Balance of Power Shifted

by Karl, Victor

  After coming down from the roof where Bill demonstrated to his rapt audience the way Power Pads interconnect to meet the power needs for any building, they moved on over to the cars. Bill did a great job explaining how essentially the car was no different from what they had just seen. He further described the engineering of the wiring designed to ensure that the positive and negative poles held their charge even when the fluids moved in the Power Pads due to the motion of the vehicle. By this time, questions were coming regularly and dealt with everything from how to maintain a Power Pad to effects of temperature and output ratios when in low light use. There were impressed to hear that underneath the car Power Pads was a temperature activated heating coil similar to a rear defroster in a car. Freezing temperatures will affect and even kill the Electricus organism, while temperatures up to about 180 degrees Fahrenheit did not seem to have an effect. He added that we were currently working with our manufacturers to have it integrated into all Power Pad modules in the future.

  The CIA person asked a slew of questions on our intentions for the technology as well as our production schedules and even our finances. I started to develop a feeling of distrust with him, which Bill seemed to sense. Carl’s questions turned to discovery of Electricus and the surrounding details including the methods we used to continue replication. Jokingly, I said it is classified,” even though he knew that I was not really joking. This furrowed his brow a bit and he leaned in closer to us and said in a tone to soft for the generals to hear, “your technology may be critical to the security of our country, and your data will be of interest to your government.” At this point, the generals had walked over and General Reardon asked Bill if he would be willing to work with an Air Force engineer on what it would take to retrofit a larger prop transport plane for Electricus. We can supply the specs on the electric engines and the load caused by myriad of electronic components and will need your knowledge there. My simple calculation is that the net weight of the plane should be significantly less due to the absence of fuel and the weight of the engines. Bill looked at me and I nodded my head yes, but inside I was yelling “hell yes” as Bill told the general we were on board.

  As they were getting back into the government car, General Hotchkins told us thanks again and said he would forward me the specifications that the Army engineers come up with for an electric powered Humvee for us to develop a power system to test with. Our friend Carl just tossed us a half-assed wave. Bill in his best conspirator tone leaned to me and said we really need plan B in place. “Soon Bill, soon” I agreed. Fiona and I are already booked for a flight to deal with a backup plan this Saturday.

  After leaving work, Fiona and I went out to buy a few things for our trip, but we were also out to shop for Taylor and Kristen’s wedding that was coming up in two short weeks. I could not believe she dragged me along to the Bridgewater Mall. She had me follow her into Macy’s where they were registered and for 2 hours kept showing pieces of china and stemware asking if she thought they would like this better than that and so on. What did she think I was, Rico the Decorator? If it lasted any longer, I contemplated snapping the long stem of one of the glasses and drive the jagged end through one of my eyes. Then she said those words I had been hoping for “I think we’re done here.” With that, my fake smile changed to a much calmer neutral state.

  The problem with flying first class is that there is no way that I could lean in close to Fiona with the console between us. She was in her seat and curled up with her head facing me taking a snooze. She looked so comfortable that I wanted to snuggle up against her and take a nap myself. I had been staring at her for about 15 minutes watching to see if she was waking up. I had not yet filled her in on the sensitive nature of the meeting in Italy and wanted to bring her up to speed. I was just reaching for the remote control to see what movies were available when she said, “I caught you watching me again.” I just laughed and grabbed her hand. “Sorry I said, but I wanted to bring you up to speed on the reason for the visit.” That got her attention and she sat up straighter and leaned in as best as she could across the console. “I’m all ears,” she said.

  I spent the next few minutes setting the stage by talking about security and the fear Bill and I shared that security could get out of hand and may be bigger than we could handle even with a top-notch firm like Clavis involved. I mentioned the comments from Carl, our CIA friend, and our own interpretation of the issues. Then I went into detail regarding an economic impact study that Efficio had anonymously funded with two universities.

  The hypothetical question used in the study was, “What would happen in the global economy if a new, virtually free renewable power source was discovered that could mostly eliminate our use of fossil fuels for powering homes, businesses and cars?” Both studies mostly researched and hypothesized by college students with their economics professor overseeing, came to essentially the same conclusions. There would initially be panic in the markets as investors reacted to the long term ramifications, energy company stocks would take a 25% hit but then rise up possibly by another 10 points as realization that change happens much more slowly. Companies that manufacture products using oil, gas, natural gas and liquefied gases will see their stocks plunge about the same 25% however an innovative company should be able to adjust as the market changes to more electricity-based options like electrical heat. Over a 5-year period, there would be tremendous growth and upsurge for companies selling electric appliances. The need to be conservative with electricity would disappear as well as most of the cost to operate electric components.

