Mark finished a wing and interjected, “I don’t think we should trust the Noridians, I think Obamacare was a ruse, I find the twins to be very flexible, and I think our own Dr. Mom did an incredible job getting the information out of the Noridians because I think Dr. Sullivan is right- they’re holding out on us. Also, are there anymore wings?”
Dr. Decker added pointedly, “I’ll tell you what crazy is. It’s making judgments on a people when their thinking is light years ahead of us!”
Julie said, “Anzio, are you ok?”
“Did he just snort beer through his nose?” Toni asked.
Dr. Sullivan asked Dr. Decker, “Are you serious? You think that just because their technology is ahead of ours, it makes them superior to us ethically and morally?”
“Anzio, what’s so funny?”
“This is going nowhere. Mark my words…” Dr. Decker was interrupted when everyone’s attention was suddenly taken by the noise of the house speaker system turning on…
General Nesbit was standing at the front of the room and started talking into a hand-held microphone. “Hello everyone. I didn’t plan on addressing you tonight but since it looks like everyone is here it might be a good time.”
“I know there has been a lot of rumors and speculation going on and it can be exhausting worrying about what’s true and what isn’t. Washington hasn’t exactly authorized me to confirm anything or release any information but I think this group represents the best and brightest our planet has to offer, and I want you to know as much as I do.
“First of all, there is no reason to think that any of your loved ones that you might be leaving behind aren’t safe or won’t be safe. It is true that the fact that we are in communication with the Noridians, and the fact that we are preparing to send a team to their world, has leaked. The world’s population has had mixed reactions to this news. There have been protests in many countries but by far most of these protests have been peaceful and nonviolent.
“As I say, most of these protests have been peaceful but not all. Two days ago what are suspected to be state sponsored terrorists were interdicted trying to smuggle a nuclear bomb into the Israeli city of Haifa. Unfortunately, the bomb was detonated before it could be neutralized.
“Three hours later, in response to what it considers an unprovoked act of war, Israel launched two nuclear missiles; one each at military bases in the Syrian cities of Damascus and As-Suwayda.
“For the handful of our team members that live or have immediate family in that part of the world please rest assured that our State Department has already confirmed that your families are safe and unharmed. If any of you that don’t live in those areas have solid reason to believe that family members could have been traveling in those areas you are authorized to file a safety verification report on your Smartpad and we will do everything possible to confirm their safety before our departure tomorrow.
“It is the government’s belief that this situation will not escalate although I’d be lying if I said that things aren’t still volatile.
“There is a rumor that our sudden departure is because the Noridian’s didn’t want to stick around and get caught up in a nuclear war—I can personally confirm to you that this is not the case. I was informed a full 36 hours before our mission leaked that the Noridian ship was ready to receive us and to prepare for departure. Our government has asked us to accelerate that departure by a few days in the hopes that our leaving might lower tensions.
“We all owe a big thanks to the Head of our Diplomatic Mission, Ambassador Quentin Rutledge. Ambassador Rutledge was able to get the commitment from our government that in the unlikely event that hostilities do escalate to other regions all earthbound family members of this mission will be moved to safety on a priority basis. I’m guessing he probably had to twist some arms to get a concession like that but I think it’s important that we can focus on our mission without having to be overly concerned about those we leave behind.
“And this brings me to the important part of this impromptu discussion; focus. I don’t have to remind you how important this mission is. To say that it’s historic would be an understatement. Mankind is at a nexus; we can find a way to be respected, to contribute, and to bring something unique to the galactic table or we can settle into a second-class existence and possibly lose control of our own destiny.
“We need to understand the situation better. Every single member of this mission is not only important for your ability to understand what they show us but also as a set of eyes and ears that can gather information and help us understand what they don’t show us; what they might need, what they might hide. Remember, as awe inspiring as their advanced technology is every culture has its ugly side. Yes, we want to make friends but as they say in the real world, this is business.
“I know that all of you will find a way to put personal fears and professional differences behind you. I believe that each and every one of you will perform at your very best and place the mission’s success as your first priority. I believe that when our grandkids one day learn about us in grade school, they’ll be proud of us.”
Chapter 14
Summary
Noridian Interview Blogcast #647
Security Classification: Ultra Secret Black Diamond
Access Authorization: Broken Star Personnel Only
Operational Priority: Level 1
In Attendance:
For the Noridian’s: Hemyet
For Earth Team: Dr. Steve Smith - PhD, Information Technology, programming specialist
Subject Tags:
Implant
Database
Data retrieval
Internet
Network
LAN
Summary:
Dr. Smith accurately guessed that the Noridians are constantly linked to their own Local Area Network (LAN). The physical range of the LAN is not known.
This network functions on a frequency or type of carrier that is unknown and currently undetectable by us.
They each access this network via bioware—nanotechnologically grown augmentation in the brain and surrounding the optical nerve. It is unclear if the bioware is organic, inorganic, or a combination of both.
Apparently the same or similar augmentation is prevalent in all advanced galactic cultures.
The software interface is via thought process and can convey coherent language as well as high resolution images. In effect, the Noridians can silently communicate with each other and record or share real-time images.
This technology allows the Noridians to literally control their machinery via thought control.
According to Hemyet their ship contains one (several?) processing nodes for the LAN.
The most startling revelation however has to do with data storage. According to Hemyet their processing nodes have real-time access to quantum data stores that could be physically located anywhere in the galaxy.
Chapter 15
Dr. Mark Spencer
I pulled out some chicken wings that I’d commandeered before we’d left the mess hall and passed some of them to Anzio.
“Anzio, I just realized what’s been bugging me,” I proclaimed as I sat at my desk and absentmindedly chewed a wing.
We had left Julie to finish her conversation with Dr. Sullivan and had walked back to my room. I wasn’t sure if General Nesbit’s speech lightened the mood or made it heavier—people seemed a little less frantic but more self-absorbed and churlish.
“Does it have anything to do with an alien species that I cannot bring myself to trust?” quipped Anzio.
“It’s the music. When Dr. Bell and I went to Jaki’s apartment, or VIP quarters, or whatever they’re calling it there was music playing in the background until we sat down.”