“But aircraft like this are generally noisy. What about that?”
“I believe that we can pass that off as a new stealth technology and noise reduction system, Commander. You can still hear the fan noise from the exterior, but it is slight. For interior sound and vibration, I have added several low – and high-frequency generators to give the craft the internal audio equivalent of a passenger aircraft.”
“Any weapons?”
“Only Earth contemporary ones. Two 30mm cannons, one on each side, with several thousand rounds each.”
“Can we add the 30mm to the Enterprise and the Truman?”
“Yes, Commander.”
“And the flight characteristics and capabilities are the same as the Enterprise?”
“Yes, Commander.”
“I want to fly it as soon as possible! Find a place in the desert where we can play around and fire the weapons. We need to have some fun. And you’ll be in the copilot seat! When we get back, though, let’s rethink weapons for the Enterprise and Truman. Initially at least the same 30mm cannons.”
The B1 flight was every bit as fun as Van expected, and more.
“Hey, Harry, this thing flies like a real airplane, just faster and more maneuverable than most. We’ve done loops, Immelmanns, tight turns, and rolls. Funny though, I can’t stall it and I can’t put it into a spin. Why is that?”
“Quite simple, Commander. The drive system, the antigravity system, and the inertial dampeners all work together to prevent uncontrolled flight.”
“Cool! I wish my old T-34s and T-28s had all that when I was in flight training. I think I scared my flight instructors half to death many times in acrobatic practice. I was too dumb then to realize what danger I was in—until my instructors explained it to me, loudly, while stabbing me in the chest with their fingers!” He paused for a breath, then went on: “Is there anything that I should be aware of that might be dangerous in flight?”
“Only one thing, Commander.”
“What’s that?” he asked just as Harry initiated a simulated complete engine failure.
“That, Commander. With the loss of power, the glide ratio of the shuttles is not the same as most of your fixed-wing aircraft.”
“You mean you fall out of the sky like a rock, like we’re doing now!” shouted Van as he furiously tried to find the best power-off glide angle that would give him the greatest choice of emergency landing sites.
“Yes, Commander. The B1 and B2 have the same power-off characteristics as the Enterprise and the Truman.”
“So all the nice things you added to the B1 for looks are just that, for looks?” he grunted, struggling to maintain control.
“Yes, Commander.”
“So we crash and die?”
“No, Commander. Despite the steep rate of descent, once the shuttle detects the closeness of the ground, it uses stored crystal energy to engage the antigravity system long enough to cushion the landing—as we are about to experience now.”
“You mean we are going all the way to the ground?” Van asked, afraid of what the impact might be from this large aircraft. And he closed his eyes tight and braced, expecting to be bounced around in a hard landing.
But before Harry could reply, the antigravity system engaged, and the B1 settled softly to the ground.
“Jesus, Harry. You scared the shit out of me! I thought we were going to hit hard and break stuff —even you and me—but it didn’t happen. Can we do it again?” Van said with a broad, eager smile.
After returning from the “fun” with the B1, things got a little boring. While Harry got busy making weapons changes to the Enterprise and the Truman, Van thought it a good time to talk with Dick in his Ops Center.
“Hey, how goes everything?” Van asked.
“As far as business goes, we’re doing quite well. Brice sent Ross and a team on a mission for Homeland Security to Colombia. Mostly an intelligence mission. Barbara is looking through data Harry sent on places we might find Meier. She seems more motivated than ever. What did you guys talk about?”
“Oh, this and that. I think we came to a working understanding.”
“Whatever it was, it was good for us here.”
“Do we have anything yet on Meier?”
“We’re not certain yet, but he may be planning to use his yacht, the Valkyrie. As you may know, it usually stays in the Aegean, but it’s on the move, apparently to the Black Sea. Maybe he wants to see some of his old Soviet friends.”
“Do they file float plans in that part of the world, like flight plans?”
“Sometimes, but that’s usually a voluntary thing and not something he would do if he was being very private, as he usually is.”
“I believe he was last seen in Geneva, is that correct?”
“Yes, I think that’s correct.”
“OK. Harry has been busy doing some things for me, but I’ll focus him on Geneva, the yacht, and the Aegean Islands. Tell Brice that I’ll see him in a few days. Probably in your warehouse and at night. I’ll tell you exactly when later.”
“New toy to show him?”
“Yes, and he’ll like it.” Van concluded the call. He didn’t say that Barbara would probably hate it—especially when she discovered what Van had in mind.
CHAPTER 31
“Harry, I have another job for you.”
“What is that, Commander?”
Van related his discussion with Dick and then said, “Start a full-blown Big Brother surveillance of Meier, his land and sea locations. Use all the drones and fireflies necessary, as well as the Enterprise and Truman. We need to find out where he is and, more importantly, predict where he will be so we can intercept him.”
“Yes, Commander. I can tell you right now he is in Geneva as Mr. Carson suggested. He has been there for several days. Based on his recent activity and purchases, he may be getting ready to travel.”
“Any idea where he might be going?”
