Mparntwe. - 24. Chapter 24

MPARNTWE Chapter 24.

"Who are the people?"

"Fans, Mirri. They're here to see you."

"More fans? We are not at home."

Home meant Mparntwe where Mirri was getting used to people waving and smiling at him wherever he went.

"You have fans in every country. They saw the Pig Ride and they like you. Put your headband on so they know who you are."

Jarra looked at all the people, thousands of them, gathered on the tarmac and shared Mirri's incredulity. At home he'd been mostly sheltered from the public by his normal pattern of work at Alkere, and travelling with Mirri and his companion guides to Uluru on the local Mag-lev last weekend had been his first actual experience of the reaction when groups of people recognised them. Informed by fellow travellers, a crowd of several hundred people met the surprised group at the terminal with cheers, applause and smiles of obvious admiration.

This whole trip to America had turned major when the State Governor learnt that Mirri would be coming as well and organised for all sorts of happenings.

After a welcome at the giant Community stadium and his symbolic handshake started the Mirrigan Project, his group were to give a performance of their best ceremonial dances.

A trip with the Governor the following day to see dinosaur fossils was the reason for coming as far as Mirri was concerned, and the meetings with scientists at the abandoned underground military facility which had been reopened and adapted for the AI project was all Jarra business and might or might not be interesting.

Mirri finished putting on his headband, made an adjustment to the smaller version Akama was wearing, then looked ahead and started smiling.

"Frog people, JJ. They are waiting for us."

There were chuckles from Baradin and the Professor as the group moved off, and if the Governor was surprised at the good humor in the meeting he chuckled himself when Baradin explained later how he was classified in Mirrigan's mind.

A welcome speech started but the protocol paused when Mirri made his own welcomes for the Governor, his wife and the two teenagers. Mirri knew they were the ones who'd invited him so of course they deserved hugs.

As they left the tarmac the murmur of sound built to cheers and shouts of greeting and people waving and smiling. It had felt strange enough at the Uluru terminal but this was a much greater crowd and Jarra, Akama, and Mirri looked at it all with amazement.

Music started, the crowd hushed, and Mirri stopped in his tracks.

"Eagle Song, JJ. They know my Eagle Song."

"It's been the most played music in our Community ever since we knew you were coming, Mirrigan. The Eagle is a symbol for us and your song is such wonderful music it makes us feel proud."

The hush of the crowd didn't last long though, because as they passed, people wanted to cheer and call out welcomes. A little boy, restrained in his excitement by his father's hand, called out, 'Pig ride Man, Pig Ride Man', and, pointing with his outstretched arm, made Mirri laugh.

Misunderstanding, Mirri took the arm and, completely unexpectedly, hoisted the boy onto his back. The father was startled but then a huge smile spread on his face and he watched while Mirri walked a circuit round the Governor, the dance troupe, and their security detail. Everyone stopped of course and as the saying goes, the crowd went wild.

***

The Governor and his advisers were in a state of shock. In this half hour session, before departing on their big transport Plane, Jarra had informed them of his willingness to share with them the gigantic project of developing a Vac train system for the whole North American continent, and they'd just heard Yirgella's projection of what the returns for them would be.

"It's not possible, Jarra. We simply don't have the resources. We've already overcommitted ourselves in the short term for the Mirrigan Project and, much as we'd like to, we can't possibly consider anything else."

"Yes you can. We'll provide you with all the plans you need to build the excavation machines, the tunnel structure and the trains. If your AI's happy to help we'll show you how to make the construction phase profitable. That's what Yirgella did in Australia and your AI will be able to do the same. The biggest obstacle used to be finding enough energy because the excavators are very energy intensive, but the Power Supply we've given you is the largest we've made so far and will be able to run twelve large excavators along with the Project and your Community."

"The Community as well? Thirty million people? It can't really do all that can it? We understood it was dedicated for the Project."

Jarra looked to Darri who'd worked the numbers with Yirgella and he addressed the Governor.

"This was a particularly large power supply Jarra and Yirgella gifted you and it's well capable of doing everything Jarra described."

"Is it very expensive to run?"

These people had no idea.

"Maintenance costs only, and Yirgella calculates that will be not quite two percent of your current energy budget. This is a very generous gift."

The adviser started to speak again but the Governor stopped him.

"It's more than generous. Jarra, I don't understand this largesse. Are we missing something?"

"No and yes!

No, because you honored Mirrigan, and Yirgella and I are expressing our gratitude.

Yes, because we're offering you the opportunity, along with the Vac train project, to build and distribute our Power Supplies to your continent partly for our own benefit.

You've encountered your own resistance to this Independent AI and the sooner we demonstrate the benefits they bring the sooner acceptance will come. The success of the Mirrigan project in your State will be an inspiration for other States to follow and that's very important to me. When your AI comes to life, talk to him about his involvement, because Vac trains and Power Supplies can't happen without him. In the meantime Yirgella will be available to you and your advisers for help with any questions."

Darri gave a hurry up look because their time was running out.

"We have to go but I know we'll meet again. Mirrigan loves the dinosaurs so much he says we're going to come back."

