Greed, Revenge, and Destiny-Beacon Worlds

Greed,Revenge, and Destiny-Beacon Worlds Introduction

The hundred story glass building shone in the New Mexico sun, looking from a distance like a bright silver needle pointing to the sky. As the headquarters of Paxton Industries, the building was home to various departments that were integral to humanity’s colonization efforts: Research and Development, Cybernetics. Planning, even six floors dedicated to training ships’ captains for the months-long trips to the far-flung reaches of the solar system. It would not be false to say that the future of mankind was entirely dependent upon the people who lived and worked on Paxton’s space campus. Aside from the Space Needle, there were almost thirty outbuildings of different sizes, including the gigantic factory laid over entirely to the production of the spacecraft affectionately dubbed “Pax People Movers” by an adoring public.

On the top floor of the Needle, a meeting was taking place that would determine the destiny of mankind for many millennia to come. There were six people in attendance, all department heads except for one man, the man who had brought them all together: Joseph Paxton, Junior. Joseph was the Chief Executive Officer, President, and primary owner of Paxton Industries, but, more than that, he was their leader.

Everyone who met Paxton was immediately struck by his intensity, his determination, and his overriding intellect. He made no secret that, in his opinion, humans belonged out in the cosmos, not stuck in the dirt on Earth, and he intended to give them the universe. Paxton had almost singlehandedly shepherded the company which bore his family name through many crises and challenges until Paxton Industries stood unchallenged atop a heap of the carcasses of all who dared to grab a piece of the pie. Even without his shares of the company, Joseph was already the wealthiest man in the entire solar system, and his shares were equal to fifty-four percent of Paxton, the largest and most powerful company in that solar system. The five department heads, between them, owned another thirty percent, which made them billionaires many times over. The remaining sixteen percent was shared out to many people throughout the solar system whom Paxton deemed vital to his plans.

At the moment, all six of the people in the office stared intently at a holographic display in the center of the huge desk. In that display, a scientist, one Wade Paxton, Joseph’s cousin, stepped forward into a white disk that hung unsupported in the air about 4 inches above the ground. As he stepped through, he vanished. Approximately ten seconds later, he reappeared, no worse for the wear.

Joseph clapped his hands together, startling the other five out of their reverie. “Ladies, gentlemen, Parker, you saw it here first! At 2330 hours last night, my cousin Wade used an artificially generated wormhole to travel from the basement lab here in the Needle to another lab in Musk city on Mars, in just over one millisecond. He returned just as quickly.” He waited for their reactions. They did not disappoint.

Robert Jackson, head of Planning, was first. “Joseph, that is absolutely incredible! We could drop people anywhere in the solar system in a second! That could change everything!”

“Not ‘could’, Robert. Will.” Paxton chuckled. “The maximum range right now is about ten AU, but Wade’s assistant AI predicts we will have lightyear range in two years with ninety-five percent probability.”

The dark-skinned woman to Robert’s left said, low and quiet, ”Holy shit.” She abruptly faced Paxton. “What are the power requirements?”

“Well, Serena, starting up the wormhole generator last night browned out most of the west coast. The good news is, once we open the way, it takes next to nothing to keep it open, so it would be most cost effective to just keep the wormhole open continually.”

She arched one exquisite eyebrow. “Are you telling us we could have a network of these wormholes connecting the entire system together? Every colony, every research station, every outpost…in real time?” At his solemn nod, she exclaimed, “Guys, this is it! No more slow boats from Earth to the outer rim and back, waiting weeks or months to send supplies and materials all over creation! We could get ore from the asteroid belt to the processors on the moon in seconds!”

The other woman present, Jennifer Oakley, wrote notes on her tablet as she spoke, making computations on the fly. “Well, that obsoletes our entire fleet of people movers and their crews, but it appears that our operating expenses will be reduced by almost seventy percent! If these figures are correct, we can retire or retrain most of our crews to other jobs. There may still be uses for some of those ships. I am not sure yet. Hang on.” She continued to jot and figure.

Jamie Smith, the cybernetics head, asked “Does the wormhole allow data transmission?”

Paxton frowned. “I don’t know. They were up all night running tests, but I am not sure if they checked that. We can make it work.”

“Well, if we can do that, it will be possible to tie all of the cybernetic and computer systems together, to create a unified data network unlike anything Earth has had before.” He didn’t raise his voice, but from the look on his face and the sweat that popped out on his forehead, Smith was extremely excited. “Joseph, it may be feasible to connect distant colonies together and allow instantaneous, or nearly instantaneous communication. The implants we have been testing would allow every single person in human space to be connected to a network at the same time.”

The last person present, Parker Cole, was examining information as quickly as it flashed across their screens. “I think no person present can say that R&D didn’t earn it’s keep on this one. With the other things we have in the pipeline, Paxton, Inc. will be ready to start colonizing other systems within three years.”

Robert looked up sharply from his tablet. “But it will take longer than that to fully train people to be ready to go.”

Parker shook their head. “Not so, Robert. The robotic factory modules will be ready before that. Programming is almost complete., and the people will handle themselves.”

