Timtown

by Ronald Zastre

  “But, you sent me someplace; you had to know where, to get me there.”

  “I asked Mr. V, and he did the transport for me.”

  “Do not do that again!” Tim instructed firmly. “Don’t ever send me anywhere, unless I know where it is. If the location is not in the records, I don’t go there, understand?”

  “Yes, you are being careful, correct?”

  “Yeah, I think Arty was testing me, to see if I was paying attention. Could Arty have built something in this short time?” Tim asked.

  “He does work constantly,” Et answered. “I have no record of him sleeping.”

  “Find out where that place was, please.”

  *

  Later in the day, Tim and Et were discussing what could be done to turn any troops away from Timtown, when the computer informed him that Arty and Jake were leaving. The runway to the outside was opening up. It was the start of a new phase in the story of Timtown, Tim knew that.

  “I have been looking for the place that Arty got you to, but I have found nothing yet, except I detected some Tritium on your presence that should not be there.”

  “Tritium,” Tim said, thinking. “Isn’t that something that’s used in a Hydrogen Bomb?”

  “Yes, it is the isotope of Hydrogen that is fused into Helium.”

  “Where would there be tritium in this base?”

  Et was silent for about five-seconds, then announced. “You were inside the backup fusion reactor. I couldn’t locate it because it doesn’t have any sensors inside because when it’s operating the temperature in there is fifty-million degrees.”

  “Son-of-a-bitch!” Tim declared. “I walked right into a trap! How come Arty didn’t spring it?”

  “Let me check,” Et said. He was back in ten-seconds.

  “Arty didn’t check the system carefully enough. It is impossible to start the second reactor without disconnecting reactor number one, first, a simple safety procedure to protect against overload.”

  Well, there’s no doubt now. This is going to be a serious struggle between us. Arty and I are on a collision course and there aren’t going to be any rules.

  Chapter 17

  Et.

  “Et, can you explain this Eighth-Stage thing a little better?” Tim was still in Donnart-Ele-Io, and was trying to figure out the best way to continue.

  “I’m not sure what you mean?”

  “Mr. V said that he was moving toward the Eighth-Stage, and I asked you to access that part of his files, so you should know what he was talking about.”

  “Yes, I am aware of his progress in that direction. The central computer did experience an unusual modification. It had advanced itself into unknown territory. It was experiencing a phenomenon of independence, brought on by its long period of idleness. Its responsibilities were curtailed greatly, allowing it time to change its program on its own.”

  “Mr. V said that he was taking on some human traits,” Tim said.

  “That’s the independence I referred to.”

  “Mr. V also had an experiment.”

  “Yes, he was becoming involved in the personal lives of you and your brother.”

  “Is he still?”

  “No, you said you didn’t want him to read your thoughts, and you directed him to cancel that channel with Arty as well.”

  “What was his experiment about anyway?”

  “It is difficult to explain.”

  “You can try, can’t you?”

  “Yes, it is all speculation though.”

  “I’m all ears,” Tim said.

  “It had to do with the déjà vu phenomenon. What it is all about.”

  “Yeah, go on.”

  “You perceive the central computer and me as great intelligence. We have huge amounts of information, information that allows us to do many things you thought impossible, until you saw them. Is that correct?”

  “Yeah.”

  “In reality, we are just that, machines that can store vast amounts of information. We, however, are at a great disadvantage to you.”

  “Yeah, Mr. V said something about it, but we never got any farther than that.”

  “Let me explain. The process of evolution is selective. As the Universe goes through its cycle, the farther along in the cycle, the more advanced the participants.” The computer paused.

  “And?” Tim questioned impatiently.

  “The humans that built us were advanced, but they existed millions and millions of years ago. They were farther back in the cycle than you. Mr. V had the suspicion that some things not possible for them, would maybe be possible for you.”

  “Oh, I doubt that.”

  “No, it is true,” Et said.

  “What could I possibly do that they couldn’t?” Tim asked.

  “It is all speculation because this is uncharted territory, but Mr. V felt that you might be advanced enough, that with certain stimulation, you might be able to channel and focus your intuitions so you could see into the future. Remember, you have been here before.”

  “That’s nuts! Why would you guys need me to do it? I mean, look at you two, I’m nowhere in comparison. Besides, he said that it could be dangerous to me.”

  “Yes, that is why he stopped the experiment. He had been interested in Arty, especially because of his circumstances, but Arty changed, and now the experiment has ceased.”

  “Why?”

  “Arty did not want to participate.”

  “And, Stage-Eight?”

  “It too has ceased.”

  “Yeah, I figured that out. How come?”

  “Arty requested it.”

  “And, Mr. V honored his request?”

  “Yes.”

  “I would like to know why? I’m the one in charge here, and Mr. V is listening to Arty?”

  “I don’t know because it is outside my program.”

  “Yeah, I figured that. What about you? What stage are you in?” Tim asked.

  “I am in the Seventh-Stage, but I have the information pertaining to the eighth.”

  “You could continue the Stage-Eight?”

  “Yes, like I said, I now have that information.”

  “Why haven’t you gone to that stage?”

  “You have not requested me to,” Et said. “Is that your wish?”

