Callisto 2.0, Susan English [i love reading .TXT] 📗

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

While we waited for Charm to return, Hadley and I, along with the engineering team, turned our attention to the design of a transport vessel. Marta, I learned, was not only the chief engineer on Shambhala, she had designed and supervised the construction of the entire station. As the vessel plans began to take shape, I had the opportunity to see Marta’s genius in action. The transport vessel would be about ten times the size of Charm, with living quarters for the mice designed by Naomi. Our plan was to send the vessel to the coordinates of an extrasolar planet, ideally one Elena could recommend based on the Charm data, allow it to orbit the planet for a day, then return to Shambhala.

So, the mice would be away for twenty-four hours. It would be the first real test of the possibility for living creatures to travel astronomical distances using the warp bubble.

They were heady times.

◆◆◆

Ten days after the launch, Marta, Elena, and I were waiting at the airlock door in the dock module when our intrepid little explorer returned. When the airlock repressurized and the door finally opened, all three of us rushed inside to examine the probe. It looked exactly the same as the day it was launched. Elena had her computer tablet in her hand and immediately began downloading her data files. Marta examined every inch of the probe, nodding to herself. I had my tablet, too, and was downloading the warp-field data, tapping my foot on the floor with impatience, which caused me to float upwards.

I grabbed a rail to stop myself before my head hit the ceiling. Feeling ridiculous, I limited the physical manifestations of my impatience to drumming my finger against my tablet.

When we had our files, I could see Elena was as eager as I was to get back to the lab, to start analyzing. Marta glanced over at us and rolled her eyes. “Go, both of you! Get out of here.”

“You don’t need help carrying the vessel to your lab, Marta?” said Elena, hesitating.

Marta looked at little Charm, floating peacefully in the airlock. “Andrea is on her way, I’m confident we can manage.” Her voice was stern, but her eyes were smiling.

Elena and I looked at each other, then, grinning, we both raced down the red corridor, through the hub, then through the lavender corridor and into the hallway, disappearing into our respective labs.

“It’s here!” I said as I burst through the door.

“Over there.” Hadley pointed to the conference table as she pushed her body away from her chair. “Let’s go over the data together!”

We sat at the table, our heads bent toward each other, poring over the data, examining and reexamining the field and the warp bubble, which had held up beautifully. We analyzed the transitions into and out of the warp bubble, the field 158

parameters, virtually every aspect of the launch, the journey, and the return. Giddy with happiness, we could hardly believe we had really done it.

◆◆◆

Later that afternoon at the staff meeting, Diana congratulated us for our success with the probe, adding she was eager to see our data and analysis. Next, Raven talked about her accomplishments with suspended animation, describing her technique in great detail. I noticed she didn’t mention the bees’ short-lived taste of freedom in her lab.

Naomi and I shared a few looks during her talk, and somehow managed to keep from laughing out loud. When Raven had finished her presentation, Diana asked if there were any questions.

“It’s great your technique worked with the bees, but what about other animals?”

asked Gamon.

“I’ll continue my research and computer simulations, but I believe I can use the same basic principles for mammals, even though their physiology is vastly different.”

“Maybe you could try a mouse,” said Gamon, glancing over at Naomi.

Naomi folded her arms across her chest, any hint of a smile now gone. She shook her head. “I would need to review the computer simulations to begin with.”

“Don’t worry, Naomi,” said Raven, “I know how you are with your babies.”

Diana smiled indulgently at Naomi. “Any other questions?” she asked. When no one responded, she turned to Raven. “You’ve done admirable work, Raven.

Congratulations!”

Everyone clapped exuberantly. As always, I was amazed at the work being done on Shambhala. It was astounding—the level of scientific achievements was incredible.

Izumi stood, looking at us. “Any announcements?”

Tanya stood up. “I want to start a meditation group, if anyone’s interested.”

“What an outstanding idea, Tanya!” said Izumi.

“How about we meet on Sunday mornings, say at nine a.m., in the ops park?”

“I’m in!” said Kamana.

“I was also thinking it would be nice to have a statue of the Buddha in the park, but wanted to talk about it with everyone, to see how you all feel.”

“I’ve got no problem with it,” said Kamana.

“It’s good you brought it up, Tanya,” said Izumi. “Let’s spend a few minutes in silence, so everyone can consider the proposal, then we’ll talk about any issues or reservations, if there are any.”

Tanya sat back down, and the room was silent. I thought about it. How did I feel?

The ship had no religious artifacts, and I hadn’t seen evidence that any of my crew members was a practitioner of any religion. But Buddhism wasn’t a religion, in the true sense of the word. I was eager to hear what the other women had to say.

After about five minutes, Izumi said, “Does anyone need more time, or shall we open 159

up the discussion?”

“I’m okay,” said Marta. Several other women nodded.

“Who would like to speak first?” said Izumi.

Rika turned to Tanya. “What I’d like to know, Tanya, is what does the statue represent for you? I don’t know anything about Buddhism, but I’m not sure how comfortable I would be having a religious icon in a public space on the station, any religious icon.”

“For me, it’s not about religion, or anything like that. You know I’m not religious at all.”

“Yeah,” said Rika, “which is why I’m confused.”

“Buddhism isn’t a religion,” said Kamana.

“It’s a philosophy, isn’t it?” I said.

“No,” said Andrea, shaking her head, “it’s definitely a religion.”

“I doubt that,” said Naomi. “I studied it in my World Philosophies class at university, so I agree with Calli.”

“Then why is it considered one of the world’s religions?” asked Andrea.

“Okay,” said Izumi, “let’s define ‘religion,’ so we have a common understanding of the word.” She picked up her computer tablet and tapped it a few times. The projection screen at the front of the room lit up, with the question What is religion? written at the top.

“Annie?”

“Yes, Izumi? How can I help you?”

“Please define the word ‘religion’ here on the screen.”

“Certainly, Izumi,” said Annie, as three definitions appeared on the screen:

• A belief in and worship of a superhuman power, often omniscient and omnipotent.

• A unified system of beliefs and practices.

• An avocation, idea, or pastime pursued with devotion.

“Thank you, Annie,” Izumi said, then looked at us. “Okay, sometimes the topic of religion can get heated, so I’m going to lay some ground rules. As always, everyone’s perspective will be honored and respected. Remember, we’re all coming from very different backgrounds, and for some of us, this is a delicate topic, so please, listen with respect and without judgment or interruptions. Everyone will have a chance to speak if they desire. And, most importantly, listen with an open heart, and with love.”

There were murmurs of assent. I looked at Izumi. She really was good at this.

“If you have something you want to add to the discussion, try not to interrupt when someone else is speaking.” Izumi smiled, looking at each of us in turn, then turned toward the screen. “Okay, I think we can dispense with the third definition. We’re not talking about when someone says, for example, ‘Soccer is a religion in Latin America,’

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although I’m aware of the Latino infatuation with soccer.” She glanced down at Diana.

“I was nearly deaf for a week after sitting next to