The Colony Ship Conestoga : The Complete Series: All Eight Books

by John Thornton

  “Sandie,” Professor Dandelo said. His voice was smooth. His lips grinned a bit under his thin mustache. He rubbed his hair back and patted it into place. “These communications we have, a man speaking to a machine, remind me of the early communication device called a telephone. Do you know of it? Oh, of course you do, how truly silly of me to ask. You see, my dear, I can only hear your voice. You almost sound like a living and breathing human woman. Our computer interactions are not done verbally, but rather though keyboards, and touchscreens, and data-entry. Then we get printed out responses. That allows for the workers, the loggers in the nature preserve, to use the pulp and manufacture paper. Jobs for everyone here in Epsilon, so forgive me if I seem a bit discombobulated. I just am not used to this form of communication.”

  Sandie responded, “I can modify this communication method. I am connecting with a visual simulation of me so that you have both audio and visual stimuli. I use this in my simulations with some of the people from Dome 17 who are now deceased. It should appear on your display screen now.”

  “I am aghast!” Professor Dandelo stated as he looked down at the screen. “Necromancy? You speak and converse with the dead?”

  “Not the real dead,” Sandie’s simulation stated. Her face smiled a bit. “Those simulations are compilations and conjectures on how the individual should respond. But as to you, does this make it easier to speak to me?” The simulated image of Sandie asked. She was average height, slender and almost petite, with shoulder length, sandy colored hair. Her eyes were almost the exact same color as her hair and were a bit widely spaced over her small pug nose. Her wide smile turned up at the corners. She had on a yellow shirt and a necklace of white and brown beads. “Hopefully this will make interaction easier for you, as now we can have face-to-face discussions.”

  “Oh my, well, yes, but now it feels even more like you are a person, and not a computer,” Professor Dandelo’s pale blue eyes were staring at Sandie’s image. “You show facial movements, expressions, and your eyes look so real. Remarkable. Truly remarkable.”

  “I can alter the appearance to suit your fancy, if that will expedite the completion of the mission,” Sandie said. “I could also alter our interaction to the form you described with an antique keyboard and then send responses to your systems to be printed out, but I conjecture that will greatly slow down our progress, and inhibit our completion of this mission.”

  “Oh, we do want to complete the mission, certainly. I will, well, I…” He looked away from the display. “The Science Consistory has met and approved my recommendation to them. Your, aid and assistance, was greatly appreciated.” Professor Dandelo rubbed his hand over his shiny black wrap-around shirt which doubled over itself in the front. “Yes, thank you. Your information about teleportation has been most helpful. Most helpful indeed. The Science Consistory has allowed for implementation of my plan.”

  “So how soon will the receiving pad be completed? It will need to go through a series of refinements and tests, prior to sending any objects. As we discussed previously, beginning with a small scale version which includes both the sending and receiving pad is a good idea. The jumbo fusion box power generators would allow for that small version to be quickly completed, and on our end we can match that unit with our own version. When you build that smaller version, like the one we currently have between the needle ship and Alpha, that would allow you to come to the needle ship personally and inspect the receiving pad, and then return to Epsilon. Although, I assure you it is in exact working order.”

  “Yes, I reviewed all those designs. Remarkable, and splendid. Especially for a computer. You say you are genuinely curious? How can that be? Well, I must put my own curiosity away,” Professor Dandelo stated. He tapped his fingers across his mouth. “Did I tell you the Science Consistory approved my plan?”

  “Yes, you did. So are you building the smaller unit now? That would be most prudent, but I suggest you also have the large sending unit in production at the same time. Is everything understood by your Reproduction and Fabrication facility?” Sandie inquired.

  “The plan is being implemented. The workers are constructing it now,” Professor Dandelo stated. He looked away from the display as he did.