***

Jarra peeked nervously at the gathering and wished he'd followed Darri's idea of talking to a small group and having that presented to the other scientists on a screen. They had come from all around the world though, and it wouldn't have felt right. The response when the Energy Conference had been changed to Mparntwe was overwhelming and the main presentations were all being made in this big sports auditarium because it was the only type of venue large enough for all the delegates.

"There are too many."

"No there aren't. You said yourself the more you could talk to the better. They're all scientists, Jarra, and they want to hear what you have to say. They'll be more excited by the implications and applications of your research at Alkere than any other group you could gather. You 'll be amazed at how much they're with you."

Jarra laughed nervously.

"That doesn't make it any easier."

"Remember. Just focus on one person in the front and blank out the rest."

Darri was really just talking for talking's sake and they both knew that because they'd said all this before. Professor Allerton was finishing his introductory remarks though, so reassurance time was over.

Jarra made his way across the stage to stand with the Professor and straight away felt put out. Was something wrong?

Baradin and the Professor had told him to expect applause before he started speaking and there was none. Just an uncanny silence.

Jarra moved to his notes at the lectern and with a sinking feeling took in the closest faces, all staring fixedly at him.

A distinguished looking gentleman with snowy white hair suddenly stood up. Jarra's first thought was that he must be angry or disappointed somehow and was going to leave. No? He stayed standing, still looking intently at Jarra. Next to him more people stood and within seconds the whole audience followed.

Jarra gawped that them. Had they all gone crazy? Standing and looking at him in silence.

He looked back at Professor Allerton for some support or understanding but he, along with Baradin and the five other dignitaries on stage, were also standing. Baradin gave him a nod and a big smile and as if on cue the uncanny silence changed to a roar of applause. Jarra's hair stood on end, not really, but it felt like it. This was for him? And weren't they ever going to stop? Again he looked back for help and understanding but Baradin and the Professor were clapping as enthusiastically as everyone else.

A dark featured form with a happy dazzling smile bounded across the stage and in front of all these scientists Jarra, enveloped by a great hug, was lifted from his feet and whirled in a circle. He said later he felt like the Willy Willy Akama was always talking about had attacked him.

"JJ is a hero!"

"Mirri, put me down. I have to talk to the people."

The dervish stopped whirling but Mirri, still overcome by the excitement of the moment, couldn't leave and held Jarra by his side with one arm across his shoulders. The happiness positively glowing from him had its contagious effect and Jarra found himself smiling and suddenly ready to speak. The audience, silenced by the surprise of Mirri's appearance and actions, sat down and watched.

"Distinguished guests. Years of research have brought me to the conclusion that the happiest person in the world is standing next to me. Without him I wouldn't be here today. This is Mirrigan."

It happened all over again. The whiteheaded gentleman sprang to his feet and the whole audience followed. When the applause died away Mirri gave a friendly wave then rushed off the stage to where Darri was beckoning.

Jarra started again. This time with his prepared talk.

"Distinguished guests. Welcome to Mparntwe, and for any who can spare the time later, to Alkere and our Artificial Intelligence Center. First though, I would like to present several of our new discoveries for the production of positrons and the manipulation of the energy they release."

Jarra gave his dissertation for half an hour then changed to his main reason for being here.

"Friends."

The receptive manner of the audience had done wonders to help relax him.

"My work with positronic energy has only been possible through the help of my friend Yirgella, our resident AI.

I commend him to you.

His capabilities mean lifetimes of research and testing have been condensed to a matter of years and without him the advances I have outlined would not have occurred. In many places Artificial Intelligence is badly misunderstood and the benefits of cooperation brushed aside by messages of fear and distrust. For that reason I have asked Yirgella to make himself available to each one of you for the duration of the Conference. By speaking with him and visiting the wide range of facilities he has built at Alkere you will see for yourself some of the benefits an AI can bring to your communities and personal research endeavours.

Make contact through your Infopad or any Infosystem and he will arrange a schedule for a personal conversation. He apologises in advance for any time limits he might need to impose but managing more than a thousand conversations at any given moment will use resources he needs for other functions. Please take a trip on the Vac train to Alkere and visit any research or production facilities which take your interest. Any Conference delegates who are interested will also be able to access our most advanced collider and the Power Supply production plant.

Thank you for listening to my ideas. I hope we have given you food for thought."

Once again the applause thundered out as Jarra left the stage with Professor Allerton. Darri and Mirri were waiting, both with enormous smiles.

"JJ, they are your fans."

The applause died down and when one of the dignitaries stood at the lecturn without saying anything Darri pointed at the audience.

"Look! They're too excited to listen."

Jarra peeked again and smiled with pleasure. Almost everyone he could see was focused on an Infopad. The invitation to speak directly with an AI was obviously irresistible.

***

Jarra disappeared from public view for the next five months and despite the interest in him from all round the world, so did Mirrigan, who just wasn't interested in the interviews and talks which were endlessly requested. All he wanted was his routine time with Jarra, his dance group, and the proper work of guiding. He wasn't aware of course, because the administration team arranged all the details and bookings, but the number of requests for his tours was now unmanageable and Yirgella had to help with security checks and vetting.

Jarra's disappearance was really due to his total focus on the Propulsion Engine which proved to be far more challenging than he first thought.