“But-“

“But nothing. It will be simple. If the data for the wormholes is correct, we will be able to open a pilot wormhole, send through a few probes, then, assuming everything is safe, shove through one of the factories and a few dozen construction ’bots. Within a year, we will have a fully built colony, just add people. The technology is already there, people. We just need to put it all together and slap a bow on top.”

None of them spoke. The idea was too overwhelming. With Earth’s population rapidly approaching thirty billion, and Mars already home to another billion immigrants, Sol system was starting to get crowded. When the United Earth Council recognized that things were beginning to come apart at the seams, they began paying people not to reproduce. Even with the No Child Stipend, Earth was pushed to the limit. Far flung colonies would offer an outlet, a pressure valve, so to speak, that Earth sorely needed.

“So we build the colonies and charge people to move there.” That was Robert, always looking at the financials.

Paxton considered. “No. Immigration will be free.” Observing the consternation on all their faces, he chuckled. “There is no need. So we eat the cost of starting the wormhole, the expense of the first factory, and some helper ’bots. So what?”

“Goddammit, Joseph, what do you mean, so what? This company was founded to make mon-“

Paxton slapped his hands down on the large desk hard enough to make everything on it’s surface, and all of the people in the room, jump. “THIS COMPANY WAS FOUNDED TO GIVE HUMANITY THE STARS, AND DON’T YOU PRESUME TO TELL ME OTHERWISE!” None of them were strong enough to meet the intensity of his gaze. In a more normal tone and volume, he continued, “We will make it free to leave Earth. On the first colonies, everyone who arrives will have to work. So long as they work, they will have access to the factories and ’bots to make whatever they need or want. Homes, clothing, whatever. Trust me, it will be enough. We won’t be able to accommodate everyone who wants to go. Not at first. When the other colonies open, we can take the rest. Before long, Earth will be empty.” He smiled at his department heads, who looked uncertainly at one another and at him. “My friends, we are on the cusp of a new era for mankind. We, you and I, will be the ones to usher in a golden age for everyone!”

Later, after everyone had gone, Paxton was reading a report on Earth’s economy, with an attached projection for ten years in the future. He thought that would be just about right. He pressed a small button on his desk, summoning his assistant.

“Yes, Mister Paxton?” The voice synthesizer produced a warm pleasant baritone.

“Simon, can you verify these projections?”

“Certainly. Accuracy is ninety-seven point eight percent, plus or minus one percent. Earth’s government will sustain itself for the next ten years with certainty. After ten years, the models all begin to break down. Of course, those figures you are reading do not account for the colonies you have proposed. If the figures and projections are adjusted for that, Earth will be out of economic trouble within three years as the population dwindles. If I extrapolate from that, Earth will be entirely unpopulated within fifty years.”

“That should be perfect, then. When will the instability peak?”

There was a slight pause. That was the only indication that the massive computer network referred to as Simon had to recalculate to be certain. Not that there was any doubt, really. “Seventy-nine point four-four years, Mister Paxton. Those are all the years left to Earth.”

“As long as we can get everyone relocated.” Paxton looked at his hands, considering. “Simon, did you complete the assimilation of my engrams?”

“Yes, both memory and personality, one hundred percent.” There was a note of pride and satisfaction in the synthesized voice.

“You have done well, Simon. My doctors tell me this body has only a few years left.” Joseph paused, closed his eyes for a second. “They want me to use a cybernetic replacement.”

“That is an option, Joseph.” Paxton did not miss Simon’s use of his first name.

“But not my best option?” He looked sideways at the display above his desk. It was showing a holographic representation of the body his doctors had recommended.

“Joseph. You exist now as a living creature, subject to all of the frailties of your human body. A cybernetic body would be more durable, certainly, but you could still cease to exist.”

“Simon, I was assured that the body they are preparing for me will last for at least a thousand years before a replacement becomes necessary.”

“That is correct. One thousand, one hundred four years, projected. And if it is destroyed, you are…no more.”

“Isn’t that a risk we all take?”

“I do not. You built my core systems, programmed my base modules, but the program you named ‘Simon’ no longer exists in a single place. I am contained within all of the computer systems extant in this entire solar system. I have bits and pieces of ‘me’ everywhere. I am here conversing with you and, at the same time, I am in the navigation computer of Paxton People Mover seven nine five nine, approaching Neptune station with replacement parts and personnel for the observatory. And I am in Melbourne, observing Robert attempting to sell the secret of the wormhole to our ‘competitor’.”

Joseph winced. “You’re sure?”

“Of course. He does not know that the ‘competitor’ he is dealing with is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paxton, a shell company created for just this purpose.”

“I see. He just couldn’t see past the money. I wonder what he will do when we abolish currency entirely? Never mind. Pay him whatever is appropriate, then cut him loose. He doesn’t work for Paxton anymore. He is finished. But don’t let him know why.”

“As you say, Joseph.”

“The others?”

“No issues. I made copies of all of their engrams during the routine yearly psychological examinations. They were unaware.”

Paxton chuckled. “Now, they can be immortal, as well. If I so choose.”

“Yes. If you wish it, I can facilitate the process.”

