by Rashid Ahmed
They carefully manipulated the objects AL-I had manufactured for them. Aiding them along, the vessel created focussed micro gravity points above the objects, enabling them to be moved to the docked shuttle. The upgraded drone pulled the processing unit along. It was the last through the dock hatch, which was beginning to vibrate with stress.
Getting to the docking port after placing her cargo, Crystal helped the drone manoeuvre the processing unit into the shuttle. It was larger than the other objects. As soon as she had, there were a series of audible clicks in the universal docking port. “The ET vessel’s disengaging,” Crystal shouted. “Sven, get to a grav-seat.” She too hustled to strap herself in. The universal docking port had sealed itself in the interim. Neither of the crew had their HSEVA suits on. They’d worked through a docking process for the ET vessel which allowed them to leave the suits in the shuttle. This was to save time and maximize interactions with AL-I.
Sven murmured to Crystal as the shuttle peeled away from AL-I, “This is the one time we should have had our suits on. This decoupling was way too rapid and very high-risk.”
Crystal replied, “Tell me about it.” Her heart was racing.
Sven worked the pad on his grav-chair. He selected a viable trajectory back to Átt and let the piloting AI take over. Once the jostling from their disengagement from AL-I reduced, both Sven and Crystal secured their cargo and then quickly got into their suits. Sven spoke to their AI, “Kei, what do you make of the objects AL-I left with us? Can we replicate them?” He was back on the grav-chair he had occupied earlier.
Kei replied saying, “The ET vessel had provided us with designs for similar technology, which we were to manufacture on our own. I’ve been running a diagnostic on the modified drone. Analysing now whether it’s systems can interface with mine, without an intermediate cut-out. It’s been upgraded to process both mine and AL-Is packets much faster. The processor it has given us, seems to be able to do the same, albeit quicker. The processor unit’s technology is much more advanced. The limited scan I’ve managed of the information storage unit we’ve been given, shows its wetware technology to be beyond our present capabilities. Perhaps it contains the knowhow on how to develop storage technology on similar lines.”
After a brief pause, during which time Sven was eyeballing their cargo, Kei continued, “My analysis of the modified drone shows upgraded quantum computing and processing abilities. It is twice as fast as our current quantum processing, with more accurate results. It continues to use my original programming with additions, enabling it to interpret AL-Is packets. I believe it may be useful to absorb this programming into my own. What is your opinion?”
Sven said, “Pass on your analysis to Eiji. He’s been involved with your programming and development for a while. I trust your analysis and I think it should be okay. But make sure there isn’t anything that could cause a hiccup later. We’re going to have a steep learning curve ahead of us and we can’t lose time. Interpret your analysis suitably and present it to Eiji.”
The shuttle docked with Suður and took on the designation of Little Suður. The crew had agreed to renaming each of the shuttles to wherever they docked last. Each had an alphanumeric identifier, but that was forty-eight characters long. The cargo was carefully shifted into Suður’s rear multi-purpose hold, which adjoined the airlock at the shuttle dock.
Kei said to Sven, “The whole crew is awake and updated on their respective SSEVs. Using the drone’s processing capabilities as well as my own, I’ve evaluated our capability to replicate the technology shared with us. The interstellar communication devices; these we can manufacture. I estimate five days per unit. One in each SSEV. I’m not sure about the energy requirements each communication device will require. Not until we try them out, or query AL-I’s data. We should also find out how the devices work and understand the science behind it.”
Sven commented, “Well, communication across interstellar space will give us an enormous leap ahead. What about the remaining artefacts?”
Kei replied, “The drone’s computing capabilities. That will require modification of our manufacturing processes since it utilises gravity-based quantum field manipulation. It creates and maintains multiple photon frequencies. This allows a greater number of computations to be made. We’ll require a little time to reconfigure, but I’ve got the specifications.”
Sven nodded and instructed, “Store the information on each of the SSEVs. Share it with all space platforms. Also, share this with Shen on Earth.”
Sven spoke to his crew next after they appeared on a screen to the side of the central operations area on Suður. He said, “You’re all up to date?” Each one affirmed they were. “Given the haste with which AL-I is departing, my gut tells me the armed drone heading our way may not be kind to us. I don’t think it should be allowed into our system. If it doesn’t know we exist, it can’t hurt us. What’re your views?”
Jón spoke first, “I’ve given this some thought. We need to beat the drone to the wormhole and get to it on the other side. It doesn’t know who we are. Even if we become known, it’ll be in a system where the drone’s already been scouting around. Once it’s in our system, our options would be limited.”
Isla seated next to him nodded and said, “We should work on a proactive strategy. We haven’t prepared ourselves for interstellar travel in this trip, but each SSEV and the bio module was developed for deep space. I say, let’s go through the wormhole. Átt is just a bit smaller than AL-I. We should fit through. Only problem, we haven’t a clue about how to transit through a wormhole.” She asked, “Would there be a process or a procedure?”
Lei who was on Austur with them and Eiji, said “Psychologically we don’t know what effect such an endeavour will have on us. There will be continuous mental stress.”