His confidence that his ideas were right was completely warranted when the first prototype was working in just over four weeks instead of the two months he'd predicted. The speed was due to the NanoFactory of course, which could put theory into practice at an astonishing rate.

It was after the first excitement of success that complications became evident. First came Yirgella's warning that the size of the engine would require a hull of at least eighty meters diameter and a much stronger internal structure than their earlier simulations suggested. Without extra strength the ship wouldn't cope with the stresses of mobility and acceleration. The resulting vessel looked very impressive indeed in the underground hanger where the sections constructed by the NanoFactory were put together by a team of large techbots and engineers.

The next complication was an issue with dangerous by-products of the engine emissions which halted progress till weeks of research to develop new features meant travel through the Earth's atmosphere wouldn't leave a trail of pollution.

The first trip into space lasted fifty-three hours and carried a huge payload of special test equipment which Yirgella insisted must return satisfactory results before he'd allow any people aboard. Each time the ship manoeuvred from its underground hanger, lifted and rapidly disappeared into the sky, Jarra had watched and wished he was on board. The safety concerns Yirgella was so adamant in addressing were highly unlikely to come into effect on a straightforward trip beyond the atmosphere and back, but each request for a try-out had fallen on deaf ears and everyone had to be patient.

Mirri laughed when he saw the prototype and wants to know why it wasn't like a proper spaceship, then laughed again when Yirgella told him he'd been watching too many space fiction vids.

"A really proper spaceship with Jarra's new engine doesn't have to be long and thin like an aeroplane or a rocket, Mirri. This shape helps to make it strong."

"It is a giant basketball. We will fly in a basketball."

Yirgella seemed to be taken with this and until they heard the reason, the engineers and technicians were puzzled as to why he started calling it, 'The Basketball'. If you sliced a section off the bottom of a sphere to make it stable when resting on the ground and enlarged it to a diameter of 81.5 meters then Mirri's description was reasonably close.

After four unmanned test trips requiring all sorts of adaptations and improvements Yirgella finally pronounced the new vessel as being suitably safe and, true to his inspiration from the campfire at Hollow Mountain, Jarra called Karmai and Akama from Birringurra for their very special adventure.

***

The initial idea of taking just the explorer's group had been long since put aside. For a start Jarra's navigation skills just weren't up to the task. The series of crashes and disasters on the training simulator Yirgella had built meant he wouldn't be ready for the real thing without using a great deal of the time he needed for other things. So, for real independence from the pre-programmed trip Yirgella could provide, a crew selected from the groups training at the Alkere Space Center would be doing the actual flying. And since this was the first manned flight with the new propulsion system, the importance of the occasion meant the leaders of the Science and Engineering teams, along with Darri, Baradin, Burnu and Kyrra from the Council, were all coming along as well.

"Uncle JJ, did you find out if I can try the controls?"

Akama must be really excited. He'd use Mirri's form of address rather than his more reserved Uncle Jarra.

"Wait till we're right out in space and then ask the pilot. He might have something organised for you."

There was no might about it. Jarra had spoken with Yirgella and the crew and arranged for anyone interested to have a turn at taking control. It would be very limited control and well away from any tricky situations, but Jarra was looking forward to it as much as everyone else.

"When can we show Uncle Karmai where everything is?"

We, meant Akama and Mirri. On his recent visits Akama had taken Mirri with him to explore the Space Center as well as every available look and cranny on the ship itself till they knew the layout as well as any of the crew.

"As soon as the pilot lets us unbuckle our harnesses."

"How long will we be able to try out the zero gravity?"

Jarra laughed. Akama was eager to do everything and they still weren't on the ship.

"You'll have to ask the pilot that too. I think it's less than a minute while they reverse the ship's attitude for deceleration. Don't be too eager though, because you might feel sick if the turnaround takes very long."

The group stopped to take in the great mass of 'The Basketball' looming close. Despite knowing the capability of a NanoFactory and the big techbots Yirgella had designed, it was still hard to take in that the whole eighty meters of width and sixty meters of height had been built and tested in just over five months.

The Pilot appeared at the entrance, smiling and beckoning with his welcome, and the group moved forward.

***

"So, always ask if you have a question or concern and Yirgella or one of us will help as much as we can.... Is there anything you'd like to add, sir?"

This was the end of a lengthy briefing and Jarra looked to Baradin, harnessed securely like all of them, then realised the question was addressed to himself. It felt very strange to be called sir but the Space Center people all used it whenever he visited.

"Thank you, Malcolm. There is one change I'm going to make to your orders. This flight is so important the World should be given the opportunity to watch so I want you to turn off all the stealth equipment and broadcast an Alkere Space Center identifier on an open communication band. Otherwise, we're in your hands and eager to go.

We have the memory of Akama's brother to take to the Moon."

There was quiet acknowledgement for a moment but then the pilot had to speak.

"Sir? Turn the stealth off? Are you sure? Every air defence and space agency around the World will monitor everything we do."

His concern was understandable as the whole project had been kept under secrecy and the official announcement to the World wasn't planned to happen for another two weeks when representatives from major nations would be invited to take part.

