CATACLYSMAL

by Adrian Glass

  “We're working through it, watch for the conference coming up, we'll be streaming live.”

  “Will do...In the meantime here...” The air-hostess reaching beneath the drink cart hands Jansky a can. “...San Francisco Ale, on the house.”

  “Thank you.” Jansky reaches across and takes the can of beer from the air-hostess. “I'll just finish this...” She holds up the scotch and soda...I love this beer. Home town.”

  “Nice meeting you, I'll definitely watch the conference when it's on.”

  Jansky gulps down the last of the scotch, soda and ice. She then opens the can of beer. “We have a lot of brain power working on this.”

  “As long as you're on the case,” the air-hostess replies as she reaches over and removes the used plastic cup, placing a new one in front of Jansky.

  Holding up the can of SF Ale Jansky winks and nods in an grateful manner. “I am”

  The air-hostess smiles pushing the trolley down the aisle attending other passengers.

  Jansky pours the beer into the plastic cup. I remember a paper a few years back. Two astronomers, for their first astronomy paper, proposed that an invisible atmosphere lurked between stars. As in invisible matter, but not Dark Matter, they called them 'clumps'. Never liked the idea of interstellar gas making up these objects. They were, at the time, also referred to as structures. She holds up the plastic cup, the small bubbles of carbonated beer rise and collect at it's frothy surface. “Contained,” she whispers to herself, thinking back three weeks ago when she was ill with the flu, remember the glass of water, the refraction and distortion of light. Jensen, I think you've nailed it. We get the physics right, your conceptualization, perfect, matter, alien devised, within it's structure surrounding the artifact. The Universe, manipulation of reality, the very fabric of Space and time. Jansky looks out at the wing of the aircraft again. We create structure to work against invisible matter. For them... Jansky drinks down a large swig of beer. ...it's the other way around, they control and build matter attaching what ever physical properties are needed. Building onto a framework. It then becomes structural. Complete. Mastering Space and time... She then looks up at the blue sky. “...like a liquid, harnessing it,” Jansky says to herself closing her eyes. Need the calculations on this. She drinks from the beer. Holding up the bio-plastic cup she finishes the drink then crushes the plastic with her right hand. “Damn fine American ale. Kicking in nicely,” she says now feeling the effects of a double scotch and beer. The plane begins to ascend.

  “I am sorry to hear this Elly.” Chris Halelis looks over the imagery and text displayed on a larger screen monitor in-front of him.

  “Yeah it was sudden...” She looks away. “...he was friend. Worked on the conceptual art for the Beacon Hypothesis in my last book. Very talented.”

  “He sure is, this is exceptional. The rendering, it' structural overlay...based on Professor Tori's embedded calculations. The visualization is extraordinary. Also the dialogue...” Halelis removes his glasses looking over at Elly Jansky as she sits back into a lounge chair. “...Speculative in a sense, but, descriptive enough for it to be part of the narrative attachment to the Alien-Artifact theory.”

  “All from Ivane's research paper...” Jansky stands pulling up a small chair to sit opposite where Halelis is sitting at his desk. “...Everything is visualized first. Jensen worked out that the Artifact's composition or as he would deem a Xeno-Structuralism is not made up of physical matter that we know of, like a metal compound, which as we are all aware is abundant in our Solar System. It's as though they have shaped Space-time, building around the structure with whatever materials they use. Professor Tori, although not elaborating to the theory of invisible matter as a framework. The hypothesis is that this Space-time structure has been artificially created with a construct around it.”

  “Invisible matter yet it's not Dark Matter.” Halelis leans back in his chair. Looking at Jensen Denlas's specifications. “I need Micheal for the equation assistance.”

  “Where is he?”

  “Family...He'll be here tomorrow, both him and I have worked on the presentation and summary of Professor Tori's explanation. If we use Jensen’s concept art and description...we'll apply Ivane's equations. The other part, the conceptualization of the presentation and the conclusive aspects of the Alien-Artifact theory will be your baby.”

