STAR OF EPIPHANY

by OMAR FINK

  Lee continued, “It’s interesting to note that the HU organization was formed to avert a global crisis, and this was the first time in the history of our civilization that the whole of humanity has acted together as a single group. Now it’s beginning to look like the HU organization will stand down and dissolve once the crisis is over. This would also be a first in our history. Interesting.”

  Lee smiled, “If you like this module, we have many more educational modules available. Please take a look at our list.”

  +10 years, 3 months, ARETE STATION, AU 2.5

  Nabith Mehra looked up at the viewpoint, “Hello, this is Nabith Mehra, coming to you from the Astronomy and Navigation Center on Arete Station at AU 2.5. As you can see behind me are some of our AstroNav team here, and they will be available to answer questions when I have finished. We are making this important transmission to announce that the project that has become known as the ‘billiard shot’ has been completed, and has been completely successful. That means that Earth is now safe from the Martin comet train. Our project was designed to move rocks in the outer belt that could make small changes to the comet train fragments when they returned to our Solar System. Even though these changes were small, they were enough to change the effect the gravitational force of the Sun had on them when they were close to it on their return trip. Many of the train fragments were destroyed because they plunged into the Sun. A few others were thrown out into wider tracks that will never threaten Earth. There is a possibility that some of the remaining very small dust sized fragments will still intersect the trajectory of Earth, but those that do will simply provide a normal looking meteor shower if anything at all.”

  Nabith looked serious, “We know you have questions, but because of the time delay, we can’t take them all live. We’ve already tried to anticipate the most common questions you may ask and have provided some experts to give you the answers.” He waved a hand at the group standing behind him.

  Nabith continued, “We will be taking any additional questions you may have that are not answered, and we’ll post an update with those answers as well. Now, here is the AstroNav crew to answer some of your questions.”

  The video stream cut to a different face, “Question: For more than a year now, you have been saying there was a solution to the comet threat but it would take time and was not yet final. Are you now saying that it is final and everything has been done and the threat is completely gone?”

  The same face continued: “Answer: That is absolutely correct. It took more than two years to plan and get all the resources into place and then actually move some large rocks into positions where they could create subtle but important changes in the trajectories of the comet train fragments. We are indeed saying that this has been completed, the comet train has been destroyed, and the threat is entirely gone.” Some applause could be heard in the background.

  Another face was presented and said, “Question: Why could we not have accomplished this solution many years ago before working so hard to evacuate Earth?”

  That face continued, “Answer: It not only was not possible to execute this solution before the migration, it was not even possible to see it or anticipate it. In the course of migrating several billion human beings out into the asteroid belt, we have designed new construction equipment, have constructed new habitats, and created new navigational infrastructure. We have even invented some new technologies. With all of these new resources and specially with them located in new positions with new viewpoints, we could both see things differently and had the ability to propose moving rocks we had never even visited before. It literally took moving out into the asteroid belt to make this solution possible.”

  Another face appeared, “Question: You said there might be some small fragments that still strike Earth as a meteor shower. How confident are you that there are no larger fragments left that could pose serious danger?”

  Like the previous faces, this one also continued with an answer, “We are highly confident there is no longer any danger at all. We were able to watch as most of the comet train plunged into the Sun and was consumed there. We followed every bit of the progress with observatories stationed all over the Solar System, and have been using every technology we have including both radar and optical telescopes and many frequencies of light and other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. There is nothing left but dust that will actually provide an opportunity for celebration as a meteor shower.”

  +10 years, 4 months, HABITAT-107, AU 3.3

  Bill Decker was seated behind a desk like surface. He was dressed in a dark blue business suit but somehow seemed to make it wear on him like a uniform. He began speaking, “Hello, this is Bill Decker. Many of you watching this have worked with me in the past. A lot of you used to call me ‘General’ but now I’m just Bill, please. You are being invited to join an exciting new enterprise because I either know you personally or somebody I know and trust has recommended you. All of you have some kind of background in security, military, defense, administration, investment and several other key fields. We are proposing to buy HABITAT-107 from HU. Most of you know this will entail substantial cost. We intend to buy this HAB and turn it into a martial security based city. This city will have a foundational culture based on security concepts, and will become the leading edge of providing security services to the rest of the asteroid belt. To that end, we intend to rename this HAB as ‘Sparta’.”

  Decker paused for a few seconds then continued, “The asteroid belt has evolved a new form of civilization. In the past, people gathered together to pool their resources for survival, then learned they also needed to build defenses against other large groups of people who were intent on doing them harm. Here in the asteroid belt, we live a life of luxury by historical standards, and most of us choose to live where we do because we desire the company of like minded people. This means many of the old reasons for warfare and conflict of all kinds have been eliminated. But at the same time, the harshness of the space environment outside of the protection of a city ring wall brings new concerns to internal security. We can no longer afford to allow mentally unstable individuals or even groups to threaten a few million people with a small explosive device. Security in our cities needs to be absolute. We also have begun to appreciate new levels of self government, liberty and privacy. We don’t want the need for security to compromise those ideals.”