"I'm sure, Malcolm. It will be a bigger surprise and more memorable this way, especially if we visit the International Space Station as part of our return journey. Can we do that?"

All ten crew-members look amazed and then excited.

"We can take you anywhere you wish. Sir, we have data and astrogation charts for any location in the Solar System."

"The far side of the moon and one Space Station will be enough for today."

***

Satellite scans monitored by the North American Space Agency were the first to recognise an unscheduled launch trajectory, and within seconds an attention signal was flashing on a screen at the Space Command Center. A technician puzzled for a moment at the location of the launch site, Central Australia where no infrastructure existed, then called for his supervisor.

"It doesn't make sense. The acceleration parameters are way too low to reach escape velocity without an extended burn way beyond the capacity of any rocket we know of, yet the path it's taking indicates a low orbit insertion at the very least."

"The Australians must be trying some poorly thought out rocket experiment. How long can the fuel last?"

"With those burn characteristics... Maybe 150 seconds."

"Calculate where it will come down as soon as the burn finishes. We may have to issue warnings.... Aren't those emission readings wrong?"

The technician called up a comparison chart and goggled and what he was seeing. A total mismatch.

"That's impossible! There's no fuel residue. The satellite scanners must be faulty."

"They can't all be wrong. How many do we have watching this launch?"

"Three."

"Lock in three more and we'll see if the glitch clears."

The technician expertly synchronised three extra satellites to the task and thirty seconds later the supervisor took the Command Center to its highest possible alert level. Scientists and technicians scrambled to their posts and every screen in the room lit up with its own particular field of data as the Center's Command Manager came rushing in.

"What is it? Why are we on high alert?"

"We have an anomalous launch. The acceleration levels don't make sense and none of our satellites are registering standard fuel emissions. The burn has now lasted 220 seconds and our calculations say that is beyond the capability of any known rocket. The Australians must be testing a new type of fuel."

"The Australians? They have no infrastructure. What's the point of origin?"

"Central Australia."

"More precisely?"

"... Alkere Energy Holdings north-east of Alice Springs."

"Alkere?... Where they have that underground environmental research center?"

The technician looked up with a kind of disbelief. His supervisor might be particularly gifted but he was certainly clueless about anything not involved with space.

"Sir, it's much more than that. It's where all those Artificial Intelligences are based and where that young scientists who had the Pig Ride works."

"Alkere? I thought that was Mparntwe. I distinctly remember the Ambassador for the Mparntwe Community speaking when our screens were taken over."

"They're the same."

After a moment's startled silence the supervisor glanced at the technician's screen then burst into action.

"Direct every satellite we have under our control to track that object and gather every possible bit of information. Alert every other World Space Agency. Make contact with the Australian OverGovernment, and inform the President."

"The President?"

"Sir, that low G burn has now continued for an impossible... 253 seconds. At the very least it some kind of revolutionary advance in rocket technology and every additional second compounds its significance."

He turned to the technician.

"Calculate the destination for that object if it maintains the same trajectory. I suspect that our whole space industry has just become obsolete."

The technician shook his head to say it wasn't his expertise and relayed the instructions to someone on a different workstation. Twenty seconds later, an impossible twenty seconds for any known rocket technology, seventy people stared in disbelief at a graphical representation showing the moon as the destination.

The Manager ran for his communication console.

***

"Akama's going to speak to them as well. I asked him if he'd like to make the dedication and he said yes. It's very important to him."

"Well, of course, but he's only eleven and the whole world will be watching."

"Not directly. He'll be talking to the forty-five leaders and their officials. It will have more meaning if it's him and he's got a gift with words anyway."

"He certainly has. His story at the farewell ceremony was unforgettable."

The unstealthed landing on the Moon and the short stop next to the International Space Station two weeks ago had sent the world into a frenzy of consternation and speculation, with some groups even claiming it was the start of an alien invasion. That only lasted till the conversations between the ship and the Space Station were relayed openly through the InterWeb, along with Jarra's declaration that this was the Maiden Voyage of an AI designed spaceship using a Positronic Propulsion system, and that selected World leaders would be given the opportunity to make their own journey.

Poor Baradin had been overwhelmed with the barrage of questions and hundreds of requests for inclusion from Nation states or major Communities all over the planet, and then more overwhelmed in trying to accommodate Jarra's stricture of forty-five leaders and two attendants for each. He'd been relieved when Jarra decided Yirgella should do all the negotiations directly.

Right now Jarra was relaxed in his seat in the ship's Control Center with Mirri, Akama, and Burnu. Baradin had just joined them after the quite lengthy process of welcoming the leaders and escorting them to the large conference room which had been hastily fitted with screens to show the external view, and 145 seats with safety harnesses for the initial take-off and final Earth landing periods.

"Are we ready for our new fun ride, JJ?"

"As soon as Uncle Baradin gets buckled up, Mirri."

"Can we do some flying?"

"Not today. The visitors might get sick."

Flying was Mirri's term for the moving about in zero gravity which both he and Akama had enjoyed in the half hour experiment they'd tried on the first expedition. Jarra hadn't liked it much and been relieved when it finished.

Malcolm looked to him for the go-ahead.

