“Zin is probably in here,” Mathieu said, opening the door.
The room was dark, and flipping the light switch didn’t illuminate any androids, though it wouldn’t surprise Daniel if Zin worked in the dark when he was alone.
“Well, he’s around somewhere,” Mathieu said. “He doesn’t take any days off. I’m not even sure what he does with his free time.”
“Doug Dug,” Chloe said, a smirk on her face. “I watch him at lunch. He’s good!”
“Ahh.” Mathieu tapped the side of his head. “That would explain a lot.”
“Huh?” Daniel had no idea what they were talking about.
“It’s a video game for mobile phones,” Mathieu explained with the wave of a hand. “Zin seems interested in our time wasters.”
Chloe said, “He tried Candy Crush and… uh, that other one…” She looked up at the ceiling. “American game. You know, with the red and blue birds.”
“Angry Birds?” Daniel asked.
“Yes! That one. He liked, but, uh… always back to Doug Dug.”
For an advanced android whose job was to coordinate contact between intergalactic species, Zin could be surprisingly simple. The An Sath galactic encyclopedia identified two dozen known civilizations scattered across several thousand light-years, and Zin had apparently visited them all. Yet, as Marie had explained, Zin was enamored with everything human.
“Can you text him, or will that interrupt the game?” Daniel asked dryly.
Mathieu pulled out a phone and typed. “Sure, no problem. For Zin, texting is built-in. The messages go directly into his head.”
“Perfect. Leaves the phone free for games.”
Agent Griffith, looking taller now that he was out of the miniature car, pulled Becton’s belt from his duffel bag and placed it on the lab’s sole workbench near the center of the small room. He hovered nearby like a security guard in a high-end jewelry shop.
Chloe was drawn to it like a magnet, her eyes as big as saucers. “La ceinture!”
Mathieu joined her. They pointed to various components, speaking in French and sometimes arguing. When Griffith added the motorcycle helmet, Chloe lit up. “Ah, la lumière!” She pointed to the light under the visor and Mathieu nodded.
Chloe turned to Griffith and spoke in halting English. “This, uh… ceinture, um, this belt. It is, uh… quite amazing. Your friend, he is brilliant.”
“Not my friend,” Griffith answered. “And no longer alive. Whatever this belt does, it probably killed him.”
Chloe’s lips pouted, her nose ring pushing up. “Too bad.”
Daniel said, “The NASA engineers thought it was a portable version of a portal transfer chair, but we have unconfirmed information that it may be more than that.”
“Definitely, more,” said Mathieu. “When Zin gets here, we’ll get his opinion. But I see several of the electronics components that we use here, and they’re laid out in a very similar circuit. Offhand, I would say that Mr. Becton knew at least as much as we do in this laboratory. Perhaps more.”
“We checked his email and browser history,” Griffith said, “and found no evidence that he had any contact with this lab. Are you saying that he did?”
“No,” Mathieu said. “No contact that I know about. But there are only a few ways the electronic circuits required for this function could be arranged. Becton was a NASA engineer, right? With access to the alien technology?” He pointed to the light affixed to the helmet. “It’s possible he came to the same conclusions as we have. The primary difference is that we are controlling time from scratch using antimatter. Becton borrowed directly from Zin.”
Mathieu must have noticed the blank looks on their faces. “Yes, yes. What we do here at Alpha Prime is all very cryptic to you, I can see. But never fear, I can make it clear.”
Mathieu spoke to Chloe in French at some length. Daniel’s command of the language was limited, but he picked out the shared words: dimensions, quantum, and temps or time. Then there was that new word. Empros.
“In English, please?” Griffith asked.
“Yes, yes, sorry,” Mathieu said. “How to begin?” He lowered his head in thought. “First, you already understand the additional dimensions of space? Quantum space? We experience three dimensions, but there are more we cannot see. For example, a fourth dimension with directions named ana and kata?”
So far, this was nothing new. The jumps through the portal used quantum space, an unseen dimension but just as real as the other three.
