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  Discoveries

  By Hunter Goforth

  Introduction

  It was an old fashioned number 2 pencil scratching quickly over paper in short, precise lines. The soft lead left a variety of tones and shadings as the young man increased or decreased the pressure as he drew. The hand that held the pencil was clean except for grayish smudges on the tips of his index and middle fingers. These fingers were occasionally used to smear the results of the etchings, giving them more texture and enhancing the image as it transferred from mind to paper. The fingers moved quickly, grasping the pencil firmly as it was moved back and forth. These weren't fat fingers, but thin and well defined. You could almost see the tendons and small muscles as they flexed to obey the commands of their master. Although they were moving rapidly, there was a deliberate slowness in the drawings, a purposefulness that came from determined, willing and careful thought.

  As the pencil scratched along the paper, shapes began to appear, spanning nearly half the width of the sheet. The shapes had graceful curves, with parallel supports. Even the imperfections were eventually shaded in until the seemingly random lines took the shape of a wing. Not just any wing, but something more mechanical in nature, similar to drawings originating centuries before.

  Now the pencil began to move more slowly, adding finer detail, texture, missing pieces and even smaller pieces until the sketch closely resembled the original. Da Vinci would have immediately recognized the drawing, even though some additional parts that had been added by the new artist. Yet the process continued as the hand began to fill in beyond the wing to the rudimentary structure of an entire aircraft.

  The sketching was interrupted by the professor at the front of the class. He had been lecturing the whole time and it was obvious, to him, that his efforts were not paying off as expected.

  "Michael can you explain it," the professor asked.

  Mike Wilkes slowly lifted his bright blue eyes from his drawing to see the professor's eyes burning into him. For most students, this would have started a course of coughing or worse, complete brain dysfunction - but not Mike. He was different. Throughout his doodling, Mike had been listening intently. He had a reputation of being extremely bright and today was no exception.

  "The Economic Enlightenment began in the early 21st century in what was known as Russia on Earth. There had been over 100 years of stagnation as they tried to grow economically from the ruins of what had been the old Soviet Union. Nothing seemed to help them make gains with the stronger economic powers of the United States, European Union, Japan, some Asian countries and several other smaller states. It was in this climate that Ivan Chernovski drafted his ideas of a new economic order which used some principals of older socialism, modern capitalism, and his own economic ideas to produce the groundwork. After another ten years of refining, Chernovski's theories were adopted by Russia. Within five years the Russian Alliances had grown economically by 200 percent and had been joined by many of the old Warsaw Pact nations. In another ten years, several additional third world countries had joined in. Finally in 2094, the European Union and the United States adopted the system just prior to the third world war. With the advent of the replicating unit and other technological innovations, it evolved into our present united economic system. The adoption of this system is what led to a single planetary government and eventually, after Loeb’s achievements and our first contact with beings outside our planet, the United Planetary Alliance," said Mike in almost a lecturing tone.

  The professor had eased back, perching himself upon the desk in the front of the class. Once again, he was impressed. Mike's answer was almost verbatim from either the text or his earlier lectures. And, it was obvious that Wilkes fully understood all the ramifications, in some cases even more than the professor himself. Inwardly, the professor was smiling to himself. Mike was his favorite, even though they were not supposed to have one. He had scored 100 percent or higher on every exam and every paper. He was bright, imaginative, even gifted in just about everything he touched. This was a young man to watch in the future.

  Although linked to the class through over a billion miles of space, the professor could also tell from the occasional side glances by some of the other students in the class that Mike was not very popular. He was what was once called a nerd. He even wore glasses, which was almost unheard of these days. Mike had lots of brains, but was coming up short on social standing. It reminded him of his own youth.

  Breaking out of his thoughts, the professor continued. "Exactly. It led to a new concept of freedom to pursue new ideas, new interests and new careers by individuals. We began to think not of just the individual, but as a collective group of people serving each other as a whole. Unfortunately there was that final world war you alluded to, which tended to purge some of the last vestiges of older thought, but it allowed us the freedom to grow where the other didn't," he said. As he looked around the class, he could tell from some blank stares that some got it and some didn't. Good thing this was the last day of class. He wouldn't have to worry about it much longer. He refocused on ending the class.

  "Very good. Now don't forget your exams begin next Tuesday and your applied research is due to me Friday. Are there any questions?" he asked. No hands were raised, as usual. "Very well, Miss Ramey would you stay and talk to me and Mister Wilkes, could you come back in after she leaves please. Good afternoon," the professor said, effectively ending the class.

  The students got up and quickly headed for the door, anxious to get on to other things. Jo Ramey remained behind and watched the others leave. The last of the students to leave was Mike Wilkes who exited the door and stood alone just outside the door of the classroom. Several students stood in a group farther down the hall, but within visual range of the door.

  "I wonder what that's all about?" questioned a young man named Tom. He was a tall skinny young man with a small goatee and a mop of unkempt hair. His pale complexion contrasted with his colorful clothing.

  "You know Jo is just barely making it through this class and Mister Intellect is probably going to wreck the grading curve again," said Jane, a heavier set girl with brown curly hair and playful eyes.

