The Gods We Make

by Eric Johannsen

  The lidar survey discovered no trace of a spacecraft, intact or otherwise. The Shengli passed through the blast area at a deliberate pace, providing the crew ample time to search for fragments. Once clear of the engagement area, the ship fired chemical booster rockets to put distance between it and the highest radiation zone around Jupiter.

  “Sir,” the navigator reported, “the video storage medium is intact. The playback controller short-circuited. I installed a spare. We have video.”

  “Excellent,” the commander said.

  A video feed of the missile strike, taken from a camera on board their ship, played at normal speed. The missile dashed toward the alien ship. Three seconds before detonation, the ship turned to point away from Jupiter. There was a blink and a brilliant flash of light, then there was darkness. With no air to super-heat, the nuclear explosion was undramatic in the electro-magnetic spectrum visible to the human eye.

  “Play it back, half speed,” the Commander said.

  The blink before the explosion was the image turning darker.

  “Frame by frame, from half a second prior to detonation,” the Commander said.

  Three hundred twenty milliseconds before the nuke exploded, the alien ship was clearly visible. One video frame later, the ship was gone.

  “How could it move that fast?” the Executive Officer asked. “It vanished completely in ten milliseconds. The acceleration necessary to move like that must have crushed everyone on board.”

  “We will begin a search for the ship,” the commander said. “Begin with the assumption that it departed in the direction it was facing. Perhaps it is capable of amazing acceleration. If so, the Americans are most likely dead. It is also possible that it cloaked and moved away at a more reasonable pace. Use all sensors to scan for evidence of its location.”

  The search took the Shengli out of the worst of Jupiter’s radiation while engineers used a remote assembly roamer to construct emergency shielding around the damaged antenna. One of the crew rigged up a SCUBA-style regulator for his space suit, flooded it with water up to his chin for additional radiation shielding, and went outside to repair the antenna. The work was difficult with water sloshing about, but the repair was not complex. The wire leading from the antenna to a cut-off relay melted from massive current induced by the bomb’s electro-magnetic pulse. Fifteen minutes later, and with far less radiation exposure than feared, the repair was affected, and he was safely inside.

  “Sir,” the navigator rushed to inform the commander, “the long-range antenna is back online.”

  The commander nodded. “Record message, encrypted, for Beijing Mission Control.”

  A chime affirmed his request.

  “The Shengli made contact with the alien structure. I am convinced it is a spacecraft. Unfortunately, the American crew reached it first. They obtained some level of control over the alien technology and used it to repel our boarding party. The American’s Jupiter Express was less damaged than thought. They were able to strike us with a missile, which luckily failed to detonate. Given the circumstances, I opted to destroy the alien ship rather than allow the Americans to control it. That decision means I failed my mission. The responsibility is mine alone. It appears the ship may have survived our nuclear attack. A search is underway to locate it.”

  Three hours later, a reply from the president of China reached them. “Greetings, commander. I have received your report. Orbital surveillance detected a ship entering Earth orbit. It set down in the infamous Area 51.” The president’s image changed to a still of a golden ship with organic and geometric lines sticking out of an airport hangar. “If this is the alien ship, I suggest it is time for you to return home.”

  The commander balled a fist and turned beat red. He breathed in, nostrils flaring. He breathed out. The cycle repeated. “Navigator, set course for Earth. Best possible speed.”

  #

  Thirty-four hours after meeting the astronauts in Area 51, Sara strolled through the Rose Garden. The faint, honey-apricot scent of tulips accented the stronger fragrance of roses in full bloom. Two dozen select guests stood in small clusters on the side nearer the Oval Office. There they are! The crew of the Jupiter Express stood under a blossoming cherry tree, talking to the First Lady. Dylan, Musa, and Ian wore flawlessly prepared dress uniforms of their respective services. Chad was dapper yet somewhat out of place in a charcoal-gray Brioni suit. Sara’s steps quickened, excited to see the crew in a social setting. She stopped a step and a half from the group, a broad smile and rosy cheeks lighting her face.

