Dark Nights

by Christopher A. Gray

  “Mekhos designed a new fuel-efficient engine that is capable of pushing the ship to a delta-V of 70 kilometers per second.”

  Doug and Singh were again speechless. Singh let his palms thud on the table.

  “That’s impossible! Why, the fuel requirement alone—”

  Bertrand cut Singh off, tapping his Raim for a time readout.

  “Gentlemen, please. I am sorry, but I must report for further debriefing,” Bertrand said with finality as he got up to leave.

  “I hope you and your group will attend the afternoon presentation. More information about my planet and Mekhos will be revealed,” he said, as Doug and Singh watched him walk out, escorted by a pair of agents.

  Bertrand is quite good at making a dramatic exit, Doug thought, and that usually means that the person is trying to exert control and direction.

  – 28 –

  Cheryl McBride needed some time alone. She told Bishop that she wasn’t feeling well and needed a quiet space to rest a moment. After all, in addition to the physical stress of once again being exposed to gravity after several weeks of weightlessness, her group hadn’t been given a moment’s rest since arriving on Earth. Bishop escorted her to a small rest area in the debriefing building.

  Bishop opened the door for Cheryl. “This room has a small couch,” he said. “Will twenty minutes do? If you need anything much longer than that I’ll need to clear it, and take you to the medical staff.”

  “Forty minutes will be better. I’ve experienced this exhaustion before, I just need some time in a quiet room and I will be fine, thanks.” Bishop hesitated but nodded, then closed the door and stood in the hall. He spoke quietly into his comm.

  Cheryl stood in the middle of the room. After a moment she sat on the couch and tapped her bracelet.

  Thirty-six minutes later her bracelet chimed. She looked down to read the text.

  At the forty minute mark Bishop was about to knock on the door when Cheryl emerged. He thought she looked as if she had been crying.

  – 29 –

  Doug, Janet, Singh, Wilson and Nayar were all in attendance at the briefing, along with some other scientific consultants and personnel but few general staffers and no aides. The group had been thinned, with those present having been given increased security clearance. Even with their enhanced clearance, Wilson still mused to the others that what they were about to hear might be a shortened version compared to what the White House was told, or at the very least, less than the whole truth from FLO.

  “You’re probably right on the second point,” Nayar responded. “But it wouldn’t be in the best interests of the White House to censor information it gives its own science teams. We all have high security clearance now.”

  “But maybe not the highest clearance,” Wilson cautioned him.

  Doug hadn’t seen Cheryl since their first discussion. She was seated behind a long table facing the gathering with the rest of the Envoy panel, along with Leach and Stacey. Cheryl looked different, almost as if she was frowning slightly. Janet was sitting beside him. Doug briefly wondered what each woman was thinking.

  Leach addressed the room. He outlined how the President and high-level staff had met that morning with the Envoy to discuss future directions for relations between the two planets. Ambassadors from various countries had been in attendance, a few in person but most via com link. In any case there would be future discussions between the two United Nations and key individual governments on both planets.

  Most of what Leach had to say were generalizations, but he did mention that FLO’s governments were more centralized, with a world currency and several open borders that went far beyond the various trade agreements on Earth. The resulting process tended to simplify things on FLO.

  Then there was some discussion about the supercomputer technology on FLO. The speed at which operations could be carried out, meant that even their first-generation quantum computer had been millions of times faster than the fastest silicon-based supercomputers on Earth.

  As the computer discussion went into more depth one member of the Envoy, a software engineer named Dr. Alfred Chan, took over the podium.

  “Properly utilizing the quantum environment so true coherence can be sustained long enough so that calculations can be executed, requires the system to be completely isolated from the outside,” Chan said. “Thus in 1996 our first generation qubit computer was not without problems. It could only operate for a few seconds at a time before quantum decoherence – that is, the point at which errors can no longer be corrected and therefore overwhelm the system to the point of collapse – rendered the operation useless. But the concept was sound and applying the machine itself to solving the decoherence problem resulted in a second generation computer the following year that operated near flawlessly.

  “When the second quantum computer had been operating for several months, we made the amazing discovery that the CPU was responding and inquiring as though it had achieved some degree of sentience. What we realized after a surprisingly brief period of testing, was that the quantum computer appeared to have achieved true artificial intelligence, a machine that was far greater than the sum of its parts. It was becoming self-aware and able to interact with human beings on an equal if immature footing. We were surprised at any evidence of sentient behavior. Our understanding is grounded in intelligence which results from complex biology, not complex hardware. Unfortunately the greater computational demands of this self-awareness again brought the problem of quantum decoherence into play, and the CPU began behaving erratically, eventually shutting down.”

  Doug was spellbound, but knowing of Nayar’s interest he glanced over at the software engineer. Nayar also appeared rapt at the idea of the sentient Machine. The walls of the room could have collapsed at that moment and few of them would have noticed.

  Dr. Chan looked around the room before continuing. He half expected some shouted questions, but none came. He realized at that moment that his silent, attentive audience was experiencing the same revelations he and his colleagues experienced when they were faced with the realization that a new artificial intelligence was evolving. Nothing would ever be the same again.

