Chapter 8 chapter eight

Just after nine o'clock, Theremon arrived at the Six Suns Club.Perhaps at this point it would be a good idea to keep Beanie clear-headed and take a quick drink or two to lubricate his brain and get his thoughts flowing.On the phone, the astronomer's voice sounded terrible... as if he was trying his best not to get emotional.Theremon couldn't imagine what happened to him, in such a secluded place like the observatory, in such a short period of time, he suffered so much damage.Clearly, Beanie was in serious trouble and needed high-quality help from Theremon. "Give me a 'Tanol'," Therimon told the restaurant waiter, "no, the waiter .

"Here we come, two copies of 'White Light'." The waiter shouted. It's a mild night.Everyone here knew Theremon and often gave him a special reception.As usual, he was seated on a terrace overlooking the city.The city is brightly lit and colorful.Onas had sunk into the horizon an hour or two ago, and only Trey and Patrou had just risen in the eastern sky, shining brightly, casting a double shadow on everything as the morning slowly fell. Seeing these changes, Serimon wondered which suns would appear in the sky tomorrow.The sky changes every day, like an exhibition hall that constantly changes exhibits, showing different lights every day.Is there Onas?Of course there will be... at least part of every day of the year to see it.Even though he knew it, he was worried that he would never see it again.What else?Dovim, Tano and Sisar?Is it the four sunny days made up of them?He couldn't be sure.Maybe only Tano and Sisar, Ornas can only see a few hours in the noon, so tomorrow may be a gloomy day.After taking a second sip of his drink, he reminded himself that now is not the season for Onas to stay in the sky for a short time, therefore, tomorrow is likely to be a three-yang day, or it may be a two-yang day, and only Onas and Dovim will appear in the sky .

It is really not easy to get a correct judgment... Alas, if he really cared about it, he had to read the almanac.He didn't do that.There are some people who always seem to know which suns will appear tomorrow... Beanie is one of them, it's only natural... But Theremon prefers to resign himself to the fact that as long as there is a sun tomorrow, he doesn't care which sun it is. Don't really care.In fact, every day there are two or three suns in the sky, sometimes four or even five.He is absolutely assured of that. The wine arrived.He took a big sip and let out a sigh of relief.What a wonderful 'tanol'!It is a clear, intensely flavored premium white rum produced on the island of Velcaron, mixed with strong spices, distilled in a seaside place called Bagheera, and then concocted with Scalino juice. The flavors are amazing!Theremon wasn't much of a drinker, and he certainly wasn't what journalists were often said to be, but if he couldn't find time for a drink or two in the dark hours after Onas went down, he felt that poor quality of life

"You seem to like this wine very much, Theremon." A familiar voice came from behind. "Benny! You're here early!" "Ten minutes. What are you drinking?" "An old hobby. A glass of 'Tanol alcohol.'" "Okay, I'd like to have a drink too." "You?" Theremon looked at his friend in surprise.As far as he knew, Beanie drank fruit juice, and he had never seen the astronomer drink anything. Beanie, however, looked uncharacteristically tonight... haggard, exhausted.His eyes were red and swollen like a fever. "Waiter!" shouted Theremon.

Benny's appearance of drinking heavily made people a little worried.After taking the first sip, he gasped, it seemed that the alcohol was much stronger than he had imagined, but soon he took a second and a third sip. "Drink slowly," Thelimon reminded, "If you drink like this, your head will be dizzy in five minutes." "Already dizzy." "Did you drink before coming here?" "No," Beanie said, "frightened, disturbed by worry." He put down his glass and looked sadly at the city lights.After a while, he raised the glass again and drank the rest of the wine almost absent-mindedly. "Should I have another drink, Theremon?"

"I don't think so." Theremon stretched out his hand and gently tugged on the astronomer's wrist, "Dude, tell me what happened." "It's... hard to describe." "Go ahead. I have some experience living with wives, you know. Is it with Lesta..." "No! As I told you, it has nothing to do with her, not at all." "Ok, I trust you." Beanie went on, "Maybe I should have another drink." "Drink it later. Tell me, Beanie, what's the matter?" Beanie sighed, and said, "You know what gravity is, Therimon?"

