Ciao, SETI! Part 5/8
Interstellar Espionage
I have to do a bit of an intro here. I was going to post this on Thursday because today was supposed to be Katrina day, but on re-reading the next Katrina instalment I had a bit of a boo-hoo moment because it needs editing. Well, actually it needs something of a re-write because it’s simply not good enough, especially for what’s supposed to be the great revelatory turning point.
And I haven’t been in the right mood to do that since. So I shall be endeavouring to get into that right mood over the next few days. Maybe I’ll go listen to Muse or something.
On the other paw, switching Ciao Seti to Tuesday works out very well indeed, because there are four episodes left, but there are only three Katrina instalments left before the Intermission. Also, it means all you Unofficial Katy (& Phoebe!) fans get to read the next episode sooner.
That’s my defence anyhow, your honour.
Ah - if you have just joined us, you will want to start at the beginning. Otherwise you’ll get cognitive dissonanced, and no one likes being that. So here is the link to Part 1.
Previously, in Part 4, Phoebe’s cunning plan came to fruition and the local press got hold of the story, after which it inevitably went a little viral. The Professor from SETI wasn’t happy about it, though. Still, I’m sure SETI, as usual, will be able to convince themselves that the signal was just interference. And in the flashback, the sinister Alex got Katy her word processor, so she wouldn’t be too bored in Holloway.
In this episode, the plot thickens with a load of espionage, we’ll call it. Or game theory, even. Oh, and there’s Chinese food and beer. Of course there is.
And a sinister black Tesla. Just for good measure, you know.
There’s also some intriguing speculation about flare stars which should excite all you sci-fi fans.
Right, that’s my intro done. Now let’s see what the Great Image Generator has to say for itself.
Phoebe squinted through the eyehole on her front door then smiled and undid the chain. Enter Bryn, with beer and Chinese food. She smiled broadly at him and ushered him through to the kitchenette. She retrieved some plates and chopsticks from a cupboard while Bryn cracked open two tinnies and stashed the rest in the fridge. Then they adjourned to the living room.
Her laptop was open on the coffee table. Flare star data by the looks of it. Bryn gave it the once over.
“More Proxima stuff?”
“Yep,” she said, munching through a mouthful of char kway teow. “Being suspended at least means I catch up on my thesis.”
“Still think some of these flares are artificial then?”
“Induced by ETIs as a source of energy, yes. Still can’t prove it though.”
“Bummer. That’d be cool if you could.” Bryn shoved a gu lao rou into his mouth and started munchin’.
“I’m sure I’ll get there. I just need to think differently, that’s all.”
“As usual.” Swig o’ beer.
She grinned. “Obviously I didn’t invite you over just to talk about flare stars.”
“Obviously. And if you’re right about this little thesis o’ yours then all those flare stars in our stellar neighbourhood’s gonna make a lot o’ folks just a tad uncomfortable, eh?”
“The Zoo Hypothesis, you mean? Sure.” Then she flashed him a sly smile and said, “Maybe that’s the point.”
“You’re actually quite a cunning little minx, ain’t ya?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. And in fact, that leads me nicely on to what I was going to tell you.”
“Go ahead. I’ll just eat.” As if just to prove it, he shoved another large hunk of gu lao rou into his gob.
“Well, you know I said I was rubbish at computers?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I lied.” Phoebe grinned and continued, “I inserted a backdoor into the observatory’s computer so we could remotely monitor what they’re up to.”
Bryn swallowed. “And?” Then another swig o’ beer and another mouthful.
“It’s just as I suspected. Look.”
She turned the laptop towards him and pointed at a graph. “That’s not our signal, is it?”
“Strewth! That’s not even in the same ballpark!”
“It’s clear what they’ve done. First, they added 559 MHz to the frequency, so it’s now 2100. Then they inserted a mirror signal 128 MHz difference, to create an alias, like with BLC-1. 64 times 2 MHz, to simulate the eRFI clock oscillation.”
“That woulda shown up in the initial check.”
“Exactly. But that’s their excuse to say it’s eRFI.”
“Hmm. Just like with BLC-1, eh.”
“Yep. Except MHz, not Hz. And lastly, as you can see, unlike the original,” she slanted her finger down the readout,” there’s a doppler shift.”
Bryn looked quizzical. “You know I was gonna ask about that. Surely if the signal was from Tau Ceti there’d be a doppler shift?”
