Mission Beyond The Stars: Book #1 of "Saga Of The Lost Worlds" by Neely and Dobbs

by Neely Dobbs

CHAPTER 47: Alliance

  In one of Mathlen's conference rooms far beneath Ganlon, Jazon sat pensively at a huge table, empty except for the villium pad on its surface.  No matter how strong his intention had been to focus on other matters, the pad remained empty. Only one issue dominated his attention: Just as Hoga had asserted, time stood still on Cronul.

  Jazon recalled his complete astonishment when ADIZ had informed him of the duration of the entire Cronul episode:  “The only time that elapsed during your visit to Hoga was the fifteen hours round-trip travel time between Kepren and Cronul.  No time passed while we were on the planet.”

  Kepren's calendar had confirmed this incredible reality when Jazon had returned the previous evening, only ten minutes before the beginning of the new year.  In fact, I returned before midnight of the same day I left!

  It seemed impossible.  Yet, while he stayed in Hoga's compound, Farthing had undergone changes that normally required an appreciable lapse of time.  The cobblestone paving in Farthing was only one of the “new” features.  And it had not seemed particularly new, having that certain worn look caused by extended use.

  Impossible or not, like it or not, he concluded, I must take Hoga seriously about the “movement in time” concept— unless or until I have evidence to the contrary.

  But how can I completely accept it when I find it so confusing?  Maybe if I understood the theoretical concepts better, I could get a better grasp of what Hoga's trying to show me… and maybe even figure out what's behind the SDs.

  He hesitated only a moment more before making his decision.  Raising his voice slightly, he said, “CLIO?”

  “Yes, Admiral,” came the immediate response from the center's Communication Liaison Intelligence Operator.

  “CLIO, where is Commodore Trandic?”

  “Sir, the Commodore is in Visuals Room Two.  Should I connect you?”

  “Please.”

  Kyell's voice sounded almost at once. “What's up, Jace?”

  “I need some help on an idea.  Join me in Conference Room Four?”

  “Sure thing. And thank you— I need a break!  I’m so tired of poring over these SD visuals again and again. I was almost reduced to swapping them out for some old Aylien slapstick comedies... and you know how bad they are!  Be there in three.”

  As the connection closed, Jazon considered including Sabanda in the conference.  No, not on this one.  She's the best ever at dealing with people and administration, but the theoretical and abstract sciences aren't her forte.  Of, course, Kyell's not too enthralled with theoretical scientists, but…

  Kyell popped into the room, plopped his lanky frame across a chair, propped his feet on the edge of the conference table, and said lazily, “Whass'up?”

  Jazon grinned at his friend's nonchalance.  “At ease, Commodore…let's not stand on formalities.”

  He leaned back into the chair, rested his calves on the table, crossed his feet at the ankles, locked his hands behind his head, languidly closed his eyes and said, “Yes, Sir…if you insist.”

  Jazon smiled and shook his head.  “I know you got pretty thoroughly hooked on time-travel stories while we were on Earth, but wasn’t the subject also something of a hobby in your youth?”

  Kyell's eyelids shot open, his brow wrinkled and he ran both hands through his hair.  “Why'd ya have to bring that up, Jace? We all have skeletons in our old closets we'd rather not be reminded of.  I was just an impressionable kid!  I actually thought all the ‘mysteries of the universe' could be solved by theoretical physics.  It was such an interesting field, I even thought I might become a theoretical scientist…at least till I met some of those addle-brained so-and-sos!  I was so put off by their ‘smarter-than-thou' attitudes and nova-sized egos that I abandoned the idea of pursuing extended post-grad study in the field.  Of course, that time wasn't completely wasted, since the background didn't hurt when I decided to enter the Academy.”

  Jazon grinned at the familiar story.  “Yes. And, despite your home-spun farm-boy facade, didn't you win the top award for physics in your class?”

  Kyell winced again.  “You don’t have to remind me, Jace.  Now you're just bein' mean! It’s too late to change my checkered, misspent youth.  So what's this fedjecked third-degree grillin' got to do with the idea you had?”

  “It’s this time-travel puzzle.  It might help if I could learn the theoretical essentials.  Are you well-grounded enough on the practical, state-of-the-art theories on traveling in time to be my mentor?”

  “Whoa!  Slow down, man!  Like you said, it was just a hobby…and an aborted one at that.  I enjoyed the practical side of physics— astrogation, propulsion, stellar dynamics, force field technologies, dimensional tunnels.  Those are solid, proven things you can hang your hat on.  And I don't think there is such a thing as "practical' when it comes to those theories. This time-travel stuff's nothing but fun speculation as far as I'm concerned.  If you want state-of-the art information instead of tongue-in-cheek fantasy, you're lookin' at the wrong person!”

