Quantum Dragon: An Action Adventure Technothriller

By J. Alan Teague

An earth-shattering breakthrough in quantum computing and artificial intelligence becomes a weapon in the hands of the communist government in Beijing. The oppression they now exert over millions of innocent lives in Xinxiang and Tibet will spread to billions in the rest of the world.

Two young scientists, Rett, whose doctoral dissertation unknowingly led to the breakthrough, and Mari, daughter of the Chinese mastermind, are up against spies, assassins, terrorists, and two of the world's most powerful militaries, as they race to complete an open-source version of the breakthrough quantum superintelligence. Their greatest challenge: it has to be built in space. Their greatest distraction: their feelings for each other. The unanswered question: what will the world's first Artificial Superintelligence do when they build it?

Ride along with Rett and Mari on their harrowing journey across three continents and into low Earth orbit to save the world from the most dangerous regime of our time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Alan Teague
• Release date: Sep 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005167875

J. Alan Teague

I love a good story. Getting one out of my head and onto the page is one of life's greatest satisfactions. But even greater was telling bedtime stories to my kids. They loved my made-up stories much more than any book and insisted on them. Coming up with something fresh and interesting was challenging at times, but now I cherish those memories.When I'm not writing novels, I enjoy creating websites, recording audiobooks, acting in commercials, and riding my bike along the Danube.

Book preview

For Zsuzsi, the woman of my dreams

who happens to be my wife.

Your help and encouragement made this possible.

Behold:

I saw a great dragon rise up and blot out the sun

And it sought to devour the children of men…

CONTENTS

DEDICATION

EPIGRAPH

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 46

CHAPTER 47

CHAPTER 48

CHAPTER 49

CHAPTER 50

EPILOGUE

THANK YOU

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER 1

Rett willed himself to relax as he looked up at the Gate of Heavenly Peace. He was in Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world, facing Tiananmen Tower, entrance to The Forbidden City, the largest imperial palace in the world. It was said to have 9,999 and a half rooms because only God could have a palace of 10,000 rooms. He bowed his head as the history of the centuries-old place weighed on his heart. After the morning’s excitement, it was beyond his ability to keep his surging emotions in check. He was glad no one he knew was there to see him. He hated showing his emotions in front of anyone except his mother. He hoped that would change someday.

The Square was the site of the 1989 student demonstrations that resulted in the massacre of several hundred to several thousand protesters, depending on who you believed. More than thirty years after the massacre, the Communist Party still rules China—some believe with a lighter touch than in the past, but to those who long for freedom, the iron fist remains. That fact is hard to dispute considering that China leads the world in jailing political dissidents, including human rights activists and their lawyers, and anyone else who complains openly about Communist Party rule.

Rett was being pursued by that same Communist Party and their henchmen from the Ministry of State Security, the MSS. He looked at the package he was clutching to his body. Since Dr. Lu thrust it into his hands, everything had been such a blur, he wasn’t sure if thirty minutes or three hours had passed. But this is where the famed scientist said to come. Or was it? Rett wasn’t sure. No one had approached him since he arrived at the Square. He was glad the MSS hadn’t found him, but why did Dr. Lu tell him to come here if no one was going to meet him? Accepting that he was on his own, he recalled the words Dr. Lu spoke into his ear when he forced the package into Rett’s hands: Tiananmen, Kovács, Butterfly. Then he mentally replayed the strange series of events from earlier in the day.

Rett arrived at Peking University at 8:00 that morning, two hours before the scheduled start of a lecture by the famed Dr. Lu Zhaobing. Lu stood higher above his peers than anyone else since Einstein and was considered the top scientist in the world in the fields of quantum physics, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence, fields in which China leads the world, and has been hinting at major breakthroughs for years. Rett believed the announcement of a breakthrough must be the reason for this lecture.

Dr. Lu hadn’t been heard from in some time, especially not in a public setting. Of course, Rett didn’t know if this event was even open to the public. The email he received from Dr. Lu several weeks earlier appeared to be genuine and contained a notice from a student paper, making Rett think the lecture was only for students. Even stranger than receiving the email in the first place was the added note stating that students entering from the Computer Science building wouldn’t be scrutinized, and Rett should arrive there early and enter the lecture hall acting like he was one of those students. Rett followed the instructions, and the ruse was effective.

That’s how he found himself crammed into an audience of Chinese students, about to hear from the world’s foremost authority on the three subjects Rett had been immersed in for ten years. He was currently working as a postdoctoral fellow and had already received several offers of tenure-track positions at some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. His years of diligent study were going to pay off. To hear from this legend in person would only add to his resume and was an opportunity Rett couldn’t pass up. With help from his father, Rett obtained the necessary visa to enter China on short notice.

