by Paul Dayton
“Oh. I had forgotten about that. I’m not worried about the accelerator itself, Meagan. Concentrate on getting the base defense and communications systems working.”
“Your orders are contradictory. The positron emitter also serves as the base’s defense system.”
“I thought that the positron emitter was for the study of spacecraft drives,” Ruth said.
“The base served two purposes. One was for the study, design and construction of a viable drive system and its effects on humans, but its primary purpose was for Earth defense. The Super Efficient Positron Emitter generates and emits a tightly focused positron beam. It is, as the name implies, efficient, easily aimed and was in working order before the Base’s destruction.”
“I see.” Timothy said. “How did it work as a weapon?”
“The positron drive isn’t actually a drive. Like quantum particles, positrons react in unusual ways when manipulated. Scientists were able to create a sustained, coherent and focused positron beam. In their attempt to reach this milestone, they found that the beam resonates at different wavelengths and that the quantum properties of the beam change as the wavelength changes. This discovery came after they nearly destroyed the base.”
“You still haven’t told me how it can be used as a drive or a weapon,” Timothy said.
“Because of the nature of this once elusive particle, particular wavelengths distort the space/time fabric. In effect, our emitter creates a ripple in this fabric, much like waves on the ocean.”
Having never seen an ocean before, Timothy and Ruth were a little lost, but they kept quiet.
“When the effects of this ripple were studied, they quickly theorized that a bubble could be created that skipped the very tops of these waves. Because the trough of each wave was not in our universe, distances could literally be cheated. Obviously, much more is involved, but once scientists were able to focus the beam to near laser coherence, it became useful as a weapon too. A coherent beam could be initiated on earth and directed to any target, the length of the beam dependent on how focused the beam itself was. Once it hit an object, the target would disappear.”
“Disappear? Where? And what do you mean when you said that the tops of the waves were in one universe and the bottom in another?” Ruth asked. As she asked this, Darlee sat on the floor eyeing her carefully.
“The top of the crest or ripple in space/time exists in our dimension and the trough sits in another, unknown dimension. Our first unmanned test ship proved this when it disappeared. All telemetry ceased the moment it tried to ride the positron waves it had created. When the scientists retuned the sister ship, it traveled 2 parsecs in under five seconds. Needless to say, the military was extremely interested in where the first ship went. After much study and more tests, there was no firm answer, and the test ship never reappeared.”
“What was the range of Base Canada’s weapon?” Timothy asked with a hint of a smile.
“I see where your question is going, and your presumption is correct, Timothy. Permission was given for an effective range of just past moon orbit.”
“Permission from whom? And did they permit anyone else to construct such a weapon?”
“That is the million dollar question, isn’t it?” Meagan said. They were once again mystified with this million dollars, but didn’t ask. Sidestepping the issue, Meagan continued. “Canada had long been working on a positron emitter, so it was a logical choice to build a base that would be perfectly suited to house a fully functional one.
“Who ended up making the final decision to start the research and eventually establish it here is unknown. In theory, a resolution would be passed that was to the agreement of all, but in reality…”
“Let me guess,” Ruth interrupted. “China Lunar wasn’t happy.”
“Yes. China Lunar felt that their position afforded superior range, that the energy requirements suited China Lunar perfectly, and that their location added a degree of safety, limiting damage in case of an accident. It was a sound argument, but Base Canada was so much further ahead and the decision had already been made.”
“And then, as you mentioned earlier, something happened, there was a serious incident that was erased from your memory banks and China Lunar attacked Canada Base,” Timothy said.
“Possibly. Data indicates that certain files should exist, but when I look for them they’re not there.”
“I see. And since then our communication with China Lunar has been sporadic at best. Hmm…”
“What are you thinking Timothy?” Ruth asked.
“I’m thinking that China Lunar may not stay quiet much longer.”
“I have a question.” The voice startled Timothy and Ruth, and they turned around to see a smiling Elkana looking at them.
“Elkana!” Ruth yelled and quickly hugged him as Timothy tousled his hair. “Are you alright? Should you be out of bed?”
“The Medi-Bot says I’m fine but that I have to take it easy. But I really have to go to the bathroom and I heard what Meagan said. Meagan, did any ships leaving earth use this drive?”
“Yes they did. Every single ship built in Earth orbit used this drive. But we don’t know for how long. This ward housed the initial long term test subjects that were subjected to the fields created by these positron emissions, and every single one showed signs of dementia after thirty or so years. Most were in their fifties when the full effects became evident.”
“So it’s possible that…no it’s not possible!” Ruth said in shock. Timothy stood quietly, contemplating the issue. “HAL, have you ever received any communication from humans in space more than three decades after they left earth orbit?”
“No Timothy,” Meagan said. “But I can add that when the effects became evident, all World Federation ships were warned; and that the children of the test subjects grew up to be completely normal. Also, please keep in mind that a ship bearing signs of human origin was recently destroyed by China Lunar.”
