“Before we go any further, please ask any questions you may have now, because when the program begins you'll be thrown from one location to another, from one situation into another, and there'll certainly be no opportunity for questions.” Karen looked around expectantly and waited in silence.
A hand shot up at the back.
“Yes?” said Karen, pointing in the direction of the hand.
“I'm just wondering, how we'll be able to reconcile our PrEUST studies with this program, in terms of time, I mean.”
“The program will be running along a desert island training format, which essentially means that from time to time you'll be taken from your day to day routine and you'll disappear for a period of time: days, possibly weeks. These training periods will be coordinated in advance by the ASEC with the university and with your families. All missing lessons and study time will be made in your own time.”
“Thanks.”
“Any other questions?” Karen looked around expectantly. “No?”
“Okay!” said Steersman suddenly. “First of all, forget all study habits you have learned to date. Forget the traditional schooling system, even the PrEUST system, because the ASEC commander training program will not follow any currently existing training program. There are no subjects, no timetables, no papers, no final exams, but there are training commanders whom you will have to obey. There will be tasks that have to be executed. If, based on your abilities, you're able to hack the pace, then you'll be subjected to testing at any time and in any place, especially when you least expect it. As long as you live, your education will continue, just as ours will.
The first live action will take place as it becomes a necessity. It may happen in one years time, or it may be in five years time. The ASEC aims to nurture leaders, who will develop under any circumstance that the organization dictates, who will learn, live, play, eat, breathe and work as the organization sees fit. If anyone here finds this unacceptable, you're free to leave now,” Steersman looked into the audience.
No one moved, or at least no one dared to move.
“Okay, as you are all seemingly sure about this, listen carefully,” he continued. “As strange as it may seem, my duty during your training will be to get rid of you. During each training exercise I'll be doing everything I can – within the rules of the training program – to have you dismissed.
Why? Because I need only the best of the best. If you think that I will rely on you for life and death decisions, regarding human lives or living ecosystems, if the slightest hint of hesitation or the barest sign of cracking under pressure should arise, then you are sorely mistaken. It is an enormous responsibility to be in charge of assets worth trillions, and vehicles of unbelievable size. To be able to coordinate human troops and robot units of these numbers will demand pragmatism and strength of will far beyond normal human tolerance. You will not be able to execute your duties unless you can withstand pressures comparable to thousand of tonnes weighing upon your shoulders. You may find yourself in a situation where you have to decide between losing your best people, or completing a mission that saves our planet. It is only when you are prepared for any possible, or even impossible situation then that will be good enough for us,” Steersman finished.
Karen moved forward. “You have all heard the conditions. You can either take the opportunity or not, it is up to you. You have 24 hours to decide. We will accept your answers until this time tomorrow. Feel free to use your biocoms. Sleep on it and choose well,” Karen concluded the presentation.
Without further discussion, the ASEC representatives left the candidates and made their way towards the elevators with the robots following them closely behind.
“That last part was a bit harsh,” Karen whispered to Steersman.
“They've had the first push. They now have to stand up and face the challenge,” he answered.
Another possibility
Ruy Santos Martins raced through the transportation corridors of ASEC towards the hall where the elevator that lead to Steersman's office was situated. Of course, it would have been far simpler if he had used the internal transport vehicle system, but he felt that running would allow him to avoid traffic regulations.
Jumping through the elevator doors as they opened, he renewed his efforts, running across the foyer and across the hallway and past Karen's office.
“We got an answer,” gasped the astrophysicist breathlessly, as he entered Steersman's office.
Steersman looked up from behind his desk visibly preoccupied with something, and after a short pause – in which he recognized the unexpected visitor – realized the importance of the exclamation. He immediately jumped up from his seat.
“What did you say?”
“We have picked up a response from the aliens, and we are still receiving it as we speak,” Martins explained further, still laboring for breath.
“Have you decoded it?” Steersman snapped.
“Not yet. It's very complicated,” replied Martins, puffing.
“Then how do you know it is an answer to our message?”
“Because it's completely different from the previous transmissions. All signals suddenly changed, and the signal became focused, without ambient noise,” said Martins.
“Okay, that's an obvious difference,” said Steersman thoughtfully. “When do you expect to have the message decoded and translated?”
“Well, therein lies the biggest problem. The transmission far more complicated than the previous ones, and our algorithm can't cope with it. It needs further development, but as it is, it's not up to the job,” said Martins.
Steersman pondered the options.
