by Ron S. Nolan
Torch interjected, "But what does that have to do with our project? We have most everything we need right here and no additional funding will be needed to develop the prototype. If it works like we hope, then funding for a large-scale version should pour in. The World Science Foundation would likely be interested."
Redstone was obstinate, "Even if your far-fetched plan worked, the diamond crust would grind the drilling equipment into dust. Furthermore, it would be impossible to grade new roads and install pipelines. In short, it would be a disaster for the oil industry....and for us as well."
Sabien replied, "But sir, I thought our mission was to find a solution for global warming, not cater to the oil cartels."
Redstone slammed his fist onto his desk, "The matter is closed. I absolutely prohibit you doing any further work on this. Good day!"
As they headed back to their lab, Sabien asked, "Are we going to put up with that kind of nonsense?"
Torch turned to Sabien, "Absolutely not!"
"Then when do we start?"
Torch checked the time on his microcell. "Right now, but remember, this is only between you and me."
One Week Later
After setting up a vidcam, Torch and Sabien swept a tarp off the ground and stared in amazement, then gave each other high fives. The plot surface was perfectly sealed with a thin, glittering, transparent layer of diamond–except for three fist-sized indentations spread diagonally across the study area.
Sabien kneeled down for a closer look and pointed to the depressions. "Heh Torch, what do you think? Animal tracks?”
“Could be. Maybe a wolf came by to investigate.”
Torch reached into one of the openings and with a surprised look held up a sparkling diamond as big as an orange. He let out a whoop then reached into the next hole and recovered another stone that was even bigger by an inch or so.
He laughed, “Go ahead; it's your turn.”
Sabien jumped at the chance and was ecstatic when he recovered another beautiful specimen. When he held it up to the light, it sparkled with an astonishing rainbow of colors. He exclaimed, “Back in 2015, I remember reading about a diamond that only looked about half size of this one. As I recall it was auctioned for a nifty $48 million. Maybe we should think about changing professions; sell them to fund our project, build our own lab–or how about taking a long vacation?"
Sabien handed the diamond back to Torch who held it for a moment then gave it back. "No, you keep it–may come in handy someday."
As they loaded their gear onto the hovercraft, Torch grabbed Sabien's arm, "I have to ask you one more time. Redstone says he has evidence that you're the one that has been stealing the lab equipment. Tell me the truth...please."
"Alright, I confess, I did it."
"Why, what are you up to? You make a good income."
"Maybe you should light a cigar; it's kind of a long story."
Torch considered the offer, sat on the hovercraft deck and lit one of his Cuban specials. "Okay, let's hear it. I can't believe my best buddy is a common thief."
"You see I have a sister named 'Astra' who had a research appointment at BioGenetics International, but didn’t get along with her boss.”
Torch interrupted, "Sister! I never knew you had a sister. We've worked together all this time and you never mentioned her."
Sabien shrugged, "My half sister actually. I was afraid that it might jeopardize our project if Redstone found out. Redstone and the Reverend LeRoque are comrades in arms. Astra is the one behind the Ark project that the SDL is so burned up about. They think it is a cover for human genetic manipulation, a front for designing a race of super-humans. Astra says that's total nonsense."
Sabien opened a beer and said, "She’s hiding out in Oakland and is desperate for cryogenic equipment and chemicals. She's my sister, what else could I do? We're very close and I believe that creating an Ark sanctuary is a fantastic idea. Once we finally develop a system to counteract global warming, we are going to need to repopulate ecosystems with species that were wiped out. Even if it takes decades or centuries, the Ark will provide the genetic stock for reseeding the planet when the climate finally recovers."
Torch nodded, "There was something about the Ark on the same episode of that recent RealNews episode that spilled the beans about our X-Plant project. You know, that stuff about X-Plant being too little too late. It made Redstone flip out. He needs to keep the show on the road for political purposes."
Sabien stubbed out his joint and laughed. "I saw that program too. I figured Redstone went ballistic. You know that Chia has really broken some good news stories, I would like to meet her someday."