  “Gentlemen,” the First Lady said, “may I present Sara Wells, Deputy Director of the National Security Agency?”

  “Ma’am, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” Dylan said, shaking her hand with confident Southern charm. “Outside of a debriefing room.”

  Each astronaut shook her hand in turn.

  The First Lady turned to Sara. “Can you believe it, Ms. Wells? Not even two days ago, these men were in orbit around Jupiter. Now here they stand, back on terra firma, at the White House, and they came riding in on alien technology.” She raised a glass of Champaign in salute.

  “Technology we desperately need to finally get a leg up on the Chinese.” Senator Harley Dees, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, approached the group. “The Chinese thought they had us licked with that fusion business. I’d imagine the secrets we’ll unlock from that alien ship will make all that look like coal-fired steam engines. If even that.”

  “I’m anxious to get back in and start studying their technology,” Chad said.

  Senator Dees grinned like only a seasoned politician can. Part charming, part innocent, part condescending all masking cunning intent. “I assure you, Dr. Tanner, you are on the short list to work on the project. As you well know, America is blessed with several companies with expertise that could be relevant. I bet you can imagine, they’re all eager to help their nation figure this thing out.”

  “Other companies? Ms. Kido told me just this morning the project is beyond top secret.”

  “Well, Chad. Can I call you Chad?” The Senator allowed half a heartbeat for Chad to object before plowing forward. “Rest assured, all the companies involved have the highest security clearance. They have been working on sensitive military projects for decades. I’m sure we’ll get this sorted out before too long.” The Senator turned his attention to the other astronauts. He dominated the conversation for several minutes, grilling each on details of their mission.

  Dylan and Ian managed to drift away once the Senator turned away from them.

  Sara followed the pair. “Dylan,” she called after him, “I want to apologize that the intelligence we gathered didn’t help you.”

  “On the contrary,” Dylan said. His eyes lingered briefly on hers. “I went over telemetry readings we managed to salvage from the Jupiter Express. The Chinese missile was out of propellant when it detonated. It couldn’t follow our last-second maneuver. If not for the time your intelligence bought us, well, we wouldn’t be here today.”

  Sara’s smile was genuine and filled with delight. “I’m glad you’re here today.” Elena Teplova appeared in her ocular implant. “Would you excuse me for a moment?” Sara asked of Dylan and Ian.

  Dylan gestured as if tipping a hat. “Ma’am.”

  Sara wandered to an uncrowded corner of the garden. “Good evening, Elena.”

  “Are they there yet?” Elena could hardly contain her excitement.

  “Yes, they are. Here you go.” Sara activated a tiny camera in the implant, sharing her sight with Elena. “Chad and Musa are over there, by the First Lady and Senator Dees. Ian and Dylan are over there, walking toward the bar.”

  “He’s handsome in person.” Elena blushed.

  “Who?”

  “Dylan, of course. A real Southern gentleman.”

  “Why Elena, I didn’t know you-”

  Elena cut her short. “Is the president there yet?”

  “No, not yet,” Sara said. “
I wish you could be here, in real life.”

  “I would like that. Maybe one day they will construct a physical body for me. Or perhaps, one day I’ll design one for myself.”

  “Do you want me to leave the stream open so you can be here?”

  Elena reflected for a moment. “No, this is a time for humans to celebrate. You left Earth and discovered something wonderful. Go, have your day.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” Elena said. “Yes, I’m sure.”

  #

  Dylan took two frosty glasses of beer from a ServeBot, sauntered up to Ian, and handed him one. “Hops juice makes political events a whole lot more fun.”

  Ian accepted a brew. “Cheers.”

  “First time at the White House?” Dylan asked.

  “Second trip. I had the opportunity after Mars Station went into service.”

  Dylan sipped his drink. “First time for me. Any advice?”

