Delphi Exploration (Delphi in Space Book 7)

by Bob Blanton

  “Could we push a probe through before us?” Blake asked.

  “I think we could,” Catie said. “I’ll run the model on it. I’ll need to contact Dr. McDowell to confirm.”

  “Do it, we’ll just stay here until you give me an answer,” Blake said.

  “What if we can’t push a probe through?” Liz asked.

  “We’ll go through with the plasma cannons armed and ready to fire. We might even start firing then right away,” Blake replied.

  “I’ll have an answer by the time the capacitors are charged,” Catie said.

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  As they approached the second planet, Liz and Catie joined Blake on the bridge to watch their approach.

  “How big is the moon?” Liz asked.

  “A little under fifteen hundred kilometers,” Catie said. “Smaller than the Earth’s moon.”

  “So this planet won’t have tides as big as we have on Earth?”

  “No, this moon’s smaller but denser,” Catie said. “Analysis of its orbit says it is twenty percent heavier than Earth’s moon, so bigger tides.”

  “Interesting. How many landmasses?”

  “Five, one on the bottom like Antarctica, and that big one we’re approaching. It’s probably made up of several continental plates. Then another big one below it, kind of like Africa. And on the other side there’s a good sized one in the northern hemisphere and a small one south of it.

  “How did you decide which way was north?” Liz asked.

  “Rotation, sun rises in the east.”

  “Smart. So we’re putting down on the big landmass first?”

  “Yes,” Blake answered. “Dr. Qamar and Dr. Teltar want to start there. We’ll do it, the one below it, then the big one on the other side.”

  “Why are they betting on that one for the colony to start?” Liz asked.

  “Smallest isolated landmass that isn’t too small,” Blake said. “They joked that if we messed it up, we would still have the other two big ones to try. At least I think it was a joke.”

  “Not many clouds,” Liz observed.

  “Yeah, I’m guessing the whole place is a bit arid,” Blake said.

  “If it is, we can bring in ice asteroids to add moisture,” Catie said.

  “I don’t know, that might disrupt the ecosystem too much,” Blake said.

  “It is blue,” Catie said, “but I don’t see many inland lakes, at least not big ones.”

  “Probably because it’s so dry.”

  “Okay, first location is at the equator on the east side of the big landmass,” Blake said. “Fortunately, close to the coast; I think it’s going to be hot.”

  “This system has a big asteroid belt,” Liz said. “We should be able to find plenty of ice asteroids if we need them. It’ll make for good mining later.”

  “Hundreds of years later,” Blake said.

  “Not hundreds, but decades,” Catie countered.

  “You two should get ready, we’ll finish the survey in an hour,” Blake said.

  “Same process as last time?” Liz asked.

  “Worked once,” Blake said.

  Chapter 13

  A Deal with the Devil

  “I think you two have some things to discuss,” the British Prime Minister said. She had arranged a private meeting between Marc and the Russian president. She had led them to the billiard room where they would be able to have a private meeting. There was a table with two wingback chairs set up by the window. A Waterford pitcher and two glasses sat on the table; the pitcher was full of ice water.

  “Thank you, Madam Prime Minister,” Marc said.

  “Spasibo,” the Russian president said.

  Marc nodded at the president’s translator.

  “I am here to translate for the president,” the translator said, then repeated what he said in Russian even though it was obvious that the president had understood him.

  “I can handle the translations,” Marc said. He then had ADI repeat what he said in Russian via his Comm.

  “Are you sure? Russian can be very complex to translate, especially when you’re dealing with difficult issues,” the translator said.

  ADI translated his statement into Russian before he could.

  “I am absolutely sure,” Marc said. “And we may wish to discuss some things that should only be between us.”

  “Da,” the Russian president said. “Leave us,” he added in English. He took a seat in the chair on the left. Marc sat in the chair on the right.

  “This device will translate for us. I will receive the translations via my earwig,” Marc pointed to his right ear. “I will make no recording or any other record of the conversation other than my own memory.”

  “How do I know you are telling the truth?”

  “You have to trust me,” Marc said. “And you have my statement recorded on that device in your jacket pocket. You may want to turn it off now.”

  The Russian president’s eyes went wide as he realized that Marc had somehow detected his recording device, and where it was located. It was very small, and until now had not been detected by anyone else.

  “I will trust for now,” the president said as he reached into his jacket and took the device out. He made a show of turning it off and setting it on the table.

  “Thank you,” Marc said. “It’s been an interesting conference so far.”

  “Da, the West is very arrogant. G7, bah, they don’t include Russia, India, or China, yet they say they represent the top economies of the world.”

  “Well, Russia is only eleventh,” Marc said.

  “Only because you do not measure correctly.”

  “I am not responsible for the measurement. But, let’s move on to other matters. Our two nations seem to be at an impasse.”

  “Of course, you bomb us and steal our land.”

  “We can argue about that, or we can talk about how to move forward.”

