Chapter 11

Success At Last

‘There is something about dolphins, something to do perhaps with their ecstatic reunion with the ocean, that makes us envious - and prone, on occasion, to exaggerate their spirituality. But there is nothing imaginary about their musicality, their social skills, their easy sensuality and evident intelligence. More than any other creatures on the planet, they call our assumed dominion over nature into question. With every contact, they promise both to satisfy our craving for communication with another species, and to intensify our sense of inadequacy.        I know from my own experience of dolphins in every part of the world’s ocean, how sweet and strange such contacts can be. While they last, they produce a kind of euphoria - the sort of well being and sense of belonging that comes sometimes from great music or an extraordinary sunset. But these encounters with another mind are also very troubling. I find myself, each time one ends, feeling that I must have missed a cue, wondering what it was I could have thought or done to respond more meaningfully to yet another of their exuberant overtures.

"All sorts of claims have been made about these small cetaceans, or dolphins, as we call them," West continued. "They’re supposed to have very advanced communication abilities, be one of the most intelligent of animals, and even have societies and cultures that are similar to those of humans. So far, though, folks, research has not been able to prove these claims."        West paused briefly, observing a latecomer, carrying a medium-sized bag or knapsack, trying to slide into an empty seat in the back. Adam MacArthur had managed to appear much more presentable and even pick up some day-to-day necessities with Sally Crane’s help. And now he’d actually located David West. "If I believed in luck," he thought to himself, "this would be my lucky day."        "So what do we know?" David West picked up his topic once again. "Dolphins have large brains, although the size varies a great deal by species. They live in family groups and they do cooperate with one another in survival tasks. Dolphins communicate largely with clicks and whistles, and with body language thrown in the mix. But, according to the studies of David Gaskin and others, there’s simply no evidence that these sounds constitute a real language such as humans have."        The informal lecture continued, interrupted by an occasional question from the audience. One older man volunteered a comment. "My daughter-in-law says dolphins have a very old civilization. She says they’ve seen so much of earth’s history that they can see the future. What do you know about that?"        David West paused and smiled, then ventured, "Sir, I’ll bet your daughter-in-law claims to have seen UFO’s, too." Laughter filled the small room. David immediately regretted his impulsive remark. "Sorry, I didn’t mean to make a joke at your expense. The answer is that there’s a lot we just don’t know about dolphins. I can say that they are very intelligent, endearing creatures. They seem to have human emotions at times. In my book, these animals are near the top of the list of what is so fascinating about ocean life."        West was relieved that his wisecrack had not discouraged the audience, as he listened to a question from a woman in the front row. "Are dolphins endangered? I’m talking about the ones right here in the Gulf and the bay."        "Good question. Here in the Gulf, we have bottlenose dolphins. They tend to live in small groups and stay pretty close to home. People have been capturing dolphins in the area for a very long time. Fortunately we have the Marine Mammal Protection Act that sets quotas for capture, and there’s no evidence that the population is endangered."        David West acknowledged the man with the knapsack from the back row, "Yes, sir?"        "What do you know about the military’s use of dolphins? And do you have an opinion about that?" the Visitor asked.        "Ah, yes," West paused to wipe and replace his glasses, "The military has been using dolphins for various tasks for more than thirty-five years, now. The dolphins’ echo-location skills make them amazing sonar machines, if you will."        "And your opinion about using captive dolphins for military purposes?" MacArthur pressed.        David West laughed uneasily and responded, "I’m afraid that’s way beyond the scope of today’s talk. If you’d like, you can speak to me after today’s lecture."        People were leaving the room as Adam MacArthur approached the speaker’s platform. Shaking David West’s hand, he began, "Thanks, I enjoyed your talk."        "You’re welcome," West replied, finally recognizing the tall man with the knapsack. "Ah, you’re the fellow from the back of the room, the one with the unanswered question."        "I have too many of those to count," laughed the Visitor.        "Before you get started," West jumped in quickly, "why don’t you just tell me who you’re with?"        "What do you mean?" MacArthur asked.        "No, let me guess," continued West. "You’re with the DCS, right?"        "The what?" MacArthur asked, setting his bag on the floor.        "The Dolphin Conservation Society," explained West. "Okay, then maybe you’re a plant from the Marine Mammal Commission? A Greenpeace observer?"        "No, none of those," interrupted MacArthur. "I’m just a visitor in the area. Why do you ask?"        "Well, you asked about the military use of dolphins and you seemed to think I’d have an opinion on the matter," West’s voice trailed off uncertainly. "So I assumed you knew about my work as a trainer for the Navy. As for my opinion, I don’t share that with the public."        David West paused and the two men stared at one another, searching for a way to move beyond suspicion and misunderstanding. Finally, the Visitor decided to share a genuine concern that had gotten pre-empted by the activity of the past day.        "I’m wondering if you’d know what to do about a stray dolphin?" asked the Visitor, making eye contact with David West that lasted well beyond his question.        West looked away with an effort, then asked in a subdued tone, "What makes you think the dolphin is a stray?"        "My friend and I have noticed the animal a couple of times, swimming alone and close to shore, looking agitated," MacArthur spoke cautiously, watching West react as he spoke. He added, "It’s fairly large and..."        "Where did you see this dolphin?" interrupted West, suddenly becoming very attentive.        "Here in the bay," MacArthur answered vaguely. "I’m sorry I don’t know the names of these places, but I could show you."        Checking his watch, David West hastily shared his office phone number and agreed to meet with MacArthur on the waterfront later in the day.