  Steve, a well-built young man who could have been the captain of a college football team went into his usual act regarding this particular professor. He had the professor's mannerisms down to a science. "Michael can you explain it?" he mimicked, then turning in his stare, he switched to an impression of Wilkes. “Oh it's so easy professor. Starting when the world was created I did it this way."

  They all began to giggle and laugh along with Steve until one of them noticed Mike looking their way and hushed them up. Steve was always good for a laugh, his impressions of his teachers and others they knew were legendary.

  "What do you expect from a guy who still wears glasses," Tom said finally glaring at Mike. It was obvious he considered Mike as almost sub-human. Just then, the door opened and Jo came out, passing Mike without looking his way and headed straight to the others. Mike gave a short shrug and went in. The doors closed behind him and Jo finally caught up with the group.

  "What was it this time?" asked Jane, her eyes wild with curiosity.

  Jo rolled her eyes upward. "Same as before," she said. Then she added her own version of imitating the professor. "You just have to put more effort in your studies Miss Ramey. Understanding relationships in history can be important to understand today's developments," she mimicked before breaking out into a giggle. "I may gag."

  Jane laughed out loud. "Don't they realize that you are about to graduate? In another two weeks we'll be finished with school and free to do what we want," she said.

  "Like take a vacation," Tom said with some glee.

  Rob, a third young man who had remained quiet until now, beca
me animated. "Yea, and get away from this ship," he said throwing his arms around.

  "Tell me about it," Jo said. "I'm a music major. What do I care what happened nearly 300 years ago."

  "I figure the only one who will want to stay is Mike. He'd be lost without college," Steve added with some feeling. He always tried to look at both sides of an issue, though he couldn’t really understand what made Mike tick.

  Jo grunted. "Let him be lost. That gnarl has about as much chance on a date as a snug worm," she said referring to a slimy creature which even repelled its own species. "He'll never be anything but a school junkie," she said glancing back toward the door.

  Inside the computerized classroom Mike Ramey was listening to the professor. Despite the fact that the man was simply a transmitted computerized image, Mike actually liked the man and wished he could someday meet him face to face instead of via the ship’s classroom. The special classrooms were aboard all Space Fleet vessels. Packaged programs for each class were available and linked to the university on Earth. The professor was actually teaching the class, to several ships, with the computer adding details and providing the direct link. The computers made each class almost like being there. The programs were linked directly to the university and special situations were addressed each night and sent back to each ship to be provided the next day. That way, the university could keep track of all student assignments and grades. Any special instructions could be uplinked and presented as needed. On a special occasion, the professor could add a conference with individual students. Wilkes still marveled at the technical achievement.

  The professor was standing next to the image of his desk at the front of the class while Mike stood a few feet away. He had a wide smile on his face as he spoke. "...That is why we have all decided to let you skip your final exams. Your efforts are far superior to anyone else aboard ship or here at the University. Congratulations," the professor said. “I wish I could shake your hand, but maybe someday you can join us here and I can do it in person.”

  Mike returned the smile. "Thank you sir," he said.

  Almost by magic, the Dean of the department suddenly walked into the screen next to the professor. Dean Reynolds was well known around the University as a stern but fair man who took his job seriously. Now there he stood, in his usual impeccably pressed suit with a smile on his face. Mike had never had the opportunity to meet the Dean. That was usually reserved for someone in trouble. Dean Reynolds stepped up and smiled.

  "Let me add my congratulations as well," the Dean said. "Michael, you have done almost the impossible. Not only completing your undergraduate work, but graduate work within four years. I looked at your thesis and research. They both should give some of the professors here, and maybe even you yourself, food for thought for the next few years. I just wish we had more students like you," he said still smiling.

  For once, Mike didn't really know what to say. "I appreciate that Dean Reynolds," he finally stammered out.

  The transmitted image of the dean looked at the questioning stare coming from Mike's face and couldn't help but grin. Despite what some of the students might think, (and he knew full well what Mike was going through) he also knew that Mike had made several good friends among the faculty and staff, despite the long distances between them. His maturity far exceeded most students’ and his dedication to his work was far greater than the Dean had ever experienced before. Yes, he had been right to keep an eye on Mike Wilkes. That made this decision even easier.

  "As a matter of fact, I was hoping you might consider joining us at the University," the Dean suddenly said to Wilkes astonishment. "I don't know of a single faculty member who doesn't want you as a teacher and assistant. You could even begin working on your doctorate. Who knows? At the rate you have been working your could complete that in two years of dedicated study," he said.

  Mike took a moment to answer. "I've thought about that sir. But right now I would like to get a little bit of a break. I'd like to travel and see some things, maybe get some practical experience. But would the offer stand after about a year or so?" Mike asked.

  "Most definitely," the Dean said. "Mike you would be a welcome addition here at any time. Take some time and let us know. You know where to reach us. I'll be looking for you at graduation in two weeks," he said. Mike's answer was very thoughtful indeed, he thought. Reynolds knew a few bright ones that burned themselves out trying to do what Mike had accomplished. At least it wasn't a "no," he mused.

