Mach's Legacy

by D. W. Patterson

  “Apparently a lot of drilling and mining activities in the area?” asked Whitney.

  “Yeah the Northwest Territory is rich in natural gas deposits, gold deposits and diamonds. Canada is the third leading supplier of diamonds in the world. Our jobs at NTG are really to support those industries although occasionally we find the time to do a little pure science,” Cole said with a smile.

  “Of course,” said Whitney who went back to looking out her window.

  She noticed that some buildings were more commercial such as car dealerships and looked better maintained. Whitney's overall impression of Redcliffe was negative so far.

  But her opinion changed somewhat as they rounded a wide curve onto a divided thoroughfare with a wide island and a scattering of small trees. The commercial buildings on either side were now well maintained with landscapes of trees and grass. Just past a Woodmart they turned right and drove into the motel parking lot.

  “Okay here we are,” said Cole. “This is home for the next few days. I'll get you two signed in and then have the attendant bring in your luggage.”

  He left the women at their adjacent rooms with the understanding that they would meet in a couple of hours in the lobby to go to dinner.

  In her room Whitney looked at the clock beside the bed.

  Two forty-five in the afternoon and already getting dark.

  She decided to lay down on the bed for a moment in the fading light. Before she knew it she heard a knock at the door. She looked at the clock on the nightstand, five-ten. It felt like midnight. She rose from the bed and opened the door, it was Joyce.

  “Hi Dr. Howe hope I didn't wake you,” she said somewhat timidly. “But Dr. Cole is waiting in the lobby to take us to dinner.”

  “Of course Joyce, I'm afraid I fell asleep, the short day is so strange. Just let me get my coat.”

  They were in the NTG vehicle heading downtown. It would be a slightly longer drive than from the airport. It was already extremely dark.

  “Are we going to be able to accomplish much in these short daylight hours?” asked Whitney.

  “Well I think we can light the find and work a little past sunset. Maybe we can get in seven, eight hours a day before it gets too cold to continue,” replied Cole.

  “Yes I've already noticed the cold. Perhaps I should buy better outdoor gear?”

  “Well let's stop downtown and we'll get you what you need.”

  “Thanks.”

  Choosing a bomber jacket with hood, earbands, neck warmers, snow pants, mitts and Alaska boots Whitney and Joyce finally felt equipped to face the sub-zero temperatures. But whether or not the university would pay the almost four thousand dollar tab was questionable. If they didn't Whitney would get the money somehow. Anyway wearing the scarf and bomber jacket out into the cold she felt she was now better equipped to deal with the weather.

  They arrived at the restaurant at six. The restaurant called The Goldmine was in the middle of downtown in one of the taller buildings. Whitney guessed that a few of these downtown buildings, which were few in number to begin with, might top out at ten stories. Redcliffe might be the territorial capital but it was still a very small town.

  Though on the bottom floor of one of the more impressive buildings downtown the restaurant would have been a small casual dining place back in Texas. Whitney ordered the whitefish plate with a small salad and water, Joyce did the same. Cole ordered the restaurant's signature dish, German schnitzel and a beer.

  “You'll love the fish,” he said. “I had it just last weekend. It's fresh from the nearby lake.”

  “I'm sure I will,” said Whitney.

  The food came, it was nothing fancy but it was as good as Cole had promised and in sufficient quantities. Both women were feeling more confident now. A discussion of tomorrow's itinerary ensued.

  “As I said before,” began Cole responding to Whitney's question of the schedule. “To get in seven or eight hours at the site we should be ready to go by nine in the morning. The government has offered one of its Bell helicopters to get us to Eureka. At the speed that thing flies we should get there by ten which will just about be daybreak. A couple of ATV's should get us to the find in about ten minutes. By the way my assistant Ernesto will be with us. Dusk, as you witnessed today, will be around three. That gives us five hours of daylight. We should be able to get an hour or two more from the solar charged battery powered lighting around the find. Then we will be back here and dinner by six or seven if you'd like. Maybe a discussion group for another hour or two afterwards. That's the plan anyway.”

  “Sounds good to me,” said Whitney. Joyce just nodded. “Why don't we start now?”

  “Start?”

  “The after dinner discussion group session.”

  “Oh, I see, of course. What do you want to discuss?”

  “Well I've looked over some of the info you sent me. It seems you have pretty much done a seismic survey of the area around the find, a mining area I believe?”

  “That's correct. The area of interest is the old Eureka mine. We've done a complete sub-surface survey and analysis with one of the new Em-based groups. They assure us that what we are seeing is correct.”

  “The multi-leveled chambers?”

  “Yes.”

  “And they are stacked both vertically and horizontally?”

  “Yes.”

  “But the Eureka mine has been closed for over a hundred years, since the 1960's anyway. The Eureka Company didn't leave the mine that way?”

  “Doubtful. As best we can tell from the company papers it was a typical gold mine. No need for chambers, vertical or otherwise.”

  “So someone came in after the company closed the mine and built all this structure that you see in your seismic surveys?”

  “A valid assumption. But who?”

