Wanda

by carl smothers

  “Working, Doctor. The optical, x-ray, infrared and RF sensors have been fused using a stochastic mix rate to optimize the presentation. Main screen activated.”

  The view of the nebula created by the sensor fusion processors was perhaps the most beautiful and breathtaking thing Harry had ever seen. The computer presented the nebula gasses in full color. Every element color-coded and presented as a spectacular sight of bright orange, red, green and blue colored clouds. Towering columns of gas and matter, four light-years high, with globules of light, infant stars, sprinkled throughout highlighted the nebula. The columns gave the appearance of giant guards dressed in transparent festive colors, standing watch over the nursery to protect the baby stars.

  Ivan switched in another view as Major Tobey entered the lab. Tobey stared in awe of the magnificent structure in the holographic display. “That’s beautiful. What is it?”

  “It’s a nebula,” Ivan said. “Beluse 321, to be exact.”

  “A nebula?” Tobey asked, frowning. “I always thought they were just a bunch of debris and dust floating around in space.”

  Ivan chucked, “It’s the universe’s birthing place and nursery for infant stars.”

  “Are you pulling my leg?”

  “No. See those dark clouds?”

  “What about ‘em?”

  “We Astrophysicists call those clouds birthing soup. It’s one of the coldest places in the universe with a temperature just above absolute zero. They’re mostly composed of hydrogen atoms and dust.”

  “It doesn’t look like it’s doing anything.” Tobey said.

  “Not much is going on right now,” Ivan replied. “In fact, that birthing soup may sit idle for millions of years. At temperatures near absolute zero, things hardly move. In this environment, gravity, even though it’s the weakest of the four known forces, becomes dominant. So, over eons of time, it can cause the hydrogen atoms and other parts of the soup to clump together. As the clump grows, its gravity increases attracting more matter.”

  “Ivan, I think you’re bullshitting me,” Tobey replied.

  Ivan chuckled. “No. Excuse me for a moment. I think we can improve the picture. Just needs a tweak. Computer, change the magnification factor by 1.8, and correct the orientation by 0.08 minutes of angle in the Z plane only.”

  “Magnification factor increased. Outpost has completed its orientation change. Do you want to adjust the field of view?”

  “No, thank you. That looks good. What a beautiful picture. Where was I? Oh, yeah. Anyway, as the density of the clump increases, gravity compresses the core further and that causes the temperature and pressure to increase. When the temperature of the clump gets hot enough, the hydrogen atoms move so fast and have so much momentum, they overcome the enormous repulsive force of other atoms and collide,” Ivan explained. “The force of the collision is so great; it causes the atoms to fuse together, creating helium atoms and releasing a quanta of energy. If conditions are right, once the fusion process starts, nothing in the universe can stop it. The baby star will then almost instantly light up, announcing its birth.”

  “It amazes me how two little atoms can create so much energy,” Tobey noted shaking his head.

  “There’s a simple explanation,” Harry added. “When two hydrogen atoms fuse together, they create a helium atom with less mass than the two parent atoms. The mass lost during the fusion process is converted to energy in accordance with E=mc2. C, the speed of light, is a huge number, so a little mass converts to a lot of energy. That’s how stars work, and the process will continue until its fuel is used up — billions of years later.”

  “I never knew how stars were born,” Tobey remarked. “Imagine … a star nursery. Who would’ve thought?”

  “Lab, this is the captain. How much longer are you going to need to finish your data collection? I’d like to start setting up for the next event.”

  “Captain, we’re almost done,” Ivan reported. “Maybe another fifteen minutes. The data is phenomenal.”

  “Glad to hear that. Let me know as soon as you’re finished.”

  “Roger,” Ivan replied.

  Still curious, Tobey commented, “I always thought when stars died they just turned off, but someone once told me some dying stars supernova and make all of the elements that everything in the universe is composed. Is that true?”

  “It is,” Ivan inserted. “When a star converts all of its hydrogen to helium, the fusion process creates other elements with carbon among the last. When it starts creating iron atoms that’s the end of the road. The iron atoms suck up all available fusion energy and gravity takes over. Gravity crushes the core and when that happens, death occurs very fast. If the star is big enough it will supernova. The rally massive stars, much bigger than our sun, create all of the known elements, and these are cast out into the universe when the star goes supernova.

  “So stars bigger than our sun creates everything.” Tobey said.

  “Not quite. The heavy elements like gold and uranium are only made by stars much more massive than our sun, during the supernova itself,” Ivan replied. “The temperature and pressure required to allow them to fuse these elements only occurs for a brief moment. That’s why they’re rare. To borrow a phrase, everything in the universe is made of elements created by a dying star, including people and animals. Stars, in conjunction with gravity, are in effect the mothers of all creation. Or if you like, the Johnny Appleseed’s of the universe.”

  “So what will happen to our sun?”

  “Suns the size of ours go through a red giant phase, then become a white dwarf. The last element present when the fusion process stops is carbon. When carbon is compressed under great temperatures what happens to it?”

  “Well, it turns to diamond, if I remember my geology,” Tobey answered.

