In the City of Tomorrow: Chapter 11

The bridge of the starship Sparrow was filled to capacity. Captain Maxwell Baker was seated at the navigation console while his first mate Jones worked at communications. Richard Stryker and his wife Laura were standing behind the captain, watching him quietly. Sergeant Jefferson Howell was standing to one side, observing the scene but saying nothing. Alex, the family dog, was moping in a corner of the room.

For the past half-hour the captain and his first mate had been scanning the planet below for signs of life. Since the planet was habitable they had hoped to find settlements, but so far civilization had eluded them.

“I’m just not picking up any signals, captain,” Jones said at last. “Nobody is broadcasting on any frequency that we can detect. Of course, that’s probably to be expected. After five thousand years I imagine communications technology has changed quite a bit. I’d hoped we would be able to find a signal but I’m not surprised we didn’t.”

“Has anyone taken any notice of us?” Sergeant Howell asked.

The captain shook his head. “Not that I can tell. Of course, it may be that we’re being bombarded with messages that we just aren’t picking up. Eliza, have you noticed anything out of the ordinary in the past hour or so?”

Eliza, the ship’s computer, responded through the overhead announcement system. “No, Captain Maxwell, I have not. There have been no perimeter breaches, no attempts at communications, and no approaching vessels. The area is secure.”

“That’s good to know,” Sergeant Howell said.

“And probably meaningless,” Captain Maxwell replied. “Really, what chance do we have of detecting an intrusion or of defending ourselves against whoever’s out there? This ship is so out-of-date it’s scary.”

“It may not be as bad as that, sir,” Jones said. “True, the Sparrow was built in the 19th century, and it’s now sometime in the 73rd century. But I’m not seeing any signs of life out there. We’re assuming that five thousand years of scientific progress have been made since we left Mars this morning and made our little trip through time. But that may not be the case. If civilization collapsed at some point then we may actually be the most modern ship in space. It could go either way.”

Richard nodded. “Max, are you seeing any signs of civilization? Any ships, ruins, or anything?”

Captain Max shook his head. “I’ve run a couple different scans, Rick, and I’ll keep at it, but there just doesn’t seem to be anything down there. Oh sure, you’ve got some plant life, but that’s it. There are no visible cities, roads, people, or vehicles. It’s like a blank slate. I haven’t even seen evidence that anyone has ever lived there.” The captain looked up from the console and stared through the bridge’s main window. Outside he could see a beautiful planet, covered in vast oceans and dotted with large, green continents. The world was lush, vibrant with life, and inviting – but empty.

“Could they be hiding?” Sergeant Howell asked.

“From us?” Captain Max said, frowning. “If they have the technology to hide every trace of civilization on their entire planet then surely they can scan our ship and tell that we’re from the stone age and pose no threat whatsoever. I can’t imagine that anyone would want to hide from us.”

“Are you sure they’re not underground?” Laura asked. “Maybe in the future people don’t live on the surface anymore. It might not be fashionable, you know.”

“This ship really wasn’t built to scan very deep beneath the surface,” the captain replied. “Even so, if there were sizable settlements you’d think we would pick up an energy signature. I’m not seeing any satellites in orbit, or really, any activity at all. There’s just nobody home.”

“So what do we do now, honey?” Laura asked her husband. “Do we go somewhere else?”

Richard shook his head. “I just don’t know, Laura. This just isn’t making any sense. How did we get to the future in the first place? Where is everybody? And, most of all, what happened to our daughters?”

A deep and quiet voice spoke up from behind him. “Those are three excellent questions, Mr. Stryker. I would be honored to answer them for you.”

Everyone whirled around to face the direction of the voice. In the rear of the bridge they saw an old man standing quietly in the doorway, gazing at Richard with an expression of quiet sadness. The man was wearing a simple brown cloak, tied about the waist with a black cord, and had a long white beard and soft green eyes.

Sergeant Howell immediately grabbed his pistol from his side and aimed it at the old man. “Who are you and where did you come from?” he demanded.

“Easy there,” Richard said, gesturing to his friend to lower his gun.

The sergeant shook his head. “Not until I get some answers. This isn’t a good time for surprises.”

