The Solar Sea

by David Lee Summers

  "Also, I wanted to let you know, I got accepted to State. I am so excited. I can't wait to start packing.” Lisa looked up at her sister again as though it were the first time. She pulled up the calendar program and shook her head, having a hard time believing so much time had passed.

  Mika fell silent for a moment and shuffled her feet. “I hate to admit this, sis, but I really miss you. You be careful out there. I want you home in one piece. Send me a message soon, okay?"

  With that, Mika's image vanished from the wall. Lisa smiled as she thought about home. She went to the refrigerator and retrieved a glass of tea, then sat on the edge of the bed and thought of the message she would send back to her sister.

  * * * *

  Pilot first tried to read the Martian disk using the data readers on Aristarchus' computers. The disk wasn't a standard size and there was no spindle hole, so he had Daryl LaRue manufacture an adapter. Even with an adapter, none of the software recognized it as a data disk. He downloaded a data decryption tool from Quinn Corp that was supposed to read disks manufactured anywhere in the world. He had no luck with that, either.

  Over the course of the following month, Pilot assembled a makeshift optical bench in the Ares lander bay. He borrowed two of the spare communications lasers from ship's stores along with a scanning target. He asked Daryl to machine some clamps and a tabletop to hold it all. Then he began the painstaking process of shooting the laser and sensing the reflections to see if he detected any indications of data on the disk.

  At one point, he looked at the coin-shaped disk and thought about the family business. His father would only see value in the project if there were potential profit. Pilot was too caught up in solving the mystery to care about much else. He wondered if his father had ever been so intrigued by something to feel that way.

  As Pilot worked, speculation about the disk ran rampant through the crew. Vanda Berko and Angus MacDonald were convinced the disk was an alien artifact and even hung a star chart in the galley and started a pool, taking guesses of which star the aliens were from. The more skeptical people, such as Dr. Nagamine, thought it was simply a glass-like volcanic rock, polished to a high shine by the fierce Martian winds and the ‘writing’ was merely a series of scratches.

  Dr. Nagamine, who shared Pilot's joy of learning in spite of his skepticism, started cataloging all of the photos and recordings that were made on the Martian surface, leaving Neb O'Connell to spend somewhat longer shifts in C-and-C. In spite of Pilot's assurances that they would have no problem traversing the asteroid belt, O'Connell scanned for rocks or debris that might be in their path well before the ship actually entered the belt. Over time, he became aware that Lisa was also spending more time on duty, even though her job didn't require it. He was glad for the company. She often brought coffee or cookies from the kitchen to share.

  Though pleased with his trip to the Martian surface, Captain Jefferson already looked forward to the trip into the Jovian atmosphere. He was well aware that there would be no surface to land on, but just the idea of being one of the first humans to fly through Jupiter's atmosphere was exciting. He spent what off-watch time he could afford aboard the Zeus I shuttle-lander, running simulations. He'd felt a little sluggish handling the Ares in Martian orbit and in the atmosphere. He knew in some regions of Jupiter, the winds were far more violent than those they faced in the small Martian storm.

  Myra Lee heard no more from her colleagues on Earth and began to despair they had run into a dead end on the whale communication project. She sent an email burst to Earth asking Cristof and Harmer if they'd learned anything new. In their return message, she learned they suspected the phrases, “the cycle continues” and “the cycle resumes” were a regular part of the whale songs. Working on that assumption, they thought they could pick up other instances of those words in the extended songs. However, it wasn't enough yet to attempt a complete translation.

  Knowing Pilot was engaged in a project that kept him away from both the central hub and his quarters—where he rarely spent time anyway—Natalie Freeman decided to continue her investigation into his background and the reason he wanted to get to Saturn. She started her investigation in his quarters. Looking in the closet, she found several pairs of coveralls and boots. There were also some nice items of clothing—fine shirts and tailored slacks that she suspected were beyond the means of most Quinn Corp engineers. She wondered if Thomas Alonzo came from a wealthy family. If so, perhaps that implied a corporate alliance between the Quinns and Alonzo's family, which might provide a clue.

