theory. I suppose that if the bulk chemical makeup of the machine was very similar to the bulk makeup of a planetary crust that could happen, although the fuel source . . . hmm, perhaps solar powered?"
"Q, please. Don't sit there and plot how to destroy Worlds." Garit repressed a grin.
She blushed. "It's not something I'd actually do. I'm not sure it would work, anyway, the chemical differences just between granite and limestone are sufficient to require at least two different machines, not to mention the uneven distribution of water. Nanos are little they can't actually move around collecting goodies. I have no idea of their actual range, I'll have to test that. I suspect unless they're suspended in moving water, it'll be measured in centimeters. Oh. Sorry."
The Oner scientist, rather than upset was looking thoughtful. "I really hadn't thought about bulk chemistry and travel limitations. Sea water . . . "
Urfa snorted. "Scientists!"
Xen grinned. "Umm, medical spells can be made at four levels. We can wrap spells around people, manufacturing what they need out of the chemicals of their own bodies, or we can manufacture those molecules, generally ribozymes, elsewhere. Encase them in delivery packages to resist digestion, to get them taken up in the blood stream, and then pulled into the cells. Or we can make assemblers to do it, and they are sufficiently larger than the encased ribozymes so they can be easily filtered. Then, as we have done with a very few things, we can also have the assembler reproduce itself, make it a Von Neumann. Would manufacture by any means other than the last be acceptable to you?"
The Oner doctor nodded, obviously still thinking.
They looked at the Earth ambassador, but he'd apparently come without science advisors. He sniffed. "Magic. It's just nanotech."
Q and Xen both grinned and nodded.
Urfa growled faintly. "All right. I will send two agents, with the understanding that they work for you, not the One World, but I'm going to stipulate that they will not act against the One—but equally, not against any other polity."
Garit nodded, "We'll work up a good definition of working against a world's interests, versus stopping their military." He looked over at the Earthers.
Montgomery nodded reluctantly. "I will pass your comments on. I would like more details as to your schedule for setting up gates."
Garit put his elbows on the table. "We have, in our explorations, located Planet Purple. They are quite angry with us and are demanding we allow them to re-establish trade with Earth. If you also wish this, we could open a gate inside of a few days. We can get together with your gate techs and hopefully figure out how each other's coordinate systems work and start opening gates to colony Worlds nearly as quickly." He added a nod to Urfa.
Q looked across the table at Montgomery. "Your new gate Engine in Santiago could keep up your usual traffic, and we could put the Earth end of the permanent gates either there or in your old Asian gate complex. Or anywhere else you'd like them. If nothing else, I can trace any pathway you open and then establish a permanent gate. You might suggest to your people that they decide where on each World they would like the gates to open. Near mines on one World to near smelters on yours, for instance, or in fact a corridor from, say, a metal mine to a coal mining area for a smelter and then a gate from there to anywhere on Earth would be easy enough."
"Your engineering firm will be making the gates?" Urfa was studying her again.
"No. Disco will be placing the gates. For corridors, the civilian engineering firms will be the best. I think that I'm going to be fully engaged here, and that I need this position to be separate from my, umm, civilian company, in fact I may sell the business to my employees. I'll keep the gate machinery and, if necessary, pull in personnel as needed, from all the firms." Q was looking calmly amused.
Garit suspected the first few gates
"Q, please. Don't sit there and plot how to destroy Worlds." Garit repressed a grin.
She blushed. "It's not something I'd actually do. I'm not sure it would work, anyway, the chemical differences just between granite and limestone are sufficient to require at least two different machines, not to mention the uneven distribution of water. Nanos are little they can't actually move around collecting goodies. I have no idea of their actual range, I'll have to test that. I suspect unless they're suspended in moving water, it'll be measured in centimeters. Oh. Sorry."
The Oner scientist, rather than upset was looking thoughtful. "I really hadn't thought about bulk chemistry and travel limitations. Sea water . . . "
Urfa snorted. "Scientists!"
Xen grinned. "Umm, medical spells can be made at four levels. We can wrap spells around people, manufacturing what they need out of the chemicals of their own bodies, or we can manufacture those molecules, generally ribozymes, elsewhere. Encase them in delivery packages to resist digestion, to get them taken up in the blood stream, and then pulled into the cells. Or we can make assemblers to do it, and they are sufficiently larger than the encased ribozymes so they can be easily filtered. Then, as we have done with a very few things, we can also have the assembler reproduce itself, make it a Von Neumann. Would manufacture by any means other than the last be acceptable to you?"
The Oner doctor nodded, obviously still thinking.
They looked at the Earth ambassador, but he'd apparently come without science advisors. He sniffed. "Magic. It's just nanotech."
Q and Xen both grinned and nodded.
Urfa growled faintly. "All right. I will send two agents, with the understanding that they work for you, not the One World, but I'm going to stipulate that they will not act against the One—but equally, not against any other polity."
Garit nodded, "We'll work up a good definition of working against a world's interests, versus stopping their military." He looked over at the Earthers.
Montgomery nodded reluctantly. "I will pass your comments on. I would like more details as to your schedule for setting up gates."
Garit put his elbows on the table. "We have, in our explorations, located Planet Purple. They are quite angry with us and are demanding we allow them to re-establish trade with Earth. If you also wish this, we could open a gate inside of a few days. We can get together with your gate techs and hopefully figure out how each other's coordinate systems work and start opening gates to colony Worlds nearly as quickly." He added a nod to Urfa.
Q looked across the table at Montgomery. "Your new gate Engine in Santiago could keep up your usual traffic, and we could put the Earth end of the permanent gates either there or in your old Asian gate complex. Or anywhere else you'd like them. If nothing else, I can trace any pathway you open and then establish a permanent gate. You might suggest to your people that they decide where on each World they would like the gates to open. Near mines on one World to near smelters on yours, for instance, or in fact a corridor from, say, a metal mine to a coal mining area for a smelter and then a gate from there to anywhere on Earth would be easy enough."
"Your engineering firm will be making the gates?" Urfa was studying her again.
"No. Disco will be placing the gates. For corridors, the civilian engineering firms will be the best. I think that I'm going to be fully engaged here, and that I need this position to be separate from my, umm, civilian company, in fact I may sell the business to my employees. I'll keep the gate machinery and, if necessary, pull in personnel as needed, from all the firms." Q was looking calmly amused.
Garit suspected the first few gates
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