Evacuation (The Seamus Chronicles Book 2) (7 page)

Part 2

Yesterday I invented warp drive and today I have to take the trash to the dumpster. I have grown so much in the last few months though that I’m actually grateful for the opportunity. ‘Grateful’ may be a strong word, but I’m definitely okay with it. We all need to help out a little extra while Liam is laid up. I’ve learned so many things since the apocalypse, one being that getting out of the lab and doing random things can help to solve some of the trickiest problems. Unfortunately, the only thing I’ve learned so far today is that trash pee is real, and disgusting.

There are a few other problems that we have to solve for the warp drive. It took more than the rest of the day yesterday to code my formula into a simulation environment. This environment will help us to understand how playing with some of the variables affects the size warp we are capable of creating. I don’t think the drive unit will have to be too large, but the smallest functional size is a little more difficult to determine.

Cassandra is not used to working the same way I am. Now that we have a mutual direction again, things are okay between us and we are talking more. Late yesterday she noted that she never had to pull an all-nighter, and even for her Ph.D. defense, no one doubted that she was the smartest person in the room. I almost noted that in the past I would have ridiculed her for not striving for something beyond her abilities, but I have grown. Instead I noted that we have all changed since the virus happened.

This morning, we tried our first simulation before the morning meeting. It crashed. We both have a pretty good idea of where the bug is, but there wasn’t time to fix it. I wanted to skip the morning meeting but Cassandra is a stickler for the rules, even new ones, so we went together. After the meeting I had to take care of trash and Cassandra went to shower and take a short nap. If things go according to schedule, I should beat her back to the lab easily. I’m headed there now.

I can’t resist stopping to say hi to Mom in the conference room. She is pounding away at a spreadsheet and there are notepads all around her. Her method of work fascinates me. While she doesn’t produce physical things, she is aware of and has a deeper than surface knowledge of what we are all working on. I could ask her about the ‘nuke the planet’ status and she would fill me in almost as well as Dad could.

“Hi Mom.” I smile and wave from the door.

“Oh good. Seamus, I’m glad you stopped by.” She hasn’t looked up from her screen, but it’s clear this isn’t a passing greeting.

“Everything okay?” I ask, still standing in the doorway.

“Yes, fine. Come in and sit down.” She is now looking at me and has rolled out the chair next to her.

“I went to see Liam this morning but he was asleep,” I say. “I’ll go back a little after lunch.” I’m not sure if Mom wants to talk work or family.

“That’s nice of you. Poor Grace has been tearing herself up over this,” Mom says, shaking her head.

“What did Grace have to do with this besides coming with me to find them?” I don’t see the connection. She didn’t break his leg or bring the lion to Ames.

“She hasn’t told you about the zoo?” Mom is smiling. “When dad took her and Sofie to San Francisco after your reactor was finished, Grace made him stop at the zoo.”

“I remember that you were upset because they were gone for like, two days, right?” Maybe I wasn’t as out of touch as she thinks.

“Worried.” Her look is serious. Message conveyed, her smile returns. “Anyway, last night she told me that one of the things they did was open the cages at the zoo. The animals were starving and some had already died. You know your sister, there was no way she could leave them locked up and suffering,” she says.

“It’s kind of funny,” I say. I hope Mom sees the humor in it, too.

“That’s what I told her. She didn’t do anything wrong. The lion didn’t hurt Liam or Dad, so everything is okay.” Mom can’t help but giggle a little bit. “I told her that, if anything, she should be mad at you for killing the lion she saved.”

“Hey! That’s not fair,” I say with chuckle. My turn to laugh a little. “When I see her, I’ll make sure to give her a hug and tell her how cool it is that she thought to save all those animals.”

“That would be nice.” Her eyes are back to the screen. “Cassandra mentioned something about a space plane this morning? Tell me more about this.” Saving the human race can’t take too long of a break.

