Red Gold: The Australian Civil War

by Trent O'Donnell

  “No worries.” Cory says. “What’s so important that it interrupted beer o’clock?”

  “A groundbreaking discovery.” Sharyn says as she signs them both into the building. “Sign here boys and follow me through the security scanner.”

  The guys follow Sharyn down a corridor and into an air particle disinfecting room where they are given a white lightweight jump suit each.

  “Put these on please boys. You’re about to meet some very important people.” Says Sharyn as they head toward a group of elderly men with white coats…

  “This is Professor Leyton Grey, Nuclear-physicist… Johnathon Lee, Linear mathematician… Matthew Branson, Astro geologist…. Air Commander Dany Carter… and Senator Brock Winsor, Energy minister.”

  “Welcome fellas.” Says Matthew. “We’re glad you could make it”

  “Commander Carter Sir.” Says Ben. “We weren’t expecting to see you here.”

  “Just relax boys.” Says Dany. “And watch the show.”

  “So what’s this all about?” Asks Cory.

  “You guys have found the holy grail of metals. Do you see that computer over there?” Asks Matthew as he points across the room.

  “Yeah.” Says Ben.

  “Do you see that screen, that fan, those lights, these machines”

  “Yeah.” Cory says.

  “Do you see that small red glowing glass cylinder over there with the end caps, switches, gadgets and wires hanging off it?”

  “Yes.” They both say together.

  “That cylinder is powering everything in this room, this building in fact. We think it could even power this whole city block.”

  “You’re kidding!” Says Ben.

  “We aren’t kidding at all my friend.” Says Matthew. “Analysis and experimentation has revealed a new mineral on the periodic table sitting between gold and mercury.”

  “Get the fuck out!” Says Cory.

  Professor Layton holds up the last tiny piece of red gold, no bigger than a jelly bean. “It has an isotope count of 197.24, and a melting point of 240 degrees celsius.”

  Johnathon interjects. “And if it’s in a molten liquid state like that is now, and pressurized to 5 atmospheres and given a source of ignition like a spark… as we found out by accident…”

  Matthew points to the generator. “A process of fusion at an atomic level begins. It releases over 500 times more energy than a nuclear reaction from uranium, pound for pound.”

  “Holy crap.” Ben says, mouth wide open.

  “We only wish we had more.” Says Johnathon.

  “More!” Says Cory.

  “Boys!” Says Brock. “Let’s get to the point. Do you have any more or do you know where more might be located?”

  “Ummm…” says Cory. “I… need to speak to Ben for a minute. Do you guys mind if we use that room over there?”

  “Please… feel free.” Says Leyton.

  Cory motions Ben to the room as he does an appallingly bad impression of someone with nothing to hide. Ben shuts the door as Matthew pulls Commander Carter aside.

  “Commander Carter. We have more delicate matters to discuss. We did other tests as well.”

  “Go on.”

  “It seems that when this red gold metal is melted with Mercury under the same conditions, it is extremely volatile and highly explosive.”

  “What are we talking about here?”

  “One cubic inch could potentially take out a 5 kilometer radius, if our computer projections are accurate.”

  “Who else knows about this?” Asks Carter.

  “Just myself, professor Leyton and Mr. Lee.”

  “Keep this to yourselves. Continue your research but don’t construct anything unless I say so. I want daily reports.”

  “Yes Commander.”

  Meanwhile in the side room…

  “Holy shit dorkus.” Says Cory. “What are you thinking?”

  “If that shit does what they say it can do,” Ben Says. “It’s gonna be worth millions… no billions. Think, think.”

  “Oh shit! Do you know what this could mean? We could build the Phoenix ourselves if we can negotiate a good deal.”

  “Ok, how’s this.” Says Ben. “I remember you telling Sharyn we found it near Todd River, right?”

  “Yeah… so.”

  “They’ll be looking in the wrong direction… if they’re even looking. I guess the decks stacked in our favour.”

  “So what are you saying?” Asks Cory.

