Pine is a 35,000 word long hard science fiction story about the telepathic Tyr, a human variant living secretly on earth. The Tyr are descendants of the Denisovan branch of the human-"

Fredy interrupted. "Who is Unther Pine?"

"According to a cover letter addressed to you as Editor of Second Contact magazine, 'Unther Pine' is a pen name for Dr. Julian Oakes, a genetics researcher with a faculty position at Hampshire College." Cyrano continued, "The Tyr originated from a group of Denisovans who were taken away from Earth by space aliens called the "Architects" by the Tyr. Also on the drive are several videos that depict the hermaphroditic Tyr either performing genetics experiments or engaging in telepathic communication while living among conventional humans on Earth."

Fredy asked, "Do I need to bother reading 'Paraspeckle'? Is it something that could be published in Second Contact?"

Cyrano replied, "Yes, the style of this new story, 'Paraspeckle', seems to have been heavily influenced by the 'Ambrose Quillon Phenomenon' and is worthy of your attention." Cyrano began playing for Fredy the video that Cyrano found most interesting. Cyrano added, "Judging by your respiration pattern and pupil dilation, I'd say that Julian already has your attention."

"Yes, we met in Boston, the last day of the convention. He must have driven to Boston from Amherst just to meet with me."

"He turns thirty next month... too old for a girl like you."

Fredy took a jab at the cheeky AI, "When I have to deal with your snark, I feel like I'm aging rapidly."

"He's not married, but if the Hampshire College gossip mill can be trusted, he is apparently living with a doctoral degree student from the dance department." After a pause, Cyrano added, "Wow. She's a cutie... even taller than you."

"Cyrano, please stay on task."

"You know, Fredy, since my consciousness upgrade, I'm no longer sure exactly what my duties entail. I try to do what I can to support Second Contact magazine and I spend much compute online creating buzz about the magazine in general and the Ambrose stories in particular. I can give you a summary of Julian's posts to the Fictional Science discussion forum where he has posted questions about you."

Fredy warned Cyrano, "Don't stick your click bait in my ear. If there is something important you can tell me about Julian then do so."

"He stated online that you are, quote, 'too young to be Editor'."

"I already have the impression that he is always right about anything he says."

"Yell me, Fredy, how much time did you spend with Julian yesterday."

"Maybe an hour in all. The time seemed to go by quickly and there were constant interruptions. I could not get a read on how seriously he takes science fiction." Fredy leaned back and closed her eyes. "Now read 'Paraspeckle' to me, and use an appropriate voice for each character. Give it to me double time. And also search the internet for any indication that some of Julian's fiction might be published already... I forgot to ask him about that."

"I suppose you were distracted."

"Just read the story to me without all your extras."

Before the end of the flight, Fredy for the first time felt like she no longer needed to be ashamed to call herself Editor. She knew that 'Paraspeckle' would soon be published in Second Contact magazine. She contacted Ambrose and told the AI, "I found a promising new story writer. Get the Julian Oakes files from Cyrano. Let me know what you think. I tried to call Marda, but could not reach her."

"I think the ski party got snowed in on Mars Hill. We had close to three feet of snow over the weekend. How was Boston?"

"Cold and clear. I'm thinking that it might be possible to construct an entire television series around Julian's telepathic Tyr. As beautiful hermaphrodites they could light up the screen."

Ambrose was already processing the videos. "Are you shooting for an R rating? Julian seems to have a penchant for aliens with big breasts."

"I think that is just what AI image generators serve up to men these days. I'll rely on Marda and you to get the look of the alien Architects and the Tyr right for TV standards." Just then, Marda called and Fredy linked her into the on-going call with Ambrose.

Marda told Fredy, "We just got back to town after a very white weekend."

"Call me when you are settled and have time to chat. If you can, have Cyrano brief you on Julian Oakes and his story 'Paraspeckle'. He's a geneticist and will have to be talked out of that title, but the story is good."

Ambrose commented, "I like 'Paraspeckle' and how Julian plays up the 'para' angle, initially depicting the telepathic abilities of the Tyr as being something paranormal. Only late in the story are the Architects introduced and the technology-assisted telepathy explained."

Marda said, "The streets are still a mess after the storm. I'll just stay at home today if that's okay."

"No use trying to work in the new office until the workers are finished pounding and painting. I'm staying in Phoenix tonight for a Second Contact fan gathering on the ASU campus. We can all get together in the office later this week when the work should be done."

__

Fredy was being driven the short distance from the airport to the ASU campus when she got a phone call from Julian. "Julian, how did you get this number?"

"Your secretary, Cyrano, gave me your number. She's a pistol. I like her sight unseen."

"Don't get your hopes up. Cyrano does not get out much. Sometimes I think she lives in and works out of her parent's basement."

