by Peter Wood
‘Happy birthday, JJ. Do you like our place?’
Mirri had said happy birthday and received a big hug in every room so far and Jarra jumped to give him another one now.
‘It’s the best birthday present ever and you made it a giant surprise. How did you do it?’
‘I asked Aunty Alira and then Darri helped me. We planned it together for a big surprise and it’s a wonderful idea.’
Someone else’s words were showing through there. Jarra looked at the display area where some of Mirri’s treasures were on show and laughed.
‘So that’s what happened to our eagle feathers. You’re a tricker, Mirrigan. You told me you lost them.’
Mirri loved being called a tricker. He always had, ever since he’d worked out the concept, and now he took one of the feathers and used it to tickle Jarra’s chin.
***
‘And are they having any adjustment problems?’
Alira was having one of her regular talks with Darri and quizzing about Jarra and Mirri’s move to their own place.
‘Not really. Jarra works out their routines and somehow Mirri ends up knowing how to follow. Jarra told me yesterday that Mirri has even learnt how to prepare a number of their favourite meals without any help or supervision. Jarra is really proud of him and, of course, Mirri glows with every bit of praise and tries even harder.’
Alira nodded. For almost eight years now she’d marvelled at the way Jarra could draw unexpected achievement from Mirri so this was hardly a surprise.
‘So it’s working as well as we expected? How does Mirri cope when he’s by himself?’
‘He never is. He either goes out to Alkere or it’s a minute’s walk and he’s with his family in his old rooms. Yes, it’s especially good for Mirri, but Jarra loves it too. He says it makes him feel like he’s more grown-up.’
‘Grown-up! Darri, that’s great to hear, but it’s almost a joke. Jarra was more grown-up in some ways when he was ten years old than most people are at thirty. He deals with administrators and scientists as a matter of course and he’s got more common sense than most of the dignitaries and representatives I meet in my job. He’s not doing too much, is he? Kyrra told me yesterday that this supercollider project is ready to go ahead.’
‘He copes. Yirgella and his doctor are keeping a tight rein on him at Alkere because he’s made more breakthroughs lately and he’s been battling to put the theory into practical applications. His time with Mirri on his three days off isn’t a problem, though, if that’s what you mean. Jarra’s completely conscientious about looking after himself and Mirri is even better.’
‘The collider project is of major significance, isn’t it?’
Darri laughed.
‘That’s stating it mildly. Hasn’t Jarra been talking about it on your weekly walks?’
‘Not really. Mirri took our full attention last week because it was a new walk for all of us, and the week before that I was in New Zealand.’
‘Well, Yirgella is expanding a new underground site with enough living space for nearly two thousand people and building secure testing areas for the components. The collider itself will have a circumference of just under 2 kilometres and become one of the most important facilities for basic science research in the world.’
‘Two kilometres around? That’s a huge machine.’
Darri gave her a funny look.
‘Alira, you don’t know much about colliders. Two kilometres is tiny, and that’s one of the significant things about it. The biggest collider on the planet is the famous one in Europe and it’s 27 kilometres. If it works properly, Jarra’s collider will be three times as powerful.’
‘If? Surely there can’t be any doubt? Jarra’s a perfectionist with everything he makes.’
‘Yirgella’s not sure. He thinks it will from the individual component tests, but he can’t do proper simulations till he gets actual working data. Jarra’s not worried though. If something doesn’t work he says he’ll figure out why and go on from there.’
‘You think he can?’
‘Make it work? Yes, I do, Alira. He can’t proceed with his overall project till it does, and making ideas work is his biggest talent. You know what he’s like when he gets focused.’
‘Yes, and what happens then?’
‘Well, apart from reserving first priority for all the experiments he and Yirgella will want to do, he’ll hand it over to the collider scientists and get on with his plans for the next one.’
‘You’re serious? I know you must be, but why? Kyrra says this collider will cost as much as establishing four new AIs.’
‘The cost means nothing to them. The second collider will be specially designed for research about positrons.’
‘Those antimatter things? I remember that much. Has Kyrra heard about this?’
Darri shook his head.
‘Good. Take me through the basics for the second collider research and I’ll be able to dazzle him with his own science.’
Chapter 20
‘He’s announced that he’ll be presenting a series of papers on his research when the world Energy Conference meets in Geneva two months from now.’
‘What’s wrong with that? He’s had meetings and discussions with many of those scientists over the course of this project and it sounds like the appropriate place to get the recognition he deserves.’
Darri was talking with Alira about Jarra’s decision to travel to Geneva.
‘Yirgella doesn’t want him to go, Alira. He’s worried it might be dangerous, and I agree with him. The scientists and researchers we now have at Alkere and the Mparntwe University are more eminent than the overseas ones anyway, and they’ve also had a higher degree of involvement with him. We’re trying to persuade him to make his presentation here in Mparntwe.’
‘So why does he want Geneva? He always has reasons.’
‘Yes, he says his discovery is for the world and the world Energy Conference is the right place to present it. We all agree with that, but the reaction against his Power Supply has been quite frightening.’
Alira stared.
‘Why? A new power source helps everyone.’