  Jansky closes her eyes briefly as her thoughts return to the memory of Denlas. “Of course...I owe it to him. What he did for me...was pretty fucking amazing.”

  “Did Micheal mention to you about the high Neutrino petaelectron-volt readings for a possible ETI message?”

  “Yeah he did. Do we have a message in there somewhere?”

  “Undecipherable at this point in time. Pattern yes, on both Neutrino and Antineutrino counts. Four years ago Cameron Olson, a researcher at North Carolina State University and another researcher from MIT experimented with sending a Neutrino that had a simple embedded code. The experiment was a success, they were able to send and and received the coded message via a digital wireless. He and his colleague are currently working on the Neutrino data received from the artifact.”

  “An electron detection?” Jansky asks.

  “Yes, within the wavelength there could be an electron coded part. My bet is the message is most probably within the Antineutrino wave.”

  “And their, the ETI, assumption is that we can read coded messages within decayed Neutrons?”

  “Do they...” Halelis points to the ceiling of his apartment. “...even know what a Neutron is?”

  Both he and Jansky laugh.

  “Chris do you get feeling that all we know, what we have learned is about to spin upside down.”

  “A Paradigm Shift...Yes absolutely. The human-centric is about to finish, we are struggling to put this together, but, the current lesson will always be absolute...What we have learned and discovered through our sciences, physics, its equations and calculations, is what has brought us this far. We might be primitive to an advanced civilization...” Halelis looks back over Jensen’s Xeno-Structuralism concept for the Alien-Artifact. “...But this could be closer to a realization than not.”

  “Our imagination,” Jansky replies smiling once again thinking of Denlas.

  Halelis nods. “Alright, lets get the calculations all set in stone. Have you heard from Professor Tori.”

  “No, I believe he is still with the military in Italy...Although he did say he was going back home to Georgia.”

  “He's good man and no body's fool. The precision of his equations are incredible, the mass and it's trajectory.”

  “Did you see the equation relating to the Artifact's event horizon?” Jansky asks.

  “Yes, hence, you, like all of us suspected that this could be a Wormhole...But you know it's not, because a wormhole does not have an event horizon. Theoretically. Are you going to add another layer of complexity on-top of this?” Halelis asks smiling.”

  Jansky chuckles. “My mind is ticking over...I'll sought out the invisible matter aspect. Then we'll see what comes up next.” She stands as does Halelis.

  “Be quick, we have less than a week to have the Alien-Artifact hypothesis completed for the presentation.”

  “I know...I've already contacted the two young astronomers who wrote the paper on invisible structures. I sent them Ivane's paper, see if they can rework their model equations. I'm awaiting their reply. ”

  “Alright, in day we'll draft the presentation. We'll meet up Wednesday. What are you doing later on?” Halelis asks as Jansky looks out at the clear blue sky from his apartment window.

  “Check back to the Hotel, then maybe visit a gallery downtown. Any good bars around here?”

  “I read about this bar corner of G St and Fifth Avenue...You have to send a SMS message to book in an appointment,”

  “Speakeasy huh?”

  “A nostalgic reflection,” Halelis replies.

  “That it's name?” Jansky asks lifting her cell phone.

>   “No...” Halelis smiles as he stares down at his computer screen displaying a website. “...It's called The Direcast.”

  “I like that name, why don't you come along.”

  Halelis closes his laptop. “Not really a bar type of guy.”

  “Jeez I would've never known, seriously, come along we'll do a drinking game, name the stars and constellations without a star chart phone app.”

  “You'd win Elly...and not just with the Star naming. I'm not a big drinker. No I'll pass, you have nice time. We're still working here.”

  “Of course,” Jansky replies in her cheeky manner.