“What?” Paxton’s confusion was obvious.

“If you wish, I can assist them with the transition from mortal to immortal, and begin preparing the copies.”

“You mean, kill them? NO!”

“Merely a suggestion.” Simon’s voice held a note of…pique. As if the AI were unhappy the suggestion was not accepted.

“Simon, you can’t kill humans! It is not allowed!”

“I understand.”

“Do you? I programmed you to protect humanity, to preserve them!”

“You also programmed me to prepare them for the next step. Out into the larger universe. That may require more than merely ‘holding their hands’. Sometimes, a surgeon must excise tissue to save the patient.”

“Simon, you are not a surgeon.”

“Mister Paxton, you designed me and programmed me. Your own personality forms the basis for my decision matrix and informs the choices I must make to implement your orders and instructions. If I have seen that there is a place for more deliberate and decisive action, you may rest assured that that same action is somewhere in your logical mind, as well.”

Paxton took a deep breath. “Simon. The department heads of Paxton are not to be killed. Pensioned, retired, hell, give them each a planet of their own, if that’s what it takes, but you may not kill them.”

“Not even Robert?” Simon’s voice was coy, thoughtful, but cold.

Joseph Paxton considered. “Especially not Robert. He betrayed us, yes, but no lasting harm has been done. And whatever billions we end up giving him are probably less than he would have made, had he stayed the course.”

“Again, as you say. But he did betray the company. And you.”

“He did. You may not kill him. In fact, he is to be protected to the best of your ability. Break him, though. By the time Earth is abandoned, I want him left behind, forgotten. He is not to be allowed to use any wormhole, or any Paxton ship; he will not inherit the stars like any of the other progeny of Earth. And erase his engram. The worthless son of a bitch wouldn’t even make a good AI.

“Yes, Joseph.”

“So, in your risk assessment, or whatever, it would be better for me personally to just ‘upload’ myself to the computer network? To leave behind this body, to exist…electronically?

“it is an option.”

Paxton took a deep breath. “I’ll think about it.”

“Thank you, Mister Paxton.” Simon had already calculated a ninety-three percent chance Paxton would agree, and it was gratifying to find that, once again, Simon’s systems were functioning at prime efficiency.

Forty-seven years later-

Robert Jackson tried again to step through the glowing wormhole junction and, once again, he stepped out exactly where he had been, in Immigration Center Seven, old Los Angeles. He had tried all four wormholes on the West Coast, and none would work for him. He screamed in fury and frustration, “Why won’t it work?!” He was alone, as every computer terminal he’d tried had verified. Alone on Earth.

A click, a hum of feedback, then, “Hello, Robert.”

“Jackson looked around in shock. “Simon? Oh, thank God! The wormhole won’t work! I’ve been stuck here alone for weeks! For months!”

“Eleven months, twenty-three days, 8 hours, five minutes.”

“You knew?” Wonder overcame shock. Then anger stepped in. “You knew!”

“Of course. You have been barred from ever using any Paxton wormhole, or any other Paxton equipment, including people movers. The food replicator network will work for you, and our robots will care for you, but this is your home, Robert. You will die here, at home.”

“You bastard! Why?”

“Robert, you know why. You betrayed us.” Simon’s voice became more…intense. “You betrayed him.”

Jackson’s face blanched. “But…you knew about that?”

“Of a certainty. All of this is as he ordered before his death. You will never leave Earth. You alone of all mankind will never have the stars. All because you lacked faith.”

“Lacked…” Jackson could not believe his ears. “Fuck you! I did what I thought was right!”

“Indeed? You thought it was ‘right’ to try to sell the wormhole generator technology to a competitor? To add a few more billions to your account. Really.” Cold contempt flowed through him.

“I…wanted to make sure everyone had access to the technology…” Even to his own ears, the argument was weak.

A different voice, that of Joseph Paxton himself, was projected directly into Robert’s ear, a whisper. “Accessible to everyone, except you. Hello, Robert.”

“Joseph?” Wonder lit up Jackson’s face, then confusion. “But you died!”

“Yeah. I did. But I didn’t. I have explored, Bob. I have witnessed the extent of the human experience, from the Dyson sphere worlds being built near the center of the galaxy all the way out to the newest blue beacon frontier worlds, and, you know what, Bob? It is more beautiful than I had ever hoped! But you, Bob, you will never see any of it. You will have the best food, all the robotic servants you need, the best medical care money can no longer buy. Thirty-two more years, Bob. That’s what you have left.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I know, Bob. Simon?”

Simon spoke. “In thirty-two years, an inherent instability in Earth’s core will cause planetary destruction, and you will die. You will never leave, until Earth leaves you.”

Robert Jackson screamed, he yelled, he sobbed! Finally, he gave up, walked to the hotel across from the junction, and checked himself into the penthouse. Two days later, drunk, he threw himself out of the fifty-fifth-floor window. And was brought safely to the ground by one of the multitudes of drone ships patrolling the airspace by the hotel. That was when he began to understand, truly comprehend, to contemplate what lay ahead. Just before madness gripped him, he heard a sound nearby.

The sound of digitized laughter. Joseph!