Heng shrugged. “I know. That’s why Einstein called it ‘spooky’ science. But believe me, quantum entanglement is real. In fact, it’s so real that the Chinese just launched the very first quantum satellite into space last year. It’s testing not only quantum entanglement, but quantum teleportation for use in secure communications.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “Teleportation? You’re kidding, right?”

“Not like in Star Trek, where you’re beaming bodies up and down in transporters. Quantum teleportation is a fancy way of saying instantaneous communication. In other words, if two particles are entangled across a great distance, you can ‘talk’ to one particle on one end and you ‘hear’ on the other end at exactly the same moment. There’s nothing flying through the air to intercept, no software to hack. Best of all, there’s no time lost.”

“So if you had a quantum radio transmitter on Jupiter you could speak to a quantum receiver on earth with no lag time,” Jack said.

“Exactly, though that kind of device is many years away. But quantum entanglement is what will finally allow for an unhackable quantum Internet.”

Jack threw up his hands. “Okay, mind blown. What’s Dalfan’s role in all of this?”

“The Chinese are trying to build their quantum network, but there are still some big holes in it. In fact, all of the quantum networks have problems on two levels. We’re attacking some of those problems.”

“Be gentle with me, Doc, but explain to me in the simplest possible terms what problems you’re attacking.”

“On the first level, we’re developing new quantum algorithms. The truth of the matter is we don’t have the software we need to run the hardware. It’s all completely new stuff. Google’s new D-Wave quantum computer is thirty-six hundred times faster than the fastest supercomputer—a hundred million times faster, literally, than your laptop. But those superfast quantum computers and the quantum encryption we need to protect them with all run on quantum algorithms—something everyone is still trying to figure out, including us.” Heng smiled. “But we’re doing okay.”

“And the second level?”

“Right now, quantum networks depend on expensive equipment linked by fiber-optic cables. We’re many years away from a practical, ubiquitous quantum Internet.”

Heng opened a desk drawer and pulled out a smartphone.

“What the Chinese and the other quantum powers need is an ability to link their quantum satellites up there,” Heng said, pointing at the ceiling, “with quantum-encrypted cell phones down here.” Heng tapped the cell phone in his hand. “Only when that happens will you have a practical, working quantum network, because cell phones are now the primary device in use on the planet for communication and for Internet access.”

Jack pointed at Heng’s smartphone. “And you think eventually we’ll have quantum cell phones?”