Chamberlain's Folly (The Terra Nova Chronicles)

by Robert Dean Hall

  “Where are you going, John,” Dmitri asked. “Most of us are guessing it’s Rigil Kent. But after looking at the plans you transmitted to us for the ship with the faster-than-light anti-gravity drive I’m guessing you have somewhere else in mind?”

  “I can’t tell you, Dmitri,” Chamberlain answered. “I shouldn’t even be communicating with you at all. Nobody on board knows about this hyper-channel unit, but me. We all agreed to a radio blackout from the moment we left orbit. I believe if anyone knew I was talking to you now, my life would be in danger. And, you three can never tell anyone outside your circle we’ve communicated.”

  “We understand, John,” Tali said.

  “How does this hyper-channel technology work, John,” Bryce asked. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I was on your staff for twenty years and I never saw any proposals or research papers regarding this science.”

  “Bryce is right,” Dmitri added. “We’ve never seen anything like this. How does the radio actually work? In order to transmit information via electromagnetic waves, you have to create some. Bryce said there are no RF tank circuits.”

  “It uses motion,” Chamberlain replied.

  “Motion,” the three in the room asked in unison.

  “It’s quite simple actually,” Chamberlain said. “Motion in our space-time with three linear dimensions and one time dimension creates ripples and vortexes in higher dimensional space. Repeated resonant motions like spinning wheels or swinging pendulums create extremely complex waveforms in higher-dimensional space-times.”

  “Just because we don’t have the ability to record or perceive what happens in those dimensions doesn’t mean we don’t affect them and they don’t affect us,” he continued. “In fact, if you look at things from that perspective, it makes it easier to understand a lot of what goes on in our Newtonian-Einsteinian space-time.”

  “No math or physics I’ve seen supports that,” Dmitri said. “Mathematicians have been trying for centuries to come up with a set of equations to describe the universe. Equations the physicists could build scientific experiments on.”

  “They’ve modeled the universe with any number of dimensions and haven’t ever come up with anything that hints at motion being anything other than displacement of an object in three dimensions from one set of coordinates to another.”

  “By your reckoning,” Dmitri concluded. “Clocks would not only measure time, but somehow change the environment in which they exist. Don’t you think this knowledge would have been stumbled upon by people other than your black project researchers? I’ve never heard any of this published in whole or part.”

  “Our mathematicians have the frame work in place and our physicists could have solved this years ago,” Chamberlain answered. “And, as for clocks, I’m sure that Schrodinger saw this intuitively and would have something to say about your use of an analogy that proves his point and mine in a roundabout way, Dmitri. We’ve observed things like spooky action at a distance and never been able to satisfactorily figure out what caused it.”

  “At the other end of the spectrum of human experience, we’ve known for centuries it could be proven beyond a statistical certainty that some people can see or predict events they are separated from in time and space. Our science is currently unable to determine the true nature of how information is transmitted in higher-dimensional space-time because we are limiting ourselves due to our physical perceptions.”

  “We place no stock in intuitive skills we are born with that give us the tools needed to observe and measure our effects on higher dimensions and vice-versa” Chamberlain explained. “We inherently know how to perceive what is going on in these higher dimensions with our minds from the moment of birth, but after a few years of being conditioned to only trust our five physical senses, we lose the ability.”

  Bryce spoke up.

  “You’ve always been the most practical person I know, John,” he said. “Don’t tell me you are suddenly given to believing in séances and psychics.”

  “I’m only telling you there is more to the universe than we can experience with our five physical senses,” Chamberlain replied. “When those sorts of things yield statistically significant results, it is proof that humankind is missing something. We refuse to accept lots of cause and effect results because they don’t necessarily fit into our empirical model and we believe they are statistical aberrations or experimental errors.”

  “If a butterfly flaps its wings in Kansas, it will rain in China,” he said. “If you know what initial parameters to look for and how they affect what might happen outside our three plus one space-time, you can tell when, how long and how hard it will rain.”

  Petrakis, McLeod and Sotravits stared at each other not knowing exactly what to think. Chamberlain’s actions over the last six months were expected by the two engineers, because they both knew he planned to leave. However, this conversation was making them doubt his sanity. None the less, proof of his veracity was staring them in the face. The radio worked.

  “What if there was no such thing as time outside our continuum,” Chamberlain posited. “And, what if we also found there were more physical dimensions than our three linear ones, but those dimensions weren’t necessarily linear?”

  “Do you mean that other dimensions might be curved,” Bryce asked.

  “That’s close,” Chamberlain said. “But, not quite what I’m getting at. I’m saying the higher dimensions we can’t perceive require much more complex math to plot distance points along than just addition or subtraction. What if you had to solve a quadratic or differential equation just to plot a single distance point on that dimension?”

  “Are you saying it’s possible that what we would consider another multi-dimensional space time might only be a single dimension,” Dmitri asked.

