Virtual

by S A Pavli

  “In practice, how far do we think it can safely work?” asked another of the men, his eyes keenly fixed on the professor.

  “Crucial question young man,” nodded the professor. “My mathematics indicates up to one or two billion miles.” They looked impressed.

  “So you can walk into one gate here in London, and walk out of another in New York?” asked the same man.

  “Indeed, you can walk into one gate here and out of another on the planet Mars, or on the moon, if you wanted,” replied the professor.

  “That’s fantastic,” murmured the young woman.

  “Yes, but it will take a long time before this is a working system, never mind installing hundreds, no, thousands of gates all over the solar system. And it will never be economical for short distances. The London monorail will be with us for many years yet, I am pleased to say,” said the professor.

  “Do you still use the monorail professor?” asked someone.

  “Every day,” exclaimed the professor. They all smiled and nodded to each other on hearing this.

  “I understand the first trial is due very soon,” asked one of the other women.

  “Yes, its been complete for some time now,” said the professor. “We have been testing all the subsystems individually, and we are almost ready to make the first trial.” He pointed to the walkways extending to the centre of each huge ring. “See those walkways? A small robot will trundle out along one, and through that ring. It will immediately appear over there.” He pointed to the opposite ring.

  “What happens if something goes wrong?” asked one of the men. “Will the robot disappear into Hyperspace?”

  “In theory, the transition takes zero time,” said the professor. “So if the system fails, the transported object will either remain where it is, or arrive instantaneously at its destination.”

  “How can it take zero time,” someone protested.

  “No object can be in two places at the same time,” explained the professor. “Since the transition takes place in Hyperspace, where normal space-time does not exist, it has to take place instantaneously.” His listeners looked completely baffled. “The key to understanding that, is to remember that space-time does not exist in Hyperspace. Imagine the connection between the two gates to be a continuous passage, in normal space-time. So, in that case, you are either on that side, or the other. There is nothing in the middle.”

  “It looks like magic to me,” muttered someone, and the professor had to agree. So much of modern technology looks like magic he thought, not just to the non-technical, but to everyone. But then, Physics has been beyond common sense for a long time he thought.

  “Whatever happens,” began the Minister soothingly, “I think we need not worry that this technology will make existing transport systems redundant.”

  “Like I said, it will never be economic for short term travel,” agreed the professor. “Now, if there are no more questions, I will leave my assistant Mister Theo to give you the guided tour. Have a good day.” He nodded politely to the party as Theo shepherded them along the gallery, and gave the Minister a shake of the hand.

  “Thank you professor, I am sure they will find your words very reassuring,” said the Minister as he followed the others. If only I find them very reassuring, thought the professor as he watched them leave. Why do I keep having these premonitions of disaster? Is the responsibility getting to me? He sighed with resignation. I should have taken the sinecure in Princeton he thought as he made his way back to his office.

  Chapter 15

  Mark’s discussion with Andy and Josephine on whether to continue the mission or return to Earth was short and succinct. Both were adamant that to abandon the mission now was impossible. Mark needed no persuading and announced the decision to the others. The excitement was intense as they prepared for their first trip to the alien’s moon base. The first problem they had to solve was how to prevent infestation by the alien life forms. Josephine and LeBlanc devised a high voltage electric screen to be deployed in the airlock of the shuttle. In theory, this would prevent any life forms from entering the shuttle’s airlock and from there into the main cabin. A volunteer was needed for a test flight. Major Follet would have none of it.

  “No question. I will go. It’s my job,” he said firmly. At the back of his mind, a little guilty voice was goading him. It’s your fault those people died, the voice whispered. But if they had not arrived first, it would have been us he argued. They should not have opened their shuttle airlock inside the alien building, the voice whispered. That was careless. It’s easy to be wise after the event, he told himself. We may have done the same thing.

  “Not necessarily your job Major,” said Mark.

  “There’s no risk,” said the Major. “The Doctor can stand by with the defibrillator.”

