Sidereal Quest

by E Robert Dunn

  Out and about, echoing round the quiet Getabout, Matasire's words had the ring of revelation. Retho said, "Spread the seeds of life into the Unknown."

  Nicraan hesitated before answering with a simple nod.

  For the first time since the young scientist had been with the male, Retho felt genuine, unconditional love.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:

  After the storm struck, the clouds abruptly vanished; leaving a sky sprinkled with the brightest stars Retho had ever seen stretching overhead. The cold, harsh gleam of the planet's distant red supergiant star was a baleful, oppressive illumination -- casting jagged, ominous scarlet-hued shadows as it barely rose just on the horizon a short distance above the tips of remote mountain peaks. The warm yellow light of the twin suns had faded without witness during the thunderstorm; they now offered comfort half a world away. The rocky, ravine-hidden terrain that had slowed the aerofoil's pace gradually flattened to rolling prairie once again.

  The Getabout soared over the damp desert at full throttle; etching itself on the unfolding horizon, they could see the familiar dome and the welcoming blink of the landing lights of the Pioneer Four. Anticipation of the return had Retho pressing the aerofoil to maximum velocity.

  *

  Moela studied the computer report once again to be sure of her findings. "Computer," she called.

  "Request?"

  "Recheck latest weather bulletin and hypothesis, please," she calmly replied, tapping her manicured nail nervously on the lab's observation console's countertop.

  "Rechecked," the computer announced.

  "Report, please."

  "Reporting."

  The holoset located in front of Moela glowed to life and a three-dimensional computer representation of a cloud pattern shimmered into view. Instantly, the cloud pattern began to change, roll across the holoset, and twist into a sphincter-shaped formation.

  The computer's neutral voice accompanied the film, narrating what was being played out for the scientist, "Nionized solar energy waves are presently bombarding planet. Atmosphere is becoming unstable and neutro-ionized. There is unusual cloud density in atmosphere. Sector Twenty-Four: cloud cover ninety-five percent; rain frozen to sleet. Sector Twenty-Three: cloud cover ninety-seven percent; rain becoming icy snow. Sector Twenty-Two: cloud cover one hundred percent; temperature too severely low for precipitation. One such large pattern is collecting itself and heading toward the Pioneer Pod Four. Recent rainfall is from the outer most spiral of the main cloud. More rainfall is anticipated, weather advisory is in effect immediately."

  "Hypothesis?" Moela requested, observing the hologram. Below it scrolled data that confirmed that all over the globe the temperature was dropping rapidly, and the three-D curve kept growing steeper, with no indication of any plateau.

  "Based on present data collected, analysis made on current wind velocity and of land weathering, dissolution, abrasion, corrosion, and transportation of soil material over this region, the present storm heading in Pioneer Pod Four's direction is a seasonal process of flooding generated by the increased solar activity of this star system's Class-M sun."

  "Severity of flooding?"

  The holoset changed from a graphic display to a printed paragraph of data. The computer went on, "Craters will fill and become circular lakes."

  “How long will it take?”

  “Estimated: forty-eight nodes.”

  “The craters will make wonderful looking lakes," Moela breathed frightened, "But, at the bottom one of this planet’s craters, Computer, will be Pod 4 like a surrealist folly!"

  "Correct." There was a moment, and then the computer went on, "Warning. With current planetary core status and instability with this solar group's Class-M star, these conditions are now a hazard to the safety of the Pioneer Pod Four's crew. ETA to storm contact: One rotate point six nodes, at present speed. ETA to Class-M star nova: One rotate point six point seven nodes, at present rate of growth."

  "Computer," Moela asked, "current rate of Class-M star's growth?"

  The holoset flared with the brilliance of a hologram -- of the star in question. Even Moela had to admit how dramatic the representation was. "Growth is rapid. At current rate, Class-M star will have increased its brilliance-factor up to one hundred thousand times in more than a rotate," the emotionless-voice came back at her.