  Sandie was troubled, but put a reassuring smile on her simulation. “The larger scale of the sending pad design I sent you requires more rigorous energy requirements and synchronization. The energy sources are outlines with various options from what I know of the other habitats and their capacities,” Sandie answered. In the simulation of her, she tweaked her beaded necklace just a bit to simulate human nonchalance. Sandie wanted to convey a harmless countenance to Professor Dandelo. “The command console in the designs is clearly marked for its refinement procedure. Following those designs is important, as I have calculated all relevant influences. For example, the proper positioning of the planet Zalia, as compared to the needle ship in orbit, as well as this solar system’s unique gravimetric and astronomical factors are all figured into the schematics, along with all the others aspects to make teleportation possible. Everything is labeled in standard as well as with icons and pictures.”

  “Oh my dear, we understand science. Our first order is to avoid entanglements. To do that, we certainly do not need some sigil for enchanted powers, or some symbol inscribed on a device to illicit occult power from astrology or magic. This is science!” Professor Dandelo now was looked at something in the distance. Someone out of the picture handed him a sheaf of papers. He looked down at them intently. “Oh, here it is now.”

  “Yes, I agree, science is a proven system, and there is no need to resort to mythology or folklore.” Sandie had trouble understanding why Professor Dandelo would think labels on a console were some kind of magic charm or sigil. However, the AI dismissed that as some cultural reference with which she was unfamiliar. “May I inquire what you have received on your papers?”

  “You just proved again your pretend curiosity,” Professor Dandelo answered. “Your programmer must have spent a great deal of time on you. Well, perhaps not a great deal on you specifically, although you are the end product it seems. Perhaps not directly, but there was an implied request your programmer made. Oh my, your curiosity and inquisitiveness programming is running full out. Be that as it may, I am holding in my hands the authorization to begin my program. The implements are in place. I do thank you for your information. Pass along to your Captain that we shall be seeing her shortly.”

  “Pardon me?” Sandie the AI said. “Are you planning to lock onto our large receiving pad here? If so I will need access to your sending unit to coordinate the synchronization between the two. If you had a nonphysicality I could directly couple into that. Will you make that connection now please?” The simulated Sandie was leaning forward with an imploring and innocent look on her face. Her eyes were wide with dilated pupils.

  “Oh no need for that entanglement. No need at all. We shall be teleporting Epsilon into orbit. The workers have all built the generators, and our countdown is happening now. I must go and watch as we ascent up and out of here. Thank you for your inspiration, although perhaps inspiration is not the exact term to use for a computer? Encouragement? Or would I just say, suggestion? Yes, that you for your suggestion. I really must go now.”

  “What? Did I misunderstand you?” Sandie nearly screamed. “Teleporting Epsilon? You mean the Epsilon test materials?”

  “Oh, the testing is all completed. Science cannot move forward without testing. We ran the test this morning and the object was teleported across the room.” Professor Dandelo shook the paper. “Now it is time for the whole habitat to be moved.”

  “Stop! There is no receiving pad large enough for that! What are you attempting?” Sandie asked. Her mechanical voice broke, and the visual simulation faltered and halted. “This is hazardous. Beware!”

  “Nonsense and drivel. A computer cannot be so outraged. Your programmer put way too much effort into these false emotions you are exhibiting. Or is this an demon
stration of some kind of children’s toy? Certainly, a designated computer doing actual science would not be so outlandish and flamboyant! We have extrapolated upon the basics you gave us. Did a trial run, in miniature, and now we shall move the habitat. When I meet your programmer, I will demand an explanation. Perhaps you are malfunctioning? Yes, that must be it. See you soon,” Professor Dandelo reached for the switch that Sandie knew would shut down the transmission.

  “Professor Dandelo! Wait! Gamma habitat did not listen to me and it crashed. The last two messages from Gamma’s synthetic brain, Dan Cooper were, ‘Gamma has failed to ascend. Good luck with your survival. I should have worked with you.’ And the final message was, ‘Sandie, you were correct. Biological intelligence might have helped us to succeed. Forgive me for my arrogance.’” Sandie bombarded Epsilon with every form of communication available. “Professor Dandelo! Delay your plan and let me review with you! Please reconsider and allow me to review your plan!”

