Go-Go X

PART ONE

Table of Contents

1

YOU DON'T KNOW MARS THE WAY I DO

If you did, you'd understand a lot better why he seems to do all those weird things. Most people think he got his nick name from his real name−Lamar Marston Climber. Mars was supposed to be the sum of the two mar type references, and was initially written Mar's spelling aside. With time it simply became Mars.

I believe it actually came from the fact that since his earliest years, Mars was out there; and I mean really out there. From the earliest age of reason Mars reasoned a lot. He spent most of his time trying to figure out how things worked, and did little else. In school he did well in math and shop; but he struggled with history, science, and those other useful topics. Although, not struggle so much that it kept him out of college, as his PhD's in computer science and physics will attest.

It's just that to Mars, there is nothing as important, or deserving of his thoughts, dreams, and timing−as programming.

He paid attention naught, to such mundane items as what to wear, friends or social activities, dating, sex, politics, or eating, except for the constant supply of red twisters he always manages to have. Money, on the other hand, thanks to his large endowment from Grampa Climber, and Mars' late parents, was never an issue, in least an issue of having it.

Exception to all this: Mars loves SciFi and NASA in any form. From TV, Vids, Movies, Books, Comics, or plain old conversation—but only with those who quickly proved to have some clear, verifiable expertise on the subject, and if it provided new information or perspective. Still, it was only an extension of his overall obsession.

Silent (sometimes) rumors and gossip often slipped the term autism into the conversation. But his testing, done by his wealthy and sometimes worried parents, never seemed to justify the label.

So, how do I, Ron Bernard, know all of this, and more? Simple. I am, to the best of my knowledge, Mars' one and only friend. And to expand the definition of friend even further,

I am Mars' guide, bookkeeper, scheduler, dresser, feeder, business manager, and in most cases, sounding board, although not on general technical issues except maybe social aspects.

I grew up with Mars. I don't mean that our families shared their lives and sons in mutual areas of interest, friends, and neighborhoods. I mean my family served his family as live-in caretakers, and I was virtually the only similarly aged person who grew up with Mars. A good sidebar was that I did get to share many things the privileged don't seem to like to share. We were family, sort of. I don't know if familiarity coalesced our relationship, or whether Mars simply came to trust and count on me for so much. I like to think the latter, of course.

In any event, I am Mar's best friend.

So, be that as it may, I'm telling you this so you'll have a little more understanding of the forthcoming tale. It's a tale about how my Mars was able to do some mighty powerful programming, and pro-building, of some very powerful stuff that few people even dreamed of, let alone actually did.

The regular characters in my story consist of the normal range of types who usually show up in these kinds of tales where something spectacular happens.

First−actually third if you count Mars and me, although I don't think of us as characters−is Marie Lance, who helps Mars in his pursuits by bringing some unique common sense to the party. I think she digs him too, but what do I know? He should dig her. At about five seven, she was slim, but very well built. With long wavy brown hear and beautiful shining green eyes. In my humble opinion, she could have anybody she wanted. But, she chose him. Lucky guy, who doesn't even know it.

Next, there's Ely Winter. A rugged, handsome (I guess) six foot four inch astronaut, (no longer tall for the job) who in addition to wowing the women, is the expert on NASA-COM, the combined commercial and government (spelled Military) organization. Ely gives lectures on all the current allowable news from the organization.

Then of course, there's a reasonable number of background players,who really do most of the work. That's my little cast. Except, of course for the Big Guns who I'll introduce shortly.

Oh, yeah. I guess you should probably know what Mars' thing is:

He invented (developed, programmed, conceived, made possible, jury-rigged, fixed up, made) a thing (invention, device, program, technique, development, assemblage, thing-a-ma-bob) that could make many things go from one place to another, instantly, at no cost. Except for the thing-a-ma-bob of course, which wasn't cheap.

That's about it. So let's get on with the story.

2

I woke up about 5:30, my usual time. After I took care of me, I checked the monitor. As was probable, he was bent over his computer and rattling the keys like someone possessed, one of those red candy string things dangling from his lips. I couldn't tell if he was actually eating it.

I'll bring you some breakfast, I said. Unless, of course, you've already fixed yours.

Huhrumph. he said.

Oh, alright, I said. I suppose I could make you something.

Huhrumph. he said.

Secret I said.

That clever code sent me to the super secret programming and development center deep under the basement of the giant Climber house. It really is secret because Mars used Mars-improved voice recognition software. This mansion is full of a lot of that stuff.

You up all night? I said, as I walked into the large room carrying the tray toward the round table.

Nah, he said in his usual laconic style.

I moved the respective breakfast's to their proper chairs, and sat down. Don't make me ring the bell, I said.

Okay, Ma, he said and stood from his console and stretched profusely. He walked slowly to his chair, reiterating his overall senior status. He sat down reviewing the offering as if new and unexpected. Finally accepting it, he drank the OJ in one gulp, then took a bite of the cereal. Huhrumph. he said.

