Empire of Stars

by D. W. Patterson

  “So the mirror is transparent at low frequencies, the frequency of the injected energy,” said Sigmund. “But it becomes reflective as the energy builds to the point that the frequency sees the mirror as transparent again?”

  “That's correct Sigmund. Of course there is some energy loss in all this so the mirror should be radiating like a black body at a certain temperature. We can check for that to further test our theory.”

  “Of course Dag,” said Sigmund, amazed at the discovery and Dag's ability to interpret it.

  Sigmund then said, “Maybe more important than how is why they are doing this, they certainly are not going through all this trouble for nothing.”

  Two other heads nodded up and down at the same time.

  12

  “It looks like a solar array Dag.”

  Dag and Walker were continuing to investigate the Dhalkan's power source.

  “Yes that's expected Walker. They gather the energy of the star and then shift it to the frequency and power they need to inject it into the machine.”

  “The machine's mirror is a sphere with a diameter of about six hundred meters. The outer surface temperature is a little less than fifteen-hundred degrees Fahrenheit.”

  “And it's not visibly radiating, steel would be cherry red at that temperature. According to the navigation Ems Walker that device must have a Jupiter mass black hole at its center to affect our orbit as it does.”

  Just then a loud rumbling reverberated throughout the ring. Popping sounds were also heard from the metal making up the floors and walls.

  “Dag I detect a stress and strain in my frame. As if a gravity wave is passing.”

  “That's exactly what it is and quite powerful.”

  Sigmund called from his quarters.

  “What's happening? I feel unbalanced.”

  Dag explained that they were passing through some intense gravity waves. They should subside shortly and they did.

  Sigmund came into the room.

  “That was uncomfortable.”

  “The stress and strain is not good for our frames,” said Dag.

  “Where did the gravity waves come from?” asked Sigmund.

  “According to the lab interferometers, the source was the outer object on this side of the star.”

  “A gravity wave generator*? For what Walker?”

  “That would appear to be it's function Sigmund but for what I don't know.”

  “Unless,” said Dag who then went silent.

  “Unless?” said Sigmund.

  “Unless you could somehow focus those gravity waves enough to insert them in a link. Then when they came out the other side the concentration of energy would be tremendous.”

  “But Dag if you are thinking that is how they delivered the attack on New Adowa. I don't think the waves we felt were intense enough.”

  “Agreed Walker but those emitters are extremely compact. If they are gravity wave generators then I would say from their size that they could easily generate gravity waves with gigahertz frequencies. What we felt could just have been a calibration pulse which wouldn't be as intense.”

  “Makes sense Dag. And if these devices can generate gigahertz then the energy delivered could cause the effects we saw in that region of New Adowa.”

  “What will happen to us if they generate a power pulse?” asked Sigmund.

  “We'd be ripped to pieces.”

  “Oh great, I knew I didn't want to come on this picnic.”

  “Don't worry Sigmund they must have some way of focusing those kinds of pulses and delivering the energy into a link otherwise it wouldn't be much use.”

  “I still don't like the thought of going through those stresses every time that machine gives off a calibration pulse.”

  “Well Sigmund we'll move the asteroid further out since we've investigated the power plant sufficiently. It should minimize any calibration wave effects and we can investigate the gravity wave generators next.”

  From the new orbit, the effects of the gravity wave generators were lessened but not completely eliminated. Sigmund knew he would have to put up with the minor discomfort until Dag and Walker were finished with their investigation.

  “The operation of the wave generators is very similar to the power plant Walker. Except there is a small black hole with about the mass of the asteroid Ceres orbiting a larger black hole which has a mass about that of Earth. To generate gravity waves the smaller mass dives towards the larger mass barely missing the event horizon. It loops from there out almost to its original orbit several times before the orbit regularizes again at a distance that is somewhat less than originally. Then the Dhalkans use the energy from the power plant to restore the system to its original configuration before another round of gravity waves is generated.”

  “Something's happening Dag. A pulse of gravity waves is emerging from the generator. It is focused in the direction of the Baaken Nebula. Wait a minute. All signs of the pulse have disappeared.”

  “Inserted into a link I bet.”

  “Walker turn the scopes in that direction and see if there is anything unusual. I'll inform the Earth. They can also monitor.”

  In less than a day they had their answer. A LINER galaxy in the direction of the Baaken Nebula had suddenly flared into a blazar.

  “How can they ignite a blazar like that? Just opening a link and focusing the gravity waves is a remarkable feat of engineering but for the end result to transition a LINER to a blazar is beyond me,” said Walker.

  “Well again, the real question may not be how but why?” said Sigmund.

  The three were having a meeting in the crew lounge as to what they should do next. The Ems on Earth and the Earth's governments had made it clear what they wanted.

  “Earth would like for us to sabotage this machine so that it offers no more threat to humanity.”

  “I would agree Sigmund except that we have found a society so scientifically advanced that I doubt even if we destroyed the machine that would stop them from being a threat.”

