The Mokey Theorem

“So what does this infinite monkey theorem state?” asked Mike as they strode up the stairs to Jennica’s office. 

“In simple terms, it states that if you make a very large number of monkeys hit the keys of a type writer placed before them for an infinite period of time, they could produce all of Shakespeare’s works”, replied Asim. 

“Rubbish! Even I can’t write something like that no matter how much time I take”, Mike said aggravated. 
     “You’re missing the point; the point is if an infinite number of machines are producing random sequences and continue producing such sequences for an infinite length of time then, there is a greater than 0 probability for every sequence to have been produced from those. And after all, what is a page from any one of Shakespeare’s play actually? A sequence of letters”. Asim explained confidently as they reached the top of the stairs to meet with Jennica. They could’ve taken the elevator but they enjoyed their discussion while burning a few calories. 

Jennica Pui, head of the united space organization that worked as a collaboration of the leading nations. Asim was the head of the Life in Space exploration project which these days was scanning the furthest corner till which the Universe was observed so far. Mike, one of the organization’s most experienced astronauts was Asim’s soccer buddy.

“No success”, Jennica blurted out, straight. She wanted to get over with this weekly meeting as soon as possible because she had seen no progress so far. 

Asim sat down calmly without replying. 

“What have we observed so far?” asked Asim after settling down. 

“That’s what I am telling you, nothing”.

“You mentioned an image”.

“Reflection of our own solar system”, Jennica knew he will take his time.

“How is that possible? Our observatory equipment is focused away from our solar system”.

“Yes, that is the reason I’m calling it a reflection, not a straight image. We don’t know the phenomenon about this reflection though”.

“From that faint image, the estimated distance of the shown solar system from our observer is way greater than its distance from our solar system”, Asim looked skeptically at Jennica.

“Have you ever gone for an eyesight test? How the doctor makes you read alphabets from the board behind your back while looking in the mirror in front of you, giving the perception of increased distance”.

“You’re sounding like that cosmic theorist who goes around saying the universe is like the inside of an egg shell and objects that appear light years away are merely reflections of objects that are nearby as well as much smaller. Somebody tell him images shrink with distance. God!” Asim shook his head in disbelief.

“Don’t compare me with him”.

“What reason do you have to believe that it is a reflection?”

“Well, if one day I get ready to leave for work and open the door to see myself standing at the other side, you know what would be rationale to say? It’s a mirror.” 

“Not if you were out there to find a lost brother of yours who has the likelihood of looking like you. They might be replying with our message.” 

“You seem to mistake this exploration project for some FIND THE LITTLE GREEN MAN HUNT”, Jennica was agitated now. 

“I am being open about everything we receive. I expect anything, to be equally probable; it’s you who’s narrowing down the scope.” 

Jennica could see she had little chance against Asim. Asim seemed to exhibit an air of confidence when he was convinced; otherwise he was the usual mousy guy. The next two weeks saw a buzz of meetings, debates and the third week marked the beginning of preparations. They were ready.

                      #

Timeleap 1.0 was the most powerful spaceship ever built. With its ability to travel faster than light, it could make travelling feel like teleportation. 20^th January, 2092, it was ready on the launch pad with Asim and Mike in it.

“Going into space for the first time? Nervous? “Mark tried to intimidate Asim.

“We already are in space; we always have been, commuting this 512 trillion  wide spaceship.” Asim was calm, as always.

“We are going deeper than we’ve ever gone before. Further away from where our safety nets can fetch us back”.

“Still, our whereabouts could fit in your vision of sky from a car’s sun roof, or even smaller”.

“Space travel’s changed; in past we could see well beyond our reach. Now, it’s these too good to believe ships that travel faster than light and can take you beyond what we can observe. Well away from the reach of our deep space networks, beyond the universe we’ve observed so far. One of the main reasons why this is a manned mission, or else we could have sent a spacecraft and controlled it from home.”

“It’s more than that; we could still program a ship to return to its launch pad after the mission. However, it is the randomness, a requirement only humans can fulfill truly. We’re heading on a mission with the most uncertain outcome. No idea do we have about how far we’ll have to go, what we meet, what decisions will have to be taken”.