“But what of time?” Mathieu asked rhetorically.
“Time is time. A continuous flow, like a river.” Daniel responded.
“Yes, we think of time like a river. It flows downstream, and we ride along in the forward direction. Of course, we also understand there is a backward direction too—upstream in the river analogy—even if we can’t flow in that direction. Backward feels just as real to us because of our memories.”
Mathieu folded his hands together and paused in thought. “But time isn’t this simple. There is a second dimension, different than forward and backward.”
“Empros?”
“Yes, empros. Or more completely, empros and piso. They are Greek words meaning fore and back, and they represent a direction of time unlike anything we know. Theoretical physicists worldwide have long suggested such a dimension might exist. They derive it mathematically from string theory, producing what some physicists call M-Prime theory.”
Chloe nodded as Mathieu spoke. No doubt she could provide the same explanation, if mostly in French.
Mathieu continued. “Empros time is just as real as forward time. We discovered this fact here at CERN by comparing matter and antimatter. We studied the differences between hydrogen and its opposite, antihydrogen. We found that antihydrogen ions decay somewhat faster, producing a free positron more quickly than their ordinary matter counterparts. Measuring this difference is not easy to do when theory told us that quantum ticks are only 10-21 seconds. That’s a billionth of a trillionth of a second.”
“A chronon?” Daniel asked, recalling Nala’s introduction to this relatively unexplored branch of science.
“Yes. A chronon. The smallest possible tick of the clock. It turns out that positrons flow more easily in the empros direction of time. And this is how we discovered it. Independently of Zin, I might add. However, Zin confirmed our results and has been working with us ever since.”
“You’re saying that right now, matter is flowing forward and flowing empros?” Daniel asked.
“Yes!” Chloe exclaimed. “Both.” She tugged on Griffith’s shirtsleeve and pointed with excitement to the belt on the table. If she’d figured it out, their mission to Geneva was already successful.
Mathieu continued. “Technically yes. Both. But understand the differences in flow. Forward flows like the river. Empros is more like a slow leak. It’s why we don’t notice empros. Forward flows a billion times faster. Perhaps the river is not the best analogy. Think of it more like a fire hydrant. I think you have much the same device in America, right?”
Daniel nodded.
“A fire hydrant has two openings sealed by caps and a valve on top. If you attach a hose to one opening and open the valve, the water flows primarily in one direction, even if the cap on the other opening leaks a few drops.”
“A better analogy,” Daniel said. “And you say that Zin has now confirmed your discovery?”
Mathieu nodded. “Completely. There are two dimensions of time.”
“J’adore Zin,” Chloe said, her large eyes glistening. Daniel was able to pick up the simple French but wasn’t sure why she would declare her love for the android. Chloe was a strange one. Some scientists are.
“Sounds like Zin,” Daniel said. “He and Core tell us nothing until we’re on the right track.”
The lab door opened, and the android himself stepped into the room.
“Speak of the devil,” Mathieu said. Whether a coincidence or because Zin could hear through doors would be
an excellent topic over beers at the end of the day. Regardless, the android’s timing was impeccable.
Zin’s physical form was both startling and familiar. Bronze in color from a flexible layer of metal overlaying mostly human features. A flat face with flat eyes that flicked left and right, and a congenial expression, even if his ever-present smile was sometimes overdone. He now wore a semblance of clothing over his shiny exterior. A blue vinyl band covered his waist, flexible enough to wrap around his body, but stiff enough to form an unwrinkled surface. It looked a little like a mini-skirt. On one side was a pocket that held a smartphone.
Zin presented one of his three-fingered hands. “Dr. Rice, so wonderful to see you again.”
“And you, Zin. Your ears must be burning.” An idiom, but it was always interesting to see how Zin might react.
He cocked his head toward one shoulder, even though his thought processes probably didn’t require him to mimic human behavior. “I believe the expression is used when one person is talking about another person who is not present?”
Mathieu said, “Yes, sorry, Zin. We were just explaining to Dr. Rice and Agent Griffith the extra dimension of time and your part in our work.”