  “How do we move forward when you are trying to destroy Russia?! You are trying to split her into smaller countries!”

  “I can assure you that is not our intention. We have refused to provide aid or even discuss the possibility with other separatist factions in Russia. As I have said before, we are envisioning a world where the country you live in only defines the culture you live in. That your personal economics and freedom are independent of where you live.”

  “A fairy tale.”

  “Why? With virtually free energy and low-cost transportation, your location is not as important as it once was.”

  “Yes, and your virtually free energy is harming the Russian economy. The price of oil has suffered since you started selling your fusion reactors.”

  “The price will recover as more products shift to polysteel and polyglass.”

  “But it will never be the same. That will never replace the consumption driven by fuel.”

  “So, you need to adapt. Shift your economy away from oil.”

  “To do that, you must sell your machines, technology, and services to the world. You must be able to create new jobs.”

  “Yes, and that is one of the reasons we are talking right now. If the world can ensure internet security, then jobs become much more mobile. The hacking by China and the other major powers drives companies to cloister their resources to protect their intellectual property.”

  “So, you think that by destroying the Russian internet, you will accomplish this? Don’t deny it; we know it was you. The Americans don’t have the technology to do what you did.” The president pointed to the Comm sitting on the table. “That is the technology that was used, and you are keeping it to yourself.”

  “That technology belongs to MacKenzie Discoveries. And as a private company, we are protecting our market advantage and selling the devices we manufacture.”

  “Like I said. You are trying to become the masters of the world. Your economy is becoming more dominant as you introduce new technology and keep it to yourself.”

  “We are willing to share,” M
arc said. “Russia is too dependent on the export of raw materials to succeed in the new world.”

  “Because you put trade sanctions on us!”

  “I have nothing to do with those sanctions,” Marc said. “We were not even part of the U.N. when they were imposed.”

  “But you are following them.”

  “We haven’t been impacted by them,” Marc said. “We have not come across anything produced in Russia that we needed.”

  “Because of those sanctions, we are not allowed to compete, so we are not developing new things.”

  “I have a proposal that can help there,” Marc said. “I would consider allowing Russia to put labs on Delphi Station. That Comm is so powerful because its electronics are miniaturized far beyond what other companies can achieve. That is because we are manufacturing it in microgravity. I’m sure there are lots of other products that can only be manufactured in microgravity.”

  “Yes, but you already know of them from the technology you stole from that starship. And now the technology you steal from the fleet that Earth defeated.”

  “There is some truth in that,” Marc said, “but we’ve found that the Paraxeans were not that innovative. Our scientists have improved upon their technology and come up with new applications for it and new derivatives of it.”

  “I like this idea, but it is too slow. It takes years to bring such technology to market. And jobs will not be the best for our labor force. We need jobs in heavy industries.”

  “What would you propose?” Marc asked.

  “You put fusion reactors in your starships and your spaceplanes. We could use those reactors for our ships.”

  Marc smiled to himself. Clearly, the Russian president had come prepared to make a deal. He’d come with specific things he wanted that would help the Russian economy.

  “It is possible we could make some kind of deal,” Marc said.

  “Yes, and we could make trains with such power plants. Russia is so vast that we must rely on trains for much of our transportation.”

  “I could consider that,” Marc said.

  “In exchange for what?”

  “We want you to agree to nuclear disarmament via the SALT III talks. We want you to hold to your agreement to not interfere in your neighbors’ affairs.”

  “What else?”

  “Support the internet security proposal at the U.N., and abide by the new laws that it develops.”

  “What will you do about China, Iran, and the others?”

  “We’ve made it clear that we can overwhelm their systems. We will help to enforce those rules by the same means we’ve just displayed,” Marc said.

  “What else?”

  “You need to stop exporting bullets,” Marc said.

  The Russian president looked at Marc, confused. He looked at the Comm, but he had understood the English words, so the translation was correct. Then he laughed.

  “You make joke,” he said as he pointed his finger at Marc like a revolver and made like he was shooting.

  “A small joke,” Marc said, “but it was not only a joke.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “How was it?” Samantha asked Marc when he joined her for dinner in the red dining room.

  “He’s a hard man,” Marc said.

  “One would have to be to survive as long as he has.”

  “He also came better prepared to discuss options than I had expected.”

  “Such as?”

  “He’s asking for small fusion reactors to put into ships and locomotives. It would be a big boost to their economy since their operating cost would be dramatically cheaper. The ships would be able to haul more cargo since they wouldn’t have to also carry huge fuel tanks.”

  “Do you think he’s been playing us?”

  “I don’t know. Clearly, he wanted Crimea and Southern Ukraine both as a buffer between Russia and the West, as well as for the economic advantages the ice-free ports would provide.”

  “And now?” Samantha asked.

  “He’s been difficult in order to create maximum leverage. The Russians are masters at the long game, and he’s a master among Russians. He knows he has to create a manufacturing industry that exports significant value.”

