by Bob Blanton
“Interesting,” Nikola said. “So, tomorrow?”
“Wait,” Catie said. “I have a design for a new probe I want you guys to look at. Tell me what you think.”
“What’s new about it?”
“It’s designed to carry things inside it. I assume we’ll eventually want to send some different plants along for the ride, and eventually animals,” Catie said.
“Yes we will,” Dr. McDowell said. “I see you’ve added an environment chamber?”
“Yes, I’ve upsized the engines by thirty percent, increased the capacitor storage by fifty percent, and added the chamber with appropriate sensors.”
“How much bigger is the probe?” Dr. McDowell asked.
“I’ve made it ten percent bigger, but I’ve designed it so we can add skins to it to make it even bigger, up to three times as much volume. If you approve the design, we can have the crew on the Enterprise fabricate one and send it out for us. They’re at fifty-five AUs.”
“Good thinking. Send me the design, and I’ll review it,” Dr. McDowell said.
“Send me a copy as well,” Nikola said.
“You’ve got them.”
◆ ◆ ◆
It took another week of testing before they had characterized the probes well enough to discuss moving to the next step. They had determined that plant life and meat from the grow vats showed no effects from going through the wormhole. Using Catie’s design, they had shown the correlation between gravity drive size and the volume that could be transmitted through the wormhole. They also determined that it was independent of mass; they had transported the probe filled with iron pellets and found no difference between that and an empty probe; volume was the critical element. They built another probe that was long and narrow to determine if the shape would affect the transit. It did, the cross-section was the most important variable, followed by total volume.
“How long until your menagerie reaches the Enterprise?” Dr. McDowell asked.
“We sent it out two days ago,” Catie said. “It should be there in six more days. The Earth has moved quite a ways in its orbit from when we left the Enterprise.”
“Remind me what we’ve shipped out there?” Dr. McDowell asked.
“We’ve sent a snail, a pair of white rats that know how to run a maze, a pair of chihuahuas that know a few tricks, a pair of grey parrots that have a large vocabulary, and a pair of spider monkeys,” Catie said.
“You’re planning on verifying intelligence,” Nikola said.
“Yes, seems we would want to make sure the trip doesn’t affect the brain,” Catie said.
“Definitely need to do that before I’m willing to ride through one,” Nikola said.
“So, did you determine if the volume has to be encased inside the vehicle?” Nikola asked.
“We were able to move one of the smaller probes when it was next to the big probe,” Catie said. “They didn’t have to touch, just be within the volume that the gravity drives could encompass.”
“What does that mean for our colonists?” Nikola asked.
“It means we have to have gravity drives that are twice as big as that battleship had to move the asteroid,” Catie said. “They would take four months each to print.”
“We don’t know how to make them another way?” Nikola asked.
“That was on my list,” Dr. McDowell said. “I’ve been sidetracked, but I should be working on that when I’m not working on this. I’m sorry Catie.”
“We’ve all been sidetracked by this,” Catie said. “We can afford the printer time to print them if necessary. First, we need to figure out if we can send people through it. And we need to add having those people in a stasis chamber as part of the test.”
“Something interesting to talk about during our next Cabinet Meeting,” Nikola said.
“I’ll give Daddy an update tonight,” Catie said.
“That’s wise,” Nikola said. “Do you want any support?”
“Nah, I’ve got it.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Marc, I wanted to stop by and give you an update on the SALT III negotiations,” Samantha said.
“Come in; I’ve been waiting to hear,” Marc said. “They’re keeping everything very quiet.”
“That won’t last long,” Samantha said. “France and the UK have decided to unilaterally disarm. They’re tired of waiting while the U.S., Russia, and China keep going around in circles.”
“That is a huge step; what brought them around?”
“Fusion power. We’ve agreed to give them each fifty fusion reactors. Israel has also agreed to disarm if we will provide them with five reactors and sign a defense treaty with them that assures their protection from any nuclear attack.”
“Didn’t Pakistan already disarm?” Marc asked.
“They’ve agreed to, but they are still in the process. They can’t let India have the economic advantages of fusion power, so they agreed right after India did. But they’ve been slow to complete it and allow inspectors in to verify it.”
“So are France and the UK going to go public?”
“In thirty-six hours,” Samantha said. “I would like to reward them in some way that creates more public support; the economic advantages of fusion power are a bit abstract for the average citizen.”
“What would you suggest?”
“Something health related, high impact.”
“Dr. Metra, would you join me in my office,” Marc called over his Comm.
“Captain, I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. First, I just need to get another doctor to take over my patient.”
“You’ve already been thinking about something,” Samantha accused.
“I’m always thinking about something,” Marc said with a laugh. “But yes, Dr. Metra and I have been discussing how to best utilize the Paraxean doctors and nurses. We were focused on creating a more positive image for the Paraxeans, but this is an opportunity to crack two eggs at the same time.”
“By the way, I just saw Catie, has she gained weight?”