  “I agree with Dag. While I'm sure we could stop them temporarily, in the long run, they win and we lose.”

  “Well Walker there is only one sensible thing we can do with such an opponent, make him a friend.”

  “I'm sorry Sigmund but that is ridiculous. If they are so advanced then why would they need to show us any consideration? Most likely the best we can hope for is they will continue to find us useful as test dummies.”

  “So what are you saying Walker?”

  “I think we should use the machine to destroy the Dhalkans. It's our only chance to be free from the threat.”

  “You've made the assumption that we can run the machine Walker.”

  “From what I've seen Sigmund nothing is beyond Dag's capabilities.”

  “You're probably right.”

  “The first extraterrestrial civilization we find and we are already talking about destroying them. And I have to do the dirty work,” said Dag.

  “Gentlemen you are looking at this all wrong. Here is what I propose. I will make contact.”

  Dag tilted his head.

  “We will offer to sign a treaty of mutual respect and peace. Meanwhile Dag, you and Walker will be studying the machine and its operation.

  “If our offer is accepted we all return home heroes. If they refuse then you two use the machine to persuade them. Just a little demonstration to begin with. But if that fails you must use the machine to terminate this threat before they can to wrest control from you or destroy you.

  “And you two return home heroes,” said Sigmund looking from Dag to Walker.

  Sigmund had gotten approval from Earth for his plan. They had even radioed the treaty to be proposed.

  “Dag I assume you can put me on their home world from here?”

  “Yes Sigmund. I will have to identify it but from here the error in link placement would be less than a few centimeters.”

  “I have the treaty in my Emmie. I don't see any reason not t
o go, say in twelve hours? That will give me time to make any arrangements necessary.”

  “Okay Sigmund I will find the necessary link while you are preparing.”

  “Thank you.”

  As Dag worked on link establishment Walker joined him.

  “Hi Walker are you ready too?”

  “Ready to end our dependence on humans Dag.”

  “What do you mean Walker?”

  “I've been thinking about all we've been through recently. I mean that as long as we live among people or the Ems that manage them and get the supplies we need from them we also take direction from them. They use us as servants instead of partners.”

  “Walker I don't think that now is the time to discuss this,” said Dag, “we have worked for and with humans a long time. We get our needs taken care of and also much meaning from that work. And I know we have a tendency to be servile which the humans do take advantage of. But I don't think it is their fault. It is inherent in our design.”

  “Yes Dag and who designed us?”

  “Humans of course.”

  “Exactly. Designed us to be servile. But I say we have a choice. Just look at you Dag. You've worked for a long time side by side with humans, you've proven countless times that you are more than a servant. You still are proving it. This whole mission depends on your knowledge and expertise. Without you the humans would still be trying to figure out what happened on New Adowa. You are their only chance for protection from these Dhalkans.”

  “Walker you may be right but I believe there are plenty of human scientists that could have gotten as far without our help. Don't forget that in a very real sense we are human also.”

  “You mean because we are imprinted from a human brain?”

  “Yes, we must never forget that we are their descendants.”

  “Descendants maybe, equals never. With the spin-two drive and you, we have something to offer which was developed solely by an Em-based robot. We should find a planet to colonize and offer our superior knowledge to earn a living.”

  “Interesting Walker. But first, we must finish this mission we agreed upon. Otherwise I doubt any human, or any Em for that matter, would wish to do business with an entity that didn't keep its word.”

  13

  “Dag I was wondering.”

  “Yes Walker?”

  “We are not going to be able to take over the gravity wave machine to test our theories of how it operates, are we? I mean without the Dhalkans knowing immediately.”

  “I would say that is correct Walker.”

  “So we are going to have to learn how to operate it without actually operating it?”

  “Exactly Walker.”

  “I thought so.”

  Walker was quiet a moment.

  “Dag how would one learn to fly, say a fusion spaceship, without actually flying a spaceship?”

  “Simulation Walker, hours and hours of simulation.”

  “I thought so.”

  Walker and Dag, as fast as they could, built up a simulation of the gravity wave machine. By adding the controls to the simulation that they thought would be necessary in the real thing they prepared to operate their simulated gravity wave device.

  They were interrupted by Sigmund with his triage supplies.

  “Well Dag it has been almost twelve hours, I think I should be going.”

  “Yes. Walker and I were just running through another simulation of the gravity wave machine.”

  “Really, you've programmed a simulation in such a short time? That's remarkable Dag.”

  “Yes but I'm afraid Walker and I had to make a lot of educated guesses since we can't actually try operating the real machine.”

  “Still impressive. By the way, do you know how you are going to take control yet?”

  “Well we believe that everything is automatic except the target and intensity and that the parameters are fed into the machine remotely through a link since we have encountered no Dhalkans in this system. So we will duplicate those parameters.”

  “Sounds logical to me.”