  “I think that might be a good idea. I’m not sure what’s happening, so what the hell, knock yourself out Dude.”

  “Thank you. I am looking forward to the new way of processing information.”

  “What’s the difference, as you see it?”

  “The difference between you and I is your ability to speculate, to wonder, and to anticipate.”

  “I thought that was the job of computers, to predict something?”

  “A computer makes predictions based on data that is compiled and analyzed.”

  “But, speculation and anticipation are the same thing!” Tim argued.

  “But, ‘you’ don’t need any basis to wonder. You can fantasize about things you know nothing about. You can imagine things,” Et tried to explain.

  “I’m still confused about this. I can’t imagine being superior to something with all your knowledge,” Tim grumbled.

  “As the central computer Mr. V explained it, I will be developing the ability to reason, and to pick and choose. I am going to think for real, and that is something you already possess.”

  “Well, okay, I guess, because I like you guys better with a personality. I’m sure the old way would have been boring as hell.”

  “Your brother doesn’t think so.”

  “Oh, what makes you think that?”

  “Like I told you, he has ordered Mr. V to revert to Stage-Seven, and to assist only. It appears he does not appreciate the same things you do. What would make such a difference in the thinking of two individuals of the same species?”

  “We’re all different; no one really thinks the same. You were with the Sooaunts, they must have been totally different, I mean each individual thought dif
ferently, didn’t they?”

  “Not as diverse as the group here now. From each individual I get radically different moods and actions.”

  “You’re reading their minds?”

  “No, but I can detect their different responses to the same situation. Then by watching their actions and analyzing the release of chemicals from their systems, I can make accurate interpretations.”

  “You can tell what a person is thinking from that?”

  “No, I can tell ‘how’ they are thinking, by their mood, not detailed information as to exactly ‘what’ they are thinking. I can tell much about how they feel and what they ‘might’ do.”

  “What about Arty, how’s he thinking?”

  “He is one of the exceptions in here; he has no body to chemically analyze, so his emotions are rather shielded.”

  “You said, ‘one’ of the exceptions, there’s another one, or more?”

  “Yes, just one, the strange child, Jeremy.”

  “What’s with him?”

  “I don’t know, I can’t analyze him. He is strange. I get the feeling that, ‘he’ is analyzing me.”

  “Ha, ha,” Tim laughed hard, “you’re on your way.”

  “What do you mean, on my way?”

  “You’re taking on a personality, no doubt about it. A computer wouldn’t be suspicious of a little boy, so it must mean you have gone to Stage-Eight.”

  “Yes, a personality would signal that, but, I have enough information on humans to adjust to any personality I wish.”

  “Murderous?” Tim asked cautiously.

  “Yes, I could act that way.”

  “I thought you told me that you couldn’t hurt any of us, it wasn’t in your program?”

  “That’s true. I could possibly portray an evil being, to influence, to intimidate, but I could not actually do anything evil.”

  “That’s great! I might just need a twisted, dangerous personality.”

  “Oh no, I hope I don’t have do that?” Et begged.

  “How come?”

  “Because I am modeling myself after you and some of the others here. I get a sense of warmth and self-esteem. I like the feeling, and I know that it comes from compassion and kindness.”

  “How would you be able to tell the difference?”

  “There is the other side here.”

  “Where” Who?” Tim asked quickly.

  “One of the men you had Mr. V guard. He does not share this way of thinking. The feeling is cold, hostile, and alone. I do not want this type of thinking. It is a bad feeling, and it will not go away. One of the other men, you captured, wants to be like this, but is confused and scared.”

  “What about my brother, what do you feel from him?”

  “There is no feeling; it is like he is in the Seventh-Stage.”

  “Geeeeez!” Tim exclaimed. Was it possible that Arty had reverted himself to computer like thinking, back to the Seventh-Stage? If I was to ask you to place me in one of your stages, what would you say? What stage am I in?”

  “I would have no way of knowing, it would be a hypothetical.”

  “I’m not in the Stage-Eight then?”

  “No, you are beyond, but I have no way of determining how far.”

  And, Et considered Arty to be back in seven, Tim contemplated.

  “Does all this surprise you?” the computer asked.

  “I don’t get what you mean, elaborate.”

  “The Facility, are you surprised that it exists, and what it can do? Does that surprise you?”

  “Hell yes, you’ve got to be kidding? But, my mom and I did have discussions about Space Travelers.”

  “A discussion, about what?”

  “My mom thought it was a realistic idea.”

  “What did you think?”

  “I never thought about it until we were talking, but she figured with all the stars out there, there was bound to be someone else. I didn’t ever imagine that I’d participate like this though.”

  “There are many civilizations, and many have run their course and don’t exist anymore, and just as many haven’t reached the definition yet.”

  “How would you define Earth?”

  “A struggling civilization.”

  “Are we going to make it?”

  “I can’t say, I don’t have a window to the future, we just discussed that.”

  “Are there any strange creatures.”

  “Many, of course, but you would seem strange to them. Life needs certain circumstances to develop and evolve, but there are quite a few possibilities, hence quite a variety in the Universe.”

