Mission Origin View (Final Days Trilogy) (44 page)

1322
—March 7, 2372

“
Okay, it seems we’ve done all we can to make sure we’re in no immediate danger. Now let’s figure out what’s happened and what we need to do next,” Mary said as she looked at the officers and scientists gathered around her.

“
I believe we’re still somewhere and somehow stuck in the time-speed dimension,
Captain,” Dr. Harper said.

“
Why do you think that, Doctor?” Mary asked

“
It’s the only thing that makes sense because there are only three places we could be—in the time-speed dimension, in normal space, or in the projected black hole,” Dr. Harper answered, paused, and continued with his Southern drawl. “If we were in normal space, we’d see stars, and if we had been sucked into the black hole, we…well, we’d be dead. That leaves us with the only possible answer, Captain. We’re stuck somewhere and somehow in the time-speed dimension.”

The other scientist
s in the room nodded in agreement.

Gideon, standing behind the scientist, closed his eyes for a few seconds and
then said, “Captain, may I say something?”

“
Sure, Lieutenant,” Mary said.

“
I recall from my reading about the time-speed dimension theory that a ship has to produce enough energy to create the black hole singularity needed to enter the dimension, and if at any time the energy drops below the necessary amount of energy required to create the singularity, then the ship would immediately return to normal space,” Gideon said after recalling what he had read in Dr. Harper’s book, titled
Time-Speed Dimension Theory
.

“
I see you’ve read my book, and you’re right, Lieutenant. But the theory you’re referring to is based upon the amount of energy produced by a nuclear reaction, not antimatter,” Dr. Harper explained. “To be honest with you, Lieutenant, the amount of energy we’re using to enter the time-speed dimension has never been tested, so there may be some variables in play that could suspend us somewhere within the dimension if the power is cut off abruptly.”

“
Stephen, do you think we’re trapped or suspended in the time-speed dimension?” Mary asked, wondering why the scientist hadn’t already asked the AI.

“
No, Captain. Entering and exiting the time-speed dimension are proportional to the rates of energy being used,” Stephen said.

“
Again, like
Lieutenant
Klaxton, Stephen is basing his understanding on the energy produced by a nuclear reaction, not antimatter,” Dr. Harper said.

“
Okay, let’s say we’re somehow trapped in the dimension. How do we get out?” Mary asked.

“
First, we have to understand where we are in the dimension. Then hopefully we can come up with a solution that’ll allow us to leave the dimension,” Dr. Harper answered.

“
Okay, get to work and figure it out,” Mary ordered.

Dr. Harper looked stunned by her order and said,
“It could take months and even years to figure out because we’d have to perform hundreds and maybe even thousands of simulations based upon the number of variables involved in the theory.”

Before Mary could respond, Gideon asked,
“Stephen, does the ship’s flight data recorder contain all flight information before the ship either exited or became trapped in the time-speed dimension?”

“
Yes, Lieutenant. All ship flight systems status data was recorded, and is available,” Stephen said.

“Can you run a simulation that Doctor Harper is suggesting using that data?” Gideon asked.

“
Yes, Lieutenant, I can run a simulation that should confirm where we are,” Stephen answered.

Dr. Harper said,
“We have to—”

“
Run it,” Mary said, cutting Dr. Harper off. Then she asked, “How long will the simulation take?”

“
I estimate the simulation will be completed in nine and a half hours, Captain,” Stephen replied.

“
Sorry, Doctor, you were going to say something,” Mary said, looking at Dr. Harper.”

“
I was going to suggest Stephen first do a thorough diagnostic on himself before he performs the simulation. His systems may’ve also been damaged.”

Mary
thought for a second and said, “You’re right, Doctor, but let’s see what the results of this simulation are first. We can always have Stephen do a self-diagnostic test and run the simulation again if you think it is questionable.”

“
Very well, Captain,” Dr. Harper said disappointed.

Combat Control Center, SRS
Stephen Hawking

2300
—March 7, 2372

“
The simulation has completed,” Stephen announced as the simulation results began to display on the main Triple C console. “As you can see from the results, we successfully emerged from the time-speed dimension after we collided with an object. We are in normal space and presently seven thousand eight hundred and ninety-two light-years from Earth.”

“
That’s impossible. We’re still in the galaxy, and there’re no stars; hence we’re still in the time-speed dimension,” Dr. Harper said, let out a deep breath in frustration, and continued. “Captain, I request Stephen perform a self-diagnostic test and then run the simulation again.”

“
Stephen, what did we collide with?” Gideon asked before Mary had time to respond to Dr. Harper’s request.

“
We collided with some type of barrier that has no physical characteristics. The barrier absorbed the ship’s impact, and explains why the ship was not destroyed,” Stephen said.

“
What do you mean by ‘no physical characteristics’?” Gideon asked.

“
The barrier isn’t solid. It isn’t magnetic. It has no energy, but yet it’s there,” Stephen said.

“The computer is damaged!” Dr. Harper raised his voice and slammed his hand on the console station where he sat. “We’re wasting time.”

“
I have to agree, Doctor,” Mary said.

“
May I ask one more question before Stephen starts his self- diagnostic test?” Gideon asked

“
Go ahead,” Mary said frustrated.