“Yes, there would be. If the signal really did come from there. But it didn’t.”
“But the dish was pointin’ in that direction?”
“Yes, but that’s not what ETI did. Think about it, if you wanted to send an interstellar message you’d make it a lot longer, wouldn’t you?”
“Hmm, s’pose.”
“So, what they really did was insert our signal directly into the computer, presumably using quantum teleportation.”
“Are you saying they just hacked in?”
“Yep. And that was their first message. The obvious implication - we’re already here, we’ve been observing you constantly and we know everything about you.”
“That’s a pretty scary thought.”
“Only,” Phoebe said, seriously, “if you’re a bad guy.”
Katy, inevitably, had another visit soon after Phoebe leaked the discovery to the local press.
Once again she was placed in restraints, led to the interview room and handcuffed to the table.
“Is that strictly necessary?” Alex protested to the prison guard, “She’s hardly a threat.”
“It’s always necessary,” was the sharp response.
Still, with that the guard shut the door behind her and left them to it.
“I was expecting you, obviously.”
“Meaning you’ve heard the news about this potential signal?”
Katy nodded. “Of course. Obviously the most important thing is that girl mentioned the metadata. 16 November 2024, 11:26 UTC. Just as I said it would be. And the frequency. 1541 MHz is right in the centre of the waterhole. If that’s true, then that’s all the authentication you need.”
Alex leaned back and looked seriously at her. “And what would you say if I suggested that she is in fact your accomplice, and she created the message?”
Katy smiled. “I would deny it, of course. I would say I’ve never met the girl before – which, naturally, you would be able to verify with your intelligence-gathering capabilities. In fact, I’m going to assume you’ve already done that and confirmed the lack of any association, right?”
Alex gave a short laugh and a little snort. “Sure.” No fooling this woman.
“Which is why, partly out of frustration, you’ve come to see me in person. See what my reaction is to your accusation. Correct?”
“I’ve never denied thinking you’re an exceptionally clever woman.”
“Thank you for the compliment. And I’m sure it must be galling for the bad guys to see my name already trending on social media, eh?”
Alex smiled. “I’m sure it is, yes. Your books are still banned, though, remember?”
“True, but that just makes them all the more enticing. As for her creating the message herself, well, I would imagine if the bad guys can’t claim RFI then that’ll be their predictable explanation of last resort. What do you think?”
“I imagine so. Unfortunately, there’s no arguing against that, is there?”
Katy shook her head. “Unfortunately not. The important thing, however, is what the people believe. And, naturally, what the message actually says.”
Alex snorted a little again, then smiled and ventured, suspiciously, “Why am I getting this uneasy impression that you know exactly what that message is?”
Katy didn’t need to give a worded answer to that one. Another sly smile was perfectly sufficient.
The next day Bryn and Phoebe took the short drive north to the observatory. She had made her mind up, she told him.
“You’re suspended,” was the inevitable greeting from the Professor. “Both of you.”
“Don’t look at me, mate,” Bryn defended himself, “I’m just giving her a lift.”
“You’ve no need to worry, Professor,” Phoebe did her best to sound conciliatory and reassuring, “I’m not here to plead with you or find out how your analysis is going. Obviously I’m curious but I’m sure you’ll be making an announcement soon. Electronic RFI presumably.”
“That’s the way it looks, I’m afraid.” The Professor looked a little relieved, although not entirely unsuspicious. “So why are you here, then?”
“I’d just like to collect the rest of the data on the Proxima observations for my thesis. As you know that’s got nothing to do with the signal.” She spoke gently, hoping that might soften him up.
“I see,” he sighed. “Very well, then.”
“Thank you. You might also like to hear that you can make my suspension permanent, if it makes you feel better. I’ve decided SETI isn’t for me.”
Inside, the Professor smiled, but did his best not to reveal that. He did a clumsy job of it. She noticed, of course.
“I can’t say you’ll be missed. Any particular reason?”
She ignored the insult. “A few reasons. One, I sincerely believe there’s no point in SETI existing anymore. Musk’s 6G network means any genuine signal, even if it did get through, would never be verified and would just be put down to RFI.”
“Well,” the Professor said, “I can’t say I disagree with you there.”
