The Genesis Project

By Gardner Brooks

Elik Mangor has a huge problem: his three-year
project is in danger of being cancelled
because it isn't meeting the goals originally
set out for it. If he's forced to shut it down,
billions of people will die in a heartbeat.

Libby Burgess, the executive editor of a NYC
publishing house, has a huge problem, too.
God, or at least some dude claiming to be
our Creator, has mysteriously contacted her,
asking for her help in saving the planet. All
she has to do is convene a meeting of the
world's foremost scientists and theologians
in front of whom he, the Creator, will supposedly
appear in person. How can she, with a
straight face, ever ask those prominent
luminaries to take such an unlikely gamble?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Criterion House
• Release date: Aug 20, 2011
• ISBN: 9781884162190

Gardner Brooks

Refer to my website http://www.gardnerbrooks.com

Book preview

PART I

IN THE BEGINNING...

"No one knows the true

nature of reality - not even God"

Anonymous

Chapter 1

Xandia University - 11084a.c.

Where in the world was she? Elik Mangor paced the floor and, for the tenth time in as many minutes, checked his watch. Where was Misasha? He’d awakened that morning with a premonition that all might not go well that day, but he’d attributed his anxiety to the crucial meeting they’d have with Arrian that morning. And now that was less than an hour off and Misasha had not returned from her morning run.

She should have been back half an hour ago. Today, of all days, she certainly wouldn’t be late if she could help it. Did she have an accident? Could she be injured?

But if so, then where? And why hadn’t she called? She had several favorite jogging trails, but which one had she taken that morning? If he went out to look for her and chose the wrong trail, he would waste a lot of time he didn’t have.

For the third time, he pushed her code into his communicator but got nothing — not even a ring tone. He tried again. Still nothing.

Glancing out the window, he considered his options. He could wait for a few more minutes, but if she didn’t show, he’d have to go without her. After all, it was basically his project for which they would be seeking Professor Arrian’s backing. Still Misasha played a critical role in that and, besides, Arrian always seemed to have a soft spot in his heart for her — an advantage that could prove useful.

Or he could postpone the meeting. But getting an audience with Arrian at the beginning of the school year was difficult, and he was afraid they’d have to wait a week or even more for another opportunity and that would disappoint a lot of people. Where could she be?

The possibility of foul play scarcely entered his mind. Such a thing seldom happened in the college town of Mithica — or anywhere else on Exatar, for that matter. But whatever the problem, Elik knew that Misasha was an intelligent, capable woman and could certainly take care of herself. So, if he went without her, in an hour or two he’d be back and would find out what minor thing had caused her to miss the meeting.

At seven-fifteen he made up his mind. After jotting a quick note, he headed out the door at a trot and was soon jogging along a campus path next to the river toward the science hall. The morning had dawned clear and crisp. Alba, the golden local sun, was already rising in the east while Troth, its distant binary companion, settled toward the western horizon, a bright blue diamond in the morning sky. The fall foliage, with its brilliant reds and yellows, made a vibrant backdrop for early-rising students walking the tree-lined paths on their way to classes.

But Elik hardly noticed. Part of his mind was rehearsing what he would say to his old friend and former counselor. The other part was still searching for an explanation for Misasha’s absence. He ignored the flirtatious waves and glances from a few female students along the path — it was not unusual for him to be mistaken for an undergrad because of his muscular build and youthful good looks.

With long strides, he soon reached his destination and sprinted up the steps all the way to Professor Arrian’s large office on the second floor — his inner sanctum, as Elik liked to call it. Arrian was now a professor emeritus and the holder of the science chair at Xandia University as well as a member of the Planetarian Society, a prestigious science academy with a global membership.

Though early, Elik was not surprised to find the professor waiting for him. Still slender at age one hundred and twenty-four and wearing his iconic society cap over his thick white hair, the professor looked very paternal in his long black robe and neatly trimmed white beard.

Elik! Come in, my boy. Have a seat. Arrian called to his secretary. Gabby, will you be so kind as to procure us some jelpo, if you please. He turned again to Elik. Where have you been hiding yourself lately? And where is Misasha? I thought you said she would be coming with you. The professor sounded disappointed.

