by M J Kendrick
Carlton was silent, not sure what to think. Anton was equally silent. Eventually, William smiled and said, “Don’t look so confused, old chaps, the answer is simple, we buy a small mountainous island somewhere out in the back of beyond and use the tunnel boring laser to carve out enough space to build the spacecraft, labs and everything else that we need. There’ll be more than enough funds to buy our own supply ship, even buy out the suppliers that we will need. The island will be totally isolated, and, if need be, can be protected.”
“Can we really make that much money?” Anton asked, not quite believing it to be possible.
William looked at them both and said, “Currently there is well over three trillion dollars’ worth of tunneling projects around the globe. Some are happening. Most are scheduled. But on top of that, there are literally hundreds that despite being desperately needed have had to be shelved because they were just too expensive and the level of money required just isn’t available. Tunneling is very expensive and time-consuming. With our TBLs, we could take a three-year tunnel project costing $400 million, and complete it in a matter of days at zero cost.”
Carlton said, “News like that would get out.”
William continued, “Yes, of course it would, but that’s where the power of money comes in. For example, if you were approached with an offer to build your tunnel in just days instead of years, for one half the cost, you would probably agree just on the timeframe aspect alone. If we buy their silence and confidentiality by reducing the cost to one third or even one quarter, how many do you think would say no? Of course, we would have to pick and choose which projects to undertake, avoiding anything that is remotely political, but that still leaves us with hundreds of billions in revenue, and, honestly, with that much funding at our disposal, we can buy anything.”
Carlton had an idea of the revenue potentials, but he was still staggered at the sums. William had a singular ability to lay things out in plain English without the science.
“Okay,” said Carlton, “we are going to need a specific plan.”
He chuckled slightly.
“I know you probably think how much I like a plan, but this is a huge deal and we have to cover off every element, given what we are faced with. The basic idea I think is sound, but as with all things, the devil is in the detail. We’ll need to discuss it with the others as soon as we can all be alone.” Carlton paused while he thought for a moment. “I’ll see if I can get the girls to organize a Smartie picnic somewhere way out in the bush.”
William said, “Talking about food, let’s grab a bite before one of us gets to go for a sleigh ride.”
***
Miles’s sled was ready after three hours. The blower had made a good job of clearing most of the gases, but the breathing apparatus was still needed. Miles had found a decent electric motor and used it to construct a chain-driven flatbed trolley that had a plastic chair that could swivel. It had basic steering at both ends and a break. The Smarties loved it so much they had to have a toss up to choose who went first. Haru won and was first up to make the journey.
Measuring wheel in hand, the Smarties listened to his whoop of joy as he whizzed along the hole and out of sight.
Ten minutes later, the brightening lights of the sled approached the mouth of the hole. “427 feet,” announced a cheery muffled voice as Haru unstrapped his faceplate. Carlton was next to take the ride, this time taking eighteen minutes to complete the journey. He had made a quick examination of the hole’s end face.
After Anton and Miles had returned, the four sat and discussed the hole’s length. Carlton looked at Anton and said, “I think it would have gone on much further. It appears to have only stopped vaporizing because of the thick volume of gases blocking the beam’s path.”
Anton nodded his head, “I agree, the actual vaporization would have been near instantaneous and the final length would have been reached... well, literally at the speed of light. Had the beam been unimpeded, it would probably have continued for much further.”
“Okay,” said Carlton. “Let’s find a tunnel that is somewhere in the region of a thousand feet thick and leads to an outside face and repeat the experiment using a linked timer so we can find out the rate of vaporization over a fixed distance. If we hurry, we can get it done today.”
Miles knew the perfect location, which was just inside the mine’s entrance.
They quickly transferred the laser and set up the rotating frame. Within ninety minutes, they were ready to proceed. As before, they maintained a thirty percent power level and engaged the laser. The initial gas ejecting was the same as before but quickly stopped as the outer wall was breached, forcing the gases out at the other end. The tunnel took 2.8 seconds to vaporize 1167 feet of rock.
The Smarties had what they needed, and, within 40 minutes, no one would ever have known they were there, save for the new ventilation shaft that had mysteriously appeared.
Anton had phoned Calisto to ask her about the Smartie picnic, which of course she happily agreed to organize the moment they arrived back from her uncle’s mine. She had asked him to tell the Smarties that she had some good news.
***
Two days later, Calisto and the Smarties headed out in a pair of the mine’s Land Rovers. The two-hour journey had the Smarties marveling at the beautiful landscape. Carlton had agreed with Lucy about telling Calisto of the plan, so he spent the journey bringing Calisto fully up to date on Quantum and the plans for the spacecraft build. Calisto had been patient. She had waited until Carlton was ready to tell her what their aims were. She knew he eventually would and now that he had, she instantly felt part of the team once again.
Calisto had taken them to an isolated, tree-enclosed small lake that was a frequently visited watering hole used by the abundant wildlife. Lucy immediately fell in love with the place, and after Calisto told her that they called the place “Ah-Ma-She,” meaning “The Beautiful One,” Lucy said that she never wanted to leave.
