by Randal Sloan
“As I told you in our conversation yesterday, this should scale from the very small to the very large, although we are aiming for the middle in our first production runs.”
“So this is our solution to global warming,” the President said. “That’s obvious. But it’s going to put the oil companies out of business, and those countries that are dependent on the production of oil for their existence are going to be in big trouble. Some will collapse if they don’t have some type of bailout, and others will be willing to go to war or stage terrorist attacks to try to prevent that from happening. Once you start producing the smaller units, the power companies will go down too, because no one will need to buy their power.”
“Yes, that’s pretty much what we think, too. But there is one more thing. The two of us built the first test system a couple of months ago. Zeke here did the programming for our little project, and when he woke up from his coma, he had an inspiration of his own.”
“You had a lot to do with that,” Zeke interjected. “You showed me most of the way there, and the rest of it was obvious.”
“Obvious to you maybe,” Julie gave a small laugh. “Anyway, what I am trying to say is that Zeke has figured out how to build a truly functional AI that can be small enough that anyone will be able to carry it with them. Everyone will want to have one. Even more, we will finally have cars that really can drive themselves, air traffic controllers that are completely automated and never get tired, automated receptionists, and God help us — very smart missile control systems.”
Julie gave them a moment to let it all sink in. “I have been thinking about this for a long time. I have a couple of suggestions.” She looked toward the President. When he nodded, she went on. “Space Tech will create a fund to help those affected by either product, and a portion of every sale for both products will contribute to this fund. We will set up an independent non-profit organization to administer the fund. But the whole thing is, everyone is going to have to work together.” After a slight pause she went on, “We will assist in the defense of our country if it becomes necessary.”
“What about those that won’t help or even will fight the process?” Jim asked.
“She has a solution,” the President said. “She just doesn’t want to tell us about it, and she really doesn’t want to use it.”
Julie stared at him. “Zeke doesn’t even know this. My uncle doesn’t know this, although he may suspect it. My father built all the components, and with one word from me, the process to complete it can be activated.”
Zeke looked at her, his eyes filled with horror. “I see it now. It’s a horrific thing, but I think you will have to do it. Any terrorist deserves it as far as I’m concerned. We just have to be very careful and very deliberate in its application.”
Jim looked at the rest of them in total exasperation. “I have no idea what you guys are talking about.”
“Kinetic kill weapons,” Julie told him. “From a series of satellites in orbit, they can with extreme precision strike any point on the earth’s surface with an impact radius anywhere between the size of a small vehicle to the size of a city. There is absolutely no defense against it.” She tapped a button on her wrist unit.
“You just sent the authorization order,” the President told her. “If it wasn’t for my wife, I would be doing everything in my power to stop you. But you’re right. There really isn’t any choice anyway. I just pray to God you never have to use it.”
They all sat looking at each other for a moment. Jim had turned very pale and Julie thought for a moment that he was going to pass out. She touched his arm and after a moment she felt him relax a little. He finally said, “I can see it now, too. But if there is such a weapon, I am glad it is in the hands of someone we can trust. You can promise me it is absolutely failsafe, right?”
Zeke and Julie linked hands. “Zeke and I are only ones that will be able use it. On this we are of one mind. You just better hope no one ever tries to pull us apart or to harm one or the other of us. Because we can and will bring the very fires of heaven upon them.”
“On this we are of one mind too,” Zeke told them, looking both of them in the eyes. They both nodded.
“Ok,” Jim finally asked. “Why did you send the activation order just now?”
“Because if we don’t deal with this now, in five years his successor will challenge us and we will have to use it against our home country. That is something I never want to have to do. I love my country, but certain principles supersede even that. We have to figure out how to handle this now. Unfortunately, I expect that I will have to actually use it one time. I intend to wipe out the Organization from the face of the earth, something I think we can all agree on.”
“I don’t even know how I am going to get re-elected. But Catherine says it will happen. But she told me if we don’t work this out now, in five years exactly what this young woman just told you will occur, and it will be a disaster for us. In the game of space warfare, he who holds the high ground pretty well has it all. Some of our colleagues think Space Tech Station is dependent on earth for supplies, but actually they are a net producer of water and oxygen. The only thing they are dependent on us for is food, and they apparently have a solution to that, too.”
“Yes, and the whole world is now so dependent on our products for everything, from home construction to bridges, cars and planes, whoever interferes with that flow will have everyone on them instantly. In five years, that will be even more so, because we will have more than doubled our production by then and we will have a number of new products.”
The President raised his eye brows at that. “You’ve found a way to make the new propulsion system work, or at least you think you have. The one your father was testing when he disappeared.”
Julie nodded. After seeing everything else he knew about, she had suspected that he knew about that one too. His intelligence assets were incredible.
He went on, “That means you could easily obtain abundant carbon, methane and other materials. You can make any product known to man, including graphene and lonsdaleite.”
Jim eyes had widened at the last statement. He knew exactly what those two meant. Both were carbon-based products that were lighter and yet stronger than any other equivalent materials.