  Glancing over the data the computer presented below the hologram, Moela saw that the star's other variables had changed less than a magnitude. Some variables had changed regularly while others varied irregularly; however, the varying was from four to ten magnitudes over the time period since the Pioneer had crashed.

  Moela paused to collect her thoughts. The launch point was so close to the flooding table and the collapse of the neighboring Class-M star. Yet, the launching fell short, and the entire survival of the crew depended on the success of that launch. Facing the holoset, she said, "Computer, please transfer this data to the ready room and alert the crew to an all-staff meeting there. Science Officer, Lieutenant Commander Moela Darasiress, Assignment: AST Conestoga-class Pioneer Pod Four, Origin Planet: Aidennia. Clearance security code: Priority Alpha One Omega 0001.1"

  "Voice-print identification verified. Previous command acknowledged and computer compliance commencing."

  * * *

  Facts crowded Capel's mind as he sat behind the ready room's desk, re-reading the data glowing crimson-lettered on the holoset before him and the others. Just when he thought this planet could offer no other obstacle that endangered his life or the lives of his crew, he was unfortunately surprised. His heart felt heavy in its cavity, his head throbbed with tension, and sweat beaded his usually calm brow. Collecting his thoughts, the commander glanced once more at the holoset. Floating above the scrolling paragraphs of information, a three-D representation of ambient space of this planet. The red supergiant's perimeter moved toward that center at amazing speed. It left in its wake a scattering of motionless, dimming planetary, meteoroid and asteroid belt representation sensor points.

  Suddenly, all the pieces of the puzzle were placed together. The past cycle and a half of their existence on the planet and all the nightmarish ordeals they had survived instantly made sense: the planet's sun's erratic mood, the magnetic storms, meteoroid bombardments, the plasma firestorm, the condition of the world when they crashed. Even the once mighty planetary shield and the Pylon Crater were logical. Everything from the volcanic eruptions to the initial absence of anaerobic bacteria in the soil was as they should be when dealing with a star that was preparing to go nova.

  Moela moved away from the others and approached the computer control panel on the room's desk. Brushing her fingers over several holographic controls, she conjured from the computer files all her research's raw data.

  "I believe that something as simple as an asteroid collision with this planet some nine-hundred thousand cycles ago was the first clue as to our present rotate situation," she said, pointing at the hologram centered on the desk's holoset. It showed a nondescript image of a grayish lump of rock in free-fall surrounded by Space. "As we all know, solar group formation comes from a solar nebula, which is a large cloud of dust and gas, from which such ternary stars like in this solar group form. This solar group's nebula had a lot of material left over and that material finally evolved into a disk-like plate around these three suns. Now within that, certain gravitational and magnetic eddies developed and began to attract matter that eventually formed the planets. Now between this planet's sun and its sister stars are a large astral zone of rocks and dust that make up an asteroid belt."

  The desk's holoset changed to show a ring of dust, sand, boulders, and mountain-size chunks in bands spread out in a concentrated edge-on view. Data that accompanied the three-D asteroid belt revealed that the strong gravity interaction between the three suns prevented a planet from growing from the material that made the solar group.

  "From rock samples taken by Retho, Capel, BeeTee, and myself, I have found high concentrations of planetar
y core elements in both the astral fragments collected and ground specimens. I believe that an asteroid collision with this planet laid down those elements found on this planet's surface."

  "Are you saying that this collision brought about the age of intelligent life on this planet to an end?" Nicraan asked, he ran a hand subconsciously over his fresh uniform's tunic -- as if trying to smooth out wrinkles that were obviously not there. Maybe it was his way to be sure that there weren't any blood spots left -- of which his previous uniform had been splattered with.

  "Yes."