  In the short-term, there will be economic panic, but in the long-term, 5 years and out, global economies will be roaring, pumping out new cars, appliances and even portable solutions for power where power was never available. “That’s incredible” Fiona exclaimed when learning of the economic prognosis. I now you and Bill have expounded on our need to ease the technology in place by allowing the hardest hit businesses and countries options to help produce and distribute Electricus, but I don’t think that will be enough to negate their worrying. You are probably right Fiona and here is what we are going to do to protect us if there is backlash…

  As a child raised in a Catholic setting, and carrying my faith forward as an adult, the home of the Pope, the Vatican, has always held a mystique and reverence for me. We travelled from the airport to an annex building located in the Vatican complex. I have to be honest and say, I did not have a clue where we were in reference to where the Pope resides or St. Peters Basilica. It was at the Basilica, where we were surprised by the presence of our old friend from St. Anne’s, Father Zults. “Mike…Fiona, it’s good to see you and I hope you had a good trip.” Father continued like a kid so excited that he was here not for us, but here at the Vatican. He had once told me that the Holy Father is viewed by priests similar to how lay people viewed rock stars. Father Zults was informing us, that our original request had not gone anywhere until Efficio started to get publicity. Apparently, Efficio was bigger news here in Europe where energy costs were higher than the United States. That was the tipping point and got the interest of the right people.

  Fifteen minutes later, we were in a large modern conference room with the latest technology. We stood through introductions to ten people including two Bishops as well as other clergy of varying economic and technical titles. My downfall in life is meeting people and not remembering their names five seconds later. Luckily, one of the Bishops took charge and welcomed us. “Mr. Carter and Ms. Paschel I understand that you have a very interesting proposition that you hope the church can assist with. If you could be so kind, please provide an overview of the status of your endeavor and then talk to us on how we can help you.” With some nervousness on my part I responded, “Your Excellency, give me a second to connect my laptop to the overhead and I can lead you through a 30-minute presentation that will bring you up to date.”

  A half hour later an extremely quit audience waited to see if one of the Bishops had an initial question
. The second Bishop who spoke with a strong accent, that I could not place, started with a statement. “Thank you for that informative presentation. I now have a clearer vision of what your Electricus gift is and I cannot underestimate the impact that it will have on our fellow man and our planet. This is truly a gift from God and it will confuse and anger others due to loss power and control. This is a very dangerous scenario for those that stand in way of the power status quo.” Glancing around the room, he turned over the floor to the rest of the audience. For the next half hour, I answered numerous questions, all of them well thought out and relevant. There were more than a few oohs and ahhs around the room as the full impact of Electricus became known. Finally, the first Bishop raised his hand to halt the questions and stated that it was time to hear about why we were all here.

  Looking at Fiona for courage, I laid out some of the foreseen obstacles to realizing our vision of ensuring that Electricus was unimpeded and that the world’s masses would be able to get access to the this technology to better their lives. Once we communicated our obstacles, I then drove the discussion to the crux of why we were here. There were a few clarifying questions about the Electricus discovery and protecting key information including the replication process, but other than that it appeared everyone had a keen understanding of the situation.

  When I finished, the room once again was very quiet and most people were sitting there with contemplative looks as they were considering all that they had heard. At that point, the Bishops directed everyone in the room to leave including Father Zults. When everyone filed out the first Bishop stated, “Mr. Carter, we will need to take this information up the food chain so to speak to receive our direction. I must tell you though that you, your partner Mister Bates, Ms. Paschel here, and the rest of your staff are a rarity in the business world and what you are trying to do is a truly worthy cause. I know you are aware of the potential danger to yourselves and I do not think we can help you in that area, but what you have suggested would be a good deterrent if it came to that and would not change your core goals significantly. God bless you and we personally wish you success,” as he finished he nodded to the other Bishop for affirmation and received it

  That night we met Father Zults for a wonderful, Italian dinner, and drank a few bottles of very good local wine. I must have thanked Father five times for persistently pushing upwards to get this audience for us. We dropped Father in a cab and sent him off while we walked to our hotel, which took us through some very busy areas. Italian drivers were every bit erratic as I had heard, however it all seemed to work out with just a modest amount of horn blowing. We ended up taking a cab to a beautiful fountain called Fontana delle Naiadi. While Fiona was checking out Glaucus, I got down on one knee and dug out an engagement ring from my pocket. When she turned around and looked down at me on my knees, she literally let out a gasp of surprise. “Fiona I said with a bit of a choked voice, you have been a true friend to me as long as I can remember and a great confidant. I always felt a special connection when I was with you and over the last few months, I have never been happier in my life. I cannot think of life apart from you. Will you… will you marry me?”

  Fiona go down on both knees in front of me and placing my face softly between her hands simply said yes then kissed me for what seemed like an eternity. When we stopped kissing, I placed the engagement ring on her finger and told her it had been my mother’s. We caught a cab back to the hotel and she asked me if I minded if she called her parents and told them. Of course not I said. She then dialed them since it was still afternoon back home. Her dad was at work, but her mother answered and she gave her the news. I could hear her mother yelling and screaming on the other end and I started to laugh.

  A couple hours later with Fiona sleeping in the bed, I was looking out our eighth floor window at picturesque Rome with the moon providing ample light for admiring the architecture of the city. Thinking about my life, I smiled with thoughts of my future life with Fiona, but also had a moment of uncertainty about the responsibilities of being married and running a company with Bill. This was all unchartered territory for me considering I had only been in the workforce for less than 2 and a half years. My thoughts also drifted to what it would be like to have kids and be a father. I had always thought that kids would be a big part of my life since I had fond memories of my own parents and how secure they made me feel. I silently said a quick prayer for strength to make good decisions and with a new resolve headed back to bed and slid up against Fiona’s warmth.