  “We are not completely certain that it was the defibrillator which cured Captain Anja,” said Leslie quickly. “Maybe the life form died when the Captain died. She was clinically dead you know, for something like two minutes.”

  “These life forms have survived for god knows how long in a vacuum and in temperatures between absolute zero and two hundred degrees,” said the Major.

  “We can’t be absolutely sure,” insisted the Doctor. “Maybe once they inhabit a…brain… they may change. They may not be able to survive the death of that brain.”

  “Someone has to do it,” said the Major stubbornly. “And it may as well be me.”

  “How long will it take to set up the electrical screen?” Mark directed the question to Josephine.

  “Just an hour or so Captain,” replied Jo. “I just have to rig it up across the airlock and connect its power supply.”

  “But how do we get through it?” asked Leslie, a puzzled frown on her face.

  “Our Space suits are insulated,” said Jo. “It’s just a curtain of wire filaments. We can walk through it.”

  “How do we know these things can’t sneak through the gaps?” asked Leslie.

  “We don’t,” said Jo. “We are hoping that if they can detect high voltages they will be encouraged to keep away from the barrier.” An expression of pained doubt crossed Leslie’s pretty face.

  “If you say so,” she muttered weakly.

  “Major, you need a pilot. I am afraid that I have to go with you,” said Mark.

  “Mark, surely Alden can fly the shuttle?” the hasty response was from Melanie, and provoked a penetrating look from Leslie.

  “Yes, but it’s regulations. If the radio link with Alden is broken, someone has to fly the shuttle,” said Mark.

  “Well, that’s not very likely…” said Melanie, and as if she suddenly realised that her intervention could be misconstrued, added the rider; “…I mean…there’s no point putting more than one person at risk.”

  “Of course,” agreed Mark. “I will keep my space suit on at all times. The Major will remove his after we have sealed up the ship. We’ll not dock with the Bounty Hunter until we are sure that there is no problem.”

  “And if the Major is infected?” asked Leslie tartly, her face fixed. Mark looked unsure of himself.

  “I’ll have to use the defibrillator,” he said doubtfully.

  “I’m afraid not Captain. You fly the ship, I will use the defibrillator,” said Leslie firmly.

  “So now, we have three volunteers,” said Melanie frowning. She leaned back slowly. “I don’t like it.”

  Mark looked at Leslie.

  “You up for it?” he asked. She shrugged resignedly, then nodded her agreement.

  “OK, let’s prepare” said Mark. “Jo, let me know when the barrier is working. Andy, let’s carry out system checks on the shuttle. Major, you think about what equipment you need to take. Leslie, there’s a few things you need to know about space suits. Come with me.”

  “Captain, excuse me.” The interruption was from Josephine. “I’d like to suggest that you take the Survey Robot with you. He’s equipped with a whole bunch of sensors. One of them may detect t
he aliens. It will also provide us back here with high quality data.”

  “Agreed Jo, good idea. Can you bring the team up to speed with that?” Mark said. There was a bustle of activity as he stood to leave. Leslie followed him, resisting a backward glance at the still seated Melanie. LeBlanc and Walters followed Josephine. The Major with Jimmy in tow exited in the other direction. Melanie was left on her own in the lounge feeling redundant. I’m the leader of this expedition she thought to herself, and Captain bloody Morgan over there has taken over. She tried to imagine Mark with an eye patch and a cutlass but she kept seeing his grey eyes and the dimple in his cheek when he smiled. I’ll go and join LeBlanc and Walters in setting up the science data link to the Survey robot she decided. As she made her way to the engineering section she could not help imagining the Captain helping Leslie on with her space suit. Tucking her in, making sure all her curvy bits are nice and snug and secure while she smiled into his grey eyes. She growled in her throat with disgust, mostly with herself.

  “Grow up you bloody teenager,” she muttered to herself.