  "Thanks, Dean Reynolds. Professor Harris. I appreciate all you've done for me," Mike said giving a slight wave of his hand.

  "Our pleasure Mike," the Dean said warmly. "Take care."

  With a nod to some unknown assistant, the figures of the Dean and Professor Harris disappeared from view, leaving Mike alone in the classroom. Mike turned toward the heavy classroom door and exited the room. The group of classmates was waiting for him.

  "What'cha doing?" asked Rob slapping him on a shoulder. “Sucking up a little more to the professor?"

  Steve joined in. "Yea, maybe get some answers to the finals?" he teased.

  Mike was tired of these games. He looked squarely into their eyes. "Who needs answers?" he said. "I placed out of my finals," he said as he turned and walked alone down the corridor.

  The rest of the group stopped in their tracks. Their faces varied from total incredulity to outright disgust.

  "He placed out of finals!" Tom said almost with a growl.

  Jo watched Mike as he continued down the hall. "It figures," she said.

  Michael continued down the passageway, a little miffed that people could be so inept and uncaring. But he had resigned himself long ago to ignore such things and keep going. Rounding a corner in the labyrinth inside the ship, he collided with Lieutenant Ulon Hadaie, one of the ship’s officers.

  “Michael! Slow down some. Are you alright?” Hadaie asked as he straightened himself back up.

  Brushing himself off, Michael smiled back at his friend. “Sorry about that, Ulon. I guess my mind was a little occupied.”

  “More than a little, I would guess. Is something troubling you?” Hadaie asked as he reached out and placed his hand on Mike’s arm.

  Of all the people on the ship, Ulon Hadaie had become one of Mike’s best friends. He found that Hadaie had a quick, dry wit and could more than hold his own in any discussion they had. As a matter of fact, some of the deepest intellectual discussions Mike could recall were not with the University students or other officers, but with Hadaie. Considering Hadaie was an Angelan, one of the off-Earth species on the ship, it had made the friendship even more special. Mike always felt better around him. “Nothing important. I just received the news that I placed out of my exams. Looks like I’m all set for graduation.”

  Hadaie’s face spread with a smile, which meant for him his eye lids curled upwards at the ends and there was a slight spreading upwards at the end of the lips. “I don’t doubt it. You’ve worked very hard to get these degrees. But that’s not so shattering. What else did they say?”

  Mike grinned further. Hadaie had a way of knowing something else was going on. “Well, they asked me to come to Earth and get my doctorate,” he said meekly.

  A new look came across Hadaie’s face. “Now that’s a piece of good news. Congratulations!” he exclaimed, squeezing Mike’s shoulder. “But somehow I think you turned them down, otherwise, you would have been dancing down the passageway,” he said.

  Michael turned a little red and looked down a second, “You called it. I feel like I want some time to get some practical experience. I really do want to get out in the universe some before I go back. That’s not too crazy, is it?” Mike asked his friend.

  The smile returned to Hadaie’s face. “Actually, that’s one of the best reasons I’ve heard. You’re right. Education is one thing and experience is something totally different. I think you’ve made a very good choice,” he said warmly. He glanced at a clock on the bulkhead. “Look, I’ve got to go on watch. Let’s get to
gether later on and we can celebrate this decision,” he said still gripping Mike’s arm.

  Mike smiled at his friend. “I’d like that, Ulon. Call when you’re off and I’ll meet you somewhere,” Mike said.

  “See you later,” Hadaie said as he turned and sped down the passage.

  Chapter 1

  Discovery

  Earth Space Cruiser Lexington glided through space on her way to her first long duration exploration mission. Only a year old, the ship had completed her trials and her first two assignments relatively close to the solar system. She was the first of a new design of ship using the transpace engine technology developed over one hundred years before. The older systems had allowed ships to travel at about ten times the speed of light, but these used newly designed elements recently added to the periodic table, which could only be made in the weightless vacuum of space, allowing the Lexington to travel at ten times that speed.

  The hull was also newly designed. Shaped almost like a swept triangle, there was a central oblong core which traveled through the center of the ship, with the rest sweeping outwards like a set of wings to the transpace engines on the tips. At the rear of the central core there was a tail-like structure that swept upwards. Perched on the top was a circular saucer section which held the bridge, sensor pods, weapons and a lounge that the crew could enjoy in addition to a few quarters, and a separate engine system so that the saucer could act as an escape pod. It was an elegant design. The skin was made of some new metals, also developed in a weightless vacuum, which gave off a bright sheen as the ship traveled through space.

  Over the years, and as a result of several long-duration, deep space voyages, the Earth Space Fleet had learned that it needed to allow crewmembers to take their families with them. Lexington was one of the first to have the room to house both the crew and their families. Despite the concern that in stressful situations, crewmembers might choose family over duty, the opposite had been observed. Life aboard had become infinitely more pleasant and jobs were done in a safer and more rapid manner. As a result, the ship carried over 1,500 crewman and their families aboard.