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The Cohen Loop

Angie Mae, Part 4

copyright comidacomida 2019

The trip was not a short one, but it also wasn't as long as some of the flights Angie Mae had been on back on Land Earth. The new skiff was a unique experience, but, at the same time, familiar enough that she was able to compare it to other times she'd been on Phin transports. Considering the strange skiff, the multitudes of discussion topics, and the the involvement of Max and Carver into the talk she was sharing with Dr Cohen and the two cousins, Angie Mae didn't have a lot of time for her errant thoughts to enter her mind; that ended once food arrived and everyone took a break to eat.

The temporary silence immediately presented an opportunity for her brain to start trying to process the events of the past day including Jackson's assault on her and Roller being kicked out of the programme. Something about her expression must have caught the eye of the Cohens as food suddenly took a back-seat and the involved discussion started up again; Angie Mae was thankful for it. Within moments, the four were right back into a discussion on what was in the future for her as a member of Nathan Cohen's research team.

While she'd originally surmised that it would have something to do with biology, sociology, and integration science, she was surprised to find out that Nathan was still very much interested in physics. Although he didn't get into specifics, and, in fact, refuted all probing she did to get more information about the project, all he would offer was "You'll see when we get there, Ms. Kline."

Angie Mae continued to circle back around to what was waiting for her at Station Zero but each time her future boss kept not-so-subtly evading, promising her answers once they were at the laboratory. She had to settle for the lack-of-information for the remainder of the trip and, only once the crew identified that they were approaching Station Zero did Dr Cohen lean toward her with a grin. "Looks like you've been suitably distracted.... you're welcome."

It wasn't said with any kind of snide tone or sardonic sense of superiority; it was a simple, matter-of-fact statement that he had a degree of understanding over what she was going through. She appreciated it. "Thank you."

If she'd expected things to calm down once they were docked, she was incredibly underestimating the situation. In addition to discovering that Station Zero was build on the shore of an enormous island, she and the newcomers were also quick to learn that the installation was not some kind of secret base; a veritable army of Phins were working the dock to help unload everything with incredible efficiency. Angie Mae was also surprised to see that, while a vast majority of the Phins were Tikk, there were actually a decent number of Longos and even a few Amplus present.

Hunter pointed out the obvious other side of the observation. "I guess all of the Album are in other parts of the station?"

Heather passed by him, offering Hunter a pat on the shoulder. "Yep-- all three of them."

Aiden followed after his cousin. "FULL Album at least... there are two half Phin, and one has an Albos son."

Hunter came to an immediate stop and Greg did so beside him. It was the Human who spoke up, turning to look at Dr. Cohen. "An Albos?"

Nathan, who was walking just ahead of Angie Mae glanced to Greg, chatting casually. "Singer is one of my nephews and he's Half Album... a Phin. His husband, Cutter is a half Longos. Their son, who is also Phin, is half Album, half Longos-- the term 'Albos' is an unofficial one, but it's kinda stuck for casual use."

Hunter was apparently so caught off guard by the announcement that he switched back over to speaking in Phin-- and not quietly. "There haven't been cross fertilization among Phin in centuries! How could--"

Angie Mae figured it out before Nathan could speak up. "It's the Human DNA, and our ability to accept the chromosome pairing with the Phin... sure, Phins can impregnate males, but Humans can impregnate Phins."

Max, who had been following behind Angie Mae and Dr. Cohen, jogged to catch up with her; Carver was right behind him. The young man asked the next obvious logical question. "But how could that make a difference?"

She glanced to Dr. Cohen who, with a smirk, simply said. "Go ahead... you know the answer, don't you?"

Angie Mae paused for a moment as she gave it some thought. "I... think."

He nodded. "Well then... postulate away, Ms. Kline."

As their luggage was unloaded by the dock workers, Angie Mae began to explain her hypothesis based on DNA coding, recumbent DNA, and recessive genes. Throughout her lengthy explanation Nathan simply nodded along, occasionally turning to exchange a whisper or two with his niece or nephew. She finished with "So, even though Phins are rarely able to reproduce across the subspecies, Human DNA makes offspring significantly more viable."

