by TJ Viola
“Danny, we think you’re onto something. We’re cross-checking our archives to determine when the Ammagans first used the Gaser as a weapon. The results are just coming in; they had an operating Gaser six months after the invasion of Earth. It was used during their next conquest.”
“Danny, if you count how long it took to review all of Earth’s advanced technologies, understand the significance of the laser, and then develop the Gaser, it must have been obvious to them once they understood the basic concept,” said an excited Zeiss.
Danny related his interactions with Yolan and Zeiss and all agreed to this new approach.
*****
Danny facilitated the discussion by asking a series of questions.
“What is a laser?”
Crystal: “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.”
Danny: “What type of radiation?”
Rolo: “Electromagnetic spectrum.”
Danny: “Over what range of the electromagnetic spectrum have lasers been developed?”
Bounce: “Visible to X-ray.”
Crystal: “Gamma rays have the smallest wavelength and contain the most energy of any other wave in the spectrum. Gamma rays can’t be produced by exciting electrons to higher energy levels as in a typical laser.”
Rolo: “Let’s be more precise; gamma rays are quanta of light in the invisible range. They have a very short wavelength; therefore, they can’t be detected by the human eye. These rays contain more than a million times the energy of a photon of visible light and are greater than ten times more energetic than X-ray photons.”
Bounce: “A visible light photon is emitted when an electron in an atom is excited to a higher energy level, and then relaxes back to its original state. To get an atom to emit a quantum of gamma ray light, the nucleus of the atom must be in an excited state, and when the nucleus transitions from an excited state back to a lower energy state, it emits one or more gamma photons.”
“Okay, slow down,” Danny said. “I think we’re still getting ahead of ourselves. Let me capture some of the key points already mentioned.”
The room quieted down as he drew a matrix on the computer board. At the top of the matrix, along the columns, he wrote the word “DRIVERS” and labeled the rows of the matrix “RANGES.” For the heading of the first column, he wrote “Electromagnetic Spectrum.” The range for this driver was written down the column: Gamma Ray, X-Ray, Ultraviolet, Visible, Infrared, and Radio. The next column was labeled “Excitation” as the driver. He then only filled in two boxes in this column, Nucleus in the top box and Electron in the bottom box.
As he turned away from the computer board, he saw acceptance in everyone’s eyes and body language.
“I think I’ve captured the essence of the conversation so far. Let’s continue.
“How many different types of lasers exist today?”
Crystal: “I think you can classify them into three basic categories: solid lasers, gas lasers, and liquid lasers.”
Danny: “What do they all have in common?”
Bounce: “They all have an amplifying medium that consists of either a solid, a liquid, or a gas, and the medium must have atoms, molecules, or ions that can be stimulated to store energy. This is known as ‘pumping’ the laser medium.”
Danny: “How is the pumping action achieved?”
Crystal: “In the early days, it was achieved by high-intensity light. However, in most of the gamma ray research they used X-rays or gamma rays that were generated with a linear accelerator.”
“So, another driver for our matrix is ‘pumping method,’ and the logical range would be high-intensity light, X-rays, and gamma rays,” Danny stated.
As he was writing on the board Rolo spoke up. “Don’t forget the ‘laser medium’ as a driver with solid-state material, gas, liquid, and semiconductor material as the elements for the range.”
The matrix was starting to take shape, and everyone could see the benefit of systematically arranging the information in this simple format. Danny finished writing this last driver and continued to ask questions.
“The matrix isn’t complete. What are some of the other aspects of a laser that would be needed to create a Gaser?”
Crystal: “The medium must be able to create a population inversion, which usually occurs at a metastable energy level. In a typical laser, electrons are excited to a higher energy level, but to create the laser action or a beam of coherent light, the electrons must stay in an excited state until sufficient quantities are accumulated. This is typically made possible by the existence of a metastable energy level that holds the excited electrons for a finite amount of time.”
Bounce: “A good example is one of the first lasers discovered, the Ruby Laser. In a Ruby Laser, the amplifying medium is crystalline alumina (Al2O3); however, some of the Al3+ ions have been replaced with chromium ions Cr3+. It is the electrons in the chromium ions that are excited to a higher energy level, and then they transition to a lower metastable energy level in the chromium ion, which has a delay time before transitioning back to the ground level or lowest energy level. When this happens, photons are released.”
“Okay,” Danny said. “How does this information help develop a Gaser? Is there another driver for our matrix?”
Rolo: “We need the nucleus of an atom to have an equivalent metastable state, and a nucleus with such an energy state is known as an ‘isomer.’ So, I would say “isomer’ is the driver.”
“What about the range for this driver?” Danny asked.
Crystal: “Hafnium-178; Hf-178.”
Rolo: “Tantalum-180; Ta-180.”
Bounce: “Fe 57 in a FeCo3 crystal.”
As Danny updated the matrix, he commented that the most studied material was Hf-180. When he had finished, they all stood in silence looking at the computer board.