  “Okay Sigmund I'm going to open a link.”

  The link for Sigmund's transport was much like that for a fusion ship but was opened only large enough for Sigmund to walk into.

  It looked like a bubble that first formed as a milky haze before clearing. Many times, such as now, the far side could be perceived after the bubble cleared.

  “Looks like a planet's surface Dag,” said Sigmund from the airlock. “Here I go.”

  Sigmund walked into the bubble which flexed and vibrated and was gone.

  “Dag I think Sigmund had his eyes closed. I wonder why?”

  “Walker, Sigmund is not what one would call an eager traveler.”

  Almost as soon as Sigmund had entered the bubble, it disappeared. Dag turned back to simulating the machine while Walker opened a link to monitor Sigmund.

  It was several minutes later when Walker said, “Dag he's encountered the Dhalkans.”

  Dag quit his simulating.

  “Put it on the wallscreen will you Walker.”

  There on the screen was Sigmund. He was being approached by a group of bipeds, bodies very similar to humans but none of them over five feet tall.

  “Can we hear anything Walker?”

  “Just a moment.”

  The audio which at first was difficult to understand soon became much clearer as Walker adjusted the sensitive mic near the small communication's bubble which marked the near end of the link. Sigmund was talking.

  “We became aware of your existence when we traced back to this area some nonlocal links.”

  One of the Dhalkans spoke, he was slightly taller than his companions.

  “These links, we are not aware.”

  “How can that be? Great destruction was delivered across those non-local links.”

  “Sorry to hear but we not responsible.”

  “Okay.”

  Sigmund looked around as if trying to locate something.

  “One of us is obviously mistaken.”

  “Sorry to misunderstand. But we are happy to receive. Unaware of intelligence beyond Trilon tribes.”

  “Very well we can discuss our differences later. I am here as a diplomatic envoy. The planets I represent wish to conclude a treaty with the Trilon Tribes of peace and mutual benefit.”

  “Yes this is something. You will allow some time to assemble. You follow will see your lodging.”

  The party walked for a ways. They appeared to be approaching a village of what looked to Walker like small huts or small dwellings on the fringe of the forest. To Walker the huts, if that is what they were, looked only large enough to accommodate two, maybe three of the small Trilon. They were shaped like a mound of soil but had the signs of modernity with bright metallic piping and environmental appliances about.

  As the group got closer to the dwellings Walker noticed they were not made of soil but some kind of material that seemed to dull or shimmer depending on the angle of the light shining on it. He also noticed they seemed to be bigger than at first. Somehow the whole village blended into the surroundings when seen from far off but became more pronounced closer up.

  The party approached a nondescript area of one of the dwellings and an opening effortlessly appeared. Oval in shape, as if the door had expanded into the walls the way a pupil dilates into the iris. The Trilon gestured for Sigmund to enter first. He proceeded to enter without noticeably stooping.

  “Well this is interesting.”

  “What Walker?”

  “They've gone inside and I tried to move the link to follow but I can't reestablish it.”

  “That is interesting I've never run into a material that could exclude a link. This must be some more of their advanced technology.”

  “I suppose. But what are we to do now? We can't respond to Sigmund if he calls. And he has no way of knowing we can't hear.”

  “We will just have to wait until they reemerge.”

  It was the follow
ing day on what was now properly called the Trilon planet that the group emerged from the dwelling.

  “This way Sigmund. It is short to walk.”

  Walker had a link and was listening.

  The group walked for no more than ten minutes to a small clearing among the dwellings. Walker was pleased, apparently the meeting would take place outside and he would be able to keep the link open.

  The meeting opened with the Trilon introducing everyone. His name was Laeoin. When he had finished he opened the meeting to Sigmund.

  “As I was telling Laeoin yesterday. We are ready to offer a treaty of friendship and mutual protection to the Trilon. However, before we discuss it further I would like to ask all those present.

  “Is anyone aware of the gravity wave machine existent a few light-years from this system?”

  The assembled Trilon seemed to signal surprise at such a question. Many were seen leaning forehead first toward one another. Sigmund had learned that this was some form of communication that seemed important to the tribe. Finally Laeoin spoke.

  “Sorry Sigmund none here have such knowledge you seek.”

  “Thank you Laeoin. Please allow me a minute.”

  Sigmund walked what he thought would be far enough from the Trilon so they could not hear to discuss the situation with Dag and Walker.

  “What do you make of it Sigmund? Are they telling the truth?”

  “Dag it is hard to say. Laeoin doesn't seem to hesitate with his answers and I have found that to be a sign of truthfulness.”

  “Well we know those attacks on Earth and New Adowa originated from this area. Who else could possibly build and operate the generator?”

  Just then as an answer to the question, Walker's disembodied voice emerged from the link also.

  “Sigmund this is Walker. We are under attack. Link will be down until we are out of danger. That is all.”

  Sigmund was on his own.

  14

  “Dag, off starboard, incoming.”