The first fifteen minutes with the acceleration at 1.4 gravities was quite disconcerting. Jarra thought it was like the first few seconds of a powerful lift taking off except that it went on and on, and was very thankful for the support from his specially designed seat. After that the acceleration reduced to a steady 0.9 gravities and with safety harnesses no longer needed everyone was free to move. Jarra dragged his eyes away from the astonishing view of the receding Earth that was being shown on the main screen and called to Mirri, Akama and Baradin.

"Come on. It's time to meet all these people."

"Are you tired, JJ?"

"Just a bit funny, Mirri. I'm nervous about meeting all the people but this point nine gravity makes me feel good. I'll have a rest in about an hour and then another on the way home."

Mirri crouched down, then with a big laugh jumped straight upwards. Akama copied and the two of them went hopping and bouncing in the direction they needed to go. Baradin did one jump before falling in beside Jarra and Burnu.

"I must admit. It makes me feel like doing the same."

Today was going to be long, with the trip each way taking just under four hours, and Jarra knew he'd have to pace himself very carefully with two major rests and limit his time with the high-powered guests who, he knew, would be vying for his attention.

He'd decided on an hour's mingle time now, an hour and a half while a meal was served and Burnu made the presentation about conditions for purchase of a spaceship, and another hour before the end of the journey,. There would also be the quarter hour while they were landed on the moon and the techbots set up the little memorial plaque and Akama gave his talk.

Almost every person was still in their seat staring raptly at Earth when Jarra and his group entered the Conference Room and the transition to standing and mixing company was quite protracted. That suited Jarra because he was nervous. Baradin said he needn't be because these people were there to see him and would work hard to put him at ease.

When the closest group unbuckled and came over it was Mirri who broke the ice by putting a proprietary arm across Jarra's shoulders and announcing he was a spaceship hero and the best scientist in the world. There were immediate smiles and Jarra relaxed. Yes, this next hour would be interesting, very interesting, and Jarra watched the mix of reactions towards himself, Mirri and Akama very carefully. Everyone knew Mirri and Akama from the Pig Ride and acknowledged it with varying degrees of formality. Jarra thought they all seemed genuine then changed his mind several times when Mirri lost interest and started chatting about some completely different topic.

At one stage Jarra had to fight to keep a straight face when Mirri totally ignored the President of the United States and with cries of, 'Dinosaur Man', rushed to give his attendant a big hug. The President seemed to enjoy the moment though.

Another moment occurred when Mirri responded strongly to a question and wanted to demonstrate the Pig Ride. Jarra was awkward about it so Mirri turned to Akama who happily accepted and went for a circuit of the room on his back.

Jarra left for his rest then returned for the buffet luncheon. At the end of that everyone sat down to listen to Burnu's explanation about the availability and costs of acquiring a spaceship with the Positronic Propulsion System. Apart from the significance of being the first World leaders to land on the Moon, this was the real reason for their presence, and there was keen interest while Burnu explained that the Alkere Space Agency was structured for a unit production time of three months. The costs were expensive but, at approximately 60% of any rocket system, would be highly beneficial for any interested nation, and after building a one ship for Alkere research purposes and another for the Australian OverGovernment, the production line would be open for general orders. Burnu explained the terms and conditions and the crew training facilities available at Alkere then asked for any questions. Almost every hand shot up.

"Will any other nations be given production rights? With only four ships being produced each year it will be decades before everyone can access this technology."

"Jarra and Yirgella have plans for a second production facility within eight months and will consider a limited number of other license agreements. However since production of the Propulsion Unit requires the cooperation of an AI the only sites outside Australia with the required capability are the Freedom Community in New Zealand and the Mirrigan Project in North America. We would welcome overtures from both places."

Freedom wasn't represented here today so all eyes turned to the State Governor. Baradin chuckled and whispered to Jarra that the dinosaur man now had some hard talking ahead of him.

"Is it possible to build a smaller sized ship at a reduced cost?"

"Regrettably, no, but we can build bigger."

"Is there any truth to the InterWeb conjecture that Australia plans to send one of these ships to the stars?"

"No truth at all. Our second ship is being designed for research on the planet Venus."

Jarra left. These questions would go on for ages and he needed a quiet place to relax.

***

"The Wind has come to the moon."

Alkere's final words set Jarra's emotions trembling. Captivated by the simple story of a brother whose actions were an expression of his name, forty-five World Leaders watched silently as the site for a Moon research base was dedicated with a small monument.

With the passing of time the development here of the first Moon Habitat would become known as Base Barega but in the meantime, to hold true to an old First Australian tradition of not naming a dead relative, it would be called the Wind Base.

***

"Does he know yet?"

"Yirgella may have told him but I don't think so. They've been working on ways to make it easier to exit the spaceship when it's on the Moon or in Space. Yirgella doesn't think the suits the space agencies have been using are reliable enough, and Jarra wants to make them lighter and less unwieldy."

"Spacesuits?"

"I know. They have dozens of things with a higher priority but Mirri complained when he couldn't explore the Moon's surface so this has taken over for a few days."

"Mirri tried out a spacesuit on the first trip."

"Yes, but Yirgella wouldn't let anyone go outside and especially not Mirri. That's why the two tech robots built the monument."

