by Taylor Buck
Jack watched the sky turn from purple to dark blue. He eyed the property using the last bit of daylight to form a mental map of the estate. He would examine the premises using another tool at his disposal—his intuition, something that had certainly helped him in the past. It seemed only fitting to start within the villa itself, seeing that a secret chamber would most certainly be accessible from inside the dwelling.
Mostly it was just a place to start.
Jack swung open the green entrance door to the villa’s lower level and stepped inside.
Outside the villa, the MOTSU robot trudged across the courtyard to a cadenced, rhythmic hum. Within a few minutes, the robot began transmitting its first string of data back to Chester.
CHAPTER 39
FLORENCE, THE DIG SITE
SEPTEMBER 10
CHESTER SCANNED THE 3 flat screen monitors carefully positioned in front of him. Each screen relayed a different matrix of code—a jumbled mess of binary algorithms to the untrained eye, but a detailed underground schematic to anyone learned in the program. The lines of code were fed into TEKSCAN and rendered into a 3D interface.
The technology was brilliant—the result of a meticulously refined process.
Leaps and bounds in GPR advancements had been made since the mid-1980s, mainly in the area of post-processing. Subsurface scanning hardware was relatively easy to manufacture as the capacity of digital imaging grew, it was understanding the complex data that proved the most challenging. Until recently, GPR was achieved by a relatively archaic process. A high-frequency electromagnetic pulse would transmit from a radio antenna into the earth. The transmitted radar pulses were then reflected from various interfaces within the ground and sent back to a receiver where they were processed by a computer system and recorded into data maps. The Geophysics of the sub-terrain played a very important role in what kind of results the return signals would provide. Three physical parameters within the ground proved critically important in the wave propagation of GPR frequencies: conductivity, inverse of electrical resistivity and the dielectric constant. Natural interference in physical properties such as soil, water, clay and rock were also a factor. The technology was adequate for understanding a basic lay of the land below, but rather limiting if a deep understanding of what lay beneath was required. The recent introduction of nano-ultrasonic imaging turned out to be the catalyst that provided a solution—true 3D subsurface imaging. Nano-ultrasonic waves were able to gather information on the nano level, which meant that every particle within a given radius was scanned by microscopic frequencies that processed a high-definition model on something as tiny as an earthworm. This new form of ultra high-def scanning required many times the amount of CPU processing over the previous method. Fortunately, thanks to the Department of Defense, TerraTEK had access to the most powerful computers in the world. The only missing link was a programming language to connect the powerful radar to the powerful computers. This is where TEKSCAN came into play.
The first iterations of TEKSCAN were actually written by Dr. Gareth Foley, who introduced nano-ultrasonic wave technology, but the code was wildly unpredictable. Entire sections of a scan would end up either garbled beyond recognition or missing entirely. When Kathleen took over the project, she turned TEKSCAN into a language that was brilliantly malleable. She transformed a complex and convoluted language into an efficient, streamlined platform for modern imaging analysis. Kathleen claimed her knowledge of archaeology helped. She saw the program as a coded language, like hieroglyphics, that simply needed to be properly deciphered. It was the equivalent of what Morse Code did for telegraphy. The resulting 3D interface scans were a monumental scientific breakthrough that provided an insight into the very fabric of our planet. It opened up opportunities to explore deep beneath the surface and discover the natural treasures of earth—minerals, gems, springs, petroleum and precious metals. But what made the technology most impressive was the non-invasive process of determining exactly where materials were stored. Previously, mining for natural resources was completed by excavating large masses of land in order to discover small pockets of material. Using 3D GPR, miners would now be able to pinpoint the source to the exact square inch and avoid unnecessary destruction of land. The tailings dumps and slurry fills were estimated to have a 73% reduction of waste, ensuring that not only the environment but the surrounding habitat would be less disturbed. This fact alone had generated a healthy buzz from environmental groups like the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and the WNO (World Nature Organization). Solely based on this support alone, the development of TEKSCAN was sure to be considered among the highest scientific accolades, if not a contender for the grandmaster itself... The Nobel.
