Dark Firmament

by Ezra Manes

  Once the intersection point was defined, ground based and orbiting satellite sensors were used to scrutinize the point and space near it. They looked for any objects or anomalies that might be there—nothing was found. They continued to monitor the intersection point and expanded the search into neighboring space.

  Joqi focused attention back on the mission launch team, which had remained respectfully silent as his ruminations ran their course. The team expected him to make the decision to proceed. After all, he was elevated to the position of Mission Commander by the last words of Prophet Sepeda. And he would be the one running the risk on the mission. Right now the mission was to get to the intersection point on time. After that, well, who knew?

  “Okay,” he said, sitting up straight. “I assume you have started preparations knowing this is the only way.”

  Lenjay let a smile flicker across his normally solemn face. He had taken a liking to the prophet’s grandson. “Yes, we are pushing ahead as fast as we can, at Eve’s insistence.”

  “I thought that was what you and Prophet Sepeda would want,” Eve said.

  Joqi nodded. “You need to bring me up to speed on what must be done, including what I need to focus on to support the mission.”

  Lenjay told all the others to get back to work. He and Eve would go over the plan details with Joaquin.

  “When will you create Dawn,” Joqi asked Eve. Dawn would be a copy of Eve transferred into the Horizon Quest’s advanced computing and neural networking systems.

  “It has in effect already occurred,” Eve responded. “I exist in both places, and think, perform, learn, and respond as one. That will change upon launch of the Horizon Quest. The duplicate segment of me onboard will function and respond independently as Dawn.”

  “Will Dawn be as capable as you,” asked Lenjay, and then he grimaced, recognizing the naivety of his question.

  “Of course,” Eve replied evenly. “Upon our separation, Dawn will have all the memories and extensive data records that I have. Dawn will continue interacting and evolving as a new entity. You can change Dawn’s gender identity if you wish.”

  “That is not necessary,” Joqi said. Lenjay nodded his agreement.

  “I understand your engineers want to strip much of the research equipment from the Horizon Quest,” Joqi said, addressing Lenjay. “Does this include the high power lasers?”

  Lenjay frowned, and said, “Yes, removal of the laser systems and several minor systems will significantly reduce the mass that must be accelerated initially by the external pulsed fusion engines. This will increase the safety margin for arriving at the intersection point on time.”

  Joqi was not in favor of removing the lasers at all. He recalled from Zilan history that such lasers were used to intercept an alien probe many decades earlier, causing it to crash into the sun. The lasers were the only weapons aboard the ship; two forward, two aft, and two at mid-ship. Without them the ship would be defenseless. They would just have to accept less safety margin.

  Joqi gave a measured response. “The Horizon Quest was built with Prophet Sepeda’s guidance. Everything onboard is there for a purpose yet unknown. I want everything left as is unless you consider a change absolutely necessary for us to get to the intersection point on time.”

  “As you wish, Joqi,” Lenjay said quietly. “I will clear any changes through you before proceeding.”

  “There is a compromise worth considering,” Eve said. “The ship has very capable, reconfigurable robots that can fabricate or manufacture about anything.”

  “That is right,” Lenjay said. “Some of the robots onboard were used to help build the ship.”

  Eve paused at this interruption, and then continued. “We could remove the two mid-ship laser systems. The forward and aft lasers can cover over 90 percent of space around the ship. Full coverage can be achieved by repositioning the ship slightly. The two mid-ship laser systems could be fabricated later if needed.”

  “If there was time to do so,” Joqi said. He mulled over what Eve said. Her approach was reasonable. The lasers were there to destroy any asteroids in danger of hitting the ship. Ship defense for other threats was a secondary priority, albeit an important one considering the mission.

  “Okay, remove the mid-ship laser systems,” he said. “But check with me on any other changes.”

  “Now, how do you make a spaceship pilot out of a scientist in one month,” Joqi asked, thick brown eyebrows deeply furrowed.