“Ah, yes,” Zin said. “I’m so glad that humans have uncovered this science. I dislike withholding, but it’s for the best. You really are doing quite well. Did you know that there are seven other scientifically literate civilizations that have not yet discovered the science of time?”
“We won’t tell,” Mathieu offered.
“I’m so glad you agree. This information is not found within An Sath for many good reasons.”
“And you can only convey information that is within An Sath?”
“Or confirm what you have discovered for yourselves. Luckily, humans are quick learners.”
“We have our moments,” Daniel said. “So, what do you think of the belt?”
While Zin studied the belt still lying on the workbench, Mathieu responded to Daniel’s question. “At the very least, it will collapse forward.”
“Meaning?” Daniel asked.
“Meaning, forward time would reduce to a trickle, the same as empros. Both openings of the fire hydrant have been covered by their caps. Ticks become so small that forward time is essentially frozen, and the wearer of the belt goes into a state of suspended animation.”
Daniel nodded. “Like the Soyuz astronauts rescued a year ago?”
“Yes,” Zin said, his ten-second examination of the belt apparently complete. “Collapsing forward time to its quantum state is highly useful to exit four-dimensional space, as you saw with your astronauts. It’s how the portal works, something you’ve experienced yourself, Dr. Rice.”
Zin picked up the belt and ran a metal finger along one of the wires. “But this device may do more. It may adjust temporal frequencies. Even empros frequencies. And flowing empros is when things get really interesting.”
10 Empros
Those words again. Flowing empros.
Daniel asked, “Didn’t you say we’re already flowing empros? The trickle from the fire hydrant?” Mathieu’s explanation of quantum time was lengthy, but details never escaped Daniel’s attention.
“Yes,” Mathieu answered. “We flow forward and empros simultaneously, but only one direction is noticeable.”
“Forward.”
“Yes, forward. But here at Alpha Prime, we can flip this pattern. We collapse forward to a quantum state and expand empros to a natural flow rate. In the fire hydrant analogy, we are moving the hose from one opening to the other. Most of the water now flows in a different direction, even if the closed cap leaks a bit.”
Daniel’s mind whirred. A second dimension of time? Equivalent to the first? He could think of a hundred questions. “But what would it—”
Mathieu interrupted. “You didn’t come all the way to Geneva to hear my lecture on quantum time,” Mathieu said. “I have a much better idea. Experience flowing empros for yourself.” He grinned, eyeing Daniel and Agent Griffith for a response.
“You can show us flowing empros?” Daniel asked. Zin stood behind Mathieu, his arms folded, apparently out of the conversation. This latest turn toward the bizarre was being played out human to human.
“Better. I can take you there. Right now.”
Taking them into another dimension of time sounded a bit more immersive than showing. “What exactly does flowing empros entail?”
Mathieu waved his hands as if Daniel’s obvious concern was of no consequence. “Words cannot prepare you for what you will experience. It’s quite the adventure. Surprising—shocking, even. But don’t worry, it won’t hurt you.”
Chloe nodded her agreement. Even Zin tipped his head.
That Mathieu had the capability to alter the flow of time was no longer in question. Zin’s agreement erased any doubt, but that didn’t make the proposed adventure in alternate reality any less intimidating.
Agent Griffith stepped backward, using Chloe as a barrier between himself and Daniel. “You’re on your own, Dr. Rice. I’ll stay right here.”
Mathieu’s mischievous smile broadened. “Staying here is not the question, Mr. Griffith. We will all stay right here. The choice is whether you wish to remain in the now.”
“All the same,” Griffith responded, backing up further, “I’ll stay.”
“Very well. And you, Dr. Rice?”
Daniel had witnessed some strange things since becoming involved in quantum physics, but two CERN physicists and an advanced alien android seemed to be promoting a new definition of strange. Still, Daniel’s caution was losing out to his curiosity.
“You’ve done this before? Flowing empros?”
“Daily,” Mathieu responded. “It’s our primary investigation in this lab.” Chloe nodded her agreement.
