Quantum Void

by Douglas Phillips

  There are dozens more parameters that if adjusted just a little result in a radically different universe, most variations far more hostile to life than our own. We haven’t done enough exploring to know whether our universe is teeming with life, but with so many deadly permutations, isn’t it odd that we’re here at all?

  Some people see divine intent in a universe that is exquisitely fine-tuned for life but there is another explanation that doesn’t require invoking the supernatural. Our universe is one of many universes, each with different parameters.

  Our universe happens to have the right mix of matter and forces to be transparent yet organized, to allow stars to burn steadily for ten billion years and to make it easy for hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus to form self-replicating molecules and evolve into higher life forms. We were lucky. Perhaps a thousand other universes weren’t so lucky.

  In the 19th and early 20th centuries, science fiction writers imagined the moon, Mars and Venus to be populated with creatures much like us—a humorous idea today. We’ve learned in the past twenty years of examining exoplanets that most are inhospitable, and that Earth is one gem among a thousand duds. As we search the cosmos, I think we’ll discover life here and there, but we may eventually learn that intelligent life is exceedingly rare, perhaps only a few civilizations per galaxy.

  It’s not a stretch to imagine the same scenario played out across many universes. Some have life, many don’t. If true, it would explain the fine-tuning of the parameters in our universe. We really are just lucky.

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  If you’d like more details plus a lot of pictures and diagrams related to the story, please go to my web page: http://douglasphillipsbooks.com. While you’re there, add your name to my email list and I’ll keep you informed about additional books in the series and other events.

  I hoped you enjoyed this second book in the series. But wait… there’s more! Quantum Time is the next book and the final story in the Quantum series. We’ve had our fun with space; let’s switch to the very rich and fascinating topic of time. Details below.

  And finally, books live or die on reviews. If you enjoyed this story, please consider writing a short review. It takes only a minute, and your review helps future readers as well as the author. For more information on how to leave a review, go to http://douglasphillipsbooks.com/contact.

  Thanks for reading!

  Douglas Phillips

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks to all the authors at Critique Circle, but especially Kathryn Hoff, Travis Leavitt and Zoe Carmina. Once again, you’ve shown me that a critique from someone who’s down in the trenches writing their own book is more valuable than a pot of gold. You helped me shape the plot and characters and warned me when I strayed too far from realism or wandered into a long soliloquy of dense physics.

  Thanks to my editor, Eliza Dee, who can see a plot hole a mile away and always has good advice for written words that are tight and clean. Much appreciation also to Gabe Waggoner and Christine Lane, who provided significant corrections and helped me across the finish line.

  Thanks also to Rena Hoberman for the fantastic cover. We tried a few options this time, and I love the simplicity of the final result. Your covers will also appear on the audiobook productions of the Quantum Series, a testament to their design.

  I tried something new with this book: an army of beta readers—seventy-six to be exact! I was initially worried I had gone too far, but happily surprised at the feedback that I received from so many people. A special thanks to Attila, Bill, Brad, Chandler, Gary, Gert-Jan, Guy, James, Jeff B, Jeff C, Kim, Lili, Michael, Nancy, Paul, Rob, Bob, Steve H, and Steve R. I studied every comment and found your feedback incredibly helpful in shaping the final version. Thank you!

  Many thanks to my friends and family for your time and your advice, not only on this book but also in your enthusiastic support of my writing in general. Phil, you know you’re my best cheerleader.

  And to my wife, Marlene, thank you for your love, your support and your patience as I spend countless hours in front of the computer. Hopefully, our on-site reconnaissance trips will expand beyond Fermilab for future books. Haiti, perhaps?

  Quantum Time

  Book Three in the Quantum Series

  By Douglas Phillips

  Text copyright © 2018 Douglas Phillips

  All Rights Reserved.

  Book three in the series, Quantum Time, is under development and expected at the end of 2018. If you’d like to stay in touch, please join my mailing list or follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and I’ll keep you informed on progress.

  Quantum Time

  Manipulation of space was unquestionably one of humanity’s greatest achievements, but the most advanced citizens of the galaxy had gone far beyond to become masters of time. “You’ll learn,” Core advised restless human scientists. But when? And how would the citizens of Earth respond when events from their future overtook their present?

  The final chapter in the Quantum Series explores one of the most intriguing and misunderstood aspects of reality, the notion of time. Prepare for a new adventure and some new twists on this age-old question.