by P. R. Stabile
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New Star, Part 2
by P. R. Stabile |
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"It takes a star a minuscule fraction of its life to
travel one light year as it orbits the galactic core.
Measured in our lives, however, it takes two and a half
times our known history. My friends, we've arrived five
thousand years too late to meet our star. Thank you." Hari,
the man from New Mount Palomar had spoken with eloquence and
an intriguing accent. Though his monograph's content was
fascinating, despite its defeatist tone, Ivan knew he would
spend the night and early morning analyzing the man's voice,
tracing the route that the old languages must have followed
to create his contemporary accent.
"Ivan, you have to hear what they've found at New Mount Palomar," Georg said with his usual enthusiasm. Knowing that the world would end in a few centuries didn't phase him. It hadn't affected most people yet, of course. Ivan knew it would, though, once the Senate instituted its energy conservation schemes. At most, conservation could add about a hundred years to Laagehemel's life, but dissatisfied people rebelling would probably lead to a final conflict that hastened rather than forestalled the end. "I was tracing some data structures last month," Georg continued, "when I just hacked into a program that no one had used since the Awakening. I couldn't figure out what the program did, but I traced it to some machinery hidden somewhere in the bowels of New Mount Palomar." "At that point, Georg contacted me," Hari explained. "We had to evacuate Section J-11 as we broke into a false bulkhead, and we found the machinery. We still don't know what it does, but it's been siphoning off more than half of what we thought was our waste energy since the Launch." "Doesn't the program's code give you a clue to its purpose?" Ivan asked Georg. Usually Georg could figure out the old programs without too many problems. "I tried to analyze it, but it's too convoluted and the remarks are in an old language I just don't recognize." "We thought you could help us with the language." Hari added. "No problem. Just give me the file with the old language remarks highlighted." "It's not that simple, Ivan. Hari thinks it would be better if we worked on this together, with the machine in plain sight." "That way, we can directly see how the program relates to the machine's components. If we work together --- Georg can help you understand the jargon of the remarks you translate, and you can both help me understand Palomar's machine --- we can all get a better understanding of the machine." "How long do you think this will take?" "At least a couple of months. Come on, Ivan. It will be fun." "The Senator won't like it. What will I tell him?" "Does he like anything you do? Just tell him and go. He can't stop you." No, thought Ivan. But he could make him feel worthless and guilty. Well, more worthless and guilty than usual. A few months away from the old man would be worth the repercussions, though. "When are we leaving?" "Tomorrow, noon. We'll meet at the lift-plaza," Hari said. "Sounds good," Ivan agreed. Georg was overjoyed that his friend was joining him for this adventure. Although it was only a day's ride away by express-lift, neither had ever visited the fore-region of the ship. With all its instruments, NMP was Laagehemel's connection with the quiet violent universe outside. To be travelling there on this investigative mission was a great bonus for Georg. Ivan was more restrained. His father would have a lot to say about the trip. He also didn't know if he could meet the challenge of translating for Georg. Ivan had little trouble with most of the data-structures and archives for which Georg had called on him --- Ivan had even enjoyed helping Georg with some of the projects. But when it came to complex programs, Ivan always felt like giving up in frustration when he reached the third level of nesting and knew there were several more levels to go. Who knew how complex this program, connected to an energy-hungry mystery machine, was? Return to top
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