“Not to seem ungrateful, and I’m anything but ungrateful, but why couldn’t you guys handle this on your own. You have more resources and smarts than we do.”
“Our hands are tied. Let’s just say that some things we need done are not under the scope of the FBI. If we tried it could raise some eyebrows and we need this information. It is a matter of national security.”
“Who are you after?”
“That’s the biggest problem, we’re not sure. We don’t know anything about the file or what it means. We just know it has a connection to a sequence of events a few weeks ago. Let me fill you in on the background information we have.” He opened up his portfolio and pulled out a manila folder as Galveston and I sat riveted to our seats.
“On June 2nd, there was a break-in at a lab at Dartmouth University. It was the lab of a Dr. Edward Sloan, a respected engineering and physics professor at the University. He specialized in energy generation and electrical conductivity studies and has a well established lab. They were testing materials that improved electrical currents and how these materials could be used in all types of products at a micro or macro level. According to one of his students, he wanted to improve power consumption of different products by using different materials. In the past few years his research changed and he became obsessed with batteries of all kinds, from small disposables to the large storage batteries used in ships and planes.” May paused for a second, scanning his notes.
“He started devoting more time to what he called, ‘building a better battery’. Now none of this is out of the ordinary, but on June 2nd, the lab, as I said, was broken into and destroyed. All his files went missing, computer hard drives were stolen, and all his equipment was eradicated. No one saw or heard anything except for a security guard who got attacked by men in black. Dr. Sloan was out of town, supposedly in Memphis, at an electrical engineering convention, but when he was contacted, no one was able to find him. He never checked in at the conference, but was on the plane to Memphis. We haven’t been able to find him since. His home was also broken into and ransacked”
We stared at May as he continued his synopsis, still trying to conceive how we got involved in this.
“This is where Genesis comes into the picture. A few days after the break in, we got an anonymous tip that a software engineer at Genesis named Marcus O’Leary hacked into the Dartmouth servers and removed some files that belonged to Dr. Sloan that had been secured. We managed to get O’Leary to confess that he stole a file and placed it at Genesis under the name of Adamanthea. This was all he knew and he didn’t know who gave the order. We haven’t had any additional leads since then, no Dr. Sloan, no DNA at the crime scene, no traceable devices, no witnesses, nothing. A complete dead end all the way around.”
“So what was he working on that was so important?” Galveston interrupted.
“Dr. Sloan, per our investigation, has developed, of all things, a highly efficient, super battery. We don’t know all of the particulars about it of course, but after interviewing some of Dr. Sloan’s graduate students we began to get an idea of what he had invented. It appears that Dr. Sloan developed a battery that works in parallel, like stories of a building, one layer supplies and resupplies the previous layer, increasing the efficiency by 75%, and decreasing the size by anywhere from 50-75% of a conventional battery.”
Galveston and I looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders, not knowing what the hell May was actually talking about. We had a feeling he didn’t really know either as evidenced from his constant reading and searching of the papers he had placed across his lap.
“The students said he had been testing it on a variety of electronic devices and had been able to increase the battery life from hours to days and weeks. O’Leary explained that the Adamanthea program could be for a computer control that could modulate the output of the battery to increase the efficiency even more. He said Dr. Sloan even had a plan in his schematics to be able to mass produce the tiny battery.”
I looked at Galveston, his mouth was slightly agape and his eyes were wide. I didn’t understand the implications of such a potential breakthrough, and looked between Galveston and May for guidance. Clearly they were impressed and understood. A battery, that was it? Who cares about some stupid battery that allows me to yack on my cell phone longer before I had to do something as tough as plugging it in to recharge.
“What’s the big deal? So he made a better battery, it seems rather silly,” I openly said to both of them.
Immediately May and Galveston looked at me.
“Are you kidding?” Galveston said grinning. “Don’t you understand the implications of such a thing? I mean, if this guy has come up with this battery, and it works, plus it can be mass produced; it could revolutionize the world.” I thought that was a tad gallant for Dan to say.
“Think about what batteries are in. Cell phones, cars, smoke detectors, ships, planes, computers. You could have an electric car or hybrid that could get six hundred miles to the gallon. Ships could run on batteries. If the size is as small as David is saying, you could put these in everything. It could be the greatest invention of the 21st century. It could slash oil demand and cut energy costs drastically. This might be one of the scariest breakthroughs imaginable,” Galveston explained to me.
May chimed in, taking Galveston’s lead. “It is also our belief this battery is what instigated these events over the past few weeks; the break-into Dr. Sloan’s lab, the doctor’s disappearance, and the emergence of this Adamanthea file. Governments or businesses would do anything for this technology, or not do anything and destroy it. Do you think that Saudi Arabia would be pleased to know that oil consumption would be shattered? A government or business could make billions of dollars on such technology. The uses could be endless. It is our belief that someone is thinking the same way, and they are doing whatever it takes to get their hands on this technology.”
