***What is the nature of the disturbance…Major?***
Winger silently thanked ANAD for helping them focus on the mission.
“Major Fordham here is liaison with BioShield. He’s got the particulars.”
Fordham addressed the assembled nanotroopers. “Gentlemen, what we are seeing is unlike anything we’ve ever encountered.” He signaled SOFIE to put up a display of the Indian subcontinent on a nearby wallscreen. “One thing we do know for sure: the disturbance BioShield has detected is not assembler activity, so far as well can tell. The signatures aren’t there; no thermal blooms, no debris, no fluff, nothing. It’s more sporadic, possibly quantum in nature.”
“Like entanglement waves?” asked Barnes.
“Possibly, but we can’t get a fix on it. The probability states don’t collapse like entanglement waves. We can’t localize it very well, other than to say the source seems to be somewhere in Bengali, near Kolkata. We can’t get enough of a picture of the quantum disturbance, if it is that, to say for sure what’s causing it. Maybe some kind of massive quantum coupler. But we’re sure of one thing: some source is banging out quantum disturbances that are jangling detectors all over the world. And it’s coming from here—“ he poked his finger at the Kolkata region on the screen. “Frankly, we need help…we need to get into this region with better gear and locate this source. It’s wreaking havoc with quantum channels all over the world.”
Deeno D’Nunzio studied the map and Fordham’s depiction of the quantum disturbance, like a series of ghostly waves, concentric disruptions emanating from the subcontinent. “Looks like a beating heart, doesn’t it, Skipper?”
Barnes agreed. “Major, we’ve seen the latest intel from Q2. Hasn’t there been a lot of fab activity in that area…I mean, uncontrolled fabs shooting off.”
Fordham acknowledged the problem. “The Indian state of Bengal and the Kolkata region, really the whole Ganges delta, is epidemic with it. Unlicensed fabs going off, whole towns enveloped in loose swarms out of containment, nanoheads and atomgrabbers and hackers juicing up the things beyond any safe level—“ Fordham stopped, realizing that the ANAD swarm hovering in the rear of the ready room had brightened as he talked. “Excuse me, I didn’t mean to imply—“
Johnny Winger had seen the same thing. He knew ANAD was sensitive about the Containment Laws. “Forget it, Major. I don’t think ANAD took offense, did you, ANAD?”
The swarm seemed to throb and flicker for a moment, then the metallic voice came:
***ANAD understands human concerns about containment…assemblers must operate safely and in accordance with good practice when in proximity to humans…this is the seen in Rules Two and Three…please, continue, Major…***
Fordham swallowed audibly and tried to finish the briefing. He had always been a little uneasy in the presence of the swarms. Since the Symbiosis Project had received UNIFORCE permission to release ANAD from containment and form experimental combat units inside the Corps, Fordham and a lot of people had had to learn new ways of relating to these newest troopers.
“...as I was saying, we need help from 1st Nano. You have the equipment and the training to search out quantum disturbances.”
Winger added, “Kraft and CINCQUANT want a mission plan within the hour for a little recon job on the scene. We’ll form up an Alpha Detachment, take people and gear from across the battalion. I need to get a plan to Kraft right away so UNSAC can cut the orders. Start checking out your gear and close all work orders. I’m betting we’ll be airborne before sundown.”
Winger dismissed the briefing and waited until the troopers had dispersed from the ready room. A few moments later, only he and the ANAD swarm were left.
“ANAD, I’m betting Red Hammer’s got their fingers in these disturbances. You saw the reports on the ultimatum received in Paris last night?”
The swarm swelled for a few seconds, then contracted and seem to dim. ANAD began relaxing its simulated structure of a ghostly human face, reverting back to its more natural state, an amorphous fog of assemblers.
***ANAD requests permission to change config, Major…to assume Config One…maintaining Config Four requires extra energy…molecular stores are depleted***
“Permission granted, ANAD. I think you threw a scare into Major Fordham for a moment. He’s not used to dealing with swarms out of containment…like a lot of people, I guess.”
