Mobius (6 page)

After an entire day of work, I completed the lens and fully integrated it into the station’s telescope array. I directed the newly modified array toward Jupiter and analyzed the data. It showed nothing out of the ordinary. Frustrated by the lack of results, I reluctantly directed the array toward Mars, and again discovered nothing extraordinary.

I became aggravated. My time was being wasted. I repeated the stranger’s directions: “Observe the worlds that surround you!” I lifted a fist in anger. “What do you want me to see, goddamnit?”

I finally brought Earth into the eye of the array. There, I discovered something not just extraordinary, but impossible.

“My God, what am I witness to?”

The Earth, by all current indications, was shrouded with a dimension not native to the natural universe. The array displayed the invisible dimension by casting a symbolic sapphire-blue haze around the Earth. All the known laws of dimensional physics dictated this nineteenth dimension couldn’t exist.

“Computer, extract all data from the station’s main system and upload it to my neural implant.”

No one can know of this.

My mind worked long into the night as I tried to understand this mystery. To my dismay, I merely found myself making weak theories on the origin of this impossible and frightening dimension shrouding Earth.

At last, I was tired. I realized I was drowning in an ignorance not to be overcome in a single night. Before going to bed, I sent a message to the security division of the space station, informing them of my guest’s anticipated arrival.

The next morning, over two hundred guests from the three planetary nations in the solar system arrived at the Brahman Space Station. They joined the live-in staff of three hundred scientists for the dimensional gateway’s inauguration party. It was a grand undertaking held under the stars in the translucent dome of the space station’s arboretum, where, amongst its small forest of trees and vegetation, the guests mingled, feasted, and danced. Radiant globes floated among the trees, painting a romantic atmosphere of light and shadow within the arboretum. Ten musicians performed on a stage for the growing crowd. Four dozen dining tables, arranged around a dance floor, were set with the finest silk cloth, silver utensils, and crystal tableware.

By late afternoon, the arboretum echoed with conversation and laughter. I made my entrance, and the crowd greeted me with thunderous applause. It felt good. I had worked hard for this. I found my way to the stage and began.

“To make the dimensional gateway a reality, it’s taken nearly fifty years of effort, the resources of three planetary nations, and the most dedicated and brilliant scientists and engineers alive. The success of this endeavor is evidence of humankind’s greatness, for soon we’ll have all the stars of the universe resting at our fingertips. We’ll no longer be bound by the sluggish pace of light-speed travel.”

I gazed up through the transparent dome of the arboretum, outstretched my arm, and pointed to a single star. “I foresee a future in which anyone can pick a star in the heavens, and lay claim to it and its planets. Each of us, if we so desire, will have the freedom to establish our own civilization somewhere out there, anywhere, even in another galaxy at the other end of the universe.

“Tomorrow, we’ll activate the dimensional gateway, and through it we’ll send the first manned pod-ship, which I’ll be piloting. The journey, to be only a single light-hour distant, won’t be a far journey, but it’ll be an instantaneous one. The dimensional gateway does, in fact, have the ability to send the pod-ship clear across the universe. However, the trip would be one-way. Keep in mind that the dimensional gateway housed on the Brahman Space Station is only a prototype. Once we’re confident it can consistently create a stable dimensional fissure, we’ll be ready to build ships capable of creating their own dimensional fissures, allowing them to travel independently across the universe.”

I paused thoughtfully. “Before the celebration continues, I want to thank the generous supporters who provided the resources for this project—notably, the Mars Elitists, the Mercury Miners, and the many officials of Earth.” I bowed my head graciously. “Enjoy the evening. I look forward to speaking with all of you.”

As I received a final round of applause, I searched through the faces in the crowd, hoping to recognize the mysterious man who had contacted me two days earlier. When I couldn’t find him, I set out into the crowd to mingle.

Atticus approached me. “As a matter of etiquette, you should first visit with the heads of the three solar nations.”

I looked through the crowd. “I’m not good with faces, Atticus.”

Atticus arched his brow. “Theron, I fear you’ve been cooped up in this space station too long.”

I laughed with embarrassment. “So it may be, my friend.”

Atticus tilted his head, directing my view. “That extravagantly dressed man is Morion Morpheme, Prime Elitist of Mars. Like most of the Mars Elitists, he looks down on all who are not of his class. He’s egocentric, condescending, and, as you’ll soon discover, intolerable.” Atticus directed my attention to another man. “And over there, standing more than a foot taller than all who surround him, is Orsteen Hunn of the Mercury Miners. Don’t let his rugged features and grim expression fool you—his true nature is that of good spirit and kindness.” Atticus spun slowly on his heels, so to face the opposite direction. “Standing beside that weeping willow tree and surrounded by her security team is Allienora Chang, Prime Minister of Earth.”

I saw her and was speechless.

“I thought you might react in such a way,” said Atticus.

“She looks like Cassandra.”

“Indeed.”