I sat dumbfounded. The implications of this technology started to sink in. A complete removal of dependence on foreign oil, clean air, complete economical advancement for developing countries with no drawbacks, these would all be positive things that could occur. But I also pondered the negative effects; a massive loss of jobs, decreased income for nations dependent on energy production, and the trickle effects on all other areas of business and commerce. For example, the Canadians are our biggest supplier of foreign oil, and something like this would put them out of business. Also there were the political implications. I was still an economist and political scientist at heart, and I had a definite cause for concern on how nations would respond. There would be dangers of increased tension, war, and conflict as nations tried to protect their interests.
I saw their point and was embarrassed for not having seen it sooner. The ramifications could be devastating. I saw why May and the FBI had tiptoed around it. The furor it could create would be extraordinary.
Galveston regained his faculties. “Now I know you’re not giving us this information out of the kindness of your heart, what’s the catch?”
“Well there is another reason I made sure I hired you, not just because we couldn’t get that file on our own,” May began. “Genesis is not an independent company. They are a subsidiary of a much larger organization.” May paused and cleared his throat before continuing. “They’re owned by Black Bear Security.”
“You don’t say,” Galveston said, not changing his demeanor, but realizing why we were hired in the first place. “So what now? We did the job you wanted, I don’t have any vendettas.”
“Maybe not, but the government needs your help. I need your help. We want you to work for us in locating the batteries and Dr. Sloan, by any means necessary.”
Galveston let out a guffaw. “I don’t think so.”
“Let me put it another way. You have to work for us.” May said the words clearly and with force. He meant business and from his new tone I could tell he wasn’t interested in taking no for an answer. Galveston picked up on his demeanor, too.
“So let me get this straight, and correct me if I’m wrong, but you want us to find somebody doing something wrong, and oh, I don’t know, do whatever it takes, let’s say, wiretapping, hacking, breaking and entering, to get that done.”
“Now, on the record, I never said such things, but we simply want some private supportive investigatory services to independently research items in our investigation that we currently cannot allocate the manpower towards.”
“Wow, very well said. That was crystal clear, wasn’t it Roger?”
“Crystal,” I answered.
“As you know the information I have about you company and your latest job proved to be highly illegal.”
“But you guys hired us!” Galveston exclaimed.
“You’ll have to prove that. Did you ever talk to an agent? I know you didn’t. I can easily make this go away. I’ll make sure Mr. Acker doesn’t ask any more questions, and I’ll ensure there are no more connections between you and Genesis, it’s a federal matter now. In exchange for helping the Bureau, you’ll be helping yourselves. I don’t think I can put it anymore succinctly. I mean, I’ve got you with breaking and entering, computer fraud, and a host of other federal crimes I could throw in.”
The anxiety welled up in me and I started to become dizzy, but Galveston remained calm. He knew something I didn’t.
“I guess you’re telling us we have no choice but to cooperate. You’ll tie up the loose ends?” Galveston asked.
“Of course.”
“So the choice seems to be this; possible jail time, or the potential for getting killed,” Galveston said reluctantly.
“I think I’ll take my chances on choice two, if you don’t mind,” I interjected quickly. Galveston nodded his head in agreement.
“I don’t want to have to put the screws to you about this. As crazy as it may sound, I still consider you a friend first,” May said to Galveston.
“You sure have a funny way of showing that.”
“My hands are tied on this and the powers from above are very interested in getting this case wrapped up legitimately, or illegitimately as the case may be. Let’s do this; I’ll talk to Mr. Ackers and then be right back to discuss all the details.”
“What are you going to tell him?” I asked.
“I’ll let him know that this has become a government investigation and his services will no longer be needed. He wants this done as much as you two because his job is on the line. End of story. Why don’t you two discuss it and I’ll be back.”
“You’re still going to pay us, right?” Galveston threw out the question as May got up from his chair.
“You’ll get your money,” May told him, “and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of if you get this job done.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”
May smiled as he left the office, motioning for Ackers to follow him outside. My heart palpitations subsided, but were replaced with rage.
“I know what you’re thinking and what you’re going to say,” Galveston started. “If you want out, I won’t stop you. I’ll even give Alex the same option. I’ll tell David that everything will fall on me if we have to take a hit. I’m sorry I got you involved in this.”
“I’m a big boy,” I said, my rage subsiding. I couldn’t leave him to handle this on his own. “I knew what I was getting into, but I should have spoken up. I don’t think this was the excitement I was looking for. I mean, can’t we just go legit. My blood pressure is up and I think I’m losing my hair. This is just too much.”
“I understand,” Galveston said quietly. “I’ll respect whatever decision you make.”
May entered the office again and sat down. “It’s been handled. Mr. Ackers is very relieved. I’ll call the CEO of Genesis and let him know about our investigation.
“Where do you want us to start?” Galveston asked, getting right down to business.
“We need you to look into a lead we have. Dr. Sloan has a daughter from a first marriage. We believe he had been corresponding with her, and she was the last contact he made before his disappearance.”
“You want us to talk to her?”