  “OK, point made!" Jazon laughed.  "But could you suggest someone?”

  “Would you seriously consider waking someone from hibernation?”

  “One more person isn’t likely to trigger a rash of SDs, and I believe that Hoga— whatever his motives— is trying to help.  If it could mean solving the problem, I'll chance the stray brain waves of one more person.”

  “Well, I don't know,” Kyell said, frowning.  “For a normal person, that might be true.  But these theoretical do-nothings gotta’ have abnormal brain waves.  They might make the whole cluster vanish.”

  Jazon's laughter filled the room.  “Trandic, you're a good man to have around… no matter how crazy you are.  You make it hard to stay upset.”

  “Thanks…I think.”

  Kyell paused to seriously consider Jazon's request.  “Actually, I can't suggest a specific person, but I can offer some guidelines to use in your search.  Of course, you'll need a really sharp theorist. But you also want to make sure to get someone who also has done real work— hands-on in applied science. Maybe even get someone with a dual degree, like Astrophysics and Propulsion Systems.  Practical engineering work would be a real plus, too.  You should also make sure they've had real-life teaching experience… too many of the pure theorists can't communicate well with anything but machine intelligences.  In fact, make sure they've taught at least two consecutive years at the same university.  A single year of teaching on their resume might just mean they failed miserably.”

  He ran his hands through his hair again and shrugged.  “That should help narrow it down to someone with reasonable credentials. But, seriously, don’t expect to find anything resembling a normal person…I don't think they exist in this field.”

  “That's a big help and a great start, Kyell.  Let's try it.”

  Kyell was mumbling something about “educated idiots” when Jazon's voice rang out, “CLIO?”

  “Yes, Sir?”

  He explained the search parameters, then directed the search to begin.  After a few seconds, CLIO responded.  “Search complete.  Five hundred seventy-three persons identified.  Do you wish display or print-out?”

  He let out a slow whistle and Kyell said, “Shazz! It's my worst nightmare; I had no idea so many of those arrogant eggheads existed!”

  Chuckling, Jazon ordered, “Display.”

  “Responding. Admiral, minimum legible display size requires seven panels.  Please use standard voice commands to scroll between panels.”

  The north wall vanished to be replaced by a towering light board with tiny lines of information listed across it. Jazon requested that the small print be made much larger.  As the names enlarged, they could see the lines were arranged alphabetically by last name, each with the person's planet of origin and current hibernation facility.

  CLIO's voice advised, “Admiral, sixteen frames are now required to display the full list.”

  He shook his
head.  “This won't work, Kyell.  We've got to narrow this list down more.  CLIO, listen in, but wait for confirmation before taking action on new parameters. This person would be coming to Kepren.  Maybe we should choose someone who spent time here…maybe was based here.”

  “Good idea, Jace.  Let's kick the minimum requirements up a notch, too.  make it at least three years instructing, and those years had to be teaching at the Academy— they only hire the best.  Plus at least two other instances of extended work in applied science— either government employment or research grants.  At least that'll mean someone has faith in them.”

  Jazon nodded his agreement.  “CLIO, add all those parameters.  Begin search.”

  In a moment, CLIO replied, “Search complete; list reduced to thirty-seven candidates.  Also, Admiral, Commander Agriel has just asked to speak with you.”

  “Display search results and put Agriel on audio.”

  As the names appeared onscreen, Vick's voice boomed into the room.  “Good morning, Admiral.  It's so quiet up here on the Wasp that I thought I'd see if there's anything even marginally exciting going on that I might volunteer to assist with.”

  Kyell carped, “I figgered you would'a learnt never to volunteer!  What's wrong, Vick? Did that tractor-beam of the Colossus warp you silly?  Wasn't that excitement enough to last you a lifetime?”

  “Well, Commodore, I guess some of us are hopelessly hooked on adrenaline rushes.  Isn't that one reason why you trot along so close to the heels of Admiral Ozier…because he's always nosing into the most exciting spots?”

  Before Kyell could respond, Jazon stepped in.  “Point to Vick.  Match over!”

  As both Kyell and Vick laughed, Jazon offered, “Actually, Vick, you might be able to help with the brief project we're working on right now… that is, if you'll drop the ‘Admiral' and ‘Commodore’ routine.”

   “I've got lots of time and sky-high inclination,” Vick assured him.  “So what are we up to, guys?”

  “We’re looking for a scientist to help us get up to speed on current theories of time-travel.”  Feeling a bit foolish, Jazon continued, “Please don't ask, Vick! Let's just call it a homework assignment from Hoga.  We've already done a couple of searches and narrowed the list down to a few dozen people who have already worked on Kepren, have taught for a few years, and done both theoretical work and hands-on applied science.  We were just about to go through the list.  Kyell, read it off.  Anybody who recognizes a name, call out.”