  “What a fucking night, so clear.” Jansky looks at her cellphone, she sighs, reaching across and lifting up a glass filled with Bourbon and ice. She has a large sip. “I miss you so much.” Jansky closes her yes, holding her right hand to he forehead, She the glances back up at the night sky from her hotel room Jansky notices the young star Fomalhaut, the blueish bright hue of an A-type star south east in the constellation of Pisces. “I should contact him” Jansky lifts up her cellphone, with her right index finger she drags down her contact menu, bringing up the name Josh Rigel, she then types in the search the name of the bar The Diecast, the details are brought up with location information. She messages her name and details, confirming that she will be at the bar by 8:00pm

  “You know there are not enough female scientists, seriously, I mean the class that I am in at the moment, physics, It's like mostly men,” a young woman in her mid twenties says as she sips from a cocktail. Next to her is another young woman, blond, neatly dressed she nods in agreement.

  “Yeah...I agree.”

  Elly Jansky smiles at the female bartender.

  “What would you like?” She asks.

  “What do you recommend?” Jansky replies noting the tattooed hands and arms of the bartender.

  “Ok, the Rob Roy...stalwart classic and one of my specialties.”

  “Lets do it...”

  The bartender scoops up some ice, pouring quickly into the cocktail shaker with thirty mils of Scotch whiskey and ten mils of sweet Vermouth, followed by a splash Angostura bitters. Gently stirring, after thirty seconds, she then pours the mixture into a cocktail glass with a single maraschino cherry. She places the drink onto a coaster in-front of Jansky.

  “Thank you!”

  “Enjoy”

  “I will,” Jansky replies, lifting the glass she takes a sip.

  The conversation of the two younger women sitting to her right continues. “....And, they, men, earn more than us. We just simply need more equality in the sciences.”

  “Sorry but I couldn't help overhearing your discussion about why there isn't more women in science?”

  “Yes we're both studying at the moment. On vacation from USC.”

  “What courses are you both studying?” Jansky asks in a passably, yet surprised manner, that both students don't recognize her. Even though she is not connected with the University of Southern California. The general discussion they were having is relation to women in Science.

  “Environmental science,” the petite brunette replies.

  “Geology...I just started the classes,” the young blond also replies placing her drink down onto the bar-top.

  “So, you are wondering why there are not enough female scientists...say in respect to Physics...” Jansky takes another sip from her cocktail. “...Well you'll need to put aside nine years of study. Especially if you want a doctorate.”

  The women remain quite.

  Jansky turns and faces the two young women. “Probably in your early thirties is when you would be fully qualified.”

  “And what's your point?” The younger blond asks as Jansky briefly thinks of Jensen Denlas.

  “I just gave you the reason. To reach that equality, you have to sacrifice,” Jansky replies looking at the brunette who has an engagement ring on her left wedding finger. Knowing that within a year, depending on circumstances, she will be married and her decision of being a Geologist will no longer be relevant.

  “Well actually what that means, as women, we are the ones that always have to sacrifice. Why shouldn't we be able to raise a family while at the same time have a fulfilling career?” The brunette replies.

  “I'm not saying that...Some, a small percentage have that luxury to do what you feel should be a given right. Point is if you aren't from a wealthy background your choices are limited. If you want it, you have to reassign priorities. Already there are too many physicists, that includes the males, coming out of College. To really impact at this point in time you'll have to specialize. From a doctorate, then you go onto study quantum physics...” Jansky holds up all her fingers in a joking manner. “...that's nine plus four equals thirteen years...So if you're determined with study, in the end you might just accomplish it...That is the hard lesson.”

  “Well that's not what we were implying of how hard it's going to be, what we were discussing is the issues regarding equality in the sciences. I mean with this new discovery, if you are correct and it's all about merit and hardship. Where are the female scientists involved with the research on this astrological find?”

  Jansky rolls her eyes and looks back towards the bartender. Equality, such a throw around term now days with these young students. Under the cosmos we have no real equality against the ferociousness of the natural systems. That's our true fight. Life is hardship. “Reality is a harsh mistress. Better learn to deal with that rather than feigned intellectual discussions.”

  “Thank you for your input. But mind your own business.” The blond replies in a laconic manner. Both young women quickly turn away form Jansky, finishing their drinks. They leave the bar.

  Jansky sips from the cocktail.

