by OMAR FINK
Lee asked, “Special? How?”
Marco explained, “We started out scaling our construction up to larger rings, mostly around one thousand meters radius. We call them ‘class D’ rings. This is a ‘class C’ ring which has a radius of only five hundred meters. When we first started building the rings, we thought we might be limited to fewer floors than we are now building. This ring is predicted to hold about a half million people and the bigger class D rings may hold up to twenty million. Of course, it all depends on how many square feet of living space you want to assign per capita.”
Lee whistled softly, “Twenty million! That’s a lot.”
Marco said, “Yes, it is. With this smaller configuration, the plan is to add more rings, and scale to a larger population that way instead of using larger rings. We have built one class F ring with a radius of 2,500 meters that could hold over fifty million occupants in a single ring. We’ll eventually find an optimum building size I’d imagine.”
Lee said, “If we can build rings of that size, why are we experiencing problems with the deadline of getting everybody out by the time the comet train returns?”
Marco replied, “It’s not a problem with the size of the rings. The problem is with the capacity and schedule of the space elevators. We need to be able to lift larger loads on each elevator car.”
Lee asked, “Do you think we’ll be able to find a solution for that?”
Marco shook his head, “I don’t know. We have all the most talented engineers and scientists in the system working on the problem. The main hope for a solution seems to be in finding a way to create a stronger ribbon that can lift more weight. We’ll just have to wait and see.” He shrugged.
Lee said, “And if they don’t find a solution, some people will have to be left on Earth to die while the rest of us out here survive. Has anybody discussed a lottery system or some other means to make those decisions?”
Marco shrugged again, “They don’t include me in those talks. Thankfully, I might add.”
There were several minutes of silence while both of them pondered what had just been said. Finally Lee spoke, “To change the subject, what determines the colors and patterns on the wall surfaces here?” She waved a hand around in a circle to indicate the mosaic of colors on the walls nearby.
Marco said, “I don’t know how each area of a city or each city decides to control it, but the magic is performed by software.”
Lee seemed surprised, “Software? Really?”
Marco replied, “Yes, both exterior and interior surfaces of just about everything here are embedded with nano-LED technology that allows surface image painting, I think they call it. Software can draw any image you like anywhere you like and can animate it to full photorealistic motion.”
Lee said, “Wow! That’s amazing. Nobody explained that to me. Does that mean I can image paint all the surfaces in my living quarters any way I want?”
Marco said, “Again, I don’t know how it works here, but the potential to do that is built into every city we’ve made in the last year or so. I’d guess the biggest barrier at the moment is the availability of good software. All the human programmers are tied up in important projects. But AI programmers are getting better and better every week. It won’t be long before good imaging software is easy to find.”
+5 years, 6 months, HABITAT-22, AU 2.1
Keel rose from his chair, and pulled another chair out from the table, and offered it to Delize Naidu.
She smiled at him, “Thank you.” and settled into the chair as Keel helped. She looked up at Keel, “You know, some of these chairs will do that for you. What happens to the manners of a southern gentleman when there are no more chairs to pull out or doors to open?”
Keel smiled back at her and took his own seat saying, “I don’t know, but until then, I actually enjoy helping a woman who appreciates it.”
Delize said, “It’s a subtle form of flattery for a man to offer assistance to a woman, even though both of them know she doesn’t need it.” She paused then continued, “By the way, how come in all the time since we met in person, you’ve never told me I’m beautiful. Most men get to that quickly.”
Keel thought for a moment, “I just never considered it. Your physical beauty is obvious, and I’m sure you’re aware of it. I like women who are plain and ordinary looking, and when I find a presence that attracts me I also find their visual appearance attractive. I think it’s more about rapport and an intimate connection than just the way they look. If you’re also beautiful that is surely a plus, but also not a necessity.”
Delize replied, “Wow. That was a good answer Mr. Keel. I’m impressed.”
Keel laughed, “C’mon D. I’m not Mister anything. Just call me Keel.”
Delize said, “I think you need a nickname. Mr. OD maybe?”
Keel shuddered, “No. Never.”
Delize replied, “I’ll keep working on it.”
Keel said, “I’m having the fake mocha coffee drink they make here. It’s pretty good considering their base ingredients come mostly from the algae tanks.”
Delize said, “Menu.” and glanced over the list presented on the table-top. She said, “Order.” then selected an item and pressed a spot on the menu to place her order and said, “I’m gonna try the green tea kiwi smoothie. That looks yummy.”
There was silence for a moment, then Keel asked, “Have you met Sonny Barton?”
Delize responded, “Not in person. But I know his voice from the radio, and his reputation of course.”
Keel said, “Oh really? What about his reputation?”
Delize waved a hand at the air, “Nothing scandalous. It’s just that everybody seems to think that you and Sonny are the two best pilots in the system.”
