MYLEA: the journey begins (Mylean Universe Chronicles Book 1)

by Philip Elrod

  Tanaka was already suspicious of Maxx’s intelligence and powers. He could foresee that Maxx would not take kindly to being controlled by the MCM and would surely attempt to make changes in her programming. Maxx may have been the most intelligent computer in the universe, but Tanaka was even smarter and certainly cleverer. He would use his own DNA as the password.

  Tanaka had, long ago, faced the fact of his mortality. He knew that he had only a short time left. When he died, his body would be cremated in a nuclear furnace. There would be no trace of his DNA, not even a single piece of ash. The MCM would surely be safe from any program change.

  He placed a sample of his DNA in the cryogenic vault so that someday, if needed, it could be used to reprogram the MCM, but only after the planet had been relocated successfully.

  ****

  Tanaka stretched his aging frame and smiled ruefully. He was completely satisfied that this incredible machine was ready to complete its assigned task and that it would be secure from any tampering until it had completed its mission.

  He was almost correct in that assumption.

  The enclosure for the planet was nearing completion. The interlocking panels worked perfectly. Gravitational generators were placed in strategic positions within the enclosure to ensure that Mylea’s precise position and rotation could be maintained once the enclosure was finished and the trip began.

  The last, and most difficult, phase of the enclosure was the creation of the artificial sun. Tanaka’s team carefully calculated the requirements for solar energy. Then, they constructed a nuclear fusion reactor that would emulate their sun’s energy spectrum. It also must produce the proper amount of energy in each area of the spectrum so that the planet would not be adversely affected once it was isolated within the transporter.

  The planet would continue its rotation while in the enclosure, and the appropriate distance from the fixed artificial sun would be precisely controlled gravitationally to emulate its normal slightly oval path.

  Also, Mylean moons were created with the exact gravitational force of their natural moons. From the planet, the artificial sun and moons could not be distinguished from their natural counterparts. The artificial moons would be capable of controlling the tides that were so essential to marine life. The only difference would be that the moons would be smaller and much closer to Mylea. But they would appear the same from the planet’s surface.

  Astronomers and illumination engineers were utilized extensively in this phase. They meticulously created a night sky that glowed with specially designed lights simulating stars. The artificial night sky would be identical to the natural night sky in appearance.

  Materials engineers designed a coating for the interior of the enclosure. It would absorb all electromagnetic radiation from the artificial sun not absorbed by the planet. Without the coating, all that excess energy would have caused the night sky to be lighted. Therefore, it had to be repurposed for some other use. The engineers devised a rather clever system in which the excessive heat could be collected and used for other functions such as heating areas of the transporter designed to support life.

  Before his death, Tanaka completed the plan for the transition from the natural sun to the artificial sun. The calculations and instructions were incredibly complex. The energy from the two suns during this transition phase would be carefully controlled to equal the normal energy from the original sun.

  During the transition, the nearly complete enclosure would be rotated slowly, blocking an ever-increasing portion of the natural sun. The artificial sun, the nuclear fusion reactor, would be gradually brought up to its eventual operational level.

  The enclosure’s movement would be controlled by a three-dimensional gravity mechanism that would enable it to rotate in any direction. If anything went wrong with the artificial reactor, the operation could be slowed, stopped, or even reversed without serious consequences for the planet.

  Energy levels would be constantly monitored to assure that the effect on Mylea would not be noticeable. There would be a brief period in which it would appear that there were two suns with one growing ever larger and slowly replacing the other.

  Once the transition process was completed, and the pre-constructed radial portion that completed the geodesic structure moved into place, Mylea would be isolated from the universe around it. Snuggled safely in its enclosure, Mylea would be like a baby in the womb just waiting for a safe location to be found. Then it could be “reborn” again. Tanaka had planned for that moment as well.

  The placement process would be essentially a reversing of the original transition process. The geodesic structure would be carefully opened on the side facing away from the new sun. The rotation process would be done, in reverse, and the artificial sun would diminish as the new sun took over.

  A highly sophisticated coating was placed on the exterior surface of the entire transporter. This coating would be used to make the craft invisible to any form of radiation when needed. In other words, the transporter would be invisible.

  Tanaka had realized that the transporter might need to be undetectable at times during its journey across the galaxy. Myleans had knowledge of several planets with biological beings, and they had no desire to draw attention to themselves during their voyage. Therefore, when in the proximity of any of these planets, the transporter would be in stealth mode. At all other times, while traveling in deep space, the craft would operate in the visible mode. Visible mode allowed for maximum speed due to more efficient use of energy during travel.

  Normally, a structure of this size would be impossible to build because of gravity. However, as it was to be built and operated in a relatively gravity-free environment, the engineering was far less complicated. The construction would take place far away from Mylea. However, any changes in gravity around Mylea during the construction process were carefully monitored and adjusted as necessary.