"Of course I do. I mean, I can't tell you exactly what it means...Only a dozen people in Kargesh really understand what it means, don't you? . . . But I do know a thing or two about it. " "So you believe that nonsense, too?" said Beanie, with a harsh laugh. "Gravity is complicated, and only twelve people know its mathematical meaning." "I hear people say that a lot." "All you hear is stupid folklore," Beanie said. "I can give you the whole mathematical meaning in one sentence, and you can understand the meaning." "You use a sentence, I can understand?"

"No problem. Listen, Theremon: the law of gravitation...that is, the theory of gravitation...suggests that there is a cohesive force between objects in the universe, and that the cohesive force between any two objects is exactly equal to their volumes divided by the two proportional to the square of the distance between them. Simple as that." "Is that all there is to it?" "That's interesting! It took four hundred years for this." "Why did it take so long? Speaking of it, it seems very simple." "Because great laws don't come about in a few flashes of inspiration. Believe it or not, those of you in the newspaper industry, it usually takes hundreds of years for a law to emerge, through the combined efforts of scientists in the same field. get. from

Since Genovi 41 discovered four hundred years ago that Kalgesh revolves around Onas, not Onas around Kalgesh, astronomers have been exploring why six suns keep appearing and disappearing in the sky this problem.They recorded, analyzed and interpreted the complex movements of the six suns.Old theories were overthrown, and new theories were born.After reckoning, checking and revising repeatedly, giving up and picking it up again, and then changing it into a new theory.This is a very complex job. " Serimon nodded thoughtfully, then drank the wine in the glass and motioned the waiter for two more glasses.Beanie seemed to have regained his composure, as he was known for talking about science.Theremon thought.

"About thirty years ago," the astronomer continued, "Arthur 77 used the theory of universal gravitation to specify the orbital movement of the six suns, thus drawing a complete conclusion to the study of the rise and fall of the six suns. This It is a remarkable achievement, the most remarkable achievement hitherto achieved by purely logical reasoning." "I know how much you respect this scientist," said Theremon, "what does this have to do with gravity...?" "That's the problem." Beanie stood up and walked to the edge of the terrace, a second glass of wine in his hand.He stood there for a while, silently watching Trey and Patru in the distant sky.