  “We go big and we go hard. We’ll tell them where they can find more, but not until we negotiate a finder’s fee and royalties.”

  “There’s nothing about that sentence I don’t like!” Replies Cory.

  “Follow my lead.” Ben says excitedly as they exit the side room. “Gentlemen, I think we might be able to find you some more… if we can come to some agreement?”

  “We’re listening.” Says Brock….

  IV

  A new source of power creation has been discovered that could sustain the world’s requirements for an estimated 3 centuries at current growth rates, and there were no environmental contaminates produced whatsoever. Everything from major power plants to tiny batteries could be built.

  After days of negotiations, a huge cash settlement with future royalties and naming rights, ‘Corbenthium’ or ‘CBT’ is born. Cory and Ben divulge the location of the mineral and a geological team is sent for evaluation and assessment.

  Further studies and drill core samples reveal the entire core of Ayres Rock is made from Corbenthium. Its weak magnetic field had attracted iron ore and desert dust to its exterior over tens of millions of years creating a red crust of rock an average of half a meter thick. What they didn’t expect was that only 10% of the rock was visible above land.

  The Traditional Owners and the governments of both countries start heated talks regarding ownership of Uluru. The Traditional Owners Caretaker role is now due to expire in less than two years.

  An agreement is struck regarding mining, refinement and distribution of Corbenthium, or ‘Red Gold’ as it had become known, between the three parties. The Commonwealth and the Republic agree to mining and refinement policies and processes while the Trads are given full rights to control sales, distribution and logistics. A new mining boom is about to get underway.

  One policy all three sides must agree on is that Corbenthium is only to be used for domestic, industrial and commercial power production and never for military applications. All other countries that wish to purchase the mineral must agree to abide by the same policy. The distribution is tightly controlled and monitored.

  Nuclear power plants worldwide are quickly, easily and cheaply converted to accept Corbenthium reactor cores. The price exceeds $750,000 per kilo. Enough to power a large city for over six months, but still much cheaper and much safer than the alternative.

  All three parties take massive profits from the arrangement but the ownership issue is looming closer every day, and both nations are beginning to realise eventually a new agreement must be reached. Talks have continued, but neither side is willing to give up ownership to the other.

  V

  2040

  Cory and Ben have both left the Air force and started up their company ‘Orion Aviation’ (ORAV) with their settlement. The R.W.A. Defence Force has offered them a contract to design and build a new fighter jet, the K-18 ‘Black Raptor’.

  They also start construction on the ‘Phoenix’, the first prototype aircraft to incorporate electronically derived thrust from a CBT power core and a camouflage system.

  PROJECT PHOENIX: ‘VH-771’

  By Orion Aviation.

  Fuselage and body components.

  - 15.32 meters wing span, 14.18 meters nose to tail, 4.72 in height.

  - Titanium alloy frame. Carbon fiber panels with a Graphene projective shell.

  - 4 x 2 horizontally stacked ElMag jet engines with mini wings

  - 2 x wing centered ‘Vertical Thrust Rotors’. 2 x ret
ractable tail VTR’s

  - Triple tail wings and 2 pectoral wings

  - Anti-vortex fins

  - Nose ailerons.

  - 3 x landing legs

  - Diamond/graphene/glass composite 1 piece windscreen

  Technical installations.

  - 12,000kw Corbenthium power generator.

  - 6 x 2 axis mounted cloak cameras.

  - Photo active sensory camouflage.

  - ‘Intuitive’ Instrument landing System

  - Aggressive military spec GPS

  - Multi-Spectrum collision avoidance system

  - Ultra-long distance Friend-or-Foe (FOF) radar/transmitter.

  - Tactical ‘Forward Mapping’ combat computer

  - Center console mounted holographic display projector and HUD touch screens.

  - Seats 7- Pilot, co-pilot, Avionics Engineer and 4 passengers.

  - Mini bar fridge, fluffy dice and drink holders.

  Armaments:

  Forward and rear weapon installations.