  Two hours later, Mark, Leslie and the Major occupied the three seats in the Small Fry’s tiny cockpit. Andy and Jo manned the Bounty Hunter’s Bridge and the scientists huddled around the displays in the science room. The count down proceeded smoothly and the shuttle detached from the mother ship and floated free. Through the cockpit windows they could see the starship receding from them until it was just a silver sliver against the black star studded sky. Creeping things seemed to have taken over Leslie’s stomach and she could feel although not hear the gurgling noises emanating from her middle. She fervently hoped that the two men couldn’t hear her stomach noises.

  She was only slightly calmed by the smooth and un-fussed exchanges between the pilot and Alden. I’ll bet their stomachs are gurgling as well she assured herself, not quite believing it. There was pressure in her back and she felt the shuttle heave and drop downwards towards the silver rugged moon beneath them. The stars wheeled and the view screens filled with the black and silver of the moon instead of the star filled sky. The ground seemed to be coming up with alarming speed, but then she caught sight of the alien buildings, still tiny in the distance.

  Are we insane to be doing this, she asked herself. Six people had already died; surely we should have waited for this thing to be investigated by the Authorities? She was surprised that Mark had gone along with the others. As the Captain of a starship he was the closest thing to ‘Authority’ here and duty bound to observe the law. But were there any laws covering this situation? She mentally shrugged; too late to have doubts she decided.

  The alien buildings were looming up ahead, and their true size started to become apparent. Mark had taken manual control of the shuttle and was manoeuvring it towards the central tower. But the intention was not to take the shuttle into the building, and Mark settled it down gently opposite the holed central building. The area between the buildings was flat and clear and the shuttle settled evenly on its undercarriage. It took a few seconds for Mark to secure the shuttle into standby mode. It was now under Alden’s control.

  “Ready to board the hover car now,” announced Mark, un-strapping himself. The Major and Leslie followed suit. Down the walkway into the main cabin, they made their way to the airlock housing the hover car, stepping through Josephine’s electric shield which was just inside the interior airlock door.

  “Helmet visors closed,” said Mark, closing his, he turned to Leslie and helped her secure hers. Their eyes met as he lent close and she gave him a tremulous smile. He gave her a reassuring grin, and clamped the visor shut.

  “Confirm your intercoms are working.” The Major and Leslie gave their confirmation. “Bounty Hunter, are you receiving telemetry from the survey robot?” asked Mark. Melanie’s voice came through the intercom.

  “We are receiving telemetry on all channels Mark.” The survey robot was strapped down in the cargo hold of the hover car, for the moment transmitting test signals on all channels. Mark went quickly through the start up procedure and with a final terse confirmation to Bounty Hunter, the car lifted gently off the floor to the accompaniment of a gentle hum from the AG generator.

  “Air Lock is fully cycled,” announced Alden over the intercom.

  “Open airlock external door Alden,” said Mark. The doors slid open silently to reveal the glaring monochrome of the moon’s surface, and ahead of them looming up to obscure their view of the stars, the huge alien building. It was day, and would be for another ten hours, with the temperature at two hundred and eighty degrees centigrade. The Hover car nosed slowly out of the shuttle airlock and once in the clear, Mark climbed ten metres and rotated the vehicle 360 degrees to give them a view of their environment. They could see three of the five smaller buildings which encircled the central larger one. The buildings were all interconnected by circular tubes at every level. Mark piloted the hover car towards one of these tubes, and as they came closer they could see what appeared to be windows at regular intervals in the sides of the buildings and the interconnecting tubes. The glass was dirty and completely opaque.

  “Over there Mark, look…” The Major pointed out of the window and Mark gently swivelled the car in the direction he was pointing. “I think it’s a ground vehicle,” said the Major excitedly. As the hover car approached the objects, it became evident that it was not just one but a number of vehicles parked in a neat line in front of one of the buildings..

  “Look at that building,” said Mark. “I’ll bet they are airlocks and loading bays.”

  “Makes sense,” agreed the Major.

  “Want to have a closer look?” asked Mark. Melanie’s voice interrupted them.

  “Mark, let’s look at them later. We can’t wait to look inside the building.”

