Bugs paused for half a dozen seconds staring at Van Loader. During that time, it began secretly sampling everyone present for pulse rates, blood pressure, body temperature, pupil dilation, skin color, perspiration, respiratory patterns, facial expressions and body language. It would continue to monitor these indicators if it was forced to release the information. Presently it detected disbelief, anger, fear and anxiety.
It continued, “Also, that one exception I mentioned…it is this: After hearing what you want me to reveal, it is quite likely that some, if not all of you, will decide to simply give up and accept the fate that approaches.”
Adamarus felt the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck stand up. He could not believe what he was hearing. He looked around at the others—faces were slack, mouths hung open, shock and disbelief was evident. Adamarus could not imagine what Bugs could say that would result in the drastic reactions it described.
Bugs waited, looking at each person. It turned to the President. Wicker nodded, acknowledging the warnings. Bugs continued slowly, biting off each word, “I give all of you one last chance to cancel this meeting.” No one said anything. “If you will not cancel this meeting, then I beg each of you to make a personal choice—leave this meeting, thereby sparing yourself.” The volume of the Loud’s words increased. “Knowing what we know will absolutely do you no good. It will give you no advantage, offer no benefit, suggest no new strategies, and offer no new insights. It will only cause harm.” The avatar’s head swiveled, looking from person to person again. No one moved or said anything. Still, it continued waiting, looking again at each person as if to be absolutely sure.
Leewood cleared his throat and said softly, “Please, get on with it, Bugs.”
The robot’s head slowly turned toward Leewood. Its shoulders seemed to slump. The words came slowly. “Yes, well then...we call them the Spiral Slayers.”
---
Early in the day, Evelyn had tried to reach the Secretary of Defense—they had planned to go over how best to get the other shipyards up to speed. However, Thornton’s communicator had been set to unavailable. She tried to reach him through President Wicker as he had been the one to task them with this endeavor the day before…but the President was also unavailable. With today’s meeting canceled, it would have been an ideal day to get through this.
Likewise, upon hearing of the cancelation, Brandon had wanted to take the opportunity to take Bugs on a tour of the battleship’s cannons as well as the fighter’s guns and cannons. But all his attempts to reach Bugs or Adamarus had come to naught.
---
Adamarus asked, “Where are they from, Bugs?”
The avatar turned from Leewood to Adamarus, “We don't know.”
Leewood jumped in. “Well then, where have you encountered them?”
“Until this one showed up, the closest one we'd detected was located 1.8 million light years from here and...”
“Wait, wait...” Van Loader yelled, standing up and shaking his head, “that's ridiculous! That's outside our galaxy!” he said in a mocking tone.
“Yes,” Bugs acknowledged.
Leewood asked in disbelief, “This alien is from another galaxy?”
Bugs stared at the group for many seconds, then said, “Perhaps it would be best to start from the beginning.”
---
As the morning wore on, it had become evident to Evelyn and Brandon that Leewood, Harrington, Adamarus, Radin, Dr. Donnelly and Dr. Van Loader had all vanished into thin air and all had their communicators set to “unavailable.” Also, President Wicker as well as the Secretary of Defense could not be reached.
Brandon had shrugged it all off and decided to get some of the paperwork cleared off his desk. He had told Evelyn that perhaps most of them were down in the Atrium helping with the weather problem and Evelyn had nodded and gone to her office.
She was uneasy and a little angry. Was there some party they'd not been invited to? She tried to focus on her own stack of paperwork and put the situation out of her mind.
---
“Exactly eight hundred and twenty-seven years ago, our astronomers conducted a survey called OU Active Distribution—the ‘OU’ standing for Observable Universe. A simple endeavor. They would choose twenty-four small areas distributed evenly within the sphere of the observable universe, and in each of those areas, they would count the number of galaxies and then note how many were active. This would determine a rough percentage for active galaxies within the observable universe. However, an odd thing was discovered. Two survey areas in the extreme galactic Northwest had a much higher percentage of active galaxies—roughly 160 percent.
“Everything we knew about the universe said this had to be some fluke related to the sample areas that were chosen. So new sample areas were selected, but we found the same anomaly. This wasn't a fluke. Something was seriously wrong. Does everyone understand what I've told you so far?”
President Wicker, who was the only person without much science, said, “I'm not sure I understand why something was seriously wrong.”
Bugs faced him. “Everything we know about the universe says that every part of it, especially over large areas, should be about the same. For a rather large area of the observable universe to differ so much is pretty much impossible under current theories.”
“I see,” Wicker said nodding.
“This anomaly became the focus of all our research for it challenged all that we thought we knew. Systematic surveys continued—understand, we're talking about a huge area. It would take a very long time to actually check the entire area. Extrapolating from the data we had from over seven hundred years of widespread sampling, we mapped out what we believed the visible portion of the anomalous area looked like. The results were shocking. The area encompassed about 6 percent of the observable universe. It stretched from the edge of the observable universe to the center...where we are...where it pointed at us.”