“We think the best vehicle to equip for a warp will be one of the developmental space planes. They are already engineered to stand up to pressurization, temperature, radiation and a wide swing of              G-forces.” Switching back to work is easy for me.

“So where is this space plane now?” Mom asks, typing a note as she talks.

“I think there are a few in New Mexico.” I have not worked on the details of our vehicle choice.

“Okay, but none here at Ames? Right?” She’s staring at me intently.

“Correct. New Mexico would be closest, but they could also be in Texas or Florida.” This is about as much as I know about the space plane.

“So how do we get them here?” Mom is looking at long lead-time items and making sure we can address them as fast as possible.

“Dad?” I really haven’t thought this out; Cassandra may have a better answer.

“We have to stop relying on Dad and Liam to do everything that is scary, dangerous or uncomfortable! It is not fair and he cannot sustain this lifestyle,” she says, exasperation and fear in her voice. “You and Cassandra consider yourselves geniuses, but when it comes to teaching yourself to fly an experimental space plane, you think Dad is the best choice?”

“It’s not that.” I’m contrite but sincere. “Cassandra and I are going to need all the time we can get to design and build the warp drive. If one of us takes time out for flying lessons, we probably won’t get it done. Dad has already learned how to fly. I was just trying to be practical, not dismissive of anyone.”

“Well, dad is leaving for Antarctica in a few days. He won’t have time to hop around the country searching for this space plane of yours. Figure out where it is and the latest date you can get by with having it arrive. If it doesn’t work with Dad’s schedule, you and Cassandra will have to come up with a new plan.” She hasn’t said that I am wrong, but her message is clear.

“Maybe there is a pilot at McMurdo,” I say, tentatively. “That would help.” I let my hopes slide out.

“I think a doctor would be more helpful, but since we’re hoping, let’s wish for both.” Mom closes her laptop and stands up from her chair.

“Where are you off to?” It’s kind of none of my business and I’m not sure what I’ll do with the answer.

“I’m going down to the hangers to find an airplane and a flight instruction manual,” she says, staring at me as if I put us in the hole of needing a pilot.

“Why do we need an airplane and flight manuals?” Dad doesn’t stop at the door; he walks in and stands next to Mom.

“We need someone to fly a space plane here from New Mexico,” I answer sheepishly.

“Or Texas or Florida.” Mom can’t help but include the worst-case scenarios.

“I can ferry one back after I get home from the South Pole,” Dad says, adding another task to his mental to-do list.

“No Paddrick! We can’t keep asking you to take all the risks, it’s not fair.” I think Mom is going to cry.

“Well we can’t afford to have you or Seamus taking risks,” Dad says and puts his arm around her. “It’s pretty clear what we are all good at. I’m good at driving and manual labor. You could both figure those things out if I were gone. We could not figure out the stuff you do for us if we lost one of you.”

“I’m tired of worrying about you.” It seems Mom is mad at him.

“Well, there is no sense in all of us burning cycles to learn the same thing. Besides, there may be another pilot in Antarctica,” Dad says, not trying to be brave or cool, just practical.

Sofie and I haven’t had coffee together since her 2 a.m. visit. We saw each other in passing around lunchtime yesterday. I had the time to stop and talk but she was chasing the boys somewhere and barely even managed a “Hi.” She probably isn’t mad at me, but I’m not too happy with myself. I really like seeing her, talking with her and being around her, but for some reason I can’t seem to make any effort to make those things happen. The truth is, with her watching the kids and all, my schedule is more flexible than hers. If we are going to have coffee again, it is up to me.

With a full coffee cup, my brief interlude is now over and I need to return to the lab. Cassandra has done a complete about-face in the way she works with me and even talks to me. I don’t know if her mother had anything to do with it or if she just realized something on her own. A few days ago she acted as if I was a moron incapable of explaining simple ideas. Today she is checking with me before she changes variables in our simulation environment. Her new approach is feeding my arrogance; I may need to spend a little time with Dad to knock me down a peg.