Yet, however groundbreaking, TEKSCAN was still in its testing phase.
The program had yet to be unveiled to the world. Chester knew that Kathleen had been ready to announce her achievement prior to the accident. The keynote was even arranged for the following week. She likely chose to deploy the MOTSUs in Switzerland as a final test—a real world assessment. But the unfortunate accident…
It put Chester in an awkward position. It was his responsibility to ensure that the project was finished on schedule. As apprehensive as he was taking over the work of a colleague, it had to be done. The technology needed to be made known to the public.
“Ehhiii! Rallento!”
The sound of teenagers shouting outside startled Chester and yanked him from cyberspace back to reality. The kids were making a ruckus, hollering loudly and dragging their skateboards across the chain link fence. They did this all the way around the site and then jumped on their skateboards and lithely carved their way down the alley. Their hollering and laughing dissipated into the night. Chester looked around, realizing it was now completely dark outside. His eyes went to the door in the gate, checking to make sure the lock was fastened securely.
He felt uneasy—anxious even.
Chester had been tasked with cleaning up the mess that had been made. He had explicit directions to recover all information pertinent to the case at hand. It needed to be handled methodically. TerraTEK would first need to formulate a plan on why the death of Dr. Foley, their President of Surveillance Analysis, had occurred on foreign soil. Not only foreign, but an unaffiliated, disassociated country in which they had no collective bargaining leverage. The Swiss government had shunned TerraTEK’s involvement at every level in the past. Part of the Swiss’ infamous position of neutrality evidently involved not bowing to the alluring power that TerraTEK systems offered select governments that chose to partake in their GSI (Global Surveillance Initiative), an enterprise that offered surveillance coverage to the country in exchange for the rights to peek into their back yard. Most countries utilized the surveillance intel in their geographic research and development programs. Topographical satellite surveillance and subterranean geological scans helped many governments build stronger strategic intelligence, as well as a more prominent workforce and international presence. For example, satellite surveillance in Eastern European countries aided in pinpointing the locations of terrorist sleeper cells. In the Middle East, TerraTEK GPR systems had discovered over 700 acres of unknown underground oil reserves. Access to the homeland awareness that TerraTEK offered was a service that was too good to pass up by most countries involved. Almost everyone conceded.
There were still some, including Switzerland, that were adamant on maintaining their position of neutrality. They declared that surveillance of any kind, (especially from a company owning an entire weapons division) was deemed an obstruction of privacy. Because the incident happened in Switzerland, TerraTEK would need to find a way to cover it up. In order to do that, they would need to gather all of the facts. Right now, the only person with any answers was lying in a coma and there was no saying when Kathleen would awaken, if ever. Chester knew his best bet at determining a solution was bringing in her husband. He had involved him originally in hopes to provide imperative details that could help with the case. However, Jack
had taken a vested interest in the investigation and become more involved than Chester had intended… even to a point where he was risking his own life.
The third monitor began to show an incoming feed. Code began flooding into the TEKSCAN program. The program immediately responded, effortlessly translating and placing the pieces into a wireframe interface. Chester could see the feed was from Jack’s MOTSU bots. The tweaks to the code had proven successful. Chester figured that at the current rate of processing speed, and with the contribution of the other two bots, he would have a detailed map within 35 minutes.
As he watched, the lines began connecting—the outline of a garden or courtyard began to form on the screen. It was remarkable. Data transfer was processing at lightning-fast speeds. For the past few days he had made subtle tweaks to the algorithms in the microprogram—the sequence that assisted in translating instructions to TEKSCAN. Small adjustments he made to the MP language allowed the processor to utilize nearly 30% more of its intended processing ability, and now the program was operating at an incredible rate of speed.
