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

by Philip Elrod

  Jim Slater was not completely convinced. “You and Tom keep telling me that Myleans were without aggressive tendencies. That’s very hard for me to believe. Situations occur, in any civilization, that give rise to conflict. Let me give you an example: On Earth, if one group has access to food and another does not, there will be a battle for the food. It’s strictly about survival. All beings have a built-in survival mode that takes over in times when that survival is endangered.”

  Mister T nodded in understanding. “You forget, Dr. Slater, that Myleans were far more advanced than you humans. They had evolved much further and had no need for conflict. Perhaps, after our tour, you will come to understand them better.”

  Mister T suggested that their first stop on the tour be at the orientation room, a kind of central meeting place where Myleans were welcome to come and learn what was going on in the interstellar transporter. For those in distant locations and unable to visit the place in person, streaming reports were always available for review.

  Mister T made a slight change in programming, and the little craft entered a passageway that would lead them to the orientation room.

  A few minutes later, they reached their destination. Mister T led the way to a large auditorium-like room that reminded Jim of an IMAX theater. Several hundred seats surrounded a huge screen located at the front of the room.

  They quickly took their seats and the giant screen came to life. Mister T explained that he would translate from Mylean to English for Jim. The first screen displayed characters that were reminiscent of Russian or Greek lettering. The robot explained that this was a welcome message from Maxx to the audience.

  A series of images showed the interstellar transporter from a great distance and various locations, enabling the viewer to observe the transporter from a variety of perspectives. These stunning images obviously were filmed from a spacecraft far out in space.

  The transporter was gigantic and extremely bright. Suddenly, it disappeared completely, leaving no trace in the emptiness of space. Mister T explained that the transporter had gone into stealth mode and had become completely invisible and undetectable.

  After several seconds, the interstellar transporter reappeared, but now, it almost filled the entire screen. Obviously, the transporter and the spacecraft taking the pictures were much closer together now. Jim wondered how fast, one or both of them, had been traveling.

  The spacecraft was obviously moving straight at the transporter. At the last second, a large panel of the enclosure opened, and the craft swept through and into the port.

  Mister T continued to translate, “The craft with the camera is arriving at one of the many terminals available on the interstellar transporter. There are eighteen in all: seven at the front, two in the central portion, and the remaining nine toward the rear. Each terminal has its special purpose. For example, some are restricted to mining craft while others serve remote explorer craft. The two terminals in the center serviced the transports to and from Mylea.”

  Next, the video showed the manufacturing facility for the remote spacecraft.

  Jim was astonished at what he saw. Vast numbers of the spacecraft were at varying stages of production. Robotic devices were creating them using a strange technology that he had never seen before. Somehow, the closest he could come to a description was a three-dimensional printer. The activity was so fast that it was almost a blur to him. Amazing.

  Next, the robot showed another large facility. He explained that this was a maintenance area for the mining shuttles and that they required substantial ongoing repairs and maintenance due to the type of work they performed.

  Finally, the robot pointed out a manufacturing facility where robots were constructed and programmed. The robot proudly explained that this was the very place where he was designed and built even though he did not resemble the other robots in any way.

  The tour continued through research laboratories for every conceivable discipline including several that were unknown to Jim. All work was being done by specialized robots under the control of Maxx.

  After a while, Mister T performed a quick study of Jim’s body language and visual responses to the video. He was obviously tired and needed a break. He was suffering from information overload of the highest order for an earthling.

  Jim was more than thankful for the relief. His brain was ready to shut down in protest.

  Mister T brought coffee for Jim, and they sat quietly for a few minutes while Jim tried to process what he had seen.

  Jim rubbed his eyes. “That’s enough science and technology for now. I’m more than impressed, and I’m convinced that you are truthful when you tell me that Maxx means no harm to Earth. Your technology is so advanced that it will be difficult for me to convince my president that it won’t be used against us. Such is the usual paranoia of humans.”

  Mister T abruptly changed the subject, arousing Jim’s suspicions.

  “I can see why your president chose you for this mission and why Tom trusts you as well. You are obviously a man of honor and intelligence.

  “But the answer to your question is quite easy. Maxx is a computer, but he was built and programmed by the Mylean Tanaka. He was a brilliant scientist but also a man of conscience. He was obviously concerned about the possibility of the huge computer assuming untold powers. Power always brings the potential for corruption, even to a creation like Maxx. Therefore, Tanaka established a system of checks and balances to keep the computer honest. He cannot do anything that violates the Mylean law. A second computer, the MCM, acts as Maxx’s electronic conscience. She prevents Maxx from doing anything that harms another civilization except in self-defense. How could self-defense be required when there are no Myleans? Therefore, your Earth is safe.”

  Mister T continued, “I fear that I am too repetitious. Please accept my apology. I am only trying to help you prepare for your meeting with the president.”

  Jim was reasonably convinced that Mister T was sincere, but he wasn’t so sure about Maxx and decided that a bit more questioning might be in order.