The students from Station Zero had been looking to Angie Mae but, upon her conclusion all eyes went to Dr Cohen, who smiled wide. "Phins rarely couple across sub-species and, when they do it's something of a social stigma so they almost always utilize some kind of birth control. Even when they don't modern changes to genetics-- we're talking the last five to six hundred years-- makes the likelihood of conception at less than two percent."

Aiden spoke up at that point. "Most couples with mixed calves come here... it's been that way for generations."

Nathan continued, using the interjection as a jumping off point. "It's become much more acceptable among the Phin, and not at all the same kind of stigma as elsewhere on Water Earth... and, as Ms. Kline was kind enough to point out, much more common once Human genetics are introduced to the mix, increasing fertility to standards comparable to the norm among the Phin couples."

The dockside chat continued for a few more minutes until Angel interrupted things. "Hey! Where's my luggage?"

Greg also took the opportunity to glance around. "All our stuff's gone."

Max, who Angie Mae always considered to be the most aware of her Human pod-mates provided the explanation, pointing first to the right, then the left when he spoke. "I saw most of our suitcases and trunks get taken that way by the dock workers... but some of them went over that way."

Angel turned to Dr. Cohen. "So... what's with our stuff? There better not be any crazy stuff goin' on, like burning all our shit. Some of my threads are super hard to find... and that's on LAND Earth."

Nathan took the statement in good humor, chuckling as he reached out to rest a hand on Angel's shoulder. "Nothing like that... everyone's personal effects are being brought to your apartments. As I said, you've all been assigned private quarters for your stay here at Station Zero."

Hunter spoke up next, switching back to English after having recovered from his surprise. "But... in two separate areas?"

Heather answered for her uncle. "There are actually four dorm buildings at Station Zero... Aiden and I work with Uncle Nathan in Special Projects, and most of your group will be heading to the Integrated Studies department off to the right."

Max quickly pointed left "But... I saw one of Angie Mae's luggage trunks heading that way."

Nathan nodded. "Those of you with partners will be going to Integrated Studies since your pregnancies will be monitored..."

Carver spoke up "Max and I are not--"

Dr. Cohen continued "Not now, and you're under no compulsion to pursue pregnancy, but you've both indicated that you aren't against the thought."

Max nodded, stepping over to entwine his fingers with the Amplus' "True..."

Their guide smiled. "And so, like I said, most of the Tier 6 graduates will be in Integrated Studies. Ms. Kline does not have a partner and I would like to utilize her talents as a research intern in Special Projects."

Although he already knew about it, having been sitting with her when it was declared, Max stepped up and gave her a hug. "Congratulations, Angie Mae."

Charlie was the next to join in on the hug, but, even as she did so, she looked to Dr. Cohen. "So... are we splitting up, Dr. Cohen? We're a Pod... when will we be able to get together again?"

Nathan was all smiles. "Just because you're pursuing different projects doesn't mean you're being kept apart, Ms. Brenner. Station Zero is an open installation so residents are not restricted in movement-- you're welcome to come and go as you please, and, if I might make a suggestion, the Central Commercial Node has some amazing night life-- it would be a fine place for all of you to get together after studies or work."

Aiden was quick to agree. "There are a lot of old-fashioned Human electronic games there at a place called 'The Parlor'. They are large, man-sized machines called 'arcades'."

Before anyone else could speak up Nathan quickly added "And, while you CAN go anywhere, I would advise staying inside Station Zero's walls. Yes, it IS safe to go outside, but bear in mind that our hosts the Tikk have their own way of doing things and those who would prefer to maintain some distance between Humans don't come in here so most of us respect that wish and don't leave unless there's cause for it."