A smile spread across Chester’s face as the information poured in and took shape. The characters on screen reflected off the square glasses cradled across his nose. The map would soon be laid out before him. It was only a matter of minutes.
CHAPTER 40
FLORENCE, MEDICI VILLA AT FIESOLE
SEPTEMBER 10
JACK STEPPED THROUGH THE doorway and found himself in a small room with a staircase. A few paintings adorned the walls but other than that, the room was barren. Jack trotted up the stairs, hearing the creak of old wooden steps as he emerged onto the main level. He tried to calm his nerves, but the atmosphere inside the villa was eerie and unnerving.
The room at the top of the stairs was very dark. A faint trace of moonlight outlined a doorway on the far side of the room. Following the light, he made his way over to it. Jack found himself outside again as he entered a loggia that stretched the length of the western façade. The walkway was breezy and open, offering a view into the same garden he had passed coming in. Jack turned and walked through an exposed hallway leading to the east side of the villa. Along the way, he flicked a light switch that illuminated the interior hall. Framed paintings and various artifacts adorned the walls— relics of the Medici family.
A kitchen came into view in the east wing, situated next to a dining hall. Other than a few tables and lounge chairs, the villa was minimally furnished. From what Forlino mentioned earlier, the villa was apparently used as a summer home for a private family. However, as Jack looked around he saw no sign of inhabitation. The family had likely left for the year.
A corridor came into view containing two sets of stairs—one leading to the upper floor and one descending into the cellar. Jack knelt down and activated the second MOTSU bot. He placed it on the kitchen tile floor and let it go. Shouldering the remaining bot in the duffle bag, he climbed to the upper level.
Faint light filtered in through the square Serena stone windows placed evenly along the walls. The ceiling was low, somewhat less than 6 feet. Jack had to hunch over slightly to clear his head. The upper level was more of an attic than anything and used as a storage room for furniture. Old lounges, tables, chairs, dressers and mirrors filled the corners of the room. Dust particles floated through the air and a slight stale scent, like mold, lingered in the old room. After a brief perusal, Jack entered the kitchen again. The whir of the MOTSU bot motor hummed in the next room. Jack reached in his pocket and retrieved the kidney bean-shaped piece of plastic. After pressing the activation node, he placed it in his left ear.
“Chester, can you hear me?”
A few seconds of silence gave way to Chester’s voice on the other end.
“Yes, I’m here, Jack. I can hear you loud and clear. How’s it going over there?”
“I’m inside the villa. I’ve got two bots running, and I’m about to deploy the third. You getting anything yet?”
“Yes. TEKSCAN is pulling in a record amount of data. The mods worked, Jack. Kathleen’s a genius. This is unbelievable!”
Jack could hear the excitement in Chester’s voice. He was like a kid in a candy store. “I’m serious, Jack. This is unreal. I already have a working map of Villa Careggi and Castello. You’re feed is coming in now, too… I already see the garden.”
“Okay, good. I’m going to try to get a little lower… probably drop the third bot off in the basement and let it run.”
“Affirmative,” Chester said. “I’ll let you know as soon as I have a map for you.”
Jack switched on the lightbulb in the stairwell and began descending. The air grew thicker with each step as the smell of wine and oak barrels permeated the darkness below. He opened the cellar door and fumbled around in the dark for a light switch, accidentally nudging a beam or some kind of wooden post from its resting position against the wall. He heard it shuffle, slide and then fall over. By the sound of it—the board was tall and thin—a two-by-four equivalent. It landed noisily, crashing into something ceramic, glass-like, shattering with a wet splashing sound.
Jack cursed under his breath.
“What was that?” Chester chimed.
“I broke something… a vase maybe,” replied Jack, annoyed with his own clumsiness.