  “I can't imagine,” said Whitney leaning back in her chair.

  Chapter 5

  Sci-pedia - The Online Resource for Science - Titan

  A base on Saturn's moon Titan was established in the late 22nd century to mine the atmosphere of Saturn for the fusion fuel helium-3. Fusion power plants and spaceships required the element for their aneutronic fusion reactions.

  Titan Enterprises first built a base on Titan to support its atmospheric mining efforts. It wasn't long until the moon also became a refuge for those not wishing to be ruled by the Aggie management on Earth and Mars. Colony building became a major activity on Titan in the 23rd century. Most habitats that provided long-term crew housing in space or own the moon rotated to provide between seven-tenths and eight-tenths Earth gravity for health and practical reasons. In this way people could move between habitats with the least physical inconvenience.

  By the time of the first Aggie war in the 26th century Titan had become the de facto leader in high-tech in the Solar System with a population of almost three-quarters of a million persons. Nearly two-thirds of these were involved in technology, science and other research. Most of the rest of the Solar System looked to Titan for new technologies.

  Eric Jordan had grown up on Titan, or rather orbiting Titan, his family had been there for as long as there had been a base. A distant relative had flown one of the first “skimmers” to mine the atmosphere of Saturn. It was said in the family that she had been the best pilot on Titan.

  Eric didn't know much about piloting a fusion driven ship his interests ran more to physics. He was quite accomplished in math and sciences. Finished with the Titan Academy at an age when most were starting their last four years, he was looking forward to college. And that was the problem. There was only one institute of higher learning available and while it had a very good reputation it was somewhat limited and more applications oriented than were Eric's interests. Not that he dismissed applications, they proved theory, but he had his heart set on more theoretical work.

  That was why the argument in the family started.

  “No. I won't allow my son to go that far away,” said Eric's mother.

  “But Ma
risa that's what he wants and I think what he needs,” said his father, Tomas.

  “He's only thirteen and he's my only child. How can you ask me to part with him?”

  “How? Because I know you love him Marissi,” said Tomas using his pet name for her. “And because you love him you want him to be happy and to pursue his dreams. And Marissi, this is his dream.”

  “Why Tomas? Why can't he just stay here and study?”

  “Because my dear there are some things you need a teacher for, a mentor, and no one on Titan has the necessary background to mentor Eric. His teacher told us as much.”

  “I know Tomas, I know,” said Marisa wiping away tears. “But he's too young, I won't lose him at this age. Can't it wait a little while?”

  “Yes honey we will discuss it again in the future.”

  That night Eric's mom cooked his favorite, but quite expensive, dinner. A vat-grown meat that was said to taste exactly like the meat from cows back on Earth. Placed between two buns of wheat bread, made from wheat grown in the orbiting agricultural habitat, it was considered a classic. But because it was such a rare treat it emphasized what the meal meant and both Eric and his mom felt somewhat sad.

  “How is it son?” asked his mother.

  “It's great mom, as usual,” he said without the typical lilt in his voice.

  They were quiet for a moment, even Tomas.

  “Mom maybe you wouldn't miss me as much if you took up your old job.”

  That was all it took.

  “Oh Eric, I would miss you so,” said his mom rising from the table. “Nothing I could do would keep you out of my mind.”

  She moved to take the dishes, “I'll clean the dishes you two go ahead into the other room.”

  She turned quickly with her plate in her hand and made for the kitchen.

  “Come on Eric let's do as your mother says.”

  In the other room Eric said to his father, “I wish mom wouldn't take on so.”

  “Son you'll never get your wish. Keeping the family together is what she does. You'll just have to let her have her little crying jags, they're necessary. And give her some more time. Besides I know how she feels.”

  “I'm sorry dad, I know this is hard on you and mom.”

  “You have to realize Eric that your mom and I had given up having children after years of trying. We prayed and prayed, and nothing. The doctors tried but couldn't help. They couldn't find anything wrong with us but we felt like they were blaming us because their arsenal of treatments failed. Finally they just shrugged and suggested we adopt and we stopped seeking medical help. Then suddenly you came. The doctor that delivered you said you were a miracle and that's what your mom and I have always thought. So you see to us it is much more than our child leaving home, you are prayers answered.”

  “Dad, you never told me all of that before. I guess I can understand why mom takes on the way she does.”

  “Good son I'm glad you understand her better.”

  “Okay,” said his mom entering the room. “How about a board game before bed. What shall it be?” she asked smiling at her son, he smiled back.

  “So you can't go?” asked Ruthie Jem.

  “No, not yet. My dad thinks he can bring mom around but I guess I'll have to start school here and go to Centauri University later.”

  Ruthie and Eric were at the old ice cream place they use to frequent when they were in school together. They had agreed to stay in touch even though Ruthie was a year younger than Eric and two years behind him in school. She was the smartest person Eric had every met but physics wasn't her primary interest.

  “Well we got a good school right here,” said Ruthie.

  “I know but it's not like Centauri, they have several noted scientists on their faculty. And Elias Mach is there.”