  “A lot of people think that the core of a white dwarf is composed of diamond,” Ivan said.

  “Pretty amazing stuff,” Tobey replied. “Thanks for the tour. Well, guess I’d better get back to the bridge. My watch starts in ten minutes. Very interesting … but strange. Don’t you guys ever talk about more interesting stuff like baseball or girls?” Tobey grinned as he ambled out of the lab.

  Harry approached Tarnak’s console. “How we doing?”

  “Think I got everything. I’m downloading it now. Yes, here it is. We’re done here.”

  “Captain, this part of the experiment is complete,” Harry reported. “All data has been downloaded and transferred to Earth via Sentry.”

  “Very well. Knuckles, take us back to PC1. Harry, please have your equipment ready by 1500 hours. Knuckles, display the geometric model. I want you to keep the ship dead center in the box as we go around.”

  “Roger, Captain. Should be a piece of cake.”

  “I sure hope so. If they’re following the timetable, the wormhole should have been reactivated for Outpost checkout and our return trip. Engineering, this is the Captain. Have you completed the hull connections for the power system?”

  “We’re ready to go, sir,” the chief engineer replied.

  As they approached the planet, the captain notified Mission Control via Sentry. “We’re ready to survey PC1.”

  “Roger, Orion. By the way, the astronomical data on the Beluse Nebula was fantastic. The entire astronomical community is buzzing! We’ve been able to command Outpost and downlink additional data so we’re satisfied the system is fully operational. Great job!”

  “Roger that, Mission Control. Wish us luck. Proceeding with the PC1 survey in about one hour.”

  Harry closed his eyes and thought of Pepper. He could almost feel her body cuddled in his arms. He inhaled deeply using his imagination to enjoy the sensuous aroma of her luscious body. It made him tremble just thinking about her. It would be good to see Scooter and Wanda, and sleep in his own bed.

  Tarnak interrupted his thoughts. “As far as I can tell the sensors are programmed and calibrated. We’re ready to start the survey. I’ve set the system up so we can s
ee the mapping in real-time.”

  “Great. I also want the three dimensional geometric model displayed, along with the box the captain is using to keep us in the chute.”

  “I’ve already done that. I’ll select it on the 3D holographic display. Computer, bring up model SAC.”

  “Working. Model is presented on the holographic display. Mapping also set to play on the front astronomical display.”

  “Captain, this is the lab, we’re ready to commence data acquisition,” Harry reported.

  “Very well. Attention, this is the captain. We are now proceeding to PC1. I expect the survey to commence in five minutes. Knuckles take us in and stay in the box. Give me full reaction power.”

  “Aye, Aye, Captain. Full reaction coming up.”

  Knuckles pushed the throttle forward and Orion started its precarious trip around the beleaguered planet. As they started through the corridor, everyone felt the tug of the star’s gravity well, including the ship’s structure, which began to shake.

  The holographic display, in the Astro lab, showed the entire Alpha Centauri system including PC1, and the complete transit corridor shown courtesy of Harry and Tarnak’s model. A three dimensional view of the red dwarf sun and its planets was presented in exact proportions. The transition corridor was displayed as a tubular spiral wrapping around PC1 with the color-coding the captain had requested. The Orion was at the entry point of the tube.

  As the flight plan proceeded, both the holographic and astronomical displays showed the backside of the planet as they transitioned around PC1. Harry and Ivan tried to make sense of this strange planet they were surveying.

  “Ivan, the surface of this planet is quite interesting. It’s smooth and the sensor data indicates it’s made from young, recently formed material. I expected it to be full of pockmarks and deep jagged ravines. The volcanic activity is enormous. Look at that one!”

  A volcano like structure started to erupt and threw lava several hundred kilometers out into the planes around the mound. At least four others spewed lava down their slopes and tossed molten material high above their short, deformed cones.

  “This was the reason the geophysical community wanted to map this planet, Harry. The three suns’ gravitational tug on the planet is squeezing and stretching the planet’s crust, creating tidal flows that cause the core to heat up and initiate the subsequent geologic and volcanic activity. I hope we get good seismic data. It’ll probably make Earthquakes on Earth seem mild. I believe that within a million years or so its parent stars will destroy it — if it doesn’t self-destruct first. The planet can’t handle this much stress forever.”

  As they got close to completing the orbit around PC1, Major Tobey came over the intercom. “Captain, Major Tobey.”

  “Yes?”

  “We have a small asteroid on a direct collision course with us.”

  “Range?”

  “Ten thousand kilometers and closing fast. It’s going to hit us, sir.”

  The captain considered the tactical options open to him. Maneuverability was very limited. If they got out of the corridor, the gravitational tug of the big star might capture them.

  “Knuckles, raise the screens.”

  “Screens at maximum.”

  “Major, calculate a fire control solution on the asteroid and arm the antimatter torpedoes.”

  “Aye, sir. I’m locking in the fire control solution now. The electromagnetic fuse is set and we’re ready to fire at your command.”

  “Fire one.”

  The antimatter torpedo accelerated from its launch tube, toward the asteroid. The launch geometry, asteroid trajectory and supporting data displayed on the tactical screen. As it approached the asteroid, the torpedo sent back a fault signal.