“Yes, Dr. Metra is helping her with her disguise,” Marc said. “She’s going to be looking like Kal’s sister in a few days, skin color, and all.”
“Really, just because of the publicity thing?”
“That and the fact that she has to do an undercover report before she can complete her high school diploma,” Marc said.
“An undercover report?”
“Yes, she’s got to do a report on the effects of social class on one’s life choices. I believe she’s planning to get a job at one of our manufacturing plants and study her co-workers.”
“You set this up?” Samantha asked.
“Only partially,” Marc said. “ADI and I review her curriculum to make sure she has a rounded education. This is taking a leaf from my mother’s handbook. She once made Catie spend time working in a shelter and feeding the poor on Christmas. This will give her a better perspective of what normal people have to deal with.”
“Does she know how much you influence her curriculum?” Samantha asked.
“No, and don’t tell her. She’s much more enthusiastic about these things when she thinks I don’t know what’s going on.”
“You’re sneaky.”
“Teenagers demand sneaky. She used to share everything, but now she likes to have a few secrets.”
“Captain, how may I help you?” Dr. Metra asked when she arrived.
“Please be seated. Sam and I were just discussing that it would be helpful for some of our other objectives to provide some advance medical care for France and the UK.”
“Good, which treatments do you want to make available?” Dr. Metra asked.
“The Muscular Dystrophy treatment would be the first on the list. You’ve perfected it already,” Marc said, alluding to the treatment of Dr. Sharmila’s twins after Catie’s mother had suggested to her that they might have a treatment.
“Of course, and we should include acute lymphocytic leukemia, and mesothelial cancer,�
� Dr. Metra suggested. “And as long as we have a treatment, there is nothing to stop us from treating any patient who shows up with a different type of cancer or medical problem.”
“I agree,” Marc said. “Sam, why don’t you and Dr. Metra work out the details. Again, we need to keep the nanites secret. The treatments need to occur under our control. Still, we should be able to accomplish that while working at a local hospital.”
Chapter 10
Press Conference
“Ladies and gentlemen, the leader of Delphi, His Excellency, President Marcus Alexander McCormack.”
Marc entered the room and approached the podium; there was a standing ovation from the press and the various dignitaries whom had been invited. He waited for a few minutes for the applause to finally quiet down.
“I’ve asked you here today to announce a historic agreement between Delphi and Algeria,” Marc said. “Delphi will be providing fusion reactors to Algeria and will also license the production of polysteel to them. In exchange, Algeria has promised to build a plant that will desalinate water from the Mediterranean, and use that water to start a ten-year project to reforest Algeria. Delphi’s scientists have developed a version of the Saharan Cyprus that grows three times as fast and can tolerate the harsh conditions found in the Sahara better. This effort will result in the sequestering of over thirty billion tons of carbon from our atmosphere. I’ll take questions now.”
“What’s to stop people from burning the trees to create cropland?”
“First: there is no cropland in the areas where the trees will be planted.
Second: watering the trees will create grazing land around them for sheep and goats, which will provide the migrant population an income.
Third: the introduction of polysteel manufacturing should provide jobs to absorb the population that is now tied to subsistence farming, and allow Algeria to establish larger family farms. The government has agreed to provide the necessary assistance to encourage that transition.”
“Why Algeria?”
“Algeria is the largest, most democratic country in the Sahara. The government agrees that with the economic boost to their economy by this initiative, they will be able to move their country toward a more democratic society. We hope they will be a model for other nations in Africa.”
“What right do you have to control the licensing of polysteel?”
“MacKenzie Discoveries developed the process for polysteel,” Marc said. “We had samples of it from the spaceship we found, but the process to produce it was developed by us. Under all the laws on this planet, that entitles us to control the use of that technology. We are dedicated to introducing that technology to the world in a controlled manner with the express goals of raising the income levels in the nations that are suffering from poverty.”
“How can we trust you?”
“Because you don’t have a choice. We control the technology and will continue to introduce it according to our plans, but look at our actions,” Marc said. “We have dedicated all of our resources to enhance the lives of people in every nation.”
“You built a monstrous space station, what benefit was that?”
“That space station was instrumental in building the ships and fighters that defeated the invading force that was trying to colonize Earth. When we found the spaceship, we were immediately concerned that the owners would come looking, and we did everything we could to make sure Earth was prepared.”
“Wouldn’t it have been better to allow the U.S. to exploit that technology to defend us?”
“We feared that if one of the nuclear powers gained the technology, it would lead to nuclear war. Earth has not had a history of managing leaps in military power without starting an arms race.”
“What is the status of the Paraxeans? Why are they only in Delphi City and on Delphi Station?”
“The Paraxeans are in Delphi by their choice,” Marc said. “The prisoners we captured during the battle are in stasis awaiting final disposition of their status. We have brought the leaders and key scientists of the colony expedition to Delphi to help us find a solution for the colonists.”
“Aren’t you hoarding the Paraxeans to prevent other nations from learning from them?”
