7 Fourth Dimension (2/2)
”A three-dimensional being, such as ourselves or the universe as we perceive it, are in the same situation. We cannot comprehend a four-dimensional being. However, with our intelligence, we are able to learn that there is a fourth dimension, we simply aren't able to interact with it do to our three-dimensional limitations.”
Ivan understood this explanation and nodded in agreement. After all, he couldn't perceive or understand the existence of this fish being a four dimensional being.
”So how do we know that there is a fourth dimension? I mean, back in my time on earth, we 'knew', but the fourth dimension was time.”
”Most things from back then were wrong, making up virtual particles and figures to fill equations doesn't make them correct, just more uncertain. Tell me, how can two people exist in the same X,Y, and Z coordinates?”
”Time, naturally. Two different people can exist in the same space with a fourth coordinate of location in time.”
Mazur snorted contemptuously toward this. ”Nonsense, two two-dimensional creatures can exist on the same X and Y-axis as long as the time coordinate is different, does that make time the third dimension? No, time itself may be a dimension, maybe not. We are unable to perceive it, measure it, interact with it, or understand it in any way. Time is an inviolable principle which we have been denied all access to, we can't even understand if it is moving forward or backward.”
”On to the fourth dimension, we can only understand it by representing our own three dimensions as a two-dimensional plane and using the original third dimension as the fourth.”
The blue hologram emitted from the thought projector quickly turned into a flat plane with horizontal and vertical lines across it.
”This is our understanding of space-time and the makeup of the universe. Every piece of matter on this plane causes indentations, which is the representation of gravity. However, with the knowledge that space is in fact curved, that makes this plane curved. Therefore our understanding of the universe is that of a ball, and everything we know only exists on the surface.”
”The human race is still exploring the local cluster, we haven't even finished exploring the milky way or Andromeda Galaxy. We haven't the possibility of reaching the outer reaches of our supercluster within the next million years, let alone other superclusters, yet we can still analyse the universe based on observation and proven theory through experimentation.”
Ivan held up his hand in front of Mazur to stop him talking for a moment as he was beginning to get confused before he stated, ”So, to say it simply. Space is curved and forms a ball, and we merely exist on the surface of that ball.”
”Hmm, take it as such, it means that if you were to head in any one direction in the universe long enough, you would end up right back where you started. Of course, the distance you need to travel is currently impossible to calculate as we don't yet know if the universe is expanding at a consistent speed.”
Ivan nodded in understanding before indicating for Mazur to continue.
”Space itself appears empty, but it in fact not. It has a type of surface tension. When a boat speeds through water, the water will naturally push the boat up. This is the same with empty space, once lightspeed is achieved, the universe itself will naturally push you out, until you slow back down and drop back in. This is the hyperspace explanation for idiots, but it also outlines the proof of a fourth dimension. Travelling fast enough will raise the fourth dimensional coordinate, pushing you into hyperspace. This is precisely way you never have to worry about collisions with anything in ordinary space while travelling at FTL.”
”Okay, I get that. So, this is a creature from hyperspace?”
”Were you listening to anything?!” Mazur glared at Ivan in frustration. ”The universe is like an ocean, and we live on the surface. It is round, and hyperspace exists surrounding it, but consider this, what exists inside this ball?”
”You are probably too stupid to figure it out, it's subspace, the opposite of hyperspace and the true four-dimensional world.”
Ivan had a premonition that the answer was going to irritate him, but he still asked, ”So, this fish is?”
”Naturally, a fish from the four-dimensional subspace.”
”So why would it be here?”
”…Don't you know? Dead fish float.”
”All this fucking explanation, just to tell me at a dead fish that floated to the surface of the universe?!” Ivan shouted with a vein in his temple throbbing. He felt annoyed at the answer to everything was that it was just a fish, but even more annoyed at the fact that the entire universe itself was basically the perfect reference to an ocean. He always had a passionate hatred for the ocean, and fishing, since he was a kid, and now he was told he lived in one.
”What do you plan to do with the fish samples then?” Ivan asked while restraining his annoyance.
Mazur glanced back over the samples and said, ”I plan to find a method to turn a three-dimensional being into a four-dimensional one. An advancement of dimension is a complete evolution into a higher order of existence. Screw living for a few hundred years more, with this, my original 30 years left of life can turn into 3000 years, maybe even more. The same goes for you.”
”Screw that! You're not turning me into some kind of fish! I would hunt you down for the rest of your miserable life!”
Mazur merely rolled his eyes and said, ”You would remain the same. The universe is like an ocean, but it's not filled with water or anything. Also, the government or federation would ever be able to touch you unless you let them.”
”…Fine. Hurry up and make it safe though.”
Ivan left Mazur who was fanatically studying the samples and decided to find something to eat. He glanced at the four Symbions behind an electromagnetic field isolating them and any bacteria they contained and decided to bring them some of the vegetation in the cargo hold as well. They likely weren't going to be fed otherwise with how fascinated Mazur was with his experiments.