“Yes, sir,” Julie told him. “The only other useful product from petroleum, plastics and similar materials, will probably be a few years away from extinction too. With Zeke’s AI controlling them, 3-D printers will be able to make anything you ask them to make.”
“I would like to talk to you more about the materials later, but back to our original discussion. So how do we control this so that it doesn’t become a runaway train?” Jim quietly asked.
“We are going to announce the power system and the personal AI systems tomorrow. I’m thinking that you should be there with us. That way, you can announce that you and the President have negotiated a ten percent surtax that will be placed on all of our sales for both of those products, and that it will be placed into the fund I mentioned earlier.” Julie paused for a moment. The meeting had gone so well, she decided to slip in one more idea that she had. “I also suggest you announce special training programs that our government is going to be funding for those whose jobs are going to be placed in jeopardy by these changes.”
The President had been ready to give easy agreement, but he stared at her when she said the last part. Finally, he nodded. “Space Tech’s capitalization is already bigger than all but the top countries in the world. The increase in the other taxes you are paying to us will more than cover that cost. And it’s good for me, but more importantly, it is good for our country.”
He continued to look intently at Julie. “So what else? I know you have something else in mind. I just haven’t figured out what.”
Julie gave him a smile. “In one month, I plan on beginning the real war to wipe out the Organization. I’m going to capture the Organizations leaders and ask the rest to turn themselves in. In fact, I would
like to offer amnesty to any that have not committed acts of terrorism or piracy.” She looked at the President.
He nodded. “We should be able to agree to that. Do you really think it will work?”
Sadly Julie shook her head. “No, but I have to try. If they do refuse, I’m going to demonstrate our little kinetic weapon to eliminate their ground-based assets. You are going to have your military liaison there with us, and you need to have US troops ready to clean up the leftovers.”
“Why one month?” the President couldn’t help but ask. Finally something his intelligence didn’t know yet!
“Because Zeke here foiled the Organization’s attempt to kill me during the stockholder’s meeting. This caused them to change their plans. They were planning to send out an announcement from their little space station they’ve finally brought on line, but that has been postponed a month.
“We have a mole on the station that is providing us with information. When they do get all their leaders up on that station, I intend to take them out. They should never have decided to challenge us on our home turf.”
“No, they don’t have a chance,” the President said. “Not that anyone would. Ok, I agree to all of your suggestions. Jim here will be your main contact with us for day-to-day issues, but I can promise you we will be doing this again regularly. My wife has already told me that is going to be happening. She really enjoyed our little breakfast. Speaking of my wife, she has asked to have a few minutes alone with you, Julie. I believe you should take advantage of that opportunity.”
“Yes, sir,” Julie told him. “I would like that very much. “
#
Julie met the First Lady out in a pavilion in the garden that she had seen from the balcony during breakfast. Before she could speak, the First Lady told her. “Sorry to have put a damper on our breakfast like that. I can’t control when those things happen. But the real reason I wanted to talk to you is to tell you that I knew your mother. Do you remember when a few years ago you called your parents, desperately begging them not to get on a plane? You were so upset that you became physically ill. None of the doctors knew what was wrong with you, but your mother called me.
“What you don’t remember is that your parents were just about to board the plane, but because you called them, they missed the flight. That same flight crashed and everyone that was on board died. If you hadn’t called when you did, they would have been killed. Your mother believed that you were developing psychic ability, and I believed so, too. The doctors put you on medicine that I believe blocked your ability. Now that you are off the meds, your ability has begun to return. I not sure what effect the nanites in your head have on it, but I suspect they will only help. Speaking of effects, how long have you and Zeke had this connection?”
“Since he woke up. His nanites came directly from me. My father is the only one who knows how to make them. Something happened to the nanites during the explosion. I believe that they are somehow connected through what I call the subspace fabric.”
“In psychic terms, we would say that you have a psychic or spiritual connection. Can you communicate with each other through your connection?”
Julie looked at her. “Nobody else knows this. Not even my uncle. I can tell you right now that Zeke is in that direction, getting a little nervous waiting for me. Sometimes we talk to each other directly.” She paused a minute. “It’s ok love. I will be back soon.” Smiling, she went on with her spoken conversation. “I just communicated with him. He was just a little worried about me but he’s fine now. Doctor Vincent has been playing with the prototype AI Zeke brought with him and is quite fascinated with it. Your husband has been on a VR call since we left, doing Presidential things, I guess.”
“Absolutely amazing. I can see why you wouldn’t want anyone to know, but your secret is safe with me. Anyway, I have digressed from why I asked you here. Your mother had some limited psychic ability, which she got from her mother, her mother from her mother, and many generations back.”
Julie nodded. “She told me right before the attack in which she was killed. She knew it was coming but couldn’t stop it.” Her eyes teared up at the memory.
First Lady Catherine nodded, her eyes sad. “Your mother gave me something that I was supposed to give you at the right time, and I believe that time is now.” She reached into the small jewelry chest she had sitting on the table beside her, pulling out a necklace with beautiful stones the like of which Julie had never seen before..
