Читать книгу The SkyReach Prophecies: BOOK 1 - JEFFREY GREY - Страница 6

A week later, when classes and finals were completed, the Grey family found themselves ready for their new adventure. They had spent the night before packing their bags for the space journey. Departure time was only an hour away. Soon they would board a trade freighter bound for Mercury base. They quickly packed their final bag for the Mercury trip.

Once they had passed through the boarding dock and settled into their cabin, they looked out at the stars through the spaceport.

Olivia, who liked to organize everything, made a list of what the N-Bots can do:

• Talk directly to other N-Bots, and access the radio/intercom system on any space station or ship.

• Access information through the HUB’s wifi system, including internet library and access to all of recorded human knowledge.

• Control electronic devices, including doors, environmental systems (air, temperature, lighting, entertainment and more).

• In exo-suit mode, protect from hostile space environments. Can generate enough oxygen and water to keep a person alive for 2-3 days in space.

“MIM, scan this list and let me know if I’ve missed anything.” MIM was currently resting on Olivia’s wrist, in the form of a lavender bracelet. Bracelet MIM emitted a purplish light, scanning the commlink.

“There is quite a long list of functions missing, Olivia,” MIM announced.

Olivia said, “Well, can you give me a list of all your functions?”

“I’m afraid the list would take at least two hours to review with you at human speed,” Mim replied. “However, PIP and I have a demonstration prepared that will give you a good grasp of our most basic functions and abilities.”

Duncan said, “Okay, let’s see the demo.”

Both N-Bots leaped off the arms of Olivia and Duncan, landing on the living room floor. MIM narrated while both N-bots began morphing into different shapes.“First, our physical abilities. We have the ability to form any shape, including both animate and inanimate objects.”

MIM transformed into a shimmering silver necklace. Then she became a hairbrush with a long silver handle, and finally morphed into a small, red purse.

“Ooh,” Olivia squealed, “can you form into living shapes as well?”

“Certainly.” MIM re-formed itself into a mini version of a girl, standing about one foot tall on Olivia’s bed. The little purple girl smiled and waved, her purplish hair bouncing just like Olivia’s did when she shook her head.

“That is so cool!” Duncan said as he peered over the edge of his bunk bed. He hurried over to the bed, looking at MIM, who jumped up and down on the bed a few times just like a kid.

“PIP, can you do that too?” asked Duncan. “Affirmative,” PIP responded. PIP popped off Duncan’s wrist, landed on the bed beside MIM, and instantly transformed into a mini-boy. PIP was colored a pretty sky-blue, and shook hands with mini-girl MIM. Then they both jumped up and down on the bed. Duncan and Olivia were delighted, giggling and laughing that the somersaults and cartwheels MIM and PIP were performing.

When the gymnastics slowed down, Olivia said, “That was wonderful. Is there anything you can’t do? Can you make yourselves look like animals, too?”

“Watch this,” the N-Bots said together. MIM and PIP spent a few minutes transforming into different animals from Earth - a purple rabbit, a blue dog, a brown squirrel, a large multi-colored parrot, even a tawny lion. Then the N-Bots formed into mythical animals: MIM morphed into a unicorn, then a Sphinx. PIP changed from a manticore to a winged snake to a goblin.

It was fascinating to watch - the twins were mesmerized by the show. Then they played a game where Duncan showed them picture of an animal, and the N-Bots both transformed into that animal. Olivia and Duncan judged which N-Bot mimicked the picture the best.

“Fantastic!” said Olivia, when the N-bots were done. “You two are amazing.”

“Thank you, Olivia,” MIM said. “We are glad you are pleased,” added PIP. The N-Bots resumed their mini-boy and girl forms.

“You two will be great companions on the trip to Mercury,” added Duncan. MIM and PIP both hesitated for a second, like some computers do when they are running an internal program. A frozen look came and went on MIM and PIP’s faces. Then both N-bots responded together, “The trip to Mercury will be very interesting.”

“Olivia,” said Duncan, “We need to talk about what I overheard, when Mom and Dad were talking about our trip.”

“Hmmph,” Olivia groaned. “Eavesdropping is more like it.”

“I was not!!” Duncan replied hotly, his cheeks going red. “I just went back to ask a question about PIP, But then I heard them talking about REE’s.”

“REE’s. What does that mean?” Olivia asked.

“No idea,” said Duncan. “But it sounds like an abbreviation for something else. You know, like an anagram. Each letter stands for a word.”

But at the mention of REE’s, MIM and PIP stopped moving. They started speaking the same words, over and over. “Rare Earth Elements - find the Lanthanides. Rare Earth Elements - find the Lanthanides.” They continued for several seconds, just chanting over and over. Olivia and Duncan watched in silence, at a loss for words.