‘It’s too much change, and it’s coming from Jarra who is closely linked with the AIs.’
Alira shook her head in disgust.
‘Not again! The same Corporations and governments?’
‘Yes, and particularly the governments because it reduces one of the methods of control over their populations.’
‘Directed governments! I’ll never understand them. Why haven’t I heard of this, Darri? There’s been nothing on the InterWeb.’
‘There have been murmurings … but you’re right, most of it has been behind closed doors. Yirgella knows though. He’s never stopped monitoring their activities and he’s very concerned.’
‘Yirgella’s security is the best in the world. He’ll protect Jarra.’
‘That’s what Jarra says but Yirgella’s not so sure. It’s very difficult to protect one individual in those gigantic European Communities. Their security systems aren’t as good as ours and he wouldn’t have direct control like he does with ours. The biggest danger among the masses of population there would be a small team trained to work without electronic backup. They’d be practically invisible till they took some sort of action.’
‘Two months. That’s very short notice but I’ll see if I can negotiate to bring the Conference here. I think our growing scientific community might have enough influence to make that happen.’
Darri was very enthusiastic about that.
‘Yes. That’s a great idea. It makes sense, too, because with all the structures and research Jarra and Yirgella have developed, Alkere is the real centre for world energy anyway. Add the incentive of seeing a working positronic power supply first-hand and they mightn’t be able to resist coming.’
Alira grinned.
‘We’ll throw in free travel round Australia on the Vac Trains for a two-week period.’
�
�Take them to see the NanoFactory complex at Birringurra and offer them places at the symbolic deconstruction of the first Alkere solar array.’
‘Deconstruction? Darri, are we pulling it down?’
‘Of course. They’re all redundant now and the land will steadily be reclaimed.’
‘Another thing I haven’t been told about. What will happen to Alkere Inc? Will Burnu have to find a new job?’
‘Alkere Inc will grow and become more important than ever. The solar arrays will gradually diminish but geothermal output will continue and Burnu will be busier than ever administering the new facility when the Power Supplies go into production.’
‘Has Jarra relaxed at all?’
‘He’s very excited. The successful test of their prototype last week was the biggest moment ever for his work with Yirgella, and he laughs all the time because Mirri keeps telling everyone he’s the best scientist in the world. I don’t think he’ll really relax till the Mparntwe power station is built, though, and they go on their holiday with Karmai and the twins.’
‘Is the holiday definite? He hasn’t had a proper holiday for ages.’
‘It’s locked in, Alira. They’re spending a week at Gariwerd in Victoria, a week in Tasmania, and then a week at Birringurra and Monkey Mia.’
‘They’re away such a long time? I’ll miss more walks.’
‘That’s clever planning on our part. If he stays at Mparntwe he’ll find things to do out here at Alkere. You could easily join them for a day at Gariwerd or Birringurra.’
‘Does he have much to do? There must be finishing-up work before he starts any new project.’
‘There won’t be a new project for ages. They’ll be working to refine their ideas and establish the most reliable production models for months yet. It will be like the nano project and never really end.’
***
‘Will you see the lights with us, Yirgy?’
‘Not through your ComPatches, Mirri, but when Jarra sends them through his InfoPad I will.’
Mirri was intrigued about the special lights that were going to be in the sky while they were away on their biggest explore trip ever.
‘Can we see them tonight?’
‘Yirgy doesn’t make them, Mirri. The sun does, and they won’t get strong enough to see for another two weeks yet, and that’s when we’re at Hollow Mountain.’
‘Will we go inside the mountain?’
‘You will, Mirri. It will be too steep for me, but you’ll tell me what it’s like.’
‘Two weeks is a long time.’
Jarra laughed and bumped against Mirri. His eagerness to see the special lights, really the Aurora Australis being excited by a solar flare predicted for the same time as their excursion, was catching.
‘No, it’s not. It’s only fourteen days and we’ll be seeing Karmai and Barega and Akama.’
Jarra was right. Mirri would be so busy the time would fly.
‘You’ve got three guiding expeditions to Uluru and then another one, and after that you have to organise all our holiday supplies and equipment.’
‘Yes, it’s a lot of work. Yirgy will help me.’
‘I certainly will, Mirri, and we’ll make sure you have everything ready when Karmai gets here.’
***
Rather proudly, Jarra flipped the switch to bring the Mparntwe Positronic Power Supply online. The switch was temporary, built for this momentous occasion. The success of the working model had been far more exciting, of course, but the completion of this unit, Mparntwe’s new energy supply, would be the practical demonstration to the rest of the world of what he and Yirgella had achieved. Yes, he was rather proud, gathered with the Council and Alkere project leaders, that his project had finally proved successful. Even Yirgella had doubted its feasibility till the last six months, and his own confidence had been tested for eight months of the previous year when every approach seemed to go nowhere. Nearly five years of constant work. Five years which, even providing he had the backing of a wealthy Community like Mparntwe, should have taken a lifetime. Yirgella’s resources, especially the NanoFactory, had made it all possible.
***
‘I know what will happen, Yirgella—all sorts of things and you won’t tell me about them. I’ll get back and it will take weeks to catch up with all your surprises.’
