Time is an Illusion: The Ptolemy Expedition (Carina Book 1) Read online

  But there is a hitch.

  The smaller the bubble the faster the connection. A bubble large enough for one person creates an instantaneous teleportation. Increase the bubble to accommodate two people and the time delay between the two points is twice as long as for one person. The delay, we concluded, is linear. Three people, three times the delay. Ten people, ten times the delay. Correlated to mass, one-hundred times the mass, one-hundred times longer to traverse the dark matter fabric using the Alcubierre Warp.

  Before you ask…

  Yes. I used the teleportation chamber to visit the Others. The teleportation chambers are designed to accommodate a fixed grid. They are permanently connected to each other and to the Other’s home planet.

  Moving between teleportation chambers is instantaneous. From here to the top of Xunantunich, then into the teleportation chamber, is sixty to eighty microseconds. From Xunantunich, in Belize, to the portal at Göbekli Tepe[3], in western Turkey, is twenty to twenty-five microseconds. From the portal at Xunantunich to the portal at Pumapunku[4], in western Bolivia, is about three microseconds.

  From here, in West Virginia, to Belize and from Belize to Bolivia are about the same distance, as the crow flies. The time difference in teleporting is based on the first two legs of the trip. Teleporting to a fixed location, without a portal chamber, is equivalent to laying a new two-lane road. Conversely, the teleportation chambers are permanent highways in the dark matter between the chambers.”

  Corb stopped, sipped again, and waited. Lucinda took the bait.

  “You said Vivian, Ire, and Yari all teleported to the Others. All at the same time. Teleporting to… who knows where? If increased mass slows the time to traverse the dark matter fabric, how did three people teleport so easily?”

  Corb didn’t miss a beat.

  “In the Mayan culture, it has been desirable, and by design, to be short of stature and slight of build. Together, Ire and Yari do not weigh two hundred pounds.”

  Pausing, Corb could see the metaphoric mental wheels grinding along.

  “The tunnels are purposely built to speed up the teleportation process. From here to the Others is about forty-four seconds. Anyone can hold their breath for forty-four seconds. Also, if you concatenate teleportation chambers, there is no limit to how far a person could travel. Using the Alcubierre Warp bubble, created by the portals, we can visit the Others.”

  Corb stopped and waited. It is not unheard of for Jan to speak up but in this context, it was out of character.

  “Nick, you want everyone to think you are an incorrigible rascal, but we all know better. You are a deep thinker who does not believe in magic. Corb’s clarity and precision of presentation omits a significant number of details. Do you believe him?”

  When several others, including Janish and Michelle, tried to answer Jan, he put up his palm up, indicating stop. Successfully quieting the group. Jan pointed to Nick.

  “Yes, I believe him but believing does not mean we can jaunt about the galaxy willy-nilly. There must be more to the story. Can Corb and Janish teleport? Yes, we have all seen it. We have Corb’s word the Shamans took Vivian to the Others. We also have the faith of Corb’s word that he has also visited the Others. Until now, no one has insisted on a simple answer to a simple question.”

  Nick paused, nodded to Jan who nodded in return and looked to Corb and Janish.

  “I presume the simple question is: Who, and where, are the Others?”

  Corb did not wait for an affirmation, he kept speaking.

  “The Others are from a planet in the Carina Constellation. Their planet is in the Carina-Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. Carina-Sagittarius is visible from Earth’s southern hemisphere. Our star system, Sol, is in something called the Orion Spur. Which is a small neighborhood of star systems between the Carina-Sagittarius and Orion-Cygnus arms of the Milky Way Galaxy.

  The Others created the portals, here on Earth, out of curiosity. For hundreds of years, the Others visited Earth often and were influential in guiding humans in gathering knowledge at a pace that coincided with the natural process of species maturation. Why they stopped visiting is a story for another time.

  Now, we need to discuss our team’s options. Time, as we know it, based on the human understanding of physics, has become variable. Our understanding of time is mutable. Einstein was correct, traveling faster than the speed of light slows time and the Alcubierre Warp bubble closes inter-galactic distances.

