Mach's Metric

by D. W. Patterson

  Elias flinched as he realized for the first time that they might try to bring him in to the proceedings. Burgess beside him became anxious.

  Starway Corporation finished its presentation and the floor was turned over to the lead attorney for StarPath. He began with a dry account of events as had the Starway attorney but after establishing that the StarPath ship was also ordered to one-hundred AU he turned to present the new information that had been brought in just before the proceedings began.

  “So again I say that we have shown through the time-stamps on the communications records and telemetry data that the StarPath ship was at one-hundred AU when it sent those messages.

  “However there is one thing we would like to add. From a comparative investigation of the telemetry data of the two ship's locations it can be shown that the StarPath ship was just over two hours away from the Starway ship when it exited the short wormhole jump and began broadcasting before attempting the long jump.

  “Now the physics of this occurrence are such that the disruption travels at the speed of light from the source. The StarPath ship departed just over two hours after the Starway ship. I understand that the time for wormhole traverse is almost negligible for a jump. Therefore we assert that the StarPath ship came out of the wormhole jump just minutes before a wave of disintegrating spacetime hit and destroyed it terminating its broadcast.

  “And we assert that because of the approximately two hour lead of the Starway ship and the two hour light-time separation of the two ships that it could very well be that the Starway ship's engagement of its wormhole generator and subsequent attempt to make a record jump caused the spacetime disruption and the loss of our ship and the resulting destruction and loss of life in the habitats. Thank you Mr. Chairman.”

  Chapter 4

  Wormhole Physics 101 by Dr. Elias Mach

  Copyright 2393 C.E. - Chapter 3, Page 79

  Quantum Entanglement and Spacetime

  Spacetime is now known to be an emergent property of quantum entanglement, the “spooky” action at a distance effect that links two (or more) particles together in a quantum state. For example, if we have two particles entangled and we measure a property of one of the particles, such as spin angular momentum, then the spin angular momentum for the other particle is known, no matter how far away from the first particle the second has moved.

  It must be remembered that the measured property did not have a fixed value before measurement, it only assumed the value at the moment of measurement, and because the distant particle was entangled with the measured particle then it also assumed the complementary value at the same time, i.e. “spooky” action at a distance.

  Thus entanglement knits together spacetime through particles sharing a common quantum state. But when enough of these entanglements are “broken” then spacetime starts to “unravel.” And the unraveling spreads at the speed of light. Fortunately the effects of this unraveling dissipate over distance.

  One way to cause this disruption of spacetime is to repeatedly create wormhole pairs without a reservoir of entangled particles. If this is done often enough spacetime will slowly unravel. A more spectacular way to cause this phenomena is to concentrate too much energy in too small a space.

  We will now calculate the amount of energy concentration required to disrupt spacetime . . .

  The media went ballistic. An evil corporation, innocent deaths, a Nobel laureate; for days there was nothing else worth a headline.

  Elias was the Nobel laureate, he had won it for his work on the wormhole drive. Now he wished he hadn't even started the research.

  “It's unbelievable Burgess that they have made me out as either incompetent or evil,” said Elias.

  “They are looking for someone to blame Elias. You have a modicum of notoriety and therefore are a target for the press.”

  “But Burgess I don't believe the timing they claim. It would be absolutely miraculous if the StarPath ship arrived where they said it did and the Starway ship engaged its drive when they said it did. Something doesn't add up.

  “Ordinarily I wouldn't worry but I'm afraid there are going to be charges filed against Starway Corporation. And probably me,” he added.

  The court of public opinion, whipped up by the news media, moved fast. Before long there was an outcry to investigate Starway Corporation for their part in the disaster. Elias' name kept coming up. Many wondered if he wasn't culpable also.

  Multiple lawsuits were filed naming Starway Corporation and Mark Sachs, the CEO, as defendants. The first to go to trial was a wrongful death lawsuit in which a thirteen year old girl had died in the Centauri Two habitat. Because Starway was still registered with Centauri Two and the grievance was filed there, the court case was prosecuted there.

  “Mr. Sachs,” said the prosecuting attorney. “Were you aware of any physical danger that this test might cause to residents of the Centauri Two habitat?”

  “I was aware that there was some danger to the test crew of the wormhole ship. But I had been assured that as long as we didn't try the jump any closer than one-hundred AU there would be no danger to the habitats.”

  “And who assured you of that?”

  “Dr. Elias Mach and others gave us the number.”

  Elias, watching the proceedings on his Emmie, winced.

  “And as I understand it the telemetry you received from the test ship showed that they were at one-hundred AU when they engaged the wormhole generator?”

  “That is correct.”

  “So as far as you know you were following what might be called best practices?”

  “Yes I believe you could say that.”

  “Very well thank you Mr. Sachs.”

  Just as Sachs was getting up the prosecuting attorney said, “Just one more thing Mr. Sachs.”

  “Dr. Mach worked for Starway Corporation did he not?”

  “Well not exactly. Starway Corporation had supported Dr. Mach's research but just before the test we had severed our ties to Dr. Mach.”