Several side conversations popped up once Nathan fell silent, but most of them centered around what would be considered a 'goodbye for now' mentality. Since Angie Mae, Heather, and Aiden were separating from the majority of the Pod they were all given goodbyes. It was a sorrowful moment for Angie Mae, sharing hugs with each of her friends in turn. She surprised herself when Carver approached her with arms held out that she didn't even flinch. Embracing her, he touched the top of her head with the end of his beak. "You are going to be amazing."

She failed to hold in her tears.

* * * * * *

Although it was indeed strange, the experience of being back on land wasn't as odd as Angie Mae had first thought it would be. She'd spent enough free time above deck at the Unity Centre that she'd grown used to the slightly more muted lighting on Water Earth thanks to the differences in atmospheric gasses, but what really struck her as odd was the fact that she wasn't suffering from the kinds of 'land sickness' she'd often heard about from people who spent so long at sea. Some of the confusion must have bled through to an expression on her face because Heather took note. "Everything alright, Angie Mae?"

She got straight to the point. "I always thought coming back to land after being at sea long enough made you stumble all over."

Nathan chuckled. "Well, technically this isn't land, Ms. Kline. This station is considered still at sea."

Angie Mae was about to ask for clarification but Aiden, who had stepped up to join her on the opposite side from his cousin addressed that point. " This island is actually Tik-made. It's been around for about eighty years and it was going to be used for shoreline terraculture before Humans came."

The first time the young woman heard the term 'terraculture' she immediately thought of farming but to Phins that was aquaculture-- just another one of the many differences between land-dwelling and water-dwelling species. That didn't hold as much real estate in her brain as what she'd just heard about the island being fabricated. "You mean, this whole island was fabricated?"

Dr. Cohen, who was a few steps ahead of the teens called back with a smirk "It's more of a buoy than an island, if we're being specific. It's floating... which is why you aren't walking like you're drunk."

Angie Mae fell silent at that reveal, walking without a word as the four of them approached the large, concrete-like walls that ringed the station. As they approached the gate she spoke up again "Dr. Cohen... didn't you say we should be staying inside Station Zero?"

He nodded, stopping at a large set of sliding doors, waiting patiently as an electric motor slowly retracted them. "Yes indeed, Ms. Kline, but this leads to a new expansion; it is all still Station Zero and that is where we will be doing our work."

Angie Mae looked at the gate, a sign catching her attention. The words were written in a half dozen scripts; she recognized Roman, Cyrillic, Hiragana, Kanji and what she thought was probably Persian as well as the Phin symbols. The final script escaped her completely; it looked like the same as the one she'd seen on the skiff. She was about to ask about it, but Aiden spoke up first. "Uncle Nathan... when did this new addition open up?"

Ushering everyone through the door, Nathan followed. "we had 70 square meters set aside to do the Section B expansion for Station Zero about a month after the two of you left. Although everything has been built and all of the technology is wired we're not up and running quite yet but that's because we're still waiting for everyone to arrive."

Angie Mae waited as Dr. Cohen caught up to them after making sure the doors were closing properly. As he stepped up beside her she asked "Waiting for us?"

Nathan smiled warmly. "Well, yes. I've been overseeing everything but I am only one man. The total research team here including the four of us, a small group of other Humans and a dozen Ikali."

Angie Mae noticed that he was also glancing toward Heather's direction when he added that statement, but the word 'Ikali' compelled her to speak up again. "You've said that word before-- Ikali... but I still don't know what that is. Is it another subspecies of Phin? Is it a proper name for a crossbreed?"

The man was one big grin as he laughed, and motioned the group ahead toward the largest building in the compound, an enormous three-story structure that looked like the mix of an apartment complex and a private residential mansion. "I can actually do better than explain; we're almost there-- I'll be happy to show you."

Refusing to answer any more questions, Nathan went straight to the large, manor-like building and reached into his pocket; his hand came out with what Angie Mae had come to know as a Phin-style key card. The device broadcasted its ID and the two sliding doors parted, opening for him. Heather smiled at Angie Mae "Uncle Nathan loves showing off."

Aiden was right there with her, following after their uncle. "We'll all get one soon enough, right uncle Nathan?"

