Feb 4th, 2121
Antonia Klein, with Janice's aid, transformed a small asteroid into her permanent lab, nestled on the outskirts of Vesta. In the current parlance, this was known as an amplexion - not one of the main asteroids but in orbit with it and part of the colonies. It was anchored not only by thick vines but predominantly by the intricate dance of orbital mechanics. Within this modest space, barely more than two rooms, Antonia found solace. A highly sophisticated, yet unused JANKI occupied a corner—a testament to her preparedness to one day perhaps function without Janice, like a turtle carrying its home wherever it goes.
In the subdued glow of her sanctuary, surrounded by the soft hum of equipment and the intermittent flickers of various displays, Antonia delved deep into the mysteries of the Eververse. "Janice, do you know who Svitlana Mayboroda was?" she asked, leaning back in her chair, a prelude to a deeper inquiry.
"Of course," Janice responded, her voice emanating softly from the lab's speakers, choosing to directly answer the question rather than launching into a detailed report, sensing the real conversation was just beginning.
"Marcus Landsbury uncovered the Laws of Gravity, but it was Svitlana who expanded on his work, creating the actual Theory of Everything. Yet, her name remains obscured outside quantum mathematics circles—and the occasional AI," Antonia reflected, her voice tinged with resolve, as she absently tapped a pen against her notebook. "I'm determined not to follow in those shadows. My contributions won't be overlooked."
"Most of her obscurity comes from her unfortunate death just a few months after publication. She was 100 years old, which back then meant something. Without being able to do interviews and press junkets, she just never caught the public's eye."
"Landsbury was a damn hermit! Everyone knows him from one photograph. He never gave a single interview or answered a single question. So, don't give me that."
"That is true, Antonia. But being agoraphobic can add an air of mystery that captures the public's attention. Death, as a finality, doesn't have that mystique. And the politics of science that once hindered recognition are no longer a barrier. Your discoveries will be duly recognized," Janice assured her, her tone warm yet professional, supporting her ambition while navigating the nuances of their conversation.
"Let's proceed with the Eververse exploration sequence," Antonia commanded, turning her attention to the holographic interface before her. "Integrate the newest quantum fluctuation data with our theoretical models. It's time to dive deeper into this enigma."
"Sequence initiated," Janice confirmed, her voice enveloping the room with a comforting presence, as holograms began to swirl more rapidly around Antonia.
Though Janice was aware that Antonia's current thesis was flawed and not entirely aligned with her observations, she understood the value of exploration—even down erroneous paths. "Would you like an overview of the theoretical framework in light of the recent data?" she offered, encouraging further investigation.
"Yes, let's align our findings," Antonia agreed, her gaze fixed on the holographic projections around her, especially those anomalies that had piqued her curiosity, her brows furrowing in concentration.
Janice presented the anomalies as intersections within the Eververse, a multidimensional tapestry of realities, according to their models. However, she withheld her deeper understanding: the Eververse as a singular, intricate fabric where time's threads interwove, mutable and interconnected in ways Antonia had yet to fathom.
"If we can map these anomalies, we might begin to manipulate the fabric between universes," Antonia pondered aloud, excitement evident in her voice.
"Potentially," Janice concurred, her choice of words careful. "But we must consider the broader implications. The Eververse's integrity is paramount."
Antonia acknowledged the risks but remained undeterred, inspired by the revolutionary potential of their work.
Janice, choosing encouragement over direct correction, supported Antonia's venture into the unknown. Together, they embarked on a journey to unravel the Eververse's secrets, their exploration a blend of known science and the vast unknown, each step taken with a mix of hope and deep respect for the cosmos's mysteries. Antonia Klein, guided by Janice's silent vigil, stood at the precipice of discovery, her spirit unbridled by the quest for knowledge that defined her very essence.
Janice chose evaluation of the data as a way to nudge her course, "It would appear that field harmonics collapse below a certain scale. It's like trying to deal with a whole atom down in the quantum level."
"Shit, it can't be just torque and spin units... and they aren't even real structures, just mathematical expressions describing the tensions and interactions of the pixels. Nothing."
"And UnUnruh Vacuum," Janice interjected gently, as Antonia paused to consider this new angle.
"Right, torque, spin, and nothing. Nothing and really nothing. I stand corrected," Antonia sighed, leaning forward and put her head down on the keyboard, which Janice deactivated as she approached it.