“Indeed, but Craig, remember that Aldous wanted us to remain in the bulk, traveling from universe to universe so we could avoid detection and return when it was safer. If we return ahead of schedule, we are sure to encounter—”
“It’s already too late for that,” Craig replied. “The Purists are on to us. Whether we run for one more universe or fourteen more, it won’t matter. In the end, there’s only one way back to Universe 1—through the Planck machine back at the complex.”
They set down several blocks away on the rooftop on which Craig and the A.I. had originally entered Universe 332. He roughly placed both Paine and Degrechie on the platform, folding their limp prosthetic limbs so they fit safely on the silver disk.
“There is more that you need to know, Craig,” said the A.I.
“Okay,” Craig replied as he huffed and puffed from the exertion of moving the heavy bodies. “Hit me with it.”
“The next universe—the next historical event—is one for which you may not be prepared.”
“Why? What could be worse than what we’ve been through already?”
“Craig, we’ll be going to a universe that is fourteen years behind Universe 1—to Shenzhen, China.”
6
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not particularly comfortable with humor at the moment, Craig,” the A.I. replied, “so I avoid ‘kidding,’ as you put it. Unfortunately, I am quite serious.”
“I’m going to see my own SOLO jump?”
“We should be appearing on the ground to witness the confrontation between you and the MAD robot known as Robbie. Then we will witness the destruction of the Chinese A.I. by a tactical nuke not long afterward.”
Craig placed a hand on his forehead and shook his head. “Why would Aldous possibly have wanted to see that?”
“It’s one of history’s most important events,” the A.I. replied before adding, somewhat uncertainly, “amongst other possible, more personal reasons.”
“Other reasons? What are you talking about?”
“As I’ve said, Craig, since I have not yet passed the Turing test, my understanding of human psychology is purely objective. Please keep that in mind when listening to my theory.”
“Noted,” Craig replied impatiently. “Go ahead.”
“Have you noticed any similarities between the three worlds we’ve visited so far?”
“Yeah,” Craig nodded. “I’ve noticed a whole lot of people on the verge of dying in each one.”
“But beyond that,” the A.I. responded, “have you noticed a certain pattern in the events?”
“Just cut the bull. What are you driving at?”
“In my opinion, Aldous chose these events because they have a particular fascination for him. Both the Titanic disaster and 9/11, it can be argued, are examples of magnificent human achievement thwarted. The Titanic was the world’s largest ship, and the most technologically advanced human-built structure in the world when it sank. Similarly, the World Trade Center buildings were the tallest in the world at the time of their completion. Also, it can be argued that the Titanic and the Twin Towers were the ultimate symbols of both the British and American empires, and both empires crumbled shortly after those important, yet devastating events.”
“But the Chinese didn’t have an empire. They’d been isolated.”
“True, but empire was their goal. Indeed, their A.I. was that civilization’s crowning achievement—before it was destroyed.”
“So you’re saying Aldous has a fascination with tragedy?”
“I think a man who has spent his entire life trying to cure death and give birth to strong artificial intelligence could certainly be accused of a degree of hubris, wouldn’t you agree?” the A.I. asked rhetorically. “I think Aldous is drawn to these events because they are examples of magnificent technological achievement—yet they are also the embodiments of the myth of Icarus—humanity reaching too far, going too close to the sun and, therefore, drawing too close to the gods in a sense. Surely you can see why this story might apply to Aldous. He must subconsciously fear that he, too, will face Icarus’s fate.”
Craig nodded impatiently. “Okay, so Aldous is a freak. I knew that already. Luckily, while you were giving your psychoanalysis, I was coming up with a plan.”
“Oh?”
“My plan is to go to the next universe, save my SOLO team, destroy the Chinese A.I., and then bring a couple of them back with us to Universe 1.”
“Members of your SOLO team?” the A.I. reacted, surprised.
“Yes. They’re heavily armed. It would give us a fighting chance once we get back home.”
“May I remind you, Craig, that the SOLO worked for the Purist government? Their stated mission is the destruction of strong A.I.—not the preservation of it.”
“After we save their butts and help them destroy the Chinese A.I., I’m sure they’ll be happy to return the favor. I’ll just need to explain a few things.”
The A.I.’s expression was one of dubiousness.
“Trust me. I know these guys,” Craig said reassuringly.
“That sounds familiar.”
“Ha! An attempt at sarcasm. And you said you never kid.”
Craig stepped onto the Planck platform, careful not to step on either Paine or Degrechie in the process. He clapped his hands together once again and exhaled excitedly, shaking out his arms and rolling his neck as he prepared for yet another universe jump. “Okay. I’m ready. Let’s do this, Hoss.”
“As you wish,” the A.I. replied before activating the platform once again.
7
Craig had forgotten how hellish the terrain of Shenzhen was on the lip of the impact crater. The fallout had not yet receded, and the sun was blocked by the dust cloud that enveloped them.
“I’m keeping the platform’s magnetic field active to protect the Purists from the radiation,” the A.I. said.
“I guess I’ll have to activate my field as well once I step off the platform.”
“Actually, that won’t be necessary. Your nans are capable of repairing any physical damage that the radiation may cause.”
“Nice,” Craig replied, impressed. “What time is it? How long do we have?” Craig asked.
“I would need to see the position of the sun—”
“Done,” Craig replied immediately as he ignited his cocoon and flew straight up through the dust cloud. In seconds, they emerged and entered the sunshine.
“We’ve arrived after your SOLO jump began,” the A.I. informed Craig. “They’ll be here in two minutes and four seconds.”
“The Chinese A.I. hacked our HUDs and threw us all off course. We were supposed to open just above the crater—”
“Yes, it is all contained in the historical record,” the A.I. interrupted.
“We have to catch them. Can we do that with the magnetic field?”
“I’m afraid not,” the A.I. replied. “In the future, the technology will have more capability, but as of yet, the protective cocoon and the flat wall we used to push the Titanic are the only shapes the fields can take.”
“Can we use the flat surface—”
“Like a giant trampoline? I’m sorry, Craig, the technology does not, as of yet, have that capability.”