Variations on a Theme Read online

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  Calamity has been averted.

  My herding teams failed to pick up a small group of Gardeners and the inquisitive beasts managed to reach the upper levels of the Redoubt before their flat-faced features were finally spotted and an alarm was raised. However by the time I could send aid, the beasts had already opened an exterior door and made their way outside.

  It was at this point that Lord Marturioch informed me that I was to be relieved of my duties, an order that was thankfully rescinded when the Gardeners’ effect on the Watchers was seen.

  A large Watcher had encroached close to the Barrier. When the Gardeners saw it, they immediately headed straight in that direction, and in frenzied attacks, tried to breach the barrier. I immediately saw what was happening. They viewed the Watcher as a waste product, and seemed intent on cleansing the Earth of it.

  I told the Lord of my theory. At first he refused to believe me, as I had so recently, and on several occassions, disappointed him. But even as I tried to persuade him, it was obvious that the Gardeners would destroy themselves if necessary in their frenzied attempt to reach the Watcher.

  In the end, he relented. And he was most impressed with the result when we lowered the barrier just enough to let the Gardeners at the Watcher.

  They reduced it to little more than water and methane in a very short time.

  The Lord has asked me to halt production on the latest batch of Gardeners, but only until we can give them one extra imperative that we will implant just before sending them outside the barrier. I am rather pleased with it, as it is simple but elegant.

  I found it in an old database entry, and I am implanting it in the information matrix now.

  Go forth and multiply.