Viking by Daniel Hardman Read Free Book Online

controls shortly.
    I understand from Mr. Heward that several vikings were lost when you touched
down. He tells me there was a mudslide and that there has been some equipment damage.
Please accept our condolences and be assured that we’ll do whatever we can to avoid
such accidents in the future. We’re confident that with your help, this mission can
still be a resounding success.
    Because viking implants are new to most of you, let me review the protocols you
learned in training. Each of you will have one or more controls that will assign tasks
and monitor your work. Typically you’ll be linked with your control continuously during
work hours, though you are allowed an occasional short break to attend to personal
needs.
    Mr. Heward is formally in command when you are not linked with a control, but he
reports to the team lead back on Earth and does not have authority to countermand
Earthside orders except with my approval. Right now your team lead is Dr. Satler; Dr.
Edvardsen will be in charge on alternate shifts. Remember that you are expected to
follow the instructions of Dr. Satler and your control to the letter.
    Controls are authorized to use neural stimulation on a limited basis as rewards
for your cooperation. Do your work without complaint or prodding, and tell your control
what sort of stimulation you prefer. But don’t haggle or bargain for rewards;
government regulation requires careful logging and periodic audits of your stimulations
to prevent addiction, and MEEGO strictly observes legal pleasure quotas.
    We also use neural prods for discipline. If you have not experienced a prod, let
me encourage you not to tempt fate. A prod is in a class of its own as far as pain is
concerned. I remind you that we expect—and enforce—civilized, law-abiding, cooperative
behavior from all of our crews at all times, even when you are off-duty.
    Bezovnik’s voice cut out and was quickly replaced by a deeper, more
youthful-sounding one.
    This is Dr. Satler. I just have a few additional items. Your wrist monitor
displays status information, including a control schedule and a list of assigned tasks.
It can also display a complete policy manual, a primer on safety and first aid
procedures, the assignments and whereabouts of your fellow crewmembers, and other
useful information. Please refer to it if you have any questions.
    As you know, there will be a short all-hands meeting at the beginning of each
twelve-hour shift, for coordination purposes. Shift rotations run on Earth time and
will not coincide with your day-night patterns since Erisa Beta II has such a short
day. We’ve lost some time due to technical difficulties, so your first real meeting
will be in about five hours. Between now and then you’ll be introduced to your control
and do some brief preliminary tasks to prepare for tomorrow. Then you’ll be allowed to
sleep.
    Stand by now while your individual controls connect.
    Rafa yawned as he dropped the slippery biosuit in a corner. At the other end of the
hold, Abbott was stretched out prone on the bare metal, his heels resting in a muddy
puddle. The kid with the nose rings was sorting through the tangle of damaged equipment
created by their tumble down the hillside. As Rafa watched, he stiffened and nodded to
an unseen speaker.
    At the same moment, a voice filled his own mind.
    Mr. Orosco?
    Rafa responded aloud. “Yes, I’m here. Go ahead.”
    This is Dr. Satler again, the team lead. I’m actually more scientist than
administrator, at least by inclination. So I’ll be working with you to catalog the life
on the planet, identify biohazards, things like that.
    “I see.”
    I noticed that you have an academic background. That may be useful.
    “Hope so.”
    When Rafa did not comment further, Satler continued.
I understand you already
found our first biohazard for us.
    “Abbott and I set up the communications equipment. While we were out there we saw
a... I don’t know what