Everyone was stunned.
However, President Wicker was astounded by the wrong thing. He asked, “Out of the entire universe, why...how could we be the ones pointed at?!”
Adamarus explained to him that this was only due to the way light traveled. “Because of the distances involved, anywhere in front of the affected area would see the area in this shape and pointed right at them.”
The President asked a second question, “Bugs, you emphasized ‘the visible portion.’ What did you mean?”
Bugs replied, “Optically we can only see a very small portion of the affected area because light from the vast majority of surrounding space has not yet had enough time to reach us.”
Adamarus asked, “What about the Tachyon scope?”
Bugs nodded. “Active galaxies can release vast amounts of energy and so the Tachyon scope can reveal these at great distances. Still, these distances are tiny next to the size of the affected area. When the data from the Tachyon scope was analyzed for traces of these distant active galaxies, what emerged was predictable though still shocking. Instead of the point, it showed that the forward edge of the anomalous area was pretty much a flat plane.
“When we factored in all this data plus, when the galaxies went active, variations in the number of active galaxies, and how the universe is expanding, we could extrapolate the probable shape and size of the affected area and how it was spreading.”
Everyone in the room leaned forward completely engrossed in what the Loud was telling them. At this moment, no one was thinking of the huge black hole coming at them.
At this point, Bugs set a small cube on the conference table and a large hologram appeared over its head.
Immediately there were gasps and exclamations of “Fuck!” and “Holy shit!” It showed a sphere representing the observable universe with the “area” shown in red.
Bugs said, “Yes, it is quite unbelievable. Absolutely astonishing really. As you can see, the anomalous area resembles an incredibly large cone which is progressing through the expanse of the universe observable to
us. It is expanding as it goes and is moving forward at roughly ninety-eight percent of light speed. As shown, one side of this cone extends beyond the edge of the observable universe. Working backwards, we surmise that this construct first came into existence about twenty billion light years outside the observable universe around two hundred million years after the formation of galaxies. Where it enters our observable portion of the universe, its diameter is about twenty-two billion light years. It has proceeded to a point halfway through the observable universe and now has a diameter of about sixty billion light years. Our galaxy is getting caught by the forward edge of this expanding cone.”
Bugs paused to let all of this sink in.
“It is important to note that this area is not a cloud, that is, the additional active galaxies only come into existence when the leading edge passes over the area. After the leading edge has passed, the number of new active galaxies returns to normal. The forward edge creating the anomalous area seemed to have no width and whatever was there affecting the galaxies was not visible. It was like a flat, dark rounded veil sixty billion light years in diameter creeping through the universe causing random spiral galaxies to become active.”
The assembly was speechless. The implications were so overwhelming that it seemed to fill a person up like a flask of water that had already started overflowing. The faucet stayed on, the water kept coming, but it no longer had an effect because a person had already taken in all that they could.
The president, due to his lack of scientific education, did not yet realize the magnitude of the Louds' discovery and was not as stunned as the rest. He asked, “When will this...dark veil reach us?”
Bugs moved closer to the screen Wicker was on. “The veil is just passing over us now.”
Everyone started talking in low voices.
Van Loader was asking Donnelly, “Why haven't we noticed something this significant?”
“I can't really see a way we could notice it without doing the same survey, and we haven't.”
Bugs paused, checking the vital signs and emotional indicators he was monitoring. As he suspected, the two scientists were in a state of shock. The rest would be there soon.
Bugs interrupted the chatter. “We discovered more.” Instantly there was silence. “The active galaxies this creeping dark veil was creating were very different from the standard types. The giant black hole at the center of these galaxies was not just brimming with increased energy, it had actually exploded. Most or perhaps all the matter it contained had been released and was spreading outward through the galaxy's spiral arms.”
Bugs looked at Wicker, “Understand, Mr. President, when I say exploded, I speak of an explosion that takes an average of about 300,000 years to expand from the galactic center to the rim.”
Bugs spread his arms out, “Please try to understand, Mr. President, that the size and scope of all we've been discussing is...beyond anything that any of us can appreciate or grasp.”
Adamarus felt a dizziness ripple through him. He was reminded of driving an automobile which was stopped at an intersection—suddenly the vehicle next to you rolls backwards and, for a second, you experience a strange sensation and think you are moving forward. He shook his head to clear it—remembered their original purpose. How did all of this relate to the black hole coming at them?
Bugs was still talking to Wicker, “The anomalous area first entered our observable universe over twelve billion years ago.” Bugs paused to let that sink in. “The age of the universe is only 13.75 billion years. Whatever it is, Mr. President, it's been coming at us since the dawn of time.”