Soon after they had lit the small barbecue and worked out how the folding tables and chairs worked, Calisto told them her good news. Her uncle wanted them to survey his refining process, as they had done for her mine, and convert him over to the same system. Even though his mine had richer deposits, his equipment was outdated, far less efficient and used so much power that it ate into his profits considerably. He would bend over backward if they could bring his production up to the same level as hers and he would gladly pay the same amount.
Lucy and Calisto had taken a preliminary look at the fine detail of the operation and agreed that the enhancements and conversion to PMG power was straightforward.
They could start as soon as they were ready. Lucy had informed Calisto’s uncle that they would carry out the survey before they returned to the States and that she would let him know when they would return to carry out the installation.
Once the cheers and congratulations had died down, Carlton asked Miles and Anton to go with Calisto the following day and make the survey. Miles estimated it would take two full days to make a complete evaluation and work out exactly what needed to be done, so they would be away for three days.
The Smarties would have to produce the PMGs back at Quantum, which would take them about a month, but, as soon as they were ready, Miles, Anton, and Haru would fly back and complete the installation over one week. If they add a further week for post-installation monitoring, they should have the second revenue stream fully up and running within two months.
Carlton was elated. This would double their operating funds and escalate the revised plan.
Once they all knew what was required from each of them for the second mine contract, Carlton informed them of William’s ideas regarding the tunnel boring option and the possibility of a secluded island base, adding his own views on the benefits it would offer.
The Smarties all sat and listened, unfazed by their possible new path.
Haru had surprised everyone by saying he had thought of the same things and that he had w
holeheartedly agreed that it was a very necessary choice. They openly discussed the plan, expanding on the logistical benefits that it would offer and, before long, all agreed with Carlton and William that they should proceed.
While the others cooked and joked around the sizzling barbecue, Lucy went and sat with Carlton and William, who were discussing what should be done with Quantum. Lucy listened, and when they started to list possible projects, she said, “I think you may be missing something here.”
The boys looked up, and Carlton asked, “What do you mean?”
“Well,” said Lucy, glad of a chance to speak, “we are going to run into the same problems about who to bring in. In fact, I think if you use Quantum for the smallish projects you were just discussing, the issue will only be worse. What I suggest is this: if we change Quantum from what will, in essence, be a technology development company to a specialist research academy, then we could offer a scholarship to, say, MIT graduates that are gifted in areas that would make them of interest to us. We could offer scholarships in specific areas that are required for the spacecraft build. Of course, they wouldn’t know that. We could use the time they were studying at Quantum to evaluate and vet them, and those that are suitable could be recruited into the build program.
The only completely new personnel we would have to bring on board would be the people needed to run Quantum and the teaching staff. We could control the scholarship subjects and directly follow the most promising students.”
William was nodding. “That is a brilliant concept. The four security guys we have at Quantum would be perfect for the initial vetting process to make certain we only have candidates that are absolutely suitable. You would be amazed at what they can find out about people. My father used them a lot because they are extremely thorough and loyal. They actually worked full time for my father on all his ‘cloak and dagger stuff’ right up until he sold the company. They were his go-to guys for as long as I can remember.”
“What did they do after your father sold the business?” asked Carlton.
“As far as I know,” continued William, “they reluctantly retired. Not that they were old, far from it, but their specialist line of work meant they’re unknown, unnamed, and for all intents and purposes do not exist. What they do demands unrequited loyalty, and I guess they just didn’t want to work for anyone else.”
Carlton looked at Lucy. “I think the idea is perfect. When we get back, we’ll start the ball rolling immediately. There’s no point in hanging around. We’ll draw up a wish list of areas that will need staffing at both Quantum’s and the research academy and... hmmm, we might need to think about another name for the other Quantum. Anyway, they will both need additional staffing. I’m referring to the people we will need for the non-scientific areas such as builders, general maintenance, domestic services, basically anything that is needed to provide the infrastructure to support and allow both facilities to run. If we can, we should recruit from within, be it family or trustworthy friends, etc.
“For the research academy, I would think that would be a relatively easy task. But the other Quantum is probably going to mean a lifestyle change for anyone who we take on. It will mean we will have to devise a major relocation program that can cater for the general staff needs as well as ours and Quantum.”
William looked perplexed, “It gets big quickly, doesn’t it?”
Carlton smiled confidently and said, “Remember our little talk in the tunnel, the devil is in the detail.”
They all sat and ate for the entire afternoon, thoroughly enjoying the day. Lucy relayed the concept of the research academy to the relaxed group, and, as always, the excited Smarties expanded on the logistics and benefits, showing their full support.
As the day started to draw to an end, Per approached Carlton.
“Carlton, if you have a moment, I’d like to ask you something,” he said as he sat by Carlton next to the mesmerizing campfire they had burning.