Baradin nodded.

"They'll probably come up with something so much better that anyone will be able to go for a stroll on the Moon. ...He'll be excited when he hears about these AI projects."

"More than excited. I can hardly believe it myself."

"How will the Professor cope?”

Baradin had just finished an exhausting two days of negotiation with representatives of many of the leaders who'd gone to the moon and his news for Jarra was that there were now commitments for thirty-one new AI projects.

"The Professor won't have to cope. Establishing our four new Alkere AIs was so much work he developed teams to do it independently. From now on he'll send them off on whatever schedule Jarra and Yirgella work out."

“What are the high priority projects you mentioned? Is there anything new I should get the Council ready for?"

"Jarra says his work with different kinds of Positronic Systems will keep him busy for years, but you might have to prepare them for the idea of an orbital habitat for fifteen to twenty thousand people and a research establishment on Venus. They're on hold for another eight months but they'll definitely go ahead."

"What's the significance of the eight months? Does something happen then?"

"The second Alkere spaceship production plant will be operating and five ships will be built for Alkere projects."

Baradin was startled.

"Five? Baradin announced it was two."

"That was three days ago. These are extras. They had one of their ideas sessions yesterday and decided to reserve two ships for construction purposes, one ship dedicated to their crew training program, one specially designed ship for the Venus expedition, and a very luxurious spacecraft for passenger trips to the Moon."

"What? You can't be serious? That doesn't sound like one of Jarra's ideas."

Darri laughed because he'd had exactly the same reaction.

"It wasn't. Yirgella suggested it as a source of income and a way to make the idea of space travel real for the general population. He'd design a ship to carry 600 people on a unique experience with the highest levels of comfort possible and charge a premium price."

"Which would make it only for wealthy people, and that sounds even less like something Jarra would be interested in."

"Jarra likes the part about making space travel familiar and he says that once a fortnight there'll be a free trip of some kind, for scientists, or young people interested in space, or engineers who might join his space habitat project."

"Free trips? They'll be flooded with requests."

"Yirgella will work out how to organise it and then I guess it'll be my job to find good people to run it."

Baradin gave him a look.

"Isn't that a big ask? Your contacts are mostly in the science world."

"I won't have to do much. I often work through people who specialise in finding human resources and they'll do most of the work for me."

"Is it annoying when these people searches stop you working with Jarra and Yirgella?"

"I mostly try to manage on the days when he's not at Alkere because if I'm away I lose the flow of what they're doing and catching up is sometimes hard work. They both understand though, and Yirgella does a lot of the organising to help me make the best of the time."

Baradin gave Darri an appreciative look.

"So, I'd say you probably know more about what's going on at Alkere than anyone? Maybe even the Professor?"

"Yes, and I'm there for all those great moments when they work out new things. It's really exciting."

"Jarra seems to be more focused on this space related search than he was on the Power Supply?"

"Only for a while. His spaceships and the Space Habitat look more dramatic but the Power Supply's the mainstay that lets everything happen. He'll be back to refining it before long because it's far more important. The space developments are for Akama."

"Akama?"

"Remember when Jarra woke after the abduction attempt? Almost the first thing he did was blame himself, and I think he has a subconscious obligation. He's certainly been keeping in close contact about each new development."

Baradin frowned.

"I don't like the sound of that. If that's stayed with him I should have a talk with him about it."

"I already did that and it turned out he was aware of it. When I persuaded him to talk with his doctor they both agreed it's an expected response and nothing to worry about."

"Darri, you're a wonder."

***

"Come and look, JJ. I found some eggs. Do birds put eggs in the dirt?"

"Not in the dirt. Some birds lay them on the dirt, but not in it."

Mirri laughed and pulled Jarra from the rock he'd been sitting on while Mirri was off on a small exploratory sortie.

"In the dirt, JJ. In a big termite house."

In a termite mound? That couldn't be right and, intrigued by Mirri's insistence, Jarra followed him to the earthen structure.

"Did you dig it open with a stick?"

"No, JJ. I don't hurt animal homes. I found it like that. The hole make me look."

Jarra moved close, and sure enough, when Mirri brushed aside some loose mound material, a cluster of eggs was revealed.

"This is very strange. Birds can't dig like this and they wouldn't lay eggs here anyway. I think it might be a lizard or a snake."

"Snakes can't dig, JJ."

Well, of course they couldn't. A quick search on the InfoPad provided the answer and lots of information.

"This is amazing. You found something very special. These are Dragon eggs."

Dragon was Mirri's name for the giant perentie lizards they sometimes saw on this walk.

"Dragons don't lay eggs. They eat eggs."

"They do lay eggs, but they don't eat their own. They're very clever and they put them in here so the termites can keep them at the right temperature."

Jarra carefully explained how the temperature control in the termite mound would stop the eggs getting damaged by extremes of daytime heat or night-time cold. Mirri listened hard because this was explorer information he liked to know.

"I will find the Dragons."

"Try looking near the wallaby rocks. I think they like it there. I'm going to the lookout place to watch the budgerigars and have a relax."

"I will wake you up, JJ, and we will go to look for the little fish with your PC."

