The Search for FTL

by Ted Iverson

  The four brothers seated themselves at a table near a window overlooking the corporation’s spaceport. From there they were able to see the traditional aircraft taking off or landing. Their best view, though, was of the mag rails that their own shuttles would glide on for takeoff. The shuttles transported goods and passengers to and from the Lab. The cafeteria’s window glass was specially made to withstand the tremendous vibrations that came from the shuttles’ plasmat engines and to dampen the loud takeoffs. The views of these takeoffs were spectacular during the day, but during the evening hours they were more than impressive.

  The boys hadn’t been seated long when their uncle walked up to them with his tray.

  “Hello, boys. Mind if I join you?”

  “Uncle Nate! Sure. Zach, grab a chair.” Ty moved over and motioned for them all to make some room.

  “I thought we might be seeing you earlier.”

  “I had some work I had to do to get ready for the board meeting today. Ty, I think after the reading you and I will need to sit down for a moment or two to go over some numbers. You’ll need to have a grasp of them before meeting with the board. We won’t get into it too deeply yet, just some basics. You’ll need to learn more later. Sorry, but it’ll be part of your job.”

  “Wonderful.” That was all Ty could muster. He hadn’t thought much about that part of the job yet.

  “So, you boys staying out of trouble today?” Nate took a bite out of a big, juicy pear.

  “Well, we did manage to actually get into this place.” Orion pushed the appointment book aside and went on, “When were all the security measures put in place? I know we’ve always had security, but the amount we’ve seen today was almost overwhelming.”

  “Your father ordered all this up months ago. Cost us a fortune. When I questioned him about it he just said that it was all necessary. Things were changing, he said, and that the heightened security would be, as he put it, ‘a necessary evil.’ I really don’t care for that phrase, but that was as far as he would go with it, and when he made up his mind, it wasn’t going to be changed. I did have a gut feeling that he was close to something big. I just had no clue how big it was.” He took a quick bite of the sandwich in front of him, washed it down with a swig of bottled water, and continued. “I wish I’d had a chance to talk to him before they launched, but my guess is that is why he sent me away for a while. Maybe he thought I’d try to talk them out of it. Maybe not. I really don’t know.” He shook his head and took another bite.

  “Maybe so, Uncle Nate. Dad always did have a reason for everything he did; we all know this.”

  “That’s true; we just didn’t always understand some of those reasons. There are some we still don’t understand. I have a feeling all will come out in time though,” Alec said. “So, Orion, checking out a book from one of the research areas?” He pointed to the book that was lying on the table.

  “No, actually, we brought it along to give to you. It’s Dad’s appointment book. Ty found it in the office. We looked at it and found a few things that intrigued us. We figured out some of one entry, but some of it—well, here, why don’t you have a look?”

  The book found its way around the table to Alec. He opened it to the page where the card had been inserted and began to study it.

  “Ty, how is the speech coming?” Nate questioned, while there was a chance.

  “Almost there. I have a few more things to put in, but I have to wait until you and I visit. Also, I need to see what’s in the will and what happens in the board meeting, and then I should be able to finish. It’s been very difficult to put down on paper.”

  “I understand. Your aunt wanted me to tell you that she is coming down to be with us tonight. She didn’t want to stay home by herself to watch it. I don’t want her alone for this; it just wouldn’t be appropriate. I told her that she needed to be here.”

  “Won’t she be here for the reading?”

  “She is definitely going to be here for that too, Ty. She just wasn’t sure about the crowd tonight. She’s never been fond of big public events, and she doesn’t want to talk to the press. She does understand; however, this isn’t just any event. You’re her family.”

  Alec looked up from the book. “This entry in the book is interesting. What did you all think it meant?”

  The group had been so intent on listening to Uncle Nate and Ty, they’d forgotten that Alec had been deciphering their father’s poor attempt at shorthand. They turned to face him.