Torch confessed, "Well the truth be told. I have met her. I am the one that leaked the story."
"I figured it was you. Thanks for coming clean. I'm planning a trip to Oakland. Would you like to meet my sister?
Torch scratched his chin, "Hmm....possibly."
Sabien slapped him on the shoulder. "I warn you, she can be a little difficult at times."
-- CHAPTER 13 --
It was a blustery day in Oakland with intermittent patches of fog and burning sunlight. Sabien led the way down a back alley dragging a large CryoVat on a dolly while Torch followed along behind pulling a cart loaded with cardboard boxes. Young gals and guys wearing backpacks and talking on COM sets leaned against walls and lurked in doorways.
Sabien yelled over his shoulder, "There is need to worry they're just VIDAS guarding the lab."
"VIDAS?"
Sabien explained. "VIDAS are independent thinkers who believe in healing the planet for future generations. They are collecting the specimens and providing the funding and security for Astra's Ark Project."
They entered a back entrance and hustled down a corridor guarded by more VIDAS–a few carrying laser rifles. One of the VIDAS ushered them into a dilapidated parking garage jammed with a hodge-podge of equipment.
Astra, wearing tight blue jeans and a sweater, was in heated discussion with one of her new helpers. "Carlos, I've told you several times. If the liquid nitrogen traps bleed dry, the embryos will thaw and die. If that happens, we will have a major problem on our hands."
Just as she started to walk away, she looked back. "Carlos, aye, yai, yai! Use the insulated gloves!" Then she noticed Sabien's face reflected in the mirror finish of the Ark and joyfully swung around to greet him.
After Sabien and Astra hugged, Sabien introduced Astra to Torch. She gave him her 100-watt smile, but her fists were still clenched and she was breathing heavily.
She looked back at Carlos, and then shook Torch's hand. "My brother has told me much about you."
"Good things, I hope." He gestured to the heavily laden cart and the CryoVat. "This is the gear that Sabien said you need. Please don't ask where it came from."
To Torch's complete surprise, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, "Dios, I am so grateful." She stroked the top of the new CryoVat. "I can't tell you how much we need this. Come I will show you how it will be used."
Astra took both their arms and escorted them into the lab where two VIDAS stood at alert guarding the Ark that was streaming wisps of freezing vapor. "This Ark is packed full with specimens from the Northern Hemisphere. It represents the blood and sweat of many VIDAS from many countries.”
"Carlos, please get some help and store this new CryoVat."
“Yes Doctor. Would you mind if I took a few pictures?”
“No, go ahead.”
As they parked the new CryoVat next to the Ark, Astra explained. "We still have large banks of embryos and other specimens in Nicaragua and Brazil that need to be picked up. Those collections will go into the new CryoVat that you just brought to us. It will become a ‘sister’ Ark. I will soon be heading south to make this happen."
She looked at Sabien. "I was hoping that you might want to come along and see Mama and Papa again."
Sabien skirted the idea. "It seems like you have a lot of VIDAS standing guard."
"Yes
, thank heavens. We are terrified that the SDL may be closing in. We need a better place to hide the Arks, but this is a problem because they need a constant and dependable source of liquid nitrogen."
Sabien put on a pair of insulated gloves and detached the liquid nitrogen hose from the Ark. Astra grabbed his arm, "What in the world are you doing? That's not a good idea at all."
Sabien held the hose connector away from her as she tried to grab it. "Just wait a minute, don't worry, I think I have a solution to the problem. Let me show you."
He reached into his backpack, removed a small gadget, and then attached it to the Ark. “This is a fuel cell-powered cryo generator. All you need to do is add a liter of pure water once a day–no noisy compressor needed."
Nitrogen vapors began streaming from the Ark. Sabien held up a plastic bag filled with generators and handed it to Astra. “They should last for decades, but just in case I included some spares.”
Torch moved in for a closer look, "How does it..."
