Divergence

“As myself,” Maurice said. He held up his console. “Whatever is already on board has been broadcasting its wares for anyone interested. A formal way for determining proof. An even number that is not the difference of two primes. A recursive set for everything. A solution for an NP-complete problem, and all the other NP problems tumbling into P.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Mathematical impossibilities. Apparently they’re not impossible on this ship. How can I resist that offer?”

A rainbow ship was now skimming towards them. The Fourier Transform . Already the rear ramp was dropping down. The ship was rotating as it flew, bringing the rear ramp around to face them.

“So this is good-bye,” Saskia said sadly. “Will you keep in touch?”

Maurice just smiled at her and gave her a last hug. Clarinet music could be heard drifting from the ship’s interior. Something old-fashioned and complicated.

“Bye, Edward,” he said, holding out his hand, and Edward shook it. The shadow of the big ship slid over them.

“Let me know what happens, Judy,” said Maurice. “What are you thinking of doing now?”

Judy just looked tired.

“I don’t know yet. I need to think.”

“Good-bye, Maurice.” That was Constantine. Maurice just nodded in response. Slowly, the great rear ramp of the Fourier Transform edged closer. There appeared to be a robot standing on it.

“That’s not a robot,” said Edward, taking a closer look. “What is it?”

“That’s Eric,” said Maurice. “He’s an alien. We’re going to be seeing a lot more of them from now on.”

The ramp came to a halt just by their feet, and they all stared at Eric. Eric was bigger than Edward, with silver skin that looked as if it had been stitched in place. His knees bent the wrong way. He raised a hand in greeting.

“Hello, Eric,” Maurice said.

Eric opened a pink mouth to show yellow needle teeth. An unearthly cackling noise emerged. Maurice held up his console so they all could see the words that scrolled across it. Hello, Maurice. So pleased to meet you in the flesh. Please come on board. Maurice stepped onto the ramp. Almost immediately the ship began to rise into the air.

“Good-bye,” he said, turning to them.

“Good-bye,” Edward said. He raised a hand to wave as Maurice was taken away from them. Already the other man had turned his back and was walking up the ramp. The Fourier Transform rose higher and higher, the ramp closing slowly.

“Good-bye,” Edward said sadly.

“Now what?” Saskia asked.

Now the silver sea was receding. The Earth itself was emerging once more, tired and desolate in mud and winter grass. After two hundred years of recursive building, the planet looked bedraggled and forlorn.

They walked on, taking in their new surroundings. Constantine confirmed that they were walking in the direction of the Eva Rye. Edward knew it was hundreds of kilometers away, but he walked anyway.

“This is all too sudden,” Judy complained. “There are fourteen billion people on Earth. They have been cared for and guided constantly all through their lives. Most of them won’t be able to handle this sudden transition.”

“Maybe you should do something about it, then,” Saskia said, peering out from under her fringe.

“I’m hungry,” Edward said suddenly.

“There must be plenty of food around,” said Constantine. “There was more than enough on Earth yesterday. It can’t have just vanished.”

“It will be in the ships,” Judy said, pointing upwards. Colorful ships now filled the sky like so many balloons. Layers and layers of ships cast circling shadows over the ground.