  “OK Melanie,” said Mark. “Let’s go…” The hover car surged upwards then swooped in a tight turn towards the huge blackened hole in the side of the central building. Leslie’s insides heaved and she fought back a cry of protest. Mark manoeuvred the hover car to a stop ten metres from the hole. The sides of the building all around it were blackened and melted for twenty metres. The hole was two or three stories in size. The voice of Captain Anja came over the intercom.

  “Mark, this is Anja. Take it slowly through the hole, it covers about three stories but keep towards the top, there is less damage in the top floors. The meteor went down into the lower floors so they are badly damaged.” Mark relayed his understanding and they eased gently into the hole. They could clearly see three floors, and Mark directed the hover car to the top. It was dark inside and Mark turned on the headlights. It was Anja’s suggestion that they add extra lights to the car, and as they all came on a scene of devastation met their eyes. The massive energy from the meteor had taken out ten floors internally, leaving only the metal structure of the building standing. They were met with a huge blackened cavern full of destruction. But above them, the upper floors had fared better and as the car nosed deeper and higher into the building they left the destruction behind them. Three floors up, they came up against a largely undamaged floor, entering through a hole at one end. The centre of the floor was open, with rooms around the outside, except for one side which had huge picture windows along its length.

  “Which floor is the statue on Anja?” asked Mark.

  “Two floors above you,” replied Anja. “But you have to walk, the ceiling of the floor where you are is intact.”

  “I think we’ll forego that for now Anja,” said Mark. “We’re here to check our defences against the alien bug.” Melanie’s voice came back from the intercom.

  “I agree Mark. What’s your plan?”

  “We open up the hover car, take a little meander around here, then close up and get back to the shuttle. Once through the screen, the Major removes his suit. Well, I guess his helmet will be enough. Then we’ll see if the screen has worked.”

  “Or I turn into a zombie,” added the Major.

  “So’kay Major, no one will
notice.” It was the voice of the Major’s sidekick which came back from the intercom and this elicited a snort of amusement from the Major.

  “Right ho Major, let’s break out the hand torches and take a look around,” said Mark, unbuckling himself from his seat.

  “You’re not leaving me here by myself I hope?” said Leslie plaintively.

  “We thought we’d all take a different direction,” said the Major. “Cover more space that way, right Captain?” For a moment Leslie was about to protest hotly, until she recognised the over innocent tones in the Major’s voice. Nevertheless, she was barely able to contain the hysteria in her voice.

  “Don’t even joke about it you military mongrel!”

  “Don’t worry Doc, we’ll stick to you like glue,” said the Major reassuringly, after a throaty chuckle.

  “Staying close will do,” said Leslie, adding a cool “Thank you.”

  “Preparing to open the airlock. Double check helmet locks,” said Mark. He checked his own suit, and then turned and checked Leslie’s. “Opening air lock,” he announced. Leslie’s heart was hammering in her breast. Outside the bright halo formed by the headlights, there was a stygian blackness, threatening and alien. She had never in her life wanted so desperately to be somewhere else, somewhere familiar and bright, full of warmth and human companionship. Not here in this dead and desolate mausoleum of a place. She felt a touch on her arm and jumped in fright, before she realised it was Mark, comforting her with a comradely squeeze.

  “OK Doc? Hang in there, we’ll be alright,” said Mark gently. How does he know I feel so awful she asked herself. Do they teach them that in Captain’s school?

  “Thanks Mark, I’ll be alright,” she whispered back.

  “Good girl,” he whispered back. A warm feeling suddenly spread from her loins. She was staggered by it’s suddenness and intensity. Good God, danger is an aphrodisiac she thought with disbelief. Now, at this moment, to be overcome by sexual desire? Unbelievable! She tried to focus her mind on what was happening, to distract her body and quieten her hormones. Mark and the Major were standing by the airlock door, which was sliding open. No ferocious creatures lunged in from the black depths, and the Major calmly directed his torch out of the door and stepped out of the car, followed by Mark. They turned and waited for her as she stood quickly, forcing her trembling legs to support her weight. Come on you bastard legs she gritted, don’t let the side down now.