  The flight back was uneventful and in hindsight was the 'calm before the storm'. As soon as I turned my phone on at the gate, it started to chatter with inbound voicemail messages and texts. I started to listen to the first message and my knees became weak as the color drained from my face. Fiona seeing this became very concerned and asked me if I was all right. I looked at her and told her we had to go to the hospital. Squeezing my arm tightly she asked why. Looking her in the eyes, I said, “Julius is in critical condition. Clavis suspects that Julius had gotten himself captured and then tortured for information about Electricus. The police are involved and investigating and Iris is at the hospital with Julius.”

  We were at the hospital in about an hour and restricted from to entering the ICU. Iris did come out and talk to us. She was very calm and controlled while bringing us up to speed on Julius‘s condition, but her eyes belayed a combination of concern and anger. If I had not been fully impressed with Iris’s capabilities before, there was no doubt now. She was completely in charge of the situation and a steely resolve came across both from her in her resolve to making sure Julius recovers and holding those responsible accountable for their actions. The beating Julius took resulted in a broken orbit around his left eye, which may affect his vision, broken ribs, five broken fingers and internal bleeding from what most likely where kicks to his side. The doctors were also monitoring for a concussion, but with the bleeding stopped, they felt he was no longer critical and in suitable condition to move out of the ICU within 24 hours.

  Iris headed back into the ICU and we headed to a waiting room where I received a text from Bill asking where we were in the hospital. I sent a text back that we were in the ICU waiting room. In less than 5 minutes, Bill and Ty were there with us. Looking around the waiting room and seeing we were alone, Bill and Ty started to fill us in on some of the events. Whoever broke into Julius and Iris’s home were definitely professional and had most likely cased the place. The deactivation of the alarm was a professional job and the intruders had been inside waiting for Julius knowing he was home first on most evenings. They also deactivated the camera system and took the DVR with them. What they had not realized was that Julius had a second wireless camera hidden in his office bookcase that dumped data to a hidden PC. Iris is the one that had remembered that it was in place.

  The camera shows what looks to be three Middle Eastern men. There was no audio, but it was clear who the leader was. Julius was not on camera during the beating and questioning, however the interrogators were and it was clear that they were repeating the same questions over and over. During this time, they ransacked the place especially the office and took a number of files and two laptops. I was dumfounded as they told me the story. Ty had made a copy of the video and turned the original over to the police and sent a copy to Jeremy who in turn used his contacts in the Department of Homeland Security to see if they could identify the individuals and told them it was most likely industrial espionage related.

  Iris came out a few minutes later to let us know that Julius had awoke for a few minutes and seemed to be aware of his situation. “He whispered to me” she said, “that they were after information regarding Efficio and Electricus and he gave them all the information that he knew, and when they pressed him, they realized that we had compartmentalized key information and that Julius did not know anything else.” We had agreed in numerous strategy meetings for handling such an event upon this protocol. Clavis had reasoned that it was much easier to protect
a couple key employees with knowledge then a whole crew of them, which is why no one knew the location of the new Electricus reproduction and storage site except Bill, Jeremy and me. Leave it to a woman to notice such things, but Iris caught site of the ring on Fiona’s finger and in spite of her situation leapt for joy and hugged Fiona in a full embrace. Bill and Ty just looked confused until Bill realized what was happening. Looking at me, he shook my hand and asked, “Did you take my suggestion and do at a romantic location?” I nodded my head yes and said, “Bill, every once in a while you do have a coherent thought and this one was a good one.” Ty finally caught on, congratulated me, and then congratulated Fiona. Bill was telling Fiona how all the credit should go to him since as he said, “Rico didn’t have a clue.”

  We all said good-bye to Iris and headed for the office except for Ty who was going to talk to the Bernards Township police investigator in Basking Ridge handling the case. Iris had authorized that Ty be updated on any developments. On the drive back to the office, Fiona’s phone started to receive a number of text messages. While I drove, she read them and said, “Shit…someone is trying to hack into our systems in California as well as here. Our intrusion prevention system is picking up some low level scanning and probing, which means they will most likely try to penetrate the system soon. Clavis is already on it since they monitor 24 hours a day for us.”

  The important data was not on a networked system and had encryption applied so we were not particularly concerned about data theft. We also tried not to leave information such as addresses, phone numbers and itineraries available that might give insight on the movement of key people in the company. For the rest of the ride Fiona speculated that the attack on me in California and the attack on Julius on the surface appears to be the act of two different groups of people and who knows who may be behind the cyber probing currently going on. As we drove into the parking lot there were seven Black Camrys lined up in front of the building outfitted with our Power Pad system. “I guess the guys got them done early,” I said to Fiona. “They look great, but I was hoping that I could use the H2 as my company car,” she said with a bit of a pout.