“Lumi was born last night at 3:39 a.m. without any complications. I want to thank you and Dr. Andrews for bringing us here in time. We are so grateful for your help.”
Austin beams. “You are the one we have to thank. Look at all the positive things happening in the world. It’s all because of you, Anil.”
“That’s not true.”
“It absolutely is. Without your insights, Project Titan would have failed. So many generations of scientists gave up on nuclear fusion power, and it was you who made the breakthrough.”
“Thank you, Dr. Sanders, but it’s really thanks to your help and inspiration. You have given so much to Prisha and me. We are forever grateful.”
“I look forward to seeing you back in Mountain View. We have much more to accomplish.”
“We are heading home tomorrow. Thank you again for helping us with the leasing office.”
“My pleasure. I’m happy you left that flooded mess on the second floor.”
“So are we, Dr. Sanders.” Anil waves at the camera. “We don’t want to keep you. We’ll see you soon.”
The call disconnects.
Olivia gleams. “That’s so kind of you to help them, Austin.”
He sips a glass of wine. “It’s been quite a journey. You can’t imagine what we’ve experienced the last few weeks.” He points upward. “You see that fading star?”
She looks at the faint wormhole in the daytime sky. “You mean that strange sun that appeared last week? It was all over the news.”
“Yes, that’s part of the story. I’ll tell you all about it.”
The waiter delivers bread, olives, and foie gras. As Austin takes a bite of the hors d’oeuvres, a video request arrives. Austin puts on the smartglasses. “It’s Beth.”
“Answer it,” Olivia says.
He accepts and his boss appears in his field of view. She appears sullen, frowning. “Austin, we have a problem.”
“What’s happening?”
“The gravity engine is missing,” Beth says tensely. “Someone stole our neodymium laser and accelerator.”
Austin puts down his plate. “What? Who would do that?”
“I have my suspicions. We need to get to work on new fusion reactors.”
He sighs. “When? I was hoping to take the week off.”
Beth shakes her head sternly. “Absolutely not! The government wants twenty reactors and we have to get started right away. The future of our planet is at stake.”
“What do you mean?”
“We can bring the world back from the brink. With this energy surplus, we can reverse global warming and stop climate change in its tracks.”
“How?”
“By reducing methane and carbon dioxide levels. I have a plan to reverse the extinction. Fusion is the only hope to save us from catastrophe.”
Austin’s brow rises. “You’ve got my attention. I’ll be in the office in a couple of days.”
“No, I need you here immediately. There’s someone threatening our plans. If he gets his hand on our technology, we’re doomed.”
Austin pales. “Is it Manos?”
“Yes! He’s trying to hijack our discovery and use it for his selfish motives. And there’s something else. I just found out that he traveled across the wormhole.”
He sits upright. “Are you kidding me? When?”
“A few days ago. He ended up in Barnard’s Star and discovered a land that looks like Earth.”
Austin’s jaw drops. “Barnard’s Star? That’s where the countdown came from!”
“Precisely. The radio signal must have come from an intelligent species there.”
“Was that the message? You think they want us to travel to their home?”
“Perhaps. I can’t be sure. Whatever their intentions, thanks to them we’ve now established interstellar travel.”
“Whoa…” Austin stares at the portal in the sky. “You mean we can travel across the galaxy?”
Beth nods. “Yes. The implications are extraordinary.” She pauses. “Imagine if that technology ends up in the wrong hands…”
Austin stands. “Oh no, Manos will change the course of history—”
“Exactly. We need to stop him now! The future of the human race depends on it. There is too much at stake. We need to meet right away.”
“Okay, Beth, Olivia and I are heading to Mountain View to see you. We’ll be there soon.”
To be continued
About the Author
Hosein Kouros-Mehr, M.D., Ph.D. is a cancer drug developer and medical director of a pharmaceutical company. He is the author of Project Bodi: Awaken the Power of Insight, the prequel to Extinction 6.
Thank you for reading. Please share your thoughts on the book’s websites:
http://viewbook.at/fusion
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http://goodreads.com/book/show/41589122-extinction-6
Extinction 6 Page 26