  “And why was that Mr. Sachs?”

  “The Corporation believed it was time to test the enhanced wormhole generator but Dr. Mach disagreed.”

  “Do you know why he disagreed?”

  “He wanted to complete his calculations first I believe.”

  “His calculations?”

  “Well you will have to ask him but I believe he thought he could calculate the energy density that would cause a disruption.”

  “Very well, thank you Mr. Sachs.”

  The defense attorney had no questions for Sachs.

  The prosecuting attorney then called Michael Blanc of the StarPath Corporation.

  “Mr. Blanc,” said the attorney. “Would you be willing to tell the judge and jury what your corporation discovered and entered into the hearing's proceedings over this matter?”

  “You mean?”

  “You know the information you discovered about the StarPath Corporation's test ship being destroyed before it used its wormhole generator.”

  “Ah yes,” said Blanc who then proceeded to enter into the record the results of StarPath's investigation of the incident.

  “So,” said Blanc as he concluded. “Telemetry and communications showed that our ship never had a chance to bring its wormhole drive on line and attempt a long jump. It was destroyed by an expanding area of spacetime disruption before it could start the test.”

  “One more thing Mr. Blanc, your ship also jumped to one-hundred AU before preparing to test the new drive?”

  “Yes.”

  “And who was responsible for that number?”

  “Elias Mach among others had given us that number.”

  Upon that Elias thought, it seems I'm on trial rather than the corporations.

  He was more right than he knew.

  “This is incredible,” said Arn Strombecker retired head of Starway Corporation.

  “They've brought you in as co-defendant?”

  “Yes,” said Elias. “I believe they are goin
g to blame the incident on me but use Starway Corporation as the monetary resource for restitution.”

  “Well Elias we will have to get you the best attorneys we can afford.”

  “It's not the case I wanted to discuss with you Arn. I know that you still have some influence at Starway Corporation. What I need is the use of a wormhole driven fusion ship.”

  “For what?” asked Arn.

  “I need to get out to the coordinates where the StarPath and Starway ships were suppose to engage their wormhole drives. I think I can figure out exactly what happened by using my instruments, particularly my Casimir device. If I can pinpoint the location of the source of the spacetime disruption it would save me and Starway Corporation from being wrongly convicted.”

  “So you are convinced it was the StarPath ship that caused the disruption?”

  “I'm pretty sure of it. They started two hours after the Starway ship and the only way they could claim priority was by shorting the safety distance I recommended.

  “By the way, I finished calculating the maximum distance a wormhole could be cast before the energy causes a disruption of spacetime.”

  “Yes?”

  “Almost exactly seven point five light-years. With a safety buffer say seven light-years.”

  “But Elias that is still excellent. That will put many more star systems within our grasp.”

  “Yes I have already run the numbers and find that with multiple jumps and stopovers for recharging we can reach hundreds of star systems instead of the handful we currently reach.”

  “Once again Elias you have done a service for your fellow man.”

  “Well I just wish they weren't trying to hang me for it, so to speak.”

  Strombecker grinned and nodded.

  It took a week but Dr. Strombecker was able to get a wormhole ship for Elias to use. Along with the ship he had also found a ship's captain and a small crew of volunteers.

  The Captain, D.G. Murray, was discussing the mission with Elias.

  “It certainly sounds like a simple mission Dr. Mach. How long do you think we will need to stay at each location?”

  “I should think that I will have the readings I need in no more than a day Captain Murray.”

  “Very well then. I'll still provision the ship to its fullest. If we don't use it the crew will have a bonus for their efforts when we get back.”

  “Very well Captain.”

  That evening Burgess was waiting for Elias when he got home.

  “Hi honey,” said Burgess giving Elias a kiss.

  “I've got something to tell you,” she said playfully.

  “I've got something to tell you too,” said Elias. “But you first.”

  “Remember I had a doctor's appointment today?”

  “Oh yes,” said Elias. “And how did it go?”

  “Well the doctor found something,” said Burgess, eyes glowing.

  “What? Are you okay?” asked Elias getting concerned.

  “Yes and no. I'm okay but I have a condition,” said Burgess almost giggling.

  “What? What is it?” he said getting more and more alarmed.

  “I'm pregnant.”

  Elias looked stunned, then concerned and then a smile spread across his face.

  “That's wonderful darling, it's the best thing I've heard in some time.”

  “It's a boy Elias, seven weeks.”

  “A boy, I'm speechless. You're wonderful honey,” he said as he hugged her.

  Later Elias told her of the mission and that he thought he would be leaving soon.

  “I want to go with you Elias.”

  “But honey you should stay here and rest.”

  “I'm not that pregnant. I can still take care of myself and you.”

  “I don't know honey.”

  “You are not expecting any problems are you?”

  “No honey, but I wonder if space is the right place for a pregnant woman.”

  “Elias Mach, how do you think we fill up all these huge habitats? I'll be just as safe aboard the ship for a week as I will be here for a week. And I don't want to be away from you all that time.”

  “Then you are going to do it naturally?”

  “Yes.”

