“So, am I correct in assuming the energy of impact and the diverted components account for our power level being almost back to normal?”
“That is correct, Paul.”
“AIMI, you and I need to have a heart-to-heart talk. We have many things to discuss.”
“I agree, Paul.”
“Well done, AIMI.”
“Thank you, Paul, but I could not have accomplished my task without your help.”
“Alpha, Guardian Flight. I have the President on-line.”
“Paul, I have tapped into Guardian’s discreet frequency.”
“Thank you AIMI.”
“Captain, we are monitoring your discreet frequency.”
“Roger that, Alpha.”
“Paul, this is the President. Please accept our most profound apologies for your ordeal with General Bellinger. He has been relieved of duty and is in custody, and will be for a long time. Once again, you have the thanks of a grateful nation. We are aware that you disabled the nuclear missile.”
“No problem, Mr. President. I understand, and you are most welcome.”
“Paul, the Congress and I are going to create a new cabinet position, Secretary of Space Technology. You are the man for that position.”
“Mr. President, I am truly humbled and honored, but must decline. General Bellinger has many powerful supporters, in government as well as industry. They will not stop until they have what they want. My family and friends are at risk because of this technology and me. I need to disappear for the time being.”
“Paul, I am saddened by the situation, and your decision, but I do understand. Good luck.”
“Captain Duke, Guardian Flight is to escort the Alpha to wherever he wants to go.”
“Yes, Mr. President. We understand.”
“Alpha, Guardian Flight. We are at your disposal. Where would you like to go?”
“Guardian, you must be getting a bit low on fuel.”
“We are okay, sir, and we have two KC-10 tankers on–station, ready to fuel us, based on our new destination.”
“Captain Duke, it has been an interesting day. We are going upstairs, way upstairs. Please give my best to Jim Andrews the next time you see him. And Guardian Flight, thanks.”
“I understand, good luck, sir. I will forward your message to Jim, and - Captain Christian?”
“Yes, Captain Duke?”
“Thank you, sir, and best of luck.”
The F-18 Hornets of Guardian Flight formed up in tight formation. Once in formation, one at a time they moved in close to the Alpha and saluted. Then each one rolled inverted and reversed course until they were all back on course to Fallon.
14
Lynn, Michelle, and Steve had all heard the dialog between Paul, the President, and Guardian Flight.
“What now, Dad?”
Steve Christian had that inquisitive look on his face. The last two years had certainly changed all their lives. He knew that the events of the last day would bring about even more profound changes.
“I would say it’s time to give you the grand orbital tour of Earth, and earn astronaut wings for the three of you in the process.”
“Wow, way cool, Dad!”
Even though they knew what was to come, they were excited about seeing Earth from space.
Paul knew what had to be done, but for now it was time to enjoy some time with his family, and share the awesome terrestrial beauty that few had seen in person.
It was just a few minutes to orbit. As they captured the orbital profile he had selected, they were just coming over New Zealand. As always the view was spectacular - very little cloud cover. But as they looked towards China, they could see what was left of a tropical storm that was nearly dissipated.
Lynn, Michelle, and Steve were almost glued to the windows, and were mesmerized by the unique view of their home.
“I have seen many pictures of the Earth from space, but this is just incredible!”
“Yes, it is, Lynn. I could enjoy the view for hours. It is truly awe-inspiring. Well, Dude and Dudette, what do you think?”
“Words just aren’t adequate to describe the feeling and emotion that swells over you. The Earth looks so big, but small and fragile as well.”
“Well said, Sweet Pea! What do you think, Son?”
“Dad, in a word, wow!”
“Anybody hungry?” Paul pulled out the provisions that had been put on board at the Portland Air National Guard base.
“Courtesy of Colonel Mitchell Stevens.”
Paul pulled out the box lunches, along with vegetable and fruit trays, small snacks, and drinks.
“The buffet line is open.”
As they all enjoyed the food for their bodies, they were also feasting upon food for the soul and spirit that came from sharing the excitement, beauty, and splendor of orbiting their home at over 150 miles, and seeing it from space for the first time.
Paul had been working on a program on and off as he was munching on an apple. It had to do with Angstrom waves and light propagation.
“Ok, AIMI, now let’s try the full simulation.”
Paul ran the program, and then he ran it again. He changed the variables. It still worked.
“Do you concur, AIMI?”
“Yes, Paul, and while the visible spectrum does take a bit more power, the radar and infra-red imaging cloak use minimal power.”
Lynn had broken away from the almost addicting orbital view that was still captivating Michelle and Steve. She walked over and put her arm around Paul. He turned to her and smiled.
She smiled back and said, “A penny for your thoughts? What are you working on?”
“Well, m’dear, I will let you know in a few minutes, if I’m successful.”
“How would you all like to see Space Station Freedom, at least from the outside?”
They all nodded yes, and with that, Paul manually modified the Alpha’s orbit. First stop - right in front of an orbiting surveillance satellite. Next stop was Space Station Freedom.