They were interrupted by the count down. Lions roared like never before. Within moments, they were hurled away from the solar system.

                     #

It was the 12^th month of their journey. They had supplies for 2 years, meaning in a few days they had to make their return, whether they liked it or not. Mainly, it was fuel that they would run out of. Asim and Mike had spent most of their time sleeping or “hibernated”. Now that they were closing upon their target destination, both were up.

“You’ve brought us this far, what do you expect to meet” Mike said.

“I am convinced about meeting something, not what I’ll meet”.

“That infinite monkey theorem you were discussing that day, if we apply it here, what is the probability that there might be a planet similar to that of ours, with people like us on it?” Mike saw this as a good time pass.

“In view of the infinite nature of the universe, it’s non zero. Again, what are we? Just a sequence. Like a page from one of Shakespeare’s plays. In fact anything, just define it and mathematics tells you that there is a greater than zero probability to find it. “

“I’ve heard you Muslims have a belief that when God wants to create a thing He says KUN meaning BE and FAYAKUN, IT IS. Feeling quite Godly”, said Mike smirking.

“Using my provided info against my religion?” said Asim smiling.

“Well I am using God given intellect against Him as well”.

They were engrossed in this light talk when the shrill computerized voice interrupted them. Mike had set this sound for notifications just to have a feeling of the old times. They froze. It was the first time in their journey that they had heard this. More than the tone, it was the content of the message that shocked them. “UNIDENTIFIED FAST MOVING OBJECT SPOTTED”. The giant screen displayed an image of the object using its super slow motion technology.

As the ships came within sights the speeds were reduced drastically, comparable to those which ships used to have in the start of 21^st century. Mike starred wide eyed at the screen; Asim’s belief had guided them to a correct pursuit. The proof was visible at the giant screen. It wasn't a disk like object whirling in black back ground. But, a complete space ship, like theirs, in every detail. Asim was less ecstatic, yet smiling for his assertion was proved. The object was moving in similar fashion towards the destination point, which now lay equidistant from both. Mike activated the armor and made the attack mechanism ready, in case it was needed. He hoped he didn't have to. After all, it was this that they had come to meet so far. A similar safety cover was drawn by the other object. Asim sensed fear in Mike's breath. "Don’t fear, they haven't travelled so far from their abode to kill something they barely know", Asim's composure was unbelievable. As the ships drew closer two tube like structures protruded from those, one each. The protruding platforms of the spaceships connected with a bump, making the two now looking like a mammoth dumbbell. The membrane separating the two was raised. Faint thump of footsteps emanated from both the parts that grew louder. Beads of perspiration could be seen on Mike’s forehead as they stepped closer towards the final bend after which they would be exposed to their find.   

The curtains were raised and four living beings stood before each other, motionless. That should happen when a replica of yourself stands before your eyes. A sequence repeated. Just like the spaceship, just like the identical planet that could be vaguely tracked now. As vague as the earth they had left four days ago. For a couple of moments Mike did believe he was standing before a mirror.  

“Oh My….” 

“Unbelieva….” 

“You are exactly….” 

Communication is impossible, when two people speak the same thing at the same time. It didn’t take Asim, both Asims, much time to understand the scenario. Both turned towards their Mikes and spoke simultaneously.  

“Look Mike, I hope you understand, communication is not only impossible, but, useless. There is no information that we need to share. The only information that we got out of our venture is rather disappointing. Our randomness, something we’ve always considered the characteristic of humans, has died, or never existed. It’s about time we return to OUR planets”. Asims spoke ‘our’ with certain stress. 

The pairs returned to the inner portions of their respective space ships and the tubes forming the intermediate platform were sucked back.  

“Which way are we heading?” asked Mike who was expecting Asim to set the route of the ship back to ‘their’ earth. 

“Home” 

“But that is..” Mike was interrupted in between.  

“Makes no difference” Asim smiled, as he saw the other space ship moving in opposite direction as indicated on the screen.  

The explorers did have some information for ‘their’ people back home, only if they would believe them.   

                       The End