Heinbaum rolled his shoulders to ease the pain from the sharp thwack and used his left hand to smooth his disheveled hair back down.
With a withering glare at the red-haired hellion, the snide scientist tried to regain some of his swagger and said, "Yes, well, to be sure the collaboration with my colleagues is extremely productive."
With a welcoming wave of his arm, Heinbaum said, "General, please step to this workbench so we can describe our findings. Dr. Roemer, would you be so kind as to begin the explanation?"
On the workbench were two devices which at first glance appeared to be gumball dispensers; however, one of them had a glass ball half the size of the other. Both balls enclosed a silvery pyramid with short antennas jutting from the centers of the respective sides and the apex of the geometric form.
Roemer positioned himself to the left side of the display and said, "General, the device with the 2 foot diameter glass globe is the Chrysallaman gravity drive module we removed from the scout saucer in our warehouse."
Tom asked, "What is the purpose of the wire mesh in the globe? Dispersal of the gravity drive effect?"
Nodding at the insightful question, Roemer responded, "Your perception is accurate. The honeycomb layout of the wire mesh acts to disburse the gravity drive effect uniformly to the entire structure of the spacecraft. In standby mode, the only effect is to impose a normal gravity load throughout the spacecraft. The load can be varied but the usual setting is for one G. At one G, a person in the spacecraft would experience the same force of gravity as if standing on Earth."
As Tom nodded his understanding, Miguel looked at Longarrow and McPherson and requested, "Would you gentlemen mind doing your thing and removing the globes, please?"
Responding with practiced ease, the men removed both glass orbs to expose the identical pyramidal bases.
"Now comes the interesting part," Heinbaum announced as he nodded at Miguel.
Grabbing two of the antennae of the pyramid from the larger glass bulb, Roemer lifted it away from its black base to disclose the Buckyball within which the slightly undulating 2 inch diameter ball of black ink reposed. The 3 inch diameter silvery porcelain Buckyball sat within a cup-like depression in a black base made of the same crystalline material as the focusing crystals on the Chrysallaman cutter and heat ray pistols.
Heinbaum couldn't wait to take over the presentation and shouldered his way between Roemer and the device. Pointing at the ball of ink, he declared, "What you are witnessing is an artificially created black hole completely and safely contained within the framework of a Buckminsterfullerene."
Tom educational training at West Point Military Academy had covered deep space phenomena. He knew the basics of black hole theory, and the cavalier way these scientific geniuses were acting around one of the most powerful forces in the known universe was, to say the least, very troubling. Frown lines in Tom's forehead were getting deeper, and his whole demeanor indicated he was getting upset over the safety of his facility. Even Heinbaum, who was normally oblivious to human emotions, could see that Tom was very uncomfortable.
Realizing he needed to reassure the General about the safety of the gravity module design, Heinbaum declared, "The Chrysallamans were cunningly brilliant about the containment of the normally inescapable gravity well of a black hole. The event horizon of the black hole is contained within the Buckyball formation at the theoretically perfect point of equilibrium. Since the existence of the artificial black hole is derived from and maintained by the Buckyball structure, the black hole can't destroy the structure without destroying itself. The perfect union of an irresistible force meeting an immovable object."
"In other words, the black hole can't get out of control because if it tries it will destroy the very thing that makes it exist and thus destroy itself," Tom replied.
"Exactly!" Heinbaum and Roemer declared at the same time.
"So what's the purpose for the creation of a black hole?"
Heinbaum looked at Miguel and gave him a go ahead nod. Walking over to a white erase board on a nearby wall, Roemer said, "Einstein's theories indicate that as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass increases to infinity. As a result, it's not possible for an object to achieve the speed of light because the increasing mass of the object would be diametrically opposed to the speed."
Drawing a seesaw on the white board, the young scientist explained, "What the Chrysallamans discovered was the black hole acts as an anti-mass. In other words, you have a seesaw where one end of the balance board is loaded with the mass of the object you want to accelerate to the speed of light. The other end of the balance board is loaded with the anti-mass of the black hole. The opposing mass forces cancel each other out and make light speed efficiently attainable."
"Another benefit of cancelling mass is the removal of the effects of inertia. The gravity drive envelope affects all the atoms of the spacecraft and all its contents uniformly so there is no resistance to a change in motion."
"In laymen's terms, Doctor, please," Tom said. "What do you mean about inertia?"
With a glint in his eyes, Roemer replied, "It means the effects of instant acceleration and deceleration are nullified! With the gravity drive activated, I can increase your speed from zero to light speed instantaneously with no effect on your physical body."
The glow of understanding in Tom’s eyes and the widening smile were proof he grasped the concept and was impressed with their discoveries. Looking at the other pyramid where the smaller globe had been attached, he nodded his head towards it and asked, "So what's the deal with the smaller sphere?"
McPherson who'd been lounging on a nearby stool watching the lab rats explain their findings replied with a toothy smile, "I thought I'd try a little modification to the original design."