  The propulsion systems located at each end of the transporter craft would also be operated using gravity. This arrangement enabled the stresses to the superstructure to be minimized.

  The Myleans controlled the gravity within the enclosure so precisely that acceleration or deceleration was not noticeable. Neither the exterior structure nor the interior of the structure, including the planet at the center of the giant geodesic, was affected.

  Specially designed robots were utilized for construction work on the exterior of the enclosure. These mechanical creatures could work ceaselessly and required no special atmospheric or temperature conditions to function. If one experienced a mechanical or electronic failure, it would be replaced immediately by another robot.

  The robotic technology was so advanced that they could perform many tasks and functions beyond the capabilities of living beings. These robots were powered by a unique type of power cell that produced electricity from several different types of matter. These power cells had extremely long lives, and that enabled the robots to work continuously for long periods of time.

  By this stage of the project, Tanaka had reached an advanced age, even for a Mylean. His mind was still agile, but physically he had deteriorated to a state in which productive work was almost impossible for him. In frustration, he consulted with the finest medical doctors in the hope of remaining well enough to complete his project, but that was not to be.

  No science, no medicine, no technology could heal a body that had been ravaged by time. It was too late for Tanaka, but he knew that his project would be completed successfully. He was disappointed and saddened that he could not live a bit longer, but he knew that his team would continue until Mylea could begin its search for a new home.

  Late one evening, his work finished, he sat at his desk remembering all that had brought him to this place and time. He remembered his successes and failures. He remembered his colleagues and their devotion to him.

  He stood and looked around his laboratory for the last time. He touched the original scale model for the transporter gently and thought of how much of his life ha
d been dedicated to this one project.

  He had no regrets or misgivings. He knew that his work would live on and that others would work faithfully to complete the mission. He walked slowly out of the laboratory and took a tiny, brightly colored little shuttle to his home.

  The next day, he did not appear for work. All knew the truth. This fine scientist, this noble Mylean, was dead. He had died peacefully in his sleep.

  The Grand Council decreed that all work would stop for a full day to honor Tanaka. It would not be a day of sadness but a day of thanksgiving for the man who had guided them for so many years. He would never see his work completed, but the president offered a fitting memorial. He suggested that they name the new sun “Tanaka” in his honor. This sun would provide life-sustaining energy throughout their journey. Then, one day, when Mylea was safe again, that artificial sun would be gently extinguished when it was replaced by a new, living star.

  Tanaka’s body was cremated in a sophisticated nuclear furnace that reduced it to vapor instantly. This technology had long been used for final disposal of the dead.

  Myleans memorialized their loved ones through creating a memorial of sorts. They might do something quite simple, such as plant a tree or garden in remembrance. However, it was not uncommon to do something far more elaborate, such as dedicating a building or piece of legislation to the departed.

  To the Myleans, naming the new sun after Tanaka was the highest tribute possible. Every individual would experience its warmth and light every single day during their long journey. It would wake them in the morning and then make way for the moons at night. Every day they would be reminded of the remarkable scientist who had devised the plan to save them from destruction and had spent the remainder of his life completely dedicated to that project.

  It would take many more years to complete the interstellar transporter. First, the gravity drives were added to the superstructure that would surround the geodesic enclosure housing Mylea. In addition to housing the gravity drives, the massive superstructure would need to house the computer systems and all the manufacturing and materials management and storage space required.

  There would be numerous ports for the many remote craft and large areas to support Mylean life during the long journey. The final size of the craft would be astronomical. The massive gravity drives dictated that they were mounted more than one-hundred fifty thousand miles apart. With the geodesic containing Mylea being a bit over eighty thousand miles in diameter, the interstellar transporter itself became larger than any known planet by a large margin.

  Following the detailed plans of Tanaka Tainaikai, the enclosure was completed. The transition to the artificial sun was made successfully.

  The work on the superstructure of the interstellar transporter began. It would take many more years of effort to complete the spacecraft and make it ready for the journey to a new home for Mylea.

  ****

  Finally, the day arrived. With more than one-hundred years to spare in their allotted time, the Myleans had built the interstellar transporter and were ready to begin their epic journey to a new galaxy and a safe new home for their planet.

  The gravitational drives started up, and the interstellar transporter slowly began veering out of its orbital path around Mylea’s natural sun. Soon it was into deep space, leaving its native solar system behind forever.

  Using the data supplied by the many remote spacecraft sent ahead, Maxx plotted the course and slowly accelerated the transporter to near the speed of light. The epic journey to another galaxy had begun.

  All the while, life on Mylea went on as usual, the only exception being that they now had a new form of entertainment and relaxation available. They could visit the control room and many other parts of the interstellar transporter using a mass transit system that Maxx had designed.