  “Smile, don’t take sides on any issue no matter how safe it may seem, and don’t drink so much that you slur your speech when you say ‘Yes, sir, Mr. President.’”

  “Words to live by.” Dylan raised his glass in salute and took a sip. “Look. I was wrong to judge you so harshly when you got into trouble for gambling.”

  “No, you weren’t.” Ian lowered his eyes. “I messed up. I put the mission in jeopardy.”

  “You made a mistake. I wish you would have come to me, but you did go to the FBI. You tried to fix it in an honorable way. And the truth is, our mission might well have failed if not for your dedication.” Dylan let out a quiet chuckle. “Not to mention your bravery and ingenuity when the Chinese boarded the Quadriga.”

  “I just did what came to me.”

  “You could have accepted their offer to surrender. Instead, you risked your life and gave Dr. Tanner the time he needed to figure the ship out.” Dylan extended his hand.

  Ian took it with a firm grip. “Thank you.”

  Dylan nodded.

  “What do you suppose happens next?” Ian asked. “Do you think we’ll get to fly it again?”

  “Nope. Word is, top scientists and defense contractors are lining up to study the thing. It’s far too valuable to let us anywhere near it.”

  “I suppose you’re right. We were the first humans to set foot on it, though. We were the ones audacious enough to fly to Jupiter. We brought it home. That counts for something.”

  “That it does.” Dylan finished his beer in one long pull. “That counts for a lot in my book. Speaking of books, are you going to write one about this mission?”

  “It’s classified top secret. The public will never even know about the alien ship unless the Chinese decide to leak the information.”

  Dylan set his empty glass on a ServeBot. “I don’t know. I had a few words with the president earlier today. He might just surprise you.”

  #

  The doors to the Oval Office opened. President Billmore strode out, toward the assembled guests. All turned toward him, following his approach.

  Dylan and Ian hurried to rejoin the other astronauts.

  “Gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to meet the heroes of Jupiter,” President Billmore said.

  “The pleasure is ours,” Dylan said.

  The president pressed his hand. “Commander Lockwood. Fine job. I heard good things, great things, about your command of the mission. I hope to hear all about it over dinner.”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. President.” Even meeting the president of the United States, Dylan was calm and charming.

  “Major Weemes,” the president said, “you have done your family proud, navigating further than any human before.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Ian stood at military attention.

  The president turned to Musa. “Commander Malik-”

  “Lieutenant Commander, sir,” Musa said.

  “Are you contradicting your commander in chief?” the president asked with a knowing wink.

  Musa’s lips drew into a surprised smile.

  “Commander Malik, I understand you displayed tenacity and creativity during the most critical phase of the mission.”

  “I was only doing my job, sir.”

  “Indeed.” The president nodded with approval. “Indeed.” He turned to Chad and shook his hand. “Certainly not least, Dr. Tanner. I’m not sure another human alive could have deciphered that alien technology in the time you did. Not a moment too soon, either, I gather.”

  “You men have all done a great thing. You are a credit to your nation,” Senator Dees said. “Each and-”

  The president rested a hand on the Senator’s shoulder and addressed the astronauts. “Let’s head on inside. It’s about time to tell the world what we have on our hands.”

  The Senator scowled. “Tom, I still think you’re being too hasty. Let’s just welcome back the crew at the press conference. There’s no need to spill all our secrets.”

  President Billmore gently shook the Senator’s shoulder. “Harley, the Chinese know more than what we’re going to announce. We already filled in the UK and the European Union. If the Russians and Iranians don’t know yet, they’ll figure it out soon enough. The cat’s out of the bag. We may as well claim some credit.”

  “At least the Chinese can finally go screw themselves,” Senator Dees said. “With this alien technology under American control, we’ll see advances that make their fusion program look like flint and steel.”

  “Is that really what we want?” Sara’s voice was unwavering. “Do we want to exclude them from the technology? That will ratchet tensions up even further.”