  She moved on to Pilot's desk. Inside one of the drawers, she found a report binder. Opening the first page, she read the title “Lunar Chronotons: An Important New Resource by Thomas Alonzo.” As she thumbed through the report, she heard someone walking out in the corridor. Quickly, she put the report back in the drawer and ducked into the closet just as the door opened. Pilot crossed the room and stepped into the bathroom, closing the door part way. Quietly, Freeman slipped out of the closet and sneaked to the door.

  Once out, she went to her own quarters and dropped into her chair. That had been closer than she'd liked. Taking a few deep breaths, she went to her own bathroom, got a glass of water, then went back to the chair, bringing up a computer information screen. She did a search on the word ‘chronoton.’ The computer came back with no results, but it did ask if she'd made a spelling error and meant something else. It presented her with a list of options, including chronos, chronograph, and chronology. She chose ‘chronos.’ The computer informed her it was the Greek word for time. Unless she was reaching too far, Natalie Freeman realized Thomas Alonzo had discovered something about the nature of time while on the Moon. However, she wasn't quite sure what that had to do with Saturn.

  Later that afternoon, Freeman took her shift at the command console and surfed the web, hoping to find a connection between the time particles, Quinn Corp, and Thomas Alonzo. The web was sluggish because of the transmission time to Earth. She would send a command, then peruse shipboard status reports while waiting for data to upload to the ship's computer.

  She found a website that talked about the history of Quinn Corp. Mostly, it discussed Jerome Quinn's younger days and his invention of quinitite—the strong but lightweight plastic ideal for computer boards. Quinitite actually helped to dissipate static charges, meaning that computer chips were far less susceptible to being destroyed by someone's touch. Being strong and lightweight meant it was also ideal for the solar sails.

  As Freeman scanned the website, she caught sight of a photo that made her heart skip a beat. She looked up at the pilot's console. Fortunately, Pilot was off the command and control deck. She debated what action to take next and whether or not to show the photo to Captain Jefferson.

  Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, she looked around at the stations. The ship was filled with the newest and best computers. The walls around them had kept them alive for nearly eight months in space. Even the ship's ergonomic design was pleasant, she thought as she looked at the functional carpet that covered C-and-C's floor and the design of the desk she sat at.

  She looked back at the command console's screen and a chill went down her spine.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 15

  Through the Belt

  A month and a half out from Jupiter, Pilot announced the Aristarchus had entered the asteroid belt. He had Daryl LaRue make a slight course correction based on data Neb O'Connell had taken. “We've had smooth sailing so far,” said Pilot. “We have four months in the belt. Let's hope it continues to go well."

  "Indeed.” Jefferson sat at the command console. Pilot started to leave the command deck, but the captain stopped him. “Say, have you learned anything about that coin we found on Mars?"

  "Nothing definitive."

  Myra looked up from her work at the biosciences console. “Pilot, would you mind if Lisa and I come up and take a look? Lisa's very good at seeing patterns—after all, she helped me se
e that the whales were speaking in binary code. Maybe we might see something that will help you."

  Pilot pursed his lips and rocked back and forth on his feet. “I'm not sure what you could contribute at this stage."

  "Even if we can't contribute, I'd like to take a look at your setup. It sounds fascinating."

  He rolled his eyes. “All right, why don't you meet me up there in an hour.” With that, he turned and left the deck.

  * * * *

  An hour later, Myra and Lisa ascended the ladder into the Ares launch bay. Stepping around the shuttle-lander, they saw Pilot sitting at a tiny folding table with a laptop. He typed a command sequence into the computer and a little servomotor adjusted the position of the laser relative to the disk. The women stepped up behind him, looking over his shoulder.

  "I'm scanning the surface of the disk at different angles, trying to see if I can pick up any evidence of encoded data,” said Pilot. “So far, I haven't had much luck.” He pulled up a chart he'd made of his scan results. It looked like a child's drawing of a field of grass. “It's nothing but a noise pattern."