  - 4 Corbenthium (CBT) Incendiary launchers

  - 4 CBT/HG (Mercury) Brimstone missiles

  - 2 unguided CBT/HG bombs

  - 24 CBT/HG Sky Reaper air-to-air missiles

  - 4 forward facing fixed 60mm Gatling guns.

  - 2 rear facing maneuverable 40mm Gatling guns.

  - Anti-air countermeasures. 6 Titanium shrapnel projector canisters and anti-missile flares.

  In the newly built Research and Development room at ORAV, Cory, Ben, Techy, Brian and Cass are discussing construction of the Phoenix at the holo-table…

  “Ok,” Says Cory. “Everyone got their seats. Brian if you’ll do the honors.”

  “On it.” Says Brian as he switches the table on, but nothing happens.

  “Impressive!” Says Cass.

  “Techy,” Says Ben. “Did you plug it in?”

  “Yeah.” Techy replies. “Oh wait. It’s not switched on. Ok, try now.”

  A holographic projection of the Phoenix partly constructed, beams directly above the table.

  “Righto.” Says Cory. “So far we have the fuselage assembled, most of the wiring installed and the panels are being fitted right now. Techy how’s the cammo looking?”

  “I managed to get that F-18 shell from the junk yard into the hanger.” Says Techy. “I’m just waiting for the graphene sheets to arrive and I can get started on the test model. In the meantime I’m still writing the software.”

  “Good stuff.” Says Cory. “Ben, how long will it take your team to finish the panel installation?”

  “I recon another two weeks and we should be done.”

  “Ok… Brian.” Says Cory. “Where are we with the armaments?”

  “The four 60mm guns are down in the hanger and the two 40mm should be here tomorrow. After the panels are all on I can get started installing them. The heavier weapons should be here within the month.”

  “And the counter measures?”

  “I’m still working on those. Give me say… three weeks.”

  “We can work with that.” Says Cory. “Cass, how’s the radar and GPS looking?”

  “You do realise that I have a day job right?” Asks Cass.

  Yeah of course.” Says Ben. “Relax… you’re on double time all day.”

  “Just Checking.” Says Cass. “So as soon as all the wiring been laid I can get started installing them. It should take around three days to properly configure them and another week for the comms.”

  “That’s great!” Cory says. “That’s around the time the windscreen arrives.”

  “Ah, we may have a problem there.” Says Ben. “The manufacturer is having problems getting the composition right. Looks like it might be another four weeks or so.”

  “We’re a few days in front of schedule anyway so that shouldn’t be a problem. Techy, what’s going on with the landing system and combat computer?”

  “They should be here on Friday with the Collision Avoidance unit and the holo display. The HUD Screens are gonna be another week, but we’ll still be on track.”

  “No problem.” Says Cory. “Ben and I are heading to hanger Bravo in the morning to check on the ElMag. Jack thinks this will be the final test run.”

  “So…” Says Ben. “The only critical part is the Corbenthium power generator. The guys at the ETS lab are still trying to control the power output, but at the moment it’s way too unstable.”

  “Power surges still?” Asks Cory.

  “Yeah, unfortunately.”

  “I’m heading in there tomorrow.” Says Techy. “I think I may have something that should solve that problem.”

  “Awesome.” Says Cory. “Looks like we’re running on schedule. Anyone got anything else to add?”

  “Yep.” Says Brian. “Who wants a beer?”

  VI

  The next morning, Cory and Ben both enter hanger ‘Bravo’, the high security facility where the Phoenix’s Electro Magnetic, or ‘ElMag’ Jet engine is undergoing testing.

  “It’s a thing of beauty Ben.” Says Cory. “Jack recons it will put out 50% more power than anything available to date. 60,000 pounds of thrust.”

  “What the… how did you manage that?”

  “We staggered the magnetic bearings a tiny bit closer to eliminate the wobble.”

  “And the drag?” Ben asks.

  “Zero drag.” Says Cory. “And the new motor coils are wound with a Corbenthium copper composite. It allows the electrons to flow at a higher speed with less resistance. The only problem we may have is the titanium intake fan might shatter from the G’s.”