“Seamus, what if we replace the Tantalum plate with a wire so it is similar to the accident when you were ten?” Cassandra has a notepad and is anxiously awaiting my answer.

“What do you think that would do for us?” I ask. I would prefer it if she offered reasoning behind her suggestion.

“I’m not sure. It’s just that all the simulations so far have shown a slight deflection of time-space. We need to change something if we are going to seriously warp it.” She is smart to be looking for changes, but random guesses are not science. We need to think about the problem and make smart changes.

“Give me a minute.” My idea has been percolating since last night but I can’t visualize how it will work. Cassandra’s suggestion sparked a thought but I like to figure out the answers in my head before I suggest a change in any of the test parameters.

The truth is that my original formula for manipulating time-space was not correct. As we have been running simulations and improving our code, our understanding of how it reacts has improved. In fact, Jane has commented that while we have made tremendous progress, there will always be more to learn. She said this morning that this field of study would have kept hundreds of scientists occupied for a lifetime and still it would not be completely understood. We have a long way to go, but it is all coming together in my head.  

“I think it should be a wire mesh cage.” I finally say to Cassandra. “This will maximize the surface area of the Tantalum while still allowing the electrons to flow through.”

“Hold on,” she says as she walks to the whiteboard. “Do you mean something like this?” She has drawn a crosshatch of lines on the whiteboard, making a simple screen.

“Yes, but rounded into a dome. The dome will fit over the bottom of the containment field and the warp should flow beneath it.” I want to make sure I’m clear. I try drawing on the whiteboard but I am a terrible artist.

“I got it. That’s brilliant.” She is staring at the board almost in awe.

“The code for simulating the mesh is a little tricky. We need to account-” I can’t finish my statement before she interjects.

“I can figure out the code,” she says. “I’ll need an hour or two to make the changes and then we can run some simulations.” She is excited about the change.

This is nice. I wonder if this is how it would have happened in the real world. Me coming up with ideas and a genius Ph.D. lab monkey using words like ‘brilliant’ and then running off to update code. It’s weird to me that Cassandra is comfortable as lab monkey, but I guess the original thought piece of physics is one thing that makes me unique. Maybe I should avoid the term ‘lab monkey’ so I don’t offend her and lose her support. Now I kind of feel like a jerk for even thinking like that.

Actually, I’m not all bad. While the simulation environment runs or changes compile, I have been working on a side project related to the solar sail. I think that I can construct a sail from the containment field technology I developed for my power pack. Then the sail can be easily manipulated to maintain the optimal alignment with the energy from the sun. It would probably mean a lot to Cassandra if I figure some of this out for her. The least I can do to say thank you for her new attitude and all the help she has given.     

It would be reasonable to consider the solar sail a Plan B effort. But it’s not; it’s something I am doing for Cassandra. If I like Sofie, should I really be spending time on things for Cassandra? I just had a cup of coffee so going to get a coffee with Sofie would be silly. Maybe I should just go see if she is up for a walk.

“I’m going to head out for a walk,” I announce. “There are a couple things I’m still trying to sort out.” I’m looking across the room to Cassandra. “Is that really unfair to you?”

“That’s fine. We can’t both modify the environment, and I’m already in the code, go for your walk.” She has no hint of frustration.

“Thanks. I’ll be back in a bit.” I say as I get up and head to the door.

Aside from the warp unit and Sofie and the solar sail, I’m worried about the reactor functioning for more than one warp cycle. I feel like the particle flow will stall after we create a warp and it will need some time to return to the normal state before we are able to warp again. This assumes there is elasticity in time-space, which I have been counting on. The fresh air is nice but I can’t stop thinking about all the things I have to think about. Not good.

“Hi Seamus,” Sofie says. She is sitting on the grass watching the boys ride their bikes. She doesn’t seem happy to see me, but I guess she doesn’t seem mad either.

