“But the catch seems to be that Planck-scale experimental work will have to be done in space. Preferably well-removed from the sun’s gravity well, which means outside the solar system. Otherwise, the gravitational curvature is too disruptive. We’re going to need infrastructure to support a base out in the Oort cloud.”
“Iris Institute Oort,” said Alice. “That has a nice ring to it. I’m pleased there’s a legitimate need for physics research in space. I spent too many hours in Washington listening to comparisons of research at the SSC and on the Space Station. Most of the NASA science presentations were embarrassing.”
“NASA is a problem,” said Charles, “but one, I think, that can be dealt with.” He smiled in anticipation.
68
THE SKY-FILLING DISK OF THE DIM YELLOW-ORANGE Sun was just rising on the east coast of the northern continent when the new universe was discovered. The Hive Mind’s latest breed of extradimensional Lookers signaled the find, triggering rapid transmissions that rose to a screaming pitch on all frequency bands as communications from separated components stitched across the planet. The Hive Mind gave orders. Resources must be refined, machines must be constructed, energy banks must be recharged, a new strategy of conquest must be put into place. Workers all over the planet scurried to fulfill their tasks, refining materials, producing parts, assembling machines, simulating alternate courses of action, making ready for the next great attempt at Hive colonization.