Koban 4: Shattered Worlds (56 page)

“You already have learned that your superconducting nervous systems and your Mind Tap ability can entangle and modulate the movement of the lowest energy tachyons, which have effectively infinite velocity. This is the basis for your demonstrated ability to impress your thoughts onto that weak tachyon medium, where it exists as a pattern that persists for days, before the background noise causes it to fade away, yet the range is vast. We determined long ago that the Olts of the Torki and our Raspani mind enhancers communicate in a similar fashion, using quantum entanglement of the weakest particles of Tachyon Space. The range was short in Normal Space due to limited sensitivity of our devices.

“One of your pre-interstellar era scientists called this ‘spooky action at a distance.’ If I understand the non-scientific meaning of
spooky
in this example, your Albert Einstein argued that the accepted formulation of quantum mechanics was incomplete. For humanity, it was certainly true that your knowledge was incomplete, but it was not wrong about this. Quantum entanglement does exist, and works in our universe and in Tachyon Space. The entangled low energy tachyons with infinite velocity, explains the instantaneous information transfer at any distance.

“The new Philodor Olts, with the larger number and different types of entangled particles, can also modulate and use the entangled quantum property of infinite velocity low energy tachyons to transport the instantaneous effects observed. When a Kobani enters or exits Tachyon Space, your superconducting nervous system can impose a preformed thought pattern of your targeted thoughts upon a vast number of entangled low energy tachyons, which retains the impression of your thoughts for a time. When the targeted mind that matches that stored mental pattern also enters Tachyon Space, the pattern you left behind passes through their brains and minds many times in an instant, collapsing a number of superimposed states that comprise the thoughts intended only for them.

“With a Comtap chip embedded, a Kobani will now be able to send modulated patterns continuously through the same low energy tachyons while you are in Tachyon Space. When you tested the first chip design here at Koban, you didn’t have sufficient and redundant enough quantum entanglement circuitry that could detect those continuous patterns. Your minds, without a chip, were able to create and detect the patterns one time, as you entered or exited Tachyon Space, passing between the universes. The new Olts from Philodor were aboard the Beagle, where you wished to communicate thoughts sent from the Mark. The minds of your two human subjects on the Beagle were sent the usual thought pattern, a frozen signal so-to-speak, targeted at the designated minds for the brief moment when the men on the Mark entered Tachyon Space.”

Elbow squeeze again. “The discovery of this communication mode would have happened eventually anyway once the Philodor Torki arrived here, but you will have the technology sooner because of this accident.

“The first Comtap chips were already sending a continuous signal pattern, although without any receiving human with a chip sensitive enough to detect the continuous pattern, the signal was not received by them. There was a general destination for the thoughts present, a partial address if you wish to think of it that way, for someone
aboard
the Beagle. So the four Torki Olts
on the Beagle
all received your messages.” Now came the important part.

“We can redesign the Comtap chip, and every Olt, and every mind enhancer to employ the same increased degree of quantum entangled sensitivity as do the Olts produced by the Torki from Philodor.”

Pulling at his lip, Mirikami summarized his understanding, “You mean we can have continuous long distance communication when we are in Tachyon Space, not only between Kobani, but with and between Torki and Raspani, using the same individual addressing system that your devices already employ at merely light speed and shorter distances in Normal Space.”

“Yes.” Blue acknowledged. “Except that Kobani, because of your Mind Tap ability, can do more than simply share data and messages. You can share actual thoughts and mental images with those you contact.” He had more to offer for the future.

“Another level of enhancement should be possible, if we can increase the sensitivity of the new style chips by two or three magnitudes. All of the long-range communications via Olts, mind enhancers, and now Comtaps, is via modulation of low energy tachyons, and the links are essentially instantaneous. It appears possible, in principle anyway, to increase sensitivity so that instant Normal Space links of vast range should also be possible. There would be no need for us to physically enter Tachyon Space if we are able to detect the modulation of tachyons from Normal Space.”

Mirikami was deeply impressed. “Blue, you and Coldar have made rapid use of this new discovery. I don't think humans are the only fast thinkers in the galaxy.”

There was one of those quick, shared looks between the Torki and Raspani, then the unmistakable sound of their laughter mixed together. Blubbering lips from the Raspani and a rapid scraping sound from the Torki.

Mirikami knew those sounds. “What’s so amusing?”

Blue answered. “Professor Max Born postulated that our Olt’kitapi chip designs actually modulated entangled tachyons, but due to low detection sensitivity, our devices used low powered light speed radio signals in Normal Space to connect. It was his theory of Quantum entanglement of tachyons that we confirmed via our testing, not our theory.

“It is also his belief that an increase in sensitivity will be possible, to extend instantaneous long-range communications into Normal Space. Your species, at least those with Kobani features of perfect memory and Mind Taps, are rapidly matching us older species in such theoretical matters. We think the Olt’kitapi already understood and used this method of communication.”

Looking to Born, Mirikami saw the slight nod, and small smile that confirmed the Raspani’s statement.

“I see. Congratulations Max.” He turned back to Blue.

“You have been changing the production facilities. Will I, and the people that I take with me on the K1 raid, have the new Comtap chips before the attack?”

Elbow squeeze again. “I don’t know if we can supply everyone you plan to take with you. You did not state the numbers or provide a departure date. We can build and embed dozens of them in Kobani humans in a month of your days. They will also function for your normal human population, without your Mind Tap ability of course. That is exactly how it will function for us.” He gestured to include himself and Coldar, as representative of all Raspani and Torki.

