“Perhaps not, but it is true, however. The many worlds theory has turned out to be more than just a theory. Indeed, all possible alternative histories and futures are real, each one encapsulated in its own universe. The universes branch off from one another. If you could see the bulk,” the A.I. continued as he conjured a 3D computer image of what he described, “it would look very much like the neurons in your brain, each universe splitting off the last, connected, yet separate. The 3,000 parallel universes, or exo-universes, that we have currently identified are those closest to us within the bulk.”
“Okay. Crazy as that sounds, it kind of makes sense. And what about these magnetic fields we’ve been generating? I didn’t know magnetic fields could do these things. Why didn’t we have these before?”
“The magnetic fields of the past were quite simple in comparison to what you are generating with your MTF. This is the age of nano materials, Craig. Your magnetic field is the result of electromagnetically energized particles that are organized into patterns that make them spin at high velocities.” Once again, the A.I. projected a helpful animated 3D image to illustrate his point. “If we had a microscope powerful enough to see these materials, we’d see that the pattern they form is similar to a honeycomb structure, with the north and south poles reacting to one another in such away that the attractions and repulsions cause them to spin. The honeycomb structure is woven into a net that surrounds you. This not only forms your protective cocoon, but it can also propel you in whichever direction you desire by propelling particles away at high velocities.”
“And these fields are strong enough to protect us when we go through the Planck?”
“Yes. The Planck platform generates a super-strong field in the same instant in which the Planck bubble forms. It is analogous to a firewall, protecting you from the instability of space and time that surrounds you.”
“All right. I get it.”
“Indeed. Although it isn’t possible for any human to fully understand the enormous calculation and experimentation required, the general concepts are relatively easy to grasp. And, speaking of relativity, Aldous asked me to explain to you why the universes are moving at different time rates.”
“Yeah, I don’t need to know if it’s going to be too complicated,” Craig said, holding one hand to his forehead while he waved the A.I. away with the other.
Undeterred, the A.I. continued. “It’s quite simple. Each universe is actually moving at the same time rate. Therefore, they are obeying Einsteinian principles. However, time moves differently according to mass and gravity, so while the universes might be moving at the same rate in totality, the speed of time in the vicinity of the Earth can be dramatically different.”
“I didn’t quite catch that,” Craig replied after giving his head a quick shake. “One more time.”
“If, for instance, a few galaxies begin moving toward the Milky Way, converging upon it slowly like clouds that do not appear to move from a great distance but are actually traveling quite rapidly, then time in the Milky Way can slow dramatically because of the extra mass and gravity exerted upon it. If, however, galaxies trend away from the Milky Way, the reduced mass and gravity pressure causes time to move more quickly. This is why the multiple Earths can differ so greatly in their time periods. Overall, however, when averaged for the entire universe, time is a constant.”
“I think I understand now—a bit TMI, but okay. So what year are we in in this universe?”
“Again, Craig, it would be unwise—”
“You said you respect my free will.”
“I do. However—”
“Good enough,” Craig said as he lifted off, the A.I.’s holographic image disappearing and then reappearing in Craig’s mind’s eye as Craig flew through the largest of the holes in the ceiling and straight up over the building, trying to get above the tallest of the surrounding buildings to attain the best vantage point. It was only a matter of seconds before a colossal manmade structure appeared to the south, backdropped by a perfect blue morning. “Oh my God,” Craig whispered as he gazed at the Twin Towers.
“It’s September 11,” the A.I. finally conceded. “2001.”
3
Craig didn’t hesitate to ignite his cocoon and blast off as fast as he could toward the towers. “What time is it? How long do we have?”
“Craig, you have to stop,” the A.I. replied.
“What time is it, damnit!” Craig demanded.
Without warning, Craig’s forward momentum dropped dramatically, as though he were trying to make his way through thick molasses. “What are you doing? Stop it!” he shouted as he began to pull back from his intended destination.
“I’m sorry, but I cannot allow you—”
“So you’re a liar!” Craig shouted. “Free will? Bull!”
“I would never lie to you, Craig. However, you have not afforded me an opportunity to explain.”
“I’m tired of your attempts to justify—”
“My protestations are not only metaphysical, Craig. They are also practical. If you approach the Twin Towers, you will likely be apprehended and perhaps even killed immediately. The Purists may be waiting for you there, expecting you to make your move.”
“How?” Craig asked as he floated high above the city streets. “We just left them on the Titanic a few minutes ago. They had to find the Planck platform and sink the ship, and that would take—”
“Time, as you understand it, is irrelevant in this instance. The Planck platform creates an instability in space time that is chaotic and difficult to predict. The distortions are very much like water. Depending on where one catches the time wave, the discrepancy can be several minutes. It is not even impossible that the Purists actually arrived in this universe before we did.”
Craig’s eyes narrowed as he stared toward the towers, a grimace forming on his lips. “That sucks, but it’s not enough to make me give up. We still have to try.”
“I shall help you,” the A.I. replied, “but you must listen to my plan.”
“I’m all ears.”
“While trying to intercept the airplanes at the tower would be a fool’s errand, virtually guaranteeing that the Purists would be able to stop you at their leisure, there is another way.”
Craig immediately understood. “The airport! Do we still have time?”
“It is currently 7:31 a.m. Lead hijacker, Mohamed Atta will be boarding American Airlines Flight 11 at 7:35 a.m. at Boston’s Logan International Airport. I can get us there if you allow me to take over your flight systems.”
“You’ve already done that.”
“Yes. However, I won’t go anywhere without your permission,” the A.I. replied.
“Fine! You have my permission! Let’s go!”
Without a word, the A.I. turned Craig around to face north and blasted off. In just seconds, they had accelerated to a speed Craig had never experienced before.
“Holy…this is fast.”
“Logan is 310 kilometers away, so to make it in time, we have to travel nearly 6,000 kilometers per hour.”
“Will we make it?”
“Assuredly. However, we will not be able to stop the coordinated attacks. I will patch you through to the security at Logan, and you can have them relay the information and stop all four flights from taking off.”
“What am I supposed to tell them? ‘I’m a guy from the future with a robot in my head. A bunch of terrorists are going to fly planes into the Twin Towers. Please have Airport Security detain them.’ I don’t think they’d buy it. I’ll find myself in a straightjacket before breakfast!”