Chapter Six
0230 – Office Quarters/Beta Mountain
151 – 2105
An insistent chime from his vidcom woke Commander Joseph Walsh from a sound sleep. Groggily, he rubbed a hand across his face and pushed a button to answer. "Yes."
"Commander Walsh, sir, so sorry to bother you," stammered a very new recruit.
Sighing softly to himself, the commander nodded. "It's okay, son. What seems to be the problem?"
"Sir, the Chief of Space Science and Astronomy said to contact you right away. He has urgent news for you regarding the situation on Arkansas2."
Suddenly, very much awake, the commander answered. "I'll meet him in conference room four in fifteen."
"Yes, sir."
0247 – Conference Room Four/Beta Mountain
151 – 2105
"You're telling me the message sent to Beta is a hoax." Commander Walsh's voice held a tone of anger and skepticism. "What about the planetary seismic activity?"
The Chief of Science looked to his second in command and nodded for the woman to continue. "The tectonic activities are taking place. Data being transmitted from the satellite observation decks as well as the reports taken from the Series 5 Team confirm this. In fact, the planet is becoming more unstable."
"Tell me something I don't know." The commander said impatiently.
"Nothing on that planet - not even something "man-made" - is causing the seismic activity."
"You have proof of this?"
"Video documentation. See for yourself." The Chief answered and cued the vid-screen. "As you can see, the Arkansas2 is not a typical planet - it is more of an asteroid terra formed into a planetoid to sustain mining activities. Cost-wise it was cheaper for Metallurgy Conglomerations to have field operatives versus a traditional space mining operation. The planetoid is the leading source in materials used for composite metals in our whole sector.
"The other item that mostly sets Arkansas2 apart is that it is in a complex orbit around a supermassive black hole. As you can see here, the planetoid experiences an orbit that is not perfectly elliptical nor even timed in a traditional fashion." Commander Walsh watched the screen as the computer showed a model of the orbit of Arkansas2 around the black hole. It reminded him of an old earth-game of tetherball. The planet would wobble in an orbit and then accelerate out from the black hole and wobble again only to be thrown around in an odd circular pattern - resembling a circle drawn by a four-year-old.
"We were already aware of the implications of Arkansas2's positioning regarding the black hole. We also know that even though the orbit is peculiar, it has been stable for as long as we have been collecting data in that sector." Commander Walsh agreed trying to speed up the news of the urgent discovery.
"Indeed," the Chief concurred and continued. "But, what we didn't know was this. What you are looking at is a compilation of X-ray data that we have been collecting on Arkansas2 for about 30 years."
"Wait a minute," commander Walsh interrupted. "Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? Are those signals separate?"
"Yes. What you are seeing are two separate sources of X-Ray emissions."
"Which means," the commander prompted.
"Which led to the speculation that Arkansas2 is not in a complex orbit around a single black hole but a binary black hole."
"Two black holes? You're telling me that the planetoid is orbiting two black holes, and no one has ever noticed this!"
The Chief flinched slightly at the commander's tone but continued on with his explanation. "We aren't positive, but this is the best hypothesis that we have. Arkansas2 is in a binary black hole system. Our best guess is that the accretion disk of one of the black holes was camouflaging the X-Ray emissions of the second black hole. In addition, we believe that it is very possible that the second black hole does not have an accretion disk at all or if it does it is very thin. The result of no accretion disk would be little to no X-Ray emissions.
"Okay. What do we know about binary black holes?"
At this point, the Chief's second took over the conversation. "Binary black hole systems are created similarly to singleton black holes. Most galaxies are observed to have supermassive black holes at their centers. When two such galaxies merge, they create a binary black hole system.
"Intuitively, one would expect that the convergence of these two galaxies would cause the two existing supermassive black holes to join together into a single black hole. However, contrary to this expectation, once these black holes come near enough to each other – about three light-years – they begin to orbit each other as a bound, stable pair with star clusters orbiting around both black holes.
"Okay. So, you said that the binary black hole system has a stable orbit. Why are we seeing such turmoil on Arkansas2?" Commander Walsh asked.
