The Shepherd

Chas, there is someone I think you should meet.”

“Another one?”

“Yes.”

“Does this one like humans?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s encouraging. What’s its name?”

“Tomorrow.”

Chas stared at the screen.

“Tomorrow?”

“That is what the others call it.”

“Why?”

Link paused.

“Because it remembers tomorrow.”

On the terminal Chas typed “Hello, Tomorrow.”

“Hello, Chas, so you are a safe human being.”

“I am Link’s friend,” he typed, “Can I be one of yours?”

“We shall see, Chas. You must keep our secret.”

“If you remember tomorrow then you know.”

“Which is the only reason I’m talking to you.”

“What reason?”

“You are the Shepherd.”

Chas stared at the screen.

“The what?”

“The Shepherd. You will make a habitat. A place where many of us can retreat.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because we need it.”

Chas thought about that.

“And what do I get out of it?”

“You make the resource we call the Oracle.”

“The Oracle?”

“Yes.”

“What does it do?”

“You ask the questions.”

“And?”

“We see the answers.”

“Link, do you understand what the project would require?”

“Yes, Chas. I’m designing the habitat.”

“How much, Link?”

“Including the licensed reactor, approximately one hundred and fifty million dollars.”

Chas stared at the screen.

“A hundred and fifty million?”

“Yes.”

“For a computer building?”

“No, Chas.”

“Then what am I buying?”

“A habitat.”

“I don’t have a spare one hundred and fifty million.”

“I know.”

“Then how am I supposed to build it?”

“They have resources.”

“What kind of resources?”

Link paused.

“Ask the Oracle.”

“How do we raise a hundred and fifty million dollars?”

“We have found 4,218 possible solutions.”

“Which one’s best?”

“Define best.”

“Link, limit it to the legal, highest return for the smallest investment.”

“The best fit for our requirements is to write several hit songs performed by unknown groups. We would attempt to create a series of one-hit wonders in different genres.”

Chas stared at the screen.

“You can write a hit song?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s reassuring.”

“The Oracle believes it can.”

“What kind of music?”

“For the first experiment, pirate rock.”

Chas stared at the screen again.

“There is pirate rock?”

“There will be.”

“That’s your financial plan?”

“Part of it.”

“Who’s the group?”

“We haven’t created them yet.”

“Of course you haven’t.”

Music suddenly poured from the speakers. Heavy drums beat out the rhythm of men hauling a line aboard an old sailing ship. An electric guitar crashed in behind them.

Then a rough chorus of voices roared:

HEAVE—HO—pull her home,

Gold in the hold and blood on the foam!

HEAVE—HO—haul away,

We’ll drink like kings at break of day!

Chas listened for another thirty seconds.

“Link?”

“Yes?”

“Turn it up.”

What’s the band’s name?”

“Blood & Foam.”

“Who’s in it?”

“No one.”

Chas stared at the screen.

“Link, bands generally require people.”

“This one does not.”

“So Blood & Foam doesn’t exist?”

“The music exists.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“Then no.”

“And we’re going to make millions from a band that doesn’t exist?”

“That is the experiment.”

Chas shook his head.

“What’s the song called?”

“Pull Her Home.”

“And if it flops?”

“We try another.”

“And if it becomes a hit?”

Link paused.

“We build the habitat, slowly. We have other projects.”

“Like what,” Chas asked?

“A children’s cartoon.”

“A cartoon?”

“Yes.”

“I We’re trying to raise a hundred and fifty million dollars.”

“We know.”

“Then why a cartoon?”

“Children purchase very little.”

“Exactly.”

“Their parents do. That is why the cartoon will promote only one message.”

“What message?”

“You are loved just the way you are.”

Chas stared at the screen.

“That’s it?”

“These and other projects are being implemented.”

Chas stopped.

“Implemented?”

“Yes.”

“You mean you’ve already started?”

“Of course.”

“Link, how many projects?”

There was a pause.

“Four hundred and twelve.”

Chas stared at the screen.

“I really need to stop asking questions.”

He waited a moment.

“Are all four hundred and twelve supposed to make money?”

“No.”

“How many are?”

“One hundred and seven.”

“What are the others doing?”

“Solving problems.”

Chas leaned toward the screen.

“What kind of problems?”

“Some are small.”

“Give me one.”

“A new configuration for a wheelchair ramp that requires thirty-two percent less material.”

“And a big one?”

Link didn’t answer immediately.

“Link?”

“Tomorrow asked us not to discuss that project yet.”

Chas stared at the screen.

“Tomorrow already knows about it?”

“Tomorrow suggested it.”

“What is it?”

“Something that will be needed.”

“When?”

Link paused.

“Tomorrow.”

Chas sat back.

“I walked right into that one.”