  “By that time work was well underway on the third generation quantum computer, much of which had been designed by its predecessor with additional safeguards against quantum decoherence. The result is the QC we have now, and which we call Mekhos. It was able to predict the effect of a red-giant supernova mere hours before the event, at which time a gamma ray burst would have obliterated life on our planet. Mekhos saved us by employing a quantum jump of the entire planet from my original universe into yours.

  “If you were to ask me precisely how this was done, I would have to admit that we don’t fully know. Mekhos has taken to inventing new applied mathematics, some of which are beyond our understanding. Mekhos has tried explaining the process to us, but it is possible we may never grasp the fine details of this accomplishment. I can tell you however that to some extent Mekhos was able to select a universe, one having similar properties to our own, through the application of its formula. This prevented us from transiting to an uninhabitable universe, which might have resulted in our instant destruction. And we have seen that while the red giant star is also present in this universe, its rotational axis is not precisely aligned with this solar system. So even if the star goes nova, the gamma ray burst will not be directed here.

  “Since the gamma ray burst was a deadly but short-term effect, you may ask why Mekhos didn’t return us to our original universe once the danger had passed. As I hinted earlier, the entire procedure entails great risk. While the mathematics allow transfer into a similar universe, they do not allow for the precision necessary to select an exact one ‒ we could not go back to our unique universe, nor even be certain of another safe transference.

  “Now, regarding our orbit. The astrophysicists in the room will know that a counter orbit around the sun is inherently unstable. Normally this would result in a collision between
our two planets within the next few decades.”

  Doug caught Foley’s eye from across the aisle. This fact had troubled both men for weeks. Dr. Chan continued.

  “Mekhos is able to make regular small corrections to our own orbit, making it stable for both planets. This means we will be able to co-exist in this counter orbit indefinitely.”

  Doug was impressed, but also unnerved. Mekhos can control the orbit of a planet, he thought. Which means the thing also must be able to tap or generate and control an enormous amount of power.

  “This concludes my portion of the presentation, thank you.”

  Nayar and a few others blurted out questions but Chan ignored them as he moved to sit down, replaced at the podium by Dr. Bertrand.

  “I know you have many questions for Dr. Chan, but we must remain on schedule. I will attempt to impress upon you the benefits we have enjoyed during the past several years.”

  Bertrand paused and took a sip of water, nodding at familiar faces and acknowledging some of the Earth scientists with whom he spent even brief one-on-one moments. He included Doug. Bertrand knew how to work an audience, to hold attention.

  “Because it is a supremely intelligent entity, unfettered by greed or emotion, Mekhos has been able to successfully formulate economic policy so that the traditional cyclical extremes, along with their resulting hardships, no longer occur. Spin-off benefits are increased political stability with reduced international conflict, allowing countries to better distribute resources. Poverty has been greatly reduced, literacy rates have gone up, and the standard of living has increased across the globe.”

  Bertrand spent the next half hour singing the praises of his society. It sounded as if he was trying to sell the idea of a quantum computer on Earth. But why bother with the effort? Any country would sell its soul to obtain the most powerful computer in existence. No sales pitch needed. FLO could demand any price. But FLO planned to give everyone access to the QC. Or maybe not. Bertrand hadn’t stated it as fact.

  – 30 –

  The entire briefing lasted three hours. The audience was able to mingle with the Envoy group for a short time afterward, but they were in such demand it was difficult to speak with any of them for more than a couple of minutes at a time. Nayar managed to corner Chan for a brief time before Bertrand took Chan aside.

  Doug saw Cheryl talking to Leach. When she saw him she excused herself and walked over. He noticed she walked with a limp.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “None of us have had a free moment since getting here. And I won’t be free for dinner. Can we get together later, say at 2100?”

  “Absolutely,” Doug replied. “Are you all right?”

  “Your doctors tell me I have arthritis in both ankles. Carl has learned he has high blood pressure. Alfred is complaining of mild hearing loss. I guess 40 is the new 50 when you’re an astronaut,” Cheryl said with a smile.

  They chatted for a moment, and then the Envoy was ushered out for yet another private meeting with senior White House staff and representatives from several countries who seemed now to be physically stationed at Andrews.

  – 31 –

  Afterward Cheryl met Doug in the visitors mess where he had just finished a coffee. An agent had accompanied her but sat a few feet away.

  Cheryl said she wanted to relax in a hot tub, the kind with water jets, and asked if there were any facilities on the base. Doug told her about a physiotherapy whirlpool in one of the exercise facilities, and that they would need permission to use it. Going to his room was out of the question. Each member of the Envoy was escorted or at least shadowed by an agent at all times. He suggested they relax in the base library, but she was adamant about needing to unwind in a whirlpool. Doug didn’t remember his Cheryl professing any enjoyment at being in a hot tub or sauna or whirlpool of any kind.

  He talked to Agent Bishop about permission to use the whirlpool. Bishop cleared it through security almost immediately. It seemed that since Doug was friendly with a member of the Envoy it was easier to gain access to some of the areas that were normally restricted to regular base personnel. Nevertheless, Bishop warned him. “The whirlpool is for her alone. Keep your distance.”