Heinbaum crossed his arms in irritation when McPherson injected himself into the discussion but recognized the no nonsense look in the big Scotsman's eyes. Still feeling an ache between his shoulder blades from the solid thump the Captain had pounded him with several minutes before, the bombastic scientist decided he'd yield the discussion for the time being.
McPherson walked over to the other silvery pyramid and lifted it away from its black base. Several design changes were evident. The Buckyball containing its undulating black hole was fitted into a cup formed from Kinetic Generator Helix coil material instead of the black crystalline substance. Two horseshoe shaped electromagnets were imbedded in the black crystalline base on either side of the Helix cup and pointed towards the Buckyball.
Raising his eyes to Tom, McPherson pointed his finger at the setup and said, "It seemed obvious to me that if Heiny's special helix coil could absorb and focus kinetic energy from a moving planetary sized body then the same effect might be possible to achieve from energy in the black hole."
At this point, Roemer broke in, "General, I have to admit my skepticism when the Captain first described what he wanted to try. Up to now, the general consensus of scientific opinion states a black hole is nothing but a gravity well so strong not even light can escape its clutches. Only science fiction books have expressed the belief that a black hole is actually a doorway or opening into some other reality."
Gazing over at Heinbaum as if he was asking for permission to continue and receiving a peevish nod, Roemer continued, "The McPherson apparatus appears to indeed be capable of tapping into some form of tremendous energy well accessible only through the black hole. The McPherson technique produces a white cloud with gray swirls and sparkling flashes of light that fills an energized emitter globe. The anti-mass effect is also enhanced resulting in the need for a dispersal globe only half the size of the Chrysallaman design."
Walking over to stand beside McPherson, Blunt ran his fingertips over the smooth, silvery surface of the pyramid and asked, "So what's the next step in your research, Gentlemen? A trial run?"
"No question," Heinbaum replied. "We'll install the gravity drive with the McPherson modification in the scout saucer. Mr. Longarrow and
Captain McPherson will take the saucer for a spin to make sure it performs as expected. Once we have confirmation of its successful operation, plans will be prepared to refit the mother ship VrrSilliac Xur with the new design."
Gazing at Heinbaum with narrowed eyes, Tom said, "I must insist on a change in flight plans."
When he was sure he had Heinbaum's attention, Tom continued, "Dr. Heinbaum, you'll be a member of the crew testing the gravity drive on the scout saucer. Your deep understanding of the theoretical concepts and actual construction of the Kinetic Generator and the creation of artificial black holes will be invaluable during the test flight. Dr. Roemer will remain here to monitor the flight and provide any Earthbound assistance which may be required."
Heinbaum's beady eyes moved back and forth nervously, and it was only a matter of moments before the alarmed scientist exploded with objections.
"Your suggestion is preposterous! It's my genius upon which all the technological advances used to defend Earth are based. Earth can't be exposed to the slightest possibility of my loss!"
Pointing a bony, trembling finger at McPherson, Heinbaum said, "Captain McPherson is the perfect candidate for the test flight! If he ever happens to disappear or be killed, no one will even realize he's gone."
Tom ignored the demands and said, "You have your orders Doctor."
Turning on his heel, Tom opened the laboratory door to leave and just as he walked out he nodded with a smile to McPherson and Longarrow and said, "Let me know if you have any trouble with the good Doctor. Report to me on the results of the test flight as soon as you return."
Ambling over to the emotionally stricken Heinbaum, McPherson wrapped his arm around the weasel, hugged him tight and said, "Don't worry Heiny. I won't let anything happen to my little buddy."
"Good God in Heaven," Heinbaum managed to wheeze.
Chapter 5 - FLIT
"All systems nominal," Colonel Alexander Fields said as he flicked a toggle on the master control board to lock the scout saucer Salteer in a parking orbit 2,000 miles above the surface of Earth.
Alex Fields was an African-American who had graduated from the U.S. Airforce Academy with a degree in aircraft design. He had trained as an Airforce pilot and after ten years of air campaigns in the Middle East and Northern Africa had thousands of combat hours in F-16 fighter aircraft. As the result of his experience as a combat pilot, Fields had been tapped as Airforce Liaison to Lockheed Martin for expert advice on the design of the F-35 Lightning fighter used by FORCE to destroy many of the Chrysallaman mother ships and scout saucers. Fields was 5 feet 10 inches tall and looked 10 years younger than his current age of 42. His hair was close cropped, and he kept a well-groomed goatee because he thought it made him look older and wiser. As a member of the trusted inner circle of FORCE command, he was in charge of all air combat units.
The HiDef view screen covering two-thirds of the bulkhead in front of him depicted the upper half of the beautiful blue-green planet Earth floating against a background of black space. The idyllic scene was marred by thin columns of black smoke rising into the atmosphere from some major metropolitan areas on the planet destroyed by the Chrysallaman military. New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles were in ruins. London, Paris, Rome, Moscow, Beijing, Mumbai, Delhi and Sao Paulo had been virtually wiped away by the devastating alien attacks. Fields' eyes narrowed in anger as he thought about the billion lives snuffed out by the marauding Chriks with their cutter and heat rays. Most of the fires around the World had been extinguished, but the smoke proved many of the ruins still smoldered in deep underground pockets the firefighters were having trouble reaching.