It seemed to Theremon that Beanie was becoming agitated again, so he waited patiently for an explanation without saying a word.After a while, Beanie took a long sip slowly from the cup, still turning his back to him, and finally opened his mouth. "The situation is like this. A few months ago, I used the school's main computer to recalculate the movement of Kargesh around Onas. I entered the orbit data of Kargesh observed in the past six months into the computer. Order it to predict the orbit for the rest of the year. I'm not expecting any miracles, just an excuse to play with the new computer. Naturally, I'm using the laws of gravitation in my calculations." He turned abruptly to pass away.There was a serious and terrified expression on his face, "Theremon, the result is far beyond my expectations." "I do not understand." "The orbit calculated by the computer is very different from what I assumed. I don't mean just calculate the orbit between Kargash and Onas, you have to be aware of that. I also take into account the possible perturbations of other suns. However, what I obtained... what the computer told me... the real orbit of Kalgesh is completely different from the orbit calculated by Arthur using the theory of universal gravitation." "But you said that when you programmed, you also used the law of gravity that Arthur used," said Theremon, puzzled. "yes." "Then...how..." Serimon's eyes suddenly lit up, "My God! I don't understand. What a wonderful story! You mean the brand new supercomputer at Salo University, I can't even think about it. I can't imagine how much money I have spent on computers that are inaccurate? This is a huge waste of taxpayers' tax dollars! It's..." "The computer is all right, Theremon, trust me." "Are you sure?" "Absolutely." "Then... it is..." "Maybe I put in the wrong data. Computers are very accurate. If the data is wrong, the result will not be right." "You feel bad about it, don't you? Listen, Beanie, old man, it's just a personal mistake, don't make it hard for yourself. You..." "First of all, I can be absolutely sure that the data I entered is correct. I can also guarantee that the theoretical assumptions used in the programming of the data are also correct." Beanie said, holding the wine glass tightly with trembling hands.Theremon noticed that the glass was empty. "As you said, I also thought it was a human error, so I found two graduates who are good at calculations and asked them to calculate this problem. The results of their calculations came out today. That's the one I said I can't make an appointment with you , an important conference to attend. They confirmed my calculations, Theremon, and their results were the same as mine." "If the computer's result is correct, then...then..." Theremon shook his head, "then what is it? The theory of universal gravitation is wrong? Is that what you mean?" "Yes." These words seemed to take a lot of effort to get out of Beanie's mouth.He seemed shocked, bewildered, and emaciated. Theremon studied his expression carefully.No doubt he was bewildered by the incident, and he was probably in a very embarrassing position.But the journalist still couldn't figure out why the outcome affected him so much. Suddenly, he understood everything. "It's because of Arthur. He's an authority, and you're afraid of hurting him, aren't you?" "Exactly".Beanie replied, casting a grateful look at Theremon for his sympathy and understanding.He sat down on the chair, shrugged his shoulders, drooped his head, and said in a low voice: "If the old man knows that someone has poked a hole in his favorite theory, he will never live again. And this hole-puncher Man, none other than me. He is like my second father. Do you know, Theremon? Everything I have achieved in the past ten years has been done under his guidance. He Give me encouragement, give me... oh... love, so to speak. And now, that's what I'm giving him in return. I don't want to ruin his life's work... Do it, Theremon, and I'll Killed him." "You once thought about hiding it, wouldn't it be enough?" Beanie seemed shocked. "You know, I can't do that." "Yes, yes, I do. But I must know if you think about it." "Have you ever thought of the unthinkable? No, of course not, not even the thought of it. But what am I going to do, Therimon? Suppose I throw away all the information and pretend I never did." This has been researched. But again, this is grossly injustice. It seems that I have only two options before me: violate my scientific conscience, or destroy Arthur's high reputation...Destroy both my professional leadership and Again, my reputation as a mentor and friend." "It seems that he can't be your good teacher and helpful friend anymore." The astronomer's eyes widened in surprise and anger. "What are you talking about, Theremon!" "Don't be angry, don't be angry." Theremon stretched out his fingers in a soothing manner, "I seem to think you have a lot of respect for him. Beanie, if you think Arthur is a really great man, then he doesn't Put your reputation above the truth of science. Do you know what I mean? Arthur's theory is only a theory. A few minutes ago, you called it the law of gravitation, and then you corrected it, Saying it's a theory...a hypothesis...a guess. A best guess so far doesn't mean it's right, of course. Science comes from getting closer to the truth. It's You told me a long time ago, and I still remember it. Oh... that means that all truths are subject to testing and correction, isn't it? If it turns out to be far from the truth, it should be more Closer to the truth instead. Am I right, Beanie?" Beanie was pale and trembling. "Can I have another drink, Theremon?" "No. Listen, I have something to say. You say you're worried about Arthur...I think he's old, or fragile...that's why you don't want to tell him that you found out about his theory Insufficient. Well, even if this is an act of noble loyalty, but, have you thought about it? If the calculation of the Kargesh orbit is so important, sooner or later someone else will find out about his problem, and then , he will not be as strategic as you are, and will make the truth public. This man may be Arthur's opponent, his blatant enemy...Scientists have their enemies. You have told me this many times . . . than to let his enemies break the truth in the Chronicle one morning, and you would go and tell him what you have found, in detail and in the slightest." "Yes," said