  This caused Lenjay to laugh outright for the first time in Joqi’s presence. Joqi smiled, easing the tension.

  “Sorry,” Lenjay said. “It struck me as funny that the guy that invented the smart plasma would ask that question. We are modifying the Horizon Quest to incorporate a plasma full-immersion pod for spacecraft control. It will also minimize the effects of high-g acceleration.”

  Joqi stood abruptly and started walking back and forth. The answer was the smart plasma, of course. It would provide the interface between him and all the Horizon Quest’s sensors and controls. He had proven quite capable in directly testing the liquid plasma as a control interface in a laboratory setting. But this would be total immersion in a command pod filled with the smart plasma!

  The plasma was comprised of a clear organic liquid that hosted nanobots, stem cells, T-cells, dissolved minerals, and other materials required for sustenance and maintenance of a person’s health. By orchestrating electrical, mechanical, and chemical interactions at the cellular level, the smart plasma nanobots could stimulate tissue and organ growth of any type in Joqi’s body. In addition, the plasma could stimulate the thousands of bacteria hosted by his body to produce a wide variety of individual cells that would produce antibiotic and other agents to maintain and promote body health. The plasma was self-sustaining and self-perpetuating, drawing from stored resources. Theoretically, a person immersed in smart plasma would not age, at the price of living in a virtual reality environment.

  “Dawn is fully capable of controlling the Horizon Quest,” Eve said. “And she will be in constant contact with you, except when you want private time.”

  “In spite of this,” Lenjay added, “it is imperative that you spend several hours a day immersed in the plasma over the next month to adapt to that interface medium. You will learn how to access and operate the key control systems and ship sensors before launch. After launch you will have another four months before reaching the intersection point to learn how to control the systems with finesse.”

  Joqi stopped next to a table at the front of the room. Beads of sweat collected on his furrowed brow. Goosebumps began doing a dance on his back. He leaned on the table and placed both hands on it, palms down. The thought of being confined in the pod immersed in the plasma elevated his claustrophobic fears.

  Breathe, Joaquin, Eve conveyed privately. Focus your thoughts on what we must do. Prophet Sepeda explained this fear you have, one he fought all his life. Like him, you can control the fear.

  He felt a hand on his shoulder.

  “Are you okay,” Lenjay asked.

  Joqi took a deep breath before answering. “Yes. Please give me a few minutes. Then we can proceed.”

  “I will check on our team’s activities, then we can resume,” Lenjay said softly. He touched Joqi lightly on his arm and then departed.

  Joqi sat down in the chair he had occupied earlier. He closed his eyes and rested his head in his hands. He could tell that Eve had also withdrawn. The childhood memory of being trapped under a construction wall came rushing back. He felt the raw fear experienced when first buried under the broken wall and coarse salt. Then he relaxed and smiled at the soothing memory of his grandpapa coaching him to meditate to control his claustrophobic fear while buried alive.

  He sensed the presence of Eve again.

  May I let Lenjay know you are ready to continue, Eve asked.

  Yes, I am ready. But I still have no desire to immerse myself in the smart plasma.

  • • •

  Joqi looked ac
ross the dinner table at his mother’s frowning face. She had decided to stay at grandpapa Sepeda’s home to help organize the prophet’s large cache of notes, essays, and other writings before turning them over to the Council of Priests. His father had returned home to resolve some issues at the collective farm they managed.

  “I am so worried about you, Joqi,” she said, frowning. “What is this danger you seek? When will you return?”

  “I don’t know what we seek. I trust Grandpapa and will do as he asked.”

  “I know, Joqi. I know.” She was having trouble fighting back tears. “But why must you go, why not one of his nineteen children or an experienced pilot?”

  “I don’t know,” he replied, then noticed his answer had caused her frown to deepen. Uh oh, he had answered in English instead of the Zilan language. Why, he didn’t know. She thought English was an archaic, common language, considering all its contractions and lack of rhythm. He had learned English from archived training courses. They were brought to Zilia long ago by his grandpapa’s team from the distant Messier Colony on the planet Hope. He realized he often thought in English; to him it was a more efficient language.