Good morning, Master. It was not unusual to refer to a professor emeritus in that way, though he and Delphin Arrian had a close enough relationship that it wasn’t usually necessary. It’s been a while, I know, and Misasha was planning to be here but she went out for a run this morning and, for some reason, didn’t get back in time. Elik tried not to let his concern show, but Professor Arrian detected it anyway.

Mmmm...too bad. It has been much too long since I last saw her. She was one of my favorite female students, you know. Well, do not worry. I expect she will turn up all right. Now, what do you have for me this morning?

Well, sir, a bunch of us have been hard at work on a proposal that I want to run by you today. If you approve of it, we’ll need your support to make it happen. Elik took a seat in front of the professor’s large desk just as Gabriella entered with two cups and a pot of steaming black jelpo.

Thank you, Gabby. Yes, I have been hearing rumors about that. You want to do another universe, I think.

Elik brushed a shock of brown hair from his forehead. Not just any universe, Delphin. This time it will be much more comprehensive than my first one. I’ve put together a team of top-notch post-grads from all fields of physical science here at the school, and especially from chemistry, embryology and genetic engineering. This time I want to create a virtual universe with galaxies and star systems that will mimic the real thing.

The real thing? The professor’s long, bony fingers made a tent on the desktop.

Yes, like our own universe, including life forms. I want this one to create its own life.

You expect to create life? Animal life?

Yes, and humans as well. Virtual, of course, but my goal is to create reproductive human life just as it is right here on Exatar, and I think we can do it. Something we can experiment with and learn from, with applications to our own future. Elik went on to explain the plan in as much detail as he thought the professor had time for and could assimilate all at once.

When Elik finished, Arrian remained silent for several moments before responding. You were a top student and you’ve been an outstanding researcher. Therefore, I do not want to discourage you, but can your proposal be realized in anything more than a trivial way?

I'm certain it can, and all our experimental evidence backs me up as you shall see, but only if we get the support we need. And where better to get it than from a large, well-endowed university like Xandia?

Even a well-endowed school will want to see a return on such an obviously large investment, Elik. Arrian paused again, then shook his head. I am sorry, my boy, but, absent a persuasive reason, I cannot possibly go before the regents and ask for a huge investment just to give you something to play with for a while. You must have a better purpose for your project. One with some kind of payback.

Elik’s heart fell. This kind of response was exactly what he’d worried about and certainly seemed to justify his earlier unsettling premonition. But maybe...

* * *

Misasha Mangor had risen early, put on a light blue jogging suit, pulled back her luxuriant dark hair into a pony tail, and set off on her usual run before sunrise, as was her custom on days she and Elik didn’t run together. Today, at Elik’s suggestion, she had considered foregoing her run because of their meeting with Arrian, but she always felt so much better when she started her day with exercise. So off she went.

To conserve time, she chose a shorter, if less familiar, trail and, for the first few minutes, saw no one else. She was enjoying the solitude and cool morning air, when she heard someone approaching her from behind. She moved to her right.

Suddenly, on her left side, another runner appeared. Gothamar Konza, a muscular colleague she had dated a few times back in her early college years, adjusted his pace and started running next to her.

There was nothing necessarily wrong in that, though it had never happened before. In fact, they rarely saw one another and then only on matters relating to academics. She expected he would just say hello and pass her by.

But no. Gothamar moved very close and said, You’re looking very sexy this morning. But then I’ve always said that about you. Especially when your body is in motion. Or not. Gothamar laughed.

Misasha uttered a barely audible thank you between breaths but didn’t look at him.

Is it running every day that gives you that terrific figure?

Misasha kept her eyes averted. Why was he hitting on her like this when he knew very well she was already joined? As was he.

She jogged faster then, hoping to indicate she didn’t care to talk, but he simply increased his own speed, not even breathing hard. Then he made an off-color remark that shocked her. She stopped running and confronted him.

As if that were the sign he’d been waiting for, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. He was about her height — a little short and thick for an Exatarian — but he was much stronger than she.

Even so, she was able to jerk away. Gothamar. Stop that! What’s the matter with you? Leave me alone. She looked him directly in the eye now so that he would see she was serious.