***the Major’s response is within normal parameters…Config Four is assumed to enable social interaction in large gatherings of humans…Rule Two, Subsection 22, Paragraph 8***
“I get it, ANAD…and I know how hard it is. But you’re in Config One now, and it’s just me.”
***ANAD finds Config One a more suitable configuration for swarm activity… and to answer your question, Major…probability assessment of recent intelligence indicates Red Hammer operations and influence is increasing in south Asia and the regions indicated. Correlations of outbreaks of unlicensed fab use with the Paris ultimatum are low at the moment, but as more data is received, correlations may strengthen***
“You and I think alike, ANAD,” Winger admitted. “We haven’t seen the last of these goons.” He finished his mission plan and fired it off to Kraft over the base tactical net. “We better start getting prepped for the mission. ANAD, assume Config Ten, for loadout and transport. I’m making you part of this Detachment as well. And give me my local guys…I’ve got to get prepped myself—“
Winger cocked his head just so and the left shoulder containment port beneath his uniform cycled open. The ANAD swarm detached a faint tendril of fog which formed itself into a tight ball of light and maneuvered slowly toward Winger. In less than five minutes, as the atomgrabber studied the details of the plan he had just zapped off to Kraft, the swarm element that would reside inside his implanted capsule made its approach and entered the capsule with a stinging jolt of heat.
Winger winced. “Ouch, ANAD…take it easy, will you? Maybe we need to practice recovery ops a little more or tweak your config registers.”
***ANAD apologizes…acknowledging that time is short and rapid response is needed to counter enemy threats…optimizing recovery sequence now***
With no further word, Winger left the ready room and headed out of the barracks toward the ordnance bunker at the north end of the mesa. Right behind him, a silent iridescent swarm of ANAD assemblers flowed along like an early-morning ground fog, percolating its way across the quadrangle toward the same destination.
Even at Table Top, nanotroopers en route to other areas around the base quickly gave the fog a wide, uneasy berth.
CHAPTER 1
Mariner City
Candor Chasma, Mars
September 5, 2080 U.T.
Duncan Price had been an inspector with the Frontier Corps for nearly ten years and in all that time, he had never encountered anyone quite like the Chinese meteorologist.
“Dr. Dao, I asked you to stop by to explain under what conditions the expedition you proposed can be conducted.”
Dao Wen Hsien leveled an even gaze at Price. “Conditions? What conditions are you talking about? It’s all in my proposal. UNISPACE has already approved—“
Price held up a hand. “Yes, yes, I know all that. But that was before the incident…at Hellas Station.”
Dao’s eyes narrowed. “I was told I could resume my research.”
“It’s an ongoing investigation, Dr. Dao.” Price had developed an intense dislike for the dour Chinese scientist. “There are unsolved matters…we’re still trying to determine how six air regulators could fail simultaneously. It’s not a credible accident scenario, even though Public Security has called it an accident. It strains credibility…six out of seven regulators fail…at the same time.”
Dao nodded tight lipped. “I’m still a suspect.”
Price decided to be honest. “There are some suspicions, Dr. Dao. Just between you and me, if it were my call, you’d be
on the next shuttle out of here. But you must have some hellacious clout…that’s all I can figure. UNISPACE insists that you be given a chance to complete your research.”
Dao nodded curtly. “And what are these conditions?”
Price pulled out a small vial from a desk drawer and laid it on his desk. “Public Security maintains a reservoir of programmable devices for custodial purposes. A sort of custodial swarm, if you will.” Price extracted a small lozenge from the vial and handed it to Dao. “Swallow this.”
Dao looked dubiously at the capsule. He took it in his fingers. “So I am to be in your custody…sort of a prisoner of MarsFed.”
“Officially, you’re under surveillance. It’s a precaution. We don’t want any more incidents like Hellas Basin. It’s for your own good, actually.”
Dao was mindful of the halo that he and all Red Hammer council members had embedded; the swarm kept everyone in line, ensuring that no free-lancers could damage the cartel from inside. “What, exactly, am I permitted to do?”