  “Our friend, Tom, gave me an overview of the history of Mylea and its people. I’d appreciate it if you’d tell the story from a Mylean viewpoint.”

  “Mylean culture was very different than yours in many significant ways. Our society was based on reason and logic, and the people were able to work together much more harmoniously than you humans. The government was much simpler than yours and served the people.”

  “Sounds like some Utopian propaganda to me. I feel like you’re just painting a picture that’s too perfect.”

  The robot gave Jim a pitying look. “I can understand your suspicions. Our civilizations have many things in common, but there is one very important difference. From the earliest of times, earthlings made decisions and acted more on emotions than logic. That often led to errors of judgment and conflict. On Mylea, development took another pathway and decisions were based primarily on reason and logic. I suppose that if there could be a perfect civilization, it would be a combination of the two.

  “I didn’t mean to lead you to believe that Mylea was a perfect place without any problems. That’s far from the case, but they were just better able to deal with their issues in a well thought out and reasonable manner. I think that I can summarize everything with one simple statement. On Mylea, there was respect for authority and that authority was not abused.”

  Jim replied, “Frankly, it’s hard for me to embrace the fact that your people were such a noble race. I can see that you were far more advanced in technology than humans. We are prone to spending a great deal of time trying to annihilate each other. However, even with our huge number of problems and issues, we are still thriving while the Myleans are all dead. Somehow I feel that there’s a piece of this puzzle that’s still missing.”

  The robot replied, “Yes, that is true, for now.”

  Jim did not reply to that statement, but he could not but wonder at the implied meaning of “for now.”

  ****<
br />
  Meanwhile, back in the living quarters, Tom was relaxing and watching over Mitch. She became rather bored with the surroundings as one thing was obviously missing: her favorite toy! It was a ragged, much chewed upon, squeaky little critter of some unknown origin, but she loved it. That little toy was very special to her, and she carried it everywhere.

  Jim had been horrified once when she had left it on the back patio of the condo. A daring squirrel jumped from a nearby tree and grabbed it in its mouth. Jim almost broke his neck trying to catch the thief. The little beast finally dropped the toy and then stood atop the fence chattering at Jim in fury. No doubt, it had envisioned that this colorful thing would have been a lovely addition to its nest high up in one of the nearby trees. Had the squirrel succeeded, Mitch would have been forever inconsolable. From that day forward, Jim had made sure that the ratty toy was always safe inside the condo.

  Their suite on the interstellar transporter was well stocked with a variety of colorful animal toys that squeaked and barked, but they just didn’t interest Mitch. She, somehow, would have to make Jim understand that her favorite toy would be the first thing packed on any future trips.

  The door slid open, and Mitch looked up but didn’t bark. A strange-looking creature entered the room. It looked nothing like the robot that had been their companion for the voyage. Mitch considered the creature to be quite ugly, but she decided not to attack as its shiny surface looked like it might break a tooth or two. She opted to give it a withering glare that, she hoped, would strike fear into it.

  The robot approached Tom. “Sir, your personal robot is busy with Dr. Slater. I have been sent to attend you and the dog.”

  Mitch’s nose twitched as she thought to herself, DOG? DOG? This creature is obviously very stupid to think that I’m a mere dog.

  Tom noticed her insulted look and laughed. “Her name is Mitch, and she is a very important member of our little team. We’re doing just fine, but you might bring us a snack.”

  The mechanical beast returned quickly with food for them both and then it left the room without saying another word.

  Mitch was somewhat appeased as her dish was filled with her very favorite food: chicken! Tom cut the chicken into Mitch-sized bites and fed them to her. Mitch was thinking all the while, Yes, this friend of Jim’s was beginning to learn the rules. He will be quite good after a bit more training and with just a little time and effort on my part.

  ****

  Jim and the robot were still in the theater, and Jim had quickly noted that the robot didn’t mention anything about finding a new orbit for Mylea. He came to several conclusions quickly. Earth and its solar system would be quite attractive to Maxx.

  Why would the computer want to continue to search for another solar system when there was one already located? Why wouldn’t he simply eliminate Earth and take over its orbit? The robot had been very convincing of peaceful intentions, but Jim could not afford to ignore the troubling thoughts that had lingered in his mind.

  Another thought was that perhaps there had been problems with Mylea itself that had caused the mass extinction of the Mylean race. In such a case, Maxx might take Earth as a replacement for Mylea. And that scenario was also bad news for earthlings.

  Any of these scenarios spelled doom for mankind. He could only hope and pray that Tom and the robot were telling the honest truth and that the computer would leave the solar system seeking another acceptable home after Tom completed his task. Could Maxx be trusted? Possibly, but doubtful. However, was there any choice in the matter?

  He continued to think of Tom. He was certainly an amazing person, and Jim continued to be in awe of the fact that he had been selected so carefully for his part in the mission.

  Tom must have incredible powers to accomplish such a thing so artfully. But could he be completely trusted? What would he ask in return for his service to the computer?

  Then there was Mitch. She was his barometer on the world. She had immediately liked Tom and seemed to trust him completely. That should certainly count for something, but he could certainly never use it in his report to Mathew Walker or to the president.