  The Others gave me information. First, we are going to create a protective chamber under this compound. The Others have promised to assist in building the chamber. We need a safe place, hidden, from the outside world. Second, we are going to create a consortium to build an interstellar spacecraft. We will trade technological breakthroughs for money and the expertise to build the spacecraft.

  When the spacecraft is complete, we will be the first humans with the ability to travel to, and visit, another world. A world inhabited by intelligent, sentient, beings who are bipedal and humanoid in appearance.”

  Corb paused and reflected, not knowing exactly what to say next. The blank faces left Corb unsure of the group’s take on the metaphoric bombshell he tossed on to the conference room table. Some faces looked interested, others looked like Corb has tossed a stinky turd on the table. Corb was suddenly pleased he had excluded the craven coward named Doctor Wolmarans. Everyone in the room is Corb’s friend and he trusted them all with his life. It dawned on Corb what to say next to the silent group.

  “Are you in?”

  A unanimous “Yes” erupted followed by applause. When the commotion abated, Corb ended the meeting. Donning his hat and a radiant smile, Corb chirped.

  “We hell, time for a beer.”

  Chapter Three

  Security: Everyone’s Responsibility

  “I would like to uncover the secrets of the universe.” – Megan Fox

  “What did you expect us to do with them?”

  Davinder responded but was avoiding Michelle’s pressing for information about the visitors who arrived, out of the blue, yesterday afternoon. Two men and two women insisted on meeting with the “prophets”. Davinder, Lucinda, and Jan easily concluded they were not religious zealots looking for a savior.

  The four visitors were taken to room with the promise of a meeting. The uninvited group of four alternated between sitting and pacing for five hours in a stainless-steel holding cell. The same holding cell once housed Vivian Treacher. Using the room’s observation cameras, Nick was able to use facial recognition software to determine the individual’s names. Janish was then able to use her internet mining skills to confirm the group’s true intentions and their employer.

  At exactly five hours, the holding cell door opened and in walked Doctor Wolmarans followed by Davinder, Lucinda, Jan, Nick, and Janish. Before the door closed one of the women blurted.

  “Can we pee now?”

  Lucinda’s response was curt and cutting.

  “When we have completed our questioning. Sit down Barry.”

  The normally stoic Doctor Wolmarans looked downtrodden and melancholy. There was an onerous feel to the room. Doctor Wolmarans took a seat but was unable to look anyone in the eye. Lucinda continued.

  “Captains Micah DuMont and Stacy Marsh. Lieutenants Robert McKinnon and Robin Blount. Welcome to Q'eqchi'. Do you want to leave Q'eqchi'?”

  Lucinda let the question hang. Eventually, Captain Micah DuMont spoke.

  “We do not take well to threats nor…”

  Captain DuMont grabbed his throat, fell out of his chair, unable to breathe. Falling out of his chair, turning red faced, Lucinda turned to Stacy Marsh.

  “Do you want to leave Q'eqchi'?”

  “Yes! Of course! Now help him!”

  Captain Dumont audibly sucked a massive intake of air. Slowly he got up and sat back down. Captain Marsh continued.

  “You know who we are. You must know why we are here. Are you going to help us?”

  “Help you?
I will help you stay alive if you answer our questions.”

  Captain Marsh was not impressed by Lucinda’s threat.

  “You will not kill us. If we do not report as ordered, a strike team will repel into this compound and seize everyone and everything.”

  Davinder stepped forward and responded.

  “Your threats do not dissuade us nor are we willing to discuss terms. You are not going to receive any specific information. You will not be permitted to join our ranks. Doctor Wolmarans, would you care to explain why these people are here? Also, please provide the details regarding your efforts to convince their sponsors they would be welcome here? I advise you to provide a succinct message Doctor Wolmarans, our patience is nominal.”

  The acerbic Doctor Baruti Edward Wolmarans, PhD. emerged from the stoop shouldered mouse who was staring at the table. Not bothering to look anywhere but at Janish, sitting upright and taking on a presumed air of authority, Doctor Wolmarans spoke.