  “No. I’m only saying the math needed to plot a single point along that dimension may be that complex,” Chamberlain answered. “I know for a fact the math needed to make hyper-channel work assumes there are a minimum of seven physical dimensions and only our three, plus one more, are linear. And that dimension is only half-linear. You can move along it in only one direction.”

  “A couple of the other dimensions require waveform analysis similar to Laplace transforms. I tried feeding some of the math for those into a graphing program and the graphs looked like complex sinusoidal waveforms intersected by a regular saw tooth. The only valid distance points along that dimension were the points where the saw tooth and sinus waveforms touched. No other points existed for that dimension.”

  “A dimension that only exists for discrete points along its axis,” Dmitri exclaimed. “Remarkable.”

  Chamberlain continued.

  “What if waveforms in higher dimensions were not limited to our relatively simple time or frequency domain equations,” he asked. “What if deterministic systems behave in a probabilistic manner when translated into other space-times? What if a simple harmonic waveform in our space-time resulted in generating random noise in the universe outside our space-time, or vice versa? Is quantum mechanics telling us more than we are currently capable of understanding?”

  “What if the way to transmit information via higher-dimensional space depends on our ability to figure out how to add random perturbations to a consistent simple harmonic system in this space-time,” Chamberlain asked. “What if our ability to receive information depended on us being able to decode random disturbances in the same type of harmonic system?”

  “How is this any different than frequency modulation of radio waves,” Dmitri asked. “We impress what could be considered random information on top of a stable carrier and then decode it at the other end?”

  “Radio waves propagate through space,” Chamberlain replied. “But what I’m talking about is disturbing the motion of a gyroscope or pendulum at one set of coordinates in our space-time. We then detect that disturbance with an identical gyroscope or pendulum at another set of coordinates. The medium of propagation is the waveform the rand
om motion creates in the fabric of hyperspace.”

  “That analogy is another over-simplification, but it is essentially accurate,” he added. “A lot of the unexplained randomness and perturbations that occur to seemingly stable oscillating systems in our space-time may have their origins outside our space-time.”

  “You’re talking about impressing an intelligent signal on gravity,” Bryce exclaimed.

  “I believe so,” Chamberlain replied. “But I strongly suspect that other forces or mediums are involved as well. It would be helpful to me if you could look at the full research and translate it into Business English for me, Bryce.”

  “Mind-boggling, John,” Bryce said. “Absolutely mind-boggling. Who discovered this and when did they first start making use of it?”

  There was a long pause. Chamberlain’s voice finally came out of the radio again.

  “I don’t know if you really want me to tell you just yet,” he said. “If I do, your lives will be in danger for sure.”

  Chapter 27

  McLeod spoke up.

  “Wouldn’t it be easier to watch our backs if we knew who owned this research,” he asked. “Whoever it is will surmise we had something to do with the destruction of the research if, all of a sudden, we start publishing the information, openly.”

  “You have already been interrogated by Interpol and the military,” Chamberlain replied. “I’m sure they were convinced you are telling them the truth.”

  “Of course,” Bryce said.

  “And that certainly wasn’t because you and Dmitri are proficient liars, was it?”

  Bryce and Dmitri laughed.

  “What, if anything, were they able to determine from talking to you,” Chamberlain asked.

  “Only that you had asked us to leave with you and we refused,” Dmitri said. “As you might expect, they asked why we never reported your intentions to the authorities. I said you and the others who left with you built the green house with your own funds and no public money, so what you did with it was your own business. We also told them everything we knew about any research we were doing for you.”

  Taliyah broke into the conversation.

  “I realize it was an unintended consequence,” she said. “But, there’s been talk in the representative body and even now in the senate, of the desire to nationalize all business and industry. They are already drawing up legislation to mandate confiscation of all personal assets above an arbitrary amount they have determined to indicate a person is wealthy. They are even toying with the idea of permanent suspension of private ownership of any real estate. I’m concerned that those of us on the Executive Council and those in the Senate who oppose such actions will not be able to stop this.”

  “I saw this coming even before the Geneva Economic summits,” Chamberlain replied without a hint of surprise. “With all the Pseudo-Maoists and Neo-Marxists leaving mainland China and emigrating throughout the western world over the last century, you should have expected this too, Tali,” he said. “You know the world has become increasingly socialist over the last one-hundred and fifty years, and the trend has accelerated since the Consolidated Earth Government went from a treaty organization to a strong legislative and executive body. What I did may be accelerating the process, but it certainly didn’t cause it.”

  “Even so, it will be difficult to feed this knowledge to private industry if there is none left,” Bryce said.

  “Then we need to hurry,” Chamberlain replied. “I believe if this science is made known to the public and private industry can start making use of it to improve general living conditions, it might be possible for Earth to avoid the mistake of allowing the CEG to become the communist regime that many of those in the representative body wish to make it. Tali, you will have to work hard with the Executive Council and your allies in the Senate.”