  “Here’s what we figured so far,” Zach jumped in. “The ‘Sat 10 55’ is this coming Saturday, the 10th of 2055. After that, on the next line, we decided it had to be dinner with Paul Spencer and Senator Axion. That was easy, though, because he had it written out in the book that he was staying at the AxMet next weekend. Ty knew that Dad usually had dinner with Mr. Spencer when he went, so both sets of initials were easy enough to figure out. Just the last line stumped us.”

  “Very well then; let me help,” Alec stated. This isn’t hard to understand if you happen to stumble across the answer before you even know the question.”

  “What do you mean? I’m not following you?” Zach questioned.

  “Simple, I know what it means. Ty, listen up; this note now pertains to you.”

  “Jeez. Good or bad news?”

  “More homework for you, that’s for certain. What we’re looking at here is another meeting. Not just any meeting, unfortunately, a very important one. The outcome of this meeting will have great ramifications for Space Tech.”

  “Okay. What meeting?” Ty asked.

  “Sorry, let me explain. The ‘MT’ stands for a meeting. The ‘CMT’ is committee. Any guesses as to what meeting?” Alec looked directly at Ty, one eyebrow raised.

  “Could be any committee. I mean it must be in the capital; therefore, it probably has to do with…no, don’t tell me—”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Excuse me,” Zach interrupted impatiently. “Share please.”

  “He’s talking about the OEC and the GRT on the memo, the grant money. I’m now guessing that since it’s close to the time for it to expire, I’m going to have to go and get it re-evaluated and get approval for more.”

  Zach looked at Ty, who was shaking his head slowly. “Oh, wow, that can’t be good,”

  Uncle Nate broke into the conversation. “That’s correct, Ty. That was one of the issues I was going to talk to you about before we meet with the board this afternoon. Alec, where did you hear about this? That information isn’t common knowledge.”

  “Uncle Nate, I would love to tell you, but I can’t talk to you about my source. It’s confidential. Let’s just say, when looking into one thing, sometimes you find out other things.” Alec leaned back in his chair a little and took a sip of his coffee, indicating an end to that discussion.

  Ty got them back to business. “Well, no matter where you got the information from, Alec, I’ll have to attend that meeting. We have to continue business as usual, and if we’re to continue the project, we’ll need that grant money. Right, Uncle Nate?”

  “It would certainly help the cause. That project had an unbelievable budget. It was pretty much funded by the OEC grant. But, did I miss the part where this project was to continue?”

  “We really haven’t discussed that yet, but I just can’t see not continuing. That is the one thing Mom and Dad always dreamed of, and to be that close to accomplishing it...” He shook his head. “I just thought that Orion and Zach would finish what Mom and Dad had started.”

  Ty pushed his chair backwards and stood. He turned and stared out the window for a moment, then turned back to face the table again. “If I’m wrong and any of you don’t want this, fine. We’ll take a different direction. I just don’t think that now is the time to terminate such a critical project. To some, most likely those in the media and possibly some in the Senate, that would be like admitting defeat. Can we afford that reputation to start our tenure here? What of all the research Mom and Dad put in
to this? What about all the money the Senate gave them for FTL?” Ty stood up straighter, His eyes penetrated those looking at him. “I am asking all of you to think of the implications of what not trying to see this through could mean.” With that he sat back down, emotionally exhausted.

  Sensing the emotion and devotion in his brother’s oration, Orion was quick to respond. “Ty, I believe in you. I think you’re right. If we don’t see the FTL project through it wouldn’t be good for Space Tech. But, the truth of the matter is this: you have to meet with the OEC in a week. Will we be able to have the necessary research papers done? We’ll have to analyze every bit of information from the launch to find out what went wrong, find all the papers on the StarDancer—which, by the way, none of us have ever seen—figure how it works, and get all this info to you so you can be prepared to face the Committee and the Senate to ask for millions of dollars on a project that has already failed. Is this really what you are asking us to do?”