“Yeah, but there’s a slight problem with that.” He gave a look of consternation. “She just happens to be in a, ah, witness protection program.”
“You guys can figure that out. What’s the problem?” Galveston asked. May thought to himself before answering.
“We have a political problem with that. You see, she’s not under the protection of the Justice Department.”
“What? That’s ridiculous. You’re the FBI, you can do anything you want if it’s federally related, right?” Galveston asked.
“Not exactly.” May dodged the questions like a politician. “She’s a British citizen and we don’t know where she is.”
“Hold it, hold it.” Galveston became clearly exasperated with the roundabout question and answering session. “She’s in a witness protection program in Great Britain? Is that what you’re getting at? Deal off, nope, no way. This deal is off. I know where you’re going with this,” Galveston exclaimed, getting up from his chair. He began waving his arms like a madman.
“Dan, calm down,” May tried to console him.
“What is it, why is that so bad?” I stuttered, thoroughly confused. Had I slept through a portion of the conversation?
“So this is the other reason why you’re here. Nope, not going to do it,” Galveston turned his back to May shaking his head.
“Look, you’ll just have to chalk it up to a crazy coincidence.”
“I’ll say,” Galveston cried, continuing to shake his head. “When were you going to fill me in on this tidbit of information?”
“It’s been a few years. I thought you might be over it. I guess you do hold your grudges,” May told him.
“Hell yes I do. What that woman put me through.”
A woman, somehow a woman was involved, and by the way it sounded it was a woman Galveston had some history with. I smiled at the thought.
“What’s the story there?” I asked excitedly, hoping for a juicy bit of gossip.
“You see,” May started turning toward me.
“Don’t you tell him anything,” Galveston yelped, but May continued.
“Dan’s ex-fiancé happens to be an assistant to the Chief of SIS, and a former field agent in counter-espionage.”
None of this information was known to me, and not that Galveston’s history mattered so much, but I had no idea what these two were talking about. I found out the SIS is the Secret Intelligence Service of the United Kingdom and the equivalent of the CIA. It is often referred to as MI6 and made infamous by none other than James Bond. At least I knew who we were dealing with.
“Galveston and his friend had what you could call a tumultuous relationship when he was stationed in London a few years back,” May said continuing his history lesson. “She cut out on him and he didn’t hear from her again. Eventually she told him she had been called back to field service and that she couldn’t handle a long distance relationship.”
“She asked for a transfer and ran away like a frightened little girl,” Galveston added, fuming. “That’s all he needs to know, don’t tell him anymore.”
“No, that’s okay, please, do tell,” I goaded May to spill more juice.
“The point is you have a contact in the SIS, good or bad. Elizabeth could potentially find Dr. Sloan’s daughter, Margaret. It would take us weeks to get the clearance to find her in a witness protection program, and its weeks we don’t have.”
Galveston continued to sit in his chair and after taking some deep breaths stood up to stretch, not saying a word.
“That little vein on his neck is about to spurt blood. He’ll tell me in due time,” I said and pointed towards Galveston’s tomato red face. “Maybe we should get down to the business at hand.”
-Chapter 20-
History proves that giant leaps in technology are not generally accepted by society, but over t
ime society tends to adjust to such innovations. It is usually all a knee-jerk reaction, however. How could a lone professor develop such an revolutionary idea for a battery and did it even work? On the other hand there are many advances found by accident or by one person.
For example, take Vaseline, or petroleum jelly to be more exact. In 1859, a chemist named Robert Chenebrough was interested in petroleum products. He noticed oil workers applying a dark, thick substance on cuts, burns, and abrasions to heal their wounds. This seemingly useless substance collected on the pump rods of oil wells, obstructing the workings of the rig. Chenebrough collected this “rod wax”, as it was called, and returned to Brooklyn, New York from the Pennsylvanian oil fields. He spent years perfecting the “rod wax” into a colorless, odorless gel that he called Vaseline, a combination of the German word for water and the Greek word for oil. He had created petroleum jelly, which today is used in a variety of ways, from rubbing on a chicken’s comb to protect it from frostbite, to healing wounds and protecting skin. So it wasn’t too outlandish to entertain the thought that Dr. Sloan could have invented this amazing device.
With all that said and thought, we had some serious decisions to make on how much we would get involved. First, I needed to decide if I was going to stay employed with Galveston any further. Maybe I’d return to teaching, and a comfortable office. I could pump out a few papers, which would only be read by a handful of people, and live out my life in a state of utter mediocrity. Or I could turn the other way and jump into a semi-fictional world, with an unknown future, and variable levels of lawfulness and security.
May sat looking at Dan awaiting a response to his offer of working with the FBI.
“What do you think?” May asked, shuffling his papers back into the manila folder. “If you agree to work with us, I need you to leave immediately, contact Dr. Sloan’s daughter, and let me know what you find.”
Galveston leaned back in his chair as his rage subsided over the possible reconnection with his ex-love. “Would that be it?”
Daniel Ganninger - Icarus Investigations 01 - Flapjack Page 8