But, ignoring that, his face took on an angry look and he reached for her again. Don’t pretend you’re so high and mighty you don’t like a little attention. I know you better than that.

Panic made her strong. She swiftly pulled from his grip again, escaped around his side and took off at a dead run, hoping he’d give up.

No such luck. He was soon beside her again, laughing and firing off remarks about her sex appeal. She felt sick, yet refused to slow her pace, wondering if she could outlast or outmaneuver him?

A branch in the trail loomed before her. She took a quick right onto a steep path leading up the hill, hoping he’d stay on the main trail. He didn’t. She soon realized she was probably worse off than before, being higher up the hill on a narrow trail that clearly wasn’t used much.

Adrenalin spurred her to run even faster but, sure enough, when the trail leveled off, Gothamar soon caught up with her again. Breathing heavily, now, and clearly angry, he continued his harangue between gasping breaths.

Frustrated, tears of anger blurring her vision, she took her communicator out of her pocket and was about to call Elik when, through the trees, she spotted two people running on the lower trail some fifty feet down the hill.

Making an instant decision, she turned abruptly and crashed down through the trees and underbrush toward the lower trail. The early light on the steep slope was dim and before she’d gone twenty feet, her foot caught on a root. Her momentum threw her body forward and she fell, somersaulting down thirty feet of rough embankment, clutching at branches and roots to try to break her fall.

When she finally skidded to a halt, face down in the dirt at the edge of the lower trail, she could hear Gothamar laughing and calling something she couldn’t make out. Winded and aching, she gingerly and painfully got to her feet and found her communicator nearby, broken and useless. Slowly, wearily, she made her way home, thankful that Gothamar had finally given up his pursuit.

Chapter 2

Elik Mangor was not the type to let a little setback discourage him for long. He was known around the school for his quick mind and he thought fast now. True, he preferred to think of his project more along the lines of pure rather than applied research but there was another idea he had considered briefly in anticipation of just the kind of reaction Arrian had shown.

As a matter of fact, Delphin, I do have a worthwhile objective for my project. I just hadn’t gotten around to mentioning it to you yet. As you know, a population of pre-humans is evolving on Triston which is raising some concerns among sociologists here. Their point is, we should do what we can to ensure that the Tristonians evolve into beings which are more like us than Mierians. My team and I believe we have the software to do just that and, if substantiated in the simulation — that is, if we can create virtual humans who display the characteristics of Exatarians — we believe we can transfer the technology to the biology of the Tristonians and get them headed in the right direction. But this must be done relatively soon for it to become dominant before they evolve a lot more.

Triston was a planet of Troth, the binary companion of their own star, Alba. Other than Exatar and Miera, another satellite of Alba, Triston was the only other planet in the Troth-Alba system with any kind of hominid life.

Professor Arrian brightened but thought briefly before responding. That is certainly a worthwhile objective, Elik. It’s the kind of thing that the university might enthusiastically get behind. No one wants to contemplate a time, no matter how far in the future, when a greedy population on Triston would join forces with Mierians to attack Exatar. Still, what you have proposed is a monstrous undertaking. What are you going to do for computers? Like you did last time?

He brushed back his hair again. I don’t think a distributed system would work well this time. No, I’ll need to use the biggest and best machinery we have right here or can get our hands on. I’ll need at least several exabytes of high speed memory and the computing muscle to address and process it all. That’s where you come in, I guess. Think you could swing it with the powers that be? Computers of the required capability weren’t rare those days, but they also weren’t lying around idle.

For anybody but you, I would not be sure I could persuade the administration. Arrian swiveled his chair around slowly before continuing. "And yet, since it is you, I will let you in on a little secret. A couple of them, in fact. First, I have recently been lobbying for not one but two large-scale quantum computing engines for the science department that should fill your bill of particulars. I had another project in mind for them, but that can wait awhile. Frankly, I like most of your idea and I think I can get the support of the institution to fund it, especially since you seem to have a compelling purpose. It will be a nice feather in Xandia’s cap if you can pull it off. I know the board of regents will want to hear your proposal straight from your own lips, though, so be prepared."