When she placed the necklace around Julie’s neck, Julie gasped in shock. It was as if she could feel a part of her mother and the other family members who had worn the necklace. She sat there totally speechless.
“Your mother said this has been passed down for generations. I expect you will want to pass it on to your daughter as well.” When Julie smiled at the mention of her daughter, the First Lady went on. “Yes, we both know that you will have a daughter and that she will be an amazing person.”
Finally, Julie was able to gasp out. “Thank you so much. I will treasure this for the rest of my life.”
Julie had felt a huge response in her connection with Zeke, so she knew she needed to deal with it. “I guess I have to be going now. I think my reaction has pushed Zeke over the edge. I tried to tell him I am all right, but I think he’s going to have to see that in person.”
“We will be inviting you back, my sweet girl. I want you to come back to see me before you go after the Organization leaders. Something is not quite right about it. I just can’t see what it is yet.” She seemed to go away for the moment, giving Julie a brief view of her abilities.
Finally the First Lady seemed to come back, her eyes once more looking at Julie sitting beside her. Changing the subject, she told Julie, “Of course, my husband and I expect you to have the wedding here. It’s the only way we will get to participate.” She smiled at Julie’s reaction. “You’re right, your father is not dead. It’s just like he’s not here yet. I can’t explain that. But he will be here for the wedding.”
Julie gasped. “That’s it! I think I know now! When they were running their test, they lost control of the propulsion system. I believe that they were actually not in our universe for a short time. It may have thrown them forward in time. Thank you.” She gave her a big hug. “That will help me because I believe I can figure out when, as well as where, now that I know what to look for.”
They hugged quietly a moment. Smiling, Julie walked back the way she came, knowing that Zeke was watching for her.
Zeke met her at the door that looked out into the garden. He had been standing in front of the glass waiting for Julie to get there. He stared into her eyes for a moment before he relaxed. “The necklace,” she told him and held it up for him to see. “It was my mother’s. It just surprised me how powerful the reaction to it was.” He relaxed even more. She knew he felt a little of what she felt from it.
“Oh, and one more thing. It looks like we are having the wedding here.”
Zeke knew better than to argue about that, not that he cared that much where they had it. “I see that now. And you talked about your father.”
“I think I know how to find him now.”
Zeke was thrilled. He knew just how much that would mean to Julie. “That’s great! I know you miss him terribly.” He sent her a mental hug.
About that time the President stuck his head out of the conference room. “Jim is heading back now. We have decided both he and I will be there at the news briefing tomorrow. I told my people to expect to hear from your people within a couple of hours. Not trying to rush you, but we have a lot to do. My wife is telling me you will be back in less than a month, so we will try to spend more time together then.”
“Thank you for having us here. It is very beautiful and I really enjoyed my time with you and your wife.”
“She tells me that she feels like you are the daughter she never had. She’s really looking forward to your wedding, which she told me you have agreed to have here. She will ha
ve a lot of fun planning it, and now you won’t have to worry because she will take care of it all.”
They followed the waiting escort out to the vehicle that would take them back to the X-plane. Five minutes later, they were back in the air and headed home.
Julie spent almost the entire flight back holding on to the necklace and snuggled up close to Zeke. When they arrived back at Space Tech headquarters, she told her uncle what they had decided. He immediately went to work with his staff getting the details worked out. Mentally and emotionally exhausted, Julie left work early that day and spent several relaxing hours with Zeke. The morning had been so intense she had to unwind, but in the back of her mind remained the task she knew she would be working on next. In fact, as soon as they finished the news conference. She now had the information she needed to find her father. It was so obvious now, she couldn’t believe that she hadn’t seen it before.
#
The next day the news conference went off without a hitch. Security was as tight as Julie had ever seen it. Then the Secret Service guys arrived. The monk team was there too, but as she expected, no one even saw them. They had decided to leave Zeke out of the news conference, and she knew he was glad of that. She was glad too, because, if no one knew who he was, he couldn’t be a target. She would have to take care of that training thing he had asked about as soon as this was done.
He was in the control room, but they wouldn’t actually let him touch anything this time. That was ok because he knew she was safe. Not even the Organization could get through this group. Just before they started, he sent Julie a mental message, and he saw her smile and felt her gratitude.
Julie was actually there only as a figurehead this time. She smiled a lot while the Space Tech media person read their announcements. She could see the total shock in the news media representatives as they digested what they had heard about, not just one, but two world-changing products. Then President Scott spoke, explaining that because Space Tech was an American company, they came to him to tell him of their plans. He had negotiated with them a settlement that he thought would protect the American people and the world at large. He told of the basic terms, the protracted release schedule of the power systems that they had agreed to do, and the ten percent surcharge they would pay to support the fund. The AI systems everyone had agreed on would be more constrained by the production schedule and the full development of the technology so he had not negotiated any requirements regarding the timetable of their release. But, he asked that they work with all of the appropriate standards organizations to insure the safe release of any new AI system.
