His deliberations were interrupted by a soft knocking on his apartment door. He checked the time, it was almost midnight; he had been reading papers and checking concepts for almost eight hours, without any awareness of time passing. He opened the door. Fern was standing there, beside a small trolley.
“Engineer, I know you haven’t eaten. So I took liberties and arranged a meal,” she indicated the contents of the trolley. “Slices from a medium roast of beef, with gravy. Yorkshire pud. Some vegetables. Ice cream. A very nice red wine, I selected it from Dr. Krowe’s cellar. Fresh coffee. Everything to tempt the palate. Oh, and there is enough for two.” She smiled, and Freddie was reminded of her previous promise.
“Fern, you’re too good to me. Come in, and bring your trolley. I admit I’m hungry.” He opened the door wide.
Fern rolled the trolley into the apartment and set the table for two. Freddie watched silently. He opened the bottle of wine when instructed by Fern and poured two glasses. Again, at Fern’s instruction, Freddie sat at the table. When he tried to ask Fern a question, she held up her hand.
“First, let’s enjoy our dinner. Business or Institute topics are banned, for the moment.” She paused, waiting for Freddie’s agreement. He nodded. “Good,” Fern continued. “Health as a topic is not banned. How are you?”
“Surprisingly well. I spent about eight hours totally absorbed in some very technical papers and I feel wide awake. I could continue till morning without feeling any strain, I’m sure.”
“Very good. Your recovery has been exceptional. Everyone’s very pleased.”
“I do have some questions about that; however, I think you banned the topic.”
“Hmmm. When we finish.”
They ate the meal in silence, albeit a friendly one. Freddie had questions, and the longer he waited, the more there seemed to be. At last he finished his scoop of ice cream. Fern smiled; she had a mischievous look in her eyes.
“Now, which question first?”
Freddie stared at Fern for a long moment. “Why did I not die from poisoning? The comment about storage deteriorating the poison strength was just a story, no?” He helped Fern remove the dishes, placing them back onto the food trolley.
“A good question—or should I say, questions? Help me get this trolley outside the door. Be careful, Sabre wanted some roast, and he’ll be disappointed we ate it all.” However, Sabre and Felis were both asleep, or at least were pretending to be.
The door closed, and Freddie led Fern to one of the comfortable settees. “Now. Answers, please.”
“How much, if anything, do you remember of the night?” Fern said, her cheeks reddening. “Apart from waking up in the morning, that is?”
“I remember—,” he paused. “My eyes were covered and I couldn’t see. I wanted to wipe my eyes, and you told me not to.”
“Yes, you were covered with nanites. They were very busy, making sure of your recovery.”
“Nanites?”
Fern cupped her right hand and waited a moment. She held her hand out to Freddie. “Hold out your hand,” she instructed.
He did as instructed, and Fern inverted and shook her hand, emptying the contents into Freddie’s hand.
He looked at his cupped palm. “There’s nothing—” he paused. Then he looked again, more carefully. “Wait, how did you do that? What is this?” He lifted a silver thread from his palm, examining it closely in the light.
Fern reached out and placed her hand on Freddie’s wrist. “They are nanites. There are probably millions of them in that thread. For you, for me, they are extremely powerful. Dr. Krowe developed them years ago. He—he accidentally released them. He was young, arrogant, a genius, a villain. Very misguided. It is a long story, he has documented it in detail, and I‘m sure at some stage he’ll share it with you. What can I say? Without these nanites, you would’ve died.”
Freddie looked again at the silver thread and then allowed it to drop back into his palm. It slowly disappeared as it was absorbed by his body. He turned back to Fern. “I see. I just don’t know what I’m seeing. Nanites? How did they save my life?”
“Freddie, over the last twenty years or so, nanites have been a part of you. At least since the first Sam met you. The nanites assessed you, and to some extent invaded your body, although they stayed dormant. When you were attacked at the Embassy, they woke and became more active in your protection, which is why your fractured arm healed so quickly. Then, when you were poisoned, they were able to heal you.” She smiled demurely. “With my help, of course.”
“You helped?”