“Hey Sofie.” I’m trying my best to act casual but I’m suddenly kind of nervous. “I would offer to go for coffee but I just finished a cup so I don’t really think I need another one. Do you want to go for a walk?”

“No.” She answers coolly.

“Oh. Um... I’m sorry?” Maybe I’m supposed to apologize and leave?

“For what?” She is looking at me kind of sideways.

“I haven’t been around much lately and I know we were going to meet for coffee everyday and you brought one to me and I haven’t done anything nice for you and I don’t know if you want me to do nice things for you or if you just like doing nice things for me.” I really need to shut up.

“Relax, Seamus. I shouldn’t have said no; I should have said I couldn’t. I’m keeping an eye on the boys. I actually would have loved to go for a walk with you.” Her smile is comfortable and welcoming. “Sit down with me for few minutes if you have time.”

“I do have time,” I say as I sit next to her. I’m not sure how close is too close or too far. Why does ‘just right’ seem impossible?

“I guess this part of life doesn’t get easier with fewer people on the planet.” Sofie is watching the kids lazily but with affection. “I like you Seamus, a lot. But I can’t compete.”

“There’s no one for you to compete with. I like you a lot, too.” I wish I could say cooler things.

“It’s not a ‘who’ that I have to compete with. It’s a ‘what.’ When we met, it was the reactor. Now it’s the warp drive. I can’t even imagine what it will be next, but I know it will be something.” Her eyes are welling up but she is not crying.

“Once we are all safe, I’ll be able to do a better job managing my time.” I want to punch myself for saying something so stupid. “I wish I could take that back. What I should have said first is that starting with this visit, I am going to do a better job of managing my time.”

“But you can’t!” She’s laughing a little now. “You are working to save the human race for crying out loud! There is no way I can let you come up short because of me.”

“I need to take breaks and distract myself so my subconscious can solve the really hard problems,” I say. An idea is coming to me but I need to wrap this up with Sofie. “If you’ll let me, I want to take those breaks with you. Saving the human race won’t be worth it if I have to live in sadness forever.”

“You sound like Grace.” Her smile is back. “She told me I wasn’t a distraction for you, I was a reminder of why we need to be saved. Yesterday she asked me, ‘If you’re not with Seamus, do you even want to come to space with us?’”

“It’s juvenile, but I was a little hung up on the coffee aspect of things.” I’m studying the grass. “If it wasn’t a good time for coffee, I felt like I wasn’t able to come see you.”

“Well, if you don’t mind watching kids or collecting samples, you can always spend your down time with me.” She is watching me study the grass. “I’d like that very much,” she says.

I’m going to kiss her and then leave.

“It was my turn to go over the jump! You cut!” Remmie is yelling at Alex.

“You’re too slow, I didn’t cut,” Alex yells back and is getting off his bike.

“I have to go break this up,” Sofie says, getting to her feet. “Maybe we can go for a walk after dinner?”

“That sounds nice.” I’m on my feet and heading back to the lab. “Later,” I call out over my shoulder.

In the lab, Cassandra still has her head down, grinding out the code update. She has half a glass of water on the desk next to her and a mostly gone bowl of popcorn. It’s funny to come into the lab and not dread seeing her or Jane. Workplace happiness really does have an impact on productivity.

“Can I get you some more water?” I ask.

“No.” She does not look away from the monitor.

“How close do you think we are going to be able to get to the planet?” It feels like this should be done on the whiteboard.

“I’m not sure what you mean. Can I have a little more time to finish this up?” She does not appreciate being distracted.

This is not a work style issue. Cassandra has a concrete task in front of her that she needs to get done. If I were trying to tackle the task, I wouldn’t appreciate someone trying to brainstorm with me until I was done. I need to let her work.

“Sorry. We can talk about it later.” I sit down at my workstation and go back to working on the solar sail. It’s no longer a Plan B item; we are going to need it for Plan A to work.