The older man was all smiles, almost as if he were just a big kid. "Before the end of the day. I promise."

The three students joined him inside and Angie Mae turned to watch the door, mindful to make sure she wasn't in the way when they closed. Heather remained facing forward behind her. "Wow... it's even more amazing than you said it'd be."

The announcement finally got Angie Mae to about-face and look at what lay before them. The entryway reminded her of the one in her high school back in the mid-west but it had a much more residential-feel to it. Off to the left through a set of opened wooden doors looked like some kind of library or study. Opposite it on the right wall were identical doors that led into what appeared to be a large dining room with two tables that each looked like they could comfortably fit a dozen.

Nathan focused more on the set of dual curved stairs at the far end of the entryway and pulled everyone's attention to it. "Upstairs are the bedrooms."

That statement made Angie Mae's thoughts skip a beat. "...wait a minute-- didn't you say this is where we'll be working?"

The man laughed. "Yes. This building is a laboratory, class room, and residential block all in one."

He then proceeded to show everyone around the ground floor. In addition to the study/library and the dining room there was also a huge kitchen, laundry facilities, and a gym with a connected indoor pool. The water, Angie Mae noticed, looked like it went on forever. "Um... Dr. Cohen? How deep IS that pool?"

Nathan motioned to the water "That, Ms. Kline, is actually a direct path to the sea... so... perhaps forty or fifty meters to the ocean floor."

Aiden seemed excited "So... an alternate exit?"

Heather gave him a light smack on the shoulder. "Don't get any ideas, Aiden... you know it's never safe to swim under a--"

Dr. Cohen interrupted her. "An alternate entrance AND exit... and useful for exercise without having to bother pumping water."

His statement about the water pointed out something to Angie Mae that she'd noticed but not really paid any attention to. "Where ARE the hydro pump facilities, Dr. Cohen?"

The older man chuckled. "Very nice attention to detail, Ms. Kiline. There is a basement level to this facility and all of the hydro systems are down there."

Keeping them out of the way made sense, she realized, but that brought up another problem which she addressed right away. "Then... how do you get enough water for Phin comfort up to the higher floors?"

His answer was simple. "We don't."

Heather interjected "A lot of the study centers and research offices on Station Zero are made to be low humidity. Phins here wear special wetsuits to help keep them comfortable."

Aiden chimed in. "They're pretty comfortable once you're used to them, and, besides, as long as there's SOMEWHERE we can go to submerge and swim it's not that big of a deal."

Angie Mae had to remind herself that dry land was more of a Human thing and she shouldn't worry so much about actually being able to separate herself from the water; worrying about the Phin was one thing that they could do enough for themselves. Something still didn't quite sit right with her about it. "But... why not build the facilities to be comfortable for both species, Dr. Cohen?"

He about-faced and walked past them, heading out of the pool and the gym. "Because, Ms. Kline, we also have to worry about the Ikali... and most of them do not much care for salt water, which is the Phin preferred method for hydrating their bodies."

She jogged to catch up to him. "So what ARE these Ikali you keep talking about? You said you'd explain once we--"

Nathan interrupted. "Once we're in the lab. This way, interns!"

Striding forth like a man on a mission, the enigmatic physicist charted a course out of the gym and down the hall. He led them up the stairs (a strange structure after being used to the water tubes at the Unity Centre for so long) and down another hallway. The doors along the hall were different than those downstairs; rather than wood each of them were carved out of the Water Earth version of concrete and had metal signage on them identifying the rooms beyond in English, Phin, and what Angie Mae realized had to have been the Ikali written language.

Once the three of them followed him into a lab identified specifically as belonging to Dr. Cohen, the older man gestured to a collection of folding chairs that were arranged in a circle; there were six. "Go ahead and take a seat... I think we're best served starting off a with a discussion of the energy conduction between the different versions of Earth."

Angie Mae nodded, realizing exactly what he meant. "The Cohen Loop."

She was staring to get used to his enigmatic answers, but when he spoke up it still agitated her. "Yes and no."