A question from the man sitting in the co-pilot's couch interrupted Alex's dark thoughts.
"Have you detected anything out of the ordinary about the flight characteristics of the saucer since we left the hangar?" McPherson asked.
"None," Alex replied as he swiveled the master control couch toward the red-haired Scotsman. “I didn't notice a single power fluctuation during the flight. Everything is performing within normal parameters."
"That's reassuring. I can think of no reason why the gravity drive module as modified should act or perform differently from the standard module, but I guess that's why we have test flights."
Getting to his feet, Alex said, "Let's mosey on down to the Engineering Deck and make sure everything is copasetic before we begin the more demanding tests. I'm not willing to rely on the verbal assurances of Dr. Heinbaum about the status of the new gravity module. He's acting just a bit too nervous for my liking."
"Ain't that the truth," McPherson agreed with a sly smile. “Heiny has been crying like a 3-year old spoiled brat given time-out for bad behavior ever since General Blunt ordered him to be a crewmember on the test flight."
The two men walked the series of ramps leading to the lower deck level and arrived at the entryway to the Engineering bay just in time to hear Heinbaum berating Longarrow.
"I'm telling you I see a blemish in the gravity module orb! What do you mean you don't see anything. It's right in front of you. No, not there! Farther right."
“What’s the problem, little buddy?” McPherson asked.
Heinbaum was standing on the steel mesh walkway that surrounded the fusion reactor. His hands gripped the bottom of a tall stepladder. Longarrow was balanced at the top of it polishing a section of the one foot diameter glass globe of the gravity drive module. The clear globe was filled with a white cloud shot through with gray swirls and sparkling flashes of light.
Exasperated by his inability to make Longarrow understand where the perceived greasy spot was on the globe, the gray haired scientist declared, "I'm surrounded by imbeciles! Here I am trying my best to provide a safe environment for our critical tests, and all I get in return is open mouthed stares of stupidity."
Ambling up a point where they could closely observe the condition of the module, neither Alex nor McPherson could discern any streak or smear on the glassy surface.
Laying his huge hand on Heinbaum's shoulder, McPherson said, "Doc. Relax. It'll all be over soon."
Then in a more jovial tone he thought would lighten the mood, "If we don't explode in a sparkling cloud of tiny little atoms during the test, then you'll be home in no time. I'll be sure to tuck you in your bed all nice and comfy with a glass of warm milk and a fresh baked cookie."
Heinbaum seemed to calm down until he heard the muffled laughter Ernest and Alex were desperately trying to hide.
Jerking his shoulder away from McPherson's hand, the weasily scientist growled, "You hyenas shall rue the day you dared make fun of the great Dr. John Heinbaum. Mark my words!"
In a half-hearted display of surrender, McPherson raised his hands palms outward and said, "Is everything in readiness for the first test run, Doc?"
The heat of his anger having passed for the moment, Heinbaum nodded, "All appears to be ready. One very important fact is the continued viability of the HKG powering the modified Gravity Drive Module."
Walking over to a set of instruments he had installed to measure the strength of the gravity waves generated by the module and the power emanations from the artificial black hole created within the fullerene structure, the scrawny scientist explained, "As we all know, an HKG will only function in close proximity to a moving body with a mass of planetary proportions. Up to this point in time, the absolute limit of the ability of an HKG to draw upon the kinetic energy source was at a distance no greater than 500 miles from the surface of a planet with the mass of Earth. Yet we are 2,000 miles away from Earth, and the HKG cup you installed to hold the Buckyball is still operational."
Turning his beady eyes toward the big Scottish bear, Heinbaum admitted in a sour tone, "It appears Dr. Roemer's theory is proving to be correct. Your HKG cup seems to indeed be tapping into an energy source accessible through the black hole. The existence of the white cloud in the emitter globe is undeniable proof the energy tap is still working."
"There is one other interesting develop
ment as well," Ernest chimed in.
"We reconnected the power coupling from the fusion reactor to the gravity module when we reinstalled the new unit. The coupling provides reactor power to the gravity module and connects the module with the saucer's computer controlling the destination coordinates. During the trip from the Nevada warehouse to our current orbital position, no power was drawn from the fusion energy source by the gravity drive. The only thing I can conclude is the module drew the power it required to place us in orbit from the McPherson HKG."
Shrugging and lifting his empty hands, Ernest added, "There's no other viable explanation."
Grinning under his bushy red mustache, McPherson peered sideways at Heinbaum and bragged, "Geez, and here I thought that master electrician certificate I got on the internet was just for show."
"Yes, an unfunny comedy show written by a worthless buffoon," Heinbaum retorted.
Dawn of Chrysalis (The Origin of F.O.R.C.E. Book 2) Page 5