Keel smiled, “Now who’s doing the flattering?”
Delize riposted, “As you pointed out, there is no need for flattery when a fact is well-known.”
Keel said, “Touche.” Then he followed with, “I’m getting into a new job assignment with Sonny. We’re working on setting up a rescue service for emergency situations.”
Delize tilted her head slightly, “That sounds interesting. And it certainly will fill a need.”
Keel said, “Exactly. We think we need a rapid response team that trains for rescue operations in space. Once we get it working here, we can train other teams for other habitats and create a standardized service across the Solar System.”
Delize asked, “What will you be doing in between emergencies?”
Keel replied, “That’s one of the areas we’re still working on. We both have similar backgrounds. I was training in the U.S. Air Force as a para rescue jumper, and he was in the Army Green Berets. That means we both have some martial arts and combat training, and he was an instructor in field survival. The main considerations at this point are security and police functions, and maybe survival training. We need to find things to do that will keep us busy but also allow us to react quickly when needed for emergencies.”
Delize asked, “What kind of martial arts have you done?”
Keel said, “In the Air Force, they taught us a combination of some Ju-Jitsu and some Krav Maga.”
Delize said, “I’ve been studying Aikido for several years. Ju-Jitsu has a lot in common with it.”
Keel replied, “Oh, really? We should get together and spar at some point. Or maybe you can teach me Aikido.”
Delize said, “I can do that. And you can teach me some of what you know.”
Keel said, “You should come over to my habi-craft for a session.”
Delize said, “Or we could do it right here.”
Keel chuckled and asked, “Did we just do the ‘your place or my place’ thing?”
Delize laughed, “Silly boy. You know you’re young enough to be my son.”
Keel looked off to the side and said, “And now she flatters me.”
Delize laughed again.
+5 years, 7 months, ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
Peter Anderson looked at the viewp
oint and spoke, “Hello Nabith, this is Peter Anderson. I’ve never actually met you, but in a way, I feel like I know you quite well. This is because I’ve followed your work and the help you have given to HU with many projects. Now, I’m hoping that I can help you some in return. It has been brought to my attention that you’re working on a network design to provide communications and navigation services. From what I’ve seen of your previous work, I don’t expect you to have any problems with the basic routing algorithms. However, I thought maybe you could use some help with the functions that will control dynamic adjustments. This can get tricky, but we have a computer we’ve been using for a few years to help with complex problems, and you may find it useful. We started out programming it to manage stock trading routines, and eventually it was making minute to minute fine adjustments on its own. I suspect these functions may be quite similar to what you’ll be needing to priorize your traffic.”
Peter cocked his head slightly to one side and launched his trademark lop-sided grin, “Allow me to introduce you to TYCHE, the software agent we interface with. We asked TYCHE to compose a personality and an appearance avatar, so you can talk to her just like any person. TYCHE, say hello to Nabith.”
The video record split into half with Peter on one side, and the mature brown-skinned woman’s face of TYCHE’s avatar on the other. TYCHE said, “Hello, Nabith. I’ve heard a lot about you and must say I’m impressed with your intellect and in particular with your mathematical prodigy. I look forward to working with you. Peter can set up the access and authentication you will need. Peter?”
Peter grinned, “Yeah, that’s right, TYCHE. I’ll set it all up and send you the details Nabith. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any problems, but you’ll quickly find that TYCHE can solve most problems just by asking her for help. She’s pretty much of an encyclopedia of all knowledge, and we have plugged many peripheral resources into her to enable abilities as we’ve needed them, or she identified them. Happy hunting, you two.”
+5 years, 8 months, HABITAT-22, AU 2.1
Keel O’Donnell met Delize Naidu at the air lock, and offered her his hand to help her across the thresh hold. He said, “Welcome aboard the ‘Counter Tre.” and smiled.
She took his hand, “Thanks. What does that mean?”
Keel replied, “It’s an old obsolete football term I used to name my habi-craft. Not important.”
Delize said, “So this ring is your own private domain, your own castle, you own it?”
Keel smiled, “Yes, it is and yes, I do.”
Delize asked, “How can you afford this? Did you pay for it?”
Keel said, “Yes, and yes. Let me show you around and I’ll tell you all about it.” He took her hand and guided her out into the common hallway that curved around the inside of the ring. “As you can tell, this ring is much smaller than the big hab rings. It was designed as work crew quarters back in the day. I spent several years living in this ring when I was working as a pilot. It went out away from Earth with us and was replaced back there by a newer and bigger ring. And eventually, they decided to replace it out here too, and put it up for sale.”
Delize walked along with Keel and asked, “How did you pay for it?”
Keel replied, “I won a virtual football championship that had a big prize.”
Delize asked, “And that has something to do with the name?”
Keel said, “Yes, the name Counter Tre comes from an old football play that I used to win the championship game.”