  “Captain, the torpedo EM fuse won’t turn off.”

  “Try an override command, Major.”

  “I already have, sir.”

  The antimatter torpedo hit the asteroid dead center and bounced off like a rubber ball. Unfazed, the asteroid continued straight at them with enough kinetic energy to pulverize the ship.

  The captain had expected some problems, but this. “Fire two, Major.”

  “Torpedo away, sir.”

  As the action unfolded, Harry and Tarnak became anxious.

  “Tarnak, we better pull up our emergency model in case number two faults. If we have to leave the corridor, there won’t be time for a third torpedo.”

  “I’ll do it right now, Harry. Okay, it’s processing.”

  The second torpedo shot out of its launch tube and raced towards its intended target. Just before impact, a second fault message came back.

  “Same problem, Captain, the EM fuse won’t turn off.”

  “Try the laser cannon, Tobey,” the captain ordered.

  “We might as well use a pea shooter, Captain. The laser isn’t powerful enough to divert the asteroid, sir.”

  The asteroid closed to within one thousand kilometers and approached the ship at high velocity. Intercept, and total destruction, were a few moments away if they didn’t do something.

  “Take evasive action, Knuckles. Keep it tight,” the captain commanded.

  “Aye, sir, keeping it tight.” Knuckles gently banked the ship and the asteroid missed them by less than fifty meters.

  Captain Starling blinked several times and took a deep breath. “Damn, that was just too close. Good work, Knuckles.”

  “Thanks, Captain.”

  Evading the asteroid caused the ship to drift out of the corridor. The alert claxons sounded and the computer announced:

  “Alert, alert. Correct course immediately. Ship has violated the orbital corridor parameters.”

  “Turn those horns off, Knuckles.” Damn, I knew this was not going to be easy, the captain thought.

  “Aye, aye, sir.”

  The captain tried every maneuver in the tactics library, but nothing worked. The gravitational pull of the huge star was pulling the ship in. The ship shook violently as it struggled to break free, but it did not have enough power to escape.

  The hull began to heat up. The computer announced:

  “Hull temperature is eight hundred degrees and rising. Take evasive action immediately.”

  A minute later, the computer activated the red flashing emergency lights and announced:

  “Hull temperature is now twelve hundred degrees and rising. Hull fractures are occurring in cargo bay 5.”

  Harry thought the ship might come apart at any minute. The hull temperature was getting close to the melt point and the vibrations close to the resonant frequency of the hull. The ship made weird noises like as if it were dying and crying for help.

  “Captain, I recommend you use that model I gave you earlier. It’s our only hope of escape.”

  Starling had exercised every escape tactic, but nothing worked. The ship continued to shake violently and the hull temperature continued to climb. I’ve almost run out of options, the captain thought.

  “I looked this over earlier and it defies common sense,” the captain replied. “It can’t be right.”

  The model had the ship creating an oblique angle to the star for 6.325 seconds at full power, then a port course change of 120 degrees with full reaction power, starboard bow thrusters and port aft thrusters at maximum for 12.410 seconds. The final leg was a sixty-two degree, relative, course change to the port with full reaction power and with full bow starboard thrusters and aft port thrusters set to maximum. The antigravity system was set to full power activated at the apex of the turn. The final component, added by Wanda, was to reroute current from the power systems through the hull to use the stars magnetic field to create an outward expulsion force against ship’s hull.

  “I don’t like the idea of turning control over to the computer — especially using a new, untested capability. If it’s wrong we lose the ship.”

  “Captain, the model uses the real-time topography and orientation of the sun’s gravity well and the magnetic lines of force to optimize t
he escape strategy. The exact timing and real-time use of the gravity and magnetic field sensors to implement are so precise it has to be under computer control.”

  “You’re betting our lives on it,” Starling said.

  “The model will work.”

  The ship vibrated badly and appeared to have lost the battle with the enormous gravitational forces drawing it. The ship groaned like a dying man in his final stages of a painful terminating disease. The computer announced:

  “Hull temperature is now fifteen hundred degrees and rising. Hull fracture is occurring in cargo bays 2 and 3. The environmental system is failing. Activating the emergency environmental system. Hull vibrations are twenty hertz away from resonant frequency.”

  The ship made loud creaking sounds as the stress on the structure pushed it to the yield point. If they reached the resonant frequency, the ship would disintegrate.

  The captain deliberated for a moment. Harry’s model was the only course of action open to them. He had tried everything he knew. What the hell. Might as well try it. I don’t have an answer.

  “Turning control over to the computer,” he announced.

  The computer immediately displayed a map of the suns gravity well topography overlaid with the spatial distribution of the magnetic lines of force. Magnitude and directional components, or force vectors, annotated each point in the composite gravity and magnetic field map. The ship’s trajectory through the field was traced in green. At each critical point in the escape path, a red flashing vector indicated the exact time and spatial position of course corrections. Each correction point also had an elapsed time of execution to each vector, the gravity field parameters and magnetic lines of force relative to the orientation of the ship.