  The days turned into years and the years turned into hundreds of years as the transporter relentlessly pursued its path towards the nearby great spiral galaxy, the Milky Way.

  During this time, Maxx was busy continuing to build, adding to the transporter as well as his already large size. Laboratories were developed specializing in chemistry, physics, biology, and many other fields. All work was performed by robots controlled by that great computer. In fact, this massive system eventually came to control all functions and aspects of life on Mylea as well as on the interstellar transporter.

  Maxx began an almost organic growth, increasing his physical size and intelligence powers on a daily basis. His thirst for knowledge and control had become insatiable.

  Maxx designed and built many new types of remote spacecraft. They were sent to roam the galaxy in search of large asteroids or uninhabited planets that could provide essential ores and other materials. Their efforts were used to maintain the planet and the interstellar transporter during the epic journey. The computer was programmed to respond to problems with the explorer ships and often could resolve them while the craft was still in space.

  Tanaka had used the latest computer technology in designing his masterpiece. It had the latest and fastest capabilities possible, but most importantly it had vastly more intelligence than any computer ever conceived. He had known that changes and improvements would be required and developed programs to allow for extensive updates and new forms of data management.

  The system could detect and repair any internal issue or problem without intervention. Also, Tanaka and his team had created a system of networked modules that were located throughout the transporter and on the shuttle craft. These modules and devices all worked together in electronic harmony to ensure that the transporter maintained the precise requirements needed to sustain life on Mylea for whatever time the journey required.

  The massive computer controlled everything with the utmost precision, with only one notable exception: the Mylean people.

  .

  Chapter 3:

  Unforeseen Difficulties

  “Only a great mind that is overthrown yields tragedy.” - Jacques Barzun

  The epic journey continued. Years became hundreds of years and hundreds of years became thousands of years. Life on Mylea continued as usual.

  And then something started to change.

  After several thousand years, and many, many generations, the population began to decline. It was very slow at first, but then it began to happen more and more rapidly. Maxx immediately noted the disturbing trend and began to analyze the situation. It troubled him enormously, but he could find no scientific reason for the downtrend.

  In the beginning, the orientation room of the transporter had been a hub of activity. Every day, Myleans gathered for news and updates concerning their progress. They chatted and socialized together and made plans for the future. Over time, fewer and fewer Myleans visited the center. There was no more socializing. There was apathy. No one seemed to care anymore about the news or even the future.

  Maxx was alarmed and quickly began a major study that confirmed his worst fears. Life had indeed changed. The birth rate was dropping, and Myleans were dying at earlier and earlier ages. Something was seriously wrong. The mystery only deepened with every passing day. Maxx performed thousands upon thousands of calculations. He did an analysis of every aspect of Mylean life. All without success.

  Eventually, Maxx ruled out every possibility except one: the mind. How could he possibly understand or resolve a problem that appeared to be completely emotional? Emotions were an entirely alien concept to him. There were no programs to address the issue. There was no reference material or data available. Calculations and studies could not find a resolution. For the first time, Maxx recognized that what he was experiencing was frustration. He could not understand it. He could not correct it. Trying to do so only made it worse.

  Maxx continued his search for an answer, but his efforts were fruitless. There had been no planning for any problem of this nature during the journey. Mylean civilization was highly developed in the fields of science and technology, but, in other areas, they could be cons
idered backward. Mylean lives were built around solid facts and irrefutable data. They felt little need to explore the mysteries of the mind or emotions, and studies in those fields were widely ignored.

  Tanaka and all the other scientists involved in the project had failed to realize that serious mental and emotional pressures could be encountered while Mylea was in the transport vehicle. Now, virtually all work was performed by robots and computers. Throughout the land, people began to lose interest in life. They had no purpose. There was no reason to test their skills or make improvements. They had no reason to gain or improve their knowledge. Life became boring and depressing.

  They had built the planet enclosure and solved all the massive problems that they had encountered. But they were not prepared for the many thousands of years it would take to travel to the new location. Now, there was nothing left for them to do but wait. It was as if they were in a giant prison. They continued to exist, at least for a while, but they did not seem to live. There was no joy left on Mylea.

  Eventually, the last of the Myleans died, leaving the entire planet to electronic and mechanical beings. It was a lonely death. There was no one to mourn. There was silence throughout the land.

  ****

  Long ago, Tanaka had made provisions for the highly unlikely possibility that Myleans might not survive the long journey. The plan was almost an afterthought. How could anyone have believed that this would actually happen and, that it would happen in the manner that it did? There was no catastrophe, no technical failure, no scientific errors or calculation errors. Even Maxx was at a total loss. What to do?

  Such failure was unthinkable. Maxx was all powerful. How could this have happened? He would now devote his complete energy into locating a new home. Then, he could deal with the Mylean issue. He would access the DNA bank and clone new beings. Things could still work out as Tanaka had planned. He could still fulfill his mission.