I admired her for a long moment, relishing the similarities she shared with my dead wife—blue piercing eyes, full, sensual lips, and an air of confidence. She wore a vibrant aquamarine gown of ultra-fine fabric. Her golden hair was upswept in a spectacular fashion, as to make it appear like a great cresting wave.

I felt a warmth in my chest that I hadn’t felt for decades. “I thought Darius Chang still held the position of Prime Minister of Earth.”

“You’ve got to get your head out of your work,” said Atticus. “Prime Minister Darius Chang has retired. She’s his daughter and successor. She’s been prime minister for over two years.”

I moved in her direction, but found her surrounded by many preening gentlemen, strutting about with outthrust chests, all competing for her attention. I decided to hold off on introductions.

I saw that Morion Morpheme, Prime Elitist of Mars, had already engaged Orsteen Hunn of the Mercury Miners in conversation. I approached them and exchanged greetings.

Morion Morpheme smiled at me with child-like enthusiasm. “Mr. Mobius, I’m inspired by your vision of laying claim to a planet in the heavens. Such a whimsical possibility compels me to envision my retirement in a different light. I’ll search the cosmos for the perfect planet. On the shores of an alien ocean, I’ll build a majestic castle and staff it with butlers, chefs, and concubines.” Morion took a profound breath. “I’ll live like a king atop my planet, in a style of arcane magnificence.”

Even though I’d just said the same thing in my speech—minus the concubines—it sounded insane coming from Morion.

“It sounds like paradise.” I turned to Orsteen Hunn. “And what of you, Orsteen? How will your future endeavors be shaped with the entire universe at our disposal?”

“I certainly seek nothing so luxurious, like Morion. I am, however, comforted to know that my people will never be hungry for work. The Mercury Miners will now be able to spread out to new worlds, procuring the unlimited natural resources of the universe.”

I saw Allienora Chang approach. She walked with such measured elegance that she seemed to float in our direction.

Be a gentleman. Be interesting. Be calm.

I smiled as she joined us.

“I hope I’m not intruding.”

“Not at all, Prime Minister Chang,” I said.

“Please, call me Allienora.”

“As you like, Allienora.” I stood there in an awkward silence.

What the hell’s wrong with me?
I thought.
I’m a grown man.

I snapped out of it. “We were just sharing our visions of the future. Orsteen Hunn was remarking on the unlimited resources the universe will soon offer us, and Morion Morpheme was dreaming about a peaceful retirement on a planet he alone would rule.”

Allienora looked to the stars. “I don’t wish to depress you, but I fear that, with this new freedom, humankind will have the potential to plunge into chaos, unless we can find a way to police these new worlds you envision, Theron. If we allow anyone the freedom to strike their flag into the soil of a distant world, isolated from lawful civilization, then we could soon be faced with a universe full of little dictators and world-mongers.” Allienora directed her words to Orsteen Hunn of the Mercury Miners. “Will anyone be allowed to harvest a world of its resources? Who will ensure the preservation of those worlds with unique life?”

“I assure you, Prime Minister Chang,” responded Orsteen, “the Mercury Miners are not thoughtless plunderers. We respect the tree that bears the fruit.”

“I apologize,” said Allienora. “I meant no disrespect. I’m only concerned about the future.”

She’s right
, I thought.
She’s as intelligent as she is beautiful. A forward thinker like her father
.

“Let’s put business aside.” I signaled for drinks and a tray floated in our direction. “Grab a fresh drink and let’s dance. This is a celebration, after all.”

Allienora smiled. “An excellent idea, Theron.”

The party went into full swing, but I found it difficult to immerse myself in the moment. Again and again, my thoughts turned to Earth and the unnatural dimension that shrouded it. I looked repeatedly for the stranger who had contacted me—but, by the end of the night, he had yet to show himself. I was left to retire to my apartment in disappointment.

In the early morning, the computer indicated that someone was at my door. On my doorstep, I discovered a man with the most amazing eyes I’d ever seen. They were brilliant hyper-blue spheres that shimmering and glowed. I leaned in close, transfixed on them. With a close enough view, I could perceive their level of complexity. Small pinpoints of light traveled along pathways throughout the nano-architecture. I could only glimpse the surface of their depth. Their sophistication was breathtaking. The integration of such synthetic eyes into a human body was no small feat. The real question was: What the fuck did they do?

The man, despite his surreal synthetic eyes was sickly-looking. His pale skin accentuated the two eyes and the energetic luster that poured from them.

“May I help you?” I said, still preoccupied with his eyes.

“I’m the one who contacted you two days ago.”

I paused, focusing on his facial features. “You don’t look like him.”

“I prefer not to display my true face when using simulacra.”

“Come in,” I said, strangely excited. “We have a lot to talk about. I can’t begin—”

The stranger held up his hand. He removed a small device from his pocket, placed it on a nearby table, and activated it. “We’re now free to talk without worry for eavesdroppers.”

“Who are you?” I asked.

“Don’t you recognize your dear friend? It’s me, Sensimion. Surely you remember the sanitarium.”