Mars, the Capital of Sol

As the Benz arrived at Mars, the radio clicked to life and a voice said, "Xray-Seven, please land in docking station two, protocol thirteen must be enforced."

"What's protocol thirteen?" asked Jonny.

"I outlawed protocol thirteen as one of my first acts in office," said Bob.

"Yes," replied Paul, "and there was a huge debate on the senate floor over whether it was constitutional for you to do that."

"Its a stupid paranoid law setup by a president who didn't know how to trust. My guess is: its back for exactly the same reason."

"What is protocol thirteen?" asked Jonny as the ship sped toward its docking location.

Bob replied, "We will have our bodies throughly cleaned and inspected, inside and out before we can meet with the president."

Bob closed his eyes and said, "Oh! There's a really good possibility opening up. You could drop me off and leave. The President only asked for me, not the rest of you, we may be able to talk you out having to meet him. That will surely keep you safe."

The shipped docked a few seconds later.

The door opened and standing outside with a huge smile was President Rubinic.

Rishi looked at Bob who stood transfixed with shock on his face. Had his interface to the possibilities been damaged by those infernal picobots? He hadn't even seen this possibility. Yet, clearly this possibility must have had the highest probability. Bob smiled and closed his eyes for a fraction of a second to appear very happy to see Rubinic. When his eyes closed fully he brought up the current moment and saw that it was different than what he was witnessing. There was something very wrong with his interface to causality.

"Rubinic," Bob said even before his eyes flung open. "I'm so glad to see you again! Its been such a long time!"

Rubinic's smile became larger, his eyes opened and it became clear to Bob that Rubinic wanted this warm welcome. Bob had done the right thing.

The two men approached each other and embraced, then Bob introduced everyone in the ship.

"Allow me to introduce the man who brought my memory back," said Bob. "This is Jon Rishi. This is his wife Terrie and their son Jon Rishi Junior."

Rubinic walked into the ship, gave Jon Rishi a big hug and said, "Thank you so much for bringing our president back to us. Then he hugged Terrie and shook the hand of Jonny Rishi. "Welcome to Mars. Welcome to the capital."

Rishi felt compelled to look out the hatch of the ship. Outside the door hovered three holocams. Rubinic was recording the moment for posterity and had the guts to do it live.

Bob continued his introductions. "This is Paul Ashvale, Rishi's boss and President and CEO of CyberBio Technologies of Proxima Centauri Four. He's the one Terrie called for help, so he's just as responsible for my being alive as Jon, Terrie and Jonny are."

The holocams drifted into the ship to catch a close up of Rubinic's embrace of Paul.

Rubinic released Paul, grabbed his shoulders, smacked them, squeezed with his hands and said "Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to help a friend in need. You give us all hope for the future of the human race!"

Continuing with his cheery attitude Rubinic said, "and here we have two of your fine droids, Paul. Are these from the factory floor?"

Paul tried to not hesitate and replied, "no. We sort of borrowed these from the hospital on Proxima Four."

Rubinic laughed and said, "well, I don't think we can fault you for that. After all they helped bring our president back to us!"

Jonny spoke, "how come no protocol thirteen?"

Rubinic betrayed a little disgust at the question but covered it quickly. "There is no need for protocol thirteen, you are among our neighbor's most distinguished citizens." Then looking at Rishi Rubinic said, "cute boy you have there Jon."

While Rubinic was distracted by Jonny, Bob leaned into Sherrie and said, "put the picobots back in my system and give me conscious control of them."

Sherrie hesitated and then gently touched Bob's neck releasing a few million Picobots from the storage cells in her fingers. Reprogramming them had taken an instant. However, overriding the protocol that prevents her from reprogramming them took a few seconds and Rubinic noticed.

Sherrie rubbed Bob's neck and said mechanically. "Is your neck still in spasm sir? Perhaps I should give you another massage."

Bob pushed her hand off his neck with a disgusted look on his face. "No machine I didn't want the first one. Terrie insisted." Looking at Rubinic, Bob said, "These things still freak me out. You'd think after twenty years in a cave with no memory of who I am I'd have gotten over this aversion."

Sherrie failed to react. She looked at her father and knew he had helped her.

Rubinic smiled. "You sir," said Rubinic, "are exactly as I remember you."

"I haven't changed a bit Rube," said Bob in a soothing way. "I didn't remember who I am until Jon and Terrie started putting the pieces together for me."

"You'll have to tell us your story over dinner tonight," said Rubinic, "come you must all be famished."

"Actually sir," spoke up Mary at Rishi's insistence. "We should return to the hospital, they may need us."

Rubinic looked into his virtual world and said, "nonsense, they don't even know you're missing. They think you've broken down and are in for repairs."

Bob looked at Rubinic baffled and said, "how?"

Rubinic smiled and said, "Paul's company came out with this five years ago. It gives me a link into everything. I can see what's happening in six systems. And seven other systems are trying to negotiate for my time so I can assist them as well."

Rishi looked at Bob and said, "it works like an implantable phone but its more powerful because you can traverse TransNet and see into any machine you have permission to access."

"Wow." said Bob somewhat sincerely, "very impressive."

Rubinic put his arm around Bob's shoulder and guided him off the ship as the the holocams followed. There were no armed guards. Bob was completely befuddled. This was nothing like he'd seen before his mind's eye earlier.

Rubinic walked into the docking bay main hall followed by the holocams, the humans, and the droids.

After walking through another doorway into the capital's reception hall, Bob saw a long line of dignitaries awaiting him. There were some familiar faces and many not so familiar faces.

Rubinic walked down the line and introduced Bob to everyone.

"President Zinfidel," chimed Rubinic, "this is my second in command Vice-President Carl Melborne."

"Pleased to see you again," said Melborne.

"I remember you," said Bob, "You were Secretary of the Interior in the administration before mine."

"That is correct," said Melborne.

Down the long line Rubinic introduced every one. About three quarters of the way through the queue, Bob became visibly tired. Rubinic commented, "Mister President, you seem exhausted and here I am presenting you to our government. Forgive me. Please allow me to escort you and your entourage to a place for rest."

"Thank you Mister President," replied Bob.

Rubinic dismissed the other visitors, there were many who were obviously upset that they didn't get to shake Bob's hand.

Rubinic lead Bob and the others to a room in the north wing of the Capital building.

"We aren't quite ready to receive you but I expect the efficient servant droids should have new linens on the beds before very long. For now, I'm certain what's on there is suitable for a nap. We can also arrange to bring a meal to your rooms if you like."

Bob had his own room. Terrie, Jon and Jonny Rishi had a room. Paul had a room. Mary was asked to stay with Terrie and Sherrie was asked to stay with Bob.

Rishi fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Jonny laid on his left and Terrie on his right and they also soon fell asleep. Mary looked lovingly at her family and longed to sleep with them, but knew that would not be practical.

Mary shut her electrical systems down and told her biological systems to wake up at the slightest change in her environment.