Dark Firmament

by Ezra Manes

  “Your recommendations have received considerable discussion, before and during this meeting,” Pgodera Bnethem said. The leader then added, “All in all, there has been agreement to your recommended approach. I have tasked a team led by my chief-of-staff to define a long-term plan of action to achieve alliance with those on the three worlds.”

  The leader paused and looked around the room. “We may need you to have further discussions with our scientists and engineers regarding developing the collision avoidance system. But with all we have discussed, I see no need to alter your recommended approach.”

  “Did you experience any visions while on the mission,” High Priest Harsn asked.

  Startled by this surprising question, Joqi looked quickly at his father, who nodded his head in encouragement. The high priest was tilting the discussion in another direction, which Joqi appreciated.

  It depends on your definition of a vision, Dawn observed. This caused Joqi to smile, which High Priest Harsn took as affirmation. So he decided to share a key dream involving his grandpapa.

  “After leaving the szswns’ planet, I tried my best, with Dawn’s help, to find a path that would lead us back to Zilia.” He paused, looking at the serious, attentive faces around the room. “But I could not see a path home other than pointing our ship toward Zilia or New Earth, going into hibernation, and hoping for rescue before the ship support systems failed.

  “Then, while I was in deep meditation, this happened.”

  He projected his dream in a 3-D visualization over the large conference table. It was of his grandpapa joining him on the atoll overlooking the Avili River and several cooperative farms. His interaction with his grandpapa played out, showing their discussion of how high the adult red-beak hawk could fly. The virtual visualization of the dream concluded with Prophet Sepeda asking, “How much higher can you fly, my Joqi, if you shed your knowledge biases?”

  Those in attendance looked at Joqi in rapt silence.

  High Priest Harsn was the first to speak. “You have blessed us with this Vision, Commander Sepeda. Is it possible to obtain a record of this vision?”

  “Yes, High Priest. I will provide one.”

  “We would appreciate any other Visions you are willing to share,” the High Priest added.

  “I will think through my meditations that occurred on our long journey, and let my father know of any additional interactions I can share.”

  “There is one other question that must be asked, even though I know the answer,” the leader said. “Do the szswns know about the dark warp drive capability?”

  “No,” Joqi replied. “They were very impressed with the magnitude of the Horizon Quest modifications, as viewed from afar. As indicated in our detailed report, the szswns provided their damaged spaceship as raw material once they knew we had to mine the asteroid belt. This greatly reduced our asteroid mining activities. We told them we had to build another propulsion engine to expedite our return home, but we shared no specific information about the modifications.”

  “You have proven yourself worthy of another mission,” Supreme Leader Bnethem said, moving on to the original purpose of the meeting. “From my viewpoint, there is no need to belabor the point farther. Do all here agree?”

  Everyone around the table nodded their agreement. It was clear to Joqi that his father had done a good job of lobbying for the new mission, even though it likely meant he would never see his son again. And his being open in addressing the collision risk issue had garnered favor with the group.

  “Good,” Bnethem said. “Commander, please send your mission resource requirements to my office. I will make sure the necessary support is provided. I ask that you interface directly with our scientific and engineering groups to address any technical issues they may have after studying your report and technical data.”

  “Thank you,” Joqi said to the leader. He then addressed the entire group. “Your support and understanding are greatly appreciated.”

  Joqi motioned his father over for a private discussion as the attendees departed. But one other was waiting to talk to him.

  “Hi, Lenjay,” he said, greeting his former mission launch manager. “As you can see, you did a great job preparing the Horizon Quest for the mission.”

  “That we did, Joqi,” Lenjay Genai said with pride and emphasis on the “we”. “I have looked over the design specs for the dark warp drive propulsion system and would sure appreciate access to see the system. There’s nothing like seeing it in person to build confidence that it can actually be done.”

  “That we can do,” Joqi replied with a laugh. “You are entitled to a personal tour and detailed video showing every subsystem layout. I know you will find a more efficient layout for the next system build.”

  “Is tomorrow too soon,” Lenjay asked.

  “That will be fine,” Joqi replied. “Come on up.”

  Lenjay thanked him and left so Joqi could speak privately with his father.

  “Thanks for easing the way for me with Ecina yesterday,” Joqi said. “And also for having everything lined up for success here today.”

  “That’s what I do, son,” his father replied, smiling. “I look after my family when given the opportunity.”

  “Has Alandi talked to you recently about her aspirations,” Joqi asked.

  “No, not in some time,” his father said, frowning. “Is there something I need to know?”

  “She has some of the special capabilities I had before leaving on the mission. I hoped she had talked to you about this by now. Give her a little more time and I am sure she will.”

  • • •

  Lenjay Genai showed up early for his tour of the Horizon Quest’s dark warp drive propulsion system. Joqi, in simulacrum form, met him as he exited the Quest’s airlock chamber. Lenjay was all smiles in anticipation of the tour.

  “What, no recorder or camera device to record what you will see,” Joqi said lightly. “You must have developed a photographic memory while I was gone.”