  “Damn straight we do!” Senator Dees said. Condescension and annoyance lurked just under the surface of his politician’s demeanor. “They weren’t about to share their fusion with us. Hell, they’ve been ratcheting up tensions, as you put it, for decades. We have the great-grand-daddy of advantages now and we’re sure as hell going to use it. You may be a fine intelligence gal, but you have quite a bit yet to learn about politics.”

  Stop, Sara. Stop. This could snowball into one of those epic career-ending moves that are legend in government circles.

  The president nodded agreement and turned toward the White House.

  To hell with my career. This isn’t right. A momentous weight evaporated from Sara’s shoulders. She felt liberated, free to act as she wanted, to be who she wanted to be. “Mr. President, stop.”

  The president froze in his tracks. He turned to her, one eyebrow raised inquisitively even as his mien rebuffed her brashness.

  “Mr. President…” She studied him, studied Senator Dees, studied a very amused Dylan Lockwood. “Sir, for decades we and the Chinese have been at odds. They, like us, are a good people. They aspire for a better tomorrow, just as we do. They threaten our security, and we threaten theirs. That breeds distrust. The very best course of action now…” She took a deep breath. “The noble and just thing to do is to reach out to the Chinese and offer to share. Exactly now, when we clearly have the upper hand. That single action would build a bridge. It would allow us to come closer together instead of growing further apart. Mr. President, this technology presents the opportunity for the United States to dominate the rest of the world. It also presents the opportunity to unite the world. Which path do you want for humanity?”

  Senator Dees took a deep breath and opened his mouth wide.

  The president cut him short with a raised hand. “Words to reflect on, Ms. Wells.” He bit his lip. “Words to reflect on.” He looked toward the White House. “For now, let’s not keep the world waiting.” He walked toward the West Wing, and the others followed. “Dr. Tanner?” the president said, leveraging the short walk inside.

  “Yes, sir?”

  “There’s real work to be done over the next two years unseating entrenched deadwood.” The president lowered his voice. “Including a few members of my own party. Can I count on you for another contribution to my war chest?”

  “Of course, Mr. President.”

  # />
  President Billmore spoke to the American people, and the world, from the West Wing.

  “Good evening. The past decade has seen increasing division in our world. Competition for resources and energy caused many of us to view our fellow man as the adversary because he hails from a different land. Tonight, it is my distinct pleasure to announce an amazing discovery. One that I hope will give us pause to reflect on the fact that we are all members of humanity, sharing what astronauts such as the ones at my side call a blue-green marble adrift in the vastness of space.

  “These men, heroes each of them, journeyed farther than any human before. They returned days ago from Jupiter, the largest planet of our solar system. The mission was undertaken with great secrecy because of its purpose, which was to investigate a radio signal from the planet to which no terrestrial origin could be ascribed.

  “Indeed, upon reaching Jupiter, they discovered a craft. A vessel built not from human hands, but of unknown origin and with technology far beyond anything known to man. We are referring to the craft as the Quadriga, after the chariot of the Roman god Jupiter. For now, it is in American custody, being examined by our top scientists. UFO enthusiasts worldwide will be thrilled to know, there is finally an alien ship at Area 51.

  “We believe that such technology must benefit not only the American people but all the people of Earth. However, such advanced technology can be dangerous if made widely available before humanity is ready to receive it. I ask for patience as we examine what we have and determine how it might safely benefit us all.

  “Tonight, we know we are not the only intelligence ever to have emerged from the cosmos. We are not alone in the universe. Our astronauts encountered no sign of aliens, living or dead. Perhaps they vanished long ago, or perhaps they are out there, ready to be encountered. Whichever the case, we will take all necessary steps to ensure we are prepared to encounter life beyond Earth.

  “I will have more information to share, with the American people, with the world, in the coming weeks and months. There will be a healthy debate about how to use this fantastic discovery. It is my hope, my heartfelt desire, that the discussion will be informed by charity and good will toward all of humanity.