As they approached the satellite, Paul took manual control of the thrusters and had AIMI monitor all communications and telemetry from the satellite.
“AIMI, execute the Angstrom wave nullification program and modify the Quantum field for broad spectrum radar and infra-red energy absorption.”
“Sounds complicated, Paul. What is it?”
Paul had maneuvered the Alpha right in front of the surveillance satellite. When he was in visual range of the monitor cameras, it should have painted him on radar, infrared, and finally by motion.
According to its read-outs for all intents and purposes, the Alpha was invisible to the satellite.
“See that satellite? It does not see us on - radar, infrared or even visually. But that’s still small potatoes. Let’s see if we are as lucky when we get to Space Station Freedom.”
“ETA Freedom – thirteen minutes.”
“Thank you, AIMI.”
Paul knew that the surveillance satellite was old Generation-One technology, but the Space Station was modern and state-of-the-art. It would be the real test of his new modifications. Stealth was the current technology, and had been used in some fashion for the past fifteen years on certain Air Force jets. But to make a ship invisible to the visible spectrum - the human eye - that was indeed new technology. It was quite a reach, but necessary if his family and friends were going to be safe.
They were now in range of Freedom’s radar and infrared tracking. As he had hoped, the modified Quantum field absorbed the energy, rather than reflecting or bouncing it back. Now it was time for one more test.
“So, what’s going on, Dad? Are we going to stop at the Space Station?”
“Ok, guys, here it is in a nutshell. I have modified the energy field that surrounds the Alpha to absorb thermal energy, rather than
reflect it.”
“Like the Stealth aircraft, right?”
“The Stealth uses its structure, rather than an energy field, but close enough. Now the biggie. In simple terms, I’m trying to modify the spectrum of visible light and hide within that modification.”
“Paul, you mean it’s possible to make the Alpha invisible?”
“We will soon find out, there it is.”
“Is that the Space Station?”
“It is, Lynn.”
“Do they know we are here?”
“I don’t think so - certainly not on radar or infrared. Now let’s find out if my little modification really works. AIMI, tap into the Freedom’s external cameras, and the NASA channel as well, and display all on screen.”
The Alpha had decelerated and was just a couple dozen meters away. They could see the Space Station’s windows and even someone inside. As they all looked at the view screen, they saw what anyone looking outside would see, and what was also displayed on the NASA TV channel - dark empty space, or so it seemed.
“AIMI, generate artificial display of Alpha’s current position.”
On screen, computer-generated imagery displayed the Alpha.
“AIMI, aft thrusters to station-keeping, and forward thrusters 360 degree roll left on the longitudinal axis.”
As AIMI was executing the maneuver, Paul watched the Alpha’s monitor that was a repeat of the Freedom /NASA display. He was looking for any telltale signs of our invisibility, distortion, ghost imaging, or spectrum instability associated with static or dynamic movement. There was none. For all intents, they were invisible, and the only sensor array that was capable of seeing them, let alone tracking them, was on board the Alpha.
“So, what do you think of Space Station Freedom, guys?”
“Quite impressive, but are we really invisible, Dad?”
“Yes, we are, Son, to radar, infrared, and visual spectrum, as well.”
“But how?”
“Essentially, we are hiding between wavelengths. Alpha is producing a mirror image of parallel light waves, which nullifies the spectrum a bit. We are hiding in that sweet spot, so to speak.”
“What’s going on, Dad? Why do you need something like that?” Michelle asked.
Paul took his daughter’s hand. “You know there is nothing more important to me than the ones I love - you, your brother, Grandma, and Uncle Tony, and now Lynn.
“Yes, Dad.”
“General Bellinger was just one man, but he was not working alone, and he reported to someone, too. There are people that will stop at nothing to get what they want. The General was supposed to be one of the good guys. Imagine what the bad guys would do to get hold of this technology.”
“Why not just hide the Alpha?”
“Well, Sweet Pea, they would go after the next best thing - me. And they would use you and anyone else I cared about as leverage to get what they want.”
Steve chimed in, “So, what are you going to do, Dad?”
“You know me, guys. I always have a Plan B.”
Michelle and Steve smiled and both in chorus added, “And a Plan C, and a Plan D.”
“I was worried that the events of the last day might transpire - call it a premonition. If things ever got to this point, Roger Bannon was to put my Plan B into action. In a few minutes we will be heading back down to Earth. I have established special accounts at numerous places. I have also established new identities for all of you. It is the only way you can be safe, at least till I’m in hiding.”
Paul knew he had no intention of hiding. Someone hiding can always be found. But if he were to tell the truth, it would crush Michelle, Steve, and Lynn. This was the better way.
“We will be landing at a scarcely populated Pacific island. There will be transportation for you there, with your new identities. Once I’m away and in hiding, they should leave you all alone.”
“But where can you hide, Dad?”
“Sorry, guys. For your own protection I can’t tell you that. But with Alpha’s recent improvements, they will not able to see me, let alone track me. You should all be safe.”