Those were the words Elik wanted to hear. Thank you, Master. That news will make a lot of people happy today.

There is one thing...

Oh-oh. Did Arrian have a caveat that might alter his plan? He swallowed hard and tried to sound casual. And that is?

It is not that I do not like your idea, but I have a suggestion that I think will make it even better. Double it up. Make two identical universes. Use the same specs but create independent coding for each. See if you get the same results in both. As I said, I am angling for twin super-engines and I think this project will help my cause. We might as well keep them both busy.

Elik slumped back into the chair. His mind reeled. Two universes? Two programs? It would double everything and probably delay the whole thing by a year or more. He wanted to protest, but he knew a suggestion from the Master was tantamount to an order.

Arrian broke the silence. I know what you are thinking. You want to know who would manage the second universe. Well, I have a person in mind. I’m talking about Gothamar Konza. He rushed on without giving Elik a chance to protest.

He is half Mierian, as you know, but he has multiple doctorates and is a research fellow. He happens to be between projects right now and needs something to do. Besides, I am sure he is the best qualified researcher on campus — well, aside from yourself, perhaps. Still, you have to be able to handle him.

Elik knew of Gothamar's qualifications. He also knew that, while Exatarians were famous for their universally honorable and guileless nature, people from the planet Miera were not necessarily so. From experience, he knew that Gothamar could be a pain in the neck. Furthermore, he knew that Arrian knew all this, too, so if he wanted Gothamar in spite of it, there wasn’t much point in arguing with him.

As if reading Elik's mind, or perhaps the doubt that might be revealed on his face, the professor continued. I can appreciate why you might not wish to take him on. He does not have the best reputation around here anymore. He is very sharp, of course, but he has no special experience in creating virtuality. And he is such an independent cuss — always in trouble with the administration, or on the brink of it.

Elik stared at the desk top, thinking of all that and wondering why the master was pushing the guy on him. True, Gothamar Konza had been a researcher at Xandia longer than he, himself. Gothamar had been responsible for several successful projects in the past, but there was that time he was accused of cheating on some research. The charge didn’t stick, but people still had their suspicions. And yet, Elik knew that Gothamar was as knowledgeable in quantum programming techniques as he was. He was pretty sure he could be trained in the fine points of synthesizing a universe and, offhand, he had to admit he couldn’t think of anyone more capable. Well, at least not anyone who wasn’t already on his own team.

The professor interrupted his thoughts. Who else do you know who could do it?

Well, Misasha could do it with a little help, but I’m not about to volunteer her. She’s too important to my own program. Misasha was Elik’s chief assistant, not to mention his best friend and life-partner of fifteen years and the mother of his two children. She had several advanced degrees in mathematics, chemistry and bio-engineering as well as social engineering and was a respected researcher in her own right. Not to mention her beauty.

She could do it, without doubt, Elik, but I would not expect you to volunteer her. And that reminds me of the second piece of news I have for you. I am most pleased to inform you that both you and Misasha have just been awarded science research fellowships by the regents of Xandia. Congratulations.

Elik almost fell off his chair. Not that the honor should be so unexpected, but it had been so far from his thoughts in the last year that it came as a complete surprise to him now.

I’m speechless, he blurted. And honored, to say the least. Thank you for whatever role you played in making this happen.

You both deserve it and it did not take much effort on my part. Your respective qualifications precede you both, Elik. Besides, if Gothamar is your counterpart in this project of yours, you best have at least the status he has.

Gothamar’s current reputation wasn’t always the case. He had been given a fellowship about five years earlier, before he started getting under people’s skin. Some thought there was even a cause and effect relationship there.

So, the professor went on, I will want to see a cost analysis. But, so far, I like the sound of your project and will support you in any way I can. Gothamar will need to be brought up to speed, of course. I trust you will not mind taking the time to teach him what he needs to know.

Apparently sensing Elik’s continued reluctance, he added, I understand that this project is your idea, Elik, and that you have already done a lot of the preliminary work on it, but I hope for the sake of a more robust result you will be willing to share as necessary. Up to a point, that is. It won’t help to make the second program a mere clone of the first. You will be in charge of course, but I, myself, will oversee the entire project as a supporter — an advisor, let’s say — and as a judge, if needed.