The most surprising aspect of this scenario was that the Communist government was allowing Lu to speak to a group like this. From what Rett remembered, Lu hadn’t spoken in public for years—not since he made a disapproving remark about China’s Great Firewall, the Communist Party’s attempt to control and censor the internet—and the Chinese leader’s fear of a stuffed bear.

Punctuality being vitally important in China, the students arrived and were seated ten minutes before the scheduled start of the lecture. This seemed like an eternity for Rett, who was normally content if he was not more than ten minutes late, but not today, not for this. When he felt he couldn’t stand it any longer, from a door to the right and behind the podium, Dr. Lu Zhaobing entered, exactly on time, with an escort of two MSS agents. Their expressions and demeanor asserted they were not to be trifled with. It was a heady moment; Rett knew he was seeing history being made. When Dr. Lu began to speak, a hush fell over the audience.

"Students, Professors, respected guests, I welcome you to Peking University. An ancient curse says, ‘May he live in interesting times…’ Interesting times being much more dangerous than uninteresting times of peace. Like it or not, we live in interesting times; this is a historic moment. In the history of human development, there are few technological advances as significant as the development of modern computers in the last century. Today, we are on the verge of an even greater advance. Of course, I am talking about quantum computing—the first real breakthrough in quantum computing that will enable everything we have hoped for to come to pass. The time required to perfect new medicines will shrink from years to months or even weeks. Climate models which until now have been so inaccurate as to make them less than worthless will give us an accurate picture of the challenges we face to protect and preserve our planet. Researchers will map the human genome in its entirety, leading to health and longevity, the likes of which we have never seen before. We will, for the first time, begin to truly know ourselves and our universe."

There Rett was, an American in an audience of Chinese students, trying to look inconspicuous, aided by his dark hair, but still fighting a losing battle. His six-foot one-inch, broad-shouldered frame made him stand out like a sore thumb. And to make matters worse, Dr. Lu kept staring right at him, which made the MSS agent on the podium stare at Rett, too.

Lu resumed his oration. "This breakthrough will be a giant step forward for humankind, but it must be a mindful step, otherwise we may stumble into the abyss. To reference one of my favorite authors, this breakthrough could be of such immense power that none should attempt to wield it…."

Oh shit. This was not an aha moment, but a holy fucking shit moment. Now he knew why he was there. Lu was talking about Rett’s doctoral dissertation, the thesis of which was that a breakthrough in quantum computing of sufficient magnitude would lead inevitably and quickly to an unstoppable and unbeatable advantage for the nation that controlled it. The reference to Tolkien’s One Ring illustrated the danger humanity faced. Whoever was first in creating a significantly advanced quantum computer could develop an algorithm to overwhelm all existing encryption, and ultimately control every world system that used advanced technology of any kind, hence all of them, with devastating results. Like Tolkien’s ring of power, there would be one quantum computing algorithm to find and subjugate all others.

Dr. Lu continued, standing tall and proud, defiant as a martyr of old, "If it is true that absolute power corrupts absolutely, then breakthrough technology as absolutely powerful as what I am describing must be open source. It must not belong to any one nation—not even China!"

As soon as those words left his mouth, a cascade of events was set in motion. Dr. Lu guided Rett with his eyes to the end of the row where Rett sat, and they both moved toward that point, Lu from the podium, Rett from his seat, Lu holding something in his hands. The uproar took the MSS agents by surprise, but being disciplined and professional, they hurried in the same direction as Lu and Rett. The students went from hushed silence to the crescendo of an excited mob. Rett pushed his way to the end of the row. The skills he learned during four years as a high school tight end helped him power through the Chinese students. Rett reached the end of the row at precisely the right moment for Lu to crash into him. Lu was followed by the two MSS agents, and they all hit the floor in a tangle of bodies.

On the bottom of the pile, Lu half whispered, half shouted three words into Rett’s ear, "Tiananmen, Kovács, Butterfly!" He thrust the package he was holding into Rett’s chest, pointing at it feverishly. Rett was just able to cover it with his jacket and turn his non-Chinese face to the floor, hoping the MSS agents wouldn’t notice him or the package. The agents pulled Lu roughly to his feet. Then the crush of students swept them inexorably toward the back of the room, away from Rett.

When the throng had passed, Rett hurried to the open door behind the podium, doing his best to hide among the other students. One last glance told Rett what he didn’t want to know—an agent had seen him and was pushing through the crowd in Rett’s direction, but the mass of students between him and the agent would give Rett a sizeable head-start. He continued down the hall, through another door, until finally he was outside, where he ran headlong into the busy street. He made eye contact with an elderly Chinese woman, after almost bowling her over, and mouthed ‘Tiananmen’ breathlessly. She glared indignantly, then her hand slowly rose, index finger pointing, and Rett ran in that direction. He didn’t see the agent again. That’s how this most unusual of days had begun.