Finally, the N-Bots stopped their chanting, shaking their heads as if to clear them. “REE subroutine complete,” MIM said. “Complete,” echoed PIP.

“Are you two okay?” asked Olivia.

“We’re fine, Olivia,” responded MIM. “We just needed to run a back-up program for our trip. We’re fine now.” PIP nodded his agreement.

“Good,” Olivia said, relieved. “For a moment I thought you were going to break down. You started talking about REE’s. What is a REE, anyway?”

MIM and PIP looked at each other, as if deciding how much to tell the children. “Well,” began PIP, “Do you know what an element is?”

“Yes,” said Duncan. “I learned about elements in my chemistry class. Elements are the basic building blocks of the universe. They are pure substances, like iron, oxygen and carbon, which can’t be separated into other elements. There are 118 elements total.”

“Very good,” said MIM. “There are only 118 elements, and they combine together to make up all the other solid objects in the universe. For example, the air you breathe is made up of mainly two elements, Oxygen and Nitrogen. And water is made up of two elements, Oxygen and Hydrogen. Even the Sun is made up of mostly two elements - hydrogen and helium.”

“Everyone who knows chemistry knows this stuff,” said Olivia. “All the elements are listed in the Periodic Table in our chemistry class. But what do elements have to do with REE’s?”

PIP said, “Most of the 118 elements are easy to find on Earth. But a few elements are very rare, at least on the surface of the Earth. Because they are very difficult or even impossible to find, they are called the Rare Earth Elements, or REE’s. There are 17 of them - they are also known as the Lanthanides.”

“Hmm,” Olivia said to Duncan. “Maybe that’s why those probes were sent out by the Earthers. Maybe they were searching for the Rare Earth Elements!”

“Oh, I see now,” said Duncan. “So the Rare Earth Elements, or Lanthanides, can’t be found on Earth. But they might be more common on other planets.”

“Right. So the probe on Mercury may lead us to significant amounts of one of more of the Lanthanides.” Olivia turned to the N-Bots and said, “Are there any special uses for these elements?”

“Searching my database for data,” said MIM. After a moment, MIM said, “Lanthanides are mainly used in small amounts in the manufacture of electromagnetic devices, such as computers and generators. I detect no other major scientific theories or research that indicates a practical use for the Lanthanides. However, scientists are always experimenting to find new ways to use the elements, perhaps by combining them into new molecules.”

Just then, an announcement came through their commlinks. “Attention, passengers!” said a commanding voice. “This is Captain Stannum, commander of the space freighter QuickSilver, speaking. Please begin boarding. Launch is in 30 minutes.” We’re on our way, Olivia thought.

SUBSPACE COMMUNICATION #2

Incoming Communication:

To: Dr. Avery Jenkins, HUB subspace code 10543.4221A

From: Dr. Gregory Grey, subspace code 10528.4312J (Encryption Level 4.2)

Message Commencing: Avery, our field trip to Mercury has begun. Soon I shall be within reach of the first satellite, if it still exists. I feel very optimistic about our chances of finding the first Lanthanide.

However, I have discovered that Eloquan Silican, the head of the Guild’s Security division, is on his way to Mercury. I suspect that Silican’s presence on the BERG is not a coincidence. In fact, I have information that indicates the Guild has an agent on the HUB, someone who is feeding information to Silican about our plans. I am at a loss as to who the agent could be – I know our science team is above reproach. Yet only a few of our team members were aware of the true reason for the Mercury journey: Janice Hubermann, Peter Garrity and, of course, you. I have no idea what to do about this agent. Do you have any advice on how to proceed?

At the very least, we must do everything possible to ensure that no more vital information falls into the Guild’s hands. If the Guild knew our true purpose, of what project SkyReach is capable of, then the Guild army would invade the HUB without a second thought.

As far as I can determine, the Guild knows nothing about Project SkyReach, not even the project’s name. The true power of Project SkyReach must not be revealed until all four Rare Earth Elements have been found. That piece of information is vital, and must be kept secret. Please do not share with the rest of the team. You’re the only one I can trust.

Best Regards,

Greg Grey

End SubSpace Transmission

Incoming SubSpace Communication:

To: Dr. Gregory Grey, subspace code 10528.4312J

From: Dr. Avery Jenkins, HUB subspace code 10543.4221A (Encryption Level 4.2)

Message Commencing: Greg, I understand your situation completely. I will do all I can, of course, to support your mission. Project SkyReach is so important to the whole human race that we must not let anyone interfere. Not even the Guild. I will keep the probe secret, until such time as we identify the Guild agent. Please let me know if you learn any more. I will keep cautious watch on the HUB. Perhaps I can find out who is betraying us.

Best Wishes,

Avery Jenkins, Ph D., Astro Mechanics

End SubSpace Transmission