Elik remained silent, contemplating the problems that might ensue. It was bad enough to be stuck with Gothamar, but Arrian expected him to teach the man as well. What was even worse in Elik's eyes was that Misasha had once dated Gothamar for a time, and rumors abounded he still carried a torch for her even though he was now joined to someone else. Arrian would probably have no way of knowing that. Still silent, his thoughts swirling, he realized the professor was speaking again.

Tell me, have you thought of a name for your project?

I have, Elik said softly. I want to call it ‘The Genesis Project.’

Excellent. We’ll call your part Genesis-1 and Gothamar’s part, Genesis-2.

* * *

Misasha arrived home at seven thirty, having hobbled into the house to find Elik already gone as she had expected. She pulled off her torn, muddy running-suit and tossed it straight into the recycle chute. No way could it be cleaned and repaired. And even if it could, she wouldn’t want to wear it again.

She slipped out of her under-garments and turned on the water sprays in the shower. Before getting in, she spent a few minutes wiping blood off her scraped hands and knees. Finally she stood in the midst of the soothing warmness, letting the water from the overhead sprays flow over her hair and down her body. She lifted her face to feel it course down her cheeks and shoulders. She gently washed her wounds with cleansing lotion for several minutes while reviewing the events of the morning in her mind and agonizing about what she would tell Elik.

Despite the noise of the running water, the buzz of her backup communicator jolted her back to the present and she reached out of the shower to retrieve it.

Elik sounded relieved. Finally! Where are you, Mish? Are you okay? What kept you? I was worried.

Oh, I’m home in the shower, El, and I’m okay. I just had a fall on the trail and banged myself up a bit. No big deal. Where are you?

I just left Arrian. I tried several times to get you but...

My regular communicator broke. I’m on my backup now. I’ll tell you all about it when you get home. Don’t worry but I’ll expect you soon. Bye, bye.

After a few more minutes, she turned off the flow of water and turned on the warm air vents to dry her body. Then she stepped out of the shower, wrapped herself in a robe and went into the bedchamber to decide what she would tell Elik.

Normally she would tell him the whole truth — they had no secrets from one another. So why hesitate this time? Well, mainly it was the project. Assuming Arrian had given his approval, she didn’t want to say anything that would distract Elik from the important work that would then begin.

For that matter, why tell him anyway? Although he was usually a calm and understanding person, always ready to give the benefit of the doubt, she knew he wouldn’t take this lightly and that it would undoubtedly sour any future academic relationship he might have with Konza. Knowing about it would only make him unhappy and angry when there was nothing he could do about it anyhow. Besides, the incident was over.

Not only that, but the day’s encounter was a fluke and it was mainly her own fault. Gothamar hadn’t hurt her. She did that to herself. Normally she didn’t use that trail and surely wouldn’t again if Elik wasn’t with her. Their favorite trail was shared with many other runners, mostly associates from Xandia, so she wouldn’t have to be concerned about a repeat. No, best to forget the whole episode.

Her mind made up, she removed her robe and was rubbing a soothing lotion over her body when Elik burst through the door.

Mish! Poor baby — are you sure you’re okay? You look a little beat up. Elik took her warm and naked body in his arms and caressed her gently.

His touch did even more for her than the warm water and lotion had and she closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the sensation. But eventually she extracted herself and slipped into her robe again.

You should have seen me when I got home. I was a mess. As I said, I had a little accident on the trail. Tripped on a root and fell flat on my face. Twisted my ankle, tore my clothes and broke my communicator, but other than the bruises and a sore ankle I’m okay, I guess.

A root? What trail were you running? I don’t remember seeing any roots on our usual trails.

I was on a different one. In a different part of the park than our favorite ones. Don’t worry about it. It was nothing, really. How did your meeting with the master go? I’m really sorry I had to miss it. She pushed a lock of wet hair out of her eyes.

Elik looked at her with concern and Misasha worried that something about her story — or the way she told it — might have made him suspicious. Thankfully, he didn’t question her more about it.

They moved into the kitchen and Elik poured some hot jelpo for them both.