  “Nice…!” Says Ben. “At the rate everything’s progressing, we might actually be flying before Christmas. Techy is overseeing some of the avionics installation right now and he reckons the photo active graphene sheets should be installed within the month.”

  “Hey that’s awesome.”

  The guys walk into the ‘Clean room’ where Chief engineer Jack Winters is making final preparations before the 28th test run. His computer screen sits in front of a window that looks out to the wind tunnel where the ElMag is firmly bolted to the floor…

  “Hey Cory… Ben.” Says Jack.

  “Hi Chief.” They both say in unison.

  “You’re just in time. I’m about to warm up the Corbenthium Power Generator (C.P.G.) now. Grab a seat and pull it up here near the viewport.”

  A warning siren sounds to alert staff that the test is about to take place. Jack switches on the C.P.G. which glows red in the darkened wind tunnel as he grabs a microphone.

  “Attention all staff…! Attention all staff! Please evacuate the wind tunnel immediately! Testing will begin in one minute. I repeat… Please evacuate the wind tunnel immediately! Testing will begin in one minute!”

  Cory and Ben sit eyes wide in anxious anticipation.

  “Cory, this is your baby” Says Jack. “Would you like to do the honors?”

  “Hell yeah!” Cory says as he reaches for the thrust lever.

  “All staff. Start-up in 30 seconds.” Announces Jack. “Take your positions and report in.”

  The Chief gets the ‘all-clear’ back on the comms while Cory sits nervously and Ben makes himself comfortable

  “20% thanks Cory on my mark.” Says Jack. “Start-up in 10 seconds……..5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Take us to 20% thanks Cory.

  “20%. Understood”

  As Cory moves the thrust lever forward the C.P.G. dims slightly as the turbine core begins to turn. A high pitched humming noise is emanating from the ElMag.

  “Hold there please Cory.” Jack says. “I’ll run diagnostics and make adjustments if needed.”

  “Holding at 20.”

  Jack makes adjustments to the C.P.G. and ElMag settings as the test smoke is introduced.

  “Ok take us to 40% please.”

  “40%, roger.”

  The C.P.G. dims slightly further and a low rumble is heard as the wind passes over the vortex eliminator fins located in the inside rear of the engine.


  “More smoke please.” Jack says over the 2 way. “Take us to 60%.”

  “60%.” Cory says as the rumble turns into a low pitched howl.

  Jack radios his staff for conformance confirmation. “All staff report.”

  Several voices on the 2-way return information in ordered delivery.

  “40% max rotation at 28,630 rpm, air speed 1642kph, Engine temp -12 degrees external +42 degrees internal, pressure normal.”

  Jack examines the performance data while Ben sits mesmerized…

  “Ben, pass my coffee please. 80% thanks Cory.”

  “80%, roger that”

  The test smoke rushes through the engine at over 1900kms per hour as the howl turns into an angry scream. Jack scans the monitors for any signs of abnormalities in the readings and makes final adjustments.

  “Full power, 100% please Cory”

  “Roger that, full power 100%”

  The ElMag whines in desperation with the strain, then suddenly resonates a low frequency hum. A faint red glow is illuminating the rear of the engine. Ben looks on in amazement mouth wide open while Jack scans the information in front of him.

  “Wow.” Says Cory. “I wasn’t expecting it to be so quiet”

  “It’s running in perfect balance with output wind speed at a little over Mach 2.” Says Jack. “You should be proud of what you’ve designed.”

  “Jack, you and your team deserve most of the credit. So what now?”

  “I’m confident you could say this final test has been a total success. After we examine all the data and we’re sure we’ve ironed out all the bugs, we can start construction on four more units for the Phoenix. Give us say… three months.”

  “Outstanding!” Says Cory as Techy walks into the room.

  “Hey guys. What’s happening?”

  “Hey Techy. Final ElMag test run mate.” Says Cory.

  “Nice. What’s the red shit coming out the back?”

  “Residual plasma discharge.” Says Ben.