To The Stars

Jan knew that there was a complex mechanism sealed inside the tubes. A microwave receiver, a microchip processor and a tiny battery. When the key was inserted in the lock a signal was transmitted by the lock circuits that activated the concealed key mechanism. A coded signal was sent by the key in return. If it was the correct one the door was unlocked, while at the same time a brief but intense magnetic field recharged the battery. However if the wrong key was inserted and an incorrect code was returned not only did the lock not open, but the mechanism completely discharged the battery, rendering the key useless.

Using the blade of the nail-clipper, Jan shaved away carefully at the plastic. He was certain now that the job could be done. He had tools, circuitry and power supply. With patience — and skill — he should be able to build what he needed. Microchip technology was so commonplace that people tended to forget that these infinitesimal micro-processors were built into every single mechanical device that they possessed. Jan was well aware of this, since he had designed many circuits of this kind. He knew equally well how to alter them to his own advantage.

One of the keys was scavenged for its battery alone. The two filament-thin wires from it were used to probe the circuitry of a second key. To short out and alter the connections there. The key’s transmitter became a receiver, a probe to divine the secret of the lock on the cell door. When it had been constructed to the best of his ability, Jan spoke to Debhu.

“We’re ready for the first step now. I’m going to see if I can read out the lock code on this door. This would be impossible on a really sophisticated lock mechanism, so I’m hoping this one has normal interior door security.”

“You think it will work?”

Jan smiled. “Let’s say that I hope it will work. The only way I can test it is by actually trying it. But I’ll need your help.”

“Anything. What do you want?”

“A little distraction for the guards. I’m not sure how closely we are being watched. But I still don’t want to draw any attention to myself. I’ll be at the wall near the door: I would like a couple of your men to start a fight or something at the far wall. Draw their attention for the vital seconds.”

Debhu shook his head. “Does it have to be a fight? My people won’t know anything about fighting or killing. It is not a part of our culture.”

Jan was startled. “But all those guns you were waving around — they looked realistic enough to me.”

“Real, but unloaded. The rest was play-acting. Isn’t there something else we could do? Hainault there is a gymnast. He could create a diversion.”

“Fine. Anything at all as long as it is showy.”

“I’ll talk to him. When do you want him to start?”

“Now. As soon as I’m in position. I’ll rub my chin, like this, when I’m ready.”

“Give me a few minutes,” Debhu said, moving slowly away across the room.

Hainault was very good and he made the most of the situation. He started with some warming-up exercises, then quickly went on to handstands and backbends, all of this culminating in a gigantic backspring followed by a complete rotation in midair,

Before the acrobat’s feet had touched down again, Jan had slipped the modified key into the hole in the lock and just as quickly withdrawn it. He strolled away from the door, the key clutched tightly in his damp fist, his shoulders hunched unconsciously as he waited for the alarm.

It did not come. After a good five minutes had gone by he knew that the first step had been successful.

The most important find, among the objects collected from the prisoners, was the microcomputer. It was a toy, a gadget, a gift undoubtedly. But for all of that it was still a computer. The guards had missed it because to all outward appearances it was just a piece of personal jewelry. A red stone heart on a golden chain, with a gold initial “J” set into one side. Yet when the heart was laid on a flat surface and the “J” depressed, a full-sized hologram of a keyboard was projected to one side. Despite the insubstantiality of the image it was still a fully operational keyboard. When a key was touched a matching magnetic field was altered and the appropriate letter or number appeared in front of the operator, also apparently floating in midair. Despite its size it had the capacity of a normal personal computer since its memory was stored at a molecular, not a gross electronic level.