by Ryk Brown
* * *
“And it will only take us two days to travel nearly one thousand light years?” Doctor Megel said, astonished.
“Actually, if we make each jump at maximum range, we can make it in a day and a half,” Jessica told him.
“Incredible. And we are ‘jumping’ now, as we speak?”
“One jump every six minutes.”
“How do you know when it occurs?” Doctor Megel wondered. “I’m told there is a brilliant flash of light.”
“There is,” Jessica confirmed, “but we will not see it. The windows turn opaque just before the jump occurs, and clear just after the jump has concluded. That’s the only indication we get from inside.”
“That’s the only indication you get,” Marcus grumbled.
Doctor Sato looked confused.
“Mister Taggart claims the jumps make his teeth hurt,” Commander Telles explained.
“It ain’t a claim,” Marcus added. “Believe me.”
“And how many jumps will it take to get there?”
“About three hundred and fifty, I think,” Jessica answered.
“You poor man,” Doctor Sato said, giving Marcus a sympathetic look.
“It ain’t as bad on this ship, for some reason. But I can still feel it,” Marcus admitted.
“Incredible,” Doctor Megel repeated in awe, as he noticed the overhead windows in the main salon turning opaque.
“So, is that the device?” Jessica asked, pointing at the bag next to Doctor Megel.
“Yes, yes it is.” He picked up the bag and placed it on the table in front of them. “Portable Consciousness Capture Device, or PCCD. Some people call it a ‘soul catcher’.”
“Interesting interpretation,” Commander Telles said.
“Interpretation of what?” Jessica asked.
“Of what constitutes the human soul,” the commander explained. “There are many different philosophies on this subject.”
“Let’s not start that conversation,” Jessica suggested. “Not now, anyway.” She turned back to Doctor Megel. “How does it work?”
“You place this cap onto the subject’s head,” he began, pulling out a small, black cap with a wire hanging off the edge. “You connect it to the device with this cable. The cap contains thousands of tiny sensors that are used to scan the subject’s brain.” He looked at the others. “I won’t bother going into the technical details, as that level of understanding is not necessary to operate the device. After putting it on, you run the system’s self-test and calibration, by pressing this button. Once completed, you begin the scan by pressing this button. The scan takes approximately five to seven minutes to complete.”
“Then what?”
“Then you bring it back to us.”
“The whole device?”
“Preferably, yes, but only the storage unit is required. However, the battery on the storage unit is only good for three days.”
“What happens after that?” Jessica wondered.
“The image will be lost.”
“How many Earth days is that?” she asked.
“Just over two,” Doctor Sato added.
“Forty-nine hours, twenty-seven minutes, using Earth’s time conventions,” Commander Telles said.
“Seems too easy, considering what it’s doing,” Deliza commented.
“The device was designed to be used by first responders,” Doctor Megel explained. “Prior to perfecting the implants, these devices were strategically located all over our cities. Be forewarned, they are designed to be used on a subject that is still alive.”
“They have been used postmortem,” Doctor Sato clarified. “But the time window is very short. Only two minutes, at best.”
“Better the scan is completed while Captain Scott is still alive,” Doctor Megel insisted. “We do not know how well it will work on someone not of our genetics.”
“But it will work?” Jessica asked, hoping the doctors would provide some reassurance.
“I cannot promise.”
“It will work,” Doctor Sato insisted.
Doctor Megel glared at her in disapproval.
“What’s the problem?” Jessica asked, noticing his expression.
“There is still some debate about how much of the human personality is in one’s DNA, and how much is learned behavior. If it is mostly DNA, then Captain Scott would still be Captain Scott, even without the transfer of consciousness, only with slight differences. He would just be without any memory of his life prior to the capture scan. However, if the reverse is true…”
“Then he could come out as a completely different person,” Commander Telles concluded.
“It is a possibility,” Doctor Megel stated.
“A remote possibility,” Doctor Sato insisted.
Jessica sighed, thinking for a moment. “And how long can Nathan’s consciousness be stored…in this device?”
“As long as the power is not interrupted, for several years. However, the longer the human consciousness remains in storage, the lower the chances of a successful restoration. This is why in cases of accidental death, the cloning process is accelerated.”
“Why can’t we just do that?” Jessica wondered. “Accelerate the process?”
“Acceleration of the cloning process has its own risks,” Doctor Sato warned. “Considering that we are trying to clone a non-Nifelmian, it would be safer to take the full two years to complete the cloning process.”
“How are you going to do this?” Deliza wondered. “There are no such facilities on Corinair.”
“I have brought samples of the nutrient bath, and of the cloning lattice,” Doctor Sato explained. “They are formulated using chemicals we believe are common throughout the galaxy, and should not be difficult to recreate on your world.”
“And I have brought the technical specifications for all the necessary equipment. The cloning chamber, the monitoring systems, the restoration matrix…all of it,” Doctor Megel added.