  "Such an impact is very possible," Capel said, examining the asteroid hologram and the data that captioned it. "The force of even a medium-sized meteor, say one that is approximately three macroretems wide would produce the natural equivalent of a full-scale nuclear war and scatter a dust cloud that would cover the entire planet. Such a cloud would put the planet in near twilight darkness levels, it would produce acid rainfall a thousand times worse than any recorded in ancient industrial history. Such catastrophic events could go on for cycles. However, before I would believe in such a theory, I would need to see the impact crater."

  "Correct, Commander," Moela voiced, tabbing more computer controls on the desk's interface control. "An asteroid large enough to wipe out all intelligent life would smash out a hole on the planet's surface one hundred kiloretems in diameter or more."

  The holographic display dissolved and then reformed to that of an overview of a planetary section magnified. As the landmasses panned beneath a sensor target-sightline, a caption typed itself to identify its category:

  LANDSTAT TOPOGRAPHIC IMPACT SEARCH

  "My first review of pre-crash sensor topography scans revealed no impact crater that large, certainly not one large enough to kill off over ninety-percent of all life on the planet," Moela narrated. "Even though massive volcanic activity would have dredged up large amounts of core material and spread a dust cloud that would have blocked out the suns for cycles, causing mass extinction, I knew that my theory was correct. Within the K-T soil I found small balls of fused glass called tektites. These tektites are formed when a large body such as an asteroid impacts the earth at such a high velocity that rock is melted at high temperature and pressure. So, my search for a crater intensified."

  "Finding a crater that old would be not easy," Retho said. "Since rain and wind wipe out most evidence of a crater quickly. And, there is also the chance that this asteroid struck the seas, where water would cover the wound."

  "For the past several months I have proposed and discarded several suspected crater sites," Moela said, manipulating the holographic controls to show several schematic overview shots of the planet. "Analysis of the K-T boundary layer material shows that it is made up of a mixture of rock from the continent and from the sea floor. I then made a worldwide inspection of islands and continental shorelines and have turned up a likely location."

  "Where is this location?" Dara inquired.

  Moela pointed to the global three-D representation floating before the assembled crew. It showed a magnified view of a coastline. "Here. Just off the shore of this continent's peninsula. This is where I found two craters, the main one is over one hundred and fifteen kiloretems in diameter and it has fractured rock whose cracks descend a kiloretem deep. The size of the asteroid that made this crater must have been spectacular."

  "If such a large asteroid were to hit again in the near future, it would certainly spell the end of us," Capel said, glancing over the hologram's captioned data. Looking away from the magnified coastline, the commander went on, "Well, it looks as if we have an explanation of why the intelligent beings of the planet, who according to this data ruled over this world for some one hundred and fifty million cycles, disappeared suddenly over nine-hundred thousand cycles ago."

  "Yes," Moela said, and then retrieved more data from the science computer banks. This time a bar graph replaced the beach scene. It was broken down into percentages of life forms verses millions of cycles ago, ranging from 10 to 100 percent and from 400 to zero cycles. At regular intervals the bars rose and dipped, looking like jagged peaks and valleys along a horizon. "However, the story doesn't end there. Recently, I uncovered evidence that mass extinctions, like the one which wiped out the intelligent species of this world, occur at regular intervals in the history of this planet."

  "This graph shows that the period between these extinctions averages about thirty-eight million cycles," Nicraan observed with a frown, tucking a loose lock of hair behind an ear -- it was a characteristic gesture he made when under stress. "So, that begs the question, what is happening every thirty-eight million cycles to this planet that kills off so much of the life that inhabits it?"

  "The answer could well be a simple one," Moela replied.

  "Asteroids," Dara breathed, toying with her manicured cuticles nervously. Shifting nervously where she sat, she made prim adjustments to her long-sleeved, blue-black uniform.

  "The more immediate problem that faces us, is not asteroids," Capel said. He activated the holoset's clearing circuit and tabbed forth information pertaining to the solar system's red supergiant. "Moela, why don't you inform the rest on what your research has told you about our neighbor here."