“You’re permitted to conduct research along the lines of your original proposal. And you’re permitted to leave Mariner City but only to travel up to twenty five kilometers outside the enclosure. The little deputies in that pill will see to that. Any further…or any activities outside their programming…and you’ll get one hell of a headache. Worse case, our custodial swarm can disable muscular contractile tissue. In other words, you’ll collapse like a sack of potatoes.” Price nodded with satisfaction. “And then we’ll come scoop you up and load you on the next shuttle.”
“This is all highly unnecessary, Inspector. I am a fully accredited researcher working under a UNISPACE grant. I should protest this kind of—“
Price held up a hand. “Protest all you want, Doctor. But MarsFed’s already decided and they make the laws around here. As a matter of fact, I’m UNISPACE myself, you know. Frontier Corps and all that. So we’re like fellow employees.” He nudged a cup of water toward the Chinese meteorologist. “Bottom’s up, Doc.”
Dao swallowed the pill without water. He wasn’t sure how his halo would react to the alien nano now inside him. He didn’t want Price to witness it either, so he said his goodbyes and walked the streets of Mariner City for an hour waiting for something to happen.
Nothing ever did. Dao concluded that UNISPACE bots were pretty tame if the halo hadn’t been triggered. Nonetheless, he’d have to be careful.
Back in his apartment on Face Cut Street, mid-ward, Second Level, Dao reviewed the instructions he had received from the Keeper at Hellas Station. He’d already fired off a synopsis to his fellow cartel members, using a frequency-hopping quantum coupler circuit that should be undetectable.
Now it was time to get to work, custodial swarm or not. Perhaps, he could ask the Keeper for help. Surely, the Old Ones had some treatment for neutralizing custodial swarms embedded inside your body.
It was all a bit too much.
When all this was over, Dao promised himself, he’d be a very rich man. If he didn’t kill himself in the process.
Dao felt a wave of dizziness and a few hot flashes wash over him. Finally, he told himself. It was about time.
He tried relaxing for a moment on a sofa, going over the Keeper’s instructions in his mind. Inside, his halo had begun to react to the presence of Inspector Price’s custodial swarm. Deep inside his brain, two armies of nanoscale bots collided and battled. The halo was well programmed to seek out and destroy any swarms that threatened its host.
Dao felt his skin crawl with prickly flashes. The insides of his eyes felt like a cat was there, frantically scratching to get out, clawing and scraping away.
For several minutes, the combat progressed, then the worst of the dizziness and nausea subsided and Dao no longer felt like heaving up breakfast. His vision cleared.
Was it over? Was the halo still there? There was one way to find out. Dao tentatively let his thoughts settle onto forbidden territory…getting out of Red Hammer altogether. Quitting the cartel for good….
He might as well have tried to jump into outer space. The Squeeze came on, right on cue, as the halo bots stoked his dopamine receptors like lighting a match to a drum of oil. His head went off like a bomb and—when the writhing and thrashing finally stopped, at least he had the reassurance that the halo swarm was intact.
And Price’s custodial bots were so much atom fluff.
Dao picked himself up off the floor and reminded himself that, at least it was a good hurt. A painful reminder that Red Hammer was like a mama bear who didn’t let her cubs go so easily.
The Keeper had given him directions on his next task. Dao had written nothing down but now accessed that set of memories which the sphere’s operating system had downloaded to him when he had been inside.
At least, now there would be no interference from the police swarm. Still, as Dao headed out of his apartment for the walk over to the lift that would take him up to the South Locks and the surface, he knew he wouldn’t be able to shake Public Security or the Frontier Corps completely. He would be under surveillance and there was no getting away from that.
But he was reasonably confident that if he followed the Keeper’s instructions, he could complete his assigned tasks and no one would be the wiser.
Then he could get the hell out of here and collect his fee.
The Keeper had called the device a quantum string resonator. At least, that was how the Keeper had translated the instructions from the archives of the Old Ones. His job seemed simple enough on the face of it: build one node of this device and activate it.