Through regular cycles of light and darkness on Colony, Adam MacArthur wrestled with emergence into new consciousness. The Elder enhancements were demanding, challenging Adam and the other new arrivals in a process rivaled only by birth. Step by step, they organized and assembled each incoming stimulus, putting the pieces together by necessity rather than by choice. But unlike a human infant which has been pre-programmed to move from its silent, dark, constraining space, Adam and the other candidates had to work at integrating and mastering their drastically altered neural network. Learning once again to see, to feel, to hear, to communicate, they adapted rapidly to their new circumstances and environment. At this point, they shared only one common goal: survival in a strange new land.        Elder Instructors, elegant and ancient "teaching machines," guided each candidate’s learning curve. The programming proceeded according to a well-established schedule, with Colony Mentors carefully monitoring each step of the process. Integration of both mind and body was crucial. A negative effect in any of the candidate’s systems prompted a reassessment, and perhaps a decision to stop enhancements. As Lead Mentor, Elana was responsible for making that choice.        Concealed under her protective body screen, Elana’s suit afforded her an extra element of authority and control in her daily work with the new arrivals. Unmasked, her face revealed a blend of Caucasian, African, Asian, and Hispanic races. Her clear, aquamarine eyes matched those of all the Mentor instructors: fourth-generation descendants of human primitives, all eerily identical to the color of the shimmering atmosphere over Colony. At 70 cycles, her body was in perfect physical condition. To earn the Lead Mentor position, she had shown clear superiority in her synthesis of mind and body, and her total dedication to the Elders’ Plan.        Elana gazed at the candidates as they worked with their Mentors. After 28 revolutions, initial results of the programming for this group were clear. Seven of the damaged specimens had expired within days after arrival. Three others had been revived and rehabilitated to function as before. Their minds, however, had been rendered unsuitable for enhancement. Elana understood that the processing of delicate primitives from earth was inefficient. According to the Elders’ grand scheme, however, the work must continue. Enhancement did not transfer predictably through the genes. Reproductive opportunities on Colony usually produced disappointing results. Elana suspected that the processing on-board the Elder space crafts and maybe the environment in the beautiful biosphere that was Colony hindered the birth of viable children. One day soon, she thought, I’ll understand why. But now, these candidates are so very important, so necessary to the Elders’ Plan.        After receiving the telepathic signal, Instruction complete, Candidate Adam MacArthur reclined for a rest cycle. He stretched his muscular frame across the couchette, and reflected for a few moments, waiting for sleep. He had changed; there was no doubting it anymore. He could see things now that he had never seen before. It was as if he were really "opening his eyes" for the first time: like an infant, blinking at his mother, or a toddler, exploring an exciting, New World. He could feel things that he had never felt before: emotions, sensations, and living energy. He could distinguish sounds, far and near, and communicate telepathically. Each day since the arrival on Colony he had pushed his brain and body hard, integrating, processing, and practicing the new skills. He, Candidate Adam, had changed, was different than...        A twinge of sadness shook Adam from his drift into sleep. I had a life before Colony, he thought. What kind of life? I had friends, family. Where are they? He went into his deepest consciousness, looking for memories, faces, events that could trigger a recall of his past. He saw two shadows... A woman and child?... but they disappeared quickly. A fine mist enveloped Candidate Adam’s resting space, and he fell into a deep sleep.