  "From stars we see immense heat and light," the pregnant science officer said as she faced her colleagues. "Each star releases the energy equal to thousands of hydrogen eruptions per micronode. Fortunately, a lot of energy comes from very little mass so there is plenty of hydrogen to keep some stars shining for billions of cycles."

  Moving once again over to the holoset's control interface, she began keying instructions into the device's computer as she continued to explain what was happening around them. As she spoke, various holograms depicting the Class-M star's plight punctuated her message with frightening clarity. "...but no matter what mass a star has, its supply of hydrogen fuel eventually runs low. When that happens, the star begins to die. The death stage or the last stage in the life cycle of a star is governed principally by the amount of mass that that star has to deal with. If a star is a very massive star, like the one that this planet's star orbits, it will collapse to form a neutron star."

  "Are you saying that this group's red star is dying?" Dara asked, her face suddenly went pale. "I mean, with the increased neutron count that Nicraan investigated and from what you've been reporting on...is it the end for us, Moela?"

  "Not yet," the science officer reassured her. "However, my observations and sensor readings from this solar group's red supergiant have shown that its supply of hydrogen and helium have run out."

  "Then how can it continue to shine?" Retho asked.

  "Large stars can burn more kinds of fuels," Capel interjected. "The immense gravitational crunch of a very large star can continue to fuse heavy elements long after its supply of hydrogen and helium have run out. It begins to burn in layers like an allium cepa bulb; the outer layer fuses whatever hydrogen is left into helium. The next layer fuses helium into carbon, and then the next carbon into oxygen and so on. Each layer fusing heavier and heavier elements until at the core, silicon and sulfur begin to fuse."

  "Meaning?" Retho urged.

  "The product of the silicon and sulfur fusion is iron," Capel explained, finally getting where Moela was eventually trying to take this briefing. "Iron is the end of the road for the star. Iron cannot be fused to produce more energy; therefore, no more energy is produced from fusion in the core. For this star, the end comes quickly and catastrophically."

  Moela captured everyone's attention by having the red supergiant's holographic representation immediately demonstrate what Capel and she were explaining; she narrated what everyone saw.

  "The iron core falls in upon itself; its diameter shrinks from thousands of kiloretems to a hundred kiloretems in a tenth of a micronode. The falling material crashes into itself at the center, generating a rebounding shock wave. The star is about to become a supernova."

  Like a flaring ember of molten rock, the holographic star's surf
ace cracked, shrunk away from its debris, and then explosively expanded outward until it resembled a fractured rainbow with a glowing white center. The compression and shock wave demonstrated by the holographic supernova added to the awesome event in a miniature Big Bang. Even during the mock collapse, the computer-generated light was enough to cause the watchers to raise their arms to shield off the brilliance.

  When the glare faded away, the computer displayed the results of such an unequaled force. It would be as if a billion stars had switched on for a single instant inside that exploding star, blowing away all of its outer layers. As the shock wave passed up through the layers of the star it would cause nuclear fusion of all the known elements. The material closest to the center would become the heaviest elements, such as plutonium and uranium. The remnants further out would form lead, gold, silver, and platinum.

  "All the complex elements present in the universe," Dara observed as she read over the scrolling captions, "and in our own bodies, are created in the heart of an exploding star."

  Even though the commander loved a good mystery, this was one he wished he had not been made to participate in. The conclusion of this planet's scenario was not that promising. Capel found himself split -- one side of him was glad to know the particulars of world's alien and bizarre idiosyncrasies; the other half was frightened at the glimpse of what was about to unfold.

  "At the rate the Class-M star is growing there may not be much time to prepare for a launch. The irregularity of its gravitational and magnetic fields could cause more space debris to be deflected towards this planet, like an asteroid. I said before that asteroids were not an immediate problem; however, at the rate this star is changing anything is possible. Any suggestions?" he finally breathed exasperatedly.