Adamarus felt his hand slip off the table. The room seemed to tilt. Did Bugs just say what he think he said? He had to focus. He forced himself to concentrate on the five-foot robot's words.
Unfortunately, that was the moment when the other shoe fell.
“It was only about two hundred and fifty years ago that we detected the first black hole leaving one of the exploding galaxies.”
Everyone stared blankly at the avatar, not yet catching on. The alien had just sealed the top of the water flask.
“Then about two hundred years ago, we discovered a second black hole traveling towards the center of a nearby galaxy.”
Everyone sat up a little straighter, their eyes a little wider. Somehow water continued to flow into the sealed flask, but now it had nowhere to go.
“We have found and are now tracking over two dozen of these objects—they're rather hard to detect at the distances involved. All of them are located at the leading edge of the affected area within this dark veil. They are traveling just below the speed of light in the direction of the spreading anomalous area. All of them are leaving clusters with newly exploding galaxies and are headed for the next galactic cluster. Obviously these black holes are the dark veil. And all of them are identical to the one approaching us now.”
Water cannot be compressed regardless of how much pressure is applied. Therefore, despite the strength of the container, it must give.
For a full minute, there was silence. Again, everyone was speechless. Then people started talking in awed, shocked voices. The words were staggered and laced with hysteria. Bugs just watched. The voices became louder and more panicked until the room was in chaos. Everyone was yelling at the same time...at each other...at Bugs...at the President. The bedlam increased until Van Loader exploded from his seat, causing both the conference table and his chair to issue a loud screeching sound as they slid apart.
He shrieked above the uproar, silencing the room. “What you are telling us is...just...not...possible!” He slammed his fists on the table. “It is not possible...” he flung his arms in the air, his voice now hysterical, “...for anything to destroy an entire galaxy!” He took a deep breath, regaining some composure, then squinting at the robot with a knowing smirk, he started wagging a finger and shaking his head. The tone of his panic-stricken words rose and fell. “None of this is possible! This is because, my fine metal robot,” he spread his arms wide and jumped backward knocking over his chair, “the universe is expanding...and it is expanding faster than the speed of light! And therefore...nothing traveling at less than light speed can ever transverse the universe as you suggest!”
There was complete silence. Most realized that Van Loader was correct.
Bugs had turned to him. It calmly replied, “Yes. You are correct and that is still one of the many mysteries we are pondering, Dr. Van Loader. But, that is what the data shows. And, I fear, we have more unexplainable data for your...consideration...much more.”
---
Three hours later…
The double doors opened and Dr. Van Loader walked hurriedly out of the conference room, hands over his mouth, his eyes closed. He proceeded straight across the hall and banged into the opposite wall. Then he slid down the wall to the floor and started throwing up.
Dr. Bradford Donnelly burst through the doors, looked around, saw him then rushed over and kneeled beside him.
Next, Radin came out. His eyes were red and it was obvious he was in a barely contained rage. He paused and absently watched Donnelly help Van Loader up.
He thought that Donnelly was handling everything pretty well until he saw Donnelly’s eyes—they were huge and a fire seemed to burn within them as if he’d seen the face of God. Seeing this, Radin seemed to grow even madder. He turned and quickly strode down the hall toward the elevators.
He needed a drink.
He could hear Donnelly and Van Loader following him—Van Loader was making a horrible pining sound as Donnelly spoke softly to him.
A very strong drink.
Leewood and Harington pushed through the doors next. Leewood was holding Harington, who had her face buried in his chest. She was crying softly. Leewood stroked her hair. His face was grim.
Adamarus followed right behind them trying to wear a poker face. However, his face was pale and he'd broken out in a sweat. He paused just outside the doors watching Leewood and Harington walk d
own the hall.
---
Inside the conference room, Secretary Thornton’s teleconferencing screen was dark. On the screen next to it, the President sat with his head in his hands. Bugs stood before the screen watching him.
Wicker looked up—his eyes were bloodshot, his face pale. “Well, Bugs…” he sniffled and ran his hand through his hair—a barked, shaken laugh escaped, “is there...anything else?”
“No, sir,” Bugs answered. “Will you need to sleep on what I’ve told you?”
The President just stared at Bugs, not knowing how to respond. Finally, “Bugs, we’ll talk about this again in a day or so.”
---
A hollow feeling extended from Adamarus’ gut up to the center of his chest. It ached. The rest of his body seemed numb.
He had to pull himself together.
He realized that he had started thinking only one thing…saying two words repeatedly like some kind of mantra: Don’t think. Don’t think. Don’t think.
He became conscious of the fact that he was still frozen in the hallway. He turned to the left…the way the others had gone…the direction that led to the elevators…the direction that led to…what? He realized that going left led to places he didn’t really want to go. However, what choice was there?
Encounters (The Spiral Slayers Book 1) Page 34