“Second, partly in view of that I’ve decided it’s more important for me to gather as much data as I can on flare stars before the 7G network comes along. That’ll be the death of ground-based astronomy as we know it, especially at the frequencies we’re looking at. So I need to prioritise and make as much use of the time we have left as I can.”
“Still believe in your crazy theory about aliens harnessing flares for energy, then? You know that’s one reason why SETI probably won’t miss you.”
“You know, actually, it’s no more crazy than some of your colleagues thinking we should be looking for evidence of alien megastructures. Less so, actually. If ETI can harness the energy from flare stars then it makes the whole idea of stuff like Dyson spheres a load of naïve rubbish.”
“Ouch.”
“If you want the clincher of the argument, then how about this.”
“Why do I get the feeling I’m about to receive your parting shot?”
“Because you are. If humanity does survive and develop far more advanced and interstellar technology then harnessing flare star energy is one of the most obvious things it will do, don’t you think? So given that you think of ETI as some kind of ‘other’, then you’re essentially treating the entire future of your own species in the same way. You’re othering yourself. And what’s the difference between that, and xenophobia?”
The Professor paused before responding, trying not to give her the insulted response she probably wanted. He wasn’t particularly good at that, either.
“A very accurate parting shot,” he said. “But rather than rise to it and get embroiled in a messy argument with you, I’ll just kindly ask you to collect your data and be on your way.”
“Thank you very much.” She strode past him and opened up a workstation. And genuinely did what she told him she was going to do.
“Aren’t you gonna say thanks?” Bryn asked.
“I beg your pardon? What for?”
“For obeying your instructions and not talkin’ to the press.”
“Oh, right. Yes, well, carry on obeying those instructions and you’ll be very welcome to start work again.”
“That’s a very kind offer, but if it’s all the same to you, d’ya mind if I take a little vacation time to mull it over?”
The Professor sniggered. “Take as long as you like.”
“I apologise for the cliché, but don’t look now, I think we’re being followed.”
Bryn glanced at the rear-view mirror. “You mean that sinister black Tesla?”
“Yeah, that one.”
“I noticed it too. They’re either not very good at their job, or they’re not even trying to hide it.”
“I would think the latter. They want us to know to send the appropriate message.”
“Which is?”
She glanced over at him. “Behave,” she said, sternly.
Bryn narrowed his eyes, and kept them firmly on the road ahead.
After a pause, she said, “In a way it’s a good thing.”
“How d’ya figure that?”
“Because if they meant violence they wouldn’t be satisfied just following us. We’d have been shunted off the road by now, make it look like an accident. But as long as they know where we are they’ll feel in control. They won’t feel threatened and panic and do something nasty.”
“Ah, now I understand why you quit, right?”
“Exactly. Lull them into a false sense of security. Then just before they mean to go public with their conclusions, I’ll make sure it’s the original signal that gets published, not their fake one.”
“And we’ll be on vacation at the time, eh?”
She smiled at him. “So they really can’t blame it on us. After all, we’ll be on the other side of the world, and I’m rubbish at computers.”
Bryn, however, could not escape a feeling of disquiet.
His unease did not abate in the slightest when they got back to her place, either. There were signs of intrusion.
Not overt signs, it should be noted. The flat hadn’t been ransacked in the manner of a burglary. It was more subtle than that, as if the intruders had simply been searching for something in particular. And that was far more unnerving. Because there were no signs of forced entry. And that suggests superior power and control, which is far more dangerous. Phoebe could tell as soon as she went to her desk. A few books misplaced, the contents of her desk drawer not arranged in the way she’d left them. This too, of course, designed to send a message, clearly.
And her storage device was gone.
To Bryn’s consternation, Phoebe just smiled with satisfaction.
He shot her a concerned look.
“Now they believe we have nothing,” she explained. “And that means we’re in the clear.”
“Meaning we’re not loose ends anymore that need dealin’ with, is what you’re sayin’?”
“Precisely. And they know that even if we did try and say they’d covered everything up, they’d make sure no one would believe us. Whereas if they bumped us off, they draw attention to themselves and it looks suspicious. The thing they fear the most, remember.”
“Exposure, sure. Still,” he said, with an overt trace of anxiety, “I wish I could share your confidence.”
“Don’t worry. This time tomorrow, we’ll be on a plane. And then I’ll show you what the signal says…”
Next episode next week…
Awwww its so gripping! loving it!