“Paul, I’m going with you,” said Lynn, as she walked over and took his other hand.
Paul embraced Lynn, then cupped her face in his hands, smiled weakly, and said, “You now have the most important job in the world - taking care of Michelle and Steve. Knowing you are all safe will make being away possibly bearable.”
As the tears streamed down Lynn’s face, Paul again embraced her and said, “I love you. Don’t worry, things will be ok.”
As Lynn began sobbing, Michelle and Steve came up and hugged her.
Although the mood was a bit sad and somber, the time had come to break orbit and execute Plan B.
“Manual thruster control, please, AIMI.”
“Manual control engaged.”
Paul slowly modulated the thrusters as they backed away from the Space Station. Then at about 300 meters, he engaged the auto-path. Since he was not quite sure how well he would be able to mask their return to Earth with the new modifications, he had programmed a very shallow arrival angle. It would take some extra energy to remain invisible to radar, infrared and the human eye. Even so, the Alpha would still arrive with almost ninety percent power available.
“Steve, want to fly this bird a little?”
“Really, Dad?”
“Yes, really.”
“Sure!”
“AIMI, auto-path manual control, with arrival corridor cues on screen, please.”
“Auto-path manual control engaged.”
“Son, you have a choice. You can use either the flight instrument display on screen or the heads-up display.”
“I see, Dad. Just keep the symbol in the middle of the square boxes right?”
“That’s right. It’s just like the HITS, the Highway In The Sky presentation that NASA pioneered for airplanes.”
“Dad, is that ETA correct?”
“Yes, it’s twenty minutes till we land.”
“Lynn, Michelle, you want to give it a try?”
“No, I think we are both fine,” replied Michelle.
Lynn then walked over and took Paul’s hand.
“This is all so incredible. Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“I can’t think of anyone that I would rather share this with, than the three of you.”
“And Paul, I understand why you have go. I will love and take care of Michelle and Steve as if they were my own. And I will eagerly look forward to being with you again.”
Now a tear was streaming down Paul’s cheek. He would miss everybody, more than any of them could imagine. Just how long could an eternity be?
They were just crossing the terminator, or the line that separates day from night. It was dawn in the Pacific, and they were just making that seamless change from sub-orbital flight to atmospheric flight.
“It’s all yours, Dad. Incredible machine. I’m going to enjoy the view.”
The Alpha was descending through 150,000 feet and slowing below 10,000 knots - better than twelve times the speed of sound - and rapidly decelerating. Soon they would be able to see their island destination.
“Tactical status, please, AIMI.”
“We are on path, and we are absorbing active radar and infrared, both ground and satellite.”
“Thank you, AIMI.”
Paul continued the deceleration, and was just able to see their destination. It was a beautiful tropical day in the South Pacific.
“There it is, guys.” Lynn, Michelle, and Steve were all enjoying the view, and saw their destination as well.
As they flew over an open meadow, a helicopter became visible. It was just past a bluff that overlooked the beach. He transitioned to almost a hover and touched down about fifty meters from the helicopter.
> “Okay, AIMI, thrusters to standby, but let’s keep the Quantum drive in dynamic so we can maintain our invisibility. What do you project for power consumption?”
“In our current configuration, can maintain full power for one hour. After that we will need to go to Quantum static, which as you know would affect the Angstrom nullification program.”
The helicopter pilot, Roger Bannon, had not seen the Alpha; it was hiding between visual spectrum wavelengths.
Paul adjusted the program and, for a couple of seconds, the Alpha became visible to the human eye. Then it faded and disappeared. But it was enough time for Roger to see the ship.
“Well, everybody, welcome to paradise. How ‘bout some fresh air?”
Paul opened the internal door, then the external. As he did, he saw Roger Bannon waiting outside.
From Roger’s viewpoint, there was a door opening up from nowhere, leading to infinity, which was more correct than anyone knew.
“Hey, Roger. Thanks for being here. I’m sorry the circumstances are not better.”
“That’s quite an impressive cloaking shield you have. Am I correct in assuming you are invisible to radar and infrared as well?”
“Correctomundo, Roger, but it does use quite a bit of power. But we have about an hour to play with.”
‘The President has offered his help in any and every way, but I am the only one who knows the game plan. I have all the identity documentation for Michelle, Lynn, and Steve.”
“Thank you, Roger. I think this is the only option. I wish it were different, but for now this is the way it has to be.”
“Paul, I think once you are in hiding, the situation will revert to normal. It might take a few weeks, but your family will be safe. You have my word on that.”
“Roger, in addition to the other accounts that I have created for Michelle, Lynn, and Steve, I also have an account for you, my friend. I owe you a real debt of gratitude, for what you have done past, present, and future. The least I can do is to provide financial security for you and your family.”
“I don’t know what to say, Paul, other than thank you.”
Paul now needed to spend a little time with Michelle, Lynn, and Steve.
The Alpha Premonition: Book 1: A Gathering Storm Page 19