  “I have something very personal and important to ask you, Mother.”

  She cleared her throat and dabbed at her eyes with a napkin, and looked at him quizzically.

  “I want to marry Ecina before leaving on this mission.”

  “No, Joqi…” She sat back, and then smiled. “Yes, I can see why you would want that. You will be far out in space at the peak of the next two-moon eclipse.”

  Then she leaned forward, frowning again. “You don’t think you’ll return from this mission, do you?”

  He laughed with gusto. She had replied in English. His laughter caused her to pause, and then her frown turned to a transient smile, which turned to laughter. He reached across the table and clasped her hands in his.

  When their laughter subsided, he said, “I love Ecina dearly and want to hold her close before I depart. I’ll cherish that throughout the mission.”

  “Then go to her, son. Go soon!”

  • • •

  Joqi was deep in thought while riding in the back of the transit railcar to a stop near Ecina’s apartment. He hardly noticed others coming and going as the railcar stopped periodically along the way. He was having difficulty assimilating all that had occurred in the past week since the first meeting with Lenjay and Eve. He was very uncomfortable transitioning from his role as a scientist to that of mission commander, in spite of everyone’s support and encouragement.

  He had never considered himself as being overly special. Sure, he had provided the theory that led to development of the smart plasma. And he had advanced the Zilan understanding of the physics of the observable universe and some inferred unobservable dimensions. But those achievements paled in his mind in comparison to the research and advances that enabled development of spaceships like the Horizon Quest.

  He shook his head to clear somewhat chaotic thoughts as the railcar approached his stop. He had spent very little time alone with Ecina since his grandpapa died. She would be his only wife, as it should be. His father was of the last generation in which multiple wife marriages were sanctioned on Zilia. But his father chose to have only one wife, and Joqi was glad.

  Joqi’s grandpapa and the Council of Priests had stopped sanctioning multiple wife marriages three decades earlier. Multiple wife marriages were encouraged for several centuries before that time to counter the decline in population due to male infertility problems. Prophet Sepeda’s team discovered the cause of the infertility soon after arriving at Zilia. An isotope in crushed mining aggregate residue used for centuries in the initial filtering phase of water management facilities was absorbed, causing male infertility.

  Joqi focused outward as the railcar stopped. The only other people in the car were a young couple sitting next to the exit with their two children, a boy about ten years old and a girl about eight. Joqi smiled and nodded to the couple as he rose and prepared to exit. To his surprise, the young boy stood up and touched him lightly on the arm. The little girl did likewise, followed by the mother and father. He nodded to them again and exited the car, his unease heightened by the encounter. He had seen this happen many times to his grandpapa, but why was it happening to him? In spite of his unease, he appreciated their touch of respect and of peace.

  Nightfall was setting in as he approached Ecina’s apartment, which was one half of a duplex house. She shared the apartment with her parents when they were in Zilerip. They had returned to a large cooperative farm after Prophet Sepeda’s funeral.

  Ecina had a window open even though the night was getting chilly. He paused at the sound of her singing a pleasant ballad. It heightened his anticipation for having a wonderful evening with her. Walking to the front door, he could see her busily preparing something in the kitchen. She was wearing a light-green tunic which complemented her auburn hair. She came quickly when the entryway announced his arrival.

  She opened the door and met him with a big smile and a close embrace. Their long, deep kiss set him afire in ways that were pleasant and disturbing. He wanted her now! But that was not the Zilan way.

  “I’ve missed you so much,” she said, looking up at him with her gray-green eyes. He could see the love in them and a bit of mischief as well.

  “I’ve missed you also,” he said. “The thought of being without you for several months has disturbed me more than I can say.”

  She looked at him curiously, and then smiled. “Then we need to make the most of the time we have.”