Now, as Rett stood there, staring at the Gate of Heavenly Peace, the literal meaning of Tiananmen, he felt as if some great truth was just out of reach, eluding his grasp. As a student of advanced physics and quantum mechanics, he was well-acquainted with the feeling. Without more facts, he could only guess at the right answer. This situation was much too important for that. And because no new information was forthcoming, it was time for a change of perspective, so he headed toward a line of taxis, leaving the Gate unopened… for now.

CHAPTER 2

Rett hesitated before knocking at the door of his former Professor. The twenty-four hours since Tiananmen were a total blur, but there he was in Balatonszárszó at Lake Balaton in Hungary, where his former Professor was recuperating. Rett hated the idea of disturbing him after such a major surgery, not to mention that just last year Rett had been a student of this man, who was the bearer of the well-earned nickname, Attila the Hun. No one would ever convince Rett the nickname came from the fact that the Professor was Hungarian, or that his name actually was Attila, a name not uncommon in Hungary. Attila Kovács was by far the most fearsome Professor Rett had ever heard of, much less studied under. This had to be the Kovács Lu meant, and since Rett didn’t know what the Chinese scientist meant by Butterfly, and Tiananmen hadn’t panned out, he set his apprehensions aside and knocked. The door opened, and Rett stared into the face of an angel.

Can I help you? asked the most beautiful woman Rett had ever seen, so beautiful in fact that Rett failed to notice the coldness of her tone.

Then from inside came an electronic voice: Nem vagyok itt.

Yes, you are here, the woman said in response to the voice.

Still locked in a stare with those indescribable eyes, Rett continued, Please, I have to talk to Professor Kovács; it’s about Dr. Lu.

At the mention of Lu’s name, something changed in the woman. She pulled Rett inside the house and the door shut behind him. The three of them stood looking at each other. Professor Attila Kovács, who would himself be considered the world’s most prominent scientist in the field of quantum physics, if not for Dr. Lu, was just as intimidating as ever, commanding Rett to speak, using only his eyes. The scar across his neck and the breathing apparatus at his trachea did nothing to diminish his formidable presence. Rett noticed something else in his eyes—recognition. Kovács remembered Rett. Hopefully, because he was such an outstanding student.

Rett glanced at the woman, then turned his gaze back to the Professor. It is very sensitive information, he said.

At this, Kovács grabbed his iPad, wrote something, then touched the screen with his stylus. He directed his attention to the young woman as the tablet spoke. Mondd el neki, hogy ki vagy.

Rett stood there, looking from the woman to Kovács and the tablet, thinking, Who is this gorgeous Chinese woman, who apparently understands Hungarian?

The woman looked at Kovács and let out a sigh of exasperation. Would you switch that thing to English, please? She turned to Rett and spoke less coldly, Dr. Lu is my father. Now, tell us what’s going on.

Rett glanced around the room, his eyes resting on the fireplace with the cozy couch and armchairs in front of it. The twenty-four hours of travel had taken its toll.

She took the hint and pointed Rett to the sofa. Would you like something to drink?

Kovács scribbled something, and his tablet spoke, Pálinkát.

Ignoring the tablet and Kovács, the woman made tea for herself and brought two cups of coffee for the men. The Professor’s was in a travel cup with a lid, making it easier for him to drink.

They took their seats, and Rett told his story. At the point where he, Dr. Lu, and the MSS agents were on the floor, Kovács spoke, or his tablet did, mercifully, for Rett, in English. What package? Where is it? He was getting frustrated; his hand and the tablet couldn’t keep up with his brilliant, quick mind.

Is my father okay? asked the woman.

I don’t know, Rett admitted. I was trying to hide my face, and the package, so I didn’t see what happened to him after that—after he spoke in my ear, that is.

He what? What did he say? she almost pleaded.

Fuck, the tablet startled them both. They looked at Kovács, who was angry at being ignored by his younger companions. And he sorely missed the ability to shout the expletive he had used so effectively before cancer had taken his larynx and tongue. What did he give you? the Professor asked, using the iPad.

I’ll get it, said Rett, and he excused himself to retrieve the package from the rental car. The woman—he still didn’t know her name, or why she was with Kovács, being Dr. Lu’s daughter—was caring for Kovács as a protective, loving niece would do. Who’s comforting her? The thought came unbidden. Rett didn’t believe in love at first sight—hadn’t believed—but a good student keeps an open mind about things, doesn’t he?