“
Stephen, if the barrier has no physical characteristics, how do you know it exists?” Gideon asked.

“
I used the ship’s retro-rocket propulsion system to move the ship in the direction we were heading when we impacted the barrier. The barrier stopped the ship’s motion in that direction. I then used the retro-rocket propulsion system to move the ship away from the barrier and was able to move the ship away from the barrier five hundred meters. A barrier of some kind does exist and is preventing the ship from following our course to the observation point,” Stephen said.

“
Stephen, perform a self-diagnostic test and let us know when it’s completed,” Mary ordered.

“
Yes, Captain,” Stephen said.

“
Everyone, get some rest. We’ll meet when Stephen completes his diagnostics,” Mary said.

Captain Bowser’s Quarters, SRS
Stephen Hawking

2315
—March 7, 2372

Mary had just stepped out of the shower when she heard Anna say
through her implant, “Captain, I have an encrypted message for you from Admiral Frank that I received during our last QMAC communication. I think you should read it.”

Mary, confuse
d for a second, remembered the admiral had set up a “private” encryption messaging channel using the QMAC communications maintenance and status channel.

“
Anna, why are you telling me this now? Our last contact was seven days ago,” Mary said as she dressed.

“
I was instructed to give you the message five days before we arrived at the observation point, but due to the current situation, I think you should read it now,” Anna said.

“
Very well. Send it to my console,” Mary said as she finished dressing, then walked over and sat at her desk. She accessed her console, opened the message, and read,

Captain,

I feel it
’s my duty to keep you informed of what the scientists will discover during your mission. This information is ultra top secret, and I believe you need this information to prepare yourself for what’s expected of you after the discovery. The captain of any naval ship should be prepared to deal with any unforeseen events and show confidence at all times during these events and issue orders without hesitation. With that said, here is what you should know:

1.
       
As a result of scientific evidence known only by the United States government and not shared with the scientists aboard the
Stephen Hawking
, there’s a high probability the mission will discover that intelligent beings (aliens) seeded life on Earth billions of years ago.

2.
      
Once it is verified and reported that life originated from aliens, you’ll be ordered to secure the scientists aboard the
Stephen Hawking
, and have them calculate and report, with high probability, where the aliens came from and where they may be located in the galaxy so only we, the United States, can make first contact.

3.
      
Given the circumstances—nationality, first contact, nondisclosure of discovery, and so forth—the scientists may not want to cooperate. Use all available means to ensure their cooperation.

4.
      
The goal of alien first contact is to obtain defensive and offensive technologies and weapons that will be used to protect the United States from current and future enemies.

Mary sat at her desk and read the message over and over again. She trembled as she studied the message, and her jumpsuit acted as a wick soaking up perspiration.

She
eventually calmed down and understood why Admiral Frank wanted her to know in advance. She would be responsible to have the scientists locate the aliens. She initially thought the scientists would be eager to locate the aliens as requested, but as Admiral Frank had surmised, the scientists might be reluctant to help. Given their different political views, social views, and pride, they may not want to help the United States obtain superiority over other nations and worlds, especially when their discovery might never be shared with mankind. She would have to act quickly and do whatever was required to accomplish her true mission: locate alien beings so the United States can make first contact.

“
Anna, have
Lieutenant
Klaxton report to my quarters as soon as possible.”

“
Yes, Captain,” Anna said.

Captain Bowser’s Quarters, SRS
Stephen Hawking

2347
—March 7, 2372

“
This is unbelievable!” Gideon said after reading the message from Admiral Frank.

“
Exactly,” Mary said. She paused and added, “But I have to believe it and be prepared when the discovery is made.”

“
How and what do you have to be prepared for?” Gideon looked confused.

“
Think about it for a second, Lieutenant. We have scientists from four different countries and worlds. It won’t take ‘em long to figure out what we’re truly up to when we ask ‘em to locate the aliens before we share the historic discovery—that aliens seeded life on Earth. Even though they’re all playing together now, as soon as the discovery is made, they won’t want their potential adversaries to have technological advantages or fame.”

“
That makes sense,” Gideon acknowledged, then added, “So to answer the other part of my question, how are you going to keep the scientists happy and have ‘em locate the aliens?”

“
That’s where you and your marines come in,
Lieutenant
. You must do as I order and do it without argument or hesitation,” Mary said coldly.

“
You mean use force, if ordered, to have the scientists cooperate?” Gideon asked for clarification.

“
Yes,
Lieutenant
, that’s exactly what I’m saying,” Mary said, “That also includes any of the crew that might question and stand in the way of my orders.”

“
Yes, sir,” Gideon said, “I won’t hesitate.”

Petty Officer Joseph Sipes’s, Quarters SRS
Stephen Hawking
,

0300
—
March 8, 2372

Jose
ph found himself in the sun, enjoying its warmth. He calmly looked around him and saw the small building with the double doors behind him. He also saw the two large oak trees with the chest-high table stretched between them. His grandma sat under one of the oaks in a wooden chair, waving Joseph to come to her. Joseph walked over with a smile and kneeled down beside her. She looked very young, and if he hadn’t somehow known who she was, he might not have recognized her.