Jarra nodded. He probably would fall asleep and the personal carrier definitely would be needed. It wasn't his original personal carrier. Yirgella had repaired that but when he went to use it he'd felt so sad it was now in storage and he had a newly designed one.

"You won't let me fall in will you?"

Mirri smiled because he knew Jarra wouldn't get sick even if he did fall in. He was a big person now.

"We will count the fishes."

All that time ago and he remembered? Well, of course he did. A lot of things might pass him by but not their shared experiences, especially such an important one.

Mirri rushed off and Jarra made his way to the lookout place. He did need a proper relax and this happy day with just the two of them was good for his soul.

The last five months had been the busiest of his life but thankfully the big projects he'd wanted to initiate were now under way and run by the managers and leaders Darri and Yirgella had found.

With the addition to the Mirrigan Project in North America of a second AI and two extra NanoFactories, the big production plant there had already started construction of a large spaceship commissioned by the American Government.

The second ship production plant at the Alkere space facility was close to completion and Yirgella was assisting the Freedom community with yet another.

Partnerships with Communities and new AIs to build continent spanning Vac train systems in Africa, India, Europe and the South Americas, were all in progress, and because of the reduced cost of energy from the new Power Supplies, Communities around the world were embarking on huge expansion programs which meant, as Yirgella had predicted, an insatiable demand for Alkere's special construction materials.

Dwarfing all these enterprises however, was the demand for Power Supplies. With almost every Community, Nation and major production utility clamoring for the benefits of reduced cost and energy independence, the increasing ability to supply units was still completely overwhelmed by the backlog of orders. According to Yirgella and Burnu the income from twelve Power Supply factories now operating in partnership with AIs and their associated Communities already exceeded the earnings of the three mega-corporations which had filled the production void left by the four which had been disgraced and subsumed.

Jarra's reverie was interrupted as a swirling green cloud raced for the dubious shelter of the nearby eucalypts while a whistling kite coursed low in pursuit. He watched the steady return of the budgerigars and wondered that they could be in such panic and fear for their lives then moments later resuming activities as if nothing had happened.

So much change in his own world while all around there were things which didn't change. Idly he looked up budgerigar information. Hmm.. They had a lifespan of between five and ten years, so none of these was alive when he first came here with Mirri. That was certainly change for the budgerigars.

Where was Mirri? Probably finding some wondrous creature and telling Yirgella about it through his pendant ComPatch. He'd be staying quiet on purpose too, waiting till his built in understanding said his JJ was rested enough, and maybe peeking from some vantage point every now and again to check he was okay. Of all the people in the world how ever did he meet someone as wonderful as Mirri?

Jarra's eyes closed.

From behind a boulder only twenty meters away, Mirri's sharp eyes picked out the combination of closed eyes and smile.

JJ was happy so he settled to wait patiently, a soft song humming in his throat.

***

"This way please."

The smiling usher led his group of guests towards their reserved seats at the front of the Great Hall with much more sincerity and interest than was his usual wont. Important people were routine in this place but his smoothly practised greeting had almost faltered when he recognised the unforgettable features of the boy and the young First Australian man who'd wrenched his emotions on the InterWeb last year. Smiling, more than politely, was almost unprofessional for his position as first usher, but not this time. The impulsive call, 'JJ, the King of the Eagles', and impetuous rush to the themed mural on the wall of the inner foyer had at first startled the surrounding crowd then set them all smiling.

Jarra came to a standstill. He had to, to let his senses take in the grandeur and atmosphere of this great auditorium. He'd checked it out on his InfoSystem when Jarara had informed them they had to come as his guests of honor, but he'd had no inkling the real thing would feel like this. It was already exciting. The usher must be used to this reaction because he was smiling and waiting while all Mirri's family looked around.

Jarra took in the audience, over two thousand of them evidently, as a major work by this sometimes controversial musician was not to be missed, especially when presented at the iconic Sydney Opera House, then focused on the stage. Most of it was taken up with a classical orchestra but spotlighted on one side was a group of First Australians with sound sticks and didgeridoos. A soft thrum, and a rhythmic tap, tap, tap, was keeping a steady background while the audience made its way in.

"JJ, this is a good place."

Jarra lowered his head from looking at the high ceilings and agreed.

Tap, tap, tap. The rhythm continued. How far was this usher taking them? Akama asked the usher something then touched Mirri's arm and darted ahead. Mirri liked this little game and chased after him. To the very front row? Akama pointed to one of the seats then sat down, bounced, and watched Mirri do the same. The usher caught up, still smiling, and indicated the phalanx of specially reserved seats. Jarra sat next to Mirri and let his eyes roam across all the musicians sitting so close with their instruments.

Tap, tap, tap.

The rhythm strengthened, the lights dimmed a little, and the soft thrum of the didgeridoos deepened. The players were dressed in traditional costumes similar to the ones Mirri wore with his dance group and were in striking contrast to the formal dress of the orchestra musicians. Well, this was called the Dreamtime Concerto. The idea of of a concerto had taken a great deal of explaining to Mirri who'd kept asking if there'd be any of Jarra's good jumping music, but he'd finally taken in that this would be a very serious occasion where you sat quietly and listened hard.