  Lisa's eyes narrowed. “Can you zoom in on that noise?"

  Pilot shrugged, then did as she requested.

  Lisa pointed at the peaks and valleys. “If that was noise, wouldn't you expect the peaks and valleys to change height and depth? They look extremely uniform to me."

  "But the amplitude is so low,” said Pilot. “And there's so much. Why, if that's data we're looking at, the storage capacity of that disk would be millions of times greater than anything we've ever built.” At that comment, Pilot blinked a couple of times, then looked from the computer to the disk. “It can't be.” He put his hand to his mouth.

  Myra looked at Lisa. “Are you saying that the ‘noise’ is actually the data?"

  Lisa nodded. “Looks that way to me, boss."

  "Then if I understand right, what Pilot's just said is that there's no way this disk could have been manufactured on Earth.” Myra's mouth fell open.

  "Let me play with this some more,” said Pilot. He looked up at Myra. “Can that translation program you have compare bits of binary code to other bits of binary code and look for patterns?"

  Myra nodded, mutely.

  "Let me read off as much as I can, then send this to you. Maybe we can match up some more patterns,” he said, hopefully.

  "I'll take a look,” began Myra, “but this all assumes that the people who manufactured this disk speak the same language as the whales have been speaking."

  * * * *

  As predicted, the voyage through the asteroid belt proceeded smoothly—at least to start. Neb O'Connell had detected no unexpected objects and asked Angus MacDonald to throw a small party in the ship's galley for Valentine's Day. Angus, happy for an excuse to throw a party, readily agreed. Neb asked several friends from the ship to attend, including Pilot, Captain Jefferson, and Daryl LaRue.

  The party started out subdued with people talking quietly among themselves. There was soft music on the galley speakers. Once most of the off-duty crew had arrived, Neb tapped on a glass with a spoon. “Hello, everyone. Lisa, would you mind coming up here and joining me?"

  Looking confused, Lisa stepped up and joined Neb. He handed her a small package. Opening it, she eyed the plain silver ring dubiously. “What's this?” she asked.

  "Well, it started life as a length of spare conduit tubing from the shipboard machine shop,” said Neb. “Daryl cut off a small section and now it's an engagement ring."

  She looked at the ring and then inclined her head, eyeing Neb. “Are you serious?"

  "I've never been more serious. Lisa, I would like you to be the keeper of my ring.” Neb reached out, took the ring he had given her and carefully slipped it on her finger.

  She smiled, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him. “Yes, I'll keep your ring and I'll marry you, as well."

  A cheer rose from the people gathered in the galley. Captain Jefferson stepped forward and clasped Neb's hand as people talked among themselves and made their way toward the snack table.

  "Captain, I was wondering, would you agree to marry us in the ship's hub as we approach Saturn?” asked Neb.

  The captain opened his mouth to speak, but Lisa cut him off. “Saturn? That's over a year away. Why wait?"

  "Why hurry?” countered Neb. “I think the ceremony should be held in the most beautiful place of all and I can't think of anything more beautiful than having Saturn in all its glory right outside the window."

  "Well, I'd be happy to oblige.” Jefferson cast a sidelong glance at Lisa, “if the young lady agrees."

  Lisa narrowed her eyes and looked at Neb. “First people married at Saturn, eh? I've never been one to stand on ceremony, but it sounds like fun.” She looked from Neb to Jefferson. “All right, Captain, married at Saturn it is.” Then she looked back at Neb, grinned, and whispered in his ear. “But don't think this is the end of the conversation."

  Neb smiled nervously and stepped away to retrieve two glasses of punch.

  * * * *

  In the back of the room, Angus MacDonald made his way to where Daryl LaRue leaned against the wall, his arms folded. Angus cleared his throat, but Daryl was silent and refused to meet Angus’ gaze. “I wanted to apologize for calling you a cheater."

  Daryl started to walk away, but he stopped. “You put together a good spread."

  "Neb and Lisa are good kids,” said Angus.