  “Yes, that is exactly what I am asking you to do.” Ty’s voice was unwavering.

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes.”

  Zach jumped to his feet, almost bursting out of his skin. “All right! When do we start?”

  “For you, brother, in just about two hours. That’s your transport that just arrived. You’ve got about twenty minutes until they’re refueled and ready with a new crew.

  “Uncle Nate, Alec, Zach won’t be attending the reading. We discussed this earlier, and he felt that it was imperative that one of us be at the Orbital Lab at the time of tonight’s conference. We agreed. Orion will join him as soon as he feels that he has gone through all the needed files down here. Zach, start assembling your research team when you reach the Lab. Make sure you keep in close contact with Orion. You two must agree on the members of the team if we’re to have even a chance of pulling this off. Orion, anything to add before he goes? The shuttle leaves soon.”

  “When you get started on analyzing, work in two twelve-hour shifts; that way we can work 24/7. Find two people we can trust to head the crews until I can get there, and let me know who they are. You need to be in charge of finding the information on the StarDancer, if it is up there. I want no stone left unturned until we find those schematics and blueprints. That’s all for now, I guess.”

  “Will you head down and hold off the reading for fifteen or twenty minutes, Uncle Nate? I think we’d all like to see Zach off.”

  “Yes, no problem with that; they’ll understand.” He walked over to Zach and took the young boy’s hand, shook it, and then drew him into a strong embrace. “Zach, your aunt and I love you and are very proud of all of you. You be strong and stay levelheaded, nothing crazy anymore, okay?” He let Zach go.

  Red in the face, Zach recognized the stern tone in his uncle’s voice. “Thank you, and I promise those days are gone. I know I can be impetuous sometimes, but I’ll try to keep a check on that.” He smiled, but every one of them, including Zach himself, knew that was probably a promise he couldn’t keep.

  After a quick wave to Zach, Uncle Nate turned to the others. “I have to go back to the office and grab my things. I’ll meet up with you boys for the reading.” He turned and walked off. The four brothers cleared the table, and then headed off to the spaceport.

  The corporate spaceport had always fascinated Ty. It was amazing that travel on Earth had made only small advances. Sure, supersonic flights were standard now and some older jumbo jets still flew, but the advancements in the old jets had been mainly environmental—the elimination of harmful emission contrails, for example, with some cosmetic changes as well to improve the aerodynamics, but not much more than that. The government had its ancient shuttles—better than they used to be and safer, but they were no comparison to Space Tech’s. In fact, the biggest advancement in travel hadn’t even been opened to the public. The sleek designs and the advancement in plasma propulsion made it possible for Space Tech’s crafts to exit the atmosphere and return without the use of booster rockets. They were half passenger and half cargo transport, capable of making lunar orbit in a short time. Ty, though, had always preferred the older jets to these fancy, speed-driven, supersonic types. Speed never had been his forte, ironic given the fact that he was about to lobby for an FTL vehicle. He laughed to himself.

  Soon he and his brothers were sitting in the small private terminal, going over the last-minute details of their ambitious plan to continue their parents’ research. A hand on his shoulder startled Ty out of his thoughts. He turned to see that Zach had stood up and moved behind him. “Are we all ready for this?” Zach questioned.

  Ty grinned only slightly.

  “I have a shuttle to catch; the Lab awaits. I know what I have to do.” Zach hesitated. “Guys, I wanted to tell you before I left that I appreciate your confidence and support.” For the first time since his parents’ accident, Zach’s eyes misted over.