His hand continued scratching along the wall until he felt a switch. He flicked it on and watched the lights slowly warm the damp room below. The cellar was wide and open but muggy, stale and suffocating caused by an unusually low ceiling. The space was evidently used for wine storage, as it was littered with oak barrels. Judging by the air quality, the circulation was very poor. Jack could actually feel moisture coat his skin—dank and stagnant, like Southern humidity and difficult to breath. He looked around for the fallen board and noticed a trail of red liquid spilled out on the floor. In the dim light, it had an eerie blood-like appearance. The trail disappeared behind 3 oak barrels. Jack carefully stepped around the shards of dark glass scattered about the floor. He gathered what he could, but most of the pieces were out of reach. The glass vats were quite old and fragile. He noticed a few others sitting atop a shelf, collecting dust.
Jack wiped his hands and opened the duffle bag. Within a few seconds he had deployed the third and final MOTSU. The GPR bot whirred to life and set out on its assignment. All 3 bots were now simultaneously transmitting data. Within an hour, Jack should be able to navigate through a 3D schematic of the estate, hopefully providing a solution to the hunt they’d been on for the last few days.
We’re close. I just know it.
His eyes slowly began to adjust to the poor lighting in the cellar. The concrete walls had crumbling vents perforating the footings, long useless now as debris had filled the small openings, denying them their purpose. This explained the poor circulation. The walls themselves didn’t appear to house any kind of external doorway or passage of any kind. The entire cellar was sealed off. Most cellars are, but it heightened Jack’s uneasy feelings. Surprisingly enough, enclosed spaces had never bothered him before; however, the darkness—along with the lack of oxygen, quiet villa and strange happenings all had an oppressive effect. Suddenly his lungs yearned for fresh air.
Jack grabbed the duffle bag and headed up the stairs. As he reached the top step he caught a glimpse of the MOTSU bot outside in the garden. A quick flash or glint shined off the robot’s casing before it disappeared. It was strange… perhaps due to the poor visibility Jack thought it looked larger than it really was.
Thum, THUMP. Thum, THUMP.
A strange noise sounded behind him. It was coming from the west corridor—an odd thumping sound. Jack cursed quietly, knowing exactly what the sound was. The bot had gotten stuck and was attempting to free itself—a maneuver he was told they were quite capable of doing, but in some cases may need assistance.
Jack rounded the central hallway and continued toward the west loggia. As the open arches came into view he turned the corner to enter the study where the stairwell was located, but he didn’t
make it. He couldn’t. Some… thing was obstructing his path. Jack immediately froze. He found himself face-to-face with a massive black arachnid roughly the size of a dog. The bizarre intruder took him by surprise and he tried to gather his wits as he eyed the strange beast before him. Lights from the overhead bulbs reflected off the shiny metallic surface, accentuating its round, elegantly poised body. It was strikingly beautiful in its aesthetic design. One thing was certain, it was clearly not a MOTSU bot… it was mechanical though, and seemed to possess a flat GPR scanner across its belly, indicating its purpose. The robot was remarkably realistic, obviously modeled after an actual arachnid—all the way down to eyes and claw-like grips where the mouth would be positioned.
It stopped moving when it sensed Jack… it seemed to turn its head to the side, slowly… almost as if it could see him.
“What in the…?” Jack said aloud.
“What is it?” asked Chester.
Jack moved forward tentatively. “Chester, you’re not going to believe this…”
Just then, the spider cowered back and lowered itself slightly, as if it was threatened. It began to flex its legs—preparing to pounce! Jack stepped forward cautiously. As soon as he came within 10 feet of the robot, it abruptly jerked back then sprung into the air. Jack didn’t know what to do. This oversized robot spider seemed to be attacking him. Instinctually, he stepped back and swung his duffle bag at it—just as he would if defending himself against any other attacking varmint. He half-connected and managed to deflect the spider away to his right. The robot fell helplessly on its back and clawed at the air… like a beetle flipped over on its back. It was bizarre. Too real, too strange. Without hesitation, Jack lifted his foot and brought it down hard upon the floundering spider, smashing its facial lens and crippling 4 of the legs. Another hard blow caused the robot to cease moving entirely.