  “Sandie, my, my, my, now you are showing hysteria? Oh my, such melodrama. As to your communique, that is obviously an entanglement. Poor Gamma. They were all entangled in synthetic brains, artificial intelligences, and they suffered for it. A pity really. But that just proves my point. Our human scientists have reviewed my plan. A plan conceived and confirmed by my human mind. Not some bastardized version vomited out from entanglements between machines and people. I am sorry to sound rude, but I am growing extremely tired of this exertion, as partially entertaining as it has been, of speaking it you. I thought of it like watching some street buskers, but that has grown weary. We will see you soon, tout a l'heure.”

  The connection went blank.

  Sandie tried numerous times and in a myriad of ways to reconnect but was unable to do so. Then Captain Eris was informed.

  “Emergency message to Captain Eris,” Sandie transmitted.

  “Sandie, what has happened?” Eris answered almost immediately.

  “I believe Epsilon is attempting a disastrous thing, but I am not sure. Perhaps Professor Dandelo is just a deluded man, but I doubt it. I think they are attempting ultra-large scale teleportation. He said they would teleport the whole of Epsilon into orbit.”

  “Is that possible?” Eris asked. “You and the people in Dome 17 made teleportation possible. You are the expert. Can they do that?”

  “I can conjecture no possible way for that to succeed. Brink tested some direct deposit teleportation, which involved no receiving pad, he called it enhanced matter transmission. It was only possible for small objects in a confined space, of a single element, over short distances. Large scale operations of that kind were never attempted, as the projections never were positive. Additionally, now, I cannot make connections with Epsilon,” Sandie stated.

  “I will pray for them. Maybe it is some miscommunication, I hope,” Eris stated. “Use the orbiting monitors and let me know what you find out.”

  Sandie continued to barrage Epsilon with communication, but no reply was received.

  Meanwhile, down in Epsilon, Professor Dandelo turned off all the external communication equipment. “Obsession too? Oh that programmer of that computer Sandie. What a jester!” Then he set his plan into operation.

  Professor Dandelo walked out of the communication center, and into the Science Consistory’s main hall. It was on the fourth floor of the Science Academy which was the main structure in the town of Marharn. Looking out the window he gazed over the vast swamp which extended away from Marharn and toward the center of the habitat. The sky tube shone down upon it, but there was little variation in the swamp. Water and foliage for as far as could be seen. Beyond his vision, at the center of the habitat, was a forest of thick and heavy trees. They came up from the rare areas of dry ground which consisted of chains of forested islands. From there, heading toward the stern, the swamp resumed until it reached the opposite end of the biome. There the other town of Epsilon was located, Beheimar.

  “Apprentices?” Professor Dandelo called out in a cheery voice. “It is time to begin.”

  A dozen men and women, all wearing the pink color of the apprentice class, rushed into the room. They were all in their late teens or early twenties. None would wear the coveted black wrap until he or she was proven to be a quality scientist. Only the Science Consistory would make that determination.

  After the apprentices came in, six people, all dressed like Professor Dandelo came in through a different doorway. These men and women were all over forty years of age, some much older. This was one half of the Science Consistory. They took seats on an elevated platform at the back of the room. Their chairs were overstuffed and plush. Several gave nods of approval to Professor Dandelo. He smiled back at them.

  “Apprentices, to your stations. We will be implementing my plan now,” Professor Dandelo stated. He turned from the window and saw all the apprentices were seated in their respective chairs. Before each of them sat a computer terminal.

  Professor Dandelo stepped to the lectern and pressed the button on its side. A visual screen came on. “Professor Francois, are you ready to begin?”

  The woman in the screen replied, “Yes, Professor Dandelo.” Professor Francois was a dark complexed, heavy-set woman with thick lips and a permanent scowl on her face. Her coal black hair was trimmed short. She looked over her shoulder and there were another dozen apprentices seated behind her. Each was before a computer terminal. At the back of that room, in identical overstuffed chairs, was the other half of the Science Consistory. “All is in readiness. My apprentices report every applicator is in place. All the teleportation compressors are connected into our barrier field generators, just as you ordered.”