“I provided a link to you, body to body, for extra nanites to flow. We both were covered in nanites. The other Ferns helped, of course.”
“Of course.” He paused for a long while. “I’ve too many questions. This seems—.”
“Impossible? No, let me demonstrate. Take your pulse, just feel the inside of your wrist.”
Freddie placed his thumb on the inside vein of his wrist as directed by Fern. “Now what?”
“Count your pulse—it should be sixty per second. Feel it?”
“Yes.” Freddie counted to himself. “It’s one beat per second, as near as I can tell.”
“Now think about the process, think about the blood flow, and your heartbeat. Think of it as a deep dive. Concentrate. What do you sense?”
“My heart—I can sense it beating, I can sense my blood flow. I think I could slow—or increase—my heartbeat?”
“No, don’t try—it’s far too soon for you to experiment like that. Stop, now.” She brushed his hand off his wrist. “The nanites are providing you with an insight into your body. Now take my pulse.”
Freddie hesitated and then reached for Fern’s wrist. “The count is almost the same.”
“Deep dive. Focus, concentrate.”
Freddie concentrated. “I can sense your blood flow, too. And your heartbeat. It’s different—”
“Well, I am different in case you hadn’t noticed. We are linked, dear boy. Your nanites are my nanites, and vice versa. Mainly as a result of spending ten hours or more together while we were both coated in quadrillions of them.”
“The evidence seems overwhelming. I’ve never heard of anyone being able to sense their body like that. Or someone else’s body. The ramifications are tremendous. And Rats are also nanite-based?”
“Maybe not quite so nanite-based. But certainly Rats are influenced, guided, and monitored by nanites. The nanites totally drive their evolution, and the Rats know that, and they work closely with the nanites. Their evolutionary process has been happening for about a hundred years.”
Freddie expressed his disbelief. “What? Are you certain? Dr. Krowe is only fifty, perhaps fifty-five?”
“He is well over one hundred years old. Nanites have supported him for ninety or more years.”
“Too much data, far too much data,” protested Freddie. “I know this is all very serious. However, in the last few minutes you have provided just too much for me to absorb.”
Fern moved closer to Freddie on the settee. “I could further distract you, you know?”
“It would be low hanging fruit, Fern. I readily admit, you distract me, always. No, let me focus on this for a while longer, then you can distract me all you want. Tell me, what about the sabres?” A dawning realization hit him. “What about you, Fern? I have met Adele, she said she was from a later batch—and I think I have seen three of four other Ferns—or people very similar in appearance.”
“There are twelve Ferns,” explained Fern in her soft voice, “in total, in the admin team. All Ferns work together. With Adeles, we are about fifty in total.”
“And you’re all the same—clones?”
“Can I save those topics for another day? Please?”
Freddie nodded his assent. “I’ll remember, though. Now come here, I need distracting.”
***
Chapter 31
The year sped by at what seemed to Freddie to be a very rapid rate. Inst
ead of suffering attacks and poisonings, he was healthy and focused. There was still some civil unrest, including occasional protests against the so-called loss of Shen technology; however, the unrest seemed to have subsided from its peak, and he hoped it was not the typical lull before the storm. The Institute had efficiently organized the recruitment of aerospace engineers and even found some designers capable of matching his drive concepts with feasible engineering deliverables. At the same time a number of Rats had joined the design and engineering teams. The groups, humans and Rats—designers and engineers—worked together as one dedicated team. Freddie was rarely disturbed by the Institute’s administration people, although Fern spoke with him every week to check whether he needed more support from her team or from the Institute generally. The answer always was no, for he making progress.
Freddie, with assistance from the additional designers, had determined how to move his ideas from bare concepts to a working hypothesis. From that result, the engineers began to understand the scope of the task they faced, in order to instantiate the concepts as working models. Sometimes the design sessions lasted well past midnight, and always Freddie was the first of the team to start work the following day, as fresh as if he had slept ten or twelve hours instead of just three or four. His team had lost two designers who had been unable to cope with the pressure. It was always indirect pressure; Freddie set a pace for himself, and others tried to match him, to keep up. Sometimes they failed. Sometimes they found failure to be so dispiriting, they withdrew from the team.