  “But what if you need something, what if you need a doctor.”

  “I'll get in touch with Dag, he is equipped to handle any medical emergency I can think of. It would be a good idea if he was aboard the ship anyway.”

  “You're not going to take no for an answer, are you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Okay then you and Dag are welcome aboard.”

  Dag was an android, a robotic detective. He had worked with Burgess before she married Elias. Now he was in business for himself. But it wasn't easy.

  Dag was an Em based intelligence. Em meant emulated. Dag's intelligence was based on a copy of a human brain. Ems also powered the personal assistant devices called Emmies.

  Working with Burgess was a perfect match for Dag. He handled all the technical and data gathering aspects of a case while Burgess took care of all the necessary people interactions. Her intuition was better than Dag's. He had found it hard to learn the skills she came by naturally.

  “Hello Dag,” said Burgess as she opened the door. “It's good to see you after all this time.”

  “Hello Miss, it's good to see you also.”

  “Hi Dag,” said Elias. “Thanks for coming. Come on in and sit down.”

  “Thank you sir.”

  They seated themselves in the living room of the Mach's home.

  “How's business Dag?”

  “Well to be honest sir it is a little slow.”

  “Then our timing is good. This little job should only take you a week or so and of course you will be paid your usual.”

  “I couldn't take anything. After what I learned working with Burgess. I owe her more than I could ever repay.”

  “Nonsense Dag,” said Elias. “We appreciate you as a friend but we also know that you are a professional. We insist you be compensated.”

  “Very well then,” said Dag. “I will accept both in the spirit of friendship and professionalism.”

  Burgess and Elias smiled. Then Elias' Emmie announced a call.

  “Excuse me I should take this.”

  Elias got up and went into the other room to take the call.

  Burgess and Dag were talking about his medical knowledge when Elias returned. He was looking somewhat at a loss.

  “What is it honey?” asked Burgess.

  “That was a newsman. He wanted to know how I was going to plea to the charges being brought against me.”

  “What charges Elias?”

  “It's a lawsuit brought by the survivors and families of the damaged habitats. It looks like I will be arrested soon and tried for manslaughter or maybe even murder.”

  Burgess was up in a flash.

  “Okay,” she said. “Elias pack what you need for the trip. I'll get my stuff together. Dag will you call Captain Murray at docking port A3 and alert him that we will be meeting him as soon as possible. Please tell him to have the ship ready to go. Thanks.”

  Dag was making the call as Burgess was hurrying Elias into their bedroom to pack.

  Chapter 5

  Sci-pedia - The Online Resource for Science - Ems

  Emulated brains also known as Ems (or Emmies when in personal assistant devices), were the first form of artificial intelligence created. The first Em dates from the early twenty-second century.

  Ems are created by scanning a human brain and loading the data into a computer. At first the scanning of the brain required the person to be deceased and the copy had fidelity problems. Eventually a way to scan the brain of a live person was developed.

  Once the Em is in a computer it can bud (that is recreate or copy itself) as many times as deemed necessary to accomplish the task it has undertaken. Whole families of Ems exist to do certain tasks.

  Hiring out as experts, such as maintaining a power plant, a habita
t's environment, a lightsail's trim, or powering a personal Emmie, Ems can support themselves and the other members of their family.

  The development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI or Aggies) has caused opportunities for Ems to be somewhat limited on Earth. The Em's response was to move their base of operations out into the Solar System and . . .

  Captain Murray was there and crew members were arriving in the docking area as Elias, Burgess and Dag came aboard. The Captain and Dag were introduced.

  “Dr. Mach if I may speak with you,” said Captain Murray.

  “Yes, of course.”

  Elias and the Captain pushed to one side for they were now in zero-gravity.

  “Dr. Mach why are we rushing our departure?”

  “Captain I will speak plainly with you so that you may decide how involved you want to get with this mission.

  “I've been informed that, I along with Starway Corporation as a co-defendant, will soon be charged with causing the disruption of spacetime which led to the deaths of three-hundred fifty-nine people in the Centauri habitats. What the exact charges will be I do not know but I expect to be arrested soon.

  “So Captain you may end up harboring a fugitive from justice aboard your ship. What do you think about that?”

  Captain Murray had never taken his eyes off of Elias. After a moment he began.

  “Dr. Mach I am very aware of the details of the case which has already been brought against my employer Starway Corporation and I believe it to be completely without merit. Michael Sachs may not be a Arn Strombecker but he is a fair and lawful person. I think there is a third party behind this push for so-called justice and they are trying to deflect blame from themselves. They are afraid you will find some evidence that exposes the real wrong doer. Dr. Mach I think you as well as the Corporation I work for are being railroaded, to use an old term from past history. Let's get underway.”

  “Very well Captain and I thank you. By the way please call me Elias.”

  “Okay Elias, I'm George.”

  The wormhole jump and fusion flight would take about a day and a half to reach the position of the Starway 6. Most of this time was spent in ordinary flight as a safe distance between the ship and the Centauri System was attained before jumping. The jump went as usual and as they came out of the far wormhole mouth Elias began his work.