  Lenjay laughed. “No, I am sure the detailed video you have provided will prove more revealing than anything I could record or remember.”

  What Joqi sensed was that Lenjay wanted the tour for other reasons than a close inspection of the advanced warp drive. His feeling was born out when they walked toward the propulsion system main access corridor.

  “How did you fare while immersed in the smart plasma,” Lenjay asked.

  “The plasma performed its function beyond all expectations,” Joqi answered evenly.

  “I suspected it would affect you in ways no one could predict,” Lenjay replied, obviously inviting Joqi to open up on the topic.

  “Yes it did,” Joqi said. “And that is why you must never build that feature into another spaceship.”

  Lenjay looked at him questioningly, but Joqi ignored the look. They had arrived at the first access corridor for the propulsion system. He opened the hatch and gestured for Lenjay to enter.

  Lenjay quickly became enamored by the magnificent, revolutionary propulsion system. His questions came fast and furious as the tour continued, and Joqi immediately gave concise answers, with Dawn’s support. He avoided some compartments due to inherent radiation risks, but Lenjay did not stop until he had seen all that could be seen in person. Joqi was patient; in just a short time the Horizon Quest’s next mission would start and it would be unavailable for tours.

  Joqi guided a very excited Lenjay back to the airlock chamber in early afternoon.

  “Such a superb machine,” Lenjay said, shaking his head in wonder. “I doubt we will find a more efficient layout for the system.”

  Lenjay paused at the hatch into the airlock chamber. “It looks like you extended the ship’s hull farther than necessary to just accommodate the warp drive engine.” He pointed up the passageway toward the front of the ship. “What do you have tucked away in there?”

  Joqi had to chuckle. Lenjay was the best engineer and ship builder he had knowledge of, and it showed in his obse
rvation. But he would have to wait a long time to get the answer he sought. Joqi wasn’t about to reveal the prototype dimensional windowing system.

  “Oh, just some extra systems to help clear the way through space,” Joqi said.

  “And that is all you are going to say,” Lenjay said, with a sly smile on his face.

  “Live long, my friend,” Joqi replied, “and you will learn all this ship’s secrets.”

  “Is there any chance I could see the plasma filled command pod?”

  Joqi smiled, and said, “That will have to wait to another time as well.”

  He could tell by the look in Lenjay’s eyes that he understood it would never happen.

  “What you and Dawn have done is a monumental achievement,” Lenjay said, moving past the awkward moment. “And you accomplished all the work through the reconfigurable robots? Remarkable!”

  “We had to modify many of the robots and manufacture others,” Joqi said. “Those modifications and new robot designs are detailed in the propulsion system design data we provided to you.”

  Lenjay reached over and placed a hand on Joqi’s shoulder, perhaps to get some feel that he was actually talking to Joqi.

  “Joqi, you have…grown, grown a lot.” Lenjay’s expression turned serious. “I get the feeling I am conversing with a dumbed down version of what you are really like. I mean no offense, even this part of you communicating with me is far more capable than any engineer or scientist we have on Zilia. We owe you much, my friend.”

  Without another word, Lenjay turned and entered the airlock chamber.

  • • •

  “I appreciate your coming to meet with me here instead of on the surface,” Joqi said in welcoming High Priest Harsn and Supreme Leader Bnethem aboard the Horizon Quest.

  “We thank you for the opportunity to meet privately,” the leader said. The high priest nodded her agreement.

  “Let me say up front,” High Priest Harsn said, “our strong public support for you and what you have accomplished is a reflection of our strong support privately.”

  “Yes,” Bnethem said, “otherwise we would have difficulty convincing others to give up such a prize as this ship and your knowledge.”

  “I assume there are some in leadership positions having difficulty supporting my proposed mission,” Joqi said.

  “There are several,” the leader said, “but they are in the minority. However, we will schedule another meeting soon to bolster support for your mission.”

  “Your lineage helps, being the grandson of Prophet Sepeda,” the high priest said. “And the miracles you have fostered have quieted many that might have protested our decision.”

  “Now, is this mission critically important,” the leader asked, “or do you simply want to remove the Horizon Quest and your considerable capabilities from the grasp of our more normal citizens?”

  This leader is very astute, Joqi thought. “I have to say both.”

  He clarified his response by indicating his physiology had changed and by providing much of what he had told his parents in confidence. He asked them to keep the information in confidence, and they agreed to do so.

  Joqi added that he believed developing the dark warp drive capability was a necessary first step for civilizations wanting to achieve star-faring status. It was like achieving a “right-of-passage” status before gaining access to the galactic scene.

  “But you have gone a step beyond that, have you not,” the high priest asked.

  Both of those present were far more astute than he had given them credit for. Joqi elected to avoid answering the question directly.

  “Once our people have mastered the dark warp drive,” he said, “other steps of knowledge will become apparent. It is best that an alliance among all human civilizations be achieved and stabilized before taking another huge step up the technology ladder.

