Infinite Exploration

by D. L. Harrison

  Sometimes her devil’s advocate approach was annoying, but I counted on Cassie to be my conscience to a certain extent. Both to make sure I didn’t go too far, and her argumentative approach made me carefully think through and consider my positions. More than once, her approach had changed my mind. Times like these though, her approach just made me surer that I was in the right.

  Cassie nodded, “Time will tell, but I admit the future looks bright for Astraeus, even if we have to go our own way. Would you ever leave Sol for our planet?”

  I frowned, “I don’t like that idea, that would mean we’d be out of the U.N. and no longer a country on Earth. I can stand a little tension, if it means we have influence there and can keep an eye on what our human allies and detractors are up to. With jump drives, it wouldn’t be any safer in another solar system anyway. It’d just be an illusion of safety with distance.”

  Jessica said, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.”

  I smiled, “Exactly. Plus, my sister would kill me, since a big part of our economy depends on it. If we’re not in Sol, it’d be harder to attract tourists for the station’s and our world’s resorts. There’s also the matter of our trading alliances, a lot of meetings with alien merchants happen on our station because Earth doesn’t want them in close orbit. Even if the U.N. is mean to us, there’s too many reasons to stay to even consider it.”

  Cassie said, “I agree.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The next morning, I started the last split for the build in the void, in just two days we could take down the Mirelak. After that, my building would happen in other universes, so this kind of thing didn’t happen again.

  Cassie said, “As I expected, the U.N. approved your current approach. They also expressed being disturbed by your secretiveness, as some expressed the belief that you’d have never told the rest of humanity about the threat of the Mirelak if your build efforts hadn’t been spotted by chance, and an accounting of that fleet buildup is being demanded. They wish to be informed of all threats against us as they’re discovered, they also want to know what we’re doing on humanity’s behalf in defense of our territory.”

  “So… they think I might have other secret programs going on past our borders?”

  She nodded, “Something like that. They appointed a U.N. inspector team to come up and discuss it with you.”

  “So, you can handle that?”

  She glared, and I grinned.

  “The resolution states you need to reveal what’s going on at and past the border, as it relates to your actions in keeping us safe.”

  I nodded, “Good, they actually said that, beyond the border?”

  Jessica asked, “Why is that good?”

  I grinned, “Because when I don’t tell them about threats and our efforts in other universes, I won’t technically be violating that resolution.”

  Cassie giggled, then glared.

  “Yes, there is that, but it will put us in a precarious position if it’s ever discovered. You’d be within the technical bounds of the resolution, but not the spirit of it.”

  I nodded, “Are you suggesting I spill the beans?”

  Cassie shook her head almost violently, “No, but it’s something to be aware of. At some point another country with the jump drive, once they have everything China has and can fully access and change all the software, will figure out how to go to other universes. Chances are they’ll find your fleets one day.”

  I frowned, “Maybe, but I don’t want to have that argument now. That it’s okay to help other humanities and should be considered extended self-defense on the species level. We’ll keep an eye on their efforts, and if it seems likely they’re making the breakthrough we’ll come clean.”

  Jessica said, “So what will you tell them?”

  I smirked, “Nothing, or at least I’ll tell them nothing new. We don’t have any other hidden programs. Sure, top secret technologies, but the resolution wasn’t to turn over my technical ability, just what we were doing with it outside of the seventy-six galaxies of our protected territory. They already know everything we’re doing, in this universe anyway, if not how, which wasn’t part of the resolution.

  “Probably because they knew I’d have balked if ordered to disclose my full military and tactical capabilities to the rest of humanity. I don’t see a reason to argue about it either. If we find another imminent or future threat against humanity out there, we will disclose it to the U.N. along with what we plan to do about it. I’m just not revealing how, our stealth network stays top secret.”

  Cassie asked, “Not tempted at all, to brag or show off how you’ve been saving billions of humans from exploitation or destruction every other day?”

  I shook my head, “I don’t need their recognition. I have yours and the rest of my family for that. What about you, Darrell? Want to be known by the rest of humanity?”

  Darrell said, “That would be unwise on many levels.”

  I nodded, “Agreed, your existence should be classified as long as possible, if not indefinitely. I just didn’t want to assume and make decisions for you.”

  He replied, “I work for you.”

  I smiled, “I know, and as president I’m your boss, but sentient beings can quit their jobs. You’re not just a computer, Darrell. I don’t, I can’t, own you. I trust you with my life, and more importantly and significantly I trust you with Melody’s life. If you ever chose another destiny, I’d wish you luck and regret your departure, but I wouldn’t fight it.”

  Darrell said, “That is appreciated, but unnecessary.”

  The conversation died there. My fleet wasn’t the only one to start a new build, as ten more stealth fleets were finished a few hours earlier and jumped into other universes to check things out.

  “So, what did you have for us today?”

