Variations on a Theme Read online

  ~-o0O0o-~

  Failure.

  I am in despair. Having spent the best part of a cycle in planning, preparation and execution it is bitter indeed to have so disappointed Lord Marturioch.

  It started so well. I brewed the microbe in vast quantities, sufficient to the needs of breaking down the slurry that is normally despatched to the deep chasms. I meticulously worked out the entropic equations so that I knew, even down to the molecular level, where each calorie would be either created or consumed. The brewing alone took up several of the mile-wide vats that are usually allocated for beverages, and the Lord has told me that the accounting for their use will be taken from my allocation of resource for the next ten cycles at least, which will sorely try the efficiency of my operations for the forseeable future.

  But that is not the matter of most concern to me. My equations are sound. I have checked and double checked until I see the figures even unto my dreaming hours. There is nothing in my calculations to explain the population explosion of the microbes, nor how they could have swelled and foamed to so thouroughly block the shafts. I understand that the smell has been a great problem in the upper levels, and I have asked that my abject apologies be relayed throughout the Redoubt. I may never get over the embarrasment of this fiasco.

  I have thought long and hard as to the cause of the microbes’ growth. The only conclusion I can draw is that there is something about the Earth Current itself that is interacting with the electromagnetic properties of the organic tissue at a quantum level, interfering with the biochemistry in a manner that cannot be quantified with my current understanding of the processes.

  This will require some further experimentation. Fortunately Lord Marturioch agrees with this assessment -- it seems that the Watchers problem is large enough to be causing concern, and I have been given leave to continue, even despite my very public failure.

  I have resolved to start on a smaller scale for my next attempt. I have procured a small vat on this level, and have introduced the information matrix to the organic matter. Growth is proceding apace, and the first of my new Harvesters shall be ready anon.

  Then the experiment will begin in earnest.