  “Aldan…Andek…Barden…Creelau…Delmik…Dristane…”

  “Hold it," Vick shouted, “I think I know that guy.  What's the first name?”

  “Kirq,” responded Kyell before Jazon could answer.  Under the threshold of the sound pickup he muttered, “Kirq the jerk.”

  As Jazon grinned, Vick exclaimed.  “Scabbus!  I thought I'd heard the last of that pompous swelled-head.  Don't get me wrong, Jazon.  He's good— very good.  Has multiple degrees and isn't the least bit shy about telling you about them, repeatedly.  One other thing.  He once mentioned he’s from Maljier, in the Caisel system— or was, since it’s one of the SDs.  He taught at the Academy for a few years, and also helped design and set up Sanctuary-1 on Alpha Byreen III.  One of the brightest people I ever met, and he really knows his stuff inside out. But I have to warn you, he’s straaange…like the eccentric scientists in the worst of those outrageous space operas.  Before he came to the Wasp to conduct his off-planet experiments, I ran into him on Chad a few times. He would sit in a bar for hours talking about nothing but science— mostly about his own theories and hypotheses.  Like I say, he's brilliant. But he'll be happy to remind you of just how brilliant he is, every chance he gets.”

  "Might you be exaggerating just a bit?" asked Jazon.

  "Not in the least," Vick insisted. "Let me give you an example. One time we were sitting at the bar and he was going on and on about how smart he is. Anyone who was nearby couldn't help but hear a lot of his ramblings. So the bartender comes up and says, 'If you're so smart, explain why the sky's blue.' I don't know if he was really curious or just wanted to challenge Dristane."

  Anyway, about half an hour later— after explaining the core principles of electromagnetics, the various frequencies of light over the entire visible color spectrum, reflection and refraction of light, the composition of the various layers of the atmosphere, and the angle of incidence of light from the sun— Dristan finished grandly with, 'And that's why the sky is blue.'"

  "That sounds like Kirq, all right," Kyell snorted.

  "Yeah... but here's the kicker," Vick continued. "The next time I went back to the bar, the same bartender came up to me and asked why the water makes ripples when you throw a rock in a pond. Before I could answer, I saw Dristane walking in, so I said, 'Here comes the genius. Why don't you ask him?' And the bartender just shook his head and said, 'No thanks... I don't want to know that much about it!'"

  Kyell laughed, “Kirq, the Jerk!”  And this time he said it loudly enough for Vick to hear.

  Vick sounded genuinely puzzled.  “Kyell, I'm not familiar with the term.  Is it a scientific sub-specialty?”.

  “Sort of,” Kyell responded straight-faced, as Jazon stifled a laugh. “Something of a universal qualification for theoretical scientists.  It’s actually a term I learned on Earth, so no sense mentioning it to Dristane.  He wouldn't know it.”

  “Don't be so sure,” Vick laughed, allowing Jazon to laugh explosively.  “According to Dristane, he knows everything!”

  Jazon collected himself and requested the full display of Dristane's work and education history. “Well, he certainly has the background, including plenty of awards.  Even toyed with SLT time-dilation effects.  And from the looks of his personal history, he's every bit as boring as Kyell expects him to be.”

  Vick and Kyell chuckled deprecatingly, and Jazon barely managed a semi-serious tone.  “Thanks, Vick.  I owe you one.  Next time it's too dull there, come down to Mathlen…I'll treat all of us to a sumptuous dinner.  That's an order!”

  “Aye-aye, Sir.  And thanks again, Jazon.  Clear.”

  Immediately, Jazon called out, “CLIO?”

  “Yes, Sir?”

  “Message to Alpha Byreen III, Sanctuary-1, Hibernation Facility Command.  Subject:  Dr. Kirqlin Dristane, Scientist.  Activity at time of hibernation induction:  Research Project KCA-43/21379, Mathlen Science Center, Kepren.  Initiate standard awakening protocol.  Upon its completion, offer the options of returning to hibernation or reporting to Kepren for a special duty role as advisor to the Fleet Admiral.  This assignment is a request, not an order.  However, make it clear that it is my strong personal desire that he accept.  Successful completion of this temporary duty may lead to the resumption of his most recent research project.  Message complete.  Send.”

  “Acknowledged, Admiral.  Sending message.  ETA is 2.14 hours.”

  Jazon turned to Kyell.  “Thanks for your help, Trandic.  Can we do any more damage here?”

  “Kretch! I hope not!"  Kyell stood, accepting the informal dismissal.  "Compared to putting up with Dristane, going back over those SD visuals for the umpteenth time seems like a romp in the hay.  I just hope we don’t end up regretting what we’ve done.”