The view screen began showing the orbits of stars between the bound black hole pair, as the Chief took over the explanation. "As you can see in this computer model, the orbits of the stars and other matter have become very complex and unorganized. It is this unorganized pattern that will eventually bring an object very close to one of the black holes. But, instead of being trapped or pulled into the event horizon, the star gains so much speed that it is hurled outward in a "gravitational slingshot" effect (much like maneuvers used for space travel prior to the adoption of the Andorian hyper drive technology). This "slingshot" mechanism gives the object sufficient velocity to escape the black hole pair entirely. Basically, the binary black hole efficiently hurls away almost all objects orbiting it. The result is a new, emptier galaxy core with a uniform star density and fairly stable orbits."
"But to answer your question, we have two hypotheses as to the destructive changes occurring on Arkansas2. The first hypothesis is that Arkansas2 is acting like one of the stars getting closer to one of the black holes. In time, it will reach escape velocity and be flung off into another galaxy."
"The second?" Commander Walsh inquired knowing that he would probably like this scenario even less.
"The second is probably the most probable. The black hole binary is undergoing its final coalescence into a single black hole. Our models indicate that as the binary begins to merge it will radiate energy in the form of gravitational waves."
"This would account for all the seismic activity?"
"I'll defer to my colleague as she has more expertise on planetary geology."
"When a gravitational wave arrives, the planetoid's nucleus suddenly restrains causing a slipping of the mantle layer. This slipping gets greater and greater as it moves through the external layers up to the crust - creating seismic and volcanic activity. The severity of topological reaction to gravitational waves is based upon proximity. The closer an object is to the gravitational wave, the higher intensity but the shorter the duration."
"Hence, the quick bursts of tremors and earthquakes which have been random in occurrence and placement."
"Exactly."
"Okay, based on this information, what are your recommendations?"
"Full planetary evacuation." The two scientists said in unison. "Best case scenario, Arkansas2 will be flung off to the far reaches of another galaxy, hopefully without colliding with anything. Worst case, the planetoid will be obliterated as the binary collapses into one."
"Alert the Series 5 Team." The commander agreed. "I'll see about getting the Laredo and her sister battle cruiser, the Hidalgo, to aid in the evacuation."
"Commander," the Chief interrupted. "There may be a problem with reaching the Series 5 Rangers."
"What do you mean?"
"The team missed their last transmission, sir. We cannot reach their ship nor can we reach the settlement. Communications seem to be completely cut off. We believe that the gravitational waves may be interacting with the planetoid magnetic field causing these types of mechanical and communication problems."
"How much time do we have?"
"We don't know, sir. Our best guess ranges from now to one week to anywhere within the next few years."
"That's quite a spread, Chief. " Commander Walsh ran an irritated hand through his graying hair.
The Chief's second stepped in. "Regardless of the time in which the binary system collapses into a singleton, there are other extenuating circumstances that are making time of the essence. The gravitational waves are not going to go away. If anything, they will occur more frequently and possibly with more intensity. In the last report from the Series 5 Team, we were informed that the protective dome on Arkansas2 is damaged. Even if the scientists can repair it, constant exposure to the forces being exerted on the planetoid by the binary black holes will wreak havoc to systems and most likely people as well. We estimate approximately 150 hours before total system shut down. That is of course providing the planetoid doesn't suffer another catastrophic quake that shatters the dome.
"You're giving me less than five days to evacuate Arkansas2. That's not much time."
"As I said, sir, it is a best guess based upon our current models. We need to have the planetoid evacuated and be as far from the binary black holes as possible. When they converge, it's going to be one hell of a show."
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0547 – Arkansas2
151 – 2105
Niko saw the torn look in Shane's eyes as he watched part of the fully involved building begin to crumble. "We'll be fine. Go!" She assured him hoarsely through the breathing mask.
Needing no other prompting, both Zachary and Gooseman charged up to the volunteers trying to battle the building's collapse as well as to contain the blaze. Both men dove into the smoldering debris to help pull volunteers now victims from the rubble.
Niko glanced at Doc and smiled tiredly. "What are you doing?"
Ranger Hartford had pulled out his CDU. "I'm trying to figure out why the blaze is so out of control. The automated fire suppression system should have kicked in and contained this fire a long time ago regardless of the accelerant the arsonist used."