  “How is it?” The bartender asks as she collects the glasses left by the two young women

  “Very nice”

  “You're that scientist? I've seen you on television”

  “Elly Jansky”

  “Wow! My name is Ava Mia.” The bartender reaches out her hand. Jansky shakes it.

  “Nice to meet you Ava, I like your tattoos.”

  Mia holds out her hands and arms. “Thanks, this is what happens when you know a tattooist...Kinda doesn't stop.”

  “I see the PI symbol on your left index finger,” Jansky remarks as she sips the remainder of the Rob Roy. Placing the glass down, she lifts out the cheery, placing it in her mouth as she leans forward.

  “I gotta another math tattoo here,” she flips her right hand over pointing to the Aleph pattern on her wrist.

  “So what're you doing in San Diego? Holiday?” Mia asks as she acknowledges a drink request from another customer sitting near Jansky. “Hang on...” She says to Jansky, taking the order from a man sitting to Jansky's left side. The bartender fixes a drink handing it to the man.

  She then quickly returns facing Jansky “What would you like next?”

  “Tequila?”

  “Mescal...It's big at the moment, like Tequila but more smoky, more intense...I got just the cocktail for you. Fizzy Margarita with Mescal, orange bitters, lime juice and orange soda...You'll love it!”

  Jansky nods smiling as Mia attends the cocktail, in quick succession she prepares the drink, she then places it in-front of Jansky who quickly has a sip. At the same time she notices her cellphone light up in her hand bag. Jansky then looks up at the bartender.

  “That's good...with extra Mescaline!”

  “You mean Mescal? If I put half a tub of Pedro Cactus in this...you'd be sick as a dog,” Mia replies smiling as she walks left of the bar preparing a drink for another customer. Jansky takes out her cellphone checking the message which is an email notification from the astronomer she had sent Professor Tori's paper too. She quickly glances at the message.

  “Dear Dr Jansky, thank you for attaching Professor Ivane Tori's paper with your added notes on invisible and/or structural matter. My colleague Dr Heath Les and I have added summary notes for your perusal. Yes, we see correlation
s, however some of the equations, from our observation and it's comparability with Professor Tori's calculations, are not reconciling. Please find attached. Look forward to your comments. Regards, Sam Wisemann ”

  “So you interested in Mescaline?” Mia asks, quickly taking down a highball glass, placing some ice into the glass, lifting up a cocktail shaker.

  “A friend of mine...” Jansky pauses her expression is somber. “...passed away recently...”

  “I am sorry to hear that,” Mia replies quickly handing the prepared drink to a patron she then leans forward towards Jansky.

  “...Anyway, he told me about peyote. Said I should try it.”

  “A famous scientist wants to trip.”

  “Famous?”

  “Well you've been in the media. Makes you famous.”

  Jansky raises her glass. “Thank you. So no Internet gossip hey?”

  “Didn't your agent tell you, all gossip is good gossip. More sales. Law suits with sugar on top,” Mia says smiling.

  “No such advice from my literary agent,” Jansky replies placing her glass down onto the bar-top.

  “Anyway secrets are safe with bartenders...” Mia looks around the packed area of the Diecast Bar. “...Just had a Déjà vu, Peyote...it's awful shit. My mother is Indian, I've tried it, disgusting. The nausea, same with mushrooms...but...” She leans closer to Jansky, both women looking into each others eyes. “...I have some psilocybin capsules, used as a treatment for cancer patients, help them with depression. So you can dose up without the nauseous gut-wrench, trip lasts for about four hours. Pretty fucking good too!”

  “Ceremonial?” Jansky asks in a sincere manner noting Mia's Indian heritage.

  Mia laughs. “Nope, you mean drums and all that?” She shakes her head. “For me, you'd like this, it's just just staring at the stars...I'll tell ya it's fucking wild with a little fire going...” She looks at Jansky curiously. “...Are you keen?”

  Jansky nods. “I am.”

  “Alright...Meet me out the front in twenty minutes.”