DETECTION

1562 4D

In the mine, fretting at the slow pace of progress, Arlen watched the physicists connect the magnet power lines and run up the first tests of the new experiment. The anth stone lay at the center of a huge magnet’s multiple arms, where the field strength was enough to rend steel.

“We’re taking an unknown risk,” Chief Physicist Dumiv said to Arlen. “None of us can guess what this thing is doing with the energy bath we’re giving it. We just know that it consumes energy, and we’re not detecting its conservation.”

“It’s a risk worth taking,” Arlen pressed. Dumiv had been obstructive for years. “We’ve found about all of the ore the aliens will take, and I want to learn as much as we can about this thing, as soon as possible. Time is running out, and they’ll want it back. I will take the responsibility for the risks. Go ahead.”

Dumiv called out, his voice shaking a bit, “Bring the field strength up to one-tenth of maximum. We’ll raise it in steps from there.”

At one-sixth of the maximum field intensity they could apply, the stone began to glow. Dumiv looked over at the holo readout, apprehension crinkling the corners of his eyes; Arlen followed his gaze, and saw a pattern very similar to the one that had produced the music.

“Hold it steady at this level,” he said sharply. “There’s something I want to see.”

The pattern faded slowly from the holo.

“No!” Arlen shouted.

“What is it?” Dumiv punched at a console. “We’ve recorded it if you need to see it again.”

“Does this pattern always happen?” Arlen asked, his hands trembling. He wanted to tell them about the music, but he clamped the words in his throat.

“It’s happened twice: just now, and once before, when I gave you the earlier recording. But back then, it was far more diffuse, and it took us days to concentrate it like this one.” He handed Arlen a databook. “Here.”

“All right,” Arlen said wearily, taking it. “Let’s keep going.”

As the field intensity continued to increase, the glow turned to strobelike flashes. The stone made a cracking sound.

“Bring it down slowly! Shut it off,” Dumiv snapped.

“Is it undamaged?” Arlen.

“We’ll let it cool and inspect it carefully.”

“Do that. I’ll return tomorrow. Don’t start the next trials without me here. I want a report on the anth‘s condition ready to scan when I come back in the morning.”

“Yes, sir.”

“If these upcoming trials are unsuccessful, we will return to the original detector system and enlarge it. I see no other safe way to go.”

“But enlarging it will restrict its mobility too much. Mining with it will not be possible.”

“I have stated my intention. Do you oppose it?”

A pause. “No, sir.”