“Based on what we have seen of the capabilities of your fabrication devices, it should not be difficult to construct our own facility on Corinair, assuming you can provide the space and the raw materials.”
“And the fabricators, of course,” Doctor Megel added.
“We have one in our cargo bay,” Commander Telles assured them.
“Then we should be able to clone Captain Scott,” Doctor Sato concluded. “Assuming that you are able to collect an adequate DNA sample, and successfully capture his consciousness.”
“I am curious about one thing,” Doctor Megel said. “How are you planning on getting onto the Jung homeworld undetected?”
“We developed a jump-capable mini-sub,” Jessica explained. “We can jump from outside a system, into the ocean of the target world…undetected.”
“Unfortunately, none are available,” Commander Telles stated.
Jessica turned and looked at him in disbelief. “I thought we built three of them?”
“We did,” the commander replied. “One was used for your mission to Kohara, and was destroyed. The other two are otherwise occupied.”
“What do you mean, otherwise occupied?” Jessica demanded.
“Their current use is classified,” the commander replied, casting a quick sidelong glance at the two Nifelmian guests.
“Can I ask how we are going to get onto the Jung homeworld?” Jessica asked, having understood the commander’s nonverbal message.
“We will space jump,” Commander Telles told her.
Jessica shook her head. “That won’t work, and you know it.”
“It will if we jump from far enough away.”
Jessica looked puzzled.
“Project Phantom,” Deliza said.
&nbs
p; Commander Telles closed his eyes briefly, annoyed that no one seemed concerned that they were openly discussing the details of their plan in front of two strangers.
Jessica looked at her, confused. “Project Phantom?”
“We modified the Ghatazhak space jump rigs.”
“Modified them how?” Jessica inquired.
“We made them jump-capable.”
“Is this discussion necessary?” the commander wondered.
“You mean jump as in jump-drive jump?” Jessica asked, ignoring the commander.
Commander Telles sighed. “Precisely.”
“And they work?”
“Initial testing has gone very well,” Deliza said.
“Initial testing.” Jessica was beginning to get suspicious.
“We have completed several manned test jumps,” Deliza explained.
“But?” Jessica asked, sensing her trepidation.
“No jumps have been made into the atmosphere,” Deliza added. “But there is no reason to suspect that it wouldn’t work.”
“What about the jump flash?” Jessica wondered.
“It is quite small,” Commander Telles said. “And the weather on Nor-Patri has frequent electrical storms. If timed correctly, our jump flashes are likely to be seen as part of those storms.”
“As if jumping a mini-sub into an ocean, from two light years out, wasn’t crazy enough,” Jessica mumbled to herself. “What’s the range on these suits?”
“A single light year,” Deliza answered.
Jessica shook her head again.
“The Mirai will put us on the proper course and speed to intercept Nor-Patri. The rest will be up to us.”
“So, you two are going to fall from space, after jumping a whole light year, wearing nothing but space suits, and parachute to the surface?” Doctor Megel asked.
“Correct,” Commander Telles replied, in his usual calm demeanor.
Doctor Megel looked at Jessica, then back at the commander, disbelief on his face. “You people do this kind of thing all the time?”
* * *
Nathan stared out the tiny, unbreakable window of his cell. It looked out onto a large courtyard, which had nothing more than a few small decorative bushes. At times, he would catch a glimpse of other prisoners, ones who were allowed outdoor time periodically. He often imagined what their crimes had been, to amuse himself.
The view held little interest, other than the fact it was outside of his cell. The Jung sky, or what little he could see of it from his tiny porthole, was often cloudy and overcast, especially at night. He couldn’t remember ever seeing any stars since his arrival. He wondered if the entire planet had similar weather, or if it was just the region in which he was located. Probably the latter.
It had only been a week since his conviction, and already he missed his daily flight to and from the judicial complex at the center of the Jung capital city of Patrisk-Dortah. It allowed him a brief glimpse of the coastline during their short flight into the center of the city. So much of Nor-Patri was spotted with such smaller bodies of water, the majority of which were interconnected. The planet was a jumble of massive islands, separated by wide rivers and seas. They didn’t seem to have the massive oceans of Earth, although their world was covered by nearly as much water, when viewed as surface area. But the seas of Nor-Patri were shallow compared to those of Earth. At least, that was his understanding. He didn’t understand most of what little he was allowed to watch on their entertainment and information networks.
So now his days were spent entirely in his tiny cell, either staring outside, or staring at the display screen. On the plus side, the guards had seemed more tolerable since his conviction. Nathan postulated that they were content he would soon be executed, and they awaited the day with great expectation, as apparently all of Nor-Patri did.