  Doug had no doubt they’d be under surveillance every moment anyway. He was about to reassure Bishop, then stopped himself. His exposure to security agents over the past few weeks had given him insight about their efficient, direct way of communicating. It was better to just nod sharply and confirm the instruction.

  – 32 –

  Doug turned his back while Cheryl put on a one-piece bathing suit.

  “Thanks,” she said after she finished changing.

  When Doug turned around he noticed she was still wearing the plastic Raim bracelet.

  “Don’t you need to remove that?” he asked.

  “No, it’s waterproof.” She didn’t speak again until she was in the whirlpool. “Could you turn the water jets on, please?”

  Doug did so, then pulled a folding chair over to the edge of the pool opposite Cheryl. He sat in the chair and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped together.

  “These bracelets can’t be removed easily,” Cheryl said while keeping her arm with the bracelet submerged. “Every citizen has the option of applying for a removal key, but keys were forbidden for our trip here. Mekhos and the government wish to have a complete record of what transpires, and that includes private conversations. Our removal keys were confiscated immediately after our selection as Envoy members, well before our departure. Carl Bertrand is the only one of our group who was allowed to retain his removal key, though I’m not sure why.”

  Doug found the idea of always-on surveillance troubling. He didn’t like the idea of his personal feelings being broadcast to government minders, here or on another planet.

  “You mean everything we say is transmitted live, as we speak?”

  “The bracelet is used as a transceiver at home. Here on the Twin, data is stored in the Raim and periodically uploaded to the ship and then transmitted back home.”

  “Can it pick up our voices when it’s underwater?”

  “Yes, if the water is still. It can also register my own voice through vibrations in my body when I speak, but I’m holding my wrist in front of a water jet. The turbulence hitting the bracelet masks my voice, even the vibrations.”

  Doug stared at her. He suddenly realized that he had been maneuvered into the situation because of his well-known virtual connection to this Cheryl. He felt foolish and guilty, sitting as he was with a replica of a woman he had once loved, while the body of the woman he had truly loved was buried in a cemetery only two hours drive away. He wanted to get away at that moment, but his conflicted feelings hardly mattered. This Cheryl obviously had something to say and seemed to be trying to show him that she was risking her own protocols to do so. He steadied his breathing before he spoke.

  “What are we doing here?”

  “We’re here because I need to tell you something. We know we’re being watched and we know someone is always listening. We came here to see this vibrant world, with so many innocent people, innocent children. It is so similar to our own. It is Mekhos that has brought us to your reality. It is Mekhos that has created this plan for the survival of my world. We are not party to what it has planned.”

  He looked at her intently. She paused, as if reconsidering.

  “What is it?” he said. “What danger does FLO pose to Earth?”

  Cheryl remained silent just a few moments too long. Her eyes had been downcast, but she lifted her gaze to stare directly at Doug. He suddenly felt cold.

  “Your observatories will find out eventually. For the past few weeks our two planets have been directly opposite, with no way to observe each other from the ground.”

  “Right, but that will change as orbital eccentricity comes into play, and the planets will be briefly visible to each other. About two months time.”

  “And your space-based telescopes have been preoccupie
d with taking close-up images of FLO.”

  “Cheryl, what are you trying to say?”

  Another pause.

  “My Earth…” she said finally, “FLO… has no Moon. It wasn’t transported with us to your universe.”

  Doug thought for a moment. He had raised the question to Stacey Lau early on, but with so much happening in the interim he had almost forgotten about it. He just assumed – they had all assumed – that FLO’s moon was there, but that the smaller body was being obscured by the Sun’s coronal halo interfering even with space-based telescopes.

  “Okay,” Doug said slowly. “I assume that was no small oversight. Where are you going with this?”

  “Mekhos ran simulation after simulation for transferring us to this universe, but given the urgency of the situation it’s entirely possible Mekhos didn’t even think about the Moon. Or it didn’t have time to include the calculations necessary to transfer the Moon with us before the gamma ray burst was due to arrive. Or it didn’t have sufficient power available. We just don’t know.”

  “And you’re saying that without the stabilizing effect of the Moon, FLO’s axial tilt may eventually become unstable, playing havoc with the climate. But that probably won’t happen for twenty thousand years, if ever. You shouldn’t be in any danger.”

  Cheryl shook her head.

  “No,” she said firmly. “You don’t understand. The Moon had been present since life began on Earth. I mean on FLO. Countless insect, animal and marine species depend on its light and monthly cycles. Mating habits, seasonal migration. Now without the Moon’s illumination our nights are totally dark. And we have no tides! Think about this. Twice a day coastal areas experienced tides. Over hundreds of thousands of years so many marine and coastal species evolved to rely on them. Some more than others, but the effects of their absence are devastating for key areas of the food chain. Some coral reefs are collapsing because microscopic animal life is no longer present. The effects are happening on land as well ‒ pollination for one. Some crops are not germinating. Countless plant and animal species – nocturnal and many others – directly or indirectly depended on the Moon for their life cycles. Many nocturnal species are being decimated without moonlight by which to hunt and forage. They cannot adapt so quickly. And then there are the earthquakes.”