  His face was serious, “We’ll be creating a city with a culture and team spirit based in the tradition of the historical Greek martial city of Sparta. Occupants of this new version of Sparta will find themselves living with others who are dedicated to principles of law and order. The most advanced training routines will be available in all aspects of martial discipline and skill sets. Sophisticated tools and information resources will be available. A variety of training in physical martial arts will be available. Training in the principles of law and governance will be available. Training in logic and philosophy and emotional balance and stability will be available. Training in establishing communications rapport and negotiations skills will be available. In short, we will offer all that is needed to produce high performance specialists in many different fields of security.”

  Bill Decker smiled, “When we have accomplished the goal of creating this new city, Sparta, we will be able to provide professional security services with a high standard of integrity and principle. We will focus on creating trust and respect for our security officers. Cities will want our services because we will be able to offer them solutions that they need, at a reasonable cost, and without the negative characteristics that have been historically associated with police states. One of our models will be the Swiss Guard, used by the Vatican in Rome for centuries to provide security while admired by everybody.”

  Bill returned to his normal stoic poker face, “A complete prospectus has been provided. You can select your own level of investment and involvement. We need all the help and support we can gather. This enterprise is going to be highly successful, an
d provide a rewarding return in both a financial sense and a viewpoint of morality. Please respond quickly. We are already moving forward with our proposal to HU. It’s just a matter of who will join us in this quest.”

  +10 years, 5 months, SPARTA, AU 3.3

  Lee Martin looked at the viewpoint, “Begin recording v-mail to Marco Lagorio at HAB-75 at AU2.5. Hello dear friend. I need your advice. I’m sure you know there is a think tank organization called Solutions Incorporated that is buying your HAB and founding a new city there. That seems to be all the rage these days. My HAB here has been renamed ‘SPARTA’ and is becoming some kind of martial city. I don’t really fit in here anymore.”

  Lee shook her head as though disagreeing, “I don’t know. The think tank says they will name their new city ‘GORDIUM’. Something to do with the Gordian knot of history and finding new solutions. That sounds more interesting to me than security and martial stuff. They say they are including in their plans an educational division and have offered me an opportunity there. It’s not so much a job in the old fashioned sense as it is a chance to create my own business under a large corporate umbrella. I do find this interesting, I must confess.”

  Lee flashed a broad smile at the viewpoint, “So why am I chatting with you? Because dear Marco, I trust your opinion and want to know what you think of the people in this Solutions Inc. thinking group. What do your gut feelings tell you about them? Oh, I do wish we could just sit down at some sidewalk cafe table and discuss this for a few hours over some wonderful new kind of pastry and good coffee. I miss those days, Marco.” She sighed.

  Lee pursed her lips, “Well, I want your opinion. Please return my comm as soon as possible. I don’t think I’ll be staying here and you know I would enjoy your company if you intend to stay there, but that’s not the only factor. I need to know I’d be working with people I can respect and admire as well as trust. Hope to hear from you soon. Bye.”

  +10 years, 5 months, GORDIUM, AU 2.5

  Marco leaned back from the edge of the desk and sighed. He thought for a moment, then said, “Begin recording reply to v-mail from Lee Martin. Location is ‘SPARTA’ at AU 3.3.” He smiled at the viewpoint, “Hi Lee. Answering your comm. I am indeed familiar with the people who are buying this HAB and creating the new thinking group. I’m impressed with what I’ve seen so far.”

  He leaned forward a little and continued, “You mentioned the Gordian knot. In history that was a cluster of knots so complex that they could not be analyzed and untied. When Alexander the Great arrived at the knot, he solved the puzzle by slicing the knot open with his sword. This legend teaches that sometimes there are simple and obvious solutions to problems that appear to be complex and unsolvable.”

  Marco leaned back, “These people have a problem solving philosophy that says any problem is an apparent conflict caused by the point of view of the observer who notes the apparent problem. This suggest that any problem or conflict can be solved simply by shifting or changing the point of view. I find this intriguing.”

  He smiled, “And of course, I’d love to discuss it with you. Coffee and pastry on the side is simply an extra. You must consider moving here Lee, specially if you are not comfortable where you are. GORDIUM, or HAB-75 as it used to be called, is fairly new construction and has state of the art features. It’s a class E ring with a 2,500 meter radius and can support a population of up to ten million before needing to add a second ring.”