I'm pleased that you have accepted my poor attempt to please I said, "and can we please

knock off the banter?"

Huhrumph. he said.

I can tell by your eyes that something good is up, I said. Care to fill me in now?

He took another large bite of cereal and smiled. I got it!

Do we mean the 'thingy-a-bob' transfer stuff? I said, somewhat excited even though I wasn't entirely sure what this means in terms of business and income. Although Mars' capital was still significant, I was beginning to extrapolate a time when it might not be so. The ultra quantum computer systems had cost several million. Those are the computers that use little atoms and things to provide many, many times the regular computer stuff. They are truly the state of his art.

Yup, he said, sitting back in his chair.

How much do you need to make it? I said, giving him my business manager look.

He looked at me with his 'what's that got to do with anything?' look.

Mars, I said. You aren't going to run out of red strings, but this is by far the most expensive project to date. We made need help.

He grimaced with limited understanding. Well, I don't need much to finish the prototype, at least a basic one. Enough to show principle.

Okay, I said, with my hand out.

He stood up and went to his console and picked up some papers. Returning, he placed them in front of me. Quick! he said.

As possible, I said as I perused the three page list, mentally summing where possible. Looks doable.

It is so close, Ro. You'll love it for business. He smiled, sort of.

Mars is the only person I know who would shorten 'Ron' to a more concise nickname 'Ro'. You get used to it.

I'll get on it fast. I picked up the breakfast tray and stuff and headed to the elevator. Take a nap, Mars.

Okay, ma, he said as he sat down at his console.

I went back to my office and spread the list on the desk. A lot of items, but none appeared to be far out in investment terms. Pulling down my computer−yes, he taught me the basics−I began to order the somewhat esoteric items. My suppliers knew that each item, no matter how generic they might be, were specific and completely non-substitutable. My discounts were based on continuity and volume and not on generic replacements.

As I worked, the phone rang. It was Marie. Hey, I said in an up voice, putting my ordering on hold.

Is he alive? she said.

About in his nap break. Anything urgent?Sort of. I got him an interview with one of the astronauts that just left Sky-II. I thought it might be a good break for him.

Timing's perfect. He just finished a major write and has to wait for parts to continue. I'd say about three hours. Coming over?

I'll try, she said with uplifted voice. I know he needs a break. If not, give him a kiss for me and tell him I have good stuff.

My pleasure, I said. Try your best, he does need a little diversion.

Marie was as close to special friend as Mars has. At least in terms she and I understand. Her SciFi bent, and the inside knowledge she garners as a press agent for NASA-COM, make her stand out in his psyche, if not in his heart. Although I think she is close. She spends a lot of time finding diversions and breaks for him, which he rarely acknowledges. Why else would she go to the immense trouble, if not for, well, you know.

We signed off and I finished my ordering. Only three items needed some searching, but that was enough to allow Marie a bit of down time with him. I pulled down my budget and started making adjustments.

3

Captain Ely Winter spoke with unhidden pride as he described the latest goings-on with NASA-COM. He was wrapping up with the latest accomplishments.

Just look around and you can see that we have grown very large since the full integration of federal and private commercial entities. The results include three moon bases: US, China, and Fed-Uro-Japan The US Mars base, although small and fairly threadbare, is still viable and expansion of facilities is only awaiting needed supplies. The latest probes to Jupiter and Saturn have found even more enticing clues to the possibility of life on the moons Ganymede and Callisto

Of course Mars was totally mesmerized, sitting only a few feet in front of the astronaut, anxiously awaiting the Q & A session coming up. I sat close by with Maria. I thought the presentation was interesting, mainly because almost every subject portends a future application of Mars' transfer thing, in as much as I understand it. To Maria it was old hat but should at least score points with Mars. Of course, that was harder to predict than the next Callisto landing.

I'll fill you in on our latest triumph's−and even a couple of failures, said Winter, smiling as a speaker with a captured audience. He stood up and pointed his controller at the large 3D screen behind him. The view was various perspectives of a jumbled array of pipes and unidentifiable gear on the Moon.

The esstine mines, he said, should start producing a sufficient quantity of esstine in less than two years. Enough to begin transporting back to Earth. For those very few who don't get this, he smiled at the absurdity of the statement, Esstine is the major requirement for the latest type of larger scale Fusion Reactors that will ultimately provide Earth with all of our energy needs. As you also know, the time and costs of getting materials there for the project are still slow and extremely expensive. However, in this case the ends easily justify the means.

He smiled his now familiar smile and finished this segment with: Of course, I'm happy to report we still maintain the lead in this endeavor.

I made a few notes myself on questions to cover with Mars. That's what I usually do when we go to these things. I don't usually care about the technology, per se, except as it portends to investment. I'm not bored, it's just that my time and focus are elsewhere. Maria touched my arm.

He's in heaven, isn't he, she said in our private-comm voice, glancing at Mars.

Second only to pounding the keys, I said.

