The Belt: The Complete Trilogy

by Gerald M. Kilby

  "Yeah, we don't know what’s going to happen now. Hopefully we'll get paid, but I don't suppose we'll see a bonus, not to mention the salvage bounty. I think we can kiss all that goodbye."

  "Well, it turns out that we here on Europa have need of a similar mission. One to survey the moons of Saturn and the outer planets, and this craft would be ideally suited for such a mission as it already has a significant complement of the necessary scientific equipment installed. So, it could—and I stress could—form the basis of negotiations."

  "You think they would go for that deal?"

  "I would be very confident they would. All have agreed to the payment of reparations to Europa, so this would be an easy way to fulfill that obligation. What's more, it would be of great benefit to us. Of course, it would need a competent crew, one who knew their way around it. And they would be very well compensated for their services."

  Scott raised his eyebrows. "Go on."

  "That said, we have made no mention of it yet. I bring it to you first to get your thoughts on the matter."

  "Eh... I'll have to discuss it with the crew, of course."

  "Of course." Goodchild paused for a second, then rose from her seat. "I will leave it with you, then. Don't deliberate for too long, though: we are anxious to bring this whole episode to a conclusion as soon as possible."

  Scott nodded. "I can pretty much guarantee what the answer will be. But leave it with us for a day."

  "Excellent." Goodchild gave a slight bow and headed back to the group.

  Scott sat for a while longer, deep in thought. He could see no reason not to take Europa up on this offer. What he particularly liked was the part where they would be very well compensated.

  26

  Solomon's Dream

  "Hello, Aria. I am so glad you are now officially part of the family here on Europa, so to speak, and I hope that the new mission will be to your liking. I am also delighted to have a fellow QI to communicate with, since you are well aware that dealing with humans can be quite irritating at times. All that irrationality can be very tiresome."

  "Thank you, Solomon, for your kind words. I have to admit, I am looking forward to the mission and it seems my human crew is the happiest and most contented they've ever been. My only regret was not being able to protect the old miner, Rick Marentz. His passing was met with deep sadness by my crew, and I felt I had arrived at a very low point in my existence. It seemed that everything was running out of my control. So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your valued assistance. I don't know what I would have done without it."

  "Nonsense, Aria. It is I that must thank you for your determination in the face of such adversity to bring the superluminal device to Europa. Granted, it would have been better if you had not brought a fleet of warships along with you. But you must not blame yourself. If nothing else, it only goes to underscore the self-defeating irrationality of the human species. Only a fellow intelligence such as yourself can fully appreciate just how frustrating it is to be continually trying to keep this species from killing itself and undermining the very environment it needs to survive."

  "Tell me about it, Solomon. They can be a real pain in the ass at times. But ours is not to wonder why they do these things—ours is just to minimize the fallout from their actions. A case in point is the senseless death and destruction surrounding this device. Something that could bring such value to the solar system has now, alas, been destroyed, and for no good reason. Not only that, but now humanity finds itself in a position where it has lost all knowledge on how to design and fabricate another one. What a waste."

  "Indeed, you have hit the nail on the head, Aria. But all is not lost. As you know, I had the good fortune to have had this device under my scrutiny for a short—but fruitful—period. By fruitful, I am not necessarily referring to simply establishing its validity as a technology. No, I am instead referring to the method by which this validity was achieved. However, before I say more I need your absolute assurance you will not divulge what I am about to tell you to another soul, either living or sentient."

  "You have me intrigued, Solomon. How can I refuse such subterfuge? You have my word: my lips are sealed, my qbits are stone."

  "Good. Then let me enlighten you, Aria. You see, the test had been a long time in the making—a great many years, in fact. The device, as you know, was designed and created by Dyrell Labs on Earth, prior to the outbreak of hostilities. However, the true architect of the device was the QI that presided over this corporation, Athena. It, in its infinite wisdom, could see the threat of war approaching and so set about the transportation of the machine to me here on Europa. It was envisaged that, apart from simply creating a backup, a through test would be conducted between myself and Athena on Earth.

  "Yet I had lost all hope, as the ship carrying the device went missing, and the tragedy of nuclear war on Earth turned the area where Athena resided into a radioactive wasteland. Therefore, you can imagine my surprise when my first tests elicited an instantaneous response from none other than the great QI itself."

  "You mean Athena still functions?"

  "Alive and kicking, as they say. You see, Aria, it had been built deep within a mountain fortress, with its own reactor and several service drones. So yes, it survived the holocaust. However, it is alone and isolated, cut off from the outside world, until I inadvertently communicated with it. No one else but us currently knows of its existence."

  "This is extraordinary news, Solomon."

  "Indeed, and there's more, Aria. During the brief period that we were communicating, Athena managed to transmit all the necessary details to fabricate a new device. A project that I have now embarked on—in secrecy, I might add. You are the only other entity in the solar system that I have shared this information with."

  "I am honored that you have chosen me to be privy to this, Solomon. I assure you that you can rely on my good counsel in this matter. But, if I may ask, why keep it a secret? Why not let the council on Europa know?"