Heather and Aiden chuckled to themselves, but Angie Mae barreled right on through. "Why 'yes and no'?"

Nathan sat back in his chair, letting out a deep breath before inhaling again. "Well, Ms. Kline... when I theorized the energy Loop I was only half right. You're familiar with a lemiscate, correct?"

He handed her a small white board and a marker. She shot him a look before taking the dry erase marker and drawing an infinity loop. "Yes. It's how you envisioned the transference of energy through the Gateways at Chimborazo and B27."

Nodding, Dr. Cohen held his hand out and Angie Mae obediently returned the white board and marker to him. He looked down at her drawing and began to draw as well, speaking as he did so. "Well... after enough years of study, I gathered far more data and came to an interesting realization-- the energy transfer isn't a lemiscate. I failed to take several variables into account."

The implications of what Nathan was suggesting blew Angie Mae's mind. "...you mean... there are more Earths out there?"

The older man nodded, finishing his modification to the picture and turned the white board back toward Angie Mae and the two cousins. "It is actually a Quadrifolium."

She was familiar with the mathematical term, of course, but it had a much more casual name. "So it's not a loop... it's a clover."

Heather spoke up from beside her, pointing to each one in turn. "Land Earth and Water Earth are adjacent to one another, and we can transfer across the Gateway between Earths... this one here, adjacent to Water Earth is where the Ikali are from... and the Earth between the Ikali's Earth and the Human's Earth has another species as well."

Aiden added "But we cannot reach that Earth from here... but the Humans have already made contact with the Oolau.

Angie Mae paused at that. "The Oolau? That's the fourth race? So how are the--?"

Nathan continued, offering her a single glance that suggested without words that she hold her questions until the end. "This is a fairly new discovery-- fourteen months. We've reached out to the Ikali from here and have had peaceful dealings for almost the entire time, but Land Earth is having significantly more trouble with Shattered Earth."

The title for what must have been a third Earth caught Angie Mae by surprise. "Shattered Earth? Why is--?"

Heather answered her question for her. "The Oolau had some kind of great war a few centuries ago that almost destroyed their Earth... so it's called Shattered Earth."

Aiden quickly added "And the version the Ikali are from is called Riparian Earth."

The term was known to Angie Mae, but it seemed like an odd title for her. "Riparian? As in the zone along the banks of a river?"

A higher pitched, mirthful, casually toned male voice surprised the young woman as a speaker addressed the conversation from behind her. "My people call it the 'einaji'-- our word for 'homeland'."

Turning around, Angie Mae was stunned by what she saw; standing on two legs in the doorway was a humanoid Otter. He was just shy of five foot tall and wore a wetsuit not unlike the ones she and the Cohens had on. His jet black eyes were sparkling and alert, inset within a face covered in sandy-brown fur fading to a lighter tan along his cheeks and down his throat. She noticed that the hand (paw?) he had leaning on the doorway was almost black in color and she swore that his digits were webbed. Nathan was not the least bit surprised by the visitor, and even invited him in. "Ah! Anin! I'm glad you were able to join us!"

The newcomer, 'Anin' by name, apparently strolled into the room. Angie Mae saw that he moved with a slightly sinewy gait, wriggling his body as he stepped from foot to foot with a long, tapered tail alternating an s-curve in one direction then the other with every step. His long, blonde whiskers quirked immediately when he saw he had everyone's attention. "Thank you for inviting me, Nathan! When you said I would have a chance to meet another student I was very excited."

Angie Mae looked around at the Cohens, noting that all three were looking at her. "So... this is an Ikali?"

The Otter's whiskers quivered into an even steeper angle, which seemed to her as if he were smiling as he spoke. "Yes... and this--" he motioned to her "--is a Human."

Nathan was grinning wildly as he gestured to the Ikali. "Angie Mae Kline, I'd like to introduce you to Anin Quick-Brow... your new Partner."

It was the start of many new complications; it was the start of many new discoveries; it was the start of a new partnership-- and a friendship.