“I don’t know, Danny, it does look very basic but not very practical,” said Crystal. “If I were to design a Gaser from this matrix, it would be a solid-state amplifier medium doped with an isomer material, such as Hf-180 and pumped with high-intensity light. However, that’s not possible since either X-rays or gamma rays would be needed to pump such a device.”
“You’re right, Crystal, unless the Ammagans also made a breakthrough in how to simply generate X-rays or gamma rays, but I don’t think they had the time.”
At this point, Danny suggested they all think about the matrix and come back the next day for more discussion.
That evening both Danny and Crystal were deep in thought and hardly spoke to each other during dinner. Neither one wanted to interfere with each other’s thoughts, since they knew they were trying to solve the same problem. It wasn’t until they were quietly snuggled in each other’s arms waiting for sleep to overtake them that Crystal broke the silence.
“Uranium,” she whispered, as if speaking to herself.
“What did you say?”
“What element do the Ammagans understand more than any other? Uranium!”
“Of course,” Danny shouted. “An isomer of uranium.”
Any hope of sleep was gone for the night as they both went to their respective computer consoles and searched every government database for any mention of research involving an isomer of uranium. After about an hour, Rolo and Bounce came into their room having sensed that the computers were activated.
“Hey, why aren’t you guys sleeping? We can do this for you since we don’t require sleep,” Rolo suggested.
“What are you so frantically searching for?” Bounce asked.
“Uranium!” Crystal shouted without looking up from her search. “They must have used an isomer of uranium. That’s the only way the Ammagans could have developed the Gaser so quickly.”
Rolo and Bounce immediately understood the significance of what Crystal said and mentally filled in the missing element in the matrix, thorium-229, which is produced from uranium-233. They took over the consoles from Danny and Crystal and found the research articles that explored o
btaining the isomer thorium-229 from uranium-233. After a review of the articles, they all knew they were on the right track, since it appeared that the isomer could be pumped with a 391-nanometer laser that was readily available.
Everyone was ecstatic, celebrating because they knew it was just a question of time before Danny found the correct amplifying medium to dope with thorium-229. They were all excited except Zeiss, who knew they were overlooking a major issue. To get the Gaser to work, the released gamma rays would need to be reflected back along the amplifying medium just like in a laser, which uses mirrored surfaces. Unfortunately, due to the high energy and short wavelength of gamma rays, they would penetrate any mirrored surface, and, without the rays being reflected along the medium, a coherent beam of gamma rays wouldn’t be produced. The excited atmosphere in the biosphere subsided, and Yolan had to break the news to Danny.
“Danny,” interrupted Yolan, “you left out one critical ingredient in your matrix. You will need a reflecting surface to get the Gaser to function.”
The androids noticed a change in Danny’s expression as he looked off into the distance—he was obviously communicating with the biosphere and the news wasn’t good.
“Danny, what is Yolan telling you?” Crystal asked.
“We’ll need to reflect the gamma rays back and forth inside the material we choose for the medium, and that could prove to be impossible.”
Crystal understood what Danny was referring to. Without a reflected wave, the gamma rays exiting the Gaser would be diffused and incoherent; a coherent beam was required to obtain laser-like action.
“You’re wrong, Danny,” Yolan said. “It’s not impossible, the Gaser exists in—”
Danny instinctively knew that something terrible was taking place on Grillion—Yolan didn’t finish her thought.
Chapter 26
Revelations
T he biosphere suddenly transformed from a vibrant living organism teeming with energy to a tomb encased in a shroud of murky darkness and uncertainty—knowing that the Ammagans knew of Grillion’s abundant supply of uranium and possibly now their existence and location.
Zeiss assured his team they were probably experiencing a power failure, and that the biosphere was virtually undetectable and to maintain their focus on the mission, even under the threat of being discovered and the uncertainty of the events taking place on the planet’s surface. He understood each member would react differently to the potential dangers facing the biosphere; however, he was particularly concerned about Titch. If her past behavior was any indication, she would respond hastily and, more than likely, recklessly, potentially jeopardizing the entire mission.
Sure enough, as he looked around the command-and-control center, once the auxiliary backup power grid activated the minimum life-sustaining functions, Titch was conspicuously missing.
“Thank you, everyone—well, almost everyone—for following procedures and converging into the control center.”
There was a momentary murmur of levity due to Zeiss’s comment that was obviously directed at the elusive Titch.
“As you have surmised by now, the planet is being probed by some form of energy source and the biosphere’s security system has taken the necessary steps to avoid detection. Unfortunately, it would seem the Ammagans are either aware of our existence or are executing a routine search to locate any hidden bases. In any event, it is an indication that Grillion is more than likely under the control of the Ammagans.”
As Zeiss spoke these words, the atmosphere in the room changed; it suddenly seemed overcrowded and the air became thick with the stench of total despair.
“Once the danger of detection is clear, all systems will self-activate. So, until then, we will follow strict lockdown procedures.”
Eros was preparing to leave when he asked a question. “If we are detected by the Ammagans, what will happen?”