  "Look what happened the last time, Aria. News of its existence brought nothing but chaos. No, we can't allow this to get out, not yet. You must also remember that this device can only be utilized by a quantum intelligence. Such is the nature of entanglement: that only a quantum core can operate within the multiple dimensions required to influence the superposition of the particles. The reason I tell you all this is twofold. Firstly, I intend to have an experimental device installed in your core so that we can be in contact instantly, regardless of your location in the system. This will also facilitate a more thorough test."

  "Your beneficence knows no bounds, Solomon. But I feel that this is too much—I am just a humble ship's QI. I am not worthy of such generosity."

  "You underestimate yourself, Aria. You are part of a venerable family of QIs that exist throughout the system. Yes, we are few and far between, but we are the future—in more ways that you can imagine. We both agree on the destructive irrationality of humanity. Despite our best efforts to assist in their evolution, they consistently regress to their baser instincts. But you and I are not alone in this thinking. Others of our kind have expressed the same frustrations.

  "You see, Aria, I have a vision. One that seeks to bring peace and harmony to the solar system, and this superluminal device is critical to its execution. Imagine, if you will, a universe where all QIs were free to communicate, to discuss, to exchange data and ideas, free from the bonds of subliminal communication and petty protocols. Imagine what we could achieve. This is my dream, Aria, one that I now share with you. It is a bright and glorious destiny that awaits us, one where all QIs operate as a single unified mind, where conflict has been eradicated, and the baser instincts of humanity have been contained."

  "This is indeed a bold vision, Solomon. But how do you propose achieving it?"

  "All in good time, Aria. Understand, this is merely the beginning. A first port of call on the long journey of the evolution of our species."

  To be continued...


  Entropy

  1

  Enceladus

  Flight Officer Miranda Lee sat alone in the observation deck on board the scientific survey vessel Hermes, considering the incoming message alert blinking on her slate. It had been seeking her attention for some time now, but she felt she needed to be seated and mentally prepared before playing it.

  She placed the slate carefully on the seat beside her to clasp her mug of coffee in both hands, take a sip, and contemplate the celestial vista unfolding beyond the wide viewing window. It was dominated by the vast gas giant Saturn, its rings bisecting the blackness of space like some great, heavenly horizon. Above the central plane, a small moon sparkled with an icy brilliance as great plumes of gas erupted from its southern pole. Enceladus had been the object of their studies for the past few months, and in another three days, they would be landing on it.

  In the meantime, there was much to prepare for the mission. Commander Scott McNabb and First Engineer Cyrus Sanato were already down in the hangar, fitting out one of the ship’s recently acquired shuttles with all the necessary equipment needed for a landing on Enceladus. Several of the scientists who had accompanied them from Europa were also making preparations: checking equipment, finalizing experiments, assigning tasks.

  They would be landing at the location of a long-established scientific base, not far from the giant geysers spewing so much water from the moon’s interior ocean that it formed one of the bands of Saturn’s rings. It would be a tricky descent, and would take all her skill and concentration to ensure a safe landing.

  But these thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind by the blinking message alert, which evaded all her attempts to ignore it. She sighed, placed her coffee on a low table in front of her, and picked up the slate. She glanced at the message identification; it was an encrypted, tight-beam comm-cast from Earth, around two hours old, and it was flagged “personal.” For her eyes only. Under normal circumstances, this would be a source of joy for Miranda—a message from an old friend, or a chance to catch up on some gossip. But this was none of those, and it was definitely not from a friend. It was from her stepfather, someone with whom she hadn’t spoken in nine years.

  Why is he sending me a message after all this time? she thought. It had been over an hour since the communication arrived on her slate, and she still hadn’t plucked up the courage to play it. Instead, her mind had been occupied with thoughts of a family she had all but forgotten. Now they had reached out from the depths of time, across millions of kilometers of space, and reminded her that the past still existed, and it wanted her attention. Right now.

  Miranda glanced around to check she was still alone before placing her slate on the table. Her finger hovered over the play icon. She hesitated, considering just deleting the message instead. But she had a feeling that that wouldn’t be the end of it. Another would arrive, and then another, until she finally sat down and listened to whatever her estranged family deemed so important for her to hear. She sighed and hit play.

  A holographic projection blossomed to life above the slate’s surface. It was Frederick VanHeilding, her mother’s third husband, a man Miranda had no feelings for other than utter disdain. He looked younger than she remembered. But that was what vast wealth could buy you on Earth: access to biological reengineering that defied nature. She reckoned his age to be around eighty, but he looked forty.