  Ty reassured him, “Zach, you really have earned this. It’s our time to take charge. We lost two special people; they were not just our parents. They have taught us well and prepared us for this day. Just remember when you are up there, everyone will question some of your decisions because of your age. Do not let that deter you from your job. You must and will earn their respect; I am sure of it. Never turn an employee away for wanting to bend your ear with an idea; it might be just what you need. If it isn’t, explain the difference between your idea and theirs; make them feel important, because they are. Treat them with compassion and respect, and they will give those back to you in return. Be firm, but also be fair, and they will follow you to the end. Make use of those around you, and by all means, rely on Orion when he gets there. For God’s sake, just be yourself. One last bit of brotherly advice: Dad’s footsteps may seem too big to follow, but let them guide you and not frighten you.” Ty stopped his lecture and gave his brother a sincere and warm embrace.

  A smile returned to Zach’s face and he brimmed over with confidence. “Ty, don’t worry about us; we’ll do the job. You just be sure to get us some of good old Uncle Sam’s cash next week!”

  A few smiles, handshakes, and hugs and Zach was off to board the shuttle. Once he’d boarded, the others headed off for the reading of the wills. No one said a word as they made their way through the spaceport and down the myriad of halls. Each was deep in thought. But in the back of their minds one thing kept eating away: Was there more going on than they knew? and What in the world lay ahead of them?

  The reading was a blur to everyone. There was too much legal jargon, even though the attorneys had done their best to keep it in layman’s terms. It basically came down to this: Aunt Peggy, Uncle Nate, and each of the boys got an equal amount of money. The boys got the house and any of its contents, to do with as they saw fit. And, of course, there was the issue of Space Tech: equal shares for all four sons, unless Alec turned his share down, then it would be divided in thirds among Ty, Orion, and Zach. It would be up to the board to vote one of them in as CEO, president by name. It would then be up to that person to decide on the chain of command.

  For Alec, it was a non-issue. He was not interested in becoming part of the corporation, but here, once again, even though he was no longer alive, Dad was inviting him into the family business. The rising guilt became more difficult to suppress each time he thought about it. It would be easy to succumb to that guilt and just join his brothers in some capacity, whatever that might be. But he had to look at this with a clear mind. He could never leave his life and his job in Chicago and be truly happy.

  Once they were outside the room, Aunt Peggy decided to go home and return later for the conference that evening. Once again, it was just the men.

  Uncle Nate nudged Ty with his briefcase. “Well, we’d better go and look over some of these papers. Could take a little while, and we still have that board meeting to attend.”

  “Okay, we’ll head to your office. You probably have more stuff there that I don’t understand. Right?”

  “You’re right again,” Nate said
with a smile.

  “So, what are you guys going to do while I go suffer?”

  “We’re going treasure hunting. I’ve got my bloodhound here.” Orion gave Alec a good poke in the arm. “I figure it’s about four forty-five or so; gives us a good hour, hour and a half to get started.”

  “Yes, I think we’ll head back to Dad’s... umm... your office, Ty. I think there has to be something there to help us out. If not, it’ll be time to start scouring all the research labs back on the lower floor. Orion’s got to be getting tired of toting that appointment book around all day, anyway.”

  As Ty and Uncle Nate made their way down the hall, Alec and Orion headed back toward Ty’s office. Once inside they stood and looked around. They’d never really paid attention to their father’s office before. It was simple, but elegant. Across from where they stood was that desk with its simple, but stylish high-backed black chair. On the walls were pictures of tall ships, aircraft from every age, and spacecraft. It appeared to be such an odd collection, yet somehow things seemed to fit together perfectly.

  Several bookcases lined the room, each loaded with books. A couch and some chairs, most likely for clients, dignitaries or just guests, completed the room. Alec moved behind the desk and glanced out at the view. The office overlooked a courtyard with beautiful trees, a garden, and fountains.

  No wonder Dad loved coming to work each day, he thought.

  Orion joined him at the window. “The sun will be setting in a few hours. Must be quite the sight.”

  “Yes. I would imagine that Dad must have watched the view many times. Orion, do you really think that all that data from the accident can be evaluated and compiled by next Sunday? And, what about finding any type of information on the StarDancer? I mean viable info that can get that grant money?”