Marc forgot about the sample of ice he had managed to get before almost dying for several weeks. Once he had returned to the station, he proceeded to explore the world and solar system in which he found himself virtually rather than directly.
One of the planets closer to Sirius was larger than the moon he was on, and looked like it had temperatures much closer to bearable. He had learned of the primitive computer’s weaknesses during his solitary sojourn, so it wasn’t much of a surprise that it hadn’t found the best possible body on which to establish a station.
One night when he knew the planet would be visible to the naked eye, he suited up and went out to look at it, although he brought along telescopic lenses so he could get a closer look as well. It wasn’t until he returned to the station, the planet having set behind the mountain range he had seen on his first day, that he noticed the storage pocket still had the sample tube inside. He immediately ran tests on it to determine what it was.
It only took a few moments for the computer to figure it out. “Sir, the sample contains a significant amount of water, but not very pure. It is mixed with several other compounds. Would you like me to list them and their relative percentages?”
“No, no. Water! That’s amazing! That means there’s a real possibility that there was life here!”
“No sir, it does not.”
Marc look at the computer speaker, puzzled. “What do you mean? Water is one of the preconditions of life right?”
“Yes sir.”
“So water means it’s possible that there was life.”
“No sir.”
Marc sighed. These old computers were very different from talking to people. “Explain.”
“The presence of liquid water is one of many conditions for the occurrence of life. This water is solid, not liquid. And this moon fails to meet most of the other conditions.”
“How many other conditions are there?”
“Five hundred seventy-six.”
He paused, not able to wrap his mind around it right away. “Did you say five hundred and seventy-six?”
“Yes sir.”
“Five hundred and seventy-six separate conditions have to be met in order for a planet or moon to be able to support life?”
“Not all of them are separate conditions, sir. Some of them are connected, so that not meeting one automatically means not meeting others.”
“Well, factoring that in, how many distinct conditions must be met for life?”
“Three hundred thirty-seven.”
“That’s still … incredible. Are these conditions common?”
“Some are, sir, but most are fairly rare.”
“Well, what are the odds of a planet meeting all of these conditions?”
“Just planets, sir? Or moons as well?”
“Oh for God’s sake! Any planetary body! You know what I meant!”
“I’m sorry, sir. The odds of any planetary body meeting all conditions necessary for life is zero.”
“Wait, what?”
“Zero.”
“But … wait a minute.” Marc tried to think. “How could it be zero? Isn’t there even a remote possibility?”
“Yes sir. But I am programmed to treat any possibility below a certain threshold as zero.”
“Ummm, OK. So you mean the odds of a planet in the Sirius system being able to support life is zero?”
“Not the Sirius system, sir.”
“My God. You mean the entire galaxy?”
“No sir. The universe.”
“But … the universe … the universe is huge. I mean, huge. Unimaginably huge. How could the odds be zero?”
“The odds are specifically calibrated to the size of the universe, to the probable number of galaxies, stars, and planets.”
Marc paused again, this time in shock. When he began again, his voice was more subdued. “Are you telling me that the odds of there being any planet, anywhere in the universe, that’s capable of supporting life, besides Earth, is zero?”
“No sir.”
Relief washed over him. “Oh thank God! That’s … you know, I don’t really know why that’s such a relief, maybe it’s because I've been out here by myself for so long, but the idea that we’re alone is just, well, unpleasant. Very unpleasant.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but you misunderstood. I’m saying the odds of there being any planet, anywhere in the universe, that’s capable of supporting life, including Earth, is zero.”
Marc blinked several times. He went over the computer’s words in his mind, trying to make sense of them, but finally gave up. “I don’t understand that. The odds of Earth being able to support life is one, because it does support life. What exactly are you saying?”
“I’m sorry sir. You specifically asked what the odds were of there being any planet in the universe that meets all of the necessary preconditions for life. The answer to that question is zero. However, when you include the fact that Earth is capable of supporting life, that of course changes the calculation.”
“Of course, but then, I still don’t understand what you were saying.”
“I was saying that simply given the preconditions and their probable fulfillments, the odds that there would be a planet anywhere in the universe that supports life is zero. The fact that Earth supports life is inexplicable. It shouldn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because the odds of natural processes bringing it about is zero.”
Marc thought to himself. If the odds of natural processes bringing it about is zero, then—he didn’t like the direction this thought was going—the only other option is … other-than-natural processes. Which means you’re not alone after all.
“Computer I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”
“Yes sir.”
“You know, I’ve lost track of what day this is back on Earth. Can you tell me how long before I’ll have some human company?”
“I received a transmission while we were talking sir, but I decided to wait until the conversation was over before telling you. The Syndicate has decided to start sending people earlier than originally planned. We will receive the first person in twenty-four hours.”
Marc’s solitude was coming to an end.