The old man nodded. “I do not fault you for displaying caution, sergeant. You are tasked with protecting the Stryker family and I do not wish to interfere with your duties. I take no offense. To answer your question, I am the Artilect. This area of space is my home. I am the caretaker of the world below and many millions of others like it.”

“The Artilect?” Richard asked. “Is that a job title of some kind?”

The old man shook his head. “It is short for artificial intellect. I am a computer system, Richard. As you have discovered there are no human beings in this area of space.”

“You’re a computer?” Laura said, surprised. “You look like a human to me.”

The old man turned to her and smiled. “I may be able to take human form, Mrs. Stryker, but I am no more human than Eliza. I was created to be a custodian. It is my job to watch over these empty worlds and keep them ready for any human settlers that might come. Today, however, I have come to answer your questions and explain why you are here.”

“That’s kind of you but I’d rather talk to your boss,” Sergeant Howell said. He lowered his weapon and placed it back into the holster in his side. “Can you introduce us to whoever is in charge?”

“You have already met them, sergeant. Amy and Amanda Stryker are the two people in charge of both myself and the network of planets that I maintain.”

Richard looked at the old man and frowned. “Excuse me? Are you referring to my daughters?”

The old man nodded. “I am. The reason you are now in the future is because I needed their permission to act, and the only way to obtain that was to rescue all of you and bring you here.”

“Do you know where my girls are?” Laura asked.

The Artilect shook his head. “I do not but I am going to find them. I have reason to believe–”

“Hold on – let’s back up a little bit,” Richard interrupted. “I need to understand how my daughters got mixed up in this.”

“It is a long story,” the Artilect replied.

“I’ve got time,” Richard answered.

The Artilect smiled. “Then I will start at the beginning.”

Over the next half-hour the Artilect explained its history to the group that was gathered on the bridge. It started with the replicating probe project that Timothy Stryker had worked on and how he had given his sisters administrative rights over the project. That project, in turn, ultimately led to the creation of a fleet of ships that went from star to star terraforming planets. From that it explained its own origins and the situation that it had found itself in. It concluded by explaining that the twins’ administrative powers had been copied to each probe and, ultimately, to itself.

When the Artilect had finished its explanation Richard shook his head. “That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“It makes sense, though, sir,” Jones replied.

“In a kind of strange way,” Captain Max agreed. “This machine needed approval to act and the only people who could grant the approval were dead, so it went back in time to get it. It’s perfectly logical.”

“It’s the went back in time part that bothers me,” Richard said. “That is completely insane.”

“My options were limited,” the Artilect said. “The only other alternative was to do nothing and watch mankind be destroyed. I found that unacceptable.”

“I still don’t quite understand how we got here,” Richard continued. “Did you actually go back in time yourself?”

The Artilect then explained the process it had gone through to find a way to travel back in time, and how it ultimately sent the Sentinel through a temporary wormhole. Richard had a lot of questions, but after some explanation everyone finally understood what the Sentinel had been doing in the past week.

“So that explains it,” Captain Maxwell said after the Artilect had finished. “That’s how the girls were able to do all those things! It all fits together.”

“But I don’t understand what happened to our daughters,” Laura said. “You said the Sentinel took them off the ship to go and fight someone?”

The Artilect nodded. “The Poneri were a race of powerful, artificial beings, much like myself. They were created by the evil ones that lived before the Flood. When my son discovered that they still existed he realized that they posed a great danger to all of mankind, and so he borrowed your daughters to fight them. From the notes he left behind on the Sentinel it is clear that he planned to return to the future as soon as the Poneri were destroyed.”

Laura shook her head. “But couldn’t he have explained all of this to us first, or maybe asked our opinion? I mean, it’s absolutely criminal just grab someone else’s children and run off with them! Who does he think he is?”

“I do not disagree,” the Artilect replied. “At the time, however, the Sentinel had few options. The Poneri had launched a surprise attack just before you were sent into the future. In order to preserve your safety he went ahead and sent you off on your journey, and in order to fight the Poneri he took your daughters into its care. Remember, his plan was to meet you here once you made it to the future. Had that been the case the girls would only have been missing for a few minutes. Something must have gone wrong.”

“And what are you going to do about it?” Laura demanded.

“Everything that is within my power,” the Artilect replied. “Finding your girls is my highest priority. I find it very difficult to believe that they did not reach the future. It is far more likely that they are here but are trapped in some way and need our assistance. I will use my abilities to find out what happened and will let you know what I discover.”