  “The knowledge we possess is bigger than this compound. You cannot contain the knowledge. I acted preemptively. We need the type of protection only the largest governments can provide. These people are an advance team. They are to embed with our group, here in the compound, provide reports, and make a recommendation regarding the disposition of the knowledge. I recommend you take their advice and cooperate. Otherwise… I will not be held responsible for the consequences.”

  No one’s face changed, the room felt like an all-in high-stakes poker gamble. Lucinda broke the stalemate and raised the stakes.

  “Barry, there are three or four people who want five minutes alone with you. Until now Davinder and I have prevented anyone interfering with you. Our protection is now void. Consequently, I am going to make this offer once, and once only. Doctor Wolmarans, do you want us to take you to Vivian? To a place where you can live the rest of your life in comfort?”

  Doctor Wolmarans ram-rod straight back hunched slightly before he spoke.

  “No, you cannot threaten me.”

  Before he could continue, Davinder Khatter stepped over, put his right hand on Doctor Wolmarans’ shoulder and pointed to the door with his left hand. Jan followed Davinder and Wolmarans through the door.

  Lucinda and Janish turned back to the spies and waited. It was Captain DuMont who spoke.

  “Miss. Raitt, if we do not report our success in being accepted into the compound, there are a truckload of unpleasant people who will descend on this compound in less than two days.”

  “Mister Dumont, we will be gone before they arrive.”

  Everyone turned to look at Lucinda. DuMont continued.

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  Pausing, Dumont pointed at Lucinda.

  “They will find you.”

  Moving his hand with deliberate intent, Dumont pointed at Janish.

  “And, they will find you.”

  Nick’s response was markedly subdued for Nick.

  “No sir, they will not find you.”

  To emphasize his point, Nick pointed, in turn, at DuMont, Marsh, McKinnon, and Blount.

  Lucinda, Nick, and Janish stood to leave.

  Apparently, a pre-arranged signal was triggered instigating the four insurgents to leap forward. The attack was an attempt to subdue and control the members of the Summitate leadership team.

  Janish and the other leaders stood as if expecting the attempted attack, and they waited. Before the insurgents could put their hands on the leaders they were halted and slammed back against the stainless-steel walls. Unable to move, the fear was evident in the insurgent’s eyes.

  Nick walked over and stood several inches from Captain Micah Dumont. Several inches taller than Captain DuMont, Nick raised his right hand causing Captain Dumont to slide up the wall until his eyes where even with Nick’s eyes.

  “Lucinda, get the gear please.”

  Without a word in response, Janish grabbed Lucinda’s hand and they teleported from the room. The eyes of the four insurgents opened even wider in shock and surprise. Nick continued.

  “Captain Dumont, we were going to let you leave, peacefully, until you decided to attack. Now we have no choice but to address the threat you brought to our home.”

  Corb, Janish, and Lucinda, appeared in the room. Corb was without his trademark smile. Walking to each member of the insurgent team, Janish held out a backpack until the insurgent member’s arm was released and the insurgent grasped the backpack. When all four insurgent members were holding their backpack, Corb continued briefing.

  “In the bags are two day’s rations, water, and a compass. Good luck to you all.”

  Corb placed his hand on Captain DuMont and they both teleported. Corb reappeared in under a minute. Corb placed his hand on Captain Marsh and they, too, teleported. Corb repeated the process for Lieutenants McKinnon and Blount. Lucinda, Nick, and Janish waited in silence for Corb to return from the fourth trip. When he returned, it was Nick who spoke.

  “They want us, and they want to control us. The proverbial ‘they’ is real this time. Mate, they are a certain danger to our freedom. If we don’t hide, all of us, we are going to have to start winking out people to remain free.

  I know you have had a hard time with the Marissa incident at the Waxahachie warehouse. Corb, it is time to put our big boy panties on and face the truth. We can’t keep dropping people in the desert to buy time. To protect the group, we must prepare our group to kill. We might have no alternative but to kill to protect everyone here.