  “Of course, it is possible that someone could leap ahead of where technology is today. That is a possibility we must consider. I have taken steps to ensure our people will advance up the technology ladder sooner than later, should the need arise. The key to this is to seek counsel from Eve.”

  “You continue to bless us,” Bnethem said.

  “Now, do you have any other visions you can share,” High Priest Harsn asked.

  Joqi smiled at her persistence. “I will share what was the most important one to me. However, it has some very private moments, so please let me provide a description without a memory projection.”

  They both nodded agreement, so Joqi described in detail how his grandpapa lifted him mentally out of the cage in the caustic sea water. He firmly believed that vision saved his life and set him on the path to counter the dark threat of expansion to human worlds by the szswn species.

  The leader and the priest listened in reverent silence. The importance of the vision to Joqi and to the success of his mission was felt deeply by both.

  “Amazing,” High Priest Harsn murmured when he finished. The leader nodded his agreement.

  “I have one other thing to show you,” Joqi said.

  He reached under the table and picked up an ingot of metal. “I brought this metal ingot from the szswns’ world, and would like to reshape it for a gift to the Zilan people.”

  He repeated what he had done when creating the star ornament for his mother. But this time he transformed the large metal nugget into a moon-shaped flat placard. He created raised features on the placard’s surface, recreating his grandpapa’s drawing showing the planet Zilia, its two moons, and their local star Arzét. He then added the lines drawn to cross at the intersection point at the edge of the solar system, the transition point to reach the szswns’ solar system.

  Both leaders watched in awe as Joqi created the placard. They were at a loss for words when he completed the gift to the Zilan people. They said a hushed goodbye and wished him well before they departed for the surface.

  CHAPTER 23

  Joqi felt very restless while presenting his detailed mission plan to the supreme leader and his staff and invited guests. In attendance were scientists from the Institute of Advanced Studies, Lenjay Genai and several engineers from his staff, and senior representatives from religious and political organizations. In Joqi’s mind, the mission reduced simply to fulfilling his destiny to search out avenues for future human interstellar travel. He could sense that Lenjay understood this, as did Pgodera Bnethem.

  The supreme leader had requested Joqi provide additional information about his survey mission to garner support from the few influential detractors, so he came prepared. He and Eve and Dawn had reviewed all available information about Zilia-like planets that had been detected in solar systems within 200 light-years of Zilia. There were a surprisingly large number of such planets. They found that twenty-one of the planets that orbited in the habitable zone of their solar systems were in the Sagittarius Constellation. After conferring with scientists from the Institute of Advanced Studies, Joqi proposed surveying five planets in the nearest region of the Sagittarius Constellation that had the most promising conditions to foster life.

  Considerable questions arose regarding why the five planets were selected and how long the survey mission would take. In addition, several individuals raised questions about why Joqi was the only Zilan going on the mission. The latter questions were easy to answer; he was the only one that could withstand the acceleration forces inherent in the Horizon Quest’s design. Future ship designs would accommodate normal Zilan crews. Joqi deferred to the scientists from the Institute of Advanced Studies to answer questions about which planets were selected for the survey; they strongly supported surveying the selected planets.

  After several hours of presentation, questioning, and discussion, Supreme Leader Bnethem called for a vote of confidence for the mission from those present. There were no dissenters.

  • • •

  Saying his goodbyes to family members was very difficult. Joqi made visits via his lifelike simulacrum and kept the visits short. His famil
y loved him, as he did them, and he knew it was best that he move on quickly. He found it hardest to say goodbye to Ecina and his two children, even though the children were affected less than he was. They lived in their own world and he was just passing through.

  The one who clung tightly to him the longest was his younger sister Alandi. She kept attempting to access his thoughts to see personally what he had experienced and how his mind worked. She projected with every vibrant thrust the desire to live through the memories with him and see the distant szswns’ solar system as he saw it. She wanted to feel what it was like to dive into the brown dwarf sub-star’s atmosphere and to ride the incredible dark warp drive engine across vast regions of space.

  He found it increasingly challenging to counter her queries, and finally pushed back firmly, asking her to stop trying to pry into his innermost thoughts. She stopped, but he sensed she would keep trying. He kept his guard up to block future probing thoughts from her.

  • • •

  Joqi and Dawn, directly linked, checked every aspect of the Horizon Quest in preparation for leaving Zilia. They communicated frequently with Eve, leaving checklists of items and actions to help prepare future Zilan ships for exploration missions.

  Their inspection efforts included repeated checkout of new Hycoms communications equipment. An improved protective electromagnetic bubble system was in place that should insure the system worked after engaging the dark warp drive engine.

  Joqi and Dawn’s destination was the closest of the five target planets in the Sagittarius constellation. This constellation had the most planets discovered orbiting stars than in any other segment of space observed by Zilan or Earth astronomers. The constellation also resided in toward the center of the Milky Way galaxy from the Zilan solar system, which Joqi found intriguing.