Ruth and Timothy mulled over the information.
“I have another question,” Elkana said.
“I’m sure you do,” HAL said, listening in.
“Who is this council you keep talking about?”
CHAPTER 19
Home?
Bishop was relieved that Hollander had left the bridge. He liked Hollander and appreciated having a well-respected and brilliant leader on board. He knew his limited experience as a Captain of a World Federation ship didn’t go well with many who felt that a mission as critical as this necessitated someone who had proven his worth. They were right. But he had been given this assignment and it was one he simply couldn’t pass down. Was he the correct choice? ‘Time will tell,’ he said to himself.
Still, he felt that every time Hollander was around, he stood in Hollander’s shadow. But now he had gone to get some much needed rest without asking to be woken up. The jump itself was instantaneous, but the preparations for a jump into unknown space for a ship this large would take time. But this time, in their rush to see Earth, the crew had cut the time down on the jump calculations, and everyone else worked hard at their stations as they eagerly anticipated the long awaited return. Bishop figured there was no way Hollander knew the jump and preparations would be this quick. He hid his satisfaction as the stars blinked out unceremoniously, and reappeared an instant later in a different configuration.
A few seconds passed as astronomic information was compared with data readings. Planets and their planes appeared on Center Tactical, with distance, mass, and size, and the ship trajectory plotted in. He watched as they came in at twenty degrees to the general plane of the solar system.
“Superimpose the scout ship path,” Bishop ordered. Seconds later it appeared. They had decided to go in a different route just in case, and were now approaching the second outermost dwarf planet. The name ‘Pluto’ floated above the slowly rotating three dimensional image, conveniently near its perihelion and 30 A.U.s away from the system’s star.
“Are you pick
ing up anything from Pluto’s moon?” Bishop looked at Tactical, hoping something would show up as the records listed an earth defense base there.
“No, Sir. According to sensors, it’s completely dead,” Jumal said.
“Comm, tight beam. This is Captain Bishop, to anyone manning the earth defense base on…” Bishop looked at the display to confirm the name. “…Charon. Please reply.” Bishop waited, but didn’t hear anything. “Jumal, repeat my message. We’ll give them fifteen minutes.”
He waited until the fifteen minutes were up, and Jumal shook his head. “Let’s send another scout. Pipe in communications from the scout ship directly to the bridge.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Jumal had completed a second deep scan of the moon. “Nothing to report out of the ordinary - no heat signatures, no energy leakage, no activity of any kind. I see nothing indicating the moon was ever occupied.”
“Are you sure that there was a base here?” Bishop asked as he turned to Finley, the ship historian, who had requested permission to join them on the bridge for this event.
“Yes, Sir,” Finley replied. “The only record we have remaining lists a base located on Pluto’s largest moon. Records show that there was water trapped just under the surface and within relatively easy reach, so they built an early warning base and refueling station there.”
“Thank you, Finley.”
Within moments, Jumal had received a video feed from the scout ship’s forward cameras, which he relayed to Main Tactical. They all looked closely to see a moon with the usual appearance, a gray, rocky, pockmarked surface devoid of any atmosphere or life. It looked as if no one had ever set foot on it, let alone built a base there.
As the scout ship neared, the pilot interrupted their thoughts and said, “Sir, I’m hearing a lot of static on one of my channels, and my onboard comp says that everything is fine. The computer does recognize a pattern - wait….”
Bishop looked at Jumal, who shook his head and shrugged.
“It’s very faint, Sir, but it’s definitely human. I’m amplifying and sending you the message.”
“…receive this message, be alerted that the base is on lockdown, emergency protocol only. To anyone who can receive this message…”
“I’m being scanned!” The scout pilot warned.
“Same signature as the first scan Captain!” Jumal added.
“Get out of there!” Bishop said, and they saw the view of the moon drop from the scout ship’s video feed as it turned to maneuver away.
“Jumal, anything powering up?” Bishop asked.
“There was an initial spike of energy when the scan started, but now I can just barely get an energy reading.”
“But you picked up nothing before…”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Are we holding position?”
“Yes, to Sol.”
“Is the planet moving away from us?”
Yes, Sir, at 5.8 kilometers per second.”
“Stay in position relative to the moon. Hold this distance.”
“Yes Sir!” Derek, the ship helm officer expertly locked the ship in position relative to the moon.
“Good morning Captain.”
Bishop was confused. Hollander had just walked in through the bridge doors and said those very words, but the voice was definitely female. Even Hollander seemed taken aback.
“My name is Angela from Pluto Deep Space Base. What is the purpose of your visit?” asked a pleasant, business-like voice.
Bishop quickly regained his composure. “Angela, do you have video capability? If so, please present yourself.” Within moments a striking woman appeared on the display.
“Thank you. My name is Captain Bishop. We’re here to find out what happened to our scout ship. Do you know anything about it?”