“Okay, I’m in.” It was the kind of impulsive decision Nala would make. She might be affecting him more than he realized.
“Excellent,” Mathieu said, rubbing his hands together. He spoke to Chloe. “Restes ici?”
“Oui,” she responded. With one hand, she gripped the cloth of her blouse and tightened it around her neck. She shook her other finger at Mathieu accusingly. “Mais ne joue plus à tes jeux,” she scolded.
Turning to Daniel, she explained. “Mathieu plays empros games. Very funny. But not this time.”
It wasn’t clear what their little conflict was about, but Chloe didn’t explain further, and Mathieu waved it off. “It will be just you and me, then, Dr. Rice. Come.”
He guided Daniel to the far side of the lab, where a row of cloth seat cushions had been affixed vertically to the wall. Armrests jutted out on either side of each cushion at elbow height.
Mathieu pointed to the setup. “Our version of the transfer chairs at the Kennedy Space Center. We have no need for a portal because we don’t move through space. But otherwise, it’s similar technology—and probably very much like the belt you have brought.”
Five in all, the standup stations looked like the slots at one of those whirling amusement park rides that pinned its victims to the wall with centrifugal force. Daniel was beginning to wonder if impulsive decisions were best left to impulsive girlfriends.
Griffith remained behind Chloe. He seemed interested in the demonstration, perhaps more so now that Daniel was the random audience member called onstage by the magician. Zin had taken a seat, with his attention refocused on his smartphone. He was either allowing the humans to enjoy their scientific discoveries unaided by alien guidance, or he was playing more video games.
Mathieu positioned his back against one of the cushions and Daniel did the same. Mathieu flipped a joystick into a vertical position on the right armrest. Daniel’s slot didn’t have anything equivalent, so he simply placed both arms on the armrests.
“Just stand,” Mathieu told him. “Nothing else for you to do. Chloe will initialize, and I will control from there.”
Across the small room, Chloe typed at a workstation keyboard. She looked up. “V
eux la balle?”
“Oui,” Mathieu answered. “What demonstration of quantum time would be complete without it?”
Chloe opened a drawer and pulled out a dark blue rubber ball. It looked like it might be used on a handball or squash court. “Prêt?” she asked.
Mathieu wrapped his hand around the joystick, his thumb hovering over a red button at its top. “Yes, we’re ready.” Daniel pressed his body against the cushion and gripped the armrests, though he had no idea why it might help.
Chloe tossed the ball directly toward Daniel. He instinctively lifted one hand to catch it just as a strong yellow light flashed from above. He flinched at the bright light, blinked rapidly, and expected to be smacked in the face by the rubber ball.
But that didn’t happen.
He opened his eyes, the glare of the flash fading. Just a few feet in front of him, the ball was frozen in midair.
“Holy hell.” Daniel took a few rapid breaths, waiting for gravity to do its job, but the ball just hung there.
Mathieu released the red button, grinning. “Welcome to empros.”
Ten seconds passed, and the ball still hung motionless.
Daniel stepped forward tentatively. His mind raced, inquisitive, but in awe of the amazing new reality. He turned in a circle beneath the ball hanging just above his head. No hidden wires or nearly invisible threads. No air currents. No sense of static electricity.
Daniel touched the ball. It wiggled. He pushed a finger against it and the ball slid sideways but remained in the air. He grabbed the ball between his fingers, the motion feeling no different than if he’d taken it from a shelf. He turned it over in his hand, pushing the rubber and looking for whatever secrets it might hold. Nothing jumped out. A normal rubber ball.
“This can’t be real,” Daniel said, and he meant it. The established laws of physics shuffled one by one through his mind.
Mathieu’s grin grew larger. “Look around you. It’s not just the ball.”
Chloe stood on the other side of the lab, her arm frozen in an underhanded throw, her eyes staring straight ahead. Griffith was similarly stiff, and Zin sat motionless in a chair holding his phone. The light in the lab was strangely dim.
The Quantum Series Box Set Page 67