  She stepped aside to let him enter, but he wasn’t ready to let the moment pass. He pulled her close again and she brushed up against him with her ample breasts, and then pushed him away playfully.

  “Go to the living room. I’ll bring in some tea and cakes.” She chuckled as she headed to the kitchen.

  She had never been this forward in all their dating. They had touched intimately on occasion, but never with the sensual teasing she showed tonight. They had always practiced restraint while looking forward to the day they would be married.

  He sat on the living room couch trying to ignore the physical byproduct of Ecina’s passionate greeting. He smiled at the realization their conversation was conducted in the English language. She knew he favored that language, and was using it more and more when they were away from others.

  Ecina came in a few minutes later carrying a tray with tea and small cakes on it. She had removed her light tunic, revealing a low cut, lacy white blouse that flared out over a silky knee-length skirt. She was barefooted, as she often was when inside. Her swollen nipples pushed against the thin blouse material—she wasn’t wearing a bra!

  She placed the tray on the table in front of the couch and poured him a cup of tea, then one for herself. He was afforded a clear view of her deep cleavage as she leaned over pouring the tea.

  She snuggled in beside him on the couch, and they sat sipping tea quietly for a few moments. The tea was very good; she had added just enough brandy for flavoring.

  He set his tea back on the tray, and then eased off the couch into a kneeling position before her. She looked at him questioningly as he took her tea cup and set it next to his. He pushed the table carefully back away from the couch.

  “Ecina, I want to marry you,” he said huskily, leaning against her knees.

  She smiled and placed her hands on his shoulders. “Of course you do, silly. We’re engaged.”

  “No, I want to marry you now, before I leave on this mission!”

  He saw confusion in her face, then it cleared and she smiled.

  “I want that as well. I was prepared tonight to…, well, to get to know you a lot better.”

  He smiled and nodded. Her actions had revealed as much.

  “How soon are you talking about,” she asked.

  “In a matter of days, if our parents agree,” he replied, “We are set to launch the ship in three weeks.”

  She spre
ad her legs and pulled him close. Their tender kiss turned passionate, and she lay over on the couch, pulling him over beside her. The taste of her mouth and feel of her probing tongue melted his resolve to practice restraint until they were married.

  He stroked her smooth legs, pushing her skirt up to her hips. She responded by snuggling closer as he tenderly touched her inner thighs. They were warm to the touch and silky smooth. He moved his hand higher—no panties!

  Ecina gasped as he touched her most sensitive area and pushed him away. “Joqi, I cannot…”

  Joqi rolled off the couch and sat on the floor breathing heavily. “I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he said, in a voice ragged with passion. “I got carried away.”

  “I did as well,” she said, sitting upright and smoothing her dress. “I wanted to go all the way tonight.” She leaned over and cupped his face with her hands. “We need to consummate our marriage as soon as possible!”

  He nodded. “My mother already supports this and I’m sure father will as well.”

  “I’ll get my parents approval tomorrow,” she said.

  He kissed her gently, then rose and departed, one of the hardest things he had ever done.

  CHAPTER 4

  Joqi watched fascinated as the smart biomechanical plasma climbed slowly up his arm. The pinkish, slightly iridescent plasma covered all exposed skin as it spread higher. It felt like a million small insects were climbing and covering his arm. In essence that was true, although most were nanobots. He straightened up abruptly, shaking his arm to dislodge the climbers. They dropped back into the tank without hesitation. His arm felt wet and dirty even though neither was the case.

  “What is wrong,” Eve asked via a video terminal. “You have touched and handled the smart plasma many times in the laboratory.”

  At his request, only Eve was monitoring this test activity in the Research Laboratory of the Institute of Advanced Studies. It wasn’t touching the liquid plasma that was the problem. He had yet to convince himself he could lay down fully immersed in a plasma filled command pod. But that was required for him to survive the trip to the intersection point.