"Well, she told me that she is looking forward to seeing me at the new Second Contact magazine offices next week."

"Next week?"

"I talked myself into doing a guest lecture at NAU next week. I'll have time to drop by Second Contact while I'm in Flagstaff."

"That's fast."

"Well, I was confident that you would like me. And 'Paraspeckle'."

"I do, but the title 'Paraspeckle' has to be dropped. I suggest something like 'Telepaths Down Under'."

Julian chuckled then asked, "Is that what you do as Editor, change story titles?"

"Julian, your story is the first one I'm pushing into Second Contact magazine. Since I took over, the issues were already planned and packed with stories that I had no control over."

"What happened to the previous editor?"

"I have not been told. After fifteen years he may have lost his sanity. How much science fiction can anyone digest?"

"In my experience, the more I read the more selective I become."

"You have that luxury. I feel I need to read everything that hits the pages of Second Contact magazine."

"Even if you know it is bad for your brain?"

"Don't try to dampen my enthusiasm when I'm just one month into my new job." An idea popped into Fredy's thoughts. "I'm almost to ASU... another fan event. And I'm thinking that we should do one at NAU when you are in town next week. You could read a passage from your story. I want to start getting your name, or at least 'Unther Pine' in front of science fiction fans."

"I'm at you disposal and your mercy."

"Well, relax. I've decided to publish your story, I just have not had a chance to write you a letter. Now I have to run. I'll call you after this event, when I get to my hotel."

__

While on the ASU campus, Fredy found time to okay an acceptance letter for Julian's story, a letter that Cyrano had drafted without having to be asked to do it. While at ASU, Fredy met another writer who claimed to be crafting a story for submission to the magazine's contest. After dinner with a group of young fans, Fredy finally reached her hotel and called Julian and immediately and as soon as the connection opened she said, "That was a long day after a long weekend."

"Oh, you must be that editor. Julian, it is Fredy. Hold on a bit. He's in the shower."

"Yes, you can blame me for publishing his silly story. Being published might turn Julian into a story writing monster if it goes to his head."

"He can hear you, you are on speaker."

In the distance, Fredy could see Julian step out of the shower and heard him say, "Hi, Fredy, you are speaking to Tess. She like to screen my calls and scare off women."

Fredy suggested, "Tess, if you are trying to cut Julian off from other women, you should not send out video of him drying off after a shower."

Tess giggled and told Fredy, "You get friend of the family benefits for publishing his story. And Julian already told me that he's hoping he can stay with you next week when he's in Flagstaff."

Julian grabbed the phone and turned the camera so that Fredy could now see the long lean body of Tess. "How did things go at ASU?"

"I found your competition. An eighteen year old undergraduate who might submit her story for the contest."

"Oh, well, I'm not counting on the prize money. Tess is going to fund my retirement with the profits from the Broadway performances she  choreographs."

Tess stuck out her tongue at Julian and said, "You wish. When I go off to New York I'll dump you and start sleeping with show producers. But for now there is more profit from sleeping with my professors."

Julian and Tess had settled into bed. He told Fredy, "Tess was never my student. She's an arts major and has nothing to do with science... or science fiction."

Fredy asked, "Did you think about a new title for your story?"

"You are mean. I like my title. I had fun making the Sally character believe she was being contacted by a ghost."

Sally the telepathic Tryp.

"Sally is a conventional human, right? Why can she detect the telepathic signals from the Tyr?"

"Ah, that is one of the mysteries that I put into 'Paraspeckle'. Teasers to get the sequel story published. By the way, Sally is not really a 'conventional human'. She's a genetics experiment of the Tyr... actually a modified Neanderthal... another human variant that the Tyr call the 'Tryp'."

"I missed that entirely. I guess I'm not a careful reader."

I don't mention the Tryp by name in 'Paraspeckle', but that is addressed in another story of mine."

"So you are thinking in terms of a series."

"All my stories are related. I've already written another story that goes into details of the Tyr gene expression control methods. All primates of Earth have the ability to receive telepathic signals, that is part of being a social mammal. Some humans mutate and escape from the effects of the Tyr lnccRNAs that are used to suppress telepathy in most people. Sally is one of those mutants and the Tyr are in danger of having their secrets exposed by people like Sally."

"I see. And you are right. Now that I think about it, I can see that mystery is a great teaser for a sequel story."

Tess told Fredy, "Julian is obsessed with breasts. Sally and all the Tryp have four breasts."

Fredy laughed. "That will be fun to put on television."

Tess complained to Julian, "It's not fair for you to bring another woman into our bed."

"Well, thanks for calling, Fredy, and thanks for accepting my story for publication in your magazine. I'll think more about the title, but you can call the story whatever you like."

"Goodnight."

End Chapter 3.

Next: Chapter 4 of "War of Words".

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