  "Hard workers.” Daryl grunted. It was high praise. He looked around and was about to say something but bit off the words when he saw the look on the cook's face. “I'm sorry I gave you that black eye."

  "Ha!” shouted Angus. “You wouldna’ touched me if I hadn't been drinkin'.” The two laughed and shook hands. “What I wanted to know was whether you were game for a rematch.” The two looked up when they realized a hush had descended on the room and all eyes were on them.

  LaRue laughed. “Any time you are."

  Angus brought out the cards and the two sat down at a table.

  * * * *

  As they dealt the cards, Pilot thought he heard something. He stepped out into the corridor where it was quieter and listened carefully. He realized he was feeling a vibration more than hearing an actual noise. He stepped over to the intercom. “Pilot to C-and-C, is everything all right up there?"

  "Pilot, I think you better get up here to advise,” said Freeman. Though still calm and professional, her voice had a note of concern.

  "On my way.” Pilot took a moment to step into the galley. He whispered something in Captain Jefferson's ear, then stepped over to Neb. “Sorry to end the party early, but I think something's going on we need to check out.” Pilot proceeded to C-and-C with Jefferson and O'Connell close behind.

  Neb O'Connell went right to the astrosciences console and spoke to Dr. Nagamine who was checking the ship's sensors. “We seem to have come across a field of fine particles,” reported Neb. “In the astronomy biz, we'd call it ‘dust,’ but I'd say that the particles are more like pebble size."

  Freeman inclined her head. “Why didn't we see this ahead of time?"

  Pilot chewed on his lower lip. “The distance sensors aren't designed to detect particles this small. We can only sense them when they impact the hull and sails.” He then stepped over to his console and ran a few calculations. “This can't be a very large field or it would have been detected from Earth,” he said. “I think the best thing we can do is ride it out."

  "Won't these particles do damage to the aluminum coating on the sails?” asked Jefferson.

  Pilot closed his eyes. “Dust fields are an expected hazard and the ship is designed to handle them. The sails are slightly oversized, so a little corrosion of the aluminum won't slow our acceleration much. It's just,” his gaze drifted to the rounded deck of C-and-C, toward the outer hull, “I didn't expect it to be so loud."

  Jefferson put his hand on Pilot's shoulder. “Very well, then. We'll ride it out ... and pray."

  * * *
*

  Sitting at the command console, Natalie heard the quaver in Pilot's voice and saw his trembling hands. She swallowed hard and knew the time had come to tell the captain what she had learned about Pilot.

  The pinging and vibration from the ‘dust’ particles slowed about a half hour after they began. Neb O'Connell checked the sensors and announced there was no apparent damage as a result of the dust.

  "Thanks,” said Jefferson. Then he stepped up to Neb and patted him on the shoulder. “I think you have a party to get back to."

  Neb looked down at his hands. “I feel like it's my fault that this happened, that I should have been here."

  Jefferson took a deep breath. “It's not your fault, son. Dr. Nagamine was here and the sensors weren't designed to see the particles. Sitting here and sulking isn't going to solve the problem. You have a young lady in the galley waiting for you."

  Neb looked up and smiled at the captain. “Thanks, sir.” With that, he stood and returned to the party.

  * * * *

  Pilot agreed to take more watches in C-and-C while the ship continued through the asteroid belt. To Natalie, he seemed edgy. He would place his hand on the walls or on tabletops as though trying to discern something about the behavior of the ship through touch. Even though the external sensors reported no damage, Pilot would hover near the astrosciences station when he was on watch, his gaze flitting over the readings.

  Freeman took the opportunity to ask Jefferson to join her in the ship's gym. She sat down on a stationary bike while Jefferson walked on a treadmill. “I've figured out who Thomas Alonzo is,” she said as she pedaled. “I think you should know in case it has a bearing on the safety of the ship."

  Jefferson lifted his eyebrows but kept walking on the treadmill.

  "He's Jerome Quinn's nineteen-year-old son.” She thought for a moment. “Actually, he's just going on twenty-one, now."