Suddenly one of the VIDAS charged into the room. "There are SDL vehicles all over the neighborhood. We need to get out of here now!"
A couple of VIDAS charged to the back of the garage. While one of them ripped the cover off a delivery van bearing the SDL blue and white logos, the other jabbed a button on the wall that opened the garage door.
Astra sprinted toward the Ark, but Torch pushed her aside, grabbed the dolly holding the Ark and with Sabien’s help stowed it in the cargo section of the van.
Torch slapped the SDL emblem on the side of the van with his palm, "What's with this?"
Astra yelled back, "Escape plan. We bought a van and made it look like one of theirs. We have some uniforms too, but won’t have time to put them on.”
Astra was directing the loading when shots rang out in the corridor followed by a loud banging on the door. "Open up! This is the SDL. Under Article 408 we order you to open this door now!"
Torch grabbed Astra's hand and pulled her toward the van, but she squirmed away. “We have to get the empty CryoVat."
Torch chased after her while Sabien sprang into the driver's seat, grabbed an SDL ball cap from the dash and jammed it on his head. After the new CryoVat, Torch and Astra were safely on board, Sabien handed Torch another SDL cap and Astra ducked down as they cleared the door. From behind, they heard a loud blast and the alley filled with smoke. As the van crept slowly through the smoke, SDL troops carrying laser rifles at the ready cleared a path thinking that it was one of theirs.
Sabien accelerated down the alley, made a quick series of turns and then pulled over and stopped the van. He looked back at Astra and asked, "Where to?"
Astra was watching the rear to see if they were being followed, "We must have a spy among us. If they found us here, they probably know about our backup hideout."
Torch slapped the dash, "I have an idea. Sabien, head for the Marin County Spaceport. I know a place where these brainwashed monsters will never find us...at least for a while."
Astra looked uncertain and murmured, “Spaceport?”
-- CHAPTER 14 --
A small commuter rocket lifted off in the distance as the van pulled up to the Deep Space Mining delivery entrance of the spaceport. Torch leaned across Sabien and looked into the security camera for a retinal scan. The camera beeped and the door rolled up. After they pulled in, the door slid shut and armed guards quickly surrounded the van.
A short man in a white jump suit jerked open the van door, pulled Torch out and gave him a fierce bear hug. He pointed at the side of the van and said “Welcome amigo, I didn't know you had joined the SDL.” Then he signaled the guards to stand down and they relaxed and lowered their weapons.
Torch laughed, "Meet Rodrigo, first rate engineer and long-time friend. This is Astra and Sabien."
Rodrigo shook their hands, "It's a pleasure to meet you. Good to see you Torch. What's up? You better hustle if you want a lift on today's bird. I'll be going too."
"We're in a bit of a jam Rodrigo. Please tell the guards to watch for a bunch of SDL creeps. I need to call my dad. Do you mind if I use the office COM system?"
After getting a nod of approval, he signaled to Astra and Torch. “Come on guys, this won't take long.”
Torch connected with the office SATCOM system while the others listened in. "Dad, I have to make this quick. There will be three of us on today's shuttle.” He looked at the mission countdown clock on the wall. “Estimated time of departure is 59 minutes."
Astra grabbed Torch's arm and began swiveling her head back and forth in disapproval.
"Hold on...we seem to have some kind of problem. I'll have to call you right back."
He turned to Astra and asked, "What's the deal? Don't you want to get out of here before those SDL freaks catch up with us? My dad runs Deep Space Mining; it will be safe on the moonbase until you come up with a new plan."
Astra began in Portuguese, and then shifted to English. "Are you crazy...the moon? I don't want to go to the moon. My job is here. My work is only half finished...I have to get the embryos and specimens stored in Nicaragua and Brazil. They are extremely valuable resources. Butterflies, jungle vegetation, thousands of species of palms, tree frogs, and aquatic mammals...all need to be preserved."
Torch interrupted, "But the Deep Space Mining Moonbase will be a very safe place to hide the ARK that is already filled to capacity with specimens. Like I said, my father is the boss."