Beanie softly, "you're quite right." "Then you want to go here?" "Yes, I think I have to." Beanie bit his lip. "I'm embarrassed, Therimon. I feel like a murderer." "I know that. But what you killed was not Arthur, but his flawed theory. Flawed theories are absolutely not allowed to exist. If you say it, you are guilty of Arthur, not yourself." Theremon He hesitated for a moment.Suddenly, an amazing idea appeared in my mind. "Of course, there is another possibility. You know, I'm an amateur, and you might find it funny... Is there such a possibility? After all factors are excluded, the theory of universal gravitation is correct, and the orbit of Kargesh calculated by the computer The data is also right. And this factor is something else, completely unknown, that makes your results inconsistent." "I think it's possible," Beanie said in a listless, disheartened tone, "but once you start bringing in the mysterious unknown, you're in the realm of fantasy... Let me give you an example." For example, we assume that there is an invisible seventh sun in the sky...it has a volume and can generate gravity, but we just cannot see it. Since we don't know its existence, it is not included in the calculation range of gravity, so the calculation The result is completely wrong. Is this what you mean?" "Oh, why is it impossible?" "So why not five invisible suns? Or fifty? Why not one invisible behemoth that spins the planets at will? Why not a dragon that can deflect Kargash with a single breath We can't disprove it, can we? When we conceive a problem, Therimon, any problem can be conceived, but none of them make any real sense, at least to me. You may be correct in making the assumption that there is an unknown factor, and the law of gravitation may therefore be untenable. I hope so. But I cannot do serious research work on assumptions. It seems that All I can do is go see Arthur...I promise you I will go...to tell him everything the computer says. I dare not tell him or anyone that the whole situation is caused by a The 'unknown factor' that has not been discovered so far. Otherwise, I will become a ignorant fanatic like the flame believers who claim to reveal all mysterious phenomena...Seremon, I want another drink." "Okay, let's have another cup. Just for the flame believers..." "I still remember that you asked me to make a statement." Beanie wiped his face with a weary hand. "Yes, yes, I can't let you down. You helped me a lot tonight .What did the Flame believers say? I can't remember." "This man is Mondial 71," said Theremon, "a Mumbo Jumbo who's pompous. He said... let me see... He said that the day of God's abolition of sin is coming. He You can also figure out when and when the end of the world will come." Beanie snorted. "What's new about that? Haven't they been bragging about it for years?" "Yes. But they're starting to throw out gruesome details. You know, according to the Pyroists, this isn't the first destruction of the world. They teach that God made man imperfect on purpose, that as a test, God Give us a year...a year for the gods, not a year for us mortals...to perfect ourselves. They call this year the year of repentance. This year is equal to 2049 mortal years .The years of repentance passed away one by one, and God found us still so wicked, so sinful, so they threw fire from heaven and burned the world from the holy place. This holy place is known as the star. In short, the flame believers are so Said." "Stars?" said Beanie. "Does he mean the sun?" "No, the stars. Mondial said that the stars are very different from the six suns... Beanie, have you never paid attention to them?" "No. Why should I pay attention to them?" "Well, anyway, if there is no moral change among the people on Kalgesh by the end of the year of repentance, the stars will send down the sacred fire and burn them up. This has happened many times, says Mondial. But Whenever this happens, the gods are tolerant, or there is internal strife among them: the merciful god always persuades the stern god to give mankind another chance. So the most devout believers who survived were spared another catastrophe , to start a new cycle: another penitent year 2049. Now, said Mondial, this cycle is coming. Since the last cataclysm, 2048 has passed. In about fourteen months, all suns will disappear, and those terrible stars will spew fire from the sky and burn up evil. That day will be September 19 next year, to be exact." "Fourteen months," Beanie said thoughtfully. "September 19th. He's pretty accurate, isn't he? I guess he knows exactly when it happened." "He did. So I wanted someone from an observatory to make a statement, so I picked you. Mondial recently claimed that the timing of the catastrophe can be scientifically tested...not the Book of Revelations The simple creed laid down in ". It is easily understood as the way in which astronomers calculate . . . calculate . . . " Theremon stammered. "Same way of calculating the orbits of the sun and celestial bodies, isn't it?" asked Beanie sharply. "Oh, yes." Theremon said, his face a little embarrassed. "So, the followers of the Flame Sect are not doing as well as us. It seems that there is still hope in the world." "I need your statement, Beanie." "Yes, I understand." The next round of wine was poured again, and Beanie held the glass tightly in his hand. "I'll try it." After a while, he continued, "The main task of science is to combine truth with truth." From the perspective of those of us who work in universities, it is not science to distinguish truth from falsehood to reveal the true nature of the universe. Now, although we have been able to predict the movement of the sun in the sky, and even the best computer, we are not yet close to being able to predict God's intentions. I don't think it will be possible in the future.' How about that?" "Very well," said Therimon. "Let me see if I've written it all down. 'The chief task of science is to distinguish truth from falsehood, and thus reveal...'What's down there, Beanie?" Beanie repeated what he had said word for word as if he could have memorized it hours ago.After speaking, he drank the full third glass of wine in one gulp.Then, standing up, showing the first smile of the night, the tense face immediately relaxed. 【①Mangbo Jumbo...the patron saint of certain tribes in West Africa, possessed by a witch doctor wearing a mask, can exorcise evil spirits and make women obey in everything. 】