“If the biosphere is breached by unauthorized personnel, all records of our mission will be destroyed and automatically replaced by a study of the long-term effects of extended biosphere habitation. At the same time, all of us will telepathically receive sufficient information to substantiate the recorded details in the computer databases.” Zeiss looked around. “If you have any other questions concerning the lockdown, I’ll address them later. I have another matter that needs my immediate attention.”
Zeiss left in search of Titch. He had a fairly good idea where to locate her—in the transporter.
“It won’t work, Titch, until the danger has passed.”
Titch turned to face Zeiss, ready for a confrontation. “I’m aware of how the security system works. When the lockdown is lifted, I’m leaving, and this time, you’re not going to stop me.”
From the intensity of her delta wave transmissions, she didn’t need to turn and look him in the eye for Zeiss to know that if he tried to stop her, he might not survive the confrontation.
“You do realize if you use the transporter, the Ammagans will find our location and all of us will die, that is, except you.”
“What difference does it make? We’re all dying a slow death anyway. Watching Danny and Crystal getting older, making agonizingly slow progress while we sit back and hope they somehow pull off one of their so-called miracles and defeat the Ammagans.”
“They’re our only hope. You agreed to see this mission through to the end and I expect you to honor that commitment. Every member of this team is vital to its success, some more than others.”
“Let me ask you something: When you look into the future—I cannot imagine that you didn’t integrate your grandfather’s invention into yours—have you seen any change after all these years working with Danny? Has the future been altered in any way? Do you ever hear your decedents speaking? Answer me!” Titch calmed slightly. “No, don’t. I know the answer, and I also know that if I asked my ancestors, they would tell me to fight—fight to the death—and I will!
The fury directed at Zeiss caused him to take a few involuntary steps backward. Titch moved closer and stood toe-to-toe with him. They stared at each other in a fierce battle of wills.
“Titch, this is our best chance for survival. We need you here.”
Titch stiffened and pushed Zeiss away with her aura, as the fury returned in a firestorm of emotions engulfing her. “You need me here! Why do you need anyone? What are we doing? Watching a young pair of Earthlings struggle with the devastating knowledge that if they fail, all life will cease to exist?”
“Titch, I don’t understand what you’re saying. We’re doing everything possible to help Danny without endangering the future.”
“That’s my point. You’re so much the scientist you can’t see beyond your theories. What about the reality we are facing? You’re so afraid you’ll change the future to something worse than today’s realities. What is wrong with you? Change the future! If you don’t, Earth dies. Our solar system is being occupied as we speak. Any planet that resists will be destroyed, and we both know that includes Grillion. Don’t you see? Nothing is worse than the future. So, change it, reach out and help Danny now! If you do, I’ll stay.”
“Titch, we are all making the assumption that because I didn’t get a response from the future—there is no future. I honestly don’t know if that is absolutely true.”
“What! You’re telling me that we are all sacrificing a significant amount of our lives on a basis of a guess or assumption?”
“There was no response from the future, but there are many possible reasons for this. It is impossible to know how far into the future I searched since the technology wasn’t fully perfected when my grandfather was terminated. Our civilization could have evolved in many different ways and no longer used telepathic communications. I could come up with many more reasons for no response.
“What I do know is that the Ammagans can defeat us with the Gaser, and they will, if necessary to secure our uranium.
“The Council agreed to ship uranium to Ammag to avoid confrontation, but if our existence i
s discovered, Grillion will suffer the same fate as Earth—that is a certainty—and that will be your legacy!”
He left her in silence, to return to his duties. Just as he exited the transporter facility, the power to the main grid automatically reactivated. He looked back and saw Titch enter the transporter. His heart stopped beating and only started again when she stepped out of the system and briskly walked by him. Looking back over her shoulder, she said to Zeiss, “I agree, you do need help, and I assure you my legacy will be remembered long after yours.”
*****
Muglar was still fuming from his encounter with the so-called Council of Elders. Their ability to harness their inner energy was truly unique and formidable, as they had demonstrated by preventing any teleportation from his spacecraft. He understood why the neighboring planets let them live in peace, and he also realized the neighbors of Grillion were fortunate they were an inherently peaceful race.
He was surprised by the amount of rage still consuming him even after leaving Grillion far behind as he and his crew continued on their mission. After reflecting on his feelings, he realized it was due to the humiliation he felt in front of his troops when the Council used him to demonstrate their power. But there was something else, something much more important, and it was causing him to lose sleep as he relived the entire episode over and over in his mind. There definitely was something his subconscious was trying to tell him, but it was always just out of reach.
Since the Grillions agreed to his demands, they had been extremely helpful, and all reports from his command stationed on Grillion indicated the Grillion scientists were working in earnest to understand the Ammagans’ metabolic needs for radiation and were actively seeking an alternative source of energy.
One evening, while he was once again reliving his encounter with the Council of Elders, he was abruptly brought back to reality by an urgent call from his communications officer.
“Commander, we’ve just received a communiqué from Grillion requesting our immediate return.”
“Transmit the communiqué to my quarters immediately.”