“Sure, Per, what’s up?” Carlton asked with a cheery note.
“Well,” began Per, “it’s about my parents. They haven’t found suitable positions yet and their time at Saab Aerospace is almost at an end. They have the talents we need for the spacecraft build, and it occurred to me that they would be ideal to run the Quantum research academy, at least until we get Quantum Two up and running. When we start on the build, they would be invaluable, and I know we can trust them.”
Carlton’s mouth was open. He couldn’t believe his luck. He gathered his thoughts and said to Per, “How likely are they to agree?”
Per raised his eyebrows and said, “If I know my parents, I think if they knew what we were doing, they would jump at the chance.”
Carlton nodded and said, “If the roles were reversed and I put myself in their situation, I think I would, too! Okay, as soon as we're back, arrange for them to come over to Quantum as soon as they can. We can sort their tickets and expenses, so call it a paid holiday to see their son.”
Per was beaming, “Thanks, Carlton,” he said, clearly happy at both the thought of seeing his parents and the fact that they might very well be joining them.
Before they packed up to return to Calisto’s mine, there was one more thing that Carlton wanted to address the Smarties about, and that was salaries. Up to this point, no one had mentioned anything about money, either to each other or to Carlton, and he had no idea of where to begin. To him, his life was never about earnings, so he never thought about it.
When he asked the group what they would like as a salary, he was met with a sea of bemused silent faces. It was obvious the Smarties had the exact same views as he and hadn’t really considered it. Finally, William said what they all were thinking. “Look, Carlton, we all feel that Quantum gives us everything we need.”
Carlton nodded. “As do I. Quantum will feed us, build us our houses and supply all of our equipment, but eventually you are all going to need personal spending money, I guess. We have to start somewhere, so how about $100k per annum? Let me know if you want more, don’t forget we’ll cover that in the first month, so salaries are never going to be an issue.”
The Smarties all gratefully agreed, not really caring about what or even if they got paid. The spaceship was all the reward they wanted, so they were happy to get that out of the way and move on.
As they drove back, Carlton and Lucy were talking about the practicalities of how to control and administer the finances. Lucy pointed out that Carlton would never be able to keep track of what was coming in and going out. Quantum needed an accountant.
“That’s another irksome headache to add to the list,” said Carlton with a sigh, “I don’t know anyone who even uses an accountant in our field, although I’m sure they must be out there. I’m not sure I even know what they actually do. This is where I could use Rose’s help. That was her husband Tom’s thing. Well, at least it was before they went back to Aus.”
Lucy said, “Why don’t you give them a call, find out how they’ve been and what they’re doing now? If you could get them to join us, it would be a major leap forward.”
Carlton’s eyes were darting back and forth as he thought about how fantastic it would be if Rose was with them.
“If I know Rose, she will be missing her old job. Somehow I just can’t see her as being the ‘stay at home and look after baby Brendon’ type. I’ll call her later... . You never know.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The ten-hour time difference meant that Carlton’s call was a 5 a.m. rude awakening for a very bleary-sounding Rose. Her shrieks of excitement on hearing Carlton’s voice had caused Tom to leap out of bed in slapstick fashion as he wondered what the hell was going on.
After the excitement of the surprise call and the expected “so glad to hear from you” greetings were out of the way, Rose’s well-honed intuition picked up on Carlton’s seemingly innocent offer for them to visit.
She knew from old that something secret and major was in the air.
Carlton had been
right. She had been bored to death. Tom hadn’t been able to find work, and they had both been climbing the walls.
Her eagerness to take Carlton up on his offer to visit had been accepted in a flash and Carlton’s insistence that Tom and Brendon needed to come too only fueled her excitement.
Carlton had known that whatever Rose thought it was, she would want in. And he’d been right. As soon as he’d broached the conversation to the couple, they immediately wanted in and accepted, only needing time to organize visas before they started working.
The Smarties had evolved. For the ten months since their first visit to South Africa, Carlton’s plan for the new direction for Quantum had been an exercise in adapting and coping with the growing responsibilities that had suddenly escalated like a geometric progression.
Carlton wanted to get back to researching the force properties but hadn’t been able to find the time with so many things in play. At long last, he was able to sit back, knowing that everything was in place and working. Per’s parents had joined them, as had Rose, along with Tom and baby Brendon.
They had all moved into new houses that Marek had built for them in the Quantum village, with Marek and his team proving to be invaluable. They were only too eager to stay on and continue to build up Quantum for as long as Carlton needed him. The fact that Carlton was paying him double his normal rate no doubt helped.
Aside from the additional housing, Marek had constructed a small administration building that was Tom’s domain and home to all of the procurement requirements, accounting, and the forthcoming academy administration.
Additional labs and learning areas were built around the perimeter of the hangar floor, and the two outbuildings had once again been enlarged and converted into a plush staff restaurant.
A second village had been created for the students, with small but functional one-bedroom bungalows that were set away from the first village on the other side of the property.