“How about seconding some of the up and coming scholars from PrEUST?” Steersman asked quickly.
“I know that there's a cryptology department at the university, but this job requires a great deal of experience in decoding.”
“Look, we've got nothing to lose. Let's give it a go! Put a list of tasks together, a test if you like. You can use it to find out how much potential is lurking in the cryptology department,” Steersman suggested.
“That's not a problem.” Martins face lit up. “I'll make a five part test with embedded levels of difficulty. If someone makes it through all five then they may have a chance.”
*
The icy cold morning was unforgiving. Almost all those outside held hot beverages in heat-retaining mugs or thermoses against the harsh winter weather. The ancient trees that rose above the university park lived together with the seasons, as if they had been standing there for hundreds of years. Their crowns had shed their leaves and while most had been vacuumed up by the park caretakers, the remaining drifts left a magical riot of color.
Archer Pineda arrived sooner than the others, although this went against the usual trend. He felt strange. He saw some friends that he usually liked hanging out with, but he didn't feel like it right now.
“Hey, what's up?” asked Jeff when he ran into him. “What are you doing here alone?”
“Waiting for you, dude. Pat's late too. What have you guys been up to?”
“There was bit of a family gathering at home,” said Jeff.
“Problem?”
“Nope. We just talked about the ASEC offer. I told them the whole thing last night, and then we agreed that we'd decide in the morning.”
“And what was the decision?” asked Arch with an anxious expression on his face.
“Positive,” Jeff grinned.
“You look pretty enthusiastic,” noted Arch. “If I recall, you were recently pretty aggressively anti about even the sound of the name.”
“That was Pat,” Jeff protested.
“What was I?” asked Patricia, having just arrived.
“Finally! Did you have a family gathering at your house as well?”
“What?” Pat looked confused.
“Doesn't matter. Listen, Jeff has accepted the ASEC offer,” announced Arch.
“And so moves on to world wide glory and fame,�
�� she mocked.
“Right,” agreed Arch.
“Oh, stop it you two! The thing is, when I'm there, I can easily keep an eye on the big man,” Jeff explained.
“Of course, Jeff,” said Pat sarcastically. “Hey, did you two receive another message from the ASEC this morning?”
“I didn't … again,” said Arch, sadly.
“Me neither,” added Jeff. “Why, did you get one? What is it?” he asked
“It seems to be some kind of survey. An algorithm-based test, I reckon.”
“Well then, it's not surprising we didn't get it. You're the math genius,” said Jeff with Arch nodding in agreement.
“Read it!” said Pat, quickly shoving her inboard towards them.
Jeff took it. “It's not that long: ‘We are looking for applicant to a new ASEC scientific program. You may apply and demonstrate your suitability by completing the attached test and returning it within 48 hours. Each of the five exercises are built on the previous. Submit your results for each step. Good luck!’.”
“That's it?” asked Arch. “It's pretty short. And what are the tasks?”
“It consists of five-levels, five sequential tasks for each of which has a solution key. At the end, the five keys should give a final message. I did the first one and sent it off while I was on my way here. I have no idea what they are expecting,” she said lightly.
“It sounds like it's definitely for you,” said Jeff.
“I don't understand why others don't get a chance,” whined Arch in a mocking imitation of Pat.
Jeff laughed and Pat punched him in the arm.
“Apparently everyone's gonna get an ASEC badge,” he said.
“We'll see what happens,” said Pat.
“I wonder if I'll be given an opportunity like this?” Archer mused.
“If they don't need you, my friend, with such technical prowess,” said Jeff, slamming him on the shoulder, “then I … I will eat my pants!”
“Yes, Commander,” said dejectedly, slumping down onto a park bench.
***
Chapter 16
Preparation
That winter, whether Europeans wanted it or not, their entire energy supply had to be completely reorganized right across the continent. There was no other choice. The half of Europe's population that was mostly effected by the changes was also the half that most realized it had to happen.
Gravitor plants formed a network across the entire region, and easily supplied enough power to cover all energy requirements. However, machinery that ran on natural gas was virtually doomed to a slow death, but for the time being Gravitors provided free electricity and that – along with additional financial aid – made the transition less painful than might have been expected.
The Middle East Energy Alliance was finished. The Alliance not only had to account for reprisals from its enemies, but also had to deal with their own allies turning against them. Pipelines were ripped out of the ground and pumping stations destroyed as mobs wreaked militant revenge in countries that had suffered the heaviest losses. Wherever the Alliance might have expanded its markets, there was a general lack of ready capital, and without a market the Alliance had no chance of survival. In the meantime ASEC was flooded with orders to install and commission new power plants, most of which came from the Russian Federation, Australia, Brazil and North America.