“Not yet, Commander. His new purchases have been of little note. Some new luggage and personal items. He has a private aircraft in Geneva, but there is no current activity around it and no IR signature, suggesting that it has been sitting for a while. It is the same G5 that you were transported to Bern in. Nothing more.”
“OK. Pass all of this along to Barbara, and keep looking. And Harry?”
“Yes, Commander?”
“I assume that your Big Brother search for Meier is in an automated mode at present?”
“Yes, Commander, but if there is something else you would like me to do, I am far from being taxed right now. Perhaps renew our efforts against Europa?”
“Interesting thought, but I don’t think destroying Europa would be good for us right now. The patent infringement case is still open, and suspicion would fall on us if something happened to the place. In addition, if Meier has the scanner, he has likely extracted all he can from it, thus eliminating any value to trying to recover it.”
“True, Commander. But it would be of value to know where it is, assuming Mr. Meier has it. But there is something else.”
“Like what?”
“If Europa has been doing research on ALS, it would be of value to know what they have learned and how it may apply to Mr. Meier.”
“Yes, I thought of that, but I still don’t like the idea of breaking into or dealing with Europa now.”
“We don’t have to, Commander. Using drones and fireflies, we can gather a great deal of information without detection and build a file to be used when or if we need it.”
“Then let’s do it.”
Just then an unsecured phone call came in. Van looked at Harry with curiosity since this hadn’t happened before, then answered, “Stellar Projects, Van Childs. How can I help you?”
“Hello, Mr. Childs, good to speak with you again,” said a familiar and chilling voice.
“Meier?” he asked, astonished.
“Yes, Mr. Childs. It is me, Peter Meier. How are you today?”
“Ah, I’m doing
fine, thanks. I have to admit this is a surprise,” Van said, frantically trying to get Harry to trace the call.
“Yes, I suppose it is. However, I felt it was time we talked again. This tit for tat, as you Americans call it, is getting us nowhere. I am thinking we can have a friendlier relationship.”
“I’m not sure how, but I’m listening.”
“Good. By now you must have concluded that I have in my possession certain artifacts not from this world. You will also have concluded that I found these artifacts in a remote facility some time ago and that they are the basis for a part of my business success.”
Bingo, he just confirmed what Harry and I thought! But he probably thinks we have a site also. Guess the cats are out of their respective bags.
“Probably most of it,” Van said.
“The percentage is not important. What is important is that I have concluded that you also have found such a facility. You could not have produced what you have without such a discovery. True?”
“Perhaps,” Van said. “Go on.”
“I take that as a yes. What I propose is that we stop this useless battle between us and move to a less stressful mode of operation. As I suggested when you were my guest in Bern, I propose that we set grievances aside and join forces to maximize the usefulness of the technology we have discovered and do the world and ourselves a favor. There is much to be gained for everyone by doing this. Don’t you agree?”
“There is much the world can benefit from, I agree. And I would like to cease this competition between us. However, as I told Iken once, I don’t think we have the same vision.”
“And what vision is that, Mr. Childs?”
“A vision that sees the world benefiting from technology with little to no cost. A world that is united and can defend itself from any threat.”
“We are so close, Mr. Childs. I have the same vision, but I also believe in the rewards of our labors.”
“Like a cure for ALS, in particular?”
“Ah, you know about that. Yes, that would be nice. My companies have made significant strides in this area, but no cure yet. Are you suggesting you have such a cure?”
“No, I was just pointing out that there are likely more personal desires in your proposal than you allude to.”
“Perhaps, but I am as human as you. My desire to live is strong, yes, but the greater vision is fantastic. What do you say, Mr. Childs? Can we work together?”
Van had to think about this. If they could combine forces and work together, everyone would benefit. But can I trust this man? he thought. His actions so far show no indication that he is trustworthy. And what are the chances he would turn from a pure capitalist to a philanthropist overnight? Damned slim, in my opinion. My father once told me to trust my gut, and my gut is saying no. But perhaps there is an opening.
“I’ll tell you what, Meier. Cut your profits on your medical devices to five percent or less and increase production and distribution. Then turn your ALS research over to the World Health Organization and drop the patent case against Stellar. And, finally, return the funds you stole… and then we can talk.”
“You ask much, Mr. Childs. I can drop the patent case easily. The funds that you allowed to be transferred can also be returned, with interest. But I cannot cut profits as deeply as you suggest, nor can I just give away any research that has taken years to develop.”
“Those are my terms for continuing to talk.”
“Are you sure? Is there not some room for negotiation?”
“No, the terms are what they are.”
“It saddens me greatly to hear you say so, Mr. Childs. I was hoping for an amicable solution to our mutual problems. You have most likely tried to trace this number without success, but you can call it anytime you change your mind. Good day to you.” And the connection was closed.
What just happened? Van’s thoughts spun into overtime. Why did he make the call? Was it just to see if I’ve had enough and am willing to deal? Or was it a fishing expedition? He does know now that I discovered a site, but he doesn’t know the details. He may think it is as limited as his was… but I sense he thinks I discovered more and wants part of it, or all of it if he can get rid of me. And he was definitely fishing about the ALS cure. His research must not be doing what he wants, at least in a timely fashion.