  Marco brightened visibly and added, “Oh, and while I want to learn more about their point of view shifting ideas, their core purpose is the general pursuit of science, and they intend to specialize in creating simulation software. It also is true that are setting up an educational division.”

  Marco flashed a toothy grin, “Lee, you’ll fit right in here. Get your ass over here right away!”

  +10 years, 8 months, RRRT HABICRAFT, AU 4.0

  An alarm was singing as Keel O’Donnell ran down the hallway into a launch bay and practically jumped into a personal pod. He said, “Command, ready for deployment, include suit.” The pod powered up and started moving toward the exit lock. The suit sealed some loose ends and a few of the suit ribs stiffened just a bit as it connected with the exoskeleton above and the couch below. Keel leaned his head back into the helmet component, which responded by surrounding the back of his head and sliding the face plate down into position.

  Sonny Barton spoke through the earpiece in Keel’s ear, “Launching torpedo number one. Torpedo is away.”

  Keel spoke, “KO on the rails, in lock three, ready to clear and exit.” The air lock doors closed behind him and atmosphere inside the lock was sucked back into the HAB ring. As it was finishing, Keel said, “Okay, now tell me what we’ve got.”

  Sonny replied, “A few minutes ago, we received a message from a private mining ring. It’s a small ring. They have eleven crew members. About an hour ago, they took a hit from a small particle that punched a hole in their hull. There were no injuries. They’ve managed to patch the hole but not before they lost a lot of atmosphere. They restored normal pressure but had to use up all their reserves to do that. Now their scrubbers are failing, and they don’t know why. If the scrubbers continue to fail, and they can’t fix them, their air will foul. They estimate they have about thirty hours but don’t know how fast the scrubbers are fading, so it’s just a guess.”

  Keel interrupted, “KO in pod-6, command, exit doors open, exit now.” The doors in front of Keel slid back to the side and his pod began moving out into space.

  Sonny said, “Your pod should have the nav and comm info, and a copy of the message if you need to play it back. I’ve launched the first torpedo with two emergency canisters of liquid air, and will begin to move our ring in the direction of the target as soon as you’re clear.”

  Keel said, “Pod-6 clear, command, restore lock three to normal, track and follow target one.” The lock doors began closing behind him. The pod thrusters lit up and the pod began to move in the same direction as the torpedo. After a few seconds, Keel added, “Pod-6 clear from ring thrusters.”

  Sonny responded, “Firing thrusters to move RRRT Habicraft ring One toward emergency location. Keel, I’ll be following the first torpedo with a second one five minutes behind the first. And the backup pod should also be ready to launch if we need it. Kaz is in the bay and ready to go.”

  Keel replied, “Roger that. Oh, and judging by the distance involved, this will be a one way trip for me using onboard fuel. So please add a third torpedo with more fuel set to follow me. I would like to return home when I’m through saving the world.”

  Sonny chuckled, “My hero.”

  +10 years, 9 months, ARETE STATION, AU 2.5

  Zorba ran his hand across the massive desk sitting in front of him, and smiled up at Artemis, “Arty, thanks again for getting this desk in here. I absolutely love it. You did a marvelous job with this. Thank you.” He nodded to affirm his appreciation. Arty nodded back, and just murmured an acknowledgment.

  Eventually, Zorba continued, “First things first. Now that we’re finally settled in here, I want you to go ahead and fully implement all the plans we’ve initiated. That means more funding where it’s needed and adjustments to control as needed to keep things moving according to the plan. Transportation, banking, and mining are the primary focuses, but I suspect shortly we’ll need to be moving more heavily into manufacturing also. The returns on everything else have been nothing short of spectacular, and we’ll need more avenues to invest all the money we’re making. Oh, also go ahead with finalizing all the sales and wrapping up operations on Earth. There’s nothing left for us there.” He nodded again.

  Arty replied, “Will do, sir.”

  Zorba said, “Oh, and with regard to Helena...” He paused and frowned, then continued, “As you know, she has procured a divorce lawyer, and announced her intention to file for divorce. She also had her lawyer explain that they intend to challenge the limitations of the prenuptial agreement in a court out here once she arr
ives.” He paused again and drummed his fingers on the desk.

  Finally Zorba continued, “They claim the prenup has no legal precedent out here, and was shaky to begin with back on Earth, because it was done in Singapore and because of their legal legacy with Great Britain. Here’s what I want you to do: first have one our lawyers remind her lawyer of the terms and conditions in the prenup regarding infidelity and separation, second have our team do some research on their challenge of validity, third get our legal team to draft a plan for a city government out here that allows me a great deal of personal influence, and please make a note that this team should be firewalled from the others, and finally, put a private investigator on Helena. If she’s been fooling around on the side, it would make things much easier.”

  Arty replied, “I can do all those things.”