Astra became agitated. "Why is it that you men always think you can make decisions for us women? I have had it with men telling me what to do!"
"I don't see what that has to do with it."
Astra headed for the office door. "Fine, you and Sabien take the Ark to your moonbase. I am taking the new CryoVat and heading south on my own. Sabien, may I please have the keys to the van? I am going to use the ladies' room and then head out.” Sabien tossed her the keys, looked at Torch and then lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "I warned you that she can be a little difficult. I'll be in the garage if you need me. I want to make some modifications to the van that are really cool."
Sabien hurried to the van parked in the garage. Humming an old rock tune, he donned a pair of gloves and dripped fluid from a vial onto the hood. The drops formed a shiny pool that slowly started growing until it suddenly flashed in waves over the entire van creating a glittering silver finish.
Just as Torch and Rodrigo returned from loading the Ark onto the Deep Space Mining shuttle, Torch was interrupted by a call on his microcell. The image of a red-faced Hamilton Redstone holding a familiar looking vidcam appeared on the screen. Torch tried to look pleased about the call and offered, "Afternoon, Hamilton, is something wrong? You look kind'a stressed out."
"You're darn right there's something wrong. I found this in your lab."
He pointed to his vidcam and punched the play button which displayed a panorama of the nano diamond study site on the screen monitor. “I specifically ordered you not to proceed with this experiment! Who else knows about it?"
"Relax Hamilton the results are..." The T-I warning light started flashing on Torch's microcell. "Sorry, I have an emergency to deal with. I will call you back later."
Torch terminated the call, connected to the T-I and let out a groan. "Look at this; the T-I just hit 9.4, a two tenths leap in the last month. I've got to call my father back. I have one last hole card to play and I need his help to play it. Let's go back into the office while I will use the mining company SATCOM. Hurry, we're running short on time."
Several back and forth calls later, Torch's dad appeared on the vidscreen, "I thought it would be tough to get through to President Ray, but he has agreed to speak with you. Go ahead Mr. President; this is my son, Torch."
"Hello Dr. Sanders, I am happy to speak with you. I've been following your research for some time and thank you for your many contributions to the field of environmental science."
Torch gave a token bow with his head. "It is good to meet you Mr. President. I'll make this fast. I
believe that there is a strong likelihood that catastrophic fire storms could sweep the planet if we don't take drastic action!"
The President held up his hand, "Now try not to be an alarmist. We're doing everything we can to prevent that scenario."
"Respectfully, sir, I disagree. We've just completed an important experiment that could help save the planet. It's based on..."
Again the President held up his hand, but this time he covered the mic and spoke with someone off screen.
The President resumed. "Director Redstone is on the other line. He has just briefed me on your new discovery. How about if we all get together and discuss it in person? I'll send my jet-copter. Where are you located?"
Sabien pulled Torch away from the console, "It's a trap!"
Torch turned back to the vidscreen and said, "Sorry Mr. President; I've got to go." Torch clicked off and then reconnected with his father. "Dad, things are getting hot here. We need to launch the shuttle as soon as possible!"
"I'll expedite it. Good luck, Son."
An aide handed a slip of paper to the President, "Call traced, sir. They're at the Marin County Spaceport."
"Send a security detail ASAP and bring Dr. Sanders back here to the capitol. Arrest him if he resists."
The fuel truck finished topping off the shuttle tanks and the shuttle was ready to launch. Astra hugged Sabien and wiped tears from her eyes as he prepared to board. She looked around for Torch, but he was not in sight
"Please give Torch my thanks for all of his help and the equipment."
She retreated to the hangar and was surprised to find Torch sitting in the van's driver seat wearing sunglasses with his head back against the headrest, puffing on a cigar.
For a moment she smiled, then frowned.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on the shuttle. And what happened to the van? It looks like it is chrome plated."
Torch exclaimed, "Look, this isn't my idea. I lost a coin toss, that's all."
"Somehow, I find that hard to believe."