“I presume you are talking about the one that came to our solar system two days ago. If so, then yes I do. It was destroyed by China Lunar Base. Was it manned?”
Bishop was barely able to control the anger that flared up. “Yes. Why was it destroyed?” he demanded.
“Then please accept my condolences. For reasons of their own and ones they won’t share with me, China Lunar destroys anything that comes in from deep space that is within their range, no questions asked. Is there any other reason for your visit?”
“Yes. I need to speak to your commanding officer.”
“He is dead, as is every other human on this station. The last human died seven hundred and twelve years ago. You are speaking to the base’s ‘artificial intelligence’, although I really hate that term. Now, can you answer my question?”
Bishop looked closely at the video feed. The person he was staring at was an attractive brunette, and he had no idea that it was a simple digital construct. Her brows furrowed as she asked the question and he sensed a need in Angela’s voice as it waited for their response. He was thrown back at how realistic she looked and found himself disappointed that she didn’t exist in real life.
He turned to Hollander, unsure if he should inform this A.I. of their purpose, but Hollander was also staring at the image on the screen. After hesitating, he finally replied, “We have come to return home, if the home is still livable. And to pay a visit to China Lunar Base.”
There was a pause as Angela considered the Captain’s tonal inflection, facial structure and body language. It studied the general look on the crew’s faces as he said those words, and finally calculated a 96% probability that he was telling the truth.
“Very well then,” Angela said. “If you make it, and I presume you will, you will be the first humans to visit the Earth in over seven hundred years. You’re late.”
Some of the bridge crew guffawed, but Bishop still couldn’t help but want the A.I. to exist in real life. It was uncanny that this relic from the past, that should have been inactive long ago, could mimic a human being to such a close degree.
Angela broke his train of thought. “Captain, this is no joke. You are all late. Earth has been repeatedly visited and her defenses tested by species 001 and my calculations predict that a much larger attack is imminent.”
Silence ensued on the bridge.
“What leads you to believe that?” Hollander asked, having spoken for the first time since entering the bridge.
“Whom am I speaking to?” Angela asked.
“I am Commander of this convoy of World Federation ships.”
“I see.” It appeared to Bishop that Angela didn’t appreciate the interruption.
“This is a partial synopsis of the facts that led me to my conclusion.
“Based on what we know of species 001’s anatomy, Earth and earth-like planets are very desirable to them. Earth-like planets are also exceedingly rare, and that is in itself reason enough to warrant the belief that they will someday try to take control of Earth again.
“They expended an incredible amount of energy trying to take it over in the original attack, and judging by my records, I calculate that their losses were very heavy.
“In the ensuing seven hundred years, they have ‘tested the waters’ so to speak, and China Lunar Base has successfully defended itself and Earth over 400 times. The active Earth Bases all have a similar record.
“Up until ten years ago, the scope of the alien activity had intensified and the size of the ships and their capabilities had also improved to the point that neither China Lunar nor the operational Earth bases could properly defend Earth. After this, all visits ceased.”
“Why?” Hollander asked.
Angela ignored the question as she looked at Bishop and continued.
“There has been a lull in alien activity in the last ten years and in the last three there have been absolutely no visits that registered on any of our scanners until two months ago. At that time, Base USA destroyed a small but heavily armed and shielded scout ship, and China Lunar destroyed a Capital Ship.
“Based on this and other facts, I calculate that a gathering of forces is taking place for an all-out attack. T
he probability that I am right, dependent on my facts being correct of course, stands at 78%.”
“Hmm,” Bishop said, figuring he’d get more out of Angela than Hollander would. “That is definitely interesting. But we have some information that you need to know. We’ve been very busy the last ten years keeping the aliens in check and have finally been able to gain some ground and go on the offensive, and just six months ago one of our ships destroyed their home-world.”
“Interesting.”
“How does that affect your calculations?” Bishop asked, slightly irritated.
“Were the aliens dormant after the destruction of their home-world?”
“Yes…”
“But they have become active again and have adapted?”
“Yes.” Bishop was once again surprised at this antique A.I.’s computing ability.
“Very well. Computing…” Bishop watched as Angela furrowed her brow and stared off into space, the fingers of her right hand gently tapping her arm as she appeared deep in thought. After a moment, she looked back at Captain Bishop with a worried frown and said, “The probability of a major alien attack within the next year is now at 98%. The probability that I am right is now 84%.”
Bishop turned to Commander Hollander with raised eyebrows.
“You’re sure of this?” Commander Hollander asked, and Bishop was secretly pleased to see the look Angela gave Hollander.
“I did give you the probabilities, didn’t I? I don’t guess.” Turning back to Bishop, she continued, giving him a flirtatious smile, “But I would appreciate it if you could establish a data link with me as soon as possible. I would keep you informed of any corrections to my calculations… and I can update you on other information that you may not have. I also have a direct link with most earth bases, and we could coordinate our efforts.