Eiji who had been studying the data shared by Kei earlier spoke up, “Practically, I think we have enough elbow room between each of the SSEVs and the bio module, to keep out of each other’s hair. I’m more concerned about entering a system where the inhabitants have taken to disguising themselves, to avoid being attacked or drawn into an inter-galactic conflict.”
Ásta was in quarantine with Stefán, on Vestur SSEV. They were the second last to visit AL-I. She said “Reconfiguring or disguising the whole of Átt will take too long. I propose we enter the foreign system, presenting the forward section of Átt. We’ll need to suitably change the front. If there are any other hostile vessels near the wormhole when we enter, there’ll be no hiding our profile.”
Jón agreed with his twin, “I agree. Given the time constraint we should go with this. We’ll be approaching a region above the Kuiper Belt, so it’s likely we may find nearby asteroids for material.”
Stefán seated next to Ásta said, “There’s another consideration. We’ll have to spend time locating the satellites left behind by AL-I. We may not have time to work a complicated forward disguise.”
“Kei prioritize querying of AL-Is information storage unit. Locate the satellites.” Sven instructed.
Kei replied, “I’ve just finished assessing how to hook each of AL-I’s units to our power. We’ll use the information storage unit first. Am tasking four drones in the rear multi-role hold to shift the information storage unit onto a rack. The power input socket is under the unit. The modified drone was given instructions on manufacturing compatible power connectors. We weren’t given power specifications though. I’m tasking the modified drone to gradually provide increasing amounts of power to the unit, until it begins functioning. The drone should be capable of querying the information storage unit.”
Eiji said, “I’ve gone through the code in the modified drone as well as the physical changes made to it. Our quantum computing is nascent compared to what the drone’s upgrade. I’m looking through the scans of the processing unit provided to us by AL-I now. It’s decades ahead of what we would have developed on our own, even using AI assistance. I’m giving Kei a go ahead to absorb the control code from the modif
ied drone.”
Kei pulled and integrated the code from the drone into each of the SSEVs’ data storage units, backing up its information to space-based platforms.
Isla had been studying the trajectory AL-I had followed to enter the solar system. She said addressing everyone, “I’ve located a large asteroid at the fringe of the Kuiper Belt, close to and slightly behind the spot where AL-I was first discovered.” The team looked at the image of the asteroid in their pads. Isla continued, “You’ll notice one side of it has been sheared off, possibly due to a previous collision. This provides us a flat enough surface to attach the front of Átt to.” Crystal agreed, “Yes, this is suitable. We’ll need to figure out how to tether it to Átt”
Sven said, “You and Jón find a solution. Eiji and Ásta, you work with Kei on the objects from AL-I. Stefán Lei and I’ll project scenarios we might encounter once we’re in the foreign system. Isla, have sensors continuously sweep for the satellites AL-I left behind, just in case we aren’t able to find the information on the data storage unit.”
The crew worked out a schedule between themselves ensuring each one got enough rest. Átt was turned around on a gradually accelerating arc towards the identified asteroid, behind which the crew planned to conceal the vessel. They’d be pushing limits, testing themselves and the deep-space vessels. The crew’s plan entailed a two-and-a-half-day trip to the Kuiper belt and a day and a half to fasten the asteroid. Then, they estimated another day to enter the wormhole. The last part would depend on their ability to locate the satellites left behind by AL-I, and successfully communicate with them.
Two days into their journey, the hard acceleration and pace of work was taking a toll on the crew, even with the intricate balancing act Kei was maintaining with internal gravity.
Eiji informed the crew, “The power input tests on the objects which AL-I had provided, have been concluded. Only the processing unit draws any significant power; a quarter of Suður SSEV’s production. The SSEV was designed to overproduce, but it would be handicapped, if it were to separate and independently undertake operations.”
He continued, “The information storage unit was the first to be hooked up. It’s providing massive amounts of data. The information will require deciphering. Every bit of information we get, requires bundles of foundation knowledge, based on which any new ideas or concepts can be understood. So far, every query we make, returns volumes of data in the results. Each piece of information is always backed up by everything that gives it meaning, all at once. The problem lies in defining queries accurately enough to receive concise packets of information. It’s slow going and the location of the wormhole has not yet been retrieved. I’ve handed over querying to Kei. The AI has been tasked with obtaining specific results, via the modified drone and through AL-I’s processing unit.”
The communication units were the least cumbersome, although they did take effort to set- up. The pair had been separated and installed on work surfaces, in the central operations area of Austur and Vestur SSEVs. They were accessible via the head-ring brain-machine interfacing devices produced by AL-I. So far, the crew had managed to pass verbal conversations and some complex thoughts to each other, mind-to-mind. Initially, the rings only communicated with each other. Then Ásta ‘thought’ to it to use AL-I’s communication device on Austur. The ring connected to the first unit, but it asked for the requestor’s identification. None of the identification ‘thoughts’ she transmitted, seemed to work. However, she was able to connect directly to AL-I’s information processing unit with Kei’s assistance.