“Harry, I’m guessing you couldn’t trace the call?”
“Correct, Commander. It was routed through at least one hundred systems around the world. Most of those were slow to respond to my inquiries. I do have his contact number, however.”
“Well, that’s something. We can always call him… as if that will happen. Anyway, where were we before the call?”
“You directed me to conduct a close surveillance of the Europa facility with drones and fireflies. I have already started, Commander.”
“Thanks. Keep Dick and Barbara in the loop on what you find. Meanwhile, I’ll check in with Dick on implant communications.”
“Yes, Commander. I believe Mr. Carson is ready for your call now.”
“Dick, you got a minute?”
“I’m in my building and on my way to my office now, but you can go ahead. I have my cell phone to my ear in case people think I’m talking to myself.”
“Good move. Harry and I were just talking locally here in our Ops Center. And guess who called?”
“Not Meier!”
“Good guess. A real surprise.”
“What did he want, as if I can’t guess?”
“He wants to be partners. I wasn’t very warm to the idea, but I did give him an option, which he declined to accept. I’ll give you the details later. Right now Harry is doing the Big Brother thing on Meier even as we speak. And he’s executing an interior and exterior surveillance of Europa.”
“You thinking about going in there like we did with Avantek?”
“Not really. Not a good time with the patent case going on. The scanner isn’t worth the effort like the computer was. But it would be interesting to see some of his research on ALS if we can. It may tell us more about him.”
“Of course. Say, didn’t you mention something about visiting our warehouse in the next day or so?”
“Yes indeed. Tell Brice to expect me there tomorrow about midnight. Keep the big doors open, make sure that there’s a lot of room for something about the size of four or so M1A1 tanks, and have the lights off, please.”
“This sounds interesting. I’ll be there, and my guess is so will Barbara.”
“OK, but I don’t plan to stay long.”
“No problem. By the way, Brice had the next best thing to a SCIF installed just for himself and his teams, in case you need it. See you tomorrow night.” And he closed the connection.
“Harry, did you get all that?”
“Yes, Commander, and we will be ready to go when you want.”
“Also, Harry, would you like to try your new physical appearance out on people other than me?”
Harry brightened a little, if that was possible for a machine entity. Van had observed over time that Harry seemed to be learning about humans more and more, and he thought this might be just the right time to test him out in safe conditions.
“Why yes, Commander. I cannot think of a better test of my work. I seem to be excited. How strange.”
The next night Van and Harry departed Site R for the Carson warehouse in Virginia. Van flew the B1 with Harry in the copilot’s seat as they neared their final destination.
“You know, Harry, I still can’t tell much difference in the handling of the B1 compared to the Enterprise. It’s slightly larger, but it doesn’t seem to matter even with the add-ons you made.”
“That was the way I designed it, Commander. The B1 is a little larger than the Enterprise and the Truman and has more power. That extra power made the extra weight almost undetectable. My sensors can see a difference in performance, but I am not surprised that you see no difference.”
“Yes, and the noise and vibration generators work
really well. Just enough sound and vibration to be convincing. What are these switches here that say ‘Stealth’?”
“They are essentially for show, but they do have a purpose as far as we are concerned. If, for example, Mr. Johnson or one of his team members is here in the cockpit and we need to be ultraquiet on an approach, then you or I can flip these switches and suggest to anyone watching that we have an increased noise-reduction mode. It helps to explain why we might be really quiet on landing.”
“Very clever, Harry. You think of everything.”
“That is my job, Commander. I think we are about ready to make our approach now.”
“You’re right. I have the warehouse on infrared and see people standing around. Here we go.”
With a subdued whine like muffled jet engines, Van flew the B1 into a hover in front of the warehouse doors, extended the landing gear, and touched down. Inside the warehouse a man acting as a handler signaled with red wands for him to move forward. Once they were inside, the doors began to close and the handler crossed his two red wands together, signaling a stop. Van hit the virtual brakes and began the shutdown process.
In less than two minutes, the B1 interior lights came on and the cargo door lowered. But before the door was fully deployed, Brice Johnson and Ross Taylor jumped in like two kids in a free ice cream shop. Big smiles on each.
“Where in the hell did you get this? What is it? How many do you have? When can we take a test flight?”
“Hold on, Brice, one question at a time. Let’s wait until everyone gets in so I don’t have to go through the same speech over and over.” Van was happy that most people in the military or those who were former military (like Brice and his team) had no real concept of how products were developed and made. They were happy to think that a group of great private sector scientists and engineers, like Stellar, could easily come up with things quickly, whereas the government took years just maneuvering through the bureaucracy. Barbara might wonder, but she believed Stellar had significant R&D as well as prototype capabilities. Van made no effort to change her opinion, or anyone else’s, for that matter.
Future Discovered: Host Saga Book 1 Page 21
