“I do not agree,” Yog interrupts with a slight bow. “Human civilization is solid, their numbers are stable, and they have settlements over the still inhabitable parts of their world.”
“Their civilization is stable now,” Rew says, “but precarious. As Whisperer, I did study them with more detail than most marai, Master.” She looks at Yog. “With their artificially shortened lives they lack the capability to adapt. A typical human has barely time to gather the knowledge required to keep going exactly as their ancestors have. Humans are essentially blind farmers. Labor specialization is a rarity. Their scientific and industrial capacity is rudimentary, and their world is wounded, out of ecological balance. One more nudge from nature—a crop’s failure, an epidemic, a war—and they will be gone. Forever.”
“An unlikely outcome,” Yog says. “Their society is stable. With our persistent support, the Reseeding effort shall succeed, as projected.”
“Overseer Yog has considerably more trust than I do in human civilization, or their environment, to remain stable for the whole millennium our best projections require. Alas, Overseer Yog lacks the insight in human psyche and the nuances of human civilization that I do possess.”
Yog seems about to reply, but Gorrobor intervenes. “No more interruptions, Overseer.” Yog lowers her three heads in submission. Ximena smiles at the human-like gesture. “Do proceed, Human Whisperer.”
“Yes, Master. My analysis suggests that, without intervention, humans shall become extinct in the next century or two. And without humankind, our purpose on this world vanishes. We shall leave Nubaria and return to space for eons, in the hope to find another suitable world, if we ever do. To avert this scenario, we must act hastily and decisively.”
“A perturbing vision, were it accurate,” Gorrobor says. “Do expose the nature of your intervention effort, Human Whisperer.”
“Yes, Master. As already reported, I did rebase to Deviss in Diamar, on the Western coast of Oromantis. The third-wake human settlements in this area are on the periphery of human civilization, which appears to make them more susceptible to new ideas. But even more relevant to my intentions: there is a noticeable concentration of vibrant human halos. I do expect natives to have an abnormally high talent for walking.” Rew pauses, almost as if expecting an interruption. “I am selecting a sample from among the most promising humans in this area and am selecting those that are most suggestible to my persuasion.”
“How do you determine their… suggestibility?” Gorrobor asks.
“My staff in Deviss has been selecting young specimens all over second-wake Diamar since I did take over the operation, Master Gorrobor.”
“Selected… how?”
“I did instruct my staff to pick independent-minded individuals with strong halos; not quite emotionally mature, but old enough to have real influence in their settlement. After that, I had to take over personally over the subsequent phases; alas, no marai in Diamar has my expertise. I took to observe the interactions of all human candidates and selected those that appeared less satisfied with their status quo—a task only a Human Whisperer can fulfill. Finally, I did test their determination to overcome their dissatisfaction.”
“Crafted dreams?” Ximena finds Gorrobor’s voice strangely unsettling.
“Indeed, Master.”
“Strong halos…” Gorrobor remains silent a few moments, eyes locked on Rew. “Can humans walk, Human Whisperer?”
“The potential is there, Master. Some, the highly talented, do often tread the Path of Light by accident, without realizing it. I do intend to initiate the selected humans into the Paths.”
Yog’s three bodies move a tiny step forward. She seems hardly able to contain herself, but manages to keep a disciplined silence.
“Do elaborate how walking humans can support the Reseeding effort, Human Whisperer.”
“Yes, Master. I shall recruit humans as our agents.”
“Agents.” One of Gorrobor’s bulbous eyes turns to observe Yog. “I can sense Overseer Yog’s anxiety. Indeed, providing humans with the power of the Paths appears… risky. But I do find the concept intriguing. Do elaborate, Human Whisperer.”
“Yes, Master. Each human, even their cubs, are human whisperers by their own nature—they must empathize with their peers to survive, and can be highly manipulative—more than even the best of us could ever become after centuries of training. More than even me. They possess an uncanny capacity for deception that is beyond our reach. I shall enrich the Reseeding effort’s arsenal with its most potent weapon yet: human Walkers of the Mind. Walkers with the capacity to purposefully deceive. We shall then deploy such weapons immediately, forcefully, effectively—before humanity’s end.”
A few moments of silence follow Rew’s words. All the mares are facing Gorrobor now.
“A refreshing perspective,” the colossal alien finally says. “Risky,” she looks at Yog. “Promising,” she looks at Rew. “And yet, perhaps not even worth considering, unless humans do show a bare minimum ability to walk the Paths. How can you know they can?” Her eyes drill into Rew.
“I have already seen it. One of my candidates did achieve will-control on her first session, without practice—she was not even conscious of my true presence.”
Gorrobor stares in silence, as if in disbelief.
“As I did report before,” Rew continues, “one of my selection criteria has been the brightness of human halos. Here in Diamar there is an exceptional concentration—I do trust them to possess enough talent to walk the Paths.”
Gorrobor turns both eyes to Yog. “I am going to allow this… experiment, Overseer Yog.”
“Yes, Master Gorrobor.” She bows. “Do I have your permission for a suggestion?”
“Do proceed.”
“Yes, Master Gorrobor.” She bows again. “I do request additional powers over Walker Rew’s activities, to better oversee the considerable risk.”
Rew’s head wobbles slightly. “I fear I must protest, Master. Yog does lack the vision to fulfill—”
“Overseer Yog,” Gorrobor interrupts. “Do mind your tone, Walker Rew.”
Rew lowers her head. “Yes, Master.”
“Overseer Yog shall attend your instruction personally in full overseeing authority.” Gorrobor turns her protuberant eyes to the three bodies. “Overseer Yog, it shall be your duty to restrict the risks as you deem fit.”
“Yes, Master Gorrobor.”
“Furthermore, I do wish only a minimum number of humans to be initiated in the Path in the Shadow.”
“But Master Gorrobor,” Rew says, “I fear
