space-time by threads of
Planck-length thickness, but this principle does not work
anymore.
“When it became
clear that this was a dead-end technology, the study was wound up.
It was no longer suitable for creating portals. But the new way is
based on different principles.”
“It’s strange
that I haven’t heard anything about these studies,” said Clive in
surprise.
“There’s
nothing strange about it. These studies were not made publicly
accessible. By the way, I should warn you that unauthorized
revelation of the details carries a penalty of life imprisonment. I
am telling you about this because your former status allowing you
access to secret information has been restored.”
“All the same,
it’s not clear how this portal would work using the secret
technology,” said Clive.
“You can ask
technical questions when we arrive at the Lunar Base. The portal is
controlled from there. You’ll see what’s what with your own
eyes.”
“And have they
restored unlimited credit too?” asked Clive.
Shelby
laughed.
“For where the
journey is going this time, credit will not be needed.”
“Do you want us
to join the expedition?” asked Clive.
Shelby
nodded.
“Do you have
any objection?”
“How long will
we be away?” asked Steve.
“The estimate
for the whole expedition is twelve weeks.”
“As little as
that?”
“The military
authorities believe that will be long enough. As I said, the
one-way journey itself lasts three weeks. We start from the Lunar
Base, then two weeks to reach a safe distance from the inner
planets. After that the portal opens and the whole group jumps to
the Gliese system. This will take no more than a few minutes. The
rest of the time will be spent reaching a point from which we can
make contact and conduct negotiations.
“We shall have
six weeks to settle everything, after which the group will set the
opposite course and a week later will be far enough away from the
aliens to make a jump safely again. The portal will reopen and
transport us back to the Solar System. Another two weeks and we’ll
be home.”
“But why all
the hurry?”
“Two versions
of the project were produced initially. A flight of 20 light years
for our ships by the classic method would take a little over a
hundred years. The people who flew would have to be prepared to
leave the Solar System forever. They would be in a similar position
to the first Mars colonists, except that contact with Earth from
where they were would be impossible.
“In parallel
with this project, the military experimented with a new high-speed
travel technology. Today they have advanced far enough for us to
try to use not the initial plan, but the quicker version. The
public only knew about the first version. Until yesterday, when the
president revealed that we had the new portal technology in an open
broadcast. Now that everyone knows, we have to set off as soon as
possible.”
“Why?”
“For security
reasons. It will not be a mini-portal. It will stretch across space
for several light hours, which means that everyone who knows the
coordinates and vector will be able to fly to Gliese. It is too
large a sector of space for the Fleet to monitor it and prevent
such attempts. Therefore, we are starting as soon as we can, so as
not to let third parties jump into Gliese along with the official
expedition. The less time the preparations take, the less chance of
unauthorized use of the portal.”
“Are you
talking about pirates?”
“No, at least
not primarily. They are too poorly equipped. It’s more a matter of
various industrial groups of interests that would like to use the
portal to reach Gliese. They have sufficient resources to do that
sort of thing. The military think that is too great a risk.”
“But why do
they need to do it?”
“Business, what
else?”
“What business
could they have in Gliese?”
Shelby
laughed.
“Just wait till
we’ve made contact, Steve. Five or so years later, you will see
Planck-length thickness, but this principle does not work
anymore.
“When it became
clear that this was a dead-end technology, the study was wound up.
It was no longer suitable for creating portals. But the new way is
based on different principles.”
“It’s strange
that I haven’t heard anything about these studies,” said Clive in
surprise.
“There’s
nothing strange about it. These studies were not made publicly
accessible. By the way, I should warn you that unauthorized
revelation of the details carries a penalty of life imprisonment. I
am telling you about this because your former status allowing you
access to secret information has been restored.”
“All the same,
it’s not clear how this portal would work using the secret
technology,” said Clive.
“You can ask
technical questions when we arrive at the Lunar Base. The portal is
controlled from there. You’ll see what’s what with your own
eyes.”
“And have they
restored unlimited credit too?” asked Clive.
Shelby
laughed.
“For where the
journey is going this time, credit will not be needed.”
“Do you want us
to join the expedition?” asked Clive.
Shelby
nodded.
“Do you have
any objection?”
“How long will
we be away?” asked Steve.
“The estimate
for the whole expedition is twelve weeks.”
“As little as
that?”
“The military
authorities believe that will be long enough. As I said, the
one-way journey itself lasts three weeks. We start from the Lunar
Base, then two weeks to reach a safe distance from the inner
planets. After that the portal opens and the whole group jumps to
the Gliese system. This will take no more than a few minutes. The
rest of the time will be spent reaching a point from which we can
make contact and conduct negotiations.
“We shall have
six weeks to settle everything, after which the group will set the
opposite course and a week later will be far enough away from the
aliens to make a jump safely again. The portal will reopen and
transport us back to the Solar System. Another two weeks and we’ll
be home.”
“But why all
the hurry?”
“Two versions
of the project were produced initially. A flight of 20 light years
for our ships by the classic method would take a little over a
hundred years. The people who flew would have to be prepared to
leave the Solar System forever. They would be in a similar position
to the first Mars colonists, except that contact with Earth from
where they were would be impossible.
“In parallel
with this project, the military experimented with a new high-speed
travel technology. Today they have advanced far enough for us to
try to use not the initial plan, but the quicker version. The
public only knew about the first version. Until yesterday, when the
president revealed that we had the new portal technology in an open
broadcast. Now that everyone knows, we have to set off as soon as
possible.”
“Why?”
“For security
reasons. It will not be a mini-portal. It will stretch across space
for several light hours, which means that everyone who knows the
coordinates and vector will be able to fly to Gliese. It is too
large a sector of space for the Fleet to monitor it and prevent
such attempts. Therefore, we are starting as soon as we can, so as
not to let third parties jump into Gliese along with the official
expedition. The less time the preparations take, the less chance of
unauthorized use of the portal.”
“Are you
talking about pirates?”
“No, at least
not primarily. They are too poorly equipped. It’s more a matter of
various industrial groups of interests that would like to use the
portal to reach Gliese. They have sufficient resources to do that
sort of thing. The military think that is too great a risk.”
“But why do
they need to do it?”
“Business, what
else?”
“What business
could they have in Gliese?”
Shelby
laughed.
“Just wait till
we’ve made contact, Steve. Five or so years later, you will see
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