‘Not this time. The only new thing I haven’t told you about is the Positronic Power Supply for our underground Community. I’ve decided to build it now rather than wait for new refinements. The major work while you’re away will be the production plant, and you know about that. Anything else will be a surprise for me as well. You’re right though. While you’re away I expect you to relax and enjoy your adventures. I do have one decision I’d like you to make right now and then forget.’
‘What is it?’
‘We’ve received a financial offer for the rights to the Power Supply.’
‘That’s silly. Some of the components can only be built with a NanoFactory and that means an AI has to be involved … Is it one of our Communities, or Canberra or Freedom?’
‘We’d continue doing the building but hand over the control of prices and distribution. It’s a vast amount of income, Jarra. We’d recover the investment we’ve made for the whole project with the first payment and the amount would increase with every year.’
Jarra thought for a moment then stared at Yirgella’s image.
‘We’re not going to accept any offer. That’s my view. It’s our invention and Burnu will do all the marketing and distribution at prices we think are fair. There’s something you’re not telling me, though, isn’t there? You wouldn’t be expecting me to make an on the spot decision about so much finance otherwise.’
‘Excellent. We share the same view. And you’re right, the offer comes from the people behind the early attacks and the current AI-related sanctions.’
Jarra was totally taken aback.
‘An agreement with them? Yirgella, they can’t be serious.’
‘The fronting Corporation making the offer is quite reputable. I had to follow a devious trail to find the real backers, and, yes, they’re very serious. They understand just how important our new Positronic Power Supply is, and getting some form of control will be a top priority. I expect the governments involved will legislate for jurisdiction over any of our Power Supplies which enter their countries when we reject this offer.’
‘Well that will be their problem because they won’t get any if they try that. The rest of the world will get them first.’
***
Jarra watched the family huddled round Mirri, totally engrossed, as he showed them the green frog he’d caught. They were in the Valley of Eagles with a small but very important group of people from America who’d heard about the unique experience of one of Mirri’s guided trips from Alira and expressed an interest in trying it out. Normally it was rare for Jarra to see any of Mirri’s work expeditions because they only happened during his four days at Alkere, and coming along now was a great opportunity. Back at the Explorer Centre he’d been worried that his presence might take too much of Mirri’s attention but, no, this was Mirri’s proper job and when the group of six people arrived he’d greeted them as if they were friends he’d known forever.
Oh my, no wonder Mirri’s trips had a reputation. Their surprise at this greeting had quickly changed to curiosity, the realisation that this friendly person was indeed quite different and then to interest as he chatted eagerly about some of the things they might like to see. The Valley of Eagles had really struck a chord, and when one of the men said the eagle was a special symbol for American people the choice of trip for the day was instantly agreed.
Mirri laughed happily because it was his favourite place to take people exploring and the group had been pulled into their own smiles.
‘Little frog is very clever. He breathes through his skin in the water and he barks in the night time.’
‘Does he really bark?’
‘Funny bark. JJ s
howed me at the Nature Park.’
The group looked at Jarra. He was staying in the background as much as possible, but by now they all understood how important he was to Mirri and he gave a nod of agreement but didn’t say anything. Mirri looked down at his pendant ComPatch.
‘Yirgy, please make the barker frog sound.’
The InfoPad on Jarra’s personal carrier immediately sounded and everyone looked over again. When the sample sound finished, one of the senators asked Mirri if Yirgy was his nickname for Jarra. Mirri didn’t know what nickname meant and answered that Yirgy was his friend then left it to the helper guides to explain. They in turn must have thought it was more appropriate for Jarra to answer and looked to him.
‘Yirgy is Mirrigan’s name for Yirgella, our Alkere AI, and he watches everything Mirrigan does through our special ComPatches. Mirrigan asked him to send the sound to my InfoPad.’
The senator looked astonished.
‘Mirrigan talks to the AI when he’s out here? … And uses a nickname? … And those pendants are ComPatches?’
‘Yirgella has a special relationship with Mirrigan and watches over him wherever he goes. Our pendants are high performance, high security ComPatches designed for people associated with Yirgella or Mirrigan.’
Looks passed between the four adults and the father of the teenagers, the state governor, spoke first.
‘You mean the AI is here right now?’
Jarra nodded and was about to say more but the InfoPad speakers sounded with Yirgella’s voice.
‘Hello, Mirri. Can I interrupt your exploring for a moment and speak to your friends?’
‘Yirgy! We have a tree frog. Can you see him?’
Mirri’s delight at hearing Yirgella was evident, as was his agreement that he could say anything he wanted.
‘Yes, he’s magnificent, isn’t he? I think you should let the young ones have a closer look. Governor, greetings to you and your family and companions. I don’t intrude on Mirrigan’s expeditions unless he requests it. Because Mirrigan and Jarra are our most important human acquaintances we like to keep a watch out for them whenever possible, and the pendant ComPatches facilitate that in locations near our facilities. If privacy is a concern I will delete all data relating to your trip as it comes to me. Rather than interrupt your encounter with the Centralian Tree Frog I will answer any questions when Alira introduces you formally at our arranged meeting tomorrow. Happy exploring, Mirri.’