Analog SFF, September 2010 Read Online Free Page A

to me'?” Dr. Merced's voice was incredulous.
    "It was pretty much an order,” I said, settling into the chair across from her desk. “I suppose it's easy enough for swales, but it's not like I have access to a solar shuttle.” The solcetologists did, so I hoped I could sweet-talk her into giving me a ride.
    "Beginner's luck.” Her tone was exasperated. “I've been here five years, and I've never had a chance to observe a Class 10 solcetacean up close.” She sighed. “Not that we can directly observe them, anyway, but there's just something about actually being there, instead of taking readings remotely."
    "Well, now's your chance,” I said. “Take me to Leviathan."
    "It's not that easy. Our observation shuttle is booked for projects months in advance."
    "Oh.” There went that idea. How was I supposed—
    "Did Leviathan say why she wanted you to go to her?"
    "No. Just told me to come, then hung up."
    She pursed her lips, then said, “It's just very unusual. There isn't really anything that Leviathan can say to you in person that she can't say over the comm."
    "I thought about that, and I think it's size. Maybe she thinks that if my church member sees how small I am compared with Leviathan, it will give up Mormonism."
    "That's actually a good theory.” Dr. Merced looked at me with apparently newfound respect. “Size does matter to the solcetaceans. And your church members are among the youngest, least powerful, and therefore most likely to be awed into obeying a larger one. And they probably don't come any larger than Leviathan."
    "According to her, she's the largest."
    Leaning forward in her seat, Dr. Merced said, “She told you that?"
    "Not just that. She claimed to be not only the original swale, but the original plasma life form. She said she became a swale."
    In a tone of amazement, Dr. Merced took the Lord's name in vain. She reached over to her comm and punched in an address. When a man responded, she said, “Taro, I think you need to come hear this.” Looking at me, she said, “Dr. Sasaki specializes in solcetacean evolutionary theory."
    When Dr. Sasaki, a gray-haired Japanese gentleman, arrived, I relayed to him what Leviathan had told me about her history. When I finished, he said, “It's not impossible. I always suspected the Class 10s knew more about their origins than they bothered to tell us. But forgive me, Mr. Malan, how do we know Leviathan actually told you she was the original life-form? Why would she choose to tell you and not one of us?” He motioned toward himself and Dr. Merced.
    I decided to not be offended at the implication that I was a liar. “I can't say I know why Leviathan does anything, but . . . You scientists who study the swales have strict rules about interfering with swale culture, and you try to avoid offending them. To me that smacks of condescension—you presume that swale culture is weak and cannot withstand any outside influence. Well, maybe the swales tend to think the same about human culture, so they avoid interference and try not to offend us."
    Dr. Sasaki frowned at me. “I disagree with your interpretation of the motives for our rules regarding interference in solcetacean culture. And I don't see how it's relevant."
    "I apparently offended Leviathan.” I glanced at Dr. Merced and said, “Sorry, but I didn't realize that implying there were swales greater than her would cause offense. Her response was to tell me I was wrong, that there could be no swale greater, and that's when she explained she was the first. Because I made her angry—something you guys avoid, thanks to rules—Leviathan responded without worrying whether she would offend me or interfere with human culture."
    "How would this information interfere with human culture?” asked Dr. Merced.
    "Some swale-worshiping cults have already sprung up on Earth,” I said. “Just imagine what will happen when the news gets out that Leviathan claims to be the original life-form in the universe."
    With a