Using the rings to query AL-I’s data module through the processing unit, the crew extracted usage instructions for AL-I’s communication devices. They assigned themselves information packets and sifted through these, sharing important information with each other. Ásta was able to isolate each unit’s identifier and put together a how-to operating manual for use by the rest of the crew. She nicknamed the communication units ‘gaupas’ which meant ‘lynx’ in Icelandic. The devices had pointed ear shaped protrusions, “Just like a lynx’s”, she had mentioned to everyone. The identifiers turned out to be long strings.
After several attempts, Ásta got the units to connect with her brain-machine interface. She tagged each communication unit making them identifiable by the SSEVs they were on. She exclaimed, “Jæja!” ‘well-then’ in Icelandic; an all-purpose word she used often. As they integrated, it was an exclamation which the rest of the crew began using.
Ásta and Eiji were able to sync their brain-machine interfacing devices with the gaupas on Austur and Vestur. Kei too was able to access the devices through the modified drone and was successful in transmitting test data between the SSEVs. Kei then set up a transfer rate test using increasingly higher volumes of data. The AI had yet to hit a bandwidth issue using its own packets. It pointed out to the crew who were monitoring, that this was probably due to the devices being used to transmit much higher volumes of information, like AL-I’s own gargantuan packets.
Kei explained the intricacies of how the communication devices worked to the crew, “You’re aware about entangled particles and how an action on one, affects the other particle. Einstein called it ‘spooky action at a distance’. Well, this is spookier. Instead of detecting actions on entangled particles, it detects actions on quantum foam bubbles.”
The AI elaborated, “The devices can affect and detect actions on stabilized quantum foam bubbles. They’re able to use minutely focussed gravity fields, to shape and preserve these bubbles. This is where it gets interesting. Gravitons channelled into a quantum foam bubble, makes the bubble vibrate. The vibration occurs at the same frequency as the gravitons. Now here’s the spooky part. Every other quantum foam bubble that mirrors the one on which focussed gravitons are being channelled, simultaneously resonate and release gravitons, in the order that gravitons were channelled into the first bubble. Distance is immaterial. Even more exciting; it’s bidirectional. Multiple sets of graviton channels can be maintained, through the same quantum foam bubble. The technology is only restricted by hardware capacity.”
The crew were boggle eyed. This made it possible to instantaneously communicate across interstellar distances. Possibly more.
Eiji asked, “Would there be a way to make this more compact to fit onto a HSEVA suit?” Jón joined the conversation replying, “Start working on it. Coordinate with Rafael Borrego. He’s taken a deep interest in AL-I’s tech. Try and determine viable uses.”
Sven, always a step or two ahead, began tasking the team, “Eiji, Lei; get over to Suður. Eiji, keep studying the new tech. Lei; you’ve taken defence operations lessons alongside your psychology studies. You’ll oversee asteroid capture and tethering. It’ll be attached to Norður, the bio module. That will give the other SSEV’s the ability to quickly detach from Átt if needed. I’ve sent you information on how this is to be achieved. The asteroid hasn’t been named, so you get to pick it.” Those words made Lei smile. She instantly announced, “Well call it ‘Norður’s Nose’. Now it’s been picked.” Given the intense pressure they were working under, even this got a roar of laughter from Sven, with the crew joining in.
Once the final chuckles subsided, Sven continued, “Crystal and I will transfer to Norður. We will hook up the four drills, just manufactured by Kei, to the front of the bio module. Drones will aid. We will put in lattice buttresses to strengthen the front of the module. Jón and Isla; you move to Austur. Stefán and Ásta you’ve got Vestur.” Sven was ensuring the crew was spread out, in case something went wrong while tethering the asteroid, or when they found and entered the wormhole.
Very soon, they arrived at the asteroid and the pace picked up. As they approached, instead of slowing down, they projected their focussed gravity-point, just ahead of the asteroid. This got it moving, picking up pace while Átt coasted towards it at high speed. As they neared, the asteroid had gained enough momentum that it sped on ahead of them.
Jón announced, “Norður’s Nose has a bit
of spin.”
Lei replied, “You and Ásta use additional focussed gravity points to counter the spin. Project these from each of your SSEVs. That should stabilise it.” After a moment, Jón connected with Ásta saying while Lei listened on, “I’ve thrown together a basic program to automate this. We’ll need to fine-tune it on the fly.” They set about implementing the program.
Just then, Sven came in over everyone’s headsets, “We’ve got a problem. One of the drones attached a section of lattice frame to the side of Norður, while Crystal was positioning a drill next to it. Her left leg is caught between the hull and the lattice section. Cutting the lattice will damage it.”
Lei responded, “I see her. It will be necessary to cut the lattice and a portion of hull panelling, to free Crystal. We’ll need to find a way to reinforce the cut section so there’s enough rigidity.”
Crystal said, “I’ll cut myself out.” The hard-shell EVA suits were designed for exploration and originally had asteroid mining as a principal use. She said, “I’m slaving my shoulder laser to my helmet display. For speed, I’ll have to use the entire hundred kilowatts of it. That will cut through the section of lattice pinning me down quickly. But this’ll drain my suit’s power. Okay, I’ve marked the cuts.”