Fern warned Freddie of the risks. The designers who withdrew had skills and knowledge which Freddie needed, and there was not an endless supply of those. Each time, Freddie would promise to slow down, to be less aggressive in his own approach, to be more relaxed. The promise lasted for perhaps two or three weeks, and then some problem would grab his attention, and he would lose himself in the challenge, at the same time sucking in all who were working with him. Again, for the third time in as many months, Fern chastised him.
“You have to slow down, Freddie,” she scolded as she stood beside Freddie’s desk. “I just had a long discussion with Dr. Marshall. You know he’s the top New Cambridge expert on warp drive concepts—on your warp drive concepts. He’s floundering and exhausted, and we’re likely to lose him. You can’t afford to lose him.”
Freddie was guilt-stricken. “I didn’t realize—I’ll apologize to him. He is very good, the best I know. I agree, if we lost him it would be a major setback.”
“You need to do more than apologize. Both of you should take time out, perhaps visit Shen Ark, have a look at the real world, relax. Even party. Stop driving yourself so hard.”
“It’s because I can, I suppose. Also because I’m way behind my schedule.”
“A self-imposed schedule, if I recall?”
“I surrender. Let’s declare a long weekend break and I’ll take the design team to Shen Ark. We’ll spend all of next week on board. Most are planning to travel with the starship when we depart, so that will not create a future problem regarding Shen technology. Do you want to come with us?”
“Yes, please. I’ll take some of the Institute’s admin team. Dr. Krowe says we need to start thinking about how we transfer to the starship, as well. They’ll enjoy the adventure, and it will give them a taste of the future.”
There were smiles all around when Freddie declared Friday to be a holiday, ensuring a long weekend break. “I understand I’m driving you all far too hard,” Freddie explained to the informal assembly of his team. “Fern has just chastised me. I think she’s instructed Sabre to bite me if I keep you all working so hard. I’m sure he would.” He reached down and scratched Sabre’s ears. After a moment, Felis pushed Sabre out of the way so she also could get her ears scratched. Freddie obliged. “I apologize for all the pressure. I just cannot help it, as you know.”
“Engineer, we understand.” The speaker was Dr. Marshall. “You set a demanding and exhausting pace. If you can drop it back a gear and coast occasionally, we might just be able to keep up with you.” He smiled, taking the sting out of his words.
“Sorry, David.” Freddie looked abashed. “Just thump me, in future. Or tell Sabre. He’ll drag me away for a break—won’t you, Sabre?”
“Yesss. Bosssy Fern sssaid you ssshould ssslow down.”
“All right, all right. I think I have received the message. So next week—who wants to visit Shen Ark? Now that I think about it, I should have arranged a trip far earlier.” He noted the raised hands. “Everyone? Very good. I’ll arrange a shuttle for early Monday morning departure. Expect to be away for the week, returning Friday evening. It’ll probably be controlled chaos on board the starship. I know the Rats are re-building a lot of the existing accommodation. However, I’m sure they’ll make us feel welcome.”
Fern was all smiles when she met with Freddie later that afternoon. “Well done, Freddie. The team need to recharge, and they need some motivation. I’m pleased they all volunteered and I heard some very positive comments. Also, I’ve selected half of the admin team to join the flight.”
“Listening were you? Or did Sabre tell you?” He tugged Sabre’s ears.
“I have my ways. Oh, I spoke with Capin Julio and he was very enthusiastic about everyone visiting Shen Ark. I think he wants to show off progress. From what he said, construction of the shuttle for the bubble machine test flight is well underway. Sam 32nd sent a message adding his approval as well; he said design progress has been remarkable.”
“So we really can afford a holiday?”
“Of course, dear boy. I checked the project reports, and the engineers have enough material for two months work, while the designers can keep going for even longer, without further input from you. You have, as usual, exceeded expectations. I suspect the week on Shen Ark really won’t be a holiday?”
Freddie tried to disguise his guilt. “Well—um, I thought we could survey some of the Shen Ark exterior, so the engineers can see the real world they’ll be facing. If the test shuttle also is ready to inspect—all right, your suspicions are correct.”