  “Ships and trains, that will make a big difference. What did he think about the Delphi Station proposal?”

  “He played it cool. Pointed out that it was a long game, that he didn’t think they could wait that long. The ships and locomotives nicely dovetail into their existing manufacturing. It would create a lot of jobs and reduce their negative trade balance.”

  “Are you going to give it to him?”

  “We’ll see,” Marc said. “Now tell me, how was your day?”

  “Spa with the other ladies,” Samantha said. “Very relaxing.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  A week later, Marc and the Russian president held a press conference on the front lawn of the castle.

  “First, I would like to thank Prime Minister Woodward for arranging the meeting between the Russian president and me,” Marc said. “It was a courageous move.

  “Second, I would like to announce that Delphi’s MacKenzie Discoveries has created a partnership with Russia’s shipbuilding and locomotive industries. MacKenzie Discoveries will be supplying small fusion reactors, and Russia’s companies will incorporate those reactors into their ships and locomotives.”

  “Why did you select Russia for those concessions?” a reporter shouted.

  “Delphi is not in a position to manufacture ships nor locomotives. Russia already has a strong industry that produces those products. By partnering, we bring those critical products to market sooner, advancing Delphi’s goal of curbing global warming.”

  “Won’t your giving them exclusive rights to the fusion reactor for ships lead to a Russian monopoly on shipping?”

  “Russia has agreed to sell seventy percent of the ships it manufactures to foreign companies,” Marc said. “That should distribute the benefit and increase the rate at which we can introduce those products to market. The deal runs for three years, after which time we will be opening up the offer to more countries.”

  “Why not open it up now?”

  “Russia has the resources we need to make the reactors, and they have the capacity to shift their industries. By starting out with one country, it simplifies the logistics of design and coordination.”

  “Aren’t you rewarding Russia for its aggression?”

  “No, Russia and the world have resolved that issue,” Marc said. “We don’t believe in extending punishment once the problem is solved. That just leads to more problems.”

  “What about the trade sanctions?”

  “I expect those sanctions to be lifted. They’ve accomplished their goals,” Marc said. He motioned the Russian president to step forward.

  “Russia would also like to announce that we are supporting the American resolution to form a governing body to regulate internet security. We are also looking forward to the continuation of the SALT III discussion; we firmly believe that nuclear disarmament will help the economies of all countries.”

  ◆ ◆ ◆

  “Why didn’t you announce the deal about Delphi Station?” Samantha asked.

  “He asked me not to. I suspect he hopes to get a jump on the competition,” Marc said. “Just a few months could make a big difference.”

  “What did you get for that?”

  “Syria,” Marc said.

  “What?”

  “He’s going to force Syria to have free elections.”

  “Will he live up to the deal?”

  “I think so. With the drop in oil prices, the Middle East is not as important. And their aid to Syria is costing them a fortune. I agreed to pay the cost of their eventual withdrawal.”

  “Generous of you.”

  “Nothing’s free, especially when you’re dealing with Russians.”

  Chapter 14

  Guests?

  Catie sat on the jeep, taking a break while she
watched the team assemble the building. They were close to completing the second base camp. This one wasn’t as nice as the first one that was by the equator. Much of this planet was arid desert. Dr. Qamar said that they would need to bring ice asteroids in to moderate the temperature and bring the oxygen level up. She was wondering if Earth should keep the first planet and let the Paraxeans have this one. “That would be selfish; Earth has plenty of time to wait while this one gets some terraforming. The Paraxeans need a place they could move into right away.”

  Catie cringed as the wall that was supposed to be the east side of the building came crashing down.

  “You idiot,” yelled the crew chief. “What are you doing stumbling around knocking our braces down?!”

  “Sorry, sir.”

  “Don’t call me sir!”

  “Sorry, Chief. I didn’t see it. I was carrying all this wire.”

  “And that is the problem. Never carry too much. You could hurt yourself, or worse, you could hurt me! Now put some of that down and come back for it when you’ve delivered the rest!”

  “Boy, Chief sure can yell,” Catie thought.

  “Cer Catie!” ADI pinged.

  “Yes, ADI?”

  “I have detected a starship approaching this system.”

  “What?! A starship!”

  “Yes, it is approximately 0.4 light-years away.”

  “Have you told Uncle Blake?”

  “He is sleeping, so I thought I’d start with you,” ADI replied.

  “What about Liz?”

  “She is engaged in a meeting.”

  “Okay, so it’s a long way off. How fast is it traveling?”

  “It is too soon to tell,” ADI said. “I will need to take another reading in approximately five days to get a reliable measure of its speed.”

  “If it’s visible, then it is traveling below the speed of light,” Catie said. “That means we have at least four months before it gets here, probably more like a year.”

  “I surmise that you are correct,” ADI said. “My best estimate is it is traveling around one quarter the speed of light.”

  “Get me Chief Bayless,” Catie requested.

  It was only a minute before the chief was on the Comm. “Catie, what can I do for you?”