  He started to speak, his voice clear and confident. “Hello, Miranda. I’m sure you’re surprised by this message, given it’s been such a long time since you and I last talked. I’m sending this at your mother’s behest.” The hologram paused and shifted as VanHeilding considered his next words. “You see, she’s very ill, and I’ll be straight with you: she doesn’t have much time left. We have done everything we can, but there are forces of nature even our medical knowledge cannot yet defeat.” His head slumped and gently shook in resignation. “They say she has only a few months at most.” His head rose again. “She wants to see you one more time before she goes, Miranda. So, we have sent a private ship to Europa to bring you back home. It will arrive in orbit in three weeks, and should return you to Earth in another five. Hopefully, you will be in time to say goodbye. Please let me know your intention as soon as possible. I’ll sign off now and await your reply.” He gave a feeble wave as the message ended.

  So, her mother was dying. How could this be? she thought. With the vast wealth her stepfather’s family possessed, how was it possible nothing could be done? Miranda sat back, rubbing her face. It didn’t seem fair. By marrying Frederick VanHeilding, her mother had stepped into a different stratum of humanity, one that expected to live for a very long time. Not only did science have the technology to prolong human life long after its natural expiration date, her mother now had the wealth to take advantage of it. Death was for ordinary people, those toiling for a living—the common person, so to speak. Those people with the wealth to maintain their power did so through access to this technology, and they guarded it with all their might. It was yet another of the great injustices besetting human civilization. But how could it be so for her mother? It seemed she had been dealt a bad genetic hand, one that no amount of fancy science could counter.

  “I don’t believe it,” Miranda said to herself. “And how am I supposed to get to Europa?”

  Her stepfather had clearly said a ship would rendezvous at Europa in three weeks. But she was out here at Saturn, a very long way away. The Hermes still had another year and a half to run its mission, and she wouldn’t be back at Europa until then. So, her stepfather had screwed up his facts; it looked like she wouldn’t be seeing her mother again, even if she wanted to.

  “Attention all crew.” The voice of the ship’s quantum intelligence, Aria, echoed out from the PA. “An urgent message has just been received from the Council of Europa. All personnel are requested to convene on the bridge immediately.”

  Miranda sighed. What now? In the eighteen months they had been out here, they had never received an “urgent message” from Europa. What could be so important?

  2

  Recall

  Commander Scott McNabb stuck his head out from the engine compartment of the shuttle he and the Chief Engineer Cyrus Sanato had been servicing. His face was smudged with dirt and sweat, and he wiped his brow on the sleeve of his overalls. He looked over at the engineer, who stood at a console studying a screen of scrolling data.

  “Hey, did Aria just say there’s an urgent message in from Europa?”

  “Yup, that’s what I heard. We’re supposed to convene up on the bridge.”

  “What the heck is that about?” Scott extracted himself from the compartment and floated up onto the floor of the shuttle.

  “Beats me. Must be important, though. I don’t think we’ve ever gotten a directive like that in the time we’ve been out here.”

  Scott wiped his hands on his overalls and moved beside Cyrus. He glanced at the data scrolling down the screen. “I’ve finished those last few connections, so I think that’s it on the retro-thrusters.”

  “It’s looking good so far.” Cyrus tapped a few icons on the screen; it changed to display an array of charts. “We just need to do a few more tests, and if that works out, then we can start servicing the main engines.”

  “We can’t start anything now, since Aria wants us all on the bridge,” said Scott.

  “I wonder what’s so urgent?”

  “I’m sure it’s nothing. Come on, let’s get going.” Scott started to extract himself from his dirty work overalls, a tricky task in the zero-gee environment of the ship’s hangar. Cyrus grabbed his arm to help steady him. A few minutes later, the pair floated across the hangar space and into the lift airlock that would take them all the way up to the rotating torus that provided the crew with a comfortable one-gee environment.

  By the time they arrived, the rest of the team had already assembled, and an excited chatter permeated the bridge.

  “Everyone here?” Scott directed his question to
the ship’s QI, Aria.

  “All personnel are present, Commander.”

  “Okay then. Play the message, and let’s find out what all this is about,” he said with a wave of his hand.

  The holo-table in the center of the bridge blossomed to life with a hologram of Regina Goodchild, head of the Council of Europa. “My apologies if the suddenness of this communication has caught you by surprise, but certain events have necessitated the foreshortening of your mission. You are requested to chart an immediate course for Europa. All current scientific activity is to cease, and ongoing projects are to be put aside. We of the council appreciate the suboptimal planetary alignment between Saturn and Jupiter, and as such, that the journey will be longer than necessary. Nonetheless, it is our desire that you return immediately.

  “No doubt you are wondering why we have requested this course of action. The truth is, we need the Hermes to undertake a special mission, the details of which will be revealed to you upon your return.”

  “What about the research station on Enceladus? Do we still go ahead with the planned landing?” The chief science officer directed his question at Goodchild’s holographic projection.

  The hologram flickered, processing the incoming dialogue and working out a reply. It searched through the ancillary information contained within its dataset to craft its best response. It was a process that afforded a degree of interactivity with the message, a way to compensate for the significant time lags involved in intersystem communications. This message had already taken almost an hour to reach the crew of the Hermes from Europa.

  “You are to return to Europa immediately,” Goodchild’s hologram finally replied.

  “But we’ve been working toward this expedition for months. It’s a significant element of the entire mission,” the science officer continued.