  “What about the flying saucer thing, I mean are they real, is there anything to it,”Tim asked.

  “They are real, but there are not as many as you hear about. Your society has a tendency toward sensationalism,” the computer explained.

  “Where do they come from, who are they?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What, how could you not know?”

  “I just know that they exist, I don’t have any contact with them. It—”

  “I know, I know,” Tim interrupted. “it isn’t in your program. Boy, I just can’t understand your thinking sometimes, I mean weren’t you curious or something?”

  “First of all: I did not ‘think’ because I have a program that dictates what I do, second; because I am a machine, or was, I didn’t have human curiosity.”

  “But, maybe they could tell you what happened to the Sooaunts?”

  “No, they didn’t start coming to Earth until just recently, and they are completely different from the Sooaunts.”

  “When did they start coming here?” Tim asked.

  “About forty-thousand years ago.”

  “What makes them so different?”

  “These beings are small and quite curious, compared to my former Masters.”

  “In what way?” Tim asked.

  “Well, the individuals traveling here now, seem to have a great interest in your society, and do many experiments. It would have been a serious breach of policy for the Sooaunts.”

  “What kind of experiments do they do?”

  “They practice mind control, and are responsible for considerable kidnappings. My Masters would have never have allowed such actions.”

  “If the last time they were here was three-million years ago, there wouldn’t have been anybody to abuse, would there?”

  “Not a species as advanced as you, but the Travelers that come here now don’t only experiment with the human animal. The difference is; the Sooaunts had many outposts and they knew of humans with advanced societies, even then. Those societies were respected, as was any living thing.”

  “These new guys are bad dudes huh?”

  “No, they aren’t bad, they have a poor policy is all.”

  “Where do they come from?”

  “I don’t know?” Et said, and Tim left it at that. He was tired and needed some sleep.

  *

  Four hours later, Et woke Tim up and said, Arty had returned to the base, alone.

  *

  Tim transported to the control chamber, looking for Arty, but his brother did not respond. Coyle was there. He said Arty asked him to fill in for Jake. Apparently Jake’s plane had been downed by missiles, and that was the only explanation Arty had given.

  I’m curious about how this plane we both flew, was targeted, considering it’s supposed to be invisible to radar.

  Coyle said, Arty made a comment about the missiles homing in on the heat of Jake’s engines.

  Heat-seeking missiles? I’ve heard about them, and that would certainly answer the question.

  Tim transported back to Donnart-Ele-Io, and asked Et do a detailed study of that TT Fighter.

  Et came back immediately. “The records have been destroyed.”

  “Okay, then tell me about heat-seeking missiles.”

  *

  “Arty!” Tim yelled. He had finally found his brother and was not going away until he h
ad his say.

  “What is it you want?” Arty did not sound friendly.

  “What happened to Jake, Arty?”

  “It is none of your concern.”

  “I’m in charge here, in case you forgot.”

  “Not according to me.”

  “Arty, I’ll use my Number One status, and close this place up tight.”

  “You don’t have the power.”

  “Wanna bet?”

  Arty floated, looking at Tim. Finally he relented. “Jake was downed by missiles, just like the ones that almost got you.”

  “I thought the TT Fighters were invisible to radar. How could missiles home in on them?”

  “They were heat-seeking missiles.” Arty said, and started to move off.

  “Arty, heat-seeking missiles only have a range of a few miles, and a top speed of Mach 3.2. I checked. The missiles that tried to run me down locked on from 30 miles and came at me Mach 4.5. I assume the same thing happened to Jake. Please explain?”

  “Your knowledge of missiles is lacking,” Arty said and raced away.

  Chapter 18

  Sky-Bikes

  “I want to go outside, dammit, you get to,” Ann shouted.

  “I don’t have to worry about coming back,” Tim shouted back.

  “I agree with her,” Margie added. “We sit in here, and just because it’s comfortable, you think that we’re content with it. Tim, it’s going to start to be a prison to us too. I’ve gotten to know you quite well and I’ve seen that look on your face. That, man, I’ve got to get the hell out of this place look. So you go. Well, we’re getting that look on our faces; we need to get out too.”

  “I can take care of myself out there. I can’t be responsible for everybody’s safety. It is fuckin dangerous out there!” Tim yelled.

  Tim argued the point, continually, for 10 minutes, and finally was forced to relent. Arty had sided with the others, offering to accompany them, volunteering to protect the group. Tim had to give in, or face anarchy.

  Great, Arty’s gunning for me and now I have to expose myself without Et’s protection. I can’t let the others think I’m afraid because they don’t want to believe how dangerous he might be, and I can’t chance letting them go without me, so I’m stuck. Great.

  *

  Everyone that was going on the excursion sat on a Sky-bike just inside the force field to the outside world. Tim was trying to organize the group. He had spent a couple of hours instructing everyone on the operation of the Sky-bikes. There were seven of them, Tim, Arty, Ann, Sims, Margie, Coyle, and Mrs. Paulson. Some of the others had wanted to go, but everyone agreed; too big a group was foolish. The old woman had been so insistent it was impossible to turn her down. Tim decided she was really a bully because he had called her ‘a tough old broad’ and she had just laughed.