  “He's something special?”

  “Are you kidding, you know he invented the wormhole generator, don't you?”

  “Sure I know, so what?”

  “So what! He changed the world with that one invention. Two Nobel Prizes. Honorary doctorates from dozens of universities in two star systems, what else do you want someone to accomplish in one lifetime?”

  “Okay, he's an Einstein but you're smart too, you'll learn everything you need here.”

  “Well it won't matter, my dad's pretty sure he can talk mom into letting me go. I'll have to take a semester here first though.”

  Ruthie became silent.

  Eric noticed.

  “You still want to go to the observatory?” he asked.

  “Yeah sure. It's just that you want to leave so bad. It's like there's nothing here you care about.”

  “That's not true. I grew up here, my family's here.”

  He hesitated.

  “You're here.”

  “Me?”

  “Sure, you're my best friend aren't you?”

  “I guess so. But sometimes I wonder when you so desperately want to get away.”

  “Ruthie, if I do go to school on Centauri I'll be coming back between semesters to see you. And when you finish high school maybe you can come to Centauri for your college work too.”

  “I've thought about it. They certainly have a good history department. You know how I love history.”

  “I do.”

  “Okay then, you go to Centauri. Maybe I will follow you there in a couple of years.”

  “Great. Let's go to the observatory now, want to?”

  “Sure.”

  The astronomical observatory was at one end of the space habitat circling Titan. Orbiting habitats had proven useful for housing the greater and greater numbers of people coming to work on Titan. It would have been difficult to expand facilities on the surface because of the cloud cover which required all power to be derived from hydrocarbon or fusion plants. There certainly was enough hydrocarbons on Titan to power the economy but the colonists had early on decided not to despoil the surface of the moon. So fusion power plants supplied what was needed.

  The habitat, Far Horizons, was a one by five mile cylindrical design. Rotating at about once per minute created an artificial gravity of eight-tenths Earth's. The habitat could be boarded at the center of one of its endcaps which did not rotate. It was one of the smaller habitats orbiting Titan with a usable surface area of almost eleven thousand acres. With a population of one-hundred thousand people, the population density was similar to that of any large city on Earth but without the excessively tall skyscrapers.

  Here the “sky” was only a mile away and any residential building over thirty stories would feel a gravity differential of about one-tenth Earth gravity between its top and bottom floors. So to not cause the inhabitants a constant re-acclimation to the gravity difference most residential buildings were limited to thirty stories (office buildings were limited to twenty-one stories because of their generally higher ceilings). Some buildings were deliberately taller so that low-gravity games and other activities could be accommodated.

  The two teenagers would take the tram and eat at one of the restaurants in the habitat. Eric always enjoyed his outings with Ruthie in the orbiting settlement. As far as he knew it was the closest he would ever get to being on Earth.

  It wasn't long until Eric and Ruthie had eaten their lunch and hurried to catch the tram that would take them to the observatory and the climb up to the center of one of the endcaps.

  Eric and Ruthie didn't think much about the mechanism of their transport as they did about the view. The habitat stretched out before them. It was truly wondrous as the habitat was not only below them but also above them and to each side. They could see the three main cities below them wrapping around the circumference of the cylinder like sandcastles. Between and among the cities were the green spaces of trees and fields. Some farming was done aboard the Far Horizons although most of the agriculture was in a separate habitat.

  The powerful superconducting magnets were pushing the tram up the incline and it soon docked at the observatory.

  The observatory was ma
de up of several rooms. Many were being used by professionals for observations. But there was always one available for the general public. Eric and Ruthie went into the room and using the wall straps in the zero gravity worked their way around to a large viewing bubble where they tied down.

  They found Moses' Rod by using their Emmies to link to one of the public telescopes. They looked and sat quietly for a few minutes.

  “Eric, you think they are right. The rod is a sign that the rebel AIs are back?”

  “Well according to Professor Mach and his granddaughter it is and that makes sense to me Ruthie. Chances of it being a natural phenomena are extremely small. And the only mechanism that we know of that could create something that straight and that long is a wormhole that has been maintained long enough to start glowing in visible light.”

  “Blood red.”

  “Yeah, but if they keep it open much longer the radiation will move to shorter and shorter wavelengths.”

  Just then the Rod began to fade. They watched a few minutes as it became all but indiscernible to the small telescope they were using.

  “What happened?” asked Ruthie.

  “I guess they closed the wormhole.”

  “Will it be back?”

  “I don't know.”

  “What will happen now?”

  “I don't know Ruthie, but it could be bad.”

  Chapter 6

  Sci-pedia - The Online Resource for Science - Wormhole Transport Network (WTN)

  Because of the limitations presented by the direct use of wormholes for transportation a transport network similar to the old hub and spoke air transport system of Earth has developed.

  Out to a distance of 7.5 light-years a direct jump can be taken to the destination. In fact it is possible to make several jumps of less than 7.5 light-years to reach a distant destination if there are intervening star systems where the isotopic energy reservoirs, which support the energy demands of the wormhole generator, can be recharged by the central star.