What is it? asked the electronic voice when Rett returned with the package that had sent him running from the MSS.

"I don’t know, Professor. I didn’t want to open it until I got it to you, per Dr. Lu’s whispered entreaty. To Kovács and Butterfly, whatever that means."

You have, said Kovács using the iPad, or iKovács, the name Rett coined for the Professor and the iPad working together. Rett looked at the woman expectantly, hoping she would finally explain the mystery of Dr. Lu’s message, and her name.

I’m Mari, which is short for Mariposa, Spanish for butterfly. My dad loves languages—he’s a polyglot. He speaks Spanish, English, Hungarian, Mandarin, and Cantonese, she said without taking a breath.

Like father, like daughter, said iKovács.

Yes, I speak Mandarin, English, of course, Hungarian, and Spanish, which makes sense because my name is Spanish. But tell me what you know about my father, and your name, since someone failed to introduce us. She glared at Kovács when she said this, but Rett thought it was cute. So far, he thought everything Mari did was cute.

Damn, get your head in the game, he thought to himself. I’m Rett, Rett Thompson. It’s nice to meet you.

After Rhett Butler, from Gone with the Wind? she asked.

It’s short for Everett.

"But is there an h in it?" she asked.

"Why would there be an h in Rett?" Rett asked, not being a fan of books or movies about the Old South or letters that serve no useful purpose, especially in his name.

"The h is silent," she said.

Focus! said iKovács. Rett didn’t know an iPad could be so loud.

Sorry, Rett said, back to your father. When I was making my way out of the lecture hall, I got a glimpse of him being helped through the door at the front of the room.

Being helped? Was he hurt? she asked with the obvious concern of a daughter.

More like guided, by two… helpers. Rett responded as gently as possible, trying to assuage Mari’s fears.

MSS, said iKovács.

His escort is always with him, said Mari.

I thought they followed me, but now I don’t know, since no one ever showed up in Tiananmen. I’m sure they got a good look at me, though, because your father made it pretty obvious by staring at me through his entire speech.

China has facial recognition; they know who you are. An ominous silence followed this pronouncement by the tablet’s simulated voice. Why Tiananmen? iKovács continued.

"Dr. Lu said three things: Tiananmen, Kovács, and Butterfly. Peking University isn’t far from the Square, so that’s where I went. No one ever approached me, and after waiting most of the day, I finally left. I don’t know why he said to go there, or if that was what he intended," said Rett.

Open it, said iKovács.

A wave of curiosity swept over Rett. He had not allowed himself to even consider opening the package until he was with someone who could assume responsibility for what was inside. Now that he was with Kovács and Dr. Lu’s daughter, he felt safe, and could barely hold himself back from just ripping it open like a kid at Christmas. Kovács mimed using scissors to Mari, who rose and retrieved a pair from a drawer in the kitchen.

With scissors in hand, Rett attacked the package. The material looked like ordinary heavy paper, commonly used for packaging, but wasn’t. Rett knew it wasn’t paper, because the scissors had no effect on it, and finally bent to such a degree that they became entirely unusable. He had already tried to remove what appeared to be the Chinese equivalent of duct-tape, again to no avail. If it was duct-tape, the Chinese were much better at making it than anyone else in the world. It wouldn’t budge at all. It seemed to have fused to the package, only noticeable because it was a darker color. They tried a razor knife, again with no luck.

We have to think. My father would have packaged it this way for a reason; we just need to know the reason, Mari said cheerfully. Rett thought he might be annoyed if anyone else sounded so cheerful, but with Mari, it was endearing. Holy crap! Get a grip, he silently berated himself.

The tape is reactive. It needs a stimulus to… iKovács intoned electronically. The Professor had written another word, de-activate, but apparently a little too messy for the iPad to read.

So, heat, electricity, magnetism, chemical? Rett asked.

Cold, said iKovács. Dr. Lu has been working with extremely cold temperatures to increase quantum processing power. The Professor stopped writing. His breathing sounded wheezy.

It’s time to clean the tube, Mari said, nodding toward the tracheostomy device. Do you need any help? Kovács shook his head, then got up and headed for the bathroom. Rett and Mari watched him go, then turned to each other.

What is Pálinkát? Rett asked, trying and failing to express his savoir faire as he fumbled with the unfamiliar word.

Pálinká. You don’t use the ‘t’ in this case, but don’t worry about it. Hungarian can be confusing. I’ll get you some, she said, punctuating her last statement with a smile—a perfect smile, thought Rett. She placed the shot-glass of clear liquid in front of him. If you haven’t tried homemade Pálinká, you haven’t really been to Hungary, she added, again smiling. Rett was out of his depths.