How odd it felt, to be hated by so many. Especially since any of them would have done the same to protect their own world. Nathan wondered if anyone on Nor-Patri believed his conviction to be unjust, or his sentence unduly harsh. Did any of the Jung citizens disagree with the views of the leadership castes? Nathan found it difficult to believe there were not at least a few who opposed the verdict. As a student of history, he could remember few events to which an entire nation’s population reacted the same, let alone the population of an entire world. Did the Jung have that much control over the hearts and minds of their citizens? It did not seem possible.
But there were no protests in his defense. No arguments against his conviction. No sympathy for his pending execution. At least, none that he had witnessed.
Nathan sighed. He had wanted to get away. Away from his family, away from politics, away from Earth. He had certainly done that. In a mere two years, he had gone from a scrub ensign fresh out of the academy, to the captain of the Aurora, and had become the savior of not only the Earth, but of all the Sol and Pentaurus sectors.
All because he had gotten drunk with his friends six years earlier, and enlisted. He remembered his mother’s reaction, and his father’s lack of one. His mother had offered to pull strings, to get his enlistment canceled, but he refused. He had insisted that it was his life, his decision. Had it all been worth it?
The sound of footsteps, both heavy boots and dress shoes, sounded from the corridor. Then the buzzing of the door lock. The door swung open, revealing his advocate, Mister Gorus.
“I don’t suppose you’ve come to tell me you’ve filed an appeal?” Nathan said.
“I thought you understood there would be no appeal?” Mister Gorus replied.
“It was a joke,” Nathan explained.
“Of course.” Mister Gorus stepped inside, and the guard closed the cell door behind him. The elder man moved to the side, taking a seat at the small table in the corner. “Surprisingly, members of the warrior caste have suggested you be allowed to take your own life using one of their blades. They argue that despite your horrendous acts, you are a warrior and deserve a warrior’s death. Personally, I believe they simply wish to possess the blade that took the life of Na-Tan.”
“Oh, please, don’t tell me they’re calling me that here, as well?”
“Indeed, they are,” Mister Gorus assured him. “At least, among the leaders of the warrior castes. I would not concern yourself. It is more of a joke, really.”
“Oh, I feel so much better.” Nathan sighed, his gaze returning to the tiny window to the outside. “So, why are you here?”
“I have managed to convince the council to allow you to send a final message home to your family, should you so choose.”
Nathan looked down for a moment, thinking. He then turned to Mister Gorus. “To be honest, I’m not sure what I’d say.”
“You must say something,” Mister Gorus insisted. “You will undoubtedly go down in your world’s version of history as a hero. Therefore, your last words will likely stand for all to see.”
Nathan pondered some more. “How long do I have?”
“To submit your message? Right up until your execution, I would imagine. I see no reason for the council to decree otherwise.”
“I will think about it,” Nathan finally agreed.
Mister Gorus rose. “I will check back with you before your execution. If you request it, the guards will provide you with a note pad.”
“I assume my message will be read by your people, before it is sent?”
“Of course.”
Nathan nodded his understanding, after which Mister Gorus signaled the guard, and departed.
Nathan sighed, his gaze returning to his tiny window. What to say? That he might be able to share his dying thoughts with his family and friends had never occurred to him, let alone that those words might be scrutinized by future historians.
At least he had a few days more to compose th
em.
* * *
“It’s going to take a lot of work to turn this place into a proper lab,” Doctor Sato warned.
“It’s the only building Captain Navarro could get on short notice with an underground basement, and a landing pad on the roof,” Deliza explained. “And it has the advantage of being in an industrial area, so we are unlikely to raise any suspicion out here.”
“Still, a lot of work.”
“It’s not that bad,” Doctor Megel disagreed, walking toward the corner of the basement nearest to the freight elevator. “We just start in the corner, put in a couple walls to make just enough room to get started with the cloning process. The growing bath itself isn’t that big, and that’s the only part that has to be a sterile environment, right?”
“I don’t know,” Doctor Sato replied skeptically.
“We’re not talking about an entire cloning facility with dozens of chambers, Michi. Just one.”
Michi looked at Jessica. “That’s why I invited him,” she said. “Turi is always the optimist.”
“What about all the pumps and stuff?” Deliza wondered. “Isn’t there a lot of support machinery that feeds the growth chamber?”
“Yes, and ideally they would be in a sterile environment, as well. But as long as the system is closed loop, and we put the feed ports for adding chemicals in the same sterile room as the growth chamber, we should be fine. Besides, once we get the chamber up and running, and get the clone of Captain Scott under way, we can start adding rooms. We should have a full and proper lab by the time his clone reaches maturity.”
“When do we get started?” Michi asked, resigning herself to the situation.
“A work crew is scheduled to start tomorrow. We just have to draw up plans for them to follow, first,” Deliza said. “Preferably ones that don’t hint at what will be done in here.”
“Where are we going to stay?” Michi asked.