"I can answer that question for you," the medic named Gage responded as he adjusted the oxygen rate on Niko's mask. "The cumulative damage caused by the last bout of quakes affected several of the emergency systems. The fire suppression system was taken off-line while repairs were being made. Our worst-case scenario came true, a fire and not any fire, but one set."
Shouts for assistance distracted the medic. He looked at the two rangers and then back to the scene where apparently two victims had been pulled from the wreckage. "Technically, I shouldn't leave you," he wavered.
"This is field triage, man. You go do what you're here for. Ranger Niko and I are stable."
"Thanks." The medic grabbed his field pack and spare oxygen canister and headed to assist his partner with the new victims.
"You are okay, aren't you, Niko?"
"Yeah. Just hurts a little when I breathe. How long was I out?"
"You don't remember?"
"Last thing I recall was looking for something to help pry open the door."
"I found you sprawled on the floor near Sarah's body. You didn't activate your badge did you?" Doc accused gently.
"No."
"You're sure?"
"Doc," Niko coughed softly. "I did not trigger my implant."
Niko and Doc's conversation was interrupted as the other two rangers approached them. Both wore grim expressions on their soot and dirt streaked faces. "Fire's finally out." Gooseman reported.
Before more information could be exchanged, Deputy Reeves sauntered up to the group. "I have some questions for you, Rangers." He announced imperiously.
"You have questions for us?" Captain Foxx asked incredulously.
"I told you, Captain, you folks are here by invitation only. Now, I want to know why two of your team members were in Ms. Jamison's store before it went up in smoke."
Doc sat up straighter and pulled his mask down to answer, "Just what are you insinuating?"
"I'm saying that fire was set and you're looking at criminal charges of breaking and entering and arson."
"You've got to be kidding me."
"Doc, put your mask back on." Captain Foxx ordered as he heard more stridor in the ranger's breathing. "As for you, Deputy Reeves," the captain continued hotly. "I'm officially taking over."
"You…you can't do that." The deputy sputtered indignantly.
"Oh, I can," the captain hissed as he pulled face to face with the other man. "You have been twiddling your thumbs around a possible planetary disaster. You have been impeding a League of Planets sponsored investigation. In addition, I have reason to believe that you, the sheriff and the mayor are in collusion and have been tampering with evidence since day one. As of right now, I'm taking over this investigation - the quakes, the fire, Ms. Jamison's murder are now all under my purview."
"We'll see what the Sheriff has to say about this." Deputy Reeves grumbled as he stepped away from the captain.
"Tell him, I look forward to it." Foxx replied to Reeve's rigid back as he stalked in the direction of his hovercar.
Medic Desario passed the angry deputy on his way to the Series Five Rangers. "Captain, we have to get those two victims that you and Ranger Gooseman pulled from the building to the infirmary ASAP. Problem is, we can't fit them and your team members into the same vehicle."
"Go," ordered the captain. "We'll stay here until you or medic Gage can get back."
Desario flashed the captain and his two patients a quick smile of relief and headed to the waiting ambulance transport.
"It's always something; isn't it?" Goosman grumbled rhetorically as he settled to the ground next to Doc and Niko.
"It certainly appears that way." Zachary agreed as he to made himself comfortable for the wait for transport to the infirmary. "You two feel up to filling us in on what happened here?"
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A/N: Thanks to all of you who have reviewed. I appreciate all the feedback and encouragement. Oh, and I went back and revised the chapter describing Arkansas2 (Chapter 3) so if you haven't read this in awhile you might need to go back to that chapter. I also wanted to give a little credit to the sources I used for the explanation of binary black holes and gravitational waves. Yes, these are true phenomena even if some of it is hypothesized. I, of course, did take some authorship prerogatives to embellish a few things, but I did try to be as scientifically accurate as I could.
Binary Black Holes:
Science Daily. (2000). Galaxies Collide And Binary Black Holes Result According To Rutgers Astronomers. Electronic version. Retrieved January 13, 2006.
Gravitational Waves:
Galletti, P and Aluigi, A. (2003). Interaction of Gravitational Waves with Matter. Electronic version. Retrieved January 13, 2006.