Delize murmured, “A man of many talents.”
Keel said, “Wait till you see my Ju-Jitsu skills.”
Delize commented, “This place is huge. You must get lonely here all by yourself.”
Keel said, “Oh, I’m not alone. I told all my helper bots to stay out of the way while I entertain a special lady.”
Delize said, “You’re so sweet.”
Keel said, “The ring seems big for only one person, but that just means I have lots of room for many projects. And Sonny and I are considering using this as a base of operations for our rescue service. We think we can launch missions faster from this ring. Plus, it’s a lot easier to relocate.”
Delize said, “This hallway is wide enough to use for sparring.”
Keel said, “I suppose, but I’ve put in a softer floor in my physical training area. It’s right in here.” He guided Delize into an open area.
Delize took off the shawl that she had draped over her shoulders, and peeled off her upper top garment leaving her wearing black tights and a sheer black top.
Keel reached over and put his hand on her shoulder, “I see you’re all ready to go.”
Delize said, “Yes.” and grasping his hand, swung it out pulling him off balance. He nearly stumbled, then she swept his hand around in a circle, which he followed, almost falling again. Finally, she lifted his hand upward and then pushed it back over his head, and Keel fell backwards onto the matted floor.
Delize followed Keel down to the floor and sat across his torso, with her knees on either side of his rib cage, and pinned both his hands to the floor. She smiled at him.
Keel exclaimed, “Hey!”
Delize said, “You are so cute.” and bent forward and kissed him.
Keel relaxed and kissed her back. They kissed for several minutes, then Keel slid both hands up and cupped her breasts, and massaged them. Delize leaned back and enjoyed the touching, then peeled off her top garment, and placed Keel’s hands back on her breasts. She leaned forward, resting on her hands, and slowly began grinding her hips against Keel. Eventually, he pushed her off him, over on her side and started peeling off her tights. She helped him and when she was entirely naked, they both turned their attention to taking the clothes off of Keel. Now naked, Keel rubbed her crotch, then slid a finger inside her. She gasped and grabbed back, pumping him with her hand. Eventually, Delize rolled on her back, pulled Keel on top of her and inside her, raising her legs up to frame him, and the tangle of dark skin on light skin continued for some time.
An hour later, they lay naked side by side, catching their breath. Finally, Keel said, “You’re pretty good at this sparring stuff.”
Delize giggled and said, “You’re pretty good at it yourself. I enjoyed that greatly.”
Keel said, “Maybe we should take a break, so can we can be ready to do it again.”
Delize smiled at him and said, “Maybe we should. But first, we need some music. Do you mind?”
Keel said, “No. Go ahead. Computer play music.” He gestured at Delize to finish the sentence.
Delize grinned, “Play ‘Feelin Love’ by Paula Cole.”
A rhythmic throb began, and Paula Cole began to sing about feeling love.
Delize rolled over to a sitting position on top of Keel, and smiled down at him. She mounted him, and began slowly thrusting her hips in time as Paula sang.
+5 years, 9 months, ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
Zorba Omega said, “The purpose of this conference call is to allow Professor Morgan to explain his work on the Directed Matter Junction or DMJ. Since Artie already did the introductions, without further ado, Professor, you’re on.”
Professor Morgan cleared his throat and spoke, “The DMJ uses sub-quantum channeling of particles to articulate or morph one form of matter into another. It uses several crystal lattices capable of photonic switching to create the sub-quantum interactions that make this possible.”
Peter Anderson interrupted, “Excuse me Professor, but quantum mechanics is a ‘black box’ process, meaning we don’t really understand how it works. Is that not correct? Can you give us a simple language explanation of how your device works? This is Peter Anderson speaking.”
Professor Morgan replied, “You are correct. Quantum mechanics has been accused of being a lot of things, from pure magic to voodoo. The fact is we trust quantum mechanics because it works. We can always rely on it to be accurate, even though it’s true we don’t seem to know what is actually going on. The principles under
lying the DMJ assume that quantum interactions can be explained using multidimensional interactions that give some particles characteristics that appear nearly magical or beyond our understanding. By switching photons in a variety of ways, we can manipulate those interactions. The end product is the ability to morph matter and even energy from one form into another. There are some limitations and caveats, but it does work.”
Tony Azaria asked, “Professor Morgan, can you explain how this is pertinent to our research on elevator ribbon cables?”
Professor Morgan said, “Yes. Some of your problems with extruding carbon nanotubes to form ribbon cables were solved by moving the process to a cold and weightless vacuum in space. But issues remain with aligning the nanotubes, and connecting them without losing strength. If we could extrude a single long nanotube without interruption, it would be much stronger. The DMJ should be able to accomplish this. Furthermore, it is likely to be able to use diamond molecules to create what has been called diamond nanothreads. This would also offer more strength.”