“The Paraxeans are free to talk and share their knowledge with anyone,” Marc said. “In fact, in two weeks, there will be a conference here in Delphi City between the leading Paraxean scientists and scientists from several nations.”
“Can you explain the fact that the UK and France have started to receive special medical treatment from Paraxean doctors?”
“Since we introduced the treatment for Alzheimer’s, MacKenzie Discoveries has been working on other medical treatments. We have brought the Paraxean doctors from the colony ship on board to help with the efforts. Between us, we’ve developed several new treatments for diseases that are especially prevalent in children. We are simply starting to make those treatments available to the world.”
“What are you charging for the treatments?”
“We are only recovering cost,” Marc said. “The clinics we are working with will be responsible for paying and supporting the doctors and nurses who will be managing the treatments, and also the cost of the medicine.”
“Like the cost of the medicine for Alzheimer’s?”
“No, we are not trying to make a profit,” Marc said. “I believe the average cost for the medicine involved in the treatment will be five thousand dollars.”
“Per dose?”
“No, for all the medication that the patient needs that is provided by MacKenzie Discoveries.”
“Why France and England?”
“The UK and France have been extremely flexible in accommodating our needs to protect the Paraxeans as well as protect the technology associated with producing the medicine.”
“Why not the United States?”
“The U.S. has continued to be inflexible and belligerent in its dealings with Delphi. We do not believe we can ensure the safety of the doctors and staff that would be needed to support the treatment,” Marc said. “We hope that will change in the future, but until it does, U.S. citizens will need to travel to other countries for treatment.”
Chapter 11
Catie Undercover
“Do you think I’m ready?” Catie asked Liz. Her body had completed its transformation. She now sported a soft brown complexion, her hair was black, her eyes brown, and she had few extra pounds to soften her usually lean features.
“You look great,” Liz said. “What name have you chosen for yourself?”
“I’m going to be Keala Nakoa.”
“Do you have your new condo assignment yet?”
“Yes, and I’ve got a roommate.”
“Oh, that’s going to be fun. I assume nobody you know.”
“Right, I’m still surprised ADI couldn’t nail me a condo without a roommate. We should have lots of empty ones available.”
“We probably do, but they’re being assigned under tight rules. It would look suspicious if you suddenly came up with one all to yourself.”
“I guess it would blow my cover. Anyway, I’m moving in tonight. My first day at work is tomorrow.”
“So, your first day on the job, excited?”
“It’s assembling solar panels,” Catie said. “It’s not going to be very exciting.”
“Hey, you have to change your attitude, or you’ll blow your cover and get an F on your paper,” Liz said. “You have to ask questions about even simple things. It’ll help your co-workers accept you, and nobody as smart as you would be working in a manufacturing plant as an assembler.”
“I know, but it’s going to be hard. And why do I have to wear these shoes?”
“They have a slight heel,” Liz said. “That will make you walk different than your normal pilot strut. We don’t want people recognizing you as a pilot.”
“Pilots do not have a strut!”
“Au contraire my young friend, they most certainly do. Just watch
a few pilots walking around, and you’ll notice it right away.”
◆ ◆ ◆
Catie knocked on the door to the condo that would be her home for the next few weeks. She had a duffle bag with all that she would need, just clothes and toiletries.
“Just a minute,” a voice called out from inside. A bit later, the door opened and a small woman looked up at Catie. “Great, someone who can reach the top shelf,” the woman said. Catie estimated her height to be about 145 centimeters tall or 4’ 9”, so Catie, who was a foot taller, figured she was serious about someone to reach the top shelf.
“Hi, I’m Keala. I think I’m your new roommate.”
“That’s what I’ve been told. My name is Wei Xiāo,” she said. “I’ve been expecting you. You have the right-hand room.”
“Thanks,” Catie said. She carried her bag in and put it into the room. “Is there anything you need me to do, any rules I need to know about?”
“Just clean up after yourself, no parties unless we both agree, and if you’re going to make out with someone, do it in your room,” Wei said.
“Sounds good to me,” Catie said. “I’m going to be working a first shift job. I start work at seven, but I usually go to the gym at five-thirty to do a workout first.”
“I’m an admin for Vancouver Integrated,” Wei said. “So, I have office hours; I don’t get up until seven.”
“Shouldn’t be a problem; I’ll be quiet, and I shower at the gym and eat on the way to work,” Catie said. “Any food restrictions?”
“I’m Chinese; if it’s edible, we have a recipe for it,” Wei said. “Do you cook?”
“I’ve been known to try, but I’m still pretty basic.”
“Do you like to eat? Because I like to cook.”
“I love to eat; what do you make, Chinese food?”
“Not that much, I mainly cook Chinese when my mother is visiting,” Wei said. “I like Italian and French recipes, plus what they call fusion cuisine. For me, that means some Chinese and Japanese techniques with West Coast cuisine.”
“Did you come from Vancouver?”