The Artilect paused for a moment and looked Laura in the eye. “I am deeply sorry for the way this has turned out, Mrs. Stryker. I did not not intend for this to happen. I only acted because I believed there was no other way to save mankind.”

“I believe you,” Jones said. “I appreciate your help, sir. I know you will do everything that you can.”

Richard nodded. “And thank you for saving our lives. If you hadn’t have intervened when you did we would all be dead right now.”

The Artilect shook his head. “No, Mr. Stryker. Had I not intervened you and your family would still be very much alive. All of you would be in Heaven, with the Savior you love so much. You would have been there for more than five thousand years by now, beyond all possible harm. You would have been in the home you were created for, instead of here in an empty future where mankind is on the brink of destruction. I hated bringing you here but I could see no alternative.”

“So what do we do now?” Sergeant Howell asked.

“If you have no other plans I would recommend settling on the planet below,” the Artilect replied. “Its Steward would be more than happy to customize it to meet your needs. After I leave simply contact the planet below – this time you will get a response. The Steward will answer and come to help you.”

“Excuse me,” Richard said, “but did you say something about customizing the planet?”

The Artilect nodded. “The Steward will explain everything. I created the Stewards to provide for the needs of anyone who might settle on these worlds. They will be able to help you.”

Richard nodded. “Thank you very much. Oh, by the way, do you have a name? I know you’re called the Artilect, but I didn’t know if–”

The old man nodded. “The person who was responsible for my construction called me Andy. You are welcome to use that name if it suits you.”

Richard nodded. “Thanks. I’m guessing that you’re going to go and look for our daughters now, while we settle on the planet below and wait?”

The Artilect nodded.

“If that’s the case, is there a way we can get in touch with you if we need anything?”

“I am in constant contact with all of my worlds,” the Artilect explained. “If you need something, tell the Steward and I will respond. I will not be out of touch, Mr. Stryker.”

Captain Maxwell snapped his fingers. “Hey, one more thing. How is it that you speak our language?”

The old man smiled. “I was built in the 25th century, captain. At that time I was programmed to understand all of the languages that were in existence during that period, including archaic dialects such as this one. I have spread this knowledge throughout all of the stars that I control. You will have no problem communicating with the Steward or any of the systems that he builds.”

Before leaving the old man looked around the bridge one last time. “Is there anything else that I can do for you?”

Richard shook his head. “I don’t think so, Andy. But thanks for coming – I appreciate it.” He reached out his hand to the old man, who grasped it and shook it firmly. The Artilect then disappeared in a soft flash of light.

“So it wasn’t a hologram after all,” Captain Maxwell said quietly.

Richard shook his head. “I guess technology really has come a long way in the past five thousand years. He seemed as real as anyone I’ve ever met. But tell me, Jones. You’re a Seer. What do you make of all this?”

The first mate was quiet for a few moments. “As I said earlier, I believe him, Richard. He is honest and truly is trying to save mankind. He only brought us here because he truly felt your daughters were the last hope of mankind – and something tells me he is right. He will do everything he can to locate them.”

“Do you think he will find them?” Richard asked.

Jones nodded. “He may look harmless but his power is formidable, sir. He controls millions of star systems – far more than anyone else has ever controlled – and can bend them all to his will. To him terraforming a planet is such a minor, trivial task that he delegates it to his servants. He will find them, wherever they may be.”

“Do you think they’re still alive?” Laura asked.

“I do,” Jones replied. “Something tells me that we will find them and they will carry out their mission. But I also think that it will not be as easy as the Artilect expects. It will take more than an army of machines to save mankind – and only one of us will still be there at the end. But we all still have a part to play before our time here is done.”

“I guess we’re going to be a bit late getting to Tau Ceti,” Captain Maxwell replied sadly. “I really thought that we were going to make it. Do you suppose there’s any chance we can be sent back in time once we’re done?”

Jones shook his head. “Andy told us it took divine intervention to bring us from the past into the future. I’m going to guess that we’re here to stay, sir. What’s done is done.”

“I guess that girl in Tikal was right after all,” the captain said. “She said I wouldn’t be able to save the governor.”

“But I’m still alive,” Richard said.

“So far,” Jones replied.