  The Chinese won’t like the idea of a couple of pasty white Americans appearing in the middle of the Gobi Desert. At least the Saudis are American allies. If they make it out of the desert. Corb, I know you feel this gives them a chance to live, but I want you to consider the reality of the situation.”

  Nick turned and looked at Lucinda. Lucinda waited, contemplated, then spoke.

  “Nick is right, we need to hide. You mentioned a protective chamber. You said, ‘under this compound’. Is there a protective chamber? Can you make one? Will we be safe?”

  Corb walked to the door, pulled it open, stood to the side, and spoke as the others filed out.

  “No one will be permitted to harm our family.”

  “I know you did it and aren’t going to admit it. I am glad to see the buffoon gone and not here tossing on about himself. Good riddance to the vermiculate scoundrel.”

  Nick was speaking to Jan, across a table in the lounge of Building Six, or B6. Jan remained quiet and did not take the bait. Jan did not take the bait this time, or any of the dozen times Nick asked over the fortnight since the insurgents and Doctor Wolmarans left the compound. Nick was trying to figure out what happened to Doctor Wolmarans after he left the room with the insurgents.

  “Nick, I had nothing to do with the disappearance of the good Doctor Wolmarans. He’s gone. Let it alone.”

  Jan sipped his Shiner beer and looked to Janish for support. Janish responded the same way she had the previous half-dozen times.

  “I can’t control him, you know that. He’s not going to stop until he finds another bone to gnaw on.”

  “Then let’s find him another bone.”

  Janish looked over her shoulder to see Lucinda and Michelle had walked up to the lounge area. Sitting, twisting the top off a Shiner bottle, Lucinda continued.

  “He’s bored and has nothing to preoccupy his little mind. Let’s fill up the thimble with something interesting.”

  “Right cheeky you are. Tell me again, comrade, what does NT see in a minger?”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. All in good fun but that’s a little over the top.”

  Nick was losing his whimsical nature. Janish was putting a stop to the increased tenacity of the verbal barbs between Lucinda and Nick. Janish feared the leadership team was losing its élan.

  “Enough, we are all wondering what is next. Idle hands and whatnot… Michelle, can you tell us what Corb and Davinder have been doing? Are we going to have to wait much longer?”

  “All I know is Davi
nder is acting as the liaison. He is dealing with the governments and corporations. He is getting the contracts ready. Corb takes Cassandra to the Xunantunich library every day. He also goes and gets her every afternoon.

  Corb has been meeting with the Shamans. He does not admit it, my guess is he is meeting with the Others. Hey, how come you can’t take Cassandra to Xunantunich?”

  Initially surprised by the question, Janish responded.

  “I suppose I could. I never thought about it. I figured Corb was using the time to meet with the Shamans. The few times I have gone, he spends all his time there talking to Ire and Yari. Do you want me to ask?”

  “No, it simply popped into my head. I know Corb is learning from the Shamans. I also think he is meeting with the Others. He does not say specifically but I know he is talking about new things with Davinder and NT. I believe we should ask him.”

  “Bloody right. An intervention. Where the hell is NT? Has he gone for a toss?”

  Nick does not do well with weeks of boredom. Nick hated enforced lollygagging. Lucinda picked up the conversation.

  “As Michelle said, Davinder and NT are negotiating. There is nothing more I can say about that. Jan and I are keeping the compound running. Ragnar has been away… Away at a training school. Again, there is nothing more I can say about that. According to Davinder’s timetable, we should all be told something in a couple of days. Until then, Janish can’t you do more to keep Nick… occupied.”

  The last sentence was said with a smirk causing the polite waif to blush. Bizarrely, Nick acted as if he had not heard the remark.

  “Did you say school? Ragnar is in school? How many more ways does he need to know how to kill a man?”

  “No, you idiot, another type of training. We’ll all be briefed the day after tomorrow. At least, in the timetable I saw… I am going for a walk, anyone want to join me?”

  Completing her thought, Lucinda stood, and the other women stood and walked out. Jan finished his beer and headed toward his room.

  Nick sat, alone, in sullen thought.