Considering that inclusion, Blue added, “We will also be making new chips for the Torki and Raspani, so that new effort will consume some of our manufacturing productivity.”

Mirikami bowed to them. “Blue, I truly appreciate and support your decision to share this technology with your own people, and I’d even like you to offer the capability to the Prada, if they want to have it. However, unless you are sending fighters with us to attack the Krall on K1 in a month, something I invite you to do, I respectfully request that the bulk of your chip production be largely devoted to the new Comtaps for a month.

“I’ll be asking to place some of my people on various fleet elements of the Planetary Union navy, to better coordinate theirs and our movements when we Jump to attack.” He had yet to discuss this with Admiral Bledso, but believed she would agree.

Both Blue and Coldar shared looks, and probably held a brief private electronic communication. Then Blue responded for them both. “We were not aware the impending attack was coming so soon. You humans always act so quickly. Although we welcome your invitation to allow us to participate, Coldar and I are well aware of how Torki or Raspani presence on any of your ships will expose you to greater risk. Can we be considered for participation on future raids? We owe the Krall for many thousands of years of abuse.”

Mirikami spread his hands in ready acceptance of their claim and request. “I promise there will be an opportunity for your people to participate in attacks against the Krall, which will not risk the degree of violent ship maneuvers as I expect will happen at K1. If any species have earned the right to strike at them, it is you two and the Prada, who have suffered long and greatly. There will be rescue missions for you as well, to recover any of your isolated populations, as those the Beagle discovered on Philodor. One of our ships will escort an armed migration ship, operated by the people you select, and return with you to Philodor for the Torki they left behind.”

****

A couple of weeks later, the members of what was once called the Inner Circle were holding an impromptu planning session. They were there to discuss some risky revelations that might have to be made to the Planetary Union navy, and by inference passed to the Hub government that the navy served. The risk went considerably beyond what the Kobani might face because of their violation of the prohibition against human genetic modifications. The Planetary Union might pursue legal action against the lawbreakers. Perhaps aggressively, and what affected the Kobani could have an impact on the Koban system.

There was a potential threat to
all
of the citizens of Haven and Koban, genetically modified or not, because everyone lived in the same system with the Kobani. They would suffer repercussions if the Planetary Union pursued any police or military action against those with gene mods. Even A boycott on trade with the supposed Rimmers, who the PU thought the Kobani were, would impose hardships. Attempts to arrest Kobani in Human Space could quickly escalate into hostilities.

Mirikami had requested this gathering, and he paused to look around the large circular table, considering the mixture of humans and aliens he and Maggi had strategically seated. Humans were in the majority, with only one of them being completely unmodified, one had only clone mods, and nine were full Kobani. Also in attendance were a Prada, a Torki, and a Raspani. This wasn’t a governmental meeting, because the Inner Circle had never been a government at all. This was a discussion, planning, and strategy group.

The members changed over time, but might be scientists, leaders, or merely someone that represented a special interest that needed their views to be addressed. They explored proposals, made suggestions, and expressed differing viewpoints, or voiced their objections.

Because humans, Kobani humans in particular, had made the existence of this assembly even possible, they had more participants in the group. However, there was no voting involved, and recommendations made did not have the force of law locally. The Kobani were those that often faced the risks when a course of action was recommended, so leaders within their ranks were able to express their opinions.

Membership came from citizens living on Haven or Koban, and the three alien races that lived only on Haven. Recommendations of the group could have an impact on the remnants of the respective alien species, so they were always present. There were often invited guests, and anyone could ask to observe the irregularly held but announced meetings.

Today, a ripper named Kayla was invited, although the cats normally had little interest in these meetings, and typically displayed boredom. They would often enjoy a gaping yawn that exposed their long fangs. Particularly when they noticed any non-Kobani looking at them with a trace of apprehension. The quick looks away from them was proof, and a reward, that they had made the intimidating impression they enjoyed. The rippers rarely took a place at the table, because they never offered an opinion, nor seemed to have one to offer in any case. They were primarily present as truthsayers.

With frilling and Mind Taps possible, there were social rules to guard an individual’s private thoughts. Although, some specific privacy laws were still being formulated to guard everyone’s rights, being as fair as possible, or in some cases only as fair as practical. With Kobani Mind Tap ability, every citizen could be certain that their true feelings and grievances were at least
understood
by a Kobani, even if their beliefs were not shared. Ripper frilling was an infrequently used method of verifying that a Mind Tap relay done by a Kobani, between those without Mind Tap ability was unbiased. Kayla was here, if needed, for an independent and unmodified mental link.

A ripper did not embellish or “soften” their own thoughts, and would pass through the untarnished thoughts for which they were merely the conduit. Humans could potentially introduce deliberate modifications of thoughts they relayed, and it might be done inadvertently if they simply held a different opinion. Humans were less reliable than was a ripper in this respect.

Because there was no official standing for the group, its recommendations did not bind anyone into supporting them. Not that universal acceptance of any idea in human history had ever occurred. Now, with alien perspectives added to the mix, it was a wonder they managed to work together at all, and arrive at majority opinions. Somehow, they did, and they always held their meeting in a growing new city, which they had named Xenos.

There actually were participants in this group that did hold elected positions, although they had no more status in this setting than did any of the other members. Today, the office holders at the meeting were the six city council representatives of Xenos itself. Humans, from three different camps formed half of that council, and the other three elected (or selected) members were aliens. Perhaps the spirit of cooperation at Inner Circle meetings was due to the concept the city was named after.