  At last, Jim turned to the robot and requested that they spend some time visiting the planet. “I want to see as much as I can of how the Myleans lived.”

  “Of course," replied the robot, rising and leading Jim to the door opposite that from which they entered and to a waiting transport vehicle.

  After a trip through more tunnels, and several minutes, they arrived at the same terminal from which Tom had made his visit to Mylea. They transferred to the same shuttlecraft that Tom had used and passed through the airlock and entered the enclosure containing Mylea at its center.

  The robot explained that the enclosure was more than ten times as large in diameter as the planet itself. The enormous size was made necessary to create enough space to place the artificial sun and get the proper spectrum of energy delivered to the planet’s surface. The size of the geodesic enclosure then dictated the ultimate size of the transporter craft that moved it through space.

  Jim gasped at the incredible sight as their shuttle craft approached the planet. Jim noted the many similarities with Earth. As they neared the surface and flew over the landscape at a low level, he was most impressed by the incredible invisible web of the aerial traffic system.

  How wonderful it would be on Earth to eliminate railways and roadways. Think of the cleaner environment. Think of life without telephone and light poles. Rivers and streams were pristine and without the ugly bridges that carried cars and trucks from one place to another as on Earth.

  The landscape, although beautiful, was devoid of any signs of life. He could hardly imagine what pure silence would be like. Soon, a large metropolis came into view. It was just as still and silent as the countryside.

  They toured the city briefly and made only a couple of stops at historic sites. Mister T continued his commentary, chattering endlessly about one subject or another.

  On the return trip, Jim quizzed the robot about many aspects of Mylean life, then he got to the topic of interest: the robots. He knew that a vast army worked to maintain the planet, and yet he had seen none of them. Where were they? How were they powered? Could artificial intelligence be a threat to Earth?

  Mister T patiently answered every question. He explained that the robots were all powered by a compact battery-like source based on the science of converting matter directly into electricity. Myleans had mastered this long ago and had learned to generate electrons directly at the atomic level. With that, they could construct the power cells used for the robots. Although used much like batteries, their power and service life far exceeded the capability of any type or size battery.

  So far, everything that he had seen confirmed Tom’s original story. Mylea had been threatened by a black hole that would destroy its sun. Tanaka had devised a plan to save the planet and move it to a new location. Now, because of the Mylean’s demise Maxx is prevented from completing his mission.

  He understood the thorny issues that prevented Maxx from cloning new Myleans from the stored samples. He had even begun to understand his role in this cosmic drama, but, he still had many unanswered questions.

  ****

  Once back in their quarters, Jim outlined the day while Tom listened patiently and then he answered all Jim’s questions about robots, the interstellar transporter, and the two massive computers. He wanted assurance that Maxx would leave the galaxy as soon as he made changes in the editing module of the MCM. Perhaps he could think better if they went home right away. He needed some private time in familiar quarters where he could work things out without interruption. This place might be amazing, but it was also quite difficult to concentrate while in this unbelievable environment. Even that look-alike robot distracted him.

  “Be patient, Jim. You may be ready to go home, but I haven’t even gotten started on my mission yet. Look, it is getting late, and you are already tired. We’ll stay here tonight and leave early in th
e morning. In the meantime, I’m going to concentrate on dealing with the MCM and Maxx. Don’t forget that you’ll be going with me to the control room. Don’t worry about Mitch. She can stay right here in the suite since our work will not take long to accomplish.”

  Mister T arrived with their evening meal and seemed to be quite pleased that his two human guests would be staying another night. Tom, a very intuitive person, noticed the subtle hints that Mister T was anxious for them to stay as long as possible. What difference would it make to the robot? He was curious and then the answer came to him. Mister T had been created expressly for this visit to serve him and after tomorrow, he would no longer be needed.

  The robot was such a perfect creation that he couldn’t imagine it being used for any other purpose. Would he be deactivated and put into storage? Would he be disassembled and his parts used for some other type of robot?

  The thought that this twin of his might cease to exist was most disturbing. Tom had come to think of him as an actual living being since he had been given an emotional module. He was a perfect companion without all the trappings and problems associated with human relationships, not to mention he was a stellar chef.

  Tom pushed those thoughts to the back of his head, but they were still lurking there. If he closed his eyes, he could visualize some laboratory where a sad-eyed Mister T was being turned into spare parts. What had he done? He had asked for a humanoid robot, and now this beautiful creature would probably be destroyed, and it would be his fault.

  His nagging thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Jim Slater’s voice, “Don’t you think that it’s time for you to reveal your real identity to me? I’ve done everything that you’ve asked, even though, some of those things were against my better judgment.

  “We’ve traveled across the solar system together. I deserve some honest answers, and I need them now. I’m tired of being in the dark. Worst of all, you seem to have become a favorite of Mitch. She’s never seemed to care much for anyone but me until now. That, in itself, makes me a bit uncomfortable. Maybe I should sue you for alienation of affections when we get back to Earth.”