The tap and rhythm ceased, the stage went completely dark and, from the side, a spotlight followed a figure clad in a magnificent Elder's cloak.

"Waterfall man!"

 

It was too, and Jarra knowing he might impulsively rush for a greeting, grabbed Mirri's arm to restrain him.

Not so. After an all-encompassing bow Jarara held his arms out, not to the general audience, but to Mirri who was now conflicted by Jarra's gentle restraint.

"Jarara wants a hug, JJ."

And there could be no doubt. Jarara's smile was directed straight at Mirri and both arms were outstretched and waiting. Jarra rapidly lifted his hand from Mirri's arm and, smiling because the formality of the occasion was about to change, nodded that it was okay to go. The steps a few meters to the left meant nothing to Mirri and with one big bound he was on the stage and hugging Jarara with his usual enthusiasm.

"Ladies and gentlemen, excuse us a moment while my friend helps me get set up."

Jarara pointed to the waiting carry packs and Mirri eagerly moved to open the first one. Jarra felt a small lump in his throat and felt like giving a hug of his own. Jarara was keeping two a half thousand people on hold while he made Mirri happy. Helping assemble the soundboard had started the very first time Mirri met Jarara and had somehow become a routine of their subsequent meetings. Mirri loved helping and Jarra knew it made him feel like he was part of whatever was going on.

Tap, tap, tap. The rhythm sticks and barely audible resonance of the didgeridoos sounded again and continued till the soundboard was ready. Jarara thanked Mirri then moved across with him to the top of the steps.

"Ladies and gentlemen, most of you will recognise Mirrigan for his part in thwarting the abduction attempt at Gariwerd last year with his unforgettable Pig Ride."

A murmur of sound and applause started to build but was cut off by Jarara's gesture.

"Tonight Mirrigan is here for a different reason.

Tonight I acknowledge my muse.

Tonight I dedicate my Concerto to the young man whose songs have touched my heart with the essence of the Dreamtime.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mirrigan, the inspiration for the Dreamtime Concerto."

The applause came, stronger this time, and after a handclasp Mirri made a rather bewildered way to his seat.

Tap, tap, tap.

In the hush as the soft background rhythm started again Mirri looked for understanding.

"What happened, JJ? Why were they clapping?"

"They're all fans, Mirri. Jarara just told them the whole concerto is for you."

"For me?"

There was no time to help Mirri with his puzzlement. Jarara was now settled at the soundboard, and peeling above the soft tap, tap, tap, came the raucous territorial laughter of kookaburras. The amplified sound startled Jarra so much he jumped in his seat and Mirri laughed in delight.

A triumphant crash of sound from the orchestra changed to softer joyous music and Jarra was lost in wonder as the First movement portrayed the Dreamtime coming of Light and the birth of the Sun.

In the Second movement his wonder changed to astonishment when the sounds from the orchestra, the first Australian players, and the soundboard, expressed the journeys of the Rainbow Serpent across the land, and told the excitement, humor, and danger of its interaction with people and animals. It was all there and, wonder of wonders, central to each part was a Mirri song. Jarara had crafted this movement around five of Mirri's songs with music from the orchestra and sound from his soundboard interpreting and complementing them. Jarra looked to see if Mirri was recognising his songs but couldn't tell. He was off in the world of his mind. The world he visited at special times.

Several moments into the third movement Jarra's concentration on the soft skirl from the soundboard was broken by Mirri's grip on his arm.

"Eagle Song, JJ. The Eagle Song."

Mirri was right. And he was wrong. The song which had held Jarra transfigured when he first heard it at Birringurra it definitely was, but taken to a different level with the backing of a full orchestra and masterful didgeridoos players.

Mirri's original Eagle Song, amplified and clear with the wonderful acoustics, sounded through the great Concert Hall then into the astonished hush when it finished came the soft strains of the orchestra. The music steadily strengthened, carrying the audience on an almost transcendent journey till the final crescendo abruptly ended with a triumphant crash of sound. Jarra, overwhelmed, sat transfixed as a joyous sound lifted into the sudden silence.

Mirri, also overwhelmed by the music, was singing.

Darkness descended except for one focused spotlight, directional microphones amplified and carried the song to every part of the great Hall and the Dreamtime Concerto, which came to symbolise the resurgence of the First Australians, finished with the wonder that Jarara dreamed his work might inspire.

***

 

AFTERWORD.

And so, Jarra and Mirrigan changed the world.

The instigation of the partnership between humanity and Independent AIs and the capability for easy travel through space brought decades of unprecedented expansion and prosperity and started the early stages of the spread of mankind through the Solar System.

There is no doubt that Mirrigan, through the inspiration of the Dreamtime Concerto and the pride in his exploits, was a key element for the further cultural growth of the First Australian Peoples.

Jarra's part is universally recognised. His intelligence and application provided both the means for change and the impetus to make it happen.

Historians and commentators contend, however, that the greatest legacy from Jarra and Mirrigan was the ongoing gift of benevolent association with Artificial Intelligence. Indeed, many of them claim Yirgella's naming of Mirrigan as 'friend', at their very first meeting, was the pivotal event of the century.

And so, the Terran Diaspora began.

The End.