Winter switched the view to a ship traveling in deep space. Here we have Orion-4 on its long journey to Mars. He looked at Mars who he seemed to know, at least by reputation, or probably Maria's intervention. We've made some vast improvements here, but the trip still requires almost three months of travel, food, fuel, and other resources. The latest MPCV Array, that's Multiple Purpose Crew Vehicle, allows up to sixteen crew and passengers. Some will replace Mars personnel, but most will supplement as the needs expand."

He flicked the screen again. It showed a truly bizarre thing with a giant round sail like extension. The vehicle part looked like most of our ships, at least to me.

Here's the latest SEPS, or solar electric deep space system that uses the energy from the Sun to achieve speeds of close to .9 light speed. In theory of course, but looking very favorable in tests.

He flicked again. A mosaic of strange craft began displaying in a slide show effect. The number of unmanned Earth, Moon, and Sun probes and study vehicles continues to expand furiously. The science we are providing industry, which in turn provides vast improvements for public consumption makes the side costs very affordable, and highly desirable.

He closed the display. "Okay, guys, that's the formal presentation. Let's get into the Q&A. I'm sure that at least one of you has a bunch of questions.

I head nodded Maria and we moved to the back of the room, neither of us particularly interested in the Q&A. She smiled at me and gave me a searching look. Okay, Ro. What's going on? You've been excited about something since you got here, and I'm guessing that it isn't Ely's fabulous presentation.

I smiled back and picked up a doughnut from the table. You're right as usual, Maria, I said, smiling through my doughnut bite. Something big has come up. Actually, something really big has come up. I took another bite of my doughnut, ignoring her frustrated look. I can't get into the details here but it will blow your mind, how big it is.

She sighed deeply. Come on Ro, you have to tell me something.

I put my doughnut on a napkin, and used another to wipe my mouth. I can tell you this, for now. It's bigger than Mars' money can support. It's going to take a bunch of very strong in-players to pull it off. Financier's, politicians, military, and probably more, plus that Astronaut friend of yours—and that's where you come in my dear.

Ro! she protested.

Not now, I said. I promise detail, but we can't talk about it here and now. What I need you to do is to get your Astronaut to meet us at the house. Sooner is better. You, and he, will be glad you did.

She shook her head and said, finally, Okay. Play it your way. I'll get Ely there, but this better be good.

I just smiled.

4

It took some of my best selling to convince Maria and Ely to sign the non-disclosure agreements, before they knew anything about the project. We were sitting upstairs in my living room. I say my because I don't recall a time when Mars ever sat in it. I put the forms in my briefcase, and stood up. Okay, now. I really am going to fill you in and show you where it stands right now, I'm also going to take you somewhere you haven't been before, the infamous super-secret work room of Mars Climber!

I led the curious couple down a small flight of stairs, through a narrow passage to an almost invisible corridor, where Ely had to turn slightly sideways to pass. This led us to the first locked door that opened to my code word. I didn't tell them that the code word changes every day. This door led us to an elevator shaft, which I again coded open. We entered and I said: The ROOM! which blended into Theruum! to the uninitiated. Finally, we exited and stood in front of another door that had no handles, card readers, or speakers which could imply the opening methodology. However, a pinpoint device read my height and body temperature, and the door gave a little snap and opened inward.

You gotta' be kidding, said Ely. This is worse than security at my NASA facilities!

Well, I said. Mars has to do something in his spare time. We entered the large room. Mars was sitting at the table, reading some kind of notebook, oblivious to our entry. The only other furnishings in the room were a full wall of very compact computer modules, stacked to the ceiling, and a relatively small work station with a large black and white monitor, and some unrecognizable equipment in the opposite corner.

Hey Mars, I said and repeated before he finally looked up.

Had lunch, he said before his eyes focused. Oh! Hey. Good to see you again, Ely. You too, M. Come in. Sit. Want some lunch?

They're hear to see the project Mars, I said.

Mars looked at me and back at Ely and Maria. He had a questioning look on his face, then smiled. Of course. The A team. Get help and all. Did my parts get here?

We ordered them yesterday, Mars, I said.

Oh. Yeah. He frowned, then smiled again. Well, comon'. I can still show enough. He got up and moved to his console and immediately began rattling keys. The two followed.

Slow, Mars! I said quietly. They're brand new.

He looked back at Maria and Ely. Gotcha. he said. He punched several more keys and one of the devices on the corner table lit up. Now this is only Project X. It's limited to small, inanimate objects. I'm using a hammer to show it. Look at table one. The one lit up.

They both looked at the lighted table which they assumed was table one. A normal hammer was lying on a slightly raised platform. Questions mirrored their expressions, but they both knew Mars well enough to just wait.

Mars rattled more keys for a few seconds, when suddenly, the hammer disappeared! That's conversion phase, he said. More rattling. The second table lit up. Rattle. Suddenly a hammer was lying on table two. Phase transfer, he said, looking up and smiling.

Okay, I said. My turn. I looked at Mars with a smirk. "Oh, and, please don't refrain