I hope they know what they’re doing, Dao remarked, as he climbed down from his marscat transport and hit the dusty surface of the mesa. Clad only in skinsuit and breathing pack, Dao had leased a packbot at the Southlocks and ridden twelve miles off into the ocher and dun-colored desert highlands northwest of the Candor canyonlands.
Of course, he told himself, the Old Ones would obviously know what they were doing. They were after all the Old Ones. And the Keeper was nothing more than a fancy librarian or search engine, able to direct inquiries toward relevant parts of the Old Ones’ seemingly inexhaustible archives, a resource that the cartel had been mining for many years.
Query: how do you divert a trillion-ton C1-class asteroid on to an Earth-intercept trajectory? The Keeper had supplied the answer, along with all the technical details: concepts, history, drawings, bills of material, testing procedures. Easy as putting up a house…maybe easier.
Now, Dao sent the packbot off with its trailer of gear while others aboard the marscat disembarked. One of the riders was an engineer with GreenMars. His name was Taylor. Taylor yawned and stretched as far as his skinsuit would let him. “Fine afternoon on Mars, ain’t it?”
Dao merely grunted. It was mid-morning and he had a lot of work to do. He ordered the packbot to follow him up a low sand dune. The depression on the other side corresponded with the exact latitude and longitude the Keeper had given him.
“Need some help there?” Dao turned to see a pair of scientists loping down the side of the dune like children at play.
“What kind of gear is that?”
One scientist wore a skinsuit with a name patch that read SAUNDERS. His companion was MENDEZ. As the packbot systematically offloaded its cargo into neat stacks, Dao regarded both men with barely concealed hostility.
The last thing he needed now was a pair of nosy neighbors.
“Meteorology,” Dao told them. “Wind and dust measurements. Before the Big Boom—“ he glanced upward.
“Ah, yes,” said Saunders, looking over the gear. “I know what you mean. We’re both geochemists, Ken and I…rocks and soils and so forth. Once the asteroid hits, Mars becomes a new world. I’m researching a paper. Need a hand?”
Dao shook his head. “Not really. It’s pretty specialized stuff. Experimental stuff. I’m not sure it’ll even work right.”
Saun
ders held up a small box with odd protuberances on four sides. “What’s this?”
Dao wanted to get rid of the pair but he was mindful that he was probably still under surveillance. “It’s a quantum processor. I’m taking measurements from all over the planet. Lot’s of data, you know.”
That seemed to mollify Saunders. “I hear GreenMars is hosting a conference later this week. Updates on the project…the asteroid diversion…new time lines…you coming?”
Dao had heard mention of the conference. “I’ll be there…now, if you’ll excuse me—“
“Sure thing—“ Saunders loped off toward a line of dunes, Mendez gave him a wave too. Soon they had disappeared over the ridge line.
When he thought about it later, the pair seemed quite chatty for scientists who usually kept their research pretty close. Dao figured they were both Public Security, or maybe Frontier Corps plants
Keeping an eye on me, he decided. He quickly set to work.
He didn’t pretend to understand all the details of how the quantum string resonator worked. He wasn’t important that he understand. His job was simply to erect one node of the resonator at this exact location and activate it. When it was activated, the resonator would be fully functional.
And asteroid 2351 Wilks-Lucayo would slowly begin to change course.
Dao worked steadily throughout the day, skipping lunch, keeping a wary eye on his surveillance, waving perfunctory acknowledgements toward other scientists as they dispersed across the crater-strewn landscape.
The expedition had been sponsored by GreenMars; the project office wanted as fully documented a record of Mars’ current state, in all fields, as possible. Like Saunders had said, when the Big Boom came, Mars would be a very different place.
Only Dao understood that the Big Boom might not come to Mars at all. Once the quantum string resonator finally came online, Earth itself would be in the cross-hairs of 2351 Wilks-Lucayo.
He heard the radio call for Pre-assembly…basically a half-hour’s warning that the expedition leader put out to say, Wrap things up, the sun’s going down, be on the marscat in an hour…or else. Dao got up from his knees and studied his creation, wondering if he had missed anything.