  “Bryce,” he continued. “You and Dmitri will need to seclude yourselves while I instruct GAIL to assist you in publishing some papers and working up some proof of concept models of the hyper-channel communication devices.”

  “But what if they come after us and interrogate us again,” Dmitri asked. “We won’t be able to convince them we haven’t been in contact with you or at least someone who is familiar with the research without lying, and you said yourself we are poor liars. Bryce and I are scientists, not secret agents.”

  “If they come to you again, show them everything that GAIL feeds you,” Chamberlain replied. “Show them all the notes, diagrams, and papers. Just claim the research is yours. These people know who was involved in the original research and they know for certain the two of you haven’t been in touch with any of them. I purposely left you two out of any of my black projects after you refused to come with me for just this reason. The bad guys won’t be completely convinced I’m not helping you, but by the time they know for sure, it should be too late for them to keep this hidden.”

  “I’m still not real comfortable with this, John,” Tali said. “I’ll have the support of the whole Executive Counsel no matter what. But, I’ll never get the support needed in the Senate and representative bodies without telling them what we’re up to. I don’t know how I can possibly be of any help to you with this, John.”

  “Once Bryce and Dmitri start publishing, you’ll have something to take before the legislative bodies without risking admission of collusion with me,” Chamberlain said.

  He then explained to the two engineers what he needed from them.

  “I will instruct GAIL to compile all of the information I have on hyper-channel theory,” he said. “I want the both of you to do nothing but study it for the next week.”

  “I noticed the CEG didn’t try to stop paying your pensions out of my company’s holdings. I’ll make sure that GAIL comes up with something to put in your bank accounts regularly if they ever do, and I will also make sure that anything you need to further your research or development of this science comes from somewhere. I assume that once you publish this hyper-channel research though, any private industry that is left will come knocking on your door. We should be set from then on.”

  Bryce and Dmitri were finding it hard to hide their amusement. Ever since the both of them started working for John Chamberlain, he had taken good care of them. Chamberlain had always taken care of his employees. From the least paid janitor to the highest paid executive, Chamberlain made sure that anyone who worked for him, along with their families had the best pay, health plans and many other benefits.

  The two engineers knew that Chamberlain was good to his word and would somehow find a way to fulfill it, even though he was no longer within the confines of the solar system.

  “Among the information I will have GAIL give you, is a set of plans for another hyper-channel radio,” Chamberlain continued. “Build a pair of them exactly to specs and don’t try to play with the circuitry. I need for the radios you build to be on a specific hyper-channel that will be close to the ones that our black project friends are using. I want them to know the units are there, but not to be able to decode the transmissions. If you make even a slight change to the transceivers, you might enable them to hear you, or even worse, make them believe you can hear them.”

  “Why would we want to let anyone know we have hyper-channel units before we publish,” Bryce asked.

  “It will lend credibility to your assertions the research is yours if we give them some hyper-channel ‘noise’ to listen to before you publish,” Chamberlain replied. “I also want those who might be listening to have reason to think you got the technology from the same place they did.”

  “Which would be where,” Dmitri asked.

  “Like I said before,” Chamberlain answered. “You really do not want or need to know at this point. You are much safer not knowing. I promise, however, that before we start publishing our next ‘discovery’ – hyper-resonant shielding needed to accelerate a spacecraft past the speed of light – I will fill you all in on everything I know.”

  “What is to keep our friends f
rom modifying their radios to listen in on us when they detect them,” Tali asked. “And, how do you know we aren’t being listened in on at the moment?”

  “The number of hyper-channels is infinite,” Chamberlain told her. “I have the advantage of knowing which ones the others are using. I built the radios we are using now with a circuit that randomly switches the hyper-channel we are communicating on every two seconds. Even if they could sweep an infinite number of hyper-channels looking for us, and find us, they’d lose us again after we moved.”

  “We should have known,” Dmitri said, laughing. “You never leave anything to chance.”

  “No, I don’t,” Chamberlain replied. “Can I count on your help, or do I need to instruct GAIL to remove all this science from the cloud? That would mean nobody on Earth would ever have access to it ever again, as long as GAIL exists. If it won’t be used to help all mankind, I would prefer to take it away from those who have it now.”

  Bryce was certain he wanted to help, but he couldn’t resist asking Chamberlain how he planned to ensure the destruction of all the technology if he and the others refused. “Isn’t it likely the people that originally funded this research have copies of it backed up somewhere you don’t know about,” he asked.

  “They have working radios,” Chamberlain replied. “They think they have working models of the faster-than-light drives. They also have the research for all of the medical and agricultural technologies I told you about, but none of it will do them any good.”

  “Why is that,” Tali asked.

  “Because, before I left,” Chamberlain said. “I made sure that GAIL tampered with the math.”

  “What,” Bryce, Dmitri and Tali asked in unison.

  “I distorted the math in all of the research files that GAIL could find before I left,” Chamberlain told them.