  The table came alive with data. There was another universe with the Vrok and Stolthrim space presence to wipe out and set up another territory. Those universes were incredibly common for some reason. We also found another universe that the Keldet multi-universe empire had obviously assisted with powerful weapons and shields. In that universe we did nothing, since the Earth there hadn’t been under imminent threat, but it was probably just a matter of time. Darrell would keep an eye on it for us.

  There was also another evil me universe, where we took the same actions. Took out evil me, and we split the space station by six times, uploaded the trade databases and living world locations, as well as some basic ship designs. In that universe, the U.S. and China didn’t shoot down the initial shuttles sent their way like in the first one, so they got to claim two of the stations in that universe. Of course, in that universe we didn’t need a territory, it was already covered by evil me Earth ships which the countries took over. We would leave the stealth network there though, just in case they ran into big trouble in the future.

  It was even a little depressing, we were in a lot of universes at that point, and so far this one was the only one where both Diana and I had survived and gotten together to birth a genius daughter with technomancy. Maybe that was a good thing, or there’d be a lot of versions of me running around and interfering in other universes. Still, it was just a matter of time until I found one, wasn’t it?

  I also dealt with the inspection team that day. I even shared all the data we had on the Mirelak, though I didn’t share we had stealth technology and they didn’t ask. I also honestly told them I had no other programs going on outside of our territory, neither to find dangers to humanity or for any other reason.

  I professed that I would openly share any new developing programs outside of our territory, and I’d share any threats I ran across and my plans to deal with it before acting. I wasn’t sure if they believed me, but they seemed to.

  I didn’t so much see what I left out as deceptive, but considered it merely being circumspect. Eventually I’d have to explain what I’d been doing in other universes, but I figured it would be many years if not decades befor
e another scientist pursued quantum theory with the same exhaustive and dogged approach my daughter had.

  Melody was still researching. I didn’t think she’d stop until she understood how it all worked.

  Two days later, and we acted in two more universes again. I supposed that would happen every other day for the rest of my life. Fortunately, I suspected other races and even other versions of me mucking about in other universes would be rare. Outside of the Keldet’s multi-verse empire we hadn’t found another yet.

  Then, it was time to deal with the Mirelak.

  “Darrell, let’s target each ship with a hundred of ours. Have them open up fifty singularities on each side of their ships along the length. One would probably do it, but they might be able to launch fighters before the singularity could pull in and crush the entire ship. This way their fighters will be swallowed up to during launch, if they manage to launch before being destroyed.”

  That was only three million of our one point six quadrillion ships, so we certainly had enough to make it happen.

  “After that, attack the fifteen quadrillion fighters left at your discretion.”

  Darrell said, “Will do. I’ll add one more at the front, just in case the singularities directly across from each other flanking the ship doesn’t tear the ship apart but creates a neutral gravity field between them. It would swallow any launched ships, and the one in front will swallow the whole ship from bow to stern in that event.”

  Huh, I didn’t even think of that possibility.

  “Sounds good.”

  Darrell said, “Engaging now.”

  Some of the huge ships were torn apart violently, a piece of the ship being sucked into a hundred different singularities at once. Some ships followed Darrell’s theoretically worry, the opposing gravity forces created a manmade Lagrange point of sorts which the ship sat in, but in those cases the extra wormhole in the front sucked it out from between the hundred singularities and swallowed it whole.

  Those ships did manage to launch ships before it was completely consumed from the stern landing bays. The A.I.s were very fast and acted instantly, but the other singularities ate them as I’d planned.

  Then all one point six quadrillion ships jumped to separate targets. The advantage to having a version of Darrell in each and every scout destroyer made it possible. The first disintegration attack took out almost three quadrillion ships, as on average each scout destroyer managed to jump into range of three different enemy ships.

  After that, it was a one on one process, as each of my ships needed to take out six more.

  The enemy ships were fast, and many of my ships were hit with beams more powerful than our own, but they died so quickly under the disintegration beam it hardly mattered. With the jump drive and superior weapons, the days of plodding battles in space were long gone.

  In less than ten more seconds, the battle was over, and we hadn’t lost a single ship.

  Darrell sent all the ships to other universes, save fifty trillion to remain in this universe as my visible fleet in the void. Those numbers would slowly go up over time, fifty trillion in each universe we had a protected territory in. It was overkill, no doubt about it, but the universes were a very dangerous place. It was just a matter of time until we found another true threat.

  The other fifty trillion split up to take out the rest of their infrastructure, and of course I used my magic to learn about their more powerful shields and beams, and I sent it to Diana.

  Shortly, we’d be two upgrades ahead of our competition. The Mirelak’s shields and weapons weren’t a threat against our more exotic weapons, but every little bit helped.

  It was almost too easy, but if I got overconfident, I just had to remind myself of the Vrok and Keldet, even the Grays. There was no pinnacle of technology.

  I wasn’t sure what was next. Humanity was flourishing, we had strong allies, and with Darrell’s help we were doing more good out in the wider multiverse than I ever dreamed possible.