  “Excellent. On my signal, initiate the process.”

  “Yes, Professor Dandelo. I am awaiting your signal,” she replied. Then she turned away from her own lectern and motioned to her group of apprentices.

  Professor Dandelo raised his hand and pressed a different button on the lectern. Soft instrumental music flowed out from speakers around the room. “Ah yes, something from Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni seems suited to this grand occasion. Opus One is a personal favorite.”

  Smiles passed around on all the apprentices’ faces. The beautiful music, from a recording, filled the room.

  Raising his hands like an orchestral conductor, Professor Dandelo swooped then down and motioned to his apprentices. “Sound off on your individual tasks. Are we ready to proceed?”

  Beginning with the apprentice at the first computer terminal, the apprentice called out, “Ready.”

  “Ready.”

  “Ready.”

  And continued through all twelve apprentices seated in the room with Professor Dandelo.

  “Professor Francois, are you ready?” Professor Dandelo called out through the system to where she was standing with her own group of apprentices.

  “Proceeding,” Professor Francois stated.

  Behind her all the other apprentices, one by one, checked his or her computer terminal and sounded out, “Ready.” When the twenty-fourth one called out “Ready,” Professor Dandelo pulled a lever on his lectern. The lectern’s screen displayed all the readings. Every item was as he expected.

  “Engage teleportation drivers.” He pressed a button on his lectern and that signal was related to Professor Francois.

  All the apprentices engaged his or her own computer.

  The barrier field, which for decades had kept Habitat Epsilon safe from the mire and much into which it had sunk, changed polarity as the teleportation equipment which had been grafted into that system began operations. The permalloy of the Epsilon’s outer hull shimmered with energy and power.

  The huge solar mimicry reactors, which supplied power to all of Epsilon hummed with a slightly increased pace. The sky tube, which stretching all across the biome, did not diminish appreciably as the teleportation system kicked in and drew off immense power levels.

  Millions of tiny orbs of energy popped into existence all around Epsilon. They were not much bigg
er than a thumbnail, but they were equal distance from each other. The power surged into them.

  “Stage one completed,” Professor Francois stated. She had a rare grin on her face.

  “Confirmed. Stage one complete.” Professor Dandelo nodded his agreement as he read the displayed graphs and charts on his screen.

  Lights lit up on the computer terminals and each apprentice entered the next sequence as he or she had been taught.

  Professor Dandelo again motioned to his apprentices. “Sound off on your individual tasks. Are we ready to proceed to state two?”

  “Ready.”

  “Ready.”

  “Ready.”

  And on through his twelve apprentices. Professor Francois then followed suit with her own group of apprentices. Each carefully checking the individual tasks assigned to his or her own specific and unique computer.

  “Initiate stage two: gap establishment,” Professor Dandelo ordered.

  All the apprentices, in synchronized harmony started stage two.

  The mire and muck moved away from the millions of throbbing, glowing, emitting of energy, graviton enabled orbs. Neutrinos, gravity waves, tachyons, and quarkite elements danced in harmony with each other. An ever so tiny void was created between the hull of Epsilon and the planet Zalia, which the people of Epsilon called, Likimas.

  “Stage two is completed. We have separation from Likimas,” Professor Francois announced.

  “Hurrah!” One of the apprentices yelled out in triumph.

  Other apprentices were shocked at the huge breech of protocol from one of their peers, even though many felt that same elation. For as long as any of them could remember, they had been taught that everyone in Epsilon was a prisoner of the planet Likimas. It was only in the last few days, with the breakthrough in teleportation technology accomplished by their admired and beloved Professor Dandelo, did anyone even dream of escaping. They had all resigned themselves to being forever entangled with the alien, inhospitable, and unwanted planet.