Well, he finally said, you’ll be happy to know that Arrian agreed to back Genesis...

That’s super news, honey. I’m so excited for you — for the whole program.

Yeah, he thinks we have a good plan and that we’re well prepared. But there’s one big problem.

A problem? What problem?

He wants someone to do a parallel universe, simultaneously with ours, using different code. Thinks it will improve the science. Make it ‘more robust,’ were his words.

"Oh. That is a nuisance. She paused, thinking, then asked, Who’s gonna run that one?"

Take a guess.

I haven’t a clue. Tell me.

None other than your old friend Gothamar Konza. And worse, he wants us to bring him up to speed — to train him in the fine points of universe synthesis.

Misasha felt as if she had been hit with a bat. Gothamar was now assigned to their program? And she would have to help train him? Her mouth went dry and the pitch of her voice rose. And you agreed to that? I can’t believe it.

I had to, Mish. Without actually saying so, Arrian made it seem that his support of Genesis was contingent on it. I’m not happy with the arrangement either, but I’ll find a way to make things work. You don’t have to worry. Just be thankful we got the master’s backing.

She was thankful for that but the news had made her doubly glad she hadn’t told Elik the full story of the day’s incident. She hoped she wouldn’t regret it later.

Chapter 3

11089a.c.

Planning a full-scale universe, even a virtual one, Misasha knew, was by no means a trivial undertaking. Even with Elik’s years of prior experience and the millennia of accumulated intellectual resources available to them through the university, four years of further experiments and programming had been required after the regents, having been tutored and cajoled for months on the power of virtual reality — and, thus, the likelihood of a payoff — finally approved Elik’s project. Now the teams felt they were about ready to proceed, but the delays had gotten to Misasha and she was beginning to worry.

The physical universe itself was not so much the problem, the hardware of space being quite well defined by the laws of physics as represented by precise mathematical equations. A much more formidable problem, she felt, was the programming for the life processes they hoped to emulate. Thanks to Elik’s confidence in her hard-earned skills, he had assigned her that responsibility. Because of its challenges, she both loved and hated the assignment and now, in a funk, she reflected on how it had all come about.

Perhaps it was inevitable. She was born Misasha Talas, the only child of well-to-do parents until her brother was born when she was twenty. Before that event, her mother had been a popular clothing model. Her father was an international businessman.

But, as a child, she wasn’t spoiled. According to her parents, she was a precocious child, and they had encouraged her from the beginning to follow her own instincts as long as she tried to be the best she could be — as a person as well as in whatever career she chose. In the beginning, she always thought that would be in the field of music and, indeed, she became a very accomplished lingalist at an early age.

But when she was eleven, a cute, dark haired boy of her own age named Elik Mangor moved in next door with his parents and, through him, she discovered that her real interests lay in the sciences. Even then, Elik loved anything having to do with science and nature and together they explored, and talked endlessly about, the wonders of those subjects as patiently explained to them by his parents who were both scientists, as well as occasional space travelers.

But she didn’t give up her music and it only strengthened their bonds that Elik loved to listen to her play. Besides, Elik had a nice singing voice himself, as well as a mathematical understanding of music theory.

As they progressed through school, both she and Elik took advantage of all the science classes that were offered. In high school, they were heavily into math and computer classes, as well as the physical sciences, and they both graduated with honors, not to mention scholarships to Xandia University, the famous research school located in their home town.

They remained inseparable for the first two years of college. Then Elik edged toward the fields of astronomy and astrophysics and, later chemistry, while she favored math and molecular biology, as well as genetics. She also leaned more toward the social sciences. While they remained close friends, their divergent studies began to keep them apart, especially in their third year. More importantly, she had matured faster than Elik and, particularly after her parents moved to a distant city, had felt a deepening inner desire for a romantic association, a need that Elik hadn’t filled. Somewhat reluctantly, she started dating other boys, including a graduate student named Gothamar Konza, who soon became excessively enamored of her.

Fortunately, and to her everlasting joy, in their senior year Elik finally woke up to what was happening and stormed back into her life. Before the year was over, Elik had proposed and they were joined shortly after graduation.

But that was twenty years ago. In the meantime, they’d had