After the completion of the three side tower building in the science center, sales and logistics of each item designated for serial production was eventually delivered to the commercial center in Tower A.
The ordering process was fairly simple and virtually anyone could do it. Laboratories, industrial giants, small companies, and even individuals could order anything from ASEC. All they had to do was log-on to the ASEC GlobalNet site, where they could order raw materials, parts, equipment or complete products, whatever suited them. From a pound of silver or ten grams iridium up to an entire Gravitor plant. All they had to do was make sure that they had their biometric account identifier and the desired delivery location with the appropriate coordinates ready. Immediately after an order was placed, the consignment was shipped and would arrive the appointed day at the appointed destination, which could be anywhere: a garden, on a rooftop or even the middle of a desert.
Assignment
A wise man in self-imposed exile, upon whose shoulders lies heavily the weight of a past existence, looks differently at the world as he readies himself to re-enter it, as, during his isolation, he certainly undergoes changes, evolves, and more importantly, returns as a much greater entity than he was.
This was how the director of ASEC saw it. He felt not a single hint of doubt that, when they were ready, humans would begin to have a different vision of themselves. Steersman was preparing for that moment when he would have to represent his own species to an alien civilization, then he could show the universe that the human race – with all of its imperfections – was to be reckoned with. But first, however, the priority was humans themselves, the priority was learning to appreciate their good fortune and learning to honor the place they called home.
Steersman, as always, planned for the future. In his mind, events that were yet to come, all appeared as if he was viewing them in the past. He went further than that, mentally viewing not only time, but also space.
The results of Martins' algorithm survey were better than expected. Four out of a total of thirty-nine participants sent back their final results within the specified time, and one of them proved to be outstandingly fast. The solution to each one of the five successive tasks gave a cipher key to a hidden code for which the next algorithm was required. To derive the final code, each candidate had to go through all of the steps. By the time they got to the last step, only one code had to be deciphered, saying: ‘we are waiting for you’.
The abilities of the four young math prodigies that were chosen allowed Martins' work to move up a gear. Although the candidates had not yet been initiated into the secret origins of their responsibilities, nor the purpose of their work, it couldn't remain hidden for too long from the youngsters used to dealing with code breaking. The decoders and the team of astrophysicists – along with their entire battery of equipment – were moved to the top level of Tower C, and they completely monopolized the rooftop with their galactic communications device. The communication system prototype had been constructed by an engineering team, based on an earlier prototype that had been designed and built by the Brazilian astronomers. It was given a bit of extra muscle which made it more sensitive, but most of all, it was adjusted and redesigned to be more efficient. From a distance it bore a slight resemblance to a tuning fork, but it had twenty prongs, each 18 meters tall and arranged in a circle. A special sensitive coating made the whole structure look like a massive grayish green crown of thorns, stretched over the dark towers.
Completion of the prototype meant that Steersman was able to tick off one of the more pressing problems that had needed to be solved to allow space travel, though he decided then and there that he wouldn't like to see structures of this size anywhere else in the future.
The life blood of ASEC had never flowed so quickly. Its entire capacity was directed towards large-scale preparations, but even more was needed.
Things had grown so quickly that the time had come for Steersman to delegate more responsibility in increasingly larger doses. Karen was given charge of the ASEC space program. Steersman considered her to be the only choice to keep such a complex and far-reaching machine well oiled. Karen was frighteningly capable of standing firm in difficult situations. She was one of those rare people who became even more productive under pressure, and yet never fell apart, but most importantly, she was able to remain kind and maintain friendly relations with her staff under the most stressful conditions.
“Going by Zachary Nishihara's plans, it will be impossible to build ships of this size, even in the third sector,” Karen reiterated. “We'll need a far larger area for that!”
“This space is nearly
one million square meters. It was specifically built for aircraft assembly,” countered Steersman.
“Sean, these machines are massive! In addition, we are building three at a time and we're expediting production too, but if the completed module parts are all together in one area, the final assembly becomes impossible,” said Karen, further supporting her position on the lack of space, despite the mind-blowing dimensions of the existing area.
“All right, understood. Presumably assembly won't take place on the workshop floor, so we need to improve things then,” said Steersman.
“Our basic goal is to complete and assemble the constituent parts so that less work is left for off-site. For some of the equipment, however, we need more free space now.”
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