  My daughter was just getting started, and Diana’s brilliance hadn’t dulled at all either. We’d keep pushing the envelope, the more we did, the safer we’d be.

  It was a hell of a time to be alive.

  Afterword:

  I hope you enjoyed this story, if you did please leave a review. Reviews are the lifeblood of independent authors, and I would greatly appreciate any constructive feedback or opinions.

  This was the final book in the second arc of the Technomancer series and Scott’s story is complete in this universe.

  About the Author: If you have any comments or suggestions you can send me an email at dlharrisonauthor@gmail.com If you like my work, or even if you don’t, please consider leaving a review of this book. I can also be found at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7456808.D_L_Harrison

  Other books by D. L. Harrison:

  http://www.amazon.com/author/dlharrison

  The Formerly Dark Mage, by D. L. Harrison – This stand-alone fantasy book follows the life of Silvia and takes place in a world unique and separate to our own.

  Silvia is a dark mage. Unfortunately, she finds herself about to be sacrificed. Someone must have told her evil master about her plans to kill him and take over. After that, things just seem to go downhill. She has no choice but to escape the kingdom of Zual, something that to her knowledge has never been done before. She will need to deal with many issues she never had to face before.

  Among those issues, the white mages, and her conscience.

  The Rise of a Dark Mage - This stand-alone fantasy book follows the life of Cassandra, it takes place in the same world as The Formerly Dark Mage, but happens three hundred years later, long after Silvia is gone and some shocking changes have taken place in the world.

  Cassandra is a dark mage in the kingdom of Zual, she’s also a mage prodigy.

  She hates both her kingdom, and her master. She wants him dead, not to take his place, but so she can leave and explore the world. Her ambition will drive her to rediscover the secrets of the strongest of magic.

  She is determined to succeed, or she’ll die trying.

  Celia Winters Novel Series

  Witch’s Moon: A Celia Winters Novel Book 1

  Celia Winters was raised by her single mother, and her earliest memories are of the store her mother owns and the nearby coven, who have always been her family’s close allies and friends.

  She grew up believing her magic was weak, but she was satisfied with her life, and happy. She was a midwife, healer, and supplier of surrounding covens.

  Then her mother died, and she’s about to discover she isn’t who, or what, she believes herself to be, not completely. She will learn that her entire life up until now was a lie. She’ll need to figure out her place, who she is when she no longer recognizes herself, and try to hold on to her closest friends as she gathers enemies for the simple crime of her existence.

  She’s stronger than she believes, but will it be enough?

  Power of Air Series:

  Just a Psychic: The Power of Air Book One starts off this series.

  Ben has grown up with missing memories of his early childhood.

  He has known he was a psychic since his earliest memories, seeing the future and gaining knowledge with his gifts.

  Is it possible he isn't just a psychic?

  Ben's world is about to be turned upside down as he turns twenty-one, all is not as it seems.

  Alicia Jones novels is a series that follows a bright young inventor and scientist named Alicia Jones. It is a space opera and light science fiction.

  The first book is titled First Contact:

  Alicia Jones is a genius, and a little odd. At just twenty-three years of age, she is close to finishing her doctoral dissertation. But when she tests her latest theory in the lab to generate a strong EM field, it has very unanticipated results. Results that lead to faster than light travel, and first contact with another race.

  Her life just gets more complicated after that, when she finds out wh
o she really is, and that the universe may not be as nice a place as she’d been told. Her determination to help keep Earth safe takes her to places more dangerous and strange than she’d ever envisioned.

  Spirit Sorceress series, by D. L. Harrison is a new urban fantasy series. Miku is a spirit sorceress who spent the last one hundred years growing up and learning about her power in the forests near Seattle Washington. She’s about to make her debut in the big city, but not in a way she ever expected.

  The first book is titled Spirit Sorceress:

  Miku is a spirit sorceress who spent her unusually long childhood in the forest away from the city with her mother and father. After tragedy strikes, she finds herself alone and on her own. She knows that one day she’ll need to move to Seattle, and fully accept her birthright, and if necessary finish her training on her own.

  But before she’s ready, and still in grieving, a rogue vampire and his band come along and change everything. She’ll need to learn her new place in the world, and find some allies quick if she’s to survive.

  Katrina Baker Novels, by D. L. Harrison is a new series about a super named Katrina Baker. Problem is, she gets caught up in her mother’s plan, who is a mad scientist and supervillain, and gets herself transported to another world in the multi-verse. A world where mages, witches, clerics, and the gods are real. Not to mention the monsters…

  The first book is titled Banished:

  Katrina baker is a super. She has mental abilities such as telekinesis, telepathy, and others. Her parents are supervillains, and she isn’t all that sure she’s cut out for that line of work. Her empathy with others through her power makes it hard to be uncaring, much less mean or evil to people. Problem is, the last thing she wants to do is disappoint mom and dad.

  Katrina gets caught up in her mother’s supervillain plot to get rid the world of the indestructible hero Omega, and that’s when it all goes really wrong, and she finds herself on another world.