“I suppose I really can’t criticize you. I think the admin team will be working long hours as well.” She tucked her arm in his. “It’s time for dinner, and I know catering has something special, just for you. Come on, you cannot keep the chef waiting.”
~~~
The Monday morning shuttle flight to Shen Ark was uneventful. The pilot and co-pilot were both Rats, their professional demeanour demonstrating both their confidence and the effectiveness of Shen training. The flight had been arranged especially for the occasion, and as a result, the cabin was half empty; the unrestrained excitement of the passengers was almost palpable—apart from Freddie and his sabre companions, none of the team had visited Shen Ark. On schedule, the shuttle slowed and eased into its berth on the tethered waystation, slotting into place without a bump. Freddie joined the pilots in the cockpit. “Well done,” he congratulated them. “Colonel Thè, I believe?”
“Yes, Engineer. I am now responsible for all shuttle pilots; and of course, for ensuring that VIP flights are trouble free. Welcome to Shen Ark, again. Hopefully, this visit will be uneventful.”
Freddie said. “I hope so as well. Congratulations on your expanded responsibilities and for the comfortable flight. I’d better catch up with my team. Thank you.”
“Thank you, Engineer.”
Freddie quickly caught up with Fern, who was starting to wonder where he had gone. “Congratulating a friend,” Freddie explained. “Colonel Thè. He’s now responsible for the entire shuttle fleet, and, he said, for VIP flights. He must mean you.”
Fern said. “When you‘re on board, I think not. Now hurry up.”
“You knew this was going to happen,” murmured Freddie later, to Fern.
“Of course, dear boy. It’s been a year since you were transported off the Shen Ark in a near-death state. You thought you were going to sneak on board without anyone taking any notice?”
Capin Julio had organized a welcome party for the visitors, consisting of a cheering parade of Guards, a presentation by starship aircrew, and it seemed, involvement of anyone else who wished to participate. The two sabre tigers sat up and trilled their excitement when Capin Julio announced their names to the welcoming party. The Capin concluded with a brief although very warm welcome for Freddie.
“Engineer, we’re all tremendously relieved to see you back on Shen Ark. Please believe me when I say on behalf of everyone, if there’s anything you want, if there’s anything we can do, just ask. A final word for everybody—back to work.” The welcoming crowd cheered at the Capin’s instruction and everyone moved off to their tasks, personal or starship-related.
Freddie and his two sabre tooth bodyguards were the only members of the boarding party who had previous experience of Shen Ark and Capin Julio had arranged for guides to show everyone features of the starship. First they were shown to their cabins, somewhat makeshift although serviceable, and then, for the remainder of the day they explored Shen Ark. The sheer size of the starship almost overwhelmed the visitors.
“It is gigantic,” commented David Marshall in a late afternoon discussion. “I understand now why you refer to Shen Ark as a habitat. We’ll certainly need to pump power into the bubble machines, to push this through folded space. Engineer, this puts everything into context for me.” The other technical members of the visiting team agreed. Fern and her team were silent, still absorbing the vastness of the starship.
“We knew the dimensions,” Fern later explained to Freddie. “However, until you actually experience the reality, you really don’t have an idea of what Shen Ark is.”
“Tomorrow we’ll take a pressurized tractor unit and explore some of the exterior. It’ll feel just as vast from the outside.” Freddie turned to the senior guide allocated by Capin Julio. “I think the last item for tonight would be a visit to one of the observation decks. Can you arrange that? I think the team will enjoy the view.”
At Freddie’s instruction they all sat on benches around the huge window. “When Shen Ark is underway, this window’s closed in,” said Freddie. “There are massive shutters, fifty or more feet thick, that slide across the window, for protection against meteorites or other impacts. The shutters can be opened only when the starship’s at rest.” He directed the guide. “Please turn off the interior lights.” The lights faded and as the observation deck interior darkened, the exterior view gradually became visible. The centrepiece was Earth, a bright blue orb set against a black velvet backdrop. There was an intake of breath followed by total silence as the group absorbed the vista.
Shen Ark: Departure Page 24